Reconciliation of Wendy's U.S. Segment Operating Profit (Loss) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2025	Sep. 29, 2024	Sep. 28, 2025	Sep. 29, 2024
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 549,516	$ 566,739	$ 1,633,917	$ 1,672,219
Cost of sales	204,259	195,638	588,949	587,637
Franchise support and other costs	17,519	16,047	51,184	47,011
Advertising funds expense	107,681	129,732	320,583	357,923
General and administrative	57,909	62,794	185,598	188,047
Segment profit	92,049	94,675	279,435	275,338
Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment profit	161,934	168,073	494,700	504,214
Wendy's U.S. | Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	451,417	468,725	1,342,173	1,384,163
Cost of sales	195,837	187,941	566,332	566,920
Franchise support and other costs	14,623	12,426	41,478	38,511
Advertising funds expense	97,073	119,719	290,188	329,445
General and administrative	20,575	18,812	62,618	56,804
Other segment items	23	37	135	160
Segment profit	123,286	129,790	381,422	392,323
Advertising fund expense	$ 0	$ 5,977	$ 0	$ 13,386