Reconciliation of Wendy's U.S. Segment Operating Profit (Loss) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2025	Dec. 29, 2024	Dec. 31, 2023
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 2,176,891	$ 2,246,492	$ 2,181,578
Cost of sales	791,724	783,211	794,493
Franchise support and other costs	80,975	67,688	57,243
Advertising funds expense	422,552	478,136	428,003
General and administrative	252,679	255,208	249,964
Operating profit	343,452	371,359	381,984
Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating profit	642,580	677,809	667,540
Wendy's U.S. | Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	1,785,124	1,859,745	1,815,845
Cost of sales	761,417	755,265	767,150
Franchise support and other costs	65,524	54,047	47,554
Advertising funds expense	384,472	441,508	396,743
General and administrative	84,464	79,664	75,734
Other segment items	151	3,307	312
Operating profit	489,096	525,954	528,352
Advertising fund expense	$ 0	$ 20,000	$ 0