Disaggregation of Revenue (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2025	Dec. 29, 2024	Dec. 31, 2023
Disaggregation of Revenue
Franchise agreement term	20 years
Franchise agreement renewal term	10 years
Franchise agreement extension term	25 years
Total revenues	$ 2,176,891	$ 2,246,492	$ 2,181,578
Minimum
Disaggregation of Revenue
Lessor, Operating Lease, Term of Contract	15 years
Maximum
Disaggregation of Revenue
Lessor, Operating Lease, Term of Contract	20 years
Sales at Company-operated restaurants
Disaggregation of Revenue
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	$ 916,325	925,905	930,083
Franchise royalty revenue
Disaggregation of Revenue
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	504,547	528,388	512,159
Franchise fees
Disaggregation of Revenue
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	98,184	97,614	80,172
Franchise Rental Income
Disaggregation of Revenue
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	235,750	236,493	230,168
Advertising funds revenue
Disaggregation of Revenue
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	422,085	458,092	428,996
Wendy's U.S. | Operating Segments
Disaggregation of Revenue
Total revenues	1,785,124	1,859,745	1,815,845
Wendy's U.S. | Sales at Company-operated restaurants
Disaggregation of Revenue
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	887,512	898,886	905,700
Wendy's U.S. | Franchise royalty revenue
Disaggregation of Revenue
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	429,039	456,648	444,653
Wendy's U.S. | Franchise fees
Disaggregation of Revenue
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	84,101	82,703	68,749
Wendy's U.S. | Franchise Rental Income
Disaggregation of Revenue
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	0	0	0
Wendy's U.S. | Advertising funds revenue
Disaggregation of Revenue
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	384,472	421,508	396,743
Wendy's International | Operating Segments
Disaggregation of Revenue
Total revenues	152,961	144,690	130,548
Wendy's International | Sales at Company-operated restaurants
Disaggregation of Revenue
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	28,813	27,019	24,383
Wendy's International | Franchise royalty revenue
Disaggregation of Revenue
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	75,508	71,740	67,506
Wendy's International | Franchise fees
Disaggregation of Revenue
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	11,027	9,347	6,406
Wendy's International | Franchise Rental Income
Disaggregation of Revenue
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	0	0	0
Wendy's International | Advertising funds revenue
Disaggregation of Revenue
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	37,613	36,584	32,253
Global Real Estate & Development | Operating Segments
Disaggregation of Revenue
Total revenues	238,806	242,057	235,185
Global Real Estate & Development | Sales at Company-operated restaurants
Disaggregation of Revenue
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	0	0	0
Global Real Estate & Development | Franchise royalty revenue
Disaggregation of Revenue
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	0	0	0
Global Real Estate & Development | Franchise fees
Disaggregation of Revenue
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	3,056	5,564	5,017
Global Real Estate & Development | Franchise Rental Income
Disaggregation of Revenue
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	235,750	236,493	230,168
Global Real Estate & Development | Advertising funds revenue
Disaggregation of Revenue
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0