Revenue Contract Balances (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
Mar. 29, 2026	Mar. 30, 2025	Dec. 28, 2025
Contract balances
Deferred franchise fees at beginning of period	$ 98,496	$ 99,411
Revenue recognized during the period	(4,832)	(2,345)
New deferrals due to cash received and other	521	1,935
Deferred franchise fees at end of period	94,185	$ 99,001
Deferred franchise fees, noncurrent	84,426		$ 87,956
Balance Sheet Location: us-gaap:AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableNetCurrent \| Short-term Contract with Customer
Contract balances
Receivables, Net, Current	71,918		59,060
Balance Sheet Location: us-gaap:AccruedLiabilitiesCurrentAndNoncurrent
Contract balances
Deferred franchise fees, current	9,759		10,540
Balance Sheet Location: us-gaap:ContractWithCustomerLiabilityNoncurrent
Contract balances
Deferred franchise fees, noncurrent	84,426		87,956
Balance Sheet Location: wen:AdvertisingFundsRestrictedAssets \| Short-term Contract with Customer
Contract balances
Receivables, Net, Current	$ 73,825		$ 75,083

Amount of obligation to transfer good or service to customer for which consideration has been received or is receivable.

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Amount of deferred revenue recognized for transactions arising during the current reporting period. Deferred revenue is a liability as of the balance sheet date related to a revenue producing activity for which revenue has not yet been recognized. Generally, an Entity records deferred revenue when it receives consideration from a customer before achieving certain criteria that must be met for revenue to be recognized in conformity with GAAP.

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[Line Items] for Contract balances [Table]

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