(13) Legal and Environmental Matters	6 Months Ended
Jul. 03, 2011
Legal and Environmental Matters [Abstract]
Legal and Environmental Matters	Legal and Environmental Matters We are involved in litigation and claims incidental to our current and prior businesses. We provide reserves for such litigation and claims when payment is probable and reasonably estimable. As of July 3, 2011, Wendy’s Restaurants had reserves for continuing operations for all of its legal and environmental matters aggregating $3,164, which are included in the total $3,193 accrued for continuing operations by The Wendy’s Company for all legal and environmental matters. We cannot estimate the aggregate possible range of loss due to most proceedings being in preliminary stages, with various motions either yet to be submitted or pending, discovery yet to occur, and significant factual matters unresolved. In addition, most cases seek an indeterminate amount of damages and many involve multiple parties. Predicting the outcomes of settlement discussions or judicial or arbitral decisions are thus inherently difficult. Based on currently available information, including legal defenses available to us, and given the aforementioned reserves and our insurance coverage, we do not believe that the outcome of these legal and environmental matters will have a material effect on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.

Legal and Environmental Matters

We are involved in litigation and claims incidental to our current and prior businesses. We provide reserves for such litigation and claims when payment is probable and reasonably estimable. As of July 3, 2011, Wendy’s Restaurants had reserves for continuing operations for all of its legal and environmental matters aggregating $3,164, which are included in the total $3,193 accrued for continuing operations by The Wendy’s Company for all legal and environmental matters. We cannot estimate the aggregate possible range of loss due to most proceedings being in preliminary stages, with various motions either yet to be submitted or pending, discovery yet to occur, and significant factual matters unresolved. In addition, most cases seek an indeterminate amount of damages and many involve multiple parties. Predicting the outcomes of settlement discussions or judicial or arbitral decisions are thus inherently difficult. Based on currently available information, including legal defenses available to us, and given the aforementioned reserves and our insurance coverage, we do not believe that the outcome of these legal and environmental matters will have a material effect on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.