(7) Impairment of Long-Lived Assets (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jul. 03, 2011	Jul. 04, 2010	Jul. 03, 2011	Jul. 04, 2010
Wendy's Restaurants, LLC [Member] | Arby’s Restaurant Group, Inc [Member]
Impaired Long-Lived Assets Held and Used [Line Items]
Impairment of long-lived assets		$ 1,932		$ 13,533
Wendy's Restaurants, LLC [Member]
Impaired Long-Lived Assets Held and Used [Line Items]
Impairment of long-lived assets			9,820	14,015
Wendy's International, Inc. [Member]
Impaired Long-Lived Assets Held and Used [Line Items]
Impairment of long-lived assets	365	482	8,262	482
Wendy's International, Inc. [Member] | Properties [Member]
Impaired Long-Lived Assets Held and Used [Line Items]
Impairment of long-lived assets, Properties	365	75	6,449	75
Wendy's International, Inc. [Member] | Intangible Assets [Member]
Impaired Long-Lived Assets Held and Used [Line Items]
Impairment of intangible assets, Intangible assets	$ 0	$ 407	$ 1,813	$ 407