Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
Oct. 02, 2011	Nov. 03, 2011
Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	WENDY'S CO
Entity Central Index Key	0000030697
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--01-01
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Oct. 02, 2011
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2011
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		389,140,409
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Subsidiaries [Member]
Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	WENDY'S RESTAURANTS, LLC
Entity Central Index Key	0001467974
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer

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