(6) Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	Oct. 02, 2011		Jan. 02, 2011
The Wendy's Company [Member] | Debt Instrument 3 [Member] | Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Fair Value Hedging [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Interest rate swaps	$ 13,014
The Wendy's Company [Member] | Debt Instrument 3 [Member] | Portion at Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Fair Value Hedging [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Interest rate swaps	13,014	[1]
Wendy's Restaurants, LLC [Member] | Debt Instrument 3 [Member] | Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Fair Value Hedging [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Interest rate swaps	13,014
Wendy's Restaurants, LLC [Member] | Debt Instrument 3 [Member] | Portion at Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Fair Value Hedging [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Interest rate swaps	13,014	[1]	9,623
Debt Instrument 3 [Member] | Corporate [Member] | Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Fair Value Hedging [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Interest rate swaps	0
Debt Instrument 3 [Member] | Corporate [Member] | Portion at Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Fair Value Hedging [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Interest rate swaps	0	[1]
Wendy's Restaurants, LLC [Member] | Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Non-current cost investments	22,812
Wendy's Restaurants, LLC [Member] | Portion at Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Non-current cost investments	25,219	[2]
The Wendy's Company [Member] | Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Non-current cost investments	27,410
The Wendy's Company [Member] | Portion at Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Non-current cost investments	45,819	[2]
Corporate [Member] | Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Non-current cost investments	4,598
Corporate [Member] | Portion at Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Non-current cost investments	$ 20,600	[2]

[1] The fair values were based on information provided by the bank counterparties that is model-driven and whose inputs were observable or whose significant value drivers were observable.

[2] Fair value of these investments was based entirely on statements of account received from investment managers or investees which were principally based on quoted market or broker/dealer prices. To the extent that some of these investments, including the underlying investments in investment limited partnerships, do not have available quoted market or broker/dealer prices, the Companies relied on valuations performed by the investment managers or investees in valuing those investments or third-party appraisals.