(9) Income Per Share (Details) (The Wendy's Company [Member]) In Thousands	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
Oct. 02, 2011	Oct. 03, 2010	Oct. 02, 2011	Oct. 03, 2010
Common Stock:
Weighted average basic shares outstanding	395,677	417,985	410,624	428,968
Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted shares	2,222	0	1,619	1,006
Weighted average diluted shares outstanding	397,899	417,985	412,243	429,974
Potential common shares excluded from diluted per share calculation	20,525		19,038	23,846
Stock Options [Member]
Common Stock:
Potential common shares, outstanding	31,022		31,022
Restricted Stock [Member]
Common Stock:
Potential common shares, outstanding	3,820		3,820

Securities (including those issuable pursuant to contingent stock agreements) that could potentially dilute basic earnings per share (EPS) or earnings per unit (EPU) in the future that were not included in the computation of diluted EPS or EPU because to do so would increase EPS or EPU amounts or decrease loss per share or unit amounts for the period presented.

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-Glossary Diluted Earnings Per Share

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+ Details

- Definition

The average number of shares or units issued and outstanding that are used in calculating diluted EPS or earnings per unit (EPU), determined based on the timing of issuance of shares or units in the period.

+ References+ Details

- Definition

Number of [basic] shares or units, after adjustment for contingently issuable shares or units and other shares or units not deemed outstanding, determined by relating the portion of time within a reporting period that common shares or units have been outstanding to the total time in that period.

+ References

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+ Details