The cash outflow for debt initially having maturity due after one year or beyond the normal operating cycle, if longer.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 15

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3291-108585

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 95

-Paragraph 18

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 95

-Paragraph 20

-Subparagraph b

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Financing Activities

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6513228

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

(10) Debt and Equity (Details) (Wendy's Restaurants, LLC [Member], USD $) In Thousands	9 Months Ended		3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Oct. 02, 2011	Oct. 03, 2010	Apr. 03, 2011 Wendy's Restaurants term loan [Member] Secured Debt [Member]	Oct. 03, 2010 Wendy's 6.25% Senior Notes [Member]	Oct. 03, 2010 Prior Wendy's Restaurants term loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repayments of long-term debt	$ 35,594	$ 462,831	$ 24,874
Loss on early extinguishment of debt		26,197
Required premium payment to redeem notes				14,953
Write-off of unaccreted discount				5,477
Write off of deferred debt issuance cost					$ 5,767