Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Oct. 02, 2011		Oct. 03, 2010
The Wendy's Company [Member] | Segment, Continuing Operations [Member]
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	$ 90,972		$ 96,452
Impairment of long-lived assets	8,262		21,403
Wendy's Restaurants, LLC [Member] | Segment, Continuing Operations [Member]
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	90,390		95,055
Share-based compensation provision	10,917	[1]	9,841	[1]
Impairment of long-lived assets	8,262		21,403
Tax sharing payment to parent	(13,078)	[2]	0	[2]
Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds from dispositions	2,865		2,174
Cash flows from financing activities:
Dividends paid to The Wendy's Company	0	[3]	(443,700)	[3]
The Wendy's Company [Member] | Segment, Discontinued Operations [Member]
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:
Loss on disposal of Arby’s	8,849		0
Wendy's Restaurants, LLC [Member] | Segment, Discontinued Operations [Member]
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:
Loss on disposal of Arby’s	8,849		0
The Wendy's Company [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net (loss) income	5,891		6,433
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	113,085		137,448
Net receipt of deferred vendor incentives	13,876		10,096
Share-based compensation provision	13,756		10,519
Distributions received from joint venture	10,784		9,718
Impairment of long-lived assets	9,820		41,424
Loss on disposal of Arby’s	8,849		0
Non-cash rent expense (credit)	6,169		7,152
Accretion of long-term debt	6,137		13,013
Write-off and amortization of deferred financing costs	4,863		10,391
Deferred income tax provision (benefit), net	4,871		(16,298)
Provision for doubtful accounts	2,004		7,586
Operating investment adjustments, net (see below)	(145)		(5,201)
Equity in earnings in joint ventures, net	(7,817)		(7,127)
Other, net	128		(2,171)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net:
Accounts and notes receivable	(6,550)		(6,971)
Inventories	(210)		1,824
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(8,138)		(6,853)
Accounts payable	9,365		(8,973)
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	(4,635)		(34,533)
Net cash provided by operating activities	182,103		167,477
Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds from sale of Arby’s, net	103,162		0
Proceeds from dispositions	3,799		4,394
Capital expenditures	(91,913)		(94,736)
Restaurant acquisitions	(6,613)		0
Franchise incentive loans	(1,269)		0
Other, net	(245)		407
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	6,103		(57,698)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from long-term debt	0		497,661
Repayments of long-term debt	(36,611)		(470,942)
Proceeds from stock option exercises	5,345		1,380
Repurchases of common stock	(152,681)		(173,537)
Dividends paid	(24,584)		(19,260)
Deferred financing costs	(57)		(16,286)
Other, net	(753)		(894)
Net cash used in financing activities	(209,341)		(181,878)
Net cash (used in) provided by operations before effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(21,135)		(72,099)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(2,556)		894
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(23,691)		(71,205)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	512,508		591,719
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	488,817		520,514
Operating investment adjustments, net:
Income on collection of DFR Notes	0		(4,909)
Other net recognized gains	(145)		(292)
Supplemental total of operating investment adjustments	(145)		(5,201)
Investment activities, net:
Proceeds from sales of investments	365		1,810
Proceeds from repayment of DFR Notes	0		30,752
Cost of securities	0		(325)
Investment in joint venture	(1,183)		0
Supplemental total of investment activities	(818)		32,237
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]
Interest	96,760		108,556
Income taxes, net of refunds	11,523		11,513
Total capital expenditures	92,707		99,553
Cash capital expenditures	(91,913)		(94,736)
Non-cash capitalized lease and certain sales-leaseback obligations	794		4,817
Indirect investment in Arby's	19,000		0
Wendy's Restaurants, LLC [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net (loss) income	12,314		7,172
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	112,503		136,051
Net receipt of deferred vendor incentives	13,876		10,096
Share-based compensation provision	12,973		9,841
Distributions received from joint venture	10,784		9,718
Impairment of long-lived assets	9,820		41,424
Loss on disposal of Arby’s	8,849		0
Non-cash rent expense (credit)	6,166		7,152
Accretion of long-term debt	6,137		13,013
Write-off and amortization of deferred financing costs	4,854		10,378
Deferred income tax provision (benefit), net	8,600		(4,918)
Tax sharing payable to parent, net	2,437		(8,673)
Provision for doubtful accounts	2,004		7,586
Other operating transactions with parent	(4,366)		(6,831)
Equity in earnings in joint ventures, net	(7,817)		(7,127)
Tax sharing payment to parent	(13,078)		0
Other, net	191		(1,731)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net:
Accounts and notes receivable	(6,664)		(6,721)
Inventories	(210)		1,824
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(8,520)		(7,386)
Accounts payable	8,960		(7,289)
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	(513)		(32,616)
Net cash provided by operating activities	179,300		170,963
Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds from sale of Arby’s, net	103,162		0
Proceeds from dispositions	3,799		4,394
Capital expenditures	(91,913)		(94,736)
Restaurant acquisitions	(6,613)		0
Franchise incentive loans	(1,269)		0
Other, net	(245)		1,369
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	5,738		(88,973)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from long-term debt	0		497,661
Repayments of long-term debt	(35,594)		(462,831)
Dividends paid to The Wendy's Company	0		(443,700)
Deferred financing costs	(57)		(16,286)
Net cash used in financing activities	(35,651)		(425,156)
Net cash (used in) provided by operations before effect of exchange rate changes on cash	149,387		(343,166)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(2,556)		894
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	146,831		(342,272)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	198,686		538,864
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	345,517		196,592
Investment activities, net:
Investment in joint venture	(1,183)		0
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]
Interest	96,097		107,326
Income taxes, net of refunds	9,531		7,458
Total capital expenditures	92,707		99,553
Cash capital expenditures	(91,913)		(94,736)
Non-cash capitalized lease and certain sales-leaseback obligations	794		4,817
Indirect investment in Arby's	$ 19,000		$ 0

[1] Wendy’s Restaurants incurs share based compensation costs for The Wendy’s Company Common Stock awards issued to certain employees under The Wendy’s Company various equity plans. Such compensation cost is allocated by The Wendy’s Company to Wendy’s Restaurants and is correspondingly recorded as capital contributions from The Wendy’s Company.

[2] Wendy’s Restaurants made cash payments to The Wendy’s Company under a tax sharing agreement, as discussed in Note 8.

[3] Wendy’s Restaurants paid cash dividends to The Wendy’s Company which were charged to “Invested equity.”