(23) Lease Commitments Capital Leased Assets, Subleased to Third Parties (Details) (Wendy's Restaurants, LLC [Member], USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 01, 2012	Jan. 02, 2011
Capital Leased Assets [Line Items]
Property leased to others under capital leases and operating leases	$ 87,093	$ 96,392
Property leased to others under capital leases and operating leases, accumulated depreciation	(20,019)	(18,344)
Property leased to others under capital leases and operating leases, net	67,074	78,048
Land [Member]
Capital Leased Assets [Line Items]
Property leased to others under capital leases and operating leases	24,211	27,434
Building and Building Improvements [Member]
Capital Leased Assets [Line Items]
Property leased to others under capital leases and operating leases	58,505	64,825
Office, Restaurant, and Transportation Equipment [Member]
Capital Leased Assets [Line Items]
Property leased to others under capital leases and operating leases	$ 4,377	$ 4,133