(24) Guarantees and Other Commitments and Contingencies Insurance (Details) (Wendy's Restaurants, LLC [Member], Insurance Claims [Member], USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 01, 2012
Wendy's Restaurants, LLC [Member] \| Insurance Claims [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Loss contingency, possible loss per occurrence, maximum	$ 500

The estimated maximum amount of possible per occurrence loss from the coningency.

No definition available.

Name:	wen_LossContingencyRangeOfPossibleLossPerOccurrenceMaximum
Namespace Prefix:	wen_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant