Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 01, 2012	Jan. 02, 2011
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 475,231	$ 512,508
Accounts and notes receivable	68,349	84,258
Inventories	12,903	22,694
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	27,397	24,386
Deferred income tax benefit	93,384	34,389
Advertising funds restricted assets	69,672	76,553
Total current assets	746,936	754,788
Properties	1,192,200	1,551,261
Goodwill	870,431	883,644
Other intangible assets	1,304,288	1,358,574
Investments	119,271	107,223
Deferred costs and other assets	67,542	77,164
Total assets	4,300,668	4,732,654
Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term debt	6,597	18,415
Accounts payable	81,301	81,361
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	210,698	245,157
Advertising funds restricted liabilities	69,672	76,553
Total current liabilities	368,268	421,486
Long-term debt	1,350,402	1,553,987
Deferred income	6,523	11,460
Deferred income taxes	470,521	412,293
Other liabilities	108,885	170,254
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock, $0.10 par value; 1,500,000 shares authorized;	47,042	47,042
Additional paid-in capital	2,779,871	2,771,126
Accumulated deficit	(434,999)	(412,464)
Common stock held in treasury, at cost	(395,947)	(249,547)
Accumulated other comprehensive income	102	7,017
Total stockholders’ equity	1,996,069	2,163,174
Total liabilities and invested equity	4,300,668	4,732,654
Wendy's Restaurants, LLC [Member]
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	346,648	198,686
Accounts and notes receivable	67,453	83,352
Inventories	12,903	22,694
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	18,408	24,032
Deferred income tax benefit	94,963	45,067
Advertising funds restricted assets	69,672	76,553
Total current assets	610,047	450,384
Properties	1,192,196	1,541,853
Goodwill	875,708	888,921
Other intangible assets	1,304,288	1,358,574
Investments	114,651	102,406
Deferred costs and other assets	66,827	74,559
Total assets	4,163,717	4,416,697
Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term debt	5,137	17,047
Accounts payable	80,986	81,148
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	212,150	244,300
Advertising funds restricted liabilities	69,672	76,553
Total current liabilities	367,945	419,048
Long-term debt	1,340,559	1,542,684
Due to parent	15,368	30,808
Deferred income	6,523	11,460
Deferred income taxes	537,689	478,472
Other liabilities	95,969	157,595
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock, $0.10 par value; 1,500,000 shares authorized;	0	0
Additional paid-in capital	2,440,130	2,423,459
Accumulated deficit	(486,567)	(499,500)
Advances to parent	(155,000)	(155,000)
Accumulated other comprehensive income	1,101	7,671
Total stockholders’ equity	1,799,664	1,776,630
Total liabilities and invested equity	$ 4,163,717	$ 4,416,697