(10) Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Jan. 01, 2012

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets [Abstract]

Summary of components of goodwill

	2011			2010
Balance at beginning of year:
Wendy’s Restaurants goodwill	$	1,370,996		$	1,368,371
Accumulated impairment losses	(482,075		)	(482,075		)
Total Wendy’s Restaurants goodwill	888,921			886,296
Corporate goodwill adjustment	(5,277		)	(5,277		)
Total The Wendy’s Company goodwill	883,644			881,019
Changes in goodwill:
Arby’s goodwill sold, net of accumulated impairment losses of $482,075	(17,617		)	—
Other restaurant acquisitions and dispositions	5,626			—
Currency translation adjustment	(1,222		)	2,625
Balance at end of year:
Wendy’s Restaurants goodwill	875,708			1,370,996
Accumulated impairment losses	—			(482,075		)
Total Wendy’s Restaurants goodwill	875,708			888,921
Corporate goodwill adjustment	(5,277		)	(5,277		)
Total The Wendy’s Company goodwill	$	870,431		$	883,644

Schedule of finite-lived and indefinite-lived intangible assets

	Year End 2011						Year End 2010
	Cost		Accumulated Amortization		Net		Cost		Accumulated Amortization		Net
Non-amortizable:
Wendy’s trademarks	$	903,000	$	—	$	903,000	$	903,000	$	—	$	903,000
Amortizable:
Franchise agreements	353,262		54,853		298,409		353,771		38,077		315,694
Favorable leases	108,304		24,961		83,343		134,445		27,867		106,578
Reacquired rights under      franchise agreements	1,215		1		1,214		15,716		4,172		11,544
Computer software	36,817		18,495		18,322		39,649		17,891		21,758
	$	1,402,598	$	98,310	$	1,304,288	$	1,446,581	$	88,007	$	1,358,574

Schedule of aggregate amortization expense

Aggregate amortization expense:
Actual for fiscal year (a):
2009	$	34,398
2010	36,662
2011	33,181
Estimate for fiscal year:
2012	$	29,248
2013	28,457
2014	27,548
2015	25,261
2016	23,315
Thereafter	267,459

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(a) Includes $2,763, $5,125 and $2,180 of impairment charges related to other intangible assets in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively, which have been recorded as a reduction in the cost basis of the related intangible asset.