(3) Acquisitions and Dispositions (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 01, 2012	Jan. 02, 2011	Jan. 03, 2010
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]
Acquisition, cash paid	$ 11,210	$ 3,123	$ 2,357
Wendy's Restaurants, LLC [Member]
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]
Acquisition, cash paid	11,210	3,123	2,357
Proceeds from dispositions	6,113	3,405	9,785
Proceeds from the sale of franchise units	3,275	821	5,045
Proceeds from sale of land, buildings and equipment related to exercise of option by franchisee	1,075	1,231
Significant changes, franchises sold	5	2	12
Proceeds from the sale of surplus property	909	1,123	4,529
Proceeds from other dispositions	854	230	211
Gain (loss) on dispositions	885	1,411	3,114
Wendy's Restaurants, LLC [Member] | Franchised restaurants [Member]
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]
Significant changes, franchises purchased during period	19
Number of acquisitions	5
Consideration for acquisition before post-closing adjustments	12,270
Acquisition, cash paid	11,210
Acquisition, cash acquired	66
Acquisition, note payable issued	1,060
Goodwill recognized	5,620
Significant changes, franchise restaurants assumed during period	4
Loss recognized related to termination of a preexisting business relationship	2,689
Gain recognized on business acquisition	$ (1,659)