(6) Cash and Receivables Schedule of Allowance for Doubtful Accounts (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 01, 2012	Jan. 02, 2011	Jan. 03, 2010	Jan. 01, 2012 Franchisees [Member]	Jan. 02, 2011 Franchisees [Member]	Jan. 03, 2010 Franchisees [Member]	Jan. 01, 2012 Notes Receivable [Member] Deerfield Capital Corporation [Member]	Jan. 02, 2011 Notes Receivable [Member] Deerfield Capital Corporation [Member]	Jan. 03, 2010 Notes Receivable [Member] Deerfield Capital Corporation [Member]	Jan. 01, 2012 Other Receivables [Member]	Jan. 02, 2011 Other Receivables [Member]	Jan. 03, 2010 Other Receivables [Member]	Jan. 01, 2012 Allowance for doubtful accounts, current [Member]	Jan. 02, 2011 Allowance for doubtful accounts, current [Member]	Jan. 03, 2010 Allowance for doubtful accounts, current [Member]	Dec. 28, 2008 Allowance for doubtful accounts, current [Member]	Jan. 01, 2012 Allowance for doubtful accounts, noncurrent [Member]	Jan. 02, 2011 Allowance for doubtful accounts, noncurrent [Member]	Jan. 03, 2010 Allowance for doubtful accounts, noncurrent [Member]	Dec. 28, 2008 Allowance for doubtful accounts, noncurrent [Member]
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of year	$ 11,099	$ 29,106											$ 4,053	$ 7,321	$ 6,540	$ 887	$ 963	$ 3,778	$ 22,566	$ 21,804
Provision for doubtful accounts				264	9,694	8,342	0	(21,227)	0	0	0	(173)
Arby's allowance transferred in sale	(5,504)	0	0
Uncollective accounts written off, net of recoveries	(843)	(6,474)	(1,754)
Balance at end of year	$ 5,016	$ 11,099	$ 29,106										$ 4,053	$ 7,321	$ 6,540	$ 887	$ 963	$ 3,778	$ 22,566	$ 21,804