(10) Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 01, 2012		Jan. 02, 2011		Jan. 03, 2010
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning of period	$ 883,644		$ 881,019
Goodwill, end of period	870,431		883,644		881,019
Net	1,304,288		1,358,574
Actual amortization expense
Aggregate amortization expense	33,181	[1]	36,662	[1]	34,398	[1]
Estimate for fiscal year
2012	29,248
2013	28,457
2014	27,548
2015	25,261
2016	23,315
Thereafter	267,459
Impairment of charges related to other intangible assets	2,763		5,125		2,180
Wendy's Restaurants, LLC [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, gross, beginning of year	1,370,996		1,368,371
Accumulated impairment loss	482,075		(482,075)
Goodwill, beginning of period	888,921		886,296
Arby's goodwill sold, net of accumulated impairment losses	(17,617)		0
Other restaurant acquisitions and dispositions	5,626		0
Currency translation adjustment	(1,222)		2,625
Goodwill, gross, end of year	875,708		1,370,996
Accumulated impairment loss	0		482,075
Goodwill, end of period	875,708		888,921
Accumulated amortization	98,310		88,007
Indefinite-lived and finite-lived intangible assets, gross	1,402,598		1,446,581
Net	1,304,288		1,358,574
Wendy's Restaurants, LLC [Member] | Franchise agreements [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Amortizable cost, gross	353,262		353,771
Accumulated amortization	54,853		38,077
Amortizable cost, net	298,409		315,694
Wendy's Restaurants, LLC [Member] | Favorable leases [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Amortizable cost, gross	108,304		134,445
Accumulated amortization	24,961		27,867
Amortizable cost, net	83,343		106,578
Wendy's Restaurants, LLC [Member] | Reacquired rights under franchise agreements [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Amortizable cost, gross	1,215		15,716
Accumulated amortization	1		4,172
Amortizable cost, net	1,214		11,544
Wendy's Restaurants, LLC [Member] | Computer software [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Amortizable cost, gross	36,817		39,649
Accumulated amortization	18,495		17,891
Amortizable cost, net	18,322		21,758
Wendy's Restaurants, LLC [Member] | Trademarks [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Non-amortizable Cost	903,000		903,000
Corporate [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Corporate goodwill adjustment, end of period	$ 5,277		$ 5,277		$ 5,277

[1] 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.