(14) Income Taxes (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 01, 2012	Jan. 02, 2011	Jan. 03, 2010
Domestic	$ 11,967	$ (2,244)	$ (30,492)
Foreign	12,473	15,800	14,230
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	24,440	13,556	(16,262)
U.S. Federal	0	0	0
State	(675)	(5,774)	(12,687)
Foreign, principally Canada	(5,540)	(7,076)	(5,779)
Current tax provision	(6,215)	(12,850)	(18,466)
U.S. Federal	1,367	10,982	12,634
State	(2,788)	4,356	24,493
Foreign, principally Canada	1,108	2,067	2,979
Deferred income tax provision (benefit), net	(313)	17,405	40,106
Income tax (provision) benefit	(6,528)	4,555	21,640
Wendy's Restaurants, LLC [Member]
Domestic	25,119	2,328	(8,772)
Foreign	12,473	15,800	14,230
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	37,592	18,128	5,458
U.S. Federal	0	3,382	(60,588)
State	(675)	(8,014)	(10,697)
Foreign, principally Canada	(5,540)	(7,076)	(5,779)
Current tax provision	(6,215)	(11,708)	(77,064)
U.S. Federal	(2,610)	5,875	63,287
State	(8,905)	5,436	16,851
Foreign, principally Canada	1,108	2,067	2,979
Deferred income tax provision (benefit), net	(10,407)	13,378	83,117
Income tax (provision) benefit	$ (16,622)	$ 1,670	$ 6,053