(16) Share-Based Compensation Performance Share Awards (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 01, 2012		Jan. 02, 2011		Jan. 03, 2010
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation	$ 16,990		$ 10,492		$ 12,095
Performance Share Award [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Risk-free interest rate	0.61%		0.93%
Expected option life in years	3.02		2.98
Expected volatility	52.00%		55.00%
Expected dividend yield	0.00%	[1]	0.00%	[1]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested [Roll Forward]
Fair value of shares vested	3,615
Performance Condition Award [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested [Roll Forward]
Nonvested, beginning of period	1,207
Granted	0
Dividend equivalent units issued	17
Vested	(215)
Forfeited	(354)
Nonvested, end of period	655
Weighted average grant date fair value, nonvested, beginning of period	$ 3.91
Weighted average grant date fair value, granted	$ 0.00
Weighted average grant date fair value, dividend equivalent units issued	$ 0.00
Weighted average grant date fair value, vested	$ 3.91
Weighted average grant date fair value, forfeited	$ 3.91
Weighted average grant date fair value, nonvested, end of period	$ 3.91
Market Condition Performance Award [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation	4,688	[2]	478	[2]	0	[2]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested [Roll Forward]
Nonvested, beginning of period	832
Granted	1,292
Dividend equivalent units issued	21
Vested	(431)
Forfeited	(273)
Nonvested, end of period	1,441		832
Weighted average grant date fair value, nonvested, beginning of period	$ 5.56
Weighted average grant date fair value, granted	$ 6.91
Weighted average grant date fair value, dividend equivalent units issued	$ 0.00
Weighted average grant date fair value, vested	$ 6.56
Weighted average grant date fair value, forfeited	$ 5.72
Weighted average grant date fair value, nonvested, end of period	$ 6.46		$ 5.56
Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation	16,988		10,489		12,082
Additional Paid-in Capital [Member] | Performance Condition Award [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation	820		0		0
Wendy's Restaurants, LLC [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation	15,967	[3]	9,575	[3]	10,358	[3]
Wendy's Restaurants, LLC [Member] | Performance Condition Award [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation	820		0		0
Wendy's Restaurants, LLC [Member] | Market Condition Performance Award [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation	4,688	[4]	469	[4]	0	[4]
Wendy's Restaurants, LLC [Member] | Additional Paid-in Capital [Member] | Market Condition Performance Award [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation	$ 2,347

[1] The Monte Carlo method assumes a reinvestment of dividends.

[2] Includes expense of $2,347 for the accelerated vesting of awards partially offset by a credit of $384 for awards that were canceled in conjunction with the sale of Arby’s and the relocation of the Companies’ Atlanta headquarters and restaurant support center to Ohio.

[3] Wendy’s Restaurants incurs share-based compensation costs for The Wendy’s Company common stock awards issued to certain employees under The Wendy’s Company various equity plans. Such compensation costs are allocated by The Wendy’s Company to Wendy’s Restaurants and is correspondingly recorded as capital contributions from The Wendy’s Company.

[4] Includes expense of $2,347 for the accelerated vesting of awards partially offset by a credit of $384 for awards that were canceled in conjunction with the sale of Arby’s and the relocation of the Companies’ Atlanta headquarters and the restaurant support center to Ohio.