Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 01, 2012	Jan. 01, 2012
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 418,410	$ 475,231
Accounts and notes receivable	72,074	68,349
Inventories	12,004	12,903
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	42,447	27,397
Deferred income tax benefit	91,689	93,384
Advertising funds restricted assets	77,289	69,672
Total current assets	713,913	746,936
Properties	1,195,107	1,192,200
Goodwill	872,032	870,431
Other intangible assets	1,299,480	1,304,288
Investments	118,969	119,271
Deferred costs and other assets	66,603	67,542
Total assets	4,266,104	4,300,668
Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term debt	7,705	6,597
Accounts payable	54,007	81,301
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	184,560	210,698
Advertising funds restricted liabilities	77,289	69,672
Total current liabilities	323,561	368,268
Long-term debt	1,344,687	1,350,402
Deferred income	6,007	6,523
Deferred income taxes	475,908	470,521
Other liabilities	108,600	108,885
Commitments and contingencies
Invested equity:
Common stock, $0.10 par value; 1,500,000 shares authorized;	47,042	47,042
Additional paid-in capital	2,779,947	2,779,871
Accumulated deficit	(430,457)	(434,999)
Common stock held in treasury, at cost	(393,818)	(395,947)
Accumulated other comprehensive income	4,627	102
Total stockholders’ equity	2,007,341	1,996,069
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	4,266,104	4,300,668
Wendy's Restaurants, LLC [Member]
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	281,713	346,648
Accounts and notes receivable	67,974	67,453
Inventories	12,004	12,903
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	34,870	18,408
Deferred income tax benefit	92,667	94,963
Advertising funds restricted assets	77,289	69,672
Total current assets	566,517	610,047
Properties	1,195,106	1,192,196
Goodwill	877,309	875,708
Other intangible assets	1,299,480	1,304,288
Investments	114,759	114,651
Deferred costs and other assets	66,111	66,827
Total assets	4,119,282	4,163,717
Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term debt	5,969	5,137
Accounts payable	53,514	80,986
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	185,769	212,150
Due to parent	13,802	0
Advertising funds restricted liabilities	77,289	69,672
Total current liabilities	336,343	367,945
Long-term debt	1,339,376	1,340,559
Due to parent	0	15,368
Deferred income	6,007	6,523
Deferred income taxes	535,973	537,689
Other liabilities	95,548	95,969
Commitments and contingencies
Invested equity:
Common stock, $0.10 par value; 1,500,000 shares authorized;	0	0
Additional paid-in capital	2,442,486	2,440,130
Accumulated deficit	(487,294)	(486,567)
Advances to parent	(155,000)	(155,000)
Accumulated other comprehensive income	5,843	1,101
Total stockholders’ equity	1,806,035	1,799,664
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$ 4,119,282	$ 4,163,717