(9) Income (Loss) Per Share (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Apr. 01, 2012

Loss Per Share [Abstract]

Schedule of income (loss) amounts attributable to parent used to calculate basic and diluted income (loss) per share

	Three Months Ended
	April 1, 2012		April 3, 2011
Income (loss) from continuing operations	$	12,350	$	(296	)
Loss from discontinued operations	—		(1,113		)
Net income (loss) attributable to The Wendy’s Company	$	12,350	$	(1,409	)

Number of shares used to calculate basic and diluted income per share

	Three Months Ended
	April 1, 2012	April 3, 2011
Common stock:
Weighted average basic shares outstanding	389,701	418,520
Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted      shares	2,574	—
Weighted average diluted shares outstanding	392,275	418,520