(4) Investments (Details) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 01, 2012 USD ($)	Apr. 03, 2011 USD ($)	Apr. 01, 2012 Wendy's Restaurants, LLC [Member] USD ($)	Apr. 03, 2011 Wendy's Restaurants, LLC [Member] USD ($)	Apr. 01, 2012 Tim Horton's, Inc. [Member] Wendy's Restaurants, LLC [Member] USD ($)		Apr. 01, 2012 Tim Horton's, Inc. [Member] Wendy's Restaurants, LLC [Member] CAD	Apr. 03, 2011 Tim Horton's, Inc. [Member] Wendy's Restaurants, LLC [Member] USD ($)		Apr. 03, 2011 Tim Horton's, Inc. [Member] Wendy's Restaurants, LLC [Member] CAD	Sep. 30, 2008 Tim Horton's, Inc. [Member] Wendy's Restaurants, LLC [Member] Y
Schedule of Cost and Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity method investment, ownership percentage					50.00%		50.00%
Investment in Joint Venture with Partner [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period					$ 91,742			$ 98,631
Equity in earnings for the period					2,991			2,926
Amortization of purchase price adjustments					(780)	[1]		(563)	[1]
Equity in earnings for the period, net of amortization of purchase price adjustment	2,134	2,363	2,134	2,363	2,211			2,363
Distributions	(3,253)	(3,113)	(3,253)	(3,113)	(3,253)			(3,113)
Currency translation adjustment included in Comprehensive income	4,742	7,649	4,742	7,649	2,135			3,465
Balance at end of period (b)					92,835	[2]		101,346	[2]
Purchase price adjustment, amortization period											21
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Assets [Abstract]
Properties							73,960			77,714
Cash and cash equivalents							1,882			2,011
Accounts receivable							4,490			3,775
Other							2,620			2,980
Assets							82,952			86,480
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Liabilities and Equity [Abstract]
Accounts payable and accrued liabillities							1,282			701
Other liabilities							8,701			9,222
Partners' equity							72,969			76,557
Liabilities and equity							82,952			86,480
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenues							9,148			8,906
Income before income taxes and net income							5,994			6,129

[1] Based upon an original average aggregate life of 21 years.

[2] Included in “Investments”