(5) Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 01, 2012		Jan. 01, 2012
Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Non-current cost investments	$ 26,134
Wendy's Restaurants, LLC [Member] | Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Non-current cost investments	21,924
Corporate [Member] | Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Non-current cost investments	4,210
6.20% senior notes | Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Fair Value Hedging [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Interest rate swaps	11,153
6.20% senior notes | Wendy's Restaurants, LLC [Member] | Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Fair Value Hedging [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Interest rate swaps	11,153
6.20% senior notes | Wendy's Restaurants, LLC [Member] | Portion at Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Fair Value Hedging [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Interest rate swaps	11,153		11,695
6.20% senior notes | Corporate [Member] | Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Fair Value Hedging [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Interest rate swaps	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Portion at Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Non-current cost investments	33,602	[1]
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Wendy's Restaurants, LLC [Member] | Portion at Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Non-current cost investments	25,221	[1]
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Corporate [Member] | Portion at Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Non-current cost investments	8,381	[1]
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | 6.20% senior notes | Portion at Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Fair Value Hedging [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Interest rate swaps	11,153	[2]
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | 6.20% senior notes | Wendy's Restaurants, LLC [Member] | Portion at Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Fair Value Hedging [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Interest rate swaps	11,153
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | 6.20% senior notes | Corporate [Member] | Portion at Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Fair Value Hedging [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Interest rate swaps	$ 0	[2]

[1] The fair value of our indirect investment in Arby’s is based on the fair value as determined in connection with its sale in July 2011 and our review of their current audited financial information. We are basing the fair value of the remaining investments on our review of statements of account received from investment managers or investees which were principally based on quoted market or broker/dealer prices. To the extent that some of these investments, including the underlying investments in investment limited partnerships, do not have available quoted market or broker/dealer prices, the Companies relied on its review of valuations performed by the investment managers or investees in valuing those investments or third-party appraisals.

[2] Our interest rate swaps (and cash and cash equivalents as described below) are the Companies’ only financial assets and liabilities whose carrying value is determined on a recurring basis by the valuation hierarchy as defined in the fair value guidance.