(15) Guarantor/Non-Guarantor Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 01, 2012	Apr. 03, 2011
Net income (loss)	$ 14,734	$ (1,409)
Foreign currency translation adjustment	4,742	7,649
Change in unrecognized pension loss, net of income tax benefit	217	46
Other comprehensive (loss) income	4,525	7,603
Comprehensive income attributable to parent	16,875	6,194
Change in unrecognized pension loss, tax	127	(21)
Wendy's Restaurants, LLC [Member]
Net income (loss)	(727)	1,025
Foreign currency translation adjustment	4,742	7,649
Change in unrecognized pension loss, net of income tax benefit	0	(55)
Other comprehensive (loss) income	4,742	7,594
Comprehensive income attributable to parent	4,015	8,619
Change in unrecognized pension loss, tax	0	15
Parent [Member] | Wendy's Restaurants, LLC [Member]
Net income (loss)	(727)	1,025
Foreign currency translation adjustment	4,742	7,649
Change in unrecognized pension loss, net of income tax benefit		(55)
Other comprehensive (loss) income	4,742	7,594
Comprehensive income attributable to parent	4,015	8,619
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member] | Wendy's Restaurants, LLC [Member]
Net income (loss)	15,258	14,548
Foreign currency translation adjustment	4,742	7,649
Change in unrecognized pension loss, net of income tax benefit		(55)
Other comprehensive (loss) income	4,742	7,594
Comprehensive income attributable to parent	20,000	22,142
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member] | Wendy's Restaurants, LLC [Member]
Net income (loss)	992	(9,878)
Foreign currency translation adjustment	4,742	7,649
Change in unrecognized pension loss, net of income tax benefit		(55)
Other comprehensive (loss) income	4,742	7,594
Comprehensive income attributable to parent	5,734	(2,284)
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member] | Wendy's Restaurants, LLC [Member]
Net income (loss)	(16,250)	(4,670)
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(9,484)	(15,298)
Change in unrecognized pension loss, net of income tax benefit		110
Other comprehensive (loss) income	(9,484)	(15,188)
Comprehensive income attributable to parent	$ (25,734)	$ (19,858)