Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012		Oct. 02, 2011
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net (loss) income	$ (16,921)		$ 5,891
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	112,057		113,085
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	75,076		0
Distributions received from joint venture	10,760		10,784
Share-based compensation	8,330		13,756
Impairment of long-lived assets	7,781		9,820
Net receipt of deferred vendor incentives	6,239		13,876
Accretion of long-term debt	6,060		6,137
Amortization of deferred financing costs	3,477		4,863
Non-cash rent expense	2,934		6,169
Loss on disposal of Arby's	254		8,849
Equity in earnings in joint ventures, net	(7,836)		(7,817)
Deferred income tax	(19,809)		4,871
Gain on sale of investment, net	(27,407)		0
Other, net	5,882		1,987
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts and notes receivable	3,447		(6,550)
Inventories	965		(210)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(4,219)		(8,138)
Accounts payable	850		9,365
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	(43,289)		(4,635)
Net cash provided by operating activities	124,631		182,103
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(126,325)		(91,913)
Restaurant acquisitions	(40,594)		(6,613)
Franchise loans, net	2,048		(1,269)
Proceeds from sale of Arby's, net	0		103,162
Proceeds from sale of investment	24,374		0
Proceeds from other dispositions	6,273		3,799
Investment in joint venture	0		(1,183)
Other, net	(374)		120
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities	(134,598)		6,103
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from long-term debt	1,113,750		0
Repayments of long-term debt	(1,044,011)		(36,611)
Deferred financing costs	(15,511)		(57)
Premium payment on redemption/purchase of Senior Notes	(43,151)		0
Repurchases of common stock	0		(152,681)
Dividends paid	(23,406)		(24,584)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(3,667)		0
Proceeds from stock option exercises	2,526		5,345
Other, net	52		(753)
Net cash used in financing activities	(13,418)		(209,341)
Net cash used in operations before effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(23,385)		(21,135)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	1,746		(2,556)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(21,639)		(23,691)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	475,231		512,508
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	453,592		488,817
Supplemental cash flow information:
Interest	90,893		96,760
Income taxes, net of refunds	9,593		11,523
Supplemental non-cash investing and financing activities:
Non-cash capitalized lease obligations (1)	16,317	[1]	794	[1]
Indirect investment in Arby's	0	[1]	19,000	[1]
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Capitalized Lease Obligations	$ 15,342

[1] Includes $15,342 of capitalized lease obligations related to the acquisition of Wendy’s franchised restaurants during the nine months ended September 30, 2012 as further discussed in Note 3.