Fair Value Measurements (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 30, 2012

Fair Value of Financial Instruments [Abstract]

Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping [Table Text Block]

	December 30, 2012				January 1, 2012
	Carrying Amount		Fair Value		Carrying Amount		Fair Value		Fair Value Measurements
Financial assets
Non-current cost method investments (a)	$	23,913	$	50,761	$	27,452	$	62,496	Level 3
Interest rate swaps (b)	8,169		8,169		11,695		11,695		Level 2
Financial liabilities
Term Loan, due in 2019 (c)	1,114,826		1,130,434		—		—		Level 2
Senior Notes, repaid in July 2012 (c)	—		—		554,901		621,500		Level 2
2010 Term Loan, repaid in May 2012 (c)	—		—		466,062		466,940		Level 2
6.20% senior notes, due in 2014 (c)	225,940		240,750		224,643		231,750		Level 2
7% debentures, due in 2025 (c)	83,496		99,900		82,342		84,000		Level 2
Capital lease obligations (d)	32,594		33,299		16,688		18,123		Level 3
6.54% aircraft term loan, repaid in June 2012 (d)	—		—		11,303		11,367		Level 3
Other	706		707		1,060		1,072		Level 3
Guarantees of franchisee loan obligations (e)	940		940		1,275		1,275		Level 3

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(a) The fair value of our indirect investment in Arby’s is based on a review of its current unaudited financial information. The fair values of the remaining investments 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, we relied on our review of valuations performed by the investment managers or investees or third party appraisals. The fair value of our investment in Jurlique at January 1, 2012 was based upon an agreement with a third party to purchase Jurlique (which was completed in February 2012). See Note 8 for more information related to the sale of Jurlique.

(b) The fair values were based on information provided by the bank counterparties that is model-driven and where inputs were observable or where significant value drivers were observable.

(c) The fair values were based on quoted market prices in markets that are not considered active markets.

(d) The fair values were determined by discounting the future scheduled principal payments using an interest rate assuming the same original issuance spread over a current U.S. Treasury bond yield for securities with similar durations.

(e) Wendy’s has provided loan guarantees to various lenders on behalf of franchisees entering into pooled debt facility arrangements for new restaurant development and equipment financing. During 2012, Wendy’s provided a guarantee to a lender for a franchisee in connection with the refinancing of the franchisee’s debt. We have accrued a liability for the fair value of these guarantees, the calculation of which was based upon a weighted average risk percentage established at inception adjusted for a history of defaults.

Fair value of assets and liabilities (other than cash and cash equivalents) measure at fair value on a nonrecurring basis

			Fair Value Measurements						2012 Total Losses
	December 30, 2012		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Long-lived assets	$	7,311	$	—	$	—	$	7,311	$	19,469
Aircraft	5,926		—		—		5,926		1,628
Total	$	13,237	$	—	$	—	$	13,237	$	21,097

			Fair Value Measurements						2011 Total Losses
	January 1, 2012		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Long-lived assets	$	575	$	—	$	—	$	575	$	12,883
Total	$	575	$	—	$	—	$	575	$	12,883