Investments Japan JV (Details) (Japan JV [Member], USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 30, 2012		Jan. 01, 2012
Investment in Joint Venture with Partner [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	$ 77	[1]	$ 0
Initial investment	0		1,183
Equity in losses for the period	(1,827)		(1,106)
Balance at end of period (b)	(1,750)	[1],[2]	77	[1]
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Assets
Cash	347		686
Inventories	23		39
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	265		281
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Current Assets	635		1,006
Properties	1,343		2,625
Deposits and other assets	703		493
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Assets	2,681		4,124
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Liabilities and Equity
Current portion of long-term debt	1,443		414
Accounts payable	342		1,193
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	92		76
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Current Liabilities	1,877		1,683
Long-term debt	4,912		1,689
Other liabilities	614		526
Partners' (deficit) equity	(4,722)		226
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Liabilities and Equity	2,681		4,124
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenues	2,322		69
Loss before income taxes and net loss	(5,322)		(2,293)
Guarantee of Indebtedness of Others [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted	3,000
Additional Guarantees Expected [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted	3,000
Total Guarantee Obligations, Including Anticipated Future Cash Requirements [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted	$ 8,000

[1] Included in “Other liabilities” in 2012 and in “Investments” in 2011.

[2] In 2012, our equity investment in the Japan JV was included in “Other liabilities;” Wendy’s has provided certain guarantees and the partners have agreed on a plan to finance anticipated future cash requirements of the Japan JV as further described below.