Fair Value Measurements Financial Instruments (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013		Dec. 30, 2012
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Fair Value Disclosure	$ 242,545		$ 264,925
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Fair Value Disclosure	242,545		264,925
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cost Method Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	23,762	[1]	23,913	[1]
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cost Method Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	51,061	[1]	50,761	[1]
Secured Debt [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Term Loan, 2012 [Member] | Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure	1,109,611	[2]	1,114,826	[2]
Secured Debt [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Term Loan, 2012 [Member] | Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure	1,127,770	[2]	1,130,434	[2]
Unsecured Debt [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | 6.20% senior notes | Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure	225,788	[2]	225,940	[2]
Unsecured Debt [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | 6.20% senior notes | Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure	235,800	[2]	240,750	[2]
Unsecured Debt [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | 7% debentures | Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure	83,788	[2]	83,496	[2]
Unsecured Debt [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | 7% debentures | Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure	101,000	[2]	99,900	[2]
Capital Lease Obligations [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Capital Lease Obligations [Member] | Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure	36,005	[3]	32,594	[3]
Capital Lease Obligations [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Capital Lease Obligations [Member] | Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure	36,068	[3]	33,299	[3]
Swap [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Interest rate swaps	6,791	[4]	8,169	[4]
Swap [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Interest rate swaps	6,791	[4]	8,169	[4]
Financial Guarantee [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Guarantees of franchisee loans obligations	933	[5]	940	[5]
Financial Guarantee [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Guarantees of franchisee loans obligations	$ 933	[5]	$ 940	[5]

[1] The fair value of our indirect investment in Arby’s Restaurant Group, Inc. (“Arby’s”) is based on a review of its current unaudited financial information.

[2] The fair values were based on quoted market prices in markets that are not considered active markets.

[3] 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.

[4] 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.

[5] 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.