Guarantees and Other Commitments and Contingencies	9 Months Ended
Sep. 29, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments Contingencies and Guarantees	Guarantees and Other Commitments and Contingencies Except as described below, the Company did not have any significant changes to its guarantees, other commitments and contingencies as disclosed in the notes to our consolidated financial statements included in the Form 10-K. Franchise Image Activation Incentive Program As disclosed in our Form 10-K, Wendy’s initiated a cash incentive program to encourage franchisees to participate in Wendy’s Image Activation program, which includes innovative exterior and interior restaurant designs for new and reimaged restaurants. The cash incentive program is for the reimaging of restaurants commenced in 2013 and totals up to $10,000. The Company has recognized expense for such incentives of $3,775 and $5,075 in general and administrative during the three and nine months ended September 29, 2013, respectively. Franchisee Image Activation Financing Program In order to encourage franchisees to participate in our Image Activation program, Wendy’s has executed an agreement to partner with a third party lender to establish a financing program. Under the program, the lender will provide loans to franchisees to be used for the reimaging of restaurants according to the guidelines and specifications under the Image Activation initiative. To support the program, Wendy’s has provided to the lender a $6,000 irrevocable stand-by letter of credit, which was issued on July 1, 2013. Japan JV Guarantee Wendy’s and the Higa Partners have provided guarantees to certain lenders to the Japan JV. Both Wendy’s and Higa Partners have agreed to reimburse and indemnify the other party, should it become necessary, for their respective share of each other’s guarantees. Wendy’s and the Higa Partners’ share of each guarantee is based upon ownership percentages in effect at the time of the agreement. As of September 29, 2013, our portion of these contingent obligations totaled approximately $2,800 based upon then current rates of exchange. The fair value of our guarantees is immaterial. In January 2013, Wendy’s and the Higa Partners agreed to finance approximately $3,000 and $657, respectively, of future anticipated cash requirements of the Japan JV, of which $1,000 and $219, respectively, were contributed in April 2013. In August 2013, additional contributions of $1,000 and $219 were made by Wendy’s and the Higa Partners, respectively. Our obligations, including the remaining funding of anticipated future cash requirements of the Japan JV of approximately $1,000, could total up to approximately $5,700 if the Higa Partners are unable to perform their reimbursement and indemnify obligations to us.

Guarantees and Other Commitments and Contingencies

Except as described below, the Company did not have any significant changes to its guarantees, other commitments and contingencies as disclosed in the notes to our consolidated financial statements included in the Form 10-K.

Franchise Image Activation Incentive Program

As disclosed in our Form 10-K, Wendy’s initiated a cash incentive program to encourage franchisees to participate in Wendy’s Image Activation program, which includes innovative exterior and interior restaurant designs for new and reimaged restaurants. The cash incentive program is for the reimaging of restaurants commenced in 2013 and totals up to $10,000. The Company has recognized expense for such incentives of $3,775 and $5,075 in general and administrative during the three and nine months ended September 29, 2013, respectively.

Franchisee Image Activation Financing Program

In order to encourage franchisees to participate in our Image Activation program, Wendy’s has executed an agreement to partner with a third party lender to establish a financing program. Under the program, the lender will provide loans to franchisees to be used for the reimaging of restaurants according to the guidelines and specifications under the Image Activation initiative. To support the program, Wendy’s has provided to the lender a $6,000 irrevocable stand-by letter of credit, which was issued on July 1, 2013.

Japan JV Guarantee

Wendy’s and the Higa Partners have provided guarantees to certain lenders to the Japan JV. Both Wendy’s and Higa Partners have agreed to reimburse and indemnify the other party, should it become necessary, for their respective share of each other’s guarantees. Wendy’s and the Higa Partners’ share of each guarantee is based upon ownership percentages in effect at the time of the agreement. As of September 29, 2013, our portion of these contingent obligations totaled approximately $2,800 based upon then current rates of exchange. The fair value of our guarantees is immaterial.

In January 2013, Wendy’s and the Higa Partners agreed to finance approximately $3,000 and $657, respectively, of future anticipated cash requirements of the Japan JV, of which $1,000 and $219, respectively, were contributed in April 2013. In August 2013, additional contributions of $1,000 and $219 were made by Wendy’s and the Higa Partners, respectively.

Our obligations, including the remaining funding of anticipated future cash requirements of the Japan JV of approximately $1,000, could total up to approximately $5,700 if the Higa Partners are unable to perform their reimbursement and indemnify obligations to us.