Fair Value Measurements Financial Instruments (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 29, 2013		Dec. 30, 2012
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Reported Value Measurement [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Fair Value Disclosure	$ 317,058		$ 264,925
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Fair Value Disclosure	317,058		264,925
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Reported Value Measurement [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cost Method Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	22,397	[1]	23,913	[1]
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cost Method Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	47,121	[1]	50,761	[1]
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Swap [Member] | Reported Value Measurement [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Derivative Asset	4,123	[2]	8,169	[2]
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Swap [Member] | Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Derivative Asset	4,123	[2]	8,169	[2]
Secured Debt [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Term A Loan, 2018 [Member] | Reported Value Measurement [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure	350,000	[3]	0	[3]
Secured Debt [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Term A Loan, 2018 [Member] | Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure	349,563	[3]	0	[3]
Secured Debt [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Term B Loan, 2019 [Member] | Reported Value Measurement [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure	769,375	[3]	1,114,826	[3]
Secured Debt [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Term B Loan, 2019 [Member] | Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure	766,490	[3]	1,130,434	[3]
Unsecured Debt [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | 6.20% Senior Notes [Member] | Reported Value Measurement [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure	225,586	[3]	225,940	[3]
Unsecured Debt [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | 6.20% Senior Notes [Member] | Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure	233,438	[3]	240,750	[3]
Unsecured Debt [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | 7% Debentures [Member] | Reported Value Measurement [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure	84,373	[3]	83,496	[3]
Unsecured Debt [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | 7% Debentures [Member] | Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure	97,750	[3]	99,900	[3]
Capital Lease Obligations [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Capital Lease Obligations [Member] | Reported Value Measurement [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure	37,538	[4]	32,594	[4]
Capital Lease Obligations [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Capital Lease Obligations [Member] | Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure	36,080	[4]	33,299	[4]
Financial Guarantee [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Reported Value Measurement [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Guarantees of franchisee loans obligations	892	[5]	940	[5]
Financial Guarantee [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Guarantees of franchisee loans obligations	$ 892	[5]	$ 940	[5]

[1] The fair value of our indirect investment in Arby’s is based on a review of its most recent unaudited financial information. The fair values of our remaining investments were based on our review of information provided by the investment managers or investees which was based on (1) valuations performed by the investment managers or investees, (2) quoted market or broker/dealer prices for similar investments and (3) quoted market or broker/dealer prices adjusted by the investment managers for legal or contractual restrictions, risk of nonperformance or lack of marketability, depending upon the underlying investments.

[2] 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.

[3] The fair values were based on quoted market prices in markets that are not considered active markets. See Note 5 for information on the redemption of the 6.20% Senior Notes subsequent to the third quarter of 2013.

[4] 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.

[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. In 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.