(Loss) Income Per Share (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 29, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
(Loss) income from continuing operations	$ (1,939)	$ (26,692)	$ 12,418	$ (19,835)
Net income from discontinued operations	0	530	0	530
Net (loss) income attributable to The Wendy’s Company	$ (1,939)	$ (26,162)	$ 12,418	$ (19,305)
Common Stock:
Weighted average basic shares outstanding	392,579	390,406	392,750	390,028
Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted shares	0	0	5,351	0
Weighted average diluted shares outstanding	392,579	390,406	398,101	390,028
Potential common shares excluded from diluted per share calculation			12,103