Investments (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 29, 2013

Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]

Schedule of Cost and Equity Method Investments [Table Text Block]

The following is a summary of the carrying value of our investments:

	Year End
	2013		2012
Equity investments:
Joint venture with THI	$	79,810	$	89,370
Joint venture in Japan (a)	—		(1,750		)
Cost investments:
Arby’s (b)	—		19,000
Other cost investments	3,387		4,913
	$	83,197	$	111,533

_______________

(a) In 2012, our equity investment in a joint venture in Japan was included in “Other liabilities” as Wendy’s had provided certain guarantees and the partners had agreed on a plan to finance anticipated future cash requirements of the joint venture. Beginning in the second quarter of 2013, we consolidated the joint venture in Japan. Refer to the “Joint Venture in Japan” discussion below for additional information.

(b) In 2013, we received a dividend from our investment in Arby’s, which was recorded as a reduction to the carrying value of our investment. Refer to the “Indirect Investment in Arby’s” discussion below for additional information.

TimWen [Member]

Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]

Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Table Text Block]

Presented below is activity related to our portion of TimWen included in our consolidated balance sheets and consolidated statements of operations as of and for the years ended December 29, 2013, December 30, 2012 and January 1, 2012.

	Year Ended
	2013			2012			2011
Balance at beginning of period	$	89,370		$	91,742		$	98,631
Equity in earnings for the period	13,793			13,680			13,505
Amortization of purchase price adjustments (a)	(2,981		)	(3,129		)	(2,934		)
	10,812			10,551			10,571
Distributions received	(14,116		)	(15,274		)	(14,942		)
Foreign currency translation adjustment included in     “Other comprehensive (loss) income, net”	(6,256		)	2,351			(2,518		)
Balance at end of period (b)	$	79,810		$	89,370		$	91,742

_______________

(a) Based upon an average original aggregate life of 21 years.

(b) Included in “Investments.”

Schedule of Summarized Financial Information of Equity Method Investments [Table Text Block]

Presented below is a summary of the financial information of TimWen, including the balance sheets as of December 29, 2013 and December 30, 2012 and certain income statement information for the years ended December 29, 2013, December 30, 2012 and January 1, 2012. The summary balance sheet financial information does not distinguish between current and long-term assets and liabilities.

	Year End
	2013		2012
Balance sheet information:
Properties	$	64,520	$	73,013
Cash and cash equivalents	3,339		3,538
Accounts receivable	2,924		3,274
Other	2,268		2,516
	$	73,051	$	82,341
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	$	1,127	$	3,215
Other liabilities	7,256		8,561
Partners’ equity	64,668		70,565
	$	73,051	$	82,341

	Year Ended
	2013		2012		2011
Income statement information:
Revenues	$	38,751	$	39,702	$	39,374
Income before income taxes and net income	27,586		27,377		27,358