Fair Value Measurements Financial Instruments (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 30, 2014		Dec. 29, 2013
Reported Value Measurement [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash equivalents	$ 199,957		$ 405,874
Non-current cost method investments	3,655		3,387
Cash flow hedges	467	[1]	1,212	[1]
Guarantees of franchisee loan obligations	896	[2]	884	[2]
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash equivalents	199,957		405,874
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Non-current cost method investments	106,787	[3]	130,433	[3]
Guarantees of franchisee loan obligations	896	[2]	884	[2]
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash flow hedges	467	[1]	1,212	[1]
Term A Loan, 2018 [Member] | Reported Value Measurement [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Debt instrument	563,402		570,625
Term A Loan, 2018 [Member] | Estimate of Fair Value Measurement | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Debt instrument	562,698	[4]	569,555	[4]
Term B Loan, 2019 [Member] | Reported Value Measurement [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Debt instrument	765,528		767,452
Term B Loan, 2019 [Member] | Estimate of Fair Value Measurement | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Debt instrument	762,933	[4]	767,452	[4]
7% Debentures [Member] | Reported Value Measurement [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Debt instrument	84,962		84,666
7% Debentures [Member] | Estimate of Fair Value Measurement | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Debt instrument	102,250	[4]	98,250	[4]
Capital Lease Obligations [Member] | Reported Value Measurement [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Debt instrument	47,678		40,732
Capital Lease Obligations [Member] | Estimate of Fair Value Measurement | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Debt instrument	$ 48,855	[5]	$ 38,716	[5]

[1] The fair values were developed using market observable data for all significant inputs.

[2] Wendy’s has provided loan guarantees to various lenders on behalf of franchisees entering into debt arrangements for new restaurant development and equipment financing. In addition 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.

[3] The fair value of our indirect investment in Arby’s Restaurant Group, Inc. (“Arby’s”) is based on applying a multiple to Arby’s earnings before income taxes, depreciation and amortization per its current unaudited financial information. Refer to the Form 10-K for more information related to the indirect investment in Arby’s and the reduction of the carrying value of our investment to zero during 2013 in connection with the receipt of a dividend. 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.

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

[5] 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.