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Share-Based Compensation Modifications of Share-Based Awards (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
12 Months Ended
Dec. 28, 2014
employees
Dec. 29, 2013
employees
Dec. 30, 2012
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]      
Number of employees subject to modification 45us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardPlanModificationNumberOfEmployeesAffected 20us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardPlanModificationNumberOfEmployeesAffected  
Increase in employee share-based compensation due to award modification $ 2,376us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardPlanModificationIncrementalCompensationCost $ 986us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardPlanModificationIncrementalCompensationCost  
Share-based Compensation 28,243us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense 19,613us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense 11,473us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
Facilities action charges, net [Member]      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]      
Increase in employee share-based compensation due to award modification 4,472us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardPlanModificationIncrementalCompensationCost
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= wen_FacilitiesactionchargesnetMember
1,253us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardPlanModificationIncrementalCompensationCost
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= wen_FacilitiesactionchargesnetMember
 
Modified Awards [Member]      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]      
Share-based Compensation 2,376us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= wen_ModifiedAwardsMember
1,042us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= wen_ModifiedAwardsMember
(45)us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= wen_ModifiedAwardsMember
Modified Awards [Member] | General and Administrative Expense [Member]      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]      
Share-based Compensation (2,096)us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= wen_ModifiedAwardsMember
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpenseMember
(267)us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= wen_ModifiedAwardsMember
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpenseMember
 
Employee Stock Option [Member]      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]      
Share-based Compensation $ 13,820us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
$ 7,300us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
$ 5,578us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember