Advertising Costs and Funds (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 28, 2014 funds	Dec. 29, 2013	Dec. 30, 2012
Restricted Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]
Number of Advertising Funds	2wen_NumberOfAdvertisingFunds
Advertising funds restricted assets	$ 65,308wen_AdvertisingFundsRestrictedAssets	$ 67,183wen_AdvertisingFundsRestrictedAssets
Advertising funds restricted liabilities	65,308	67,183
Advertising Expense	73,454us-gaap_AdvertisingExpense	94,498us-gaap_AdvertisingExpense	103,147us-gaap_AdvertisingExpense
Advertising Fund [Member]
Restricted Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	15,085	22,711
Accounts and notes receivable	42,717	37,960
Other assets	7,506	6,512
Advertising funds restricted assets	65,308	67,183
Accounts payable	3,736	2,544
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	70,206	70,382
Member's deficit	(8,634)	(5,743)
Advertising funds restricted liabilities	$ 65,308	$ 67,183

Amount charged to advertising expense for the period, which are expenses incurred with the objective of increasing revenue for a specified brand, product or product line.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 720

-SubTopic 35

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6420018&loc=d3e36677-107848

+ Details

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Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Total assets that cannot be used for operating purposes because of contract or regulatory requirements that are in effect for a period that extends beyond one year.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.17)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

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- Definition

The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalent items which are restricted as to withdrawal or usage. Restrictions may include legally restricted deposits held as compensating balances against borrowing arrangements, contracts entered into with others, or entity statements of intention with regard to particular deposits; however, time deposits and short-term certificates of deposit are not generally included in legally restricted deposits. Excludes compensating balance arrangements that are not agreements which legally restrict the use of cash amounts shown on the balance sheet. This element is for unclassified presentations; for classified presentations there is a separate and distinct element.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 1

-Article 5

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Aggregate amount of assets associated with our advertising and promotional programs.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Aggregate amount of liabilities associated with our advertising and promotional programs. Liabilities consist of obligations arising from the receipt of contributions to purchase advertising and promotional programs.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Number of Advertising Funds

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

Restricted Accounts and Notes Receivable

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Details

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- Definition

Restricted Liabilities, Accounts Payable

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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- Definition

Restricted Liabilities, Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities

+ References

No definition available.

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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- Definition

Restricted Liabilities, Member's Deficit

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	wen_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
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- Details

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