Income (Loss) Per Share (Details) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2016	Sep. 27, 2015	Jun. 28, 2015	Mar. 29, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014	Sep. 28, 2014	Jun. 29, 2014	Mar. 30, 2014	Jan. 03, 2016	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Income from continuing operations									$ 139,979	$ 116,424	$ 48,390
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations									21,163	5,010	(2,903)
Net income attributable to The Wendy’s Company	$ 85,856	$ 7,584	$ 40,195	$ 27,507	$ 23,294	$ 22,830	$ 29,007	$ 46,303	$ 161,142	$ 121,434	$ 45,487
Common Stock:
Weighted average basic shares outstanding									323,018	370,160	392,585
Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted shares									5,707	6,022	6,095
Weighted average diluted shares outstanding									328,725	376,182	398,680
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount									2,323	4,946	10,823