Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Oct. 02, 2016	Nov. 03, 2016
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	WENDY'S CO
Entity Central Index Key	0000030697
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--01-01
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Oct. 02, 2016
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2016
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		257,028,237