Document and Entity Information - shares	6 Months Ended
	Jul. 02, 2017	Aug. 03, 2017
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	WENDY'S CO
Entity Central Index Key	0000030697
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Jul. 02, 2017
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2017
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		243,456,241