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Amount of currency on hand as well as demand deposits with banks or financial institutions. Includes other kinds of accounts that have the general characteristics of demand deposits. Also includes short-term, highly liquid investments that are both readily convertible to known amounts of cash and so near their maturity that they present insignificant risk of changes in value because of changes in interest rates. Excludes cash and cash equivalents within disposal group and discontinued operation.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Cash
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Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
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-Publisher FASB
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Amount of short-term, highly liquid investments that are both readily convertible to known amounts of cash and so near their maturity that they present insignificant risk of changes in value because of changes in interest rates. Excludes cash and cash equivalents within disposal group and discontinued operation.

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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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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 short-term 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. For a classified balance sheet represents the current portion only (the noncurrent portion has a separate concept); there is a separate and distinct element for unclassified presentations.

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Cash and equivalents whose use in whole or in part is restricted for the long-term, generally by contractual agreements or regulatory requirements.

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Cash and Receivables Cash and Cash Equivalents (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Jan. 01, 2017	Jan. 03, 2016	Dec. 28, 2014
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash	$ 171,109	$ 192,905
Cash Equivalents	338	5,335
Cash and cash equivalents	171,447	198,240	$ 327,216	$ 267,276
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Current	32,633	57,612
Restricted Cash
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Current	32,633	57,612
Restricted Cash \| Accounts held by trustee for the securitized financing facility
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Current	28,933	29,096
Restricted Cash \| Collateral supporting letters of credit
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Current	3,205	6,165
Restricted Cash \| Accounts held by trustee for reinvestment in capital assets
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Current	5	22,014
Restricted Cash \| Trust for Termination Costs for Former Wendy's Executives
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Current	289	168
Restricted Cash \| Other
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Current	201	169
Deferred Costs and Other Assets \| Trust for Termination Costs for Former Wendy's Executives
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Noncurrent	$ 165	$ 738