Document and Entity Information - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 30, 2018	Feb. 19, 2019	Jun. 29, 2018
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	WENDY'S CO
Entity Central Index Key	0000030697
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-30
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	Dec. 30, 2018
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2018
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		230,230,350
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Public Float			$ 3,213.1