Document and Entity Information - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2021	Feb. 23, 2021	Jun. 26, 2020
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-K
Document Annual Report	true
Document Period End Date	Jan. 03, 2021
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	1-2207
Entity Registrant Name	THE WENDY’S COMPANY
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	38-0471180
Entity Address, Address Line One	One Dave Thomas Blvd.
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	43017
Entity Address, City or Town	Dublin,
Entity Address, State or Province	OH
City Area Code	614
Local Phone Number	764-3100
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, $.10 par value
Trading Symbol	WEN
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Central Index Key	0000030697
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--01-03
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Amendment Flag	false
ICFR Auditor Attestation Flag	true
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		223,841,105
Entity Public Float			$ 3,782.5