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Represents the number of restaurants.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_NumberOfRestaurants
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
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Period Type:	instant

The cash outflow associated with the acquisition of a business, net of the cash acquired from the purchase.

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 13
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121586364&loc=d3e3213-108585

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The number of franchises purchased during the period when there are significant changes in franchisor-owned outlets or franchised outlets during the period.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 952
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109207840&loc=SL51750552-203207

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/otherTransitionRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 952
-SubTopic 605
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=68064525&loc=d3e68639-108044

Name:	us-gaap_SignificantChangesFranchisesPurchasedDuringPeriod
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NPC Asset Purchase Agreement: Number of Markets to be Purchased by FRG

No definition available.

Name:	wen_NPCAssetPurchaseAgreementNumberOfMarketsToBePurchasedByFRG
Namespace Prefix:	wen_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
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Period Type:	instant

NPC Asset Purchase Agreement: Number of Markets to be Purchased by Franchisees

No definition available.

Name:	wen_NPCAssetPurchaseAgreementNumberOfMarketsToBePurchasedByFranchisees
Namespace Prefix:	wen_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

NPC Consortium bid deposit

No definition available.

Name:	wen_NPCConsortiumBidDeposit
Namespace Prefix:	wen_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

NPC Consortium Bid: Number of Markets to be Purchased by Company

No definition available.

Name:	wen_NPCConsortiumBidNumberOfMarketsToBePurchasedByCompany
Namespace Prefix:	wen_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
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NPC Consortium Bid: Number of Markets to be Purchased by Franchisees

No definition available.

Name:	wen_NPCConsortiumBidNumberOfMarketsToBePurchasedByFranchisees
Namespace Prefix:	wen_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
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Period Type:	instant

NPC Consortium bid payable

No definition available.