Segment Information Reconciliation of Profit from Segments to Consolidated (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2022	Apr. 04, 2021
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Profit from Segment to Consolidated
Segment profit	$ 74,881	$ 83,122
Unallocated franchise support and other costs	(11,816)	(7,686)
Advertising funds deficit	(1,243)	(1,264)
Unallocated general and administrative	(62,346)	(52,622)
Depreciation and amortization	(33,231)	(31,542)
System optimization gains, net	3,534	516
Reorganization and realignment costs	(464)	(4,934)
Impairment on long-lived assets	(616)	(635)
Unallocated other operating income, net	2,966	3,476
Interest expense, net	(26,365)	(28,786)
Investment income, net	2,111	3
Other income, net	207	126
Income before income taxes	50,834	54,465
Corporate and Other
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Profit from Segment to Consolidated
Unallocated franchise support and other costs	6	0
Unallocated general and administrative	(31,005)	(25,107)
Unallocated other operating income, net	16	64
Operating Segments
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Profit from Segment to Consolidated
Segment profit	137,884	146,024
Operating Segments | Wendy's U.S.
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Profit from Segment to Consolidated
Segment profit	104,824	112,087
Advertising funds deficit	(2,556)	(3,534)
Operating Segments | Wendy's International
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Profit from Segment to Consolidated
Segment profit	5,453	7,684
Advertising funds deficit	(838)
Other international-related advertising expense	642
Operating Segments | Global Real Estate & Development
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Profit from Segment to Consolidated
Segment profit	$ 27,607	$ 26,253