Revenue Disaggregation of Revenue (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jul. 03, 2022	Jul. 04, 2021	Jul. 03, 2022	Jul. 04, 2021
Disaggregation of Revenue
Franchise rental income	$ 58,610	$ 60,868	$ 116,481	$ 119,744
Total revenues	537,783	493,337	1,026,426	953,540
Sales at Company-operated restaurants
Disaggregation of Revenue
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	230,869	193,525	440,144	382,582
Franchise royalty revenue
Disaggregation of Revenue
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	125,013	119,566	236,758	227,900
Franchise fees
Disaggregation of Revenue
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	18,423	17,095	35,654	31,591
Advertising funds revenue
Disaggregation of Revenue
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	104,868	102,283	197,389	191,723
Wendy's U.S.
Disaggregation of Revenue
Franchise rental income	0	0	0	0
Total revenues	450,440	409,843	857,751	791,797
Wendy's U.S. | Sales at Company-operated restaurants
Disaggregation of Revenue
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	227,903	193,279	434,404	382,336
Wendy's U.S. | Franchise royalty revenue
Disaggregation of Revenue
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	108,872	106,006	206,792	202,770
Wendy's U.S. | Franchise fees
Disaggregation of Revenue
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	15,986	14,331	31,391	26,261
Wendy's U.S. | Advertising funds revenue
Disaggregation of Revenue
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	97,679	96,227	185,164	180,430
Wendy's International
Disaggregation of Revenue
Franchise rental income	0	0	0	0
Total revenues	27,463	21,316	50,369	39,566
Wendy's International | Sales at Company-operated restaurants
Disaggregation of Revenue
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	2,966	246	5,740	246
Wendy's International | Franchise royalty revenue
Disaggregation of Revenue
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	16,141	13,560	29,966	25,130
Wendy's International | Franchise fees
Disaggregation of Revenue
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	1,167	1,454	2,438	2,897
Wendy's International | Advertising funds revenue
Disaggregation of Revenue
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	7,189	6,056	12,225	11,293
Global Real Estate & Development
Disaggregation of Revenue
Franchise rental income	58,610	60,868	116,481	119,744
Total revenues	59,880	62,178	118,306	122,177
Global Real Estate & Development | Sales at Company-operated restaurants
Disaggregation of Revenue
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	0	0	0	0
Global Real Estate & Development | Franchise royalty revenue
Disaggregation of Revenue
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	0	0	0	0
Global Real Estate & Development | Franchise fees
Disaggregation of Revenue
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	1,270	1,310	1,825	2,433
Global Real Estate & Development | Advertising funds revenue
Disaggregation of Revenue
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0