Document and Entity Information - shares	6 Months Ended
	Jul. 02, 2023	Aug. 02, 2023
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Jul. 02, 2023
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, City or Town	Dublin
Entity Address, State or Province	OH
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	43017
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 Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Central Index Key	0000030697
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2023
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		209,288,141