Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets Schedule of Goodwill and Other Intangibles (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2023	Jan. 01, 2023	Jan. 02, 2022
Goodwill
Goodwill, gross	$ 783,124	$ 782,485	$ 784,675
Accumulated impairment losses	(9,397)	(9,397)	(9,397)
Goodwill, net	773,727	773,088	775,278
Restaurant acquisitions		(260)
Restaurant dispositions	0	0
Currency translation adjustment and other	639	(1,930)
Restaurant acquisitions	0
Wendy's U.S.
Goodwill
Goodwill, gross	620,603	620,603	620,863
Accumulated impairment losses	0	0	0
Goodwill, net	620,603	620,603	620,863
Restaurant acquisitions		(260)
Restaurant dispositions	0	0
Currency translation adjustment and other	0	0
Restaurant acquisitions	0
Wendy's International
Goodwill
Goodwill, gross	39,973	39,334	41,264
Accumulated impairment losses	(9,397)	(9,397)	(9,397)
Goodwill, net	30,576	29,937	31,867
Restaurant acquisitions		0
Restaurant dispositions	0	0
Currency translation adjustment and other	639	(1,930)
Restaurant acquisitions	0
Global Real Estate & Development
Goodwill
Goodwill, gross	122,548	122,548	122,548
Accumulated impairment losses	0	0	0
Goodwill, net	122,548	122,548	$ 122,548
Restaurant acquisitions		0
Restaurant dispositions	0	0
Currency translation adjustment and other	0	$ 0
Restaurant acquisitions	$ 0