Segment Information Reconciliation of Profit from Segments to Consolidated (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2024	Apr. 02, 2023
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Profit from Segment to Consolidated
Segment profit	$ 81,156	$ 84,478
Unallocated franchise support and other costs	(14,742)	(13,260)
Advertising funds deficit	207	1,106
General and Administrative Expense	(63,757)	(62,276)
Depreciation and amortization (exclusive of amortization of cloud computing arrangements shown separately below)	(35,518)	(33,472)
Amortization of cloud computing arrangements	(3,542)	(1,582)
System optimization gains, net	(127)	5
Reorganization and realignment costs	(5,673)	(6,808)
Impairment of long-lived assets	(2,006)	(376)
Unallocated other operating income, net	3,033	2,266
Interest expense, net	(30,535)	(31,705)
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	0	(1,266)
Investment loss, net	0	(3,562)
Other income, net	6,836	7,336
Income before income taxes	57,457	55,281
Corporate and Other
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Profit from Segment to Consolidated
Unallocated franchise support and other costs	(26)	0
General and Administrative Expense	(33,390)	(32,161)
Unallocated other operating income, net	656	22
Operating Segments
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Profit from Segment to Consolidated
Segment profit	160,575	157,744
Operating Segments | Wendy's U.S.
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Profit from Segment to Consolidated
Segment profit	125,824	125,230
Advertising funds deficit	(2,325)
Operating Segments | Wendy's International
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Profit from Segment to Consolidated
Segment profit	10,690	7,446
Advertising funds deficit	(162)	(548)
Other international-related advertising deficit	150	845
Operating Segments | Global Real Estate & Development
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Profit from Segment to Consolidated
Segment profit	$ 24,061	$ 25,068