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(10) Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified | 12 Months Ended
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Jan. 01, 2012 | Jan. 02, 2011 | Jan. 03, 2010
Goodwill [Roll Forward] |  |  |  |  |  |
Goodwill, beginning of period | $ 883,644 |  | $ 881,019 |  |  |
Goodwill, end of period | 870,431 |  | 883,644 |  | 881,019 |
Net | 1,304,288 |  | 1,358,574 |  |  |
Actual amortization expense |  |  |  |  |  |
Aggregate amortization expense | 33,181 | [1] | 36,662 | [1] | 34,398 | [1]
Estimate for fiscal year |  |  |  |  |  |
2012 | 29,248 |  |  |  |  |
2013 | 28,457 |  |  |  |  |
2014 | 27,548 |  |  |  |  |
2015 | 25,261 |  |  |  |  |
2016 | 23,315 |  |  |  |  |
Thereafter | 267,459 |  |  |  |  |
Impairment of charges related to other intangible assets | 2,763 |  | 5,125 |  | 2,180 |
Wendy's Restaurants, LLC [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Goodwill [Roll Forward] |  |  |  |  |  |
Goodwill, gross, beginning of year | 1,370,996 |  | 1,368,371 |  |  |
Accumulated impairment loss | 482,075 |  | (482,075) |  |  |
Goodwill, beginning of period | 888,921 |  | 886,296 |  |  |
Arby's goodwill sold, net of accumulated impairment losses | (17,617) |  | 0 |  |  |
Other restaurant acquisitions and dispositions | 5,626 |  | 0 |  |  |
Currency translation adjustment | (1,222) |  | 2,625 |  |  |
Goodwill, gross, end of year | 875,708 |  | 1,370,996 |  |  |
Accumulated impairment loss | 0 |  | 482,075 |  |  |
Goodwill, end of period | 875,708 |  | 888,921 |  |  |
Accumulated amortization | 98,310 |  | 88,007 |  |  |
Indefinite-lived and finite-lived intangible assets, gross | 1,402,598 |  | 1,446,581 |  |  |
Net | 1,304,288 |  | 1,358,574 |  |  |
Wendy's Restaurants, LLC [Member] | Franchise agreements [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Goodwill [Roll Forward] |  |  |  |  |  |
Amortizable cost, gross | 353,262 |  | 353,771 |  |  |
Accumulated amortization | 54,853 |  | 38,077 |  |  |
Amortizable cost, net | 298,409 |  | 315,694 |  |  |
Wendy's Restaurants, LLC [Member] | Favorable leases [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Goodwill [Roll Forward] |  |  |  |  |  |
Amortizable cost, gross | 108,304 |  | 134,445 |  |  |
Accumulated amortization | 24,961 |  | 27,867 |  |  |
Amortizable cost, net | 83,343 |  | 106,578 |  |  |
Wendy's Restaurants, LLC [Member] | Reacquired rights under franchise agreements [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Goodwill [Roll Forward] |  |  |  |  |  |
Amortizable cost, gross | 1,215 |  | 15,716 |  |  |
Accumulated amortization | 1 |  | 4,172 |  |  |
Amortizable cost, net | 1,214 |  | 11,544 |  |  |
Wendy's Restaurants, LLC [Member] | Computer software [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Goodwill [Roll Forward] |  |  |  |  |  |
Amortizable cost, gross | 36,817 |  | 39,649 |  |  |
Accumulated amortization | 18,495 |  | 17,891 |  |  |
Amortizable cost, net | 18,322 |  | 21,758 |  |  |
Wendy's Restaurants, LLC [Member] | Trademarks [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Goodwill [Roll Forward] |  |  |  |  |  |
Non-amortizable Cost | 903,000 |  | 903,000 |  |  |
Corporate [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Goodwill [Roll Forward] |  |  |  |  |  |
Corporate goodwill adjustment, end of period | $ 5,277 |  | $ 5,277 |  | $ 5,277 |
[1] | Includes $2,763, $5,125 and $2,180 of impairment charges related to other intangible assets in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively, which have been recorded as a reduction in the cost basis of the related intangible asset.

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