Revenue Contract Balances (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
Jun. 28, 2026	Jun. 29, 2025	Dec. 28, 2025
Contract balances
Deferred franchise fees at beginning of period	$ 98,496	$ 99,411
Revenue recognized during the period	(8,598)	(4,438)
New deferrals due to cash received and other	826	4,424
Deferred franchise fees at end of period	90,724	$ 99,397
Deferred franchise fees, noncurrent	81,671		$ 87,956
Balance Sheet Location: us-gaap:AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableNetCurrent \| Short-term Contract with Customer
Contract balances
Receivables, Net, Current	68,178		59,060
Balance Sheet Location: us-gaap:AccruedLiabilitiesCurrentAndNoncurrent
Contract balances
Deferred franchise fees, current	9,053		10,540
Balance Sheet Location: us-gaap:ContractWithCustomerLiabilityNoncurrent
Contract balances
Deferred franchise fees, noncurrent	81,671		87,956
Balance Sheet Location: wen:AdvertisingFundsRestrictedAssets \| Short-term Contract with Customer
Contract balances
Receivables, Net, Current	$ 83,169		$ 75,083

Amount of obligation to transfer good or service to customer for which consideration has been received or is receivable.

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Amount of deferred revenue recognized for transactions arising during the current reporting period. Deferred revenue is a liability as of the balance sheet date related to a revenue producing activity for which revenue has not yet been recognized. Generally, an Entity records deferred revenue when it receives consideration from a customer before achieving certain criteria that must be met for revenue to be recognized in conformity with GAAP.

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The total amount due to the entity within one year of the balance sheet date (or one operating cycle, if longer) from outside sources, including trade accounts receivable, notes and loans receivable, as well as any other types of receivables, net of allowances established for the purpose of reducing such receivables to an amount that approximates their net realizable value.

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[Line Items] for Contract balances [Table]

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