Leases Components of Lease Cost (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands |
3 Months Ended | 6 Months Ended | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Jun. 28, 2026 |
Jun. 29, 2025 |
Jun. 28, 2026 |
Jun. 29, 2025 |
|
| Lease, Cost | ||||
| Amortization of finance lease assets | $ 5,358 | $ 4,885 | $ 11,126 | $ 10,030 |
| Interest on finance lease liabilities | 11,615 | 10,865 | 23,257 | 21,742 |
| Total finance lease cost | 16,973 | 15,750 | 34,383 | 31,772 |
| Operating lease cost | 17,381 | 21,322 | 37,391 | 41,839 |
| Variable lease cost | 16,570 | 17,269 | 32,479 | 33,482 |
| Short-term lease cost | 1,390 | 1,304 | 2,766 | 2,570 |
| Total operating lease cost | 35,341 | 39,895 | 72,636 | 77,891 |
| Total lease cost | 52,314 | 55,645 | 107,019 | 109,663 |
| Income Statement Location: us-gaap:CostOfGoodsAndServicesSold | ||||
| Lease, Cost | ||||
| Total operating lease cost | 6,917 | 6,946 | 13,804 | 13,887 |
| Income Statement Location: wen:FranchiseRentalExpense | ||||
| Lease, Cost | ||||
| Total operating lease cost | 27,953 | 32,569 | 57,993 | 63,221 |
| Executory costs paid by lessee | ||||
| Lease, Cost | ||||
| Variable lease cost | $ 10,297 | $ 10,578 | $ 20,836 | $ 20,972 |