Dunkin Brands (DNKN) 10-Q 6 May 15 2015 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2015	4-May-15
Document Documentand Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Document Period End Date	28-Mar-15
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Trading Symbol	DNKN
Entity Registrant Name	DUNKIN' BRANDS GROUP, INC.
Entity Central Index Key	1357204
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-14
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		96,235,566

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Mar. 28, 2015	Dec. 27, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$340,393	$208,080
Restricted cash	72,004	0
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $3,779 and $3,882 as of March 28, 2015 and December 27, 2014, respectively	49,534	55,908
Notes and other receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $849 and $1,278 as of March 28, 2015 and December 27, 2014, respectively	23,151	49,152
Deferred income taxes, net	48,708	49,216
Restricted assets of advertising funds	38,533	34,300
Prepaid income taxes	11,504	24,861
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	27,752	21,101
Total current assets	611,579	442,618
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $106,387 and $104,415 as of March 28, 2015 and December 27, 2014, respectively	181,069	182,061
Equity method investments	162,410	164,493
Goodwill	892,124	891,370
Other intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $223,249 and $221,042 as of March 28, 2015 and December 27, 2014, respectively	1,419,818	1,425,797
Other assets	93,057	71,044
Total assets	3,360,057	3,177,383
Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term debt	25,253	3,852
Capital lease obligations	518	506
Accounts payable	11,711	13,814
Liabilities of advertising funds	47,013	48,081
Deferred income	31,121	30,374
Other current liabilities	217,311	258,892
Total current liabilities	332,927	355,519
Long-term debt, net	2,476,079	1,807,081
Capital lease obligations	7,442	7,575
Unfavorable operating leases acquired	14,284	14,795
Deferred income	16,704	14,935
Deferred income taxes, net	534,032	540,339
Other long-term liabilities	63,447	62,189
Total long-term liabilities	3,111,988	2,446,914
Commitments and contingencies (note 10)
Redeemable noncontrolling interests	6,785	6,991
Stockholders’ equity (deficit):
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value; 25,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding at March 28, 2015 and December 27, 2014	0	0
Common stock, $0.001 par value; 475,000,000 shares authorized; 96,584,611 issued and 96,464,574 outstanding at March 28, 2015; 104,630,978 shares issued and outstanding at December 27, 2014	96	104
Additional paid-in capital	909,795	1,093,363
Treasury stock, at cost	-5,751	0
Accumulated deficit	-982,360	-711,531
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-13,423	-13,977
Total stockholders’ equity (deficit)	-91,643	367,959
Total liabilities, redeemable noncontrolling interests, and stockholders’ equity (deficit)	$3,360,057	$3,177,383

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Mar. 28, 2015	Dec. 27, 2014
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Accounts receivable, allowance for doubtful accounts	$3,779	$3,882
Notes and other receivables, allowance for doubtful accounts	849	1,278
Property and equipment, accumulated depreciation	106,387	104,415
Other intangible assets, accumulated amortization	$223,249	$221,042
Preferred stock, par value (in usd per share)	$0.00	$0.00
Preferred stock, shares authorized (in shares)	25,000,000	25,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued (in shares)	0	0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	0	0
Common stock, par value (in usd per share)	$0.00	$0.00
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	475,000,000	475,000,000
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	96,584,611	104,630,978
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	96,464,574	104,630,978

Consolidated_Statements_of_Ope

Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 28, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014
Revenues:
Franchise fees and royalty income	$115,325	$106,712
Rental income	23,627	22,447
Sales of ice cream products	22,591	28,671
Sales at company-owned restaurants	6,558	6,316
Other revenues	17,804	7,802
Total revenues	185,905	171,948
Operating costs and expenses:
Occupancy expenses-franchised restaurants	13,518	13,012
Cost of ice cream products	14,879	19,748
Company-operated restaurant expenses	6,858	6,363
General and administrative expenses, net	58,307	59,714
Depreciation	5,110	4,913
Amortization of other intangible assets	6,200	6,405
Impairment charges	264	123
Total operating costs and expenses	105,136	110,278
Net income of equity method investments	2,947	3,100
Other operating income, net	24	4,327
Operating income	83,740	69,097
Other income (expense), net:
Interest income	122	69
Interest expense	-22,164	-17,941
Loss on debt extinguishment and refinancing transactions	-20,554	-13,735
Other gains (losses), net	-545	27
Total other expense, net	-43,141	-31,580
Income before income taxes	40,599	37,517
Provision for income taxes	15,174	14,689
Net income including noncontrolling interests	25,425	22,828
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	-206	-128
Net income attributable to Dunkin' Brands	$25,631	$22,956
Earnings per share:
Common-basic	$0.26	$0.22
Common-diluted	$0.25	$0.21
Cash dividends declared per common share	$0.27	$0.23

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 28, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income including noncontrolling interests	$25,425	$22,828
Other comprehensive income (loss), net:
Effect of foreign currency translation, net of deferred tax expense of $258 and $313 for the three months ended March 28, 2015 and March 29, 2014, respectively	1,379	1,291
Effect of interest rate swaps, net of deferred tax benefit of $217 and $457 for the three months ended March 28, 2015 and March 29, 2014, respectively	-318	-701
Other, net	-507	658
Total other comprehensive income, net	554	1,248
Comprehensive income including noncontrolling interests	25,979	24,076
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	-206	-128
Comprehensive income attributable to Dunkin' Brands	$26,185	$24,204

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com1

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Parenthetical) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 28, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Deferred tax effect, foreign currency translation	$258	$313
Deferred tax effect, unrealized loss on interest rate swaps	($217)	($457)

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 28, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income including noncontrolling interests	$25,425	$22,828
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	11,310	11,318
Amortization of debt issuance costs and original issue discount	1,371	1,038
Loss on debt extinguishment and refinancing transactions	20,554	13,735
Deferred income taxes	-6,261	-3,842
Provision for (recovery of) bad debt	-243	1,365
Share-based compensation expense	3,672	1,849
Net income of equity method investments	-2,947	-3,100
Dividends received from equity method investments	5,283	5,825
Gain on sale of real estate and company-owned restaurants	0	-4,327
Other, net	-393	-402
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
Restricted cash	-65,772	0
Accounts, notes, and other receivables, net	32,397	22,062
Income taxes payable, net	13,424	5,363
Other current assets	-6,875	1,335
Accounts payable	-875	-733
Other current liabilities	-45,105	-72,566
Liabilities of advertising funds, net	-5,038	-2,746
Deferred income	2,534	917
Other, net	8,559	1,694
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	-8,980	1,613
Cash flows from investing activities:
Additions to property and equipment	-6,233	-4,436
Proceeds from sale of real estate	0	6,937
Other, net	-1,499	-1,418
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities	-7,732	1,083
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	2,500,000	0
Repayment of long-term debt	-1,818,971	-10,000
Payment of debt issuance and other debt-related costs	-40,953	-8,977
Dividends paid on common stock	-25,688	-24,520
Repurchases of common stock, including accelerated share repurchase	-459,821	-22,040
Change in restricted cash	-6,900	0
Exercise of stock options	1,209	3,411
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation	1,424	5,465
Other, net	-886	-568
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	149,414	-57,229
Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents	-389	20
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	132,313	-54,513
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	208,080	256,933
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	340,393	202,420
Supplemental cash flow information:
Cash paid for income taxes	6,792	7,618
Cash paid for interest	12,955	19,900
Noncash investing activities:
Property and equipment included in accounts payable and other current liabilities	718	857
Purchase of leaseholds in exchange for capital lease obligations	0	185
Noncash financing activities:
Repurchases of common stock included in accounts payable and other current liabilities	5,763	1,958
Debt issuance costs included in accounts payable and other current liabilities	$396	$0

Description_of_Business_and_Or

Description of Business and Organization	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2015
Text Block [Abstract]
Description of Business and Organization	Description of Business and Organization
	Dunkin’ Brands Group, Inc. (“DBGI”), together with its consolidated subsidiaries, is one of the world’s leading franchisors of restaurants serving coffee and baked goods, as well as ice cream, within the quick service restaurant segment of the restaurant industry. We develop, franchise, and license a system of both traditional and nontraditional quick service restaurants and, in limited circumstances, own and operate individual locations. Through our Dunkin’ Donuts brand, we develop and franchise restaurants featuring coffee, donuts, bagels, breakfast sandwiches, and related products. Through our Baskin-Robbins brand, we develop and franchise restaurants featuring ice cream, frozen beverages, and related products. Additionally, we distribute Baskin-Robbins ice cream products to Baskin-Robbins franchisees and licensees in certain international markets.
	Throughout these unaudited consolidated financial statements, “Dunkin’ Brands,” “the Company,” “we,” “us,” “our,” and “management” refer to DBGI and its consolidated subsidiaries taken as a whole.

Summary_of_Significant_Account

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2015
Disclosure Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies Additional Information [Abstract]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
	(a) Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
	The consolidated balance sheet as of March 28, 2015 and the consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, and cash flows for the three months ended March 28, 2015 and March 29, 2014 are unaudited.
	The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements include the accounts of DBGI and its consolidated subsidiaries and have been prepared in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for interim financial information. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) for complete financial statements. All significant transactions and balances between subsidiaries and affiliates have been eliminated in consolidation. In the opinion of management, all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of such financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP have been recorded. Such adjustments consisted only of normal recurring items. These unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the fiscal year ended December 27, 2014, included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K.
	(b) Fiscal Year
	The Company operates and reports financial information on a 52- or 53-week year on a 13-week quarter basis with the fiscal year ending on the last Saturday in December and fiscal quarters ending on the 13th Saturday of each quarter (or 14th Saturday when applicable with respect to the fourth fiscal quarter). The data periods contained within our three month periods ended March 28, 2015 and March 29, 2014 reflect the results of operations for the 13-week periods ended on those dates. Operating results for the three month period ended March 28, 2015 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the fiscal year ending December 26, 2015.
	(c) Restricted Cash
	In accordance with the Company's securitized financing facility, certain cash accounts have been established in the name of Citibank, N.A. (the “Trustee”) for the benefit of the Trustee and the noteholders, and are restricted in their use. The Company held restricted cash which primarily represented (i) cash collections held by the Trustee, (ii) interest, principal, and commitment fee reserves held by the Trustee related to the Company's Notes (see note 4), and (iii) real estate reserves used to pay real estate obligations. Changes in restricted cash accounts are presented as either a component of cash flows from operating or financing activities in the consolidated statements of cash flows based on the nature of the restricted balance.
	(d) Fair Value of Financial Instruments
	Financial assets and liabilities are categorized, based on the inputs to the valuation technique, into a three-level fair value hierarchy. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to the quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities and lowest priority to unobservable inputs. Observable market data, when available, is required to be used in making fair value measurements. When inputs used to measure fair value fall within different levels of the hierarchy, the level within which the fair value measurement is categorized is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement.
	Financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 28, 2015 and December 27, 2014 are summarized as follows (in thousands):
		28-Mar-15			27-Dec-14
		Significant		Total	Significant	Total
		other			other
		observable			observable
		inputs			inputs
		(Level 2)			(Level 2)
	Assets:
	Company-owned life insurance	$	3,022	3,022	2,975	2,975
	Total assets	$	3,022	3,022	2,975	2,975
	Liabilities:
	Deferred compensation liabilities	$	8,767	8,767	8,488	8,488
	Total liabilities	$	8,767	8,767	8,488	8,488
	The deferred compensation liabilities relate primarily to the Dunkin’ Brands, Inc. Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan (“NQDC Plan”), which allows for pre-tax deferral of compensation for certain qualifying employees and directors. Changes in the fair value of the deferred compensation liabilities are derived using quoted prices in active markets of the asset selections made by the participants. The deferred compensation liabilities are classified within Level 2, as defined under U.S. GAAP, because their inputs are derived principally from observable market data by correlation to hypothetical investments. The Company holds assets, which include company-owned life insurance policies, to partially offset the Company’s liabilities under the NQDC Plan. The changes in the fair value of any company-owned life insurance policies are derived using determinable cash surrender value. As such, the company-owned life insurance policies are classified within Level 2, as defined under U.S. GAAP.
	The carrying value and estimated fair value of long-term debt as of March 28, 2015 and December 27, 2014 were as follows (in thousands):
		March 28, 2015			27-Dec-14
		Carrying Value		Estimated fair value	Carrying Value	Estimated fair value
	Financial liabilities
	Long-term debt	$	2,501,332	2,541,376	1,810,933	1,778,066
	The estimated fair value of our long-term debt is estimated primarily based on current market rates for debt with similar terms and remaining maturities or current bid prices for our long-term debt. Judgment is required to develop these estimates. As such, our long-term debt is classified within Level 2, as defined under U.S. GAAP.
	(e) Concentration of Credit Risk
	The Company is subject to credit risk through its accounts receivable consisting primarily of amounts due from franchisees and licensees for franchise fees, royalty income, and sales of ice cream products. In addition, we have note and lease receivables from certain of our franchisees and licensees. The financial condition of these franchisees and licensees is largely dependent upon the underlying business trends of our brands and market conditions within the quick service restaurant industry. This concentration of credit risk is mitigated, in part, by the large number of franchisees and licensees of each brand and the short-term nature of the franchise and license fee and lease receivables. At March 28, 2015 and December 27, 2014, one master licensee, including its majority-owned subsidiaries, accounted for approximately 19% of total accounts and notes receivable, which was primarily due to the timing of orders and shipments of ice cream to the master licensee. For the three months ended March 29, 2014, one master licensee, including its majority-owned subsidiaries, accounted for approximately 11% of total revenues. No individual franchisee or master licensee accounted for more than 10% of total revenues for the three months ended March 28, 2015.
	Additionally, the Company engages various third parties to manufacture and/or distribute certain Dunkin' Donuts and Baskin-Robbins products under licensing arrangements. As of March 28, 2015, one of these third parties accounted for approximately 13% of total accounts and notes receivable. No individual third party accounted for more than 10% of total accounts and notes receivable as of December 27, 2014.
	(f) Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued new guidance for revenue recognition related to contracts with customers, except for contracts within the scope of other standards, which supersedes nearly all existing revenue recognition guidance. The new guidance provides a single framework in which revenue is required to be recognized to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in amounts that reflect the consideration to which a company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. This guidance is currently effective for the Company in fiscal year 2017 and early adoption is not permitted. In April 2015, the FASB proposed deferring the effective date of the guidance by one year, and also proposed permitting early adoption of the standard, but not before the original effective date. The Company is currently evaluating the impact the adoption of this new standard will have on the Company’s accounting policies, consolidated financial statements, and related disclosures, and has not yet selected a transition method.
	In April 2015, the FASB issued new guidance to simplify the presentation of debt issuance costs, which requires that debt issuance costs be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of debt liability, consistent with debt discounts or premiums, instead of as an asset. This guidance is effective for the Company in fiscal year 2016, and early adoption is permitted. The adoption of this guidance by the Company will result in the reclassification of debt issuance costs, which were approximately $40.2 million and $11.5 million as of March 28, 2015 and December 27, 2014, respectively, from other assets to long-term debt, net in the consolidated balance sheets, resulting in a corresponding reduction in total assets and total long-term liabilities. The adoption of this guidance will not have any impact on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations or cash flows.
	(g) Reclassifications
	The Company has revised the presentation of certain captions for the three months ended March 29, 2014 within the consolidated statements of cash flows to conform to the current period presentation. The revisions had no impact on net cash provided by (used in) operating, investing, or financing activities.
	(h) Subsequent Events
	Subsequent events have been evaluated through the date these consolidated financial statements were filed.

Franchise_Fees_and_Royalty_Inc

Franchise Fees and Royalty Income	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2015
Disclosure Franchise Fees And Royalty Income [Abstract]
Franchise Fees and Royalty Income	Franchise Fees and Royalty Income
	Franchise fees and royalty income consisted of the following (in thousands):
		Three months ended
		March 28,			March 29,
		2015			2014
	Royalty income	$	106,121		98,599
	Initial franchise fees and renewal income	9,204			8,113
	Total franchise fees and royalty income	$	115,325		106,712
	The changes in franchised and company-operated points of distribution were as follows:
		Three months ended
		March 28,		March 29,
		2015		2014
	Systemwide Points of Distribution:
	Franchised points of distribution in operation—beginning of period	18,821		18,122
	Franchised points of distribution—opened	298		266
	Franchised points of distribution—closed	(219	)	(170	)
	Net transfers from company-operated points of distribution	(2	)	—
	Franchised points of distribution in operation—end of period	18,898		18,218
	Company-operated points of distribution—end of period	43		36
	Total systemwide points of distribution—end of period	18,941		18,254

Debt

Debt	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Debt	Debt
	Securitized Financing Facility
	On January 26, 2015, DB Master Finance LLC (the “Master Issuer”), a limited purpose, bankruptcy remote, wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of DBGI, entered into a base indenture and a related supplemental indenture (collectively, the “Indenture”) under which the Master Issuer may issue multiple series of notes. On the same date, the Master Issuer issued Series 2015-1 3.262% Fixed Rate Senior Secured Notes, Class A-2-I (the “Class A-2-I Notes”) with an initial principal amount of $750.0 million and Series 2015-1 3.980% Fixed Rate Senior Secured Notes, Class A-2-II (the “Class A-2-II Notes” and, together with the Class A-2-I Notes, the “Class A-2 Notes”) with an initial principal amount of $1.75 billion. In addition, the Master Issuer issued Series 2015-1 Variable Funding Senior Secured Notes, Class A-1 (the “Variable Funding Notes” and, together with the Class A-2 Notes, the “Notes”), which allow for the issuance of up to $100.0 million of Variable Funding Notes and certain other credit instruments, including letters of credit. The Notes were issued in a securitization transaction pursuant to which most of the Company’s domestic and certain of its foreign revenue-generating assets, consisting principally of franchise-related agreements, real estate assets, and intellectual property and license agreements for the use of intellectual property, are held by the Master Issuer and certain other limited-purpose, bankruptcy remote, wholly-owned indirect subsidiaries of the Company that act as guarantors of the Notes and that have pledged substantially all of their assets to secure the Notes.
	The legal final maturity date of the Class A-2 Notes is in February 2045, but it is anticipated that, unless earlier prepaid to the extent permitted under the Indenture, the Class A-2-I Notes will be repaid in February 2019 and the Class A-2-II Notes will be repaid in February 2022 (the “Anticipated Repayment Dates”). If the Class A-2 Notes have not been repaid in full by their respective Anticipated Repayment Dates, a rapid amortization event will occur in which residual net cash flows, after making certain required payments, will be applied to the outstanding principal of the Class A-2 Notes. Various other events, including failure to maintain a minimum ratio of net cash flows to debt service (“DSCR”), may also cause a rapid amortization event. Borrowings under the Class A-2-I and Class A-2-II Notes bear interest at a fixed rate equal to 3.262% and 3.980%, respectively. If the Class A-2 Notes are not repaid or refinanced prior to their respective Anticipated Repayment Dates, incremental interest will accrue. Principal payments are required to be made on the Class A-2-I and Class A-2-II Notes equal to $7.5 million and $17.5 million, respectively, per calendar year, payable in quarterly installments. No principal payments will be required if a specified leverage ratio, which is a measure of outstanding debt to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization, adjusted for certain items (as specified in the Indenture), is less than or equal to 5.0 to 1.0. Other events and transactions, such as certain asset sales and receipt of various insurance or indemnification proceeds, may trigger additional mandatory prepayments.
	It is anticipated that the principal and interest on the Variable Funding Notes will be repaid in full on or prior to February 2020, subject to two additional one-year extensions. Borrowings under the Variable Funding Notes bear interest at a rate equal to a base rate, a LIBOR rate plus 2.25%, or the lenders’ commercial paper funding rate plus 2.25%. If the Variable Funding Notes are not repaid prior to February 2020, incremental interest will accrue. In addition, the Company is required to pay a 2.25% fee for letters of credit amounts outstanding and a commitment fee on the unused portion of the Variable Funding Notes which ranges from 0.50% to 1.00% based on utilization.
	As of March 28, 2015, $750.0 million and $1.75 billion of principal were outstanding on the Class A-2-I Notes and Class A-2-II Notes, respectively. Total debt issuance costs incurred and capitalized in connection with the issuance of the Notes were $41.3 million. The effective interest rate, including the amortization of debt issuance costs, was 3.5% and 4.3% for the Class A-2-I Notes and Class A-2-II Notes, respectively, at March 28, 2015. As of March 28, 2015, $26.4 million of letters of credit were outstanding against the Variable Funding Notes, which relate primarily to interest reserves required under the Indenture. There were no amounts drawn down on these letters of credit.
	The Notes are subject to a series of covenants and restrictions customary for transactions of this type, including (i) that the Master Issuer maintains specified reserve accounts to be used to make required payments in respect of the Notes, (ii) provisions relating to optional and mandatory prepayments, including mandatory prepayments in the event of a change of control as defined in the Indenture and the related payment of specified amounts, including specified make-whole payments in the case of the Class A-2 Notes under certain circumstances, (iii) certain indemnification payments in the event, among other things, the assets pledged as collateral for the Notes are in stated ways defective or ineffective, and (iv) covenants relating to recordkeeping, access to information and similar matters. As noted above, the Notes are also subject to customary rapid amortization events provided for in the Indenture, including events tied to failure to maintain stated DSCR, failure to maintain an aggregate level of Dunkin' Donuts U.S. retail sales on certain measurement dates, certain manager termination events, an event of default, and the failure to repay or refinance the Class A-2 Notes on the applicable scheduled maturity date. The Notes are also subject to certain customary events of default, including events relating to non-payment of required interest, principal, or other amounts due on or with respect to the Notes, failure to comply with covenants within certain time frames, certain bankruptcy events, breaches of specified representations and warranties, failure of security interests to be effective, and certain judgments.
	Senior Credit Facility
	In February 2014, the senior credit facility was amended, which resulted in a reduction of interest rates. As a result, during the first quarter of 2014, the Company recorded a loss on debt extinguishment and refinancing transactions of $13.7 million, including $10.5 million related to the write-off of original issuance discount and debt issuance costs and $3.2 million of fees paid to third parties. The amended term loans were issued with an original issue discount of 0.25%, or $4.6 million, which was recorded as a reduction to long-term debt. Total debt issuance costs incurred and capitalized in connection with this amendment were $1.2 million. As of December 27, 2014, $1.82 billion of principal was outstanding on the term loans.
	The proceeds from the issuance of the Class A-2 Notes were used to repay the remaining principal outstanding on the term loans. The Company recorded a loss on debt extinguishment of $20.6 million, consisting primarily of the write-off of the remaining original issuance discount and debt issuance costs related to the term loans.

Derivative_Instruments_and_Hed

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Transactions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2015
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Transactions	Derivative Instruments and Hedging Transactions
	Effective December 23, 2014, the Company terminated all interest rate swap agreements with its counterparties in anticipation of the securitization transaction and related repayment of the outstanding term loans (see note 4). The total fair value of the interest rate swaps at the termination date was $6.3 million, excluding accrued interest owed to the counterparties of $1.0 million. The Company received cash proceeds, net of accrued interest, of $3.6 million in fiscal year 2014 and the remaining $1.7 million in the three months ended March 28, 2015. Upon termination, cash flow hedge accounting was discontinued and the cumulative pre-tax gain was recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss, which will be amortized on a straight-line basis to interest expense in the consolidated statements of operations through November 23, 2017, the original maturity date of the swaps.
	As of March 28, 2015 and December 27, 2014, a pre-tax gain of $5.7 million and $6.2 million, respectively, was recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss. During the next twelve months, the Company estimates that $2.1 million will be reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss as a reduction of interest expense.
	The tables below summarize the effects of derivative instruments on the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss for the three months ended March 28, 2015, and March 29, 2014 (in thousands):
	Three months ended March 28, 2015
	Derivatives designated as cash flow hedging instruments	Amount of gain (loss) recognized in other comprehensive loss			Amount of net gain (loss) reclassified into earnings		Consolidated statement of operations classification	Total effect on other comprehensive income
	Interest rate swaps	$	—		535		Interest expense	$	(535	)
	Income tax effect	—			(217	)	Provision for income taxes	217
	Net of income taxes	$	—		318			$	(318	)
	Three months ended March 29, 2014
	Derivatives designated as cash flow hedging instruments	Amount of gain (loss) recognized in other comprehensive loss			Amount of net gain (loss) reclassified into earnings		Consolidated statement of operations classification	Total effect on other comprehensive income
	Interest rate swaps	$	(2,035	)	(877	)	Interest expense	$	(1,158	)
	Income tax effect	803			346		Provision for income taxes	457
	Net of income taxes	$	(1,232	)	(531	)		$	(701	)

Other_Current_Liabilities

Other Current Liabilities	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2015
Other Liabilities, Current [Abstract]
Other Current Liabilities	Other Current Liabilities
	Other current liabilities consisted of the following (in thousands):
		March 28,		December 27,
		2015		2014
	Gift card/certificate liability	$	100,563	151,127
	Gift card breakage liability	28,577		25,893
	Accrued salary and benefits	15,389		21,632
	Accrued legal liabilities (see note 10(c))	20,340		24,648
	Accrued interest	16,407		8,351
	Accrued professional costs	4,147		9,381
	Franchisee profit-sharing liability	9,260		1,074
	Other	22,628		16,786
	Total other current liabilities	$	217,311	258,892
	The decrease in the gift card/certificate liability is driven by the seasonality of our gift card program.

Segment_Information

Segment Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Information	Segment Information
	The Company is strategically aligned into two global brands, Dunkin’ Donuts and Baskin-Robbins, which are further segregated between U.S. operations and international operations. As such, the Company has determined that it has four operating segments, which are its reportable segments: Dunkin’ Donuts U.S., Dunkin’ Donuts International, Baskin-Robbins U.S., and Baskin-Robbins International. Dunkin’ Donuts U.S., Baskin-Robbins U.S., and Dunkin’ Donuts International primarily derive their revenues through royalty income, franchise fees, and rental income. Dunkin’ Donuts U.S. also derives revenue through retail sales at company-operated restaurants. Baskin-Robbins U.S. also derives revenue through license fees from a third-party license agreement. Baskin-Robbins International primarily derives its revenues from the sales of ice cream products, as well as royalty income, franchise fees, and license fees. The operating results of each segment are regularly reviewed and evaluated separately by the Company’s senior management, which includes, but is not limited to, the chief executive officer. Senior management primarily evaluates the performance of its segments and allocates resources to them based on operating income adjusted for amortization of intangible assets, long-lived asset impairment charges, and other infrequent or unusual charges, which does not reflect the allocation of any corporate charges. This profitability measure is referred to as segment profit. When senior management reviews a balance sheet, it is at a consolidated level. The accounting policies applicable to each segment are consistent with those used in the consolidated financial statements.
	Revenues for all operating segments include only transactions with unaffiliated customers and include no intersegment revenues. Revenues reported as “Other” include revenue earned through arrangements with third parties in which our brand names are used and revenue generated from online training programs for franchisees that are not allocated to a specific segment. Revenues by segment were as follows (in thousands):
		Revenues
		Three months ended
		March 28,			March 29,
		2015			2014
	Dunkin’ Donuts U.S.	$	133,867		125,219
	Dunkin’ Donuts International	6,578			4,285
	Baskin-Robbins U.S.	9,872			9,121
	Baskin-Robbins International	23,568			30,011
	Total reportable segment revenues	173,885			168,636
	Other	12,020			3,312
	Total revenues	$	185,905		171,948
	Expenses included in “Corporate and other” in the segment profit table below include corporate overhead costs, such as payroll and related benefit costs and professional services. Segment profit by segment was as follows (in thousands):
		Segment profit
		Three months ended
		March 28,			March 29,
		2015			2014
	Dunkin’ Donuts U.S.	$	93,406		89,832
	Dunkin’ Donuts International	4,300			2,857
	Baskin-Robbins U.S.	5,969			4,868
	Baskin-Robbins International	7,971			9,499
	Total reportable segments	111,646			107,056
	Corporate	(21,442		)	(31,431	)
	Interest expense, net	(22,042		)	(17,872	)
	Amortization of other intangible assets	(6,200		)	(6,405	)
	Long-lived asset impairment charges	(264		)	(123	)
	Loss on debt extinguishment and refinancing transactions	(20,554		)	(13,735	)
	Other gains (losses), net	(545		)	27
	Income before income taxes	$	40,599		37,517
	Net income of equity method investments, including amortization of intangibles resulting from the BCT Acquisition, is included in segment profit for the Dunkin’ Donuts International and Baskin-Robbins International reportable segments. Income included in “Other” in the table below represents the reduction of depreciation and amortization, net of tax, related to BR Korea Co., Ltd. (“BR Korea”) as the result of an impairment charge recorded in fiscal year 2011 related to the underlying long-lived assets of BR Korea. Net income of equity method investments by reportable segment was as follows (in thousands):
		Net income of equity method investments
		Three months ended
		March 28,			March 29,
		2015			2014
	Dunkin’ Donuts International	$	289		304
	Baskin-Robbins International	2,565			2,458
	Total reportable segments	2,854			2,762
	Other	93			338
	Total net income of equity method investments	$	2,947		3,100

Stockholders_Equity_Deficit_an

Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit) and Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2015
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]
Stockholders' Equity	Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit) and Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests
	The changes in total stockholders’ equity (deficit) and redeemable noncontrolling interests were as follows (in thousands):
			Total stockholders’ equity (deficit)				Redeemable noncontrolling interests
	Balance at December 27, 2014		$	367,959			6,991
	Net income (loss)		25,631				(206	)
	Other comprehensive income		554				—
	Dividends paid on common stock		(25,688		)		—
	Exercise of stock options		1,209				—
	Repurchases of common stock		(465,584		)		—
	Share-based compensation expense		3,672				—
	Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation		1,424				—
	Other, net		(820		)		—
	Balance at March 28, 2015		$	(91,643	)		6,785
	(a) Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests
	As of March 28, 2015, the consolidated balance sheets included $1.4 million of cash and cash equivalents and $11.9 million of property and equipment, net, for the partnership entity with the noncontrolling owners, which may be used only to settle obligations of the partnership. Subsequent to March 28, 2015, the Company acquired the remaining interests from the noncontrolling owners for approximately $5.9 million.
	(b) Treasury Stock
	On February 5, 2015, the Company entered into a $400.0 million accelerated share repurchase agreement (the “ASR Agreement”) with a third-party financial institution. Pursuant to the terms of the ASR Agreement, the Company paid the financial institution $400.0 million in cash and received an initial delivery of 6,951,988 of the Company’s common stock in February 2015, representing an estimate of 80% of the total shares expected to be delivered under the ASR Agreement. At settlement, the financial institution may be required to deliver additional shares of common stock to the Company, or, under certain circumstances, the Company may be required to deliver shares of its common stock or may elect to make a cash payment to the financial institution. Final settlement of the ASR Agreement is expected to be completed in June 2015, although the settlement may be accelerated at the financial institution’s option. Additionally, during the three months ended March 28, 2015, the Company repurchased a total of 1,390,580 shares of common stock in the open market at a weighted average cost per share of $47.14 from existing stockholders.
	The Company accounts for treasury stock under the cost method, and as such recorded an increase in common treasury stock of $385.6 million during the three months ended March 28, 2015 for the shares repurchased under the ASR Agreement and in the open market, based on the fair market value of the shares on the dates of repurchase and direct costs incurred. Additionally, the Company recorded a decrease in additional paid in capital of $80.0 million related to the remaining cash paid under the ASR Agreement. During the three months ended March 28, 2015, the Company retired 8,222,531 shares of treasury stock, resulting in decreases in treasury stock and additional paid-in capital of $379.8 million and $84.0 million, respectively, and an increase in accumulated deficit of $295.9 million. As of March 28, 2015, $5.8 million remained unpaid related to the repurchase of common stock, which was included in accounts payable and other current liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets.
	(c) Equity Incentive Plans
	During the three months ended March 28, 2015, the Company granted stock options to purchase 1,621,899 shares of common stock, 21,101 restricted stock awards (“RSAs”), and 68,173 restricted stock units (“RSUs”) to certain employees. The stock options generally vest in equal annual amounts over a four-year period subsequent to the grant date, and have a maximum contractual term of seven years. The stock options were granted with an exercise price of $47.39 per share and have a weighted average grant-date fair value of $8.66 per share. The RSAs will vest in equal installments in February 2018 and February 2019, and have a grant-date fair value of $47.39 per share. The RSUs vest over a three-year period subsequent to the grant date and have a weighted average grant-date fair value of $45.08 per share.
	Total compensation expense related to all share-based awards was $3.7 million and $1.8 million for the three months ended March 28, 2015 and March 29, 2014, respectively, and is included in general and administrative expenses, net in the consolidated statements of operations.
	(d) Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
	The changes in the components of accumulated other comprehensive loss were as follows (in thousands):
		Effect of foreign				Unrealized gains (losses) on interest rate swaps			Unrealized gain (loss) on pension plan		Other		Accumulated
		currency											other
		translation											comprehensive
													loss
	Balance at December 27, 2014	$	(13,738	)		3,716			(2,874	)	(1,081	)	(13,977	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss)	1,379				(318	)		30		(537	)	554
	Balance at March 28, 2015	$	(12,359	)		3,398			(2,844	)	(1,618	)	(13,423	)
	(e) Dividends
	The Company paid a quarterly dividend of $0.265 per share of common stock on March 18, 2015, totaling approximately $25.7 million. On April 23, 2015, we announced that our board of directors approved the next quarterly dividend of $0.265 per share of common stock payable June 17, 2015 to shareholders of record at the close of business on June 9, 2015.

Earnings_per_Share

Earnings per Share	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings per Share	Earnings per Share
	The computation of basic and diluted earnings per common share is as follows:
		Three months ended
		March 28,		March 29,
		2015		2014
	Net income attributable to Dunkin’ Brands—basic and diluted (in thousands)	$	25,631	22,956
	Weighted average number of common shares:
	Common—basic	100,271,701		106,501,856
	Common—diluted	101,502,438		107,980,160
	Earnings per common share:
	Common—basic	$	0.26	0.22
	Common—diluted	0.25		0.21
	The weighted average number of common shares in the common diluted earnings per share calculation includes the dilutive effect of 1,230,737 and 1,478,304 equity awards for the three months ended March 28, 2015 and March 29, 2014, respectively, using the treasury stock method. The weighted average number of common shares in the common diluted earnings per share calculation for all periods excludes all contingently issuable equity awards for which the contingent vesting criteria were not yet met as of the fiscal period end. As of March 28, 2015 and March 29, 2014, there were 150,000 restricted shares that were contingently issuable and for which the contingent vesting criteria were not yet met as of the fiscal period end. Additionally, the weighted average number of common shares in the common diluted earnings per share calculation excludes 3,084,195 and 1,496,216 equity awards for the three months ended March 28, 2015 and March 29, 2014, respectively, as they would be antidilutive.

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	Commitments and Contingencies
	(a) Guarantees
	Financial Guarantees
	The Company has established agreements with certain financial institutions whereby the Company’s franchisees can obtain financing with terms of approximately 3 to 10 years for various business purposes. Substantially all loan proceeds are used by the franchisees to finance store improvements, new store development, new central production locations, equipment purchases, related business acquisition costs, working capital, and other costs. In limited instances, the Company guarantees a portion of the payments and commitments of the franchisees, which is collateralized by the store equipment owned by the franchisee. Under the terms of the agreements, in the event that all outstanding borrowings come due simultaneously, the Company would be contingently liable for $2.0 million and $2.2 million at March 28, 2015 and December 27, 2014, respectively. At March 28, 2015 and December 27, 2014, there were no amounts under such guarantees that were due. The Company assesses the risk of performing under these guarantees for each franchisee relationship on a quarterly basis. As of March 28, 2015 and December 27, 2014, the Company recorded an immaterial amount of reserves for such guarantees.
	Supply Chain Guarantees
	The Company entered into a third-party guarantee with a distribution facility that guarantees franchisees will purchase a certain volume of product over a 10-year period. As product is purchased by the Company’s franchisees over the term of the agreement, the amount of the guarantee is reduced. As of March 28, 2015 and December 27, 2014, the Company was contingently liable for $4.0 million and $4.3 million, respectively, under this guarantee. Additionally, the Company has various supply chain contracts that generally provide for purchase commitments or exclusivity, the majority of which result in the Company being contingently liable upon early termination of the agreement or engaging with another supplier. As of March 28, 2015 and December 27, 2014, the Company was contingently liable under such supply chain agreements for approximately $49.2 million and $51.5 million, respectively. The Company assesses the risk of performing under each of these guarantees on a quarterly basis, and, based on various factors including internal forecasts, prior history, and ability to extend contract terms, we have accrued $403 thousand and $507 thousand related to these commitments as of March 28, 2015 and December 27, 2014, respectively, which are included in other current liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets.
	Lease Guarantees
	The Company is contingently liable on certain lease agreements typically resulting from assigning our interest in obligations under property leases as a condition of the refranchising of certain restaurants and the guarantee of certain other leases. These leases have varying terms, the latest of which expires in 2024. As of March 28, 2015 and December 27, 2014, the potential amount of undiscounted payments the Company could be required to make in the event of nonpayment by the primary lessee was $5.9 million and $6.3 million, respectively. Our franchisees are the primary lessees under the majority of these leases. The Company generally has cross-default provisions with these franchisees that would put them in default of their franchise agreement in the event of nonpayment under the lease. We believe these cross-default provisions significantly reduce the risk that we will be required to make payments under these leases. Accordingly, we do not believe it is probable that the Company will be required to make payments under such leases, and we have not recorded a liability for such contingent liabilities.
	(b) Letters of Credit
	At March 28, 2015 and December 27, 2014, the Company had standby letters of credit outstanding for a total of $26.4 million and $2.9 million, respectively. There were no amounts drawn down on these letters of credit.
	(c) Legal Matters
	In May 2003, a group of Dunkin’ Donuts franchisees from Quebec, Canada filed a lawsuit against the Company on a variety of claims, based on events which primarily occurred 10 to 15 years ago, including but not limited to, alleging that the Company breached its franchise agreements and provided inadequate management and support to Dunkin’ Donuts franchisees in Quebec (the “Bertico litigation”). In June 2012, the Quebec Superior Court found for the plaintiffs and issued a judgment against the Company in the amount of approximately C$16.4 million, plus costs and interest, representing loss in value of the franchises and lost profits. The Company appealed the decision, and in April 2015, the Quebec Court of Appeals (Montreal) ruled to reduce the damages to approximately C$10.9 million, plus costs and interest. Similar claims have also been made against the Company by other former Dunkin’ Donuts franchisees in Canada. As a result of the Bertico litigation appellate ruling and assessment of similar claims, the Company reduced its aggregate legal reserves for the Bertico litigation and similar claims by approximately $2.8 million as of March 28, 2015 which is recorded within general and administrative expenses, net in the consolidated statements of operations, resulting in an estimated liability of $19.6 million as of that date.
	Additionally, the Company is engaged in several matters of litigation arising in the ordinary course of its business as a franchisor. Such matters include disputes related to compliance with the terms of franchise and development agreements, including claims or threats of claims of breach of contract, negligence, and other alleged violations by the Company. At March 28, 2015 and December 27, 2014, contingent liabilities, excluding the Bertico litigation and related matters, totaling $745 thousand and $765 thousand, respectively, were included in other current liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets to reflect the Company’s estimate of the probable loss which may be incurred in connection with these matters.

RelatedParty_Transactions

Related-Party Transactions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2015
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Related-Party Transactions	Related-Party Transactions
	(a) Advertising Funds
	At March 28, 2015 and December 27, 2014, the Company had a net payable of $8.5 million and $13.8 million, respectively, to the various advertising funds.
	To cover administrative expenses of the advertising funds, the Company charges each advertising fund a management fee for items such as facilities, accounting services, information technology, data processing, product development, legal, administrative support services, and other operating expenses, as well as share-based compensation expense for employees that provide services directly to the advertising funds. Management fees totaled $2.4 million and $1.9 million for the three months ended March 28, 2015 and March 29, 2014, respectively. Such management fees are included in the consolidated statements of operations as a reduction in general and administrative expenses, net.
	The Company made net contributions to the advertising funds based on retail sales at company-operated restaurants of $265 thousand and $264 thousand during the three months ended March 28, 2015 and March 29, 2014, respectively, which are included in company-operated restaurant expenses in the consolidated statements of operations. The Company also funded initiatives that will benefit the gift card program of $512 thousand and $1.7 million during the three months ended March 28, 2015 and March 29, 2014, respectively, which was contributed from the gift card breakage liability included within other current liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets (see note 6).
	(b) Equity Method Investments
	The Company recognized royalty income from its equity method investees as follows (in thousands):
		Three months ended
		March 28,		March 29,
		2015		2014
	B-R 31 Ice Cream Co., Ltd.	$	242	311
	BR Korea	1,013		1,047
		$	1,255	1,358
	At March 28, 2015 and December 27, 2014, the Company had $1.1 million and $1.4 million, respectively, of royalties receivable from its equity method investees, which were recorded in accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts, in the consolidated balance sheets.
	The Company made net payments to its equity method investees totaling approximately $998 thousand and $495 thousand during the three months ended March 28, 2015 and March 29, 2014, respectively, primarily for the purchase of ice cream products and incentive payments.
	As of March 28, 2015 and December 27, 2014, the Company had $2.3 million and $2.5 million, respectively, of notes receivable from Coffee Alliance S.L., an equity method investee, of which $2.3 million was reserved. The notes receivable, net of the reserve, are included in other assets in the consolidated balance sheets.
	The Company recognized sales of ice cream products of $449 thousand and $1.1 million during the three months ended March 28, 2015 and March 29, 2014, respectively, in the consolidated statements of operations from the sale of ice cream products to Palm Oasis Ventures Pty. Ltd. (“Australia JV”), of which the Company owns a 20 percent equity interest. As of March 28, 2015 and December 27, 2014, the Company had $1.9 million and $3.1 million, respectively, of net receivables from the Australia JV, consisting of accounts receivable and notes and other receivables, net of other current liabilities.

Summary_of_Significant_Account1

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2015
Disclosure Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies Additional Information [Abstract]
Unaudited Financial Statements	Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
	The consolidated balance sheet as of March 28, 2015 and the consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, and cash flows for the three months ended March 28, 2015 and March 29, 2014 are unaudited.
	The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements include the accounts of DBGI and its consolidated subsidiaries and have been prepared in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for interim financial information. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) for complete financial statements. All significant transactions and balances between subsidiaries and affiliates have been eliminated in consolidation. In the opinion of management, all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of such financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP have been recorded. Such adjustments consisted only of normal recurring items. These unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the fiscal year ended December 27, 2014, included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Fiscal Year	Fiscal Year
	The Company operates and reports financial information on a 52- or 53-week year on a 13-week quarter basis with the fiscal year ending on the last Saturday in December and fiscal quarters ending on the 13th Saturday of each quarter (or 14th Saturday when applicable with respect to the fourth fiscal quarter). The data periods contained within our three month periods ended March 28, 2015 and March 29, 2014 reflect the results of operations for the 13-week periods ended on those dates. Operating results for the three month period ended March 28, 2015 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the fiscal year ending December 26, 2015.
Restricted Cash	Restricted Cash
	In accordance with the Company's securitized financing facility, certain cash accounts have been established in the name of Citibank, N.A. (the “Trustee”) for the benefit of the Trustee and the noteholders, and are restricted in their use. The Company held restricted cash which primarily represented (i) cash collections held by the Trustee, (ii) interest, principal, and commitment fee reserves held by the Trustee related to the Company's Notes (see note 4), and (iii) real estate reserves used to pay real estate obligations. Changes in restricted cash accounts are presented as either a component of cash flows from operating or financing activities in the consolidated statements of cash flows based on the nature of the restricted balance.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	Fair Value of Financial Instruments
	Financial assets and liabilities are categorized, based on the inputs to the valuation technique, into a three-level fair value hierarchy. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to the quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities and lowest priority to unobservable inputs. Observable market data, when available, is required to be used in making fair value measurements. When inputs used to measure fair value fall within different levels of the hierarchy, the level within which the fair value measurement is categorized is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement.
	Financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 28, 2015 and December 27, 2014 are summarized as follows (in thousands):
		28-Mar-15			27-Dec-14
		Significant		Total	Significant	Total
		other			other
		observable			observable
		inputs			inputs
		(Level 2)			(Level 2)
	Assets:
	Company-owned life insurance	$	3,022	3,022	2,975	2,975
	Total assets	$	3,022	3,022	2,975	2,975
	Liabilities:
	Deferred compensation liabilities	$	8,767	8,767	8,488	8,488
	Total liabilities	$	8,767	8,767	8,488	8,488
	The deferred compensation liabilities relate primarily to the Dunkin’ Brands, Inc. Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan (“NQDC Plan”), which allows for pre-tax deferral of compensation for certain qualifying employees and directors. Changes in the fair value of the deferred compensation liabilities are derived using quoted prices in active markets of the asset selections made by the participants. The deferred compensation liabilities are classified within Level 2, as defined under U.S. GAAP, because their inputs are derived principally from observable market data by correlation to hypothetical investments. The Company holds assets, which include company-owned life insurance policies, to partially offset the Company’s liabilities under the NQDC Plan. The changes in the fair value of any company-owned life insurance policies are derived using determinable cash surrender value. As such, the company-owned life insurance policies are classified within Level 2, as defined under U.S. GAAP.
	The carrying value and estimated fair value of long-term debt as of March 28, 2015 and December 27, 2014 were as follows (in thousands):
		March 28, 2015			27-Dec-14
		Carrying Value		Estimated fair value	Carrying Value	Estimated fair value
	Financial liabilities
	Long-term debt	$	2,501,332	2,541,376	1,810,933	1,778,066
	The estimated fair value of our long-term debt is estimated primarily based on current market rates for debt with similar terms and remaining maturities or current bid prices for our long-term debt. Judgment is required to develop these estimates. As such, our long-term debt is classified within Level 2, as defined under U.S. GAAP.
Concentration of Credit Risk	Concentration of Credit Risk
	The Company is subject to credit risk through its accounts receivable consisting primarily of amounts due from franchisees and licensees for franchise fees, royalty income, and sales of ice cream products. In addition, we have note and lease receivables from certain of our franchisees and licensees. The financial condition of these franchisees and licensees is largely dependent upon the underlying business trends of our brands and market conditions within the quick service restaurant industry. This concentration of credit risk is mitigated, in part, by the large number of franchisees and licensees of each brand and the short-term nature of the franchise and license fee and lease receivables. At March 28, 2015 and December 27, 2014, one master licensee, including its majority-owned subsidiaries, accounted for approximately 19% of total accounts and notes receivable, which was primarily due to the timing of orders and shipments of ice cream to the master licensee. For the three months ended March 29, 2014, one master licensee, including its majority-owned subsidiaries, accounted for approximately 11% of total revenues. No individual franchisee or master licensee accounted for more than 10% of total revenues for the three months ended March 28, 2015.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued new guidance for revenue recognition related to contracts with customers, except for contracts within the scope of other standards, which supersedes nearly all existing revenue recognition guidance. The new guidance provides a single framework in which revenue is required to be recognized to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in amounts that reflect the consideration to which a company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. This guidance is currently effective for the Company in fiscal year 2017 and early adoption is not permitted. In April 2015, the FASB proposed deferring the effective date of the guidance by one year, and also proposed permitting early adoption of the standard, but not before the original effective date. The Company is currently evaluating the impact the adoption of this new standard will have on the Company’s accounting policies, consolidated financial statements, and related disclosures, and has not yet selected a transition method.
	In April 2015, the FASB issued new guidance to simplify the presentation of debt issuance costs, which requires that debt issuance costs be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of debt liability, consistent with debt discounts or premiums, instead of as an asset. This guidance is effective for the Company in fiscal year 2016, and early adoption is permitted. The adoption of this guidance by the Company will result in the reclassification of debt issuance costs, which were approximately $40.2 million and $11.5 million as of March 28, 2015 and December 27, 2014, respectively, from other assets to long-term debt, net in the consolidated balance sheets, resulting in a corresponding reduction in total assets and total long-term liabilities. The adoption of this guidance will not have any impact on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations or cash flows.
Reclassifications	Reclassifications
	The Company has revised the presentation of certain captions for the three months ended March 29, 2014 within the consolidated statements of cash flows to conform to the current period presentation. The revisions had no impact on net cash provided by (used in) operating, investing, or financing activities.
Subsequent Events	Subsequent Events
	Subsequent events have been evaluated through the date these consolidated financial statements were filed.

Summary_of_Significant_Account2

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2015
Disclosure Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies Additional Information [Abstract]
Schedule of Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis	Financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 28, 2015 and December 27, 2014 are summarized as follows (in thousands):
		28-Mar-15			27-Dec-14
		Significant		Total	Significant	Total
		other			other
		observable			observable
		inputs			inputs
		(Level 2)			(Level 2)
	Assets:
	Company-owned life insurance	$	3,022	3,022	2,975	2,975
	Total assets	$	3,022	3,022	2,975	2,975
	Liabilities:
	Deferred compensation liabilities	$	8,767	8,767	8,488	8,488
	Total liabilities	$	8,767	8,767	8,488	8,488
Schedule of Carrying Values and Estimated Fair Values of Debt Instruments	The carrying value and estimated fair value of long-term debt as of March 28, 2015 and December 27, 2014 were as follows (in thousands):
		March 28, 2015			27-Dec-14
		Carrying Value		Estimated fair value	Carrying Value	Estimated fair value
	Financial liabilities
	Long-term debt	$	2,501,332	2,541,376	1,810,933	1,778,066

Franchise_Fees_and_Royalty_Inc1

Franchise Fees and Royalty Income (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2015
Disclosure Franchise Fees And Royalty Income [Abstract]
Schedule Of Franchise Revenue Table	Franchise fees and royalty income consisted of the following (in thousands):
		Three months ended
		March 28,			March 29,
		2015			2014
	Royalty income	$	106,121		98,599
	Initial franchise fees and renewal income	9,204			8,113
	Total franchise fees and royalty income	$	115,325		106,712
Changes in Franchised and Company-Owned Points of Distribution	The changes in franchised and company-operated points of distribution were as follows:
		Three months ended
		March 28,		March 29,
		2015		2014
	Systemwide Points of Distribution:
	Franchised points of distribution in operation—beginning of period	18,821		18,122
	Franchised points of distribution—opened	298		266
	Franchised points of distribution—closed	(219	)	(170	)
	Net transfers from company-operated points of distribution	(2	)	—
	Franchised points of distribution in operation—end of period	18,898		18,218
	Company-operated points of distribution—end of period	43		36
	Total systemwide points of distribution—end of period	18,941		18,254

Derivative_Instruments_and_Hed1

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Transactions (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2015
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) in Statement of Financial Performance	The tables below summarize the effects of derivative instruments on the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss for the three months ended March 28, 2015, and March 29, 2014 (in thousands):
	Three months ended March 28, 2015
	Derivatives designated as cash flow hedging instruments	Amount of gain (loss) recognized in other comprehensive loss			Amount of net gain (loss) reclassified into earnings		Consolidated statement of operations classification	Total effect on other comprehensive income
	Interest rate swaps	$	—		535		Interest expense	$	(535	)
	Income tax effect	—			(217	)	Provision for income taxes	217
	Net of income taxes	$	—		318			$	(318	)
	Three months ended March 29, 2014
	Derivatives designated as cash flow hedging instruments	Amount of gain (loss) recognized in other comprehensive loss			Amount of net gain (loss) reclassified into earnings		Consolidated statement of operations classification	Total effect on other comprehensive income
	Interest rate swaps	$	(2,035	)	(877	)	Interest expense	$	(1,158	)
	Income tax effect	803			346		Provision for income taxes	457
	Net of income taxes	$	(1,232	)	(531	)		$	(701	)

Other_Current_Liabilities_Tabl

Other Current Liabilities (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2015
Other Liabilities, Current [Abstract]
Other Current Liabilities	Other current liabilities consisted of the following (in thousands):
		March 28,		December 27,
		2015		2014
	Gift card/certificate liability	$	100,563	151,127
	Gift card breakage liability	28,577		25,893
	Accrued salary and benefits	15,389		21,632
	Accrued legal liabilities (see note 10(c))	20,340		24,648
	Accrued interest	16,407		8,351
	Accrued professional costs	4,147		9,381
	Franchisee profit-sharing liability	9,260		1,074
	Other	22,628		16,786
	Total other current liabilities	$	217,311	258,892

Segment_Information_Tables

Segment Information (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Revenues by Segment	Revenues by segment were as follows (in thousands):
		Revenues
		Three months ended
		March 28,			March 29,
		2015			2014
	Dunkin’ Donuts U.S.	$	133,867		125,219
	Dunkin’ Donuts International	6,578			4,285
	Baskin-Robbins U.S.	9,872			9,121
	Baskin-Robbins International	23,568			30,011
	Total reportable segment revenues	173,885			168,636
	Other	12,020			3,312
	Total revenues	$	185,905		171,948
Segment Profit by Segment	Expenses included in “Corporate and other” in the segment profit table below include corporate overhead costs, such as payroll and related benefit costs and professional services. Segment profit by segment was as follows (in thousands):
		Segment profit
		Three months ended
		March 28,			March 29,
		2015			2014
	Dunkin’ Donuts U.S.	$	93,406		89,832
	Dunkin’ Donuts International	4,300			2,857
	Baskin-Robbins U.S.	5,969			4,868
	Baskin-Robbins International	7,971			9,499
	Total reportable segments	111,646			107,056
	Corporate	(21,442		)	(31,431	)
	Interest expense, net	(22,042		)	(17,872	)
	Amortization of other intangible assets	(6,200		)	(6,405	)
	Long-lived asset impairment charges	(264		)	(123	)
	Loss on debt extinguishment and refinancing transactions	(20,554		)	(13,735	)
	Other gains (losses), net	(545		)	27
	Income before income taxes	$	40,599		37,517
Equity in Net Income of Joint Ventures Reportable Segment	Net income of equity method investments by reportable segment was as follows (in thousands):
		Net income of equity method investments
		Three months ended
		March 28,			March 29,
		2015			2014
	Dunkin’ Donuts International	$	289		304
	Baskin-Robbins International	2,565			2,458
	Total reportable segments	2,854			2,762
	Other	93			338
	Total net income of equity method investments	$	2,947		3,100

Stockholders_Equity_Deficit_an1

Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit) and Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2015
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]
Schedule of Shareholders' Equity	The changes in total stockholders’ equity (deficit) and redeemable noncontrolling interests were as follows (in thousands):
			Total stockholders’ equity (deficit)				Redeemable noncontrolling interests
	Balance at December 27, 2014		$	367,959			6,991
	Net income (loss)		25,631				(206	)
	Other comprehensive income		554				—
	Dividends paid on common stock		(25,688		)		—
	Exercise of stock options		1,209				—
	Repurchases of common stock		(465,584		)		—
	Share-based compensation expense		3,672				—
	Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation		1,424				—
	Other, net		(820		)		—
	Balance at March 28, 2015		$	(91,643	)		6,785
Changes in Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	The changes in the components of accumulated other comprehensive loss were as follows (in thousands):
		Effect of foreign				Unrealized gains (losses) on interest rate swaps			Unrealized gain (loss) on pension plan		Other		Accumulated
		currency											other
		translation											comprehensive
													loss
	Balance at December 27, 2014	$	(13,738	)		3,716			(2,874	)	(1,081	)	(13,977	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss)	1,379				(318	)		30		(537	)	554
	Balance at March 28, 2015	$	(12,359	)		3,398			(2,844	)	(1,618	)	(13,423	)

Earnings_per_Share_Tables

Earnings per Share (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Common Share	The computation of basic and diluted earnings per common share is as follows:
		Three months ended
		March 28,		March 29,
		2015		2014
	Net income attributable to Dunkin’ Brands—basic and diluted (in thousands)	$	25,631	22,956
	Weighted average number of common shares:
	Common—basic	100,271,701		106,501,856
	Common—diluted	101,502,438		107,980,160
	Earnings per common share:
	Common—basic	$	0.26	0.22
	Common—diluted	0.25		0.21

RelatedParty_Transactions_Tabl

Related-Party Transactions (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2015
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Related Party Transactions	The Company recognized royalty income from its equity method investees as follows (in thousands):
		Three months ended
		March 28,		March 29,
		2015		2014
	B-R 31 Ice Cream Co., Ltd.	$	242	311
	BR Korea	1,013		1,047
		$	1,255	1,358

Summary_of_Significant_Account3

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014	Dec. 27, 2014
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, Narrative [Line Items]
Financial reporting and operating period, quarter	91 days	91 days
Carrying Value and Estimated Fair Value Of Long Term Debt [Abstract]
Term loans, Carrying Value	$2,501,332,000		$1,810,933,000
Term loans, Estimated fair value	2,541,376,000		1,778,066,000
Adjustments for New Accounting Principle, Early Adoption [Member]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, Narrative [Line Items]
Debt issuance cost	$40,200,000		$11,500,000
Manufacture and/or Distributer [Member]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, Narrative [Line Items]
Concentration risk, number of vendors	1		0
Percentage of purchases	13.00%
Minimum
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, Narrative [Line Items]
Financial reporting and operating period, year	364 days
Maximum
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, Narrative [Line Items]
Financial reporting and operating period, year	371 days
Customer Concentration Risk [Member]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, Narrative [Line Items]
Percentage of receivable from one master licensee account	19.00%		19.00%
Percentage of revenues from one master licensee account		11.00%
Customer Concentration Risk [Member] | Accounts Receivable [Member]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, Narrative [Line Items]
Concentration risk, number of customers	1		1
Customer Concentration Risk [Member] | Sales [Member]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, Narrative [Line Items]
Concentration risk, number of customers	0	1

Financial_Assets_and_Liabiliti

Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 28, 2015	Dec. 27, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Assets	$3,022	$2,975
Liabilities	8,767	8,488
Company-owned life insurance
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Assets	3,022	2,975
Deferred compensation liabilities
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Liabilities	8,767	8,488
Significant other observable inputs (Level 2)
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Assets	3,022	2,975
Liabilities	8,767	8,488
Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) | Company-owned life insurance
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Assets	3,022	2,975
Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) | Deferred compensation liabilities
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Liabilities	$8,767	$8,488

Franchise_Fees_and_Royalty_Inc2

Franchise Fees and Royalty Income (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 28, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014
Disclosure Franchise Fees And Royalty Income [Abstract]
Royalty income	$106,121	$98,599
Initial franchise fees and renewal income	9,204	8,113
Total franchise fees and royalty income	$115,325	$106,712

Changes_in_Franchised_and_Comp

Changes in Franchised and Company-Owned Points of Distribution (Detail)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014
	distributor	distributor
Number of Franchises [Roll Forward]
Franchised points of distribution in operation—beginning of period	18,821	18,122
Franchised points of distribution—opened	298	266
Franchised points of distribution—closed	-219	-170
Net transfers from company-operated points of distribution	-2
Franchised points of distribution in operation—end of period	18,898	18,218
Company-operated points of distribution—end of period	43	36
Total systemwide points of distribution—end of period	18,941	18,254

Debt_Additional_Information_De

Debt - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2014	Mar. 28, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014	Sep. 27, 2014	Dec. 27, 2014	Jan. 26, 2015
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Amounts drawn on letters of credit		$0			$0
Standby letters of credit		26,400,000			2,900,000
Loss on debt extinguishment and refinancing transactions	13,700,000	20,554,000	13,735,000	20,600,000
Write off of Deferred Debt Issuance Cost	10,500,000
Other debt extinguishment and refinancing expense	3,200,000	41,300,000
Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount Percentage	0.25%
Debt issuance discount	4,600,000
Deferred Finance Costs, Gross	1,200,000
Leverage Ratio Maximum, No Excess Cash Flow Payment		5
Variable Funding Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Commitment Fee Percentage		2.25%
Variable Funding Notes [Member] | LIBOR [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate components		2.25%
Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Standby letters of credit					1,820,000,000
A-2-I [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage						3.26%
Debt Instrument, Face Amount						750,000,000
Effective interest rate		3.50%
Long-term Line of Credit		750,000,000
Repayment of credit facility per calendar year		7,500,000
A-2-II [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage						3.98%
Debt Instrument, Face Amount						1,750,000,000
Effective interest rate		4.30%
Long-term Line of Credit		1,750,000,000
Repayment of credit facility per calendar year		17,500,000
Variable Funding Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount						$100,000,000
Variable Funding Notes [Member] | Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Commitment Fee Percentage		0.50%
Variable Funding Notes [Member] | Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Commitment Fee Percentage		1.00%

Recovered_Sheet1

Derivative instruments and Hedging Transactions (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 28, 2015	Dec. 27, 2014	Mar. 26, 2016	Dec. 23, 2014
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Gain on Derivative	$5.70	$6.20
Swap [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Fair Value, Net				6.3
Accrued Liabilities				1
Proceeds from Derivative Instrument, Investing Activities	1.7	3.6
Scenario, Forecast [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Estimated reclassification from Accumulated OCI to Income for the next twelve months			$2.10

Derivative_Instruments_and_Hed2

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Transaction - Derivative Effects (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 28, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014
Derivative [Line Items]
Interest rate swaps, Total effect on other comprehensive income (loss)	($535)	($1,158)
Income tax effect, Total effect on other comprehensive income (loss)	217	457
Net of income taxes, Amount of gain (loss) recognized in other comprehensive income (loss)	0	-1,232
Net of income taxes, Amount of net gain (loss) reclassified into earnings	318	-531
Net of income taxes, Total effect on other comprehensive income (loss)	-318	-701
Interest Expense [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Interest rate swaps, Amount of gain (loss) recognized in other comprehensive income (loss)	0	-2,035
Interest rate swaps, Amount of net gain (loss) reclassified into earnings	535	-877
Provision for Income Taxes [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Income tax effect, Amount of gain (loss) recognized in other comprehensive income (loss)	0	803
Income tax effect, Amount of net gain (loss) reclassified into earnings	($217)	$346

Other_Current_Liabilities_Deta

Other Current Liabilities (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 28, 2015	Dec. 27, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Other Liabilities, Current [Abstract]
Gift card/certificate liability	$100,563	$151,127
Gift card breakage liability	28,577	25,893
Accrued salary and benefits	15,389	21,632
Accrued legal liabilities	20,340	24,648
Interest Payable, Current	16,407	8,351
Accrued professional costs	4,147	9,381
Franchisee profit-sharing liability	9,260	1,074
Other	22,628	16,786
Total other current liabilities	$217,311	$258,892

Revenues_by_Segment_Detail

Revenues by Segment (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 28, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total revenues	$185,905	$171,948
Other
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total revenues	12,020	3,312
Operating Segments
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total revenues	173,885	168,636
Operating Segments | Dunkin' Donuts | United States
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total revenues	133,867	125,219
Operating Segments | Dunkin' Donuts | International
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total revenues	6,578	4,285
Operating Segments | Baskin-Robbins | United States
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total revenues	9,872	9,121
Operating Segments | Baskin-Robbins | International
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total revenues	$23,568	$30,011

Segment_Profit_by_Segment_Deta

Segment Profit by Segment (Detail) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 28, 2014	Mar. 28, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014	Sep. 27, 2014
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Reportable segment profit		$25,425	$22,828
Corporate		-21,442	-31,431
Interest expense, net		-22,042	-17,872
Amortization of other intangible assets		-6,200	-6,405
Long-lived asset impairment charges		-264	-123
Loss on debt extinguishment and refinancing transactions	-13,700	-20,554	-13,735	-20,600
Other gains (losses), net		-545	27
Income before income taxes		40,599	37,517
Operating Segments
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Reportable segment profit		111,646	107,056
Operating Segments | Dunkin' Donuts | United States
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Reportable segment profit		93,406	89,832
Operating Segments | Dunkin' Donuts | International
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Reportable segment profit		4,300	2,857
Operating Segments | Baskin-Robbins | United States
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Reportable segment profit		5,969	4,868
Operating Segments | Baskin-Robbins | International
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Reportable segment profit		$7,971	$9,499

Equity_in_Net_Income_of_Joint_

Equity in Net Income of Joint Ventures Reportable Segment (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 28, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Line Items]
Net income of equity method investments, excluding impairment	$2,947	$3,100
Other
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Line Items]
Net income of equity method investments, excluding impairment	93	338
Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Line Items]
Net income of equity method investments, excluding impairment	2,854	2,762
Operating Segments | Dunkin' Donuts | International
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Line Items]
Net income of equity method investments, excluding impairment	289	304
Operating Segments | Baskin-Robbins | International
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Line Items]
Net income of equity method investments, excluding impairment	$2,565	$2,458

Segment_Information_Additional

Segment Information - Additional Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2015
	segment
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of reportable segments	4

Stockholders_Equity_Deficit_an2

Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit) and Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	0 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		0 Months Ended
	Sep. 03, 2014	Jun. 04, 2014	Mar. 28, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014	Apr. 23, 2015	Feb. 05, 2015	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents			$340,393,000	$202,420,000			$208,080,000	$256,933,000
Property and equipment, net			181,069,000				182,061,000
Increase in treasury stock			465,584,000
Dividend per share of common stock paid (in usd per share)			$0.27
Dividends paid on common stock			25,688,000	24,520,000
Dividend per share of common stock declared (in usd per share)			$0.27	$0.23
Subsequent Event [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Dividend per share of common stock declared (in usd per share)					$0.27
Accelerated Share Repurchase Agreement [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Stock Repurchase Program, Authorized Amount						400,000,000
Percent of Shares Expected to be Delivered						80.00%
Treasury stock acquired (in shares)						6,951,988
2011 Plan
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Options granted			1,621,899
Grant price (in usd per share)			$47.39
Options, grant date fair value (in usd per share)			$8.66
Compensation expense related to share-based awards			3,700,000	1,800,000
2011 Plan | Restricted Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Restricted stock units granted (in shares)			21,101
Grant price (in usd per share)			$47.39
2011 Plan | Employee Stock Option
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Share-based compensations, vesting period			4 years
Options, maximum contractual term			7 years
2011 Plan | Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Restricted stock units granted (in shares)			68,173
Share-based compensations, vesting period			3 years
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value			$45.08
Partnership [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents			1,400,000
Property and equipment, net			11,900,000
Payments for Repurchase of Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest			5,900,000
Treasury Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Treasury stock acquired (in shares)			1,390,580
Treasury stock acquired, weighted average price (in usd per share)			$47.14
Increase in treasury stock			385,600,000
Treasury stock, shares retired			8,222,531
Stockholders' Equity, Period Increase (Decrease)			-379,800,000
Unpaid amount related to the repurchase of common stock			5,800,000
Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Stockholders' Equity, Period Increase (Decrease)			-84,000,000
Additional Paid-in Capital [Member] | Accelerated Share Repurchase Agreement [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Stockholders' Equity, Period Increase (Decrease)			80,000,000
Accumulated Deficit [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Stockholders' Equity, Period Increase (Decrease)			$295,900,000

Changes_in_Total_Shareholders_

Changes in Total Shareholders' Equity (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 28, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Balance at December 27, 2014	$367,959
Net income attributable to Dunkin' Brands	25,631	22,956
Other comprehensive loss	554	1,248
Dividends paid on common stock	-25,688
Exercise of stock options	1,209
Repurchases of common stock	-465,584
Share-based compensation expense	3,672
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation	1,424	5,465
Other, net	-820
Balance at March 28, 2015	-91,643
Redeemable noncontrolling interests [Roll Forward]
Balance at December 27, 2014	6,991
Net income	-206
Balance at March 28, 2015	$6,785

Changes_in_Components_of_Accum

Changes in Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 28, 2015
Movement in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	($13,977)
Current period changes	554
Balance at end of period	-13,423
Effect of foreign currency translation
Movement in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	-13,738
Current period changes	1,379
Balance at end of period	-12,359
Unrealized gains (losses) on interest rate swaps
Movement in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	3,716
Current period changes	-318
Balance at end of period	3,398
Unrealized gain (loss) on pension plan
Movement in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	-2,874
Current period changes	30
Balance at end of period	-2,844
Other
Movement in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	-1,081
Current period changes	-537
Balance at end of period	($1,618)

Earnings_Per_Shares_Additional

Earnings Per Shares - Additional Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Dilutive securities, effect on basic earnings per share, including options and restrictive units	1,230,737	1,478,304
Restricted Stock [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Anti-dilutive security excluded from calculation, restricted stock awards (in shares)	150,000	150,000
Stock Options [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share, amount	3,084,195	1,496,216

Computation_of_Basic_and_Dilut

Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Common Share (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 28, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net income attributable to Dunkin' Brands-basic and diluted	$25,631	$22,956
Weighted average number of common shares:
Common-basic (in shares)	100,271,701	106,501,856
Common-diluted (in shares)	101,502,438	107,980,160
Earnings (loss) per common share:
Common-basic (in dollars per share)	$0.26	$0.22
Common-diluted (in dollars per share)	$0.25	$0.21

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail)

Mar. 28, 2015

Dec. 27, 2014

Mar. 28, 2015

Dec. 27, 2014

Mar. 28, 2015

Dec. 27, 2014

Mar. 28, 2015

Mar. 28, 2015

Dec. 27, 2014

Mar. 28, 2015

Dec. 27, 2014

Jun. 22, 2012

Mar. 28, 2015

Dec. 28, 2013

Apr. 30, 2015

Mar. 28, 2015

Dec. 27, 2014

Mar. 28, 2015

Dec. 27, 2014

Mar. 28, 2015

Mar. 29, 2014

Mar. 28, 2015

Mar. 29, 2014

USD ($)

USD ($)

Performance Guarantee [Member]

Performance Guarantee [Member]

Other Legal Matter [Member]

Other Legal Matter [Member]

General and Administrative Expense [Member]

Financial Guarantee [Member]

Financial Guarantee [Member]

Lease Agreements

Lease Agreements

Bertico litigation

Bertico litigation

Bertico litigation

Bertico litigation

Supply Commitment

Supply Commitment

Transaction 02

Transaction 02

Minimum

Minimum

Maximum

Maximum

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

CAD

USD ($)

USD ($)

Subsequent Event [Member]

USD ($)

USD ($)

Purchase Commitment

Purchase Commitment

CAD

USD ($)

USD ($)

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Line Items]

Franchisees financing term

3 years

3 years

10 years

10 years

Guarantee obligation, maximum exposure

$2,000,000

$2,200,000

$5,900,000

$6,300,000

$49,200,000

$51,500,000

$4,000,000

$4,300,000

Loss Contingency Accrual

403,000

507,000

Guarantee obligations period

10 years

10 years

Standby letters of credit

26,400,000

2,900,000

Amounts drawn on letters of credit

0

0

Guarantor Obligations, Current Carrying Value

0

0

Litigation judgment

16,400,000

10,900,000

Decrease in Legal Reserve

2,800,000

Contingent liabilities related to legal matters

$745,000

$765,000

$19,600,000

RelatedParty_Transactions_Addi

Related-Party Transactions - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014	Dec. 27, 2014
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Net payable of advertising funds	$8,500,000		$13,800,000
Fee for managing advertising funds	2,400,000	1,900,000
Advertising funds contribution, company-owned restaurant	265,000	264,000
Advertising funds contribution, prepaid future initiatives	512,000	1,700,000
Royalties receivable from joint ventures	1,100,000		1,400,000
B-R 31 Ice Cream Co., Ltd. ("BR Japan")
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Royalty received from joint venture	242,000	311,000
BR Korea Co., Ltd. ("BR Korea")
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Royalty received from joint venture	1,013,000	1,047,000
Coffee Alliance, S.L. (Coffee Alliance)
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Loans receivable	2,300,000		2,500,000
Loans receivable, reserve	2,300,000		2,300,000
Related Party
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Royalty received from joint venture	1,255,000	1,358,000
Joint Ventures
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Payments to joint ventures	998,000	495,000
Australia Joint Venture
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Revenue from related parties	449,000	1,100,000
Ownership percentage	20.00%		20.00%
Due from joint ventures	$1,900,000		$3,100,000