Dine Brands Global (DIN) 10-Q 29 Oct 13 2013 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Oct. 25, 2013
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	DineEquity, Inc.
Entity Central Index Key	49754
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	30-Sep-13
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2013
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		19,026,864

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$95,535	$64,537
Receivables, net	87,276	128,610
Prepaid income taxes	3,619	16,080
Prepaid gift cards	42,840	50,242
Deferred income taxes	24,811	21,772
Other current assets	7,683	13,214
Total current assets	261,764	294,455
Long-term receivables	201,080	212,269
Property and equipment, net	281,432	294,375
Goodwill	697,470	697,470
Other intangible assets, net	797,061	806,093
Other assets, net	108,909	110,738
Total assets	2,347,716	2,415,400
Current liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt	4,720	7,420
Accounts payable	33,339	30,751
Gift card liability	93,198	161,689
Accrued employee compensation and benefits	18,063	22,435
Accrued interest payable	35,825	13,236
Current maturities of capital lease and financing obligations	11,974	10,878
Other accrued expenses	20,201	21,351
Total current liabilities	217,320	267,760
Long-term debt, less current maturities	1,204,998	1,202,063
Capital lease obligations, less current maturities	115,351	124,375
Financing obligations, less current maturities	51,930	52,049
Deferred income taxes	349,202	362,171
Other liabilities	98,919	98,177
Total liabilities	2,037,720	2,106,595
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock, $0.01 par value, shares: 40,000,000 authorized; September 30, 2013 - 25,308,295 issued, 19,029,164 outstanding; December 31, 2012 - 25,362,946 issued, 19,197,899 outstanding	253	254
Additional paid-in-capital	270,799	264,342
Retained earnings	332,740	322,045
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-157	-152
Treasury stock, at cost; shares: September 30, 2013 - 6,279,131; December 31, 2012 - 6,165,047	-293,639	-277,684
Total stockholders’ equity	309,996	308,805
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$2,347,716	$2,415,400

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parentheticals) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	40,000,000	40,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	25,308,295	25,362,946
Common stock, shares outstanding	19,029,164	19,197,899
Treasury stock, shares	6,279,131	6,165,047

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012
Segment Revenues:
Franchise and restaurant revenues	$127,137	$182,246	$379,619		$587,801
Rental revenues	30,990	30,920	92,724		92,096
Financing revenues	3,156	3,152	10,223		11,394
Total segment revenues	161,283	216,318	482,566		691,291
Segment Expenses:
Franchise and restaurant expenses	44,091	95,689	130,875		313,424
Rental expenses	24,149	24,237	72,953		73,075
Financing expenses	0	15	245		1,586
Total segment expenses	68,240	119,941	204,073		388,085
Gross segment profit	93,043	96,377	278,493		303,206
General and administrative expenses	35,331	48,737	105,004		125,608
Interest expense	24,979	28,896	75,230		88,767
Amortization of intangible assets	3,072	3,072	9,212		9,222
Closure and impairment charges	-392	420	770		1,264
Loss on extinguishment of debt	0	2,306	36	[1]	4,917	[1]
Debt modification costs	0	0	1,296		0
Gain on disposition of assets	-72	-73,650	-326		-89,642
Income before income taxes	30,125	86,596	87,271		163,070
Income tax provision	-11,395	-26,023	-33,365		-54,215
Net income	18,730	60,573	53,906		108,855
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax:
Adjustment to unrealized loss on available-for-sale investments	0	0	0		140
Foreign currency translation adjustment	3	5	-5		4
Total comprehensive income	18,733	60,578	53,901		108,999
Net income available to common stockholders:
Net income	18,730	60,573	53,906		108,855
Less: Net income allocated to unvested participating restricted stock	-296	-1,187	-925		-2,477
Less: Accretion of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock	0	-688	0		-2,033
Net income available to common stockholders	$18,434	$58,698	$52,981		$104,345
Net income available to common stockholders per share:
Basic (per share)	$0.98	$3.26	$2.80		$5.84
Diluted (per share)	$0.97	$3.14	$2.76		$5.66
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	18,831	18,006	18,898		17,859
Diluted (in shares)	19,085	18,924	19,166		18,801
Dividends declared per common share	$0.75	$0	$2.25		$0
Dividends paid per common share	$0.75	$0	$2.25		$0
[1]	Including write-off of the discount and deferred financing costs related to the debt retired.

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$53,906		$108,855
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash flows provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	26,516		30,756
Non-cash interest expense	4,635		4,547
Loss on extinguishment of debt	36	[1]	4,917	[1]
Closure and impairment charges	1,166		991
Deferred income taxes	-16,007		-20,361
Non-cash stock-based compensation expense	7,081		8,799
Tax benefit from stock-based compensation	3,001		6,334
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation	-1,985		-4,757
Gain on disposition of assets	-326		-89,642
Other	791		-1,768
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Receivables	41,698		41,422
Current income tax receivables and payables	7,232		12,512
Other current assets	16,054		7,414
Accounts payable	2,650		2,080
Accrued employee compensation and benefits	-4,372		-6,490
Gift card liability	-68,493		-62,841
Other accrued expenses	29,231		25,298
Cash flows provided by operating activities	102,814		68,066
Cash flows from investing activities:
Additions to property and equipment	-4,547		-13,477
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment and assets held for sale	0		137,449
Principal receipts from notes, equipment contracts and other long-term receivables	10,254		10,276
Other	282		964
Cash flows provided by investing activities	5,989		135,212
Cash flows from financing activities:
Borrowings under revolving credit facilities	0		50,000
Repayments under revolving credit facilities	0		-50,000
Repayment of long-term debt (including premiums)	-2,400		-184,237
Payment of debt modification costs	-1,296		0
Principal payments on capital lease and financing obligations	-7,515		-8,246
Repurchase of DineEquity common stock	-24,663		0
Dividends paid on common stock	-43,170		0
Repurchase of restricted stock	-3,209		-1,690
Proceeds from stock options exercised	5,585		5,443
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation	1,985		4,757
Change in restricted cash	-3,122		-8,158
Cash flows used in financing activities	-77,805		-192,131
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	30,998		11,147
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	64,537		60,691
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	95,535		71,838
Supplemental disclosures:
Interest paid in cash	58,751		77,758
Income taxes paid in cash	$39,084		$58,339
[1]	Including write-off of the discount and deferred financing costs related to the debt retired.

General

General	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
General	General
	The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements of DineEquity, Inc. (the “Company”) have been prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. The operating results for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the twelve months ending December 31, 2013.
	The consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2012 has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements at that date, but does not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements.
	These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.

Basis_of_Presentation

Basis of Presentation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	Basis of Presentation
	The Company’s fiscal quarters end on the Sunday closest to the last day of each quarter. For convenience, the fiscal quarters of each year are reported as ending on March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31. The first, second and third quarters of fiscal 2013 ended on March 31, 2013, June 30, 2013 and September 29, 2013, respectively; the first, second and third quarters of fiscal 2012 ended on April 1, 2012, July 1, 2012 and September 30, 2012, respectively.
	The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries that are consolidated in accordance with U.S. GAAP. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires the Company’s management to make assumptions and estimates that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. On an ongoing basis, the Company evaluates its estimates, including those related to provisions for doubtful accounts, legal contingencies, income taxes, long-lived assets, goodwill and intangible assets. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Accounting_Policies

Accounting Policies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract]
Accounting Policies	Accounting Policies
	Accounting Standards Adopted in the Current Fiscal Year
	In July 2012, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2012-02, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other: Testing Indefinite Lived Intangibles for Impairment (“ASU 2012-02”). ASU 2012-02 allows an entity the option to first assess qualitative factors in determining whether it is necessary to perform a quantitative impairment test on indefinite-lived intangibles. An entity electing to perform a qualitative assessment is no longer required to calculate the fair value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset unless the entity determines, based on the qualitative assessment, that it is more likely than not that the asset is impaired. The adoption of ASU 2012-02 as of January 1, 2013 did not have any impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
	In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-02, Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (“ASU 2013-02”). The amendments in ASU 2013-02 do not change the current requirements for reporting net income or other comprehensive income. However, the amendments require disclosure of amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income in their entirety, by component, on the face of the statement of operations or in the notes thereto. Amounts that are not required to be reclassified in their entirety to net income must be cross-referenced to other disclosures that provide additional detail. The adoption of ASU 2013-02 as of January 1, 2013 did not have any impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements or disclosures because the Company had no material amount of reclassifications.
	Newly Issued Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted
	In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-04, Obligations Resulting from Joint and Several Liability Arrangements for Which the Total Amount of the Obligation Is Fixed at the Reporting Date (“ASU 2013-04”). The amendments in ASU 2013-04 require an entity to measure obligations resulting from joint and several liability arrangements as the amount the entity agreed to pay on the basis of the arrangement among its co-obligors plus the amount an entity expects to pay on behalf of co-obligors. ASU 2013-04 also requires an entity to disclose the nature, amount and other information about each obligation or group of similar obligations. The Company will be required to adopt ASU 2013-04 effective January 1, 2014, and is currently evaluating the potential impact, if any, on its consolidated financial statements.
	In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-11, Income Taxes - Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists (“ASU 2013-11”). ASU 2013-11 provides guidance on the financial statement presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit, as either a reduction of a deferred tax asset or as a liability, when a net operating loss carryforward, similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists. ASU 2013-11 may be applied on a retrospective basis, and early adoption is permitted. The Company will be required to adopt ASU 2013-11 effective January 1, 2014, and is currently evaluating the potential impact, if any, on its consolidated financial statements.
	The Company reviewed all other newly issued accounting pronouncements and concluded that they either are not applicable to the Company or are not expected to have a material effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements as a result of future adoption.

LongTerm_Debt

Long-Term Debt	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Long-Term Debt	Long-Term Debt
	Long-term debt consisted of the following components:
		30-Sep-13				December 31, 2012
		(In millions)
	Senior Secured Credit Facility, due October 2017, at a variable interest rate of 3.75% as of September 30, 2013 and 4.25% as of December 31, 2012	$	469.6			$	472
	Senior Notes due October 2018, at a fixed rate of 9.5%	760.8				760.8
	Discount	(20.7		)		(23.3		)
	Total long-term debt	1,209.70				1,209.50
	Less current maturities	(4.7		)		(7.4		)
	Long-term debt, less current maturities	$	1,205.00			$	1,202.10
	For a description of the respective instruments, refer to Note 8 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.
	Debt Modification Costs
	On February 4, 2013, the Company entered into Amendment No. 2 (“Amendment No. 2”) to the Credit Agreement dated October 8, 2010. For a description of Amendment No. 2, refer to Note 23 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012. Fees of $1.3 million paid to third parties in connection with Amendment No. 2 were included as “Debt modification costs” in the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income for the nine months ended September 30, 2013.
	Loss on Extinguishment of Debt
	During the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, the Company recognized a loss on extinguishment of debt as follows:
	Quarter Ended	Instrument Repaid/Retired		Face Amount				Cash Paid		Loss (1)
				Repaid/Retired
				(In millions)
	Mar-13	Term Loans		$	1.2			$	1.2	$	0
	Jun-13	Term Loans		1.2				1.2		0
		Total 2013		$	2.4			$	2.4	$	0
	Mar-12	Term Loans		$	70.5			$	70.5	$	1.9
	Mar-12	Senior Notes		5				5.5		0.7
	Sep-12	Term Loans		108.2				108.2		2.3
		Total 2012		$	183.7			$	184.2	$	4.9
	(1) Including write-off of the discount and deferred financing costs related to the debt retired.
	Compliance with Covenants and Restrictions
	The Company was in compliance with all the covenants and restrictions related to its Senior Secured Credit Facility and Senior Notes as of September 30, 2013.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Income Taxes
	The effective tax rate was 38.2% for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 as compared to 33.2% for the nine months ended September 30, 2012. The effective tax rate in 2012 was lower primarily due to a discrete $6.3 million state benefit related to a reduction in state deferred taxes as a result of the refranchising of Applebee's company-operated restaurants and sale of related restaurant assets that was completed in 2012. Additionally, income tax credits, primarily FICA tip and other compensation-related tax credits, were higher in 2012 because Applebee’s had more company-operated restaurants during that year prior to completion of the refranchisings.
	The total gross unrecognized tax benefit as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 was $2.0 million and $6.7 million, respectively, excluding interest, penalties and related tax benefits. The decrease of $4.7 million is primarily related to recent settlements with taxing authorities. The Company estimates the unrecognized tax benefits may decrease over the upcoming 12 months by an amount up to $0.7 million related to settlements with taxing authorities and the lapse of statutes of limitations. For the remaining liability, due to the uncertainties related to these tax matters, the Company is unable to make a reasonably reliable estimate when cash settlement with a taxing authority will occur.
	As of September 30, 2013, the accrued interest and penalties were $2.6 million and $0.1 million, respectively, excluding any related income tax benefits. As of December 31, 2012, accrued interest and penalties were $1.4 million and $0.2 million, respectively, excluding any related income tax benefits. The increase of $1.2 million of accrued interest is primarily related to an increase in unrecognized tax benefits as a result of recent audits by taxing authorities. The Company recognizes interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits and penalties as a component of the income tax provision recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income.
	The Company files federal income tax returns and the Company or one of its subsidiaries file income tax returns in various state and foreign jurisdictions. With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to federal, state or non-United States tax examinations by tax authorities for years before 2008. In the second quarter of 2013, the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) issued a Revenue Agent’s Report (“RAR”) related to its examination of the Company’s U.S federal income tax return for the tax years 2008 to 2010. The Company disagrees with a portion of the proposed assessments and has contested them through the IRS administrative appeals procedures. We anticipate the appeals process to continue into 2014. The Company continues to believe that adequate reserves have been provided relating to all matters contained in the tax periods open to examination.

StockBased_Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Stock-Based Compensation	Stock-Based Compensation
	From time to time, the Company has granted nonqualified stock options, restricted stock, cash-settled and stock-settled restricted stock units and performance units to officers, other employees and non-employee directors of the Company. Currently, the Company is authorized to grant nonqualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, cash-settled and stock-settled restricted stock units and performance units to officers, other employees and nonemployee directors under the DineEquity, Inc. 2011 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2011 Plan”). The 2011 Plan was approved by stockholders on May 17, 2011 and permits the issuance of up to 1,500,000 shares of the Company’s common stock. The 2011 Plan will expire in May 2021.
	The nonqualified stock options generally vest ratably over a three-year period in one-third increments and have a term of ten years from the grant date. Option exercise prices equal the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the New York Stock Exchange on the date of grant. Restricted stock and restricted stock units are issued at no cost to the holder and vest over terms determined by the Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors, generally three years from the grant date.
	The following table summarizes the components of the Company’s stock-based compensation expense included in general and administrative expenses in the consolidated financial statements:
		Three Months Ended							Nine Months Ended
		September 30,							September 30,
		2013			2012				2013			2012
		(In millions)
	Total stock-based compensation:
	Equity classified award expense	$	1.2		$	2.2			$	7.1		$	8.8
	Liability classified award (credit) expense	(0.8		)	1.9				(0.9		)	2.4
	Total pretax stock-based compensation expense	0.4			4.1				6.2			11.2
	Tax benefit	(0.2		)	(1.6		)		(2.4		)	(4.3		)
	Total stock-based compensation expense, net of tax	$	0.2		$	2.5			$	3.8		$	6.9
	As of September 30, 2013, total unrecognized compensation cost of $9.1 million related to restricted stock and restricted stock units and $5.1 million related to stock options is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.8 years for restricted stock and restricted stock units and 1.7 years for stock options.
	Equity Classified Awards - Stock Options
	The estimated fair value of the stock options granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 was calculated using a Black-Scholes option pricing model. The following summarizes the assumptions used in the Black-Scholes model:
	Risk-free interest rate	0.78	%
	Weighted average historical volatility	83.4	%
	Dividend yield	4.15	%
	Expected years until exercise	4.6
	Forfeitures	11	%
	Weighted average fair value of options granted	$36.00
	Option balances as of September 30, 2013 and activity related to stock options for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 were as follows:
			Shares		Weighted		Weighted Average		Aggregate
					Average		Remaining		Intrinsic
					Exercise		Contractual Term		Value
					Price		(in Years)
	Outstanding at December 31, 2012		958,246		$39.67
	Granted		81,328		$72.28
	Exercised		(153,454	)	$36.40
	Forfeited		(39,243	)	$55.78
	Outstanding at September 30, 2013		846,877		$42.65		6.24		$	21,878,000
	Vested at September 30, 2013 and Expected to Vest		824,671		$42.14		6.17		$	21,683,000
	Exercisable at September 30, 2013		637,782		$37.31		5.49		$	19,650,000
	The aggregate intrinsic value in the table above represents the total pretax intrinsic value (the difference between the closing stock price of the Company’s common stock on the last trading day of the third quarter of 2013 and the exercise price, multiplied by the number of in-the-money options) that would have been received by the option holders had all option holders exercised their options on September 30, 2013. The aggregate intrinsic value will change based on the fair market value of the Company’s common stock and the number of in-the-money options.
	Equity Classified Awards - Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units
	Outstanding balances as of September 30, 2013 and activity related to restricted stock and restricted stock units for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 were as follows:
			Restricted		Weighted		Restricted			Weighted
			Stock		Average		Stock Units			Average
					Grant Date					Grant Date
					Fair Value					Fair Value
	Outstanding at December 31, 2012		346,563		$44.74		33,242			$41.19
	Granted		88,606		$72.16		15,387			$72.04
	Conversion of cash-settled restricted stock units		—		—		37,184			$72.28
	Released		(112,625	)	$30.09		(39,000	)		$54.66
	Forfeited		(53,551	)	$54.76		—			—
	Outstanding at September 30, 2013		268,993		$57.84		46,813			$64.57
	Liability Classified Awards - Restricted Stock Units
			Restricted		Weighted
			Stock Units		Average
					Grant Date
					Fair Value
	Outstanding at December 31, 2012		37,184		$66.13
	Conversion to stock-settled restricted stock units		(37,184	)	$72.28
	Outstanding at September 30, 2013		—		—
	The Company previously had issued shares of cash-settled restricted stock units to members of the Board of Directors. Originally these instruments were expected to be settled in cash and were recorded as liabilities based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock as of each period end. In February 2013, it was determined that, pursuant to the terms of the Plan, these restricted stock units would be settled in shares of common stock and all outstanding restricted stock units were converted to equity classified awards. For the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, $0.3 million and $0.6 million, respectively, were included in pretax stock-based compensation expense for the cash-settled restricted stock units. At December 31, 2012, liabilities of $2.4 million were included as other accrued expenses in the consolidated balance sheet.
	Liability Classified Awards - Long-Term Incentive Awards
	The Company has granted cash long-term incentive awards (“LTIP awards”) to certain employees. Annual LTIP awards vest over a three-year period and are determined using a multiplier from 0% to 200% of the target award based on the total shareholder return of DineEquity, Inc. common stock compared to the total shareholder returns of a peer group of companies. Although LTIP awards are both denominated and paid only in cash, because the multiplier is based on the price of the Company's common stock, the awards are considered stock-based compensation in accordance with U.S. GAAP and are liability classified awards. For the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, a credit of $1.2 million and an expense of $1.8 million, respectively, were included in total stock-based compensation expense related to the LTIP awards. At September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, liabilities of $1.1 million and $4.5 million, respectively, related to LTIP awards were included as accrued employee compensation and benefits in the consolidated balance sheets.

Segments

Segments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segments	Segments
	The Company has four reporting segments: franchise operations, company restaurant operations, rental operations and financing operations.
	As of September 30, 2013, the franchise operations segment consisted of (i) 1,987 restaurants operated by Applebee’s franchisees in the United States, one U.S. territory and 17 countries outside the United States; and (ii) 1,589 restaurants operated by IHOP franchisees and area licensees in the United States, two U.S. territories and seven countries outside the United States. Franchise operations revenue consists primarily of franchise royalty revenues, sales of proprietary products to franchisees (primarily pancake and waffle dry mixes for the IHOP restaurants), IHOP franchise advertising fees and the portion of the franchise fees allocated to IHOP and Applebee's intellectual property.  Franchise operations expenses include IHOP advertising expenses, the cost of IHOP proprietary products and IHOP and Applebee's pre-opening training expenses and other franchise-related costs.
	At September 30, 2013, the company restaurant operations segment consisted of 23 Applebee’s company-operated restaurants, 10 IHOP company-operated restaurants and three IHOP restaurants reacquired from franchisees and operated by IHOP on a temporary basis until refranchised, all of which are located in the United States. Company restaurant sales are retail sales at company-operated restaurants. Company restaurant expenses are operating expenses at company-operated restaurants and include food, labor, utilities, rent and other restaurant operating costs.
	Rental operations revenue includes revenue from operating leases and interest income from direct financing leases. Rental operations expenses are costs of operating leases and interest expense from capital leases on franchisee-operated restaurants.
	Financing operations revenue primarily consists of interest income from the financing of franchise fees and equipment leases and sales of equipment associated with refranchised IHOP restaurants. Financing expenses are primarily the cost of restaurant equipment associated with refranchised IHOP restaurants.
	Information on segments for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 was as follows:
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
		(In millions)
	Revenues from External Customers
	Franchise operations	$	111.7		$	102.6		$	331.6		$	313.5
	Company restaurants	15.4			79.6			48.1			274.3
	Rental operations	31			30.9			92.7			92.1
	Financing operations	3.2			3.2			10.2			11.4
	Total	$	161.3		$	216.3		$	482.6		$	691.3
	Interest Expense
	Company restaurants	$	0.1		$	0.1		$	0.3		$	0.3
	Rental operations	3.8			4.2			12			12.8
	Corporate	25			28.9			75.2			88.8
	Total	$	28.9		$	33.2		$	87.5		$	101.9
	Depreciation and amortization
	Franchise operations	$	2.7		$	2.5		$	8.1		$	7.4
	Company restaurants	0.5			1.6			1.6			6.4
	Rental operations	3.3			3.4			10.1			10.3
	Corporate	2.4			2.3			6.7			6.7
	Total	$	8.9		$	9.8		$	26.5		$	30.8
	Income (loss) before income taxes
	Franchise operations	$	83.3		$	75.5		$	248.8		$	232.4
	Company restaurants	(0.3		)	11			(0.1		)	42
	Rental operations	6.8			6.7			19.8			19
	Financing operations	3.2			3.2			10			9.8
	Corporate	(62.9		)	(9.8		)	(191.2		)	(140.1		)
	Total	$	30.1		$	86.6		$	87.3		$	163.1

Net_Income_per_Share

Net Income per Share	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net Income per Share	Net Income per Share
	The computation of the Company's basic and diluted net income per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 was as follows:
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
		(In thousands, except per share data)
	Numerator for basic and dilutive income per common share:
	Net income	$	18,730		$	60,573		$	53,906		$	108,855
	Less: Net income allocated to unvested participating restricted stock	(296		)	(1,187		)	(925		)	(2,477		)
	Less: Accretion of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock	—			(688		)	—			(2,033		)
	Net income available to common stockholders - basic	18,434			58,698			52,981			104,345
	Effect of unvested participating restricted stock in two-class calculation	1			57			3			121
	Accretion of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock	—			688			—			2,033
	Net income available to common stockholders - diluted	$	18,435		$	59,443		$	52,984		$	106,499
	Denominator:
	Weighted average outstanding shares of common stock - basic	18,831			18,006			18,898			17,859
	Dilutive effect of:
	Stock options	254			246			268			270
	Series B Convertible Preferred Stock	—			672			—			672
	Weighted average outstanding shares of common stock - diluted	19,085			18,924			19,166			18,801
	Net income per common share:
	Basic	$	0.98		$	3.26		$	2.8		$	5.84
	Diluted	$	0.97		$	3.14		$	2.76		$	5.66
	All Series B Convertible Preferred Stock was converted into DineEquity, Inc. common stock in November, 2012.

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurements	Fair Value Measurements
	The Company does not have a material amount of financial instruments, non-financial assets or non-financial liabilities that are required under U.S. GAAP to be measured on a recurring basis at fair value. The Company has elected to not use the fair value measurement option, as permitted under U.S. GAAP, for any assets or liabilities for which fair value measurement is not presently required.
	The Company believes the fair values of cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and the current portion of long-term debt approximate the carrying amounts due to their short duration.
	The fair values of non-current financial liabilities at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, determined based on Level 2 inputs, were as follows:
		September 30, 2013				December 31, 2012
		Carrying		Fair Value		Carrying		Fair Value
		Amount				Amount
		(In millions)
	Long-term debt, less current maturities	$	1,205.00	$	1,311.60	$	1,202.10	$	1,334.20

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	Commitments and Contingencies
	Litigation, Claims and Disputes
	The Company is subject to various lawsuits, administrative proceedings, audits, and claims arising in the ordinary course of business. Some of these lawsuits purport to be class actions and/or seek substantial damages. The Company is required under U.S. GAAP to record an accrual for litigation loss contingencies that are both probable and reasonably estimable. Legal fees and expenses associated with the defense of all of the Company's litigation are expensed as such fees and expenses are incurred. Management regularly assesses the Company's insurance coverage, analyzes litigation information with the Company's attorneys and evaluates the Company's loss experience in connection with pending legal proceedings. While the Company does not presently believe that any of the legal proceedings to which it is currently a party will ultimately have a material adverse impact on the Company, there can be no assurance that the Company will prevail in all the proceedings the Company is party to, or that the Company will not incur material losses from them.
	Lease Guarantees
	In connection with the sale of Applebee’s restaurants or previous brands to franchisees and other parties, the Company has, in certain cases, guaranteed or had potential continuing liability for lease payments totaling $431.9 million as of September 30, 2013. This amount represents the maximum potential liability for future payments under these leases. These leases have been assigned to the buyers and expire at the end of the respective lease terms, which range from 2013 through 2048. In the event of default, the indemnity and default clauses in the sale or assignment agreements govern the Company's ability to pursue and recover damages incurred.  No material liabilities have been recorded as of September 30, 2013.
	Contingencies
	In February 2013, an IHOP franchisee and its affiliated entities which owned and operated 19 restaurants located in the states of Illinois, Wisconsin and Missouri filed for bankruptcy protection. As a result of an order issued by the bankruptcy court, two of the 19 restaurants were returned to the Company in the third quarter of 2013. A non-cash charge of $0.5 million was recorded in the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income against deferred rental revenue associated with the leases for those two restaurants. During the third quarter of 2013, the Company received favorable rulings from the bankruptcy court which, if upheld, would allow the Company to transfer the remaining 17 restaurants to another franchisee. These rulings have been appealed by the current franchisee and are presently subject to a stay, pursuant to which the current franchisee is operating these restaurants only on a day-to-day basis and is continuing to make payments to the Company pursuant to the terms of the original franchise agreements. Accordingly, the Company is unable to determine the ultimate outcome of the bankruptcy proceedings at this time.
	In an unrelated matter, in April 2013, an Applebee's franchisee which owned and operated 33 restaurants located in Illinois filed for bankruptcy protection. Pursuant to the bidding procedures approved by the bankruptcy court, 15 of the restaurants were sold in June 2013 to an affiliate of an existing franchisee and operated without interruption during the transition of ownership. The remaining 18 restaurants were closed in June 2013. We received approximately $3.8 million in termination payments and other fees in connection with the closure of these restaurants. We also have entered into a development agreement with the franchisee that acquired the 15 restaurants to open additional restaurants in Illinois in the future.

Consolidating_Financial_Inform

Consolidating Financial Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Consolidating Financial Information [Abstract]
Consolidating Financial Information	Consolidating Financial Information
	Certain of the Company's subsidiaries have guaranteed the Company's obligations under the Senior Secured Credit Facility. The following presents the condensed consolidating financial information separately for: (i) the parent Company, the issuer of the guaranteed obligations; (ii) the guarantor subsidiaries, on a combined basis, as specified in the Credit Agreement; (iii) the non-guarantor subsidiaries, on a combined basis; (iv) consolidating eliminations and reclassifications; and (v) DineEquity, Inc. and Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis.
	Each guarantor subsidiary is 100% owned by the Company at the date of each balance sheet presented. The notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a joint and several basis by each guarantor subsidiary. Each entity in the consolidating financial information follows the same accounting policies as described in the consolidated financial statements.
	Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
	September 30, 2013
	(In millions(1))
		Parent			Combined			Combined			Eliminations and			Consolidated
					Guarantor			Non-guarantor			Reclassification
					Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries
	Assets
	Current Assets
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	52.2		$	42.5		$	0.8		$	—		$	95.5
	Receivables, net	3.9			91.2			0.2			(8.0		)	87.3
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets	192.2			50.6			—			(188.6		)	54.1
	Deferred income taxes	(0.1		)	23.6			1.4			—			24.8
	Intercompany	(436.8		)	432.3			4.4			—			—
	Total current assets	(188.6		)	640.2			6.8			(196.6		)	261.8
	Long-term receivables	—			201.1			—			—			201.1
	Property and equipment, net	23.2			257.2			1			—			281.4
	Goodwill	—			697.5			—			—			697.5
	Other intangible assets, net	—			797			—			—			797.1
	Other assets, net	16.7			92.2			—			—			108.9
	Investment in subsidiaries	1,697.60			—			—			(1,697.6		)	—
	Total assets	$	1,548.90		$	2,685.20		$	7.8		$	(1,894.2	)	$	2,347.70
	Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
	Current Liabilities
	Current maturities of long-term debt	$	12.7		$	—		$	—		$	(8.0	)	$	4.7
	Accounts payable	1.8			31.5			—						33.3
	Accrued employee compensation and benefits	9.8			8.2			—						18.1
	Gift card liability	—			93.2			—						93.2
	Other accrued expenses	1.3			255.6			(0.2		)	(188.6		)	68
	Total current liabilities	25.7			388.5			(0.2		)	(196.6		)	217.3
	Long-term debt	1,205.00			—			—						1,205.00
	Financing obligations	—			51.9			—						51.9
	Capital lease obligations	—			115.4			—			—			115.4
	Deferred income taxes	2.2			347.2			(0.3		)				349.2
	Other liabilities	5.8			92.2			0.9						98.9
	Total liabilities	1,238.70			995.2			0.4			(196.6		)	2,037.70
	Total stockholders’ equity	310.1			1,690.00			7.4			(1,697.6		)	310
	Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	1,548.90		$	2,685.20		$	7.8		$	(1,894.2	)	$	2,347.70
	(1) Supplemental condensed statements presented in millions may not foot/crossfoot due to rounding from Consolidated Statements presented in thousands.
	Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
	December 31, 2012
	(In millions(1))
		Parent			Combined			Combined			Eliminations  and			Consolidated
					Guarantor			Non-guarantor			Reclassification
					Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries
	Assets
	Current Assets
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	9.9		$	54		$	0.6		$	—		$	64.5
	Receivables, net	2.8			133.7			0.1			(8.0		)	128.6
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets	151.3			64.6			—			(136.3		)	79.5
	Deferred income taxes	(3.2		)	24.1			0.8			—			21.8
	Intercompany	(394.9		)	389			6			—			—
	Total current assets	(234.1		)	665.4			7.5			(144.3		)	294.5
	Long-term receivables	—			212.3			—			—			212.3
	Property and equipment, net	23.2			270.2			0.9			—			294.4
	Goodwill	—			697.5			—			—			697.5
	Other intangible assets, net	—			806.1			—			—			806.1
	Other assets, net	18.4			92.3			—			—			110.7
	Investment in subsidiaries	1,697.60			—			—			(1,697.6		)	—
	Total assets	$	1,505.10		$	2,743.80		$	8.5		$	(1,841.9	)	$	2,415.40
	Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
	Current Liabilities
Current maturities of long-term debt	$	15.4		$	—		$	—		$	(8.0	)	$	7.4
Accounts payable	1.4			29.3			0.1			—			30.8
Accrued employee compensation and benefits	9.4			13			—			—			22.4
Gift card liability	—			161.7			—			—			161.7
Other accrued expenses	(42.5		)	223.8			0.5			(136.3		)	45.5
Total current liabilities	(16.3		)	427.8			0.6			(144.3		)	267.8
Long-term debt	1,202.10			—			—			—			1,202.10
Financing obligations	—			52			—			—			52
Capital lease obligations	—			124.4			—			—			124.4
Deferred income taxes	4.7			357.6			(0.2		)	—			362.2
Other liabilities	5.6			91.9			0.7			—			98.2
Total liabilities	1,196.10			1,053.80			1.1			(144.3		)	2,106.60
Total stockholders’ equity	309			1,690.00			7.4			(1,697.6		)	308.8
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	1,505.10		$	2,743.80		$	8.5		$	(1,841.9	)	$	2,415.40
(1) Supplemental condensed statements presented in millions may not foot/crossfoot due to rounding from Consolidated Statements presented in thousands.
Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income
For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2013
(In millions(1))
	Parent			Combined			Combined			Eliminations  and			Consolidated
				Guarantor			Non-guarantor			Reclassification
				Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries
Revenues
Franchise and restaurant revenues	$	0.7		$	126.1		$	0.4		$	—		$	127.1
Rental revenues	—			31			—			—			31
Financing revenues	—			3.2			—			—			3.2
Total revenue	0.7			160.3			0.4			—			161.3
Franchise and restaurant expenses	0.6			43.5			—			—			44.1
Rental expenses	—			24.1			—			—			24.2
Financing expenses	—			—			—			—			—
General and administrative expenses	9			26			0.3			—			35.3
Interest expense	24.6			0.3			—			—			25
Amortization of intangible assets	—			3.1			—			—			3.1
Closure and impairment charges	—			(0.5		)	0.1			—			(0.4		)
Loss (gain) on disposition of assets	—			0.1			(0.2		)	—			(0.1		)
Intercompany dividend	(39.2		)	—			—			39.2			—
Income before income taxes	5.6			63.5			0.2			(39.2		)	30.1
Benefit (provision) for income taxes	13.1			(24.5		)	—			—			(11.4		)
Net income	$	18.7		$	39		$	0.2		$	(39.2	)	$	18.7
Total comprehensive income	$	18.7		$	39		$	0.2		$	(39.2	)	$	18.7
(1) Supplemental condensed statements presented in millions may not foot/crossfoot due to rounding from Consolidated Statements presented in thousands.
Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income
For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2012
(In millions(1))
	Parent			Combined			Combined			Eliminations  and			Consolidated
				Guarantor			Non-guarantor			Reclassification
				Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries
Revenues
Franchise and restaurant revenues	$	0.7		$	181.3		$	0.3		$	—		$	182.2
Rental revenues	—			30.9			—			—			30.9
Financing revenues	—			3.2			—			—			3.2
Total revenue	0.7			215.4			0.3			—			216.3
Franchise and restaurant expenses	0.6			95.2			—			—			95.7
Rental expenses	—			24.2			—			—			24.2
Financing expenses	—			—			—			—			—
General and administrative expenses	15.8			32.5			0.4			—			48.7
Interest expense	26.5			2.4			—			—			28.9
Amortization of intangible assets	—			3.1			—			—			3.1
Closure and impairment charges	—			0.2			0.2			—			0.4
Gain on disposition of assets	—			(73.3		)	(0.4		)	—			(73.7		)
Loss on extinguishment of debt	2.3			—			—			—			2.3
Intercompany dividend	(88.7		)	—			—			88.7			—
Income before income taxes	44.2			131.1			0.1			(88.7		)	86.6
Benefit (provision) for income taxes	16.5			(42.5		)	—			—			(26.0		)
Net income	$	60.6		$	88.6		$	0.1		$	(88.7	)	$	60.6
Total comprehensive income	$	60.6		$	88.6		$	0.1		$	(88.7	)	$	60.6
(1) Supplemental condensed statements presented in millions may not foot/crossfoot due to rounding from Consolidated Statements presented in thousands.
Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
(In millions(1))
	Parent			Combined			Combined			Eliminations  and			Consolidated
				Guarantor			Non-guarantor			Reclassification
				Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries
Revenues
Franchise and restaurant revenues	$	2.1		$	376.5		$	1		$	—		$	379.6
Rental revenues	—			92.7			—			—			92.7
Financing revenues	—			10.2			—			—			10.2
Total revenue	2.1			479.4			1			—			482.6
Franchise and restaurant expenses	2.1			128.8			—			—			130.9
Rental expenses	—			72.9			—			—			72.9
Financing expenses	—			0.2			—			—			0.2
General and administrative expenses	27.7			76.3			0.9			—			105
Interest expense	74.2			1			—			—			75.2
Amortization of intangible assets	—			9.2			—			—			9.2
Closure and impairment charges	—			0.5			0.2			—			0.8
Loss (gain) on disposition of assets	—			0.4			(0.7		)	—			(0.3		)
Debt modification costs	1.3			—			—			—			1.3
Intercompany dividend	(116.6		)	—			—			116.6			—
Income before income taxes	13.4			190			0.5			(116.6		)	87.3
Benefit (provision) for income taxes	40.5			(73.9		)	—			—			(33.4		)
Net income	$	53.9		$	116.1		$	0.5		$	(116.6	)	$	53.9
Total comprehensive income	$	53.9		$	116.1		$	0.5		$	(116.6	)	$	53.9
(1) Supplemental condensed statements presented in millions may not foot/crossfoot due to rounding from Consolidated Statements presented in thousands.
Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012
(In millions(1))
	Parent			Combined			Combined			Eliminations  and			Consolidated
				Guarantor			Non-guarantor			Reclassification
				Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries
Revenues
Franchise and restaurant revenues	$	1.9		$	585.1		$	0.8		$	—		$	587.8
Rental revenues	—			92.1			—			—			92.1
Financing revenues	—			11.4			—			—			11.4
Total revenue	1.9			688.6			0.8			—			691.3
Franchise and restaurant expenses	1.8			311.6			—			—			313.4
Rental expenses	—			73.1			—			—			73.1
Financing expenses	—			1.6			—			—			1.6
General and administrative expenses	28.9			95.2			1.4			—			125.6
Interest expense	80.9			7.9			—			—			88.8
Amortization of intangible assets	—			9.2			—			—			9.2
Closure and impairment charges	—			0.7			0.6			—			1.3
Gain on disposition of assets	—			(88.5		)	(1.2		)	—			(89.6		)
Loss on extinguishment of debt	4.9			—			—			—			4.9
Intercompany dividend	(179.7		)	—			—			179.7			—
Income before income taxes	65.1			277.8			—			(179.7		)	163.1
Benefit (provision) for income taxes	43.6			(97.9		)	—			—			(54.2		)
Net income	$	108.7		$	179.9		$	—		$	(179.7	)	$	108.9
Total comprehensive income	$	108.8		$	180		$	—		$	(179.7	)	$	109
(1) Supplemental condensed statements presented in millions may not foot/crossfoot due to rounding from Consolidated Statements presented in thousands.
Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
(In millions(1))
	Parent			Combined			Combined			Eliminations  and			Consolidated
				Guarantor			Non-guarantor			Reclassification
				Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries
Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities	$	(66.3	)	$	169.4		$	(0.3	)	$	—		$	102.8
Investing cash flows:
Additions to property and equipment	(3.8		)	(0.7		)	—			—			(4.6		)
Principal receipts from long-term receivables	—			10.3			—			—			10.3
Proceeds from sale of assets	—			—			—			—			—
Other	—			0.3			—			—			0.3
Cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities	(3.8		)	9.8			—			—			6
Financing cash flows:
Payment of debt	(2.4		)	(7.5		)	—			—			(9.9		)
Payment of debt modification costs	(1.3		)	—			—			—			(1.3		)
Repurchase of common stock	(24.7		)	—			—			—			(24.7		)
Dividends paid on common stock	(43.2		)	—			—			—			(43.2		)
Restricted cash	—			(3.1		)	—			—			(3.1		)
Other	4.2			0.1			—			—			4.4
Intercompany transfers	179.7			(180.1		)	0.4			—			—
Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities	112.4			(190.6		)	0.4			—			(77.8		)
Net change	42.3			(11.4		)	0.1			—			31
Beginning cash and equivalents	9.9			54			0.6			—			64.5
Ending cash and equivalents	$	52.2		$	42.5		$	0.8		$	—		$	95.5
(1) Supplemental condensed statements presented in millions may not foot/crossfoot due to rounding from Consolidated Statements presented in thousands.
Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012
(In millions(1))
	Parent			Combined			Combined			Eliminations  and			Consolidated
				Guarantor			Non-guarantor			Reclassification
				Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries
Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities	$	(74.5	)	$	142.3		$	0.2		$	—		$	68.1
Investing cash flows:
Additions to property and equipment	(4.7		)	(8.8		)	—						(13.5		)
Principal receipts from long-term receivables	—			10.3			—			—			10.3
Proceeds from sale of assets	—			137.4			—			—			137.4
Other	—			1			—			—			1
Cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities	(4.7		)	139.9			—			—			135.2
Financing cash flows:
Revolving credit borrowings	50			—			—			—			50
Revolving credit repayments	(50.0		)	—			—			—			(50.0		)
Payment of debt	(184.2		)	(8.2		)	—			—			(192.5		)
Restricted cash	—			(8.2		)	—			—			(8.2		)
Other	7.4			1.2			—			—			8.5
Intercompany transfers	291.1			(291.1		)	—			—			—
Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities	114.2			(306.3		)	—			—			(192.2		)
Net change	35.1			(24.1		)	0.2			—			11.1
Beginning cash and equivalents	9.9			50.4			0.4			—			60.7
Ending cash and equivalents	$	45		$	26.2		$	0.6		$	—		$	71.8
(1) Supplemental condensed statements presented in millions may not foot/crossfoot due to rounding from Consolidated Statements presented in thousands.

Accounting_Policies_Policies

Accounting Policies (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract]
Accounting Standards Adopted in the Current Fiscal Year	Accounting Standards Adopted in the Current Fiscal Year
	In July 2012, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2012-02, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other: Testing Indefinite Lived Intangibles for Impairment (“ASU 2012-02”). ASU 2012-02 allows an entity the option to first assess qualitative factors in determining whether it is necessary to perform a quantitative impairment test on indefinite-lived intangibles. An entity electing to perform a qualitative assessment is no longer required to calculate the fair value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset unless the entity determines, based on the qualitative assessment, that it is more likely than not that the asset is impaired. The adoption of ASU 2012-02 as of January 1, 2013 did not have any impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
	In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-02, Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (“ASU 2013-02”). The amendments in ASU 2013-02 do not change the current requirements for reporting net income or other comprehensive income. However, the amendments require disclosure of amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income in their entirety, by component, on the face of the statement of operations or in the notes thereto. Amounts that are not required to be reclassified in their entirety to net income must be cross-referenced to other disclosures that provide additional detail. The adoption of ASU 2013-02 as of January 1, 2013 did not have any impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements or disclosures because the Company had no material amount of reclassifications.

LongTerm_Debt_Tables

Long-Term Debt (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of debt
	Long-term debt consisted of the following components:
		30-Sep-13				December 31, 2012
		(In millions)
	Senior Secured Credit Facility, due October 2017, at a variable interest rate of 3.75% as of September 30, 2013 and 4.25% as of December 31, 2012	$	469.6			$	472
	Senior Notes due October 2018, at a fixed rate of 9.5%	760.8				760.8
	Discount	(20.7		)		(23.3		)
	Total long-term debt	1,209.70				1,209.50
	Less current maturities	(4.7		)		(7.4		)
	Long-term debt, less current maturities	$	1,205.00			$	1,202.10
Schedule of extinguishment of debt	During the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, the Company recognized a loss on extinguishment of debt as follows:
	Quarter Ended	Instrument Repaid/Retired		Face Amount				Cash Paid		Loss (1)
				Repaid/Retired
				(In millions)
	Mar-13	Term Loans		$	1.2			$	1.2	$	0
	Jun-13	Term Loans		1.2				1.2		0
		Total 2013		$	2.4			$	2.4	$	0
	Mar-12	Term Loans		$	70.5			$	70.5	$	1.9
	Mar-12	Senior Notes		5				5.5		0.7
	Sep-12	Term Loans		108.2				108.2		2.3
		Total 2012		$	183.7			$	184.2	$	4.9
	(1) Including write-off of the discount and deferred financing costs related to the debt retired.

StockBased_Compensation_Tables

Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Components of the Company’s stock-based compensation expense	The following table summarizes the components of the Company’s stock-based compensation expense included in general and administrative expenses in the consolidated financial statements:
		Three Months Ended							Nine Months Ended
		September 30,							September 30,
		2013			2012				2013			2012
		(In millions)
	Total stock-based compensation:
	Equity classified award expense	$	1.2		$	2.2			$	7.1		$	8.8
	Liability classified award (credit) expense	(0.8		)	1.9				(0.9		)	2.4
	Total pretax stock-based compensation expense	0.4			4.1				6.2			11.2
	Tax benefit	(0.2		)	(1.6		)		(2.4		)	(4.3		)
	Total stock-based compensation expense, net of tax	$	0.2		$	2.5			$	3.8		$	6.9
Schedule of stock option valuation assumptions	The following summarizes the assumptions used in the Black-Scholes model:
	Risk-free interest rate	0.78	%
	Weighted average historical volatility	83.4	%
	Dividend yield	4.15	%
	Expected years until exercise	4.6
	Forfeitures	11	%
	Weighted average fair value of options granted	$36.00
Schedule of stock option activity	Option balances as of September 30, 2013 and activity related to stock options for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 were as follows:
			Shares		Weighted		Weighted Average		Aggregate
					Average		Remaining		Intrinsic
					Exercise		Contractual Term		Value
					Price		(in Years)
	Outstanding at December 31, 2012		958,246		$39.67
	Granted		81,328		$72.28
	Exercised		(153,454	)	$36.40
	Forfeited		(39,243	)	$55.78
	Outstanding at September 30, 2013		846,877		$42.65		6.24		$	21,878,000
	Vested at September 30, 2013 and Expected to Vest		824,671		$42.14		6.17		$	21,683,000
	Exercisable at September 30, 2013		637,782		$37.31		5.49		$	19,650,000
Schedule of restricted stock unit activity	Equity Classified Awards - Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units
	Outstanding balances as of September 30, 2013 and activity related to restricted stock and restricted stock units for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 were as follows:
			Restricted		Weighted		Restricted			Weighted
			Stock		Average		Stock Units			Average
					Grant Date					Grant Date
					Fair Value					Fair Value
	Outstanding at December 31, 2012		346,563		$44.74		33,242			$41.19
	Granted		88,606		$72.16		15,387			$72.04
	Conversion of cash-settled restricted stock units		—		—		37,184			$72.28
	Released		(112,625	)	$30.09		(39,000	)		$54.66
	Forfeited		(53,551	)	$54.76		—			—
	Outstanding at September 30, 2013		268,993		$57.84		46,813			$64.57
	Liability Classified Awards - Restricted Stock Units
			Restricted		Weighted
			Stock Units		Average
					Grant Date
					Fair Value
	Outstanding at December 31, 2012		37,184		$66.13
	Conversion to stock-settled restricted stock units		(37,184	)	$72.28
	Outstanding at September 30, 2013		—		—

Segments_Tables

Segments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Schedule of segment reporting information by segment	Information on segments for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 was as follows:
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
		(In millions)
	Revenues from External Customers
	Franchise operations	$	111.7		$	102.6		$	331.6		$	313.5
	Company restaurants	15.4			79.6			48.1			274.3
	Rental operations	31			30.9			92.7			92.1
	Financing operations	3.2			3.2			10.2			11.4
	Total	$	161.3		$	216.3		$	482.6		$	691.3
	Interest Expense
	Company restaurants	$	0.1		$	0.1		$	0.3		$	0.3
	Rental operations	3.8			4.2			12			12.8
	Corporate	25			28.9			75.2			88.8
	Total	$	28.9		$	33.2		$	87.5		$	101.9
	Depreciation and amortization
	Franchise operations	$	2.7		$	2.5		$	8.1		$	7.4
	Company restaurants	0.5			1.6			1.6			6.4
	Rental operations	3.3			3.4			10.1			10.3
	Corporate	2.4			2.3			6.7			6.7
	Total	$	8.9		$	9.8		$	26.5		$	30.8
	Income (loss) before income taxes
	Franchise operations	$	83.3		$	75.5		$	248.8		$	232.4
	Company restaurants	(0.3		)	11			(0.1		)	42
	Rental operations	6.8			6.7			19.8			19
	Financing operations	3.2			3.2			10			9.8
	Corporate	(62.9		)	(9.8		)	(191.2		)	(140.1		)
	Total	$	30.1		$	86.6		$	87.3		$	163.1

Net_Income_per_Share_Tables

Net Income per Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Computation of the Company’s basic and diluted net income per share	The computation of the Company's basic and diluted net income per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 was as follows:
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
		(In thousands, except per share data)
	Numerator for basic and dilutive income per common share:
	Net income	$	18,730		$	60,573		$	53,906		$	108,855
	Less: Net income allocated to unvested participating restricted stock	(296		)	(1,187		)	(925		)	(2,477		)
	Less: Accretion of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock	—			(688		)	—			(2,033		)
	Net income available to common stockholders - basic	18,434			58,698			52,981			104,345
	Effect of unvested participating restricted stock in two-class calculation	1			57			3			121
	Accretion of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock	—			688			—			2,033
	Net income available to common stockholders - diluted	$	18,435		$	59,443		$	52,984		$	106,499
	Denominator:
	Weighted average outstanding shares of common stock - basic	18,831			18,006			18,898			17,859
	Dilutive effect of:
	Stock options	254			246			268			270
	Series B Convertible Preferred Stock	—			672			—			672
	Weighted average outstanding shares of common stock - diluted	19,085			18,924			19,166			18,801
	Net income per common share:
	Basic	$	0.98		$	3.26		$	2.8		$	5.84
	Diluted	$	0.97		$	3.14		$	2.76		$	5.66

Fair_Value_Measurements_Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value of non-current financial liabilities	The fair values of non-current financial liabilities at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, determined based on Level 2 inputs, were as follows:
		September 30, 2013				December 31, 2012
		Carrying		Fair Value		Carrying		Fair Value
		Amount				Amount
		(In millions)
	Long-term debt, less current maturities	$	1,205.00	$	1,311.60	$	1,202.10	$	1,334.20

Consolidating_Financial_Inform1

Consolidating Financial Information (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Consolidating Financial Information [Abstract]
Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet	Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
	September 30, 2013
	(In millions(1))
		Parent			Combined			Combined			Eliminations and			Consolidated
					Guarantor			Non-guarantor			Reclassification
					Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries
	Assets
	Current Assets
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	52.2		$	42.5		$	0.8		$	—		$	95.5
	Receivables, net	3.9			91.2			0.2			(8.0		)	87.3
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets	192.2			50.6			—			(188.6		)	54.1
	Deferred income taxes	(0.1		)	23.6			1.4			—			24.8
	Intercompany	(436.8		)	432.3			4.4			—			—
	Total current assets	(188.6		)	640.2			6.8			(196.6		)	261.8
	Long-term receivables	—			201.1			—			—			201.1
	Property and equipment, net	23.2			257.2			1			—			281.4
	Goodwill	—			697.5			—			—			697.5
	Other intangible assets, net	—			797			—			—			797.1
	Other assets, net	16.7			92.2			—			—			108.9
	Investment in subsidiaries	1,697.60			—			—			(1,697.6		)	—
	Total assets	$	1,548.90		$	2,685.20		$	7.8		$	(1,894.2	)	$	2,347.70
	Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
	Current Liabilities
	Current maturities of long-term debt	$	12.7		$	—		$	—		$	(8.0	)	$	4.7
	Accounts payable	1.8			31.5			—						33.3
	Accrued employee compensation and benefits	9.8			8.2			—						18.1
	Gift card liability	—			93.2			—						93.2
	Other accrued expenses	1.3			255.6			(0.2		)	(188.6		)	68
	Total current liabilities	25.7			388.5			(0.2		)	(196.6		)	217.3
	Long-term debt	1,205.00			—			—						1,205.00
	Financing obligations	—			51.9			—						51.9
	Capital lease obligations	—			115.4			—			—			115.4
	Deferred income taxes	2.2			347.2			(0.3		)				349.2
	Other liabilities	5.8			92.2			0.9						98.9
	Total liabilities	1,238.70			995.2			0.4			(196.6		)	2,037.70
	Total stockholders’ equity	310.1			1,690.00			7.4			(1,697.6		)	310
	Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	1,548.90		$	2,685.20		$	7.8		$	(1,894.2	)	$	2,347.70
	(1) Supplemental condensed statements presented in millions may not foot/crossfoot due to rounding from Consolidated Statements presented in thousands.
	Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
	December 31, 2012
	(In millions(1))
		Parent			Combined			Combined			Eliminations  and			Consolidated
					Guarantor			Non-guarantor			Reclassification
					Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries
	Assets
	Current Assets
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	9.9		$	54		$	0.6		$	—		$	64.5
	Receivables, net	2.8			133.7			0.1			(8.0		)	128.6
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets	151.3			64.6			—			(136.3		)	79.5
	Deferred income taxes	(3.2		)	24.1			0.8			—			21.8
	Intercompany	(394.9		)	389			6			—			—
	Total current assets	(234.1		)	665.4			7.5			(144.3		)	294.5
	Long-term receivables	—			212.3			—			—			212.3
	Property and equipment, net	23.2			270.2			0.9			—			294.4
	Goodwill	—			697.5			—			—			697.5
	Other intangible assets, net	—			806.1			—			—			806.1
	Other assets, net	18.4			92.3			—			—			110.7
	Investment in subsidiaries	1,697.60			—			—			(1,697.6		)	—
	Total assets	$	1,505.10		$	2,743.80		$	8.5		$	(1,841.9	)	$	2,415.40
	Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
	Current Liabilities
	Current maturities of long-term debt	$	15.4		$	—		$	—		$	(8.0	)	$	7.4
	Accounts payable	1.4			29.3			0.1			—			30.8
	Accrued employee compensation and benefits	9.4			13			—			—			22.4
Gift card liability	—			161.7			—			—			161.7
Other accrued expenses	(42.5		)	223.8			0.5			(136.3		)	45.5
Total current liabilities	(16.3		)	427.8			0.6			(144.3		)	267.8
Long-term debt	1,202.10			—			—			—			1,202.10
Financing obligations	—			52			—			—			52
Capital lease obligations	—			124.4			—			—			124.4
Deferred income taxes	4.7			357.6			(0.2		)	—			362.2
Other liabilities	5.6			91.9			0.7			—			98.2
Total liabilities	1,196.10			1,053.80			1.1			(144.3		)	2,106.60
Total stockholders’ equity	309			1,690.00			7.4			(1,697.6		)	308.8
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	1,505.10		$	2,743.80		$	8.5		$	(1,841.9	)	$	2,415.40
(1) Supplemental condensed statements presented in millions may not foot/crossfoot due to rounding from Consolidated Statements presented in thousands.
Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Statement of Income and Comprehensive Income	Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income
	For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
	(In millions(1))
		Parent			Combined			Combined			Eliminations  and			Consolidated
					Guarantor			Non-guarantor			Reclassification
					Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries
	Revenues
	Franchise and restaurant revenues	$	2.1		$	376.5		$	1		$	—		$	379.6
	Rental revenues	—			92.7			—			—			92.7
	Financing revenues	—			10.2			—			—			10.2
	Total revenue	2.1			479.4			1			—			482.6
	Franchise and restaurant expenses	2.1			128.8			—			—			130.9
	Rental expenses	—			72.9			—			—			72.9
	Financing expenses	—			0.2			—			—			0.2
	General and administrative expenses	27.7			76.3			0.9			—			105
	Interest expense	74.2			1			—			—			75.2
	Amortization of intangible assets	—			9.2			—			—			9.2
	Closure and impairment charges	—			0.5			0.2			—			0.8
	Loss (gain) on disposition of assets	—			0.4			(0.7		)	—			(0.3		)
	Debt modification costs	1.3			—			—			—			1.3
	Intercompany dividend	(116.6		)	—			—			116.6			—
	Income before income taxes	13.4			190			0.5			(116.6		)	87.3
	Benefit (provision) for income taxes	40.5			(73.9		)	—			—			(33.4		)
	Net income	$	53.9		$	116.1		$	0.5		$	(116.6	)	$	53.9
	Total comprehensive income	$	53.9		$	116.1		$	0.5		$	(116.6	)	$	53.9
	(1) Supplemental condensed statements presented in millions may not foot/crossfoot due to rounding from Consolidated Statements presented in thousands.
	Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income
	For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012
	(In millions(1))
		Parent			Combined			Combined			Eliminations  and			Consolidated
					Guarantor			Non-guarantor			Reclassification
					Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries
	Revenues
	Franchise and restaurant revenues	$	1.9		$	585.1		$	0.8		$	—		$	587.8
	Rental revenues	—			92.1			—			—			92.1
	Financing revenues	—			11.4			—			—			11.4
	Total revenue	1.9			688.6			0.8			—			691.3
	Franchise and restaurant expenses	1.8			311.6			—			—			313.4
	Rental expenses	—			73.1			—			—			73.1
	Financing expenses	—			1.6			—			—			1.6
	General and administrative expenses	28.9			95.2			1.4			—			125.6
	Interest expense	80.9			7.9			—			—			88.8
	Amortization of intangible assets	—			9.2			—			—			9.2
	Closure and impairment charges	—			0.7			0.6			—			1.3
	Gain on disposition of assets	—			(88.5		)	(1.2		)	—			(89.6		)
	Loss on extinguishment of debt	4.9			—			—			—			4.9
	Intercompany dividend	(179.7		)	—			—			179.7			—
	Income before income taxes	65.1			277.8			—			(179.7		)	163.1
	Benefit (provision) for income taxes	43.6			(97.9		)	—			—			(54.2		)
	Net income	$	108.7		$	179.9		$	—		$	(179.7	)	$	108.9
	Total comprehensive income	$	108.8		$	180		$	—		$	(179.7	)	$	109
	(1) Supplemental condensed statements presented in millions may not foot/crossfoot due to rounding from Consolidated Statements presented in thousands.
	Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income
	For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2013
	(In millions(1))
		Parent			Combined			Combined			Eliminations  and			Consolidated
					Guarantor			Non-guarantor			Reclassification
					Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries
	Revenues
	Franchise and restaurant revenues	$	0.7		$	126.1		$	0.4		$	—		$	127.1
	Rental revenues	—			31			—			—			31
	Financing revenues	—			3.2			—			—			3.2
	Total revenue	0.7			160.3			0.4			—			161.3
	Franchise and restaurant expenses	0.6			43.5			—			—			44.1
Rental expenses	—			24.1			—			—			24.2
Financing expenses	—			—			—			—			—
General and administrative expenses	9			26			0.3			—			35.3
Interest expense	24.6			0.3			—			—			25
Amortization of intangible assets	—			3.1			—			—			3.1
Closure and impairment charges	—			(0.5		)	0.1			—			(0.4		)
Loss (gain) on disposition of assets	—			0.1			(0.2		)	—			(0.1		)
Intercompany dividend	(39.2		)	—			—			39.2			—
Income before income taxes	5.6			63.5			0.2			(39.2		)	30.1
Benefit (provision) for income taxes	13.1			(24.5		)	—			—			(11.4		)
Net income	$	18.7		$	39		$	0.2		$	(39.2	)	$	18.7
Total comprehensive income	$	18.7		$	39		$	0.2		$	(39.2	)	$	18.7
(1) Supplemental condensed statements presented in millions may not foot/crossfoot due to rounding from Consolidated Statements presented in thousands.
Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income
For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2012
(In millions(1))
	Parent			Combined			Combined			Eliminations  and			Consolidated
				Guarantor			Non-guarantor			Reclassification
				Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries
Revenues
Franchise and restaurant revenues	$	0.7		$	181.3		$	0.3		$	—		$	182.2
Rental revenues	—			30.9			—			—			30.9
Financing revenues	—			3.2			—			—			3.2
Total revenue	0.7			215.4			0.3			—			216.3
Franchise and restaurant expenses	0.6			95.2			—			—			95.7
Rental expenses	—			24.2			—			—			24.2
Financing expenses	—			—			—			—			—
General and administrative expenses	15.8			32.5			0.4			—			48.7
Interest expense	26.5			2.4			—			—			28.9
Amortization of intangible assets	—			3.1			—			—			3.1
Closure and impairment charges	—			0.2			0.2			—			0.4
Gain on disposition of assets	—			(73.3		)	(0.4		)	—			(73.7		)
Loss on extinguishment of debt	2.3			—			—			—			2.3
Intercompany dividend	(88.7		)	—			—			88.7			—
Income before income taxes	44.2			131.1			0.1			(88.7		)	86.6
Benefit (provision) for income taxes	16.5			(42.5		)	—			—			(26.0		)
Net income	$	60.6		$	88.6		$	0.1		$	(88.7	)	$	60.6
Total comprehensive income	$	60.6		$	88.6		$	0.1		$	(88.7	)	$	60.6
(1) Supplemental condensed statements presented in millions may not foot/crossfoot due to rounding from Consolidated Statements presented in thousands.
Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows	Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
	For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
	(In millions(1))
		Parent			Combined			Combined			Eliminations  and			Consolidated
					Guarantor			Non-guarantor			Reclassification
					Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries
	Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities	$	(66.3	)	$	169.4		$	(0.3	)	$	—		$	102.8
	Investing cash flows:
	Additions to property and equipment	(3.8		)	(0.7		)	—			—			(4.6		)
	Principal receipts from long-term receivables	—			10.3			—			—			10.3
	Proceeds from sale of assets	—			—			—			—			—
	Other	—			0.3			—			—			0.3
	Cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities	(3.8		)	9.8			—			—			6
	Financing cash flows:
	Payment of debt	(2.4		)	(7.5		)	—			—			(9.9		)
	Payment of debt modification costs	(1.3		)	—			—			—			(1.3		)
	Repurchase of common stock	(24.7		)	—			—			—			(24.7		)
	Dividends paid on common stock	(43.2		)	—			—			—			(43.2		)
	Restricted cash	—			(3.1		)	—			—			(3.1		)
	Other	4.2			0.1			—			—			4.4
	Intercompany transfers	179.7			(180.1		)	0.4			—			—
	Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities	112.4			(190.6		)	0.4			—			(77.8		)
	Net change	42.3			(11.4		)	0.1			—			31
	Beginning cash and equivalents	9.9			54			0.6			—			64.5
	Ending cash and equivalents	$	52.2		$	42.5		$	0.8		$	—		$	95.5
	(1) Supplemental condensed statements presented in millions may not foot/crossfoot due to rounding from Consolidated Statements presented in thousands.
	Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
	For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012
	(In millions(1))
		Parent			Combined			Combined			Eliminations  and			Consolidated
					Guarantor			Non-guarantor			Reclassification
					Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries
	Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities	$	(74.5	)	$	142.3		$	0.2		$	—		$	68.1
	Investing cash flows:
	Additions to property and equipment	(4.7		)	(8.8		)	—						(13.5		)
	Principal receipts from long-term receivables	—			10.3			—			—			10.3
	Proceeds from sale of assets	—			137.4			—			—			137.4
	Other	—			1			—			—			1
	Cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities	(4.7		)	139.9			—			—			135.2
	Financing cash flows:
	Revolving credit borrowings	50			—			—			—			50
	Revolving credit repayments	(50.0		)	—			—			—			(50.0		)
	Payment of debt	(184.2		)	(8.2		)	—			—			(192.5		)
	Restricted cash	—			(8.2		)	—			—			(8.2		)
	Other	7.4			1.2			—			—			8.5
	Intercompany transfers	291.1			(291.1		)	—			—			—
	Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities	114.2			(306.3		)	—			—			(192.2		)
	Net change	35.1			(24.1		)	0.2			—			11.1
	Beginning cash and equivalents	9.9			50.4			0.4			—			60.7
	Ending cash and equivalents	$	45		$	26.2		$	0.6		$	—		$	71.8
	(1) Supplemental condensed statements presented in millions may not foot/crossfoot due to rounding from Consolidated Statements presented in thousands.

LongTerm_Debt_Schedule_of_Debt

Long-Term Debt (Schedule of Debt) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Discount	($20,700,000)		($20,700,000)		($23,300,000)
Total Long-term Debt	1,209,700,000		1,209,700,000		1,209,500,000
Less current maturities	-4,720,000		-4,720,000		-7,420,000
Long-term debt, less current maturities	1,204,998,000		1,204,998,000		1,202,063,000
Debt Instruments (Narrative) [Abstract]
Debt modification costs	0	0	1,296,000	0
Senior Secured Credit Facility, due Oct 2017, variable rate 3.75%
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt interest rate (percent)	3.75%		3.75%
Senior secured credit facility due	469,600,000		469,600,000
Senior Secured Credit Facility, due Oct 2017, variable rate 4.25%
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt interest rate (percent)					4.25%
Senior secured credit facility due					472,000,000
Senior Notes due Oct 2018, at a fixed rate 9.5%
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt interest rate (percent)	9.50%		9.50%		9.50%
Senior Notes due October 2018, at a fixed rate of 9.5%	$760,800,000		$760,800,000		$760,800,000

LongTerm_Debt_Loss_on_Extingui

Long-Term Debt (Loss on Extinguishment of Debt) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended				3 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012		Jun. 30, 2013		Mar. 31, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012		Mar. 31, 2012		Mar. 31, 2012
							Term Loans		Term Loans		Term Loans		Term Loans		Senior Notes
Extinguishment of Debt [Line Items]
Face Amount Repaid/Retired			$2,400,000		$183,700,000		$1,200,000		$1,200,000		$108,200,000		$70,500,000		$5,000,000
Cash Paid			2,400,000		184,200,000		1,200,000		1,200,000		108,200,000		70,500,000		5,500,000
Loss	$0	$2,306,000	$36,000	[1]	$4,917,000	[1]	$0	[1]	$0	[1]	$2,300,000	[1]	$1,900,000	[1]	$700,000	[1]
[1]	Including write-off of the discount and deferred financing costs related to the debt retired.

Income_Taxes_Details

Income Taxes (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Effective income tax rate (percent)	38.20%	33.20%
State benefit related to a reduction in state deferred taxes as a result of the refranchising of applebee's company-operated restaurants		$6
Gross unrecognized tax benefit	2		6.7
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Decreases Resulting from Settlements with Taxing Authorities	4.7
Unrecognized tax benefits including penalties and interest expected to be paid within one year	0.7
Accrued interest on income taxes	2.6		1.4
Accrued penalties on income taxes	0.1		0.2
Increase (decrease) in accrued interest	$1.20

StockBased_Compensation_Narrat

Stock-Based Compensation (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

17-May-11

Stock Options

Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)

LTIP

LTIP

LTIP

LTIP

LTIP

Board of Directors

Board of Directors

Board of Directors

2011 Plan

Minimum

Maximum

Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)

Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)

Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]

Share-based compensation, number of shares authorized (in shares)

1,500,000

Total compensation cost not yet recognized

$5,100,000

$9,100,000

Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Total Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition (in years)

1 year 8 months 12 days

1 year 9 months 18 days

Share-based compensation expense

400,000

4,100,000

6,200,000

11,200,000

-1,200,000

1,800,000

300,000

600,000

Accrued employee compensation and benefits

$18,063,000

$18,063,000

$22,435,000

$1,100,000

$4,500,000

$2,400,000

Award vesting period (in years)

3 years

Multiplier for target award based on total shareholder return on common stock (percent)

0.00%

200.00%

StockBased_Compensation_Compon

Stock-Based Compensation (Components of Stock-Based Compensation Expense) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Stock-based compensation, equity classified awards	$1.20	$2.20	$7.10	$8.80
Stock-based compensation, liability classified awards	-0.8	1.9	-0.9	2.4
Pre-tax compensation expense	0.4	4.1	6.2	11.2
Tax provision	-0.2	-1.6	-2.4	-4.3
Total stock-based compensation expense, net of tax	$0.20	$2.50	$3.80	$6.90

StockBased_Compensation_Option

Stock-Based Compensation (Options Value Assumptions) (Details) (Stock Options, USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Stock Options
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Risk-free interest rate (percent)	0.78%
Weighted average historical volatility (percent)	83.40%
Dividend yield (percent)	4.15%
Expected years until exercise (years)	4 years 7 months 10 days
Forfeitures (percent)	11.00%
Weighted average fair value of options granted (per share)	$36

StockBased_Compensation_Stock_

Stock-Based Compensation (Stock Option Activity) (Details) (Stock Options, USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013
Stock Options
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward]
Options, outstanding, beginning of period (in shares)	958,246
Options, granted (in shares)	81,328
Options, exercised (in shares)	-153,454
Options, forfeited (in shares)	-39,243
Options, outstanding, end of period (in shares)	846,877
Options, vested and expected to vest (in shares)	824,671
Options, exercisable (in shares)	637,782
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price [Roll Forward]
Weighted average exercise price, beginning of period (per share)	$39.67
Weighted average exercise price, granted (per share)	$72.28
Weighted average exercise price, exercised (per share)	$36.40
Weighted average exercise price, forfeited (per share)	$55.78
Weighted average exercise price, end of period (per share)	$42.65
Weighted average exercise price, vested and expected to vest (per share)	$42.14
Weighted average exercise price, exercisable (per share)	$37.31
Weighted average remaining contractual term (in years)	6 years 2 months 27 days
Weighted average remaining contractual term, vested and expected to vest (in years)	6 years 2 months 1 day
Weighted average remaining contractual term, exercisable (in years)	5 years 5 months 27 days
Options, outstanding, intrinsic value	$21,878
Options, vested and expected to vest, intrinsic value	21,683
Options, vested and expected to vest, exercisable	$19,650

StockBased_Compensation_Restri

Stock-Based Compensation (Restricted Stock) (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Restricted Stock
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested [Roll Forward]
Restricted stock, beginning of period (in shares)	346,563
Restricted stock, granted (in shares)	88,606
Restricted stock, cash settled (in shares)	0
Restricted stock, released (in shares)	-112,625
Restricted stock, forfeited (in shares)	-53,551
Restricted stock, end of period (in shares)	268,993
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Roll Forward]
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Beginning balance (per share)	$44.74
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Granted (per share)	$72.16
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Cash Settled (per share)	$0
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Released (per share)	$30.09
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Forfeited (per share)	$54.76
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Ending balance (per share)	$57.84
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested [Roll Forward]
Restricted stock, beginning of period (in shares)	33,242
Restricted stock, granted (in shares)	15,387
Restricted stock, cash settled (in shares)	37,184
Restricted stock, released (in shares)	-39,000
Restricted stock, forfeited (in shares)	0
Restricted stock, end of period (in shares)	46,813
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Roll Forward]
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Beginning balance (per share)	$41.19
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Granted (per share)	$72.04
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Cash Settled (per share)	$72.28
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Released (per share)	$54.66
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Forfeited (per share)	$0
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Ending balance (per share)	$64.57
Cash Settled Restricted Stock Units Classified as Liabilities
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested [Roll Forward]
Restricted stock, beginning of period (in shares)	37,184
Restricted stock, cash settled (in shares)	-37,184
Restricted stock, end of period (in shares)	0
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Roll Forward]
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Beginning balance (per share)	$66.13
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Cash Settled (per share)	$72.28
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Ending balance (per share)	$0

Segments_Narrative_Details

Segments (Narrative) (Details)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
	segment
Franchisor Disclosure [Line Items]
Number of segments (segment)	4
Applebee's
Franchisor Disclosure [Line Items]
Number of Territories in which entity operates (territory)	1
Number of Countries in which entity operates (country)	17
IHOP
Franchisor Disclosure [Line Items]
Number of Territories in which entity operates (territory)	2
Number of Countries in which entity operates (country)	7
Franchised Units | Applebee's
Franchisor Disclosure [Line Items]
Number of Restaurants (restaurant)	1,987
Franchised Units | IHOP
Franchisor Disclosure [Line Items]
Number of Restaurants (restaurant)	1,589
Company Operated | Applebee's
Franchisor Disclosure [Line Items]
Number of Restaurants (restaurant)	23
Company Operated | IHOP
Franchisor Disclosure [Line Items]
Number of Restaurants (restaurant)	10
Number of Restaurants reacquired until refranchised (restaurant)	3

Segments_Schedule_of_Segment_R

Segments (Schedule of Segment Reporting Information by Segment) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenues	$30,990,000	$30,920,000	$92,724,000	$92,096,000
Financing revenues	3,156,000	3,152,000	10,223,000	11,394,000
Total segment revenues	161,283,000	216,318,000	482,566,000	691,291,000
Interest expense	24,979,000	28,896,000	75,230,000	88,767,000
Depreciation and amortization	8,900,000	9,800,000	26,516,000	30,756,000
Income before income taxes	30,125,000	86,596,000	87,271,000	163,070,000
Corporate and Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Interest expense	28,900,000	33,200,000	87,500,000	101,900,000
Franchise Operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Franchise revenues	111,700,000	102,600,000	331,600,000	313,500,000
Depreciation and amortization	2,700,000	2,500,000	8,100,000	7,400,000
Income before income taxes	83,300,000	75,500,000	248,800,000	232,400,000
Company Restaurants
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Company restaurant sale revenue	15,400,000	79,600,000	48,100,000	274,300,000
Interest expense	100,000	100,000	300,000	300,000
Depreciation and amortization	500,000	1,600,000	1,600,000	6,400,000
Income before income taxes	-300,000	11,000,000	-100,000	42,000,000
Rental Operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenues	31,000,000	30,900,000	92,700,000	92,100,000
Interest expense	3,800,000	4,200,000	12,000,000	12,800,000
Depreciation and amortization	3,300,000	3,400,000	10,100,000	10,300,000
Income before income taxes	6,800,000	6,700,000	19,800,000	19,000,000
Financing Operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Financing revenues	3,200,000	3,200,000	10,200,000	11,400,000
Income before income taxes	3,200,000	3,200,000	10,000,000	9,800,000
Corporate
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Interest expense	25,000,000	28,900,000	75,200,000	88,800,000
Depreciation and amortization	2,400,000	2,300,000	6,700,000	6,700,000
Income before income taxes	($62,900,000)	($9,800,000)	($191,200,000)	($140,100,000)

Net_Income_per_Share_Details

Net Income per Share (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Earnings Per Share, Diluted, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Net income	$18,730	$60,573	$53,906	$108,855
Less: Net income allocated to unvested participating restricted stock	-296	-1,187	-925	-2,477
Less: Accretion of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock	0	-688	0	-2,033
Net income available to common stockholders	18,434	58,698	52,981	104,345
Effect of unvested participating restricted stock in two-class calculation	1	57	3	121
Net income available to common stockholders - diluted	18,435	59,443	52,984	106,499
Weighted average outstanding shares of common stock - basic (in shares)	18,831	18,006	18,898	17,859
Dilutive effect of stock options (in shares)	254	246	268	270
Weighted average outstanding shares of common stock - diluted (in shares)	19,085	18,924	19,166	18,801
Net income per common share - basic (per share)	$0.98	$3.26	$2.80	$5.84
Net income per common share -diluted (per share)	$0.97	$3.14	$2.76	$5.66
Series B Preferred Stock
Earnings Per Share, Diluted, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Accretion of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock	$0	$688	$0	$2,033
Dilutive effect of series B preferred stock (in shares)	0	672	0	672
Common Stock
Earnings Per Share, Diluted, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Weighted average outstanding shares of common stock - diluted (in shares)	19,085	18,924	19,166	18,801

Fair_Value_Measurements_Detail

Fair Value Measurements (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Long-term debt, less current maturities	$1,204,998	$1,202,063
Fair Value | Level 2
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Long-term debt, less current maturities	$1,311,600	$1,334,200

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	1 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 28, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Apr. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013
	IHOP	IHOP	IHOP	Applebee's	Applebee's	Applebee's
	Illinois, Wisconsin, Missouri	Illinois, Wisconsin, Missouri	Illinois, Wisconsin, Missouri	Illinois	Illinois	Property Lease Guarantee
	Restaurant	Restaurant		Restaurant	Restaurant
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Potential liability for guaranteed leases						$431.90
Number of franchised restaurants, filed for bankruptcy protection (restraurant)	19				33
Number of restaurants filed for bankruptcy protection likely returned to the company (restraurant)		2
Noncash charge to deferred rental revenue			0.5
Number of franchised restaurants filed for bankruptcy protection and still operated by franchisee under franchise agreement (restraurant)	17
Number of franchised restaurants sold to new franchisee as a result of bankruptcy (restraurant)				15
Number of franchised restaurants closed as a result of bankruptcy (restraurant)				18
Termination payments and other fees received				$3.80

Consolidating_Financial_Inform2

Consolidating Financial Information (Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Guarantor subsidiary ownership interest (percent)	100.00%
Current Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$95,535	$64,537	$71,838	$60,691
Receivables, net	87,276	128,610
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	54,142	79,536
Deferred income taxes	24,811	21,772
Intercompany	0	0
Total current assets	261,764	294,455
Long-term receivables	201,080	212,269
Property and equipment, net	281,432	294,375
Goodwill	697,470	697,470
Other intangible assets, net	797,061	806,093
Other assets, net	108,909	110,738
Investment in subsidiaries	0	0
Total assets	2,347,716	2,415,400
Current Liabilities
Current maturities of long-term debt	4,720	7,420
Accounts payable	33,339	30,751
Accrued employee compensation and benefits	18,063	22,435
Gift card liability	93,198	161,689
Other accrued expenses	68,000	45,465
Total current liabilities	217,320	267,760
Long-term debt	1,204,998	1,202,063
Financing obligations	51,930	52,049
Capital lease obligations	115,351	124,375
Deferred income taxes	349,202	362,171
Other liabilities	98,919	98,177
Total liabilities	2,037,720	2,106,595
Total stockholders' equity	309,996	308,805
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	2,347,716	2,415,400
Parent
Current Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	52,200	9,900	45,000	9,900
Receivables, net	3,900	2,800
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	192,200	151,300
Deferred income taxes	-100	-3,200
Intercompany	-436,800	-394,900
Total current assets	-188,600	-234,100
Long-term receivables	0	0
Property and equipment, net	23,200	23,200
Goodwill	0	0
Other intangible assets, net	0	0
Other assets, net	16,700	18,400
Investment in subsidiaries	1,697,600	1,697,600
Total assets	1,548,900	1,505,100
Current Liabilities
Current maturities of long-term debt	12,700	15,400
Accounts payable	1,800	1,400
Accrued employee compensation and benefits	9,800	9,400
Gift card liability	0	0
Other accrued expenses	1,300	-42,500
Total current liabilities	25,700	-16,300
Long-term debt	1,205,000	1,202,100
Financing obligations	0	0
Capital lease obligations	0	0
Deferred income taxes	2,200	4,700
Other liabilities	5,800	5,600
Total liabilities	1,238,700	1,196,100
Total stockholders' equity	310,100	309,000
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	1,548,900	1,505,100
Combined Guarantor Subsidiaries
Current Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	42,500	54,000	26,200	50,400
Receivables, net	91,200	133,700
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	50,600	64,600
Deferred income taxes	23,600	24,100
Intercompany	432,300	389,000
Total current assets	640,200	665,400
Long-term receivables	201,100	212,300
Property and equipment, net	257,200	270,200
Goodwill	697,500	697,500
Other intangible assets, net	797,000	806,100
Other assets, net	92,200	92,300
Investment in subsidiaries	0	0
Total assets	2,685,200	2,743,800
Current Liabilities
Current maturities of long-term debt	0	0
Accounts payable	31,500	29,300
Accrued employee compensation and benefits	8,200	13,000
Gift card liability	93,200	161,700
Other accrued expenses	255,600	223,800
Total current liabilities	388,500	427,800
Long-term debt	0	0
Financing obligations	51,900	52,000
Capital lease obligations	115,400	124,400
Deferred income taxes	347,200	357,600
Other liabilities	92,200	91,900
Total liabilities	995,200	1,053,800
Total stockholders' equity	1,690,000	1,690,000
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	2,685,200	2,743,800
Combined Non-guarantor Subsidiaries
Current Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	800	600	600	400
Receivables, net	200	100
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	0	0
Deferred income taxes	1,400	800
Intercompany	4,400	6,000
Total current assets	6,800	7,500
Long-term receivables	0	0
Property and equipment, net	1,000	900
Goodwill	0	0
Other intangible assets, net	0	0
Other assets, net	0	0
Investment in subsidiaries	0	0
Total assets	7,800	8,500
Current Liabilities
Current maturities of long-term debt	0	0
Accounts payable	0	100
Accrued employee compensation and benefits	0	0
Gift card liability	0	0
Other accrued expenses	-200	500
Total current liabilities	-200	600
Long-term debt	0	0
Financing obligations	0	0
Capital lease obligations	0	0
Deferred income taxes	-300	-200
Other liabilities	900	700
Total liabilities	400	1,100
Total stockholders' equity	7,400	7,400
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	7,800	8,500
Eliminations and Reclassification
Current Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0	0	0
Receivables, net	-8,000	-8,000
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	-188,600	-136,300
Deferred income taxes	0	0
Intercompany	0	0
Total current assets	-196,600	-144,300
Long-term receivables	0	0
Property and equipment, net	0	0
Goodwill	0	0
Other intangible assets, net	0	0
Other assets, net	0	0
Investment in subsidiaries	-1,697,600	-1,697,600
Total assets	-1,894,200	-1,841,900
Current Liabilities
Current maturities of long-term debt	-8,000	-8,000
Accounts payable		0
Accrued employee compensation and benefits		0
Gift card liability		0
Other accrued expenses	-188,600	-136,300
Total current liabilities	-196,600	-144,300
Long-term debt		0
Financing obligations		0
Capital lease obligations	0	0
Deferred income taxes		0
Other liabilities		0
Total liabilities	-196,600	-144,300
Total stockholders' equity	-1,697,600	-1,697,600
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	($1,894,200)	($1,841,900)

Consolidating_Financial_Inform3

Consolidating Financial Information (Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Franchise and restaurant revenues	$127,137	$182,246	$379,619		$587,801
Rental revenues	30,990	30,920	92,724		92,096
Financing revenues	3,156	3,152	10,223		11,394
Total segment revenues	161,283	216,318	482,566		691,291
Franchise and restaurant expenses	44,091	95,689	130,875		313,424
Rental expenses	24,149	24,237	72,953		73,075
Financing expenses	0	15	245		1,586
General and administrative expenses	35,331	48,737	105,004		125,608
Interest expense	24,979	28,896	75,230		88,767
Amortization of intangible assets	3,072	3,072	9,212		9,222
Closure and impairment charges	-392	420	770		1,264
Gain on disposition of assets	-72	-73,650	-326		-89,642
Loss on extinguishment of debt	0	2,306	36	[1]	4,917	[1]
Debt modification costs	0	0	1,296		0
Intercompany dividend	0	0	0		0
Income before income taxes	30,125	86,596	87,271		163,070
Benefit (provision) for income taxes	-11,395	-26,023	-33,365		-54,215
Net income	18,730	60,573	53,906		108,855
Total comprehensive income	18,733	60,578	53,901		108,999
Parent
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Franchise and restaurant revenues	700	700	2,100		1,900
Rental revenues	0	0	0		0
Financing revenues	0	0	0		0
Total segment revenues	700	700	2,100		1,900
Franchise and restaurant expenses	600	600	2,100		1,800
Rental expenses	0	0	0		0
Financing expenses	0	0	0		0
General and administrative expenses	9,000	15,800	27,700		28,900
Interest expense	24,600	26,500	74,200		80,900
Amortization of intangible assets	0	0	0		0
Closure and impairment charges	0	0	0		0
Gain on disposition of assets	0	0	0		0
Loss on extinguishment of debt		2,300			4,900
Debt modification costs			1,300
Intercompany dividend	-39,200	-88,700	-116,600		-179,700
Income before income taxes	5,600	44,200	13,400		65,100
Benefit (provision) for income taxes	13,100	16,500	40,500		43,600
Net income	18,700	60,600	53,900		108,700
Total comprehensive income	18,700	60,600	53,900		108,800
Combined Guarantor Subsidiaries
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Franchise and restaurant revenues	126,100	181,300	376,500		585,100
Rental revenues	31,000	30,900	92,700		92,100
Financing revenues	3,200	3,200	10,200		11,400
Total segment revenues	160,300	215,400	479,400		688,600
Franchise and restaurant expenses	43,500	95,200	128,800		311,600
Rental expenses	24,100	24,200	72,900		73,100
Financing expenses	0	0	200		1,600
General and administrative expenses	26,000	32,500	76,300		95,200
Interest expense	300	2,400	1,000		7,900
Amortization of intangible assets	3,100	3,100	9,200		9,200
Closure and impairment charges	-500	200	500		700
Gain on disposition of assets	100	-73,300	400		-88,500
Loss on extinguishment of debt		0			0
Debt modification costs			0
Intercompany dividend	0	0	0		0
Income before income taxes	63,500	131,100	190,000		277,800
Benefit (provision) for income taxes	-24,500	-42,500	-73,900		-97,900
Net income	39,000	88,600	116,100		179,900
Total comprehensive income	39,000	88,600	116,100		180,000
Combined Non-guarantor Subsidiaries
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Franchise and restaurant revenues	400	300	1,000		800
Rental revenues	0	0	0		0
Financing revenues	0	0	0		0
Total segment revenues	400	300	1,000		800
Franchise and restaurant expenses	0	0	0		0
Rental expenses	0	0	0		0
Financing expenses	0	0	0		0
General and administrative expenses	300	400	900		1,400
Interest expense	0	0	0		0
Amortization of intangible assets	0	0	0		0
Closure and impairment charges	100	200	200		600
Gain on disposition of assets	-200	-400	-700		-1,200
Loss on extinguishment of debt		0			0
Debt modification costs			0
Intercompany dividend	0	0	0		0
Income before income taxes	200	100	500		0
Benefit (provision) for income taxes	0	0	0		0
Net income	200	100	500		0
Total comprehensive income	200	100	500		0
Eliminations and Reclassification
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Franchise and restaurant revenues	0	0	0		0
Rental revenues	0	0	0		0
Financing revenues	0	0	0		0
Total segment revenues	0	0	0		0
Franchise and restaurant expenses	0	0	0		0
Rental expenses	0	0	0		0
Financing expenses	0	0	0		0
General and administrative expenses	0	0	0		0
Interest expense	0	0	0		0
Amortization of intangible assets	0	0	0		0
Closure and impairment charges	0	0	0		0
Gain on disposition of assets	0	0	0		0
Loss on extinguishment of debt		0			0
Debt modification costs			0
Intercompany dividend	39,200	88,700	116,600		179,700
Income before income taxes	-39,200	-88,700	-116,600		-179,700
Benefit (provision) for income taxes	0	0	0		0
Net income	-39,200	-88,700	-116,600		-179,700
Total comprehensive income	($39,200)	($88,700)	($116,600)		($179,700)
[1]	Including write-off of the discount and deferred financing costs related to the debt retired.

Consolidating_Financial_Inform4

Consolidating Financial Information (Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows) (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities	$102,814	$68,066
Investing cash flows
Additions to property and equipment	-4,547	-13,477
Principal receipts from long-term receivables	10,254	10,276
Proceeds from sale of assets	0	137,449
Other	282	964
Cash flows provided by investing activities	5,989	135,212
Fnancing cash flows
Revolving credit borrowings	0	50,000
Revolving credit repayments	0	-50,000
Payment of debt	-9,915	-192,483
Payment of debt modification costs	-1,296	0
Repurchase of common stock	-24,663	0
Dividends paid on common stock	-43,170	0
Restricted cash	-3,122	-8,158
Other	4,361	8,510
Intercompany transfers	0	0
Cash flows used in financing activities	-77,805	-192,131
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	30,998	11,147
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	64,537	60,691
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	95,535	71,838
Parent
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities	-66,300	-74,500
Investing cash flows
Additions to property and equipment	-3,800	-4,700
Principal receipts from long-term receivables	0	0
Proceeds from sale of assets	0	0
Other	0	0
Cash flows provided by investing activities	-3,800	-4,700
Fnancing cash flows
Revolving credit borrowings		50,000
Revolving credit repayments		-50,000
Payment of debt	-2,400	-184,200
Payment of debt modification costs	-1,300
Repurchase of common stock	-24,700
Dividends paid on common stock	-43,200
Restricted cash	0	0
Other	4,200	7,400
Intercompany transfers	179,700	291,100
Cash flows used in financing activities	112,400	114,200
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	42,300	35,100
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	9,900	9,900
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	52,200	45,000
Combined Guarantor Subsidiaries
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities	169,400	142,300
Investing cash flows
Additions to property and equipment	-700	-8,800
Principal receipts from long-term receivables	10,300	10,300
Proceeds from sale of assets	0	137,400
Other	300	1,000
Cash flows provided by investing activities	9,800	139,900
Fnancing cash flows
Revolving credit borrowings		0
Revolving credit repayments		0
Payment of debt	-7,500	-8,200
Payment of debt modification costs	0
Repurchase of common stock	0
Dividends paid on common stock	0
Restricted cash	-3,100	-8,200
Other	100	1,200
Intercompany transfers	-180,100	-291,100
Cash flows used in financing activities	-190,600	-306,300
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	-11,400	-24,100
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	54,000	50,400
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	42,500	26,200
Combined Non-guarantor Subsidiaries
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities	-300	200
Investing cash flows
Additions to property and equipment	0	0
Principal receipts from long-term receivables	0	0
Proceeds from sale of assets	0	0
Other	0	0
Cash flows provided by investing activities	0	0
Fnancing cash flows
Revolving credit borrowings		0
Revolving credit repayments		0
Payment of debt	0	0
Payment of debt modification costs	0
Repurchase of common stock	0
Dividends paid on common stock	0
Restricted cash	0	0
Other	0	0
Intercompany transfers	400	0
Cash flows used in financing activities	400	0
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	100	200
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	600	400
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	800	600
Eliminations and Reclassification
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities	0	0
Investing cash flows
Additions to property and equipment	0
Principal receipts from long-term receivables	0	0
Proceeds from sale of assets	0	0
Other	0	0
Cash flows provided by investing activities	0	0
Fnancing cash flows
Revolving credit borrowings		0
Revolving credit repayments		0
Payment of debt	0	0
Payment of debt modification costs	0
Repurchase of common stock	0
Dividends paid on common stock	0
Restricted cash	0	0
Other	0	0
Intercompany transfers	0	0
Cash flows used in financing activities	0	0
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$0	$0