Dine Brands Global (DIN) 10-Q 30 Apr 15 2015 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Apr. 24, 2015
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	31-Mar-15
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		19,049,811

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$133,470	$104,004
Receivables, net	93,532	153,498
Restricted cash	40,701	52,262
Prepaid gift cards	41,208	51,268
Prepaid income taxes	0	11,753
Deferred income taxes	34,743	30,860
Other current assets	12,905	9,239
Total current assets	356,559	412,884
Long-term receivables, net	175,579	180,856
Property and equipment, net	235,355	241,229
Goodwill	697,470	697,470
Other intangible assets, net	779,878	782,336
Deferred rent receivable	90,920	91,117
Other non-current assets, net	41,553	42,216
Total assets	2,377,314	2,448,108
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	34,781	41,771
Gift card liability	119,072	179,760
Accrued advertising	22,807	10,150
Accrued employee compensation and benefits	10,913	25,722
Dividends payable	16,704	16,635
Accrued interest payable	3,897	14,126
Income taxes payable	11,820	0
Current maturities of capital lease and financing obligations	15,125	14,852
Other accrued expenses	7,425	10,033
Total current liabilities	242,544	313,049
Long-term debt	1,300,000	1,300,000
Capital lease obligations, less current maturities	94,584	98,119
Financing obligations, less current maturities	42,493	42,524
Deferred income taxes	311,827	319,111
Deferred rent payable	75,096	75,375
Other non-current liabilities	22,576	20,857
Total liabilities	2,089,120	2,169,035
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock, $0.01 par value, shares: 40,000,000 authorized; March 31, 2015 - 25,219,105 issued, 19,050,897 outstanding; December 31, 2014 - 25,240,055 issued, 18,953,567 outstanding	252	252
Additional paid-in-capital	283,000	279,946
Retained earnings	325,374	313,644
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-88	-73
Treasury stock, at cost; shares: March 31, 2015 - 6,168,208; December 31, 2014 - 6,286,488	-320,344	-314,696
Total stockholders’ equity	288,194	279,073
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$2,377,314	$2,448,108

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parentheticals) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
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	25,219,105	25,240,055
Common stock, shares outstanding	19,050,897	18,953,567
Treasury stock, shares	6,168,208	6,286,488

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Revenues:
Franchise and restaurant revenues	$141,818	$131,795
Rental revenues	31,402	30,753
Financing revenues	2,594	4,653
Total revenues	175,814	167,201
Cost of revenues:
Franchise and restaurant expenses	52,026	45,678
Rental expenses	23,490	23,866
Financing expenses	12	585
Total cost of revenues	75,528	70,129
Gross profit	100,286	97,072
General and administrative expenses	34,230	34,185
Interest expense	15,646	24,969
Amortization of intangible assets	2,500	3,071
Closure and impairment charges, net	1,827	200
Loss on extinguishment of debt	0	6
(Gain) loss on disposition of assets	-9	927
Income before income tax provision	46,092	33,714
Income tax provision	-17,680	-12,890
Net income	28,412	20,824
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustment	-15	-6
Total comprehensive income	28,397	20,818
Net income available to common stockholders:
Net income	28,412	20,824
Less: Net income allocated to unvested participating restricted stock	-372	-343
Net income available to common stockholders	$28,040	$20,481
Net income available to common stockholders per share:
Basic (USD per share)	$1.49	$1.09
Diluted (USD per share)	$1.47	$1.08
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	18,870	18,794
Diluted (in shares)	19,019	19,054
Dividends declared per common share (USD per share)	$0.88	$0.75
Dividends paid per common share (USD per share)	$0.88	$0.75

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$28,412	$20,824
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash flows provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	7,815	8,783
Non-cash interest expense	755	1,642
Deferred income taxes	-10,378	-10,031
Non-cash stock-based compensation expense	2,432	3,143
Tax benefit from stock-based compensation	4,696	3,524
Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation	-4,526	-4,455
Closure and impairment charges	1,827	200
(Gain) loss on disposition of assets	-9	927
Other	31	-396
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable, net	-2,742	-9,767
Current income tax receivables and payables	22,341	18,020
Gift card receivables and payables	5,623	2,982
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	-1,638	-751
Accounts payable	1,034	9,175
Accrued employee compensation and benefits	-14,810	-14,857
Other accrued expenses	267	23,877
Cash flows provided by operating activities	41,130	52,840
Cash flows from investing activities:
Additions to property and equipment	-2,617	-2,039
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	0	681
Principal receipts from notes, equipment contracts and other long-term receivables	4,442	3,415
Other	-40	-55
Cash flows provided by investing activities	1,785	2,002
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayment of long-term debt	0	-1,200
Principal payments on capital lease and financing obligations	-3,165	-2,695
Repurchase of DineEquity common stock	-15,003	-15,002
Dividends paid on common stock	-16,598	-14,293
Repurchase of restricted stock	-2,961	-1,831
Proceeds from stock options exercised	8,206	6,623
Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation	4,526	4,455
Change in restricted cash	11,561	-3,692
Other	-15	0
Cash flows used in financing activities	-13,449	-27,635
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	29,466	27,207
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	104,004	106,011
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	133,470	133,218
Supplemental disclosures:
Interest paid in cash	28,387	8,901
Income taxes paid in cash	$1,172	$2,294

General

General	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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 three months ended March 31, 2015 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the twelve months ending December 31, 2015.
	The consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2014 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, 2014.

Basis_of_Presentation

Basis of Presentation	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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 referred to as ending on March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31. The first quarter of fiscal 2015 began December 29, 2014 and ended on March 29, 2015. The first quarter of fiscal 2014 began December 30, 2013 and ended on March 30, 2014.
	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, disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities, if any, at the date of the consolidated financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Significant estimates are made in the calculation and assessment of the following: (a) impairment of tangible and intangible assets, (b) income taxes, (c) allowance for doubtful accounts and notes receivables, (d) lease accounting estimates and (e) contingencies. On an ongoing basis, the Company evaluates its estimates based on historical experience, current conditions and various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. The Company adjusts such estimates and assumptions when facts and circumstances dictate. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Accounting_Policies

Accounting Policies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract]
Accounting Policies	Accounting Policies
	Accounting Standards Adopted in the Current Fiscal Year
	In April 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-08, Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity (“ASU 2014-08”). The amendments in ASU 2014-08 change the criteria for the reporting of discontinued operations. Under ASU 2014-08, only disposals resulting in a strategic shift that will have a major effect on an entity's operations and financial results will be reported as discontinued operations. ASU 2014-08 also removed the requirement that an entity not have any significant continuing involvement in the operations of the component after disposal to qualify for reporting of the disposal as a discontinued operation. The adoption of ASU 2014-08 as of January 1, 2015 did not have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
	Newly Issued Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted
	In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASU 2014-09”). The core principle of ASU 2014-09 is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. ASU 2014-09 also requires additional disclosures about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts. Presently, the Company will be required to apply the provisions of ASU 2014-09 beginning with its first fiscal quarter of 2017, either retrospectively to each period presented or as a cumulative-effect adjustment as of the date of adoption. On April 1, 2015, the FASB proposed deferring the effective date by one year such that if deferral is approved, the Company would be required to adopt ASU 2014-09 beginning with its first fiscal quarter of 2018. The FASB also proposed permitting early adoption of the standard, but not before the original effective date of December 15, 2016.
	The guidance in ASU 2014-09 supersedes nearly all of the existing general revenue recognition guidance under U.S. GAAP as well as most industry-specific revenue recognition guidance, including guidance with respect to revenue recognition by franchisors. The Company believes the recognition of the majority of its revenues, including franchise royalty revenues, sales of IHOP pancake and waffle dry mix and retail sales at company-operated restaurants will not be affected by ASU 2014-09. Additionally, lease rental revenues are not within the scope of ASU 2014-09 guidance. The Company is currently evaluating the effect that ASU 2014-09 will have on its financial statements and related disclosures and which method of adoption will be used.
	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.

Stockholders_Equity

Stockholders' Equity	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Equity [Abstract]
Stockholders' Equity	Stockholders' Equity
	Dividends
	During the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company paid dividends on common stock of approximately $16.6 million, representing the dividend declared in the fourth quarter of 2014. On February 24, 2015, the Company's Board of Directors declared a first quarter 2015 cash dividend of $0.875 per share of common stock. This dividend was paid on April 10, 2015 to the Company's stockholders of record at the close of business on March 13, 2015. The Company had approximately $16.7 million accrued for this dividend payment at March 31, 2015.
	Stock Repurchase Program
	In October 2014, the Company's Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase authorization of up to $100 million of DineEquity common stock. Under this program, the Company may repurchase shares on an opportunistic basis from time to time in open market transactions and in privately negotiated transactions based on business, market, applicable legal requirements, and other considerations. The repurchase program does not require the repurchase of a specific number of shares and may be terminated at any time. During the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company repurchased 140,096 shares of common stock at a cost of $15.0 million. As of March 31, 2015, the Company has repurchased a cumulative total of 160,431 shares of common stock under the current Board authorization at a total cost of $17.0 million. The Company may repurchase up to an additional $83.0 million of common stock under the current Board authorization.
	Treasury Stock
	Repurchases of DineEquity common stock are included in treasury stock at the cost of shares repurchased plus any transaction costs. Treasury stock may be re-issued when stock options are exercised, when restricted stock awards are granted and when restricted stock units settle in stock upon vesting. The cost of treasury stock re-issued is determined using the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) method. During the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company re-issued 258,376 treasury shares at a total FIFO cost of $9.4 million.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Income Taxes
	The Company's effective tax rate was 38.4% for the three months ended March 31, 2015 as compared to 38.2% for the three months ended March 31, 2014.
	The total gross unrecognized tax benefit as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 was $3.2 million and $3.4 million, respectively, excluding interest, penalties and related tax benefits. The Company estimates the unrecognized tax benefit may decrease over the upcoming 12 months by an amount up to $0.1 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 March 31, 2015, accrued interest was $4.0 million and accrued penalties were less than $0.1 million, excluding any related income tax benefits. As of December 31, 2014, accrued interest was $3.9 million and accrued penalties were less than $0.1 million, excluding any related income tax benefits. The Company recognizes interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits and penalties as a component of its 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 related to its examination of the Company’s U.S federal income tax return for each of 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. The appeals process is ongoing. 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	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Stock-Based Compensation	Stock-Based Compensation
	The following table summarizes the components of the Company’s stock-based compensation expense included in general and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014:
			Three Months Ended
			March 31,
			2015				2014
		(In millions)
	Total stock-based compensation expense:
	Equity classified awards expense		$	2.4			$	3.2
	Liability classified awards expense (credit)		0.3				(0.2		)
	Total pre-tax stock-based compensation expense		2.7				3
	Tax benefit		(1.0		)		(1.1		)
	Total stock-based compensation expense, net of tax		$	1.7			$	1.9
	As of March 31, 2015, total unrecognized compensation costs of $15.0 million related to restricted stock and restricted stock units and $5.7 million related to stock options are expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.82 years for restricted stock and restricted stock units and 1.80 years for stock options.
	Equity Classified Awards - Stock Options
	The estimated fair value of the stock options granted during the three months ended March 31, 2015 was calculated using a Black-Scholes option pricing model. The following summarizes the assumptions used in the Black-Scholes model:
	Risk-free interest rate	1.56	%
	Weighted average historical volatility	37.5	%
	Dividend yield	3.1	%
	Expected years until exercise	4.5
	Forfeitures	11	%
	Weighted average fair value of options granted	$28.37
	Stock option balances as of March 31, 2015 and activity related to stock options for the three months ended March 31, 2015 were as follows:
			Shares			Weighted				Weighted Average		Aggregate
						Average				Remaining		Intrinsic
						Exercise				Contractual Term		Value (in Millions)
						Price				(in Years)
	Outstanding at December 31, 2014		618,115			$	53.1
	Granted		117,511			113.72
	Exercised		(194,648	)		42.16
	Outstanding at March 31, 2015		540,978			70.21				7.5		$20.70
	Vested at March 31, 2015 and Expected to Vest		499,627			67.67				7.4		$20.30
	Exercisable at March 31, 2015		327,100			$	51.83			6.4		$18.00
	The aggregate intrinsic value in the table above represents the total pre-tax intrinsic value (the difference between the closing stock price of the Company’s common stock on the last trading day of the first quarter of 2015 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 March 31, 2015. 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 March 31, 2015 and activity related to restricted stock and restricted stock units for the three months ended March 31, 2015 were as follows:
			Restricted			Weighted				Restricted			Weighted
			Stock			Average				Stock Units			Average
						Grant Date							Grant Date
						Fair Value							Fair Value
	Outstanding at December 31, 2014		233,818			$	70.14			41,622			$	66.92
	Granted		63,728			113.62				9,695			113.72
	Released		(61,974	)		52.3				(13,567	)		52.19
	Forfeited		(5,413	)		72.97				—			—
	Outstanding at March 31, 2015		230,159			$	86.91			37,750			$	86.54
	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 stockholder 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 recorded as liabilities based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock as of each period end. For the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, an expense of $0.3 million and a credit of $0.2 million, respectively, were included in total stock-based compensation expense related to the LTIP awards. At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, liabilities of $2.3 million and $4.0 million, respectively, related to LTIP awards were included as part of accrued employee compensation and benefits in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Segments

Segments	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segments	Segments
	The Company has two reportable segments: franchise operations (an aggregation of Applebee’s and IHOP franchise operations) and rental operations. The Company also has company-operated restaurant operations and financing operations, but neither of these operations exceeds 10% of consolidated revenues, income before income tax provision or total assets.
	As of March 31, 2015, the franchise operations segment consisted of (i) 1,991 restaurants operated by Applebee’s franchisees in the United States, two U.S. territories and 15 countries outside the United States; and (ii) 1,637 restaurants operated by IHOP franchisees and area licensees in the United States, two U.S. territories and eight 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 franchise fees.  Franchise operations expenses include IHOP advertising expenses, the cost of IHOP proprietary products, IHOP and Applebee's pre-opening training expenses and other franchise-related 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.
	At March 31, 2015, the company restaurant operations segment consisted of 23 Applebee’s company-operated restaurants and 13 IHOP company-operated restaurants, 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.
	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 and a reconciliation to income before income tax provision for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 were as follows:
			Three Months Ended
			March 31,
			2015			2014
		(In millions)
	Revenues from external customers:
	Franchise operations		$	124.5		$	115.5
	Rental operations		31.4			30.7
	Company restaurants		17.3			16.3
	Financing operations		2.6			4.7
	Total		$	175.8		$	167.2
	Interest expense:
	Rental operations		$	3.5		$	3.9
	Company restaurants		0.1			0.1
	Corporate		15.6			25
	Total		$	19.2		$	29
	Depreciation and amortization:
	Franchise operations		$	2.6		$	2.6
	Rental operations		3.2			3.4
	Company restaurants		0.2			0.5
	Corporate		1.8			2.3
	Total		$	7.8		$	8.8
	Income before income tax provision:
	Franchise operations		$	89		$	86.1
	Rental operations		7.9			6.9
	Company restaurants		0.8			(0.0		)
	Financing operations		2.6			4.1
	Corporate		(54.2		)	(63.4		)
	Total		$	46.1		$	33.7

Net_Income_per_Share

Net Income per Share	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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 months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 was as follows:
			Three Months Ended
			March 31,
			2015			2014
		(In thousands, except per share data)
	Numerator for basic and dilutive income per common share:
	Net income		$	28,412		$	20,824
	Less: Net income allocated to unvested participating restricted stock		(372		)	(343		)
	Net income available to common stockholders - basic		28,040			20,481
	Effect of unvested participating restricted stock in two-class calculation		2			2
	Net income available to common stockholders - diluted		$	28,042		$	20,483
	Denominator:
	Weighted average outstanding shares of common stock - basic		18,870			18,794
	Dilutive effect of stock options		149			260
	Weighted average outstanding shares of common stock - diluted		19,019			19,054
	Net income per common share:
	Basic		$	1.49		$	1.09
	Diluted		$	1.47		$	1.08

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurements	Fair Value Measurements
	The Company does not have a material amount of financial assets or liabilities that are required under U.S. GAAP to be measured on a recurring basis at fair value. The Company is not a party to any derivative financial instruments. The Company does not have a material amount of non-financial assets or non-financial liabilities that are required under U.S. GAAP to be measured at fair value on a recurring basis. The Company has not elected to 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 and accounts payable approximate their carrying amounts due to their short duration.
	The fair values of non-current financial liabilities at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, determined based on Level 2 inputs, were as follows:
		March 31, 2015				December 31, 2014
		Carrying		Fair Value		Carrying		Fair Value
		Amount				Amount
		(In millions)
	Long-term debt	$	1,300.00	$	1,347.60	$	1,300.00	$	1,302.00

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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 has potential continuing liability for lease payments totaling $373.1 million as of March 31, 2015. 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 2015 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 March 31, 2015.

Subsequent_Events

Subsequent Events	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Events	Subsequent Events
	On April 20, 2015, the Company entered into an asset purchase agreement for the refranchising and sale of related
	restaurant assets of 23 Applebee’s company-operated restaurants located in a two-state market area geographically centered
	around Kansas City, Missouri. This sale is expected to close in the fiscal third quarter of 2015.

Accounting_Policies_Policies

Accounting Policies (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract]
Fiscal Period	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 referred to as ending on March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31. The first quarter of fiscal 2015 began December 29, 2014 and ended on March 29, 2015. The first quarter of fiscal 2014 began December 30, 2013 and ended on March 30, 2014.
Accounting Standards Adopted in the Current Fiscal Year	Accounting Standards Adopted in the Current Fiscal Year
	In April 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-08, Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity (“ASU 2014-08”). The amendments in ASU 2014-08 change the criteria for the reporting of discontinued operations. Under ASU 2014-08, only disposals resulting in a strategic shift that will have a major effect on an entity's operations and financial results will be reported as discontinued operations. ASU 2014-08 also removed the requirement that an entity not have any significant continuing involvement in the operations of the component after disposal to qualify for reporting of the disposal as a discontinued operation. The adoption of ASU 2014-08 as of January 1, 2015 did not have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

StockBased_Compensation_Tables

Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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 Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014:
			Three Months Ended
			March 31,
			2015				2014
		(In millions)
	Total stock-based compensation expense:
	Equity classified awards expense		$	2.4			$	3.2
	Liability classified awards expense (credit)		0.3				(0.2		)
	Total pre-tax stock-based compensation expense		2.7				3
	Tax benefit		(1.0		)		(1.1		)
	Total stock-based compensation expense, net of tax		$	1.7			$	1.9
Schedule of stock option valuation assumptions	The following summarizes the assumptions used in the Black-Scholes model:
	Risk-free interest rate	1.56	%
	Weighted average historical volatility	37.5	%
	Dividend yield	3.1	%
	Expected years until exercise	4.5
	Forfeitures	11	%
	Weighted average fair value of options granted	$28.37
Schedule of stock option activity	Stock option balances as of March 31, 2015 and activity related to stock options for the three months ended March 31, 2015 were as follows:
			Shares			Weighted				Weighted Average		Aggregate
						Average				Remaining		Intrinsic
						Exercise				Contractual Term		Value (in Millions)
						Price				(in Years)
	Outstanding at December 31, 2014		618,115			$	53.1
	Granted		117,511			113.72
	Exercised		(194,648	)		42.16
	Outstanding at March 31, 2015		540,978			70.21				7.5		$20.70
	Vested at March 31, 2015 and Expected to Vest		499,627			67.67				7.4		$20.30
	Exercisable at March 31, 2015		327,100			$	51.83			6.4		$18.00
Schedule of restricted stock unit activity	Outstanding balances as of March 31, 2015 and activity related to restricted stock and restricted stock units for the three months ended March 31, 2015 were as follows:
			Restricted			Weighted				Restricted			Weighted
			Stock			Average				Stock Units			Average
						Grant Date							Grant Date
						Fair Value							Fair Value
	Outstanding at December 31, 2014		233,818			$	70.14			41,622			$	66.92
	Granted		63,728			113.62				9,695			113.72
	Released		(61,974	)		52.3				(13,567	)		52.19
	Forfeited		(5,413	)		72.97				—			—
	Outstanding at March 31, 2015		230,159			$	86.91			37,750			$	86.54

Segments_Tables

Segments (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Schedule of segment reporting information by segment	Information on segments and a reconciliation to income before income tax provision for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 were as follows:
			Three Months Ended
			March 31,
			2015			2014
		(In millions)
	Revenues from external customers:
	Franchise operations		$	124.5		$	115.5
	Rental operations		31.4			30.7
	Company restaurants		17.3			16.3
	Financing operations		2.6			4.7
	Total		$	175.8		$	167.2
	Interest expense:
	Rental operations		$	3.5		$	3.9
	Company restaurants		0.1			0.1
	Corporate		15.6			25
	Total		$	19.2		$	29
	Depreciation and amortization:
	Franchise operations		$	2.6		$	2.6
	Rental operations		3.2			3.4
	Company restaurants		0.2			0.5
	Corporate		1.8			2.3
	Total		$	7.8		$	8.8
	Income before income tax provision:
	Franchise operations		$	89		$	86.1
	Rental operations		7.9			6.9
	Company restaurants		0.8			(0.0		)
	Financing operations		2.6			4.1
	Corporate		(54.2		)	(63.4		)
	Total		$	46.1		$	33.7

Net_Income_per_Share_Tables

Net Income per Share (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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 months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 was as follows:
			Three Months Ended
			March 31,
			2015			2014
		(In thousands, except per share data)
	Numerator for basic and dilutive income per common share:
	Net income		$	28,412		$	20,824
	Less: Net income allocated to unvested participating restricted stock		(372		)	(343		)
	Net income available to common stockholders - basic		28,040			20,481
	Effect of unvested participating restricted stock in two-class calculation		2			2
	Net income available to common stockholders - diluted		$	28,042		$	20,483
	Denominator:
	Weighted average outstanding shares of common stock - basic		18,870			18,794
	Dilutive effect of stock options		149			260
	Weighted average outstanding shares of common stock - diluted		19,019			19,054
	Net income per common share:
	Basic		$	1.49		$	1.09
	Diluted		$	1.47		$	1.08

Fair_Value_Measurements_Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value of non-current financial liabilities	The fair values of non-current financial liabilities at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, determined based on Level 2 inputs, were as follows:
		March 31, 2015				December 31, 2014
		Carrying		Fair Value		Carrying		Fair Value
		Amount				Amount
		(In millions)
	Long-term debt	$	1,300.00	$	1,347.60	$	1,300.00	$	1,302.00

Stockholders_Equity_Narrative_

Stockholders' Equity - Narrative (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	Feb. 24, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2014
Equity [Abstract]
Dividends declared per common share (USD per share)	$0.88	$0.88	$0.75
Dividends payable		$16,704,000		$16,635,000
Equity, Class of Treasury Stock [Line Items]
Payments of dividends		16,598,000	14,293,000
Treasury stock reissued (shares)		258,376
Treasury stock reissued		9,400,000
October 2014 Share Repurchase Program
Equity, Class of Treasury Stock [Line Items]
Stock repurchase program, authorized amount					100,000,000
Stock repurchased during period, shares		140,096
Stock repurchased during period, value		15,000,000
Cumulative amount of shares repurchased		160,431
Cumulative payments for repurchase of common stock		17,000,000
Remaining authorized stock repurchases		$83,000,000

Income_Taxes_Narrative_Details

Income Taxes - Narrative (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Effective income tax rate (percent)	38.40%	38.20%
Gross unrecognized tax benefit	$3.20		$3.40
Expected change in unrecognized tax benefits	0.1
Accrued interest on income taxes	4		3.9
Accrued penalties on income taxes	$0.10		$0.10

StockBased_Compensation_Narrat

Stock-Based Compensation - Narrative (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation expense	$2,700,000	$3,000,000
Accrued employee compensation and benefits	10,913,000		25,722,000
Stock Options
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total compensation cost not yet recognized	5,700,000
Total compensation cost not yet recognized, period for recognition (in years)	1 year 9 months 17 days
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total compensation cost not yet recognized	15,000,000
Total compensation cost not yet recognized, period for recognition (in years)	1 year 9 months 24 days
LTIP
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting period (in years)	3 years
Share-based compensation expense	300,000	-200,000
Accrued employee compensation and benefits	$2,300,000		$4,000,000
LTIP | Minimum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Multiplier for target award based on total shareholder return on common stock (percent)	0.00%
LTIP | Maximum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Multiplier for target award based on total shareholder return on common stock (percent)	200.00%

StockBased_Compensation_Compon

Stock-Based Compensation (Components of Stock-Based Compensation Expense) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Stock-based compensation, equity classified awards	$2.40	$3.20
Stock-based compensation, liability classified awards	0.3	-0.2
Pre-tax compensation expense	2.7	3
Tax provision	-1	-1.1
Total stock-based compensation expense, net of tax	$1.70	$1.90

StockBased_Compensation_Option

Stock-Based Compensation (Options Value Assumptions) (Details) (Stock Options, USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Stock Options
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Risk-free interest rate (percent)	1.56%
Weighted average historical volatility (percent)	37.50%
Dividend yield (percent)	3.10%
Expected years until exercise (years)	4 years 6 months
Forfeitures (percent)	11.00%
Weighted average fair value of options granted (USD per share)	$28.37

StockBased_Compensation_Stock_

Stock-Based Compensation (Stock Option Activity) (Details) (Stock Options, USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015
Stock Options
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward]
Options, outstanding, beginning of period (in shares)	618,115
Options, granted (in shares)	117,511
Options, exercised (in shares)	-194,648
Options, outstanding, end of period (in shares)	540,978
Options, vested and expected to vest (in shares)	499,627
Options, exercisable (in shares)	327,100
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)	$53.10
Weighted average exercise price, granted (per share)	$113.72
Weighted average exercise price, exercised (per share)	$42.16
Weighted average exercise price, end of period (per share)	$70.21
Weighted average exercise price, vested and expected to vest (per share)	$67.67
Weighted average exercise price, exercisable (per share)	$51.83
Weighted average remaining contractual term (in years)	7 years 5 months 15 days
Weighted average remaining contractual term, vested and expected to vest (in years)	7 years 4 months 28 days
Weighted average remaining contractual term, exercisable (in years)	6 years 4 months 19 days
Options, outstanding, intrinsic value	$20.70
Options, vested and expected to vest, intrinsic value	20.3
Options, vested and expected to vest, exercisable	$18

StockBased_Compensation_Restri

Stock-Based Compensation (Restricted Stock) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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)	233,818
Restricted stock, granted (in shares)	63,728
Restricted stock, released (in shares)	-61,974
Restricted stock, forfeited (in shares)	-5,413
Restricted stock, end of period (in shares)	230,159
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)	$70.14
Weighted average grant date fair value, granted (per share)	$113.62
Weighted average grant date fair value, released (per share)	$52.30
Weighted average grant date fair value, forfeited (per share)	$72.97
Weighted average grant date fair value, ending balance (per share)	$86.91
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)	41,622
Restricted stock, granted (in shares)	9,695
Restricted stock, released (in shares)	-13,567
Restricted stock, forfeited (in shares)	0
Restricted stock, end of period (in shares)	37,750
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)	$66.92
Weighted average grant date fair value, granted (per share)	$113.72
Weighted average grant date fair value, released (per share)	$52.19
Weighted average grant date fair value, forfeited (per share)	$0
Weighted average grant date fair value, ending balance (per share)	$86.54

Segments_Narrative_Details

Segments - Narrative (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
	segment
Franchisor Disclosure [Line Items]
Number of segments (segment)	2
Applebee's
Franchisor Disclosure [Line Items]
Number of territories in which entity operates (territory)	2
Number of countries in which entity operates (country)	15
IHOP
Franchisor Disclosure [Line Items]
Number of territories in which entity operates (territory)	2
Number of countries in which entity operates (country)	8
Franchised Units | Applebee's
Franchisor Disclosure [Line Items]
Number of restaurants (restaurant)	1,991
Franchised Units | IHOP
Franchisor Disclosure [Line Items]
Number of restaurants (restaurant)	1,637
Company Operated | Applebee's
Franchisor Disclosure [Line Items]
Number of restaurants (restaurant)	23
Company Operated | IHOP
Franchisor Disclosure [Line Items]
Number of restaurants (restaurant)	13

Segments_Schedule_of_Segment_R

Segments (Schedule of Segment Reporting Information by Segment) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenues	$31,402,000	$30,753,000
Financing revenues	2,594,000	4,653,000
Total revenues	175,814,000	167,201,000
Interest expense	15,646,000	24,969,000
Depreciation and amortization	7,815,000	8,783,000
Income before income tax provision:	46,092,000	33,714,000
Franchise Operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Franchise revenues	124,500,000	115,500,000
Depreciation and amortization	2,600,000	2,600,000
Income before income tax provision:	89,000,000	86,100,000
Rental Operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenues	31,400,000	30,700,000
Interest expense	3,500,000	3,900,000
Depreciation and amortization	3,200,000	3,400,000
Income before income tax provision:	7,900,000	6,900,000
Company Restaurants
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Company restaurants	17,300,000	16,300,000
Interest expense	100,000	100,000
Depreciation and amortization	200,000	500,000
Income before income tax provision:	800,000	0
Financing Operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Financing revenues	2,600,000	4,700,000
Income before income tax provision:	2,600,000	4,100,000
Corporate
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Interest expense	15,600,000	25,000,000
Depreciation and amortization	1,800,000	2,300,000
Income before income tax provision:	-54,200,000	-63,400,000
Corporate and Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Interest expense	$19,200,000	$29,000,000

Net_Income_per_Share_Computati

Net Income per Share - Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net income	$28,412	$20,824
Less: Net income allocated to unvested participating restricted stock	-372	-343
Net income available to common stockholders	28,040	20,481
Effect of unvested participating restricted stock in two-class calculation	2	2
Net income available to common stockholders - diluted	$28,042	$20,483
Weighted average outstanding shares of common stock - basic (in shares)	18,870	18,794
Dilutive effect of stock options (in shares)	149	260
Weighted average outstanding shares of common stock - diluted (in shares)	19,019	19,054
Net income per common share - basic (USD per share)	$1.49	$1.09
Net income per common share -diluted (USD per share)	$1.47	$1.08

Fair_Value_Measurements_Fair_V

Fair Value Measurements - Fair Value of Non-Current Financial Liabilities (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Long-term debt	$1,300,000	$1,300,000
Fair Value | Level 2
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Long-term debt	$1,347,600	$1,302,000

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies - Narrative (Details) (Applebee's, Property Lease Guarantee, USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Applebee's | Property Lease Guarantee
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Potential liability for guaranteed leases	$373.10

Subsequent_Events_Details

Subsequent Events (Details) (Subsequent Event)	Apr. 20, 2015
	Restaurant
Subsequent Event
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Sales agreement, number of restaurants refranchised and sold	23