Denny's (DENN) 10-Q 28 Oct 13 2013 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 25, 2013	Oct. 24, 2013
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	DENNYS CORP
Entity Central Index Key	852772
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-13
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		89,237,478
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2013
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Document Period End Date	25-Sep-13

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (USD $)	Sep. 25, 2013	Dec. 26, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$6,330	$13,565
Receivables	14,167	19,947
Inventories	2,890	2,890
Current deferred tax asset	20,962	19,807
Prepaid and other current assets	6,111	8,401
Total current assets	50,460	64,610
Property, net of accumulated depreciation of $251,617 and $250,173, respectively	105,174	107,004
Goodwill	31,451	31,430
Intangible assets, net	48,479	48,920
Deferred financing costs, net	2,216	2,041
Noncurrent deferred tax asset	34,829	45,776
Other noncurrent assets	27,300	25,104
Total assets	299,909	324,885
Current liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt	3,000	8,500
Current maturities of capital lease obligations	4,170	4,181
Accounts payable	17,009	24,461
Other current liabilities	50,228	54,682
Total current liabilities	74,407	91,824
Long-term liabilities:
Long-term debt, less current maturities	152,500	161,500
Capital lease obligations, less current maturities	15,666	15,953
Liability for insurance claims, less current portion	18,104	18,045
Other noncurrent liabilities and deferred credits	38,847	42,023
Total long-term liabilities	225,117	237,521
Total liabilities	299,524	329,345
Commitments and Contingencies
Shareholders' equity
Common stock $0.01 par value; authorized - 135,000; September 25, 2013: 104,695 shares issued and 89,372 shares outstanding; December 26, 2012: 103,764 shares issued and 92,229 shares outstanding	1,047	1,038
Paid-in capital	566,369	562,657
Deficit	-475,208	-495,518
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax	-22,607	-24,999
Shareholders' equity before treasury stock	69,601	43,178
Treasury stock, at cost, 15,323 and 11,535 shares, respectively	-69,216	-47,638
Total shareholders' equity (deficit)	385	-4,460
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$299,909	$324,885

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance1

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Sep. 25, 2013	Dec. 26, 2012
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified
Assets [Abstract]
Accumulated depreciation	$251,617	$250,173
Shareholders' equity
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	135,000	135,000
Common stock, shares issued	104,695	103,764
Common stock, shares outstanding	89,372	92,229
Treasury stock, at cost, shares	15,323	11,535

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 25, 2013	Sep. 26, 2012	Sep. 25, 2013	Sep. 26, 2012
Revenue:
Company restaurant sales	$83,371	$86,575	$247,242	$271,977
Franchise and license revenue	33,904	34,370	101,094	100,437
Total operating revenue	117,275	120,945	348,336	372,414
Costs of company restaurant sales:
Product costs	21,722	21,449	64,270	67,684
Payroll and benefits	33,746	34,409	98,512	108,779
Occupancy	5,598	5,780	16,339	17,776
Other operating expenses	12,022	12,170	34,538	37,267
Total costs of company restaurant sales	73,088	73,808	213,659	231,506
Costs of franchise and license revenue	11,599	12,078	34,586	34,776
General and administrative expenses	13,704	14,702	42,948	45,150
Depreciation and amortization	5,198	5,287	15,774	17,174
Operating (gains), losses and other charges, net	161	3,380	1,779	-794
Total operating costs and expenses, net	103,750	109,255	308,746	327,812
Operating income	13,525	11,690	39,590	44,602
Interest expense, net	2,452	3,088	7,800	10,537
Other nonoperating (income) expense, net	-276	38	1,056	7,941
Net income before income taxes	11,349	8,564	30,734	26,124
Provision for income taxes	4,318	3,201	10,424	10,295
Net income	7,031	5,363	20,310	15,829
Basic net income per share	$0.08	$0.06	$0.22	$0.17
Diluted net income per share	$0.08	$0.06	$0.22	$0.16
Basic weighted average shares outstanding	90,035	94,705	91,348	95,472
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding	91,967	96,745	93,377	97,196
Comprehensive income	$6,574	$5,631	$22,702	$16,633

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme1

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Shareholders' Equity (Unaudited) (USD $)	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Paid-in Capital [Member]	(Deficit) [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Net [Member]
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Balance at Dec. 26, 2012	($4,460)	$1,038	($47,638)	$562,657	($495,518)	($24,999)
Balance, treasury stock, at cost, shares at Dec. 26, 2012	-11,535		-11,535
Balance, common stock, shares issued at Dec. 26, 2012	103,764	103,764
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	20,310				20,310
Recognition of unrealized gain on hedged transactions, net of tax expense of $1,063	1,640					1,640
Minimum pension liability adjustment, net of tax expense of $487	752					752
Share-based compensation on equity classified awards	1,848			1,848
Purchase of treasury stock	-21,578		-21,578
Purchase of treasury stock (in shares)	-3,800		-3,788
Issuance of common stock for share-based compensation	0	3		-3
Issuance of common stock for share-based compensation (in shares)		300
Exercise of common stock options	2,077	6		2,071
Exercise of common stock options (in shares)		631
Tax expense from stock options exercised	-204			-204
Balance at Sep. 25, 2013	$385	$1,047	($69,216)	$566,369	($475,208)	($22,607)
Balance, treasury stock, at cost, shares at Sep. 25, 2013	-15,323		-15,323
Balance, common stock, shares issued at Sep. 25, 2013	104,695	104,695

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme2

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Shareholders' Equity (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 25, 2013
Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]
Minimum pension liability adjustment, tax expense	$487
Unrealized gain on hedged transactions, tax expense	$1,063

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 25, 2013	Sep. 26, 2012
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$20,310	$15,829
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash flows provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	15,774	17,174
Operating (gains), losses and other charges, net	1,779	-794
Amortization of deferred financing costs	376	639
Amortization of debt discount	0	137
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	1,798	8,180
Loss on change in the fair value of interest rate caps	28	62
Deferred income tax expense	8,241	8,988
Share-based compensation	3,434	2,794
Decrease (increase) in assets:
Receivables	3,519	1,034
Inventories	0	592
Other current assets	2,291	3,885
Other assets	-1,399	-2,549
Increase (decrease) in liabilities:
Accounts payable	-3,461	-4,548
Accrued salaries and vacations	-3,089	1,246
Accrued taxes	1,823	1,140
Other accrued liabilities	-4,015	-5,725
Other noncurrent liabilities and deferred credits	-2,693	-4,061
Net cash flows provided by operating activities	44,716	44,023
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	-11,819	-7,846
Acquisition of restaurant	-1,622	0
Proceeds from disposition of property	1,591	14,168
Collections on notes receivable	3,653	1,642
Issuance of notes receivable	-1,232	-1,652
Net cash flows (used in) provided by investing activities	-9,429	6,312
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net revolver borrowings under new credit agreement	97,000	0
Term loan borrowings under new credit agreement	60,000	190,000
Long-term debt payments	-174,820	-215,590
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	2,077	2,123
Tax withholding on share-based payments	-464	-327
Tax (expense) benefit of stock options exercised	-204	648
Debt transaction costs	-366	-1,098
Deferred financing costs	-1,372	-1,809
Purchase of treasury stock	-21,952	-10,442
Net bank overdrafts	-2,421	-3,432
Net cash flows used in financing activities	-42,522	-39,927
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	-7,235	10,408
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	13,565	13,740
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$6,330	$24,148

Introduction_and_Basis_of_Pres

Introduction and Basis of Presentation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 25, 2013
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Introduction and Basis of Presentation	Introduction and Basis of Presentation
	Denny’s Corporation, or Denny’s, is one of America’s largest full-service restaurant chains based on number of restaurants. The following table shows the unit activity for the quarter and three quarters ended September 25, 2013 and September 26, 2012, respectively:
		Quarter Ended				Three Quarters Ended
		September 25, 2013		September 26, 2012		September 25, 2013		September 26, 2012
	Company restaurants, beginning of period	165		177		164		206
	Units opened	—		—		—		—
	Units acquired from franchisees	1		—		2		—
	Units sold to franchisees	(2	)	(5	)	(2	)	(28	)
	Units closed	—		(1	)	—		(7	)
	End of period	164		171		164		171
	Franchised and licensed restaurants, beginning of period	1,525		1,507		1,524		1,479
	Units opened	9		12		27		27
	Units purchased from Company	2		5		2		28
	Units acquired by Company	(1	)	—		(2	)	—
	Units closed	(13	)	(8	)	(29	)	(18	)
	End of period	1,522		1,516		1,522		1,516
	Total restaurants, end of period	1,686		1,687		1,686		1,687
	Our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Therefore, certain information and notes normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted. In our opinion, all adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation of the interim periods presented have been included. Such adjustments are of a normal and recurring nature. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions; however, we believe that our estimates, including those for the above-described items, are reasonable.
	These interim condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended December 26, 2012 and the related Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, both of which are contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 26, 2012. The results of operations for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results for the entire fiscal year ending December 25, 2013.

Summary_of_Significant_Account

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 25, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
	Newly Adopted Accounting Standards
	Intangibles
	ASU No. 2012-02, "Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Testing Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets for Impairment”
	Effective December 27, 2012, we adopted ASU 2012-02, which modifies the impairment test for indefinite-lived intangible assets. Under the new guidance, an entity is permitted to make a qualitative assessment of whether it is more likely than not that the indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired. If it is determined through the qualitative assessment that the indefinite-lived intangible asset's fair value is more likely than not greater than its carrying value, the quantitative impairment calculations would not be required. The qualitative assessment is optional, allowing companies to go directly to the quantitative assessment. The adoption did not have any impact on our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
	Comprehensive Income
	ASU 2013-02, "Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income"
	Effective December 27, 2012, we adopted ASU 2013-02, which requires companies to provide information about the amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by component. In addition, companies are required to present, either on the face of the statement where net income is presented or in the notes, significant amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by the respective line items of net income. ASU 2013-02 is to be applied prospectively. The adoption concerns presentation and disclosure only and did not have an impact on our financial position or results of operations.
	Accounting Standards to be Adopted
	We reviewed all newly issued accounting pronouncements and concluded that they are either not applicable to our business or are not expected to have a material effect on the financial statements as a result of future adoption.

Receivables

Receivables	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 25, 2013
Receivables [Abstract]
Receivables	Receivables
	Receivables were comprised of the following:
		September 25, 2013			December 26, 2012
		(In thousands)
	Current assets:
	Receivables:
	Trade accounts receivable from franchisees	$	9,228		$	10,212
	Notes receivable from franchisees	2,049			4,310
	Vendor receivables	1,130			2,529
	Credit card receivables	792			1,384
	Other	1,193			1,524
	Allowance for doubtful accounts	(225		)	(12		)
	Total current receivables, net	$	14,167		$	19,947
	Noncurrent assets (included as a component of other noncurrent assets):
	Notes receivable from franchisees	$	842		$	1,002
	For the quarter and three quarters ended September 25, 2013, we recorded provisions for credit losses of $0.1 million. For the quarter and three quarters ended September 26, 2012, we recorded provisions for credit losses of less than $0.1 million. These amounts are included as a component of costs of franchise and license revenue on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income.
	For the quarters and three quarters ended September 25, 2013 and September 26, 2012, we recognized interest income on notes receivable from franchisees of less than $0.1 million. These amounts are included as a component of interest expense, net on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income.

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 25, 2013
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
	The following table reflects the changes in carrying amounts of goodwill:
		(In thousands)
	Balance, December 26, 2012	$	31,430
	Additions related to acquisitions	28
	Write-offs and reclassifications associated with sale of restaurants	(7		)
	Balance, September 25, 2013	$	31,451
	Other intangible assets were comprised of the following:
		September 25, 2013					December 26, 2012
		Gross Carrying Amount			Accumulated Amortization		Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization
		(In thousands)
	Intangible assets with indefinite lives:
	Trade names	$	44,050		$	—	$	44,050	$	—
	Liquor licenses	126			—		156		—
	Intangible assets with definite lives:
	Franchise and license agreements	32,993			28,733		37,524		32,863
	Foreign license agreements	241			198		241		188
	Intangible assets	$	77,410		$	28,931	$	81,971	$	33,051

Operating_Gains_Losses_and_Oth

Operating (Gains), Losses and Other Charges, Net	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 25, 2013
Operating (Gains), Losses And Other Charges, Net [Abstract]
Operating (Gains), Losses and Other Charges, Net	Operating (Gains), Losses and Other Charges, Net
	Operating (gains), losses and other charges, net are comprised of the following:
		Quarter Ended					Three Quarters Ended
		September 25, 2013			September 26, 2012		September 25, 2013			September 26, 2012
		(In thousands)
	(Gains) losses on sales of assets and other, net	$	(68	)	$	91	$	(83	)	$	(6,772	)
	Restructuring charges and exit costs	229			821		1,005			2,970
	Impairment charges	—			2,468		857			3,008
	Operating (gains), losses and other charges, net	$	161		$	3,380	$	1,779		$	(794	)
	Restructuring Charges and Exit Costs
	Restructuring charges and exit costs were comprised of the following:
		Quarter Ended					Three Quarters Ended
		September 25, 2013			September 26, 2012		September 25, 2013			September 26, 2012
		(In thousands)
	Exit costs	$	198		$	233	$	435		$	1,139
	Severance and other restructuring charges	31			588		570			1,831
	Total restructuring and exit costs	$	229		$	821	$	1,005		$	2,970
	The components of the change in accrued exit cost liabilities are as follows:
		(In thousands)
	Balance, December 26, 2012	$	4,061
	Exit costs (1)	435
	Payments, net of sublease receipts	(1,248		)
	Interest accretion	195
	Balance, September 25, 2013	3,443
	Less current portion included in other current liabilities	1,228
	Long-term portion included in other noncurrent liabilities	$	2,215
	-1	Included as a component of operating (gains), losses and other charges, net.
	Estimated net cash payments related to exit cost liabilities are as follows:
		(In thousands)
	Remainder of 2013	$	270
	2014	1,319
	2015	545
	2016	320
	2017	322
	Thereafter	1,338
	Total	4,114
	Less imputed interest	671
	Present value of exit cost liabilities	$	3,443
	As of September 25, 2013 and December 26, 2012, we had accrued severance and other restructuring charges of $0.1 million and $0.5 million, respectively. The balance as of September 25, 2013 is expected to be paid during the next 12 months.
	Impairment charges of $0.9 million for the three quarters ended September 25, 2013 resulted primarily from the impairment of two units identified as assets held for sale. Impairment charges of $2.5 million for the quarter ended September 26, 2012 resulted primarily from the impairment of six units identified as held for sale. Impairment charges of $3.0 million for the three quarters ended September 26, 2012 resulted primarily from the impairment of seven units identified as assets held for sale and the impairment of an underperforming unit.

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru

Fair Value of Financial Instruments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 25, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Disclosures	Fair Value of Financial Instruments
	Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
	Financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized below:
		Total		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets/Liabilities		Significant Other Observable Inputs		Significant Unobservable Inputs		Valuation Technique
				(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
		(In thousands)
	Fair value measurements as of September 25, 2013:
	Deferred compensation plan investments (1)	$	7,730	$	7,730	$	—	$	—	market approach
	Interest rate swaps (2)	$	2,704	—		2,704		—		income approach
	Interest rate caps (2)	$	25	$	—	$	25	$	—	income approach
	Total	$	10,459	$	7,730	$	2,729	$	—
	Fair value measurements as of December 26, 2012:
	Deferred compensation plan investments (1)	$	6,371	$	6,371	$	—	$	—	market approach
	Interest rate caps (2)	$	8	$	—	$	8	$	—	income approach
	Total	$	6,379	$	6,371	$	8	$	—
	-1	The fair values of our deferred compensation plan investments are based on the closing market prices of the participants’ elected investments.
	-2	The fair values of our interest rate swaps and interest rate caps are based upon Level 2 inputs which include valuation models as reported by our counterparties. The key inputs for the valuation models are quoted market prices, interest rates and forward yield curves.
	Those assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis are summarized below:
		Total		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets/Liabilities		Significant Other Observable Inputs		Significant Unobservable Inputs		Valuation Technique
				(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
		(In thousands)
	Fair value measurements as of December 26, 2012:
	Assets held and used (1)	$	228	$	—	$	—	$	228	income approach
	Total	$	228	$	—	$	—	$	228
	-1	As of December 26, 2012, impaired assets related to an underperforming restaurant were written down to their fair value. Impairment charges of $0.7 million were recognized as a component of operating (gains), losses and other charges, net in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income. To determine fair value, we used the income approach, which assumes that the future cash flows reflect current market expectations. These fair value measurements require significant judgment using Level 3 inputs, such as discounted cash flows from operations, which are not observable from the market, directly or indirectly.
	Disclosures of Fair Value of Other Assets and Liabilities
	The liabilities under our credit facility are carried at historical cost in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of September 25, 2013 and December 26, 2012, the estimated fair value (Level 2) of our senior secured term loan approximated its carrying value. The fair value of our long-term debt is determined based on market prices or, if market prices are not available, the present value of the underlying cash flows discounted at market rates.

LongTerm_Debt

Long-Term Debt	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 25, 2013
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Long-Term Debt	Long-Term Debt
	Refinancing of Credit Facility
	On April 24, 2013, Denny's Corporation and certain of its subsidiaries refinanced our credit facility (the "Old Credit Facility") and entered into a new senior secured credit agreement in an aggregate principal amount of $250 million (the “New Credit Facility”). The New Credit Facility is comprised of a $60 million senior secured term loan and a $190 million senior secured revolver (with a $30 million letter of credit sublimit). A commitment fee of 0.35% is paid on the unused portion of the revolving credit facility. Borrowings under the New Credit Facility bear a tiered interest rate based on the Company's consolidated leverage ratio and is initially set at LIBOR plus 200 basis points. The New Credit Facility includes an accordion feature that would allow us to increase the size of the facility to $300 million. The maturity date for the New Credit Facility is April 24, 2018.
	The New Credit Facility was used to refinance the Old Credit Facility and will be available for working capital, capital expenditures and other general corporate purposes. The New Credit Facility is guaranteed by the Company and its material subsidiaries and is secured by substantially all of the assets of the Company and its subsidiaries, including the stock of the Company's subsidiaries. It includes negative covenants that are usual for facilities and transactions of this type. The New Credit Facility also includes certain financial covenants with respect to a maximum consolidated leverage ratio, a minimum consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio and maximum capital expenditures.
	The term loan under the New Credit Facility requires amortization of the original term loan balance of 5% per year in the first two years, 7.5% in the subsequent two years and 10% in the fifth year with the balance due at maturity. We will be required to make certain mandatory prepayments under certain circumstances and will have the option to make certain prepayments under the New Credit Facility. The New Credit Facility includes events of default (and related remedies, including acceleration and increased interest rates following an event of default) that are usual for facilities and transactions of this type.
	As a result of the debt refinancing, we recorded $1.2 million of losses on early extinguishment of debt, consisting primarily of $0.4 million of transaction costs and $0.8 million from the write-off of deferred financing costs related to the Old Credit Facility. These losses are included as a component of other nonoperating expense in the condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income.
	As of September 25, 2013, we had outstanding term loan borrowings under the New Credit Facility of $58.5 million and outstanding letters of credit under the senior secured revolver of $26.0 million. There were $97.0 million of revolving loans outstanding at September 25, 2013. These balances resulted in availability of $67.0 million under the revolving facility. The weighted-average interest rate under the term loan was 2.18% and 2.97% as of September 25, 2013 and December 26, 2012, respectively. The weighted-average interest rate on outstanding revolver loans was 2.18% as of September 25, 2013.
	During the three quarters ended September 25, 2013, we paid $4.0 million on the term loan under the Old Credit Facility, prior to the April 24, 2013 refinancing. Subsequent to the April 24, 2013 refinancing, we paid $1.5 million on the term loan under the New Credit Facility.
	Aggregate annual maturities of long-term debt, excluding capital lease obligations, at September 25, 2013 are as follows:
		(In thousands)
	Remainder of 2013	$	750
	2014	3,000
	2015	4,125
	2016	4,500
	2017 and thereafter	143,125
	Total long-term debt, excluding capital lease obligations	$	155,500
	Interest Rate Hedges
	On April 13, 2012, we entered into interest rate hedges that cap the LIBOR rate on borrowings under our credit facility for a two year period. The 200 basis point LIBOR cap applied to $150 million of borrowings from April 13, 2012 through April 13, 2013 and $125 million of borrowings from April 14, 2013 through April 13, 2014.
	Our existing interest rate hedges remain in effect under the New Credit Facility until April 13, 2014. On April 30, 2013, we entered into additional interest rate hedges that cap the LIBOR rate on borrowings under the New Credit Facility. The 200 basis point LIBOR cap applies to $150 million of borrowings from April 14, 2014 through March 31, 2015.
	On April 30, 2013, we also entered into interest rate swaps to hedge a portion of the cash flows of our floating rate debt from March 31, 2015 through March 29, 2018. We designated the interest rate swaps as cash flow hedges of our exposure to variability in future cash flows attributable to payments of LIBOR due on a related $150 million notional debt obligation from March 31, 2015 through March 31, 2017 and a related $140 million notional debt obligation from April 1, 2017 through March 29, 2018. Under the terms of the swaps, we will pay an average fixed rate of 3.12% on the notional amounts and receive payments from a counterparty based on the 30-day LIBOR rate.
	We believe that our estimated cash flows from operations for 2013, combined with our capacity for additional borrowings under our credit facility, will enable us to meet our anticipated cash requirements and fund capital expenditures over the next twelve months.

Defined_Benefit_Plans

Defined Benefit Plans	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 25, 2013
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Defined Benefit Plans	Defined Benefit Plans
	The components of net periodic benefit cost were as follows:
		Quarter Ended						Three Quarters Ended
		September 25, 2013			September 26, 2012			September 25, 2013			September 26, 2012
		(In thousands)
	Pension plan:
	Service cost	$	100		$	95		$	300		$	285
	Interest cost	745			800			2,233			2,400
	Expected return on plan assets	(1,122		)	(1,024		)	(3,366		)	(3,042		)
	Amortization of net loss	413			441			1,240			1,322
	Net periodic benefit cost	$	136		$	312		$	407		$	965
	Other defined benefit plans:
	Interest cost	$	28		$	29		$	84		$	87
	Amortization of net loss	17			13			53			39
	Net periodic benefit cost	$	45		$	42		$	137		$	126
	We made contributions of $2.8 million to our qualified pension plan during both the three quarters ended September 25, 2013 and September 26, 2012. We made contributions of $0.1 million to our other defined benefit plans during both the three quarters ended September 25, 2013 and September 26, 2012. We expect to contribute less than $0.1 million to our other defined benefit plans over the remainder of fiscal 2013.
	During the three quarters ended September 25, 2013, we amortized $0.8 million of actuarial losses, net of tax, out of accumulated other comprehensive loss into net periodic benefit cost, which is reported as a component of general and administrative expenses in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income. Additional minimum pension liability of $24.2 million and $25.0 million is reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Shareholders’ Equity as of September 25, 2013 and December 26, 2012, respectively.

ShareBased_Compensation

Share-Based Compensation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 25, 2013
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Share-Based Compensation	Share-Based Compensation
	Total share-based compensation cost included as a component of net income was as follows:
		Quarter Ended				Three Quarters Ended
		September 25, 2013		September 26, 2012		September 25, 2013		September 26, 2012
		(In thousands)
	Stock options	$	136	$	200	$	433	$	692
	Restricted stock units	735		778		2,377		1,752
	Board deferred stock units	182		150		624		350
	Total share-based compensation	$	1,053	$	1,128	$	3,434	$	2,794
	Stock Options
	As of September 25, 2013, we had approximately $0.2 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested stock option awards outstanding, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average of 0.3 years.
	Restricted Stock Units
	In January 2013, we granted approximately 0.3 million performance shares and related performance-based target cash awards of $2.1 million to certain employees. As these awards contain a market condition, a Monte Carlo valuation was used to determine the performance shares' grant date fair value of $8.05 per share and the payout probability of the target cash awards. The awards granted to our named executive officers also contain a performance condition based on certain operating measures for the fiscal year ended December 25, 2013. The performance period is the three year fiscal period beginning December 27, 2012 and ending December 30, 2015. The performance shares and cash awards will vest and be earned (from 0% to 200% of the target award for each such increment) at the end of the performance period based on the total shareholder return of our stock compared to the total shareholder returns of a group of peer companies.
	During the three quarters ended September 25, 2013, we made payments of $0.9 million in cash and issued 0.3 million shares of common stock related to restricted stock unit awards.
	As of September 25, 2013, we had approximately $5.0 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to all unvested restricted stock unit awards outstanding, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average of 1.4 years.
	Board Deferred Stock Units
	During the three quarters ended September 25, 2013, we granted approximately 0.1 million deferred stock units (which are equity classified) with a weighted average grant date fair value of $5.95 per unit to non-employee members of our Board of Directors. A director may elect to convert these awards into shares of common stock either on a specific date in the future (while still serving as a member of the Board of Directors) or upon termination as a member of the Board of Directors. During the three quarters ended September 25, 2013, less than 0.1 million deferred stock units were converted into shares of common stock. As of September 25, 2013, we had approximately $0.4 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to all unvested deferred stock unit awards outstanding, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average of 0.6 years.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 25, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Income Taxes
	The provision for income taxes was $10.4 million and $10.3 million for the three quarters ended September 25, 2013 and September 26, 2012, respectively. For the 2013 period, the difference in the overall effective rate from the U.S. Statutory rate was due to state and foreign taxes, employment tax credits, and discrete tax items. The passage of the American Tax Payer Relief Act of 2012 resulted in deferred tax benefits of $0.3 million related to work opportunity credits generated in 2012, which were allowed retroactively. In addition, state jobs tax credits of $0.8 million were claimed during the 2013 period resulting from the prior year's hiring activity. A valuation allowance of $0.5 million was recorded against certain state jobs tax credits during the 2013 period related to changes in California law enacted during the period. The provision for income taxes for the 2012 period was determined using our effective rate estimated for the entire fiscal year.

Net_Income_Per_Share

Net Income Per Share	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 25, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net Income Per Share	Net Income Per Share
	The amounts used for the basic and diluted net income per share calculation are summarized below:
		Quarter Ended				Three Quarters Ended
		September 25, 2013		September 26, 2012		September 25, 2013		September 26, 2012
		(In thousands, except for per share amounts)
	Net income	$	7,031	$	5,363	$	20,310	$	15,829
	Weighted average shares outstanding - basic	90,035		94,705		91,348		95,472
	Effect of dilutive share-based compensation awards	1,932		2,040		2,029		1,724
	Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted	91,967		96,745		93,377		97,196
	Basic net income per share	$	0.08	$	0.06	$	0.22	$	0.17
	Diluted net income per share	$	0.08	$	0.06	$	0.22	$	0.16
	Anti-dilutive share-based compensation awards	331		116		331		1,902

Supplemental_Cash_Flow_Informa

Supplemental Cash Flow Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 25, 2013
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]
Supplemental Cash Flow Information	Supplemental Cash Flow Information
		Three Quarters Ended
		September 25, 2013		September 26, 2012
		(In thousands)
	Income taxes paid, net	$	1,831	$	1,865
	Interest paid	$	7,121	$	10,371
	Noncash investing and financing activities:
	Issuance of common stock, pursuant to share-based compensation plans	$	1,590	$	856
	Execution of capital leases	$	4,038	$	1,581
	Treasury stock payable	$	186	$	231

Share_Repurchase

Share Repurchase	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 25, 2013
Share Repurchase [Abstract]
Share Repurchase	Share Repurchase
	Our Old Credit Facility (as defined in Note 7) permitted and our New Credit Facility (as defined in Note 7) permits the payment of cash dividends and the purchase of Denny’s stock subject to certain limitations. In May 2012, we announced that our Board of Directors approved a share repurchase program authorizing us to repurchase up to an additional 6.0 million shares of our Common Stock (in addition to prior authorizations). Under this program, we may, from time to time, purchase shares in the open market (including pre-arranged stock trading plans in accordance with the guidelines specified in Rule 10b5-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) or in privately negotiated transactions, subject to market and business conditions. As of September 25, 2013, we had repurchased 6.0 million shares of Common Stock for approximately $31.9 million under this share repurchase program, thus completing the program.
	On April 25, 2013, we announced that our Board of Directors approved a new share repurchase program authorizing us to repurchase up to an additional 10.0 million shares of our Common Stock. Under this program, we may, from time to time, purchase shares in the open market (including pre-arranged stock trading plans in accordance with the guidelines specified in Rule 10b5-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) or in privately negotiated transactions, subject to market and business conditions. As of September 25, 2013, we had repurchased 0.3 million shares of Common Stock for approximately $1.9 million and there were 9.7 million shares remaining to be repurchased under this share repurchase program.
	For the three quarters ended September 25, 2013 we repurchased a total of 3.8 million shares of Common Stock for approximately $21.6 million under our share repurchase programs.

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 25, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	Commitments and Contingencies
	There are various claims and pending legal actions against or indirectly involving us, incidental to and arising out of the ordinary course of the business. In the opinion of management, based upon information currently available, the ultimate liability with respect to these proceedings and claims will not materially affect the Company's consolidated results of operations or financial position. We record legal settlement costs as other operating expenses in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income as those costs are incurred.

Subsequent_Events_Notes

Subsequent Events (Notes)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 25, 2013
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Events [Text Block]	Subsequent Events
	We performed an evaluation of subsequent events and determined that no events required disclosure.

Summary_of_Significant_Account1

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 25, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Newly Adopted Accounting Standards	Newly Adopted Accounting Standards
	Intangibles
	ASU No. 2012-02, "Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Testing Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets for Impairment”
	Effective December 27, 2012, we adopted ASU 2012-02, which modifies the impairment test for indefinite-lived intangible assets. Under the new guidance, an entity is permitted to make a qualitative assessment of whether it is more likely than not that the indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired. If it is determined through the qualitative assessment that the indefinite-lived intangible asset's fair value is more likely than not greater than its carrying value, the quantitative impairment calculations would not be required. The qualitative assessment is optional, allowing companies to go directly to the quantitative assessment. The adoption did not have any impact on our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
	Comprehensive Income
	ASU 2013-02, "Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income"
	Effective December 27, 2012, we adopted ASU 2013-02, which requires companies to provide information about the amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by component. In addition, companies are required to present, either on the face of the statement where net income is presented or in the notes, significant amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by the respective line items of net income. ASU 2013-02 is to be applied prospectively. The adoption concerns presentation and disclosure only and did not have an impact on our financial position or results of operations.
Accounting Standards to be Adopted	Accounting Standards to be Adopted
	We reviewed all newly issued accounting pronouncements and concluded that they are either not applicable to our business or are not expected to have a material effect on the financial statements as a result of future adoption.

Introduction_and_Basis_of_Pres1

Introduction and Basis of Presentation (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 25, 2013
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Company and franchise unit activity	The following table shows the unit activity for the quarter and three quarters ended September 25, 2013 and September 26, 2012, respectively:
		Quarter Ended				Three Quarters Ended
		September 25, 2013		September 26, 2012		September 25, 2013		September 26, 2012
	Company restaurants, beginning of period	165		177		164		206
	Units opened	—		—		—		—
	Units acquired from franchisees	1		—		2		—
	Units sold to franchisees	(2	)	(5	)	(2	)	(28	)
	Units closed	—		(1	)	—		(7	)
	End of period	164		171		164		171
	Franchised and licensed restaurants, beginning of period	1,525		1,507		1,524		1,479
	Units opened	9		12		27		27
	Units purchased from Company	2		5		2		28
	Units acquired by Company	(1	)	—		(2	)	—
	Units closed	(13	)	(8	)	(29	)	(18	)
	End of period	1,522		1,516		1,522		1,516
	Total restaurants, end of period	1,686		1,687		1,686		1,687

Receivables_Tables

Receivables (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 25, 2013
Receivables [Abstract]
Receivables, net	Receivables were comprised of the following:
		September 25, 2013			December 26, 2012
		(In thousands)
	Current assets:
	Receivables:
	Trade accounts receivable from franchisees	$	9,228		$	10,212
	Notes receivable from franchisees	2,049			4,310
	Vendor receivables	1,130			2,529
	Credit card receivables	792			1,384
	Other	1,193			1,524
	Allowance for doubtful accounts	(225		)	(12		)
	Total current receivables, net	$	14,167		$	19,947
	Noncurrent assets (included as a component of other noncurrent assets):
	Notes receivable from franchisees	$	842		$	1,002

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_1

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 25, 2013
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Changes in carrying amounts of goodwill	The following table reflects the changes in carrying amounts of goodwill:
		(In thousands)
	Balance, December 26, 2012	$	31,430
	Additions related to acquisitions	28
	Write-offs and reclassifications associated with sale of restaurants	(7		)
	Balance, September 25, 2013	$	31,451
Intangible assets	ntangible assets were comprised of the following:
		September 25, 2013					December 26, 2012
		Gross Carrying Amount			Accumulated Amortization		Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization
		(In thousands)
	Intangible assets with indefinite lives:
	Trade names	$	44,050		$	—	$	44,050	$	—
	Liquor licenses	126			—		156		—
	Intangible assets with definite lives:
	Franchise and license agreements	32,993			28,733		37,524		32,863
	Foreign license agreements	241			198		241		188
	Intangible assets	$	77,410		$	28,931	$	81,971	$	33,051

Operating_Gains_Losses_and_Oth1

Operating (Gains), Losses and Other Charges, Net (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 25, 2013
Operating (Gains), Losses And Other Charges, Net [Abstract]
Operating gains losses and other charges net	Operating (gains), losses and other charges, net are comprised of the following:
		Quarter Ended					Three Quarters Ended
		September 25, 2013			September 26, 2012		September 25, 2013			September 26, 2012
		(In thousands)
	(Gains) losses on sales of assets and other, net	$	(68	)	$	91	$	(83	)	$	(6,772	)
	Restructuring charges and exit costs	229			821		1,005			2,970
	Impairment charges	—			2,468		857			3,008
	Operating (gains), losses and other charges, net	$	161		$	3,380	$	1,779		$	(794	)
Schedule of restructuring charges and exit costs	Restructuring charges and exit costs were comprised of the following:
		Quarter Ended					Three Quarters Ended
		September 25, 2013			September 26, 2012		September 25, 2013			September 26, 2012
		(In thousands)
	Exit costs	$	198		$	233	$	435		$	1,139
	Severance and other restructuring charges	31			588		570			1,831
	Total restructuring and exit costs	$	229		$	821	$	1,005		$	2,970
Components of change in accrued exit cost liabilities	The components of the change in accrued exit cost liabilities are as follows:
		(In thousands)
	Balance, December 26, 2012	$	4,061
	Exit costs (1)	435
	Payments, net of sublease receipts	(1,248		)
	Interest accretion	195
	Balance, September 25, 2013	3,443
	Less current portion included in other current liabilities	1,228
	Long-term portion included in other noncurrent liabilities	$	2,215
	-1	Included as a component of operating (gains), losses and other charges, net.
Estimated net cash payments related to exit cost liabilities	Estimated net cash payments related to exit cost liabilities are as follows:
		(In thousands)
	Remainder of 2013	$	270
	2014	1,319
	2015	545
	2016	320
	2017	322
	Thereafter	1,338
	Total	4,114
	Less imputed interest	671
	Present value of exit cost liabilities	$	3,443

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru1

Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 25, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis	Financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized below:
		Total		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets/Liabilities		Significant Other Observable Inputs		Significant Unobservable Inputs		Valuation Technique
				(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
		(In thousands)
	Fair value measurements as of September 25, 2013:
	Deferred compensation plan investments (1)	$	7,730	$	7,730	$	—	$	—	market approach
	Interest rate swaps (2)	$	2,704	—		2,704		—		income approach
	Interest rate caps (2)	$	25	$	—	$	25	$	—	income approach
	Total	$	10,459	$	7,730	$	2,729	$	—
	Fair value measurements as of December 26, 2012:
	Deferred compensation plan investments (1)	$	6,371	$	6,371	$	—	$	—	market approach
	Interest rate caps (2)	$	8	$	—	$	8	$	—	income approach
	Total	$	6,379	$	6,371	$	8	$	—
	-1	The fair values of our deferred compensation plan investments are based on the closing market prices of the participants’ elected investments.
	-2	The fair values of our interest rate swaps and interest rate caps are based upon Level 2 inputs which include valuation models as reported by our counterparties. The key inputs for the valuation models are quoted market prices, interest rates and forward yield curves.
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis	Those assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis are summarized below:
		Total		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets/Liabilities		Significant Other Observable Inputs		Significant Unobservable Inputs		Valuation Technique
				(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
		(In thousands)
	Fair value measurements as of December 26, 2012:
	Assets held and used (1)	$	228	$	—	$	—	$	228	income approach
	Total	$	228	$	—	$	—	$	228
	-1	As of December 26, 2012, impaired assets related to an underperforming restaurant were written down to their fair value. Impairment charges of $0.7 million were recognized as a component of operating (gains), losses and other charges, net in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income. To determine fair value, we used the income approach, which assumes that the future cash flows reflect current market expectations. These fair value measurements require significant judgment using Level 3 inputs, such as discounted cash flows from operations, which are not observable from the market, directly or indirectly.

LongTerm_Debt_Long_Term_Debt_T

Long-Term Debt Long Term Debt (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 25, 2013
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Aggregate annual maturities of long-term debt, excluding capital lease obligations	Aggregate annual maturities of long-term debt, excluding capital lease obligations, at September 25, 2013 are as follows:
		(In thousands)
	Remainder of 2013	$	750
	2014	3,000
	2015	4,125
	2016	4,500
	2017 and thereafter	143,125
	Total long-term debt, excluding capital lease obligations	$	155,500

Defined_Benefit_Plans_Tables

Defined Benefit Plans (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 25, 2013
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Components of net periodic benefit cost	The components of net periodic benefit cost were as follows:
		Quarter Ended						Three Quarters Ended
		September 25, 2013			September 26, 2012			September 25, 2013			September 26, 2012
		(In thousands)
	Pension plan:
	Service cost	$	100		$	95		$	300		$	285
	Interest cost	745			800			2,233			2,400
	Expected return on plan assets	(1,122		)	(1,024		)	(3,366		)	(3,042		)
	Amortization of net loss	413			441			1,240			1,322
	Net periodic benefit cost	$	136		$	312		$	407		$	965
	Other defined benefit plans:
	Interest cost	$	28		$	29		$	84		$	87
	Amortization of net loss	17			13			53			39
	Net periodic benefit cost	$	45		$	42		$	137		$	126

ShareBased_Compensation_Tables

Share-Based Compensation (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 25, 2013
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Total share-based compensation	Total share-based compensation cost included as a component of net income was as follows:
		Quarter Ended				Three Quarters Ended
		September 25, 2013		September 26, 2012		September 25, 2013		September 26, 2012
		(In thousands)
	Stock options	$	136	$	200	$	433	$	692
	Restricted stock units	735		778		2,377		1,752
	Board deferred stock units	182		150		624		350
	Total share-based compensation	$	1,053	$	1,128	$	3,434	$	2,794

Supplemental_Cash_Flow_Informa1

Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 25, 2013
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]
Supplemental Cash Flow Information
		Three Quarters Ended
		September 25, 2013		September 26, 2012
		(In thousands)
	Income taxes paid, net	$	1,831	$	1,865
	Interest paid	$	7,121	$	10,371
	Noncash investing and financing activities:
	Issuance of common stock, pursuant to share-based compensation plans	$	1,590	$	856
	Execution of capital leases	$	4,038	$	1,581
	Treasury stock payable	$	186	$	231

Introduction_and_Basis_of_Pres2

Introduction and Basis of Presentation (Details)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 25, 2013	Sep. 26, 2012	Sep. 25, 2013	Sep. 26, 2012
	restaurant	restaurant	restaurant	restaurant
Entity and franchisee unit activity [Roll Forward]
Units, end of period	1,686	1,687	1,686	1,687
Company restaurants [Member]
Entity and franchisee unit activity [Roll Forward]
Units, beginning of period	165	177	164	206
Units opened	0	0	0	0
Units acquired from franchisees	1	0	2	0
Units sold to franchisees	-2	-5	-2	-28
Units closed	0	-1	0	-7
Units, end of period	164	171	164	171
Franchised and licensed restaurants [Member]
Entity and franchisee unit activity [Roll Forward]
Units, beginning of period	1,525	1,507	1,524	1,479
Units opened	9	12	27	27
Units purchased from Company	2	5	2	28
Units acquired by Company	-1	0	-2	0
Units closed	-13	-8	-29	-18
Units, end of period	1,522	1,516	1,522	1,516

Receivables_Details

Receivables (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 25, 2013	Sep. 26, 2012	Sep. 25, 2013	Sep. 26, 2012	Dec. 26, 2012
Receivables [Abstract]
Trade accounts receivable from franchisees, gross, current	$9,228		$9,228		$10,212
Notes receivable from franchisees, gross, current	2,049		2,049		4,310
Allowance for doubtful accounts	-225		-225		-12
Total current receivables, net	14,167		14,167		19,947
Noncurrent assets (included as a component of other noncurrent assets):
Notes receivable from franchisees, noncurrent	842		842		1,002
Maximum provision for credit losses	100	100	100	100
Maximum interest income on notes receivable	100	100	100	100
Vendor receivables [Member]
Receivables [Abstract]
Other receivable, gross, current	1,130		1,130		2,529
Credit card receivables [Member]
Receivables [Abstract]
Other receivable, gross, current	792		792		1,384
Other [Member]
Receivables [Abstract]
Other receivable, gross, current	$1,193		$1,193		$1,524

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_2

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 25, 2013	Dec. 26, 2012
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance, December 26, 2012	$31,430
Additions related to acquisitions	28
Write-offs and reclassification associated with sale of restaurants	-7
Balance, September 25, 2013	31,451
Goodwill and Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Goodwill	31,451
Intangible assets	77,410	81,971
Intangible assets with indefinite lives [Abstract]
Gross carrying amount - Trade names	44,050	44,050
Gross carrying amount - Liquor licenses	126	156
Intangible assets with definite lives [Abstract]
Accumulated amortization	28,931	33,051
Franchise and license agreements [Member]
Intangible assets with definite lives [Abstract]
Gross carrying amount	32,993	37,524
Accumulated amortization	28,733	32,863
Foreign license agreements [Member]
Intangible assets with definite lives [Abstract]
Gross carrying amount	241	241
Accumulated amortization	$198	$188

Operating_Gains_Losses_and_Oth2

Operating (Gains), Losses and Other Charges, Net (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 25, 2013	Sep. 26, 2012	Sep. 25, 2013		Sep. 26, 2012	Dec. 26, 2012
Operating (gains), losses and other charges, net [Abstract]
(Gains) losses on sales of assets and other, net	($68,000)	$91,000	($83,000)		($6,772,000)
Restructuring charges and exit costs	229,000	821,000	1,005,000		2,970,000
Impairment charges	0	2,468,000	857,000		3,008,000
Operating (gains), losses and other charges, net	161,000	3,380,000	1,779,000		-794,000
Restructuring charges and exit costs [Abstract]
Exit costs	198,000	233,000	435,000	[1]	1,139,000
Severance and other restructuring charges	31,000	588,000	570,000		1,831,000
Total restructuring charges and exit costs	229,000	821,000	1,005,000		2,970,000
Components of change in accrued exit cost liabilities [Roll Forward]
Balance at December 26, 2012			4,061,000
Exit costs	198,000	233,000	435,000	[1]	1,139,000
Payments, net of sublease receipts			-1,248,000
Interest accretion			195,000
Balance, September 25, 2013	3,443,000		3,443,000
Less current portion included in other current liabilities	1,228,000		1,228,000
Long-term portion included in other noncurrent liabilities	2,215,000		2,215,000
Estimated net cash payments related to exit cost liabilities [Abstract]
Remainder of 2013	270,000		270,000
2014	1,319,000		1,319,000
2015	545,000		545,000
2016	320,000		320,000
2017	322,000		322,000
Thereafter	1,338,000		1,338,000
Total	4,114,000		4,114,000
Less imputed interest	671,000		671,000
Present value of exit cost liabilities	3,443,000		3,443,000
Accrued severance and other restructuring charges	100,000		100,000			500,000
Period of accrued severance and other restructuring charges, maximum			12 months
Impairment charges	$0	$2,468,000	$857,000		$3,008,000
[1]	(1)Included as a component of operating (gains), losses and other charges, net.

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru2

Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 25, 2013		Dec. 26, 2012
Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total	$10,459,000		$6,379,000
Recurring [Member] | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets/Liabilities (Level 1) [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total	7,730,000		6,371,000
Recurring [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total	2,729,000		8,000
Recurring [Member] | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total	0		0
Recurring [Member] | Deferred compensation plan investments [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Deferred compensation plan investments	7,730,000	[1]	6,371,000	[1]
Valuation technique	market approach		market approach
Recurring [Member] | Deferred compensation plan investments [Member] | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets/Liabilities (Level 1) [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Deferred compensation plan investments	7,730,000	[1]	6,371,000	[1]
Recurring [Member] | Deferred compensation plan investments [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Deferred compensation plan investments	0	[1]	0	[1]
Recurring [Member] | Deferred compensation plan investments [Member] | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Deferred compensation plan investments	0	[1]	0	[1]
Recurring [Member] | Interest rate swaps [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Interest rate swaps and interest rate caps	2,704,000	[2]
Valuation technique	income approach
Recurring [Member] | Interest rate swaps [Member] | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets/Liabilities (Level 1) [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Interest rate swaps and interest rate caps	0	[2]
Recurring [Member] | Interest rate swaps [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Interest rate swaps and interest rate caps	2,704,000	[2]
Recurring [Member] | Interest rate swaps [Member] | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Interest rate swaps and interest rate caps	0	[2]
Recurring [Member] | Interest rate caps [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Interest rate swaps and interest rate caps	25,000	[2]	8,000	[2]
Valuation technique	income approach		income approach
Recurring [Member] | Interest rate caps [Member] | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets/Liabilities (Level 1) [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Interest rate swaps and interest rate caps	0	[2]	0	[2]
Recurring [Member] | Interest rate caps [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Interest rate swaps and interest rate caps	25,000	[2]	8,000	[2]
Recurring [Member] | Interest rate caps [Member] | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Interest rate swaps and interest rate caps	0	[2]	0	[2]
Nonrecurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total			228,000
Nonrecurring [Member] | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets/Liabilities (Level 1) [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total			0
Nonrecurring [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total			0
Nonrecurring [Member] | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total			228,000
Nonrecurring [Member] | Assets held and used [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets held and used			228,000	[3]
Valuation technique			income approach
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Held-for-use			700,000
Nonrecurring [Member] | Assets held and used [Member] | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets/Liabilities (Level 1) [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets held and used			0	[3]
Nonrecurring [Member] | Assets held and used [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets held and used			0	[3]
Nonrecurring [Member] | Assets held and used [Member] | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets held and used			$228,000	[3]
[1]	The fair values of our deferred compensation plan investments are based on the closing market prices of the participantsb elected investments.
[2]	The fair values of our interest rate swaps and interest rate caps are based upon Level 2 inputs which include valuation models as reported by our counterparties. The key inputs for the valuation models are quoted market prices, interest rates and forward yield curves.
[3]	As of December 26, 2012, impaired assets related to an underperforming restaurant were written down to their fair value. Impairment charges of $0.7 million were recognized as a component of operating (gains), losses and other charges, net in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income. To determine fair value, we used the income approach, which assumes that the future cash flows reflect current market expectations. These fair value measurements require significant judgment using Level 3 inputs, such as discounted cash flows from operations, which are not observable from the market, directly or indirectly.

LongTerm_Debt_Details

Long-Term Debt (Details) (USD $)

9 Months Ended

8 Months Ended

8 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

8 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

Sep. 25, 2013

Sep. 26, 2012

Dec. 25, 2013

Apr. 24, 2013

Dec. 25, 2013

Sep. 25, 2013

Apr. 24, 2013

Dec. 25, 2013

Sep. 25, 2013

Apr. 24, 2013

Sep. 25, 2013

Apr. 24, 2013

Sep. 25, 2013

Mar. 27, 2013

Dec. 26, 2012

Sep. 25, 2013

Apr. 13, 2012

Sep. 25, 2013

Apr. 13, 2012

Sep. 25, 2013

Apr. 30, 2013

Apr. 30, 2013

Apr. 30, 2013

Credit Facility Due April 2018 [Member]

Credit Facility Due April 2018 [Member]

Credit Facility Due April 2018 [Member]

Credit Facility Due April 2018 [Member]

Credit Facility Due April 2018 [Member]

Credit Facility Due April 2018 [Member]

Credit Facility Due April 2018 [Member]

Credit Facility Due April 2018 [Member]

Credit Facility Due April 2018 [Member]

Credit Facility Due April 2018 [Member]

Credit Facility Due April 2017 [Member]

Credit Facility Due April 2017 [Member]

Credit Facility Due April 2017 [Member]

Interest Rate Cap [Member]

Interest Rate Cap [Member]

Interest Rate Cap [Member]

Interest Rate Cap [Member]

Interest Rate Cap [Member]

Interest Rate Cap [Member]

Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Secured Debt [Member]

Secured Debt [Member]

Secured Debt [Member]

Senior secured revolver [Member]

Senior secured revolver [Member]

Senior secured revolver [Member]

Letter of Credit [Member]

Letter of Credit [Member]

Secured Debt [Member]

Secured Debt [Member]

Interest Rate Cap 2012-2013 [Member]

Interest Rate Cap 2012-2013 [Member]

Interest Rate Cap 2013-2014 [Member]

Interest Rate Cap 2013-2014 [Member]

Interest Rate Cap 2014-2015 [Member]

Interest Rate Cap 2014-2015 [Member]

Interest Rate Swaps 2015-2017 [Member]

Interest Rate Swaps 2017-2018 [Member]

Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Aggregate principal amount as per new credit facility

$250,000,000

Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity

60,000,000

190,000,000

30,000,000

Commitment fee for unused portion of revolving credit facility (in hundredths)

0.35%

Basis spread on variable rate debt

2.00%

Accordion feature that allows increase in size of facility

300,000,000

Maturity date

24-Apr-18

Debt Instrument, Periodic Amortization, Principal, Years One and Two

5.00%

Debt Instrument, Periodic Amortization, Principal, Years Three and Four

7.50%

Debt Instrument, Periodic Amortization, Principal, Year Five

10.00%

Loss on early extinguishment of debt

1,798,000

8,180,000

1,200,000

Debt transaction costs

400,000

Write off of deferred financing costs

800,000

Outstanding amount under credit facility

58,500,000

97,000,000

Outstanding amount of letters of credit

26,000,000

Availability under the revolving facility

67,000,000

Weighted-average interest rate under the term loan (in hundredths)

2.18%

2.18%

2.97%

Repayments of term loan under the credit facility

1,500,000

4,000,000

Interest rate cap, description of variable rate basis

LIBOR

LIBOR

LIBOR

Interest rate cap, basis spread on variable rate

2.00%

2.00%

2.00%

Derivative, notional amount

$150,000,000

$125,000,000

$150,000,000

$150,000,000

$140,000,000

Average fixed interest rate on interest rate swaps

3.12%

3.12%

LongTerm_Debt_LongTerm_Debt_Ag

Long-Term Debt Long-Term Debt (Aggregate Maturities of Long-Term Debt, Excluding Capital Lease Obligations) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 25, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Aggregate annual maturities of long-term debt, excluding capital lease obligations [Abstract]
Remainder of 2013	$750
2014	3,000
2015	4,125
2016	4,500
2017 and thereafter	143,125
Total long-term debt, excluding capital lease oblgiations	$155,500

Defined_Benefit_Plans_Details

Defined Benefit Plans (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 25, 2013	Dec. 26, 2012	Sep. 25, 2013	Sep. 26, 2012	Sep. 25, 2013	Sep. 26, 2012	Sep. 25, 2013	Sep. 26, 2012	Sep. 25, 2013	Sep. 26, 2012
			Pension Plan [Member]	Pension Plan [Member]	Pension Plan [Member]	Pension Plan [Member]	Other Defined Benefit Plans [Member]	Other Defined Benefit Plans [Member]	Other Defined Benefit Plans [Member]	Other Defined Benefit Plans [Member]
Components of net periodic benefit cost [Abstract]
Service cost			$100,000	$95,000	$300,000	$285,000
Interest cost			745,000	800,000	2,233,000	2,400,000	28,000	29,000	84,000	87,000
Expected return on plan assets			-1,122,000	-1,024,000	-3,366,000	-3,042,000
Amortization of net loss			413,000	441,000	1,240,000	1,322,000	17,000	13,000	53,000	39,000
Net periodic benefit cost			136,000	312,000	407,000	965,000	45,000	42,000	137,000	126,000
Contributions made to qualified pension plan and other defined benefit plans					2,800,000	2,800,000			100,000	100,000
Maximum expected additional contributions to be made to qualified pension plan and other defined benefit plans									100,000
Reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income current period, net of tax					800,000
Additional minimum pension liability	$24,200,000	$25,000,000

ShareBased_Compensation_Detail

Share-Based Compensation (Details) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
Share data in Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2013	Sep. 25, 2013	Sep. 26, 2012	Sep. 25, 2013	Sep. 26, 2012
Total share-based compensation [Abstract]
Total share-based compensation		$1,053,000	$1,128,000	$3,434,000	$2,794,000
Performance shares [Member]
Total share-based compensation [Abstract]
Total share-based compensation		735,000	778,000	2,377,000	1,752,000
Restricted Stock Units [Abstract]
Equity awards granted (in shares)	0.3
Employee performance based target cash awards	2,100,000
Equity awards, grant date fair value (in dollars per share)	$8.05
Performance period	3 years
Cash payments				900,000
Maximum common stock shares issued (in shares)				0.3
Unrecognized compensation cost [Abstract]
Unrecognized compensation cost related to all unvested restricted stock unit awards outstanding		5,000,000		5,000,000
Unrecognized compensation cost, expected weighted average period				1 year 4 months 28 days
Stock options [Member]
Total share-based compensation [Abstract]
Total share-based compensation		136,000	200,000	433,000	692,000
Unrecognized compensation cost [Abstract]
Unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested stock option awards outstanding		200,000		200,000
Unrecognized compensation cost, expected weighted average period				0 years 3 months 22 days
Restricted stock units [Member]
Total share-based compensation [Abstract]
Total share-based compensation		182,000	150,000	624,000	350,000
Restricted Stock Units [Abstract]
Equity awards granted (in shares)				0.1
Equity awards, grant date fair value (in dollars per share)				$5.95
Maximum common stock shares issued (in shares)				0.1
Unrecognized compensation cost [Abstract]
Unrecognized compensation cost related to all unvested restricted stock unit awards outstanding		$400,000		$400,000
Unrecognized compensation cost, expected weighted average period				0 years 7 months 0 days
Minimum [Member] | Performance shares [Member]
Restricted Stock Units [Abstract]
Minimum percentage of target awards to be earned (in hundredths)	0.00%
Maximum [Member] | Performance shares [Member]
Restricted Stock Units [Abstract]
Maximum percentage of target awards to be earned (in hundredths)	200.00%

Income_Taxes_Details

Income Taxes (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 25, 2013	Sep. 26, 2012	Sep. 25, 2013	Sep. 26, 2012
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Provision for income taxes	$4,318,000	$3,201,000	$10,424,000	$10,295,000
Deferred tax benefit			300,000
State jobs tax credits			800,000
Valuation allowance recorded against certain state jobs tax credits			$500,000

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. 25, 2013	Sep. 26, 2012	Sep. 25, 2013	Sep. 26, 2012
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net income	$7,031	$5,363	$20,310	$15,829
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic (in shares)	90,035	94,705	91,348	95,472
Effect of dilutive share-based compensation awards	1,932	2,040	2,029	1,724
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted (in shares)	91,967	96,745	93,377	97,196
Basic net income per share	$0.08	$0.06	$0.22	$0.17
Diluted net income per share	$0.08	$0.06	$0.22	$0.16
Antidilutive securities excluded from diluted weighted-average shares outstanding (in shares)	331	116	331	1,902

Supplemental_Cash_Flow_Informa2

Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 25, 2013	Sep. 26, 2012
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]
Income taxes paid, net	$1,831	$1,865
Interest paid	7,121	10,371
Noncash investing and financing activities:
Issuance of common stock, pursuant to share-based compensation plans	1,590	856
Execution of capital leases	4,038	1,581
Treasury stock payable	$186	$231

Share_Repurchase_Details

Share Repurchase (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 25, 2013
Equity, Class of Treasury Stock [Line Items]
Purchase of treasury stock (in shares)	3,800,000
Purchase of treasury stock	$21,578,000
Share Repurchase Program 2012 [Member]
Equity, Class of Treasury Stock [Line Items]
Additional number of shares approved under stock repurchase program (in shares)	6,000,000
Number of accumulated shares repurchased (in shares)	6,000,000
Value of shares repurchased	31,900,000
Share Repurchase Program 2013 [Member]
Equity, Class of Treasury Stock [Line Items]
Additional number of shares approved under stock repurchase program (in shares)	10,000,000
Number of accumulated shares repurchased (in shares)	300,000
Value of shares repurchased	$1,900,000
Remaining number of shares approved under stock repurchase program (in shares)	9,700,000