Other (Income) Expense (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 24, 2012		Mar. 19, 2011
Other Income and Expenses [Line Items]
Equity income from investments in unconsolidated affiliates	$ (13)		$ (16)
Gain upon acquisition of Little Sheep	(74)		0
Foreign exchange net (gain) loss and other	8	[1]	(3)
Other (income) expense	(79)		(19)
Little Sheep Group Limited [Member]
Other Income and Expenses [Line Items]
Gain upon acquisition of Little Sheep	(74)
Little Sheep Group Limited [Member] | China
Other Income and Expenses [Line Items]
Acquisition-related deal costs	$ 6

[1] Includes $6 million of deal costs related to the acquisition of Little Sheep that were allocated to the China Division for performance reporting purposes.