Income Taxes (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 24, 2012	Mar. 19, 2011
Income Tax And Effective Tax Rate [Abstract]
Income taxes	$ 147	$ 91
Effective tax rate	24.10%	25.20%
Gain upon acquisition of Little Sheep	74	0
LJS and AW
Income Tax And Effective Tax Rate [Abstract]
Pre-tax losses recognized on business divestiture		68
LJS and AW | U.S.
Income Tax And Effective Tax Rate [Abstract]
Income tax benefit related to impairment		37.00%
Little Sheep Group Limited [Member]
Income Tax And Effective Tax Rate [Abstract]
Gain upon acquisition of Little Sheep	74
Income tax expense (benefit) related to consolidation of a former unconsolidated affiliate	0
U.S. federal [Member]
Income Tax And Effective Tax Rate [Abstract]
U.S. Federal Statutory rate	35.00%
Closures and impairment (income) expenses | LJS and AW
Income Tax And Effective Tax Rate [Abstract]
Pre-tax losses recognized on business divestiture		$ 66