Supplemental Balance Sheet Information (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 16, 2012	Jun. 11, 2011	Jun. 16, 2012 days		Jun. 11, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011
Accounts and Notes Receivable [Abstract]
Number of days from the period in which the corresponding sales occur that trade receivables are generally due			30
Accounts and notes receivable	$ 343		$ 343			$ 308
Allowance for doubtful accounts	(20)		(20)			(22)
Accounts and notes receivable, net	323		323			286
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	7,358		7,358			7,267
Accumulated depreciation and amortization	(3,256)		(3,256)			(3,225)
Property, plant and equipment, net	4,102		4,102			4,042
Assets Held-for-sale, Long Lived	16		16			24
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Noncontrolling interests, beginning of period			93
Net Income - noncontrolling interests	2	6	5		9
Foreign currency translation adjustment			(2)
Dividends declared			(20)
Noncontrolling interest, end of period	92		92
Little Sheep Group Limited [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Noncontrolling interest - Little Sheep			$ 16	[1]

[1] Represents restaurant-level noncontrolling interests of consolidated subsidiaries of Little Sheep.