Reportable Segment Information Schedule Of Financial Information For Company's Franchising Segment (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011 segments	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Total revenues	$ 638,793	$ 596,076	$ 564,178
Operating Income (Loss)	171,863	160,762	148,073
Depreciation and amortization	8,024	8,342	8,336
Total assets	447,689	411,722
Income (loss) before income taxes	158,057	158,211	150,634
Number Of Reportable Segments	1
Foreign Operations [Member]
Capital expenditures	6,500	7,500	7,000
Franchising [Member]
Total revenues	634,437	592,045	560,038
Operating Income (Loss)	220,084	202,522	193,383
Depreciation and amortization	14,489	13,524	11,386
Capital expenditures	9,553	22,418	8,885
Total assets	266,267	245,529	203,140
Income (loss) before income taxes	218,586	203,748	194,496
Corporate And Other [Member]
Total revenues	4,356	4,031	4,140
Operating Income (Loss)	(48,221)	(41,760)	(45,310)
Depreciation and amortization	6,854	7,265	7,296
Capital expenditures	1,371	1,950	2,250
Total assets	181,422	166,193	136,897
Income (loss) before income taxes	(60,529)	(45,537)	(43,862)
Elimination Adjustments [Member]
Total revenues	0	0	0
Operating Income (Loss)	0	0	0
Depreciation and amortization	(13,319)	(12,447)	(10,346)
Capital expenditures	0	0	0
Total assets	0	0	0
Income (loss) before income taxes	0	0	0
Consolidated [Member]
Total revenues	638,793	596,076	564,178
Operating Income (Loss)	171,863	160,762	148,073
Depreciation and amortization	8,024	8,342	8,336
Capital expenditures	10,924	24,368	11,135
Total assets	447,689	411,722	340,037
Income (loss) before income taxes	$ 158,057	$ 158,211	$ 150,634