Consolidated Statements Of Stockholders' Equity (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Common Stock [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-In Capital [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Total
BALANCE at Dec. 31, 2008	$ 933	$ (89,078)	$ 640,396	$ 5,774	$ 389,627	$ 947,652
BALANCE, shares at Dec. 31, 2008		(3,558,000)
BALANCE, shares at Dec. 31, 2008	93,307,000
Net income					81,219	81,219
Foreign currency translation gain (loss)				3,807		3,807
Unrealized (loss) gain on investments				(1,173)		(1,173)
Total comprehensive income						83,853
Treasury stock purchased		(199,811)				(199,811)
Treasury stock purchased, shares		(8,996,000)
Acquisition of the rights to the Le Cordon Bleu brand		68,310	2,940			71,250
Acquisition of the rights to the Le Cordon Bleu brand shares		3,000,000
Share-Based Compensation [Abstract]
Stock option plans			6,384			6,384
Restricted stock award plans			9,760			9,760
Employee stock purchase plan			372			372
Common stock issued under:
Stock option plans	1		691			692
Stock option plans, shares	57,000					57,360
Restricted stock award plans	19	(1,308)	(19)			(1,308)
Restricted stock award plans, shares	1,925,000	(60,000)
Employee stock purchase plan	1		2,104			2,105
Employee stock purchase plan, shares	110,000					100,000
Tax benefit of options exercised			237			237
Adjustment of share-based awards subject to redemption					338	338
BALANCE at Dec. 31, 2009	954	(221,887)	662,865	8,408	471,184	921,524
BALANCE, shares at Dec. 31, 2009		(9,614,000)
BALANCE, shares at Dec. 31, 2009	95,399,000
Net income					157,773	157,773
Foreign currency translation gain (loss)				(8,577)		(8,577)
Unrealized (loss) gain on investments				88		88
Total comprehensive income						149,284
Treasury stock purchased		(154,913)				(154,913)
Treasury stock purchased, shares		(5,427,000)
Treasury stock retirement	(151)	379,139	(106,654)		(272,334)
Treasury stock retirement, shares	(15,119,000)	15,119,000
Share-Based Compensation [Abstract]
Stock option plans			7,419			7,419
Restricted stock award plans			9,485			9,485
Employee stock purchase plan			414			414
Common stock issued under:
Stock option plans			766			766
Stock option plans, shares	52,000					51,528
Restricted stock award plans	8	(2,530)	(8)			(2,530)
Restricted stock award plans, shares	774,000	(89,000)
Employee stock purchase plan	1		2,343			2,344
Employee stock purchase plan, shares	114,000					100,000
Tax benefit of options exercised			223			223
Adjustment of share-based awards subject to redemption					368	368
BALANCE at Dec. 31, 2010	812	(191)	576,853	(81)	356,991	934,384
BALANCE, shares at Dec. 31, 2010		(11,000)				(10,855)
BALANCE, shares at Dec. 31, 2010	81,220,000					(81,220,265)
Net income					18,573	18,573
Foreign currency translation gain (loss)				(5,015)		(5,015)
Unrealized (loss) gain on investments				(40)		(40)
Total comprehensive income						13,518
Treasury stock purchased		(150,445)				(150,445)
Treasury stock purchased, shares		(8,056,000)				8,100,000
Share-Based Compensation [Abstract]
Stock option plans			5,453			5,453
Restricted stock award plans			8,978			8,978
Employee stock purchase plan			400			400
Common stock issued under:
Stock option plans	2		2,067			2,069
Stock option plans, shares	142,000					141,625
Restricted stock award plans	4	(5,639)	(4)			(5,639)
Restricted stock award plans, shares	425,000	(278,000)
Employee stock purchase plan	2		2,299			2,301
Employee stock purchase plan, shares	180,000					200,000
Tax benefit of options exercised						400
Tax effect of options exercised & stock settlements			(5,081)			(5,081)
Adjustment of share-based awards subject to redemption					43	43
BALANCE at Dec. 31, 2011	$ 820	$ (156,275)	$ 590,965	$ (5,136)	$ 375,607	$ 805,981
BALANCE, shares at Dec. 31, 2011		(8,345,000)				(8,345,245)
BALANCE, shares at Dec. 31, 2011	81,967,000					(81,966,793)