Receivables (Schedule Of Activity In The Allowance For Doubtful Accounts) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ 57,703	$ 44,589
Provision	37,279	40,482
Charge-offs	(49,735)	(40,242)
Ending balance	45,247	44,829
Emerald Advance lines of credit
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	7,390	6,200
Provision	24,787	25,519
Charge-offs	0	0
Ending balance	32,177	31,719
Loans to franchisees
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	0	0
Provision	42	42
Charge-offs	(2)	0
Ending balance	40	42
Receivables for tax preparation and related fees
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	2,769	2,279
Provision	248	385
Charge-offs	(1,667)	(1,292)
Ending balance	1,350	1,372
Royalties from franchisees
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	7,304	0
Provision	6,785	4,255
Charge-offs	(8,654)	0
Ending balance	5,435	4,255
All Other
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	40,240	36,110
Provision	5,417	10,281
Charge-offs	(39,412)	(38,950)
Ending balance	$ 6,245	$ 7,441