Receivables (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015	Apr. 30, 2014	Jan. 31, 2014
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Tax Returns Prepared, not yet filed			1,800,000
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Impaired non-accrual status term, days	60 days
Total Portfolio	$ 252,965,000	$ 277,423,000	$ 291,325,000
Loans to franchisees
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	1,400,000	600,000	0
Emerald Advance lines of credit
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Non-accrual status loans	19,500,000	20,700,000	25,700,000
Term Loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Receivables, net	100,300,000	109,100,000	132,300,000
Revolving Lines Of Credit
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Receivables, net	55,900,000	45,400,000	87,200,000
Cash Back® receivables
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Short-term	$ 300,000	$ 1,900,000	$ 500,000