Receivables (Schedule Of Short-Term Receivables) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2016	Apr. 30, 2015
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2016
Receivables, Short term	$ 210,127	$ 222,491
Accounts Receivable, Gross, Noncurrent	60,407	80,867
Allowance for doubtful accounts, Short Term	(57,011)	(54,527)
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Noncurrent	0	0
Receivables, net, Short Term	153,116	167,964
Receivables, net Long Term	60,407	80,867
Accounts Receivable Net, Noncurrent, Estimated Fair Value	60,407	80,867
Loans to franchisees
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Receivables, Short term	50,000	56,603
Accounts Receivable, Gross, Noncurrent	46,284	64,472
Receivables for tax preparation and related fees
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Receivables, Short term	52,327	48,864
Accounts Receivable, Gross, Noncurrent	5,528	6,103
Cash Back® receivables
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Receivables, Short term	37,663	42,680
Accounts Receivable, Gross, Noncurrent	0	0
Emerald Advance lines of credit
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Receivables, Short term	25,092	21,908
Accounts Receivable, Gross, Noncurrent	869	1,913
Royalties from franchisees
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Receivables, Short term	9,997	8,206
Accounts Receivable, Gross, Noncurrent	0	0
Other
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Receivables, Short term	35,048	44,230
Accounts Receivable, Gross, Noncurrent	$ 7,726	$ 8,379