Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 25, 2012	Dec. 27, 2011	Dec. 28, 2010
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income including noncontrolling interests	$ 73,801	$ 66,427	$ 60,689
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	46,717	42,709	41,283
Deferred income taxes	(2,166)	70	1,799
Loss on disposition of assets	2,805	2,378	1,766
Impairment and closure	1,459	1,127	1,821
Equity income from investments in unconsolidated affiliates	(428)	(366)	(428)
Distributions of income received from investments in unconsolidated affiliates	429	336	383
Provision for doubtful accounts	17	183	(43)
Share-based compensation expense	13,193	10,525	7,686
Changes in operating working capital:
Receivables	(4,953)	(3,139)	(60)
Inventories	(119)	(1,533)	(1,193)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(146)	159	(1,593)
Other assets	(2,773)	(3,497)	(1,058)
Accounts payable	(370)	5,880	(1,018)
Deferred revenue - gift cards/certificates	8,842	4,893	4,722
Accrued wages	1,329	2,651	864
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation	(3,605)	(2,255)	(3,159)
Prepaid income taxes and income taxes payable	806	2,055	(3,212)
Accrued taxes and licenses	872	63	3,739
Other accrued liabilities	3,842	5,262	1,715
Deferred rent	3,035	2,676	2,368
Other liabilities	3,353	1,910	2,985
Net cash provided by operating activities	145,940	138,514	120,056
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures - property and equipment	(84,879)	(81,758)	(45,051)
Acquisition of franchise restaurants, net of cash acquired	(4,297)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment, including insurance proceeds	1,128	188	235
Net cash used in investing activities	(88,048)	(81,570)	(44,816)
Cash flows from financing activities:
(Repayments of) proceeds from revolving credit facility	(10,000)	10,000	(49,000)
Repurchase of shares of common stock	(29,421)	(59,147)
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates			(35)
Proceeds from noncontrolling interest contributions and other	1,285
Distributions to noncontrolling interest holders	(2,712)	(2,270)	(2,212)
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation	3,605	2,255	3,159
Proceeds from stock option and other deposits	172	494	399
Indirect repurchase of shares for minimum tax withholdings	(3,733)	(3,482)	(2,828)
Principal payments on long-term debt and capital lease obligations	(303)	(275)	(246)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	10,670	5,016	11,028
Dividends paid to shareholders	(24,486)	(17,012)
Net cash used in financing activities	(54,923)	(64,421)	(39,735)
Net increase (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	2,969	(7,477)	35,505
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of year	78,777	86,254	50,749
Cash and cash equivalents - end of year	81,746	78,777	86,254
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Interest, net of amounts capitalized	2,478	2,368	2,628
Income taxes	$ 36,096	$ 24,641	$ 29,095