(4) Investments (Details) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jul. 01, 2012 USD ($)	Jul. 03, 2011 USD ($)	Jul. 01, 2012 USD ($)	Jul. 03, 2011 USD ($)	Jul. 01, 2012 Tim Horton's, Inc. [Member] USD ($)		Jul. 01, 2012 Tim Horton's, Inc. [Member] CAD	Jul. 03, 2011 Tim Horton's, Inc. [Member] USD ($)		Jul. 03, 2011 Tim Horton's, Inc. [Member] CAD	Sep. 30, 2008 Tim Horton's, Inc. [Member] Y
Schedule of Cost and Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity method investment, ownership percentage					50.00%		50.00%
Investment in Joint Venture with Partner [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period					$ 91,742			$ 98,631
Equity in earnings for the period					6,545			6,588
Amortization of purchase price adjustments					(1,554)	[1]		(1,371)	[1]
Equity in earnings for the period, net of amortization of purchase price adjustment			4,914	5,100	4,991			5,217
Distributions			(6,694)	(6,501)	(6,694)			(6,501)
Currency translation adjustment included in Comprehensive income	(3,353)	269	1,389	7,918	475			3,990
Balance at end of period (b)					90,514	[2]		101,337	[2]
Purchase price adjustment, amortization period											21
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Assets [Abstract]
Properties							72,981			76,837
Cash and cash equivalents							2,719			2,503
Accounts receivable							4,624			5,103
Other							2,654			2,755
Assets							82,978			87,198
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Liabilities and Equity [Abstract]
Accounts payable and accrued liabillities							1,270			951
Other liabilities							8,556			9,100
Partners' equity							73,152			77,147
Liabilities and equity							82,978			87,198
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenues							19,401			18,985
Income before income taxes and net income							13,177			13,219

[1] Based upon an original average aggregate life of 21 years.

[2] Included in “Investments.”