Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Total USD ($)	Preferred Stock USD ($)	Common Stock [Member] USD ($)	Additional Paid-in Capital USD ($)	Retained Earnings USD ($)	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss USD ($)	Treasury Stock, at cost USD ($)	Series A Perpetual Stock [Member] USD ($)	Series A Perpetual Stock [Member] Retained Earnings USD ($)	Series B Convertible Stock [Member] USD ($)	Series B Convertible Stock [Member] Preferred Stock USD ($)	Series B Convertible Stock [Member] Common Stock [Member]	Series B Convertible Stock [Member] Additional Paid-in Capital USD ($)	Series B Convertible Stock [Member] Retained Earnings USD ($)
Stockholders' Equity, Beg at Dec. 31, 2008	$ 42,767	$ 37,332	$ 237	$ 165,315	$ 145,810	$ (29,408)	$ (276,519)
Treasury Stock, Shares, Beg at Dec. 31, 2008							6,230,595
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding, Beg at Dec. 31, 2008			17,466,355
Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding, Beg at Dec. 31, 2008		35,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss)	31,409				31,409
Interest rate swap, net of tax	8,507					8,507
Temporary decline in available-for-sale securities	90					90
Comprehensive income (loss)	40,006
Repurchase of restricted shares			(50,927)
Repurchase of restricted shares	(605)			(605)
Net issuance of shares pursuant to stock plans			133,992
Net issuance of shares pursuant to stock plans	324		1	323
Reissuance of treasury stock, shares			15,029				(15,029)
Reissuance of treasury stock, value	0			(769)			769
Stock-based compensation	10,710			10,710
Tax benefit from stock options exercised	(3,767)			(3,767)
Dividends—Series A preferred stock	(19,531)								(19,531)
Accretion of Series B preferred stock	(2,291)									0	2,291			(2,291)
Stockholders' Equity, End at Dec. 31, 2009	69,904	39,623	238	171,207	155,397	(20,811)	(275,750)
Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding, End at Dec. 31, 2009		35,000
Treasury Stock, Shares, End at Dec. 31, 2009							6,215,566
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding, End at Dec. 31, 2009			17,564,449
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss)	(2,788)				(2,788)
Interest rate swap, net of tax	20,529					20,529
Temporary decline in available-for-sale securities	0
Comprehensive income (loss)	17,741
Repurchase of restricted shares			(50,543)
Repurchase of restricted shares	(1,884)			(1,884)
Net issuance of shares pursuant to stock plans			653,519
Net issuance of shares pursuant to stock plans	7,968		5	7,963
Reissuance of treasury stock, shares			15,658				(15,658)
Reissuance of treasury stock, value	0			(849)			849
Stock-based compensation	13,085			13,085
Tax benefit from stock options exercised	2,692			2,692
Dividends—Series A preferred stock	(25,927)								(25,927)
Accretion of Series B preferred stock	(2,432)									0	2,432			(2,432)
Stockholders' Equity, End at Dec. 31, 2010	83,579	42,055	243	192,214	124,250	(282)	(274,901)
Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding, End at Dec. 31, 2010		35,000
Treasury Stock, Shares, End at Dec. 31, 2010	6,199,908						6,199,908
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding, End at Dec. 31, 2010	18,183,083		18,183,083
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss)	75,192				75,192
Interest rate swap, net of tax	0
Foreign currency translation	(12)					(12)
Temporary decline in available-for-sale securities	0
Comprehensive income (loss)	75,180
Repurchase of restricted shares			(91,798)
Repurchase of restricted shares	(5,080)			(5,080)
Net issuance of shares pursuant to stock plans			366,055
Net issuance of shares pursuant to stock plans	2,427		4	2,423
Reissuance of treasury stock, shares			135,230				(135,230)
Reissuance of treasury stock, value	4,298			0			4,298
Stock-based compensation	9,492			9,492
Tax benefit from stock options exercised	6,494			6,494
Conversion of Series B preferred stock											(100)	1,737
Conversion of Series B preferred stock	0										(120)		120
Accretion of Series B preferred stock	(2,573)									0	2,573			(2,573)
Purchase of DineEquity common stock			(534,101)				534,101
Purchase of DineEquity common stock	(21,170)						(21,170)
Stockholders' Equity, End at Dec. 31, 2011	155,220	44,508	247	205,663	196,869	(294)	(291,773)
Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding, End at Dec. 31, 2011		34,900
Treasury Stock, Shares, End at Dec. 31, 2011	6,598,779						6,598,779
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding, End at Dec. 31, 2011	18,060,206		18,060,206
Stockholders' Equity, Beg at Sep. 30, 2011
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss)	28,620
Dividends—Series A preferred stock								(1,400)
Purchase of DineEquity common stock								190,000
Stockholders' Equity, End at Dec. 31, 2011	$ 155,220	$ 44,508
Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding, End at Dec. 31, 2011		34,900
Treasury Stock, Shares, End at Dec. 31, 2011	6,598,779
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding, End at Dec. 31, 2011	18,060,206