Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income (loss)	$ 75,192	$ (2,788)	$ 31,409
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss)to cash flows provided by operating activities
Depreciation and amortization	50,220	61,427	65,379
Non-cash interest expense	6,160	34,379	39,422
Loss (gain) on extinguishment of debt and temporary equity	11,159	107,003	(45,678)
Impairment and closure charges	8,448	3,482	105,094
Deferred income taxes	11,835	(15,484)	(19,875)
Non-cash stock-based compensation expense	9,492	13,085	10,710
Tax benefit from stock-based compensation	6,494	2,692	531
Excess tax benefit from stock options exercised	(5,443)	(4,775)	(48)
Gain on disposition of assets	(43,253)	(13,574)	(7,355)
Other	(1,765)	5,431	(5,408)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities
Receivables	(16,722)	3,736	11,607
Inventories	(3,723)	(263)	(1,474)
Prepaid expenses	(1,631)	(9,148)	(15,947)
Current income tax receivables and payables	20,479	(27,703)	5,001
Accounts payable	(3,533)	27	(14,867)
Accrued employee compensation and benefits	(6,656)	(5,000)	(8,119)
Gift card liability	21,983	19,507	7,180
Other accrued expenses	(17,050)	7,248	286
Cash flows provided by operating activities	121,686	179,282	157,848
Cash flows from investing activities
Additions to property and equipment	(26,332)	(18,677)	(15,372)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment and assets held for sale	115,642	51,642	15,777
Principal receipts from notes, equipment contracts and other long-term receivables	13,122	19,452	17,553
Other	(753)	1,087	877
Cash flows provided by investing activities	101,679	53,504	18,835
Cash flows from financing activities
Borrowings under revolving credit facilities	40,000	0	10,000
Repayments under revolving credit facilities	(40,000)	0	0
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	0	1,725,000	0
Repayment of long-term debt (including tender premiums)	(225,681)	(1,777,946)	(173,777)
Purchase of DineEquity common stock	(21,170)	0	0
Redemption of Series A Preferred Stock	0	(190,000)	0
Payment of debt issuance costs	(12,295)	(57,602)	(20,300)
Principal payments on capital lease and financing obligations	(13,391)	(16,118)	(16,160)
Dividends paid (including Series A redemption premiums)	0	(26,117)	(24,091)
Repurchase of restricted stock	(5,080)	(1,884)	(605)
Proceeds from stock options exercised	6,725	7,968	324
Excess tax benefit from stock options exercised	5,443	4,775	48
Change in restricted cash	466	119,133	15,878
Other	0	0	(129)
Cash flows used in financing activities	(264,983)	(212,791)	(208,812)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	(41,618)	19,995	(32,129)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	102,309	82,314	114,443
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	60,691	102,309	82,314
Supplemental disclosures
Interest paid	148,982	141,139	166,361
Income taxes paid	$ 24,139	$ 33,389	$ 31,245