Income Taxes Net deferred tax assets (liabilities) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010
Net deferred tax assets (liabilities) [Abstract]
Differences in capitalization and depreciation and amortization of reacquired franchises and equipment	$ 4,900,000		$ 4,900,000
Deferred Tax Assets, Acquisition Financing Costs	1,900,000		1,900,000
Employee compensation	14,200,000		17,100,000
Deferred gain on sale of assets	2,000,000		2,000,000
Book/tax difference in revenue recognition	18,100,000		16,600,000
Michigan business tax	0		9,500,000
Kansas High Performance Incentive Program credits	0		3,200,000
Other	35,900,000		37,600,000
Deferred tax assets	77,000,000		92,800,000
Valuation allowance	(2,900,000)		(9,600,000)
Total deferred tax assets after valuation allowance	74,100,000		83,200,000
Differences between financial and tax accounting in the recognition of franchise and equipment sales	(59,400,000)		(63,400,000)
Differences in capitalization and depreciation (1)	(322,200,000)	[1]	(325,600,000)	[1]
Differences in acquisition financing costs	(9,300,000)		(500,000)
Book/tax difference in revenue recognition	(19,800,000)		(22,600,000)
Differences between book and tax basis of property and equipment	(9,800,000)		(8,900,000)
Other	(16,800,000)		(13,600,000)
Deferred tax liabilities	(437,300,000)		(434,600,000)
Net deferred tax (liabilities)	(363,200,000)		(351,400,000)
Net deferred tax asset (liability) - current	21,000,000		27,000,000
Valuation Allowance - current	(400,000)		(2,700,000)
Net deferred tax asset (liability) - current	20,600,000		24,300,000
Net deferred tax asset (liability) - non current	(381,300,000)		(368,800,000)
Valuation allowane - non current	(2,500,000)		(6,900,000)
Net deferred tax asset (liability) - non current	$ (383,810,000)		$ (375,697,000)

[1] Primarily related to the Applebee's acquisition.