Segment Reporting (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2010	Mar. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Franchise Revenue										$ 377,137,000	$ 372,999,000
Food and Beverage Revenue										815,572,000	890,020,000
Rental income										124,508,000	133,845,000
Financial Services Revenue										16,424,000	17,899,000
Revenues	242,179,000	264,481,000	268,338,000	300,200,000	299,926,000	335,515,000	340,136,000	358,064,000	1,075,198,000	1,333,641,000	1,414,763,000
Income (loss) before income taxes									104,998,000	(12,080,000)	36,584,000
Interest expense									132,707,000	171,537,000	186,258,000
Interest Expense									151,200,000	191,200,000	207,300,000
Depreciation and amortization									50,220,000	61,427,000	65,379,000
Impairment and closure charges									29,865,000	4,285,000	105,622,000
Capital Expenditures									26,300,000	18,700,000	15,400,000
Goodwill (all franchise segment)	697,470,000				697,470,000				697,470,000	697,470,000	697,500,000
Total assets	2,614,294,000				2,856,641,000				2,614,294,000	2,856,641,000	3,100,900,000
Franchise Operations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Franchise Revenue									398,539,000	377,137,000	373,000,000
Income (loss) before income taxes									293,500,000	273,600,000	270,000,000
Depreciation and amortization									9,900,000	10,000,000	10,000,000
Impairment and closure charges									0	0	74,700,000
Capital Expenditures									0	0	400,000
Total assets	1,472,300,000				1,472,200,000				1,472,300,000	1,472,200,000	1,478,700,000
Company Restaurants [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Food and Beverage Revenue									530,984,000	815,572,000	890,000,000
Income (loss) before income taxes									72,600,000	116,200,000	123,500,000
Interest expense									500,000	800,000	900,000
Depreciation and amortization									16,600,000	27,100,000	30,100,000
Impairment and closure charges									2,400,000	4,300,000	30,900,000
Capital Expenditures									15,500,000	9,500,000	5,800,000
Total assets	423,100,000				513,700,000				423,100,000	513,700,000	647,500,000
Rental Operations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental income									125,960,000	124,508,000	133,900,000
Income (loss) before income taxes									27,800,000	25,500,000	36,600,000
Interest expense									18,000,000	18,900,000	20,100,000
Depreciation and amortization									14,000,000	13,900,000	14,500,000
Total assets	407,900,000				425,800,000				407,900,000	425,800,000	433,000,000
Financing Operations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Financial Services Revenue									19,715,000	16,424,000	17,900,000
Income (loss) before income taxes									13,700,000	14,500,000	17,500,000
Total assets	136,400,000				146,800,000				136,400,000	146,800,000	182,100,000
Corproate [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Income (loss) before income taxes									(302,600,000)	(441,900,000)	(411,000,000)
Interest expense									132,700,000	171,500,000	186,300,000
Depreciation and amortization									9,700,000	10,400,000	10,800,000
Impairment and closure charges									27,500,000	0	0
Capital Expenditures									10,800,000	9,200,000	9,200,000
Total assets	$ 174,600,000				$ 298,100,000				$ 174,600,000	$ 298,100,000	$ 359,600,000