Basis of Presentation Basis of Presentation (Policies)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Basis Of Presentation Disclosure [Abstract]

Cash and Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Restricted Assets

Restricted Cash

The Company receives funds from Applebee's franchisees pursuant to franchise agreements, usage of which is restricted to advertising activities. Restricted cash balances as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 totaled $3.8 million and $1.2 million, respectively. The balances were included as other current assets in the consolidated balance sheets.

Other Restricted Assets

As of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, restricted assets related to a captive insurance subsidiary totaled $3.9 million and $3.6 million, respectively, and were included in other assets in the consolidated balance sheets. The captive insurance subsidiary, which has not underwritten coverage since January 2006, was formed to provide insurance coverage to Applebee's and its franchisees. These restricted assets were primarily investments, use of which is restricted to the payment of insurance claims that are in run-off.