Segments Segment Reporting (Narrative) (Details)	Mar. 31, 2012 Territories Countries
Applebee's [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of Territories in which Entity Operates	1
Number of Countries in which Entity Operates	15
IHOP [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of Territories in which Entity Operates	2
Number of Countries in which Entity Operates	3
Franchised Units [Member] | Applebee's [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of Restaurants	1,861
Franchised Units [Member] | IHOP [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of Restaurants	1,542
Entity Operated Units [Member] | Applebee's [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of Restaurants	160
Entity Operated Units [Member] | IHOP [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of Restaurants	12