Basis of Presentation	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012
Basis Of Presentation Disclosure [Abstract]
Basis of Accounting [Text Block]	Basis of Presentation The Company’s fiscal quarters end on the Sunday closest to the last day of each quarter. For convenience, the fiscal quarters are reported as ending on March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31. The first fiscal quarters of 2012 and 2011 ended April 1, 2012 and April 3, 2011, respectively. The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries that are consolidated in accordance with U.S. GAAP. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires the Company’s management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. On an ongoing basis, the Company evaluates its estimates, including those related to provisions for doubtful accounts, legal contingencies, income taxes, long-lived assets, goodwill and intangible assets. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results could differ from those estimates. 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.

Basis of Presentation

The Company’s fiscal quarters end on the Sunday closest to the last day of each quarter. For convenience, the fiscal quarters are reported as ending on March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31. The first fiscal quarters of 2012 and 2011 ended April 1, 2012 and April 3, 2011, respectively.

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries that are consolidated in accordance with U.S. GAAP. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires the Company’s management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. On an ongoing basis, the Company evaluates its estimates, including those related to provisions for doubtful accounts, legal contingencies, income taxes, long-lived assets, goodwill and intangible assets. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

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.