Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2012
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Income Taxes The effective tax rate was 33.2% for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 as compared to 31.8% for the nine months ended September 30, 2011. In 2012, the effective tax rate was impacted by a discrete $6.3 million state benefit in the third quarter related to a reduction in state deferred taxes as a result of the refranchising and sale of Applebee's company-operated restaurants. In 2011, the effective tax rate was lower due to a $3.2 million reduction in income tax expense for the release of liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits related to gift card income deferral as a result of the issuance of guidance by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service. At September 30, 2012, the Company had a liability for unrecognized tax benefits, including potential interest and penalties net of related tax benefit, totaling $7.0 million, of which approximately $0.9 million is expected to be paid within one year. For the remaining liability, due to the uncertainties related to these tax matters, the Company is unable to make a reasonably reliable estimate when cash settlement with a taxing authority will occur. As of September 30, 2012, accrued interest and penalties were $1.9 million and $0.4 million, respectively, excluding any related income tax benefits. As of December 31, 2011, accrued interest and penalties were $3.0 million and $0.3 million, respectively, excluding any related income tax benefits. The decrease of $1.1 million of accrued interest is primarily related to the decrease of unrecognized tax benefits due to settlements with taxing authorities, partially offset by the accrual of interest during the nine months ended September 30, 2012. The Company recognizes interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits and penalties as a component of income tax expense, which is recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Income. The Company and its subsidiaries file federal income tax returns as well as income tax returns in various state and foreign jurisdictions. With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to federal, state or non-United States tax examinations by tax authorities for years before 2008. The Internal Revenue Service commenced examination of the Company's U.S. federal income tax return for the tax years 2008 to 2010 in the first quarter of 2012. The examination is anticipated to be completed by the first quarter of 2013.

Income Taxes

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

The effective tax rate was 33.2% for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 as compared to 31.8% for the nine months ended September 30, 2011. In 2012, the effective tax rate was impacted by a discrete $6.3 million state benefit in the third quarter related to a reduction in state deferred taxes as a result of the refranchising and sale of Applebee's company-operated restaurants. In 2011, the effective tax rate was lower due to a $3.2 million reduction in income tax expense for the release of liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits related to gift card income deferral as a result of the issuance of guidance by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service.

At September 30, 2012, the Company had a liability for unrecognized tax benefits, including potential interest and penalties net of related tax benefit, totaling $7.0 million, of which approximately $0.9 million is expected to be paid within one year. For the remaining liability, due to the uncertainties related to these tax matters, the Company is unable to make a reasonably reliable estimate when cash settlement with a taxing authority will occur.

As of September 30, 2012, accrued interest and penalties were $1.9 million and $0.4 million, respectively, excluding any related income tax benefits. As of December 31, 2011, accrued interest and penalties were $3.0 million and $0.3 million, respectively, excluding any related income tax benefits. The decrease of $1.1 million of accrued interest is primarily related to the decrease of unrecognized tax benefits due to settlements with taxing authorities, partially offset by the accrual of interest during the nine months ended September 30, 2012. The Company recognizes interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits and penalties as a component of income tax expense, which is recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

The Company and its subsidiaries file federal income tax returns as well as income tax returns in various state and foreign jurisdictions. With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to federal, state or non-United States tax examinations by tax authorities for years before 2008. The Internal Revenue Service commenced examination of the Company's U.S. federal income tax return for the tax years 2008 to 2010 in the first quarter of 2012. The examination is anticipated to be completed by the first quarter of 2013.