Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Income Taxes The effective tax rate was 38.2% for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 as compared to 33.2% for the nine months ended September 30, 2012. The effective tax rate in 2012 was lower primarily due to a discrete $6.3 million state benefit related to a reduction in state deferred taxes as a result of the refranchising of Applebee's company-operated restaurants and sale of related restaurant assets that was completed in 2012. Additionally, income tax credits, primarily FICA tip and other compensation-related tax credits, were higher in 2012 because Applebee’s had more company-operated restaurants during that year prior to completion of the refranchisings. The total gross unrecognized tax benefit as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 was $2.0 million and $6.7 million, respectively, excluding interest, penalties and related tax benefits. The decrease of $4.7 million is primarily related to recent settlements with taxing authorities. The Company estimates the unrecognized tax benefits may decrease over the upcoming 12 months by an amount up to $0.7 million related to settlements with taxing authorities and the lapse of statutes of limitations. 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, 2013, the accrued interest and penalties were $2.6 million and $0.1 million, respectively, excluding any related income tax benefits. As of December 31, 2012, accrued interest and penalties were $1.4 million and $0.2 million, respectively, excluding any related income tax benefits. The increase of $1.2 million of accrued interest is primarily related to an increase in unrecognized tax benefits as a result of recent audits by taxing authorities. The Company recognizes interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits and penalties as a component of the income tax provision recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income. The Company files federal income tax returns and the Company or one of its subsidiaries file 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. In the second quarter of 2013, the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) issued a Revenue Agent’s Report (“RAR”) related to its examination of the Company’s U.S federal income tax return for the tax years 2008 to 2010. The Company disagrees with a portion of the proposed assessments and has contested them through the IRS administrative appeals procedures. We anticipate the appeals process to continue into 2014. The Company continues to believe that adequate reserves have been provided relating to all matters contained in the tax periods open to examination.

Income Taxes

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

The effective tax rate was 38.2% for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 as compared to 33.2% for the nine months ended September 30, 2012. The effective tax rate in 2012 was lower primarily due to a discrete $6.3 million state benefit related to a reduction in state deferred taxes as a result of the refranchising of Applebee's company-operated restaurants and sale of related restaurant assets that was completed in 2012. Additionally, income tax credits, primarily FICA tip and other compensation-related tax credits, were higher in 2012 because Applebee’s had more company-operated restaurants during that year prior to completion of the refranchisings.

The total gross unrecognized tax benefit as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 was $2.0 million and $6.7 million, respectively, excluding interest, penalties and related tax benefits. The decrease of $4.7 million is primarily related to recent settlements with taxing authorities. The Company estimates the unrecognized tax benefits may decrease over the upcoming 12 months by an amount up to $0.7 million related to settlements with taxing authorities and the lapse of statutes of limitations. 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, 2013, the accrued interest and penalties were $2.6 million and $0.1 million, respectively, excluding any related income tax benefits. As of December 31, 2012, accrued interest and penalties were $1.4 million and $0.2 million, respectively, excluding any related income tax benefits. The increase of $1.2 million of accrued interest is primarily related to an increase in unrecognized tax benefits as a result of recent audits by taxing authorities. The Company recognizes interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits and penalties as a component of the income tax provision recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income.

The Company files federal income tax returns and the Company or one of its subsidiaries file 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. In the second quarter of 2013, the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) issued a Revenue Agent’s Report (“RAR”) related to its examination of the Company’s U.S federal income tax return for the tax years 2008 to 2010. The Company disagrees with a portion of the proposed assessments and has contested them through the IRS administrative appeals procedures. We anticipate the appeals process to continue into 2014. The Company continues to believe that adequate reserves have been provided relating to all matters contained in the tax periods open to examination.