Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Number of weeks in fiscal year	364 days	364 days	364 days
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 106,011,000	$ 64,537,000	$ 60,691,000	$ 102,309,000
Restricted cash included in other current assets	700,000	1,900,000
Other restricted assets	1,900,000	2,000,000
Advertising expense	2,900,000	13,100,000	23,300,000
Goodwill and Intangible Asset Impairment	0	0	0
Building improvements | Minimum
Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Useful life of property and equipment (in years)	25 years
Building improvements | Maximum
Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Useful life of property and equipment (in years)	40 years
Leaseholds and improvements | Minimum
Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Useful life of property and equipment (in years)	3 years
Leaseholds and improvements | Maximum
Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Useful life of property and equipment (in years)	40 years
Equipment and fixtures | Minimum
Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Useful life of property and equipment (in years)	2 years
Equipment and fixtures | Maximum
Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Useful life of property and equipment (in years)	10 years
Applebee's
Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Property Subject to or Available for Operating Lease, Number of Units	1
Gift card breakage revenue	200,000	1,300,000	2,100,000
Number of restaurants	2,011
Number of territories in which entity operates	1
Number of countries in which entity operates	15
Applebee's | Minimum
Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Lessor Leasing Arrangements, Operating Leases, Term of Contract	10 years
Lessor Leasing Arrangements, Operating Leases, Renewal Term	5 years
Applebee's | Maximum
Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Lessor Leasing Arrangements, Operating Leases, Term of Contract	20 years
Lessor Leasing Arrangements, Operating Leases, Renewal Term	20 years
IHOP
Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Property Subject to or Available for Operating Lease, Number of Units	723
Lessor Leasing Arrangements, Operating Leases, Renewal Term	5 years
Advertising expense included in franchise revenue and expense	79,500,000	76,400,000	75,500,000
Number of restaurants	1,620
Number of territories in which entity operates	2
Number of countries in which entity operates	8
IHOP | Minimum
Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Lessor Leasing Arrangements, Operating Leases, Term of Contract	15 years
IHOP | Maximum
Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Lessor Leasing Arrangements, Operating Leases, Term of Contract	25 years
Franchised | Applebee's
Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Number of restaurants	1,988
Franchised | IHOP
Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Number of restaurants	1,439
Company Operated | Applebee's
Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Number of restaurants	23
Company Operated | IHOP
Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Number of restaurants	13
Number of restaurants reacquired and operated by the company until refranchised	3
Company Operated Excluding Restaurants Reacquired to be Refranchised | IHOP
Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Number of restaurants	10
Franchised Units or Licensing Agreements | IHOP
Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Number of restaurants	1,607
Other Assets
Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Deferred Rent Receivables, Net	91,400,000	89,700,000
Other Liabilities
Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Deferred Rent Credit	76,800,000	76,600,000
Prepaid Advertising and Gift Cards
Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 53,200,000	$ 41,700,000