Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Total	Preferred Stock	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	Treasury Stock
Stockholders' Equity, Beg at Dec. 31, 2011	$ 155,220	$ 44,508	$ 247	$ 205,663	$ 196,869	$ (294)	$ (291,773)
Treasury Stock, Shares, Beg at Dec. 31, 2011							6,598,779
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding, Beg at Dec. 31, 2011			18,060,206
Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding, Beg at Dec. 31, 2011		34,900
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	127,674				127,674
Other comprehensive income	142					142
Reissuance of treasury stock, shares			433,732				433,732
Reissuance of treasury stock	7,453			(6,636)			14,089
Net issuance of shares pursuant to stock plans, shares			59,622
Net issuance of shares pursuant to stock plans	1,800			1,800
Repurchase of restricted shares, shares			(34,829)
Repurchase of restricted shares	(1,740)			(1,740)
Stock-based compensation	11,442			11,442
Tax benefit from stock-based compensation	6,814			6,814
Conversion of Series B preferred stock, shares		(34,900)	679,168
Conversion of Series B preferred stock	0	(47,006)	7	46,999
Accretion of Series B preferred stock	0	2,498			(2,498)
Stockholders' Equity, End at Dec. 31, 2012	308,805	0	254	264,342	322,045	(152)	(277,684)
Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding, End at Dec. 31, 2012		0
Treasury Stock, Shares, End at Dec. 31, 2012							6,165,047
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding, End at Dec. 31, 2012			19,197,899
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	72,037				72,037
Other comprehensive income	(12)					(12)
Reissuance of treasury stock, shares			318,644				318,644
Reissuance of treasury stock	9,080			(2,612)			11,692
Net issuance of shares pursuant to stock plans, shares			(17,659)
Net issuance of shares pursuant to stock plans	(1)		(1)	0
Repurchase of restricted shares, shares			(45,972)
Repurchase of restricted shares	(3,324)			(3,324)
Stock-based compensation	9,364			9,364
Tax benefit from stock-based compensation	3,690			3,690
Purchase of DineEquity common stock, shares	(412,022)		(412,022)				(412,022)
Purchase of DineEquity common stock	(29,698)						(29,698)
Dividends on common stock	(57,365)			139	(57,504)
Conversion of liability award to equity award	2,603			2,603
Stockholders' Equity, End at Dec. 31, 2013	315,179	0	253	274,202	336,578	(164)	(295,690)
Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding, End at Dec. 31, 2013		0
Treasury Stock, Shares, End at Dec. 31, 2013	6,258,425						6,258,425
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding, End at Dec. 31, 2013	19,040,890		19,040,890
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	36,453				36,453
Other comprehensive income	91					91
Reissuance of treasury stock, shares			359,528				359,528
Reissuance of treasury stock	8,207			(4,793)			13,000
Net issuance of shares pursuant to stock plans, shares			(20,767)
Net issuance of shares pursuant to stock plans	0		(1)	1
Repurchase of restricted shares, shares			(38,493)
Repurchase of restricted shares	(3,194)			(3,194)
Stock-based compensation	9,319			9,319
Tax benefit from stock-based compensation	4,316			4,316
Purchase of DineEquity common stock, shares			(387,591)				(387,591)
Purchase of DineEquity common stock	(32,006)						(32,006)
Dividends on common stock	(59,292)			95	(59,387)
Stockholders' Equity, End at Dec. 31, 2014	$ 279,073	$ 0	$ 252	$ 279,946	$ 313,644	$ (73)	$ (314,696)
Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding, End at Dec. 31, 2014		0
Treasury Stock, Shares, End at Dec. 31, 2014	6,286,488						6,286,488
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding, End at Dec. 31, 2014	18,953,567		18,953,567