Document

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the Quarterly Period Ended September 27, 2017

Commission File Number 0-18051

DENNY’S CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)



Delaware		13-3487402
(State or other jurisdiction of		(I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization		Identification No.)

203 East Main Street

Spartanburg, South Carolina 29319-0001

(Address of principal executive offices)

(Zip Code)

(864) 597-8000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes þ No ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

Yes þ No ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.



Large accelerated filer	þ	Accelerated filer	¨	Non-accelerated filer	¨	Smaller reporting company	¨	Emerging growth company	¨
				(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes ¨ No þ

As of October 27, 2017, 65,282,790 shares of the registrant’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share, were outstanding.

TABLE OF CONTENTS



	Page
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)	3
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited)	4
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)	5
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Shareholders' Deficit (Unaudited)	6
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)	7
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)	8
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	19
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	28
Item 4. Controls and Procedures	28

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings	28
Item 1A. Risk Factors	28
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	29
Item 6. Exhibits	30
Signatures	31

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

Denny’s Corporation and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(Unaudited)



	September 27, 2017			December 28, 2016
	(In thousands)
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	1,663		$	2,592
Receivables	17,423			19,841
Inventories	2,998			3,046
Assets held for sale	—			1,020
Prepaid and other current assets	8,573			9,408
Total current assets	30,657			35,907
Property, net of accumulated depreciation of $243,107 and $255,185, respectively	138,049			133,102
Goodwill	37,821			35,233
Intangible assets, net	56,075			54,493
Deferred financing costs, net	1,491			1,936
Deferred income taxes	17,966			17,683
Other noncurrent assets	27,167			27,797
Total assets	$	309,226		$	306,151

Liabilities
Current liabilities:
Current maturities of capital lease obligations	$	3,289		$	3,285
Accounts payable	19,002			25,289
Other current liabilities	53,748			64,796
Total current liabilities	76,039			93,370
Long-term liabilities:
Long-term debt, less current maturities	261,800			218,500
Capital lease obligations, less current maturities	26,296			23,806
Liability for insurance claims, less current portion	13,584			14,853
Other noncurrent liabilities	29,104			26,734
Total long-term liabilities	330,784			283,893
Total liabilities	406,823			377,263

Commitments and contingencies

Shareholders' equity (deficit)
Common stock $0.01 par value; shares authorized - 135,000; September 27, 2017: 107,554 shares issued and 65,685 shares outstanding; December 28, 2016: 107,115 shares issued and 71,358 shares outstanding	$	1,076		$	1,071
Paid-in capital	591,773			577,951
Deficit	(347,976		)	(382,843		)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax	(3,323		)	(1,407		)
Shareholders’ equity before treasury stock	241,550			194,772
Treasury stock, at cost, 41,869 and 35,757 shares, respectively	(339,147		)	(265,884		)
Total shareholders' deficit	(97,597		)	(71,112		)
Total liabilities and shareholders' deficit	$	309,226		$	306,151

See accompanying notes

Denny’s Corporation and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income

(Unaudited)



	Quarter Ended						Three Quarters Ended
	September 27, 2017			September 28, 2016			September 27, 2017			September 28, 2016
	(In thousands, except per share amounts)
Revenue:
Company restaurant sales	$	97,915		$	93,122		$	290,049		$	272,718
Franchise and license revenue	34,469			35,264			103,621			104,625
Total operating revenue	132,384			128,386			393,670			377,343
Costs of company restaurant sales:
Product costs	24,896			22,819			72,798			67,253
Payroll and benefits	37,332			35,999			113,221			104,548
Occupancy	5,054			4,928			15,291			14,721
Other operating expenses	14,040			13,372			39,544			37,544
Total costs of company restaurant sales	81,322			77,118			240,854			224,066
Costs of franchise and license revenue	9,493			10,275			29,483			31,037
General and administrative expenses	16,446			17,558			50,536			50,691
Depreciation and amortization	5,958			5,609			17,493			16,207
Operating (gains), losses and other charges, net	630			249			3,459			24,365
Total operating costs and expenses, net	113,849			110,809			341,825			346,366
Operating income	18,535			17,577			51,845			30,977
Interest expense, net	4,067			3,117			11,348			8,905
Other nonoperating income, net	(286		)	(543		)	(1,053		)	(635		)
Net income before income taxes	14,754			15,003			41,550			22,707
Provision for income taxes	5,429			5,277			15,103			14,579
Net income	$	9,325		$	9,726		$	26,447		$	8,128

Basic net income per share	$	0.14		$	0.13		$	0.38		$	0.11
Diluted net income per share	$	0.13		$	0.13		$	0.37		$	0.10

Basic weighted average shares outstanding	66,873			74,851			69,095			76,214
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding	69,210			76,791			71,377			78,052

See accompanying notes

Denny’s Corporation and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

(Unaudited)



	Quarter Ended				Three Quarters Ended
	September 27, 2017		September 28, 2016		September 27, 2017			September 28, 2016
	(In thousands)
Net income	$	9,325	$	9,726	$	26,447		$	8,128
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Minimum pension liability adjustment, net of tax of $9, $8, $27 and $2,168	14		13		42			21,851
Recognition of unrealized gain (loss) on hedge transactions, net of tax of $133, $20, $(1,249) and $(5,034)	209		32		(1,958		)	(7,882		)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	223		45		(1,916		)	13,969
Total comprehensive income	$	9,548	$	9,771	$	24,531		$	22,097

See accompanying notes

Denny’s Corporation and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Shareholders’ Deficit

(Unaudited)



	Common Stock			Treasury Stock					Paid-in Capital			Deficit			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Net			Total Shareholders’ Deficit
	Shares	Amount		Shares		Amount			Paid-in Capital			Deficit			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Net			Total Shareholders’ Deficit
	(In thousands)
Balance, December 28, 2016	107,115	$	1,071	(35,757	)	$	(265,884	)	$	577,951		$	(382,843	)	$	(1,407	)	$	(71,112	)
Cumulative effect adjustment	—	—		—		—			551			8,420			—			8,971
Net income	—	—		—		—			—			26,447			—			26,447
Other comprehensive loss	—	—		—		—			—			—			(1,916		)	(1,916		)
Share-based compensation on equity classified awards	—	—		—		—			6,219			—			—			6,219
Purchase of treasury stock	—	—		(5,558	)	(66,379		)	—			—			—			(66,379		)
Equity forward contract settlement	—	—		(554	)	(6,884		)	6,884			—			—			—
Issuance of common stock for share-based compensation	398	4		—		—			(4		)	—			—			—
Exercise of common stock options	41	1		—		—			172			—			—			173
Balance, September 27, 2017	107,554	$	1,076	(41,869	)	$	(339,147	)	$	591,773		$	(347,976	)	$	(3,323	)	$	(97,597	)

See accompanying notes

Denny’s Corporation and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)



	Three Quarters Ended
	September 27, 2017			September 28, 2016
	(In thousands)
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$	26,447		$	8,128
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash flows provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	17,493			16,207
Operating (gains), losses and other charges, net	3,459			24,365
Amortization of deferred financing costs	446			445
(Gain) loss on early extinguishments of debt and leases	68			(3		)
Deferred income tax expense	9,936			8,942
Share-based compensation	6,546			5,625
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Decrease (increase) in assets:
Receivables	3,279			2,582
Inventories	(55		)	108
Other current assets	834			6,662
Other assets	(5,068		)	(1,800		)
Increase (decrease) in liabilities:
Accounts payable	(5,121		)	(83		)
Accrued salaries and vacations	(9,094		)	(11,006		)
Accrued taxes	1,474			1,647
Other accrued liabilities	(4,834		)	(16,627		)
Other noncurrent liabilities	(2,285		)	(2,060		)
Net cash flows provided by operating activities	43,525			43,132
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(13,558		)	(14,615		)
Acquisition of restaurants and real estate	(10,043		)	(12,956		)
Proceeds from disposition of property	2,318			1,921
Collections on notes receivable	3,773			1,151
Issuance of notes receivable	(2,278		)	(1,394		)
Net cash flows used in investing activities	(19,788		)	(25,893		)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Revolver borrowings	105,900			38,000
Revolver payments	(62,600		)	(30,000		)
Long-term debt payments	(2,467		)	(2,378		)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	173			492
Purchase of treasury stock	(65,951		)	(19,137		)
Net bank overdrafts	279			(4,361		)
Net cash flows used in financing activities	(24,666		)	(17,384		)
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(929		)	(145		)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	2,592			1,671
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	1,663		$	1,526

See accompanying notes

Denny’s Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

Note 1. Introduction and Basis of Presentation

Denny’s Corporation, or Denny’s or the Company, is one of America’s largest full-service restaurant chains based on number of restaurants. At September 27, 2017, the Denny's brand consisted of 1,725 restaurants, 1,551 of which were franchised/licensed restaurants and 174 of which were company operated.

Our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Therefore, certain information and notes normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") have been condensed or omitted. In our opinion, all adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation of the interim periods presented have been included. Such adjustments are of a normal and recurring nature. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions; however, we believe that our estimates, including those for the above-described items, are reasonable.

These interim condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended December 28, 2016 and the related Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, both of which are contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2016. The results of operations for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results for the entire fiscal year ending December 27, 2017.

Note 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Newly Adopted Accounting Standards

Effective December 29, 2016, we adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-09, “Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting”. The new guidance simplifies several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the recognition of excess tax benefits and deficiencies, the classification of those excess tax benefits on the statement of cash flows, an accounting policy election for forfeitures, the amount an employer can withhold to cover income taxes and still qualify for equity classification and the classification of those taxes paid on the statement of cash flows.

As required by the guidance, excess tax benefits recognized on share-based compensation expense are reflected on a prospective basis in our condensed consolidated statements of income as a component of the provision for income taxes rather than paid-in capital. The cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings from previously unrecognized excess tax benefits resulted in an $8.8 million increase in deferred tax assets and a decrease to opening deficit.

In addition, we have elected to account for forfeitures as they occur. The cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings from previously estimated forfeitures resulted in a $0.4 million increase to opening deficit, a $0.2 million increase in deferred tax assets and a $0.6 million increase to additional paid-in capital. As allowed by the update, on a retrospective basis, cash flows related to excess tax benefits recognized on stock-based compensation expense are classified as operating activities in the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows. There was no material impact on the prior periods retrospectively adjusted. Cash paid on employees’ behalf related to shares withheld for tax purposes continues to be classified as financing activites.

In January 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU 2017-04, “Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment”. The new guidance simplifies the subsequent measurement of goodwill by eliminating the second step of the two-step impairment test. Impairment is measured based on the excess of a reporting unit's carrying amount over its fair value. A qualitative assessment may still be completed first for an entity to determine if a quantitative impairment test is necessary. We early adopted ASU 2017-04 as of March 29, 2017 on a prospective basis. The adoption of this guidance did not have any impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Accounting Standards to be Adopted

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)”. The new guidance clarifies the principles used to recognize revenue for all entities and requires companies to recognize revenue when it transfers goods or service to a customer in an amount that reflects the consideration to which a company expects to be entitled. The FASB has subsequently amended this guidance by issuing additional ASUs that provide clarification and further guidance around areas identified as potential implementation issues, including principal versus agent considerations, licensing and identifying performance obligations, assessing collectability, presentation of sales taxes received from customers, noncash consideration, contract modification and clarification of using the full retrospective approach upon adoption. All of the standards are effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017 (our fiscal 2018). The guidance allows for either a retrospective or cumulative effect transition method with early application permitted.

The guidance is not expected to impact the recognition of company restaurant sales or royalties from franchised restaurants. Upon adoption, initial franchise fees, which are currently recognized upon the opening of a franchise restaurant, are expected to be deferred and recognized over the term of the underlying franchise agreement. The effect of the required deferral of initial franchise fees received in a given year will be mitigated by the recognition of revenue from fees retrospectively deferred from prior years. During the year ended December 28, 2016, we recognized revenue related to initial franchise fees of $2.7 million.

The new guidance will also impact our advertising arrangements with franchisees. Currently we record advertising expense net of contributions from franchisees to our advertising programs, including local co-operatives. Under the new guidance, we would include franchisee contributions to and expenditures from our advertising programs on a gross basis within the consolidated statements of income. While this change will materially impact the gross amount of reported franchise and license revenue and costs of franchise and license revenue, the impact would be an offsetting increase to both revenue and expense such that there will not be a significant, if any, impact on operating income and net income. During the year ended December 28, 2016, contributions from franchisees to our advertising programs, including local co-operatives, were $76.5 million.

Gift card breakage will also be impacted by the new guidance. Currently we record breakage income as a benefit to our advertising fund or reduction to other operating expenses, depending on where the gift cards were sold, and breakage is recognized when the likelihood of redemption is remote. Upon adoption, gift card breakage income will be presented within revenue and breakage will be recognized proportionately as redemptions occur. During the year ended December 28, 2016, we recognized breakage of $0.3 million.

We are currently evaluating the impact this guidance will have on our consolidated financial statements related to other transactions with our franchisees and the effect it will have on our disclosures. We preliminarily expect to use the modified retrospective method of adoption. However, the adoption method is subject to change as we continue to evaluate the impact of the standard.

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, “Financial Instruments—Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities”. The new guidance requires equity investments (except those accounted for under the equity method of accounting, or those that result in consolidation of the investee) to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income, requires public business entities to use the exit price notion when measuring the fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes, requires separate presentation of financial assets and financial liabilities by measurement category and form of financial asset, and eliminates the requirement for public business entities to disclose the method(s) and significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value that is required to be disclosed for financial instruments measured at amortized cost. ASU 2016-01 is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017 (our fiscal 2018) with early adoption permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact the adoption of this guidance will have on our consolidated financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842)”, which provides guidance for accounting for leases. The new guidance requires companies to recognize the assets and liabilities for the rights and obligations created by leased assets. The accounting guidance for lessors is largely unchanged. ASU 2016-02 is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2018 (our fiscal 2019) with early adoption permitted. The guidance will be adopted using a modified retrospective approach. Based on a preliminary assessment, we expect the adoption will result in a significant increase in the assets and liabilities on our consolidated balance sheets, as most of our operating lease commitments will be recognized as operating lease liabilities and right-of-use assets. We are continuing our evaluation, which may identify additional impacts this standard will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, “Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments”. The new guidance replaces the incurred loss impairment methodology in current GAAP with a methodology that reflects expected credit losses and requires consideration of a broader range of reasonable and supportable information to inform financial statement users of credit loss estimates. ASU 2016-13 is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2019 (our fiscal 2020) with early adoption permitted for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2018 (our fiscal 2019). We do not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, “Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments (a consensus of the Emerging Issues Task Force)”. The new guidance addresses eight specific cash flow issues with the objective of reducing the existing diversity in practice. ASU 2016-15 is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017 (our fiscal 2018) with early adoption permitted. The guidance is to be applied using a retrospective transition method to each period presented. We do not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-01, “Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business”. The new guidance clarifies the definition of a business. ASU 2017-01 is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017 (our fiscal 2018) with early adoption permitted. The guidance is to be applied prospectively. We do not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-07, “Compensation—Retirement Benefits (Topic 715): Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost”. The new guidance requires an entity to report the service cost component in the same line on the income statement as other compensation costs arising from services rendered by the pertinent employees during the period. The other components of net benefit cost are required to be presented in the income statement separately from the service cost component and outside the subtotal of income from operations, if one is presented. If a separate line item is not used, the line item used in the income statement must be disclosed. ASU 2017-07 is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017 (our fiscal 2018) with early adoption permitted. The guidance is to be applied prospectively. We do not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-09, “Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope of Modification Accounting”. The new update provides guidance about which changes to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award require an entity to apply modification accounting. ASU 2017-09 is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017 (our fiscal 2018) with early adoption permitted. The guidance is to be applied prospectively. We do not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-12, "Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities". The new update better aligns an entity’s risk management activities and financial reporting for hedging relationships, simplifies the hedge accounting requirements, and improves the disclosures of hedging arrangements. ASU 2017-12 is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2018 (our fiscal 2019) with early adoption permitted. The amended presentation and disclosure guidance is to be applied on a prospective basis. Adjustments to the measurement of ineffectiveness should be recorded through a cumulative effect adjustment as of the beginning of the adoption period. We do not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

We reviewed all other newly issued accounting pronouncements and concluded that they are either not applicable to our business or are not expected to have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements as a result of future adoption.

Note 3. Receivables

Receivables were comprised of the following:



	September 27, 2017			December 28, 2016
	(In thousands)
Current assets:
Receivables:
Trade accounts receivable from franchisees	$	11,471		$	10,513
Financing receivables from franchisees	2,228			2,804
Vendor receivables	1,844			3,865
Credit card receivables	1,505			1,678
Other	656			1,261
Allowance for doubtful accounts	(281		)	(280		)
Total current receivables, net	$	17,423		$	19,841

Noncurrent assets (included as a component of other noncurrent assets):
Financing receivables from franchisees	$	479		$	732

During the three quarters ended September 27, 2017, we wrote-off $0.2 million of financing receivables from a franchisee. Also, during the three quarters ended September 27, 2017, we recorded $0.4 million of insurance receivables related to hurricane damages incurred during the period, which are included as a component of other receivables in the above table.

Note 4. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

The following table reflects the changes in carrying amounts of goodwill.



	(In thousands)
Balance, December 28, 2016	$	35,233
Additions related to acquisition	2,573
Adjustments related to the sale of restaurants	15
Balance, September 27, 2017	$	37,821

Other intangible assets were comprised of the following:



	September 27, 2017				December 28, 2016
	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization
	(In thousands)
Intangible assets with indefinite lives:
Trade names	$	44,076	$	—	$	44,076	$	—
Liquor licenses	166		—		166		—
Intangible assets with definite lives:
Franchise and license agreements	—		—		190		186
Reacquired franchise rights	14,363		2,530		11,498		1,251
Intangible assets	$	58,605	$	2,530	$	55,930	$	1,437

During the three quarters ended September 27, 2017, we acquired seven franchised restaurants and one former franchised restaurant, which was being remodeled and subsequently opened in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017, for $6.5 million, of which $2.9 million was allocated to reacquired franchise rights, $1.0 million to property and $2.6 million to goodwill. In addition, we recorded $1.9 million of capital leases in connection with the acquired franchised restaurants. We account for the acquisition of franchised restaurants using the acquisition method of accounting for business combinations. The purchase price allocations were based on Level 3 fair value estimates.

Note 5. Other Current Liabilities

Other current liabilities consisted of the following:



	September 27, 2017		December 28, 2016
	(In thousands)
Accrued payroll	$	18,321	$	27,056
Accrued insurance, primarily current portion of liability for insurance claims	6,481		6,651
Accrued taxes	8,880		7,407
Accrued advertising	6,066		8,051
Gift cards	4,537		5,474
Other	9,463		10,157
Other current liabilities	$	53,748	$	64,796

Note 6. Operating (Gains), Losses and Other Charges, Net

Operating (gains), losses and other charges, net are comprised of the following:



	Quarter Ended						Three Quarters Ended
	September 27, 2017			September 28, 2016			September 27, 2017			September 28, 2016
	(In thousands)
Pension settlement loss	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	24,297
Software implementation costs	1,001			—			4,669			—
Gains on sales of assets and other, net	(411		)	(77		)	(1,646		)	(764		)
Restructuring charges and exit costs	40			326			436			832
Operating (gains), losses and other charges, net	$	630		$	249		$	3,459		$	24,365

Software implementation costs of $4.7 million for the three quarters ended September 27, 2017 were the result of our investment in a new cloud-based Enterprise Resource Planning system. Gains on sales of assets and other, net of $1.6 million for the three quarters ended September 27, 2017 primarily related to real estate sold to franchisees. The pre-tax pension settlement loss of $24.3 million related to the completion of the liquidation of the Advantica Pension Plan during the three quarters ended September 28, 2016. Gains on sales of assets and other, net of $0.8 million for the three quarters ended September 28, 2016 primarily related to restaurants sold to franchisees.

Restructuring charges and exit costs were comprised of the following:



	Quarter Ended				Three Quarters Ended
	September 27, 2017		September 28, 2016		September 27, 2017		September 28, 2016
	(In thousands)
Exit costs	$	40	$	154	$	366	$	269
Severance and other restructuring charges	—		172		70		563
Total restructuring charges and exit costs	$	40	$	326	$	436	$	832

The components of the change in accrued exit cost liabilities are as follows:



	(In thousands)
Balance, December 28, 2016	$	1,896
Exit costs ⁽¹⁾	366
Payments, net of sublease receipts	(1,067		)
Interest accretion	69
Balance, September 27, 2017	1,264
Less current portion included in other current liabilities	309
Long-term portion included in other noncurrent liabilities	$	955


(1)	Included as a component of operating (gains), losses and other charges, net.

As of September 27, 2017 and December 28, 2016, we had accrued severance and other restructuring charges of less than $0.1 million and $0.4 million, respectively. The balance as of September 27, 2017 is expected to be paid during the next 12 months.

Note 7. Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis

Financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized below:



	Total			Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets/Liabilities (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)			Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		Valuation Technique
	(In thousands)
Fair value measurements as of September 27, 2017:
Deferred compensation plan investments ⁽¹⁾	$	12,036		$	12,036	$	—		$	—	market approach
Interest rate swaps, net ⁽²⁾	(3,962		)	—		(3,962		)	—		income approach
Total	$	8,074		$	12,036	$	(3,962	)	$	—

Fair value measurements as of December 28, 2016:
Deferred compensation plan investments ⁽¹⁾	$	11,248		$	11,248	$	—		$	—	market approach
Interest rate swaps ⁽²⁾	(756		)	—		(756		)	—		income approach
Total	$	10,492		$	11,248	$	(756	)	$	—


(1)	The fair values of our deferred compensation plan investments are based on the closing market prices of the elected investments.


(2)	The fair values of our interest rate swaps are based upon Level 2 inputs, which include valuation models as reported by our counterparties. The key inputs for the valuation models are quoted market prices, interest rates and forward yield curves. See Note 8 for details on the interest rate swaps.

Those assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis are summarized below:



	Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Impairment Charges		Valuation Technique
	(In thousands)
Fair value measurements as of December 28, 2016:
Assets held for sale ⁽¹⁾	$	1,020	$	1,098	market approach


(1)	As of December 28, 2016, assets were classified as assets held for sale and were written down to their fair value. The fair value of assets held for sale was based upon Level 2 inputs, which included sales agreements.

Note 8. Long-Term Debt

Denny's Corporation and certain of its subsidiaries have a credit facility consisting of a five-year $325 million senior secured revolver (with a $30 million letter of credit sublimit). As of September 27, 2017, we had outstanding revolver loans of $261.8 million and outstanding letters of credit under the senior secured revolver of $21.5 million. These balances resulted in availability of $41.7 million under the revolving facility. Prior to considering the impact of our interest rate swaps, described below, the weighted-average interest rate on outstanding revolver loans was 3.27% and 2.45% as of September 27, 2017 and December 28, 2016, respectively. Taking into consideration our interest rate swaps, the weighted-average interest rate of outstanding revolver loans was 3.22% and 2.74% as of September 27, 2017 and December 28, 2016, respectively.

A commitment fee is paid on the unused portion of the revolving credit facility and was 0.30% as of September 27, 2017. Borrowings under the credit facility bear a tiered interest rate, which is based on the Company’s consolidated leverage ratio and was set at LIBOR plus 200 basis points as of September 27, 2017. The maturity date for the credit facility is March 30, 2020.

The credit facility is available for working capital, capital expenditures and other general corporate purposes. The credit facility is guaranteed by the Company and its material subsidiaries and is secured by assets of the Company and its subsidiaries, including the stock of the Company's subsidiaries. It includes negative covenants that are usual for facilities and transactions of this type. The credit facility also includes certain financial covenants with respect to a maximum consolidated leverage ratio and a minimum consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio. We were in compliance with all financial covenants as of September 27, 2017.

Subsequent to the end of the quarter, we refinanced our credit facility. See Note 16.

Interest Rate Hedges

We have interest rate swaps to hedge a portion of the cash flows of our floating rate debt. We designated the interest rate swaps as cash flow hedges of our exposure to variability in future cash flows attributable to payments of LIBOR due on specific notional debt obligations.

Based on the interest rate as determined by our consolidated leverage ratio in effect as of September 27, 2017, under the terms of the swaps, we will pay the following fixed rates on the notional amounts noted:



Period Covered	Notional Amount		Fixed Rate
	(In thousands)
March 31, 2015 - March 29, 2018	$	120,000	3.13	%
March 29, 2018 - March 31, 2025	170,000		4.44	%
April 1, 2025 - March 31, 2026	50,000		4.46	%

As of September 27, 2017, the fair value of the interest rate swaps was a net liability of $4.0 million, which is comprised of assets of $0.1 million recorded as a component of other noncurrent assets and liabilities of $4.1 million recorded as a component of other noncurrent liabilities in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. See Note 14 for the amounts recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss related to the interest rate swaps.

Note 9. Defined Benefit Plans

During the second quarter of 2016, we completed the liquidation of the Advantica Pension Plan (the “Pension Plan”). Accordingly, we made a final contribution of $9.5 million to the Pension Plan. The resulting $67.7 million in Pension Plan assets were used to make lump sum payments and purchase annuity contracts, which are administered by a third-party provider. In addition, during the quarter, we recognized a pre-tax settlement loss of $24.3 million related to the liquidation, reflecting the recognition of unamortized actuarial losses that were recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income.

The components of net periodic benefit cost were as follows:



	Quarter Ended				Three Quarters Ended
	September 27, 2017		September 28, 2016		September 27, 2017		September 28, 2016
	(In thousands)
Pension Plan:
Service cost	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	105
Net periodic benefit cost	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	105

Other Defined Benefit Plans:
Interest cost	$	20	$	23	$	62	$	69
Amortization of net loss	23		21		69		64
Net periodic benefit cost	$	43	$	44	$	131	$	133

We made contributions of $0.2 million and $0.1 million to our other defined benefit plans during the three quarters ended September 27, 2017 and September 28, 2016, respectively. We expect to contribute less than $0.1 million to our other defined benefit plans over the remainder of fiscal 2017.

Additional minimum pension liability, net of tax, of $0.9 million related to our other defined benefit plans is reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss in our Condensed Consolidated Statement of Shareholders’ Equity as of both September 27, 2017 and December 28, 2016, respectively.

Note 10. Share-Based Compensation

Refer to Note 2 for the impact of the adoption of ASU 2016-09. Total share-based compensation cost included as a component of net income was as follows:



	Quarter Ended					Three Quarters Ended
	September 27, 2017		September 28, 2016			September 27, 2017		September 28, 2016
	(In thousands)
Performance share awards	$	2,246	$	1,862		$	6,090	$	5,284
Restricted stock units for board members	247		(87		)	456		341
Total share-based compensation	$	2,493	$	1,775		$	6,546	$	5,625

Performance Share Awards

During the three quarters ended September 27, 2017, we granted certain employees approximately 0.3 million performance shares that vest based on the total shareholder return (“TSR”) of our common stock compared to the TSRs of a group of peer companies and 0.3 million performance shares that vest based on our Adjusted EBITDA growth rate, as defined under the terms of the award. As the TSR based performance shares contain a market condition, a Monte Carlo valuation was used to determine the grant date fair value of $13.05 per share. The performance shares based on the Adjusted EBITDA growth rate have a grant date fair value of $12.17 per share, the market value of our common stock on the date of grant. The awards granted to our named executive officers also contain a performance condition based on the attainment of an operating measure for the fiscal year ended December 27, 2017. The performance period for these performance shares is the three year fiscal period beginning December 29, 2016 and ending December 25, 2019. They will vest and be earned (from 0% to 150% of the target award for each such increment) at the end of the performance period.

During the three quarters ended September 27, 2017, we made payments of $3.9 million in cash and issued 0.4 million shares of common stock related to performance share awards.

As of September 27, 2017, we had approximately $10.5 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to all unvested performance share awards outstanding, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average of 1.8 years.

Restricted Stock Units for Board Members

During the three quarters ended September 27, 2017, we granted approximately 0.1 million deferred stock units (which are equity classified) with a weighted average grant date fair value of $12.04 per unit to non-employee members of our Board of Directors. The deferred stock units vest after a one year service period. A director may elect to convert these awards into shares of common stock either on a specific date in the future (while still serving as a member of our Board of Directors) or upon termination as a member of our Board of Directors. Also during the three quarters ended September 27, 2017, we made cash payments of $0.5 million related to the replacement cash awards issued in 2016 related to the canceled deferred stock units awards. As of September 27, 2017, we had approximately $0.7 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to all unvested restricted stock unit awards outstanding, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average of 0.9 years.

Note 11. Income Taxes

The effective income tax rate was 36.8% for the quarter ended September 27, 2017 and 36.3% for the three quarters ended September 27, 2017 compared to 35.2% and 64.2%, respectively, for the prior year periods. Refer to Note 2 for the impact of the adoption of ASU 2016-09. For the 2016 periods, the difference in the overall effective rate from the U.S. statutory rate was primarily due to the Pension Plan liquidation, foreign tax credits and certain discrete items. During the three quarters ended September 28, 2016, we amended prior years’ U.S. tax returns in order to maximize a foreign tax credit in lieu of a foreign tax deduction. This created a benefit to the effective tax rate of 4.8% for the quarter and 4.6% year-to-date. In addition, during the three quarters ended September 28, 2016, certain discrete items created an increase to the effective tax rate of 4.3% for the quarter and 4.7% year-to-date.

In addition to the items noted above, the 2016 year-to-date rate of 64.2% was also impacted by the recognition of a $2.1 million tax benefit related to the $24.3 million pre-tax settlement loss on the Pension Plan liquidation. This benefit was at a rate lower than the effective tax rate due to the previous recognition of an approximate $7.2 million tax benefit recognized with the reversal of our valuation allowance in 2011. Excluding the impact of the Pension Plan liquidation, our effective income tax rate would have been 35.6% for the three quarters ended September 28, 2016.

Note 12. Net Income Per Share

The amounts used for the basic and diluted net income per share calculations are summarized below:



	Quarter Ended				Three Quarters Ended
	September 27, 2017		September 28, 2016		September 27, 2017		September 28, 2016
					(In thousands, except for per share amounts)
Net income	$	9,325	$	9,726	$	26,447	$	8,128

Weighted average shares outstanding - basic	66,873		74,851		69,095		76,214
Effect of dilutive share-based compensation awards	2,337		1,940		2,282		1,838
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted	69,210		76,791		71,377		78,052

Basic net income per share	$	0.14	$	0.13	$	0.38	$	0.11
Diluted net income per share	$	0.13	$	0.13	$	0.37	$	0.10

Anti-dilutive share-based compensation awards	606		—		606		—

Note 13. Supplemental Cash Flow Information



	Three Quarters Ended
	September 27, 2017		September 28, 2016
	(In thousands)
Income taxes paid, net	$	5,039	$	1,140
Interest paid	$	10,547	$	8,197

Noncash investing and financing activities:
Property acquisition payable	$	500	$	—
Issuance of common stock, pursuant to share-based compensation plans	$	4,961	$	3,597
Execution of capital leases	$	4,959	$	7,180
Treasury stock payable	$	741	$	695
Notes received in connection with disposition of property	$	1,750	$	—

Note 14. Shareholders' Equity

Share Repurchase

Our credit facility permits the purchase of Denny’s stock and the payment of cash dividends subject to certain limitations. In May 2016, our Board of Directors approved a share repurchase program authorizing us to repurchase up to $100 million of our common stock (in addition to prior authorizations). Under this program, we may, from time to time, purchase shares in the open market (including pre-arranged stock trading plans in accordance with the guidelines specified in Rule 10b5-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) or in privately negotiated transactions, subject to market and business conditions.

In November 2016, as part of our previously authorized share repurchase programs, we entered into a variable term, capped accelerated share repurchase (the “ASR”) agreement with MUFG Securities EMEA plc (“MUFG”), to repurchase an aggregate of $25 million of our common stock. Pursuant to the terms of the ASR agreement, we paid $25 million in cash and received approximately 1.5 million shares of our common stock (which represents the minimum shares to be delivered based on the cap price) and recorded $18.1 million of treasury stock related to these shares. The remaining balance of $6.9 million was recorded as additional paid-in capital in shareholders' equity as of December 28, 2016 as an equity forward contract.

During the three quarters ended September 27, 2017, we settled the ASR agreement with MUFG. As a result, we received final delivery of an additional 0.5 million shares of our common stock, bringing the total number of shares repurchased pursuant to the ASR agreement to 2.0 million. The total number of shares repurchased was based on a combined discounted volume-weighted average price (“VWAP”) of $12.36 per share, which was determined based on the average of the daily VWAP of our common stock, less a fixed discount, over the term of the ASR agreement. As a result of settling the ASR agreement, we recorded $6.9 million of treasury stock related to the settlement of the equity forward contract related to the ASR agreement.

In addition to the settlement of the ASR agreement, during the three quarters ended September 27, 2017, we repurchased 5.6 million shares of our common stock for approximately $66.4 million. This brings the total amount repurchased under the May 2016 repurchase program to 7.2 million shares of our common stock for approximately $87.2 million, leaving approximately $12.8 million that can be used to repurchase our common stock under this program as of September 27, 2017.

Repurchased shares are included as treasury stock in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and our Condensed Consolidated Statement of Shareholders' Equity.

Subsequent to the end of the quarter, the Board of Directors of Denny’s Corporation approved a new share repurchase program. See Note 16.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

The components of the change in accumulated other comprehensive loss were as follows:



	Pensions			Derivatives			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
	(In thousands)
Balance as of December 28, 2016	$	(945	)	$	(462	)	$	(1,407	)
Amortization of net loss ⁽¹⁾	69			—			69
Net change in fair value of derivatives	—			(3,091		)	(3,091		)
Reclassification of derivatives to interest expense ⁽²⁾	—			(116		)	(116		)
Income tax (expense) benefit related to items of other comprehensive loss	(27		)	1,249			1,222
Balance as of September 27, 2017	$	(903	)	$	(2,420	)	$	(3,323	)


(1)	Before-tax amount related to our Other Defined Benefit Plans that was reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss and included as a component of pension expense within general and administrative expenses in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income during the three quarters ended September 27, 2017. See Note 9 for additional details.

(2)

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into income, represent payments made to the counterparty for the effective portions of the interest rate swaps. These amounts are included as a component of interest expense in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. We expect to reclassify approximately $1.0 million from accumulated other comprehensive loss related to our interest rate swaps during the next twelve months. See Note 8 for additional details.

Note 15. Commitments and Contingencies

We have guarantees related to certain franchisee loans. Payments under these guarantees would result from the inability of a franchisee to fund required payments when due. Through September 27, 2017, no events had occurred that caused us to make payments under these guarantees. There were $6.0 million and $7.9 million of loans outstanding under these programs as of September 27, 2017 and December 28, 2016, respectively. As of September 27, 2017, the maximum amounts payable under the loan guarantees was $1.2 million. As a result of these guarantees, we have recorded liabilities of less than $0.1 million as of both September 27, 2017 and December 28, 2016, which are included as a component of other noncurrent liabilities in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and other nonoperating expense in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.

There are various claims and pending legal actions against or indirectly involving us, incidental to and arising out of the ordinary course of the business. In the opinion of management, based upon information currently available, the ultimate liability with respect to these proceedings and claims will not materially affect the Company's consolidated results of operations or financial position.

Note 16. Subsequent Events

Share Repurchase Program

On October 27, 2017, the Board of Directors of Denny’s Corporation approved a new share repurchase program authorizing the Company to repurchase an additional $200 million of its common stock, in addition to repurchases previously authorized. As of October 27, 2017, the Company had approximately $7.6 million remaining available in its current $100 million share stock repurchase program announced in May 2016.

Refinancing of Credit Facility

On October 26, 2017, Denny's Corporation and certain of its subsidiaries refinanced our credit facility (the "Old Credit Facility") and entered into a new five-year $400 million senior secured revolver (with a $30 million letter of credit sublimit) (the “New Credit Facility”). The New Credit Facility includes an accordion feature that would allow us to increase the size of the revolver to $450 million. A commitment fee, initially set at 0.30%, is paid on the unused portion of the revolving credit facility. Borrowings under the credit facility bear a tiered interest rate, which is based on the Company’s consolidated leverage ratio and was initially set at LIBOR plus 200 basis points. The maturity date for the credit facility is October 26, 2022.

The New Credit Facility was used to refinance the Old Credit Facility and will also be available for working capital, capital expenditures and other general corporate purposes. The New Credit Facility is guaranteed by the Company and its material subsidiaries and is secured by assets of the Company and its subsidiaries, including the stock of the Company's subsidiaries. It includes negative covenants that are usual for facilities and transactions of this type. The New Credit Facility also includes certain financial covenants with respect to a maximum consolidated leverage ratio and a minimum consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio.

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Forward-Looking Statements

This report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The forward-looking statements reflect our best judgment based on factors currently known and are intended to speak only as of the date such statements are made. Forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause our actual performance to be materially different from the performance indicated or implied by such statements. You should consider our forward-looking statements in light of the risks discussed under Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, as well as our consolidated financial statements, related notes, and the other financial information appearing elsewhere in this report and our other filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. While we may elect to update forward-looking statements at some point in the future, we expressly disclaim any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law.

Statements of Income

The following table contains information derived from our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income expressed as a percentage of total operating revenues, except as noted below. Percentages may not add due to rounding.



	Quarter Ended										Three Quarters Ended
	September 27, 2017					September 28, 2016					September 27, 2017					September 28, 2016
	(Dollars in thousands)
Revenue:
Company restaurant sales	$	97,915		74.0	%	$	93,122		72.5	%	$	290,049		73.7	%	$	272,718		72.3	%
Franchise and license revenue	34,469			26.0	%	35,264			27.5	%	103,621			26.3	%	104,625			27.7	%
Total operating revenue	132,384			100.0	%	128,386			100.0	%	393,670			100.0	%	377,343			100.0	%
Costs of company restaurant sales (a):
Product costs	24,896			25.4	%	22,819			24.5	%	72,798			25.1	%	67,253			24.7	%
Payroll and benefits	37,332			38.1	%	35,999			38.7	%	113,221			39.0	%	104,548			38.3	%
Occupancy	5,054			5.2	%	4,928			5.3	%	15,291			5.3	%	14,721			5.4	%
Other operating expenses	14,040			14.3	%	13,372			14.4	%	39,544			13.6	%	37,544			13.8	%
Total costs of company restaurant sales	81,322			83.1	%	77,118			82.8	%	240,854			83.0	%	224,066			82.2	%
Costs of franchise and license revenue (a)	9,493			27.5	%	10,275			29.1	%	29,483			28.5	%	31,037			29.7	%
General and administrative expenses	16,446			12.4	%	17,558			13.7	%	50,536			12.8	%	50,691			13.4	%
Depreciation and amortization	5,958			4.5	%	5,609			4.4	%	17,493			4.4	%	16,207			4.3	%
Operating (gains), losses and other charges, net	630			0.5	%	249			0.2	%	3,459			0.9	%	24,365			6.5	%
Total operating costs and expenses, net	113,849			86.0	%	110,809			86.3	%	341,825			86.8	%	346,366			91.8	%
Operating income	18,535			14.0	%	17,577			13.7	%	51,845			13.2	%	30,977			8.2	%
Interest expense, net	4,067			3.1	%	3,117			2.4	%	11,348			2.9	%	8,905			2.4	%
Other nonoperating income, net	(286		)	(0.2	)%	(543		)	(0.4	)%	(1,053		)	(0.3	)%	(635		)	(0.2	)%
Net income before income taxes	14,754			11.1	%	15,003			11.7	%	41,550			10.6	%	22,707			6.0	%
Provision for income taxes	5,429			4.1	%	5,277			4.1	%	15,103			3.8	%	14,579			3.9	%
Net income	$	9,325		7.0	%	$	9,726		7.6	%	$	26,447		6.7	%	$	8,128		2.2	%

Other Data:
Company average unit sales	$	577				$	573				$	1,706				$	1,689
Franchise average unit sales	$	403				$	396				$	1,188				$	1,174
Company equivalent units (b)	170					163					170					161
Franchise equivalent units (b)	1,550					1,560					1,557					1,554
Company same-store sales increase (c)(d)	0.6		%			1.0		%			0.6		%			1.5		%
Domestic franchise same-store sales increase (c)(d)	0.6		%			1.0		%			0.7		%			0.9		%


(a)	Costs of company restaurant sales percentages are as a percentage of company restaurant sales. Costs of franchise and license revenue percentages are as a percentage of franchise and license revenue. All other percentages are as a percentage of total operating revenue.


(b)	Equivalent units are calculated as the weighted average number of units outstanding during a defined time period.


(c)	Same-store sales include sales from restaurants that were open the same period in the prior year.


(d)	Prior year amounts have not been restated for 2017 comparable units.

Unit Activity



	Quarter Ended				Three Quarters Ended
	September 27, 2017		September 28, 2016		September 27, 2017		September 28, 2016
Company restaurants, beginning of period	172		162		169		164
Units opened	1		—		2		1
Units acquired from franchisees	1		6		7		9
Units sold to franchisees	—		—		(4	)	(6	)
Units closed	—		—		—		—
End of period	174		168		174		168

Franchised and licensed restaurants, beginning of period	1,552		1,558		1,564		1,546
Units opened	8		13		23		37
Units purchased from Company	—		—		4		6
Units acquired by Company	(1	)	(6	)	(7	)	(9	)
Units closed	(8	)	(5	)	(33	)	(20	)
End of period	1,551		1,560		1,551		1,560
Total restaurants, end of period	1,725		1,728		1,725		1,728

Company Restaurant Operations

During the quarter ended September 27, 2017, company restaurant sales increased $4.8 million, or 5.1%, primarily resulting from a seven equivalent unit increase in company restaurants and a 0.6% increase in company same-store sales as compared to the prior year period. During the three quarters ended September 27, 2017, company restaurant sales increased $17.3 million, or 6.4%, primarily resulting from a nine equivalent unit increase in company restaurants and a 0.6% increase in company same-store sales as compared to the prior year period.

Total costs of company restaurant sales as a percentage of company restaurant sales increased to 83.1% for the quarter and 83.0% year-to-date from 82.8% and 82.2%, respectively, in the prior year periods.

Product costs were 25.4% for the quarter and 25.1% year-to-date compared to 24.5% and 24.7%, respectively, in the prior year periods. The increase for the quarter was primarily due to increased commodity costs.

Payroll and benefits were 38.1% for the quarter and 39.0% year-to-date compared to 38.7% and 38.3%, respectively, in the prior year periods. The decrease for the quarter was primarily due to a 1.1 percentage point decrease in workers' compensation costs, as the current quarter included $1.3 million in favorable workers' compensation experience compared to $0.3 million of favorable workers' compensation experience in the prior year period. The increase year-to-date was primarily due to a 0.7 percentage point increase in labor costs resulting from minimum wage increases and a 0.1 percentage point increase in workers' compensation costs. The three quarters ended September 27, 2017 included $1.6 million in favorable workers' compensation experience, as compared to $1.9 million of favorable workers' compensation experience in the prior year period.

Occupancy costs were 5.2% for the quarter and 5.3% year-to-date compared to 5.3% and 5.4%, respectively, in the prior year periods. The decreases were primarily related to the increases in capital leases.

Other operating expenses were comprised of the following amounts and percentages of company restaurant sales:



	Quarter Ended								Three Quarters Ended
	September 27, 2017				September 28, 2016				September 27, 2017				September 28, 2016
	(Dollars in thousands)
Utilities	$	3,767	3.8	%	$	3,429	3.7	%	$	9,873	3.4	%	$	9,232	3.4	%
Repairs and maintenance	1,642		1.7	%	1,559		1.7	%	4,972		1.7	%	4,893		1.8	%
Marketing	3,740		3.8	%	3,500		3.8	%	10,982		3.8	%	10,123		3.7	%
Other direct costs	4,891		5.0	%	4,884		5.2	%	13,717		4.7	%	13,296		4.9	%
Other operating expenses	$	14,040	14.3	%	$	13,372	14.4	%	$	39,544	13.6	%	$	37,544	13.8	%

Franchise Operations

Franchise and license revenue and costs of franchise and license revenue were comprised of the following amounts and percentages of franchise and license revenue for the periods indicated:



	Quarter Ended								Three Quarters Ended
	September 27, 2017				September 28, 2016				September 27, 2017				September 28, 2016
	(Dollars in thousands)
Royalties	$	25,174	73.0	%	$	25,039	71.0	%	$	75,056	72.4	%	$	73,694	70.4	%
Initial fees	507		1.5	%	757		2.1	%	1,579		1.5	%	2,081		2.0	%
Occupancy revenue	8,788		25.5	%	9,468		26.8	%	26,986		26.0	%	28,850		27.6	%
Franchise and license revenue	$	34,469	100.0	%	$	35,264	100.0	%	$	103,621	100.0	%	$	104,625	100.0	%

Occupancy costs	$	6,343	18.4	%	$	7,023	19.9	%	$	19,420	18.7	%	$	21,373	20.4	%
Other direct costs	3,150		9.1	%	3,252		9.2	%	10,063		9.7	%	9,664		9.2	%
Costs of franchise and license revenue	$	9,493	27.5	%	$	10,275	29.1	%	$	29,483	28.5	%	$	31,037	29.7	%

During the quarter ended September 27, 2017, royalties increased $0.1 million, or 0.5%, primarily resulting from a 0.6% increase in domestic same-store sales and a higher average royalty rate as compared to the prior year period, partially offset by a 10 equivalent unit decrease in franchised and licensed restaurants. During the three quarters ended September 27, 2017, royalties increased $1.4 million, or 1.8%, primarily resulting from a higher average royalty rate as compared to the prior year period, a three equivalent unit increase in franchised and licensed restaurants and a 0.7% increase in domestic same-store sales. Initial fees decreased $0.3 million for the quarter and $0.5 million year-to-date as a higher number of restaurants were opened by franchisees during the prior year periods. The decrease in occupancy revenue of $0.7 million, or 7.2%, for the quarter and $1.9 million, or 6.5%, year-to-date was primarily the result of lease expirations.

Costs of franchise and license revenue decreased $0.8 million, or 7.6%, for the quarter and decreased $1.6 million, or 5.0%, year-to-date. Occupancy costs decreased $0.7 million, or 9.7%, for the quarter and $2.0 million, or 9.1%, year-to-date, primarily resulting from lease expirations. Other direct costs decreased $0.1 million, or 3.1%, for the quarter and increased $0.4 million, or 4.1%, year-to-date. The increase for the year-to-date period primarily resulted from increased franchise administration costs. As a result, costs of franchise and license revenue as a percentage of franchise and license revenue decreased to 27.5% for the quarter from 29.1% for the prior year quarter and decreased to 28.5% year-to-date from 29.7% for the prior year period.

Other Operating Costs and Expenses

Other operating costs and expenses such as general and administrative expenses and depreciation and amortization expense relate to both company and franchise operations.

General and administrative expenses were comprised of the following:



	Quarter Ended				Three Quarters Ended
	September 27, 2017		September 28, 2016		September 27, 2017		September 28, 2016
	(In thousands)
Share-based compensation	$	2,493	$	1,775	$	6,546	$	5,625
Other general and administrative expenses	13,953		15,783		43,990		45,066
Total general and administrative expenses	$	16,446	$	17,558	$	50,536	$	50,691

Other general and administrative expenses decreased by $1.8 million for the quarter and $1.1 million year-to-date. The decrease for the quarter primarily resulted from a $1.1 million reduction in professional fees, a $0.5 million decrease in incentive compensation and $0.3 million related to market valuation changes in our non-qualified deferred compensation plan liabilities. The decrease for the year-to-date period primarily resulted from a $2.2 million decrease in incentive compensation. This decrease was partially offset by a $0.7 million increase in investments in personnel and a $0.5 million increase related to market valuation changes in our non-qualified deferred compensation plan liabilities. Offsetting gains on the underlying non-qualified deferred plan investments are included as a component of other non-operating income, net. Share-based compensation increased by $0.7 million for the quarter and $0.9 million year-to-date due in part to the cancellation of equity awards and subsequent issuance of cash awards to non-employee members of our Board of Directors in the 2016 period. Additionally, share-based compensation was impacted by the election to account for forfeitures as they occur, which was effective beginning in fiscal 2017. There have been no actual forfeitures during fiscal 2017.

Depreciation and amortization was comprised of the following:



	Quarter Ended				Three Quarters Ended
	September 27, 2017		September 28, 2016		September 27, 2017		September 28, 2016
	(In thousands)
Depreciation of property and equipment	$	4,261	$	4,289	$	12,711	$	12,568
Amortization of capital lease assets	1,021		941		3,011		2,629
Amortization of intangible and other assets	676		379		1,771		1,010
Total depreciation and amortization expense	$	5,958	$	5,609	$	17,493	$	16,207

The increase in amortization of intangible and other assets is primarily due to the increase in reacquired franchise rights related to acquisitions of franchised restaurants during the current and prior year.

Operating (gains), losses and other charges, net were comprised of the following:



	Quarter Ended						Three Quarters Ended
	September 27, 2017			September 28, 2016			September 27, 2017			September 28, 2016
	(In thousands)
Pension settlement loss	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	24,297
Software implementation costs	1,001			—			4,669			—
Gains on sales of assets and other, net	(411		)	(77		)	(1,646		)	(764		)
Restructuring charges and exit costs	40			326			436			832
Operating (gains), losses and other charges, net	$	630		$	249		$	3,459		$	24,365

Software implementation costs of $4.7 million for the three quarters ended September 27, 2017 were the result of our investment in a new cloud-based Enterprise Resource Planning system. We expect to recognize additional costs of approximately $0.5 million during the remainder of 2017 to complete the implementation. Gains on sales of assets and other, net of $1.6 million for the three quarters ended September 27, 2017 primarily related to real estate sold to franchisees. The pre-tax pension settlement loss of $24.3 million related to the completion of the Pension Plan liquidation during the three quarters ended September 28, 2016. Gains on sales of assets and other, net of $0.8 million for the three quarters ended September 28, 2016 primarily related to restaurants sold to franchisees.

Restructuring charges and exit costs were comprised of the following:



	Quarter Ended				Three Quarters Ended
	September 27, 2017		September 28, 2016		September 27, 2017		September 28, 2016
	(In thousands)
Exit costs	$	40	$	154	$	366	$	269
Severance and other restructuring charges	—		172		70		563
Total restructuring and exit costs	$	40	$	326	$	436	$	832

Operating income was income of $18.5 million for the quarter and $51.8 million year-to-date compared with $17.6 million and $31.0 million, respectively, for the prior year periods. The 2016 year-to-date period was significantly impacted by the $24.3 million pre-tax settlement loss related to the Pension Plan liquidation.

Interest expense, net was comprised of the following:



	Quarter Ended						Three Quarters Ended
	September 27, 2017			September 28, 2016			September 27, 2017			September 28, 2016
	(In thousands)
Interest on credit facilities	$	2,078		$	1,158		$	5,333		$	3,352
Interest on interest rate swaps	(30		)	193			116			614
Interest on capital lease liabilities	1,470			1,287			4,286			3,389
Letters of credit and other fees	303			304			886			895
Interest income	(21		)	(73		)	(85		)	(100		)
Total cash interest	3,800			2,869			10,536			8,150
Amortization of deferred financing costs	149			149			446			445
Interest accretion on other liabilities	118			99			366			310
Total interest expense, net	$	4,067		$	3,117		$	11,348		$	8,905

Interest expense, net increased by $1.0 million for the quarter and $2.4 million year-to-date primarily due to the increased balance of our credit facility and an increase in capital leases.

Other nonoperating income, net was $0.3 million for the quarter and $1.1 million year-to-date compared to $0.5 million and $0.6 million, respectively, for the prior year periods. The nonoperating income was primarily the result of gains on deferred compensation plan investments.

The provision for income taxes was $5.4 million for the quarter and $15.1 million year-to-date compared to $5.3 million and $14.6 million, respectively, for the prior year periods. The effective tax rate was 36.8% for the quarter and 36.3% year-to-date compared to 35.2% and 64.2%, respectively, for the prior year periods. Refer to Note 2 to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements set forth in Part I, Item 1 of this report for the impact of the adoption of ASU 2016-09. We expect the 2017 fiscal year effective tax rate to be between 35% and 37%. The annual effective tax rate cannot be determined until the end of the fiscal year; therefore, the actual rate could differ from our current estimates.

For the 2016 periods, the difference in the overall effective rate from the U.S. statutory rate was primarily due to the Pension Plan liquidation, foreign tax credits and certain discrete items. During the three quarters ended September 28, 2016, we amended prior years’ U.S. tax returns in order to maximize a foreign tax credit in lieu of a foreign tax deduction. This created a benefit to the effective tax rate of 4.8% for the quarter and 4.6% year-to-date. In addition, during the three quarters ended September 28, 2016, certain discrete items created an increase to the effective tax rate of 4.3% for the quarter and 4.7% year-to-date.

In addition to the items noted above, the 2016 rates were also impacted by the recognition of a $2.1 million tax benefit related to the $24.3 million pre-tax settlement loss on the Pension Plan liquidation. This benefit was at a rate lower than the effective tax rate due to the previous recognition of an approximate $7.2 million tax benefit in connection with the reversal of our valuation allowance in 2011. Excluding the impact of the Pension Plan liquidation, our effective income tax rate would have been 35.6% for the three quarters ended September 28, 2016.

Net income was $9.3 million for the quarter and $26.4 million year-to-date compared with $9.7 million and $8.1 million, respectively, for the prior year periods. The 2016 periods were significantly impacted by the $24.3 million pre-tax settlement loss related to the Pension Plan liquidation.

Impact of Recent Hurricanes

During the quarter ended September 27, 2017, Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria impacted approximately 25 company and 195 franchised locations in Texas, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and Puerto Rico. However, for the quarter ended September 27, 2017, we estimate that the overall impact to our condensed consolidated financial statements was insignificant. During the quarter, we recorded $0.4 million in expected insurance recoveries receivable and approximately $0.1 million of losses related to fixed asset impairments and inventory write-offs. Due to significant damages to one company unit in Texas and franchised restaurants in Puerto Rico, we estimate lost company sales and royalties during the fourth quarter of 2017 of up to $0.4 million and $0.2 million, respectively. Any insurance proceeds related to lost income due to business interruption will be recorded when we settle our insurance claims.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Our primary sources of liquidity and capital resources are cash generated from operations and borrowings under our credit facility (as described below). Principal uses of cash are operating expenses, capital expenditures and the repurchase of shares of our common stock.

The following table presents a summary of our sources and uses of cash and cash equivalents for the periods indicated:



	Three Quarters Ended
	September 27, 2017			September 28, 2016
	(In thousands)
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	43,525		$	43,132
Net cash used in investing activities	(19,788		)	(25,893		)
Net cash used in financing activities	(24,666		)	(17,384		)
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents	$	(929	)	$	(145	)

Net cash flows provided by operating activities were $43.5 million for the three quarters ended September 27, 2017 compared to $43.1 million for the three quarters ended September 28, 2016. The slight increase in cash flows provided by operating activities was primarily due to the funding of our pension liability during the three quarters ended September 28, 2016, partially offset by increased tax payments during the current year. We believe that our estimated cash flows from operations for 2017, combined with our capacity for additional borrowings under our credit facility, will enable us to meet our anticipated cash requirements and fund capital expenditures over the next 12 months.

Net cash flows used in investing activities were $19.8 million for the three quarters ended September 27, 2017. These cash flows were primarily comprised of capital expenditures of $13.6 million and acquisitions of restaurants and real estate of $10.0 million. Cash flows for acquisitions include $4.0 million of real estate associated with relocating two high-performing company restaurants due to the impending loss of property control and $6.0 million for the reacquisition of seven franchised restaurants and one former franchised restaurant, which was being remodeled and opened in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017.

Our principal capital requirements have been largely associated with the following:



	Three Quarters Ended
	September 27, 2017		September 28, 2016
	(In thousands)
Facilities	$	5,243	$	5,615
New construction	5,208		2,958
Remodeling	1,521		4,714
Information technology	338		803
Other	1,248		525
Capital expenditures (excluding acquisitions)	$	13,558	$	14,615

Capital expenditures and acquisitions for fiscal 2017 are expected to be approximately $32 to $34 million, including the relocation of two high-performing company restaurants due to the impending loss of property control, the above mentioned acquisitions of real estate and franchised restaurants and additional acquisitions of franchised restaurants anticipated to close in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017.

Cash flows used in financing activities were $24.7 million for the three quarters ended September 27, 2017, which included cash payments for stock repurchases of $66.0 million, partially offset by net long-term debt borrowings of $40.8 million.

Our working capital deficit was $45.4 million at September 27, 2017 compared to $57.5 million at December 28, 2016. The decrease in working capital deficit was primarily related to the payout of accrued incentive compensation during the three quarters ended September 27, 2017. We are able to operate with a substantial working capital deficit because (1) restaurant operations and most food service operations are conducted primarily on a cash (and cash equivalent) basis with a low level of accounts receivable, (2) rapid turnover allows a limited investment in inventories, and (3) accounts payable for food, beverages and supplies usually become due after the receipt of cash from the related sales.

Credit Facility

As of September 27, 2017, we had outstanding revolver loans of $261.8 million and outstanding letters of credit under the senior secured revolver of $21.5 million. These balances resulted in availability of $41.7 million under the revolving facility. Prior to considering the impact of our interest rate swaps, described below, the weighted-average interest rate on outstanding revolver loans was 3.27% as of September 27, 2017. Taking into consideration our interest rate swaps, the weighted-average interest rate of outstanding revolver loans was 3.22% as of September 27, 2017.

Refinancing of Credit Facility

Interest Rate Hedges



Period Covered	Notional Amount		Fixed Rate
	(In thousands)
March 31, 2015 - March 29, 2018	$	120,000	3.13	%
March 29, 2018 - March 31, 2025	170,000		4.44	%
April 1, 2025 - March 31, 2026	50,000		4.46	%

Implementation of New Accounting Standards

With the exception of the details noted below, information regarding the implementation of new accounting standards is incorporated by reference from Note 2 to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements set forth in Part I, Item 1 of this report.

In regards to the adoption of ASU 2014-09, we are currently reviewing our franchise agreements to obtain the data necessary to implement the guidance, but believe the deferral of initial franchise fees will be in the range of $19 million to $21 million. This amount will be recorded as a cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings and deferred revenue upon adoption at the beginning of fiscal 2018 and will be amortized into revenue over the remaining life of the related franchise agreements.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

As of September 27, 2017, the swaps effectively increased our ratio of fixed rate debt from approximately 10% of total debt to approximately 51% of total debt. We expect to reclassify approximately $1.0 million from accumulated other comprehensive loss related to our interest rate swaps during the next twelve months. This amount will be included as a component of interest expense in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. For additional information related to our interest rate swaps, including changes in the fair value, refer to Notes 7, 8 and 14 to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in Part I, Item 1 of this report.

Based on the levels of borrowings under the credit facility at September 27, 2017, if interest rates changed by 100 basis points, our annual cash flow and income before taxes would change by approximately $1.4 million. This computation is determined by considering the impact of hypothetical interest rates on the variable rate portion of the credit facility at September 27, 2017, taking into consideration the interest rate swaps. However, the nature and amount of our borrowings may vary as a result of future business requirements, market conditions and other factors.

With the exception of the items noted above, there have been no material changes in our quantitative and qualitative market risks since the prior reporting period.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

As required by Rule 13a-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), our management conducted an evaluation (under the supervision and with the participation of our President and Chief Executive Officer, John C. Miller, and our Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer and Chief Financial Officer, F. Mark Wolfinger) as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act. Based on that evaluation, Messrs. Miller and Wolfinger each concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act (i) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission's rules and forms and (ii) is accumulated and communicated to our management, including Messrs. Miller and Wolfinger, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

During the first quarter of 2017, we implemented a new human resources and payroll system as well as new lease administration software. During the second quarter of 2017, we introduced additional functionality and enhancements related to the new human resources and payroll system. During the third quarter of 2017, we implemented a new financial management system. These new systems resulted in significant changes to certain of our processes and procedures for internal control over financial reporting. We assessed the control design during implementation and are in the process of conducting post-implementation monitoring and testing to ensure the effectiveness of internal controls over financial reporting.

There were no other changes in our internal control over financial reporting identified in connection with the evaluation required by Rule 13a-15(d) of the Exchange Act that occurred during our last fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

Information regarding legal proceedings is incorporated by reference from Note 15 to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements set forth in Part I, Item 1 of this report.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

There have been no material changes in the risk factors set forth in Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2016.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer

The table below provides information concerning repurchases of shares of our common stock during the quarter ended September 27, 2017.



Period	Total Number of Shares Purchased	Average Price Paid Per Share ⁽¹⁾		Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Programs ⁽²⁾	Approximate Dollar Value of Shares that May Yet be Purchased Under the Programs ⁽²⁾
	(In thousands, except per share amounts)
June 29, 2017 - July 26, 2017	852	$	11.57	852	$	32,579
July 27, 2017 - August 23, 2017	745	11.99		745	$	23,633
August 24, 2017 - September 27, 2017	915	11.83		915	$	12,791
Total	2,512	$	11.79	2,512


(1)	Average price paid per share excludes commissions.

(2)

On May 26, 2016, we announced that our Board of Directors approved a new share repurchase program, authorizing us to repurchase up to an additional $100 million of our common stock (in addition to prior authorizations). Such repurchases may take place from time to time on the open market (including pre-arranged stock trading plans in accordance with the guidelines specified in Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act) or in privately negotiated transactions, subject to market and business conditions. During the quarter ended September 27, 2017, we purchased 2,512,130 shares of our common stock for an aggregate consideration of approximately $29.7 million, pursuant to the share repurchase program. On October 27, 2017, the Board of Directors of Denny’s Corporation approved a new share repurchase program authorizing the Company to repurchase an additional $200 million of its common stock, in addition to repurchases previously authorized. As of October 27, 2017, the Company has approximately $7.6 million remaining available in its current $100 million share stock repurchase program announced in May 2016.

Item 6. Exhibits

The following are included as exhibits to this report:



Exhibit No.		Description

10.1		Third Amendment to Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated July 31, 2017 among Denny's Inc., as the Borrower, Denny's Corporation, as Parent, and each of the Subsidiaries of Parent party thereto, as Guarantors, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent on behalf of the Lenders (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Denny's Corporation for the quarter ended June 28, 2017).

10.2		Denny's Corporation Amended and Restated Executive and Key Employee Severance Pay Plan.

31.1		Certification of John C. Miller, President and Chief Executive Officer of Denny's Corporation, pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

31.2		Certification of F. Mark Wolfinger, Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Denny's Corporation, pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.1		Certification of John C. Miller, President and Chief Executive Officer of Denny's Corporation, and F. Mark Wolfinger, Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Denny's Corporation, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

101.INS		XBRL Instance Document

101.SCH		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

101.CAL		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document

101.LAB		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document

101.PRE		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

101.DEF		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.



		DENNY'S CORPORATION

Date:	November 1, 2017	By:	/s/ F. Mark Wolfinger
			F. Mark Wolfinger
			Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer and Chief Financial Officer

Date:	November 1, 2017	By:	/s/ Jay C. Gilmore
			Jay C. Gilmore
			Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer and Corporate Controller

Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
Document and Entity Information - shares	Sep. 27, 2017	Oct. 27, 2017
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	DENNYS CORP
Entity Central Index Key	0000852772
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-27
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		65,282,790
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2017
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Sep. 27, 2017

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	Sep. 27, 2017	Dec. 28, 2016
Assets [Abstract]
Accumulated depreciation	$ 243,107	$ 255,185
Shareholders' equity (deficit)
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	135,000	135,000
Common stock, shares issued	107,554	107,115
Common stock, shares outstanding	65,685	71,358
Treasury stock, at cost, shares	41,869	35,757

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2017	Sep. 28, 2016	Sep. 27, 2017	Sep. 28, 2016
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Minimum pension liability adjustment, tax	$ 9	$ 8	$ 27	$ 2,168
Unrealized gain (loss) on hedge transactions, tax	$ 133	$ 20	$ (1,249)	$ (5,034)

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Shareholders' Deficit (Unaudited) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Paid-in Capital [Member]	(Deficit) [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Net [Member]	November 2016 Accelerated Share Repurchase [Member] Treasury Stock [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Cumulative effect adjustment	$ 8,971			$ 551	$ 8,420
Balance at Dec. 28, 2016	$ (71,112)	$ 1,071	$ (265,884)	577,951	(382,843)	$ (1,407)
Balance, common stock, shares issued at Dec. 28, 2016	107,115	107,115
Balance, treasury stock, at cost, shares at Dec. 28, 2016	(35,757)		(35,757)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	$ 26,447				26,447
Other comprehensive loss	(1,916)					(1,916)
Share-based compensation on equity classified awards	6,219			6,219
Purchase of treasury stock	(66,379)		$ (66,379)
Purchase of treasury stock (in shares)			(5,558)				(554)
Equity forward contract settlement	0		$ (6,884)	6,884
Issuance of common stock for share-based compensation	0	$ 4		(4)
Issuance of common stock for share-based compensation (in shares)		398
Exercise of common stock options	173	$ 1		172
Exercise of common stock options (in shares)		41
Balance at Sep. 27, 2017	$ (97,597)	$ 1,076	$ (339,147)	$ 591,773	$ (347,976)	$ (3,323)
Balance, common stock, shares issued at Sep. 27, 2017	107,554	107,554
Balance, treasury stock, at cost, shares at Sep. 27, 2017	(41,869)		(41,869)




Date: November 1, 2017	By:	/s/ John C Miller
		John C. Miller
		President and Chief Executive Officer



Date: November 1, 2017	By:	/s/ John C. Miller
		John C. Miller
		President and Chief Executive Officer

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 27, 2017	Dec. 28, 2016
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 1,663	$ 2,592
Receivables	17,423	19,841
Inventories	2,998	3,046
Assets held for sale	0	1,020
Prepaid and other current assets	8,573	9,408
Total current assets	30,657	35,907
Property, net of accumulated depreciation of $243,107 and $255,185, respectively	138,049	133,102
Goodwill	37,821	35,233
Intangible assets, net	56,075	54,493
Deferred financing costs, net	1,491	1,936
Deferred income taxes	17,966	17,683
Other noncurrent assets	27,167	27,797
Total assets	309,226	306,151
Current liabilities:
Current maturities of capital lease obligations	3,289	3,285
Accounts payable	19,002	25,289
Other current liabilities	53,748	64,796
Total current liabilities	76,039	93,370
Long-term liabilities:
Long-term debt, less current maturities	261,800	218,500
Capital lease obligations, less current maturities	26,296	23,806
Liability for insurance claims, less current portion	13,584	14,853
Other noncurrent liabilities	29,104	26,734
Total long-term liabilities	330,784	283,893
Total liabilities	406,823	377,263
Commitments and contingencies
Shareholders' equity (deficit)
Common stock $0.01 par value; shares authorized - 135,000; September 27, 2017: 107,554 shares issued and 65,685 shares outstanding; December 28, 2016: 107,115 shares issued and 71,358 shares outstanding	1,076	1,071
Paid-in capital	591,773	577,951
Deficit	(347,976)	(382,843)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax	(3,323)	(1,407)
Shareholders’ equity before treasury stock	241,550	194,772
Treasury stock, at cost, 41,869 and 35,757 shares, respectively	(339,147)	(265,884)
Total shareholders' deficit	(97,597)	(71,112)
Total liabilities and shareholders' deficit	$ 309,226	$ 306,151

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2017	Sep. 28, 2016
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 26,447	$ 8,128
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash flows provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	17,493	16,207
Operating (gains), losses and other charges, net	3,459	24,365
Amortization of deferred financing costs	446	445
(Gain) loss on early extinguishments of debt and leases	68	(3)
Deferred income tax expense	9,936	8,942
Share-based compensation	6,546	5,625
Decrease (increase) in assets:
Receivables	3,279	2,582
Inventories	(55)	108
Other current assets	834	6,662
Other assets	(5,068)	(1,800)
Increase (decrease) in liabilities:
Accounts payable	(5,121)	(83)
Accrued salaries and vacations	(9,094)	(11,006)
Accrued taxes	1,474	1,647
Other accrued liabilities	(4,834)	(16,627)
Other noncurrent liabilities	(2,285)	(2,060)
Net cash flows provided by operating activities	43,525	43,132
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(13,558)	(14,615)
Acquisition of restaurants and real estate	(10,043)	(12,956)
Proceeds from disposition of property	2,318	1,921
Collections on notes receivable	3,773	1,151
Issuance of notes receivable	(2,278)	(1,394)
Net cash flows used in investing activities	(19,788)	(25,893)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Revolver borrowings	105,900	38,000
Revolver payments	(62,600)	(30,000)
Long-term debt payments	(2,467)	(2,378)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	173	492
Purchase of treasury stock	(65,951)	(19,137)
Net bank overdrafts	279	(4,361)
Net cash flows used in financing activities	(24,666)	(17,384)
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(929)	(145)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	2,592	1,671
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 1,663	$ 1,526

Introduction and Basis of Presentation	9 Months Ended
Introduction and Basis of Presentation	Sep. 27, 2017
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Introduction and Basis of Presentation	Introduction and Basis of Presentation Denny’s Corporation, or Denny’s or the Company, is one of America’s largest full-service restaurant chains based on number of restaurants. At September 27, 2017, the Denny's brand consisted of 1,725 restaurants, 1,551 of which were franchised/licensed restaurants and 174 of which were company operated. Our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Therefore, certain information and notes normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") have been condensed or omitted. In our opinion, all adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation of the interim periods presented have been included. Such adjustments are of a normal and recurring nature. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions; however, we believe that our estimates, including those for the above-described items, are reasonable. These interim condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended December 28, 2016 and the related Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, both of which are contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2016. The results of operations for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results for the entire fiscal year ending December 27, 2017.

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	9 Months Ended
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	Sep. 27, 2017
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Newly Adopted Accounting Standards Effective December 29, 2016, we adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-09, “Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting”. The new guidance simplifies several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the recognition of excess tax benefits and deficiencies, the classification of those excess tax benefits on the statement of cash flows, an accounting policy election for forfeitures, the amount an employer can withhold to cover income taxes and still qualify for equity classification and the classification of those taxes paid on the statement of cash flows. As required by the guidance, excess tax benefits recognized on share-based compensation expense are reflected on a prospective basis in our condensed consolidated statements of income as a component of the provision for income taxes rather than paid-in capital. The cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings from previously unrecognized excess tax benefits resulted in an $8.8 million increase in deferred tax assets and a decrease to opening deficit. In addition, we have elected to account for forfeitures as they occur. The cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings from previously estimated forfeitures resulted in a $0.4 million increase to opening deficit, a $0.2 million increase in deferred tax assets and a $0.6 million increase to additional paid-in capital. As allowed by the update, on a retrospective basis, cash flows related to excess tax benefits recognized on stock-based compensation expense are classified as operating activities in the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows. There was no material impact on the prior periods retrospectively adjusted. Cash paid on employees’ behalf related to shares withheld for tax purposes continues to be classified as financing activites. In January 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU 2017-04, “Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment”. The new guidance simplifies the subsequent measurement of goodwill by eliminating the second step of the two-step impairment test. Impairment is measured based on the excess of a reporting unit's carrying amount over its fair value. A qualitative assessment may still be completed first for an entity to determine if a quantitative impairment test is necessary. We early adopted ASU 2017-04 as of March 29, 2017 on a prospective basis. The adoption of this guidance did not have any impact on our consolidated financial statements. Accounting Standards to be Adopted In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)”. The new guidance clarifies the principles used to recognize revenue for all entities and requires companies to recognize revenue when it transfers goods or service to a customer in an amount that reflects the consideration to which a company expects to be entitled. The FASB has subsequently amended this guidance by issuing additional ASUs that provide clarification and further guidance around areas identified as potential implementation issues, including principal versus agent considerations, licensing and identifying performance obligations, assessing collectability, presentation of sales taxes received from customers, noncash consideration, contract modification and clarification of using the full retrospective approach upon adoption. All of the standards are effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017 (our fiscal 2018). The guidance allows for either a retrospective or cumulative effect transition method with early application permitted. The guidance is not expected to impact the recognition of company restaurant sales or royalties from franchised restaurants. Upon adoption, initial franchise fees, which are currently recognized upon the opening of a franchise restaurant, are expected to be deferred and recognized over the term of the underlying franchise agreement. The effect of the required deferral of initial franchise fees received in a given year will be mitigated by the recognition of revenue from fees retrospectively deferred from prior years. During the year ended December 28, 2016, we recognized revenue related to initial franchise fees of $2.7 million. The new guidance will also impact our advertising arrangements with franchisees. Currently we record advertising expense net of contributions from franchisees to our advertising programs, including local co-operatives. Under the new guidance, we would include franchisee contributions to and expenditures from our advertising programs on a gross basis within the consolidated statements of income. While this change will materially impact the gross amount of reported franchise and license revenue and costs of franchise and license revenue, the impact would be an offsetting increase to both revenue and expense such that there will not be a significant, if any, impact on operating income and net income. During the year ended December 28, 2016, contributions from franchisees to our advertising programs, including local co-operatives, were $76.5 million. Gift card breakage will also be impacted by the new guidance. Currently we record breakage income as a benefit to our advertising fund or reduction to other operating expenses, depending on where the gift cards were sold, and breakage is recognized when the likelihood of redemption is remote. Upon adoption, gift card breakage income will be presented within revenue and breakage will be recognized proportionately as redemptions occur. During the year ended December 28, 2016, we recognized breakage of $0.3 million. We are currently evaluating the impact this guidance will have on our consolidated financial statements related to other transactions with our franchisees and the effect it will have on our disclosures. We preliminarily expect to use the modified retrospective method of adoption. However, the adoption method is subject to change as we continue to evaluate the impact of the standard. In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, “Financial Instruments—Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities”. The new guidance requires equity investments (except those accounted for under the equity method of accounting, or those that result in consolidation of the investee) to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income, requires public business entities to use the exit price notion when measuring the fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes, requires separate presentation of financial assets and financial liabilities by measurement category and form of financial asset, and eliminates the requirement for public business entities to disclose the method(s) and significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value that is required to be disclosed for financial instruments measured at amortized cost. ASU 2016-01 is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017 (our fiscal 2018) with early adoption permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact the adoption of this guidance will have on our consolidated financial statements. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842)”, which provides guidance for accounting for leases. The new guidance requires companies to recognize the assets and liabilities for the rights and obligations created by leased assets. The accounting guidance for lessors is largely unchanged. ASU 2016-02 is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2018 (our fiscal 2019) with early adoption permitted. The guidance will be adopted using a modified retrospective approach. Based on a preliminary assessment, we expect the adoption will result in a significant increase in the assets and liabilities on our consolidated balance sheets, as most of our operating lease commitments will be recognized as operating lease liabilities and right-of-use assets. We are continuing our evaluation, which may identify additional impacts this standard will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, “Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments”. The new guidance replaces the incurred loss impairment methodology in current GAAP with a methodology that reflects expected credit losses and requires consideration of a broader range of reasonable and supportable information to inform financial statement users of credit loss estimates. ASU 2016-13 is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2019 (our fiscal 2020) with early adoption permitted for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2018 (our fiscal 2019). We do not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, “Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments (a consensus of the Emerging Issues Task Force)”. The new guidance addresses eight specific cash flow issues with the objective of reducing the existing diversity in practice. ASU 2016-15 is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017 (our fiscal 2018) with early adoption permitted. The guidance is to be applied using a retrospective transition method to each period presented. We do not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-01, “Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business”. The new guidance clarifies the definition of a business. ASU 2017-01 is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017 (our fiscal 2018) with early adoption permitted. The guidance is to be applied prospectively. We do not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-07, “Compensation—Retirement Benefits (Topic 715): Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost”. The new guidance requires an entity to report the service cost component in the same line on the income statement as other compensation costs arising from services rendered by the pertinent employees during the period. The other components of net benefit cost are required to be presented in the income statement separately from the service cost component and outside the subtotal of income from operations, if one is presented. If a separate line item is not used, the line item used in the income statement must be disclosed. ASU 2017-07 is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017 (our fiscal 2018) with early adoption permitted. The guidance is to be applied prospectively. We do not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-09, “Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope of Modification Accounting”. The new update provides guidance about which changes to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award require an entity to apply modification accounting. ASU 2017-09 is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017 (our fiscal 2018) with early adoption permitted. The guidance is to be applied prospectively. We do not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-12, "Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities". The new update better aligns an entity’s risk management activities and financial reporting for hedging relationships, simplifies the hedge accounting requirements, and improves the disclosures of hedging arrangements. ASU 2017-12 is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2018 (our fiscal 2019) with early adoption permitted. The amended presentation and disclosure guidance is to be applied on a prospective basis. Adjustments to the measurement of ineffectiveness should be recorded through a cumulative effect adjustment as of the beginning of the adoption period. We do not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. We reviewed all other newly issued accounting pronouncements and concluded that they are either not applicable to our business or are not expected to have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements as a result of future adoption.

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
Income Taxes	Sep. 27, 2017
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Income Taxes The effective income tax rate was 36.8% for the quarter ended September 27, 2017 and 36.3% for the three quarters ended September 27, 2017 compared to 35.2% and 64.2%, respectively, for the prior year periods. Refer to Note 2 for the impact of the adoption of ASU 2016-09. For the 2016 periods, the difference in the overall effective rate from the U.S. statutory rate was primarily due to the Pension Plan liquidation, foreign tax credits and certain discrete items. During the three quarters ended September 28, 2016, we amended prior years’ U.S. tax returns in order to maximize a foreign tax credit in lieu of a foreign tax deduction. This created a benefit to the effective tax rate of 4.8% for the quarter and 4.6% year-to-date. In addition, during the three quarters ended September 28, 2016, certain discrete items created an increase to the effective tax rate of 4.3% for the quarter and 4.7% year-to-date. In addition to the items noted above, the 2016 year-to-date rate of 64.2% was also impacted by the recognition of a $2.1 million tax benefit related to the $24.3 million pre-tax settlement loss on the Pension Plan liquidation. This benefit was at a rate lower than the effective tax rate due to the previous recognition of an approximate $7.2 million tax benefit recognized with the reversal of our valuation allowance in 2011. Excluding the impact of the Pension Plan liquidation, our effective income tax rate would have been 35.6% for the three quarters ended September 28, 2016.

Commitments and Contingencies	9 Months Ended
Commitments and Contingencies	Sep. 27, 2017
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	Commitments and Contingencies We have guarantees related to certain franchisee loans. Payments under these guarantees would result from the inability of a franchisee to fund required payments when due. Through September 27, 2017, no events had occurred that caused us to make payments under these guarantees. There were $6.0 million and $7.9 million of loans outstanding under these programs as of September 27, 2017 and December 28, 2016, respectively. As of September 27, 2017, the maximum amounts payable under the loan guarantees was $1.2 million. As a result of these guarantees, we have recorded liabilities of less than $0.1 million as of both September 27, 2017 and December 28, 2016, which are included as a component of other noncurrent liabilities in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and other nonoperating expense in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. There are various claims and pending legal actions against or indirectly involving us, incidental to and arising out of the ordinary course of the business. In the opinion of management, based upon information currently available, the ultimate liability with respect to these proceedings and claims will not materially affect the Company's consolidated results of operations or financial position.

Subsequent Events	9 Months Ended
Subsequent Events	Sep. 27, 2017
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Events	Subsequent Events Share Repurchase Program On October 27, 2017, the Board of Directors of Denny’s Corporation approved a new share repurchase program authorizing the Company to repurchase an additional $200 million of its common stock, in addition to repurchases previously authorized. As of October 27, 2017, the Company had approximately $7.6 million remaining available in its current $100 million share stock repurchase program announced in May 2016. Refinancing of Credit Facility On October 26, 2017, Denny's Corporation and certain of its subsidiaries refinanced our credit facility (the "Old Credit Facility") and entered into a new five-year $400 million senior secured revolver (with a $30 million letter of credit sublimit) (the “New Credit Facility”). The New Credit Facility includes an accordion feature that would allow us to increase the size of the revolver to $450 million. A commitment fee, initially set at 0.30%, is paid on the unused portion of the revolving credit facility. Borrowings under the credit facility bear a tiered interest rate, which is based on the Company’s consolidated leverage ratio and was initially set at LIBOR plus 200 basis points. The maturity date for the credit facility is October 26, 2022. The New Credit Facility was used to refinance the Old Credit Facility and will also be available for working capital, capital expenditures and other general corporate purposes. The New Credit Facility is guaranteed by the Company and its material subsidiaries and is secured by assets of the Company and its subsidiaries, including the stock of the Company's subsidiaries. It includes negative covenants that are usual for facilities and transactions of this type. The New Credit Facility also includes certain financial covenants with respect to a maximum consolidated leverage ratio and a minimum consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio.

Introduction and Basis of Presentation (Details)	Sep. 27, 2017 restaurant
Franchisor Disclosure [Line Items]
Number of restaurants	1,725
Franchised/licensed restaurants [Member]
Franchisor Disclosure [Line Items]
Number of restaurants	1,551
Company restaurants [Member]
Franchisor Disclosure [Line Items]
Number of restaurants	174

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2016 USD ($)
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Cumulative effect adjustment	$ (8,971)
Initial franchise fees	2,700
Advertising contributions from franchisees	76,500
Revenue recognized in breakage on gift cards	300
Other Noncurrent Assets [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Cumulative effect adjustment	(200)
Paid-in Capital [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Cumulative effect adjustment	(600)
Excess Tax Benefits [Member] \| (Deficit) [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Cumulative effect adjustment	(8,800)
Estimated Forfeitures [Member] \| (Deficit) [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Cumulative effect adjustment	$ 400

Receivables (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
Receivables (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 27, 2017	Dec. 28, 2016
Receivables [Abstract]
Trade accounts receivable from franchisees, gross, current	$ 11,471	$ 10,513
Financing receivables from franchisees, gross, current	2,228	2,804
Allowance for doubtful accounts	(281)	(280)
Total current receivables, net	17,423	19,841
Noncurrent assets (included as a component of other noncurrent assets):
Financing receivables from franchisees, noncurrent	479	732
Write-off of financing receivables from a franchisee	200
Vendor receivables [Member]
Receivables [Abstract]
Other receivables, gross, current	1,844	3,865
Credit card receivables [Member]
Receivables [Abstract]
Other receivables, gross, current	1,505	1,678
Other [Member]
Receivables [Abstract]
Other receivables, gross, current	656	$ 1,261
Insurance receivable, current	$ 400

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2017 USD ($) restaurants	Dec. 28, 2016 USD ($)
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance, December 28, 2016	$ 35,233
Additions related to acquisition	2,573
Adjustments related to the sale of restaurants	15
Balance, September 27, 2017	37,821
Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount - Trade names	44,076	$ 44,076
Gross carrying amount - Liquor licenses	166	166
Accumulated amortization - Intangible assets with definite lives	2,530	1,437
Intangible assets	$ 58,605	55,930
Restaurants reacquired from franchisees \| restaurants	7
Restaurants reacquired from former franchisees \| restaurants	1
Purchase price to reacquire franchised restaurants	$ 6,500
Purchase price allocation of property	1,000
Purchase price allocation of goodwill	2,573
Capital leases recorded related to acquired franchise restaurants	1,900
Other Intangible Assets [Member]
Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount - Intangible assets with definite lives	0	190
Accumulated amortization - Intangible assets with definite lives	0	186
Franchise Rights [Member]
Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount - Intangible assets with definite lives	14,363	11,498
Accumulated amortization - Intangible assets with definite lives	2,530	$ 1,251
Purchase price allocation of reacquired franchise rights	$ 2,900

Other Current Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 27, 2017	Dec. 28, 2016
Other Liabilities, Current [Abstract]
Accrued payroll	$ 18,321	$ 27,056
Accrued insurance, primarily current portion of liability for insurance claims	6,481	6,651
Accrued taxes	8,880	7,407
Accrued advertising	6,066	8,051
Gift cards	4,537	5,474
Other	9,463	10,157
Other current liabilities	$ 53,748	$ 64,796

Long-Term Debt (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2017	Dec. 28, 2016
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Interest rate swaps, net liability	$ 4,000
Interest rate swaps, asset	100
Interest rate swaps, liability	4,100
Interest Rate Swaps 2015-2018 [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Derivative, notional amount	$ 120,000
Average fixed interest rate on interest rate swaps	3.13%
Interest Rate Swaps 2018-2025 [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Derivative, notional amount	$ 170,000
Average fixed interest rate on interest rate swaps	4.44%
Interest Rate Swaps 2018-2026 [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Derivative, notional amount	$ 50,000
Average fixed interest rate on interest rate swaps	4.46%
Senior secured revolver [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, current borrowing capacity	$ 325,000
Outstanding amount under credit facility	261,800
Availability under the revolving facility	$ 41,700
Weighted-average interest rate (in hundredths)	3.27%	2.45%
Commitment fee for unused portion of revolving credit facility (in hundredths)	0.30%
Basis spread on variable rate debt	2.00%
Maturity date	Mar. 30, 2020
Senior secured revolver [Member] \| Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Weighted-average interest rate (in hundredths)	3.22%	2.74%
Letter of Credit [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, current borrowing capacity	$ 30,000
Outstanding amount of letters of credit	$ 21,500

Defined Benefit Plans (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
Defined Benefit Plans (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 27, 2017	Sep. 28, 2016	Sep. 27, 2017	Sep. 28, 2016	Dec. 28, 2016
Components of net periodic benefit cost [Abstract]
Pension settlement loss	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 24,297
Additional minimum pension liability	900		900		$ 945
Pension Plan [Member]
Components of net periodic benefit cost [Abstract]
Service cost	0	0	0	105
Net periodic benefit cost	0	0	0	105
Employer contributions		9,500
Assets used for settlements		67,700
Pension settlement loss		24,300
Other Defined Benefit Plans [Member]
Components of net periodic benefit cost [Abstract]
Interest cost	20	23	62	69
Amortization of net loss	23	21	69	64
Net periodic benefit cost	43	$ 44	131	133
Employer contributions			200	$ 100
Estimated employer contributions remainder of current fiscal year	$ 100		$ 100

Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 27, 2017	Sep. 28, 2016	Sep. 27, 2017	Sep. 28, 2016	Dec. 28, 2011
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Effective tax rate, percent	36.80%	35.20%	36.30%	64.20%
Effective tax rate benefit, foreign tax credits, percent		4.80%		4.60%
Effective tax rate increase, certain discrete items, percent		4.30%		4.70%
Effective tax rate benefit, Pension Plan liquidation, amount				$ 2,100
Pension settlement loss	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ (24,297)
Tax benefit recognized with reversal of the valuation allowance					$ 7,200
Effective tax rate excluding the pension settlement, percent				35.60%

Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2017	Sep. 28, 2016
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]
Income taxes paid, net	$ 5,039	$ 1,140
Interest paid	10,547	8,197
Noncash investing and financing activities:
Property acquisition payable	500	0
Issuance of common stock, pursuant to share-based compensation plans	4,961	3,597
Execution of capital leases	4,959	7,180
Treasury stock payable	741	695
Notes received in connection with disposition of property	$ 1,750	$ 0

Shareholders' Equity (Share Repurchase) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2017	Feb. 06, 2017	Sep. 27, 2017	Dec. 28, 2016
Equity, Class of Treasury Stock [Line Items]
Purchase of treasury stock			$ 66,379
Number of accumulated shares repurchased (in shares)	41,869		41,869	35,757
Share Repurchase Program 2016 [Member]
Equity, Class of Treasury Stock [Line Items]
Share repurchase, authorized amount (in dollars)	$ 100,000		$ 100,000
Purchase of treasury stock (in shares)			5,600
Purchase of treasury stock			$ 66,400
Remaining shares to be repurchased (in dollars)	$ 12,800		$ 12,800
Number of accumulated shares repurchased (in shares)	7,200		7,200
Value of shares repurchased	$ 87,200		$ 87,200
November 2016 Accelerated Share Repurchase [Member]
Equity, Class of Treasury Stock [Line Items]
Share repurchase, authorized amount (in dollars)				$ 25,000
Purchase of treasury stock (in shares)	500	2,000		1,500
Purchase of treasury stock	$ 6,900			$ 18,100
Remaining shares to be repurchased (in dollars)				$ 6,900
Volume-weighted average price of treasury stock repurchased		$ 12.36

Commitments and Contingencies (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 27, 2017	Dec. 28, 2016
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Loan amounts outstanding under the loan pools	$ 6.0	$ 7.9
Maximum payments guaranteed	1.2
Guarantee liabilities included as a component of other noncurrent liabilities	$ 0.1	$ 0.1

Subsequent Events Subsequent Events (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	1 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Oct. 26, 2017	Sep. 27, 2017
Share Repurchase Program 2017 [Member] \| Subsequent Event [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Share repurchase, authorized amount (in dollars)	$ 200.0
Share Repurchase Program 2016 [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Share repurchase, authorized amount (in dollars)		$ 100.0
Remaining shares to be repurchased (in dollars)		12.8
Share Repurchase Program 2016 [Member] \| Subsequent Event [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Share repurchase, authorized amount (in dollars)	100.0
Remaining shares to be repurchased (in dollars)	7.6
Senior secured revolver [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, current borrowing capacity		$ 325.0
Basis spread on variable rate debt		2.00%
Commitment fee for unused portion of revolving credit facility (in hundredths)		0.30%
Maturity date		Mar. 30, 2020
Senior secured revolver [Member] \| Subsequent Event [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, current borrowing capacity	$ 400.0
Basis spread on variable rate debt	2.00%
Accordion feature that allows increase in size of facility	$ 450.0
Commitment fee for unused portion of revolving credit facility (in hundredths)	0.30%
Maturity date	Oct. 26, 2022
Letter of Credit [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, current borrowing capacity		$ 30.0
Letter of Credit [Member] \| Subsequent Event [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, current borrowing capacity	$ 30.0