Cover Page - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 25, 2020	May 14, 2020
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Mar. 25, 2020
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	0-18051
Entity Registrant Name	DENNY’S CORPORATION
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	13-3487402
Entity Address, Address Line One	203 East Main Street
Entity Address, City or Town	Spartanburg,
Entity Address, State or Province	SC
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	29319-0001
City Area Code	864
Local Phone Number	597-8000
Title of 12(b) Security	$.01 Par Value, Common Stock
Trading Symbol	DENN
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		55,692,074
Entity Central Index Key	0000852772
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-25
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Amendment Flag	false