Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Oct. 02, 2012	Sep. 27, 2011	Oct. 02, 2012	Sep. 27, 2011	Jan. 03, 2012
Segment information
Revenues	$ 453,819	$ 430,417	$ 1,344,322	$ 1,279,928
Income from operations	39,324	30,254	110,513	95,267
Depreciation and amortization	18,733	17,588	55,540	52,524
Capital expenditures	30,192	20,044	64,611	50,220
Total assets	1,049,123		1,049,123		1,022,570
Restaurants
Segment information
Revenues	437,887	413,315	1,305,808	1,236,767
Income from operations	57,985	50,719	177,905	159,237
Depreciation and amortization	16,915	15,918	50,342	47,515
Capital expenditures	21,924	16,402	47,949	43,349
Total assets	810,771		810,771		835,393
Bakery
Segment information
Revenues	31,384	33,016	87,711	86,963
Income from operations	2,191	2,289	5,987	5,174
Depreciation and amortization	766	644	2,040	1,935
Capital expenditures	1,875	3,016	6,767	3,649
Total assets	70,215		70,215		61,382
Intercompany bakery sales
Segment information
Revenues	(15,452)	(15,914)	(49,197)	(43,802)
Income from operations	(20,852)	(22,754)	(73,379)	(69,144)
Depreciation and amortization	1,052	1,026	3,158	3,074
Capital expenditures	6,393	626	9,895	3,222
Total assets	$ 168,137		$ 168,137		$ 125,795