Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 25, 2011	Dec. 26, 2010	Dec. 27, 2009
Operating activities
Net income, including noncontrolling interests	$ 59,387	$ 55,425	$ 61,209
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Provision for uncollectible accounts and notes receivable	1,037	917	2,242
Depreciation and amortization	32,681	32,407	31,446
Deferred income taxes	9,909	4,553	7,469
Stock-based compensation expense	6,704	6,066	5,817
Excess tax benefit on equity awards	(741)	(359)	(1,035)
Other	3,072	286	1,071
Disposition and impairment losses	1,200	479	1,258
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
Accounts receivable	(4,298)	(5,022)	155
Inventories	(2,689)	(1,848)	1,096
Prepaid expenses	(2,514)	(1,303)	595
Other current assets	210	16	2,009
Other assets and liabilities	(1,600)	(416)	(4,197)
Accounts payable	1,397	4,579	(1,776)
Income and other taxes payable	2,180	480	(3,623)
Accrued expenses	(4,501)	(4,607)	338
Unearned franchise and development fees	(426)	928	(248)
Net cash provided by operating activities	101,008	92,581	103,826
Investing activities
Purchase of property and equipment	(29,319)	(31,125)	(33,538)
Purchase of investments	(229)	(549)	(1,187)
Proceeds from sale or maturity of investments	129	327	335
Loans issued	(3,492)	(2,637)	(11,635)
Repayments of loans issued	5,357	3,918	8,496
Acquisitions			(464)
Proceeds from divestitures of restaurants		1,397	830
Other	68	12	756
Net cash used in investing activities	(27,486)	(28,657)	(36,407)
Financing activities
Net repayments on line of credit facility	(47,511)		(24,500)
Net repayments from short-term debt - variable interest entities			(7,075)
Excess tax benefit on equity awards	741	359	1,035
Tax payments for restricted stock	(1,041)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	14,042	6,410	9,830
Acquisition of Company common stock	(65,323)	(46,936)	(28,477)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(3,669)	(3,147)	(3,840)
Other	160	96	(27)
Net cash used in financing activities	(102,601)	(43,218)	(53,054)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	92	62	176
Change in cash and cash equivalents	(28,987)	20,768	14,541
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	46,225	25,457	10,916
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$ 17,238	$ 46,225	$ 25,457