Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 24, 2012	Jun. 26, 2011	Jun. 24, 2012	Jun. 26, 2011
Total revenues	$ 318,579	$ 293,534	$ 649,855	$ 606,001
General and administrative expenses	31,463	27,617	63,059	56,691
Other general expenses	1,135	1,459	6,809	2,240
Depreciation and amortization	8,104	8,425	16,031	16,737
Total costs and expenses	294,252	274,379	598,272	559,635
Operating income	24,327	19,155	51,583	46,366
Investment income	195	205	365	382
Interest expense	(282)	(293)	(570)	(901)
Income before income taxes	24,240	19,067	51,378	45,847
Income tax expense	8,299	6,014	17,367	15,245
Net income, including noncontrolling interests	15,941	13,053	34,011	30,602
Less: income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(1,172)	(929)	(2,498)	(2,051)
Net income, net of noncontrolling interests	14,769	12,124	31,513	28,551
Basic earnings per common share	$ 0.62	$ 0.48	$ 1.32	$ 1.12
Earnings per common share - assuming dilution	$ 0.61	$ 0.47	$ 1.30	$ 1.11
Basic weighted average shares outstanding	23,733	25,464	23,893	25,474
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding	24,112	25,685	24,270	25,713
Comprehensive Income	15,490	12,539	33,771	31,361
Domestic Company-owned Restaurant [Member]
Revenue from external customers	143,527	127,641	287,342	266,312
Cost of sales	32,881	30,162	65,337	62,262
Salaries and benefits	39,839	34,367	78,652	72,016
Advertising and related costs	13,278	11,898	25,977	24,687
Occupancy costs	8,619	7,939	16,517	15,808
Other operating expenses	20,830	18,492	41,248	38,407
Total costs and expenses	115,447	102,858	227,731	213,180
North America [Member]
Franchise royalties	19,101	18,103	39,619	37,834
Franchise and development fees	206	124	428	309
Domestic Commissaries [Member]
Revenue from external customers	126,593	121,027	264,203	248,699
All Other Segments [Member]
Other sales	11,771	12,370	24,029	25,817
International [Member]
Royalties and franchise and development fees	4,701	4,049	9,187	7,811
Revenue from external customers	12,680	10,220	25,047	19,219
Operating expenses	10,975	8,756	21,367	16,484
Domestic Commissary and Other [Member]
Cost of sales	104,412	103,529	217,250	209,972
Salaries and benefits	9,218	8,651	18,221	17,662
Other operating expenses	13,498	13,084	27,804	26,669
Total costs and expenses	$ 127,128	$ 125,264	$ 263,275	$ 254,303