Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 23, 2012	Sep. 25, 2011	Sep. 23, 2012	Sep. 25, 2011
Total revenues	$ 325,514	$ 305,668	$ 975,369	$ 911,669
General and administrative expenses	30,426	27,332	93,485	84,023
Other general expenses	1,211	4,777	8,020	7,017
Depreciation and amortization	8,192	7,974	24,223	24,711
Total costs and expenses	304,309	288,710	902,581	848,345
Operating income	21,205	16,958	72,788	63,324
Investment income	136	170	501	552
Interest expense	(284)	(282)	(854)	(1,183)
Income before income taxes	21,057	16,846	72,435	62,693
Income tax expense	7,112	4,906	24,479	20,151
Net income, including noncontrolling interests	13,945	11,940	47,956	42,542
Less: income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(794)	(817)	(3,292)	(2,868)
Net income, net of noncontrolling interests	13,151	11,123	44,664	39,674
Basic earnings per common share	$ 0.57	$ 0.45	$ 1.89	$ 1.57
Earnings per common share - assuming dilution	$ 0.55	$ 0.44	$ 1.85	$ 1.55
Basic weighted average shares outstanding	23,268	24,964	23,685	25,302
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding	23,721	25,146	24,107	25,528
Comprehensive Income	15,192	11,687	48,963	43,048
Domestic Company-owned Restaurant [Member]
Revenue from external customers	143,299	128,787	430,641	395,099
Cost of sales	34,054	32,229	99,391	94,491
Salaries and benefits	39,587	35,012	118,239	107,028
Advertising and related costs	13,920	11,790	39,897	36,477
Occupancy costs	9,185	8,496	25,702	24,304
Other operating expenses	21,490	18,858	62,738	57,265
Total costs and expenses	118,236	106,385	345,967	319,565
North America [Member]
Franchise royalties	18,777	17,967	58,396	55,801
Franchise and development fees	160	155	588	464
Domestic Commissaries [Member]
Revenue from external customers	132,666	130,870	396,869	379,569
All Other Segments [Member]
Other sales	12,581	12,368	36,610	38,185
International [Member]
Royalties and franchise and development fees	4,582	4,054	13,769	11,865
Revenue from external customers	13,449	11,467	38,496	30,686
Operating expenses	11,394	9,634	32,761	26,118
Domestic Commissary and Other [Member]
Cost of sales	111,114	110,387	328,364	320,359
Salaries and benefits	9,654	8,840	27,875	26,502
Other operating expenses	14,082	13,381	41,886	40,050
Total costs and expenses	$ 134,850	$ 132,608	$ 398,125	$ 386,911