Segment Information (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 23, 2012	Sep. 25, 2011	Sep. 23, 2012	Sep. 25, 2011	Dec. 25, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from external customers	$ 325,514	$ 305,668	$ 975,369	$ 911,669
Intersegment revenues	45,677	42,095	134,072	147,498
Income (loss) before income taxes	21,057	16,846	72,435	62,693
Accumulated depreciation and amortization	(283,623)		(283,623)
Net property and equipment	185,596		185,596		181,910	[1]
Domestic Company-owned Restaurants [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from external customers	143,299	128,787	430,641	395,099
Income (loss) before income taxes	5,549	4,273	27,228	22,577
Property and equipment, gross	180,973		180,973
Domestic Commissaries [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from external customers	132,666	130,870	396,869	379,569
Intersegment revenues	42,313	38,702	123,802	112,674
Income (loss) before income taxes	6,846	7,237	25,990	21,112
Property and equipment, gross	92,192		92,192
North America Franchising [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from external customers	18,937	18,122	58,984	56,265
Intersegment revenues	546	542	1,656	1,625
Income (loss) before income taxes	16,070	15,941	50,829	50,190
International [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from external customers	18,031	15,521	52,265	42,551
Intersegment revenues	60	58	171	163
Income (loss) before income taxes	625	249	1,217	(817)
Property and equipment, gross	20,702		20,702
All Other Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Intersegment revenues	2,758	2,793	8,443	7,919
Other sales	12,581	12,368	36,610	38,185
Income (loss) before income taxes	732	(66)	1,598	(742)
Property and equipment, gross	36,199		36,199
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Intersegment revenues				25,117
Unallocated Amount to Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Income (loss) before income taxes	(9,007)	(11,085)	(34,198)	(29,371)
Property and equipment, gross	139,153		139,153
Intersegment Elimination [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Income (loss) before income taxes	$ 242	$ 297	$ (229)	$ (256)

[1] The balance sheet at December 25, 2011 has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements at that date, but does not include all information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for a complete set of financial statements.