Commitments and Contingencies (Narrative) (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 25, 2011 RenewalOptions	Dec. 26, 2010	Dec. 27, 2009
Contingencies
Operating leases, average term in years	5 years
Number of renewals	1
Total lease expense	$ 25,700,000	$ 24,500,000	$ 24,200,000
Investments in Industrial Revenue Bonds	80,200,000
Investments in Industrial Revenue Bonds, percent owned	100.00%
United Kingdom Restaurant Sites [Member] | Restaurant Sites [Member]
Contingencies
Number of lease agreements the company is contingently liable	40
Potential amount of undiscounted payments under lease arrangements	2,500,000
United Kingdom Restaurant Sites [Member] | Majority Expiration [Member]
Contingencies
Lease expiration, year	2014
United Kingdom Restaurant Sites [Member] | Latest Expiration [Member]
Contingencies
Lease expiration, year	2017
United Kingdom Restaurant Sites [Member] | Commitments [Member]
Contingencies
Loss contingency reserves	832,000
Distribution Subsidiary [Member]
Contingencies
Operating leases, average term in years	8 years
United Kingdom Subsidiary [Member]
Contingencies
Payments received from sublease	$ 3,700,000	$ 3,100,000	$ 2,900,000