Fair Value Of Financial Instruments (Nonrecurring) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Aug. 13, 2012	Aug. 15, 2011	Aug. 13, 2012	Aug. 15, 2011
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Impairment charges	$ 2,416	$ 192	$ 2,525	$ 250
Carl's Jr. [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Impairment charges	1,195	0	1,195	0
Hardee's [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Impairment charges	1,221	192	1,330	250
Company-operated [Member] | Carl's Jr. [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Number of underperforming restauarants	2
Property and equipment carrying value prior to impairment	1,265		1,265
Impairment charges	1,195
Domestic franchised [Member] | Hardee's [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Property and equipment carrying value prior to impairment	1,250		1,250
Impairment charges	$ 1,204