Segment Information (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		Jan. 30, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 308,627		$ 299,729		$ 720,958		$ 700,312
Segment Income	55,419		46,956		128,517		108,352
General and administrative	(29,772)		(29,346)		(71,488)		(70,306)
Facility action charges, net	(2,029)		70		(2,430)		(441)
Other operating expenses	0		(194)		0		(545)
Operating income	23,618		17,486		54,599		37,060
Interest expense	(17,834)		(17,816)		(41,633)		(42,211)
Other expense, net	(3,179)		(2,215)		(2,030)		(1,416)
Income (loss) before income taxes	2,605		(2,545)		10,936		(6,567)
Capital expenditures	9,788		14,532		25,513		28,113
Depreciation and amortization	18,445		18,905		43,912		43,843
Total assets	1,478,967				1,478,967				1,480,138
Carl's Jr. [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	158,309		152,314		369,833		358,448
Segment Income	25,516		20,682		58,280		48,103
Capital expenditures	5,313		5,865		12,835		9,966
Total assets	754,057				754,057				779,970
Hardee's [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	150,206		147,234		350,871		341,450
Segment Income	29,794		26,165		69,989		60,007
Capital expenditures	4,288		8,488		12,030		17,759
Total assets	620,540				620,540				633,127
Other Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	112		181		254		414
Segment Income	109		109		248		242
Capital expenditures	187		179		648		388
Total assets	104,370				104,370				67,041
Included In Segment Income [Member] | Carl's Jr. [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Depreciation and amortization	8,370		8,655		19,930		20,579
Included In Segment Income [Member] | Hardee's [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Depreciation and amortization	9,322		9,411		22,144		21,466
Included In Segment Income [Member] | Other Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Depreciation and amortization	0		0		0		0
Excluded From Segment Income [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Depreciation and amortization	$ 753	[1]	$ 839	[1]	$ 1,838	[1]	$ 1,798	[1]

[1] Represents depreciation and amortization excluded from the computation of segment income.