Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Nov. 05, 2012		Nov. 07, 2011		Nov. 05, 2012		Nov. 07, 2011		Jan. 30, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 310,799		$ 292,619		$ 1,031,757		$ 992,931
Segment Income	56,360		44,840		184,877		153,192
General and administrative expense	(30,800)		(30,570)		(102,288)		(100,876)
Facility action charges, net	(102)		(262)		(2,532)		(703)
Other operating expenses	0		0		0		(545)
Operating income	25,458		14,008		80,057		51,068
Interest expense	(17,381)		(17,415)		(59,014)		(59,626)
Other income (expense), net	430		(252)		(1,600)		(1,668)
Income (loss) before income taxes	8,507		(3,659)		19,443		(10,226)
Capital expenditures	13,881		16,327		39,394		44,440
Depreciation and amortization	17,042		19,030		60,954		62,873
Total assets	1,523,302				1,523,302				1,480,138
Carl's Jr. [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	158,042		149,966		527,875		508,414
Segment Income	24,712		18,707		82,992		66,810
Capital expenditures	9,813		8,642		22,648		18,608
Total assets	832,124				832,124				779,970
Hardee's [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	152,644		142,529		503,515		483,979
Segment Income	31,535		26,016		101,524		86,023
Capital expenditures	3,545		7,275		15,575		25,034
Total assets	614,577				614,577				633,127
Other Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	113		124		367		538
Segment Income	113		117		361		359
Capital expenditures	523		410		1,171		798
Total assets	76,601				76,601				67,041
Included In Segment Income [Member] | Carl's Jr. [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Depreciation and amortization	7,837		8,548		27,767		29,127
Included In Segment Income [Member] | Hardee's [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Depreciation and amortization	8,550		9,712		30,694		31,178
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	$ 655	[1]	$ 770	[1]	$ 2,493	[1]	$ 2,568	[1]

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