Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 26, 2015
Revenues:
Franchise fees and royalty income	$ 592,689	$ 549,571	$ 513,222
Rental income	104,643	101,020	100,422
Sales of ice cream and other products	110,659	114,857	115,252
Sales at company-operated restaurants	0	11,975	28,340
Other revenues	52,510	51,466	53,697
Total revenues	860,501	828,889	810,933
Operating costs and expenses:
Occupancy expenses—franchised restaurants	60,301	57,409	54,611
Cost of ice cream and other products	77,012	77,608	76,877
Company-operated restaurant expenses	0	13,591	29,900
General and administrative expenses, net	248,975	246,814	243,796
Depreciation	20,084	20,458	20,556
Amortization of other intangible assets	21,335	22,079	24,688
Long-lived asset impairment charges	1,617	149	623
Total operating costs and expenses	429,324	438,108	451,051
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Income Statement [Abstract]
Net income, excluding impairment	15,198	14,552	12,555
Impairment charge	0	0	(54,300)
Net income (loss) of equity method investments	15,198	14,552	(41,745)
Other operating income, net	627	9,381	1,430
Operating income	447,002	414,714	319,567
Other income (expense), net:
Interest income	3,313	582	424
Interest expense	(104,423)	(100,852)	(96,765)
Loss on debt extinguishment and refinancing transactions	(6,996)	0	(20,554)
Other gains (losses), net	391	(1,195)	(1,084)
Total other expense, net	(107,715)	(101,465)	(117,979)
Income before income taxes	339,287	313,249	201,588
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	(11,622)	117,673	96,359
Net income including noncontrolling interests	350,909	195,576	105,229
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0	2
Net income attributable to Dunkin’ Brands	$ 350,909	$ 195,576	$ 105,227
Earnings per share:
Common-basic (in dollars per share)	$ 3.86	$ 2.14	$ 1.10
Common-diluted (in dollars per share)	3.80	2.11	1.08
Cash dividends declared per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 1.29	$ 1.20	$ 1.06