(5) Investment in Joint Venture with Tim Horton's, Inc. (Details) (Investment in Joint Venture with Tim Horton's, Inc. [Member]) In Thousands	6 Months Ended
Jul. 03, 2011 USD ($)	Jul. 03, 2011 CAD	Jul. 04, 2010 USD ($)	Jul. 04, 2010 CAD
Investment in Joint Venture with Partner [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period (a)	$ 98,631		$ 97,476
Equity in earnings for the period	6,588		5,913
Amortization of purchase price adjustments	(1,371)		(1,433)
Equity in earnings for the period, net of amortization of purchase price adjustment	5,217		4,480
Distributions	(6,501)		(5,793)
Currency translation adjustment included in Comprehensive income	3,990		(592)
Balance at end of period (a)	101,337		95,571
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Assets [Abstract]
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Properties		76,837		80,988
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Cash and Cash Equivalents		2,503		1,244
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Accounts Receivable		5,103		4,258
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Other Assets		2,755		3,621
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Assets		87,198		90,111
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Liabilities and Equity [Abstract]
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabillities		951		1,218
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Other Liabilities		9,100		8,926
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Equity or Capital		77,147		79,967
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Liabilities and Equity		87,198		90,111
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenues		18,985		18,619
Income before income taxes and net income		13,219		12,014

This item represents disclosure of the amount of dividends or other distributions received from unconsolidated subsidiaries, certain corporate joint ventures, and certain noncontrolled corporation; these investments are accounted for under the equity method of accounting. This element excludes distributions that constitute a return of investment, which are classified as investing activities.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 28
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3602-108585

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 95
-Paragraph 28
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB)
-Number 18
-Paragraph 19
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Article 5
-Section 03
-Paragraph 13