Facilities Action (Income) Charges, Net System Optimization Gain (Loss) on Sales of Restaurants (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 30, 2014		Mar. 31, 2013
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]
Proceeds from sales of restaurants	$ 13,466
Gain on sales of restaurants, net	60,941		0
System Optimization [Member]
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]
Number of restaurants sold to franchisees	174
Proceeds from sales of restaurants	94,991
Net assets sold	(41,219)	[1]
Goodwill related to sales of restaurants	(12,643)
Net favorable lease assets	20,921	[2]
Other	478
Gain (loss) on sales of Property Plant Equipment before post-closing adjustments	62,528
Post-closing adjustments on sales of restaurants	(1,587)
Gain on sales of restaurants, net	60,941
Favorable Lease Assets	43,332
Unfavorable Lease Liabilities	(22,411)
Assets Held-for-sale, Long Lived	$ 0

[1] Net assets sold consisted primarily of cash, inventory and equipment.

[2] The Company recorded favorable lease assets of $43,332 and unfavorable lease liabilities of $22,411 as a result of leasing and/or subleasing land, buildings, and/or leasehold improvements to franchisees, in connection with sales of restaurants.