Facilities Action Charges (Income), Net System Optimization Costs (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended					9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2014 stores		Mar. 30, 2014 stores	Sep. 29, 2013 stores		Sep. 28, 2014 stores		Mar. 30, 2014 stores	Sep. 29, 2013 stores
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Loss (gain) on sales of restaurants, net						$ (60,490)			$ (2,941)
System Optimization Remeasurement						7,484			18,359
Facilities action charges (income), net	7,520			22,275		(35,630)			31,690
System Optimization [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Significant Changes, Franchises Sold	2		174	53		176			61
Significant Changes, Franchises Sold, Incurred to Date								418
Loss (gain) on sales of restaurants, net	921			(1,665)		(60,490)			(2,941)
Gain on sales of restaurants, net, costs incurred since inception	(107,157)					(107,157)
System Optimization Remeasurement	5,210	[1]		12,421	[1]	7,484	[1]		18,359	[1]
System Optimization Remeasurement, Cost incurred to date	27,990	[1]				27,990	[1]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost						13,141
Restructuring and related cost, Cost incurred to date	(30,729)					(30,729)
Facilities action charges (income), net	7,520			21,557		(35,630)			26,356
System Optimization [Member] | Accelerated Depreciation Expense [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost	0			3,130	[2]	475	[2]		3,130	[2]
Restructuring and related cost, Cost incurred to date	17,382	[2]				17,382	[2]
System Optimization [Member] | Severance, Retention and Other Payroll Costs [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost	715			6,131		6,641			6,131
Restructuring and related cost, Cost incurred to date	16,291					16,291
System Optimization [Member] | Consulting and Professional Fees [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost	38			704		3,227			829
Restructuring and related cost, Cost incurred to date	5,616					5,616
System Optimization [Member] | Share Based Compensation Expense [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost	125	[3]		755	[3]	3,760	[3]		755	[3]
Restructuring and related cost, Cost incurred to date	5,013	[3]				5,013	[3]
System Optimization [Member] | Other [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost	511			81		3,273			93
Restructuring and related cost, Cost incurred to date	4,136					4,136
Minimum [Member] | System Optimization [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Cost	2,000					2,000
Maximum [Member] | System Optimization [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Cost	$ 4,000					$ 4,000

[1] Includes remeasurement of land, buildings, leasehold improvements and favorable lease assets at company-owned restaurants included in our system optimization initiative. See Note 5 for more information on non-recurring fair value measurements.

[2] Includes accelerated amortization of previously acquired franchise rights related to company-owned restaurants in territories that were sold in connection with our system optimization initiative.

[3] Represents incremental share-based compensation resulting from the modification of stock options and performance-based awards in connection with the termination of employees under our system optimization initiative.