Facilities Action Charges (Income), Net System Optimization Gain on Sale of Restaurants, Net (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		Sep. 29, 2013 stores
Gain on Sale of Restaurants [Abstract]
(Loss) gain on sales of restaurants, net						$ 60,490		$ 2,941
System Optimization [Member]
Gain on Sale of Restaurants [Abstract]
Number of restaurants sold to franchisees	2		174	53		176		61
Proceeds from sales of restaurants	62			22,871		95,053		25,671
Net assets sold (a)	(132)	[1]		(13,646)	[1]	(41,351)	[1]	(14,489)	[1]
Goodwill related to sales of restaurants	(10)			(5,621)		(12,653)		(6,302)
Net (unfavorable) favorable lease (liabilities)/assets (b)	(420)	[2]		(1,884)	[2]	20,501	[2]	(1,884)	[2]
Other	0			(22)		478		(22)
(Loss) gain on sales of restaurants, net, before post-closing adjustments	(500)			1,698		62,028		2,974
Post-closing adjustments on sales of restaurants	(421)			(33)		(1,538)		(33)
(Loss) gain on sales of restaurants, net	(921)			1,665		60,490		2,941
Favorable Lease Assets	164			8,789		43,496		8,789
Unfavorable Lease Liabilities	$ 584			$ 10,673		$ 22,995		$ 10,673

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

[2] During the three and nine months ended September 28, 2014, the Company recorded favorable lease assets of $164 and $43,496, respectively, and unfavorable lease liabilities of $584 and $22,995, respectively, as a result of leasing and/or subleasing land, buildings, and/or leasehold improvements to franchisees, in connection with sales of restaurants. During the three and nine months ended September 29, 2013, the Company recorded favorable lease assets of $8,789 and unfavorable lease liabilities of $10,673.