Stock-Based Incentive Plans Stock-based Incentive Plans (Narrative) (Details)			12 Months Ended
	May 17, 2011 DineEquity, Inc. 2011 Stock Incentive Plan [Member]	Dec. 31, 2008 IHOP Corp. 2001 Stock Incentive Plan [Member]	Dec. 31, 1999 Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors [Member]	Dec. 31, 2005 2005 Stock Incentive Plan for Non-Employee Directors [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Number of Outstanding Options	1,500,000	4,200,000
Share-based Goods and Nonemployee Services Transaction, Shares Approved for Issuance			400,000	200,000