Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2011
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 108,855		$ 46,572
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash flows provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	30,756		38,599
Non-cash interest expense	4,547		4,582
Loss on extinguishment of debt	4,917	[1]	7,885	[1]
Impairment and closure charges	991		26,729
Deferred income taxes	(20,361)		1,866
Non-cash stock-based compensation expense	8,799		6,913
Tax benefit from stock-based compensation	6,334		6,085
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation	(4,757)		(5,713)
Gain on disposition of assets	(89,642)		(21,287)
Other	(1,768)		(217)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Receivables	41,422		25,360
Prepaid expenses	7,414		1,247
Current income tax receivables and payables	12,512		21,519
Accounts payable	2,080		(3,992)
Accrued employee compensation and benefits	(6,490)		(9,099)
Gift card liability	(62,841)		(56,906)
Other accrued expenses	25,298		4,928
Cash flows provided by operating activities	68,066		95,071
Cash flows from investing activities:
Additions to property and equipment	(13,477)		(20,829)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment and assets held for sale	137,449		60,188
Principal receipts from notes, equipment contracts and other long-term receivables	10,276		9,922
Other	964		(558)
Cash flows provided by investing activities	135,212		48,723
Cash flows from financing activities:
Borrowings under revolving credit facilities	50,000		25,000
Repayments under revolving credit facilities	(50,000)		(25,000)
Repayment of long-term debt (including premiums)	(184,237)		(153,437)
Principal payments on capital lease and financing obligations	(8,246)		(10,296)
Purchase of DineEquity common stock	0		(21,170)
Payment of debt modification and issuance costs	0		(12,307)
Repurchase of restricted stock	(1,690)		(4,802)
Proceeds from stock options exercised	5,443		6,326
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation	4,757		5,713
Change in restricted cash	(8,158)		(1,590)
Other	0		(600)
Cash flows used in financing activities	(192,131)		(192,163)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	11,147		(48,369)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	60,691		102,309
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	71,838		53,940
Supplemental disclosures:
Interest paid in cash	77,758		95,867
Income taxes paid in cash	$ 58,339		$ 15,685

[1] Including write-off of the discount and deferred financing costs related to the debt retired.