Subsequent Events	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Events	Subsequent Events On February 4, 2013, the Company entered into Amendment No. 2 ("Amendment No. 2") to the Credit Agreement. Pursuant to Amendment No. 2, the interest rate margin applicable to LIBOR-based Term Loans was reduced from 3.00% to 2.75%, and the interest rate floors used to determine the LIBOR and Base Rate reference rates for Term Loans was reduced from 1.25% to 1.00% for LIBOR-based Term Loans and from 2.25% to 2.00% for Base Rate-denominated Term Loans. The interest rate margin for Revolving Loans was reduced from 3.50% to 1.75% for Base Rate loans and from 4.50% to 2.75% LIBOR Rate loans. The commitment fee for the unused portion of the Revolving Facility was reduced from 0.75% to 0.50% and, if the consolidated leverage ratio is reduced below 4.75:1, from 0.50% to 0.375%. In addition, Amendment No. 2 establishes the following consolidated leverage ratio thresholds for excess cash flow prepayments: 50% if the consolidated leverage ratio is 5.75:1 or greater; 25% if the consolidated leverage ratio is less than 5.75:1 and greater than or equal to 5.25:1; and 0% if the consolidated leverage ratio is less than 5.25:1. Pursuant to Amendment No. 2, the Corporation’s mandatory repayment of 1% per year is now based on the outstanding principal balance of $472 million as of December 31, 2012, as compared to the previous outstanding balance of $742 million. Amendment No. 2 revised the definition of excess cash flow to eliminate the deduction for any extraordinary receipts or disposition proceeds. Finally, Amendment No. 2 revised the definition of certain permitted payments so that the calculation of allowable restricted payments is performed on a quarterly basis instead of an annual basis that was required prior to Amendment No. 2. All other material provisions, including maturity and covenants under the Credit Agreement, remain unchanged. On February 26, 2013, the Company's Board of Directors approved the payment of a cash dividend of $0.75 per share on the Company's common stock, payable at the close of business on March 29, 2013 to the stockholders of record as of the close of business on March 15, 2013. The Board of Directors also approved a stock repurchase authorization of up to $100 million of DineEquity, Inc. common stock, replacing the previously announced $45 million authorization.

Subsequent Events

On February 4, 2013, the Company entered into Amendment No. 2 ("Amendment No. 2") to the Credit Agreement. Pursuant to Amendment No. 2, the interest rate margin applicable to LIBOR-based Term Loans was reduced from 3.00% to 2.75%, and the interest rate floors used to determine the LIBOR and Base Rate reference rates for Term Loans was reduced from 1.25% to 1.00% for LIBOR-based Term Loans and from 2.25% to 2.00% for Base Rate-denominated Term Loans. The interest rate margin for Revolving Loans was reduced from 3.50% to 1.75% for Base Rate loans and from 4.50% to 2.75% LIBOR Rate loans. The commitment fee for the unused portion of the Revolving Facility was reduced from 0.75% to 0.50% and, if the consolidated leverage ratio is reduced below 4.75:1, from 0.50% to 0.375%.

In addition, Amendment No. 2 establishes the following consolidated leverage ratio thresholds for excess cash flow prepayments: 50% if the consolidated leverage ratio is 5.75:1 or greater; 25% if the consolidated leverage ratio is less than 5.75:1 and greater than or equal to 5.25:1; and 0% if the consolidated leverage ratio is less than 5.25:1. Pursuant to Amendment No. 2, the Corporation’s mandatory repayment of 1% per year is now based on the outstanding principal balance of $472 million as of December 31, 2012, as compared to the previous outstanding balance of $742 million.

Amendment No. 2 revised the definition of excess cash flow to eliminate the deduction for any extraordinary receipts or disposition proceeds. Finally, Amendment No. 2 revised the definition of certain permitted payments so that the calculation of allowable restricted payments is performed on a quarterly basis instead of an annual basis that was required prior to Amendment No. 2. All other material provisions, including maturity and covenants under the Credit Agreement, remain unchanged.

On February 26, 2013, the Company's Board of Directors approved the payment of a cash dividend of $0.75 per share on the Company's common stock, payable at the close of business on March 29, 2013 to the stockholders of record as of the close of business on March 15, 2013. The Board of Directors also approved a stock repurchase authorization of up to $100 million of DineEquity, Inc. common stock, replacing the previously announced $45 million authorization.