Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Total	Preferred Stock	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	Treasury Stock	Series A Perpetual Stock	Series A Perpetual Stock Retained Earnings	Series B Convertible Stock	Series B Convertible Stock Preferred Stock	Series B Convertible Stock Common Stock	Series B Convertible Stock Additional Paid-in Capital	Series B Convertible Stock Retained Earnings
Stockholders' Equity, Beg at Dec. 31, 2009	$ 69,904	$ 39,623	$ 238	$ 171,207	$ 155,397	$ (20,811)	$ (275,750)
Treasury Stock, Shares, Beg at Dec. 31, 2009							6,215,566
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding, Beg at Dec. 31, 2009			17,564,449
Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding, Beg at Dec. 31, 2009		35,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss)	(2,788)				(2,788)
Other comprehensive income	20,529					20,529
Repurchase of restricted shares, shares			(50,543)
Repurchase of restricted shares	(1,884)			(1,884)
Net issuance of shares pursuant to stock plans, shares			653,519
Net issuance of shares pursuant to stock plans	7,968		5	7,963
Reissuance of treasury stock, shares			15,658				(15,658)
Reissuance of treasury stock	0			(849)			849
Stock-based compensation	13,085			13,085
Tax benefit from stock-based compensation	2,692			2,692
Dividends—Series A preferred stock								(25,927)	(25,927)
Accretion of Series B preferred stock	(2,432)									0	2,432			(2,432)
Stockholders' Equity, End at Dec. 31, 2010	83,579	42,055	243	192,214	124,250	(282)	(274,901)
Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding, End at Dec. 31, 2010		35,000
Treasury Stock, Shares, End at Dec. 31, 2010							6,199,908
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding, End at Dec. 31, 2010			18,183,083
Stockholders' Equity, Beg at Sep. 30, 2010
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Stock Repurchased During Period, Shares								190,000
Dividends—Series A preferred stock								(1,400)
Stockholders' Equity, End at Dec. 31, 2010	83,579	42,055	243	192,214	124,250	(282)	(274,901)
Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding, End at Dec. 31, 2010		35,000
Treasury Stock, Shares, Beg at Dec. 31, 2010							6,199,908
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding, Beg at Dec. 31, 2010			18,183,083
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss)	75,192				75,192
Other comprehensive income	(12)					(12)
Repurchase of restricted shares, shares			(91,798)
Repurchase of restricted shares	(5,080)			(5,080)
Stock Repurchased During Period, Shares			(534,101)				534,101
Purchase of DineEquity common stock	(21,170)						(21,170)
Net issuance of shares pursuant to stock plans, shares			366,055
Net issuance of shares pursuant to stock plans	2,427		4	2,423
Reissuance of treasury stock, shares			135,230				(135,230)
Reissuance of treasury stock	4,298			0			4,298
Stock-based compensation	9,492			9,492
Tax benefit from stock-based compensation	6,494			6,494
Conversion of Series B preferred stock, shares											(100)	1,737
Conversion of Series B preferred stock										0	(120)		120
Accretion of Series B preferred stock	(2,573)									0	2,573			(2,573)
Stockholders' Equity, End at Dec. 31, 2011	155,220	44,508	247	205,663	196,869	(294)	(291,773)
Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding, End at Dec. 31, 2011	34,900	34,900
Treasury Stock, Shares, End at Dec. 31, 2011	6,598,779						6,598,779
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding, End at Dec. 31, 2011	18,060,206		18,060,206
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss)	127,674				127,674
Other comprehensive income	142					142
Repurchase of restricted shares, shares			34,829
Repurchase of restricted shares	(1,740)			(1,740)
Net issuance of shares pursuant to stock plans, shares			59,622
Net issuance of shares pursuant to stock plans	1,800			1,800
Reissuance of treasury stock, shares			433,732				(433,732)
Reissuance of treasury stock	7,453			(6,636)			14,089
Stock-based compensation	11,442			11,442
Tax benefit from stock-based compensation	6,814			6,814
Conversion of Series B preferred stock, shares											(34,900)	679,168
Conversion of Series B preferred stock										0	(47,006)	7	46,999
Accretion of Series B preferred stock	(2,498)									0	2,498			(2,498)
Stockholders' Equity, End at Dec. 31, 2012	$ 308,805	$ 0	$ 254	$ 264,342	$ 322,045	$ (152)	$ (277,684)
Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding, End at Dec. 31, 2012	0	0
Treasury Stock, Shares, End at Dec. 31, 2012	6,165,047						6,165,047
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding, End at Dec. 31, 2012	19,197,899		19,197,899