Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income (loss)	$ 127,674	$ 75,192	$ (2,788)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to cash flows provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	39,538	50,220	61,427
Non-cash interest expense	5,985	6,160	34,379
Loss on extinguishment of debt and temporary equity	5,554	11,159	107,003
Impairment and closure charges	3,931	8,448	3,482
Deferred income taxes	(22,832)	11,835	(15,484)
Non-cash stock-based compensation expense	11,442	9,492	13,085
Tax benefit from stock-based compensation	6,814	6,494	2,692
Excess tax benefit from stock options exercised	(5,669)	(5,443)	(4,775)
Gain on disposition of assets	(102,597)	(43,253)	(13,574)
Other	(8,991)	(1,765)	5,431
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Receivables	(11,629)	(16,722)	3,736
Current income tax receivables and payables	1,272	20,479	(27,703)
Other current assets	(9,119)	(5,354)	(9,411)
Accounts payable	1,778	(3,533)	27
Accrued employee compensation and benefits	(3,756)	(6,656)	(5,000)
Gift card liability	14,735	21,983	19,507
Other accrued expenses	(1,251)	(17,050)	7,248
Cash flows provided by operating activities	52,879	121,686	179,282
Cash flows from investing activities
Additions to property and equipment	(16,952)	(26,332)	(18,677)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment and assets held for sale	168,881	115,642	51,642
Principal receipts from notes, equipment contracts and other long-term receivables	12,250	13,122	19,452
Other	1,238	(753)	1,087
Cash flows provided by investing activities	165,417	101,679	53,504
Cash flows from financing activities
Borrowings under revolving credit facilities	50,000	40,000	0
Repayments under revolving credit facilities	(50,000)	(40,000)	0
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	0	0	1,725,000
Repayment of long-term debt (including tender premiums)	(216,037)	(225,681)	(1,777,946)
Redemption of Series A Preferred Stock	0	0	(190,000)
Payment of debt issuance costs	0	(12,295)	(57,602)
Dividends paid (including Series A redemption premiums)	0	0	(26,117)
Purchase of DineEquity common stock	0	(21,170)	0
Principal payments on capital lease and financing obligations	(10,849)	(13,391)	(16,118)
Repurchase of restricted stock	(1,740)	(5,080)	(1,884)
Proceeds from stock options exercised	9,254	6,725	7,968
Excess tax benefit from stock options exercised	5,669	5,443	4,775
Change in restricted cash	(747)	466	119,133
Cash flows used in financing activities	(214,450)	(264,983)	(212,791)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	3,846	(41,618)	19,995
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	60,691	102,309	82,314
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	64,537	60,691	102,309
Supplemental disclosures
Interest paid	123,926	148,982	141,139
Income taxes paid	$ 91,354	$ 24,139	$ 33,389