Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 20,824	$ 18,239
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash flows provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	8,783	8,836
Non-cash interest expense	1,642	1,503
Deferred income taxes	(10,031)	(8,253)
Non-cash stock-based compensation expense	3,143	3,189
Tax benefit from stock-based compensation	3,524	2,228
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation	(4,455)	(966)
Loss (gain) on disposition of assets	927	(318)
Debt modification costs	0	1,282
Other	(196)	1,806
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Receivables	52,887	47,216
Current income tax receivables and payables	18,020	16,528
Other current assets	8,913	16,678
Accounts payable	775	1,659
Accrued employee compensation and benefits	(14,857)	(11,482)
Gift card liability	(60,936)	(54,332)
Other accrued expenses	23,877	27,413
Cash flows provided by operating activities	52,840	71,226
Cash flows from investing activities:
Additions to property and equipment	(2,039)	(1,495)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	681	0
Principal receipts from notes, equipment contracts and other long-term receivables	3,415	3,810
Other	(55)	68
Cash flows provided by investing activities	2,002	2,383
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayment of long-term debt	(1,200)	(1,200)
Payment of debt modification costs	0	(1,282)
Principal payments on capital lease and financing obligations	(2,695)	(2,483)
Repurchase of DineEquity common stock	(15,002)	0
Dividends paid on common stock	(14,293)	(14,512)
Repurchase of restricted stock	(1,831)	(2,590)
Proceeds from stock options exercised	6,623	3,018
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation	4,455	966
Change in restricted cash	(3,692)	(2,681)
Cash flows used in financing activities	(27,635)	(20,764)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	27,207	52,845
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	106,011	64,537
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	133,218	117,382
Supplemental disclosures:
Interest paid in cash	8,901	9,030
Income taxes paid in cash	$ 2,294	$ 912