Consolidated Statements of Operations (unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 26, 2012	Jun. 28, 2011	Jun. 26, 2012	Jun. 28, 2011
Revenues:
Total revenues	$ 530,591	$ 451,080	$ 1,029,170	$ 873,180
Bakery-cafe expenses:
Cost of food and paper products	136,498	117,249	265,526	223,458
Labor	136,947	118,926	270,774	232,976
Occupancy	32,253	28,144	63,361	54,917
Other operating expenses	64,183	54,741	121,699	102,068
Total bakery-cafe expenses	369,881	319,060	721,360	613,419
Fresh dough and other product cost of sales to franchisees	33,046	28,625	63,191	56,649
Depreciation and amortization	22,141	19,707	43,462	38,801
General and administrative expenses	30,844	25,001	57,511	51,672
Pre-opening expenses	2,476	1,555	4,087	2,533
Total costs and expenses	458,388	393,948	889,611	763,074
Operating profit	72,203	57,132	139,559	110,106
Interest expense	202	197	412	422
Other (income) expense, net	288	(176)	726	(980)
Income before income taxes	71,713	57,111	138,421	110,664
Income taxes	27,576	21,401	53,100	42,180
Net income	44,137	35,710	85,321	68,484
Earnings Per Common Share
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 1.51	$ 1.20	$ 2.92	$ 2.29
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 1.50	$ 1.18	$ 2.90	$ 2.27
Weighted average shares of common and common equivalent shares outstanding:
Weighted average number of shares outstanding - basic (in shares)	29,201	29,867	29,192	29,848
Weighted average number of shares outstanding - diluted (in shares)	29,466	30,198	29,464	30,173
Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax
Foreign currency translation adjustment	56	5	28	8
Other Comprehensive Income	56	5	28	8
Comprehensive Income	44,193	35,715	85,349	68,492
Company Bakery Cafe Operations [Member]
Revenues:
Total revenues	468,645	394,525	907,860	760,104
Bakery-cafe expenses:
Depreciation and amortization	19,279	16,903	37,779	33,147
Franchise Operations [Member]
Revenues:
Total revenues	24,757	23,022	49,579	45,604
Fresh dough and other product sales to franchisees [Member]
Revenues:
Total revenues	$ 37,189	$ 33,533	$ 71,731	$ 67,472