Goodwill (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 25, 2012
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	$ 108,071,000
North Carolina Acquisition	13,509,000
Currency Translation	107,000
Other	258,000
Ending Balance	121,945,000
Company bakery cafe operations [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	104,442,000
North Carolina Acquisition	13,509,000
Currency Translation	107,000
Ending Balance	118,316,000
Franchise operations [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	1,934,000
North Carolina Acquisition	0
Currency Translation	0
Other	0
Ending Balance	1,934,000
Fresh dough and other product operations [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	1,695,000
North Carolina Acquisition	0
Currency Translation	0
Other	0
Ending Balance	$ 1,695,000