Consolidated Statements of Operations (unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 25, 2012	Sep. 27, 2011	Sep. 25, 2012	Sep. 27, 2011
Revenues:
Total revenues	$ 529,338	$ 453,087	$ 1,558,508	$ 1,326,267
Bakery-cafe expenses:
Cost of food and paper products	139,250	119,518	404,776	342,976
Labor	140,113	121,418	410,887	354,394
Occupancy	33,230	29,763	96,591	84,680
Other operating expenses	65,856	55,303	187,555	157,371
Total bakery-cafe expenses	378,449	326,002	1,099,809	939,421
Fresh dough and other product cost of sales to franchisees	34,041	29,283	97,232	85,932
Depreciation and amortization	23,828	20,068	67,290	58,869
General and administrative expenses	30,891	28,844	88,402	80,516
Pre-opening expenses	2,130	1,283	6,217	3,816
Total costs and expenses	469,339	405,480	1,358,950	1,168,554
Operating profit	59,999	47,607	199,558	157,713
Interest expense	263	194	675	616
Other (income) expense, net	692	837	1,418	(143)
Income before income taxes	59,044	46,576	197,465	157,240
Income taxes	22,529	17,728	75,629	59,908
Net income	36,515	28,848	121,836	97,332
Earnings Per Common Share
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 1.25	$ 0.98	$ 4.17	$ 3.27
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 1.24	$ 0.97	$ 4.14	$ 3.24
Weighted average shares of common and common equivalent shares outstanding:
Weighted average number of shares outstanding - basic (in shares)	29,242	29,548	29,209	29,756
Weighted average number of shares outstanding - diluted (in shares)	29,455	29,829	29,462	30,067
Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax
Foreign currency translation adjustment	551	31	579	39
Other Comprehensive Income	551	31	579	39
Comprehensive Income	37,066	28,879	122,415	97,371
Company Bakery Cafe Operations [Member]
Revenues:
Total revenues	466,369	397,271	1,374,229	1,157,375
Bakery-cafe expenses:
Depreciation and amortization	19,985	17,195	57,764	50,342
Franchise Operations [Member]
Revenues:
Total revenues	25,321	22,677	74,900	68,281
Fresh dough and other product sales to franchisees [Member]
Revenues:
Total revenues	$ 37,648	$ 33,139	$ 109,379	$ 100,611