STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Details 3) (Directors and certain management employees, Non-vested stock and restricted stock units, USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011 Y	Dec. 25, 2010	Dec. 26, 2009
Directors and certain management employees \| Non-vested stock and restricted stock units
Non-vested stock and restricted stock units
Shares issued	47,417	29,076	21,607
Weighted average per share price on grant date	$ 88.26	$ 80.91	$ 64.44
Compensation expense (in dollars)	$ 2,004	$ 2,541	$ 2,595
Deferred stock-based compensation granted	$ 5,469
Weighted-average period for grant of stock-based compensation (in years)	2.2

Represents the expense recognized during the period arising from equity-based compensation arrangements (for example, shares of stock, unit, stock options or other equity instruments) with employees, directors and certain consultants qualifying for treatment as employees.

+ References+ Details

The weighted average fair value of nonvested awards on equity-based plans excluding option plans (for example, phantom stock or unit plan, stock or unit appreciation rights plan, revenue or profit achievement stock award plan) for which the employer is contingently obligated to issue equity instruments or transfer assets to an employee who has not yet satisfied service or performance criteria necessary to gain title to proceeds from the sale of the award or underlying shares or units.

+ References+ Details