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(6) Cash and Receivables Schedule of Allowance for Doubtful Accounts (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified | 12 Months Ended |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
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Jan. 01, 2012 | Jan. 02, 2011 | Jan. 03, 2010 | Jan. 01, 2012 Franchisees [Member] | Jan. 02, 2011 Franchisees [Member] | Jan. 03, 2010 Franchisees [Member] | Jan. 01, 2012 Notes Receivable [Member] Deerfield Capital Corporation [Member] | Jan. 02, 2011 Notes Receivable [Member] Deerfield Capital Corporation [Member] | Jan. 03, 2010 Notes Receivable [Member] Deerfield Capital Corporation [Member] | Jan. 01, 2012 Other Receivables [Member] | Jan. 02, 2011 Other Receivables [Member] | Jan. 03, 2010 Other Receivables [Member] | Jan. 01, 2012 Allowance for doubtful accounts, current [Member] | Jan. 02, 2011 Allowance for doubtful accounts, current [Member] | Jan. 03, 2010 Allowance for doubtful accounts, current [Member] | Dec. 28, 2008 Allowance for doubtful accounts, current [Member] | Jan. 01, 2012 Allowance for doubtful accounts, noncurrent [Member] | Jan. 02, 2011 Allowance for doubtful accounts, noncurrent [Member] | Jan. 03, 2010 Allowance for doubtful accounts, noncurrent [Member] | Dec. 28, 2008 Allowance for doubtful accounts, noncurrent [Member]
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Balance at beginning of year | $ 11,099 | $ 29,106 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 4,053 | $ 7,321 | $ 6,540 | $ 887 | $ 963 | $ 3,778 | $ 22,566 | $ 21,804
Provision for doubtful accounts |  |  |  | 264 | 9,694 | 8,342 | 0 | (21,227) | 0 | 0 | 0 | (173) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Arby's allowance transferred in sale | (5,504) | 0 | 0 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Uncollective accounts written off, net of recoveries | (843) | (6,474) | (1,754) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Balance at end of year | $ 5,016 | $ 11,099 | $ 29,106 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 4,053 | $ 7,321 | $ 6,540 | $ 887 | $ 963 | $ 3,778 | $ 22,566 | $ 21,804

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- Definition Total of allowances and reserves, the valuation and qualifying accounts that are either netted against the cost of an asset (in order to value it at its carrying value) or that reflect a liability established to represent expected future costs. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 09 -Article 12 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 235 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 4 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6881521&loc=d3e24092-122690 + Details
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- Definition Total of allowances and reserves, the valuation and qualifying accounts that are either netted against the cost of an asset (in order to value it at its carrying value) or that reflect a liability established to represent expected future costs, charged to costs and expenses. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 09 -Article 12 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 235 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 4 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6881521&loc=d3e24092-122690 + Details
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- Definition Direct write-downs of receivables, net of recoveries, charged against the allowance for doubtful accounts. + References No definition available. + Details
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