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Introduction and Basis of Presentation (Details) | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended
--- | --- | ---
Sep. 26, 2012 | Sep. 28, 2011 | Sep. 26, 2012 | Sep. 28, 2011
Entity and franchisee unit activity [Abstract] |  |  |  |
Units, end of period | 1,687 | 1,677 | 1,687 | 1,677
Franchised/licensed restaurants [Member] |  |  |  |
Entity and franchisee unit activity [Abstract] |  |  |  |
Units, beginning of period | 1,507 | 1,452 | 1,479 | 1,426
Units opened | 12 | 9 | 27 | 39
Units relocated | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1
Units purchased from Company | 5 | 3 | 28 | 13
Units closed | (8) | (10) | (18) | (25)
Units, end of period | 1,516 | 1,454 | 1,516 | 1,454
Entity owned restaurants [Member] |  |  |  |
Entity and franchisee unit activity [Abstract] |  |  |  |
Units, beginning of period | 177 | 225 | 206 | 232
Units opened | 0 | 2 | 0 | 8
Units sold to franchisees | (5) | (3) | (28) | (13)
Units closed | (1) | (1) | (7) | (4)
Units, end of period | 171 | 223 | 171 | 223

X
- Details
Name: | denn_EntityAndFranchiseeUnitActivityAbstract
Namespace Prefix: | denn_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Represents number of units closed by an entity and franchisee during the period. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | denn_UnitsClosed
Namespace Prefix: | denn_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Represents number of units opened by an entity and franchisee during the period. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | denn_UnitsOpened
Namespace Prefix: | denn_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Represents number of units franchisees purchased from the entity during the period. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | denn_UnitsPurchased
Namespace Prefix: | denn_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Represents number of units relocated during the period. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | denn_UnitsRelocated
Namespace Prefix: | denn_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

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- Definition Represents number of units sold to franchisees during the period. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | denn_UnitsSold
Namespace Prefix: | denn_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Represents the number of restaurants. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_NumberOfRestaurants
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant