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Pay vs Performance Disclosure - USD ($)
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 25, 2024
Dec. 27, 2023
Dec. 28, 2022
Dec. 29, 2021
Dec. 30, 2020
Pay vs Performance Disclosure          
Pay vs Performance Disclosure, Table
2024 Pay Versus Performance
As required by SEC rules, we are providing the following information about the relationship between executive compensation actually paid and certain financial performance of the Company. For further information concerning the Company’s variable
pay-for-performance
philosophy and how the Company’s aligns executive compensation with the Company’s performance, refer to the CD&A.
 
Year
  
Summary
Compensation Table
Total for PEO
(1)
    
Compensation
Actually Paid to PEO
(2)
    
Average
Summary
Compensation
Table Total for
non-PEO

NEOs
(3)
    
Average
Compensation
Actually Paid
to
non-PEO

NEOs
(4)
    
Value of Initial Fixed $100
Investment Based On
    
Net
income
(loss)
(in
millions)
(7)
    
Adjusted
EBITDA
(in
millions)
(8)
  
 
Kelli F.
Valade
    
John C.
Miller
    
Kelli F.
Valade
    
John C.
Miller
    
Total
Shareholder
Return
(5)
    
Peer Group
Total
Shareholder
Return
(6)
  
             
2024
     5,257,477       —       (258,465 )      —       1,674,962       637,849       29       190       21,571       81,354  
             
2023
     5,363,088       —       5,033,701       —       1,626,353       1,075,392       54       145       19,945       87,859  
             
2022
     3,427,341       4,575,064       3,245,486       (3,059,884 )      1,724,289       384,556       44       104       74,712       88,519  
             
2021
     —       6,400,488       —       5,982,906       1,893,720       1,793,436       78       122       78,073       88,563  
             
2020
     —       5,340,240       —       1,241,356       1,343,743       579,316       70       117       (5,116 )      37,755  
 
(1)
The dollar amounts reported are (i) for 2024 and 2023, the amounts of total compensation reported for Ms. Valade, (ii) for 2022, the amounts of total compensation reported for Ms. Valade (our current Chief Executive Officer from June 13, 2022 until December 28, 2022) and the amounts of total compensation reported for Mr. Miller (our former Chief Executive Officer until June 13, 2022), (iii) for 2021 and 2020, the amounts of total compensation reported for Mr. Miller (our Chief Executive Officer in those years) (Ms. Valade and Mr. Miller, together, the “PEOs”) in the “Total” column of the 2024 Summary Compensation Table.
 
(2)
The dollar amounts reported represent the amount of “compensation actually paid” to the relevant PEO during the applicable year as computed in accordance with SEC rules. The dollar amounts do not reflect the actual amount of compensation earned by or paid to the relevant PEO during the applicable year. In accordance with SEC rules, the following adjustments were made to the relevant PEO’s total compensation for the most recent fiscal year to determine the compensation actually paid (see our spring 2024 proxy statement for adjustments made in prior years):
 
Year
  
Reported
Summary
Compensation Table
Total for PEO
  
Minus
Reported
Value of Equity
Awards
(a)
  
Plus
Equity
Award Adjustments
(b)
  
Compensation Actually
Paid to PEO
 
Ms. Valade
  
Ms. Valade
  
Ms. Valade
  
Ms. Valade
2024
   5,257,477   3,768,506   (1,747,436)   (258,465)
 
 
(a)
 
The grant date fair value of equity awards represents the total of the amounts reported in the “Stock Awards” column in the 2024 Summary Compensation Table for the applicable year.
 
 
(b)
 
The equity award adjustments for each applicable year include the addition (or subtraction, as applicable) of the following: (i) the
year-end
fair value of any equity awards granted in the applicable year that are outstanding and unvested as of the end of the year; (ii) the amount of change as of the end of the applicable year (from the end of the prior fiscal year) in fair value of any awards granted in prior years that are outstanding and unvested as of the end of the applicable year; (iii) for awards that are granted and vest in the same applicable year, the fair value as of the vesting date; (iv) for awards granted in prior years that vest in the applicable year, the amount equal to the change as of the vesting date (from the end of the prior fiscal year) in fair value; (v) for awards granted in prior years that are determined to fail to meet the applicable vesting conditions during the applicable year, a deduction for the amount equal to the fair value at the end of the prior fiscal year; and (vi) the dollar value of any dividends or other earnings paid on stock or option awards in the applicable year prior to the vesting date that are not otherwise reflected in the fair value of such award or included in any other component of total compensation for the applicable year. The valuation assumptions used to calculate fair values did not materially differ from those disclosed at the time of grant. The amounts deducted or added in calculating the equity award adjustments for the most recent fiscal year are as follows:
 
Year
  
Year End Fair Value of
Equity Awards Granted
in the Year and
Unvested at End of the
Year
  
Year over
Year Change in Fair
Value of Outstanding
and Unvested Equity
Awards
  
Fair Value as of
Vesting Date of Equity
Awards Granted and
Vested in the Year
  
Year over
Year Change in Fair
Value of Equity Awards
Granted in Prior Years
that Vested
in the Year
  
Fair Value
at the End of the Prior
Year of Equity Awards
that Failed to Meet
Vesting Conditions in
the Year
  
Total
Equity
Award
Adjustments
 
Ms. Valade
  
Ms. Valade
  
Ms. Valade
  
Ms. Valade
  
Ms. Valade
  
Ms. Valade
2024
   1,077,807   (1,348,987)   279,940   (1,756,197)   —   (1,747,436)
 
(3)
The dollar amounts reported represent the average of the amounts reported for the Company’s (NEOs) as a group (excluding the relevant PEO or PEOs) in the “Total” column of the Summary Compensation Table.
 
Denny’s 2025 Proxy Statement   50  
Executive Compensation
 
(4)
 
The dollar amounts reported represent the average amount of “compensation actually paid” to the NEOs as a group (excluding the relevant PEO or PEOs), as computed in accordance with SEC rules. The dollar amounts do not reflect the actual average amount of compensation earned by or paid to the NEOs as a group (excluding the relevant PEO or PEOs). In accordance with SEC rules, the following adjustments were made to average total compensation for the NEOs as a group (excluding the relevant PEO or PEOs) for the most recent fiscal year to determine the compensation actually paid, using the same methodology described above in Note (2):
 
Year
   
Average
Reported
Summary
Compensation
Table Total for
Non-PEO

NEOs
   
Minus
Average
Reported
Value of
Equity
Awards
   
Plus
Average
Equity
Award
Adjustments
(a)
   
Average
Compensation
Actually Paid
to Non-PEO
NEOs
2024
    1,674,962    933,694    (103,419)    637,849
 
 
(a)
 
The amounts deducted or added in calculating the total average equity award adjustments for the most recent fiscal year are as follows:
 
Year
   
Average Year
End Fair
Value of
Equity
Awards
Granted in
the Year and
Unvested at
End of the
Year
   
Year over
Year Average
Change in
Fair Value of
Outstanding
and
Unvested
Equity
Awards
   
Average Fair
Value as of
Vesting Date
of Equity
Awards
Granted and
Vested in
the Year
   
Year over
Year Average
Change in
Fair Value of
Equity
Awards
Granted in
Prior Years
that Vested
in the Year
   
Average Fair
Value at the
End of the
Prior Year of
Equity
Awards that
Failed to
Meet
Vesting
Conditions
in the Year
   
Total
Average
Equity
Award
Adjustments
2024
    362,275    (275,159)    58,022    (248,557)    —    (103,419)
 
(5)
Cumulative TSR is calculated by dividing the difference between the Company’s share price at the end and the beginning of the measurement period by the Company’s share price at the beginning of the measurement period. The TSR assumes that $100 was invested in the Company’s stock on December 25, 2019.
 
(6)
Represents the weighted peer group TSR, weighted according to the respective companies’ stock market capitalization at the beginning of each period for which a return is indicated. The peer group consists of the following public companies that operate in the restaurant industry for 2024: BJ’s Restaurants, Inc. (BJRI), Bloomin’ Brands, Inc. (BLMN), Brinker International, Inc. (EAT), Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. (CBRL), Dine Brands Global, Inc. (DIN), El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. (LOCO), Jack in the Box Inc. (JACK), Noodles & Company (NDLS), PotBelly Corporation (PBPB), Shake Shack, Inc. (SHAK), Texas Roadhouse, Inc. (TXRH), The Cheesecake Factory Incorporated (CAKE), and Wingstop Inc. (WING). From 2023 to 2024, Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc. (FRGI) and Ruth’s Hospitality Group, Inc. (RUTH) were removed from the peer group because they were acquired and ceased to be publically traded. We periodically revise the peer group to more closely reflect a representative sampling of comparable companies in our industry.
 
(7)
The dollar amounts reported represent the amount of net income reflected in the Consolidated Financial Statements in our Form
10-K
filed with the SEC on February 24, 2025.
 
(8)
Adjusted EBITDA is a key measure in both our annual and long-term incentive compensation programs. See the CD&A for the definition of Adjusted EBITDA and see Appendix A for a reconciliation to GAAP of Adjusted EBITDA for each of the years in the table.
       
Company Selected Measure Name Adjusted EBITDA        
Named Executive Officers, Footnote The dollar amounts reported represent the average of the amounts reported for the Company’s (NEOs) as a group (excluding the relevant PEO or PEOs) in the “Total” column of the Summary Compensation Table.        
Peer Group Issuers, Footnote Represents the weighted peer group TSR, weighted according to the respective companies’ stock market capitalization at the beginning of each period for which a return is indicated. The peer group consists of the following public companies that operate in the restaurant industry for 2024: BJ’s Restaurants, Inc. (BJRI), Bloomin’ Brands, Inc. (BLMN), Brinker International, Inc. (EAT), Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. (CBRL), Dine Brands Global, Inc. (DIN), El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. (LOCO), Jack in the Box Inc. (JACK), Noodles & Company (NDLS), PotBelly Corporation (PBPB), Shake Shack, Inc. (SHAK), Texas Roadhouse, Inc. (TXRH), The Cheesecake Factory Incorporated (CAKE), and Wingstop Inc. (WING). From 2023 to 2024, Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc. (FRGI) and Ruth’s Hospitality Group, Inc. (RUTH) were removed from the peer group because they were acquired and ceased to be publically traded. We periodically revise the peer group to more closely reflect a representative sampling of comparable companies in our industry.        
Adjustment To PEO Compensation, Footnote
(2)
The dollar amounts reported represent the amount of “compensation actually paid” to the relevant PEO during the applicable year as computed in accordance with SEC rules. The dollar amounts do not reflect the actual amount of compensation earned by or paid to the relevant PEO during the applicable year. In accordance with SEC rules, the following adjustments were made to the relevant PEO’s total compensation for the most recent fiscal year to determine the compensation actually paid (see our spring 2024 proxy statement for adjustments made in prior years):
 
Year
  
Reported
Summary
Compensation Table
Total for PEO
  
Minus
Reported
Value of Equity
Awards
(a)
  
Plus
Equity
Award Adjustments
(b)
  
Compensation Actually
Paid to PEO
 
Ms. Valade
  
Ms. Valade
  
Ms. Valade
  
Ms. Valade
2024
   5,257,477   3,768,506   (1,747,436)   (258,465)
 
 
(a)
 
The grant date fair value of equity awards represents the total of the amounts reported in the “Stock Awards” column in the 2024 Summary Compensation Table for the applicable year.
 
 
(b)
 
The equity award adjustments for each applicable year include the addition (or subtraction, as applicable) of the following: (i) the
year-end
fair value of any equity awards granted in the applicable year that are outstanding and unvested as of the end of the year; (ii) the amount of change as of the end of the applicable year (from the end of the prior fiscal year) in fair value of any awards granted in prior years that are outstanding and unvested as of the end of the applicable year; (iii) for awards that are granted and vest in the same applicable year, the fair value as of the vesting date; (iv) for awards granted in prior years that vest in the applicable year, the amount equal to the change as of the vesting date (from the end of the prior fiscal year) in fair value; (v) for awards granted in prior years that are determined to fail to meet the applicable vesting conditions during the applicable year, a deduction for the amount equal to the fair value at the end of the prior fiscal year; and (vi) the dollar value of any dividends or other earnings paid on stock or option awards in the applicable year prior to the vesting date that are not otherwise reflected in the fair value of such award or included in any other component of total compensation for the applicable year. The valuation assumptions used to calculate fair values did not materially differ from those disclosed at the time of grant. The amounts deducted or added in calculating the equity award adjustments for the most recent fiscal year are as follows:
 
Year
  
Year End Fair Value of
Equity Awards Granted
in the Year and
Unvested at End of the
Year
  
Year over
Year Change in Fair
Value of Outstanding
and Unvested Equity
Awards
  
Fair Value as of
Vesting Date of Equity
Awards Granted and
Vested in the Year
  
Year over
Year Change in Fair
Value of Equity Awards
Granted in Prior Years
that Vested
in the Year
  
Fair Value
at the End of the Prior
Year of Equity Awards
that Failed to Meet
Vesting Conditions in
the Year
  
Total
Equity
Award
Adjustments
 
Ms. Valade
  
Ms. Valade
  
Ms. Valade
  
Ms. Valade
  
Ms. Valade
  
Ms. Valade
2024
   1,077,807   (1,348,987)   279,940   (1,756,197)   —   (1,747,436)
        
Non-PEO NEO Average Total Compensation Amount $ 1,674,962 $ 1,626,353 $ 1,724,289 $ 1,893,720 $ 1,343,743
Non-PEO NEO Average Compensation Actually Paid Amount $ 637,849 1,075,392 384,556 1,793,436 579,316
Adjustment to Non-PEO NEO Compensation Footnote
(4)
 
The dollar amounts reported represent the average amount of “compensation actually paid” to the NEOs as a group (excluding the relevant PEO or PEOs), as computed in accordance with SEC rules. The dollar amounts do not reflect the actual average amount of compensation earned by or paid to the NEOs as a group (excluding the relevant PEO or PEOs). In accordance with SEC rules, the following adjustments were made to average total compensation for the NEOs as a group (excluding the relevant PEO or PEOs) for the most recent fiscal year to determine the compensation actually paid, using the same methodology described above in Note (2):
 
Year
   
Average
Reported
Summary
Compensation
Table Total for
Non-PEO

NEOs
   
Minus
Average
Reported
Value of
Equity
Awards
   
Plus
Average
Equity
Award
Adjustments
(a)
   
Average
Compensation
Actually Paid
to Non-PEO
NEOs
2024
    1,674,962    933,694    (103,419)    637,849
 
 
(a)
 
The amounts deducted or added in calculating the total average equity award adjustments for the most recent fiscal year are as follows:
 
Year
   
Average Year
End Fair
Value of
Equity
Awards
Granted in
the Year and
Unvested at
End of the
Year
   
Year over
Year Average
Change in
Fair Value of
Outstanding
and
Unvested
Equity
Awards
   
Average Fair
Value as of
Vesting Date
of Equity
Awards
Granted and
Vested in
the Year
   
Year over
Year Average
Change in
Fair Value of
Equity
Awards
Granted in
Prior Years
that Vested
in the Year
   
Average Fair
Value at the
End of the
Prior Year of
Equity
Awards that
Failed to
Meet
Vesting
Conditions
in the Year
   
Total
Average
Equity
Award
Adjustments
2024
    362,275    (275,159)    58,022    (248,557)    —    (103,419)
        
Compensation Actually Paid vs. Total Shareholder Return LOGO        
Compensation Actually Paid vs. Net Income LOGO        
Compensation Actually Paid vs. Company Selected Measure LOGO        
Total Shareholder Return Vs Peer Group LOGO        
Tabular List, Table
  The items listed below represent the four financial measures we use to link compensation actually paid for the year
  to company performance as further described in our Compensation Discussion and Analysis (CD&A):
     
 
  
   
Adjusted EBITDA
   
 
 
  
 
   
Domestic system-wide same-restaurant sales change
   
 
 
  
 
   
Relative TSR performance against the companies in the S&P 600 Consumer Discretionary Index
   
 
 
  
 
   
Adjusted EPS growth
     
 
  
 
  
 
        
Total Shareholder Return Amount $ 29 54 44 78 70
Peer Group Total Shareholder Return Amount 190 145 104 122 117
Net Income (Loss) $ 21,571,000,000 $ 19,945,000,000 $ 74,712,000,000 $ 78,073,000,000 $ (5,116,000,000)
Company Selected Measure Amount 81,354,000,000 87,859,000,000 88,519,000,000 88,563,000,000 37,755,000,000
Measure:: 1          
Pay vs Performance Disclosure          
Name Adjusted EBITDA        
Non-GAAP Measure Description Adjusted EBITDA is a key measure in both our annual and long-term incentive compensation programs. See the CD&A for the definition of Adjusted EBITDA and see Appendix A for a reconciliation to GAAP of Adjusted EBITDA for each of the years in the table.        
Measure:: 2          
Pay vs Performance Disclosure          
Name Domestic system-wide same-restaurant sales change        
Measure:: 3          
Pay vs Performance Disclosure          
Name Relative TSR performance against the companies in the S&P 600 Consumer Discretionary Index        
Measure:: 4          
Pay vs Performance Disclosure          
Name Adjusted EPS growth        
Ms. Valade [Member]          
Pay vs Performance Disclosure          
PEO Total Compensation Amount $ 5,257,477 $ 5,363,088 $ 3,427,341    
PEO Actually Paid Compensation Amount $ (258,465) $ 5,033,701 3,245,486    
PEO Name Ms. Valade        
Mr. Miller [Member]          
Pay vs Performance Disclosure          
PEO Total Compensation Amount     4,575,064 $ 6,400,488 $ 5,340,240
PEO Actually Paid Compensation Amount     $ (3,059,884) $ 5,982,906 $ 1,241,356
PEO Name Mr. Miller        
PEO | Ms. Valade [Member] | Equity Awards Adjustments          
Pay vs Performance Disclosure          
Adjustment to Compensation, Amount $ (1,747,436)        
PEO | Ms. Valade [Member] | Year-end Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted in Covered Year that are Outstanding and Unvested          
Pay vs Performance Disclosure          
Adjustment to Compensation, Amount 1,077,807        
PEO | Ms. Valade [Member] | Year-over-Year Change in Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted in Prior Years That are Outstanding and Unvested          
Pay vs Performance Disclosure          
Adjustment to Compensation, Amount (1,348,987)        
PEO | Ms. Valade [Member] | Vesting Date Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted and Vested in Covered Year          
Pay vs Performance Disclosure          
Adjustment to Compensation, Amount 279,940        
PEO | Ms. Valade [Member] | Change in Fair Value as of Vesting Date of Prior Year Equity Awards Vested in Covered Year          
Pay vs Performance Disclosure          
Adjustment to Compensation, Amount (1,756,197)        
PEO | Ms. Valade [Member] | Reported Value of Equity Awards [Member]          
Pay vs Performance Disclosure          
Adjustment to Compensation, Amount (3,768,506)        
Non-PEO NEO | Equity Awards Adjustments          
Pay vs Performance Disclosure          
Adjustment to Compensation, Amount (103,419)        
Non-PEO NEO | Year-end Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted in Covered Year that are Outstanding and Unvested          
Pay vs Performance Disclosure          
Adjustment to Compensation, Amount 362,275        
Non-PEO NEO | Year-over-Year Change in Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted in Prior Years That are Outstanding and Unvested          
Pay vs Performance Disclosure          
Adjustment to Compensation, Amount (275,159)        
Non-PEO NEO | Vesting Date Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted and Vested in Covered Year          
Pay vs Performance Disclosure          
Adjustment to Compensation, Amount 58,022        
Non-PEO NEO | Change in Fair Value as of Vesting Date of Prior Year Equity Awards Vested in Covered Year          
Pay vs Performance Disclosure          
Adjustment to Compensation, Amount (248,557)        
Non-PEO NEO | Reported Value of Equity Awards [Member]          
Pay vs Performance Disclosure          
Adjustment to Compensation, Amount $ (933,694)