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Document and Entity Information - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
Document and Entity Information - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2018	Feb. 15, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	Dine Brands Global, Inc.
Entity Central Index Key	0000049754
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2018
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2018
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Smaller Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		17,533,991
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Public Float			$ 1,260

Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 137,164	$ 117,010
Receivables, net	137,504	140,188
Restricted cash	48,515	31,436
Prepaid gift card costs	38,195	40,725
Prepaid income taxes	17,402	43,654
Other current assets	3,410	12,615
Total current assets	382,190	385,628
Long-term receivables, net	103,102	126,570
Other intangible assets, net	585,889	582,787
Goodwill	345,314	339,236
Property and equipment, net	240,264	199,585
Deferred rent receivable	77,069	82,971
Non-current restricted cash	14,700	14,700
Other non-current assets, net	26,152	4,135
Total assets	1,774,680	1,735,612
Current liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt	25,000	12,965
Accounts payable	43,468	55,028
Gift card liability	160,438	164,441
Dividends payable	11,389	17,748
Current maturities of capital lease and financing obligations	14,031	14,193
Accrued employee compensation and benefits	27,479	13,547
Deferred franchise revenue, short-term	10,138	11,001
Other accrued expenses	24,243	16,001
Total current liabilities	316,186	304,924
Long-term debt, net, less current maturities	1,274,087	1,269,849
Capital lease obligations, less current maturities	87,762	61,895
Financing obligations, less current maturities	38,482	39,200
Deferred income taxes, net	105,816	117,669
Deferred franchise revenue, long-term	64,557	70,432
Deferred rent payable	62,744	69,112
Other non-current liabilities	27,319	18,071
Total liabilities	1,976,953	1,951,152
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' deficit:
Common stock, $0.01 par value; shares: 40,000,000 authorized; 2018 - 24,984,898 issued, 17,644,267 outstanding; 2017 - 25,022,312 issued, 17,993,124 outstanding	250	250
Additional paid-in-capital	237,726	276,408
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)	10,414	(69,940)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(60)	(105)
Treasury stock, at cost; shares: 2018 - 7,340,631; 2017 - 7,029,188	(450,603)	(422,153)
Total stockholders' deficit	(202,273)	(215,540)
Total liabilities and stockholders' deficit	$ 1,774,680	$ 1,735,612

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parentheticals) - $ / shares	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Common stock, par value per share (USD per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized (shares)	40,000,000	40,000,000
Common stock, shares issued (shares)	24,984,898	25,022,312
Common stock, shares outstanding (shares)	17,644,267	17,993,124
Treasury stock, shares outstanding (shares)	7,340,631	7,029,188

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) Income - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Revenues:
Rental revenues	$ 121,934	$ 121,437	$ 123,037
Total revenues	780,931	731,725	787,566
Cost of revenues:
Total franchise expenses	330,619	293,986	293,500
Rental expenses	90,756	90,592	91,540
Financing expenses	597	598	155
Company restaurant expenses	5,872	7,838	18,224
Total cost of revenues	427,844	393,014	403,419
Gross profit	353,087	338,711	384,147
Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets	0	531,634	0
General and administrative expenses	166,683	165,679	148,935
Interest expense	61,686	61,979	61,479
Amortization of intangible assets	10,105	10,009	9,981
Closure and other impairment charges	2,107	3,968	5,092
Debt refinancing costs	2,523	0	0
(Gain) loss on disposition of assets	(625)	(6,249)	809
Income (loss) before income tax (provision) benefit	110,608	(428,309)	157,851
Income tax (provision) benefit	(30,254)	85,559	(56,849)
Net income (loss)	80,354	(342,750)	101,002
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Adjustment to unrealized loss on available-for-sale investments	50	0	0
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(5)	2	0
Total comprehensive income (loss)	80,399	(342,748)	101,002
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders:
Net income (loss)	80,354	(342,750)	101,002
Less: net (income) loss allocated to unvested participating restricted stock	(2,711)	6,768	(1,430)
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders	$ 77,643	$ (335,982)	$ 99,572
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders per share:
Basic (USD per share)	$ 4.43	$ (18.96)	$ 5.52
Diluted (USD per share)	$ 4.37	$ (18.96)	$ 5.49
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic (shares)	17,533	17,725	18,030
Diluted (shares)	17,789	17,740	18,125
Dividends declared per common share (USD per share)	$ 2.52	$ 3.88	$ 3.73
Dividends paid per common share (USD per share)	$ 2.86	$ 3.88	$ 3.68
Franchisor [Member]
Revenues:
Revenue from contract with customer, excluding assessed tax	$ 643,934	$ 594,418	$ 637,971
Franchisor - Royalties, franchise fees, and other [Member]
Revenues:
Revenue from contract with customer, excluding assessed tax	375,640	360,253	377,855
Franchisor - Advertising Revenue [Member]
Revenues:
Revenue from contract with customer, excluding assessed tax	268,294	234,165	260,116
Financial Service [Member]
Revenues:
Revenue from contract with customer, excluding assessed tax	7,979	8,352	9,191
Food and Beverage [Member]
Revenues:
Revenue from contract with customer, excluding assessed tax	7,084	7,518	17,367
Advertising [Member]
Revenues:
Revenue from contract with customer, excluding assessed tax	268,294	234,165	260,116
Cost of revenues:
Total franchise expenses	269,590	243,096	260,116
Franchise [Member]
Cost of revenues:
Total franchise expenses	$ 61,029	$ 50,890	$ 33,384

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit)	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	Treasury Stock
Common stock, shares, outstanding, beginning (shares) at Dec. 31, 2015		18,535,000
Stockholders' equity, beginning of the period at Dec. 31, 2015	$ 267,223	$ 252	$ 286,952	$ 351,923	$ (107)	$ (371,797)
Treasury stock, shares, beginning (shares) at Dec. 31, 2015						6,651,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss)	101,002			101,002
Other comprehensive loss	0				0
Purchase of DineEquity common stock (shares)		(650,000)				(650,000)
Purchase of Company common stock	$ (55,343)					$ (55,343)
Reissuance of treasury stock (shares)	136,818	137,000				137,000
Reissuance of treasury stock	$ 1,409		(3,468)			$ 4,877
Net issuance of shares for stock plans (shares)		(19,000)
Net issuance of shares for stock plans	0	$ (1)	1
Repurchase of restricted shares (shares)		(33,000)
Repurchase of restricted shares for taxes	(2,859)		(2,859)
Stock-based compensation	10,926		10,926
Tax benefit from stock-based compensation	1,132		1,132
Dividends on common stock	(67,708)		125	(67,833)
Dividends declared from additional paid-in capital			0
Common stock, shares, outstanding, ending (shares) at Dec. 31, 2016		17,970,000
Stockholders' equity, ending of the period at Dec. 31, 2016	196,141	$ 251	292,809	325,451	(107)	$ (422,263)
Treasury stock, shares, ending (shares) at Dec. 31, 2016						7,165,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss)	(342,750)			(342,750)
Other comprehensive loss	2				2
Purchase of DineEquity common stock (shares)		(146,000)				(146,000)
Purchase of Company common stock	$ (10,003)					$ (10,003)
Reissuance of treasury stock (shares)	281,185	281,000				281,000
Reissuance of treasury stock	$ 2,635		(7,478)			$ 10,113
Net issuance of shares for stock plans (shares)		(71,000)
Net issuance of shares for stock plans	0	$ (1)	1
Repurchase of restricted shares (shares)		(41,000)
Repurchase of restricted shares for taxes	(2,396)		(2,396)
Stock-based compensation	10,783		10,783
Tax benefit from stock-based compensation	0		0
Dividends on common stock	(52,234)		407	(52,641)
Dividends declared from additional paid-in capital	$ (17,718)		(17,718)
Common stock, shares, outstanding, ending (shares) at Dec. 31, 2017	17,993,124	17,993,000
Stockholders' equity, ending of the period at Dec. 31, 2017	$ (215,540)	$ 250	276,408	(69,940)	(105)	$ (422,153)
Treasury stock, shares, ending (shares) at Dec. 31, 2017	7,029,188					7,029,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss)	$ 80,354			80,354
Other comprehensive loss	45				45
Purchase of DineEquity common stock (shares)		(479,000)				(479,000)
Purchase of Company common stock	$ (34,929)					$ (34,929)
Reissuance of treasury stock (shares)	167,396	167,000				167,000
Reissuance of treasury stock	$ 3,928		(2,551)			$ 6,479
Net issuance of shares for stock plans (shares)		(11,000)
Net issuance of shares for stock plans	0
Repurchase of restricted shares (shares)		(27,000)
Repurchase of restricted shares for taxes	(1,972)		(1,972)
Stock-based compensation	10,546		10,546
Dividends on common stock				0
Dividends declared from additional paid-in capital	$ (44,705)		(44,705)
Common stock, shares, outstanding, ending (shares) at Dec. 31, 2018	17,644,267	17,644,000
Stockholders' equity, ending of the period at Dec. 31, 2018	$ (202,273)	$ 250	$ 237,726	$ 10,414	$ (60)	$ (450,603)
Treasury stock, shares, ending (shares) at Dec. 31, 2018	7,340,631					7,341,000

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income (loss)	$ 80,354	$ (342,750)	$ 101,002
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to cash flows provided by operating activities:
Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets	0	531,634	0
Deferred income taxes	(11,847)	(136,127)	(12,714)
Depreciation and amortization	32,175	30,648	30,606
Non-cash interest expense	3,792	3,364	3,218
Closure and other impairment charges	2,038	3,834	2,621
Non-cash stock-based compensation expense	10,546	10,752	10,926
Tax benefit from stock-based compensation	0	0	1,132
Excess tax benefit from stock options exercised	0	0	(1,019)
(Gain) loss on disposition of assets	(623)	(6,285)	809
Other	(6,526)	(10,980)	(6,674)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable, net	3,149	(8,430)	3,820
Current income tax receivables and payables	8,119	(8,490)	(909)
Gift card receivables and payables	(1,488)	(3,322)	(4,288)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	10,425	(8,247)	(156)
Accounts payable	(9,940)	7,208	89
Accrued employee compensation and benefits	13,183	(1,126)	(10,476)
Other current liabilities	6,989	4,050	123
Cash flows provided by operating activities	140,346	65,733	118,110
Cash flows from investing activities
Principal receipts from notes, equipment contracts and other long-term receivables	25,771	20,486	18,689
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	655	1,100	0
Acquisition of business	(20,155)	0	0
Additions to property and equipment	(14,279)	(13,370)	(5,637)
Additions to long-term receivables	(6,500)	0	0
Other	(293)	(541)	(503)
Cash flows (used in) provided by investing activities	(14,801)	7,675	12,549
Cash flows from financing activities
Borrowings from revolving credit facilities	75,000	0	0
Repayments of revolving credit facilities	(50,000)	0	0
Repayment of long-term debt	(13,000)	(3,250)	0
Dividends paid on common stock	(51,125)	(69,790)	(67,429)
Repurchase of Dine Brands Global common stock	(33,603)	(10,003)	(55,343)
Principal payments on capital lease and financing obligations	(13,907)	(12,949)	(13,978)
Payment of debt issuance costs	(3,633)	0	0
Proceeds from stock options exercised	3,928	2,635	1,409
Tax payments for restricted stock upon vesting	(1,972)	(2,396)	(2,859)
Excess tax benefit from stock options exercised	0	0	1,019
Cash flows used in financing activities	(88,312)	(95,753)	(137,181)
Net change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	37,233	(22,345)	(6,522)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of year	163,146	185,491	192,013
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of year	200,379	163,146	185,491
Supplemental disclosures
Interest paid	66,059	67,522	69,051
Income taxes paid	34,246	59,528	69,812
Non-cash conversion of accounts receivable to notes receivable	$ 11,959	$ 5,286	$ 0

The Company	12 Months Ended
The Company	Dec. 31, 2018
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
The Company	The Company The first International House of Pancakes^® (“IHOP”) restaurant opened in 1958 in Toluca Lake, California. Shortly thereafter, the Company began developing and franchising additional restaurants. The Company was incorporated as IHOP Corp. under the laws of the State of Delaware in 1976. In November 2007, the Company acquired Applebee's International, Inc., which became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. Effective June 2, 2008, the name of the Company was changed to DineEquity, Inc. and on February 20, 2018, the name of the Company was changed to Dine Brands Global, Inc.^SM (“Dine Brands Global”). The Company owns, franchises and operates two restaurant concepts: Applebee's Neighborhood Grill + Bar^® (“Applebee's”), in the bar and grill segment within the casual dining category of the restaurant industry, and IHOP in the family dining category of the restaurant industry. As of December 31, 2018, there were 1,831 IHOP^® restaurants, of which 1,669 were subject to franchise agreements and 162 were subject to area license agreements. These IHOP restaurants were located in all 50 states of the United States, the District of Columbia, three United States territories and 12 countries outside the United States. As of December 31, 2018, there were 1,837 Applebee's^® restaurants, of which 1,768 were subject to franchise agreements and 69 were company-operated restaurants. These Applebee's restaurants were located in all 50 states of the United States, two United States territories and 13 countries outside the United States. References herein to Applebee's and IHOP restaurants are to these restaurant concepts, whether operated by franchisees, area licensees or the Company. Retail sales at restaurants that are owned by franchisees and area licensees are not attributable to the Company.

Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Dine Brands Global, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Fiscal Periods

The Company has a 52/53 week fiscal year that ends on the Sunday nearest to December 31 of each year. In a 52-week fiscal year, each fiscal quarter contains 13 weeks, comprised of two, four-week fiscal months followed by a five-week fiscal month. In a 53-week fiscal year, the last month of the fourth fiscal quarter contains six weeks. For convenience, the Company refers to its fiscal years as ending on December 31 and its fiscal quarters as ending on March 31, June 30 and September 30. The 2018 fiscal year ended December 30, 2018 and contained 52 weeks. The 2017 fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 and contained 52 weeks; the 2016 fiscal year ended January 1, 2017 and contained 52 weeks.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with United States generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) requires the Company's management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities, if any, at the date of the consolidated financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Significant estimates are made in the calculation and assessment of the following: impairment of tangible and intangible assets and goodwill; income taxes; allowance for doubtful accounts and notes receivables; lease accounting estimates; contingencies; and stock-based compensation. On an ongoing basis, the Company evaluates its estimates based on historical experience, current conditions and various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. The Company adjusts such estimates and assumptions when facts and circumstances dictate. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Concentration of Credit Risk

The Company's cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and accounts receivable are potentially subject to concentration of credit risk. Cash and cash equivalents are placed with financial institutions that management believes are creditworthy. The Company does not believe that it is exposed to any significant credit risk on cash and cash equivalents. At times, cash and cash equivalent balances may be in excess of FDIC insurance limits.

Accounts receivable are derived from revenues earned from franchisees and area licensees located primarily in the United States. Financing receivables arise from the financing of restaurant equipment, leases or franchise fees with the Company by IHOP franchisees. The Company is subject to a concentration of credit risk with respect to receivables from franchisees that own a large number of Applebee's or IHOP restaurants. As of December 31, 2018, there were two franchisees that owned 400 or more restaurants each (one Applebee's franchisee and one franchisee with cross-brand ownership). These franchisees operated 877 Applebee's and IHOP restaurants in the United States, which comprised 26.3% of the total Applebee's and IHOP franchise and area license restaurants in the United States. Revenues from these franchisees represented 19.8%, 19.3%, and 18.9% of total consolidated revenue for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. One franchisee represented 11.9% of total consolidated revenue for the year ended December 31, 2018. No single franchisee represented more than 10% of total consolidated revenue for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016. Receivables from these franchisees totaled $17.5 million and $24.0 million at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all highly liquid investment securities with remaining maturities at the date of purchase of three months or less to be cash equivalents. These cash equivalents are stated at cost which approximates market value. Cash held related to IHOP advertising funds and the Company's gift card programs is not considered to be restricted cash as there are no restrictions on the use of these funds. Total cash balances related to the IHOP advertising funds and the Company's gift card programs were $52.2 million and $57.1 million as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Restricted Cash

Current

Current restricted cash of $48.5 million at December 31, 2018 consisted of $42.3 million of funds required to be held in trust in connection with the Company's securitized debt and $6.2 million of funds from Applebee's franchisees pursuant to franchise agreements, usage of which was restricted to advertising activities. Current restricted cash of $31.4 million at December 31, 2017 primarily consisted of $29.3 million of funds required to be held in trust in connection with the Company's securitized debt and $2.1 million of funds from Applebee's franchisees pursuant to franchise agreements, usage of which was restricted to advertising activities.

Non-current

Non-current restricted cash of $14.7 million as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 represents interest reserves required to be set aside for the duration of the securitized debt.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation. Properties under capital leases are stated at the present value of the minimum lease payments. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets or remaining useful lives. Leasehold improvements and properties under capital leases are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives or the lease term, if less. The Company has capitalized certain costs incurred in connection with the development of internal-use software which are included in equipment and fixtures in Note 5 - Property and Equipment, of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements and are amortized over the expected useful life of the asset. The general ranges of depreciable and amortizable lives are as follows:



Category		Depreciable Life
Buildings and improvements		25 - 40 years
Leaseholds and improvements		Shorter of primary lease term or between three to 40 years
Equipment and fixtures		Three to five years
Internal-use software		Three to 10 years
Properties under capital leases		Primary lease term or remaining primary lease term

Long-Lived Assets

On a regular basis, the Company assesses whether events or changes in circumstances have occurred that potentially indicate the carrying value of long-lived assets (primarily assets related to property and equipment leased or subleased to franchisees) may not be recoverable. The Company tests impairment using historical cash flows and other relevant facts and circumstances as the primary basis for estimates of future cash flows. The Company considers factors such as the number of years the franchisee's restaurant has been in operation, sales trends, cash flow trends, remaining lease life and other factors which apply on a case-by-case basis. The analysis is performed at the restaurant level for indicators of permanent impairment.

Recoverability of the Company's assets is measured by comparing the assets' carrying value to the undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated over the assets' remaining useful life or remaining lease term, whichever is less. If the total expected undiscounted future cash flows are less than the carrying amount of the assets, this may be an indicator of impairment. If it is decided that there has been an impairment, the carrying amount of the asset is written down to the estimated fair value as determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP governing fair value measurements. The primary method of estimating fair value is based on a discounted cash flow analysis. Any loss resulting from impairment is recognized as a charge against operations.

See Note 13 - Closure and Other Impairment Charges, of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill is recorded when the aggregate purchase price of an acquisition exceeds the estimated fair value of the net identified tangible and intangible assets acquired. Intangible assets resulting from an acquisition are accounted for using the purchase method of accounting and are estimated by management based on the fair value of the assets received. The Company's identifiable intangible assets are comprised primarily of the Applebee's tradename and Applebee's franchise agreements. Identifiable intangible assets with finite lives (franchise agreements) are amortized over the period of estimated benefit using the straight-line method and estimated useful lives. Goodwill and intangible assets considered to have an indefinite life (primarily the Applebee's tradename) are not subject to amortization. The determination of indefinite life is subject to reassessment if changes in facts and circumstances indicate the period of benefit has become finite.

Goodwill has been allocated to three reporting units. The significant majority of the Company's goodwill resulted from the November 29, 2007 acquisition of Applebee's and was allocated to the Applebee's franchised restaurants unit (“Applebee's franchise unit”). Smaller amounts of goodwill arising from other business combinations have been allocated to IHOP franchised restaurants unit (“IHOP franchise unit”) and the Applebee's company restaurants unit (“Applebee's company unit”). See Note 6 - Goodwill, of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

The Company evaluates the goodwill of the Applebee's franchise unit and the indefinite-lived Applebee's tradename for impairment as of October 31 of each year and will evaluate the goodwill of the Applebee's company unit as of October 31 of each year. The Company evaluates the goodwill of the IHOP franchise unit for impairment as of December 31 of each year. In addition to the annual evaluation for impairment, goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are evaluated more frequently if the Company believes indicators of impairment exist.

When evaluating goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment, under U.S. GAAP, the Company may first perform an assessment of qualitative factors to determine if the fair value of the reporting unit or the intangible asset is more-likely-than-not greater than the carrying amount. Such qualitative factors include, but are not limited to, macro-economic conditions, market and industry conditions, cost considerations, the competitive environment, share price fluctuations, overall financial performance and results of past impairment tests. If, based on a review of the qualitative factors, the Company determines it is more-likely-than-not that the fair value is greater than the carrying value, the Company may bypass a quantitative test for impairment.

In performing the quantitative test for impairment of goodwill, the Company primarily uses the income approach method of valuation that includes the discounted cash flow method and the market approach that includes the guideline public company method. Significant assumptions used to determine fair value under the discounted cash flow method include expected future trends in sales, operating expenses, overhead expenses, capital expenditures and changes in working capital, along with an appropriate discount rate based on the Company's estimated cost of equity capital and after-tax cost of debt. Significant assumptions used to determine fair value under the guideline public company method include the selection of guideline companies and the valuation multiples applied. The Company adopted the guidance in Accounting Standards Update 2017-04 effective January 1, 2017; accordingly, the Company measures impairment as the excess of a reporting unit's carrying amount over its fair value as determined by the quantitative test described above.

In the process of performing its impairment review of intangible assets considered to have an indefinite life, the Company primarily uses the relief of royalty method under the income approach method of valuation. Significant assumptions used to determine fair value under the relief of royalty method include future trends in sales, a royalty rate and an appropriate discount rate based on the Company's estimated cost of equity capital and after-tax cost of debt to be applied to the forecast revenue stream.

Revenue Recognition

The Company's revenues are recorded in four categories: franchise operations, rental operations, financing operations and company restaurant operations. Franchise revenue (which comprises most of the Company's revenues) and revenue from company-operated restaurants are recognized in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification 606 - Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASC 606”). Under ASC 606, revenue is recognized upon transfer of control of promised services or goods to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration the Company expects to receive for those services or goods. The Company's rental and financing revenues are recognized in accordance with other U.S. GAAP accounting standards and are not subject to ASC 606.

Franchise Revenue

The Company owns and franchises the Applebee’s and IHOP restaurant concepts. The franchise arrangement for both brands is documented in the form of a franchise agreement and, in most cases, a development agreement. The franchise arrangement between the Company as the franchisor and the franchisee as the customer requires the Company to perform various activities to support the brand that do not directly transfer goods and services to the franchisee, but instead represent a single performance obligation, which is the transfer of the franchise license. The intellectual property subject to the franchise license is symbolic intellectual property as it does not have significant standalone functionality, and substantially all the utility is derived from its association with the Company’s past or ongoing activities. The nature of the Company’s promise in granting the franchise license is to provide the franchisee with access to the brand’s symbolic intellectual property over the term of the license. The services provided by the Company are highly interrelated with the franchise license and as such are considered to represent a single performance obligation.

The transaction price in a standard franchise arrangement for both brands primarily consists of (a) initial franchise/development fees; (b) continuing franchise fees (royalties); and (c) advertising fees. Since the Company considers the licensing of the franchising right to be a single performance obligation, no allocation of the transaction price is required. Additionally, all domestic IHOP franchise agreements require franchisees to purchase proprietary pancake and waffle dry mix from the Company.

The Company recognizes the primary components of the transaction price as follows:


•	Franchise and development fees are recognized as revenue ratably on a straight-line basis over the term of the franchise agreement commencing with the restaurant opening date. As these fees are typically received in cash at or near the beginning of the franchise term, the cash received is initially recorded as a contract liability until recognized as revenue over time;

•

The Company is entitled to royalties and advertising fees based on a percentage of the franchisee's gross sales as defined in the franchise agreement. Royalty and advertising revenue are recognized when the franchisee's reported sales occur. Depending on timing within a fiscal period, the recognition of revenue results in either what is considered a contract asset (unbilled receivable) or, once billed, accounts receivable, on the balance sheet.


•	Revenue from the sales of proprietary pancake and waffle dry mix is recognized in the period in which distributors ship the franchisee's order; recognition of revenue results in accounts receivable on the balance sheet.

In determining the amount and timing of revenue from contracts with customers, the Company exercises significant judgment with respect to collectibility of the amount; however, the timing of recognition does not require significant judgment as it is based on either the franchise term, the month of reported sales by the franchisee or the date of product shipment, none of which require estimation.

The Company does not incur a significant amount of contract acquisition costs in conducting its franchising activities. The Company believes its franchising arrangements do not contain a significant financing component.

Any excess or deficiency of advertising fee revenue compared to advertising expenditures, is recognized in the fourth quarter of the Company's fiscal year. Any excess of revenue over expenditures is recognized only to the extent of previously recognized deficits.

Company Restaurant Revenue

Company restaurant revenue comprises retail sales at company-operated restaurants. Sales by company-operated restaurants are recognized when food and beverage items are sold. Company restaurant sales are reported net of sales taxes collected from guests that are remitted to the appropriate taxing authorities.

Rental operations revenue includes revenue from operating leases and interest income from direct financing leases. See Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Leases.

Financing operations revenue consists primarily of interest income from the financing of franchise fees and equipment leases, as well as sales of equipment associated with refranchised IHOP restaurants.

The Company administers gift card programs for Applebee's and IHOP. The Company records a liability in the period in which a gift card is sold and recognizes costs associated with its administration of the gift card programs as prepaid assets when the costs are incurred. The liability and prepaid asset recorded on the Company's books are relieved when gift cards are redeemed. If redemption occurs at a franchisee-operated restaurant, the gift card revenue, net of costs, is remitted to the franchisee. The Company receives gift card breakage revenue only from gift cards redeemed at company-operated restaurants. Breakage revenue for gift cards redeemed at company-operated restaurants for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 was not material.

Allowance for Credit Losses

The allowance for doubtful accounts is the Company's best estimate of the amount of probable credit losses in existing receivables; however, changes in circumstances relating to receivables may result in changes to the allowance in the future. The Company determines the allowance based on historical experience, current payment patterns, future obligations and the Company's assessment of the franchisee's or area licensee's ability to pay outstanding balances. The primary indicator of credit quality is delinquency, which is considered to be a receivable balance greater than 90 days past due. The Company continually reviews the allowance for doubtful accounts. Past due balances and future obligations are reviewed individually for collectability. Account balances are charged against the allowance after all collection efforts have been exhausted and the potential for recovery is considered remote. Credit losses historically have been within management's estimates.

Leases

The Company is the lessor or sub-lessor of the properties on which 676 IHOP restaurants and one Applebee's restaurant is located. The restaurants are subleased to franchisees or, in a few instances, were operated by the Company. The Company's IHOP leases generally provide for an initial term of 20 to 25 years, with most having one or more five-year renewal options at the Company's option. The rental payments or receipts on leases that meet the operating lease criteria are recorded as rental expense or rental income, respectively. Rental expense and rental income for these operating leases are recognized on the straight-line basis over the original terms of the leases. Any difference between straight-line rent expense or income and actual amounts paid or received represents deferred rent and is included in the consolidated balance sheets as other assets or other liabilities, as appropriate.

The rental payments or receipts on those property leases that meet the capital lease criteria result in the recognition of interest expense or interest income and a reduction of capital lease obligation or financing lease receivable, respectively. Capital lease obligations are amortized based on the Company's incremental borrowing rate and direct financing leases are amortized using the implicit interest rate.

The lease term used for straight-line rent expense is calculated from the date the Company obtains possession of the leased premises through the lease termination date. The Company records rent from the possession date through restaurant open date as expense. Once a restaurant opens for business, the Company records straight-line rent over the lease term plus contingent rent to the extent it exceeded the minimum rent obligation per the lease agreement. The Company uses a consistent lease term when calculating depreciation of leasehold improvements, when determining straight-line rent expense and when determining classification of its leases as either operating or capital. For leases that contain rent escalations, the Company records the total rent payable during the lease term, as determined above, on the straight-line basis over the term of the lease (including the rent holiday period beginning upon our possession of the premises), and records the difference between the minimum rents paid and the straight-line rent as a lease obligation. Certain leases contain provisions that require additional rental payments based upon restaurant sales volume (“contingent rent”). Contingent rentals are accrued each period as the liabilities are incurred, in addition to the straight-line rent expense noted above.

There is potential for variability in the rent holiday period, which begins on the possession date and ends on the restaurant open date, during which no cash rent payments are typically due under the terms of the lease. Factors that may affect the length of the rent holiday period generally relate to construction related delays. Extension of the rent holiday period due to delays in restaurant openings will result in greater pre-opening rent expense recognized during the rent holiday period and lesser occupancy expense during the rest of the lease term (post-opening).

For leases that contain rent escalations, we record the total rent payable or receivable during the lease term, as determined above, on the straight-line basis over the term of the lease (including the rent holiday period beginning upon our possession of the premises, if applicable), and record the difference between the minimum rent paid or received and the straight-line rent as a lease obligation or receivable, respectively. Certain leases contain provisions that require additional rental payments or receipts based upon restaurant sales volume (“contingent rent”). Contingent rentals are accrued each period as the liabilities are incurred or receivables are earned, in addition to the straight-line rent expense or revenue, respectively, noted above.

Certain lease agreements contain tenant improvement allowances, rent holidays and lease premiums, which are amortized over the shorter of the estimated useful life or lease term. For tenant improvement allowances, the Company also records a deferred rent liability or an obligation in non-current liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets and amortizes the deferred rent over the term of the lease as a reduction to company restaurant expenses in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income.

Pre-opening Expenses

Expenditures related to the opening of new or relocated restaurants are charged to expense when incurred.

Advertising

Advertising fees included as franchise revenue for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 were $268.3 million, $234.2 million and $260.1 million, respectively.

Advertising expense reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) includes local marketing advertising costs incurred by company-operated restaurants, contributions to the national advertising fund made by Applebee's and IHOP and certain advertising costs incurred by the Company to benefit future franchise operations. Costs of advertising are typically expensed either as incurred or the first time the advertising takes place. When advertising revenues exceed the related advertising expenses, advertising costs are accrued up to the amount of revenues. Advertising expense included in company restaurant operations for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 was $0.3 million, $0.3 million, and $0.8 million, respectively.

Fair Value Measurements

The Company determines the fair market values of its financial assets and liabilities, as well as non-financial assets and liabilities that are recognized or disclosed at fair value on a recurring basis, based on the fair value hierarchy established in U.S. GAAP. As necessary, the Company measures its financial assets and liabilities using inputs from the following three levels of the fair value hierarchy:


•	Level 1 inputs are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.


•	Level 2 inputs are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, including quoted prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities.


•	Level 3 inputs are unobservable and reflect the Company's own assumptions.

The Company does not have a material amount of financial assets or liabilities that are required under U.S. GAAP to be measured at fair value on either a recurring or non-recurring basis. None of the Company's non-financial assets or non-financial liabilities is required to be measured at fair value on a recurring basis. The Company has not elected to use fair value measurement for any assets or liabilities for which fair value measurement is not presently required.

The Company believes the fair values of cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximate their carrying amounts due to their short duration.

The fair values of non-current financial instruments, determined based on Level 2 inputs, are shown in the following table:



	December 31, 2018				December 31, 2017
	Carrying Amount		Fair Value		Carrying Amount		Fair Value
	(In millions)
Long-term debt, net of debt issuance costs	$	1,299.1	$	1,280.9	$	1,282.8	$	1,265.5

Income Taxes

The Company utilizes the liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under the liability method, deferred taxes are determined based on the temporary differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates. A valuation allowance is recorded when it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The Company also determines its tax contingencies in accordance with U.S. GAAP governing the accounting for contingencies. The Company records estimated tax liabilities to the extent the contingencies are probable and can be reasonably estimated. The Company recognizes interest accrued related to unrecognizable tax benefits and penalties as a component of the income tax provision recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss).

The Company recognizes the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities including all appeals or litigation processes, based on its technical merits. The tax benefits recognized in the financial statements from such a position are measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than fifty percent likelihood of being realized upon ultimate resolution. For each reporting period, management applies a consistent methodology to measure and adjust all uncertain tax positions based on the available information.

Stock-Based Compensation

Members of the Board of Directors and certain employees are eligible to receive stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units and performance units pursuant to the Dine Brands Global, Inc. 2016 Stock Incentive Plan. Shares of unvested restricted stock are subject to restrictions on transfer and forfeiture under certain circumstances. The holder of unvested restricted stock has the right to vote and receive regular cash dividends with respect to the shares of unvested restricted stock.

The Company accounts for all stock-based payments to employees and non-employee directors, including grants of stock options, restricted stock and restricted stock units to be recognized in the financial statements, based on their respective grant date fair values. The value of the portion of the award that is ultimately expected to vest is recognized as expense ratably over the requisite service periods. The Company reports the benefits of tax deductions in excess of recognized compensation cost as a financing cash flow.

The grant date fair value of restricted stock and stock-settled restricted stock units is determined based on the Company's stock price on the grant date. The Company estimates the grant date fair value of stock option awards using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, which considers, among other factors, a risk-free interest rate, the expected life of the award and the historical volatility of the Company's stock price. The Company estimates the grant date fair value of awards with performance-based market conditions using a Monte Carlo simulation method which considers, among other factors, the performance-based market condition, a risk-free interest rate, the expected life of the award and the historical volatility of the Company's stock price. Awards of cash-settled restricted stock units are classified as liabilities with the liability and compensation expense related to cash-settled awards adjusted to fair value at each balance sheet date.

Net Income (Loss) Per Share

Net income (loss) per share is calculated using the two-class method prescribed in U.S. GAAP. Basic net income (loss) per share is computed by dividing the net income available to common stockholders for the period by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income (loss) per share is computed by dividing the net income available to common stockholders for the period by the weighted average number of common shares and potential shares of common stock outstanding during the period if their effect is dilutive. The Company uses the treasury stock method to calculate the weighted average shares used in the diluted earnings per share calculation. Potentially dilutive common shares include the assumed exercise of stock options and assumed vesting of restricted stock.

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, the income tax benefit or provision allocated to items of other comprehensive income (loss) was not significant.

Treasury Stock

The Company may from time to time utilize treasury stock when vested stock options are exercised, when restricted stock awards are granted and when restricted stock units settle in stock upon vesting. The cost of treasury stock re-issued is determined using the first-in, first-out method.

Dividends

Dividends declared on common stock are recorded as a reduction of retained earnings to the extent retained earnings are available at the close of the period prior to the date of the declared dividend. Dividends declared in excess of retained earnings are recorded as a reduction of additional paid-in capital.

Reporting Segments

The Company identifies its reporting segments based on the organizational units used by management to monitor performance and make operating decisions. The Company has five operating segments: Applebee's franchise operations, IHOP franchise operations, rental operations, financing operations and company-operated restaurant operations. The Company has four reportable segments: franchise operations, (an aggregation of Applebee's and IHOP franchise operations), rental operations, financing operations and company-operated restaurant operations. The Company considers these to be its reportable segments, regardless of whether any segment exceeds 10% of consolidated revenues, income before income tax provision or total assets.

Franchise Segment

As of December 31, 2018, the franchise operations reportable segment consisted of 1,768 restaurants operated by Applebee's franchisees in the United States, two United States territories and 13 countries outside the United States and 1,831 restaurants operated by IHOP franchisees and area licensees in the United States, three United States territories and 12 countries outside the United States. Franchise operations revenue consists primarily of royalties and advertising fees based on a percentage of the franchisee's gross sales, sales of proprietary products (primarily IHOP pancake and waffle dry-mixes) and franchise fees.

Franchise operations expenses include advertising expense, the cost of proprietary products, pre-opening training expenses and other franchise-related costs.

Rental Segment

Rental operations revenue includes revenue from operating leases and interest income from direct financing leases. Rental operations expenses are costs of operating leases and interest expense of capital leases on franchisee-operated restaurants. The rental operations revenue and expenses are primarily generated by IHOP. Applebee's has an insignificant amount of rental activity related to one property that was retained after refranchising a company-operated restaurant.

Financing Segment

Financing operations revenue primarily consists of interest income from the financing of IHOP franchise fees and equipment leases, as well as sales of equipment associated with refranchised IHOP restaurants. Financing expenses are the cost of restaurant equipment.

Company Segment

As of December 31, 2018, the Company operated 69 Applebee's restaurants that were acquired from a former franchisee in December 2018. See Note 18 - Acquisition of Business, of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information. The company segment presented in these financial statements consists of approximately three weeks of operations of these 69 Applebee's restaurants in 2018 as well as 10 IHOP restaurants operated until June 2017. All company-operated restaurants were located in the United States. Company restaurant sales are retail sales at company-operated restaurants. Company restaurant expenses are operating expenses at company-operated restaurants and include food, beverage, labor, benefits, utilities, rent and other operating costs.

Accounting Standards Adopted Effective January 1, 2018

On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted the guidance of ASC 606. The Company adopted this change in accounting principles using the full retrospective method. Accordingly, previously reported financial information has been adjusted to reflect the application of ASC 606 to all comparative periods presented. The Company utilized all the practical expedients for adoption allowed under the full retrospective method. The Company believes utilization of the practical expedients did not have a significant impact on the consolidated financial statements of the periods presented herein.

Prior to the adoption of ASC 606, the Company generally recognized the entire franchise and/or development fee as revenue at the restaurant opening date. Prior to the adoption of ASC 606, the Company did not record advertising fees received under Applebee's franchise agreements as franchise revenue. In evaluating advertising activity under the guidance of ASC 606, the Company considers itself to be primarily responsible for fulfilling the promise to provide all the services specified in the contract, including advertising activities, which are not considered to be distinct services in the context of providing the right to the symbolic intellectual property. Accordingly, under ASC 606, the Company records advertising fees received under Applebee's franchise agreements as franchise revenue. The Company had previously recorded advertising fees received under IHOP franchise agreements as franchise revenue. Under previously issued accounting guidance for franchisors, advertising revenue and expense were recognized in the same amount in each period. That guidance was superceded by ASC 606 such that advertising expense may now be different than the advertising revenue recognized as described above. The adoption of ASC 606 had no impact on the Company's recording of royalties and sales of proprietary pancake and waffle dry mix.

Adoption of ASC 606 impacted our previously reported Consolidated Balance Sheet as follows:



	Balance at December 31, 2017, as reported			Adjustments/Reclassifications Due to ASC 606 adoption			Balance at December 31, 2017, as adjusted
	(In thousands)
Assets:
Receivables, net	$	150,174		$	(9,986	)	$	140,188
Long-term receivables, net	131,212			(4,642		)	126,570

Liabilities:
Deferred franchise revenue (short-term)	—			11,001			11,001
Other accrued expenses	17,780			(1,779		)	16,001
Deferred franchise revenue (long-term)	—			70,432			70,432
Other non-current liabilities	23,003			(4,932		)	18,071
Deferred income taxes, net	138,177			(20,508		)	117,669

Equity:
Accumulated deficit	$	(1,098	)	$	(68,842	)	$	(69,940	)

In conjunction with its adoption of ASC 606, the Company has separated “franchise and restaurant revenues” and “franchise and restaurant expenses,” previously combined when reported in the Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, into separate line items for franchise revenues/expense and company restaurant sales/expense as follows:



	Year ended December 31,
	2017		2016
	(in thousands)
Franchise and restaurant revenues, as combined	$	475,030	$	501,745

Franchise revenues	$	467,512	$	484,378
Company restaurant sales	7,518		17,367
	$	475,030	$	501,745

Franchise and restaurant expenses, as combined	$	171,983	$	162,860

Franchise expenses	164,145		144,636
Company restaurant expenses	7,838		$	18,224
	$	171,983	$	162,860

Adoption of ASC 606 impacted our previously reported Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the year ended December 31, 2017, as follows:



	Year ended December 31, 2017, as reported			Adjustments due to ASC 606 adoption			Year ended December 31, 2017, as adjusted
	(In thousands)
Franchise revenues (as shown separately above)	$	467,512		$	126,906		$	594,418
Franchise expenses (as shown separately above)	164,145			129,841			293,986
Loss before income tax benefit	(425,374		)	(2,935		)	(428,309		)
Income tax benefit	94,835			(9,276		)	85,559
Net loss	(330,539		)	(12,211		)	(342,750		)
Net loss per share:
Basic	$	(18.28	)				$	(18.96	)
Diluted	$	(18.28	)				$	(18.96	)

Recognition of Applebee's advertising revenue and expense comprised $120.9 million of the revenue adjustment and all the expense adjustment. Approximately $6.0 million of the revenue adjustment is due to the change in method of recognizing franchise and development fees.

Adoption of ASC 606 impacted our previously reported Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the year ended December 31, 2016, as follows:



	Year ended December 31, 2016, as reported			Adjustments due to ASC 606 adoption			Year ended December 31, 2016, as adjusted
	(In thousands)
Franchise revenues (as shown separately above)	$	484,378		$	153,593		$	637,971
Franchise expenses (as shown separately above)	144,636			148,864			293,500
Income before income tax provision	153,122			4,729			157,851
Income tax provision	(55,130		)	(1,719		)	(56,849		)
Net income	97,992			3,010			101,002
Net income per share:
Basic	$	5.36					$	5.52
Diluted	$	5.33					$	5.49

Recognition of Applebee's advertising revenue and expense comprised $148.9 million of the revenue adjustment and all the expense adjustment. Approximately $4.7 million of the revenue adjustment is due to the change in method of recognizing franchise and development fees.

Additional new accounting guidance became effective for the Company as of January 1, 2018 that the Company reviewed and concluded was either not applicable to the Company's operations or had no material effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

Newly Issued Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted

In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued new guidance on the measurement of credit losses on financial instruments. The new guidance will replace the incurred loss methodology of recognizing credit losses on financial instruments that is currently required with a methodology that estimates the expected credit loss on financial instruments and reflects the net amount expected to be collected on the financial instrument. Application of the new guidance may result in the earlier recognition of credit losses as the new methodology will require entities to consider forward-looking information in addition to historical and current information used in assessing incurred losses. The Company will be required to adopt the new guidance on a modified retrospective basis beginning with its first fiscal quarter of 2020, with early adoption permitted in its first fiscal quarter of 2019. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the new guidance on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures and whether early adoption will be elected.

In February 2016, the FASB issued new guidance with respect to the accounting for leases. The new guidance will require lessees to recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability for virtually all leases, other than leases with a term of 12 months or less, and to provide additional disclosures about leasing arrangements. Accounting by lessors is largely unchanged from existing accounting guidance. The Company will be required to adopt the new guidance beginning with its first fiscal quarter of 2019. In July 2018, the FASB modified the new guidance to provide for transition adoption using either 1) a modified retrospective approach with periods prior to the adoption date being recast or 2) a prospective adoption approach with a cumulative-effect adjustment recognized to the opening balance of retained earnings on the adoption date with prior periods not recast. Prior to modification, the first transition adoption method was the only method available. The Company will use the prospective approach to its adoption of the new lease guidance. The Company has elected to use the package of practical expedients available for implementation of the new guidance that will allow it to not reassess as of the adoption date expired or existing contracts with respect to attributes such as lease classification, lease term and initial direct costs.

Upon implementation of the guidance, lease-related liabilities will be recognized at the present value of the remaining contractual fixed lease payments, discounted using the Company’s incremental borrowing rate. Lease-related assets, or right-of-use assets, will be recognized at an amount equal to the respective lease liabilities, adjusted for accrued lease payments, lease incentives and impairment due shortfall of projected amounts to be received compared to projected amounts to be paid in lease/sublease agreements. Operating lease expense will continue to be recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term, while variable lease payments will continue to be expensed as incurred.

The Company expects adoption of the standard will have the impact of increasing its consolidated assets and liabilities by approximately $400 million. The Company expects adoption of the standard will not have a material impact on its Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) or Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Recognition of the lease liability related to operating leases will not impact any covenants related to the Company's long-term debt because the debt agreements specify that covenant ratios be calculated using U.S. GAAP in effect at the time the debt agreements were entered.

In conjunction with the adoption, the Company implemented internal controls to properly record and account for its lease portfolio in accordance with the new guidance.

In August 2018, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) adopted the final rule under SEC Release No. 33-10532, Disclosure Update and Simplification, amending certain disclosure requirements that were redundant, duplicative, overlapping, outdated or superseded. The amendments also expanded the disclosure requirements related to the analysis of stockholders' equity for interim financial statements. Under the amendments, an analysis of changes in each caption of stockholders' equity presented in the balance sheet must be provided in a note or separate statement. The analysis should present a reconciliation of the beginning balance to the ending balance of each period for which a statement of comprehensive income is required to be filed. This final rule is effective on November 5, 2018. Pursuant to guidance issued by the SEC, the Company will provide the required disclosures in its interim financial statements beginning with the first fiscal quarter of 2019.

In August 2018, the FASB issued guidance designed to improve the effectiveness of disclosures by removing, modifying and adding disclosures related to fair value measurements. The Company will be required to adopt the new guidance beginning with its first fiscal quarter of 2020; early adoption in any interim period after issuance of the new guidance is permitted. The Company is currently assessing the impact this guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements; the Company does not expect to adopt the new guidance early.

In August 2018, the FASB issued new guidance on the accounting for implementation costs incurred in a cloud computing arrangement that is a service contract. The guidance aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with existing guidance for capitalizing implementation cost incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software. The guidance also provides presentation and disclosure requirements for such capitalized costs. The Company will be required to adopt the new guidance beginning with its first fiscal quarter of 2020; early adoption in any interim period after issuance of the new guidance is permitted. The Company is currently assessing the impact this guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements; the Company does not expect to adopt the new guidance early.

The Company reviewed all other newly issued accounting pronouncements and concluded that they either are not applicable to the Company's operations or that no material effect is expected on the Company's financial statements as a result of future adoption.

Revenue Disclosures

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]

Revenue Disclosures

The following table disaggregates our franchise revenue by major type for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016:



	Year ended December 31,
	2018		2017		2016
	(In thousands)
Franchise Revenue:
Royalties	$	311,568	$	297,817	$	315,848
Advertising fees	268,294		234,165		260,116
Pancake and waffle dry mix sales and other	52,108		50,538		52,117
Franchise and development fees	11,964		11,898		9,890
Total franchise revenue	$	643,934	$	594,418	$	637,971

Accounts receivable from franchisees as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 were $62.6 million (net of allowance of $4.6 million) and $66.2 million (net of allowance of $22.2 million), respectively, and were included in receivables, net in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Changes in the Company's contract liability for deferred franchise and development fees during the year ended December 31, 2018 are as follows:



	Deferred Franchise Revenue (short- and long-term)
	(In thousands)
Balance at December 31, 2017	$	81,433
Recognized as revenue during the year ended December 31, 2018	(11,220		)
Fees deferred during the year ended December 30, 2018	4,482
Balance at December 31, 2018	$	74,695

The balance of deferred revenue as of December 31, 2018 is expected to be recognized as follows:



	(In thousands)
2019	$	10,138
2020	8,227
2021	7,682
2022	7,156
2023	6,585
Thereafter	34,907
Total	$	74,695

Receivables

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Receivables [Abstract]

Receivables



4. Receivables	2018			2017
	(In millions)
Accounts receivable	$	63.0		$	84.2
Gift card receivables	47.9			51.6
Notes receivable	28.9			11.3
Financing receivables:
Equipment leases receivable	65.8			79.3
Direct financing leases receivable	44.9			55.7
Franchise fee notes receivable	0.2			0.3
Other	7.1			6.5
	257.8			288.9
Less: allowance for doubtful accounts and notes receivable	(17.2		)	(22.2		)
	240.6			266.8
Less: current portion	(137.5		)	(140.2		)
Long-term receivables	$	103.1		$	126.6

Accounts receivable primarily includes receivables due from franchisees and distributors. Gift card receivables consist primarily of amounts due from third-party vendors. Interest is not charged on gift card receivables.

Notes receivable primarily relate to the conversion of certain franchisee accounts receivable to notes receivable, cash loans made to franchisees and a note receivable in connection with the sale of IHOP restaurants (See Note 20 - Refranchising of Company-operated Restaurants. of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements). The notes bear interest averaging 4.8% and 4.6% per annum at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and are collateralized by the franchise.

Financing receivables primarily relate to IHOP franchise development activity prior to 2003 when IHOP typically leased or purchased the restaurant site, built and equipped the restaurant then franchised the restaurant to a franchisee. IHOP provided the financing for the franchise fee, leasing of the equipment and the leasing or subleasing of the site. Equipment lease contracts are due in equal weekly installments, primarily bear interest averaging 9.9% and 9.7% per annum at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and are collateralized by the equipment. The term of an equipment lease contract coincides with the term of the corresponding restaurant building lease. The IHOP franchise fee notes have a term of five to eight years and are due in equal weekly installments, primarily bear interest averaging 5.6% and 5.9% per annum at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and are collateralized by the franchise. Where applicable, franchise fee notes, equipment contracts and building leases contain cross-default provisions wherein a default under one constitutes a default under all. There is not a disproportionate concentration of credit risk in any geographic area.

The primary indicator of the credit quality of financing receivables is delinquency. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, approximately $0.1 million and $0.1 million, respectively, of financing receivables were delinquent more than 90 days.

The following table summarizes the activity in the allowance for doubtful accounts and notes receivable:



Allowance for Doubtful Accounts	(In millions)
Balance at December 31, 2015	$	1.2
Provision	2.8
Charge-offs	(0.9		)
Balance at December 31, 2016	3.1
Provision	20.3
Charge-offs	(1.2		)
Balance at December 31, 2017	22.2
Provision	10.3
Charge-offs	(15.3		)
Balance at December 31, 2018	$	17.2

As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, approximately $0.1 million and $0.1 million, respectively, of the allowance for doubtful accounts related to financing receivables.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for claims held for amounts due a entity, excluding financing receivables. Examples include, but are not limited to, trade accounts receivables, notes receivables, loans receivables. Includes disclosure for allowance for credit losses.

+ References + Details

Property and Equipment

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment by category is as follows:



	2018			2017
	(In millions)
Leaseholds and improvements	$	255.7		$	252.2
Equipment and fixtures	90.1			90.1
Properties under capital lease	100.3			61.4
Buildings and improvements	57.9			57.9
Land	56.4			56.4
Construction in progress	3.7			1.8
Property and equipment, gross	564.1			519.8
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization	(323.8		)	(320.2		)
Property and equipment, net	$	240.3		$	199.6

The Company recorded depreciation expense on property and equipment of $22.1 million, $20.6 million and $20.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Accumulated depreciation and amortization includes accumulated amortization for properties under capital lease in the amount of $46.2 million and $43.2 million at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Goodwill

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Goodwill

The significant majority of the Company's goodwill arose from the November 29, 2007 acquisition of Applebee's. Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 are as follows:



	Applebee's Franchise Unit			Applebee's Company Unit		IHOP Franchise Unit		Total
	(In millions)
Balance at December 31, 2015	$	686.6		$	—	$	10.8	$	697.4
Balance at December 31, 2016	686.6			—		10.8		697.4
Impairment	(358.2		)	—		—		(358.2		)
Balance at December 31, 2017	328.4			—		10.8		339.2
Acquisition of business	—			6.1		—		6.1
Balance at December 31, 2018	$	328.4		$	6.1	$	10.8	$	345.3

Gross and net carrying amounts of goodwill at December 31, 2018 and 2017 are as follows:



	December 31, 2018							December 31, 2017
	Gross		Accumulated Amortization			Net		Gross		Accumulated Amortization			Net
	(In millions)
Applebee's Franchise Unit	$	686.6	$	(358.2	)	$	328.4	$	686.6	$	(358.2	)	$	328.4
Applebee's Company Unit	6.1		—			6.1		—		—			—
IHOP Franchise Unit	10.8		—			10.8		10.8		—			10.8
Total	$	703.5	$	(358.2	)	$	345.3	$	697.4	$	(358.2	)	$	339.2

The Company assesses goodwill for impairment in accordance with its policy described in Note 2 - Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies.

In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018, the Company performed a qualitative assessment of the goodwill of the Applebee's franchise unit and the IHOP franchise unit and concluded it was more-likely-than-not that the fair values exceeded the respective carrying amounts. In performing that analysis the Company considered, among other things, Applebee's key performance indicators during 2018 and what, if any, impact that performance had on the long-term forecast of future trends in sales, operating expenses, overhead expenses, depreciation, capital expenditures and changes in working capital that had been used in performing a quantitative impairment test in the third quarter of 2017. The Company also considered the current market price of its common stock, the favorable impact of the Tax Act on future cash flows and the impact these changes would have on an appropriate discount rate. As result of the qualitative test, the Company concluded it was not more likely than not that the fair value of the Applebee's franchise reporting unit is less than its carrying amount and therefore, a quantitative test of impairment was not necessary.

In the third quarter of 2017, the Company noted that the decline in the market price of the Company's common stock since December 31, 2016, which the Company had believed to be temporary, persisted throughout the first eight months of 2017 and that the favorable trend in Applebee's domestic same-restaurant sales experienced in the second quarter of 2017 did not continue into the first two months of the third quarter of 2017. The Company also noted a continuing increase in Applebee's bad debt expense and in royalties not recognized in income until paid in cash. Additionally, the Company also determined an increasing shortfall in franchisee contributions to the Applebee's national advertising fund could require a larger amount of future subsidization in the form of additional franchisor contributions to the fund than previously estimated. Based on these unfavorable developments, the Company determined that indicators of impairment existed and that an interim test of goodwill for impairment should be performed in the third quarter of 2017.

In performing the quantitative test of goodwill, the Company primarily used the income approach method of valuation that included the discounted cash flow method and the market approach that included the guideline public company method to determine the fair value of goodwill and intangible assets. Significant assumptions used to determine fair value under the discounted cash flow model included expected future trends in sales, operating expenses, overhead expenses, capital expenditures and changes in working capital, along with an appropriate discount rate based on the Company's estimated cost of equity capital and after-tax cost of debt.

As a result of performing the quantitative test of impairment, the Company recognized an impairment of Applebee's goodwill of $358.2 million. The Company adopted the guidance in FASB Accounting Standards Update 2017-04 on January 1, 2017; accordingly, the amount of the goodwill impairment was determined as the amount by which the carrying amount of the goodwill exceeded the fair value of the Applebee's franchise reporting unit as estimated in the impairment test. The impairment of goodwill is not deductible for federal income tax purposes and therefore had no associated tax benefit.

In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017, the Company performed a qualitative assessment of the goodwill of the Applebee's franchise unit and the IHOP franchise unit and concluded it was more-likely-than-not that the fair values exceeded the respective carrying amounts.

In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016, the Company performed a quantitative test of the goodwill of the Applebee's franchise reporting unit and a qualitative test of the goodwill of the IHOP franchise unit and concluded it was more-likely-than-not that the fair values exceeded the respective carrying amounts.

Other Intangible Assets

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill) [Abstract]

Other Intangible Assets

The significant majority of the Company's other intangible assets arose from the November 29, 2007 acquisition of Applebee's. Changes in the carrying amount of intangible assets for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 are as follows:



	Not Subject to Amortization					Subject to Amortization
	Tradename			Other		Franchising Rights			Reacquired Franchise Rights			Leaseholds			Total
	(In millions)
Balance at December 31, 2015	$	652.4		$	1.5	$	119.0		$	—		$	—		$	772.9
Amortization expense	—			—		(10.0		)	—			—			(10.0		)
Additions	—			0.5		—			—			—			0.5
Balance at December 31, 2016	652.4			2.0		109.0			—			—			763.4
Impairment	(173.4		)	—		—						—			(173.4		)
Amortization expense	—			—		(10.0		)	—			—			(10.0		)
Additions	—			0.4		—			—			2.4			2.8
Balance at December 31, 2017	479.0			2.4		99.0			—			2.4			582.8
Amortization expense	—			—		(10.0		)	(0.1		)	(0.0		)	(10.1		)
Additions	—			0.3		—			11.6			1.3			13.2
Balance at December 31, 2018	$	479.0		$	2.7	$	89.0		$	11.5		$	3.7		$	585.9

In December 2018, the Company acquired 69 Applebee's restaurants. The Company has provisionally completed the purchase price allocation as described in Note 18 - Acquisition of Business, of Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements and has recorded $11.6 million of reacquired franchise rights as an intangible asset. In June 2017, the Company refranchised nine IHOP restaurants. As discussed in Note 20 - Refranchising of Company-operated Restaurants, of Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, the Company recorded a net intangible asset $2.4 million for below-market leases.

Annual amortization expense for the next five fiscal years is estimated to be approximately $11.1 million per year. The weighted average life of the intangible assets subject to amortization was 18.5 years and 20 years at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Gross and net carrying amounts of intangible assets subject to amortization at December 31, 2018 and 2017 are as follows:



	December 31, 2018							December 31, 2017
	Gross		Accumulated Amortization			Net		Gross		Accumulated Amortization			Net
	(In millions)
Franchising rights	$	200.0	$	(111.0	)	$	89.0	$	200.0	$	(101.0	)	$	99.0
Reacquired Franchise Rights	11.6		(0.1		)	11.5		—		—			—
Leaseholds	3.7		(0.0		)	3.7		2.4		(0.0		)	2.4
Total	$	215.3	$	(111.1	)	$	104.2	$	202.4	$	(101.0	)	$	101.4

The Company assessed the Applebee's tradename for impairment in accordance with its policy described in Note 2 - Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies. In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018, the Company performed a quantitative assessment of the Applebee's tradename and concluded the fair value exceeded the carrying amount.

As discussed in Note 6 - Goodwill, the Company determined that indicators of impairment existed prior to the annual test for impairment and performed an interim quantitative test for impairment of Applebee's tradename in the third quarter of 2017. In performing the impairment test of the tradename, the Company used the relief of royalty method under the income approach method of valuation. Significant assumptions used to determine fair value under the relief of royalty method include future trends in sales, a royalty rate and a discount rate applied to the forecast revenue stream. As a result of performing this quantitative test, the Company recognized an impairment of Applebee's tradename of $173.4 million. The Company recognized a tax benefit of $65.1 million related to the impairment.

In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016, the Company performed a quantitative assessment of the Applebee's tradename and concluded the fair value exceeded the carrying amount.

Long-Term Debt

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Long-Term Debt

Long-term debt consists of the following components:



	2018			2017
	(In millions)
Series 2014-1 4.277% Fixed Rate Senior Secured Notes, Class A-2	$	1,283.8		$	1,296.8
Series 2018-1 Variable Funding Senior Notes Class A-1, at a variable interest rate of 4.93%as of December 31, 2018	25.0			—
Class A-2 Note debt issuance costs	(9.7		)	(13.9		)
Long-term debt, net of debt issuance costs	1,299.1			1,282.8
Current portion of long-term debt	(25.0		)	(13.0		)
Long-term debt	$	1,274.1		$	1,269.8

On September 30, 2014, Applebee’s Funding LLC and IHOP Funding LLC (each a “Co-Issuer”), each a special purpose, wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of the Company issued $1.3 billion of Series 2014-1 4.277% Fixed Rate Senior Notes, Class A-2 (the “Class A-2 Notes”) in an offering exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The Co-Issuers also entered into a revolving financing facility of Series 2014-1 Variable Funding Senior Notes Class A-1 (the “2014 Variable Funding Notes”), which allows for drawings of up to $100 million of Variable Funding Notes and the issuance of letters of credit. The Class A-2 Notes and the Variable Funding Notes are referred to collectively as the “Notes.” The Notes were issued in a securitization transaction pursuant to which substantially all of our domestic revenue-generating assets and our domestic intellectual property, are held by the Co-Issuers and certain other special-purpose, wholly-owned indirect subsidiaries of the Company (the “Guarantors”) that act as guarantors of the Notes and that have pledged substantially all of their assets to secure the Notes.

Class A-2 Notes

The Notes were issued under a Base Indenture, dated September 30, 2014 (the “Base Indenture”) and the related Series 2014-1 Supplement to the Base Indenture, dated September 30, 2014 (the “Series 2014-1 Supplement”), among the Co-Issuers and Citibank, N.A., as the trustee (in such capacity, the “Trustee”) and securities intermediary. The Base Indenture and the Series 2014-1 Supplement (collectively, the “Indenture”) will allow the Co-Issuers to issue additional series of notes in the future subject to certain conditions set forth therein.

While the Notes are outstanding, payment of principal and interest is required to be made on the Class A-2 Notes on a quarterly basis. The quarterly principal payment of $3.25 million on the Class A-2 Notes may be suspended when the leverage ratio for the Company and its subsidiaries is less than or equal to 5.25x. In general, the leverage ratio is our indebtedness divided by adjusted EBITDA for the four preceding quarterly periods. The complete definitions of all calculation elements of the leverage ratio are contained in the Base Indenture filed as Exhibit 4.1 to Form 8-K filed with the SEC on October 3, 2014 (“Base Indenture”). Exceeding the leverage ratio of 5.25x does not violate any covenant related to the Notes. As of December 31, 2018, the Company's leverage ratio was 4.90x. The Company made four principal payments of $3.25 million during 2017.

The legal final maturity of the Class A-2 Notes is in September 2044, but it is anticipated that, unless earlier prepaid to the extent permitted under the Indenture, the Class A-2 Notes will be repaid in September 2021 (the “Class A-2 Anticipated Repayment Date”). If the Co-Issuers have not repaid or refinanced the Class A-2 Notes prior to the Class A-2 Anticipated Repayment Date, additional interest will accrue on the Class A-2 Notes equal to the greater of (i) 5.00% per annum and (ii) a per annum interest rate equal to the amount, if any, by which the sum of the following exceeds the Class A-2 Note interest rate: (A) the yield to maturity (adjusted to a quarterly bond-equivalent basis) on the Class A-2 Anticipated Repayment Date of the United States Treasury Security having a term closest to 10 years plus (B) 5.00% plus (C) 2.150%. Additionally, the Company's cash flow would become subject to a rapid amortization event as described below under “Covenants and Restrictions.”

The Notes are secured by the collateral described below under “Guarantees and Collateral.”

Variable Funding Notes

In connection with the issuance of the Class A-2 Notes, the Co-Issuers also entered into a revolving financing facility that allows for the drawings of up to $100 million of Variable Funding Notes and the issuance of letters of credit. The Variable Funding Notes were issued under the Indenture and allow for drawings on a revolving basis. On September 5, 2018 (the “Closing Date”), the Co-Issuers”) entered into a financing facility that allows for drawings of up to $225 million of variable funding notes on a revolving basis and the issuance of letters of credit (the “2018 Variable Funding Notes”). The 2018 Variable Funding Notes were issued under the Base Indenture and the Series 2018-1 Supplement to the Base Indenture, dated September 5, 2018, among the Co-Issuers and Citibank, N.A., as Trustee and the 2018-1 Securities Intermediary (“Series 2018-1 Supplement”). In connection therewith, the Company terminated the corresponding Class A-1 Note Purchase Agreement, dated September 30, 2014, among the Co-Issuers, certain special-purpose, wholly-owned indirect subsidiaries of the Corporation, each as a Guarantor, certain conduit investors, financial institutions and funding agents, and Cooperatieve Centrale Raiffeisen-Boerenleenbank, B.A., “Rabobank Nederland,” New York Branch, as provider of letters of credit, as swingline lender and as administrative agent (the “2014 Purchase Agreement”).

Drawings and certain additional terms related to the 2018 Variable Funding Notes are governed by the Class A-1 Note Purchase Agreement, dated September 5, 2018, among the Co-Issuers, certain special-purpose, wholly-owned indirect subsidiaries of the Company, each as a Guarantor, the Corporation, as manager, certain conduit investors, financial institutions and funding agents, and Barclays Bank PLC, as provider of letters credit, swingline lender and administrative agent (the “2018 Purchase Agreement”).

The 2018 Variable Funding Notes will be governed, in part, by the 2018 Purchase Agreement and by certain generally applicable terms contained in the Base Indenture and the Series 2018-1 Supplement. The applicable interest rate under the 2018 Variable Funding Notes depends on the type of borrowing by the Co-Issuers. The applicable interest rate for advances is generally calculated at a per annum rate equal to the commercial paper funding rate or one-, two-, three- or six-month Eurodollar Funding Rate, in either case, plus 2.15%. There is an upfront fee of 1% and a fee of 50 basis points on any unused portion of the 2018 Variable Funding Notes facility. The applicable interest rate for swingline advances and unreimbursed draws on outstanding letters of credit is a per annum base rate equal to the sum of (a) 1.15% plus (b) the greater of (i) the Prime Rate in effect from time to time, (ii) the Federal Funds Rate in effect from time to time plus 0.50% and (iii) the one-month Eurodollar Funding Rate plus 1.00%. Undrawn face amounts of outstanding letters of credit that are not cash collateralized accrue a fee of 2.15% per annum. It is anticipated that the principal and interest on the 2018 Variable Funding Notes will be repaid in full on or prior to September 7, 2021 (the “Anticipated Repayment Date”), subject to four additional one-year extensions at the option of the Company upon the satisfaction of certain conditions. The 2018 Variable Funding Notes and other credit instruments issued under the 2018 Purchase Agreement are secured by the collateral described in the Base Indenture and the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, dated September 30, 2014, by certain special-purpose, wholly-owned indirect subsidiaries of the Company, each as a Guarantor, in favor of Citibank, N.A., as Trustee (the “Guarantee and Collateral Agreement”).

In connection with the above transaction, the Company also amended and restated the Management Agreement, dated September 30, 2014 (the “Management Agreement”), among the Co-Issuers, other securitization entities party thereto from time to time, the Company, Applebee’s Services, Inc. and International House of Pancakes, LLC as Sub-managers and Citibank, N.A., as Trustee, to revise the calculation of the weekly management fee and to make certain other revisions. The Company also amended the Base Indenture to, among other things, make certain administrative and definitional updates.

Prior to the termination of the 2014 Purchase Agreement referenced above, during fiscal 2018 the Company borrowed and repaid a total of $30.0 million of 2014 Variable Funding Notes, inclusive of $20.0 million repaid September 5, 2018 representing the entire then-outstanding principal amount of the 2014 Variable Funding Notes. The maximum amount of 2014 Variable Funding Notes outstanding during the year ended December 31, 2018 was $30.0 million and the weighted average interest rate on 2014 Variable Funding Notes outstanding during the year ended December 31, 2018 was 4.5%

During the year ended December 31, 2018 the Company borrowed $45.0 million in 2018 Variable Funding Notes and repaid $20.0 million, leaving $25.0 million outstanding at December 31, 2018. The maximum amount of 2018 Variable Funding Notes outstanding during the year ended December 31, 2018 was $25.0 million and the weighted average interest rate on the 2018 Variable Funding Notes for the period outstanding was approximately 4.9%. Additionally, at December 31, 2018, $3.1 million was pledged against the 2018 Variable Funding Notes for outstanding letters of credit, leaving $196.9 million of 2018 Variable Funding Notes available for borrowings. The letters of credit are used primarily to satisfy insurance-related collateral requirements.

Guarantees and Collateral

Under the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement dated September 30, 2014 (the “Guarantee and Collateral Agreement”), among the Guarantors in favor of the Trustee, the Guarantors guarantee the obligations of the Co-Issuers under the Indenture and related documents and secure the guarantee by granting a security interest in substantially all of their assets.

The Notes are secured by a security interest in substantially all of the assets of the Co-Issuers and the Guarantors (collectively, the “Securitization Entities”). On September 30, 2014, these assets (the “Securitized Assets”) generally included substantially all of the domestic revenue-generating assets of the Corporation and its subsidiaries, which principally consist of franchise agreements, area license agreements, development agreements, franchisee fee notes, equipment leases, agreements related to the production and sale of pancake and waffle dry-mixes, owned and leased real property and intellectual property.

The Notes are obligations only of the Co-Issuers pursuant to the Indenture and are unconditionally and irrevocably guaranteed by the Guarantors pursuant to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement. Except as described below, neither we nor any of our subsidiaries, other than the Securitization Entities, will guarantee or in any way be liable for the obligations of the Co-Issuers under the Indenture or the Notes.

Covenants and Restrictions

The Notes are subject to a series of covenants and restrictions customary for transactions of this type, including (i) that the Co-Issuers maintain specified reserve accounts to be used to make required payments in respect of the Notes, (ii) provisions relating to optional and mandatory prepayments, and the related payment of specified amounts, including specified make-whole payments in the case of the Class A-2 Notes under certain circumstances, (iii) certain indemnification payments in the event, among other things, the transfers of the assets pledged as collateral for the Notes are in stated ways defective or ineffective and (iv) covenants relating to recordkeeping, access to information and similar matters. The Notes are also subject to customary rapid amortization events provided for in the Indenture, including events tied to failure of the Securitization Entities to maintain the stated debt service coverage (“DSCR”) ratio, the sum of domestic retail sales during the trailing twelve months for all restaurants being below $3.5 billion on quarterly measurement dates, certain manager termination events, certain events of default and the failure to repay or refinance the Notes on the Class A-2 Anticipated Repayment Date. The Notes are also subject to certain customary events of default, including events relating to non-payment of required interest, principal or other amounts due on or with respect to the Notes, failure of the Securitization Entities to maintain the stated debt service coverage ratio, failure to comply with covenants within certain time frames, certain bankruptcy events, breaches of specified representations and warranties and certain judgments.

The DSCR ratio is Net Cash Flow for the four quarters preceding the calculation date divided by the total debt service payments of the preceding four quarters. Failure to maintain a prescribed DSCR ratio can trigger a Cash Trapping Event, A Rapid Amortization Event, a Manager Termination Event or a Default Event as described below. In a Cash Trapping Event, the Trustee is required to retain a certain percentage of cash flow in a restricted account. In a Rapid Amortization Event, all excess Cash Flow is retained and used to retire principal amounts of debt. Key DSCR ratios are as follows:

•DSCR less than 1.75x but equal to or greater than 1.50x - Cash Trapping Event, 50% of Net Cash Flow

•DSCR less than 1.50x - Cash Trapping Event, 100% of Net Cash Flow

•DSCR less than 1.30x - Rapid Amortization Event

•DSCR less than 1.20x - Manager Termination Event

•DSCR less than 1.10x - Default Event

The DSCR for the reporting period ended December 31, 2018 was 4.58x.

Debt Issuance Costs

The Company incurred costs of approximately $24.3 million in connection with the issuance of the Notes. These debt issuance costs are being amortized using the effective interest method over estimated life of the Notes. Amortization of $3.4 million, $3.4 million and $3.2 million was included in interest expense for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 respectively. Unamortized debt issuance costs are reported as a direct reduction of the Class A-2 Notes in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

The Company incurred costs of approximately $3.7 million in connection with the establishment of the 2018 Variable Funding Notes facility. These debt issuance costs are being amortized using the effective interest method over the estimated three-year life of the 2018 Variable Funding Notes. Unamortized debt issuance costs of $3.3 million related to the 2018 Variable Funding Notes are reported as other long-term assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2018.

Debt Refinancing Costs

In connection with the termination referenced above of the 2014 Purchase Agreement, the Company recognized as expense $0.9 million of unamortized debt issuance costs associated with the 2014 Variable Funding Notes. In addition, the Company incurred costs of $1.6 million associated with the evaluation of various alternatives for refinancing our securitized indebtedness that were also charged to expense. These costs totaling $2.5 million are reported as “Debt refinancing costs” in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss).

Maturities of Long-term Debt

The Class A-2 Anticipated Repayment Date is September 2021. Assuming the Company's leverage ratio remains greater than 5.25x, the entire face-value maturity of $1.3 billion of Class A-2 Notes is due in 2021.

Financing Obligations

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Leases [Abstract]

Financing Obligations

On May 19, 2008, the Company entered into a Purchase and Sale Agreement relating to the sale and leaseback of 181 parcels of real property (the “Sale-Leaseback Transaction”), each of which is improved with a restaurant operating as an Applebee's Neighborhood Grill and Bar (the “Properties”). On June 13, 2008, the closing date of the Sale-Leaseback Transaction, the Company entered into a Master Land and Building Lease (“Master Lease”) for the Properties. The proceeds received from the transaction were $337.2 million. The Master Lease calls for an initial term of twenty years and four, five-year options to extend the term.

The Company has an ongoing obligation related to the Properties until such time as the lease related to each of the Properties is assigned to a qualified franchisee in a transaction meeting certain parameters set forth in the Master Lease. Due to this continuing involvement, the Sale-Leaseback Transaction was recorded under the financing method in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Accordingly, the value of the land and leasehold improvements will remain on the Company's books and the leasehold improvements will continue to be depreciated over their remaining useful lives. The net proceeds received were recorded as a financing obligation. A portion of the lease payments is recorded as a decrease to the financing obligation and a portion is recognized as interest expense. In the event the lease obligation of any individual property or group of properties is assumed by a qualified franchisee, the Company's continuing involvement will cease. At that time, that portion of the transaction related to that property or group of properties is recorded as a sale in accordance with U.S. GAAP and the net book value of those properties will be removed from the Company's books, along with a ratable portion of the remaining financing obligation.

As of December 31, 2018, the Company's continuing involvement with 155 of the 181 Properties ended by assignment of the lease obligation to a qualified franchisee or a release from the lessor. In accordance with the accounting described above, the transactions related to these properties have been recorded as a sale with property and equipment and financing obligations each cumulatively reduced by approximately $280.0 million.

As of December 31, 2018, future minimum lease payments under financing obligations during the initial terms of the leases related to the sale-leaseback transactions are as follows:



Fiscal Years	(In millions)
2019	$	5.1
2020⁽¹⁾	5.6
2021	5.1
2022	5.1
2023	5.0
Thereafter	50.4
Total minimum lease payments	76.3
Less: interest	(37.2		)
Total financing obligations	39.1
Less: current portion⁽²⁾	(0.6		)
Long-term financing obligations	$	38.5

____________________________________________________________________________________


⁽¹⁾	Due to the varying closing date of the Company's fiscal year, 13 monthly payments will be made in 2020.


⁽²⁾	Included in current maturities of capital lease and financing obligations on the consolidated balance sheet.

Leases

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Leases [Abstract]

Leases

The Company is the lessor or sub-lessor of properties on which approximately 680 domestic IHOP franchise restaurants are located. The restaurants are subleased to IHOP franchisees or in a few instances were operated by the Company or an Applebee's franchisee. These noncancelable leases and subleases consist primarily of land, buildings and improvements. The Company is also the lessee of properties on which 69 Applebee's restaurants and two office facilities are located.

The following is the Company's net investment in direct financing lease receivables:



	December 31,
	2018			2017
	(In millions)
Total minimum rents receivable	$	57.3		$	74.5
Less: unearned income	(12.4		)	(18.8		)
Net investment in direct financing leases receivable	44.9			55.7
Less: current portion	(11.2		)	(10.8		)
Long-term direct financing leases receivable	$	33.7		$	44.9

Contingent rental income, which is the amount above and beyond base rent, for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 was $14.3 million, $14.0 million and $15.4 million, respectively.

The following is the Company's net investment in equipment leases receivable:



	December 31,
	2018			2017
	(In millions)
Total minimum leases receivable	$	89.9		$	106.4
Less: unearned income	(24.1		)	(27.1		)
Net investment in equipment leases receivable	65.8			79.3
Less: current portion	(8.5		)	(8.2		)
Long-term equipment leases receivable	$	57.3		$	71.1

The following are minimum future lease payments on noncancelable leases as lessee at December 31, 2018:



	Capital Leases			Operating Leases
	(In millions)
2019	$	21.0		$	91.2
2020⁽¹⁾	19.3			92.8
2021	16.2			75.7
2022	14.3			67.6
2023	11.6			55.2
Thereafter	63.4			210.5
Total minimum lease payments	145.8			$	593.0
Less: interest	(44.6		)
Capital lease obligations	101.2
Less: current portion⁽²⁾	(13.4		)
Long-term capital lease obligations	$	87.8

______________________________________________________

⁽¹⁾Due to the varying closing date of the Company's fiscal year, 13 monthly payments will be made in fiscal 2020.

⁽²⁾Included in current maturities of capital lease and financing obligations on the consolidated balance sheet.

The asset cost and carrying amount on company-owned property leased at December 31, 2018 was $89.0 million and $58.8 million, respectively. The asset cost and carrying amount on company-owned property leased at December 31, 2017, was $89.0 million and $60.0 million, respectively. The asset cost and carrying amounts represent the land and building asset values and net book values on sites leased to franchisees.

The minimum future lease payments shown above have not been reduced by the following future minimum rents to be received on noncancelable subleases and leases of owned property at December 31, 2018:



	Direct Financing Leases		Operating Leases
	(In millions)
2019	$	16.2	$	105.9
2020⁽¹⁾	14.8		106.3
2021	11.7		100.2
2022	8.2		96.2
2023	3.5		91.8
Thereafter	2.9		271.8
Total minimum rents receivable	$	57.3	$	772.2

______________________________________________________

⁽¹⁾Due to the varying closing date of the Company's fiscal year, 13 monthly payments will be made in fiscal 2020.

The Company has noncancelable leases, expiring at various dates through 2057, which require payment of contingent rents based upon a percentage of sales of the related restaurant as well as property taxes, insurance and other charges. Subleases to franchisees of properties under such leases are generally for the full term of the lease obligation at rents that include the Company's obligations for property taxes, insurance, contingent rents and other charges. Generally, the noncancelable leases include renewal options. Contingent rent expense for all noncancelable leases for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 was $2.7 million, $2.6 million and $3.0 million, respectively. Minimum rent expense for all noncancelable operating leases for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 was $80.8 million, $73.0 million and $76.5 million, respectively.

Commitments and Contingencies	12 Months Ended
Commitments and Contingencies	Dec. 31, 2018
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	Commitments and Contingencies Purchase Commitments In some instances, the Company enters into commitments to purchase advertising and other items. Most of these agreements are fixed price purchase commitments. At December 31, 2018, the outstanding purchase commitments were $171.3 million, the majority of which related to advertising. Lease Guarantees In connection with the sale of Applebee's restaurants to franchisees and other parties, the Company has, in certain cases, guaranteed or had potential continuing liability for lease payments. The Company had outstanding lease guarantees or was contingently liable for approximately $284.3 million and $313.9 million as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 respectively. These amounts represent the maximum potential liability of future payments under these leases. Excluding unexercised option periods, the Company's potential liability for future payments under these leases as of December 31, 2018 was $44.7 million. These leases have been assigned to the buyers and expire at the end of the respective lease terms, which range from 2019 through 2048. In the event of default, the indemnity and default clauses in our sale or assignment agreements govern our ability to pursue and recover damages incurred. No material liabilities for these guarantees have been recorded as of December 31, 2018. Litigation, Claims and Disputes The Company is subject to various lawsuits, governmental inspections, administrative proceedings, audits, and claims arising in the ordinary course of business. Some of these lawsuits purport to be class actions and/or seek substantial damages. The Company is required to record an accrual for litigation loss contingencies that are both probable and reasonably estimable. Legal fees and expenses associated with the defense of all of the Company's litigation are expensed as such fees and expenses are incurred. In the opinion of management, these matters are adequately covered by insurance or, if not so covered, are without merit or are of such a nature or involve amounts that would not have a material adverse impact on the Company's business or consolidated financial statements. Management regularly assesses the Company's insurance deductibles, analyzes litigation information with the Company's attorneys and evaluates its loss experience in connection with pending legal proceedings. While the Company does not presently believe that any of the legal proceedings to which the Company is currently a party will ultimately have a material adverse impact on the Company, there can be no assurance that the Company will prevail in all the proceedings the Company is party to, or that the Company will not incur material losses from them. Letters of Credit The Company provides letters of credit, primarily to various insurance carriers to collateralize obligations for outstanding claims. As of December 31, 2018, the Company had approximately $3.1 million of unused letters of credit outstanding that reduce the Company's available borrowing under its 2018 Variable Funding Notes. These letters of credit expire on various dates in 2019 and are automatically renewed for an additional year if no cancellation notice is submitted.

Stockholders' (Deficit) Equity

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Equity [Abstract]

Stockholders' Deficit

Stock Repurchase Programs

On October 1, 2015, the Company's Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase program authorizing the Company to repurchase up to $150 million of its common stock (the “2015 Repurchase Program”) on an opportunistic basis from time to time in open market transactions and in privately negotiated transactions based on business, market, applicable legal requirements and other considerations. The Company has repurchased 1,479,496 shares of stock for $117.8 million under the 2015 Repurchase Program. The Company may repurchase up to an additional $32.2 million of common stock under the 2015 Repurchase Program.

Shares repurchased under the 2015 Repurchase Program during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 are summarized as follows:



	Repurchases			Remaining Value that may be Repurchased
Year Ended December 31,	Shares	Amount		Remaining Value that may be Repurchased
		(Dollars in millions)
2018	478,839	$	34.9	$	32.2
2017	145,786	$	10.0	$	67.1
2016	650,384	$	55.3	$	77.1

In February 2019, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase program authorizing the Company to repurchase up to $200 million of the Company’s common stock (“2019 Repurchase Program”) on an opportunistic basis from time to time in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions based on business, market, applicable legal requirements and other considerations. The 2019 Repurchase Program, as approved by the Board of Directors, does not require the repurchase of a specific number of shares and can be terminated at any time. In connection with the approval of the 2019 Repurchase Program, the Board of Directors terminated the prior repurchase program approved in October 2015 which had authorized the Company to repurchase up to $150 million of the Company’s common stock.

Dividends

During the fiscal years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, the Company declared and paid dividends on common stock as follows:



Year ended December 31, 2018	Declaration Date	Payment Date	Dividends declared per share		Dividends paid per share		Total dividends paid⁽¹⁾
							(In millions)
Payment of prior year declaration	(3)	January 5, 2018	—		$	0.97	$	17.7
First quarter	February 14, 2018	April 6, 2018	$	0.63	0.63		11.5
Second quarter	May 14, 2018	July 6, 2018	0.63		0.63		11.4
Third quarter	August 2, 2018	October 5, 2018	0.63		0.63		11.4
Fourth quarter	October 6, 2018	(2)	0.63		—		—
Total			$	2.52	$	2.86	$	52.0



Year ended December 31, 2017
Payment of prior year declaration	(4)	January 6, 2017	—		$	0.97	$	17.5
First quarter	February 22, 2017	April 7, 2017	$	0.97	0.97		17.5
Second quarter	May 15, 2017	July 7, 2017	0.97		0.97		17.5
Third quarter	August 10, 2017	October 6, 2017	0.97		0.97		17.8
Fourth quarter	October 6, 2017	(3)	0.97		—		—
Total			$	3.88	$	3.88	$	70.3



Year ended December 31, 2016
Payment of prior year declaration	(5)	January 8, 2016	$	—	$	0.92	$	17.1
First quarter	February 23, 2016	April 8, 2016	$	0.92	0.92		17.0
Second quarter	May 16, 2016	July 8, 2016	0.92		0.92		16.8
Third quarter	July 28, 2016	October 7, 2016	0.92		0.92		16.7
Fourth quarter	October 31, 2016	(4)	0.97		—		—
Total			$	3.73	$	3.68	$	67.6

^{(1) Includes dividend equivalents paid on restricted stock units}

^{(2) The fourth quarter 2018 dividend of}^{$11.4 million}^{was paid on January 4, 2019.}

^{(3) The fourth quarter 2017 dividend of}^$17.7^{million was paid on January 5, 2018.}

^{(4) The fourth quarter 2016 dividend of}^$17.5^{million was paid on January 6, 2017.}

^{(5) The fourth quarter 2015 dividend of}^{$17.1 million}^{was paid on January 8, 2016.}

Dividends declared on common stock are recorded as a reduction of retained earnings to the extent retained earnings are available at the close of the period prior to the date of the declared dividend. Dividends in excess of retained earnings are recorded as a reduction of additional paid-in capital. Dividends recorded during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 were as follows:



	Year Ended December 31,
	2018			2017			2016
	(In millions)
Dividends declared from retained earnings	$	—		$	(52.6	)	$	(67.8	)
Dividends declared from additional paid-in capital	$	(44.7	)	$	(17.7	)	$	—

On February 20, 2019, our Board of Directors approved payment of a cash dividend of $0.69 per share of common stock, payable at the close of business on April 5, 2019 to the stockholders of record as of the close of business on March 20, 2019.

Treasury Stock

Repurchases of the Company's common stock are included in treasury stock at the cost of shares repurchased plus any transaction costs. Treasury stock may be re-issued when vested stock options are exercised, when restricted stock awards are granted and when restricted stock units settle in stock upon vesting. The cost of treasury stock re-issued is determined on the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) method. The Company re-issued $167,396 shares, $281,185 shares and $136,818 shares, respectively, during the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 at a total FIFO cost of $6.5 million, $10.1 million and $4.9 million, respectively.

Closure and Other Impairment Charges

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Restructuring Charges [Abstract]

Closure and Other Impairment Charges

Closure and other impairment charges for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 were as follows:



	Year Ended December 31,
	2018		2017		2016
	(In millions)
Closure charges	$	2.0	$	3.9	$	1.2
Kansas City lease exit costs	—		—		2.9
Long-lived tangible asset impairment	0.1		0.1		1.0
Total closure and impairment charges	$	2.1	$	4.0	$	5.1

Closure Charges

Approximately $1.8 million of closure charges for the year ended December 31, 2018 related to one IHOP franchise restaurant closed during 2018, with the remainder primarily related to adjustments to the estimated reserve for IHOP and Applebee's restaurants closed prior to 2017. Approximately $2.2 million of closure charges for the year ended December 31, 2017 related to one IHOP company-operated restaurant closed during 2017, with the remainder primarily related to adjustments to the estimated reserve for IHOP and Applebee's restaurants closed prior to 2017. Approximately $0.7 million of closure charges for the year ended December 31, 2016 related to one IHOP franchise restaurant closed during 2016, with the rest of the charges related to adjustments to the estimated reserve for IHOP and Applebee's restaurants closed prior to 2016.

Kansas City Lease Exit Costs

The Company incurred costs of $2.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2016 to exit a facility in connection with a consolidation of the Company's offices. Approximately $2.5 million related to the outright termination of a lease covering two floors of the facility and $0.4 million represents the present value of future lease payments, net of assumed sublease rentals, of one floor of the facility.

Long-lived Tangible Asset Impairment

Long-lived tangible asset impairment charges for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 were not significant. Long-lived tangible asset impairment charges for the year ended December 31, 2016 comprised a charge of $0.6 million for one IHOP company-operated restaurant and charges totaling $0.4 million of individually insignificant charges at eight IHOP company-operated restaurants.

Stock-Based Incentive Plans

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]

Stock-Based Incentive Plans

General Description

Currently, the Company is authorized to grant stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, cash-settled and stock-settled restricted stock units and performance units to officers, other employees and non-employee directors under the Dine Brands Global, Inc. 2016 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2016 Plan”). The 2016 Plan was approved by stockholders on May 17, 2016 and permits the issuance of up to 3,750,000 shares of the Company’s common stock for incentive stock awards. The 2016 Plan will expire in May 2026.

The DineEquity, Inc. 2011 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2011 Plan”) was adopted in 2011 to permit the issuance of up to 1,500,000 shares of the Company’s common stock for incentive stock awards. The 2011 Plan was terminated upon adoption of the 2016 Plan, but there are stock options, restricted stock and restricted stock units issued under the 2011 Plan that are outstanding as of December 31, 2018.

The IHOP Corp. 2001 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2001 Plan”) was adopted in 2001 and amended and restated in 2005 and 2008 to authorize the issuance of up to 4,200,000 shares of common stock. The 2001 Plan has expired but there are stock options issued under the 2001 Plan outstanding as of December 31, 2018.

The 2016 Plan, the 2011 Plan and the 2001 Plan are collectively referred to as the “Plans.”

Stock-Based Compensation Expense

From time to time, the Company has granted nonqualified stock options, restricted stock, cash-settled and stock-settled restricted stock units and performance units to officers, other employees and non-employee directors of the Company under the Plans. The nonqualified stock options generally vest ratably over a three-year period in one-third increments and have a maturity of ten years from the grant date. Options vest immediately upon a change in control of the Company, as defined in the Plans. Option exercise prices equal the closing price of the Company's common stock on the New York Stock Exchange on the date of grant. Restricted stock and restricted stock units are issued at no cost to the holder and vest over terms determined by the Compensation Committee of the Company's Board of Directors, generally three years from the date of grant or immediately upon a change in control of the Company, as defined in the Plans. The Company either utilizes treasury stock or issues new shares from its authorized but unissued share pool when vested stock options are exercised, when restricted stock awards are granted and when restricted stock units settle in stock upon vesting.

The following table summarizes the Company's stock-based compensation expense included as a component of general and administrative expenses in the consolidated financial statements:



	Year Ended December 31,
	2018			2017			2016
	(In millions)
Total stock-based compensation expense:
Equity classified awards expense	$	10.6		$	10.9		$	11.0
Liability classified awards (credit)	3.1			(1.0		)	(0.5		)
Total pretax stock-based compensation expense	13.7			9.9			10.5
Book income tax benefit	(3.5		)	(3.8		)	(3.9		)
Total stock-based compensation expense, net of tax	$	10.2		$	6.1		$	6.6

As of December 31, 2018, total unrecognized compensation cost related to restricted stock and restricted stock units of $19.1 million and $3.6 million related to stock options is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately 1.7 years for restricted stock and restricted stock units and 1.5 years for stock options.

Equity Classified Awards - Stock Options

The per share fair values of the stock options granted have been estimated as of the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The Black-Scholes model considers, among other factors, the expected life of the option and the historical volatility of the Company's stock price. The Black-Scholes model meets the requirements of U.S. GAAP, but the fair values generated by the model may not be indicative of the actual fair values of the Company's stock-based awards. The following table summarizes the assumptions used to value options granted in the respective periods:

The Company granted 223,570 stock options during the year ended December 31, 2018 for which the fair value was estimated using a Black-Scholes option pricing model. The following summarizes the assumptions used in the Black-Scholes model:



	2018			2017			2016
Risk free interest rate	2.6		%	1.9		%	1.1		%
Weighted average historical volatility	26.1		%	22.9		%	27.1		%
Dividend yield	3.6		%	7.3		%	4.0		%
Expected years until exercise	4.6			4.5			4.5
Weighted average fair value of options granted	$	11.94		$	4.31		$	13.55

The Company granted 25,330 performance-based stock options and 55,245 performance-based restricted stock units during the year ended December 31, 2018. The Company granted 350,000 performance-based stock options and 175,000 performance-based restricted stock units during the year ended December 31, 2017. Fair value of these grants was estimated using a Monte Carlo simulation method. The following summarizes the assumptions used in estimating the fair values:



	2018			2017
Risk free interest rate	2.5		%	1.6		%
Weighted average historical volatility	34.4		%	30.0		%
Dividend yield	3.4		%	9.6		%
Expected years until exercise	3.0			3.4
Weighted average fair value of options granted	$	9.79		$	3.07
Weighted average fair value of restricted stock units granted	$	53.72		$	10.19

Stock option activity for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 is summarized as follows:



	Number of Shares Under Option		Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (in Years)	Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in Millions)
Outstanding at December 31, 2015	504,462		$	69.99
Granted	255,825		90.90
Exercised	(48,021	)	29.33
Forfeited	(7,924	)	94.30
Expired	(3,208	)	89.17
Outstanding at December 31, 2016	701,134		80.04
Granted	887,030		48.35
Exercised	(64,916	)	40.59
Forfeited	(171,847	)	65.82
Expired	(79,353	)	87.02
Outstanding at December 31, 2017	1,272,048		61.44
Granted	248,899		69.12
Exercised	(74,930	)	52.43
Forfeited	(6,309	)	68.80
Expired	—		—
Outstanding at December 31, 2018	1,439,708		$	63.21	6.6	$	15.9
Vested and Expected to Vest at December 31, 2018	1,301,066		$	64.62	6.4	$	13.4
Exercisable at December 31, 2018	571,768		$	77.73	3.6	$	2.9

The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 was $2.4 million, $1.4 million and $2.7 million, respectively.

Cash received from options exercised under all stock-based payment arrangements for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 was $3.9 million, $2.6 million and $1.4 million, respectively. The actual tax benefit realized for the tax deduction from option exercises under the stock-based payment arrangements totaled $0.6 million, $0.5 million and $1.0 million, respectively, for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016.

Equity Classified Awards - Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units

Activity in equity classified awards of restricted stock and restricted stock units for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 is as follows:



	Shares of Restricted Stock		Weighted Average Grant-Date Per Share Fair Value		Restricted Stock Units		Weighted Average Grant-Date Per Share Fair Value
Outstanding at December 31, 2015	257,594		$	89.99	35,116		$	86.30
Granted	88,797		88.90		13,053		90.90
Released	(77,712	)	78.70		(14,027	)	72.01
Forfeited	(33,207	)	92.82		(84	)	101.25
Outstanding at December 31, 2016	235,472		92.91		34,058		93.95
Granted	216,269		51.89		281,973		22.37
Released	(92,968	)	88.62		(12,683	)	81.63
Forfeited	(83,582	)	79.52		—		—
Outstanding at December 31, 2017	275,191		65.97		303,348		28.39
Granted	92,466		69.20		86,990		57.21
Released	(74,253	)	81.07		(15,737	)	98.54
Forfeited	(26,162	)	61.27		(72	)	53.49
Outstanding at December 31, 2018	267,242		$	63.35	374,529		$	31.05

Liability Classified Awards - Cash-settled Restricted Stock Units

The Company has granted cash-settled restricted stock units to certain employees. These instruments are recorded as liabilities at fair value as of the respective period end. For the year ended December 31, 2018, 59,686 units were issued, 702 units were vested and 5,218 units were forfeited. At December 31, 2018, there were 53,766 units outstanding. For the year ended December 31, 2018, $0.8 million was included as stock-based compensation expense related to cash-settled restricted stock units.

Liability Classified Awards

The Company has granted cash long-term incentive awards to certain employees (“LTIP awards”). Annual LTIP awards vest over a three-year period and are primarily determined using a multiplier from 0% to 200% of the target award based on the total shareholder return of the Company's common stock compared to the total shareholder returns of a peer group of companies. Though LTIP awards are only paid in cash, since the multiplier is primarily based on the price of the Company's common stock, the awards are considered stock-based compensation in accordance with U.S. GAAP and are classified as liabilities. For the years ended December 31, 2018, expense of $2.3 million was included in stock-based compensation expense related to the LTIP awards. For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, credits of $1.0 million and $0.5 million, respectively, were included in stock-based compensation expense related to the LTIP awards. At December 31, 2018 and 2017, liabilities of $2.4 million and $0.2 million, respectively, were included as accrued employee compensation and benefits in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Employee Benefit Plans	12 Months Ended
Employee Benefit Plans	Dec. 31, 2018
Defined Contribution Plan [Abstract]
Employee Benefit Plans	Employee Benefit Plans 401(k) Savings and Investment Plan Effective January 1, 2013, the Company amended the Dine Brands Global, Inc. 401(k) Plan to (i) modify the Company matching formula and (ii) eliminate the one-year completed service requirement that previously had to be met to become eligible for Company matching contributions. As amended, the Company matches 100% of the first four percent of the employee's eligible compensation deferral and 50% of the next two percent of the employee's eligible compensation deferral. All contributions under this plan vest immediately. Company common stock is not an investment option for employees in the 401(k) Plan, other than shares transferred from a prior employee stock ownership plan. Substantially all of the administrative cost of the 401(k) plan is borne by the Company. The Company's matching contribution expense was $2.4 million, $2.3 million and $2.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

Income Taxes

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Income Taxes

The provision (benefit) for income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 was as follows:



	Year Ended December 31,
	2018			2017			2016
Provision (benefit) for income taxes:	(In millions)
Current
Federal	$	33.6		$	42.6		$	60.8
State	6.4			5.1			6.4
Foreign	2.1			2.9			2.3
	42.1			50.6			69.5
Deferred
Federal	(7.8		)	(131.0		)	(9.5		)
State	(4.0		)	(5.1		)	(3.2		)
	(11.8		)	(136.1		)	(12.7		)
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	$	30.3		$	(85.6	)	$	56.8

The provision (benefit) for income taxes differs from the expected federal income tax rates as follows:



	Year Ended December 31,
	2018		2017		2016
Statutory federal income tax rate	21.0	%	35.0	%	35.0	%
Non-deductibility of goodwill impairment	—		(29.3	)	—
Change in federal tax rate	—		15.5		—
State and other taxes, net of federal tax benefit	3.6		0.4		2.7
Change in unrecognized tax benefits	3.3		(0.7	)	0.4
Change in valuation allowance	0.4		0.3		—
Domestic production activity deduction	—		0.3		(0.6	)
Changes in tax rates and state tax laws	(1.6	)	(0.3	)	(1.7	)
Change in accounting for excess tax deficiencies/benefits	0.1		(0.5	)	—
Other	0.6		(0.7	)	0.2
Effective tax rate	27.4	%	20.0	%	36.0	%

The Company applied a lower state tax rate to the deferred tax balances during fourth quarter of 2018, a result of the state legislative changes and the acquisition of 69 Applebee’s restaurants in December 2018. The change in the state tax rate applied to the deferred tax balances lowered the 2018 effective tax rate by 1.6%.

The Company recognized a $358.2 million impairment of goodwill during the third quarter of 2017 that was not deductible for federal income tax purposes and therefore had no associated tax benefit. The impairment of goodwill lowered the 2017 effective tax rate by 29.3%. Additionally, the Company was required to revalue its deferred taxes at the federal tax rate of 21% in accordance with the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”). The change in the federal tax rate applied to the deferred tax balances increased the 2017 effective tax rate by 15.5%.

The Company applied a lower state tax rate to the deferred tax balances during second quarter of 2016, a result of the consolidation of company offices. The change in the state tax rates applied to the deferred tax balances lowered the 2016 effective tax rate by 1.7%.

The Company files federal income tax returns and the Company or one of its subsidiaries file income tax returns in various state and international jurisdictions. With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to federal, state or non-United States tax examinations by tax authorities for years before 2011. The Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) commenced examination of the Company’s U.S. federal income tax return for the tax years 2011 to 2013 in fiscal year 2016. The examination is anticipated to conclude during fiscal year 2019. The Company continues to believe that adequate reserves have been provided relating to all matters contained in the tax periods open to examination.

Net deferred tax assets (liabilities) consisted of the following components:



	2018			2017
	(In millions)
Differences in capitalization and depreciation and amortization of reacquired franchises and equipment	$	—		$	—
Differences in acquisition financing costs	—			0.1
Employee compensation	9.0			7.6
Deferred gain on sale of assets	—			0.7
Book/tax difference in revenue recognition	34.3			14.2
Other	16.8			42.2
Deferred tax assets	60.1			64.8
Valuation allowance	(0.4		)	—
Total deferred tax assets after valuation allowance	59.7			64.8
Differences between financial and tax accounting in the recognition of franchise and equipment sales	(16.8		)	(20.7		)
Differences in capitalization and depreciation ⁽¹⁾	(139.2		)	(147.5		)
Differences in acquisition financing costs	(0.6		)	—
Book/tax difference in revenue recognition	—			(2.4		)
Differences between book and tax basis of property and equipment	(8.1		)	(8.5		)
Other	(0.8		)	(3.5		)
Deferred tax liabilities	(165.5		)	(182.6		)
Net deferred tax liabilities	$	(105.8	)	$	(117.8	)

____________________________


⁽¹⁾	Primarily related to the 2007 Applebee's acquisition.

As of each reporting date, the Company’s management considers new evidence, both positive and negative, that could impact management’s view with regards to future realization of deferred tax assets. As of December 31, 2018, management determined it is more likely than not that the benefit from foreign tax credit carryforward will not be realized. In recognition of this risk, management provided a valuation allowance of $0.4 million on the deferred tax assets related to the foreign tax credit carryforward.

The Company had gross operating loss carryforwards for state tax purposes of $0.4 million and $0.6 million as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The net operating loss carryforwards may begin to expire between 2019 and 2035 for state tax purposes.

The total gross unrecognized tax benefit as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 was $5.2 million and $5.9 million, respectively, excluding interest, penalties and related income tax benefits. If recognized, these amounts would affect the Company's effective income tax rates.

The Company estimates the unrecognized tax benefits may decrease over the upcoming 12 months by an amount up to $1.0 million related to settlements with taxing authorities and the lapse of statutes of limitations. A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:



	Year Ended December 31,
	2018			2017			2016
Unrecognized tax benefit as of January 1	$	5.9		$	3.9		$	3.9
Changes for tax positions of prior years	3.8			2.8			0.6
Increases for tax positions related to the current year	0.4			0.6			0.1
Decreases relating to settlements and lapsing of statutes of limitations	(4.9		)	(1.4		)	(0.7		)
Unrecognized tax benefit as of December 31	$	5.2		$	5.9		$	3.9

As of December 31, 2018, the accrued interest was $1.1 million and accrued penalties were less than $0.1 million, excluding any related income tax benefits. As of December 31, 2017, the accrued interest and penalties were $1.1 million and less than $0.1 million, respectively, excluding any related income tax benefits. The Company recognizes interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits and penalties as a component of the income tax provision recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) Income.

Net (Loss) Income Per Share

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Net (Loss) Income Per Share

Net Income (Loss) Per Share

The computation of the Company's basic and diluted net income (loss) per share is as follows:



	Year Ended December 31,
	2018			2017			2016
	(In thousands, except per share data)
Numerator for basic and diluted income per common share:
Net income (loss)	$	80,354		$	(342,750	)	$	101,002
Less: Net (income) loss allocated to unvested participating restricted stock	(2,711		)	6,768			(1,430		)
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders - basic	77,643			(335,982		)	99,572
Effect of unvested participating restricted stock	16			—			2
Numerator - net income (loss) available to common shareholders - diluted	$	77,659		$	(335,982	)	$	99,574

Denominator:
Weighted average outstanding shares of common stock - basic	17,533			17,725			18,030
Effect of dilutive securities:
Stock options	256			15			95
Weighted average outstanding shares of common stock - diluted	17,789			17,740			18,125
Net income (loss) per common share:
Basic	$	4.43		$	(18.96	)	$	5.52
Diluted	$	4.37		$	(18.96	)	$	5.49

Acquisition of Business

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Business Combinations [Abstract]

Acquisition of Business

In December 2018, the Company acquired 69 Applebee's restaurants in North and South Carolina from an Applebee's franchisee for a total purchase price of $21.6 million. The Company entered into the transaction to resolve certain franchisee health issues in what the Company believes was the most expedient and favorable was for the Company. Indirect costs of $1.1 million related to the transaction were charged as general and administrative expenses.

The following table summarizes the preliminary estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date:



	2018
	(In millions)
Reacquired franchise rights	$	11.6
Equipment and fixtures	10.0
Inventory	1.4
Total identifiable assets acquired	23.0

Above-market leaseholds, net	(6.5		)
Other liabilities	(1.0		)
Net identifiable assets acquired	15.5
Goodwill	6.1
Consideration transferred	$	21.6

The net liability for above-market leaseholds in included in other non-current liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheet and will be amortized over a weighted average life of 11 years.

The purchase price allocation is preliminary, subject to finalization of certain transition cut-off adjustments typical with transactions of this nature. There are no significant unresolved contingencies. The Company does not expect there will be material adjustments to the preliminary purchase price allocation.

The results of operation of these restaurants are included in the Company's consolidated results from the acquisition date. The Company has not presented pro forma results of the restaurants for periods prior to the acquisition because the business is not considered significant as measured by the amount of the Company's investment in and assets of the business relative to the Company's consolidated balance sheet and by the income before income taxes of the business relative to the Company's average income before income taxes for the most recent five-year period excluding loss years.

Segment Reporting

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Segment Reporting

Information on segments and a reconciliation of gross profit to income before income tax provision is as follows:



	Year Ended December 31,
	2018			2017			2016
				(as adjusted)
Revenues				(In millions)
Franchise operations	$	643.9		$	594.4		$	638.0
Rental operations	121.9			121.4			123.0
Company restaurants	7.1			7.5			17.4
Financing operations	8.0			8.4			9.2
Total	$	780.9		$	731.7		$	787.6

Gross profit (loss), by segment
Franchise operations	$	313.3		$	300.4		$	344.5
Rental operations	31.2			30.8			31.5
Company restaurants	1.2			(0.3		)	(0.8		)
Financing operations	7.4			7.8			9.0
Total gross profit	353.1			338.7			384.2
Corporate and unallocated expenses, net	(242.5		)	(767.0		)	(226.3		)
Income (loss) before income taxes	$	110.6		$	(428.3	)	$	157.9

Interest expense
Rental operations	$	9.2		$	10.5		$	11.8
Company restaurants	0.1			0.2			0.4
Corporate	61.7			62.0			61.5
Total	$	71.0		$	72.7		$	73.7

Depreciation and amortization
Franchise operations	$	10.5		$	10.8		$	10.6
Rental operations	11.7			12.0			12.4
Company restaurants	0.4			0.1			0.4
Corporate	9.6			7.7			7.2
Total	$	32.2		$	30.6		$	30.6

Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets, closure and other impairment charges
Franchise operations	$	—		$	531.6		$	—
Company restaurants	2.1			4.0			2.2
Corporate	—			—			2.9
Total	$	2.1		$	535.6		$	5.1

Capital expenditures
Company restaurants	$	—		$	0.1		$	0.3
Corporate	14.3			13.3			5.3
Total	$	14.3		$	13.4		$	5.6

Goodwill (franchise segment)	$	345.3		$	339.2		$	697.4

Total assets
Franchise operations	$	1,152.1		$	1,188.0		$	1,608.7
Rental operations	255.6			278.8			339.5
Company restaurants	66.5			—			126.8
Financing operations	73.7			87.5			88.2
Corporate	226.8			181.3			115.4
Total	$	1,774.7		$	1,735.6		$	2,278.6

Refranchising of Company-operated Restaurants (Notes)	12 Months Ended
Refranchising of Company-operated Restaurants (Notes)	Dec. 31, 2018
Leases [Abstract]
Refranchising of Company-operated Restaurants	Refranchising of Company-operated Restaurants In June 2017, the Company completed the refranchising and sale of related restaurant assets of nine company-operated IHOP restaurants in the Cincinnati, Ohio market area. As part of the transaction, the Company entered into an asset purchase agreement, nine franchise agreements and nine sublease agreements for land and buildings. The Company compared the stated rent under the sublease agreements with comparable market rents and recorded net favorable lease assets of $2.4 million in connection with the transaction. The Company also received cash of $1.1 million and a note receivable for $4.8 million. After allocating a portion of the consideration to franchise fees and derecognizing the assets sold, the Company recognized a gain of $6.2 million on the refranchising and sale of related restaurant assets during the year ended December 31, 2017.

Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]

Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)



	Revenues		Gross Profit		Net Income (Loss)			Net Income (Loss) Per Share— Basic⁽³⁾			Net Income (Loss) Per Share— Diluted⁽³⁾
	(In thousands, except per share amounts)
2018
1st Quarter	$	188,163	$	83,500	$	17,073		$	0.93		$	0.92
2nd Quarter	184,471		78,590		12,713			0.70			0.69
3rd Quarter⁽¹⁾	194,099		92,626		23,587			1.31			1.29
4th Quarter	214,198		98,371		26,981			1.49			1.47
2017
1st Quarter⁽¹⁾	$	191,461	$	94,285	$	15,595		$	0.87		$	0.86
2nd Quarter ⁽¹⁾	188,654		93,004		22,107			1.23			1.23
3rd Quarter ^{(1) (2)}	174,903		82,086		(450,352		)	(24.91		)	(24.91		)
4th Quarter ⁽¹⁾	176,708		69,336		69,900			3.82			3.82

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

⁽¹⁾2017 amounts restated for the adoption of ASC 606 on a full retrospective basis. See Note 2 - Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, of Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

⁽²⁾The Company recognized a pretax charge of $531.6 million for impairment of goodwill and intangible assets in the third quarter of 2017. See Note 6 - Goodwill and Note 7 - Other Intangible Assets, of Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

⁽³⁾The quarterly amounts may not add to the full year amount as each quarterly calculation is discrete from the full-year calculation.

Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Principles of Consolidation

Fiscal Periods

Use of Estimates

Concentration of Credit Risk

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Restricted Cash

Current

Non-current

Non-current restricted cash of $14.7 million as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 represents interest reserves required to be set aside for the duration of the securitized debt.

Property and Equipment



Category		Depreciable Life
Buildings and improvements		25 - 40 years
Leaseholds and improvements		Shorter of primary lease term or between three to 40 years
Equipment and fixtures		Three to five years
Internal-use software		Three to 10 years
Properties under capital leases		Primary lease term or remaining primary lease term

Long-Lived Assets

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Revenue Recognition

Franchise Revenue

The Company recognizes the primary components of the transaction price as follows:


•	Franchise and development fees are recognized as revenue ratably on a straight-line basis over the term of the franchise agreement commencing with the restaurant opening date. As these fees are typically received in cash at or near the beginning of the franchise term, the cash received is initially recorded as a contract liability until recognized as revenue over time;

•


•	Revenue from the sales of proprietary pancake and waffle dry mix is recognized in the period in which distributors ship the franchisee's order; recognition of revenue results in accounts receivable on the balance sheet.

Company Restaurant Revenue

Rental operations revenue includes revenue from operating leases and interest income from direct financing leases. See Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Leases.

Allowance for Credit Losses

Leases

Pre-opening Expenses

Expenditures related to the opening of new or relocated restaurants are charged to expense when incurred.

Advertising

Advertising fees included as franchise revenue for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 were $268.3 million, $234.2 million and $260.1 million, respectively.

Fair Value Measurements


•	Level 1 inputs are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.


•	Level 2 inputs are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, including quoted prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities.


•	Level 3 inputs are unobservable and reflect the Company's own assumptions.

The Company believes the fair values of cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximate their carrying amounts due to their short duration.

Income Taxes

Stock-Based Compensation

Net Income Per Share

Net Income (Loss) Per Share

Treasury Stock

Dividends

Reporting Segments

Franchise Segment

Franchise operations expenses include advertising expense, the cost of proprietary products, pre-opening training expenses and other franchise-related costs.

Rental Segment

Financing Segment

Company Segment

Accounting Standards Adopted in the Current Fiscal Year and Newly Issued Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted

Accounting Standards Adopted Effective January 1, 2018

Adoption of ASC 606 impacted our previously reported Consolidated Balance Sheet as follows:



	Balance at December 31, 2017, as reported			Adjustments/Reclassifications Due to ASC 606 adoption			Balance at December 31, 2017, as adjusted
	(In thousands)
Assets:
Receivables, net	$	150,174		$	(9,986	)	$	140,188
Long-term receivables, net	131,212			(4,642		)	126,570

Liabilities:
Deferred franchise revenue (short-term)	—			11,001			11,001
Other accrued expenses	17,780			(1,779		)	16,001
Deferred franchise revenue (long-term)	—			70,432			70,432
Other non-current liabilities	23,003			(4,932		)	18,071
Deferred income taxes, net	138,177			(20,508		)	117,669

Equity:
Accumulated deficit	$	(1,098	)	$	(68,842	)	$	(69,940	)



	Year ended December 31,
	2017		2016
	(in thousands)
Franchise and restaurant revenues, as combined	$	475,030	$	501,745

Franchise revenues	$	467,512	$	484,378
Company restaurant sales	7,518		17,367
	$	475,030	$	501,745

Franchise and restaurant expenses, as combined	$	171,983	$	162,860

Franchise expenses	164,145		144,636
Company restaurant expenses	7,838		$	18,224
	$	171,983	$	162,860

Adoption of ASC 606 impacted our previously reported Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the year ended December 31, 2017, as follows:



	Year ended December 31, 2017, as reported			Adjustments due to ASC 606 adoption			Year ended December 31, 2017, as adjusted
	(In thousands)
Franchise revenues (as shown separately above)	$	467,512		$	126,906		$	594,418
Franchise expenses (as shown separately above)	164,145			129,841			293,986
Loss before income tax benefit	(425,374		)	(2,935		)	(428,309		)
Income tax benefit	94,835			(9,276		)	85,559
Net loss	(330,539		)	(12,211		)	(342,750		)
Net loss per share:
Basic	$	(18.28	)				$	(18.96	)
Diluted	$	(18.28	)				$	(18.96	)

Adoption of ASC 606 impacted our previously reported Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the year ended December 31, 2016, as follows:



	Year ended December 31, 2016, as reported			Adjustments due to ASC 606 adoption			Year ended December 31, 2016, as adjusted
	(In thousands)
Franchise revenues (as shown separately above)	$	484,378		$	153,593		$	637,971
Franchise expenses (as shown separately above)	144,636			148,864			293,500
Income before income tax provision	153,122			4,729			157,851
Income tax provision	(55,130		)	(1,719		)	(56,849		)
Net income	97,992			3,010			101,002
Net income per share:
Basic	$	5.36					$	5.52
Diluted	$	5.33					$	5.49

Newly Issued Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted

In conjunction with the adoption, the Company implemented internal controls to properly record and account for its lease portfolio in accordance with the new guidance.

Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Property and Equipment Depreciable Lives

The general ranges of depreciable and amortizable lives are as follows:



Category		Depreciable Life
Buildings and improvements		25 - 40 years
Leaseholds and improvements		Shorter of primary lease term or between three to 40 years
Equipment and fixtures		Three to five years
Internal-use software		Three to 10 years
Properties under capital leases		Primary lease term or remaining primary lease term

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The fair values of non-current financial instruments, determined based on Level 2 inputs, are shown in the following table:



	December 31, 2018				December 31, 2017
	Carrying Amount		Fair Value		Carrying Amount		Fair Value
	(In millions)
Long-term debt, net of debt issuance costs	$	1,299.1	$	1,280.9	$	1,282.8	$	1,265.5

Schedule of New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles

Adoption of ASC 606 impacted our previously reported Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the year ended December 31, 2016, as follows:



	Year ended December 31, 2016, as reported			Adjustments due to ASC 606 adoption			Year ended December 31, 2016, as adjusted
	(In thousands)
Franchise revenues (as shown separately above)	$	484,378		$	153,593		$	637,971
Franchise expenses (as shown separately above)	144,636			148,864			293,500
Income before income tax provision	153,122			4,729			157,851
Income tax provision	(55,130		)	(1,719		)	(56,849		)
Net income	97,992			3,010			101,002
Net income per share:
Basic	$	5.36					$	5.52
Diluted	$	5.33					$	5.49

Adoption of ASC 606 impacted our previously reported Consolidated Balance Sheet as follows:



	Balance at December 31, 2017, as reported			Adjustments/Reclassifications Due to ASC 606 adoption			Balance at December 31, 2017, as adjusted
	(In thousands)
Assets:
Receivables, net	$	150,174		$	(9,986	)	$	140,188
Long-term receivables, net	131,212			(4,642		)	126,570

Liabilities:
Deferred franchise revenue (short-term)	—			11,001			11,001
Other accrued expenses	17,780			(1,779		)	16,001
Deferred franchise revenue (long-term)	—			70,432			70,432
Other non-current liabilities	23,003			(4,932		)	18,071
Deferred income taxes, net	138,177			(20,508		)	117,669

Equity:
Accumulated deficit	$	(1,098	)	$	(68,842	)	$	(69,940	)



	Year ended December 31,
	2017		2016
	(in thousands)
Franchise and restaurant revenues, as combined	$	475,030	$	501,745

Franchise revenues	$	467,512	$	484,378
Company restaurant sales	7,518		17,367
	$	475,030	$	501,745

Franchise and restaurant expenses, as combined	$	171,983	$	162,860

Franchise expenses	164,145		144,636
Company restaurant expenses	7,838		$	18,224
	$	171,983	$	162,860

Adoption of ASC 606 impacted our previously reported Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the year ended December 31, 2017, as follows:



	Year ended December 31, 2017, as reported			Adjustments due to ASC 606 adoption			Year ended December 31, 2017, as adjusted
	(In thousands)
Franchise revenues (as shown separately above)	$	467,512		$	126,906		$	594,418
Franchise expenses (as shown separately above)	164,145			129,841			293,986
Loss before income tax benefit	(425,374		)	(2,935		)	(428,309		)
Income tax benefit	94,835			(9,276		)	85,559
Net loss	(330,539		)	(12,211		)	(342,750		)
Net loss per share:
Basic	$	(18.28	)				$	(18.96	)
Diluted	$	(18.28	)				$	(18.96	)

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of financial instruments measured at fair value, including those classified in shareholders' equity measured on a recurring or nonrecurring basis. Disclosures include, but are not limited to, fair value measurements recorded and the reasons for the measurements, level within the fair value hierarchy in which the fair value measurements are categorized and transfers between levels 1 and 2. Nonrecurring fair value measurements are those that are required or permitted in the statement of financial position in particular circumstances.

+ References + Details

Revenue Disclosures (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]

Schedule of Disaggregation of Revenue

The following table disaggregates our franchise revenue by major type for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016:



	Year ended December 31,
	2018		2017		2016
	(In thousands)
Franchise Revenue:
Royalties	$	311,568	$	297,817	$	315,848
Advertising fees	268,294		234,165		260,116
Pancake and waffle dry mix sales and other	52,108		50,538		52,117
Franchise and development fees	11,964		11,898		9,890
Total franchise revenue	$	643,934	$	594,418	$	637,971

Schedule of Changes in Deferred Revenue

Changes in the Company's contract liability for deferred franchise and development fees during the year ended December 31, 2018 are as follows:



	Deferred Franchise Revenue (short- and long-term)
	(In thousands)
Balance at December 31, 2017	$	81,433
Recognized as revenue during the year ended December 31, 2018	(11,220		)
Fees deferred during the year ended December 30, 2018	4,482
Balance at December 31, 2018	$	74,695

Schedule of Remaining Performance Obligations

The balance of deferred revenue as of December 31, 2018 is expected to be recognized as follows:



	(In thousands)
2019	$	10,138
2020	8,227
2021	7,682
2022	7,156
2023	6,585
Thereafter	34,907
Total	$	74,695

Receivables (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Receivables [Abstract]

Schedule of Receivables and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

The following table summarizes the activity in the allowance for doubtful accounts and notes receivable:



Allowance for Doubtful Accounts	(In millions)
Balance at December 31, 2015	$	1.2
Provision	2.8
Charge-offs	(0.9		)
Balance at December 31, 2016	3.1
Provision	20.3
Charge-offs	(1.2		)
Balance at December 31, 2017	22.2
Provision	10.3
Charge-offs	(15.3		)
Balance at December 31, 2018	$	17.2



4. Receivables	2018			2017
	(In millions)
Accounts receivable	$	63.0		$	84.2
Gift card receivables	47.9			51.6
Notes receivable	28.9			11.3
Financing receivables:
Equipment leases receivable	65.8			79.3
Direct financing leases receivable	44.9			55.7
Franchise fee notes receivable	0.2			0.3
Other	7.1			6.5
	257.8			288.9
Less: allowance for doubtful accounts and notes receivable	(17.2		)	(22.2		)
	240.6			266.8
Less: current portion	(137.5		)	(140.2		)
Long-term receivables	$	103.1		$	126.6

Property and Equipment (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]

Schedule of Property and Equipment

Property and equipment by category is as follows:



	2018			2017
	(In millions)
Leaseholds and improvements	$	255.7		$	252.2
Equipment and fixtures	90.1			90.1
Properties under capital lease	100.3			61.4
Buildings and improvements	57.9			57.9
Land	56.4			56.4
Construction in progress	3.7			1.8
Property and equipment, gross	564.1			519.8
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization	(323.8		)	(320.2		)
Property and equipment, net	$	240.3		$	199.6

Goodwill - (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Goodwill



	Applebee's Franchise Unit			Applebee's Company Unit		IHOP Franchise Unit		Total
	(In millions)
Balance at December 31, 2015	$	686.6		$	—	$	10.8	$	697.4
Balance at December 31, 2016	686.6			—		10.8		697.4
Impairment	(358.2		)	—		—		(358.2		)
Balance at December 31, 2017	328.4			—		10.8		339.2
Acquisition of business	—			6.1		—		6.1
Balance at December 31, 2018	$	328.4		$	6.1	$	10.8	$	345.3

Gross and net carrying amounts of goodwill at December 31, 2018 and 2017 are as follows:



	December 31, 2018							December 31, 2017
	Gross		Accumulated Amortization			Net		Gross		Accumulated Amortization			Net
	(In millions)
Applebee's Franchise Unit	$	686.6	$	(358.2	)	$	328.4	$	686.6	$	(358.2	)	$	328.4
Applebee's Company Unit	6.1		—			6.1		—		—			—
IHOP Franchise Unit	10.8		—			10.8		10.8		—			10.8
Total	$	703.5	$	(358.2	)	$	345.3	$	697.4	$	(358.2	)	$	339.2

Other Intangible Assets (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill) [Abstract]

Other Intangible Assets Roll Forward

Changes in the carrying amount of intangible assets for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 are as follows:



	Not Subject to Amortization					Subject to Amortization
	Tradename			Other		Franchising Rights			Reacquired Franchise Rights			Leaseholds			Total
	(In millions)
Balance at December 31, 2015	$	652.4		$	1.5	$	119.0		$	—		$	—		$	772.9
Amortization expense	—			—		(10.0		)	—			—			(10.0		)
Additions	—			0.5		—			—			—			0.5
Balance at December 31, 2016	652.4			2.0		109.0			—			—			763.4
Impairment	(173.4		)	—		—						—			(173.4		)
Amortization expense	—			—		(10.0		)	—			—			(10.0		)
Additions	—			0.4		—			—			2.4			2.8
Balance at December 31, 2017	479.0			2.4		99.0			—			2.4			582.8
Amortization expense	—			—		(10.0		)	(0.1		)	(0.0		)	(10.1		)
Additions	—			0.3		—			11.6			1.3			13.2
Balance at December 31, 2018	$	479.0		$	2.7	$	89.0		$	11.5		$	3.7		$	585.9

Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets by Major Class

Gross and net carrying amounts of intangible assets subject to amortization at December 31, 2018 and 2017 are as follows:



	December 31, 2018							December 31, 2017
	Gross		Accumulated Amortization			Net		Gross		Accumulated Amortization			Net
	(In millions)
Franchising rights	$	200.0	$	(111.0	)	$	89.0	$	200.0	$	(101.0	)	$	99.0
Reacquired Franchise Rights	11.6		(0.1		)	11.5		—		—			—
Leaseholds	3.7		(0.0		)	3.7		2.4		(0.0		)	2.4
Total	$	215.3	$	(111.1	)	$	104.2	$	202.4	$	(101.0	)	$	101.4

Long-Term Debt (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Long-Term Debt Components

Long-term debt consists of the following components:



	2018			2017
	(In millions)
Series 2014-1 4.277% Fixed Rate Senior Secured Notes, Class A-2	$	1,283.8		$	1,296.8
Series 2018-1 Variable Funding Senior Notes Class A-1, at a variable interest rate of 4.93%as of December 31, 2018	25.0			—
Class A-2 Note debt issuance costs	(9.7		)	(13.9		)
Long-term debt, net of debt issuance costs	1,299.1			1,282.8
Current portion of long-term debt	(25.0		)	(13.0		)
Long-term debt	$	1,274.1		$	1,269.8

Schedule of Maturities of Long-term Debt

ssuming the Company's leverage ratio remains greater than 5.25x, the entire face-value maturity of $1.3 billion of Class A-2 Notes is due in 2021.

Financing Obligations (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Leases [Abstract]

Schedule of Sale Leaseback Transactions

As of December 31, 2018, future minimum lease payments under financing obligations during the initial terms of the leases related to the sale-leaseback transactions are as follows:



Fiscal Years	(In millions)
2019	$	5.1
2020⁽¹⁾	5.6
2021	5.1
2022	5.1
2023	5.0
Thereafter	50.4
Total minimum lease payments	76.3
Less: interest	(37.2		)
Total financing obligations	39.1
Less: current portion⁽²⁾	(0.6		)
Long-term financing obligations	$	38.5

____________________________________________________________________________________


⁽¹⁾	Due to the varying closing date of the Company's fiscal year, 13 monthly payments will be made in 2020.


⁽²⁾	Included in current maturities of capital lease and financing obligations on the consolidated balance sheet.

Leases (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]

Schedule of Future Minimum Payments for Capital and Operating Leases

The following are minimum future lease payments on noncancelable leases as lessee at December 31, 2018:



	Capital Leases			Operating Leases
	(In millions)
2019	$	21.0		$	91.2
2020⁽¹⁾	19.3			92.8
2021	16.2			75.7
2022	14.3			67.6
2023	11.6			55.2
Thereafter	63.4			210.5
Total minimum lease payments	145.8			$	593.0
Less: interest	(44.6		)
Capital lease obligations	101.2
Less: current portion⁽²⁾	(13.4		)
Long-term capital lease obligations	$	87.8

______________________________________________________

⁽¹⁾Due to the varying closing date of the Company's fiscal year, 13 monthly payments will be made in fiscal 2020.

⁽²⁾Included in current maturities of capital lease and financing obligations on the consolidated balance sheet.

Schedule of Future Minimum Rents to Be Received on Capital and Operating Leases

The minimum future lease payments shown above have not been reduced by the following future minimum rents to be received on noncancelable subleases and leases of owned property at December 31, 2018:



	Direct Financing Leases		Operating Leases
	(In millions)
2019	$	16.2	$	105.9
2020⁽¹⁾	14.8		106.3
2021	11.7		100.2
2022	8.2		96.2
2023	3.5		91.8
Thereafter	2.9		271.8
Total minimum rents receivable	$	57.3	$	772.2

Direct financing leases receivable

Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]

Leases Receivable

The following is the Company's net investment in direct financing lease receivables:



	December 31,
	2018			2017
	(In millions)
Total minimum rents receivable	$	57.3		$	74.5
Less: unearned income	(12.4		)	(18.8		)
Net investment in direct financing leases receivable	44.9			55.7
Less: current portion	(11.2		)	(10.8		)
Long-term direct financing leases receivable	$	33.7		$	44.9

Net investment equipment lease

Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]

Leases Receivable

The following is the Company's net investment in equipment leases receivable:



	December 31,
	2018			2017
	(In millions)
Total minimum leases receivable	$	89.9		$	106.4
Less: unearned income	(24.1		)	(27.1		)
Net investment in equipment leases receivable	65.8			79.3
Less: current portion	(8.5		)	(8.2		)
Long-term equipment leases receivable	$	57.3		$	71.1

Stockholders' (Deficit) Equity Preferred (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Equity [Abstract]

Schedule of Repurchase Agreements

Shares repurchased under the 2015 Repurchase Program during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 are summarized as follows:



	Repurchases			Remaining Value that may be Repurchased
Year Ended December 31,	Shares	Amount		Remaining Value that may be Repurchased
		(Dollars in millions)
2018	478,839	$	34.9	$	32.2
2017	145,786	$	10.0	$	67.1
2016	650,384	$	55.3	$	77.1

Dividends Declared

Dividends recorded during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 were as follows:



	Year Ended December 31,
	2018			2017			2016
	(In millions)
Dividends declared from retained earnings	$	—		$	(52.6	)	$	(67.8	)
Dividends declared from additional paid-in capital	$	(44.7	)	$	(17.7	)	$	—

During the fiscal years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, the Company declared and paid dividends on common stock as follows:



Year ended December 31, 2018	Declaration Date	Payment Date	Dividends declared per share		Dividends paid per share		Total dividends paid⁽¹⁾
							(In millions)
Payment of prior year declaration	(3)	January 5, 2018	—		$	0.97	$	17.7
First quarter	February 14, 2018	April 6, 2018	$	0.63	0.63		11.5
Second quarter	May 14, 2018	July 6, 2018	0.63		0.63		11.4
Third quarter	August 2, 2018	October 5, 2018	0.63		0.63		11.4
Fourth quarter	October 6, 2018	(2)	0.63		—		—
Total			$	2.52	$	2.86	$	52.0



Year ended December 31, 2017
Payment of prior year declaration	(4)	January 6, 2017	—		$	0.97	$	17.5
First quarter	February 22, 2017	April 7, 2017	$	0.97	0.97		17.5
Second quarter	May 15, 2017	July 7, 2017	0.97		0.97		17.5
Third quarter	August 10, 2017	October 6, 2017	0.97		0.97		17.8
Fourth quarter	October 6, 2017	(3)	0.97		—		—
Total			$	3.88	$	3.88	$	70.3



Year ended December 31, 2016
Payment of prior year declaration	(5)	January 8, 2016	$	—	$	0.92	$	17.1
First quarter	February 23, 2016	April 8, 2016	$	0.92	0.92		17.0
Second quarter	May 16, 2016	July 8, 2016	0.92		0.92		16.8
Third quarter	July 28, 2016	October 7, 2016	0.92		0.92		16.7
Fourth quarter	October 31, 2016	(4)	0.97		—		—
Total			$	3.73	$	3.68	$	67.6

^{(1) Includes dividend equivalents paid on restricted stock units}

^{(2) The fourth quarter 2018 dividend of}^{$11.4 million}^{was paid on January 4, 2019.}

^{(3) The fourth quarter 2017 dividend of}^$17.7^{million was paid on January 5, 2018.}

^{(4) The fourth quarter 2016 dividend of}^$17.5^{million was paid on January 6, 2017.}

^{(5) The fourth quarter 2015 dividend of}^{$17.1 million}^{was paid on January 8, 2016.}

Closure and Other Impairment Charges (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Restructuring Charges [Abstract]

Schedule of Impairment and Closure Charges

Closure and other impairment charges for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 were as follows:



	Year Ended December 31,
	2018		2017		2016
	(In millions)
Closure charges	$	2.0	$	3.9	$	1.2
Kansas City lease exit costs	—		—		2.9
Long-lived tangible asset impairment	0.1		0.1		1.0
Total closure and impairment charges	$	2.1	$	4.0	$	5.1

Stock-Based Incentive Plans (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]

Schedule of Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs

The following table summarizes the Company's stock-based compensation expense included as a component of general and administrative expenses in the consolidated financial statements:



	Year Ended December 31,
	2018			2017			2016
	(In millions)
Total stock-based compensation expense:
Equity classified awards expense	$	10.6		$	10.9		$	11.0
Liability classified awards (credit)	3.1			(1.0		)	(0.5		)
Total pretax stock-based compensation expense	13.7			9.9			10.5
Book income tax benefit	(3.5		)	(3.8		)	(3.9		)
Total stock-based compensation expense, net of tax	$	10.2		$	6.1		$	6.6

Schedule of Share-based Payment Award, Stock Options, Valuation Assumptions



	2018			2017			2016
Risk free interest rate	2.6		%	1.9		%	1.1		%
Weighted average historical volatility	26.1		%	22.9		%	27.1		%
Dividend yield	3.6		%	7.3		%	4.0		%
Expected years until exercise	4.6			4.5			4.5
Weighted average fair value of options granted	$	11.94		$	4.31		$	13.55

The following summarizes the assumptions used in estimating the fair values:



	2018			2017
Risk free interest rate	2.5		%	1.6		%
Weighted average historical volatility	34.4		%	30.0		%
Dividend yield	3.4		%	9.6		%
Expected years until exercise	3.0			3.4
Weighted average fair value of options granted	$	9.79		$	3.07
Weighted average fair value of restricted stock units granted	$	53.72		$	10.19

Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Stock Options, Activity

Stock option activity for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 is summarized as follows:



	Number of Shares Under Option		Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (in Years)	Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in Millions)
Outstanding at December 31, 2015	504,462		$	69.99
Granted	255,825		90.90
Exercised	(48,021	)	29.33
Forfeited	(7,924	)	94.30
Expired	(3,208	)	89.17
Outstanding at December 31, 2016	701,134		80.04
Granted	887,030		48.35
Exercised	(64,916	)	40.59
Forfeited	(171,847	)	65.82
Expired	(79,353	)	87.02
Outstanding at December 31, 2017	1,272,048		61.44
Granted	248,899		69.12
Exercised	(74,930	)	52.43
Forfeited	(6,309	)	68.80
Expired	—		—
Outstanding at December 31, 2018	1,439,708		$	63.21	6.6	$	15.9
Vested and Expected to Vest at December 31, 2018	1,301,066		$	64.62	6.4	$	13.4
Exercisable at December 31, 2018	571,768		$	77.73	3.6	$	2.9

Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units Activity

Activity in equity classified awards of restricted stock and restricted stock units for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 is as follows:



	Shares of Restricted Stock		Weighted Average Grant-Date Per Share Fair Value		Restricted Stock Units		Weighted Average Grant-Date Per Share Fair Value
Outstanding at December 31, 2015	257,594		$	89.99	35,116		$	86.30
Granted	88,797		88.90		13,053		90.90
Released	(77,712	)	78.70		(14,027	)	72.01
Forfeited	(33,207	)	92.82		(84	)	101.25
Outstanding at December 31, 2016	235,472		92.91		34,058		93.95
Granted	216,269		51.89		281,973		22.37
Released	(92,968	)	88.62		(12,683	)	81.63
Forfeited	(83,582	)	79.52		—		—
Outstanding at December 31, 2017	275,191		65.97		303,348		28.39
Granted	92,466		69.20		86,990		57.21
Released	(74,253	)	81.07		(15,737	)	98.54
Forfeited	(26,162	)	61.27		(72	)	53.49
Outstanding at December 31, 2018	267,242		$	63.35	374,529		$	31.05

Income Taxes (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit)

The provision (benefit) for income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 was as follows:



	Year Ended December 31,
	2018			2017			2016
Provision (benefit) for income taxes:	(In millions)
Current
Federal	$	33.6		$	42.6		$	60.8
State	6.4			5.1			6.4
Foreign	2.1			2.9			2.3
	42.1			50.6			69.5
Deferred
Federal	(7.8		)	(131.0		)	(9.5		)
State	(4.0		)	(5.1		)	(3.2		)
	(11.8		)	(136.1		)	(12.7		)
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	$	30.3		$	(85.6	)	$	56.8

Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation

The provision (benefit) for income taxes differs from the expected federal income tax rates as follows:



	Year Ended December 31,
	2018		2017		2016
Statutory federal income tax rate	21.0	%	35.0	%	35.0	%
Non-deductibility of goodwill impairment	—		(29.3	)	—
Change in federal tax rate	—		15.5		—
State and other taxes, net of federal tax benefit	3.6		0.4		2.7
Change in unrecognized tax benefits	3.3		(0.7	)	0.4
Change in valuation allowance	0.4		0.3		—
Domestic production activity deduction	—		0.3		(0.6	)
Changes in tax rates and state tax laws	(1.6	)	(0.3	)	(1.7	)
Change in accounting for excess tax deficiencies/benefits	0.1		(0.5	)	—
Other	0.6		(0.7	)	0.2
Effective tax rate	27.4	%	20.0	%	36.0	%

Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities

Net deferred tax assets (liabilities) consisted of the following components:



	2018			2017
	(In millions)
Differences in capitalization and depreciation and amortization of reacquired franchises and equipment	$	—		$	—
Differences in acquisition financing costs	—			0.1
Employee compensation	9.0			7.6
Deferred gain on sale of assets	—			0.7
Book/tax difference in revenue recognition	34.3			14.2
Other	16.8			42.2
Deferred tax assets	60.1			64.8
Valuation allowance	(0.4		)	—
Total deferred tax assets after valuation allowance	59.7			64.8
Differences between financial and tax accounting in the recognition of franchise and equipment sales	(16.8		)	(20.7		)
Differences in capitalization and depreciation ⁽¹⁾	(139.2		)	(147.5		)
Differences in acquisition financing costs	(0.6		)	—
Book/tax difference in revenue recognition	—			(2.4		)
Differences between book and tax basis of property and equipment	(8.1		)	(8.5		)
Other	(0.8		)	(3.5		)
Deferred tax liabilities	(165.5		)	(182.6		)
Net deferred tax liabilities	$	(105.8	)	$	(117.8	)

____________________________


⁽¹⁾	Primarily related to the 2007 Applebee's acquisition.

Summary of Income Tax Contingencies

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:



	Year Ended December 31,
	2018			2017			2016
Unrecognized tax benefit as of January 1	$	5.9		$	3.9		$	3.9
Changes for tax positions of prior years	3.8			2.8			0.6
Increases for tax positions related to the current year	0.4			0.6			0.1
Decreases relating to settlements and lapsing of statutes of limitations	(4.9		)	(1.4		)	(0.7		)
Unrecognized tax benefit as of December 31	$	5.2		$	5.9		$	3.9

Net (Loss) Income Per Share (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted

The computation of the Company's basic and diluted net income (loss) per share is as follows:



	Year Ended December 31,
	2018			2017			2016
	(In thousands, except per share data)
Numerator for basic and diluted income per common share:
Net income (loss)	$	80,354		$	(342,750	)	$	101,002
Less: Net (income) loss allocated to unvested participating restricted stock	(2,711		)	6,768			(1,430		)
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders - basic	77,643			(335,982		)	99,572
Effect of unvested participating restricted stock	16			—			2
Numerator - net income (loss) available to common shareholders - diluted	$	77,659		$	(335,982	)	$	99,574

Denominator:
Weighted average outstanding shares of common stock - basic	17,533			17,725			18,030
Effect of dilutive securities:
Stock options	256			15			95
Weighted average outstanding shares of common stock - diluted	17,789			17,740			18,125
Net income (loss) per common share:
Basic	$	4.43		$	(18.96	)	$	5.52
Diluted	$	4.37		$	(18.96	)	$	5.49

Acquisition of Business (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Business Combinations [Abstract]

Schedule of Business Acquisitions

The following table summarizes the preliminary estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date:



	2018
	(In millions)
Reacquired franchise rights	$	11.6
Equipment and fixtures	10.0
Inventory	1.4
Total identifiable assets acquired	23.0

Above-market leaseholds, net	(6.5		)
Other liabilities	(1.0		)
Net identifiable assets acquired	15.5
Goodwill	6.1
Consideration transferred	$	21.6

Segment Reporting (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment

Information on segments and a reconciliation of gross profit to income before income tax provision is as follows:



	Year Ended December 31,
	2018			2017			2016
				(as adjusted)
Revenues				(In millions)
Franchise operations	$	643.9		$	594.4		$	638.0
Rental operations	121.9			121.4			123.0
Company restaurants	7.1			7.5			17.4
Financing operations	8.0			8.4			9.2
Total	$	780.9		$	731.7		$	787.6

Gross profit (loss), by segment
Franchise operations	$	313.3		$	300.4		$	344.5
Rental operations	31.2			30.8			31.5
Company restaurants	1.2			(0.3		)	(0.8		)
Financing operations	7.4			7.8			9.0
Total gross profit	353.1			338.7			384.2
Corporate and unallocated expenses, net	(242.5		)	(767.0		)	(226.3		)
Income (loss) before income taxes	$	110.6		$	(428.3	)	$	157.9

Interest expense
Rental operations	$	9.2		$	10.5		$	11.8
Company restaurants	0.1			0.2			0.4
Corporate	61.7			62.0			61.5
Total	$	71.0		$	72.7		$	73.7

Depreciation and amortization
Franchise operations	$	10.5		$	10.8		$	10.6
Rental operations	11.7			12.0			12.4
Company restaurants	0.4			0.1			0.4
Corporate	9.6			7.7			7.2
Total	$	32.2		$	30.6		$	30.6

Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets, closure and other impairment charges
Franchise operations	$	—		$	531.6		$	—
Company restaurants	2.1			4.0			2.2
Corporate	—			—			2.9
Total	$	2.1		$	535.6		$	5.1

Capital expenditures
Company restaurants	$	—		$	0.1		$	0.3
Corporate	14.3			13.3			5.3
Total	$	14.3		$	13.4		$	5.6

Goodwill (franchise segment)	$	345.3		$	339.2		$	697.4

Total assets
Franchise operations	$	1,152.1		$	1,188.0		$	1,608.7
Rental operations	255.6			278.8			339.5
Company restaurants	66.5			—			126.8
Financing operations	73.7			87.5			88.2
Corporate	226.8			181.3			115.4
Total	$	1,774.7		$	1,735.6		$	2,278.6

Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Quarterly Financial Information



	Revenues		Gross Profit		Net Income (Loss)			Net Income (Loss) Per Share— Basic⁽³⁾			Net Income (Loss) Per Share— Diluted⁽³⁾
	(In thousands, except per share amounts)
2018
1st Quarter	$	188,163	$	83,500	$	17,073		$	0.93		$	0.92
2nd Quarter	184,471		78,590		12,713			0.70			0.69
3rd Quarter⁽¹⁾	194,099		92,626		23,587			1.31			1.29
4th Quarter	214,198		98,371		26,981			1.49			1.47
2017
1st Quarter⁽¹⁾	$	191,461	$	94,285	$	15,595		$	0.87		$	0.86
2nd Quarter ⁽¹⁾	188,654		93,004		22,107			1.23			1.23
3rd Quarter ^{(1) (2)}	174,903		82,086		(450,352		)	(24.91		)	(24.91		)
4th Quarter ⁽¹⁾	176,708		69,336		69,900			3.82			3.82

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

⁽³⁾The quarterly amounts may not add to the full year amount as each quarterly calculation is discrete from the full-year calculation.

The Company (Details)	Dec. 31, 2018 Restaurant Country restaurant_concept state Territory
Franchisor Disclosure [Line Items]
Number of restaurant concepts \| restaurant_concept	2
IHOP
Franchisor Disclosure [Line Items]
Number of restaurants	1,831
Number of states in which entity operates \| state	50
Number of territories in which entity operates \| Territory	3
Number of countries in which entity operates \| Country	12
IHOP \| Franchised
Franchisor Disclosure [Line Items]
Number of restaurants	1,669
IHOP \| Licensing Agreements
Franchisor Disclosure [Line Items]
Number of restaurants	162
Applebee's
Franchisor Disclosure [Line Items]
Number of restaurants	1,837
Number of states in which entity operates \| state	50
Number of territories in which entity operates \| Territory	2
Number of countries in which entity operates \| Country	13
Applebee's \| Franchised
Franchisor Disclosure [Line Items]
Number of restaurants	1,768
Applebee's \| Licensing Agreements
Franchisor Disclosure [Line Items]
Number of restaurants	69

Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($) property Restaurant Franchisee Country segment revenue_category Territory	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($) Franchisee	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) Restaurant Franchisee
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Number of weeks in fiscal year	364 days	364 days	364 days
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 137,164	$ 117,010
Restricted cash included in other current assets	48,515	31,436
Non-current restricted cash	$ 14,700	14,700
Number of reporting units \| segment	3
Category of revenue categories \| revenue_category	4
Advertising expense	$ 300	300	$ 800
Number of operating segments \| segment	5
Number of reporting segments \| segment	4
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)	$ (10,414)	69,940
Deferred tax liabilities, deferred benefit	$ 11,847	136,127	$ 12,714
Building improvements \| Minimum
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Useful life of property and equipment	25 years
Building improvements \| Maximum
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Useful life of property and equipment	40 years
Leaseholds and improvements \| Minimum
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Useful life of property and equipment	3 years
Leaseholds and improvements \| Maximum
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Useful life of property and equipment	40 years
Equipment and fixtures \| Minimum
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Useful life of property and equipment	3 years
Equipment and fixtures \| Maximum
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Useful life of property and equipment	5 years
Internal Use Software \| Minimum
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Useful life of property and equipment	3 years
Internal Use Software \| Maximum
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Useful life of property and equipment	10 years
Prepaid Advertising and Gift Cards
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 52,200	57,100
Held in Trust Deposits
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Restricted cash included in other current assets	42,300	29,300
Held for Advertising Activity Deposits
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 6,200
Restricted cash included in other current assets		$ 2,100
Applebee's
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Number of restaurants \| Restaurant	1,837
Property subject to or available for operating lease, number of units \| property	1
Number of territories in which entity operates \| Territory	2
Number of countries in which entity operates \| Country	13
IHOP
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Number of restaurants \| Restaurant	1,831
Property subject to or available for operating lease, number of units \| property	676
Operating lease, renewal term	5 years
Number of territories in which entity operates \| Territory	3
Number of countries in which entity operates \| Country	12
IHOP \| Minimum
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Operating lease, term of contract	20 years
IHOP \| Maximum
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Operating lease, term of contract	25 years
Franchised \| Applebee's
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Number of restaurants \| Restaurant	1,768
Franchised \| IHOP
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Number of restaurants \| Restaurant	1,669
Company Operated Excluding Restaurants Reacquired to be Refranchised \| Applebee's
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Number of restaurants \| Restaurant			23
Company Operated Excluding Restaurants Reacquired to be Refranchised \| IHOP
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Number of restaurants \| Restaurant	10
Franchised Units or Licensing Agreements \| IHOP
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Number of restaurants \| Restaurant	1,831
Entity Operated Units \| Applebee's
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Number of restaurants \| Restaurant	69
Revenue from Rights Concentration Risk \| Largest Franchisees
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration risk by percentage	26.30%
Revenue from Rights Concentration Risk \| Sales Revenue, Net
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Number of franchisees \| Franchisee	0	0	0
Concentration risk by percentage	11.90%
Revenue from Rights Concentration Risk \| Sales Revenue, Net \| Largest Franchisees
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration risk by percentage	19.80%	19.30%	18.90%
Revenue from Rights Concentration Risk \| Accounts Receivable \| Largest Franchisees
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Number of franchisees \| Franchisee	2
Number of restaurants \| Restaurant	877
Net accounts receivable	$ 17,500	$ 24,000
Revenue from Rights Concentration Risk \| Accounts Receivable \| Largest Franchisees \| Minimum
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Number of restaurants per franchisee \| Restaurant	400
Revenue from Rights Concentration Risk \| Accounts Receivable \| Largest Franchisees \| Applebee's
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Number of franchisees \| Franchisee	1
Revenue from Rights Concentration Risk \| Accounts Receivable \| Largest Franchisees \| IHOP
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Number of franchisees \| Franchisee	1

Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Long-term Debt	$ 1,299.1	$ 1,282.8
Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Long-term debt, less current maturities at fair value	$ 1,280.9	$ 1,265.5

Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Adoption of ASC 606 on impacted Consolidated Balance Sheet (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Assets
Receivables, net	$ 137,504	$ 140,188
Prepaid income taxes	17,402	43,654
Long-term receivables, net	103,102	126,570
Liabilities:
Deferred franchise revenue, short-term	10,138	11,001
Other accrued expenses	24,243	16,001
Deferred franchise revenue, long-term	64,557	70,432
Other non-current liabilities	27,319	18,071
Deferred income taxes, net	105,816	117,669
Equity:
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)	$ 10,414	(69,940)
Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606 [Member]
Assets
Receivables, net		150,174
Long-term receivables, net		131,212
Liabilities:
Deferred franchise revenue, short-term		0
Other accrued expenses		17,780
Deferred franchise revenue, long-term		0
Other non-current liabilities		23,003
Deferred income taxes, net		138,177
Equity:
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)		(1,098)
Difference between Revenue Guidance in Effect before and after Topic 606 [Member] \| Accounting Standards Update 2014-09
Assets
Receivables, net		(9,986)
Long-term receivables, net		(4,642)
Liabilities:
Deferred franchise revenue, short-term		11,001
Other accrued expenses		(1,779)
Deferred franchise revenue, long-term		70,432
Other non-current liabilities		(4,932)
Deferred income taxes, net		(20,508)
Equity:
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)		$ (68,842)

Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Reclassified franchise and restaurant revenues and expenses (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Total franchise expenses	$ 330,619	$ 293,986	$ 293,500
Company restaurant expenses	5,872	7,838	18,224
Franchisor [Member]
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Revenue from contract with customer, excluding assessed Tax	643,934	594,418	637,971
Food and Beverage [Member]
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Revenue from contract with customer, excluding assessed Tax	$ 7,084	7,518	17,367
Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606 [Member]
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Franchise and restaurant revenues		475,030	501,745
Franchise and Restaurant Expenses		171,983	162,860
Total franchise expenses		164,145	144,636
Company restaurant expenses		7,838	18,224
Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606 [Member] \| Franchisor [Member]
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Revenue from contract with customer, excluding assessed Tax		467,512	484,378
Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606 [Member] \| Food and Beverage [Member]
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Revenue from contract with customer, excluding assessed Tax		$ 7,518	$ 17,367

Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - The effect of the adoption of ASC 606 on Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Total franchise expenses									$ 330,619	$ 293,986	$ 293,500
Gross profit (loss), by segment									110,608	(428,309)	157,851
Income tax benefit									(30,254)	85,559	(56,849)
Net income (loss)	$ 26,981	$ 23,587	$ 12,713	$ 17,073	$ 69,900	$ (450,352)	$ 22,107	$ 15,595	$ 80,354	$ (342,750)	$ 101,002
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders per share:
Net income per common share - basic (USD per share)	$ 1.49	$ 1.31	$ 0.70	$ 0.93	$ 3.82	$ (24.91)	$ 1.23	$ 0.87	$ 4.43	$ (18.96)	$ 5.52
Net income per common share - diluted (USD per share)	$ 1.47	$ 1.29	$ 0.69	$ 0.92	$ 3.82	$ (24.91)	$ 1.23	$ 0.86	$ 4.37	$ (18.96)	$ 5.49
Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606 [Member]
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Total franchise expenses										$ 164,145	$ 144,636
Gross profit (loss), by segment										(425,374)	153,122
Income tax benefit										94,835	(55,130)
Net income (loss)										$ (330,539)	$ 97,992
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders per share:
Net income per common share - basic (USD per share)										$ (18.28)	$ 5.36
Net income per common share - diluted (USD per share)										$ (18.28)	$ 5.33
Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606 [Member] \| Applebee's \| Accounting Standards Update 2014-09
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Revenue from contract with customer, excluding assessed Tax										$ 120,900	$ 148,900
Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606 [Member] \| Applebee's \| Accounting Standards Update 2014-09, Change In Method Of Recognizing Franchise And Development Fees
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Revenue from contract with customer, excluding assessed Tax										6,000	4,700
Difference between Revenue Guidance in Effect before and after Topic 606 [Member] \| Accounting Standards Update 2014-09
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Total franchise expenses										129,841	148,864
Gross profit (loss), by segment										(2,935)	4,729
Income tax benefit										(9,276)	(1,719)
Net income (loss)										(12,211)	3,010
Franchisor [Member]
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Revenue from contract with customer, excluding assessed Tax									$ 643,934	594,418	637,971
Franchisor [Member] \| Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606 [Member]
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Revenue from contract with customer, excluding assessed Tax										467,512	484,378
Franchisor [Member] \| Difference between Revenue Guidance in Effect before and after Topic 606 [Member] \| Accounting Standards Update 2014-09
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Revenue from contract with customer, excluding assessed Tax										$ 126,906	$ 153,593

Revenue Disclosures - Disaggregation of Franchise Revenue by Major Type (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Franchisor [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contract with customer, excluding assessed tax	$ 643,934	$ 594,418	$ 637,971
Royalties
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contract with customer, excluding assessed tax	311,568	297,817	315,848
Advertising fees
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contract with customer, excluding assessed tax	268,294	234,165	260,116
Pancake and waffle dry mix sales and other
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contract with customer, excluding assessed tax	52,108	50,538	52,117
Franchise and development fees
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contract with customer, excluding assessed tax	$ 11,964	$ 11,898	$ 9,890

Revenue Disclosures - Changes in the Company's contract liability for deferred franchise and development fees (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)
Change in Contract with Customer, Liability [Roll Forward]
Balance at December 31, 2017	$ 81,433
Recognized as revenue during the year ended December 31, 2018	(11,220)
Fees deferred during the year ended December 30, 2018	4,482
Balance at December 31, 2018	$ 74,695

Revenue Disclosures - (Details) - Receivables From Franchise Revenue Transactions [Member] - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Billed and unbilled receivables	$ 62.6	$ 66.2
Billed and unbilled receivables, accumulated allowance for credit loss	$ 4.6	$ 22.2

Revenue Disclosures - Deferred revenue expected to be recognized (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Performance obligations expected to be satisfied	$ 74,695
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2019-01-01
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Performance obligations expected to be satisfied	$ 10,138
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Performance obligations expected to be satisfied, expected timing	1 year
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2020-01-01
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Performance obligations expected to be satisfied	$ 8,227
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Performance obligations expected to be satisfied, expected timing	1 year
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2021-01-01
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Performance obligations expected to be satisfied	$ 7,682
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Performance obligations expected to be satisfied, expected timing	1 year
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2022-01-01
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Performance obligations expected to be satisfied	$ 7,156
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Performance obligations expected to be satisfied, expected timing	1 year
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2023-01-01
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Performance obligations expected to be satisfied	$ 6,585
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Performance obligations expected to be satisfied, expected timing	1 year
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: (nil)
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Performance obligations expected to be satisfied	$ 34,907
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Performance obligations expected to be satisfied, expected timing

Receivables (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Receivables (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable, Classified [Abstract]
Accounts receivable				$ 63,000	$ 84,200
Gift card receivables				47,900	51,600
Notes receivable				28,900	11,300
Other				7,100	6,500
Receivables				257,800	288,900
Less: allowance for doubtful accounts	$ (22,200)	$ (3,100)	$ (1,200)	(17,200)	(22,200)
Receivables, net				240,600	266,800
Less: current portion				(137,504)	(140,188)
Long-term receivables, net				103,102	126,570
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Roll Forward]
Beginning of Period	(22,200)	(3,100)	(1,200)
Provision	10,300	20,300	2,800
Charge-offs	(15,300)	(1,200)	(900)
Ending of Period	$ (17,200)	$ (22,200)	$ (3,100)
Receivables interest rate, percentage	4.80%	4.60%
Delinquent financing receivables				100	100
Financing receivables, allowance for doubtful accounts				$ 100	$ 100
Minimum
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Roll Forward]
Franchise fee note lease term	5 years
Maximum
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Roll Forward]
Franchise fee note lease term	8 years
IHOP
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Roll Forward]
Average interest rate				9.90%	9.70%
Franchise fee note average interest rate				5.60%	5.90%
Equipment leases receivable
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable, Classified [Abstract]
Financing receivable				$ 65,800	$ 79,300
Direct financing leases receivable
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable, Classified [Abstract]
Financing receivable				44,900	55,700
Franchise fee notes receivable
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable, Classified [Abstract]
Financing receivable				$ 200	$ 300

Property and Equipment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Property and Equipment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Property and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	$ 564,100	$ 519,800
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization	(323,800)	(320,200)
Property and equipment, net	240,264	199,585
Depreciation expense on property equipment	22,100	20,600	$ 20,600
Leaseholds and improvements
Property and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	255,700	252,200
Equipment and fixtures
Property and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	90,100	90,100
Properties under capital lease
Property and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	100,300	61,400
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization	(46,200)	(43,200)
Buildings and improvements
Property and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	57,900	57,900
Land
Property and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	56,400	56,400
Construction in progress
Property and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	$ 3,700	$ 1,800

Goodwill (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
Goodwill (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($) Restaurant	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	$ 339,236	$ 345,314	$ 339,236	$ 697,400	$ 697,400
Goodwill, impairment loss	358,200		358,200
Applebee's
Goodwill [Line Items]
Number of restaurants \| Restaurant		1,837
Goodwill, impairment loss		$ 358,200
Entity Operated Units \| Applebee's
Goodwill [Line Items]
Number of restaurants \| Restaurant		69
Goodwill	$ 0	$ 6,100	0	$ 0	$ 0
Goodwill, impairment loss			$ 0

Goodwill Carrying Amount of Goodwill (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning balance		$ 339,236	$ 697,400
Impairment	$ (358,200)		(358,200)
Acquisition of business		6,100
Goodwill, ending balance	339,236	345,314	339,236
Applebee's
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Impairment		(358,200)
Applebee's \| Franchised
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning balance		328,400	686,600
Impairment			(358,200)
Acquisition of business		0
Goodwill, ending balance	328,400	328,400	328,400
Applebee's \| Entity Operated Units
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning balance		0	0
Impairment			0
Acquisition of business		6,100
Goodwill, ending balance	0	6,100	0
IHOP \| Franchised
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning balance		10,800	10,800
Impairment			0
Acquisition of business		0
Goodwill, ending balance	$ 10,800	$ 10,800	$ 10,800

Goodwill - Gross and net carrying amounts of goodwill (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Goodwill [Line Items]
Gross	$ 703,500	$ 697,400
Accumulated Amortization	(358,200)	(358,200)
Net	345,314	339,236	$ 697,400	$ 697,400
Franchised \| Applebee's
Goodwill [Line Items]
Gross	686,600	686,600
Accumulated Amortization	(358,200)	(358,200)
Net	328,400	328,400	686,600	686,600
Franchised \| IHOP
Goodwill [Line Items]
Gross	10,800	10,800
Accumulated Amortization	0	0
Net	10,800	10,800	10,800	10,800
Entity Operated Units \| Applebee's
Goodwill [Line Items]
Gross	6,100	0
Accumulated Amortization	0	0
Net	$ 6,100	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0

Other Intangible Assets - (Details) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
Other Intangible Assets - (Details) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2017 USD ($) Restaurant	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($) Restaurant	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible assets, net	$ 2,400	$ 104,200	$ 101,400
Amortization expense 2019		11,100
Amortization expense 2020		10,500
Amortization expense 2021		10,500
Amortization expense 2022		10,500
Amortization expense 2023		$ 10,500
Weighted average life of intangible assets subject to amortization		18 years 6 months	20 years
Impairment			$ 173,400
Income tax (provision) benefit		$ 30,254	(85,559)	$ 56,849
Applebee's
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Number of restaurants \| Restaurant		1,837
IHOP
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Number of restaurants \| Restaurant		1,831
Entity Operated Units \| Applebee's
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Number of restaurants \| Restaurant		69
Franchised \| Applebee's
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Number of restaurants \| Restaurant		1,768
Franchised \| IHOP
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Number of restaurants \| Restaurant		1,669
Number of restaurants refranchised \| Restaurant	9
Reacquired Franchise Rights \| Subject to Amortization
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Additions		$ 11,600
Intangible assets, net		11,500	0	$ 0	$ 0
Tradename \| Not Subject to Amortization
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Impairment			$ 173,400
Income tax (provision) benefit		$ 65,100

Other Intangible Assets - Other Intangible Assets Roll Forward (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Roll Forward]
Finite lived, beginning of period	$ 101,400
Total other intangible assets, beginning of period	582,787	$ 763,400	$ 772,900
Amortization expense	(10,100)	(10,000)	(10,000)
Gross	215,300	202,400
Impairment		(173,400)
Other	13,200	2,800	500
Finite lived, end of period	104,200	101,400
Total other intangible assets, end of period	585,889	582,787	763,400
Tradename \| Not Subject to Amortization
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Roll Forward]
Indefinite lived, beginning of period	479,000	652,400	652,400
Impairment		(173,400)
Indefinite lived, end of period	479,000	479,000	652,400
Other \| Not Subject to Amortization
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Roll Forward]
Indefinite lived, beginning of period	2,400	2,000	1,500
Additions	300	400	500
Indefinite lived, end of period	2,700	2,400	2,000
Franchising Rights \| Subject to Amortization
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Roll Forward]
Finite lived, beginning of period	99,000	109,000	119,000
Amortization expense	(10,000)	(10,000)	(10,000)
Finite lived, end of period	89,000	99,000	109,000
Reacquired Franchise Rights \| Subject to Amortization
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Roll Forward]
Finite lived, beginning of period	0	0	0
Amortization expense	(100)
Additions	11,600
Finite lived, end of period	11,500	0	0
Leaseholds \| Subject to Amortization
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Roll Forward]
Finite lived, beginning of period		$ 0	0
Amortization expense	0
Additions	1,300
Finite lived, end of period	$ 3,700		$ 0

Other Intangible Assets - Schedule of Finite-lived Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross	$ 215.3	$ 202.4
Accumulated Amortization	(111.1)	(101.0)
Net	104.2	101.4	$ 2.4
Franchising rights
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross	200.0	200.0
Accumulated Amortization	(111.0)	(101.0)
Net	89.0	99.0
Reacquired Franchise Rights
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross	11.6	0.0
Accumulated Amortization	(0.1)	0.0
Net	11.5	0.0
Leaseholds
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross	3.7	2.4
Accumulated Amortization	0.0	$ 0.0
Net	$ 3.7

Long-Term Debt - Schedule of Debt Components (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Class A-2 Note debt issuance costs	$ (9,700)	$ (13,900)
Long-term Debt	1,299,100	1,282,800
Current portion of long-term debt	(25,000)	(12,965)
Long-term debt, net, less current maturities	1,274,087	1,269,849
Series 2014-1 Class A-2 4.227% Fixed Rate Senior Secured Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes	$ 1,283,800	1,296,800
Senior note interest rate	4.227%		4.277%
Series 2018-1 Variable Funding Senior Notes Class A-1, at a variable interest rate of [4.93%] as of December 31, 2018
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes	$ 25,000	$ 0
Senior note interest rate	4.93%

Long-Term Debt - Additional Information (Details)		1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
Long-Term Debt - Additional Information (Details)	Sep. 30, 2014 USD ($) quarter	Sep. 30, 2021	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2018 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Sep. 05, 2018 USD ($)
Series 2014-1 Class A-2 4.227% Fixed Rate Senior Secured Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount	$ 1,300,000,000				$ 1,300,000,000
Senior note interest rate	4.277%				4.227%
Quarterly principal payment			$ 3,250,000		$ 3,250,000
Number of quarters used in leverage ratio calculation \| quarter	4
Deferred finance costs	$ 24,300,000
Amortization of financing costs					$ 3,400,000	$ 3,400,000	$ 3,200,000
Ratio of indebtedness to net capital					4.90
Debt service coverage ratio					4.58
Series 2014-1 Class A-2 4.227% Fixed Rate Senior Secured Notes \| Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Ratio of indebtedness to net capital					5.25
Series 2014-1 Class A-2 4.227% Fixed Rate Senior Secured Notes \| Forecast
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Additional interest on fixed rate		5.00%
Debt instrument, term		10 years
Series 2014-1 Class A-2 4.227% Fixed Rate Senior Secured Notes \| Forecast \| Ten Year United States Treasury Bill Rate
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate		2.15%
Series 2014-1 Variable Funding Senior Notes Class A-1
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity	$ 100,000,000
Repayments of debt				$ 20,000,000	$ 30,000,000
Line of credit facility, amount outstanding					$ 30,000,000
Debt, weighted average interest rate					4.50%
Deferred finance costs					$ 2,500,000
Unamortized debt issuance costs					900,000
Costs incurred					$ 1,600,000
Series 2014-1 Variable Funding Senior Notes Class A-1 \| Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, commitment fee percentage					0.50%
Series 2014-1 Variable Funding Senior Notes Class A-1 \| Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, commitment fee percentage					1.00%
Two Thousand Eighteen Variable Funding Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity					$ 45.0
Debt instrument, term					3 years
Upfront fee unused capacity, percentage					1.00%
Repayments of debt					$ 20.0
Line of credit facility, amount outstanding					$ 25.0
Debt, weighted average interest rate					4.90%
Line of credit facility, current borrowing capacity					$ 196.9
Deferred finance costs					$ 3,700,000
Line of credit facility, commitment fee percentage					0.50%
Unamortized debt issuance costs					$ 3,300,000
First Trigger \| Series 2014-1 Class A-2 4.227% Fixed Rate Senior Secured Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt service coverage ratio, event trigger threshold					1.75
Debt instrument, restrictive covenant, restriction on net cash flow					50.00%
Second Trigger \| Series 2014-1 Class A-2 4.227% Fixed Rate Senior Secured Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt service coverage ratio, event trigger threshold					1.5
Debt instrument, restrictive covenant, restriction on net cash flow					100.00%
Third Trigger \| Series 2014-1 Class A-2 4.227% Fixed Rate Senior Secured Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt service coverage ratio, event trigger threshold					1.3
Fourth Trigger \| Series 2014-1 Class A-2 4.227% Fixed Rate Senior Secured Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt service coverage ratio, event trigger threshold					1.2
Fifth Trigger \| Series 2014-1 Class A-2 4.227% Fixed Rate Senior Secured Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt service coverage ratio, event trigger threshold					1.1
Revolving Credit Facility \| Two Thousand Eighteen Variable Funding Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity								$ 225,000,000
Revolving Credit Facility \| Two Thousand Eighteen Variable Funding Notes \| Eurodollar
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate					2.15%
Letter of Credit \| Two Thousand Eighteen Variable Funding Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, collateral amount					$ 3,100,000
Letter of Credit \| Two Thousand Eighteen Variable Funding Notes \| Eurodollar
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate					1.00%
Letter of Credit \| Two Thousand Eighteen Variable Funding Notes \| Base Rate
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate					1.15%
Letter of Credit \| Two Thousand Eighteen Variable Funding Notes \| Federal Funds Rate
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate					0.50%

Financing Obligations (Details) $ in Millions	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
Financing Obligations (Details) $ in Millions	Jun. 30, 2008 USD ($) term_extension_option	Dec. 31, 2020 monthly_payment	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($) real_property	May 19, 2008 real_property
Minimum Lease Payments, Sale Leaseback Transactions, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
2019			$ 5.1
2020			5.6
2021			5.1
2022			5.1
2023			5.0
Thereafter			50.4
Total minimum lease payments			76.3
Less: interest			(37.2)
Total financing obligations			39.1
Less: current portion			(0.6)
Long-term financing obligations			$ 38.5
Sale Leaseback Transaction Agreement for Properties
Sale Leaseback Transaction [Line Items]
Parcels of real property under sale leaseback transaction \| real_property				181
Master Lease Agreement
Sale Leaseback Transaction [Line Items]
Parcels of real property under sale leaseback transaction \| real_property			181
Gross proceeds of sale leaseback transaction	$ 337.2
Sale leaseback initial term	20 years
Number of options to extend initial leaseback term \| term_extension_option	4
Extension period for options to extend sale leaseback initial term (in years)	5 years
Properties assigned to franchisee or released from lessor \| real_property			155
Reduction in property and equipment and financing obligations as a result of sales transactions			$ 280.0
Forecast
Minimum Lease Payments, Sale Leaseback Transactions, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Number of monthly obligation payments in fiscal year \| monthly_payment		13

Leases - Lease Receivables (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Direct financing leases receivable
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Total minimum rents receivable	$ 57.3	$ 74.5
Less: unearned income	(12.4)	(18.8)
Net investment in direct financing leases receivable	44.9	55.7
Less: current portion	(11.2)	(10.8)
Long-term direct financing lease receivable	33.7	44.9
Contingent rental income	14.3	14.0	$ 15.4
Net investment equipment lease
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Less: current portion	(8.5)	(8.2)
Long-term direct financing lease receivable	57.3	71.1
Total minimum leases receivable	89.9	106.4
Less: unearned income	(24.1)	(27.1)
Net investment in equipment leases receivables	$ 65.8	$ 79.3

Leases - Future Minimum Lease Payments (Details) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020 monthly_payment	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
2019		$ 21.0
2020		19.3
2021		16.2
2022		14.3
2023		11.6
Thereafter		63.4
Total minimum lease payments		145.8
Less: interest		(44.6)
Capital lease obligations		101.2
Less: current portion		(13.4)
Long-term capital lease obligations		87.8
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
2019		91.2
2020		92.8
2021		75.7
2022		67.6
2023		55.2
Thereafter		210.5
Total minimum lease payments		$ 593.0
Forecast
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Number of monthly obligation payments in fiscal year \| monthly_payment	13

Leases - Future Minimum Lease Rents (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Future Minimum Lease Rents Due [Abstract]
Asset cost of leased property	$ 89.0	$ 89.0
Carrying amount on leased property	58.8	60.0
Contingent rent expense on leases	2.7	2.6	$ 3.0
Minimum rent expense on leases	80.8	$ 73.0	$ 76.5
Direct Financing Lease, 2019	16.2
Direct Financing Lease, 2020	14.8
Direct Financing Lease, 2021	11.7
Direct Financing Lease, 2022	8.2
Direct Financing Lease, 2023	3.5
Thereafter	2.9
Total minimum rents receivable	57.3
Operating Lease, 2019	105.9
Operating Lease, 2020	106.3
Operating Lease, 2021	100.2
Operating Lease, 2022	96.2
Operating Lease, 2023	91.8
Thereafter	271.8
Total minimum rents receivable	$ 772.2

Commitments and Contingencies (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Outstanding purchase commitments	$ 171.3
Lease guarantees, future minimum payments due	44.7
Series 2014-1 Variable Funding Senior Notes Class A-1
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Letters of credit outstanding	3.1
Applebee's \| Property Lease Guarantee
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Outstanding lease guarantees	$ 284.3	$ 313.9

Stockholders' (Deficit) Equity (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands											3 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
	Feb. 20, 2019	Oct. 05, 2018	Jul. 06, 2018	Apr. 06, 2018	Jan. 05, 2018	Oct. 06, 2017	Jul. 07, 2017	Apr. 07, 2017	Jan. 06, 2017	Jan. 08, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Oct. 01, 2015
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Cumulative amount of shares repurchased														1,479,496
Cumulative payments for repurchase of common stock														$ 117,800
Dividends paid per common share (USD per share)		$ 0.63	$ 0.63	$ 0.63	$ 0.97	$ 0.970	$ 0.970	$ 0.970	$ 0.970	$ 0.92	$ 0.92	$ 0.92	$ 0.92	$ 2.86	$ 3.88	$ 3.68
Repurchase of Dine Brands Global common stock														$ 33,603	$ 10,003	$ 55,343
Reissuance of treasury stock (shares)														(167,396)	(281,185)	(136,818)
Reissuance of treasury stock														$ 3,928	$ 2,635	$ 1,409
Treasury Stock
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Purchase of DineEquity common stock (shares)														479,000	146,000	650,000
Reissuance of treasury stock (shares)														(167,000)	(281,000)	(137,000)
Reissuance of treasury stock														$ 6,479	$ 10,113	$ 4,877
2015 Authorization
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Authorized amount																	$ 150,000
Purchase of DineEquity common stock (shares)														478,839	145,786	650,384
Repurchase of Dine Brands Global common stock														$ 34,900	$ 10,000	$ 55,300
Remaining authorized repurchase amount														$ 32,200	$ 67,100	$ 77,100
Subsequent Event
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Authorized amount	$ 200,000
Dividends paid per common share (USD per share)	$ 0.69

Stockholders' (Deficit) Equity - Schedule of Dividends Declared (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions																			3 Months Ended								6 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 20, 2019	Jan. 04, 2019	Oct. 06, 2018	Oct. 05, 2018	Aug. 02, 2018	Jul. 06, 2018	May 14, 2018	Apr. 06, 2018	Feb. 14, 2018	Jan. 05, 2018	Oct. 06, 2017	Aug. 10, 2017	Jul. 07, 2017	May 15, 2017	Apr. 07, 2017	Feb. 22, 2017	Jan. 06, 2017	Jan. 08, 2016	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Dividends declared per common share (USD per share)			$ 0.63		$ 0.63		$ 0.63		$ 0.63		$ 0.97	$ 0.97		$ 0.97		$ 0.97						$ 0.97		$ 0.92	$ 0.92				$ 2.52	$ 3.88	$ 3.73
Dividends paid per common share (USD per share)				$ 0.63		$ 0.63		$ 0.63		$ 0.97	$ 0.970		$ 0.970		$ 0.970		$ 0.970	$ 0.92						$ 0.92	$ 0.92	$ 0.92			$ 2.86	$ 3.88	$ 3.68
Payments of dividends										$ 17.7							$ 17.5	$ 17.1	$ 11.4	$ 11.4	$ 11.5		$ 17.5	$ 16.7	$ 16.8	$ 17.0	$ 17.5	$ 17.8	$ 52.0	$ 70.3	$ 67.6
Subsequent Event
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Dividends paid per common share (USD per share)	$ 0.69
Payments of dividends		$ 11.4

Stockholders' (Deficit) Equity Dividends Declared on Common Stock or In Excess (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends declared from retained earnings		$ (52,234)	$ (67,708)
Dividends declared from additional paid-in capital	$ (44,705)	(17,718)
Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit)
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends declared from retained earnings	0	(52,641)	(67,833)
Additional Paid-in Capital
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends declared from retained earnings		407	125
Dividends declared from additional paid-in capital	$ (44,705)	$ (17,718)	$ 0

Closure and Other Impairment Charges (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($) Restaurant	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Closure charges	$ 2,000	$ 3,900	$ 1,200
Business exit costs	0	0	2,900
Long-lived tangible asset impairment	100	100	1,000
Total closure and impairment charges	2,107	3,968	5,092
Facility Costs
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Business exit costs		2,900
Contract Termination
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Business exit costs		2,500
Future Lease Payments, Net
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Business exit costs		400
IHOP
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Closure charges	$ 1,800	2,200	$ 700
Long-lived tangible asset impairment		$ 600
Number of restaurants with impairments charges \| Restaurant		8
Individually Insignificant Restaurants
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Long-lived tangible asset impairment		$ 400

Stock-Based Incentive Plans (Narrative) (Details) - shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	May 17, 2016	May 17, 2011	Dec. 31, 2008
Employee Stock Option
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock options, grants in period	223,570
Performance Shares [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock options, grants in period	25,330	350,000
Performance based restricted stock units	55,245	175,000
Officers, Directors, and Employees \| Employee Stock Option
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting period	3 years
Option expiration period	10 years
Officers, Directors, and Employees \| Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting period	3 years
DineEquity, Inc. 2016 Stock Incentive Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares authorized (shares)			3,750,000
DineEquity, Inc. 2011 Stock Incentive Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares authorized (shares)				1,500,000
IHOP Corp. 2001 Stock Incentive Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares authorized (shares)					4,200,000

Stock-Based Incentive Plans - Stock-Based Compensation Expense (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Equity classified awards expense	$ 10,600	$ 10,900	$ 11,000
Liability classified awards (credit)	3,100	(1,000)	(500)
Total pretax stock-based compensation expense	13,700	9,900	10,500
Book income tax benefit	(3,500)	(3,800)	(3,900)
Total stock-based compensation expense, net of tax	$ 10,200	$ 6,100	$ 6,600
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward]
Outstanding, beginning (shares)	1,272,048	701,134	504,462
Granted (shares)	248,899	887,030	255,825
Excercised (shares)	(74,930)	(64,916)	(48,021)
Forfeited (shares)	(6,309)	(171,847)	(7,924)
Expired (shares)	0	(79,353)	(3,208)
Outstanding, ending (shares)	1,439,708	1,272,048	701,134
Vested and expected to vest (shares)	1,301,066
Exercisable (shares)	571,768
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price [Roll Forward]
Weighted average share price, beginning (USD per share)	$ 61.44	$ 80.04	$ 69.99
Weighted average share price, granted (USD per share)	69.12	48.35	90.90
Weighted average share price, exercised (USD per share)	52.43	40.59	29.33
Weighted average share price, forfeited (USD per share)	68.80	65.82	94.30
Weighted average share price, expired (USD per share)	0.00	87.02	89.17
Weighted average share price, ending (USD per share)	63.21	$ 61.44	$ 80.04
Vested and expected to vest, weighted average exercise price (USD per share)	64.62
Exercisable, weighted average exercise price (USD per share)	$ 77.73
Options, outstanding, weighted average remaining contractual term	6 years 7 months 18 days
Share-based compensation arrangement by share-based payment award, options, vested and expected to vest, exercisable, weighted average remaining contractual term	6 years 4 months 28 days
Excercisable weighted average remaining contractual term	3 years 6 months 29 days
Options, outstanding, intrinsic value	$ 15,900
Options, vested and expected to vest, outstanding, aggregate intrinsic value	13,400
Options, exercisable, intrinsic value	2,900
Total intrinsic value	2,400	$ 1,400	$ 2,700
Proceeds from stock options exercised	3,928	2,635	1,409
Tax benefit realized for tax deduction from option exercises	600	$ 500	$ 1,000
Employee Stock Option
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized compensation cost	$ 3,600
Unrecognized compensation cost, recognition period	1 year 6 months 6 days
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized compensation cost	$ 19,100
Unrecognized compensation cost, recognition period	1 year 8 months 29 days

Stock-Based Incentive Plans - Options Value Assumptions (Details) - $ / shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Risk free interest rate	2.60%	1.90%	1.10%
Weighted average historical volatility	26.10%	22.90%	27.10%
Dividend yield	3.60%	7.30%	4.00%
Expected years until exercise	4 years 7 months 20 days	4 years 5 months 28 days	4 years 6 months
Weighted average fair value of options granted	$ 11.94	$ 4.31	$ 13.55

Stock-Based Incentive Plans Performance Based Valuation Assumptions (Details) - $ / shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Risk free interest rate	2.60%	1.90%	1.10%
Weighted average historical volatility	26.10%	22.90%	27.10%
Dividend yield	3.60%	7.30%	4.00%
Expected years until exercise	4 years 7 months 20 days	4 years 5 months 28 days	4 years 6 months
Weighted average fair value of options granted	$ 11.94	$ 4.31	$ 13.55
Performance Based Restricted Stock Units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Risk free interest rate	2.50%	1.60%
Weighted average historical volatility	34.40%	30.00%
Dividend yield	3.40%	9.60%
Expected years until exercise	3 years	3 years 4 months 19 days
Weighted average fair value of restricted stock units granted	$ 53.72	$ 10.19
Performance Shares [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Weighted average fair value of options granted	$ 9.79	$ 3.07

Stock-Based Incentive Plans - Disclosure of Restricted Stock Units (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Abstract]
Share-based compensation expense	$ 13,700	$ 9,900	$ 10,500
Liability classified awards (credit)	3,100	(1,000)	$ (500)
Accrued employee compensation and benefits	$ 27,479	$ 13,547
Minimum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Abstract]
Multiplier for target award based on total shareholder return on common stock	0.00%
Maximum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Abstract]
Multiplier for target award based on total shareholder return on common stock	200.00%
Cash-settled Restricted Stock Units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested [Roll Forward]
Granted (shares)	59,686
Forfeited (shares)	(5,218)
End of period (shares)	53,766
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Abstract]
Vested (in shares)	702
Share-based compensation expense	$ 800
Restricted Stock
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested [Roll Forward]
Beginning of period (shares)	275,191	235,472	257,594
Granted (shares)	92,466	216,269	88,797
Released (shares)	(74,253)	(92,968)	(77,712)
Forfeited (shares)	(26,162)	(83,582)	(33,207)
End of period (shares)	267,242	275,191	235,472
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Abstract]
Beginning of period, weighted average grant date fair value	$ 65.97	$ 92.91	$ 89.99
Granted, weighted average grant date fair value	69.20	51.89	88.90
Released, weighted average grant date fair value	81.07	88.62	78.70
Forfeited, weighted average grant date fair value	61.27	79.52	92.82
End of period, weighted average grant date fair value	$ 63.35	$ 65.97	$ 92.91
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested [Roll Forward]
Beginning of period (shares)	303,348	34,058	35,116
Granted (shares)	86,990	281,973	13,053
Released (shares)	(15,737)	(12,683)	(14,027)
Forfeited (shares)	(71.46)	0	(84)
End of period (shares)	374,529.54	303,348	34,058
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Abstract]
Beginning of period, weighted average grant date fair value	$ 28.39	$ 93.95	$ 86.30
Granted, weighted average grant date fair value	57.21	22.37	90.90
Released, weighted average grant date fair value	98.54	81.63	72.01
Forfeited, weighted average grant date fair value	53.49	0.00	101.25
End of period, weighted average grant date fair value	$ 31.05	$ 28.39	$ 93.95
LTIP
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Abstract]
Share-based compensation expense	$ 2,300
Award vesting period	3 years
Accrued employee compensation and benefits	$ 2,400	$ 200

Employee Benefit Plans (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		12 Months Ended
Employee Benefit Plans (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Jan. 01, 2013	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Defined Contribution Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Contributions made to 401(k)		$ 2.4	$ 2.3	$ 2.2
First Tier of Deferral
Defined Contribution Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Percent of gross pay	100.00%
Percent of eligible deferral	4.00%
Second Tier of Deferral
Defined Contribution Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Percent of gross pay	50.00%
Percent of eligible deferral	2.00%

Income Taxes - Provision (benefit) for income taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Current Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Continuing Operations [Abstract]
Federal	$ 33,600	$ 42,600	$ 60,800
State	6,400	5,100	6,400
Foreign	2,100	2,900	2,300
Current Income Tax Expense	42,100	50,600	69,500
Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Continuing Operations [Abstract]
Federal	(7,800)	(131,000)	(9,500)
State	(4,000)	(5,100)	(3,200)
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)	(11,847)	(136,127)	(12,714)
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	$ 30,254	$ (85,559)	$ 56,849

Income Taxes - Income tax rate reconciliation (Details)	12 Months Ended
Income Taxes - Income tax rate reconciliation (Details)	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Statutory federal income tax rate	21.00%	35.00%	35.00%
Non-deductibility of goodwill impairment	(0.00%)	(29.30%)	(0.00%)
Change in federal tax rate	0.00%	15.50%	0.00%
State and other taxes, net of federal tax benefit	3.60%	0.40%	2.70%
Change in unrecognized tax benefits	3.30%	(0.70%)	0.40%
Change in valuation allowance	0.40%	0.30%	0.00%
Domestic production activity deduction	(0.00%)	0.30%	(0.60%)
Changes in tax rates and state tax laws	(1.60%)	(0.30%)	(1.70%)
Change in accounting for excess tax deficiencies/benefits	0.10%	(0.50%)	(0.00%)
Other	0.60%	(0.70%)	0.20%
Effective tax rate	27.40%	20.00%	36.00%

Income Taxes - Net deferred tax assets (liabilities) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Differences in capitalization and depreciation and amortization of reacquired franchises and equipment	$ 0.0	$ 0.0
Differences in acquisition financing costs	0.0	0.1
Employee compensation	9.0	7.6
Deferred gain on sale of assets	0.0	0.7
Book/tax difference in revenue recognition	34.3	14.2
Other	16.8	42.2
Deferred tax assets	60.1	64.8
Valuation allowance	(0.4)	0.0
Total deferred tax assets after valuation allowance	59.7	64.8
Differences between financial and tax accounting in the recognition of franchise and equipment sales	(16.8)	(20.7)
Differences in capitalization and depreciation (1)	(139.2)	(147.5)
Differences in acquisition financing costs	(0.6)	0.0
Book/tax difference in revenue recognition	0.0	(2.4)
Differences between book and tax basis of property and equipment	(8.1)	(8.5)
Other	(0.8)	(3.5)
Deferred tax liabilities	(165.5)	(182.6)
Net deferred tax liabilities	$ (105.8)	$ (117.8)

Income Taxes - Reconciliation of unrecognized tax benefit (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Excluding Amounts Pertaining to Examined Tax Returns [Roll Forward]
Unrecognized tax benefit as of January 1	$ 5.9	$ 3.9	$ 3.9
Changes for tax positions of prior years	3.8	2.8	0.6
Increases for tax positions related to the current year	0.4	0.6	0.1
Decreases relating to settlements and lapsing of statutes of limitations	(4.9)	(1.4)	(0.7)
Unrecognized tax benefit as of December 31	$ 5.2	$ 5.9	$ 3.9

Income Taxes - Income Taxes (Narrative) (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($) Restaurant	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]
Changes in tax rates and state tax laws		1.60%	0.30%	1.70%
Goodwill, impairment loss	$ 358.2		$ 358.2
Non-deductibility of goodwill impairment		0.00%	29.30%	0.00%
Deferred tax assets, foreign tax credit carryforward		$ 0.4
Valuation allowance, noncurrent	0.0	0.4	$ 0.0
Operating loss carryforwards	0.6	0.4	0.6
Unrecognized tax benefits	5.9	5.2	5.9	$ 3.9	$ 3.9
Unrecognized tax benefit changes in next 12 months		1.0
Unrecognized tax benefits, interest on income taxes accrued	1.1	1.1	1.1
Unrecognized tax benefits, income tax penalties accrued	$ 0.1	$ 0.1	0.1
Applebee's
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]
Number of restaurants \| Restaurant		1,837
Goodwill, impairment loss		$ 358.2
Applebee's \| Entity Operated Units
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]
Number of restaurants \| Restaurant		69
Goodwill, impairment loss			$ 0.0

Net (Loss) Income Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net income (loss)	$ 26,981	$ 23,587	$ 12,713	$ 17,073	$ 69,900	$ (450,352)	$ 22,107	$ 15,595	$ 80,354	$ (342,750)	$ 101,002
Less: net (income) loss allocated to unvested participating restricted stock									(2,711)	6,768	(1,430)
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders									77,643	(335,982)	99,572
Effect of unvested participating restricted stock									16	0	2
Numerator - net income (loss) available to common shareholders - diluted									$ 77,659	$ (335,982)	$ 99,574
Weighted average outstanding shares of common stock - basic (shares)									17,533	17,725	18,030
Stock options (shares)									256	15	95
Weighted average outstanding shares of common stock - diluted (shares)									17,789	17,740	18,125
Basic (USD per share)	$ 1.49	$ 1.31	$ 0.70	$ 0.93	$ 3.82	$ (24.91)	$ 1.23	$ 0.87	$ 4.43	$ (18.96)	$ 5.52
Diluted (USD per share)	$ 1.47	$ 1.29	$ 0.69	$ 0.92	$ 3.82	$ (24.91)	$ 1.23	$ 0.86	$ 4.37	$ (18.96)	$ 5.49

Acquisition of Business (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Acquisition of Business (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($) Restaurant	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquisition of business	$ 20,155	$ 0	$ 0
Applebee's r3estaurants In North and South Carolina
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquisition of business	21,600
Indirect transition costs	$ 1,100
Applebee's
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of restaurants \| Restaurant	1,837
Applebee's \| Entity Operated Units
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of restaurants \| Restaurant	69
Other Noncurrent Liabilities
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Weighted average useful life (in years)	11 years

Acquisition of Business - Preliminary estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill	$ 345,314	$ 339,236	$ 697,400	$ 697,400
Applebee's r3estaurants In North and South Carolina
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Reacquired franchise rights	11,600
Equipment and fixtures	10,000
Inventory	1,400
Total identifiable assets acquired	23,000
Above-market leaseholds, net	(6,500)
Other liabilities	(1,000)
Net identifiable assets acquired	15,500
Goodwill	6,100
Consideration transferred	$ 21,600

Segment Reporting (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
Segment Reporting (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenues									$ 121,934	$ 121,437	$ 123,037
Revenues	$ 214,198	$ 194,099	$ 184,471	$ 188,163	$ 176,708	$ 174,903	$ 188,654	$ 191,461	780,931	731,725	787,566
Gross profit (loss), by segment									110,608	(428,309)	157,851
Total interest expense									71,000	72,700	73,700
Depreciation and amortization									32,175	30,648	30,606
Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets						$ 531,600			0	531,634	0
Closure and other impairment charges									2,107	3,968	5,092
Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets and closure and other impairment charges									2,100	535,600	5,100
Capital expenditures									14,279	13,370	5,637
Goodwill (franchise segment)	345,314				339,236				345,314	339,236	697,400	$ 697,400
Total assets	1,774,680				1,735,612				1,774,680	1,735,612	2,278,600
Corporate
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Interest expense									61,700	62,000	61,500
Depreciation and amortization									9,600	7,700	7,200
Closure and other impairment charges									0	0	2,900
Capital expenditures									14,300	13,300	5,300
Total assets	226,800				181,300				226,800	181,300	115,400
Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Gross profit (loss), by segment									353,100	338,700	384,200
Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Capital expenditures										100	300
Operating Segments \| Franchise operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Gross profit (loss), by segment									313,300	300,400	344,500
Depreciation and amortization									10,500	10,800	10,600
Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets									0	531,600	0
Total assets	1,152,100				1,188,000				1,152,100	1,188,000	1,608,700
Operating Segments \| Rental operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenues									121,900	121,400	123,000
Gross profit (loss), by segment									31,200	30,800	31,500
Interest expense									9,200	10,500	11,800
Depreciation and amortization									11,700	12,000	12,400
Total assets	255,600				278,800				255,600	278,800	339,500
Operating Segments \| Company restaurants
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Gross profit (loss), by segment									1,200	(300)	(800)
Interest expense									100	200	400
Depreciation and amortization									400	100	400
Closure and other impairment charges									2,100	4,000	2,200
Capital expenditures									0
Total assets	66,500				0				66,500	0	126,800
Operating Segments \| Financing operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Gross profit (loss), by segment									7,400	7,800	9,000
Total assets	$ 73,700				$ 87,500				73,700	87,500	88,200
Corporate, Non-Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Gross profit (loss), by segment									(242,500)	(767,000)	(226,300)
Financial Service [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from contract with customer, excluding assessed tax									7,979	8,352	9,191
Financial Service [Member] \| Operating Segments \| Financing operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from contract with customer, excluding assessed tax									8,000	8,400	9,200
Franchisor [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from contract with customer, excluding assessed tax									643,934	594,418	637,971
Franchisor [Member] \| Operating Segments \| Franchise operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from contract with customer, excluding assessed tax									643,900	594,400	638,000
Food and Beverage [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from contract with customer, excluding assessed tax									7,084	$ 7,518	17,367
Food and Beverage [Member] \| Operating Segments \| Company restaurants
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from contract with customer, excluding assessed tax									$ 7,100		$ 17,400

Refranchising of Company-operated Restaurants (Details) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017 Restaurant	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($) agreement	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)
Franchisor Disclosure [Line Items]
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment		$ 655	$ 1,100	$ 0
Franchised \| IHOP \| Cincinnati, Ohio Market Area Restaurants [Member]
Franchisor Disclosure [Line Items]
Company operated restaurants taken back to be refranchised \| Restaurant	9
Number of franchise agreements \| agreement		9
Number of sublease agreements \| agreement		9
Favorable lease assets, net		$ 2,400
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment		1,100
Amount of consideration received		4,800
Gain (loss) on sale of properties		$ 6,200

Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 214,198	$ 194,099	$ 184,471	$ 188,163	$ 176,708	$ 174,903	$ 188,654	$ 191,461	$ 780,931	$ 731,725	$ 787,566
Gross Profit	98,371	92,626	78,590	83,500	69,336	82,086	93,004	94,285	353,087	338,711	384,147
Net income (loss)	$ 26,981	$ 23,587	$ 12,713	$ 17,073	$ 69,900	$ (450,352)	$ 22,107	$ 15,595	$ 80,354	$ (342,750)	$ 101,002
Basic (USD per share)	$ 1.49	$ 1.31	$ 0.70	$ 0.93	$ 3.82	$ (24.91)	$ 1.23	$ 0.87	$ 4.43	$ (18.96)	$ 5.52
Diluted (USD per share)	$ 1.47	$ 1.29	$ 0.69	$ 0.92	$ 3.82	$ (24.91)	$ 1.23	$ 0.86	$ 4.37	$ (18.96)	$ 5.49
Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets						$ 531,600			$ 0	$ 531,634	$ 0

- Definition

The amount of net income (loss) for the period per each share of common stock or unit outstanding during the reporting period.

+ References

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+ Details

- Definition

The amount of net income (loss) for the period available to each share of common stock or common unit outstanding during the reporting period and to each share or unit that would have been outstanding assuming the issuance of common shares or units for all dilutive potential common shares or units outstanding during the reporting period.

+ References

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+ Details

- Definition

The portion of profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, which is attributable to the parent.

+ References + Details

Label	Element	Value
Cumulative Effect of New Accounting Principle in Period of Adoption	us-gaap_CumulativeEffectOfNewAccountingPrincipleInPeriodOfAdoption	$ (59,641,000)
Retained Earnings [Member]
Cumulative Effect of New Accounting Principle in Period of Adoption	us-gaap_CumulativeEffectOfNewAccountingPrincipleInPeriodOfAdoption	$ (59,641,000)