Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract] Schedule of Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award [Table] Schedule of Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award [Table] Award Type [Axis] Award Type [Axis] Award Type [Domain] Equity Award [Domain] Stock Options Employee Stock Option [Member] Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] Shares Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward] Options, outstanding, beginning of period (in shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Number Options, granted (in shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Net of Forfeitures Options, exercised (in shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period Options, outstanding, end of period (in shares) Options, vested and expected to vest (in shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Outstanding, Number Options, exercisable (in shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Number Weighted Average Exercise Price Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price [Abstract] Weighted average exercise price, beginning of period (per share) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price Weighted average exercise price, granted (per share) Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price Weighted average exercise price, exercised (per share) Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price Weighted average exercise price, end of period (per share) Weighted average exercise price, vested and expected to vest (per share) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price Weighted average exercise price, exercisable (per share) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price Weighted average remaining contractual term (in years) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term Weighted average remaining contractual term, vested and expected to vest (in years) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Exercisable, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term Weighted average remaining contractual term, exercisable (in years) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term Options, outstanding, intrinsic value Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Intrinsic Value Options, vested and expected to vest, intrinsic value Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Outstanding, Aggregate Intrinsic Value Options, vested and expected to vest, exercisable Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Intrinsic Value Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract] Income Taxes Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block] Statement of Financial Position [Abstract] Assets Assets [Abstract] Current assets: Assets, Current [Abstract] Cash and cash equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value Receivables, net Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable, Net, Current Restricted cash Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Current Prepaid gift card costs Prepaid Gift Cards Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of payments made in advance related to gift card program which are expected to be relieved as gift cards are redeemed within one year. Prepaid income taxes Prepaid Taxes Other current assets Other Assets, Current Total current assets Assets, Current Long-term receivables, net Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable, Net, Noncurrent Other intangible assets, net Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill) Goodwill Goodwill Property and equipment, net Property, Plant and Equipment, Net Deferred rent receivable Deferred Rent Receivables, Net, Noncurrent Non-current restricted cash Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Noncurrent Other non-current assets, net Other Assets, Noncurrent Total assets Assets Liabilities and Stockholders’ Deficit Liabilities and Equity [Abstract] Current liabilities: Liabilities, Current [Abstract] Current maturities of long-term debt Long-term Debt, Current Maturities Accounts payable Accounts Payable, Current Gift card liability Gift Card Liability, Current Dividends payable Dividends Payable, Current Current maturities of capital lease and financing obligations Capital Lease Obligations, Current Accrued employee compensation and benefits Employee-related Liabilities, Current Deferred franchise revenue (short-term) Deferred Revenue, Current Other accrued expenses Other Accrued Liabilities, Current Total current liabilities Liabilities, Current Long-term debt, less current maturities Long-term Debt, Excluding Current Maturities Capital lease obligations, less current maturities Capital Lease Obligations, Noncurrent Financing obligations, less current maturities Minimum Lease Payments, Sale Leaseback Transactions Deferred income taxes, net Deferred Income Tax Liabilities, Net Deferred franchise revenue (long-term) Deferred Revenue, Noncurrent Deferred rent payable Accrued Rent, Noncurrent Other non-current liabilities Other Liabilities, Noncurrent Total liabilities Liabilities Commitments and contingencies Commitments and Contingencies Stockholders’ deficit: Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent [Abstract] Common stock, $0.01 par value, shares: 40,000,000 authorized; March 31, 2018 - 25,013,067 issued, 17,922,137 outstanding; December 31, 2017 - 25,022,312 issued, 17,993,124 outstanding Common Stock, Value, Issued Additional paid-in-capital Additional Paid in Capital, Common Stock Accumulated deficit Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) Accumulated other comprehensive loss Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Treasury stock, at cost; shares: March 31, 2018 - 7,090,930; December 31, 2017 - 7,029,188 Treasury Stock, Value Total stockholders’ deficit Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent Total liabilities and stockholders’ deficit Liabilities and Equity Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract] Cash flows from operating activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Net income Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash flows provided by operating activities: Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Depreciation and amortization Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization Closure and impairment charges Impairment and Closure Charges Gross Noncash Impairment and Closure Charges Gross Noncash Non-cash interest expense Amortization of Debt Issuance Costs and Discounts Deferred income taxes Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Non-cash stock-based compensation expense Share-based Compensation Gain on disposition of assets Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Property Plant Equipment, Excluding Oil and Gas Property and Timber Property Other Other Operating Activities, Cash Flow Statement Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Increase (Decrease) in Operating Capital [Abstract] Accounts receivable, net Increase (Decrease) in Receivables Current income tax receivables and payables Increase (Decrease) in Income Taxes Payable, Net of Income Taxes Receivable Gift card receivables and payables Increase (Decrease) in Gift Card Receivables and Payables, Net Increase (decrease) in gift card liability, gift card receivable, prepaid gift card costs and gift-card related accounts payable, net. Other current assets Increase (Decrease) in Other Current Assets Accounts payable Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable Accrued employee compensation and benefits Increase (Decrease) in Employee Related Liabilities Other current liabilities Increase (Decrease) in Other Accrued Liabilities Cash flows provided by operating activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities Cash flows from investing activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities [Abstract] Additions to property and equipment Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment Proceeds from sale of property and equipment Proceeds from Sale of Productive Assets Principal receipts from notes, equipment contracts and other long-term receivables Proceeds from Collection of Notes Receivable Additions to long-term receivables Payments to Acquire Receivables Other Payments for (Proceeds from) Other Investing Activities Cash flows (used in) provided by investing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities Cash flows from financing activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities [Abstract] Repayment of long-term debt Repayments of Long-term Debt Dividends paid on common stock Payments of Dividends Repurchase of common stock Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock Principal payments on capital lease and financing obligations Repayments of Long-term Capital Lease Obligations Tax payments for restricted stock upon vesting Payments for Repurchase of Other Equity Proceeds from stock options exercised Proceeds from Stock Options Exercised Cash flows used in financing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities Net change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease) Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease) Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period Supplemental disclosures: Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract] Interest paid in cash Interest Paid, Net Income taxes paid in cash Income Taxes Paid Earnings Per Share [Abstract] Computation of the Company’s basic and diluted net income per share Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block] Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract] Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping [Table] Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping [Table] Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping, Disclosure Item Amounts [Axis] Measurement Basis [Axis] Fair Value Measurement [Domain] Fair Value Measurement [Domain] Portion at Fair Value Measurement Portion at Fair Value Measurement [Member] Carrying Amount Reported Value Measurement [Member] Fair Value Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] Fair Value, Hierarchy [Axis] Fair Value, Hierarchy [Axis] Fair Value, Measurements, Fair Value Hierarchy [Domain] Fair Value Hierarchy [Domain] Level 2 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items] Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items] Long-term debt, current and long-term Long-term Debt, Fair Value Restricted Stock Restricted Stock [Member] Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member] Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested [Roll Forward] Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward] Restricted stock, beginning of period (in shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number Restricted stock, granted (in shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period Restricted stock, released (in shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period Restricted stock, forfeited (in shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Forfeited in Period Restricted stock, end of period (in shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Roll Forward] Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Abstract] Weighted average grant date fair value, beginning balance (per share) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Weighted average grant date fair value, granted (per share) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Weighted average grant date fair value, released (per share) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Released in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Released in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Weighted average grant date fair value, forfeited (per share) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Forfeitures, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Weighted average grant date fair value, ending balance (per share) Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract] Schedule of New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles Schedule of New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Table Text Block] Segment Reporting [Abstract] Schedule of Franchisor Disclosure [Table] Schedule of Franchisor Disclosure [Table] Franchisor Disclosure [Axis] Franchisor Disclosure [Axis] Franchisor Disclosure [Domain] Franchisor Disclosure [Domain] Franchised Units Franchised Units [Member] Legal Entity [Axis] Legal Entity [Axis] Entity [Domain] Entity [Domain] Applebee's Applebee's [Member] Applebee's [Member] IHOP IHOP [Member] IHOP Cincinnati, Ohio market area restaurants Cincinnati, Ohio Market Area Restaurants [Member] Cincinnati, Ohio Market Area Restaurants [Member] Franchisor Disclosure [Line Items] Franchisor Disclosure [Line Items] Number of segments (segment) Number of Reportable Segments Number of restaurants (restaurant) Number of Restaurants Number of territories in which entity operates (territory) Number of Territories in which Entity Operates Number of Territories in which Entity Operates Number of countries in which entity operates (country) Number of Countries in which Entity Operates Number of restaurants refranchised (restaurant) Number of Restaurants Refranchised Number of Restaurants Refranchised Number of restaurants Not refranchised (restaurants) Number of Restaurants Not Refranchised Number of Restaurants Not Refranchised Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract] Basis of Presentation Basis of Accounting [Text Block] Effective income tax rate (percent) Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Percent Gross unrecognized tax benefit Unrecognized Tax Benefits Expected change in unrecognized tax benefits Significant Change in Unrecognized Tax Benefits is Reasonably Possible, Amount of Unrecorded Benefit Accrued interest on income taxes Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Interest on Income Taxes Accrued Accrued penalties on income taxes, less than Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Income Tax Penalties Accrued Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, incomplete accounting, provisional income tax expense (benefit) Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, Incomplete Accounting, Provisional Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, Incomplete Accounting, Provisional Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Components of the Company’s stock-based compensation expense Schedule of Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Table Text Block] Schedule of stock option valuation assumptions Schedule of Share-based Payment Award, Stock Options, Valuation Assumptions [Table Text Block] Schedule of stock option activity Share-based Compensation, Stock Options, Activity [Table Text Block] Schedule of restricted stock unit activity Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units Activity [Table Text Block] Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract] Restricted Cash Cash and Cash Equivalents Disclosure [Text Block] Fair Value Measurements Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block] Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table] Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table] Consolidation Items [Axis] Consolidation Items [Axis] Consolidation Items [Domain] Consolidation Items [Domain] Operating Segments Operating Segments [Member] Corporate Corporate, Non-Segment [Member] Segments [Axis] Segments [Axis] Segments [Domain] Segments [Domain] Franchise operations Franchise Operations [Member] Franchise Operations [Member] Rental operations Rental Operations [Member] Rental Operations [Member] Company restaurants Company Restaurants [Member] Company Restaurants [Member] Financing operations Financing Operations [Member] Financing Operations [Member] Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] Franchise revenues Franchise Revenue Rental revenues Rental Income Rental income includes revenue from operating leases and interest income from direct financing leases. Company restaurants Food and Beverage Revenue Financing revenues Financial Services Revenue Total revenues Revenues Interest expense Interest Expense Segment profit Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract] Disaggregation of Revenue [Table] Disaggregation of Revenue [Table] Products and Services [Axis] Products and Services [Axis] Products and Services [Domain] Products and Services [Domain] Royalties Royalties [Member] Royalties [Member] Advertising Advertising [Member] Advertising [Member] Pancake and waffle dry mix sales and other Pancake And Waffle Dry Mix [Member] Pancake and Waffle Dry Mix [Member] Franchise and development fees Franchise And Development Fees [Member] Franchise And Development Fees [Member] Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items] Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items] Total franchise revenue Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax Equity [Abstract] Stock repurchased during period (in shares) Stock Repurchased During Period, Shares Stock repurchased during period, value Stock Repurchased During Period, Value Cumulative amount of shares repurchased (in shares) Cumulative Amount of Shares Repurchased Cumulative Amount of Shares Repurchased Cumulative payments for repurchase of common stock Cumulative Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock Cumulative Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock Remaining dollar value of shares that may be repurchased Stock Repurchase Program, Remaining Authorized Repurchase Amount Income Statement [Abstract] Operating Income (Loss) [Abstract] Revenues: Revenues [Abstract] Company restaurant sales Total revenues Cost of revenues: Cost of Revenue [Abstract] Franchise expenses Franchise Costs Rental expenses Rental Expenses Rental expenses are costs of prime operating leases and interest expense on prime capital leases on franchisee-operated restaurants. Financing expenses Financing Expenses Represents the charge against earnings during the period primarily related to the cost of restaurant equipment. Company restaurant expenses Food and Beverage, Cost of Sales Total cost of revenues Cost of Revenue Gross profit Gross Profit General and administrative expenses General and Administrative Expense Interest expense Interest Expense, Debt Closure and impairment charges Restructuring, Settlement and Impairment Provisions Amortization of intangible assets Amortization of Intangible Assets Gain on disposition of assets Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Assets Income before income tax provision Income tax provision Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Net income Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax: Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract] Adjustment to unrealized loss on available-for-sale investments Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Available-for-sale Securities Adjustment, Net of Tax Foreign currency translation adjustment Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax Net income and total comprehensive income Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent Net income available to common stockholders: Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders, Basic [Abstract] Less: Net income allocated to unvested participating restricted stock Undistributed Earnings (Loss) Allocated to Participating Securities, Basic Net income available to common stockholders - basic Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders, Basic Net income available to common stockholders per share: Basic (USD per share) Earnings Per Share, Basic Diluted (USD per share) Earnings Per Share, Diluted Weighted average shares outstanding: Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted [Abstract] Basic (in shares) Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic Diluted (in shares) Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted Dividends declared per common share (USD per share) Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Declared Dividends paid per common share (USD per share) Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Cash Paid Class of Treasury Stock [Table] Class of Treasury Stock [Table] Share Repurchase Program [Axis] Share Repurchase Program [Axis] Share Repurchase Program [Domain] Share Repurchase Program [Domain] October 2015 Share Repurchase Program October Two Thousand Fifteen Share Repurchase Program [Member] October Two Thousand Fifteen Share Repurchase Program [Member] Equity, Class of Treasury Stock [Line Items] Equity, Class of Treasury Stock [Line Items] Payments of dividends Stock repurchase program, authorized amount Stock Repurchase Program, Authorized Amount Treasury stock reissued (shares) Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Treasury Stock Reissued Treasury stock reissued Stock Issued During Period, Value, Treasury Stock Reissued Common stock, par value (in dollars per share) Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share Common stock, shares authorized (in shares) Common Stock, Shares Authorized Common stock, shares issued (in shares) Common Stock, Shares, Issued Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares) Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding Treasury stock, shares (in shares) Treasury Stock, Shares Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] Commitments and Contingencies Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] General Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Text Block] Schedule of Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Table] Schedule of Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Table] Receivables From Franchise Revenue Transactions [Member] Franchise Revenue Transactions [Member] Franchise Revenue Transactions [Member] Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items] Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items] Billed and unbilled receivables Contract with Customer, Asset, Net Billed and unbilled receivables, accumulated allowance for credit loss Contract with Customer, Asset, Accumulated Allowance for Credit Loss Fair Value of non-current financial liabilities Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping [Table Text Block] Stockholders' Equity Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block] Fiscal Period Fiscal Period, Policy [Policy Text Block] Accounting Standards Adopted in the Current Fiscal Year and Not Yet Adopted New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block] Schedule of segment reporting information by segment Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table Text Block] Class of Treasury Stock Class of Treasury Stock [Table Text Block] Segments Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block] Change in Contract with Customer, Liability [Roll Forward] Change in Contract with Customer, Liability [Roll Forward] Change in Contract with Customer, Liability [Roll Forward] Balance at December 31, 2017 Contract with Customer, Liability Recognized as revenue during the three months ended March 31, 2018 Contract with Customer, Liability, Revenue Recognized Fees received and deferred during the three months ended March 31, 2018 Contract with Customer, Liability, Period Increase (Decrease) Contract with Customer, Liability, Period Increase (Decrease) Balance at March 31, 2018 Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Table] Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Table] Adjustments for New Accounting Pronouncements [Axis] Adjustments for New Accounting Pronouncements [Axis] Type of Adoption [Domain] Type of Adoption [Domain] Accounting Standards Update 2014-09 Accounting Standards Update 2014-09 [Member] Scenario [Axis] Scenario [Axis] Scenario, Unspecified [Domain] Scenario, Unspecified [Domain] As Reported Scenario, Previously Reported [Member] Adjustments/Reclassifications Due to ASC 606 adoption Restatement Adjustment [Member] Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items] Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items] Liabilities [Abstract] Liabilities [Abstract] Equity [Abstract] Consolidated Entities [Axis] Consolidated Entities [Axis] Consolidated Entities [Domain] Consolidated Entities [Domain] Applebee's Subsidiaries [Member] Accounting Standards Update 2014-09, Change In Method Of Recognizing Franchise And Development Fees Accounting Standards Update 2014-09, Change In Method Of Recognizing Franchise And Development Fees [Member] Accounting Standards Update 2014-09, Change In Method Of Recognizing Franchise And Development Fees [Member] Income before income tax provision Income tax provision Net income per common share - basic (USD per share) Net income per common share - diluted (USD per share) Equity classified awards expense Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense, Equity Classified Awards Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense, Equity Classified Awards Liability classified awards expense Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense, Liability Classified Awards Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense, Liability Classified Awards Total pre-tax stock-based compensation expense Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense Book income tax benefit Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Tax Benefit from Compensation Expense Total stock-based compensation expense, net of tax Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense, Net of Tax Performance Based Restricted Stock Units Performance Based Restricted Stock Units [Member] Performance Based Restricted Stock Units [Member] Performance Shares Performance Shares [Member] Risk-free interest rate (percent) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Risk Free Interest Rate Weighted average historical volatility (percent) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Weighted Average Volatility Rate Dividend yield (percent) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Dividend Rate Expected years until exercise (years) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Term Weighted average fair value of options granted (USD per share) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Weighted average fair value of restricted stock units granted (USD per share) Schedule of Disaggregation of Revenue Disaggregation of Revenue [Table Text Block] Schedule of Changes in Deferred Revenue Contract with Customer, Asset and Liability [Table Text Block] Accounting Policies New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Text Block] Revenue Disclosures Revenue from Contract with Customer [Text Block] Net Income per Share Earnings Per Share [Text Block] Effect of unvested participating restricted stock in two-class calculation Undistributed Earnings (Loss) Allocated to Participating Securities, Diluted Net income available to common stockholders - diluted Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders, Diluted Weighted average outstanding shares of common stock - basic (in shares) Dilutive effect of stock options (in shares) Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Dilutive Effect of Share-based Payment Arrangements Weighted average outstanding shares of common stock - diluted (in shares) Stock-Based Compensation Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block] Cash-settled Restricted Stock Units Cash-settled Restricted Stock Units [Member] Cash-settled Restricted Stock Units [Member] LTIP Long Term Incentive Plan [Member] Long Term Incentive Plan [Member] Range [Axis] Range [Axis] Range [Domain] Range [Domain] Minimum Minimum [Member] Maximum Maximum [Member] Total compensation cost not yet recognized Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized Total compensation cost not yet recognized, period for recognition (in years) Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition Grants in period (in shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross Award vesting period (in years) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period Shares issued in period (in shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Shares Issued in Period Restricted stock, forfeited (in shares) Cash-settled restricted stock units, outstanding (in shares) Share-based compensation expense Multiplier for target award based on total shareholder return on common stock (percent) Share Based Compensation, Multiplier for Target Award Based on Total Shareholder Return on Common Stock Share Based Compensation, Multiplier for Target Award Based on Total Shareholder Return on Common Stock Loss Contingencies [Table] Loss Contingencies [Table] Loss Contingencies by Nature of Contingency [Axis] Loss Contingency Nature [Axis] Loss Contingency, Nature [Domain] Loss Contingency, Nature [Domain] Property Lease Guarantee Property Lease Guarantee [Member] Loss Contingencies [Line Items] Loss Contingencies [Line Items] Potential liability for guaranteed leases Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted Potential liability for guaranteed leases excluding unexercised option periods Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Excluding Unexercised Option Periods, Undiscounted Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Excluding Unexercised Option Periods, Undiscounted Document and Entity Information [Abstract] Document and Entity Information [Abstract] Entity Registrant Name Entity Registrant Name Entity Central Index Key Entity Central Index Key Current Fiscal Year End Date Current Fiscal Year End Date Entity Filer Category Entity Filer Category Document Type Document Type Document Period End Date Document Period End Date Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Amendment Flag Amendment Flag Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Franchise and Restaurant Revenues Franchise and Restaurant Revenues Franchise and Restaurant Revenues Franchise and Restaurant Expenses Franchise and Restaurant Expenses Franchise and Restaurant Expenses Restrictions on Cash and Cash Equivalents [Table] Restrictions on Cash and Cash Equivalents [Table] Cash and Cash Equivalents [Axis] Cash and Cash Equivalents [Axis] Cash and Cash Equivalents [Domain] Cash and Cash Equivalents [Domain] Held in Trust Deposits Held in Trust Deposits [Member] Held in Trust Deposits [Member] Held for Advertising Activity Deposits Held for Advertising Activity Deposits [Member] Held for Advertising Activity Deposits [Member] Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items] Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items] Current restricted cash Non-current restricted cash