Adoption of new revenue recognition guidance - Consolidated Balance Sheets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 26, 2015	Dec. 27, 2014
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 1,018,317	$ 361,425
Restricted cash	94,047	69,746
Accounts receivable, net	51,442	44,512
Notes and other receivables, net	51,082	40,672
Restricted assets of advertising funds	47,373	40,338
Prepaid income taxes	21,879	20,926
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	32,695	28,739
Total current assets	1,316,835	606,358
Property and equipment, net	169,005	176,662
Equity method investments	140,615	114,738
Goodwill	888,308	888,272	$ 889,588
Other intangible assets, net	1,357,157	1,378,720
Other assets	65,464	62,632
Total assets	3,937,384	3,227,382
Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term debt	31,500	25,000
Capital lease obligations	596	589
Accounts payable	16,307	12,682
Liabilities of advertising funds	58,014	52,271
Deferred income	39,395	35,393
Other current liabilities	326,078	298,266
Total current liabilities	471,890	424,201
Long-term debt, net	3,035,857	2,401,998
Capital lease obligations	7,180	7,550
Unfavorable operating leases acquired	9,780	11,378
Deferred income	11,158	12,154
Deferred income taxes, net	315,249	461,810
Other long-term liabilities	77,823	71,549
Total long-term liabilities	3,457,047	2,966,439
Stockholders’ equity (deficit):
Preferred stock	0	0
Common stock	90	91
Additional paid-in capital	724,114	807,492
Treasury stock, at cost	(1,060)	(1,060)
Accumulated deficit	(705,007)	(945,797)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(9,690)	(23,984)
Total stockholders’ equity (deficit)	8,447	(163,258)	$ (220,743)	$ 367,959
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity (deficit)	3,937,384	3,227,382
Restatement Adjustment, Franchise Fees
Current liabilities:
Deferred income	1,502	2,699
Total current liabilities	1,502	2,699
Deferred income	328,183	269,394
Deferred income taxes, net	(91,488)	(110,144)
Total long-term liabilities	236,695	159,250
Stockholders’ equity (deficit):
Accumulated deficit	(238,197)	(161,949)
Total stockholders’ equity (deficit)	(238,197)	(161,949)
Restatement Adjustment, Advertising
Current assets:
Accounts receivable, net	18,075	17,741
Notes and other receivables, net	1,250	592
Restricted assets of advertising funds	(47,373)	(40,338)
Prepaid income taxes	48	36
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	15,498	12,823
Total current assets	(12,502)	(9,146)
Property and equipment, net	12,537	9,153
Other assets	14	30
Total assets	49	37
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	37,110	34,806
Liabilities of advertising funds	(58,014)	(52,271)
Deferred income	(550)	(591)
Other current liabilities	29,032	26,293
Total current liabilities	7,578	8,237
Deferred income	(7,518)	(8,186)
Other long-term liabilities	30	45
Total long-term liabilities	(7,488)	(8,141)
Stockholders’ equity (deficit):
Accumulated deficit	(196)	(170)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	155	111
Total stockholders’ equity (deficit)	(41)	(59)
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity (deficit)	49	37
Restatement Adjustment, Other Revenue Transactions
Current liabilities:
Deferred income	4,529	4,812
Total current liabilities	4,529	4,812
Deferred income	29,635	31,010
Deferred income taxes, net	(9,416)	(14,500)
Total long-term liabilities	20,219	16,510
Stockholders’ equity (deficit):
Accumulated deficit	(24,748)	(21,322)
Total stockholders’ equity (deficit)	(24,748)	(21,322)
Restated
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	1,018,317	361,425
Restricted cash	94,047	69,746
Accounts receivable, net	69,517	62,253
Notes and other receivables, net	52,332	41,264
Restricted assets of advertising funds	0	0
Prepaid income taxes	21,927	20,962
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	48,193	41,562
Total current assets	1,304,333	597,212
Property and equipment, net	181,542	185,815
Equity method investments	140,615	114,738
Goodwill	888,308	888,272
Other intangible assets, net	1,357,157	1,378,720
Other assets	65,478	62,662
Total assets	3,937,433	3,227,419
Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term debt	31,500	25,000
Capital lease obligations	596	589
Accounts payable	53,417	47,488
Liabilities of advertising funds	0	0
Deferred income	44,876	42,313
Other current liabilities	355,110	324,559
Total current liabilities	485,499	439,949
Long-term debt, net	3,035,857	2,401,998
Capital lease obligations	7,180	7,550
Unfavorable operating leases acquired	9,780	11,378
Deferred income	361,458	304,372
Deferred income taxes, net	214,345	337,166
Other long-term liabilities	77,853	71,594
Total long-term liabilities	3,706,473	3,134,058
Stockholders’ equity (deficit):
Preferred stock	0	0
Common stock	90	91
Additional paid-in capital	724,114	807,492
Treasury stock, at cost	(1,060)	(1,060)
Accumulated deficit	(968,148)	(1,129,238)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(9,535)	(23,873)
Total stockholders’ equity (deficit)	(254,539)	(346,588)
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity (deficit)	$ 3,937,433	$ 3,227,419