<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<FilingSummary>
  <Version>3.19.2</Version>
  <ProcessingTime/>
  <ReportFormat>html</ReportFormat>
  <ContextCount>210</ContextCount>
  <ElementCount>314</ElementCount>
  <EntityCount>1</EntityCount>
  <FootnotesReported>true</FootnotesReported>
  <SegmentCount>51</SegmentCount>
  <ScenarioCount>0</ScenarioCount>
  <TuplesReported>false</TuplesReported>
  <UnitCount>4</UnitCount>
  <MyReports>
    <Report instance="bh-20190630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R1.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00000001 - Document - Document and Entity Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biglariholdings.com/role/DocumentAndEntityInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Document and Entity Information</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Cover</MenuCategory>
      <Position>1</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bh-20190630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R2.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00000002 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biglariholdings.com/role/ConsolidatedBalanceSheets</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>2</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bh-20190630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R3.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00000003 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS (Unaudited)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biglariholdings.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfEarnings</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS (Unaudited)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>3</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bh-20190630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R4.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00000004 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Unaudited)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biglariholdings.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfComprehensiveIncome</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Unaudited)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>4</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bh-20190630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R5.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00000005 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biglariholdings.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlows</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>5</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bh-20190630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R6.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00000006 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY (Unaudited)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biglariholdings.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfChangesInShareholdersEquity</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY (Unaudited)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>6</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bh-20190630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R7.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00000007 - Disclosure - Note 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biglariholdings.com/role/Note1.SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>7</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bh-20190630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R8.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00000008 - Disclosure - Note 2. New Accounting Standards</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biglariholdings.com/role/Note2.NewAccountingStandards</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 2. New Accounting Standards</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>8</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bh-20190630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R9.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00000009 - Disclosure - Note 3. Earnings Per Share</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biglariholdings.com/role/Note3.EarningsPerShare</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 3. Earnings Per Share</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>9</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bh-20190630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R10.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00000010 - Disclosure - Note 4. Investments</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biglariholdings.com/role/Note4.Investments</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 4. Investments</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>10</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bh-20190630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R11.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00000011 - Disclosure - Note 5. Investment Partnerships</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biglariholdings.com/role/Note5.InvestmentPartnerships</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 5. Investment Partnerships</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>11</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bh-20190630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R12.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00000012 - Disclosure - Note 6. Property and Equipment</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biglariholdings.com/role/Note6.PropertyAndEquipment</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 6. Property and Equipment</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>12</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bh-20190630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R13.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00000013 - Disclosure - Note 7. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biglariholdings.com/role/Note7.GoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssets</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 7. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>13</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bh-20190630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R14.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00000014 - Disclosure - Note 8. Restaurant Operations Revenues</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biglariholdings.com/role/Note8.RestaurantOperationsRevenues</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 8. Restaurant Operations Revenues</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>14</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bh-20190630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R15.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00000015 - Disclosure - Note 9. Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biglariholdings.com/role/Note9.AccountsPayableAndAccruedExpenses</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 9. Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>15</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bh-20190630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R16.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00000016 - Disclosure - Note 10. Notes Payable and Other Borrowings</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biglariholdings.com/role/Note10.NotesPayableAndOtherBorrowings</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 10. Notes Payable and Other Borrowings</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>16</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bh-20190630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R17.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00000017 - Disclosure - Note 11. Leases</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biglariholdings.com/role/Note11.Leases</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 11. Leases</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>17</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bh-20190630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R18.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00000018 - Disclosure - Note 12. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biglariholdings.com/role/Note12.AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncome</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 12. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>18</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bh-20190630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R19.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00000019 - Disclosure - Note 13. Income Taxes</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biglariholdings.com/role/Note13.IncomeTaxes</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 13. Income Taxes</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>19</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bh-20190630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R20.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00000020 - Disclosure - Note 14. Commitments and Contingencies</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biglariholdings.com/role/Note14.CommitmentsAndContingencies</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 14. Commitments and Contingencies</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>20</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bh-20190630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R21.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00000021 - Disclosure - Note 15. Fair Value of Financial Assets</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biglariholdings.com/role/Note15.FairValueOfFinancialAssets</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 15. Fair Value of Financial Assets</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>21</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bh-20190630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R22.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00000022 - Disclosure - Note 16. Related Party Transactions</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biglariholdings.com/role/Note16.RelatedPartyTransactions</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 16. Related Party Transactions</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>22</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bh-20190630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R23.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00000023 - Disclosure - Note 17. Business Segment Reporting</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biglariholdings.com/role/Note17.BusinessSegmentReporting</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 17. Business Segment Reporting</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>23</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bh-20190630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R24.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00000024 - Disclosure - Note 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biglariholdings.com/role/Note1.SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Policies</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://biglariholdings.com/role/Note1.SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPolicies</ParentRole>
      <Position>24</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bh-20190630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R25.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00000025 - Disclosure - Note 3. Earnings Per Share (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biglariholdings.com/role/Note3.EarningsPerShareTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 3. Earnings Per Share (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://biglariholdings.com/role/Note3.EarningsPerShare</ParentRole>
      <Position>25</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bh-20190630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R26.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00000026 - Disclosure - Note 5. Investment Partnerships (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biglariholdings.com/role/Note5.InvestmentPartnershipsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 5. Investment Partnerships (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://biglariholdings.com/role/Note5.InvestmentPartnerships</ParentRole>
      <Position>26</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bh-20190630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R27.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00000027 - Disclosure - Note 6. Property and Equipment (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biglariholdings.com/role/Note6.PropertyAndEquipmentTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 6. Property and Equipment (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://biglariholdings.com/role/Note6.PropertyAndEquipment</ParentRole>
      <Position>27</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bh-20190630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R28.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00000028 - Disclosure - Note 7. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biglariholdings.com/role/Note7.GoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 7. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://biglariholdings.com/role/Note7.GoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssets</ParentRole>
      <Position>28</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bh-20190630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R29.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00000029 - Disclosure - Note 8. Restaurant Operations Revenues (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biglariholdings.com/role/Note8.RestaurantOperationsRevenuesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 8. Restaurant Operations Revenues (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://biglariholdings.com/role/Note8.RestaurantOperationsRevenues</ParentRole>
      <Position>29</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bh-20190630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R30.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00000030 - Disclosure - Note 9. Accounts Payable And Accrued Expenses (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biglariholdings.com/role/Note9.AccountsPayableAndAccruedExpensesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 9. Accounts Payable And Accrued Expenses (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <Position>30</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bh-20190630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R31.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00000031 - Disclosure - Note 10. Notes Payable and Other Borrowings (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biglariholdings.com/role/Note10.NotesPayableAndOtherBorrowingsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 10. Notes Payable and Other Borrowings (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://biglariholdings.com/role/Note10.NotesPayableAndOtherBorrowings</ParentRole>
      <Position>31</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bh-20190630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R32.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00000032 - Disclosure - Note 11. Leases (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biglariholdings.com/role/Note11.LeasesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 11. Leases (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://biglariholdings.com/role/Note11.Leases</ParentRole>
      <Position>32</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bh-20190630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R33.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00000033 - Disclosure - Note 12. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biglariholdings.com/role/Note12.AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 12. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://biglariholdings.com/role/Note12.AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncome</ParentRole>
      <Position>33</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bh-20190630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R34.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00000034 - Disclosure - Note 15. Fair Value of Financial Assets (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biglariholdings.com/role/Note15.FairValueOfFinancialAssetsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 15. Fair Value of Financial Assets (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://biglariholdings.com/role/Note15.FairValueOfFinancialAssets</ParentRole>
      <Position>34</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bh-20190630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R35.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00000035 - Disclosure - Note 17. Business Segment Reporting (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biglariholdings.com/role/Note17.BusinessSegmentReportingTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 17. Business Segment Reporting (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://biglariholdings.com/role/Note17.BusinessSegmentReporting</ParentRole>
      <Position>35</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bh-20190630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R36.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00000036 - Disclosure - Note 3. Earnings Per Share (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biglariholdings.com/role/Note3.EarningsPerShareDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 3. Earnings Per Share (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://biglariholdings.com/role/Note3.EarningsPerShareTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>36</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bh-20190630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R37.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00000037 - Disclosure - Note 3. Earnings Per Share (Details Narrative)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biglariholdings.com/role/Note3.EarningsPerShareDetailsNarrative</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 3. Earnings Per Share (Details Narrative)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://biglariholdings.com/role/Note3.EarningsPerShareTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>37</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bh-20190630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R38.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00000038 - Disclosure - Note 4. Investments (Details Narrative)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biglariholdings.com/role/Note4.InvestmentsDetailsNarrative</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 4. Investments (Details Narrative)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://biglariholdings.com/role/Note4.Investments</ParentRole>
      <Position>38</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bh-20190630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R39.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00000039 - Disclosure - Note 5. Investment Partnerships (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biglariholdings.com/role/Note5.InvestmentPartnershipsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 5. Investment Partnerships (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://biglariholdings.com/role/Note5.InvestmentPartnershipsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>39</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bh-20190630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R40.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00000040 - Disclosure - Note 5. Investment Partnerships (Details 1)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biglariholdings.com/role/Note5.InvestmentPartnershipsDetails1</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 5. Investment Partnerships (Details 1)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://biglariholdings.com/role/Note5.InvestmentPartnershipsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>40</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bh-20190630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R41.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00000041 - Disclosure - Note 5. Investment Partnerships (Details 2)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biglariholdings.com/role/Note5.InvestmentPartnershipsDetails2</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 5. Investment Partnerships (Details 2)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://biglariholdings.com/role/Note5.InvestmentPartnershipsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>41</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bh-20190630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R42.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00000042 - Disclosure - Note 5. Investment Partnerships (Details 3)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biglariholdings.com/role/Note5.InvestmentPartnershipsDetails3</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 5. Investment Partnerships (Details 3)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://biglariholdings.com/role/Note5.InvestmentPartnershipsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>42</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bh-20190630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R43.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00000043 - Disclosure - Note 5. Investment Partnerships (Details 4)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biglariholdings.com/role/Note5.InvestmentPartnershipsDetails4</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 5. Investment Partnerships (Details 4)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://biglariholdings.com/role/Note5.InvestmentPartnershipsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>43</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bh-20190630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R44.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00000044 - Disclosure - Note 5. Investment Partnerships (Details Narrative)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biglariholdings.com/role/Note5.InvestmentPartnershipsDetailsNarrative</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 5. Investment Partnerships (Details Narrative)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://biglariholdings.com/role/Note5.InvestmentPartnershipsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>44</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bh-20190630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R45.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00000045 - Disclosure - Note 6. Property and Equipment (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biglariholdings.com/role/Note6.PropertyAndEquipmentDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 6. Property and Equipment (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://biglariholdings.com/role/Note6.PropertyAndEquipmentTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>45</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bh-20190630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R46.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00000046 - Disclosure - Note 7. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biglariholdings.com/role/Note7.GoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 7. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://biglariholdings.com/role/Note7.GoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>46</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bh-20190630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R47.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00000047 - Disclosure - Note 7. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details 1)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biglariholdings.com/role/Note7.GoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsDetails1</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 7. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details 1)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://biglariholdings.com/role/Note7.GoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>47</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bh-20190630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R48.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00000048 - Disclosure - Note 7. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details Narrative)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biglariholdings.com/role/Note7.GoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsDetailsNarrative</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 7. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details Narrative)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://biglariholdings.com/role/Note7.GoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>48</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bh-20190630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R49.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00000049 - Disclosure - Note 8. Restaurant Operations Revenues (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biglariholdings.com/role/Note8.RestaurantOperationsRevenuesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 8. Restaurant Operations Revenues (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://biglariholdings.com/role/Note8.RestaurantOperationsRevenuesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>49</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bh-20190630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R50.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00000050 - Disclosure - Note 9. Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biglariholdings.com/role/Note9.AccountsPayableAndAccruedExpensesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 9. Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://biglariholdings.com/role/Note9.AccountsPayableAndAccruedExpenses</ParentRole>
      <Position>50</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bh-20190630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R51.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00000051 - Disclosure - Note 10. Notes Payable and Other Borrowings (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biglariholdings.com/role/Note10.NotesPayableAndOtherBorrowingsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 10. Notes Payable and Other Borrowings (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://biglariholdings.com/role/Note10.NotesPayableAndOtherBorrowingsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>51</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bh-20190630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R52.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00000052 - Disclosure - Note 10. Notes Payable and Other Borrowings (Details Narrative)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biglariholdings.com/role/Note10.NotesPayableAndOtherBorrowingsDetailsNarrative</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 10. Notes Payable and Other Borrowings (Details Narrative)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://biglariholdings.com/role/Note10.NotesPayableAndOtherBorrowingsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>52</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bh-20190630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R53.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00000053 - Disclosure - Note 11. Leases (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biglariholdings.com/role/Note11.LeasesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 11. Leases (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://biglariholdings.com/role/Note11.LeasesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>53</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bh-20190630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R54.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00000054 - Disclosure - Note 11. Leases (Details 1)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biglariholdings.com/role/Note11.LeasesDetails1</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 11. Leases (Details 1)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://biglariholdings.com/role/Note11.LeasesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>54</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bh-20190630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R55.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00000055 - Disclosure - Note 11. Leases (Details 2)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biglariholdings.com/role/Note11.LeasesDetails2</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 11. Leases (Details 2)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://biglariholdings.com/role/Note11.LeasesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>55</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bh-20190630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R56.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00000056 - Disclosure - Note 11. Leases (Details 3)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biglariholdings.com/role/Note11.LeasesDetails3</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 11. Leases (Details 3)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://biglariholdings.com/role/Note11.LeasesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>56</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bh-20190630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R57.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00000057 - Disclosure - Note 11. Leases (Details 4)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biglariholdings.com/role/Note11.LeasesDetails4</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 11. Leases (Details 4)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://biglariholdings.com/role/Note11.LeasesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>57</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bh-20190630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R58.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00000058 - Disclosure - Note 11. Leases (Details 5)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biglariholdings.com/role/Note11.LeasesDetails5</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 11. Leases (Details 5)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://biglariholdings.com/role/Note11.LeasesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>58</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bh-20190630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R59.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00000059 - Disclosure - Note 12. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biglariholdings.com/role/Note12.AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 12. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://biglariholdings.com/role/Note12.AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>59</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bh-20190630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R60.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00000060 - Disclosure - Note 13. Income Taxes (Details Narrative)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biglariholdings.com/role/Note13.IncomeTaxesDetailsNarrative</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 13. Income Taxes (Details Narrative)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://biglariholdings.com/role/Note13.IncomeTaxes</ParentRole>
      <Position>60</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bh-20190630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R61.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00000061 - Disclosure - Note 15. Fair Value of Financial Assets (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biglariholdings.com/role/Note15.FairValueOfFinancialAssetsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 15. Fair Value of Financial Assets (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://biglariholdings.com/role/Note15.FairValueOfFinancialAssetsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>61</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bh-20190630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R62.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00000062 - Disclosure - Note 17. Business Segment Reporting (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biglariholdings.com/role/Note17.BusinessSegmentReportingDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 17. Business Segment Reporting (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://biglariholdings.com/role/Note17.BusinessSegmentReportingTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>62</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bh-20190630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R63.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00000063 - Disclosure - Note 17. Business Segment Reporting (Details 1)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biglariholdings.com/role/Note17.BusinessSegmentReportingDetails1</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 17. Business Segment Reporting (Details 1)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://biglariholdings.com/role/Note17.BusinessSegmentReportingTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>63</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <LongName>All Reports</LongName>
      <ReportType>Book</ReportType>
      <ShortName>All Reports</ShortName>
    </Report>
  </MyReports>
  <InputFiles>
    <File>bh-20190630.xml</File>
    <File>bh-20190630.xsd</File>
    <File>bh-20190630_cal.xml</File>
    <File>bh-20190630_def.xml</File>
    <File>bh-20190630_lab.xml</File>
    <File>bh-20190630_pre.xml</File>
  </InputFiles>
  <SupplementalFiles/>
  <BaseTaxonomies>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://fasb.org/us-gaap/2019-01-31</BaseTaxonomy>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2018-01-31</BaseTaxonomy>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://fasb.org/srt/2019-01-31</BaseTaxonomy>
  </BaseTaxonomies>
  <HasPresentationLinkbase>true</HasPresentationLinkbase>
  <HasCalculationLinkbase>true</HasCalculationLinkbase>
</FilingSummary>
