Earnings per share - Schedule of Basic and Diluted Loss Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 26, 2022	Mar. 27, 2021
Basic earnings per share:
Net income (loss) attributable to Driven Brands Holdings Inc.	$ 34,443	$ (19,939)
Less: Net income attributable to participating securities, basic	735	0
Net income after participating securities, basic	$ 33,708	$ (19,939)
Weighted-average common shares outstanding (in shares)	162,762	154,827
Basic earnings (loss) per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.21	$ (0.13)
Diluted earnings per share:
Less: Net income attributable to participating securities, diluted	$ 657	$ 0
Net income after participating securities, diluted	$ 33,786	$ (19,939)
Dilutive effect of share-based awards	3,986	0
Weighted-average common shares outstanding, as adjusted (in shares)	166,748	154,827
Diluted earnings (loss) per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.20	$ (0.13)