Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Revenues:
Franchise and restaurant revenues	$ 518,579	$ 502,586	$ 712,580
Rental revenues	122,932	124,769	122,859
Financing revenues	13,477	13,112	14,489
Total segment revenues	654,988	640,467	849,928
Segment Expenses:
Franchise and restaurant expenses	184,411	173,232	359,196
Rental expenses	94,637	97,298	97,165
Financing expenses	825	245	1,623
Total segment expenses	279,873	270,775	457,984
Gross segment profit	375,115	369,692	391,944
General and administrative expenses	145,910	143,586	163,215
Interest expense	96,637	100,264	114,338
Amortization of intangible assets	12,063	12,282	12,293
Closure and impairment charges	3,721	1,812	4,218
Loss on extinguishment of debt	64,859	58	5,554
Debt modification costs	0	1,296	0
Loss (gain) on disposition of assets	329	(223)	(102,597)
Income before income taxes	51,596	110,617	194,923
Income tax provision	(15,143)	(38,580)	(67,249)
Net income	36,453	72,037	127,674
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Adjustment to unrealized loss on available-for-sale investments	107	0	140
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(16)	(12)	2
Total comprehensive income	36,544	72,025	127,816
Net income available to common stockholders:
Net income	36,453	72,037	127,674
Less: Net income allocated to unvested participating restricted stock	(521)	(1,200)	(2,718)
Less: Accretion of Series B preferred stock	0	0	(2,498)
Net income available to common stockholders	$ 35,932	$ 70,837	$ 122,458
Net income available to common stockholders per share:
Basic (USD per share)	$ 1.92	$ 3.75	$ 6.81
Diluted (USD per share)	$ 1.90	$ 3.70	$ 6.63
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic (shares)	18,753	18,871	17,992
Diluted (shares)	18,956	19,141	18,877
Dividends declared per common share (USD per share)	$ 3.125	$ 3	$ 0
Dividends paid per common share (USD per share)	$ 2.25	$ 3	$ 0