Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income	$ 97,992	$ 104,923	$ 36,453
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash flows provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	30,606	32,840	34,745
Non-cash interest expense	3,218	3,074	5,770
Loss on extinguishment of debt	0	0	64,859
Closure and impairment charges	2,621	2,576	3,687
Deferred income taxes	(14,434)	(13,987)	(24,387)
Non-cash stock-based compensation expense	10,926	8,892	9,319
Tax benefit from stock-based compensation	1,132	4,862	4,316
Excess tax benefit from stock options exercised	(1,019)	(4,794)	(5,028)
Loss (gain) on disposition of assets	809	(901)	329
Other	(1,302)	(6,323)	(3,344)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable, net	3,178	(5,239)	(7,326)
Current income tax receivables and payables	(909)	2,073	(11,717)
Gift card receivables and payables	(4,288)	21,735	3,555
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(156)	(1,995)	273
Accounts payable	89	4,546	2,778
Accrued employee compensation and benefits	(10,476)	(594)	767
Accrued interest payable	51	(9,869)	551
Other current liabilities	72	(6,310)	2,924
Cash flows provided by operating activities	118,110	135,509	118,524
Cash flows from investing activities
Principal receipts from notes, equipment contracts and other long-term receivables	18,689	21,328	15,284
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	0	10,782	681
Additions to property and equipment	(5,637)	(6,642)	(5,937)
Other	(503)	(267)	540
Cash flows provided by investing activities	12,549	25,201	10,568
Cash flows from financing activities
Dividends paid on common stock	(67,429)	(66,164)	(42,733)
Repurchase of DineEquity common stock	(55,343)	(70,014)	(32,006)
Principal payments on capital lease and financing obligations	(13,978)	(14,226)	(11,825)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	0	0	1,300,000
Repayment of long-term debt (including premiums)	0	0	(1,264,086)
Change in restricted cash	2,272	19,733	(66,298)
Payment of debt issuance and debt modification costs	0	(89)	(24,192)
Proceeds from stock options exercised	1,409	9,536	8,207
Tax payments for restricted stock upon vesting	(2,859)	(3,499)	(3,194)
Excess tax benefit from stock options exercised	1,019	4,794	5,028
Cash flows used in financing activities	(134,909)	(119,929)	(131,099)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	(4,250)	40,781	(2,007)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	144,785	104,004	106,011
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	140,535	144,785	104,004
Supplemental disclosures
Interest paid	69,051	81,809	104,164
Income taxes paid	$ 69,812	$ 70,694	$ 47,226