Goodwill and Intangible Assets Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, net	$ 339,236	$ 697,470
Franchised Units
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill		697,500
Accumulated impairment losses	(358,200)	0
Goodwill, net	339,200	697,500
Applebee's | Franchised Units
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill		686,700
Accumulated impairment losses	(358,200)	0
Goodwill, net	328,500	686,700
IHOP | Franchised Units
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill		10,800
Accumulated impairment losses	0	0
Goodwill, net	$ 10,800	$ 10,800