Goodwill and Intangible Assets Changes in the carrying amount of intangible assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Roll Forward]
Impairment			$ (173,400)
Finite-lived Intangible Assets [Roll Forward]
Amortization of intangible assets	$ (2,507)	$ (2,500)	(7,507)	$ (7,480)
Intangible assets balance, beginning			763,431
Additions, total			2,700
Intangible assets balance, end	585,160		585,160
Leaseholds and Leasehold Improvements
Finite-lived Intangible Assets [Roll Forward]
Finite-lived intangible assets, balance, beginning			0
Impairment			0
Amortization of intangible assets			0
Additions			2,300
Finite-lived intangible assets, balance, end	2,300		2,300
Other Intangible Assets
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Roll Forward]
Indefinite-lived intangible assets balance, beginning			2,000
Impairment			0
Additions			400
Indefinite-lived intangible assets balance, end	2,400		2,400
Applebee's | Franchise Rights
Finite-lived Intangible Assets [Roll Forward]
Finite-lived intangible assets, balance, beginning			109,000
Impairment			0
Amortization of intangible assets			(7,500)
Additions			0
Finite-lived intangible assets, balance, end	101,500		101,500
Applebee's | Trade Names
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Roll Forward]
Indefinite-lived intangible assets balance, beginning			652,400
Impairment			(173,400)
Additions			0
Indefinite-lived intangible assets balance, end	$ 479,000		$ 479,000