Goodwill Carrying Amount of Goodwill (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	$ 339,236	$ 697,470	$ 697,500
Franchised
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, gross	697,500	697,500	697,500
Accumulated impairment loss	(358,200)	0	0
Goodwill		697,500	697,500
Applebee's
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	328,500
Applebee's | Franchised
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, gross	686,700	686,700	686,700
Accumulated impairment loss	(358,200)	0	0
Goodwill		686,700	686,700
IHOP
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	10,800
IHOP | Franchised
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, gross	10,800	10,800	10,800
Accumulated impairment loss	$ 0	0	0
Goodwill		$ 10,800	$ 10,800