Revenue Disclosures - Disaggregation of Franchise Revenue by Major Type (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total franchise revenue	$ 155,313	$ 154,725
Royalties
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total franchise revenue	75,097	77,772
Advertising
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total franchise revenue	63,836	61,701
Pancake and waffle dry mix sales and other
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total franchise revenue	13,097	12,434
Franchise and development fees
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total franchise revenue	$ 3,283	$ 2,818