Segments (Schedule of Segment Reporting Information by Segment) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenues	$ 30,127	$ 30,263	$ 91,292	$ 90,852
Total revenues	194,099	174,903	566,733	555,017
Interest expense	17,700	18,000	53,100	54,700
Depreciation and amortization	7,900	7,600	23,730	23,053
Segment profit	31,247	(506,291)	78,554	(439,382)
Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment profit	92,600	82,100	254,700	269,400
Operating Segments | Franchise operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Depreciation and amortization	2,600	2,700	8,000	8,100
Segment profit	83,700	72,500	226,200	240,600
Operating Segments | Rental operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenues	30,100	30,300	91,300	90,900
Interest expense	2,300	2,600	7,000	8,000
Depreciation and amortization	2,900	3,000	8,700	9,100
Segment profit	7,100	7,900	22,900	23,200
Operating Segments | Company restaurants
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Interest expense	0	0	0	200
Depreciation and amortization	0	0	0	100
Segment profit	0	0	0	(300)
Operating Segments | Financing operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment profit	1,700	1,600	5,700	5,800
Corporate
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Interest expense	15,400	15,400	46,100	46,500
Depreciation and amortization	2,400	1,900	7,000	5,800
Segment profit	(61,400)	(588,400)	(176,100)	(708,800)
Franchisor [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from contract with customer, excluding assessed Tax	162,078	142,579	469,332	450,367
Franchisor [Member] | Operating Segments | Franchise operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from contract with customer, excluding assessed Tax	162,100	142,600	469,300	450,400
Food and Beverage [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from contract with customer, excluding assessed Tax	0	0	0	7,518
Food and Beverage [Member] | Operating Segments | Company restaurants
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from contract with customer, excluding assessed Tax	0	0	0	7,500
Financial Service [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from contract with customer, excluding assessed Tax	1,894	2,061	6,109	6,280
Financial Service [Member] | Operating Segments | Financing operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from contract with customer, excluding assessed Tax	$ 1,900	$ 2,100	$ 6,100	$ 6,300