Revenue Disclosures - Disaggregation of Franchise Revenue by Major Type (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Franchisor [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contract with customer, excluding assessed tax	$ 643,934	$ 594,418	$ 637,971
Royalties
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contract with customer, excluding assessed tax	311,568	297,817	315,848
Advertising fees
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contract with customer, excluding assessed tax	268,294	234,165	260,116
Pancake and waffle dry mix sales and other
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contract with customer, excluding assessed tax	52,108	50,538	52,117
Franchise and development fees
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contract with customer, excluding assessed tax	$ 11,964	$ 11,898	$ 9,890