Goodwill Carrying Amount of Goodwill (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning balance		$ 345,314	$ 339,200	$ 697,400
Impairment	$ (358,200)			(358,200)
Business acquisition			6,100
Purchase price adjustment related to business acquisition		(1,500)
Goodwill, ending balance		343,862	345,314	339,200
Applebee's
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Impairment		(358,200)
Applebee's | Franchised
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning balance		328,400	328,400	686,600
Impairment				(358,200)
Business acquisition			0
Purchase price adjustment related to business acquisition		0
Goodwill, ending balance		328,400	328,400	328,400
Applebee's | Entity Operated Units
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning balance		6,100	0	0
Impairment				0
Business acquisition			6,100
Purchase price adjustment related to business acquisition		(1,500)
Goodwill, ending balance		4,600	6,100	0
IHOP | Franchised
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning balance		10,800	10,800	10,800
Impairment				0
Business acquisition			0
Purchase price adjustment related to business acquisition		0
Goodwill, ending balance		$ 10,800	$ 10,800	$ 10,800