Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2017	Aug. 31, 2016	Aug. 31, 2015
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 63,663	$ 64,067	$ 64,485
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	39,248	44,418	45,892
Stock-based compensation expense	3,942	3,766	3,520
Loss from early extinguishment of debt	0	8,750	0
Gain on disposition of assets	(14,994)	(4,691)	(945)
Other	(1,204)	4,961	10,311
(Increase) decrease in operating assets:
Restricted cash	886	(2,829)	(61)
Accounts receivable and other assets	1,918	2,109	2,885
Increase (decrease) in operating liabilities:
Accounts payable	(4,404)	380	(1,288)
Accrued and other liabilities	(10,884)	4,520	10,296
Income taxes	(3,299)	(9,242)	1,267
Total adjustments	11,209	52,142	71,877
Net cash provided by operating activities	74,872	116,209	136,362
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment	(46,528)	(46,553)	(42,153)
Proceeds from sale of assets	91,741	16,206	13,701
Proceeds from the sale of investments in refranchised drive-in operations	8,357	0	0
Other	6,918	(3,713)	3,132
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	60,488	(34,060)	(25,320)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Payments on debt	(24,416)	(422,090)	(90,290)
Proceeds from borrowings	83,000	563,000	91,000
Restricted cash for securitization obligations	(46,730)	6,587	151
Purchases of treasury stock	(171,562)	(150,444)	(120,463)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	2,682	3,842	18,732
Payment of dividends	(24,062)	(21,309)	(18,808)
Debt issuance and extinguishment costs	(10)	(18,420)	(12)
Other	(4,014)	1,586	145
Net cash used in financing activities	(185,112)	(37,248)	(119,545)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(49,752)	44,901	(8,503)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	72,092	27,191	35,694
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	22,340	72,092	27,191
Cash paid during the year for:
Interest	27,082	24,883	23,330
Income taxes (net of refunds)	37,642	27,821	11,360
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Change in obligation to acquire treasury stock	1,350	(2,099)	3,323
Stock options exercised by stock swap	451	6,396	3,385
Accrued PP&E at period end	$ 1,577	$ 3,471	$ 3,346