Note 5. Investment Partnerships (Details 3) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016
Lion Fund
Total Assets	$ 203,202		$ 221,676
Total Liabilities	202		2,694
Revenue for the first quarter	(15,696)	$ (1,738)
Earnings (loss) for the first quarter	$ (15,716)	$ (1,771)
Biglari Holdings' Ownership Interest	63.60%	63.40%
Lion Fund II
Total Assets	$ 1,041,405		1,109,465
Total Liabilities	199,443		$ 201,460
Revenue for the first quarter	(52,652)	$ 130,525
Earnings (loss) for the first quarter	$ (53,514)	$ 129,285
Biglari Holdings' Ownership Interest	92.50%	93.50%