CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 24, 2014	Sep. 25, 2013
Earnings attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest:
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Biglari Holdings Inc.	$ 91,050		$ (15,843)	$ 28,804	$ 140,271
Consolidated
Revenues:
Restaurant operations	215,648	$ 204,442	819,738	778,155	751,919
Insurance premiums and other	3,574	0	17,232	5,715	0
Media advertising and other	5,228	0	24,482	9,941	0
Other	0	0	0	0	3,903
Total	224,450	204,442	861,452	793,811	755,822
Costs and expenses
Restaurant cost of sales	168,107	157,673	629,287	602,507	583,003
Insurance losses and underwriting expenses	2,668	0	13,362	4,254	0
Media cost of sales	9,261	0	35,614	19,399	0
Selling general and administrative	30,847	31,630	135,132	128,472	126,835
Depreciation and amortization	6,828	6,566	24,780	24,905	25,250
Total costs and expenses, net	217,711	195,869	838,175	779,537	735,088
Other income (expenses)
Interest and dividends	8	586	9	1,182	8,265
Interest expense	(3,272)	(1,641)	(11,939)	(10,299)	(6,551)
Interest on obligations under leases	(2,577)	(2,612)	(9,422)	(9,720)	(9,829)
Gain on sale of Biglari Capital Corp	0	0	0	0	1,597
Investment gains (including contributions)	0	0	0	29,524	182,177
Investment partnership (losses) gains	144,702	23,493	(39,356)	14,055	20,068
Total other income (expenses)	138,861	19,826	(60,708)	24,742	195,727
Earnings (loss) before income taxes	145,600	28,399	(37,431)	39,016	216,461
Income tax (benefit) expense	54,550	9,450	(21,588)	10,212	74,289
Net earnings (loss)	91,050	18,949	(15,843)	28,804	142,172
Less: Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest	0	0	0	0	(1,901)
Earnings attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest:
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Biglari Holdings Inc.	$ 91,050	$ 18,949	$ (15,843)	$ 28,804	$ 140,271
Earnings (loss) per share
Basic earnings (loss) per common share	$ 48.49	$ 11.05	$ (10.18)	$ 16.85	$ 90.89
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share	$ 48.45	$ 11.03	$ (10.18)	$ 16.82	$ 90.69
Weighted average shares and equivalents
Basic	1,877,723	1,714,727	1,556,039	1,709,621	1,543,370
Diluted	1,879,414	1,718,261	1,556,039	1,712,775	1,546,665