Note 5. Summarized financial information for Equity in Investment Partnerships (Details 4) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Lion Fund
Current and Total Assets	$ 165,996	$ 187,078	$ 154,561	$ 126,121
Current and Total Liabilities	409	8,658	58	83
Revenue for the period	(24,101)	24,082	(12,860)	9,200
Earnings for the period	$ (24,247)	$ 24,037	$ (12,950)	$ 9,170
Biglari Holding's Ownership Interest	60.90%	61.60%	61.60%	52.10%
Lion Fund II
Current and Total Assets	$ 819,323	$ 719,344	$ 548,923	$ 408,883
Current and Total Liabilities	141,274	44	25	11
Revenue for the period	(100,357)	182,923	19,832	25,109
Earnings for the period	$ (103,096)	$ 182,902	$ 19,789	$ 25,098
Biglari Holding's Ownership Interest	93.50%	92.70%	95.80%	96.30%