Note 20. Schedule of consolidated capital expenditure, depreciation and amortization (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 24, 2014	Sep. 25, 2013
Operating Businesses
Capital Expenditures	$ 8,807	$ 5,283	$ 11,081	$ 33,663	$ 12,636
Depreciation and Amortization	6,758	6,468	24,480	24,592	24,923
Restaurant Operations - SteakNShake
Capital Expenditures	8,733	4,997	8,434	25,398	6,337
Depreciation and Amortization	6,289	6,274	23,045	23,402	24,230
Restaurant Operations - Western
Capital Expenditures	0	11	43	1,113	64
Depreciation and Amortization	172	160	691	662	693
Restaurant
Capital Expenditures	8,733	5,008	8,477	26,511	6,401
Depreciation and Amortization	6,461	6,434	23,736	24,064	24,923
First Guard
Capital Expenditures	10	0	102	0	0
Depreciation and Amortization	30	0	36	38	0
Maxim
Capital Expenditures	57	0	16	312	0
Depreciation and Amortization	151	0	296	211	0
Other
Capital Expenditures	7	275	2,486	6,840	6,235
Depreciation and Amortization	116	34	412	279	0
Consolidated
Capital Expenditures	8,816	5,283	11,083	35,812	14,167
Depreciation and Amortization	6,828	6,566	24,780	24,905	25,250
Corporate
Capital Expenditures	9	0	2	2,149	1,531
Depreciation and Amortization	$ 70	$ 98	$ 300	$ 313	$ 327