Note 21. Schedule of Quarterly Financial Information (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended																									12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2015		Sep. 30, 2015		Jun. 30, 2015		Mar. 31, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 24, 2014		Jun. 24, 2014		Mar. 25, 2014		Dec. 26, 2013		Sep. 25, 2013		Jun. 25, 2013		Mar. 26, 2013		Dec. 27, 2012		Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 24, 2014	Sep. 25, 2013
Notes to Financial Statements
Total revenues		$ 215,225		$ 218,443		$ 221,956		$ 205,828			$ 193,669	[1]	$ 193,229	[1],[2]	$ 234,574	[1]	$ 172,339	[1]	$ 179,499	[1],[2]	$ 184,602	[1],[2]	$ 225,210	[1]	$ 166,511	[1]
Gross profit	[3]	46,199		46,791		51,208		38,686			37,359		39,724		52,191		38,377		41,541		43,476		50,189		37,613
Costs and expenses		209,366		209,493		213,172		206,144			196,512		190,429		224,753		167,843		177,164		178,137		220,606		159,181
Earnings (loss) before income taxes		(61,477)		9,050		(2,177)		17,173			13,048		13,367		(12,263)		24,864		39,277		169,834		1,420		5,930
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Biglari Holdings Inc.		$ (35,150)	[4]	$ 9,298	[4]	$ 26	[4]	$ 9,983	[4]	$ 91,050	$ 8,522	[4]	$ 9,594	[4]	$ (5,803)	[4]	$ 16,491	[4]	$ 26,825	[4]	$ 106,704	[4]	$ 2,180	[4]	$ 4,562	[4]	$ (15,843)	$ 28,804	$ 140,271
Basic earnings (loss) per common share	[5]	$ (27.88)		$ 7.36		$ 0.01		$ 5.36			$ 4.96		$ 5.67		$ (3.39)		$ 9.62		$ 17.46		$ 69.08		$ 1.41		$ 2.94
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share	[5]	$ (27.88)		$ 7.35		$ 0.01		$ 5.36			$ 4.95		$ 5.66		$ (3.39)		$ 9.60		$ 17.43		$ 68.92		$ 1.40		$ 2.94

[1] Our former fiscal year includes quarters consisting of 12, 16, 12 and 12 weeks, respectively.

[2] We recorded pre-tax gain on contribution to investment partnerships of $29,524 during the third quarter of 2014, $162,869 during the third quarter of 2013 and $19,877 during the fourth quarter of 2013.

[3] We define gross profit as net revenue less restaurant cost of sales, media cost of sales, and insurance losses and underwriting expenses, which excludes depreciation and amortization.

[4] Net earnings attributable to Biglari Holdings Inc. includes investment partnership losses of $39,356 ($18,168 net of tax) in 2015 and investment partnership gains of $14,055 ($12,316 net of tax) in 2014 and $20,068 ($13,296 net of tax) in 2013.

[5] Earnings per share of common stock is based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the year. In fiscal year 2014 and 2013 the Company completed rights offerings in which 344,261 and 286,767 new shares of common stock were issued, respectively. Earnings per share have been retroactively restated to give effect to the rights offerings.