Revenue Recognition - Change in contract liabilities (Details) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Contract liabilities expected to be recognized in	$ 486
Change In Contract With Customer Liability [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	455
Revenue recognized that was included in the contract liability balance at the beginning of the year	(49)
Increase, excluding amounts recognized as revenue during the period	95
Impact of foreign currency translation	(15)
Ending balance	486
Tim Hortons
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Contract liabilities expected to be recognized in	62
Change In Contract With Customer Liability [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	47
Revenue recognized that was included in the contract liability balance at the beginning of the year	(6)
Increase, excluding amounts recognized as revenue during the period	24
Impact of foreign currency translation	(3)
Ending balance	62
Burger King
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Contract liabilities expected to be recognized in	405
Change In Contract With Customer Liability [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	402
Revenue recognized that was included in the contract liability balance at the beginning of the year	(43)
Increase, excluding amounts recognized as revenue during the period	58
Impact of foreign currency translation	(12)
Ending balance	405
Popeyes
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Contract liabilities expected to be recognized in	19
Change In Contract With Customer Liability [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	6
Revenue recognized that was included in the contract liability balance at the beginning of the year	0
Increase, excluding amounts recognized as revenue during the period	13
Impact of foreign currency translation	0
Ending balance	$ 19