Revenue Recognition - Change in contract liabilities (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019 USD ($)
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Contract liabilities expected to be recognized in	$ 480
Change In Contract With Customer Liability [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	486
Revenue recognized that was included in the contract liability balance at the beginning of the year	(11)
Increase, excluding amounts recognized as revenue during the period	8
Impact of foreign currency translation	(3)
Ending balance	480
Tim Hortons brand
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Contract liabilities expected to be recognized in	63
Change In Contract With Customer Liability [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	62
Revenue recognized that was included in the contract liability balance at the beginning of the year	(2)
Increase, excluding amounts recognized as revenue during the period	2
Impact of foreign currency translation	1
Ending balance	63
Burger King brand
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Contract liabilities expected to be recognized in	397
Change In Contract With Customer Liability [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	405
Revenue recognized that was included in the contract liability balance at the beginning of the year	(9)
Increase, excluding amounts recognized as revenue during the period	5
Impact of foreign currency translation	(4)
Ending balance	397
Popeyes brand
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Contract liabilities expected to be recognized in	20
Change In Contract With Customer Liability [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	19
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	1
Impact of foreign currency translation	0
Ending balance	$ 20