System Optimization (Gains) Losses, Net Summary of DavCo and NPC Transactions (Details) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
	May 31, 2017 USD ($) number_of_restaurants	Dec. 29, 2019 USD ($)	Dec. 30, 2018 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)
Property, Plant and Equipment
Goodwill		$ 755,911	$ 747,884	$ 743,334
Proceeds from sales		3,448	3,223	81,516
System optimization gains (losses), net		1,283	463	(39,076)
DavCo Acquisition
Property, Plant and Equipment
Restaurants acquired from franchisees | number_of_restaurants	140
Restaurants closed before acquisition | number_of_restaurants	7
Total consideration paid	$ 86,788			86,788
Net assets held for sale				70,688
Finance lease assets				49,360
Deferred taxes				27,830
Finance lease obligations				(97,797)
Net unfavorable leases				(22,330)
Other liabilities				(6,924)
Total identifiable net assets				20,827
Goodwill				65,961
Favorable Lease Assets				1,229
Unfavorable Lease Liabilities				23,559
Supplemental deferred purchase price				6,269
Tax deductible goodwill				21,795
NPC Disposition
Property, Plant and Equipment
Number of sold restaurants to be reimaged | number_of_restaurants	90
Number of restaurants to be built by the end of 2022 | number_of_restaurants	15
Proceeds from sales	$ 70,688			70,688
Net assets sold				(70,688)
Goodwill				(65,961)
Net favorable leases				24,034
Other				(1,708)
System optimization gains (losses), net		$ 0	$ 0	(43,635)
Favorable Lease Assets				30,068
Unfavorable Lease Liabilities				$ 6,034