Segments (Schedule of Segment Reporting Information by Segment) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenues	$ 31,132	$ 30,709	$ 62,534	$ 61,462
Financing revenues	2,649	3,368	5,243	8,021
Total revenues	171,549	160,521	347,363	327,722
Interest expense	15,677	24,942	31,323	49,911
Depreciation and amortization	8,100	8,700	15,855	17,498
Income before income tax provision:	43,512	31,132	89,604	64,846
Franchise Operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Franchise revenues	120,300	110,700	244,800	226,300
Depreciation and amortization	2,600	2,600	5,200	5,200
Income before income tax provision:	86,200	84,200	175,200	170,300
Rental Operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenues	31,100	30,700	62,500	61,400
Interest expense	3,400	3,700	6,900	7,600
Depreciation and amortization	3,200	3,300	6,400	6,700
Income before income tax provision:	7,800	7,100	15,700	13,900
Company Restaurants
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Company restaurants	17,400	15,700	34,800	32,000
Interest expense	100	100	200	200
Depreciation and amortization	200	500	400	1,000
Income before income tax provision:	100	100	900	200
Financing Operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Financing revenues	2,700	3,400	5,300	8,000
Income before income tax provision:	2,700	3,100	5,300	7,200
Corporate
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Interest expense	15,700	24,900	31,300	49,900
Depreciation and amortization	2,100	2,300	3,900	4,600
Income before income tax provision:	(53,300)	(63,400)	(107,500)	(126,800)
Corporate and Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Interest expense	$ 19,200	$ 28,700	$ 38,400	$ 57,700