Segments (Schedule of Segment Reporting Information by Segment) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenues	$ 31,221	$ 30,761	$ 93,755	$ 92,223
Financing revenues	3,028	2,758	8,271	10,779
Total revenues	162,437	162,853	509,800	490,575
Interest expense	15,434	24,984	46,757	74,895
Depreciation and amortization	8,300	8,700	24,134	26,237
Income before income tax provision:	39,597	29,751	129,201	94,597
Franchise Operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Franchise revenues	120,100	114,300	364,900	340,600
Depreciation and amortization	2,600	2,600	7,800	7,800
Income before income tax provision:	86,800	82,100	262,000	252,300
Rental Operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenues	31,200	30,800	93,800	92,200
Interest expense	3,300	3,600	10,100	11,200
Depreciation and amortization	3,200	3,300	9,600	9,900
Income before income tax provision:	8,000	7,100	23,700	21,100
Company Restaurants
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Company restaurants	8,100	15,000	42,800	47,000
Interest expense	100	100	300	300
Depreciation and amortization	100	500	500	1,600
Income before income tax provision:	(600)	(300)	300	(200)
Financing Operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Financing revenues	3,000	2,800	8,300	10,800
Income before income tax provision:	2,500	2,800	7,800	10,000
Corporate
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Interest expense	15,400	25,000	46,800	74,900
Depreciation and amortization	2,400	2,300	6,200	6,900
Income before income tax provision:	(57,100)	(61,900)	(164,600)	(188,600)
Corporate and Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Interest expense	$ 18,800	$ 28,700	$ 57,200	$ 86,400