Segments (Schedule of Segment Reporting Information by Segment) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenues	$ 30,263	$ 30,507	$ 90,852	$ 92,746
Financing revenues	2,061	2,251	6,280	7,019
Total revenues	144,671	156,017	456,044	479,799
Interest expense	18,000	18,400	54,700	55,400
Depreciation and amortization	7,600	7,400	23,053	22,924
Segment profit	(508,273)	37,505	(444,303)	118,348
Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment profit	80,100	91,700	264,500	288,500
Operating Segments | Franchise operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Franchise revenues	112,300	119,200	351,400	366,700
Depreciation and amortization	2,700	2,700	8,100	7,900
Segment profit	70,500	81,900	235,700	258,700
Operating Segments | Rental operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenues	30,300	30,500	90,900	92,700
Interest expense	2,600	2,900	8,000	9,000
Depreciation and amortization	3,000	3,100	9,100	9,400
Segment profit	8,000	7,700	23,200	23,700
Operating Segments | Company restaurants
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Company restaurants	0	4,000	7,500	13,400
Interest expense	0	100	200	300
Depreciation and amortization	0	100	100	300
Segment profit	0	(200)	(300)	(700)
Operating Segments | Financing operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Financing revenues	2,100	2,300	6,300	7,000
Segment profit	1,600	2,300	5,900	6,800
Corporate
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Interest expense	15,400	15,400	46,500	46,100
Depreciation and amortization	1,900	1,500	5,800	5,300
Segment profit	$ (588,400)	$ (54,200)	$ (708,800)	$ (170,100)