Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Cash flows from operating activities
Net (loss) income	$ (330,539)	$ 97,992	$ 104,923
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to cash flows provided by operating activities:
Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets	531,634	0	0
Deferred income taxes	(145,402)	(14,434)	(13,987)
Depreciation and amortization	30,648	30,606	32,840
Non-cash interest expense	3,364	3,218	3,074
Closure and other impairment charges	3,834	2,621	2,576
Non-cash stock-based compensation expense	10,783	10,926	8,892
Tax benefit from stock-based compensation	0	1,132	4,862
Excess tax benefit from stock options exercised	0	(1,019)	(4,794)
(Gain) loss on disposition of assets	(6,249)	809	(901)
Other	(4,796)	(1,302)	(6,323)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable, net	(8,908)	3,178	(5,239)
Current income tax receivables and payables	(8,491)	(909)	2,073
Gift card receivables and payables	(3,322)	(4,288)	21,735
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(8,247)	(156)	(1,995)
Accounts payable	7,208	89	4,546
Accrued employee compensation and benefits	(1,126)	(10,476)	(594)
Accrued interest payable	717	51	(9,869)
Other current liabilities	(5,375)	72	(6,310)
Cash flows provided by operating activities	65,733	118,110	135,509
Cash flows from investing activities
Principal receipts from notes, equipment contracts and other long-term receivables	20,486	18,689	21,328
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	1,100	0	10,782
Additions to property and equipment	(13,370)	(5,637)	(6,642)
Other	(541)	(503)	(267)
Cash flows provided by investing activities	7,675	12,549	25,201
Cash flows from financing activities
Repayment of long-term debt	(3,250)	0	0
Dividends paid on common stock	(69,790)	(67,429)	(66,164)
Repurchase of Dine Brands Global common stock	(10,003)	(55,343)	(70,014)
Principal payments on capital lease and financing obligations	(12,949)	(13,978)	(14,226)
Proceeds from stock options exercised	2,635	1,409	9,536
Tax payments for restricted stock upon vesting	(2,396)	(2,859)	(3,499)
Excess tax benefit from stock options exercised	0	1,019	4,794
Other	0	0	(89)
Cash flows used in financing activities	(95,753)	(137,181)	(139,662)
Net change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	(22,345)	(6,522)	21,048
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of year	185,491	192,013	170,965
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of year	163,146	185,491	192,013
Supplemental disclosures
Interest paid	67,522	69,051	81,809
Income taxes paid	$ 59,528	$ 69,812	$ 70,694