Segments (Schedule of Segment Reporting Information by Segment) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Franchise revenues	$ 155,313	$ 154,725
Rental revenues	30,841	30,465
Company restaurants	0	4,140
Financing revenues	2,009	2,131
Total revenues	188,163	191,461
Interest expense	17,600	18,200
Depreciation and amortization	7,940	7,706
Segment profit	22,711	26,009
Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment profit	83,500	94,300
Operating Segments | Franchise operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Franchise revenues	155,300	154,700
Depreciation and amortization	2,700	2,700
Segment profit	73,400	84,600
Operating Segments | Rental operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenues	30,900	30,500
Interest expense	2,400	2,700
Depreciation and amortization	2,900	3,000
Segment profit	8,200	7,800
Operating Segments | Company restaurants
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Company restaurants	0	4,200
Interest expense	0	100
Depreciation and amortization	0	100
Segment profit	0	(200)
Operating Segments | Financing operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Financing revenues	2,000	2,100
Segment profit	1,900	2,100
Corporate
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Interest expense	15,200	15,400
Depreciation and amortization	2,300	1,900
Segment profit	$ (60,800)	$ (68,300)