Revenue Disclosures - Disaggregation of Franchise Revenue by Major Type (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total franchise revenue	$ 151,941	$ 153,064	$ 307,254	$ 307,789
Royalties
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total franchise revenue	77,494	77,124	151,910	155,998
Advertising
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total franchise revenue	58,705	60,462	122,541	122,162
Pancake and waffle dry mix sales and other
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total franchise revenue	12,780	12,209	26,558	23,445
Franchise and development fees
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total franchise revenue	$ 2,962	$ 3,269	$ 6,245	$ 6,184