Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) Income - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Revenues:
Rental revenues	$ 121,934	$ 121,437	$ 123,037
Total revenues	780,931	731,725	787,566
Cost of revenues:
Total franchise expenses	330,619	293,986	293,500
Rental expenses	90,756	90,592	91,540
Financing expenses	597	598	155
Company restaurant expenses	5,872	7,838	18,224
Total cost of revenues	427,844	393,014	403,419
Gross profit	353,087	338,711	384,147
Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets	0	531,634	0
General and administrative expenses	166,683	165,679	148,935
Interest expense	61,686	61,979	61,479
Amortization of intangible assets	10,105	10,009	9,981
Closure and other impairment charges	2,107	3,968	5,092
Debt refinancing costs	2,523	0	0
(Gain) loss on disposition of assets	(625)	(6,249)	809
Income (loss) before income tax (provision) benefit	110,608	(428,309)	157,851
Income tax (provision) benefit	(30,254)	85,559	(56,849)
Net income (loss)	80,354	(342,750)	101,002
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Adjustment to unrealized loss on available-for-sale investments	50	0	0
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(5)	2	0
Total comprehensive income (loss)	80,399	(342,748)	101,002
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders:
Net income (loss)	80,354	(342,750)	101,002
Less: net (income) loss allocated to unvested participating restricted stock	(2,711)	6,768	(1,430)
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders	$ 77,643	$ (335,982)	$ 99,572
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders per share:
Basic (USD per share)	$ 4.43	$ (18.96)	$ 5.52
Diluted (USD per share)	$ 4.37	$ (18.96)	$ 5.49
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic (shares)	17,533	17,725	18,030
Diluted (shares)	17,789	17,740	18,125
Dividends declared per common share (USD per share)	$ 2.52	$ 3.88	$ 3.73
Dividends paid per common share (USD per share)	$ 2.86	$ 3.88	$ 3.68
Franchisor [Member]
Revenues:
Revenue from contract with customer, excluding assessed tax	$ 643,934	$ 594,418	$ 637,971
Franchisor - Royalties, franchise fees, and other [Member]
Revenues:
Revenue from contract with customer, excluding assessed tax	375,640	360,253	377,855
Franchisor - Advertising Revenue [Member]
Revenues:
Revenue from contract with customer, excluding assessed tax	268,294	234,165	260,116
Financial Service [Member]
Revenues:
Revenue from contract with customer, excluding assessed tax	7,979	8,352	9,191
Food and Beverage [Member]
Revenues:
Revenue from contract with customer, excluding assessed tax	7,084	7,518	17,367
Advertising [Member]
Revenues:
Revenue from contract with customer, excluding assessed tax	268,294	234,165	260,116
Cost of revenues:
Total franchise expenses	269,590	243,096	260,116
Franchise [Member]
Cost of revenues:
Total franchise expenses	$ 61,029	$ 50,890	$ 33,384