Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income (loss)	$ 80,354	$ (342,750)	$ 101,002
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to cash flows provided by operating activities:
Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets	0	531,634	0
Deferred income taxes	(11,847)	(136,127)	(12,714)
Depreciation and amortization	32,175	30,648	30,606
Non-cash interest expense	3,792	3,364	3,218
Closure and other impairment charges	2,038	3,834	2,621
Non-cash stock-based compensation expense	10,546	10,752	10,926
Tax benefit from stock-based compensation	0	0	1,132
Excess tax benefit from stock options exercised	0	0	(1,019)
(Gain) loss on disposition of assets	(623)	(6,285)	809
Other	(6,526)	(10,980)	(6,674)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable, net	3,149	(8,430)	3,820
Current income tax receivables and payables	8,119	(8,490)	(909)
Gift card receivables and payables	(1,488)	(3,322)	(4,288)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	10,425	(8,247)	(156)
Accounts payable	(9,940)	7,208	89
Accrued employee compensation and benefits	13,183	(1,126)	(10,476)
Other current liabilities	6,989	4,050	123
Cash flows provided by operating activities	140,346	65,733	118,110
Cash flows from investing activities
Principal receipts from notes, equipment contracts and other long-term receivables	25,771	20,486	18,689
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	655	1,100	0
Acquisition of business	(20,155)	0	0
Additions to property and equipment	(14,279)	(13,370)	(5,637)
Additions to long-term receivables	(6,500)	0	0
Other	(293)	(541)	(503)
Cash flows (used in) provided by investing activities	(14,801)	7,675	12,549
Cash flows from financing activities
Borrowings from revolving credit facilities	75,000	0	0
Repayments of revolving credit facilities	(50,000)	0	0
Repayment of long-term debt	(13,000)	(3,250)	0
Dividends paid on common stock	(51,125)	(69,790)	(67,429)
Repurchase of Dine Brands Global common stock	(33,603)	(10,003)	(55,343)
Principal payments on capital lease and financing obligations	(13,907)	(12,949)	(13,978)
Payment of debt issuance costs	(3,633)	0	0
Proceeds from stock options exercised	3,928	2,635	1,409
Tax payments for restricted stock upon vesting	(1,972)	(2,396)	(2,859)
Excess tax benefit from stock options exercised	0	0	1,019
Cash flows used in financing activities	(88,312)	(95,753)	(137,181)
Net change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	37,233	(22,345)	(6,522)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of year	163,146	185,491	192,013
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of year	200,379	163,146	185,491
Supplemental disclosures
Interest paid	66,059	67,522	69,051
Income taxes paid	34,246	59,528	69,812
Non-cash conversion of accounts receivable to notes receivable	$ 11,959	$ 5,286	$ 0