Stockholders' (Deficit) Equity (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands											3 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
	Feb. 20, 2019	Oct. 05, 2018	Jul. 06, 2018	Apr. 06, 2018	Jan. 05, 2018	Oct. 06, 2017	Jul. 07, 2017	Apr. 07, 2017	Jan. 06, 2017	Jan. 08, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Oct. 01, 2015
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Cumulative amount of shares repurchased														1,479,496
Cumulative payments for repurchase of common stock														$ 117,800
Dividends paid per common share (USD per share)		$ 0.63	$ 0.63	$ 0.63	$ 0.97	$ 0.970	$ 0.970	$ 0.970	$ 0.970	$ 0.92	$ 0.92	$ 0.92	$ 0.92	$ 2.86	$ 3.88	$ 3.68
Repurchase of Dine Brands Global common stock														$ 33,603	$ 10,003	$ 55,343
Reissuance of treasury stock (shares)														(167,396)	(281,185)	(136,818)
Reissuance of treasury stock														$ 3,928	$ 2,635	$ 1,409
Treasury Stock
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Purchase of DineEquity common stock (shares)														479,000	146,000	650,000
Reissuance of treasury stock (shares)														(167,000)	(281,000)	(137,000)
Reissuance of treasury stock														$ 6,479	$ 10,113	$ 4,877
2015 Authorization
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Authorized amount																	$ 150,000
Purchase of DineEquity common stock (shares)														478,839	145,786	650,384
Repurchase of Dine Brands Global common stock														$ 34,900	$ 10,000	$ 55,300
Remaining authorized repurchase amount														$ 32,200	$ 67,100	$ 77,100
Subsequent Event
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Authorized amount	$ 200,000
Dividends paid per common share (USD per share)	$ 0.69