Consolidated Balance Sheet (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013
Assets, Current [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 123,532	$ 67,228	$ 80,359
Restricted cash	60	8,000	0
Pawn loans	264,612	261,148	253,678
Consumer loans, net	348,225	358,841	328,281
Merchandise held for disposition, net	215,263	208,899	193,115
Pawn loan fees and service charges receivable	54,501	53,438	50,090
Income taxes receivable	0	9,535	10,931
Prepaid expenses and other assets	33,871	33,655	28,840
Deferred tax assets	36,076	38,800	46,429
Total current assets	1,076,140	1,039,544	991,723
Property and equipment, net	245,382	261,223	257,787
Goodwill	699,061	705,579	670,037
Intangible assets, net	47,490	52,256	46,860
Other assets	32,272	21,129	21,185
Total assets	2,100,345	2,079,731	1,987,592
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	141,351	140,068	133,736
Customer deposits	19,271	14,803	15,123
Income taxes currently payable	1,399	0	0
Current portion of long-term debt	0	22,606	22,606
Total current liabilities	162,021	177,477	171,465
Deferred tax liabilities	110,624	101,417	96,286
Other liabilities	1,124	1,031	1,287
Long-term debt	700,043	717,383	660,243
Total liabilities	973,812	997,308	929,281
Stockholders Equity [Abstract]
Common stock, $0.10 par value per share, 80,000,000 shares authorized, 30,235,164 shares issued and outstanding	3,024	3,024	3,024
Additional paid-in capital	87,718	150,833	152,872
Retained earnings	1,091,629	1,017,981	991,682
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	2,073	4,649	2,614
Treasury shares, at cost (1,379,345 shares, 2,164,873 shares and 2,224,902 shares as of September 30, 2014 and 2013, and as of December 31, 2013, respectively)	(57,911)	(94,064)	(91,881)
Total equity	1,126,533	1,082,423	1,058,311
Total liabilities and equity	$ 2,100,345	$ 2,079,731	$ 1,987,592