Note 16. Business Segment Reporting (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Steak n Shake
Revenue	$ 202,001	$ 206,248	$ 596,026	$ 609,974
Western
Revenue	4,071	3,197	10,607	10,475
Total Restaurant Operations
Revenue	206,072	209,445	606,633	620,449
First Guard
Revenue	6,285	5,841	18,548	17,071
Maxim
Revenue	1,877	1,446	5,400	6,567
Total Revenue
Revenue	$ 214,234	$ 216,732	$ 630,581	$ 644,087