XML 127 R97.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v3.4.0.3

Commitments And Contingencies (Narrative) (Details) |  |  | 12 Months Ended
--- | --- | --- | ---
Aug. 10, 2015 USD ($) reimage restaurant | Aug. 09, 2015 restaurant | Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2013 USD ($)
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Percentage of gross sales of restaurants |  |  | 5.00% |  |
Reinvestment plan term |  |  | 3 years |  |
Required minimum fixed charge coverage ratio |  |  | 1.50 |  |
Maximum leverage ratio |  |  | 4.25 |  |
Number of new restaurant openings | restaurant | 150 | 250 |  |  |
Amended agreement term | 3 years |  |  |  |
Minimum number of re-images | reimage | 140 |  |  |  |
Reinvestment plan, minimum value | $ 180,000,000 |  |  |  |
Temporary royalty waivers |  |  |  | $ 6,100,000 | $ 8,000,000
Provision for contingencies |  |  | $ 20,578,000 | 12,204,000 |
Provision for contingencies, current |  |  | 512,000 | 777,000 |
Provision for contingencies, noncurrent |  |  | 20,066,000 | 11,427,000 |
Tax law, loss possibility minimum |  |  | 49,000,000 |  |
Tax law, loss possibility maximum |  |  | 69,000,000 |  |
Damage sought |  |  |  | 30,000,000 |
McDonald’s Corporation’s indemnification for contingencies |  |  | 3,452,000 | 4,395,000 |
Standby Letters of Credit [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Standby letters of credit with an aggregate drawing amount |  |  | 80,000,000 |  |
Amounts have been drawn |  |  | 0 |  |
Puerto Rican Franchisees Lawsuit [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Damage sought |  |  | $ 66,700,000 |  |
Puerto Rico Owner Operator's Association [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Damage sought |  |  |  | $ 31,000,000 |

X
- Definition Debt Instrument, Covenant Compliance, Maximum Leverage Ratio + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | arco_DebtInstrumentCovenantComplianceMaximumLeverageRatio
Namespace Prefix: | arco_
Data Type: | xbrli:pureItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Debt Instrument, Covenant Compliance, Required Minimum Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | arco_DebtInstrumentCovenantComplianceRequiredMinimumFixedChargeCoverageRatio
Namespace Prefix: | arco_
Data Type: | xbrli:pureItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Receivable for indemnified claims as of the balance sheet date, non-current portion. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | arco_IndemnificationForContingenciesNoncurrent
Namespace Prefix: | arco_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Long-Term Commitment, Franchise Agreement Term + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | arco_LongTermCommitmentFranchiseAgreementTerm
Namespace Prefix: | arco_
Data Type: | xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Other Commitments, Minimum Number of Re-images + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | arco_OtherCommitmentsMinimumNumberofReimages
Namespace Prefix: | arco_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Other Commitments, Number of New Restaurant Openings + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | arco_OtherCommitmentsNumberofNewRestaurantOpenings
Namespace Prefix: | arco_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Percentage of gross sales of resturants that MFAs require the company to pay monthly royalties. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | arco_PercentageOfGrossSalesOfRestaurants
Namespace Prefix: | arco_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Period of time of franchise agreement + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | arco_PeriodOfTimeOfFranchiseAgreement
Namespace Prefix: | arco_
Data Type: | xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Provision For Contingencies, Judicial Deposits + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | arco_ProvisionForContingenciesJudicialDeposits
Namespace Prefix: | arco_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Temporary Royalty Waivers Amount + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | arco_TemporaryRoyaltyWaiversAmount
Namespace Prefix: | arco_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The carrying value as of the balance sheet date of the current and noncurrent portions of long-term obligations drawn from a line of credit, which is a bank's commitment to make loans up to a specific amount. Examples of items that might be included in the application of this element may consist of letters of credit, standby letters of credit, and revolving credit arrangements, under which borrowings can be made up to a maximum amount as of any point in time conditional on satisfaction of specified terms before, as of and after the date of drawdowns on the line. Includes short-term obligations that would normally be classified as current liabilities but for which (a) postbalance sheet date issuance of a long term obligation to refinance the short term obligation on a long term basis, or (b) the enterprise has entered into a financing agreement that clearly permits the enterprise to refinance the short-term obligation on a long term basis and the following conditions are met (1) the agreement does not expire within 1 year and is not cancelable by the lender except for violation of an objectively determinable provision, (2) no violation exists at the BS date, and (3) the lender has entered into the financing agreement is expected to be financially capable of honoring the agreement. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 942 -SubTopic 210 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.16) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 210 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.16) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 19, 20, 22 -Article 5 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_LineOfCredit
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Maximum borrowing capacity under the credit facility without consideration of any current restrictions on the amount that could be borrowed or the amounts currently outstanding under the facility. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.19(b),22(b)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 19, 22 -Article 5 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount of loss contingency liability expected to be resolved within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 450 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496072&loc=d3e14326-108349 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_LossContingencyAccrualCarryingValueCurrent
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount of loss contingency liability expected to be resolved after one year or beyond the normal operating cycle, if longer. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 450 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496072&loc=d3e14326-108349 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_LossContingencyAccrualCarryingValueNoncurrent
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The value (monetary amount) of the award the plaintiff seeks in the legal matter. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 450 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496072&loc=d3e14326-108349 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 450 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 9 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496072&loc=d3e14557-108349 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 450 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496072&loc=d3e14435-108349 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_LossContingencyDamagesSoughtValue
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The estimated maximum amount of possible loss from the contingency. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 450 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496072&loc=d3e14435-108349 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 450 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 9 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496072&loc=d3e14557-108349 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_LossContingencyRangeOfPossibleLossMaximum
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The estimated minimum amount of possible loss from the contingency. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 450 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496072&loc=d3e14435-108349 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 450 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 9 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496072&loc=d3e14557-108349 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_LossContingencyRangeOfPossibleLossMinimum
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Minimum amount of other commitment not otherwise specified in the taxonomy. Excludes commitments explicitly modeled in the taxonomy, including but not limited to, long-term and short-term purchase commitments, recorded and unrecorded purchase obligations, supply commitments, registration payment arrangements, leases, debt, product warranties, guarantees, environmental remediation obligations, and pensions. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_OtherCommitment
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis=us-gaap_StandbyLettersOfCreditMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis=arco_PuertoRicanFranchiseesLawsuitMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis=arco_PuertoRicoOwnerOperatorsAssociationMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |