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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 12 Months Ended |
--- | --- | ---
Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2015 | Jan. 31, 2018
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Value added tax and other tax receivable | $ 16,215 | $ 15,089 |  |
Impairment of long-lived assets | 8,563 |  | $ 7,804 |
Tangible asset impairment charges | 17,564 | 7,697 | 12,343 |
Accounts payable for outsourcing | 2,117 | 2,241 |  |
Sale of properties, equipment and restaurant businesses | 107,867 | 71,712 | 14,332 |
Advances related to pending sales of property and equipment and restaurant businesses |  | 34,341 |  |
Company-Operated Franchise [Member] |  |  |  |
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Advertising expense | 130,277 | 117,250 | 122,920 |
Franchisee [Member] |  |  |  |
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Advertising expense | $ 46,536 | $ 36,374 | $ 35,131 |
Internal Used Software [Member] |  |  |  |
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Finite-lived intangible asset, useful life | 3 years |  |  |
Minimum [Member] | Equipment [Member] |  |  |  |
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Property and equipment, useful life | 3 years |  |  |
Maximum [Member] | Building [Member] |  |  |  |
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Property and equipment, useful life | 40 years |  |  |
Maximum [Member] | Equipment [Member] |  |  |  |
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Property and equipment, useful life | 12 years |  |  |
Forecast [Member] | Minimum [Member] |  |  |  |
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Deferred income |  |  |  | $ 5,000

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