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Commitments and contingencies (Narrative) (Details) $ in Thousands |  | 12 Months Ended |
--- | --- | --- | ---
Jan. 26, 2017 USD ($) restaurant | Dec. 31, 2019 | Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($) period | Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Percentage of gross sales of restaurants |  |  | 5.00% |  |
Initial royalty period |  |  | 10 years |  |
Number of subsequent payment periods | period |  |  | 2 |  |
Reinvestment plan term |  |  | 3 years |  |
Required minimum fixed charge coverage ratio |  |  | 1.50 |  |
Maximum leverage ratio |  |  | 4.25 |  |
Franchise reinvestment plan period | 3 years |  |  |  |
Number of restaurants to be opened under reinvestment plan | restaurant | 180 |  |  |  |
Franchise reinvestment plan, amount | $ 292,000 |  |  |  |
Provision for contingencies |  |  | $ 28,509 |  | $ 27,956
Provision for contingencies, current |  |  | 2,436 |  | 2,529
Provision for contingencies, noncurrent |  |  | 26,073 |  | 25,427
Damage sought |  |  |  | $ 30,000 |
McDonald’s Corporation’s indemnification for contingencies |  |  | 3,970 |  | $ 2,489
Standby Letters of Credit |  |  |  |  |
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Standby letters of credit with an aggregate drawing amount |  |  | 80,000 |  |
Amounts have been drawn |  |  | 0 |  |
Puerto Rican Franchisees Lawsuit |  |  |  |  |
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Damage sought |  |  |  | 66,700 |
Puerto Rico Owner Operator's Association |  |  |  |  |
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Damage sought |  |  |  | $ 31,000 |
Minimum |  |  |  |  |
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Tax law, estimate of possible loss |  |  | 188,000 |  |
Maximum |  |  |  |  |
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Tax law, estimate of possible loss |  |  | $ 196,000 |  |
Next Five Years |  |  |  |  |
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Royalty fee, percentage |  |  | 6.00% |  |
Subsequent period of the agreement |  |  | 5 years |  |
Last Five Years |  |  |  |  |
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Royalty fee, percentage |  |  | 7.00% |  |
Subsequent period of the agreement |  |  | 5 years |  |
Forecast |  |  |  |  |
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Franchise royalty, effective percentage |  | 5.90% |  |  |

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