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Net intangible assets and goodwill (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2018 | Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] |  |  |
Total cost | $ 98,765 | $ 103,896 |
Total accumulated amortization | (63,683) | (63,245) |
Subtotal | 35,082 | 40,651 |
Goodwill | 5,939 | 7,078 |
Net intangible assets including goodwill | 41,021 | 47,729 |
Total amortization expense | 11,310 | 10,297 | $ 8,976
Estimated aggregate amortization expense for 2019 | 14,557 |  |
Estimated aggregate amortization expense for 2020 | 10,395 |  |
Estimated aggregate amortization expense for 2021 | 3,428 |  |
Estimated aggregate amortization expense for 2022 | 1,232 |  |
Estimated aggregate amortization expense for 2023 | 1,154 |  |
Estimated aggregate amortization expense for 2024 and thereafter | 4,316 |  |
Brazil |  |  |
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] |  |  |
Goodwill | 4,280 | 5,013 |
Chile |  |  |
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] |  |  |
Goodwill | 1,073 | 1,209 |
Ecuador |  |  |
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] |  |  |
Goodwill | 273 | 273 |
Argentina |  |  |
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] |  |  |
Goodwill | 226 | 350 |
Colombia |  |  |
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] |  |  |
Goodwill | 87 | 59 |
Peru |  |  |
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] |  |  |
Goodwill | 0 | 174 |
Computer software cost |  |  |
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] |  |  |
Total cost | 69,700 | 72,717 |
Initial franchise fees |  |  |
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] |  |  |
Total cost | 14,614 | 15,572 |
Reacquired franchised rights |  |  |
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] |  |  |
Total cost | 12,511 | 13,667 |
Letter of credit fees |  |  |
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] |  |  |
Total cost | 940 | 940 |
Others |  |  |
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] |  |  |
Total cost | $ 1,000 | $ 1,000 |

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