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Summary of significant accounting policies - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 12 Months Ended |
--- | --- | ---
Dec. 31, 2020 | Dec. 31, 2019 | Dec. 31, 2018 | Jan. 01, 2019
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Insurance claim receivables, related party receivables, value-added tax and other tax receivables | $ 10,110 |  |  |
Value added tax and other tax receivable |  | $ 17,046 |  |
Accounts payable for outsourcing | 13,354 | 8,896 |  |
Sale of properties, equipment and restaurant businesses | 201 | 6,415 | $ 8,184 |
Lease right of use asset, net | 790,969 | 922,165 |  | $ 896,682
Operating lease liability | 809,441 |  |  |
Company-operated Restaurants |  |  |  |
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Advertising expense | 60,855 | 115,568 | 120,839 |
Franchised Operations |  |  |  |
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Advertising expense | $ 26,486 | 43,039 | $ 43,940 |
Internal Used Software |  |  |  |
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Finite-lived intangible asset, useful life | 3 years |  |  |
Minimum | Equipment |  |  |  |
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Property and equipment, useful life | 3 years |  |  |
Maximum | Building |  |  |  |
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Property and equipment, useful life | 40 years |  |  |
Maximum | Equipment |  |  |  |
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Property and equipment, useful life | 10 years |  |  |
ASC 842 |  |  |  |
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Lease right of use asset, net |  | $ 922,165 |  | 913,000
Operating lease liability |  |  |  | $ 913,000

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