Green Brick Partners (GRBK) 10-Q 22 Oct 14 2014 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_And_Entity_Informatio

Document And Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Oct. 15, 2014
Document Information [Line Items]	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'BioFuel Energy Corp.	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0001373670	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'
Entity Filer Category	'Smaller Reporting Company	'
Trading Symbol	'BIOF	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	5,456,625
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Document Period End Date	30-Sep-14	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q3	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$7,081	$12,605
Accounts receivable	5	39
Prepaid expenses	174	124
Deposits	21	2,361
Other current assets	1,498	0
Assets held for sale	0	432
Total current assets	8,779	15,561
Non-current assets:	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, net	51	71
Other assets	0	22
Total non-current assets	51	93
Total assets	8,830	15,654
Current liabilities:	'	'
Accounts payable	26	50
Other current liabilities	2,050	4,262
Liabilities held for sale	0	289
Total current liabilities	2,076	4,601
Commitments and contingencies	'	'
Equity	'	'
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; 5,000,000 shares authorized and no shares outstanding at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013	0	0
Common Stock Value	54	54
Less common stock held in treasury, at cost, 40,481 shares at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013	-4,316	-4,316
Additional paid-in capital	191,056	191,197
Accumulated deficit	-172,393	-168,328
Total BioFuel Energy Corp. stockholders’ equity	14,409	18,615
Noncontrolling interest	-7,655	-7,562
Total equity	6,754	11,053
Total liabilities and equity	8,830	15,654
Common Class B [Member]	'	'
Equity	'	'
Common Stock Value	$8	$8

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets [Parenthetical] (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.01	$0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized	5,000,000	5,000,000
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	0	0
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	10,000,000	10,000,000
Common stock, shares outstanding	5,497,106	5,482,585
Treasury shares	40,481	40,481
Common Class B [Member]	'	'
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	3,750,000	3,750,000
Common stock, shares outstanding	780,958	795,479

Consolidated_Statements_of_Ope

Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Revenues	$11	$0	$167	$0
General and administrative expenses:	'	'	'	'
Compensation expense	-390	-737	-1,216	-2,502
Other	-302	-312	-3,250	-1,279
Operating loss	-681	-1,049	-4,299	-3,781
Other income (expense)	0	0	0	1
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes	-681	-1,049	-4,299	-3,780
Income tax provision (benefit)	0	0	0	0
Loss from continuing operations	-681	-1,049	-4,299	-3,780
Discontinued operations:	'	'	'	'
Loss from discontinued operations	0	-4,080	0	-11,415
Income tax provision (benefit)	0	0	0	0
Loss from discontinued operations	0	-4,080	0	-11,415
Net Loss	-681	-5,129	-4,299	-15,195
Less: Net loss from continuing operations attributable to the noncontrolling interest	77	137	234	492
Less: Net loss from discontinued operations attributable to the noncontrolling interest	0	531	0	1,482
Net loss attributable to BioFuel Energy Corp. common stockholders	-604	-4,461	-4,065	-13,221
Amounts attributable to BioFuel Energy Corp.:	'	'	'	'
Loss from continuing operations	-604	-912	-4,065	-3,288
Loss from discontinued operations	0	-3,549	0	-9,933
Net loss attributable to BioFuel Energy Corp.	($604)	($4,461)	($4,065)	($13,221)
Basic and fully diluted loss per share attributable to BioFuel Energy Corp.:	'	'	'	'
Continuing operations (in dollars per share)	($0.11)	($0.17)	($0.75)	($0.62)
Discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	$0	($0.67)	$0	($1.86)
Total Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted (in dollars per share)	($0.11)	($0.84)	($0.75)	($2.48)
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic and fully diluted (in shares)	5,456	5,342	5,447	5,331

Consolidated_Statement_of_Chan

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity (USD $)	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Common Class B [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Parent [Member]	Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
In Thousands, except Share data
Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	$55,110	$54	$8	($4,316)	$189,604	($129,120)	$56,230	($1,120)
Balance (in Shares) at Dec. 31, 2012	'	5,483,773	795,479	'	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation	1,593	0	0	0	1,593	0	1,593	0
Issuance of restricted stock, (net of forfeitures)	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Issuance of restricted stock, (net of forfeitures) (in shares)	'	-1,188	0	'	'	'	'	'
Net loss	-45,650	0	0	0	0	-39,208	-39,208	-6,442
Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	11,053	54	8	-4,316	191,197	-168,328	18,615	-7,562
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2013	'	5,482,585	795,479	'	'	'	'	'
Exchange of Class B shares to common	0	0	0	0	-141	0	-141	141
Exchange of Class B shares to common (in shares)	'	14,521	-14,521	'	'	'	'	'
Net loss	-4,299	0	0	0	0	-4,065	-4,065	-234
Balance at Sep. 30, 2014	$6,754	$54	$8	($4,316)	$191,056	($172,393)	$14,409	($7,655)
Balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2014	'	5,497,106	780,958	'	'	'	'	'

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities	'	'
Net loss	($4,299)	($15,195)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	20	21,249
Stock-based compensation expense	0	541
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:	'	'
Accounts receivable	34	2,019
Inventories	0	2,251
Prepaid expenses	-49	53
Accounts payable	-313	-7,147
Other current liabilities	-3,338	5,406
Other assets and liabilities	2,154	948
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	-5,791	10,125
Cash flows from investing activities	'	'
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	0	-2,024
Net cash used in investing activities	0	-2,024
Cash flows from financing activities	'	'
Repayment of notes payable and capital leases	0	-134
Net cash used in financing activities	0	-134
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	-5,791	7,967
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	12,872	9,323
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	7,081	17,290
Cash paid for interest	0	315
Non-cash investing and financing activities:	'	'
Additions to equity offering and debt issuance costs unpaid during period	$1,126	$0

Organization_Nature_of_Busines

Organization, Nature of Business, and Basis of Presentation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Organization Nature Of Business And Liquidity Considerations [Text Block]	'
	1. Organization, Nature of Business, and Basis of Presentation
	Organization, Nature of Business, and Basis of Presentation
	BioFuel Energy Corp. (“we” or “the Company”) was incorporated as a Delaware corporation on April 11, 2006 to invest solely in BioFuel Energy, LLC (the “LLC”), a limited liability company organized on January 25, 2006 to build and operate ethanol production facilities in the Midwestern United States. The Company’s headquarters are located in Denver, Colorado. We are a holding company with no operations of our own. We are the sole managing member of the LLC, which is itself a holding company and indirectly owned all of our former operating assets. As the sole managing member of the LLC, the Company operates and controls all of the business and affairs of the LLC and its subsidiaries.
	The Company operated two dry-mill ethanol production facilities located in Wood River, Nebraska and Fairmont, Minnesota from June 2008 through November 22, 2013, which produced and sold ethanol and its related co-products, primarily distillers grain and corn oil. The Company’s ethanol plants were owned and operated by the operating subsidiaries of the LLC (“Operating Subsidiaries”). Those Operating Subsidiaries were party to a Credit Agreement (the “Senior Debt Facility”) with a group of lenders, and substantially all of the assets of the Operating Subsidiaries were pledged as collateral under the Senior Debt Facility. On November 22, 2013, the Company’s ethanol plants and all related assets were transferred to certain designees of the lenders (“Newco”) in full satisfaction of all outstanding obligations under the Senior Debt Facility. Newco simultaneously sold the ethanol plants to Green Plains Renewable Energy, Inc. The Company is currently providing engineering and/or business consulting services to a variety of next generation biofuel and bio-chemical companies. These services are expected to provide a negligible amount of revenue in 2014.
	On March 28, 2014, the Company received a preliminary non-binding proposal (the “Proposal”) from James R. Brickman (together with certain trusts and family members, the “Brickman Parties”) and Greenlight Capital, Inc. (together with certain affiliates, “Greenlight”), one of our principal stockholders and an investment management company co-founded by David Einhorn, one of our directors, who serves as its President. The Brickman Parties and Greenlight proposed a transaction pursuant to which the Company would acquire all of the equity interests of JBGL Builder Finance, LLC and certain subsidiaries of JBGL Capital, LP (collectively, “JBGL”) for $275 million, payable in cash and shares of our common stock. JBGL is a series of real estate entities involved in the purchase and development of land for residential purposes, construction lending and home building operations. JBGL is currently owned and controlled by Greenlight and the Brickman Parties
	In response to the Proposal, our Board of Directors established a special committee consisting of independent directors to evaluate the Proposal and alternatives for the Company. The special committee retained independent financial and legal advisors to assist in its evaluation of the Proposal.
	On June 10, 2014, the Company entered into a definitive agreement (the “Transaction Agreement”) with, among others, certain affiliates of Greenlight Capital, Inc. and Brickman Member Joint Venture pursuant to which the Company will acquire JBGL for $275 million (the “Acquisition”). The Transaction Agreement was unanimously approved by the special committee of independent directors, acting on the advice of its legal and financial advisors. The Transaction Agreement was also unanimously approved by the Board of Directors of the Company other than Mr. Einhorn, who recused himself from the board’s deliberations and approval.
	As consideration for the Acquisition, the Company will issue a number of shares of common stock to each of Greenlight and the Brickman Parties such that, immediately after the closing of the Acquisition, Greenlight will own 49.9% of our outstanding common stock and the Brickman Parties will own 8.4% of our outstanding common stock. To fund a portion of the cash consideration, the Company conducted a rights offering and certain related transactions to raise gross proceeds of $70 million. The remaining portion of the cash consideration will be funded through cash on hand and up to $150 million of debt financing to be provided by Greenlight.
	On September 18, 2014, the Company filed a definitive Proxy Statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) in connection with its annual meeting of stockholders to seek approval of the Acquisition among other matters. The Company held its annual meeting on October 17, 2014 at which time a majority of the Company’s stockholders (excluding Greenlight and its affiliates) adopted the Transaction Agreement and approved the related transactions, one of the conditions to the consummation of the Acquisition.
	On September 19, 2014, the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1, as amended, pertaining to the rights offering was declared effective by the SEC. The rights offering expired on October 17, 2014. The rights offering and certain related transactions are expected to result in the receipt of gross proceeds of $70 million to fund a portion of the Acquisition.
	The Acquisition is expected to be consummated by the end of October 2014. The Company is diligently working to complete the Acquisition and related transactions; however, there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to do so.
	On May 8, 2014, the Company received a letter from the Listing Qualifications Staff (the “Staff”) of Nasdaq indicating that the Staff believed the Company is a public shell and the continued listing of its securities was no longer warranted. The Company appealed the Staff’s determination to the Nasdaq Hearings Panel (the “Panel”) and on July 1, 2014, the Company received a written decision from Nasdaq indicating that the Panel had determined to grant the Company’s request for continued listing on The Nasdaq Capital Market, provided that (1) on or before November 4, 2014, the Company closes the Acquisition, and (2) the resulting combined company satisfies all requirements for initial listing on The Nasdaq Capital Market upon consummation of the Acquisition.
	At September 30, 2014, the Company retained approximately $7.1 million in cash and cash equivalents on its consolidated balance sheet. As of September 30, 2014, the Company also retained federal net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforwards in the amount of $181.8 million, which have been fully reserved against.
	The accompanying consolidated financial statements have accounted for the disposition of the ethanol plants as discontinued operations. Prior year amounts have been reclassified to reflect the disposition of the ethanol plants being accounted for as discontinued operations.
	At September 30, 2014, the Company owned 87.6% of the LLC membership units with the remaining 12.4% owned by certain investment funds affiliated with one of the original equity investors of the LLC. As a result, the Company consolidates the results of the LLC. The amount of income or loss allocable to the 12.4% holders is reported as noncontrolling interest in our consolidated statements of operations. The Class B common shares of the Company are held by the same investment funds who held 780,958 membership units in the LLC as of September 30, 2014 that, together with the corresponding Class B shares, can be exchanged for newly issued shares of common stock of the Company on a one-for-one basis. The proportionate value of the LLC membership units held by the investment funds other than the Company are recorded as noncontrolling interest on the consolidated balance sheets.

Discontinued_Operations_Dispos

Discontinued Operations - Disposal of Ethanol Plants	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]	'
Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations, Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	2. Discontinued Operations – Disposal of Ethanol Plants
	On November 22, 2013, the Company disposed of its ownership in its two ethanol plants. The operating loss for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 is summarized as follows (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended		Nine Months Ended
		September 30, 2013		September 30, 2013
	Net Sales	$	79,048	$	259,119
	Cost of goods sold		82,132		266,357
	Gross loss		-3,084		-7,238
	General and administrative expenses		1,518		4,911
	Operating loss		-4,602		-12,149
	Other income (expense):
	Other income		2,535		6,590
	Interest expense		-2,013		-5,856
	Loss before income taxes		-4,080		-11,415
	Income tax provision (benefit)		—		—
	Loss from discontinued operations	$	-4,080	$	-11,415
	The carrying amounts of the assets and liabilities of the ethanol plants as of December 31, 2013 are summarized as follows (in thousands):
	Current assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	267
	Prepaid expenses		1
	Other current assets		164
	Assets held for sale	$	432
	Current liabilities:
	Accounts payable	$	289
	Liabilities held for sale	$	289
	There were no assets and liabilities related to the ethanol plants as of September 30, 2014.
	Revenue Recognition
	During the time that the Company owned and operated its ethanol facilities, the Company sold its ethanol, distillers grain and corn oil products under the terms of marketing agreements. Revenue was recognized when risk of loss and title transferred upon shipment of ethanol, distillers grain or corn oil. In accordance with the marketing agreements, the Company recorded its revenues based on the amounts payable to us at the time of our sales of ethanol, distillers grain or corn oil. For our ethanol that was sold within the United States, the amount payable was equal to the average delivered price per gallon received by the marketing pool from Cargill Inc.’s (“Cargill”) customers, less average transportation and storage charges incurred by Cargill, and less a commission. We also sold a portion of our ethanol production to Cargill for export, which sales were shipped undenatured and were excluded from the marketing pool. For exported ethanol sales, the amount payable was equal to the contracted delivered price per gallon, less transportation and storage charges, and less a commission. The amount payable for distillers grain and corn oil was generally equal to the market price at the time of sale less a commission.
	Cost of goods sold
	During the time that the Company owned and operated its ethanol facilities, cost of goods sold primarily included costs of materials (primarily corn, natural gas, chemicals and denaturant), electricity, purchasing and receiving costs, inspection costs, shipping costs, lease costs, plant management, certain compensation costs and general facility overhead charges, including depreciation expense.
	Concentrations of Credit Risk
	During the time that the Company owned and operated its ethanol facilities, credit risk represented the accounting loss that would be recognized at the reporting date if counterparties failed completely to perform as contracted. Concentrations of credit risk, whether on- or off-balance sheet, that arose from financial instruments existed for groups of customers or counterparties when they had similar economic characteristics that would cause their ability to meet contractual obligations to be similarly affected by changes in economic or other conditions described below.
	During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Operating Subsidiaries recorded sales to Cargill representing 76% and 75%, respectively, of total net sales. The Operating Subsidiaries purchased corn, the largest cost component in producing ethanol, from Cargill. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, corn purchases from Cargill totaled $61.1 million and $203.7 million, respectively.
	Depreciation Expense
	During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, depreciation expense related to the property, plant and equipment at the ethanol plants and included in loss from discontinued operations was $6,989,000 and $20,986,000, respectively.
	Rent Expense
	During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, rent expense related to the ethanol plants and included in loss from discontinued operations totaled $2,768,000 and $8,386,000, respectively.

Summary_of_Significant_Account

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]	'
	3. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
	Principles of Consolidation and Noncontrolling Interest
	The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the Company, the LLC and its wholly-owned subsidiaries: BFE Holdings, LLC; BFE Operating Company, LLC; Buffalo Lake Energy, LLC; and Pioneer Trail Energy, LLC. All inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The Company treats all exchanges of LLC membership units for Company common stock as equity transactions, with any difference between the fair value of the Company’s common stock and the amount by which the noncontrolling interest is adjusted being recognized in equity.
	Use of Estimates
	Preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures in the accompanying notes at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
	Revenue Recognition
	Our primary source of revenue is engineering and/or business consulting services that the Company is providing to certain next generation biofuel and bio-chemical companies. Consulting agreements are entered into which set forth the terms, including the rates charged, for all consulting services. Revenue is recognized and recorded at the time that the consulting services are performed and collectibility is reasonably assured.
	General and administrative expenses
	General and administrative expenses consist of salaries and benefits paid to our management and administrative employees, expenses relating to third party services, travel, office rent, marketing and other expenses, including certain expenses associated with being a public company, such as fees paid to our independent auditors associated with our annual audit and quarterly reviews, directors’ fees, and listing and transfer agent fees.
	Cash and Cash Equivalents
	Cash and cash equivalents include highly-liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less. At September 30, 2014, we had $7.1 million of cash and cash equivalents invested in  cash accounts held at one financial institution, which is in excess of FDIC insurance limits.
	Other Current Assets
	Other current assets is comprised of legal, accounting and other expenses incurred for the equity offering and debt issuance related to the Acquisition, which have been capitalized.
	Property, Plant and Equipment
	Property, plant and equipment is comprised of office furniture and equipment at the Company’s headquarters and is recorded at cost. Depreciation on office furniture and equipment is computed by the straight line method over a range of three to ten years.
	Stock-Based Compensation
	Expense associated with stock-based awards and other forms of equity compensation is based on fair value at grant and recognized on a straight line basis in the financial statements over the requisite service period for those awards that are expected to vest.
	Income Taxes
	The Company accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability method, under which deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to temporary differences between financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. The Company regularly reviews historical and anticipated future pre-tax results of operations to determine whether the Company will be able to realize the benefit of its deferred tax assets. A valuation allowance is required to reduce the potential deferred tax asset when it is more likely than not that all or some portion of the potential deferred tax asset will not be realized due to the lack of sufficient taxable income. The Company establishes reserves for uncertain tax positions that reflect its best estimate of deductions and credits that may not be sustained on a more likely than not basis. As the Company has incurred tax losses since its inception and expects to continue to incur tax losses for the foreseeable future, we will continue to provide a valuation allowance against deferred tax assets until the Company believes that such assets will be realized.
	Fair Value of Financial Instruments
	The Company’s financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, deposits, accounts payable, and severance payable are carried at cost, which approximates their fair value because of the short-term maturity of these instruments.
	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	From time to time, new accounting pronouncements are issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) or other standards setting bodies that are adopted by us as of the specified effective date. Unless otherwise discussed, our management believes that the impact of recently issued standards that are not yet effective will not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements upon adoption.
	In May 2014, the FASB issued guidance on revenue from contracts with customers, which implements a five step process of how an entity should recognize revenue in order to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. This guidance will be effective at the beginning of fiscal year 2017, and early application is not permitted. The standard permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. We are currently evaluating the impact that the adoption will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. We have not yet selected a transition method nor have we determined the effect of the standard on our ongoing financial reporting.

Property_Plant_and_Equipment

Property, Plant and Equipment	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	4. Property, Plant and Equipment
	Property, plant and equipment, stated at cost, consist of the following at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 (in thousands):
		September 30,		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Office furniture and equipment	$	788	$	788
	Accumulated depreciation		-737		-717
	Property, plant and equipment, net	$	51	$	71
	Depreciation expense related to property, plant and equipment was $6,000 and $20,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, and was $8,000 and $26,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively.

Earnings_Per_Share

Earnings Per Share	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Earnings Per Share [Text Block]	'
	5. Earnings Per Share
	Basic earnings per share are computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during each period. Diluted earnings per share are calculated using the treasury stock method and includes the effect of all dilutive securities, including stock options, restricted stock and Class B common shares. For those periods in which the Company incurred a net loss, the inclusion of the potentially dilutive shares in the computation of diluted weighted average shares outstanding would have been anti-dilutive to the Company’s loss per share, and, accordingly, all potentially dilutive shares have been excluded from the computation of diluted weighted average shares outstanding in those periods.
	For both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, 60,494 shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share as their effect would have been anti-dilutive. For both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, 65,481 shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share as their effect would have been anti-dilutive.
	A summary of the reconciliation of basic weighted average shares outstanding to diluted weighted average shares outstanding follows:
		Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2014		2013		2014		2013
	Weighted average common shares outstanding – basic		5,456,625		5,342,064		5,447,317		5,330,887
	Potentially dilutive common stock equivalents
	Class B common shares		780,958		795,479		790,266		795,479
	Restricted stock		—		101,228		—		112,405
			780,958		896,707		790,266		907,884
			6,237,583		6,238,771		6,237,583		6,238,771
	Less anti-dilutive common stock equivalents		-780,958		-896,707		-790,266		-907,884
	Weighted average common shares outstanding – diluted		5,456,625		5,342,064		5,447,317		5,330,887

Stockholders_Equity

Stockholders' Equity	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Stockholders Equity Note [Abstract]	'
Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	6. Stockholders’ Equity
	Stock Repurchase Plan
	On October 15, 2007, the Company announced the adoption of a stock repurchase plan authorizing the repurchase of up to $7.5 million of the Company’s common stock. Purchases will be funded out of cash on hand and made from time to time in the open market. From the inception of the buyback program through September 30, 2014, the Company had repurchased 40,481 shares at an average price of $106.62 per share, leaving $3,184,000 available under the repurchase plan. The shares repurchased are being held as treasury stock. As of September 30, 2014, there were no plans to repurchase any additional shares.
	Cash Dividends
	The Company has not declared any cash dividends on its common stock and does not anticipate paying cash dividends in the foreseeable future.
	Rights Agreement
	On March 27, 2014, the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of the Company declared a dividend of one preferred share purchase right (a “Right”) for each outstanding share of common stock of the Company, to purchase from the Company one one-thousandth of a share of Series B Junior Participating Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company at a price of $13.50 per one one-thousandth of a share of Preferred Stock, subject to adjustment as provided in the Rights Agreement. The Rights will expire upon the triggering of certain events, but in no event later than March 27, 2017. The Rights are initially not exercisable but will become exercisable upon certain triggering events occurring, such as any person or group becoming the beneficial owner of 4.99% or more of the outstanding common stock of the Company. The dividend was payable to stockholders of record at the close of business on April 7, 2014. The Board adopted the Rights Agreement to protect the Company from a possible limitation on the Company’s ability to use its net operating loss carryforwards and other future tax benefits, which may be used to reduce potential future income tax obligations.

StockBased_Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs, Share-Based Payments [Abstract]	'
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block]	'
	7. Stock-Based Compensation
	The following table summarizes the stock-based compensation expense incurred by the Company (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2014		2013		2014		2013
	Stock options	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	90
	Restricted stock		—		141		—		451
	Total	$	—	$	141	$	—	$	541
	2007 Equity Incentive Compensation Plan
	Immediately prior to the Company’s initial public offering, the Company adopted the 2007 Equity Incentive Compensation Plan (“2007 Plan”). The 2007 Plan provides for the grant of options intended to qualify as incentive stock options, non-qualified stock options, stock appreciation rights or restricted stock awards and any other equity-based or equity-related awards. The 2007 Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. Subject to adjustment for changes in capitalization, the aggregate number of shares that may be delivered pursuant to awards under the 2007 Plan is currently 355,000. The term of the 2007 Plan is ten years, expiring in June 2017.
	Stock Options — Except as otherwise directed by the Compensation Committee, the exercise price for options cannot be less than the fair market value of our common stock on the grant date. Other than the stock options issued to Directors, the options will generally vest and become exercisable with respect to 30%, 30% and 40% of the shares of our common stock subject to such options on each of the first three anniversaries of the grant date. Compensation expense related to these options is expensed on a straight line basis over the three year service period. Options issued to Directors generally vest and become exercisable on the first anniversary of the grant date. All stock options have a five year term from the date of grant. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and September 30, 2013, the Company did not issue any stock options under the 2007 Plan.
	A summary of stock option activity under the 2007 Plan as of September 30, 2014, and the changes during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 is as follows:
		Shares		Weighted		Weighted		Aggregate
				Average		Average		Intrinsic
				Exercise		Remaining		Value
				Price		Life
						(years)
	Options outstanding, January 1, 2014		65,481	$	58.94
	Granted		—		—
	Exercised		—		—
	Forfeited		-4,987		45.73
	Options outstanding, September 30, 2014		60,494	$	60.03		0.3	$	0
	Options exercisable, September 30, 2014		60,494	$	60.03		0.3	$	0
	Restricted Stock — Other than restricted stock issued to Directors, the restricted stock issued will generally vest in equal increments of 25% on each of the first four anniversaries of the grant date. Compensation expense related to restricted stock issued is expensed on a straight line basis over the four year vesting period. Restricted stock issued to Directors generally vests on the first anniversary of the grant date with compensation expense being expensed on a straight line basis over the one year vesting period. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and September 30, 2013, the Company did not grant any restricted stock shares under the 2007 Plan.
	Under the Company’s Change of Control Plan, 97,852 shares of unvested restricted stock automatically vested due to the disposition of the Company’s ethanol plants therefore there is no restricted stock currently outstanding. After considering the stock option and restricted stock awards issued and outstanding, the Company had 119,540 shares of common stock available for future grant under our 2007 Plan at September 30, 2014.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	8. Income Taxes
	The Company has not recognized any income tax provision (benefit) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, and September 30, 2013 due to continuing losses from operations.
	The U.S. statutory income tax benefit is reconciled to the Company’s effective income tax benefit as follows (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2014		2013		2014		2013
	Tax benefit at 35% federal statutory rate	$	238	$	1,795	$	1,505	$	5,318
	State tax benefit, net of federal benefit		20		26		129		76
	Noncontrolling interest		-29		-237		-89		-701
	Valuation allowance		-296		-1,693		-3,412		-4,650
	Other		67		109		1,867		-43
	Total	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—
	The effects of temporary differences and other items that give rise to deferred tax assets and liabilities are presented below (in thousands):
		September 30,		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Deferred tax assets:
	Capitalized start up costs	$	22	$	24
	Deferred transaction costs		867		—
	Stock-based compensation		622		622
	Net operating loss carryover		63,695		62,372
	Other		3		18
	Deferred tax assets		65,209		63,036
	Valuation allowance		-64,607		-61,111
	Deferred tax liabilities:
	Property, plant and equipment		-8		-11
	Investment in partnership		-594		-1,914
	Deferred tax liabilities		-602		-1,925
	Net deferred tax asset	$	—	$	—
	The Company assesses the recoverability of deferred tax assets and the need for a valuation allowance on an ongoing basis. In making this assessment, management considers all available positive and negative evidence to determine whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will be realized in future periods. This assessment requires significant judgment and estimates involving current and deferred income taxes, tax attributes relating to the interpretation of various tax laws, historical bases of tax attributes associated with certain assets and limitations surrounding the realization of deferred tax assets.
	As of September 30, 2014, the net operating loss carryforward was $181.8 million, which will begin to expire if not used by December 31, 2029. The U.S. federal statute of limitations remains open for our 2011 and subsequent tax years.

Employee_Benefits

Employee Benefits	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	9. Employee Benefits
	401K Plan
	The LLC sponsors a 401(k) profit sharing and savings plan for its employees. Employee participation in this plan is voluntary and the LLC matches 50% of eligible employee contributions, up to an amount equal to 3% of employee compensation, on a biweekly basis. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, contributions to the plan by the LLC totaled $1,000 and $22,000, respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, contributions to the plan by the LLC totaled $13,000 and $49,000, respectively.
	Severance
	The LLC adopted a Change of Control Plan (the “COC Plan”) in November 2006. As a result of the disposition of the Company’s ethanol plants, a change of control under the COC Plan occurred, and therefore as of December 31, 2013 the Company accrued $4,180,000 in other current liabilities related to certain change of control severance payments owed to its corporate employees, which payments were made in the first quarter of 2014.

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	10. Commitments and Contingencies
	In October 2013, the LLC entered into a ten month lease that began November 1, 2013 for office space for its corporate headquarters. The monthly rent expense of $11,000 is being recognized on a straight line basis over the term of the lease.
	For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, rent expense totaled $39,000 and $127,000, respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, rent expense totaled $65,000 and $196,000, respectively.
	The Company is not currently a party to any material legal, administrative or regulatory proceedings that have arisen in the ordinary course of business or otherwise that would result in loss contingencies.

Noncontrolling_Interest

Noncontrolling Interest	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]	'
Noncontrolling Interest Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	11. Noncontrolling Interest
	Noncontrolling interest consists of equity issued to members of the LLC upon the Company’s initial public offering in June 2007. As provided in the LLC agreement, the exchange ratio of the various existing classes of equity of the LLC for the single class of equity at the time of the Company’s initial public offering was based on the Company’s initial public offering price of $ 210.00 per share and the resulting implied valuation of the Company. The exchange resulted in the issuance of 897,903 LLC membership units and Class B common shares. Each LLC membership unit combined with a share of Class B common stock is exchangeable at the holder’s option into one share of Company common stock. The LLC may make distributions to members as determined by the Company.
	At the time of its initial public offering, the Company owned 28.9% of the LLC membership units. As of September 30, 2014, the Company owned 87.6% of the LLC membership units. The noncontrolling interest will continue to be reported until all Class B common shares and LLC membership units have been exchanged for the Company’s common stock.
	The table below shows the effects of the changes in BioFuel Energy Corp.’s ownership interest in the LLC on the equity attributable to BioFuel Energy Corp.’s common stockholders for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and September 30, 2013 (in thousands):
	Net Loss Attributable to BioFuel Energy Corp.’s Common Stockholders and
	Transfers from the Noncontrolling Interest
		Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2014		2013		2014		2013
	Net loss attributable to BioFuel Energy Corp.	$	-604	$	-4,461	$	-4,065	$	-13,221
	Decrease in BioFuel Energy Corp. stockholders’ equity from issuance of common shares in exchange for Class B common shares and units of BioFuel Energy, LLC		—		—		-141		—
	Change in equity from net loss attributable to BioFuel Energy Corp. and transfers from noncontrolling interest	$	-604	$	-4,461	$	-4,206	$	-13,221
	Tax Benefit Sharing Agreement
	Membership units in the LLC combined with the related Class B common shares held by the historical equity investors may be exchanged in the future for shares of our common stock on a one-for-one basis, subject to customary conversion rate adjustments for stock splits, stock dividends and reclassifications. The LLC will make an election under Section 754 of the IRS Code effective for each taxable year in which an exchange of membership units and Class B shares for common shares occurs, which may result in an adjustment to the tax basis of the assets owned by the LLC at the time of the exchange. Increases in tax basis, if any, would reduce the amount of tax that the Company would otherwise be required to pay in the future, although the IRS may challenge all or part of the tax basis increases, and a court could sustain such a challenge. The Company has entered into tax benefit sharing agreements with its historical LLC investors that will provide for a sharing of these tax benefits, if any, between the Company and the historical LLC equity investors. Under these agreements, the Company will make a payment to an exchanging LLC member of 85% of the amount of cash savings, if any, in U.S. federal, state and local income taxes the Company actually realizes as a result of this increase in tax basis. The Company and its common stockholders will benefit from the remaining 15% of cash savings, if any, in income taxes realized. For purposes of the tax benefit sharing agreement, cash savings in income tax will be computed by comparing the Company’s actual income tax liability to the amount of such taxes the Company would have been required to pay had there been no increase in the tax basis in the assets of the LLC as a result of the exchanges. The term of the tax benefit sharing agreement commenced on the Company’s initial public offering in June 2007 and will continue until all such tax benefits have been utilized or expired, unless a change of control occurs and the Company exercises its resulting right to terminate the tax benefit sharing agreement for an amount based on agreed payments remaining to be made under the agreement.

Summary_of_Significant_Account1

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Principles Of Consolidation and Noncontrolling Interest [Policy Text Block]	'
	Principles of Consolidation and Noncontrolling Interest
	The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the Company, the LLC and its wholly-owned subsidiaries: BFE Holdings, LLC; BFE Operating Company, LLC; Buffalo Lake Energy, LLC; and Pioneer Trail Energy, LLC. All inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The Company treats all exchanges of LLC membership units for Company common stock as equity transactions, with any difference between the fair value of the Company’s common stock and the amount by which the noncontrolling interest is adjusted being recognized in equity.
Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Use of Estimates
	Preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures in the accompanying notes at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Revenue Recognition, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Revenue Recognition
	Our primary source of revenue is engineering and/or business consulting services that the Company is providing to certain next generation biofuel and bio-chemical companies. Consulting agreements are entered into which set forth the terms, including the rates charged, for all consulting services. Revenue is recognized and recorded at the time that the consulting services are performed and collectibility is reasonably assured.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	General and administrative expenses
	General and administrative expenses consist of salaries and benefits paid to our management and administrative employees, expenses relating to third party services, travel, office rent, marketing and other expenses, including certain expenses associated with being a public company, such as fees paid to our independent auditors associated with our annual audit and quarterly reviews, directors’ fees, and listing and transfer agent fees.
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Cash and Cash Equivalents
	Cash and cash equivalents include highly-liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less. At September 30, 2014, we had $7.1 million of cash and cash equivalents invested in  cash accounts held at one financial institution, which is in excess of FDIC insurance limits.
Other Current Assets [Policy Text Block]	'
	Other Current Assets
	Other current assets is comprised of legal, accounting and other expenses incurred for the equity offering and debt issuance related to the Acquisition, which have been capitalized.
Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Property, Plant and Equipment
	Property, plant and equipment is comprised of office furniture and equipment at the Company’s headquarters and is recorded at cost. Depreciation on office furniture and equipment is computed by the straight line method over a range of three to ten years.
Share-based Compensation, Option and Incentive Plans Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Stock-Based Compensation
	Expense associated with stock-based awards and other forms of equity compensation is based on fair value at grant and recognized on a straight line basis in the financial statements over the requisite service period for those awards that are expected to vest.
Income Tax, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Income Taxes
	The Company accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability method, under which deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to temporary differences between financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. The Company regularly reviews historical and anticipated future pre-tax results of operations to determine whether the Company will be able to realize the benefit of its deferred tax assets. A valuation allowance is required to reduce the potential deferred tax asset when it is more likely than not that all or some portion of the potential deferred tax asset will not be realized due to the lack of sufficient taxable income. The Company establishes reserves for uncertain tax positions that reflect its best estimate of deductions and credits that may not be sustained on a more likely than not basis. As the Company has incurred tax losses since its inception and expects to continue to incur tax losses for the foreseeable future, we will continue to provide a valuation allowance against deferred tax assets until the Company believes that such assets will be realized.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Fair Value of Financial Instruments
	The Company’s financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, deposits, accounts payable, and severance payable are carried at cost, which approximates their fair value because of the short-term maturity of these instruments.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements [Policy Text Block]	'
	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	From time to time, new accounting pronouncements are issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) or other standards setting bodies that are adopted by us as of the specified effective date. Unless otherwise discussed, our management believes that the impact of recently issued standards that are not yet effective will not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements upon adoption.
	In May 2014, the FASB issued guidance on revenue from contracts with customers, which implements a five step process of how an entity should recognize revenue in order to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. This guidance will be effective at the beginning of fiscal year 2017, and early application is not permitted. The standard permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. We are currently evaluating the impact that the adoption will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. We have not yet selected a transition method nor have we determined the effect of the standard on our ongoing financial reporting.

Discontinued_Operations_Dispos1

Discontinued Operations - Disposal of Ethanol Plants (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations, Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures [Table Text Block]	'
	On November 22, 2013, the Company disposed of its ownership in its two ethanol plants. The operating loss for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 is summarized as follows (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended		Nine Months Ended
		September 30, 2013		September 30, 2013
	Net Sales	$	79,048	$	259,119
	Cost of goods sold		82,132		266,357
	Gross loss		-3,084		-7,238
	General and administrative expenses		1,518		4,911
	Operating loss		-4,602		-12,149
	Other income (expense):
	Other income		2,535		6,590
	Interest expense		-2,013		-5,856
	Loss before income taxes		-4,080		-11,415
	Income tax provision (benefit)		—		—
	Loss from discontinued operations	$	-4,080	$	-11,415
	The carrying amounts of the assets and liabilities of the ethanol plants as of December 31, 2013 are summarized as follows (in thousands):
	Current assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	267
	Prepaid expenses		1
	Other current assets		164
	Assets held for sale	$	432
	Current liabilities:
	Accounts payable	$	289
	Liabilities held for sale	$	289

Property_Plant_and_Equipment_T

Property, Plant and Equipment (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Table Text Block]	'
	Property, plant and equipment, stated at cost, consist of the following at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 (in thousands):
		September 30,		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Office furniture and equipment	$	788	$	788
	Accumulated depreciation		-737		-717
	Property, plant and equipment, net	$	51	$	71

Earnings_Per_Share_Tables

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Weighted Average Number of Shares [Table Text Block]	'
	A summary of the reconciliation of basic weighted average shares outstanding to diluted weighted average shares outstanding follows:
		Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2014		2013		2014		2013
	Weighted average common shares outstanding – basic		5,456,625		5,342,064		5,447,317		5,330,887
	Potentially dilutive common stock equivalents
	Class B common shares		780,958		795,479		790,266		795,479
	Restricted stock		—		101,228		—		112,405
			780,958		896,707		790,266		907,884
			6,237,583		6,238,771		6,237,583		6,238,771
	Less anti-dilutive common stock equivalents		-780,958		-896,707		-790,266		-907,884
	Weighted average common shares outstanding – diluted		5,456,625		5,342,064		5,447,317		5,330,887

StockBased_Compensation_Tables

Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs, Share-Based Payments [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Activity [Table Text Block]	'
	The following table summarizes the stock-based compensation expense incurred by the Company (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2014		2013		2014		2013
	Stock options	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	90
	Restricted stock		—		141		—		451
	Total	$	—	$	141	$	—	$	541
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Stock Options, Activity [Table Text Block]	'
	A summary of stock option activity under the 2007 Plan as of September 30, 2014, and the changes during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 is as follows:
		Shares		Weighted		Weighted		Aggregate
				Average		Average		Intrinsic
				Exercise		Remaining		Value
				Price		Life
						(years)
	Options outstanding, January 1, 2014		65,481	$	58.94
	Granted		—		—
	Exercised		—		—
	Forfeited		-4,987		45.73
	Options outstanding, September 30, 2014		60,494	$	60.03		0.3	$	0
	Options exercisable, September 30, 2014		60,494	$	60.03		0.3	$	0

Income_Taxes_Tables

Income Taxes (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit) [Table Text Block]	'
	The U.S. statutory income tax benefit is reconciled to the Company’s effective income tax benefit as follows (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2014		2013		2014		2013
	Tax benefit at 35% federal statutory rate	$	238	$	1,795	$	1,505	$	5,318
	State tax benefit, net of federal benefit		20		26		129		76
	Noncontrolling interest		-29		-237		-89		-701
	Valuation allowance		-296		-1,693		-3,412		-4,650
	Other		67		109		1,867		-43
	Total	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—
Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities [Table Text Block]	'
	The effects of temporary differences and other items that give rise to deferred tax assets and liabilities are presented below (in thousands):
		September 30,		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Deferred tax assets:
	Capitalized start up costs	$	22	$	24
	Deferred transaction costs		867		—
	Stock-based compensation		622		622
	Net operating loss carryover		63,695		62,372
	Other		3		18
	Deferred tax assets		65,209		63,036
	Valuation allowance		-64,607		-61,111
	Deferred tax liabilities:
	Property, plant and equipment		-8		-11
	Investment in partnership		-594		-1,914
	Deferred tax liabilities		-602		-1,925
	Net deferred tax asset	$	—	$	—

Noncontrolling_Interest_Tables

Noncontrolling Interest (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]	'
Schedule Of Net Income Loss Attributable To Parent And Transfers From Noncontrolling Interest [Table Text Block]	'
	The table below shows the effects of the changes in BioFuel Energy Corp.’s ownership interest in the LLC on the equity attributable to BioFuel Energy Corp.’s common stockholders for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and September 30, 2013 (in thousands):
	Net Loss Attributable to BioFuel Energy Corp.’s Common Stockholders and
	Transfers from the Noncontrolling Interest
		Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2014		2013		2014		2013
	Net loss attributable to BioFuel Energy Corp.	$	-604	$	-4,461	$	-4,065	$	-13,221
	Decrease in BioFuel Energy Corp. stockholders’ equity from issuance of common shares in exchange for Class B common shares and units of BioFuel Energy, LLC		—		—		-141		—
	Change in equity from net loss attributable to BioFuel Energy Corp. and transfers from noncontrolling interest	$	-604	$	-4,461	$	-4,206	$	-13,221

Organization_Nature_of_Busines1

Organization, Nature of Business, and Basis of Presentation (Details Textual) (USD $)	9 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 10, 2014	Mar. 28, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
					Greenlight [Member]	Brickman Parties [Member]	Brickman Parties And Greenlight [Member]	Brickman Parties And Greenlight [Member]	Common Class B [Member]	Common Class B [Member]
Organization Nature Of Business And Liquidity Considerations [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	87.60%	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Noncontrolling Owners	12.40%	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Common stock, shares outstanding	5,497,106	5,482,585	'	'	'	'	'	'	780,958	795,479
Business Acquisition, Payable In Cash And Shares	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$275,000,000	'	'
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Parent	28.90%	'	'	'	49.90%	8.40%	'	'	'	'
Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value, Including Discontinued Operations, Beginning Balance	7,081,000	12,872,000	17,290,000	9,323,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Operating Loss Carryforwards	181,800,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Business Acquisition, Transaction Costs	'	'	'	'	'	'	275,000,000	'	'	'
Proceeds from Issuance of Warrants	70,000,000	'	'	'	70,000,000	'	'	'	'	'
Proceeds from Issuance of Debt	'	'	'	'	$150,000,000	'	'	'	'	'

Discontinued_Operations_Dispos2

Discontinued Operations - Disposal of Ethanol Plants (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net Sales	$79,048	$259,119	'	'
Cost of goods sold	82,132	266,357	'	'
Gross loss	-3,084	-7,238	'	'
General and administrative expenses	1,518	4,911	'	'
Operating loss	-4,602	-12,149	'	'
Other income (expense):	'	'	'	'
Other income	2,535	6,590	'	'
Interest expense	-2,013	-5,856	'	'
Loss before income taxes	-4,080	-11,415	'	'
Income tax provision (benefit)	0	0	'	'
Loss from discontinued operations	-4,080	-11,415	'	'
Current assets:	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	'	'	'	267
Prepaid expenses	'	'	'	1
Other current assets	'	'	'	164
Assets held for sale	'	'	'	432
Current liabilities:	'	'	'	'
Accounts payable	'	'	'	289
Liabilities held for sale	'	'	$0	$289

Discontinued_Operations_Dispos3

Discontinued Operations - Disposal of Ethanol Plants (Details Textual) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Operating Leases, Rent Expense	$39,000	$65,000	$127,000	$196,000
Ethanol Plants [Member]	'	'	'	'
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Depreciation	'	6,989,000	'	20,986,000
Operating Leases, Rent Expense	'	2,768,000	'	8,386,000
Sales Revenue, Goods, Net [Member]	'	'	'	'
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Concentration Risk Percentage During Period	'	76.00%	'	75.00%
Cargill [Member]	'	'	'	'
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Cost of Purchased Oil and Gas	'	$61,100,000	'	$203,700,000

Summary_of_Significant_Account2

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details Textual) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$7,081	$12,605

Property_Plant_and_Equipment_D

Property, Plant and Equipment (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Office furniture and equipment	$788	$788
Accumulated depreciation	-737	-717
Property, plant and equipment, net	$51	$71

Property_Plant_and_Equipment_D1

Property, Plant and Equipment (Details Textual) (Discontinued Operation [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Discontinued Operation [Member]	'	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Depreciation	$6,000	$8,000	$20,000	$26,000

Earnings_Per_Share_Details

Earnings Per Share (Details)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic (in shares)	5,456,625	5,342,064	5,447,317	5,330,887
Potentially dilutive common stock equivalents	'	'	'	'
Class B common shares	780,958	795,479	790,266	795,479
Restricted stock	0	101,228	0	112,405
Weighted Average Number Diluted Shares Outstanding Adjustment, Total	780,958	896,707	790,266	907,884
Weighted Average Number Of Shares Outstanding, Basic Including Potentially Dilutive Common Stock Equivalents	6,237,583	6,238,771	6,237,583	6,238,771
Less anti-dilutive common stock equivalents	-780,958	-896,707	-790,266	-907,884
Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted (in shares)	5,456,625	5,342,064	5,447,317	5,330,887

Earnings_Per_Share_Details_Tex

Earnings Per Share (Details Textual)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	60,494	65,481	60,494	65,481

Stockholders_Equity_Details_Te

Stockholders' Equity (Details Textual) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Oct. 15, 2007	Mar. 27, 2014
				Series B Junior Participating Preferred Stock [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Treasury shares	40,481	40,481	'	'
Treasury Stock Acquired, Average Cost Per Share	$106.62	'	'	'
Share Price	'	'	'	$13.50
Stock Repurchase Program, Authorized Amount	$3,184,000	'	$7,500,000	'
Preferred Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share	$0.01	$0.01	'	$0.01
Beneficial Ownership Percentage	'	'	'	4.99%

StockBased_Compensation_Detail

Stock-Based Compensation (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Stock options	$0	$0	$0	$90
Restricted stock	0	141	0	451
Total	$0	$141	$0	$541

StockBased_Compensation_Detail1

Stock-Based Compensation (Details 1) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'
Shares Options outstanding, January 1, 2014 (in shares)	65,481
Shares Granted (in shares)	0
Shares Exercised (in shares)	0
Shares Forfeited (in shares)	-4,987
Shares Options outstanding, September 30, 2014 (in shares)	60,494
Shares Options exercisable, September 30, 2014 (in shares)	60,494
Weighted Average Exercise Price Options outstanding, January 1, 2014 (in dollars per share)	$58.94
Weighted Average Exercise Price Granted (in dollars per share)	$0
Weighted Average Exercise Price Exercised (in dollars per share)	$0
Weighted Average Exercise Price Forfeited (in dollars per share)	$45.73
Weighted Average Exercise Price Options outstanding, September 30, 2014 (in dollars per share)	$60.03
Weighted Average Exercise Price Options exercisable, September 30, 2014 (in dollars per share)	$60.03
Weighted Average Remaining Life (years) Options outstanding, September 30, 2014	'3 months 18 days
Weighted Average Remaining Life (years) Options exercisable, September 30, 2014	'3 months 18 days
Aggregate Intrinsic Value Options outstanding, September 30, 2014	$0
Aggregate Intrinsic Value Options exercisable, September 30, 2014	$0

StockBased_Compensation_Detail2

Stock-Based Compensation (Details Textual) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Employee Stock Option [Member]	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Terms of Award	'five year
Percentage Of Stock Options Vested Of Common Stock On First Anniversaries Of Grant Date	30.00%
Percentage Of Stock Options Vested Of Common Stock On Second Anniversaries Of Grant Date	30.00%
Percentage Of Stock Options Vested Of Common Stock On Third Anniversaries Of Grant Date	40.00%
Equity Incentive Compensation Plan 2007 [Member]	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Authorized	355,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Terms of Award	'ten years
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Available for Grant	119,540
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Description	'June 2017
Restricted Stock [Member]	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Terms of Award	'four year
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Total Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized	97,852
Percentage Of Restricted Stock Vest In Equal Increments On Each Of First Four Anniversaries	25.00%
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period	'1 year

Income_Taxes_Details

Income Taxes (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Income Taxes [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Tax benefit at 35% federal statutory rate	$238	$1,795	$1,505	$5,318
State tax benefit, net of federal benefit	20	26	129	76
Noncontrolling interest	-29	-237	-89	-701
Valuation allowance	-296	-1,693	-3,412	-4,650
Other	67	109	1,867	-43
Total	$0	$0	$0	$0

Income_Taxes_Details_1

Income Taxes (Details 1) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Deferred tax assets:	'	'
Capitalized start up costs	$22	$24
Deferred transaction costs	867	0
Stock-based compensation	622	622
Net operating loss carryover	63,695	62,372
Other	3	18
Deferred tax assets	65,209	63,036
Valuation allowance	-64,607	-61,111
Deferred tax liabilities:	'	'
Property, plant and equipment	-8	-11
Investment in partnership	-594	-1,914
Deferred tax liabilities	-602	-1,925
Net deferred tax asset	$0	$0

Income_Taxes_Details_Textual

Income Taxes (Details Textual) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014
Income Taxes [Line Items]	'
Operating Loss Carryforwards	$181.80
Operating Loss Carryforwards, Expiration Date	31-Dec-29
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, at Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate	35.00%

Employee_Benefits_Details_Text

Employee Benefits (Details Textual) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Employee Benefits [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Description Of Employee Participation In Employee Benefit Plans	'	'	'The LLC sponsors a 401(k) profit sharing and savings plan for its employees. Employee participation in this plan is voluntary and the LLC matches 50% of eligible employee contributions, up to an amount equal to 3% of employee compensation, on a biweekly basis.	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Contributions by Plan Participants	$1,000	$13,000	$22,000	$49,000	'
Accrued Liabilities and Other Liabilities, Total	'	'	'	'	$4,180,000

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Details Textual) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Operating Leases, Rent Expense	$39,000	$65,000	$127,000	$196,000	'
Sale Leaseback Transaction, Monthly Rental Payments	'	'	'	'	$11,000

Noncontrolling_Interest_Detail

Noncontrolling Interest (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net loss attributable to BioFuel Energy Corp.	($604)	($4,461)	($4,065)	($13,221)
Decrease in BioFuel Energy Corp. stockholders' equity from issuance of common shares in exchange for Class B common shares and units of BioFuel Energy, LLC	0	0	-141	0
Change in equity from net loss attributable to BioFuel Energy Corp. and transfers from noncontrolling interest	($604)	($4,461)	($4,206)	($13,221)

Noncontrolling_Interest_Detail1

Noncontrolling Interest (Details Textual) (USD $)	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2007
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]	'	'
Initial Public Offering Price Per Share	'	$210
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	87.60%	'
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Parent	28.90%	'
Percentage Of Payment To Exchanging Llc Member In Cash Savings Under Tax Benefit Sharing Agreement	85.00%	'
Remaining Percentage Of Payment To Exchanging Llc Member In Cash Savings Under Tax Benefit Sharing Agreement	15.00%	'
Common Class B [Member]	'	'
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]	'	'
Membership Units To Be Issued	897,903	'