Dine Brands Global (DIN) 10-Q 9 Nov 17 2017 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Nov. 03, 2017
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	DineEquity, Inc.
Entity Central Index Key	49,754
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2017
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,017
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		17,988,168

Consolidated Balance Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 104,212	$ 140,535
Receivables, net	96,657	141,389
Restricted cash	31,338	30,256
Prepaid gift card costs	36,667	47,115
Prepaid income taxes	8,749	2,483
Other current assets	5,703	4,370
Total current assets	283,326	366,148
Long-term receivables, net	131,033	141,152
Property and equipment, net	199,857	205,055
Goodwill, net	339,236	697,470
Other intangible assets, net	585,160	763,431
Deferred rent receivable	84,071	86,981
Non-current restricted cash	14,700	14,700
Other non-current assets, net	3,825	3,646
Total assets	1,641,208	2,278,583
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	26,452	50,503
Gift card liability	104,317	170,812
Dividends payable	17,755	17,465
Accrued employee compensation and benefits	13,527	14,609
Current maturities of long-term debt, capital lease and financing obligations	16,202	13,144
Accrued advertising	8,359	6,369
Other accrued expenses	16,775	13,410
Total current liabilities	203,387	286,312
Long-term debt, less current maturities	1,281,950	1,282,691
Capital lease obligations, less current maturities	64,923	74,665
Financing obligations, less current maturities	39,292	39,499
Deferred income taxes, net	178,848	253,898
Deferred rent payable	65,449	69,572
Other non-current liabilities	24,036	19,174
Total liabilities	1,857,885	2,025,811
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders’ (deficit) equity:
Common stock, $0.01 par value, shares: 40,000,000 authorized; September 30, 2017 - 25,033,220 issued, 17,996,223 outstanding; December 31, 2016 - 25,134,223 issued, 17,969,636 outstanding	250	251
Additional paid-in-capital	292,255	292,809
(Accumulated deficit) retained earnings	(86,634)	382,082
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(105)	(107)
Treasury stock, at cost; shares: September 30, 2017 - 7,036,997; December 31, 2016 - 7,164,587	(422,443)	(422,263)
Total stockholders’ (deficit) equity	(216,677)	252,772
Total liabilities and stockholders’ (deficit) equity	$ 1,641,208	$ 2,278,583

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parentheticals) - $ / shares	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	40,000,000	40,000,000
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	25,033,220	25,134,223
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	17,996,223	17,969,636
Treasury stock, shares (in shares)	7,036,997	7,164,587

Consolidated Statements of Comp

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Revenues:
Franchise and restaurant revenues	$ 112,347	$ 123,259	$ 358,912	$ 380,034
Rental revenues	30,263	30,507	90,852	92,746
Financing revenues	2,061	2,251	6,280	7,019
Total revenues	144,671	156,017	456,044	479,799
Cost of revenues:
Franchise and restaurant expenses	41,800	41,553	123,476	122,129
Rental expenses	22,318	22,771	67,665	69,032
Financing expenses	449	9	449	155
Total cost of revenues	64,567	64,333	191,590	191,316
Gross profit	80,104	91,684	264,454	288,483
General and administrative expenses	38,030	36,002	125,701	111,937
Impairment and closure charges	532,522	206	535,440	3,932
Interest expense	15,353	15,358	46,496	46,107
Amortization of intangible assets	2,507	2,500	7,507	7,480
(Gain) loss on disposition of assets	(35)	113	(6,387)	679
(Loss) income before income tax benefit (provision)	(508,273)	37,505	(444,303)	118,348
Income tax benefit (provision)	56,555	(13,232)	28,228	(41,703)
Net (loss) income	(451,718)	24,273	(416,075)	76,645
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(2)	(1)	(2)	0
Total comprehensive (loss) income	(451,720)	24,272	(416,077)	76,645
Net (loss) income available to common stockholders:
Net (loss) income	(451,718)	24,273	(416,075)	76,645
Less: Net loss (income) allocated to unvested participating restricted stock	8,496	(338)	6,921	(1,103)
Net (loss) income available to common stockholders - basic	$ (443,222)	$ 23,935	$ (409,154)	$ 75,542
Net (loss) income available to common stockholders per share:
Basic (USD per share)	$ (24.98)	$ 1.33	$ (23.09)	$ 4.17
Diluted (USD per share)	$ (24.98)	$ 1.33	$ (23.09)	$ 4.15
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	17,742	17,950	17,718	18,099
Diluted (in shares)	17,742	18,041	17,718	18,201
Dividends declared per common share (USD per share)	$ 0.97	$ 0.92	$ 2.91	$ 2.76
Dividends paid per common share (USD per share)	$ 0.97	$ 0.92	$ 2.91	$ 2.76

Consolidated Statements of Cash

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net (loss) income	$ (416,075)	$ 76,645
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to cash flows provided by operating activities:
Impairment and closure charges	535,306	1,461
Depreciation and amortization	23,053	22,924
Non-cash interest expense	2,509	2,400
Deferred income taxes	(77,345)	(14,852)
Non-cash stock-based compensation expense	8,826	8,215
Tax benefit from stock-based compensation	0	1,153
Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation	0	(966)
(Gain) loss on disposition of assets	(6,422)	679
Other	(2,791)	456
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable, net	(1,569)	4,312
Current income tax receivables and payables	(1,699)	(1,138)
Gift card receivables and payables	(26,387)	(30,355)
Other current assets	(1,336)	(824)
Accounts payable	(7,530)	(1,397)
Accrued employee compensation and benefits	(1,146)	(9,293)
Other current liabilities	3,606	2,638
Cash flows provided by operating activities	31,000	62,058
Cash flows from investing activities:
Additions to property and equipment	(9,608)	(3,543)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	1,100	0
Principal receipts from notes, equipment contracts and other long-term receivables	15,283	13,969
Other	(356)	(393)
Cash flows provided by investing activities	6,419	10,033
Cash flows from financing activities:
Dividends paid on common stock	(52,326)	(50,790)
Repurchase of common stock	(10,003)	(45,010)
Principal payments on capital lease and financing obligations	(10,621)	(10,391)
Tax payments for restricted stock upon vesting	(2,345)	(2,680)
Proceeds from stock options exercised	2,635	1,282
Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation	0	966
Cash flows used in financing activities	(72,660)	(106,623)
Net change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	(35,241)	(34,532)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period	185,491	192,013
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period	150,250	157,481
Supplemental disclosures:
Interest paid in cash	50,808	51,940
Income taxes paid in cash	$ 50,813	$ 56,734

General

General	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
General	General The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements of DineEquity, Inc. (the “Company” or “DineEquity”) have been prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. The operating results for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the twelve months ending December 31, 2017 . The consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2016 has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements at that date, but does not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 .

Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	Basis of Presentation The Company’s fiscal quarters end on the Sunday closest to the last day of each calendar quarter. For convenience, the fiscal quarters of each year are referred to as ending on March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31. The first fiscal quarter of 2017 began on January 2, 2017 and ended on April 2, 2017 and the second and third fiscal quarters of 2017 ended on July 2, 2017 and October 1, 2017 , respectively. The first fiscal quarter of 2016 began on January 4, 2016 and ended on April 3, 2016 and the second and third fiscal quarters of 2016 ended on July 3, 2016 and October 2, 2016 , respectively. The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries that are consolidated in accordance with U.S. GAAP. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires the Company’s management to make assumptions and estimates that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities, if any, at the date of the consolidated financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Significant estimates are made in the calculation and assessment of the following: impairment of goodwill, other intangible assets and tangible assets; income taxes; allowance for doubtful accounts and notes receivables; lease accounting estimates; contingencies; and stock-based compensation. On an ongoing basis, the Company evaluates its estimates based on historical experience, current conditions and various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. The Company adjusts such estimates and assumptions when facts and circumstances dictate. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Accounting Policies

Accounting Policies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract]
Accounting Policies	Accounting Policies Accounting Standards Adopted Effective January 2, 2017 In March 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued new guidance that addresses accounting for certain aspects of share-based payments, including excess tax benefits or deficiencies, forfeiture estimates, statutory tax withholding and cash flow classification of certain share-based payment activity. The Company applied the prospective transition method in adopting the new guidance and prior period amounts have not been restated. Because of the adoption, the Company recognized an excess tax deficiency from stock-based compensation as a discrete item, increasing the income tax provision for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 by $0.1 million and $1.8 million , respectively. Historically, excess tax benefits or deficiencies were recorded as additional paid-in capital. The Company applied the prospective transition method with respect to the cash flow classification of certain share-based payment activity; accordingly, the cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 have not been restated. The Company has elected to maintain its practice of estimating forfeitures when recognizing expense for share-based payment awards . Amendments to the accounting for minimum statutory withholding requirements had no impact on the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements. In November 2016, the FASB issued new guidance to reduce diversity in practice in the classification and presentation of changes in restricted cash in the statement of cash flows. The new guidance requires amounts generally described as restricted cash should be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period total amounts to the end-of-period total amounts shown on the statement of cash flows. Calendar year public entities will be required to adopt the new guidance beginning with the first fiscal quarter of 2018. The Company elected to adopt the new guidance retrospectively effective January 2, 2017 and the cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 were restated. Adoption of the new guidance did not impact the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets or Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income. In January 2017, the FASB issued new guidance simplifying the test of goodwill for impairment. The new guidance requires a single-step quantitative test to measure potential impairment based on the excess of a reporting unit's carrying amount over its fair value. Calendar year public entities will be required to adopt the new guidance beginning with the first fiscal quarter of 2020. The Company has elected early adoption of the new guidance, as is permitted for interim or annual tests of goodwill performed after January 1, 2017. Newly Issued Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted In August 2016, the FASB issued new guidance on the classification of certain cash receipts and payments in the statement of cash flows. The new guidance is intended to reduce diversity in practice in how certain transactions are classified in the statement of cash flows. The Company will be required to adopt the new guidance beginning with its first fiscal quarter of 2018. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently assessing the impact that the new guidance will have on its consolidated statements of cash flows. In June 2016, the FASB issued new guidance on the measurement of credit losses on financial instruments. The new guidance will replace the incurred loss methodology of recognizing credit losses on financial instruments that is currently required with a methodology that estimates the expected credit loss on financial instruments and reflects the net amount expected to be collected on the financial instrument. Application of the new guidance may result in the earlier recognition of credit losses as the new methodology will require entities to consider forward-looking information in addition to historical and current information used in assessing incurred losses. The Company will be required to adopt the new guidance on a modified retrospective basis beginning with its first fiscal quarter of 2020, with early adoption permitted in its first fiscal quarter of 2019. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the new guidance on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures and whether early adoption will be elected. In February 2016, the FASB issued new guidance with respect to the accounting for leases. The new guidance will require lessees to recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability for virtually all leases, other than leases with a term of 12 months or less, and to provide additional disclosures about leasing arrangements. Accounting by lessors is largely unchanged from existing accounting guidance. The Company will be required to adopt the new guidance on a modified retrospective basis beginning with its first fiscal quarter of 2019. Early adoption is permitted. While the Company is still in the process of evaluating the impact of the new guidance on its consolidated financial statements and disclosures, the Company expects adoption of the new guidance will have a material impact on its Consolidated Balance Sheets due to recognition of the right-of-use asset and lease liability related to its operating leases. While the new guidance is also expected to impact the measurement and presentation of elements of expenses and cash flows related to leasing arrangements, the Company does not presently believe there will be a material impact on its Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income or Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Recognition of a lease liability related to operating leases will not impact any covenants related to the Company's long-term debt because the debt agreements specify that covenant ratios be calculated using U.S. GAAP in effect at the time the debt agreements were entered into. In January 2016, the FASB issued guidance on the recognition and measurement of financial instruments. The guidance modifies how entities measure certain equity investments and present changes in the fair value of those investments, as well as changes how fair value of financial instruments is measured for disclosure purposes. The amendment is effective commencing with the Company's first fiscal quarter of 2018. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the new guidance on its financial statements and disclosures. In May 2014, the FASB issued new accounting guidance on revenue recognition, which provides for a single, five-step model to be applied to all revenue contracts with customers. The new standard also requires additional financial statement disclosures that will enable users to understand the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows relating to customer contracts. Companies have an option to use either the full retrospective method or the modified retrospective method to implement the standard. In August 2015, the FASB deferred the effective date of the new revenue guidance by one year such that the Company will be required to adopt the new guidance beginning with its first fiscal quarter of 2018. The FASB has subsequently issued several clarifications on specific topics within the new revenue recognition guidance that did not change the core principles of the guidance originally issued in May 2014. This new guidance supersedes nearly all the existing general revenue recognition guidance under U.S. GAAP as well as most industry-specific revenue recognition guidance, including guidance with respect to revenue recognition by franchisors. The Company believes the recognition of the majority of its revenues, including franchise royalty revenues and sales of IHOP pancake and waffle dry mix will not be affected by the new guidance. Additionally, lease rental revenues are not within the scope of the new guidance. The Company believes the new guidance will impact the timing of recognition of franchise and development fees. Under existing guidance, these fees are typically recognized upon the opening of restaurants. Under the new guidance, the Company believes the fees will have to be deferred and recognized as revenue over the term of the individual franchise agreements. However, the effect of the required deferral of fees received in any given year will be mitigated by the recognition of revenue from fees retrospectively deferred from prior years. The Company has essentially completed reviewing most of its nearly 4,000 agreements to obtain the data elements necessary to implement the new guidance and is in the process of quantifying the impact of the new guidance on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. The Company also believes the new guidance will impact the accounting for transactions related to the Applebee's national advertising fund. Currently, franchisee contributions to and expenditures of the Applebee's national advertising fund are not included in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income. Under the new guidance, the Company would include contributions to and expenditures from the Applebee's advertising fund within the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income as is currently done with contributions to and expenditures from the IHOP national advertising fund and with international restaurants of both brands. While this change will materially impact the gross amount of reported franchise revenues and expenses, the impact would be an offsetting increase to both revenue and expense such that the impact on gross profit and net income, if any, would not be material. The Company presently expects to use the full retrospective method of adoption when the new revenue guidance is adopted in the first fiscal quarter of 2018. The Company reviewed all other newly issued accounting pronouncements and concluded that they either are not applicable to the Company's operations or that no material effect is expected on the Company's financial statements because of future adoption.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Notes)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill and Intangible Assets	Goodwill and Intangible Assets Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 are as follows: Applebee's Franchise Unit IHOP Franchise Unit Total (In millions) Balance at December 31, 2016: Goodwill, gross $ 686.7 $ 10.8 $ 697.5 Accumulated impairment loss — — — Goodwill 686.7 10.8 697.5 Impairment loss (358.2 ) — (358.2 ) Balance at September 30, 2017: Goodwill, gross 686.7 10.8 697.5 Accumulated impairment loss (358.2 ) — (358.2 ) Goodwill $ 328.5 $ 10.8 $ 339.2 Changes in the carrying amount of intangible assets for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 are as follows: Not Subject to Amortization Subject to Amortization Applebee's Tradename Other Applebee's Franchising Rights Leaseholds Total (In millions) Balance at December 31, 2016 $ 652.4 $ 2.0 $ 109.0 $ — $ 763.4 Impairment (173.4 ) — — — (173.4 ) Amortization expense — — (7.5 ) (0.0 ) (7.5 ) Additions — 0.4 — 2.3 2.7 Balance at September 30, 2017 $ 479.0 $ 2.4 $ 101.5 $ 2.3 $ 585.2 The Company evaluates its goodwill and the indefinite-lived Applebee's tradename for impairment annually in the fourth quarter of each year. In addition to the annual evaluation for impairment, goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are evaluated more frequently if the Company believes indicators of impairment exist. In the third quarter of 2017, the Company noted that the decline in the market price of the Company's common stock since December 31, 2016, which the Company had believed to be temporary, persisted throughout the first eight months of 2017 and that the favorable trend in Applebee's domestic same-restaurant sales experienced in the second quarter of 2017 did not continue into the first two months of the third quarter. The Company also noted a continuing increase in Applebee's bad debt expense and in royalties not recognized in income until paid in cash. Additionally, the Company also determined an increasing shortfall in franchisee contributions to the Applebee's national advertising fund could require a larger amount of future subsidization in the form of additional franchisor contributions to the fund than previously estimated. Based on these unfavorable developments, primarily the decline in the market price of the Company's common stock, the Company determined that indicators of impairment existed and that an interim test of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment should be performed. The Company performed an interim quantitative test of impairment of Applebee's goodwill and tradename in the third quarter of 2017. In performing the quantitative test of goodwill, the Company used the income approach method of valuation that included the discounted cash flow method as well as other generally accepted valuation methodologies to determine the fair value of goodwill and intangible assets. Significant assumptions used to determine fair value under the discounted cash flow model included expected future trends in sales, operating expenses, overhead expenses, capital expenditures and changes in working capital, along with an appropriate discount rate based on the Company's estimated cost of equity capital and after-tax cost of debt. In performing the impairment review of the tradename, the Company used the relief of royalty method under the income approach method of valuation. Significant assumptions used to determine fair value under the relief of royalty method include future trends in sales, a royalty rate and a discount rate to be applied to the forecast revenue stream. As a result of performing the quantitative test of impairment, the Company recognized an impairment of Applebee's goodwill of $358.2 million and an impairment of Applebee's tradename of $173.4 million . The Company adopted the guidance in FASB Accounting Standards Update 2017-04 on January 1, 2017; accordingly, the amount of the goodwill impairment was determined as the amount by which the carrying amount of the goodwill exceeded the fair value of the Applebee's franchise reporting unit as estimated in the impairment test. These assets are at risk of additional impairment in the future in the event of sustained downward movement in the Company's stock price, downward revisions of long-term performance assumptions or increases in the assumed long-term discount rate.

Stockholders' Equity

Stockholders' Equity	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Equity [Abstract]
Stockholders' Equity	Stockholders' Equity Dividends During the nine months ended September 30, 2017 , the Company paid dividends on common stock of $52.3 million , representing cash dividends of $0.97 per share declared in the fourth quarter of 2016 and the first and second quarters of 2017. On August 10, 2017, the Company's Board of Directors declared a third quarter 2017 cash dividend of $0.97 per share of common stock. This dividend was paid on October 6, 2017 to the Company's stockholders of record at the close of business on September 18, 2017. The Company reported dividends payable of $17.8 million at September 30, 2017 . Stock Repurchase Program In October 2015, the Company's Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase program authorizing the Company to repurchase up to $150 million of DineEquity common stock (the “2015 Repurchase Program”) on an opportunistic basis from time to time in open market transactions and in privately negotiated transactions based on business, market, applicable legal requirements and other considerations. The 2015 Repurchase Program, as approved by the Board of Directors, does not require the repurchase of a specific number of shares and can be terminated at any time. A summary of shares repurchased under the 2015 Repurchase Program, during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and cumulatively, is as follows: 2015 Repurchase Program Shares Cost of shares (In millions) Repurchased during the three months ended September 30, 2017 — $ — Repurchased during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 145,786 $ 10.0 Cumulative repurchases as of September 30, 2017 1,000,657 $ 82.9 Remaining dollar value of shares that may be repurchased n/a $ 67.1 Treasury Stock Repurchases of DineEquity common stock are included in treasury stock at the cost of shares repurchased plus any transaction costs. Treasury stock may be re-issued when stock options are exercised, when restricted stock awards are granted and when restricted stock units settle in stock upon vesting. The cost of treasury stock re-issued is determined using the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) method. During the nine months ended September 30, 2017 , the Company re-issued 273,376 shares of treasury stock at a total FIFO cost of $9.8 million .

Income Taxes

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Income Taxes The Company's effective tax rate was 6.4% for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 as compared to 35.2% for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 . T he effective tax rate of 6.4% for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 (the tax benefit of $28.2 million on the pretax book loss of $444.3 million ) was significantly different than the statutory federal tax rate of 35% because the $358.2 million impairment of goodwill (see Note 4) is not deductible for federal income tax purposes and therefore has no associated tax benefit. The Company did recognize a tax benefit of $65.1 million as a discrete item related to the $173.4 million impairment of Applebee's tradename. The total gross unrecognized tax benefit as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 was $5.9 million and $3.9 million , respectively, excluding interest, penalties and related tax benefits. The Company estimates the unrecognized tax benefit may decrease over the upcoming 12 months by an amount up to $1.8 million related to settlements with taxing authorities and the lapse of statutes of limitations. For the remaining liability, due to the uncertainties related to these tax matters, the Company is unable to make a reasonably reliable estimate as to when cash settlement with a taxing authority will occur. As of September 30, 2017 , accrued interest was $1.0 million and accrued penalties were less than $0.1 million , excluding any related income tax benefits. As of December 31, 2016 , accrued interest was $1.0 million and accrued penalties were less than $0.1 million , excluding any related income tax benefits. The Company recognizes interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits and penalties as a component of its income tax provision recognized in its Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income. The Company files federal income tax returns and the Company or one of its subsidiaries files income tax returns in various state and foreign jurisdictions. With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to federal, state or non-United States tax examinations by tax authorities for years before 2011. The Internal Revenue Service commenced examination of the Company’s U.S. federal income tax return for the tax years 2011 to 2013 during the year. The examination is currently in process. The Company believes that adequate reserves have been provided relating to all matters contained in the tax periods open to examination.

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Stock-Based Compensation	Stock-Based Compensation The following table summarizes the components of stock-based compensation expense included in general and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income: Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30, 2017 2016 2017 2016 (In millions) Total stock-based compensation expense: Equity classified awards expense $ 1.3 $ 2.6 $ 9.0 $ 8.3 Liability classified awards expense — (0.5 ) (1.1 ) 0.6 Total pre-tax stock-based compensation expense 1.3 2.1 7.9 8.9 Book income tax benefit (0.5 ) (0.7 ) (3.0 ) (3.3 ) Total stock-based compensation expense, net of tax $ 0.8 $ 1.4 $ 4.9 $ 5.6 As of September 30, 2017 , total unrecognized compensation expense of $17.6 million related to restricted stock and restricted stock units and $3.2 million related to stock options are expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.1 years for restricted stock and restricted stock units and 1.9 years for stock options. Fair Value Assumptions The Company granted 537,030 stock options during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 for which the fair value was estimated using a Black-Scholes option pricing model. The following summarizes the assumptions used in the Black-Scholes model: Risk-free interest rate 1.9 % Weighted average historical volatility 22.9 % Dividend yield 7.3 % Expected years until exercise 4.5 Weighted average fair value of options granted $4.31 The Company granted 350,000 performance-based stock options and 175,000 performance-based restricted stock units during the three months ended September 30, 2017 for which the fair value was estimated using a Monte Carlo simulation method. The following summarizes the assumptions used in estimating the fair values: Risk-free interest rate 1.6 % Weighted average historical volatility 30.0 % Dividend yield 9.6 % Expected years until exercise 3.4 Weighted average fair value of options granted $3.07 Weighted average fair value of restricted stock units granted $10.19 Equity Classified Awards - Stock Options Stock option balances at September 30, 2017 , and activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 were as follows: Shares Weighted Average Exercise Price Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (in Years) Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in Millions) Outstanding at December 31, 2016 701,134 $ 80.04 Granted 887,030 48.35 Exercised (64,916 ) 40.59 Expired (58,217 ) 84.43 Forfeited (171,847 ) 65.82 Outstanding at September 30, 2017 1,293,184 61.98 7.3 $ 0.9 Vested at September 30, 2017 and Expected to Vest 1,111,610 64.50 7.0 $ 0.6 Exercisable at September 30, 2017 456,308 $ 81.35 3.3 $ 0.0 The aggregate intrinsic value in the table above represents the total pre-tax intrinsic value (the difference between the closing stock price of the Company’s common stock on the last trading day of the third quarter of 2017 and the exercise price, multiplied by the number of in-the-money options) that would have been received by the option holders had all option holders exercised their options on September 30, 2017 . The aggregate intrinsic value will change based on the fair market value of the Company’s common stock and the number of in-the-money options. Equity Classified Awards - Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units Outstanding balances as of September 30, 2017 , and activity related to restricted stock and restricted stock units for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 were as follows: Restricted Stock Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Restricted Stock Units Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Outstanding at December 31, 2016 235,472 $ 92.81 34,058 $ 93.95 Granted 208,460 52.08 275,578 22.37 Released (89,911 ) 88.65 (12,683 ) 81.63 Forfeited (73,409 ) 79.44 — — Outstanding at September 30, 2017 280,612 $ 67.38 296,953 $ 28.39 Liability Classified Awards - Long-Term Incentive Awards The Company has granted cash long-term incentive awards (“LTIP awards”) to certain employees. Annual LTIP awards vest over a three -year period and are determined using a multiplier from 0% to 200% of the target award based on the total stockholder return of DineEquity common stock compared to the total stockholder returns of a peer group of companies. Although LTIP awards are only paid in cash, since the multiplier is based on the price of the Company's common stock, the awards are considered stock-based compensation in accordance with U.S. GAAP and are classified as liabilities. For the three months ended September 30, 2017 , no expense was recognized. For the three months ended September 30, 2016 , a credit of $0.5 million was included in total stock-based compensation expense related to LTIP awards. For the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 , a credit of $1.0 million and an expense of $0.6 million , respectively, were included in total stock-based compensation expense related to LTIP awards. At September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , liabilities of less than $0.1 million and liabilities of $1.2 million , respectively, related to LTIP awards were included as part of accrued employee compensation and benefits in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Segments

Segments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segments	Segments The Company currently has three operating segments: franchise operations (an aggregation of Applebee’s and IHOP franchise operations), rental operations and financing operations. Prior to June 2017, the Company operated 10 IHOP restaurants and those operations were considered to be a fourth operating segment. The Company views all operating segments as reportable segments regardless of whether an operating segment exceeds 10% of consolidated revenues, segment profit or total assets. As of September 30, 2017 , the franchise operations segment consisted of (i) 1,945 restaurants operated by Applebee’s franchisees in the United States, two U.S. territories and 14 countries outside the United States and (ii) 1,761 restaurants operated by IHOP franchisees and area licensees in the United States, three U.S. territories and 13 countries outside the United States. Franchise operations revenue consists primarily of franchise royalty revenues, sales of proprietary products to franchisees (primarily pancake and waffle dry mixes for the IHOP restaurants), franchise advertising fees from domestic IHOP restaurants and international restaurants of both brands and franchise fees. Franchise operations expenses include advertising expenses from domestic IHOP restaurants and international restaurants of both brands, the cost of IHOP proprietary products, bad debt expense, franchisor contributions to marketing funds, pre-opening training expenses and other franchise-related costs. Rental operations revenue includes revenue from operating leases and interest income from direct financing leases. Rental operations expenses are costs of operating leases and interest expense from capital leases on franchisee-operated restaurants. Company restaurant sales are retail sales at company-operated restaurants. Company restaurant expenses are operating expenses at company-operated restaurants and include food, labor, utilities, rent and other restaurant operating costs. In June 2017, the Company refranchised nine of ten company-operated restaurants in the Cincinnati, Ohio market area; the one restaurant not refranchised was permanently closed. As a result, the Company no longer operates any IHOP restaurants on a permanent basis. The Company has not presented these restaurants as discontinued operations as defined by U.S. GAAP because the refranchising of nine restaurants out of a total of over 3,700 restaurants did not represent a strategic shift that had a major effect on the Company's operations. From time to time, the Company may operate IHOP restaurants reacquired from franchisees on a temporary basis until those restaurants are refranchised. There were no IHOP restaurants under temporary operation at September 30, 2017 . Financing operations revenue primarily consists of interest income from the financing of franchise fees and equipment leases and sales of equipment associated with refranchised IHOP restaurants. Financing expenses are primarily the cost of restaurant equipment associated with refranchised IHOP restaurants. Information on segments is as follows: Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30, 2017 2016 2017 2016 (In millions) Revenues from external customers: Franchise operations $ 112.3 $ 119.2 $ 351.4 $ 366.7 Rental operations 30.3 30.5 90.9 92.7 Company restaurants — 4.0 7.5 13.4 Financing operations 2.1 2.3 6.3 7.0 Total $ 144.7 $ 156.0 $ 456.0 $ 479.8 Interest expense: Rental operations $ 2.6 $ 2.9 $ 8.0 $ 9.0 Company restaurants — 0.1 0.2 0.3 Corporate 15.4 15.4 46.5 46.1 Total $ 18.0 $ 18.4 $ 54.7 $ 55.4 Depreciation and amortization: Franchise operations $ 2.7 $ 2.7 $ 8.1 $ 7.9 Rental operations 3.0 3.1 9.1 9.4 Company restaurants — 0.1 0.1 0.3 Corporate 1.9 1.5 5.8 5.3 Total $ 7.6 $ 7.4 $ 23.1 $ 22.9 Gross profit, by segment: Franchise operations $ 70.5 $ 81.9 $ 235.7 $ 258.7 Rental operations 8.0 7.7 23.2 23.7 Company restaurants (0.0 ) (0.2 ) (0.3 ) (0.7 ) Financing operations 1.6 2.3 5.9 6.8 Total gross profit 80.1 91.7 264.5 288.5 Corporate and unallocated expenses, net (588.4 ) (54.2 ) (708.8 ) (170.1 ) (Loss) income before income tax provision $ (508.3 ) $ 37.5 $ (444.3 ) $ 118.3

Net Income per Share

Net Income per Share	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net Income per Share	Net (Loss) Income per Share The computation of the Company's basic and diluted net (loss) income per share is as follows: Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30, 2017 2016 2017 2016 (In thousands, except per share data) Numerator for basic and diluted (loss) income per common share: Net (loss) income $ (451,718 ) $ 24,273 $ (416,075 ) $ 76,645 Less: Net loss (income) allocated to unvested participating restricted stock 8,496 (338 ) 6,921 (1,103 ) Net (loss) income available to common stockholders - basic (443,222 ) 23,935 (409,154 ) 75,542 Effect of unvested participating restricted stock in two-class calculation — 1 5 3 Net (loss) income available to common stockholders - diluted $ (443,222 ) $ 23,936 $ (409,149 ) $ 75,545 Denominator: Weighted average outstanding shares of common stock - basic 17,742 17,950 17,718 18,099 Dilutive effect of stock options — 91 — 102 Weighted average outstanding shares of common stock - diluted 17,742 18,041 17,718 18,201 Net (loss) income per common share: Basic $ (24.98 ) $ 1.33 $ (23.09 ) $ 4.17 Diluted $ (24.98 ) $ 1.33 $ (23.09 ) $ 4.15 For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 , diluted loss per common share was computed using the weighted average number of shares outstanding during each period as the 1,000 and 11,000 shares, respectively, from common stock equivalents would have been antidilutive.

Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurements	Fair Value Measurements The Company does not have a material amount of financial assets or liabilities that are required under U.S. GAAP to be measured on a recurring basis at fair value. The Company is not a party to any derivative financial instruments. The Company does not have a material amount of non-financial assets or non-financial liabilities that are required under U.S. GAAP to be measured at fair value on a recurring basis. The Company has not elected to use the fair value measurement option, as permitted under U.S. GAAP, for any assets or liabilities for which fair value measurement is not presently required. The Company believes the fair values of cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximate their carrying amounts due to their short duration. The fair values of the Company's Series 2014-1 Class A-2 Notes (the “Class A-2 Notes”) at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 were as follows: September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 Carrying Amount Fair Value Carrying Amount Fair Value (In millions) Long-term debt, current and long-term $ 1,285.2 $ 1,274.0 $ 1,282.7 $ 1,286.2 The fair values were determined based on Level 2 inputs, including information gathered from brokers who trade in the Company’s Class A-2 Notes and information on notes that are similar to those of the Company.

Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	Commitments and Contingencies Litigation, Claims and Disputes The Company is subject to various lawsuits, administrative proceedings, audits and claims arising in the ordinary course of business. Some of these lawsuits purport to be class actions and/or seek substantial damages. The Company is required under U.S. GAAP to record an accrual for litigation loss contingencies that are both probable and reasonably estimable. Legal fees and expenses associated with the defense of all of the Company's litigation are expensed as such fees and expenses are incurred. Management regularly assesses the Company's insurance coverage, analyzes litigation information with the Company's attorneys and evaluates the Company's loss experience in connection with pending legal proceedings. While the Company does not presently believe that any of the legal proceedings to which it is currently a party will ultimately have a material adverse impact on the Company, there can be no assurance that the Company will prevail in all the proceedings the Company is party to, or that the Company will not incur material losses from them. Lease Guarantees In connection with the sale of Applebee’s restaurants or previous brands to franchisees and other parties, the Company has, in certain cases, guaranteed or has potential continuing liability for lease payments totaling $325.2 million as of September 30, 2017 . This amount represents the maximum potential liability for future payments under these leases. These leases have been assigned to the buyers and expire at the end of the respective lease terms, which range from 2017 through 2048 . Excluding unexercised option periods, the Company's potential liability for future payments under these leases is $54.5 million . In the event of default, the indemnity and default clauses in the sale or assignment agreements govern the Company's ability to pursue and recover damages incurred. No material lease payment guarantee liabilities have been recorded as of September 30, 2017 .

Allowance for Credit Losses (No

Allowance for Credit Losses (Notes)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Receivables [Abstract]
Allowance for Credit Losses	Allowance for Credit Losses The Company's allowance for credit losses at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 was $13.1 million and $3.1 million , respectively.

Restricted Cash

Restricted Cash	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]
Restricted Cash	Restricted Cash Current restricted cash of $31.3 million at September 30, 2017 primarily consisted of $23.9 million of funds required to be held in trust in connection with the Company's securitized debt and $7.0 million of funds from Applebee's franchisees pursuant to franchise agreements, usage of which was restricted to advertising activities. Current restricted cash of $30.3 million at December 31, 2016 primarily consisted of $25.7 million of funds required to be held in trust in connection with the Company's securitized debt and $4.3 million of funds from Applebee's franchisees pursuant to franchise agreements, usage of which was restricted to advertising activities. Non-current restricted cash of $14.7 million at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 represents interest reserves required to be set aside for the duration of the Company's securitized debt.

Refranchising of Company-operat

Refranchising of Company-operated Restaurants	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Leases [Abstract]
Refranchising of Company-operated Restaurants	Refranchising of Company-operated Restaurants In June 2017, the Company completed the refranchising and sale of related restaurant assets of nine company-operated IHOP restaurants in the Cincinnati, Ohio market area. As part of the transaction, the Company entered into an asset purchase agreement, nine franchise agreements and nine sublease agreements for land and buildings. The Company compared the stated rent under the sublease agreements with comparable market rents and recorded net favorable lease assets of $2.3 million in connection with the transaction. The Company also received cash of $1.1 million and a note receivable for $4.8 million . After allocating a portion of the consideration to franchise fees and derecognition of the assets sold, the Company recognized a gain of $6.2 million on the refranchising and sale during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 .

Accounting Policies (Policies)

Accounting Policies (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract]
Fiscal Period	The Company’s fiscal quarters end on the Sunday closest to the last day of each calendar quarter. For convenience, the fiscal quarters of each year are referred to as ending on March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31. The first fiscal quarter of 2017 began on January 2, 2017 and ended on April 2, 2017 and the second and third fiscal quarters of 2017 ended on July 2, 2017 and October 1, 2017 , respectively. The first fiscal quarter of 2016 began on January 4, 2016 and ended on April 3, 2016 and the second and third fiscal quarters of 2016 ended on July 3, 2016 and October 2, 2016 , respectively.
Accounting Standards Adopted in the Current Fiscal Year and Not Yet Adopted	Accounting Standards Adopted Effective January 2, 2017 In March 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued new guidance that addresses accounting for certain aspects of share-based payments, including excess tax benefits or deficiencies, forfeiture estimates, statutory tax withholding and cash flow classification of certain share-based payment activity. The Company applied the prospective transition method in adopting the new guidance and prior period amounts have not been restated. Because of the adoption, the Company recognized an excess tax deficiency from stock-based compensation as a discrete item, increasing the income tax provision for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 by $0.1 million and $1.8 million , respectively. Historically, excess tax benefits or deficiencies were recorded as additional paid-in capital. The Company applied the prospective transition method with respect to the cash flow classification of certain share-based payment activity; accordingly, the cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 have not been restated. The Company has elected to maintain its practice of estimating forfeitures when recognizing expense for share-based payment awards . Amendments to the accounting for minimum statutory withholding requirements had no impact on the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements. In November 2016, the FASB issued new guidance to reduce diversity in practice in the classification and presentation of changes in restricted cash in the statement of cash flows. The new guidance requires amounts generally described as restricted cash should be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period total amounts to the end-of-period total amounts shown on the statement of cash flows. Calendar year public entities will be required to adopt the new guidance beginning with the first fiscal quarter of 2018. The Company elected to adopt the new guidance retrospectively effective January 2, 2017 and the cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 were restated. Adoption of the new guidance did not impact the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets or Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income. In January 2017, the FASB issued new guidance simplifying the test of goodwill for impairment. The new guidance requires a single-step quantitative test to measure potential impairment based on the excess of a reporting unit's carrying amount over its fair value. Calendar year public entities will be required to adopt the new guidance beginning with the first fiscal quarter of 2020. The Company has elected early adoption of the new guidance, as is permitted for interim or annual tests of goodwill performed after January 1, 2017. Newly Issued Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted In August 2016, the FASB issued new guidance on the classification of certain cash receipts and payments in the statement of cash flows. The new guidance is intended to reduce diversity in practice in how certain transactions are classified in the statement of cash flows. The Company will be required to adopt the new guidance beginning with its first fiscal quarter of 2018. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently assessing the impact that the new guidance will have on its consolidated statements of cash flows. In June 2016, the FASB issued new guidance on the measurement of credit losses on financial instruments. The new guidance will replace the incurred loss methodology of recognizing credit losses on financial instruments that is currently required with a methodology that estimates the expected credit loss on financial instruments and reflects the net amount expected to be collected on the financial instrument. Application of the new guidance may result in the earlier recognition of credit losses as the new methodology will require entities to consider forward-looking information in addition to historical and current information used in assessing incurred losses. The Company will be required to adopt the new guidance on a modified retrospective basis beginning with its first fiscal quarter of 2020, with early adoption permitted in its first fiscal quarter of 2019. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the new guidance on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures and whether early adoption will be elected. In February 2016, the FASB issued new guidance with respect to the accounting for leases. The new guidance will require lessees to recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability for virtually all leases, other than leases with a term of 12 months or less, and to provide additional disclosures about leasing arrangements. Accounting by lessors is largely unchanged from existing accounting guidance. The Company will be required to adopt the new guidance on a modified retrospective basis beginning with its first fiscal quarter of 2019. Early adoption is permitted. While the Company is still in the process of evaluating the impact of the new guidance on its consolidated financial statements and disclosures, the Company expects adoption of the new guidance will have a material impact on its Consolidated Balance Sheets due to recognition of the right-of-use asset and lease liability related to its operating leases. While the new guidance is also expected to impact the measurement and presentation of elements of expenses and cash flows related to leasing arrangements, the Company does not presently believe there will be a material impact on its Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income or Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Recognition of a lease liability related to operating leases will not impact any covenants related to the Company's long-term debt because the debt agreements specify that covenant ratios be calculated using U.S. GAAP in effect at the time the debt agreements were entered into. In January 2016, the FASB issued guidance on the recognition and measurement of financial instruments. The guidance modifies how entities measure certain equity investments and present changes in the fair value of those investments, as well as changes how fair value of financial instruments is measured for disclosure purposes. The amendment is effective commencing with the Company's first fiscal quarter of 2018. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the new guidance on its financial statements and disclosures. In May 2014, the FASB issued new accounting guidance on revenue recognition, which provides for a single, five-step model to be applied to all revenue contracts with customers. The new standard also requires additional financial statement disclosures that will enable users to understand the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows relating to customer contracts. Companies have an option to use either the full retrospective method or the modified retrospective method to implement the standard. In August 2015, the FASB deferred the effective date of the new revenue guidance by one year such that the Company will be required to adopt the new guidance beginning with its first fiscal quarter of 2018. The FASB has subsequently issued several clarifications on specific topics within the new revenue recognition guidance that did not change the core principles of the guidance originally issued in May 2014. This new guidance supersedes nearly all the existing general revenue recognition guidance under U.S. GAAP as well as most industry-specific revenue recognition guidance, including guidance with respect to revenue recognition by franchisors. The Company believes the recognition of the majority of its revenues, including franchise royalty revenues and sales of IHOP pancake and waffle dry mix will not be affected by the new guidance. Additionally, lease rental revenues are not within the scope of the new guidance. The Company believes the new guidance will impact the timing of recognition of franchise and development fees. Under existing guidance, these fees are typically recognized upon the opening of restaurants. Under the new guidance, the Company believes the fees will have to be deferred and recognized as revenue over the term of the individual franchise agreements. However, the effect of the required deferral of fees received in any given year will be mitigated by the recognition of revenue from fees retrospectively deferred from prior years. The Company has essentially completed reviewing most of its nearly 4,000 agreements to obtain the data elements necessary to implement the new guidance and is in the process of quantifying the impact of the new guidance on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. The Company also believes the new guidance will impact the accounting for transactions related to the Applebee's national advertising fund. Currently, franchisee contributions to and expenditures of the Applebee's national advertising fund are not included in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income. Under the new guidance, the Company would include contributions to and expenditures from the Applebee's advertising fund within the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income as is currently done with contributions to and expenditures from the IHOP national advertising fund and with international restaurants of both brands. While this change will materially impact the gross amount of reported franchise revenues and expenses, the impact would be an offsetting increase to both revenue and expense such that the impact on gross profit and net income, if any, would not be material. The Company presently expects to use the full retrospective method of adoption when the new revenue guidance is adopted in the first fiscal quarter of 2018. The Company reviewed all other newly issued accounting pronouncements and concluded that they either are not applicable to the Company's operations or that no material effect is expected on the Company's financial statements because of future adoption.

Goodwill and Intangible Asset21

Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Goodwill	Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 are as follows: Applebee's Franchise Unit IHOP Franchise Unit Total (In millions) Balance at December 31, 2016: Goodwill, gross $ 686.7 $ 10.8 $ 697.5 Accumulated impairment loss — — — Goodwill 686.7 10.8 697.5 Impairment loss (358.2 ) — (358.2 ) Balance at September 30, 2017: Goodwill, gross 686.7 10.8 697.5 Accumulated impairment loss (358.2 ) — (358.2 ) Goodwill $ 328.5 $ 10.8 $ 339.2
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets	Changes in the carrying amount of intangible assets for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 are as follows: Not Subject to Amortization Subject to Amortization Applebee's Tradename Other Applebee's Franchising Rights Leaseholds Total (In millions) Balance at December 31, 2016 $ 652.4 $ 2.0 $ 109.0 $ — $ 763.4 Impairment (173.4 ) — — — (173.4 ) Amortization expense — — (7.5 ) (0.0 ) (7.5 ) Additions — 0.4 — 2.3 2.7 Balance at September 30, 2017 $ 479.0 $ 2.4 $ 101.5 $ 2.3 $ 585.2
Schedule of Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets	Changes in the carrying amount of intangible assets for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 are as follows: Not Subject to Amortization Subject to Amortization Applebee's Tradename Other Applebee's Franchising Rights Leaseholds Total (In millions) Balance at December 31, 2016 $ 652.4 $ 2.0 $ 109.0 $ — $ 763.4 Impairment (173.4 ) — — — (173.4 ) Amortization expense — — (7.5 ) (0.0 ) (7.5 ) Additions — 0.4 — 2.3 2.7 Balance at September 30, 2017 $ 479.0 $ 2.4 $ 101.5 $ 2.3 $ 585.2

Stockholders' Equity (Tables)

Stockholders' Equity (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Equity [Abstract]
Class of Treasury Stock	A summary of shares repurchased under the 2015 Repurchase Program, during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and cumulatively, is as follows: 2015 Repurchase Program Shares Cost of shares (In millions) Repurchased during the three months ended September 30, 2017 — $ — Repurchased during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 145,786 $ 10.0 Cumulative repurchases as of September 30, 2017 1,000,657 $ 82.9 Remaining dollar value of shares that may be repurchased n/a $ 67.1

Stock-Based Compensation (Table

Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Components of the Company’s stock-based compensation expense	The following table summarizes the components of stock-based compensation expense included in general and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income: Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30, 2017 2016 2017 2016 (In millions) Total stock-based compensation expense: Equity classified awards expense $ 1.3 $ 2.6 $ 9.0 $ 8.3 Liability classified awards expense — (0.5 ) (1.1 ) 0.6 Total pre-tax stock-based compensation expense 1.3 2.1 7.9 8.9 Book income tax benefit (0.5 ) (0.7 ) (3.0 ) (3.3 ) Total stock-based compensation expense, net of tax $ 0.8 $ 1.4 $ 4.9 $ 5.6
Schedule of stock option valuation assumptions	The following summarizes the assumptions used in the Black-Scholes model: Risk-free interest rate 1.9 % Weighted average historical volatility 22.9 % Dividend yield 7.3 % Expected years until exercise 4.5 Weighted average fair value of options granted $4.31 The following summarizes the assumptions used in estimating the fair values: Risk-free interest rate 1.6 % Weighted average historical volatility 30.0 % Dividend yield 9.6 % Expected years until exercise 3.4 Weighted average fair value of options granted $3.07 Weighted average fair value of restricted stock units granted $10.19
Schedule of stock option activity	Stock option balances at September 30, 2017 , and activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 were as follows: Shares Weighted Average Exercise Price Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (in Years) Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in Millions) Outstanding at December 31, 2016 701,134 $ 80.04 Granted 887,030 48.35 Exercised (64,916 ) 40.59 Expired (58,217 ) 84.43 Forfeited (171,847 ) 65.82 Outstanding at September 30, 2017 1,293,184 61.98 7.3 $ 0.9 Vested at September 30, 2017 and Expected to Vest 1,111,610 64.50 7.0 $ 0.6 Exercisable at September 30, 2017 456,308 $ 81.35 3.3 $ 0.0
Schedule of restricted stock unit activity	Outstanding balances as of September 30, 2017 , and activity related to restricted stock and restricted stock units for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 were as follows: Restricted Stock Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Restricted Stock Units Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Outstanding at December 31, 2016 235,472 $ 92.81 34,058 $ 93.95 Granted 208,460 52.08 275,578 22.37 Released (89,911 ) 88.65 (12,683 ) 81.63 Forfeited (73,409 ) 79.44 — — Outstanding at September 30, 2017 280,612 $ 67.38 296,953 $ 28.39

Segments (Tables)

Segments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Schedule of segment reporting information by segment	Information on segments is as follows: Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30, 2017 2016 2017 2016 (In millions) Revenues from external customers: Franchise operations $ 112.3 $ 119.2 $ 351.4 $ 366.7 Rental operations 30.3 30.5 90.9 92.7 Company restaurants — 4.0 7.5 13.4 Financing operations 2.1 2.3 6.3 7.0 Total $ 144.7 $ 156.0 $ 456.0 $ 479.8 Interest expense: Rental operations $ 2.6 $ 2.9 $ 8.0 $ 9.0 Company restaurants — 0.1 0.2 0.3 Corporate 15.4 15.4 46.5 46.1 Total $ 18.0 $ 18.4 $ 54.7 $ 55.4 Depreciation and amortization: Franchise operations $ 2.7 $ 2.7 $ 8.1 $ 7.9 Rental operations 3.0 3.1 9.1 9.4 Company restaurants — 0.1 0.1 0.3 Corporate 1.9 1.5 5.8 5.3 Total $ 7.6 $ 7.4 $ 23.1 $ 22.9 Gross profit, by segment: Franchise operations $ 70.5 $ 81.9 $ 235.7 $ 258.7 Rental operations 8.0 7.7 23.2 23.7 Company restaurants (0.0 ) (0.2 ) (0.3 ) (0.7 ) Financing operations 1.6 2.3 5.9 6.8 Total gross profit 80.1 91.7 264.5 288.5 Corporate and unallocated expenses, net (588.4 ) (54.2 ) (708.8 ) (170.1 ) (Loss) income before income tax provision $ (508.3 ) $ 37.5 $ (444.3 ) $ 118.3

Net Income per Share (Tables)

Net Income per Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Computation of the Company’s basic and diluted net income per share	The computation of the Company's basic and diluted net (loss) income per share is as follows: Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30, 2017 2016 2017 2016 (In thousands, except per share data) Numerator for basic and diluted (loss) income per common share: Net (loss) income $ (451,718 ) $ 24,273 $ (416,075 ) $ 76,645 Less: Net loss (income) allocated to unvested participating restricted stock 8,496 (338 ) 6,921 (1,103 ) Net (loss) income available to common stockholders - basic (443,222 ) 23,935 (409,154 ) 75,542 Effect of unvested participating restricted stock in two-class calculation — 1 5 3 Net (loss) income available to common stockholders - diluted $ (443,222 ) $ 23,936 $ (409,149 ) $ 75,545 Denominator: Weighted average outstanding shares of common stock - basic 17,742 17,950 17,718 18,099 Dilutive effect of stock options — 91 — 102 Weighted average outstanding shares of common stock - diluted 17,742 18,041 17,718 18,201 Net (loss) income per common share: Basic $ (24.98 ) $ 1.33 $ (23.09 ) $ 4.17 Diluted $ (24.98 ) $ 1.33 $ (23.09 ) $ 4.15

Fair Value Measurements (Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value of non-current financial liabilities	The fair values of the Company's Series 2014-1 Class A-2 Notes (the “Class A-2 Notes”) at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 were as follows: September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 Carrying Amount Fair Value Carrying Amount Fair Value (In millions) Long-term debt, current and long-term $ 1,285.2 $ 1,274.0 $ 1,282.7 $ 1,286.2

Accounting Policies Narrative (

Accounting Policies Narrative (Details) agreement in Thousands, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)agreement
Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract]
Excess tax deficiency from stock-based compensation, increase in income tax provision | $	$ 0.1	$ 1.8
Number of franchise agreements | agreement		4

Goodwill and Intangible Asset28

Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Details) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)
Goodwill [Line Items]
Impairment loss	$ 358.2
Impairment of Intangible Assets, Indefinite-lived (Excluding Goodwill)	173.4
Franchised Units | Applebee's
Goodwill [Line Items]
Impairment loss	358.2
Trade Names | Applebee's
Goodwill [Line Items]
Impairment of Intangible Assets, Indefinite-lived (Excluding Goodwill)	$ 173.4

Goodwill and Intangible Asset29

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, net	$ 339,236	$ 697,470
Franchised Units
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill		697,500
Accumulated impairment losses	(358,200)	0
Goodwill, net	339,200	697,500
Applebee's | Franchised Units
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill		686,700
Accumulated impairment losses	(358,200)	0
Goodwill, net	328,500	686,700
IHOP | Franchised Units
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill		10,800
Accumulated impairment losses	0	0
Goodwill, net	$ 10,800	$ 10,800

Goodwill and Intangible Asset30

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Changes in the carrying amount of intangible assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Roll Forward]
Impairment			$ (173,400)
Finite-lived Intangible Assets [Roll Forward]
Amortization of intangible assets	$ (2,507)	$ (2,500)	(7,507)	$ (7,480)
Intangible assets balance, beginning			763,431
Additions, total			2,700
Intangible assets balance, end	585,160		585,160
Leaseholds and Leasehold Improvements
Finite-lived Intangible Assets [Roll Forward]
Finite-lived intangible assets, balance, beginning			0
Impairment			0
Amortization of intangible assets			0
Additions			2,300
Finite-lived intangible assets, balance, end	2,300		2,300
Other Intangible Assets
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Roll Forward]
Indefinite-lived intangible assets balance, beginning			2,000
Impairment			0
Additions			400
Indefinite-lived intangible assets balance, end	2,400		2,400
Applebee's | Franchise Rights
Finite-lived Intangible Assets [Roll Forward]
Finite-lived intangible assets, balance, beginning			109,000
Impairment			0
Amortization of intangible assets			(7,500)
Additions			0
Finite-lived intangible assets, balance, end	101,500		101,500
Applebee's | Trade Names
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Roll Forward]
Indefinite-lived intangible assets balance, beginning			652,400
Impairment			(173,400)
Additions			0
Indefinite-lived intangible assets balance, end	$ 479,000		$ 479,000

Stockholders' Equity - Narrativ

Stockholders' Equity - Narrative (Details) - USD ($)	May 15, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Oct. 31, 2015
Equity, Class of Treasury Stock [Line Items]
Payments of dividends					$ 52,326,000	$ 50,790,000
Dividends declared per common share (USD per share)	$ 0.97	$ 0.97	$ 0.97	$ 0.92	$ 2.91	$ 2.76
Dividends payable		$ 17,755,000	$ 17,465,000		$ 17,755,000
Treasury stock reissued (shares)					273,376
Treasury stock reissued					$ 9,800,000
October 2015 Share Repurchase Program
Equity, Class of Treasury Stock [Line Items]
Stock repurchase program, authorized amount							$ 150,000,000

Stockholders' Equity Share Repu

Stockholders' Equity Share Repurchases (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)shares	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)shares
Equity [Abstract]
Stock repurchased during period (in shares) | shares	0	145,786
Stock repurchased during period, value	$ 0	$ 10
Cumulative amount of shares repurchased (in shares) | shares	1,000,657	1,000,657
Cumulative payments for repurchase of common stock	$ 82.9	$ 82.9
Remaining dollar value of shares that may be repurchased	$ 67.1	$ 67.1

Income Taxes - Narrative (Detai

Income Taxes - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]
Effective income tax rate (percent)			6.40%	35.20%
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	$ (56,555)	$ 13,232	$ (28,228)	$ 41,703
Net loss	508,273	$ (37,505)	$ 444,303	$ (118,348)
Federal statutory income tax rate, percent			35.00%
Impairment loss			$ 358,200
Gross unrecognized tax benefit	5,900		5,900		$ 3,900
Impairment of Intangible Assets, Indefinite-lived (Excluding Goodwill)			173,400
Expected change in unrecognized tax benefits	1,800		1,800
Accrued interest on income taxes	1,000		1,000		1,000
Accrued penalties on income taxes, less than	100		100		$ 100
Trade Names | Applebee's
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]
Gross unrecognized tax benefit	$ 65,100		65,100
Impairment of Intangible Assets, Indefinite-lived (Excluding Goodwill)			$ 173,400

Stock-Based Compensation (Compo

Stock-Based Compensation (Components of Stock-Based Compensation Expense) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Equity classified awards expense	$ 1.3	$ 2.6	$ 9	$ 8.3
Liability classified awards expense	0	(0.5)	(1.1)	0.6
Total pre-tax stock-based compensation expense	1.3	2.1	7.9	8.9
Book income tax benefit	(0.5)	(0.7)	(3)	(3.3)
Total stock-based compensation expense, net of tax	$ 0.8	$ 1.4	$ 4.9	$ 5.6

Stock-Based Compensation - Narr

Stock-Based Compensation - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Grants in period (in shares)			537,030
Share-based compensation expense	$ 1,300	$ 2,100	$ 7,900	$ 8,900
Accrued employee compensation and benefits	13,527		13,527		$ 14,609
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total compensation cost not yet recognized	17,600		$ 17,600
Total compensation cost not yet recognized, period for recognition (in years)			2 years 1 month 23 days
Restricted stock, granted (in shares)			275,578
Stock Options
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total compensation cost not yet recognized	$ 3,200		$ 3,200
Total compensation cost not yet recognized, period for recognition (in years)			1 year 11 months 7 days
Performance Shares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Grants in period (in shares)	350,000
Performance Based Restricted Stock Units
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Restricted stock, granted (in shares)	175,000
LTIP
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting period (in years)			3 years
Share-based compensation expense	$ 0	$ (500)	$ (1,000)	$ 600
Accrued employee compensation and benefits	$ 100		$ 100		$ 1,200
LTIP | Minimum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Multiplier for target award based on total shareholder return on common stock (percent)			0.00%
LTIP | Maximum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Multiplier for target award based on total shareholder return on common stock (percent)			200.00%

Stock-Based Compensation (Optio

Stock-Based Compensation (Options Value Assumptions) (Details) - $ / shares	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017
Performance Based Restricted Stock Units
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Risk-free interest rate (percent)	1.60%
Weighted average historical volatility (percent)	30.00%
Dividend yield (percent)	9.60%
Expected years until exercise (years)	3 years 4 months 19 days
Performance Shares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Weighted average fair value of options granted (USD per share)	$ 3.07
Stock Options
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Risk-free interest rate (percent)		1.90%
Weighted average historical volatility (percent)		22.90%
Dividend yield (percent)		7.30%
Expected years until exercise (years)		4 years 5 months 28 days
Weighted average fair value of options granted (USD per share)		$ 4.31
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Weighted average fair value of restricted stock units granted (USD per share)	$ 10.19	$ 22.37

Stock-Based Compensation (Stock

Stock-Based Compensation (Stock Option Activity) (Details) - Stock Options $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)$ / sharesshares
Shares
Options, outstanding, beginning of period (in shares) | shares	701,134
Options, granted (in shares) | shares	887,030
Options, exercised (in shares) | shares	(64,916)
Options, expired (in shares) | shares	(58,217)
Options, forfeited (in shares) | shares	(171,847)
Options, outstanding, end of period (in shares) | shares	1,293,184
Options, vested and expected to vest (in shares) | shares	1,111,610
Options, exercisable (in shares) | shares	456,308
Weighted Average Exercise Price
Weighted average exercise price, beginning of period (per share) | $ / shares	$ 80.04
Weighted average exercise price, granted (per share) | $ / shares	48.35
Weighted average exercise price, exercised (per share) | $ / shares	40.59
Weighted average exercise price, expired (per share) | $ / shares	84.43
Weighted average exercise price, forfeited (per share) | $ / shares	65.82
Weighted average exercise price, end of period (per share) | $ / shares	61.98
Weighted average exercise price, vested and expected to vest (per share) | $ / shares	64.50
Weighted average exercise price, exercisable (per share) | $ / shares	$ 81.35
Weighted average remaining contractual term (in years)	7 years 4 months 3 days
Weighted average remaining contractual term, vested and expected to vest (in years)	6 years 11 months 14 days
Weighted average remaining contractual term, exercisable (in years)	3 years 3 months 16 days
Options, outstanding, intrinsic value | $	$ 0.9
Options, vested and expected to vest, intrinsic value | $	0.6
Options, vested and expected to vest, exercisable | $	$ 0

Stock-Based Compensation (Restr

Stock-Based Compensation (Restricted Stock) (Details) - $ / shares	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017
Restricted Stock
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested [Roll Forward]
Restricted stock, beginning of period (in shares)		235,472
Restricted stock, granted (in shares)		208,460
Restricted stock, released (in shares)		(89,911)
Restricted stock, forfeited (in shares)		(73,409)
Restricted stock, end of period (in shares)	280,612	280,612
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Roll Forward]
Weighted average grant date fair value, beginning balance (per share)		$ 92.81
Weighted average grant date fair value, granted (per share)		52.08
Weighted average grant date fair value, released (per share)		88.65
Weighted average grant date fair value, forfeited (per share)		79.44
Weighted average grant date fair value, ending balance (per share)	$ 67.38	$ 67.38
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested [Roll Forward]
Restricted stock, beginning of period (in shares)		34,058
Restricted stock, granted (in shares)		275,578
Restricted stock, released (in shares)		(12,683)
Restricted stock, forfeited (in shares)		0
Restricted stock, end of period (in shares)	296,953	296,953
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Roll Forward]
Weighted average grant date fair value, beginning balance (per share)		$ 93.95
Weighted average grant date fair value, granted (per share)	$ 10.19	22.37
Weighted average grant date fair value, released (per share)		81.63
Weighted average grant date fair value, forfeited (per share)		0
Weighted average grant date fair value, ending balance (per share)	$ 28.39	$ 28.39

Segments - Narrative (Details)

Segments - Narrative (Details)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017RestaurantCountrysegmentTerritory
Franchisor Disclosure [Line Items]
Number of segments (segment) | segment	3
Number of restaurants (restaurant)	3,700
Applebee's
Franchisor Disclosure [Line Items]
Number of territories in which entity operates (territory) | Territory	2
Number of countries in which entity operates (country) | Country	14
IHOP
Franchisor Disclosure [Line Items]
Number of territories in which entity operates (territory) | Territory	3
Number of countries in which entity operates (country) | Country	13
Cincinnati, Ohio market area restaurants
Franchisor Disclosure [Line Items]
Number of restaurants (restaurant)	10
Number of restaurants Not refranchised (restaurants)	1
Franchised Units
Franchisor Disclosure [Line Items]
Number of restaurants refranchised (restaurant)	9
Franchised Units | Applebee's
Franchisor Disclosure [Line Items]
Number of restaurants (restaurant)	1,945
Franchised Units | IHOP
Franchisor Disclosure [Line Items]
Number of restaurants (restaurant)	1,761
Franchised Units | Cincinnati, Ohio market area restaurants
Franchisor Disclosure [Line Items]
Number of restaurants refranchised (restaurant)	9

Segments (Schedule of Segment R

Segments (Schedule of Segment Reporting Information by Segment) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenues	$ 30,263	$ 30,507	$ 90,852	$ 92,746
Financing revenues	2,061	2,251	6,280	7,019
Total revenues	144,671	156,017	456,044	479,799
Interest expense	18,000	18,400	54,700	55,400
Depreciation and amortization	7,600	7,400	23,053	22,924
Segment profit	(508,273)	37,505	(444,303)	118,348
Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment profit	80,100	91,700	264,500	288,500
Operating Segments | Franchise operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Franchise revenues	112,300	119,200	351,400	366,700
Depreciation and amortization	2,700	2,700	8,100	7,900
Segment profit	70,500	81,900	235,700	258,700
Operating Segments | Rental operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenues	30,300	30,500	90,900	92,700
Interest expense	2,600	2,900	8,000	9,000
Depreciation and amortization	3,000	3,100	9,100	9,400
Segment profit	8,000	7,700	23,200	23,700
Operating Segments | Company restaurants
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Company restaurants	0	4,000	7,500	13,400
Interest expense	0	100	200	300
Depreciation and amortization	0	100	100	300
Segment profit	0	(200)	(300)	(700)
Operating Segments | Financing operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Financing revenues	2,100	2,300	6,300	7,000
Segment profit	1,600	2,300	5,900	6,800
Corporate
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Interest expense	15,400	15,400	46,500	46,100
Depreciation and amortization	1,900	1,500	5,800	5,300
Segment profit	$ (588,400)	$ (54,200)	$ (708,800)	$ (170,100)

Net Income per Share - Computat

Net Income per Share - Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net (loss) income	$ (451,718)	$ 24,273	$ (416,075)	$ 76,645
Less: Net loss (income) allocated to unvested participating restricted stock	8,496	(338)	6,921	(1,103)
Net (loss) income available to common stockholders - basic	(443,222)	23,935	(409,154)	75,542
Effect of unvested participating restricted stock in two-class calculation	0	1	5	3
Net (loss) income available to common stockholders - diluted	$ (443,222)	$ 23,936	$ (409,149)	$ 75,545
Weighted average outstanding shares of common stock - basic (in shares)	17,742	17,950	17,718	18,099
Dilutive effect of stock options (in shares)	0	91	0	102
Weighted average outstanding shares of common stock - diluted (in shares)	17,742	18,041	17,718	18,201
Net income per common share - basic (USD per share)	$ (24.98)	$ 1.33	$ (23.09)	$ 4.17
Net income per common share - diluted (USD per share)	$ (24.98)	$ 1.33	$ (23.09)	$ 4.15
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share (in shares)	1		11

Fair Value Measurements - Fair

Fair Value Measurements - Fair Value of Non-Current Financial Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Carrying Amount
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Long-term debt, current and long-term	$ 1,285.2	$ 1,282.7
Fair Value | Level 2
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Long-term debt, current and long-term	$ 1,274	$ 1,286.2

Commitments and Contingencies -

Commitments and Contingencies - Narrative (Details)	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Guarantor obligations	$ 0
Applebee's | Property Lease Guarantee
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Potential liability for guaranteed leases	325,200,000
Potential liability for guaranteed leases excluding unexercised option periods	$ 54,500,000

Allowance for Credit Losses (De

Allowance for Credit Losses (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Receivables [Abstract]
Allowance for credit losses	$ 13.1	$ 3.1

Restricted Cash (Details)

Restricted Cash (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]
Current restricted cash	$ 31,338	$ 30,256
Non-current restricted cash	14,700	14,700
Held in Trust Deposits
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]
Current restricted cash	23,900	25,700
Held for Advertising Activity Deposits
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]
Current restricted cash	$ 6,998	$ 4,300

Refranchising of Company-oper46

Refranchising of Company-operated Restaurants (Details) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017USD ($)Franchiseeagreement	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)Restaurantagreement	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Number of franchise agreements | agreement		4,000
Proceeds from sale of restaurant assets		$ 1,100	$ 0
Franchised Units
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Number of restaurants refranchised (restaurant) | Restaurant		9
IHOP | Cincinnati, Ohio market area restaurants
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Number of sublease agreements | agreement	9
IHOP | Cincinnati, Ohio market area restaurants | Franchised Units
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Number of restaurants refranchised (restaurant) | Franchisee	9
Number of franchise agreements | agreement	9
Favorable lease assets, net		$ 2,300
Proceeds from sale of restaurant assets	$ 1,100
Note receivable acquired in sale of restaurant assets	$ 4,800
Gain on refranchising and sale		$ 6,200