Common Stock Equity Components [Axis] Additional Paid-In Capital Retained Earnings Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Treasury Stock Right to Operate Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets by Major Class [Axis] Franchise Agreement Other Intangible assets with indefinite lives Financial Obligations Major Property Class [Axis] Capital Leases Operating Property Property Subject to or Available for Operating Lease [Axis] Non-Operating Property Building Land Land and leasehold improvements Equipment Resturant Retail Schedule of Fair Value of Separate Accounts by Major Category of Investment [Axis] Level 1 Fair Value, Hierarchy [Axis] Level 2 Level 3 Other Non Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan Investments Steak n Shake Western InvestmentManagement Corporate And Other Eliminations Consolidated results Reconciliation Of Segments Insurance Restaurant Operations Products and Services [Axis] Steak n Shake Income Statement Location [Axis] Western Total Restaurant Operations IncentiveFee Total Investment Management Operations Consolidated affiliated partnerships Corporate Gain from Investment Partnerships TotalCorporateAndOtherMember InterestExpenseMember Business Segments [Axis] Management fees Total Revenue Investments Held By Consolidated Affiliated Partnerships Lion Fund Related Party [Axis] Lion Fund II Investment Gains/Losses Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments Other Comprehensive Income Location [Axis] Investment Gain Fair Value Securities Financing Transaction [Axis] Fair Value of Company common Stock Carrying Value Document And Entity Information Entity Registrant Name Entity Central Index Key Document Type Document Period End Date Amendment Flag Current Fiscal Year End Date Is Entity a Well-known Seasoned Issuer? Is Entity a Voluntary Filer? Is Entity's Reporting Status Current? Entity Filer Category Entity Public Float Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Document Fiscal Period Focus Document Fiscal Year Focus Statement of Financial Position [Abstract] Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents Investments Receivables, net of allowance of $836 and $804, respectively Inventories Deferred income taxes Assets held for sale Other current assets Total current assets Property and equipment, net Goodwill Other intangible assets, net Other assets Equity in investment partnerships Investments held by consolidated affiliated partnerships Total assets Current liabilities: Accounts payable Due to broker Accrued expenses Revolving credit Deferred income taxes Current portion of obligations under leases Current portion of long-term debt Total current liabilities Deferred income taxes Obligations under leases Long-term debt Other long-term liabilities Total liabilities Commitments and contingencies (Note 15) Redeemable noncontrolling interests of consolidated affiliated partnerships Shareholders' equity Common stock - $0.50 stated value, 2,500,000 shares authorized - 1,797,941 shares issued at December 18, 2013 and September 25, 2013, 1,588,428 and 1,588,376 shares outstanding (net of treasury stock), respectively Additional paid-in capital Retained earnings Accumulated other comprehensive income Treasury stock - at cost: 209,513 and 209,565 shares (includes 132,406 shares held by investment partnerships) at December 18, 2013 and September 25, 2013, respectively Biglari Holdings Inc. shareholders' equity Total liabilities and shareholders' equity Assets Receivables, allowance for doubtful accounts Common stock, par value Common stock, shares authorized Common stock, shares issued Common stock, shares outstanding Treasury stock - at cost, shares Partnership Member Treasury stock - at cost, shares held by investment partnerships Income Statement [Abstract] Restaurant Operations: Net sales Franchise royalties and fees Other revenue Total Investment Management Operations: Management fee income Consolidated Affiliated Partnerships: Other income Revenue from Consolidated Affiliated Partnerships Total net revenues Costs and expenses Cost of sales Restaurant operating costs General and administrative Depreciation and amortization Marketing Rent Pre-opening costs Impairment of intangible assets Loss on disposal of assets Other operating (income) expense Total costs and expenses, net Other income (expenses) Interest, dividend and other investment income Interest on obligations under leases Interest expense Gain Loss on Sale of Stock In Subsidiary or Equity Method Investee Realized investment gains/losses Other than temporary impairment losses on investments Total other income (expense) Earnings before income taxes Income taxes on operating earnings Income taxes on gains from investment partnerships Total income taxes Gains from investment partnerships Net earnings Earnings attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests: Income allocation Incentive fee Total earnings/loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests Net earnings attributable to Biglari Holdings Inc. Earnings per share attributable to Biglari Holdings Inc. Basic earnings per common share Diluted earnings per common share Weighted average shares and equivalents Basic Diluted Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Income Net earnings attributable to Biglari Holdings Inc. Other comprehensive income: Reclassification of investment appreciation in net earnings Applicable income taxes Reclassification of investment appreciation in net earnings on contribution to investment partnerships Applicable income taxes Reclassification of other than temporary impairment losses on investments Applicable income taxes Net change in unrealized gains and losses on investments Applicable income taxes Foreign currency translation Other comprehensive income, net Total comprehensive income (loss) Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract] Operating activities Net earnings Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to operating cash flows (excluding investment operations of consolidated affiliated partnerships): Provision for deferred income taxes Asset impairments and provision for restaurant closings Stock-based compensation and other non-cash expenses Gain on sale of Biglari Capital Corp Realized investment gains/losses Gain on investment partnerships Other than temporary impairment on investments Changes in receivables and inventories Changes in other assets Changes in accounts payable and accrued expenses Investment operations of consolidated affiliated partnerships: Purchases of investments Sales of investments Realized investment gains, net Unrealized gains/losses on marketable securities held by consolidated affiliated partnerships Changes in cash and cash equivalents held by consolidated affiliated partnerships Net cash provided by operating activities Investing activities Additions of property and equipment Proceeds from property and equipment disposals Purchase of business and lease rights Proceeds from sale of Biglari Capital Corp, net of cash on hand Purchases of investments Sales of investments Changes in due to/from broker Net cash (used in) investing activities Financing activities Proceeds from revolving credit facility Payments on revolving credit facility Borrowings on long-term debt Principal payments on long-term debt Principal payments on direct financing lease obligations Proceeds from exercise of stock options and employees stock purchase plan Excess tax benefits from stock-based awards Repurchase of employee shares for tax withholding Financing activities of consolidated affiliated partnerships: Contributions from noncontrolling interests Distributions to noncontrolling interests Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities Effect of exchange rate changes on cash (Decrease) in cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period Cash and cash equivalents at end of period Statement [Table] Statement [Line Items] Beginning Balance Net change in unrealized gains and losses on investments, net of tax Other comprehensive income (loss), net Deconsolidation of affiliated partnerships Increase in fair value of Treasury stock at deconsolidation Exercise of stock options and other stock compensation transactions Adjustment to redeemable noncontrolling interest to reflect maximum redemption value Ending Balance Accounting Policies [Abstract] Note 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Note 2. New Accounting Standards Earnings Per Share [Abstract] Note 3. Earnings Per Share Note 4. Investments Note 4. Investments Notes to Financial Statements Note 5. Investment Partnerships Note 6. Consolidated Affiliated Partnerships Note 6. Consolidated Affiliated Partnerships Note 7. Assets Held for Sale Note 8. Other Current Assets Note 8. Other Current Assets Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract] Note 9. Property and Equipment Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract] Note 10. Goodwill and Other Intangibles Other Assets [Abstract] Note 11. Other Assets Debt Disclosure [Abstract] Note 12. Borrowings Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract] Note 13. Other Long-term Liabilities Equity [Abstract] Note 14. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract] Note 15. Income Taxes Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] Note 16. Commitments and Contingencies Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract] Note 17. Fair Value of Financial Assets and Liabilities Related Party Transactions [Abstract] Note 18. Related Party Transactions Segment Reporting [Abstract] Note 19. Business Segment Reporting Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract] Note 19. Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information Subsequent Events [Abstract] Note 20. Subsequent Events Description of Business Principles of Consolidation Reconciliation of basic and diluted weighted average common shares Schedule of Investments [Abstract] Schedule of fair value of Investments Schedule of investment gains/losses Note 5. Investment Partnerships Tables Fair value and carrying value of our partnership interest Summarized financial information for Equity in Investment Partnerships Note 6. Consolidated Affiliated Partnerships Tables Tabular disclosure of available-for-sale securities at cost and fair market value of consolidated affiliated partnerships. Tabular disclosure of investments held by consolidated affiliated partnerships Tabular disclosure of realized and unrealized gains and losses on investments of consolidated affiliated partnerships reported in the statement of income. Tabular disclosure of redeemable noncontrolling interests of consolidated affiliated partnerships reported in the balance sheet. Schedule of assets held for sale Schedule of Property, Plant and Equipment Schedule of Other Intangibles Component of accumulated other comprehensive income Schedule Of Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Schedule Of Net Revenue by Segment Schedule of reconciliation of segments earnings to consolidated Basic earnings per share: Weighted average common shares, basic Diluted earnings per share: Weighted average common shares, diluted Dilutive effect of stock awards Weighted average common and incremental shares Number of share - based awards excluded from the calculation of earnings per share as the awards' exercise prices were greater than the average market price of the Company's common stock Cost Gross unrealized gains Gross unrealized losses Fair value Gross realized gains on sales Gross realized losses on sales Total realized gains/losses Partnership interest at September 25, 2013 Gains from investment partnerships (net of performance fees) Distribution from investment partnerships Partnership interest at December 18, 2013 Current and Total Assets Current and Total Liabilities Revenue for three months period Earnings for three months period Biglari Holding's Ownership Interest Note 5. Investment Partnerships Details Narrative Gain on investment partnerships Proportionate share of Company stock held by investment partnerships at cost Schedule of gain/losses on affiliated partnership Net unrealized gains/losses Net realized gains/losses from sale Other Income Total revenue from Consolidated Affiliated Partnerships Carrying value at beginning of period Contributions from noncontrolling interests Distributions to noncontrolling interests Incentive fee Income allocation Adjustment to redeemable noncontrolling interest to reflect maximum redemption value Adjustment to reflect deconsolidation of affiliated partnerships Carrying value at end of period Note 6. Consolidated Affiliated Partnerships Details Narrative Cost of consolidated affiliated partnerships' holdings of the Company's common stock Consolidated affiliated partnerships' holdings of the Company's common stock Company's initial investment in consolidated affiliated partnerships Fair value of the Company's investment in consolidated affiliated partnerships Company's pro rata ownership of Company common stock through consolidated affiliated partnerships Fair value of the Company's pro rata ownership of Company common stock through consolidated affiliated partnerships Restricted cash included in investments held by consolidated affiliated partnerships Redeemable noncontrolling interest (maximum redemption amount) Incentive reallocation fee Adjustment to increase the redemption value based on unrealized gains on the Company's common stock held by the consolidated affiliated partnerships Land and buildings Improvements Total assets held for sale Note 7. Schedule Of Assets Held For Sale In Numbers Details Narrative Number of parcels of land sold during the period Number of land parcels included in assets held for sale Number of closed restaurants sold Land Buildings Land and leasehold improvements Equipment Construction in progress Property and equipment, gross Less accumulated depreciation and amortization Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Axis] Gross carrying amount Accumulated amortization Net definite-lived intangible assets Intangible assets with indefinite lives Total intangible assets Note 10. Goodwill And Other Intangibles Details Narrative Amortization expense Future amortization expense for each of the next five years Estimated weighted average useful life of definite-lived intangible assets Impairment loss Reduction to outstanding balance on its revolving credit facility Outstanding debt credit facility Revolver balance Balance as of September 25, 2013 Other comprehensive income before reclassifications Balance as of December 18, 2013 Note 15. Income Taxes Details Narrative Income taxes Unrecognized tax benefits Equity Securities Fair value Equity Securities Held by Consolidated Affiliated Partnerships Fair value Securities Held by Consolidated Affiliated Partnerships Other Assets Non-qualified Deferred Compensation Plan Investments Cash equivalents Investments held by consolidated affiliated partnerships Total assets at fair value Liabilities Interest rate swaps Total liabilities at fair value Cost of services provided to Biglari Capital Gain on sale of Biglari Capital Corp Company's investment in the Lion Fund and Lion Fund II Incentive reallocation Gain on investments not recognized in financial statements Segments [Axis] Net Revenue Legal Entity [Axis] Earnings before income taxes and noncontrolling interests Reflects all revenue from consolidated affiliated partnerships and investment management operations. The portion of incentive fee allocation charged to nonaffiliated entities in the limited partnerships. The portion of incentive fee allocation charged to nonaffiliated entities in the limited partnerships. The portion of net income or loss attributable to the redeemable noncontrolling interest deducted in order to derive the portion attributable to the parent. The portion of net income or loss attributable to the redeemable noncontrolling interest deducted in order to derive the portion attributable to the parent. The aggregate amount of interest expense incurred on the Company's financing and capital lease obligations. Current portion (payable within one year) as of the balance sheet date on all financing and capital leases held by the Company. Noncurrent portion (payable in greater than one year) as of the balance sheet date on all financing and capital leases held by the Company. The cash outflow for principal payments made on direct financing lease obligations. OthersMember SteaknShakeMember WesternMember Assets, Current Assets [Default Label] Deferred Tax Liabilities, Net, Current Liabilities, Current Deferred Tax Liabilities, Net, Noncurrent Liabilities [Default Label] Treasury Stock, Value Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent Liabilities and Equity Revenue, Net Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Assets Other Operating Income (Expense), Net Costs and Expenses InterestOnObligationsUnderLeases Interest Expense Nonoperating Income (Expense) IncomeAllocation IncentiveFeeReallocation Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI for Sale of Securities, before Tax ReclassificationOfInvestmentAppreciationInNetEarningsOnContributionToInvestmentPartnerships ApplicableIncomeTaxesReclassificationOfInvestmentAppreciationInNetEarnings Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments, Portion in Other Comprehensive Loss, before Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments, Portion in Other Comprehensive Loss, Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Available-for-sale Securities, Tax GainOnInvestmentPartnerships IncreaseDecreaseinReceivablesAndInventories Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Assets Payments for Purchase of Securities, Operating Activities Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Securities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment PurchasesOfLeaseRights Payments to Acquire Investments Proceeds from Sale of Available-for-sale Securities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities Repayments of Lines of Credit Repayments of Long-term Debt PrincipalPaymentsOnDirectFinancingLeaseObligations Payments of Distributions to Affiliates Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities Investment Holdings [Text Block] ConsolidatedAffiliatedPartnershipsDisclosureTextBlock Other Current Assets [Text Block] Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis Equity Method Investments, Fair Value Disclosure Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest, Equity, Other, Carrying Amount Proceeds from Noncontrolling Interests Land [Default Label] LandAndLeaseholdImprovements Fixtures and Equipment, Gross Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill) InvestmentsHeldByConsolidatedAffiliatedPartnershipsFairValueDisclosure