Equity Components [Axis] Common Stock Additional Paid-In Capital Retained Earnings Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Treasury Stock Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets by Major Class [Axis] Franchise Agreement Other Major Property Class [Axis] Financial Obligations Capital Leases Property Subject to or Available for Operating Lease [Axis] Operating Property Non-Operating Property Building Land Land and leasehold improvements Equipment Fair Value, Hierarchy [Axis] Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Legal Entity [Axis] Consolidated Products and Services [Axis] Corporate and Investments Income Statement Location [Axis] Corporate Total Corporate Investment partnerships gains Fair Value Company Common Stock Carry Value Lion Fund, L.P. Lion Fund II, L.P. Finite Lived Intangible Assets Other Assets With Indefinite Lives Trade Names Operating Businesses Restaurant Maxim First Guard Other Investment Partnerships Other Comprehensive Income Location [Axis] Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments Investment Gain Other Restaurant Operations - SteakNShake Western Restaurant Operations - Western Interest Expense on Notes Payable and Other Borrowings Other Steak n Shake Steak n Shake Corporate Class of Stock [Axis] Class A Common Stock Class B Common Stock Adjustments for Change in Accounting Principle [Axis] As Reported Adjustments for the Adoption of ASC 606 Amounts without Adoption of ASC 606 Statement [Table] Statement [Line Items] 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 Emerging Growth Company Entity Small Business Entity Shell Company Entity Public Float Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Document Fiscal Period Focus Document Fiscal Year Focus Assets Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents Investments Receivables Inventories Other current assets Total current assets Property and equipment Goodwill Other intangible assets Investment partnerships Other assets Total assets Liabilities and shareholders' equity Liabilities Current liabilities: Accounts payable and accrued expenses Current portion of notes payable and other borrowings Total current liabilities Long-term notes payable and other borrowings Deferred taxes Other liabilities Total liabilities Shareholders' equity Common stock Additional paid-in capital Retained earnings Accumulated other comprehensive loss Treasury stock, at cost Biglari Holdings Inc. shareholders' equity Total liabilities and shareholders' equity Revenues: Restaurant operations Insurance premiums and other Media advertising and other Total revenues Costs and expenses Restaurant cost of sales Insurance losses and underwriting expenses Media cost of sales Selling general and administrative Depreciation and amortization Total costs and expenses, net Other income (expenses) Interest expense Interest on obligations under leases Investment partnership gains Total other income (expenses) Earnings (loss) before income taxes Income tax expense (benefit) Net earnings Earnings per share Net earnings per equivalent Class A share Net earnings Other comprehensive income: Reclassification of investment appreciation in net earnings Applicable income taxes Net change in unrealized gains and losses on investments Applicable income taxes Foreign currency translation Other comprehensive income (loss), net Total comprehensive income Operating activities Net earnings Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to operating cash flows Provision for deferred income taxes Asset impairments and other non-cash expenses (Gain) loss on disposal of assets Investment (gains) losses (including contributions) Investment partnership gains Distributions from investment partnerships Changes in operating assets and liabilities Changes in receivables and inventories Changes in other assets Changes in accounts payable and accrued expenses Net cash provided by operating activities Investing activities Capital expenditures Purchases of perpetual lease rights Proceeds from property and equipment disposals Distributions from investment partnerships Purchases of limited partner interests Purchases of investments Redemptions of fixed maturity securities Net cash used in investing activities Financing activities Payments on revolving credit facility Principal payments on long-term debt Principal payments on direct financing lease obligations Proceeds from exercise of stock options Net cash used in financing activities Effect of exchange rate changes on cash Increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at the end of period Beginning Balance Adoption of accounting standards Other comprehensive income, net Conversion of common stock Adjustment to Treasury stock for holdings in investment partnerships Exercise of stock options Ending Balance Accounting Policies [Abstract] Note 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Investments [Abstract] Note 2. Investments Note 3. Investment Partnerships Other Assets [Abstract] Note 4. Other Current Assets Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract] Note 5. Property and Equipment Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract] Note 6. Goodwill and Other Intangibles Payables and Accruals [Abstract] Note 7. Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract] Note 8. Other Liabilities Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract] Note 9. Income Taxes Debt Disclosure [Abstract] Note 10. Notes Payable and Other Borrowings Leases [Abstract] Note 11. Leased Assets and Lease Commitments Related Party Transactions [Abstract] Note 12. Related Party Transactions Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] Note 13. Commitments and Contingencies Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract] Note 14. Fair Value of Financial Assets and Liabilities AOCI Attributable to Parent [Abstract] Note 15. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Segment Reporting [Abstract] Note 16. Business Segment Reporting Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract] Note 17. Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract] Note 18. Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information Description of Business Issuance of Dual Class Common Stock Principles of Consolidation Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash Investments Investment Partnerships Concentration of Equity Price Risk Receivables Inventories Property and Equipment Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets Operating Leases Common Stock Earnings Per Share Revenue Recognition Restaurant Cost of Sales Insurance Losses and Underwriting Expenses Marketing Expense Insurance Reserves Savings Plans Foreign Currency Translation Use of Estimates New Accounting Standards Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash Common stock Summary of restaurant operations revenues Impact of new accounting pronouncements Fair value and carrying value of our partnership interest Carrying value of investment partnerships net of deferred taxes Gains from investment partnerships Summarized financial information for equity in investment partnerships Schedule of other current assets Schedule of property, plant and equipment Schedule of goodwill Schedule of definite and indefinite lived intangible assets Schedule of accounts payable and accrued expenses Schedule of other liabilities Schedule of components of income tax expense Schedule of deferred tax assets and liabilities Schedule of notes payable and other borrowings Expected principle payment Interest on debt obligations Schedule of minimum future payment Schedule of rent expense Contributions to and distributions from the investment partnerships Schedule of fair value assets and liabilities Equity [Abstract] Component of accumulated other comprehensive income Schedule of net revenue by segment Schedule of earnings (loss) by segment Schedule of consolidated capital expenditure, depreciation, and amortization captions Schedule of consolidated asset captions Schedule of quarterly financial information Restricted cash included in other long-term assets Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash Common stock authorized Common stock issued Treasury stock held by the Company Outstanding shares Net sales Franchise royalties and fees Other Total revenue from restaurant operations Revenues Restaurant operations net sales Restaurant operations franchise royalties and fees Restaurant operations other Selling, general and administrative Earnings (loss) before income taxes Income tax benefit Investment Type [Axis] Available for sale investments Investments in equity securities and a related derivative position Fair value of partnership interest, beginning Investment partnership gains (losses) Distributions, net of contributions Increase in proportionate share of Company stock held Partnership interest, ending Carrying value of investment partnerships Deferred tax liability related to investment partnerships Carrying value of investment partnerships net of deferred taxes Gains from investment partnerships Loss on contributions of securities to investment partnerships Investment partnership gains Tax expense (benefit) Contribution to net earnings Total assets Total liabilities Revenue for the period Earnings for the period Biglari Holding's ownership interest Investment in equity security and related derivative position Deferred commissions on gift cards sold by third parties Prepaid contractual obligations Assets held for sale Land Buildings Land and leasehold improvements Equipment Construction in progress Property and equipment, gross Less accumulated depreciation and amortization Property and equipment, net Depreciation and amortization expense Impairment to long-lived assets Balance at beginning of year Change in foreign exchange rates Balance at end of year Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Axis] Gross carrying amount Gross carrying amount Accumulated amortization Accumulated amortization Total intangible assets Amortization expense Tax effect of the asset acquisition Accounts payable Gift card liability Salaries, wages, and vacation Deferred revenue Taxes payable Workers' compensation and other self insurance accruals Other Accounts payable and accrued expenses Deferred rent expense Other Current: Federal State Deferred Total income taxes Reconciliation of effective income tax: Tax at U.S. statutory rates State income taxes, net of federal benefit Tax rate changes Federal income tax credits Dividends received deduction Valuation allowance Foreign tax rate differences Other Deferred tax assets: Insurance reserves Compensation accruals Gift card accruals Net operating loss credit carryforward Valuation allowance on net operating losses Income tax credit carryforward Other Total deferred tax assets Deferred tax liabilities: Investments Fixed asset basis difference Goodwill and intangibles Total deferred tax liabilities Net deferred tax liability Earnings (losses) before income taxes, domestic Earnings (losses) before income taxes, foreign Unrecognized tax benefits Interest and penalties Income taxes receivable Income taxes paid Income tax refunds Notes payable - current Unamortized original issue discount Unamortized debt issuance costs Obligations under leases - current Western revolver Total current portion of notes payable and other borrowings Notes payable - long term Unamortized original issue discount Unamortized debt issuance costs Obligations under leases - long term Total long-term notes payable and other borrowings 2019 2020 2021 Total Interest paid on debt Interest paid on obligations under leases 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 After 2023 Total minimum future rental payments Less amount representing interest Total principal obligations under leases Less current portion Non-current principal obligations under leases Residual value at end of lease term Obligations under leases 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 After 2023 Total minimum future rental payments Minimum rent Contingent rent Rent expense Capital Leased assets - gross Capital Leased assets - accumulated depreciation Contributions of cash Contributions of securities Distributions of cash Distribution of securities Total contributions and distributions Fair Value Hierarchy and NAV [Axis] Cash equivalents Equity Securities Consumer goods Bonds Options on equity securities Non-qualified deferred compensation plan Investments Total assets at fair value Beginning Balance Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications Reclassification to (earnings) loss Foreign currency translation Ending Balance Product and Service [Axis] Net revenue Earnings (loss) before income taxes Capital expenditures Identifiable assets Total revenues Gross profit Costs and expenses Net earnings (loss) Net earnings (loss) per equivalent Class A share Capital expenditures in accounts payable Capital lease obligations Lease retirements Non-cash contribution of securities Non-cash distribution of securities Custom Element. Custom Element. Custom Element. OthersMember OtherSegmentMember OtherMember SteaknShakeMember Corporate1Member Assets, Current Liabilities, Current Liabilities [Default Label] Treasury Stock, Value Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent Liabilities and Equity Costs and Expenses Interest Expense InterestOnObligationsUnderLeases Nonoperating Income (Expense) Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI for Sale of Securities, before Tax Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Securities, Available-for-sale, Tax Increase (Decrease) in Deferred Income Taxes Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Assets Gain (Loss) on Investments IncreaseDecreaseInReceivablesAndInventories Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Assets Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment Payments to Acquire Lease Receivables ReturnOfCapitalFromInvestmentPartnership InvestmentsInInvestmentPartnerships Payments to Acquire Investments Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities Repayments of Lines of Credit Repayments of Long-term Debt PrincipalPaymentsOnDirectFinancingLeaseObligations Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease) Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents Investment, Policy [Policy Text Block] Equity Method Investments [Policy Text Block] Receivables, Policy [Policy Text Block] Inventory, Policy [Policy Text Block] CommonStockPolicyTextBlock Schedule of Stock by Class [Table Text Block] Treasury Stock, Shares Other Operating Income Equity Method Investments, Fair Value Disclosure CarryingValueOfInvestmentPartnershipsNetOfDeferredTaxes IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestmentsGross Land [Default Label] LandAndLeaseholdImprovements Fixtures and Equipment, Gross Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill) IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization Other Accrued Liabilities, Current Accrued Liabilities, Current Other Liabilities Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Tax Credit, Amount Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Deduction, Dividends, Amount Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Deduction, Other, Amount Deferred Tax Assets, Valuation Allowance, Current Deferred Tax Assets, Other Deferred Tax Liabilities, Investments Deferred Tax Liabilities, Net Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount Unamortized Debt Issuance Expense FinancialObligationsFutureMinimumPaymentsDueCurrent FinancialObligationsFutureMinimumPaymentsDueYear2 FinancialObligationsFutureMinimumPaymentsDueYear3 Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Next Twelve Months Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Two Years Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Three Years Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Four Years Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Five Years Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due Thereafter Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due Distribution Made to Limited Partner, Cash Distributions Paid Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Translation Gain (Loss) Arising During Period, Tax