Business Acquisition Business Combinations Policy [Policy Text Block] Document Type Document Type ICFR Auditor Attestation Flag ICFR Auditor Attestation Flag Other comprehensive income: Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent [Abstract] Commitments and Contingencies Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] Steak n Shake Steak n Shake Treasury Stock Treasury Stock [Member] Changes in accounts payable and accrued expenses Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities Payables and Accruals [Abstract] Payables and Accruals [Abstract] Segments [Axis] Segments [Axis] Oil and gas production costs Production Costs, Period Cost Insurance Segment Insurance Segment [Member] Insurance Segment Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block] Level 3 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] Schedule of weighted-average lease terms and discount rates Schedule Of Weighted-Average Lease Terms And Discount Rates [Table Text Block] Tax rate changes Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Change in Enacted Tax Rate, Amount Unamortized debt issuance costs Unamortized debt issuance costs Gift card liability Gift card liability Statistical Measurement [Domain] Statistical Measurement [Domain] Liabilities and shareholders’ equity Liabilities and Equity [Abstract] Hurdle rate, percent Hurdle Rate, Percentage Hurdle Rate, Percentage Amortization of right-of-use assets Finance Lease, Right-of-Use Asset, Amortization Deferred taxes Deferred Income Tax Liabilities, Net Security Exchange Name Security Exchange Name Oil and Gas Production Costs Oil And Gas Production Costs [Policy Text Block] Other intangible assets Total intangible assets Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill) Capital lease retirements Capital Lease Retirements Capital Lease Retirements Conversion of common stock Stock Issued During Period, Value, Conversion of Units Total current liabilities Liabilities, Current Lion Fund, L.P. Lion Fund, L.P. [Member] Lion Fund, L.P. Prepaid contractual obligations Prepaid Expense and Other Assets, Current Distributions from investment partnerships ReturnOfCapitalFromInvestmentPartnership Total lease payments Finance Lease, Liability, Payment, Due Assets Assets [Abstract] Depletion Depletion Accounting Policies [Abstract] Accounting Policies [Abstract] After 2025 Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, to be Paid, after Year Five Entity Address, State or Province Entity Address, State or Province Tax at U.S. statutory rates Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation at Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate, Amount Company Common Stock Company Common Stock Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Comprehensive Income (Loss) Note [Text Block] Investment Partnerships Investment Partnerships Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities Disclosure [Text Block] Retained earnings Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) Payments on revolving credit facility Repayments of Lines of Credit Operating 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Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Asset by Major Class [Table] Restaurant operations Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax Tax expense (benefit) Equity Method Investments, Tax Expense (Benefit), Amount Equity Method Investments, Tax Expense (Benefit), Amount Investments Investment, Policy [Policy Text Block] Minimum rent Minimum Rent, Cost Minimum Rent, Cost Property and equipment related costs Property and equipment related costs Statement [Line Items] Statement [Line Items] Fair value of partnership interest, beginning Partnership interest, ending Equity Method Investments, Fair Value Disclosure Provision for deferred income taxes Increase (Decrease) in Deferred Income Taxes Class of Stock [Domain] Class of Stock [Domain] Interest on debt obligations Interest On Debt Obligations [Table Text Block] Entity Voluntary Filers Entity Voluntary Filers Distributions from investment partnerships Distributions from investment partnerships Statement [Table] Statement 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Method Investments [Policy Text Block] Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Table Text Block] Other Assets [Abstract] Other Assets [Abstract] Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information Cash Flow, Supplemental Disclosures [Text Block] Capital expenditures incurred but not yet paid Capital Expenditures Incurred but Not yet Paid Mr Biglari Mr Biglari [Member] Mr Biglari Valuation allowance Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Change in Deferred Tax Assets Valuation Allowance, Amount Segments [Domain] Segments [Domain] Finance obligations Finance Obligations, Current Finance Obligations, Current Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract] Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract] Finance obligations Finance Obligations, Noncurrent Finance Obligations, Noncurrent Property, Plant and Equipment, Type [Axis] Long-Lived Tangible Asset [Axis] Other Other Miscellaneous Liabilities, Noncurrent Other Miscellaneous Liabilities, Noncurrent Effect of 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Lion Fund, L.P. Other assets Other Assets, Noncurrent Proceeds from income tax refunds Proceeds from Income Tax Refunds Business Segment Reporting Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block] Accounts payable and accrued expenses Accounts payable and accrued expenses Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure Cash equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents, Fair Value Disclosure Period fees payment Period Fees Payment Period Fees Payment Total assets Total assets Identifiable Assets Assets Related Party Transactions Related Party Transactions Disclosure [Text Block] Corporate Corporate1Member Investment Partnerships Investment Partnerships [Text Block] Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Organization, Consolidation, Basis of Presentation, Business Description and Accounting Policies [Text Block] Corporate Segment Corporate Segment [Member] Title of 12(b) Security Title of 12(b) Security Schedule of Accrued Liabilities Schedule of Accrued Liabilities [Table Text Block] Investments Deferred Tax Liabilities, Investments Finance Leases Finance Lease, Liability, Payment, Due [Abstract] Finite-lived intangible assets, net Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net Insurance Losses and Underwriting Expenses Unpaid Policy Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense, Policy [Policy Text Block] Taxes payable Accrued Income Taxes, Current Non-qualified deferred compensation plan investments Other Assets, Fair Value Disclosure Interest expense Interest expense Interest Expense Bonds: Municipal Debt Securities, at Carrying Value Depreciation, depletion and amortization Depreciation and amortization Depreciation, depletion and amortization Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization Schedule of Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Schedule of Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit) [Table Text Block] Other Intangible Assets Other Intangible Assets [Member] Product and Service [Axis] Product and Service [Axis] Total liabilities Total liabilities Liabilities Total contributions and distributions Total contributions and distributions 2025 Finance Lease, Liability, to be Paid, Year Five Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract] Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract] Less interest Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Undiscounted Excess Amount Schedule of Related Party Transactions, by Related Party [Table] Schedule of Related Party Transactions, by Related Party [Table] Common stock Schedule of Stock by Class [Table Text Block] Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] Purchases of perpetual lease rights Purchases of perpetual lease rights Payments to Acquire Lease Receivables Level 1 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] Liabilities settled Asset Retirement Obligation, Liabilities Settled Oil and gas properties Oil and Gas Property, Full Cost Method, Gross Land and Land Improvements Land and Land Improvements [Member] Deferred tax liability related to investment partnerships Deferred tax liability related to investment partnerships Debt Instrument [Axis] Debt Instrument [Axis] Additional Paid-in Capital Additional Paid-in Capital [Member] Asset Retirement Obligations Asset Retirement Obligation Disclosure [Text Block] Investments Investment Holdings [Text Block] Quarterly Financial Information Quarterly Financial Information [Table Text Block] Operating Segments Operating Segments [Member] Asset Class [Axis] Asset Class [Axis] Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to operating cash flows: Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Interest on lease liabilities Finance Lease, Interest Expense Dividends received deduction Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Deduction, Dividends, Amount Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis] Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis] Change in foreign exchange rates Change in 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Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross Proceeds for exercise of stock options Proceeds from Stock Options Exercised Fair Value Fair Value Revenue Recognition Revenue [Policy Text Block] Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table Text Block] Oil and Gas Properties Oil and Gas Properties Policy [Policy Text Block] Schedule of supplemental balance sheet information related to leases Schedule Of Supplemental Balance Sheet Information Related To Leases [Table Text Block] Impairment of long-lived assets held-for-use Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Held-for-use Income Statement [Abstract] Income Statement [Abstract] AOCI Attributable to Parent AOCI Attributable to Parent [Member] Distributions of cash Distribution Made to Limited Partner, Cash Distributions Paid (Gains) losses on disposal of assets Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Assets Concentration of Equity Price Risk Concentration Of Equity Price Risk [Policy Text Block] Operating lease liabilities Operating Lease, Liability, Noncurrent Other insurance accruals Accrued Insurance, Current Interest paid on debt Interest Paid, Including Capitalized Interest, Operating and Investing Activities Use of Estimates Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block] Current assets: Assets, Current [Abstract] Accretion Amortization Investments, fair value disclosure Investments, Fair Value Disclosure Franchise Rights Franchise Rights [Member] Consolidated Entities [Axis] Consolidated Entities [Axis] Total comprehensive income (loss) Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent 2023 Finance Lease, Liability, to be Paid, Year Three Documents Incorporated by Reference Documents Incorporated by Reference [Text Block] Consumer goods Consumer Goods Equity Security [Member] Consumer Goods Equity Security Capital expenditures Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment City Area Code City Area Code Consolidation Items [Domain] Consolidation Items [Domain] Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities: Cash Flow, Operating Activities, Lessee [Abstract] Document Period End Date Document Period End Date Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block] Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract] Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract] Oil and gas Southern Oil Oil And Gas Investment partnership gains (losses) Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments Other Liabilities Other Liabilities Disclosure [Text Block] Net earnings (loss) Net earnings (loss) Total earnings Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Rent expense Rent Expense Rent Expense Gains (losses) from investment partnerships Income Loss From Equity Method Investments Gross Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract] Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract] Capital Expenditures Payments to Acquire Productive Assets Insurance Insurance Equity Security [Member] Insurance Equity Security Equity securities: Equity Securities, FV-NI Fixed assets and depletable assets basis difference Deferred Tax Assets, Property, Plant and Equipment Cover [Abstract] Goodwill from acquisition Goodwill, Acquired During Period Financing cash flows from finance leases Financing cash flows from finance leases Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) Quarterly Financial Information [Text Block] Reclassification to (earnings) loss Other comprehensive income (loss), before reclassifications, net of tax Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax Reclassification to earnings Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI for Sale of Securities, before Tax Taxes payable Taxes Payable Equipment Fixtures and Equipment, Gross Property, plant and equipment, useful life Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life Loss reserves Loss Reserves Payable, Current Loss Reserves Payable, Current Goodwill [Line Items] Goodwill [Line Items] Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract] Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract] Investments Investments Restricted cash included in other long-term assets Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Asset retirement obligations Asset Retirement Obligations, Noncurrent Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations: Lease, Cost [Abstract] Total cost and expenses Costs and expenses Costs and Expenses Equity Components [Axis] Equity Components [Axis] Asset retirement obligations Asset Retirement Obligation [Policy Text Block] Debt Instrument, Name [Domain] Debt Instrument, Name [Domain] Total deferred tax assets Deferred Tax Assets, Gross Minimum Minimum [Member] Consolidated Entities [Domain] Consolidated Entities [Domain] Property and equipment, net Property, Plant, and Equipment and Finance Lease Right-of-Use Asset, after Accumulated Depreciation and Amortization Land Land [Member] Current portion of operating lease liabilities Operating Lease, Liability, Current Increase in proportionate share of Company stock held Increase in proportionate share of Company stock held Schedule of Cash Flow, Supplemental Disclosures Schedule of Cash Flow, Supplemental Disclosures [Table Text Block] Finance lease liabilities Right-of-Use Asset Obtained in Exchange for Finance Lease Liability Salaries, wages, and vacation Accrued Salaries, Current Entity Interactive Data Current Entity Interactive Data Current Revenues Revenues [Abstract] Fair Value of Financial Assets Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block] Operating activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Western Western Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjustment Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjustment [Member] Entity Registrant Name Entity Registrant Name Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract] Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract] Operating leases Operating Lease, Weighted Average Discount Rate, Percent Weighted-average remaining lease terms: Weighted-average remaining lease terms: Total deferred tax liabilities Deferred Tax Liabilities, Gross Impairments Asset Impairment Charges Marketing Expense Advertising Cost [Policy Text Block] Management fee expense Management Fee Expense Proceeds from property and equipment disposals Proceeds from Sale of Property, Plant, and Equipment Intangible assets, gross Intangible Assets, Gross (Excluding Goodwill) Less interest Finance Lease, Liability, Undiscounted Excess Amount Decrease in unrecognized tax benefits is reasonably possible Decrease in Unrecognized Tax Benefits is Reasonably Possible Consolidation Items [Axis] Consolidation Items [Axis] Steak N Shake Credit Facility Steak N Shake Credit Facility [Member] Steak N Shake Credit Facility Foreign currency translation Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, before Tax Adjustment to treasury stock for holdings in investment partnerships Adjustment to treasury stock for holdings in investment partnerships Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code Investments [Abstract] Investments [Abstract] Goodwill, impairment loss Impairments to goodwill Goodwill, Impairment Loss Receivables Accounts Receivable, after Allowance for Credit Loss, Current Total lease payments Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, to be Paid Reclassification to (earnings) loss Reclassification to (earnings) loss Custom Element. Other Deferred Tax Assets, Other Depreciation, depletion and amortization, nonproduction Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Nonproduction Restaurant Cost of Sales Cost of Goods and Service [Policy Text Block] Finance obligations incurred Finance Lease Obligations Incurred Finance Lease Obligations Incurred Entity Address, Postal Zip Code Entity Address, Postal Zip Code Contingent rent Contingent Rent, Cost Contingent Rent, Cost Insurance losses and underwriting expenses Other Underwriting Expense Contribution to net earnings Contribution to net earnings Goodwill Balance at beginning of year Balance at end of year Goodwill Document Transition Report Document Transition Report International Restaurant Operations International Restaurant Operations [Member] International Restaurant Operations Net operating loss credit carryforward Deferred Tax Assets, Operating Loss Carryforwards Asset impairments and other non-cash expenses Restructuring Costs and Asset Impairment Charges First Guard First Guard Debt instrument, face amount Debt Instrument, Face Amount Level 2 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] Building and Building Improvements Building and Building Improvements [Member] Media and licensing Maxim Media And Licensing Revenue Other current assets Other current assets Other Assets, Current Schedule of Goodwill Schedule of Goodwill [Table Text Block] Current Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Continuing Operations [Abstract] Current Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Continuing Operations [Abstract] Asset Class [Domain] Asset Class [Domain] Total assets at fair value Assets, Fair Value Disclosure Schedule of earnings (loss) by segment Schedule Of Earnings (Loss) By Segment [Table Text Block] Gift Cards Gift Cards [Member] Gift Cards Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption [Axis] Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption [Axis] Term of agreement Partnership Agreement, Commitment Term Partnership Agreement, Commitment Term Other income (expenses) Other Income and Expenses [Abstract] Entity File Number Entity File Number Investment Gains Investment Gains [Member] Investment Gains Debt Disclosure [Abstract] Debt Disclosure [Abstract] Operating leases Operating Lease, Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term Franchise Franchise [Member] Net cash used in financing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities Principal payments on long-term debt Repayments of Long-term Debt Revenue, remaining performance obligation, amount Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Amount AOCI, Accumulated Gain (Loss), Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Parent AOCI, Accumulated Gain (Loss), Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Parent [Member] Foreign currency translation OCI, Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Gain (Loss), Arising During Period, Tax Unrecognized tax benefits Unrecognized Tax Benefits Common stock Common Stock, Value, Issued Lion Fund II, L.P. Lion Fund II, L.P. [Member] Lion Fund II, L.P. Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract] Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract] Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Annual Report Document Annual Report Options on equity securities Options on equity securities Accounts payable Accounts Payable, Fair Value Disclosure Current portion of notes payable and other borrowings Long-term Debt, Current Maturities Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Current Reporting Status 2024 Finance Lease, Liability, to be Paid, Year Four Related Party Transaction [Axis] Related Party Transaction [Axis] Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract] Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract] Purchases of investments Payments to Acquire Debt Securities, Available-for-sale Earnings Per Share Earnings Per Share, Policy [Policy Text Block] Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table] Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table] Equity Method Investment, Nonconsolidated Investee [Domain] Equity Method Investment, 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Attributable to Parent Description of Business Nature of Operations [Text Block] Foreign tax rate differences Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Foreign Income Tax Rate Differential, Amount Borrowings Borrowings [Member] Rent expense Operating Leases, Rent Expense, Net Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity Liabilities and Equity Southern Oil Southern Oil Buildings Buildings and Improvements, Gross Accumulated other comprehensive loss Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Income Taxes Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block] Entity Address, City or Town Entity Address, City or Town Fair Value Hierarchy and NAV [Axis] Fair Value Hierarchy and NAV [Axis] Operating lease costs Operating Lease, Cost 2025 Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, to be Paid, Year Five Selling, general and administrative General and Administrative Expense Deferred tax liabilities: Deferred Tax Liabilities, Gross [Abstract] Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share, amount Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount Incentive reallocation fee, percentage Incentive Reallocation Fee, Percentage Incentive Reallocation Fee, Percentage Finance leases Finance Lease, Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term Product Product [Member] Insurance loss accrual Insurance Loss Accrual Insurance Loss Accrual Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Axis] Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Axis] Equity Component [Domain] Equity Component [Domain] Operating cash flows from finance leases Operating cash flows from finance leases Valuation allowance on net operating losses Deferred Tax Assets, Valuation Allowance Equity Method Investment, Nonconsolidated Investee [Axis] Equity Method Investment, Nonconsolidated Investee [Axis] Liabilities Liabilities [Abstract] Gross profit Gross Profit Property and equipment Property and equipment, net Property, Plant and Equipment, Net Entity Tax Identification Number Entity Tax Identification Number Net earnings (loss) Net earnings Net earnings (loss) Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent Contingent rent Operating Leases, Rent Expense, Contingent Rentals Finance lease liabilities Long-term notes payable and other borrowings Finance Lease, Liability, Noncurrent Other comprehensive income (loss), net Other comprehensive income, net Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Trade Names Trade Names [Member] Leases [Abstract] Leases [Abstract] Applicable income taxes Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI for Sale of Securities, Tax Total current assets Assets, Current Current Fiscal Year End Date Current Fiscal Year End Date Corporate and Other Corporate and Other [Member] Southern Pioneer Southern Pioneer [Member] Southern Pioneer Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities [Table Text Block] Total finance lease liabilities Total finance lease liabilities Finance Lease, Liability Gift card accruals Gift card accruals Shareholders’ equity Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent [Abstract] Document Fiscal Period Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Intangible asset impairment Goodwill and Intangible Asset Impairment Restaurant Restaurant Gains from investment partnerships Gains From Investment Partnerships [Table Text Block] After 2025 Finance Lease, Liability, to be Paid, after Year Five Land and leasehold improvements Land And Leasehold Improvements Insurance Reserves Contingent Liability Reserve Estimate, Policy [Policy Text Block] Investment partnership (gains) losses InvestmentGainsIncludingContributions Reconciliation of effective income tax: Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Percent [Abstract] Entity Filer Category Entity Filer Category Common Stock Common Stock [Member] Accumulated Foreign Currency Adjustment Attributable to Parent Accumulated Foreign Currency Adjustment Attributable to Parent [Member] Product and Service [Domain] Product and Service [Domain] Property, Plant and Equipment, Type [Domain] Long-Lived Tangible Asset [Domain] Schedule of consolidated capital expenditure, depreciation and amortization captions Schedule Of Consolidated Capital Expenditure, Depreciation And Amortization Captions [Table Text Block] Finance leases Finance Lease, Weighted Average Discount Rate, Percent Property and Equipment Property, Plant and Equipment [Table Text Block] Media and licensing cost Media And Licensing Costs Savings Plans Savings Plans [Policy Text Block] Finite-lived intangible assets, gross Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross Lease obligation incurred Lease Obligation Incurred Lion Fund II, L.P. Lion Fund II, L.P. Revenue, remaining performance obligation, expected timing of satisfaction, period Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Period Less accumulated depreciation and amortization Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment Common Class A Common Class A [Member] Deferred commissions on gift cards sold by third parties Contract with Customer, Asset, after Allowance for Credit Loss, Current Incentive reallocation fee, gains From common stock Incentive Reallocation Fee, Gains From Common Stock Incentive Reallocation Fee, Gains From Common Stock Other Product and Service, Other [Member] Related Party Transactions [Abstract] Related Party Transactions [Abstract] Increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease), Including Exchange Rate Effect Total other income (expenses) Nonoperating Income (Expense) Initial franchise partner fee Initial Franchise Partner Fee Initial Franchise Partner Fee Finance lease, right-of-use asset, after accumulated amortization Finance Lease, Right-of-Use Asset, after Accumulated Amortization Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Maturity Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Maturity [Table Text Block] Other Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Other Adjustments, Amount Cost and expenses Costs and Expenses [Abstract] Ownership [Axis] Ownership [Axis] Total current portion of notes payable and other borrowings Notes and Loans Payable, Current Ownership [Domain] Ownership [Domain] Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes, domestic Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Domestic Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Biglari Holdings’ ownership interest Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage Notes payable Notes Payable, Noncurrent Adoption of accounting standards Adoption of 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Schedule of Debt [Table Text Block] Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block] Foreign Currency Translation Foreign Currency Translation [Policy Text Block] Investment gains Investment Income, Net Depreciation Depreciation Unamortized original issue discount Unamortized original issue discount Principal payments on direct financing lease obligations PrincipalPaymentsOnDirectFinancingLeaseObligations Entity Address, Address Line One Entity Address, Address Line One Federal income tax credits Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Tax Credit, Amount Entity Address, Address Line Two Entity Address, Address Line Two Related Party Transaction [Domain] Related Party Transaction [Domain] Changes in other assets Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Assets Entity Emerging Growth Company Entity Emerging Growth Company Exercise of stock options Stock Issued During Period, Value, Stock Options Exercised Indefinite-lived intangible assets 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Changes in receivables and inventories IncreaseDecreaseInReceivablesAndInventories Statement of Financial Position [Abstract] Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]