Entity Central Index Key Document And Entity Information [Abstract] Document And Entity Information [Abstract] Document Type Document Type Amendment Flag Amendment Flag Document Period End Date Document Period End Date Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Trading Symbol Trading Symbol Entity Registrant Name Entity Registrant Name Entity Central Index Key Current Fiscal Year End Date Current Fiscal Year End Date Entity Filer Category Entity Filer Category Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Entity Common Stock Shares Outstanding Intangible liabilities noncurrent. Statement Of Financial Position [Abstract] Assets Assets [Abstract] Current assets: Assets Current [Abstract] Cash and cash equivalents Cash And Cash Equivalents At Carrying Value Restricted cash Restricted Cash And Cash Equivalents At Carrying Value Accounts and other receivables, net Receivables Net Current Inventories Inventory Net Prepaid expenses and other current assets Prepaid Expense And Other Assets Current Deferred tax assets Deferred Tax Assets Net Current Total current assets Assets Current Property and equipment owned, net Property Plant And Equipment Net Property held under capital leases, net Capital Leases Balance Sheet Assets By Major Class Net Goodwill Goodwill Trademarks Indefinite Lived Trademarks Other intangible assets, net Other Intangible Assets Net Deferred tax assets Deferred Tax Assets Net Noncurrent Other assets Other Assets Noncurrent Total assets Assets Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity Liabilities And Stockholders Equity [Abstract] Current liabilities: Liabilities Current [Abstract] Current portion of obligations under capital leases Capital Lease Obligations Current Accounts payable Accounts Payable Current Accrued salaries and vacation Employee Related Liabilities Current Accrued insurance Accrued Insurance Current Accrued income taxes payable Accrued Income Taxes Current Accrued interest Interest Payable Current Accrued advertising Accrued Advertising Current Other accrued expenses and current liabilities Other Liabilities Current Total current liabilities Liabilities Current Revolver loan Lines Of Credit Current Obligations under capital leases, net of current portion Capital Lease Obligations Noncurrent Deferred taxes, net of current portion Deferred Tax Liabilities Noncurrent Other intangible liabilities, net Intangible Liabilities Noncurrent Other noncurrent liabilities Other Liabilities Noncurrent Total liabilities Liabilities Commitments and contingencies Commitments And Contingencies Stockholders' Equity Stockholders Equity [Abstract] Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized; none issued or outstanding Preferred Stock Value Common stock, $0.01 par value—200,000,000 shares authorized; 38,296,787 and 38,284,435 shares issued and outstanding Common Stock Value Additional paid-in-capital Additional Paid In Capital Common Stock Accumulated deficit Retained Earnings Accumulated Deficit Total stockholders' equity Stockholders Equity Total liabilities and stockholder’s equity Liabilities And Stockholders Equity Preferred stock, par value Preferred Stock Par Or Stated Value Per Share Preferred stock, shares authorized Preferred Stock Shares Authorized Preferred stock, shares issued Preferred Stock Shares Issued Preferred stock, shares outstanding Preferred Stock Shares Outstanding Common stock, par value Common Stock Par Or Stated Value Per Share Common stock, shares authorized Common Stock Shares Authorized Common stock, shares issued Common Stock Shares Issued Common stock, shares outstanding Common Stock Shares Outstanding Tax receivable agreement expenses. Income Statement [Abstract] Revenue Revenues [Abstract] Company-operated restaurant revenue Sales Revenue Services Net Franchise revenue Franchise Revenue Total revenue Revenues Cost of operations Cost Of Goods And Services Sold [Abstract] Food and paper cost Cost Of Services Direct Materials Labor and related expenses Cost Of Services Direct Labor Occupancy and other operating expenses Other Cost And Expense Operating Company restaurant expenses Operating Costs And Expenses General and administrative expenses General And Administrative Expense Franchise expenses Franchisor Costs Depreciation and amortization Depreciation And Amortization Loss on disposal of assets Gain Loss On Sale Of Property Plant Equipment Expenses related to fire loss General Insurance Expense Gain on recovery of insurance proceeds Gain On Business Interruption Insurance Recovery Asset impairment and closed-store reserves Restructuring Costs And Asset Impairment Charges Total expenses Operating Expenses Income from operations Operating Income Loss Interest expense-net of interest income Interest Expense Income tax receivable agreement expense Tax Receivable Agreement Expenses Income before provision for income taxes Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Extraordinary Items Noncontrolling Interest Provision for income taxes Income Tax Expense Benefit Net income Net Income Loss Net income per share Earnings Per Share [Abstract] Basic Earnings Per Share Basic Diluted Earnings Per Share Diluted Weighted-average shares used in computing net income per share Earnings Per Share Basic And Diluted Other Disclosures [Abstract] Basic Weighted Average Number Of Shares Outstanding Basic Diluted Weighted Average Number Of Diluted Shares Outstanding Excess tax benefit (expense) from share based compensation financing activities. Operating Cash Flows Direct Method [Abstract] Cash flows from operating activities: Net Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities Continuing Operations [Abstract] Net income Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flows provided by operating activities: Adjustments To Reconcile Net Income Loss To Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities [Abstract] Stock-based compensation expense Share Based Compensation Loss on disposal of assets Gain Loss On Disposition Of Assets1 Proceeds from insurance Proceeds From Insurance Settlement Operating Activities Impairment of property and equipment Impairment Of Long Lived Assets Held For Use Closed-store reserve Restructuring Costs Amortization of deferred financing costs Amortization Of Financing Costs Amortization of favorable and unfavorable leases, net Amortization Of Above And Below Market Leases Excess income tax benefit related to share-based compensation plans Excess Tax Benefit From Share Based Compensation Operating Activities Deferred income taxes, net Deferred Income Tax Expense Benefit Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Increase Decrease In Operating Capital [Abstract] Accounts and other receivables, net Increase Decrease In Accounts And Other Receivables Inventories Increase Decrease In Inventories Prepaid expenses and other current assets Increase Decrease In Prepaid Deferred Expense And Other Assets Income taxes payable Increase Decrease In Income Taxes Other assets Increase Decrease In Other Operating Assets Accounts payable Increase Decrease In Accounts Payable Accrued salaries and vacation Increase Decrease In Employee Related Liabilities Accrued insurance Increase Decrease In Insurance Liabilities Other accrued expenses and liabilities Increase Decrease In Other Accrued Liabilities Net cash flows provided by operating activities Net Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities Continuing Operations Cash flows from investing activities: Net Cash Provided By Used In Investing Activities Continuing Operations [Abstract] Proceeds from insurance Proceeds From Insurance Settlement Investing Activities Purchase of property and equipment Payments To Acquire Property Plant And Equipment Net cash flows used in investing activities Net Cash Provided By Used In Investing Activities Continuing Operations Cash flows from financing activities: Net Cash Provided By Used In Financing Activities Continuing Operations [Abstract] Payments on revolver loan Repayments Of Lines Of Credit Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of expenses Proceeds From Issuance Of Common Stock Payment of obligations under capital leases Repayments Of Long Term Capital Lease Obligations Excess income tax benefit related to share-based compensation plans Excess Tax Benefit Expense From Share Based Compensation Financing Activities Net cash flows used in financing activities Net Cash Provided By Used In Financing Activities Continuing Operations Increase (Decrease) in cash and cash equivalents Cash And Cash Equivalents Period Increase Decrease Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period Cash and cash equivalents, end of period Cashless exercise of stock options. Supplemental cash flow information Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract] Cash paid during the period for interest Interest Paid Cash paid during the period for income taxes, net Income Taxes Paid Net Unpaid purchases of property and equipment Capital Expenditures Incurred But Not Yet Paid Cashless stock option exercise Cashless Exercise Of Stock Options Accounting Policies [Abstract] Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Basis Of Presentation And Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block] Property Plant And Equipment [Abstract] Property and Equipment Property Plant And Equipment Disclosure [Text Block] Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract] Stock-Based Compensation Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Share Based Payments [Text Block] Debt Disclosure [Abstract] Credit Agreements Debt Disclosure [Text Block] Payables And Accruals [Abstract] Other Accrued Expenses and Current Liabilities Accounts Payable Accrued Liabilities And Other Liabilities Disclosure Current [Text Block] Other Noncurrent Liabilities Accounts Payable Accrued Liabilities And Other Liabilities Disclosure Noncurrent [Text Block] Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] Commitments and Contingencies Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] Net Income Per Share Earnings Per Share [Text Block] Related Party Transactions [Abstract] Related Party Transactions Related Party Transactions Disclosure [Text Block] Basis of Presentation Basis Of Accounting Policy Policy [Text Block] Principles of Consolidation Consolidation Policy [Text Block] Use of Estimates Use Of Estimates Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash And Cash Equivalents Policy [Text Block] Restricted Cash Cash And Cash Equivalents Restricted Cash And Cash Equivalents Policy Reclassifications Prior Period Reclassification Adjustment Description Liquidity Policy Text Block. Liquidity Liquidity Policy [Text Block] Gain on recovery of insurance proceeds. Gain on recovery of insurance proceeds Gain On Recovery Of Insurance Proceeds Policies [Text Block] Recent Accounting Pronouncements New Accounting Pronouncements Policy Policy [Text Block] Subsequent Events Subsequent Events Policy Policy [Text Block] Concentration of Risk Concentration Risk Credit Risk Goodwill and Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets Goodwill And Intangible Assets Policy [Text Block] Income Taxes Income Tax Policy [Text Block] Schedule of Costs and Related Accumulated Depreciation and Amortization of Major Classes of Property Property Plant And Equipment [Text Block] Schedule of Other Accrued Expenses and Current Liabilities Other Current Liabilities Table [Text Block] Schedule of Other Noncurrent Liabilities Other Noncurrent Liabilities Table [Text Block] Computation of Basic and Diluted Net Income per Share Schedule Of Earnings Per Share Basic And Diluted Table [Text Block] Schedule of Reconciliation of Basic and Diluted Share Counts Schedule Of Weighted Average Number Of Shares Table [Text Block] Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Abstract] Basis of presentation and summary of significant accounting policies. Basis of presentation and summary of significant accounting policies table. Basis Of Presentation And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Table] Basis Of Presentation And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Table] Franchisor Disclosure Franchisor Disclosure [Axis] Franchisor Disclosure Franchisor Disclosure [Domain] Entity Operated Units [Member] Entity Operated Units [Member] Franchised Units [Member] Franchised Units [Member] Debt Instrument Debt Instrument [Axis] Debt Instrument, Name Debt Instrument Name [Domain] First lien credit agreement. 2013 First Lien Credit Agreement [Member] First Lien Credit Agreement [Member] Credit Facility Credit Facility [Axis] Credit Facility Credit Facility [Domain] Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility [Member] Revolving Credit Facility [Member] Subsequent Event Type Subsequent Event Type [Axis] Subsequent Event Type Subsequent Event Type [Domain] Subsequent Event [Member] Subsequent Event [Member] Legal Entity Legal Entity [Axis] Entity Entity [Domain] Parent [Member] Parent [Member] Franchisee. Franchisee [Member] Franchisee [Member] Geographical Statement Geographical [Axis] Geographical Segment Geographical [Domain] Information pertaining to Los Angeles. The Greater Los Angeles Area [Member] Los Angeles [Member] Supplier Share Based Goods And Nonemployee Services Transaction By Supplier [Axis] Share-based Goods and Nonemployee Services Transaction, Supplier Share Based Goods And Nonemployee Services Transaction Supplier [Domain] Supplier one. Supplier One [Member] Supplier One [Member] Supplier two. Supplier Two [Member] Supplier Two [Member] Supplier three. Supplier Three [Member] Supplier Three [Member] Largest supplier one. Largest Supplier One [Member] Largest Supplier One [Member] Concentration Risk Benchmark Concentration Risk By Benchmark [Axis] Concentration Risk Benchmark Concentration Risk Benchmark [Domain] Accounts Payable [Member] Accounts Payable [Member] Purchased. Purchased [Member] Purchased [Member] Revenue [Member] Sales Revenue Net [Member] Concentration Risk Type Concentration Risk By Type [Axis] Concentration Risk Type Concentration Risk Type [Domain] Supplier Concentration Risk [Member] Supplier Concentration Risk [Member] Geographic Concentration Risk [Member] Geographic Concentration Risk [Member] Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets By Major Class [Axis] Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets, Major Class Name Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets Major Class Name [Domain] Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Member] Indefinitelived Intangible Assets [Member] Basis Of Presentation And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] Basis Of Presentation And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] Number of operating segments Number Of Operating Segments Number of restaurants Number Of Restaurants Restricted dividend payments, description Restriction To Transfer Funds Total amount of outstanding debt Long Term Debt Cash available Amount of borrowings available Line Of Credit Facility Remaining Borrowing Capacity Number of restaurants damaged by fire. Number of restaurants damaged Number Of Restaurants Damaged By Fire Costs incurred directly related to fire Gain on recovery of insurance proceeds Amount received from insurance company in cash Proceeds From Insurance Premiums Collected Number of suppliers. Number of suppliers Number Of Suppliers Percentage of concentration Concentration Risk Percentage1 Asset impairment charges Asset Impairment Charges Unrecognized tax benefits, accrual of interest or penalties Unrecognized Tax Benefits Income Tax Penalties And Interest Accrued Unrecognized tax benefits, interest or penalties expenses Unrecognized Tax Benefits Income Tax Penalties And Interest Expense Percentage of operating loss carry forwards tax savings payable to pre initial public offering stockholders. Percentage of cash savings in taxes realized as a result of utilizing net operating losses payable to pre-IPO stockholders Percentage Of Operating Loss Carryforwards Tax Savings Payable To Pre Initial Public Offering Stockholders Schedule Of Property Plant And Equipment [Table] Schedule Of Property Plant And Equipment [Table] Property, Plant and Equipment, Type Property Plant And Equipment By Type [Axis] Property, Plant and Equipment, Type Property Plant And Equipment Type [Domain] Land [Member] Land [Member] Buildings and Improvements [Member] Building And Building Improvements [Member] Other Property and Equipment [Member] Property Plant And Equipment Other Types [Member] Construction in Progress [Member] Construction In Progress [Member] Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items] Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items] Property and equipment, gross Property Plant And Equipment Gross Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization Accumulated Depreciation Depletion And Amortization Property Plant And Equipment Property and equipment, net Depreciation expense Depreciation Gross value of assets under capital leases for buildings and improvements Capital Leased Assets Gross Accumulated depreciation of assets under capital leases Capital Leases Lessee Balance Sheet Assets By Major Class Accumulated Deprecation Capital expenditures Payments To Acquire Productive Assets Capital expenditures for restaurant remodeling Payments For Capital Improvements Capital expenditures for new restaurants Payments To Acquire Other Property Plant And Equipment Schedule Of Share Based Compensation Arrangements By Share Based Payment Award [Table] Schedule Of Share Based Compensation Arrangements By Share Based Payment Award [Table] Award Type Award Type [Axis] Equity Award Share Based Compensation Arrangements By Share Based Payment Award Award Type And Plan Name [Domain] Premium options. Premium Options [Member] Premium Options [Member] Restricted Stock [Member] Restricted Stock [Member] Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items] Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items] Common stock, options outstanding Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Outstanding Number Common stock, options vested Sharebased Compensation Arrangement By Sharebased Payment Award Options Vested Number Of Shares Common stock, options unvested Sharebased Compensation Arrangement By Sharebased Payment Award Options Nonvested Number Of Shares Stock options exercised Stock Issued During Period Shares Stock Options Exercised Unvested restricted shares outstanding Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Equity Instruments Other Than Options Nonvested Number Unrecognized compensation expense Employee Service Share Based Compensation Nonvested Awards Total Compensation Cost Not Yet Recognized Unrecognized compensation expense, recognition period Employee Service Share Based Compensation Nonvested Awards Total Compensation Cost Not Yet Recognized Period For Recognition1 Equity method investments and cost method investments. Equity Method Investments And Cost Method Investments [Abstract] Debt Instrument [Table] Debt Instrument [Table] Short-term Debt, Type Short Term Debt Type [Axis] Short-term Debt, Type Short Term Debt Type [Domain] Swing line loans. Swing Line Loans [Member] Swing Line Loans [Member] Letter of Credit [Member] Letter Of Credit [Member] Credit agreement two thousand fourteen. 2014 Credit Agreement [Member] Credit Agreement Two Thousand Fourteen [Member] Variable Rate Variable Rate [Axis] Variable Rate Variable Rate [Domain] Federal Funds Rate [Member] Federal Funds Effective Swap Rate [Member] Base Rate [Member] Base Rate [Member] Margin rate. Initial Margin Rate [Member] Margin Rate [Member] LIBOR [Member] London Interbank Offered Rate L I B O R [Member] Range Range [Axis] Range Range [Member] Minimum [Member] Minimum [Member] Maximum [Member] Maximum [Member] Debt Instrument [Line Items] Debt Instrument [Line Items] Senior secured revolving facility Line Of Credit Facility Maximum Borrowing Capacity Sub limit of revolving facility Line Of Credit Facility Current Borrowing Capacity Senior secured revolving facility term Debt Instrument Term Letters of credit outstanding Letters Of Credit Outstanding Amount Revolving credit facility maturity period Debt Instrument Maturity Date Debt instrument basis percentage Debt Instrument Basis Spread On Variable Rate1 Debt instrument, interest rate Debt Instrument Interest Rate Effective Percentage Interest rate description Debt Instrument Description Of Variable Rate Basis Principal payments prior to maturity Debt Instrument Periodic Payment Principal Debt instrument, periodic payment Debt Instrument Periodic Payment Payable under tax receivable agreement current. Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract] Accrued sales and property taxes Taxes Payable Current Income tax receivable agreement payable Payable Under Tax Receivable Agreement Current Gift card liability Accrued Liabilities For Unredeeemed Gift Cards Other Other Accrued Liabilities Current Total other accrued expenses and current liabilities Payable under tax receivable agreement noncurrent. Other Liabilities Noncurrent [Abstract] Deferred rent Deferred Rent Credit Noncurrent Income tax receivable agreement payable Payable Under Tax Receivable Agreement Noncurrent Other Other Sundry Liabilities Noncurrent Total other noncurrent liabilities Other Commitments [Table] Other Commitments [Table] Category of Item Purchased Long Term Purchase Commitment By Category Of Item Purchased [Axis] Long-term Purchase Commitment, Category of Item Purchased Long Term Purchase Commitment Category Of Item Purchased [Domain] Beverage. Beverage [Member] Beverage [Member] Chicken. Chicken Acquisition Corp [Member] Chicken [Member] Guarantor Obligations, Nature Guarantee Obligations By Nature [Axis] Guarantor Obligations, Nature Guarantee Obligations Nature [Domain] Property Lease Guarantee [Member] Property Lease Guarantee [Member] Title of Individual Title Of Individual [Axis] Relationship to Entity Title Of Individual With Relationship To Entity [Domain] Officers [Member] Officer [Member] Other Commitments [Line Items] Other Commitments [Line Items] Date of class action filed in court Loss Contingency Lawsuit Filing Date Number of lawsuits. Employee call options amount reduced in menu. Number of lawsuits consolidated Number Of Lawsuits Call option value reduced from menu Employee Call Options Amount Reduced In Menu Purchase commitments, estimated obligations Purchase Obligation Number of leases. Lease expiration year. Guarantee obligations maximum net exposure. Number of leases assigned to franchisees Number Of Leases Latest lease expiration year Lease Expiration Year Contingent lease obligations, maximum exposure Guarantee Obligations Maximum Exposure Contingent lease obligations, maximum exposure, if discounted at estimated pre-tax cost of debt Guarantee Obligations Maximum Net Exposure Number of employment agreements. Number of at-will employment agreements Number Of Employment Agreements Numerator: Net Income Loss [Abstract] Denominator: Weighted-average shares outstanding—basic Weighted-average shares outstanding—diluted Net income per share—basic Net income per share—diluted Anti-dilutive securities not considered in diluted EPS calculation Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share Amount Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted shares Incremental Common Shares Attributable To Share Based Payment Arrangements Weighted-average shares outstanding—diluted Percentage of membership interests. Schedule Of Related Party Transactions By Related Party [Table] Schedule Of Related Party Transactions By Related Party [Table] Related Party Related Party Transactions By Related Party [Axis] Related Party Related Party [Domain] Information pertaining to Trimaran Pollo Partners, LLC. Trimaran Pollo Partners, LLC [Member] Trimaran Pollo Partners L L C [Member] Related Party Transaction [Line Items] Related Party Transaction [Line Items] Company's outstanding common stock owned by Trimaran Pollo Partners, L.L.C. Equity Method Investment Ownership Percentage Ownership description Minority Interest Description Outstanding membership interest, percentage Percentage Of Membership Interests Ownership percentage by stockholders Minority Interest Ownership Percentage By Noncontrolling Owners