Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity and Comprehensive Income (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Total	Total Texas Roadhouse, Inc. and Subsidiaries	Common Stock Class A	Common Stock Class B	Paid in Capital	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	Noncontrolling Interests	Comprehensive Income
Balance at Dec. 30, 2008	$ 362,797	$ 359,990	$ 64	$ 5	$ 220,385	$ 141,240	$ (1,704)	$ 2,807
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 30, 2008			64,070,620	5,265,376
Comprehensive income:
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives, net of tax of $0.8, $0.9 and $1.0 million for the year 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively	1,723	1,723					1,723		1,723
Net income	49,318	47,479				47,479		1,839	49,318
Total comprehensive income	51,041	49,202						1,839	51,041
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(2,068)							(2,068)
Conversion of Class B shares to Class A shares			5	(5)
Conversion of Class B shares to Class A shares (in shares)			5,265,376	(5,265,376)
Shares issued under stock option plan including tax effects	5,171	5,171	1		5,170
Shares issued under stock option plan including tax effects (in shares)			714,779
Indirect repurchase of shares for minimum tax withholdings	(1,484)	(1,484)			(1,484)
Indirect repurchase of shares for minimum tax withholdings (in shares)			334,140
Share-based compensation	7,493	7,493			7,493
Balance at Dec. 29, 2009	422,950	420,372	70		231,564	188,719	19	2,578
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 29, 2009			70,384,915
Comprehensive income:
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives, net of tax of $0.8, $0.9 and $1.0 million for the year 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively	(1,357)	(1,357)					(1,357)		(1,357)
Net income	60,689	58,289				58,289		2,400	60,689
Total comprehensive income	59,332	56,932						2,400	59,332
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(2,212)							(2,212)
Minority interest liquidation adjustments	69	69			69
Shares issued under stock option plan including tax effects	14,385	14,385	1		14,384
Shares issued under stock option plan including tax effects (in shares)			1,397,832
Indirect repurchase of shares for minimum tax withholdings	(2,828)	(2,828)	1		(2,829)
Indirect repurchase of shares for minimum tax withholdings (in shares)			440,244
Share-based compensation	7,686	7,686			7,686
Balance at Dec. 28, 2010	499,382	496,616	72		250,874	247,008	(1,338)	2,766
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 28, 2010			72,222,991
Comprehensive income:
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives, net of tax of $0.8, $0.9 and $1.0 million for the year 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively	(1,271)	(1,271)					(1,271)		(1,271)
Net income	66,427	63,964				63,964		2,463	66,427
Total comprehensive income	65,156	62,693						2,463	65,156
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(2,270)							(2,270)
Minority interest contribution	959							959
Minority interest liquidation adjustments	(37)	(37)			(37)
Dividends paid ($0.24 per share)	(17,012)	(17,012)				(17,012)
Dividends declared ($0.08 per share)	(5,535)	(5,535)				(5,535)
Shares issued under stock option plan including tax effects	7,284	7,284	1		7,283
Shares issued under stock option plan including tax effects (in shares)			477,525
Repurchase of shares of common stock	(59,147)	(59,147)	(4)		(59,143)
Repurchase of shares of common stock (in shares)			(3,972,100)
Indirect repurchase of shares for minimum tax withholdings	(3,483)	(3,483)			(3,483)
Indirect repurchase of shares for minimum tax withholdings (in shares)			458,551
Share-based compensation	10,525	10,525			10,525
Balance at Dec. 27, 2011	$ 495,822	$ 491,904	$ 69		$ 206,019	$ 288,425	$ (2,609)	$ 3,918
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 27, 2011			69,186,967