Note 7 - Segment Information - Segment Information, Operating Profit (Loss) (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 28, 2015	Jun. 29, 2014	Jun. 28, 2015	Jun. 29, 2014	Dec. 28, 2014
Company-owned Steakhouse Restaurants [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Revenues:
Revenues	$ 86,411,000	$ 78,595,000	$ 179,004,000	$ 164,163,000
Segment profits:
Segment profits	19,985,000	16,026,000	42,776,000	36,083,000
Capital expenditures:
Capital expenditures	3,412,000	2,271,000	7,721,000	4,835,000
Total assets:
Assets	152,623,000		152,623,000		$ 155,757,000
Franchise Operations [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Revenues:
Revenues	4,117,000	3,807,000	8,139,000	7,843,000
Segment profits:
Segment profits	4,117,000	3,807,000	8,139,000	7,843,000
Total assets:
Assets	$ 1,722,000		1,722,000		2,151,000
Mitchells Restaurants [Member]
Capital expenditures:
Capital expenditures		348,000	225,000	626,000
Total assets:
Assets	$ 250,000		250,000		15,119,000
Segment Reconciling Items [Member]
Revenues:
Revenues	521,000	604,000	1,251,000	1,354,000
Segment profits:
Unallocated operating income	521,000	604,000	1,251,000	1,354,000
Corporate, Non-Segment [Member]
Capital expenditures:
Capital expenditures	88,000	413,000	175,000	901,000
Total assets:
Assets	19,345,000		19,345,000		16,711,000
Deferred income taxes - unallocated	15,971,000		15,971,000		28,829,000
Revenues	91,049,000	83,006,000	188,394,000	173,360,000
Segment profits	24,102,000	19,833,000	50,915,000	43,926,000
Marketing and advertising expenses	(2,448,000)	(1,923,000)	(4,040,000)	(3,669,000)
General and administrative costs	(7,445,000)	(5,847,000)	(13,892,000)	(12,072,000)
Depreciation and amortization expenses	(3,187,000)	(2,714,000)	(6,106,000)	(5,224,000)
Pre-opening costs	(139,000)	(119,000)	(515,000)	(528,000)
Interest expense, net	(174,000)	(298,000)	(400,000)	(585,000)
Other income	16,000	12,000	31,000	21,000
Income from continuing operations before income tax expense	11,246,000	9,548,000	27,244,000	23,223,000
Capital expenditures	3,500,000	$ 3,032,000	8,121,000	$ 6,362,000
Assets	$ 189,911,000		$ 189,911,000		$ 218,567,000