Earnings Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		8 Months Ended
	Sep. 12, 2015	Sep. 06, 2014	Sep. 12, 2015	Sep. 06, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net income	$ 2,755	$ 2,414	$ 3,853	$ 2,763
Less: Income attributable to noncontrolling interest	46	3	115	82
Net income attributable to Heritage-Crystal Clean, Inc. common stockholders	$ 2,709	$ 2,411	$ 3,738	$ 2,681
Weighted average basic shares outstanding	22,153	18,446	22,136	18,423
Dilutive shares from share–based compensation plans	285	364	269	339
Weighted average diluted shares outstanding	22,438	18,810	22,405	18,762
Net income per share: basic	$ 0.12	$ 0.13	$ 0.17	$ 0.15
Net income per share: diluted	$ 0.12	$ 0.13	$ 0.17	$ 0.14