Description of Business	12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2017
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Description of Business	Description of Business Del Taco Restaurants, Inc. (f/k/a Levy Acquisition Corp. (“LAC”)) is a Delaware corporation headquartered in Lake Forest, California. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Del Taco Restaurants, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company” or “Del Taco”). The Company develops, franchises, owns, and operates Del Taco quick-service Mexican-American restaurants. At January 3, 2017, there were 310 company-operated and 241 franchise-operated Del Taco restaurants located in 15 states, including one franchise-operated unit in Guam. At December 29, 2015, there were 297 company-operated and 247 franchise-operated Del Taco restaurants located in 16 states, including one franchise-operated unit in Guam. The Company was originally incorporated in Delaware on August 2, 2013 as a special purpose acquisition company, formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or other similar business combination with one or more businesses. On June 30, 2015 (the “Closing Date”), the Company consummated its business combination with Del Taco Holdings, Inc. (“DTH”) pursuant to the agreement and plan of merger dated as of March 12, 2015 by and among LAC, Levy Merger Sub, LLC (“Levy Merger Sub”), LAC’s wholly owned subsidiary, and DTH (the “Merger Agreement”). Under the Merger Agreement, Levy Merger Sub merged with and into DTH, with DTH surviving the merger as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (the “Business Combination” or “Merger”). In connection with the closing of the Business Combination, the Company changed its name from Levy Acquisition Corp. to Del Taco Restaurants, Inc. See Note 3 for further discussion of the Business Combination. DTH has no material assets or operations. DTH's direct subsidiary, F&C Restaurant Holding Co. ("F&C RHC") also has no material assets or operations, but was the issuer of subordinated notes in May 2010. F&C RHCs' direct subsidiary, Sagittarius Restaurants LLC ("SAG Restaurants"), also has no material assets or operations and was also an issuer of subordinated notes in May 2010. The outstanding balances for the F&C RHC and SAG Restaurants subordinated notes were fully redeemed in March 2015. See Note 8 for additional discussion on the F&C RHC and SAG Restaurants subordinated notes.

Description of Business

Del Taco Restaurants, Inc. (f/k/a Levy Acquisition Corp. (“LAC”)) is a Delaware corporation headquartered in Lake Forest, California. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Del Taco Restaurants, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company” or “Del Taco”). The Company develops, franchises, owns, and operates Del Taco quick-service Mexican-American restaurants. At January 3, 2017, there were 310 company-operated and 241 franchise-operated Del Taco restaurants located in 15 states, including one franchise-operated unit in Guam. At December 29, 2015, there were 297 company-operated and 247 franchise-operated Del Taco restaurants located in 16 states, including one franchise-operated unit in Guam.

The Company was originally incorporated in Delaware on August 2, 2013 as a special purpose acquisition company, formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or other similar business combination with one or more businesses. On June 30, 2015 (the “Closing Date”), the Company consummated its business combination with Del Taco Holdings, Inc. (“DTH”) pursuant to the agreement and plan of merger dated as of March 12, 2015 by and among LAC, Levy Merger Sub, LLC (“Levy Merger Sub”), LAC’s wholly owned subsidiary, and DTH (the “Merger Agreement”). Under the Merger Agreement, Levy Merger Sub merged with and into DTH, with DTH surviving the merger as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (the “Business Combination” or “Merger”). In connection with the closing of the Business Combination, the Company changed its name from Levy Acquisition Corp. to Del Taco Restaurants, Inc. See Note 3 for further discussion of the Business Combination.

DTH has no material assets or operations. DTH's direct subsidiary, F&C Restaurant Holding Co. ("F&C RHC") also has no material assets or operations, but was the issuer of subordinated notes in May 2010. F&C RHCs' direct subsidiary, Sagittarius Restaurants LLC ("SAG Restaurants"), also has no material assets or operations and was also an issuer of subordinated notes in May 2010. The outstanding balances for the F&C RHC and SAG Restaurants subordinated notes were fully redeemed in March 2015. See Note 8 for additional discussion on the F&C RHC and SAG Restaurants subordinated notes.