Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Oct. 02, 2016	Sep. 27, 2015
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 4,322	$ 3,034
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment	6,842	6,356
Equity-based compensation expense	1,834	388
Other, net	(403)	403
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts and notes receivable	(1,410)	(20)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	1,125	450
Accounts payable	(1,539)	(469)
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	(2,769)	(1,385)
Other assets and liabilities, net	207	(506)
Net cash provided by operating activities	8,209	8,251
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of property and equipment	(12,153)	(7,287)
Other investing activities	(244)	(58)
Net cash used in investing activities	(12,397)	(7,345)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from borrowing under debt agreement	4,000	10,000
Payments on long-term debt and obligations under capital leases	(1,250)	(11,255)
Purchases of common stock	(3,153)
Tax distributions to J. Alexander's Holdings, LLC members	(1,319)
Other financing activities		(187)
Net cash used in financing activities	(1,722)	(1,442)
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(5,910)	(536)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	13,424	13,301
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	7,514	12,765
Supplemental disclosures:
Property and equipment obligations accrued at beginning of period	1,845	1,444
Property and equipment obligations accrued at end of period	2,011	1,290
Cash paid for interest	503	952
Cash paid for income taxes	$ 4,730	$ 343