Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 01, 2012	Jan. 01, 2012	Apr. 03, 2011
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 57,649	$ 90,758	$ 30,382
Restricted cash		3,000	3,500
Accounts receivable, trade, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,523, $1,521 and $1,442, respectively	123,927	105,515	110,809
Accounts receivable from The Coca-Cola Company	20,823	8,439	15,256
Accounts receivable, other	12,258	15,874	8,450
Inventories	75,895	66,158	72,606
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	20,988	22,069	27,306
Total current assets	311,540	311,813	268,309
Property, plant and equipment, net	308,936	312,789	319,682
Leased property under capital leases, net	58,315	59,804	64,188
Other assets	52,861	49,604	51,457
Franchise rights	520,672	520,672	520,672
Goodwill	102,049	102,049	102,049
Other identifiable intangible assets, net	4,335	4,439	4,748
Total assets	1,358,708	1,361,170	1,331,105
Current liabilities:
Current portion of debt	120,000	120,000
Current portion of obligations under capital leases	4,780	4,574	3,946
Accounts payable, trade	47,508	42,203	41,997
Accounts payable to The Coca-Cola Company	41,660	34,150	34,744
Other accrued liabilities	71,696	66,922	69,809
Accrued compensation	12,334	29,218	13,730
Accrued interest payable	12,462	5,448	10,061
Total current liabilities	310,440	302,515	174,287
Deferred income taxes	139,676	142,260	144,972
Pension and postretirement benefit obligations	124,426	138,156	113,291
Other liabilities	116,658	114,302	112,242
Obligations under capital leases	68,232	69,480	72,925
Long-term debt	403,260	403,219	523,101
Total liabilities	1,162,692	1,169,932	1,140,818
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 14)
Equity:
Capital in excess of par value	107,600	106,201	106,140
Retained earnings	156,540	154,277	138,489
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(80,256)	(80,820)	(63,063)
Total equity before treasury stock	196,803	192,555	194,463
Less-Treasury stock, at cost:
Total equity of Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated	135,549	131,301	133,209
Noncontrolling interest	60,467	59,937	57,078
Total equity	196,016	191,238	190,287
Total liabilities and equity	1,358,708	1,361,170	1,331,105
Common Stock
Equity:
Common Stock	10,204	10,204	10,204
Less-Treasury stock, at cost:
Treasury Stock	60,845	60,845	60,845
Total equity	10,204	10,204	10,204
Class B Common Stock
Equity:
Common Stock	2,715	2,693	2,693
Less-Treasury stock, at cost:
Treasury Stock	409	409	409
Total equity	$ 2,715	$ 2,693	$ 2,693