Net Income per Share (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jul. 01, 2012	Jul. 03, 2011	Jul. 01, 2012	Jul. 03, 2011
Computation of basic net income per share and diluted net income per share
Net income attributable to Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated	$ 10,747	$ 11,101	$ 15,312	$ 17,014
Dividends on Common Stock	522	517	1,039	1,028
Undistributed earnings allocated to Common Stock, Basic	8,440	8,799	10,702	12,415
Total undistributed earnings - diluted	8,440	8,799	10,702	12,415
Numerator for basic net income per share
Numerator for basic net income per Common Stock share	8,315	8,609	11,858	13,207
Diluted net income per share:
Percentage undistributed earnings allocated to common stock diluted	100.00%	100.00%		100.00%
Common Stock [Member]
Computation of basic net income per share and diluted net income per share
Dividends on Common Stock	1,785	1,785	3,571	3,571
Undistributed earnings allocated to Common Stock, Basic	6,530	6,824	8,287	9,636
Total undistributed earnings - diluted	6,502	6,794	8,251	9,595
Numerator for basic net income per share
Numerator for diluted net income per Common Stock share	10,747	11,101	15,312	17,014
Denominator for basic net income per share
Common Stock weighted average shares outstanding-basic	7,141	7,141	7,141	7,141
Common Stock weighted average shares outstanding-diluted (assumes conversion of Class B Common Stock to Common Stock)	9,270	9,248	9,262	9,240
Basic net income per share:
Common Stock	$ 1.16	$ 1.21	$ 1.66	$ 1.85
Diluted net income per share:
Common Stock	$ 1.16	$ 1.20	$ 1.65	$ 1.84
Class B Common Stock [Member]
Computation of basic net income per share and diluted net income per share
Dividends on Common Stock	522	517	1,039	1,028
Undistributed earnings allocated to Common Stock, Basic	1,910	1,975	2,415	2,779
Total undistributed earnings - diluted	1,938	2,005	2,451	2,820
Numerator for basic net income per share
Numerator for basic net income per Common Stock share	2,432	2,492	3,454	3,807
Numerator for diluted net income per Common Stock share	$ 2,460	$ 2,522	$ 3,490	$ 3,848
Denominator for basic net income per share
Common Stock weighted average shares outstanding-basic	2,089	2,067	2,081	2,059
Common Stock weighted average shares outstanding-diluted (assumes conversion of Class B Common Stock to Common Stock)	2,129	2,107	2,121	2,099
Basic net income per share:
Common Stock	$ 1.16	$ 1.21	$ 1.66	$ 1.85
Diluted net income per share:
Common Stock	$ 1.16	$ 1.20	$ 1.65	$ 1.83