Net Income Per Share (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 30, 2012	Jan. 01, 2012	Jan. 02, 2011
Computation of basic net income per share and diluted net income per share
Net income attributable to Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated	$ 27,217	$ 28,608	$ 36,057
Undistributed earnings allocated to Common Stock, Basic	17,993	19,405	26,877
Total undistributed earnings - diluted	17,993	19,405	26,877
Numerator for basic net income per Common Stock share
Numerator for basic net income per Common Stock share	21,068	22,197	28,046
Common Stock [Member]
Computation of basic net income per share and diluted net income per share
Dividends on Common Stock	7,141	7,141	7,141
Undistributed earnings allocated to Common Stock, Basic	13,927	15,056	20,905
Total undistributed earnings - diluted	13,867	14,990	20,814
Numerator for basic net income per Common Stock share
Numerator for diluted net income per Common Stock share	27,217	28,608	36,057
Denominator for basic net income per common share
Common Stock weighted average shares outstanding - basic	7,141	7,141	7,141
Common Stock weighted average shares outstanding - diluted	9,266	9,244	9,221
Basic net income per share:
Common Stock	$ 2.95	$ 3.11	$ 3.93
Diluted net income per share:
Common Stock	$ 2.94	$ 3.09	$ 3.91
Class B Common Stock [Member]
Computation of basic net income per share and diluted net income per share
Dividends on Common Stock	2,083	2,062	2,039
Undistributed earnings allocated to Common Stock, Basic	4,066	4,349	5,972
Total undistributed earnings - diluted	4,126	4,415	6,063
Numerator for basic net income per Common Stock share
Numerator for basic net income per Common Stock share	6,149	6,411	8,011
Numerator for diluted net income per Common Stock share	$ 6,209	$ 6,477	$ 8,102
Denominator for basic net income per common share
Common Stock weighted average shares outstanding - basic	2,085	2,063	2,040
Common Stock weighted average shares outstanding - diluted	2,125	2,103	2,080
Basic net income per share:
Common Stock	$ 2.95	$ 3.11	$ 3.93
Diluted net income per share:
Common Stock	$ 2.92	$ 3.08	$ 3.90