Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) - Schedule of Quarterly Financial Data (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2016	Sep. 27, 2015	Jun. 28, 2015	Mar. 29, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014	Sep. 28, 2014	Jun. 29, 2014	Mar. 30, 2014	Jan. 03, 2016	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013
Net sales	$ 619,716	$ 618,806	$ 614,683	$ 453,253	$ 440,638	$ 457,676	$ 459,473	$ 388,582	$ 2,306,458	$ 1,746,369	$ 1,641,331
Gross margin	240,806	238,536	237,317	184,373	178,444	184,942	185,520	156,333	901,032	705,239	658,640
Net income attributable to Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated	$ 4,291	$ 25,553	$ 26,934	$ 2,224	$ 2,990	$ 12,132	$ 13,783	$ 2,449	$ 59,002	$ 31,354	$ 27,675
Basic net income per share based on net income attributable to Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated:
Common Stock	$ 0.46	$ 2.75	$ 2.90	$ 0.24	$ 0.32	$ 1.31	$ 1.49	$ 0.26	$ 6.35	$ 3.38	$ 2.99
Diluted net income per share based on net income attributable to Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated:
Common Stock	0.46	2.74	2.89	0.24	0.32	1.30	1.48	0.26	6.33	3.37	2.98
Class B Common Stock [Member]
Basic net income per share based on net income attributable to Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated:
Common Stock	0.46	2.75	2.90	0.24	0.32	1.31	1.49	0.26	6.35	3.38	2.99
Diluted net income per share based on net income attributable to Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated:
Common Stock	$ 0.46	$ 2.73	$ 2.88	$ 0.23	$ 0.32	$ 1.30	$ 1.48	$ 0.26	$ 6.31	$ 3.35	$ 2.97