Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Class B Common Stock [Member]	Common Stock [Member]	Common Stock [Member] Class B Common Stock [Member]	Capital in Excess of Par Value [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member] Class B Common Stock [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Member]	Treasury Stock - Common Stock [Member]	Treasury Stock - Common Stock [Member] Class B Common Stock [Member]	Total Equity of Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated [Member]	Total Equity of Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated [Member] Class B Common Stock [Member]	Non-controlling Interest [Member]
Beginning Balance at Jan. 03, 2016	$ 322,432		$ 10,204	$ 2,777	$ 113,064	$ 260,672		$ (82,407)	$ (60,845)	$ (409)	$ 243,056		$ 79,376
Net income (loss)	(9,033)					(10,041)					(10,041)		1,008
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	313							313			313
Cash dividends paid Common ($0.25 per share)	(1,785)	$ (538)				(1,785)	$ (538)				(1,785)	$ (538)
Issuance of shares of Class B Common Stock	3,726			21	3,705						3,726
Ending Balance at Apr. 03, 2016	315,115		10,204	2,798	116,769	248,308		(82,094)	(60,845)	(409)	234,731		80,384
Beginning Balance at Jan. 01, 2017	363,024		10,204	2,798	116,769	301,511		(92,897)	(60,845)	(409)	277,131		85,893
Net income (loss)	(4,417)					(5,051)					(5,051)		634
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	442							442			442
Cash dividends paid Common ($0.25 per share)	(1,785)	$ (543)				(1,785)	$ (543)				(1,785)	$ (543)
Issuance of shares of Class B Common Stock	3,669			21	3,648						3,669
Ending Balance at Apr. 02, 2017	$ 360,390		$ 10,204	$ 2,819	$ 120,417	$ 294,132		$ (92,455)	$ (60,845)	$ (409)	$ 273,863		$ 86,527