Consolidated Condensed 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. 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
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2017	458,907		10,204	2,819	120,417	388,718		(94,202)	(60,845)	(409)	366,702		92,205
Net income (loss)	(13,562)					(14,185)					(14,185)		623
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	739							739			739
Cash dividends paid Common ($0.25 per share)	(1,785)	$ (548)				(1,785)	$ (548)				(1,785)	$ (548)
Issuance of shares of Class B Common Stock	3,831			20	3,811						3,831
Ending Balance at Apr. 01, 2018	$ 447,582		$ 10,204	$ 2,839	$ 124,228	$ 372,200		$ (93,463)	$ (60,845)	$ (409)	$ 354,754		$ 92,828