VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES - Schedule of variable interest entities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 27, 2020	Mar. 28, 2020	Sep. 29, 2019	Sep. 28, 2019	Jun. 29, 2019	Mar. 29, 2019	Sep. 29, 2018
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 20,725			$ 7,177
Accounts receivable	1,293			2,621
Inventories	2,660			2,222
Prepaid and refundable income taxes	2,013			254
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	1,766			1,021
Fixed Assets	38,327			47,781
Operating lease right-of-use asset	55,984		$ 62,330	0
Other assets	2,428			2,642
TOTAL ASSETS	157,260			94,652
Accounts payable - trade	2,884			3,549
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	11,160			10,672
Current portion of operating lease liabilities	6,222
Operating lease liabilities, less current portion	51,587
Notes payable, less current portion	43,701			23,786
TOTAL LIABILITIES	119,131			51,945
Equity of variable interest entities	38,129	$ 40,830		42,707	$ 44,592	$ 41,245	$ 43,736
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY	157,260			94,652
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	714			170
Accounts receivable	127			219
Inventories	33			41
Prepaid and refundable income taxes	254			254
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	7			12
Due from Ark Restaurants Corp. and affiliates	336			392
Fixed Assets	238			236
Operating lease right-of-use asset	2,721
Other assets	82			82
TOTAL ASSETS	4,512			1,406
Accounts payable - trade	91			65
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	331			440
Current portion of operating lease liabilities	221
Operating lease deferred credit				(30)
Operating lease liabilities, less current portion	2,500
Notes payable, less current portion	723			0
TOTAL LIABILITIES	3,866			475
Equity of variable interest entities	646			931
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY	$ 4,512			$ 1,406