VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES - Schedule of variable interest entities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 30, 2023	Sep. 30, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022	Oct. 01, 2022
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 12,122	$ 13,415
Accounts receivable	4,632	3,313
Inventories	2,972	3,093
Prepaid and refundable income taxes	106	212
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	1,262	1,569
Fixed assets - net	33,523	34,314
Operating lease right-of-use assets - net	94,416	96,459
Other assets	2,161	2,161
Total assets	173,550	176,956
Accounts payable - trade	4,573	4,058
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	11,766	13,829
Current portion of operating lease liabilities	8,129	7,988
Operating lease liabilities, less current portion	90,144	92,232
TOTAL LIABILITIES	121,272	125,234
Equity of variable interest entities	52,278	51,722	$ 61,649	$ 60,118
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY	173,550	176,956
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	419	564
Accounts receivable	223	169
Inventories	49	47
Prepaid and refundable income taxes	15	204
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	17	31
Fixed assets - net	204	216
Operating lease right-of-use assets - net	1,723	1,796
Other assets	11	11
Total assets	2,880	3,096
Accounts payable - trade	136	93
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	265	331
Current portion of operating lease liabilities	304	298
Operating lease liabilities, less current portion	1,546	1,623
TOTAL LIABILITIES	2,251	2,345
Equity of variable interest entities	629	751
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY	2,880	3,096
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary | Related Party
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Due from Ark Restaurants Corp. and affiliates	$ 219	$ 58