Long-Term Debt Prior Long-Term Debt Narrative (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended		3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012 Rate	Oct. 02, 2011	Oct. 02, 1901 Carrols LLC [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Carrols LLC [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount	$ 4,800,000
Line of Credit Facility, Remaining Borrowing Capacity	15,200,000
Debt Instrument, Periodic Payment, Principal				1,625,000
Term loan borrowings from Carrols LLC credit facility	0	65,000,000	65,000,000
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	25,000,000
Senior Notes	$ 150,000,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	11.25%