Long-Term Debt Long Term Debt (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 30, 2012	Jan. 01, 2012
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrols Restaurant Group 11.25% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes	$ 150,000
Fiesta Restaurant Group 8.875% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes	150,000
Capital leases	10,295	1,144
Long-term Debt	160,295	268,519
Less: current portion	(1,062)	(6,553)
Long-term Debt, Excluding Current Maturities	159,233	261,966
Carrols Restaurant Group [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrols Restaurant Group 11.25% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes	150,000	0
Fiesta Restaurant Group 8.875% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes	150,000	0
Carrols LLC [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrols Restaurant Group Revolving Credit Facility	0	4,000
Carrols LLC Credit Facility-Term loan	0	63,375
Fiesta Restaurant Group [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrols Restaurant Group 11.25% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes	0	200,000
Fiesta Restaurant Group 8.875% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes	$ 0	$ 200,000

Amount equal to the present value (the principal) at the beginning of the lease term of minimum lease payments during the lease term (excluding that portion of the payments representing executory costs such as insurance, maintenance, and taxes to be paid by the lessor, together with any profit thereon) net of payments or other amounts applied to the principal through the balance sheet date.

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Including current and noncurrent portions, aggregate carrying amount of long-term borrowings as of the balance sheet date before deducting unamortized discount or premiums (if any). May include notes payable, bonds payable, commercial loans, mortgage loans, convertible debt, subordinated debt and other types of debt, which had initial maturities beyond one year or beyond the normal operating cycle, if longer.

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Amount borrowed under the credit facility as of the balance sheet date.

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Carrying amount of long-term debt, net of unamortized discount or premium, scheduled to be repaid within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer. Includes, but not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, debentures, mortgage loans and commercial paper. Excludes capital lease obligations.

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Including the current and noncurrent portions, carrying value as of the balance sheet date of Notes with the highest claim on the assets of the issuer in case of bankruptcy or liquidation (with maturities initially due after one year or beyond the operating cycle if longer). Senior note holders are paid off in full before any payments are made to junior note holders.

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