Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 30, 2012	Jan. 01, 2012	Jan. 02, 2011
Cash flows provided from (used for) operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$ (18,888)	$ 11,218	$ 11,916
Loss (income) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	72	(11,742)	(10,106)
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided from operating activities:
Loss on disposals of property and equipment	212	63	285
Stock-based compensation	925	1,037	884
Impairment and other lease charges	977	1,293	709
Depreciation and amortization	26,321	16,058	15,354
Amortization of deferred financing costs	777	738	934
Amortization of deferred gains from sale-leaseback transactions	(1,776)	(1,987)	(1,825)
Deferred income taxes	(9,399)	4,828	2,046
Loss on extinguishment of debt	1,509	733	0
Refundable income taxes	2,196	(1,773)	(116)
Accounts payable	7,160	(932)	(2,026)
Accrued interest	2,112	(6,827)	(27)
Accrued payroll, related taxes and benefits	5,581	574	(2,226)
Other	428	20,167	16,458
Net cash provided from operating activities	18,207	33,448	32,260
Cash flows used for investing activities:
New restaurant development	0	(1,757)	(2,697)
Restaurant remodeling	(21,342)	(8,533)	(5,541)
Other restaurant capital expenditures	(6,247)	(12,632)	(4,177)
Corporate and restaurant information systems	(10,053)	(4,849)	(1,234)
Total capital expenditures	(37,642)	(27,771)	(13,649)
Acquisition of restaurants from BKC, net of cash acquired	(12,135)	0	0
Increase in restricted cash balance	(20,000)	0	0
Properties purchased for sale-leaseback	0	(2,058)	(2,390)
Proceeds from sale-leaseback transactions	1,177	2,818	3,413
Proceeds from insurance recovery	610	477	0
Proceeds from sales of other properties	2,082	573	0
Net cash used for investing activities	(65,908)	(25,961)	(12,626)
Cash flows provided from (used for) financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of senior secured second lien notes	150,000	0	0
Proceeds from Fiesta Restaurant Group financing	0	192,307	0
Cash of Fiesta Restaurant Group deconsolidated as a result of spin-off	(5,490)	0	0
Term loan borrowings from Carrols LLC credit facility	0	65,000	0
Borrowings on previous revolving credit facilities	19,200	59,800	97,100
Repayments on previous revolving credit facilities	(23,200)	(55,800)	(99,000)
Repayments of term loans under prior credit facilities	(61,750)	(80,214)	0
Principal payments on term loans under prior credit facilities	(1,625)	(8,661)	(17,750)
Repayments of prior Carrols senior subordinated notes	0	(165,000)	0
Capital contribution to Fiesta Restaurant Group	(2,500)	(3,345)	0
Principal payments on capital leases	(620)	(2)	(35)
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	936	152	0
Financing costs associated with issuance of debt	(5,945)	(1,845)	0
Proceeds from stock option exercises	295	551	64
Net cash provided from (used for) financing activities	69,301	2,943	(19,621)
Net cash provided from (used for) operating activities of discontinued operations	3,718	21,052	14,488
Net cash provided from (used for) investing activities of discontinued operations	(15,007)	(15,082)	(15,714)
Net cash provided from (used for) financing activities of discontinued operations	3,318	5,117	(45)
Net increase (decrease) in cash from discontinued operations	(7,971)	11,087	(1,271)
Net increase (decrease) in cash	13,629	21,517	(1,258)
Cash, beginning of period	24,661	3,144	4,402
Cash, end of period	38,290	24,661	3,144
Supplemental disclosures:
Interest paid on long-term debt	9,751	18,055	16,772
Interest paid on lease financing obligations	101	96	100
Accruals for capital expenditures	5,034	307	183
Income taxes paid (refunded), net	(2,889)	(446)	4,868
Capital lease obligations assumed in acquisition	10,779	0	0
Preferred stock issued for consideration in acquisition	$ 57,711	$ 0	$ 0