Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jul. 01, 2012
Cash flows provided from operating activities:
Net loss	$ (8,695)	$ (3,638)
Loss from discontinued operations	0	(44)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided from operating activities of continuing operations:
Loss on disposals of property and equipment	200	9
Stock-based compensation	597	279
Impairment and Other Lease Charges	2,828	127
Depreciation and amortization	16,454	10,842
Amortization of deferred financing costs	501	278
Amortization of unearned income	(56)	0
Amortization of deferred gains from sale-leaseback transactions	(899)	(882)
Deferred income taxes	(6,970)	(2,099)
Gains (Losses) on Extinguishment of Debt	0	(1,509)
Changes in other operating assets and liabilities	(1,306)	11,906
Net cash provided from operating activities of continuing operations	2,654	18,287
Cash flows used for investing activities of continuing operations:
New restaurant development	(29)	0
Restaurant remodeling	(22,141)	(6,556)
Other restaurant capital expenditures	(4,032)	(2,015)
Corporate and restaurant information systems	(1,084)	(8,717)
Total capital expenditures	27,286	17,288
Acquisition of restaurants from BKC, net of cash acquired	0	12,135
Increase in restricted cash balance	0	20,000
Proceeds from sales of restaurant properties	0	2,082
Net cash used for investing activities of continuing operations	(27,286)	(47,341)
Cash flows provided from (used for) financing activities of continuing operations:
Proceeds from Issuance of Senior Long-term Debt	0	150,000
Cash of Fiesta Restaurant Group deconsolidated as a result of spin-off	0	5,490
Repayments on previous revolving credit facilities	0	(23,200)
Principal pre-payments on term loans	0	(63,375)
Borrowings on previous revolving credit facilities	0	19,200
Payments of Distributions to Affiliates	0	(2,500)
Principal payments on capital leases	(521)	(81)
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	0	825
Financing costs associated with issuance of debt	(8)	(5,378)
Proceeds from stock option exercises	0	295
Net cash provided from (used for) financing activities of continuing operations	(529)	70,296
Net decrease in cash from continuing operations	(25,161)	41,242
Net cash provided from operating activities of discontinued operations	0	3,834
Net cash provided used for investing activities of discontinued operations	0	(15,007)
Net cash provided from financing activities of discontinued operations	0	3,318
Net decrease in cash from discontinued operations	0	(7,855)
Net decrease in cash	(25,161)	33,387
Cash, beginning of period	38,290	24,661
Cash, end of period	$ 13,129	$ 58,048