Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2013	Dec. 30, 2012	Jan. 01, 2012
Cash flows provided from (used for) operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$ (13,519)	$ (18,888)	$ 11,218
Loss (income) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	0	72	(11,742)
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided from operating activities:
Loss on disposals of property and equipment	925	212	63
Stock-based compensation	1,205	925	1,037
Impairment and other lease charges	4,462	977	1,293
Depreciation and amortization	33,594	26,321	16,058
Amortization of deferred financing costs	1,004	777	738
Amortization of unearned income	(143)	0	0
Amortization of deferred gains from sale-leaseback transactions	(1,799)	(1,776)	(1,987)
Deferred income taxes	(6,284)	(9,399)	4,828
Loss on extinguishment of debt	0	1,509	733
Refundable income taxes	(2,379)	2,196	(1,773)
Accounts Receivable	3,653	(3,183)	(99)
Accounts payable	(2,691)	7,160	(932)
Accrued interest	2	2,112	(6,827)
Accrued payroll, related taxes and benefits	2,780	5,581	574
Other	771	3,611	20,266
Net cash provided from operating activities	21,581	18,207	33,448
Cash flows used for investing activities:
New restaurant development	(3,166)	0	(1,757)
Restaurant remodeling	(37,450)	(21,342)	(8,533)
Other restaurant capital expenditures	(7,203)	(6,247)	(12,632)
Corporate and restaurant information systems	(2,667)	(10,053)	(4,849)
Total capital expenditures	(50,486)	(37,642)	(27,771)
Acquisition of restaurants from BKC, net of cash acquired	0	(12,135)	0
Increase in restricted cash balance	0	(20,000)	0
Properties purchased for sale-leaseback	(3,144)	0	(2,058)
Proceeds from sale-leaseback transactions	3,144	1,177	2,818
Proceeds from insurance recovery	0	610	477
Proceeds from sales of other properties	0	2,082	573
Net cash used for investing activities	(50,486)	(65,908)	(25,961)
Cash flows provided from (used for) financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of senior secured second lien notes	0	150,000	0
Proceeds from Fiesta Restaurant Group financing	0	0	192,307
Cash of Fiesta Restaurant Group deconsolidated as a result of spin-off	0	(5,490)	0
Term loan borrowings from Carrols LLC credit facility	0	0	65,000
Borrowings on previous revolving credit facilities	0	19,200	59,800
Repayments on previous revolving credit facilities	0	(23,200)	(55,800)
Repayments of term loans under prior credit facilities	0	(61,750)	(80,214)
Principal payments on term loans under prior credit facilities	0	(1,625)	(8,661)
Repayments of prior Carrols senior subordinated notes	0	0	(165,000)
Capital contribution to Fiesta Restaurant Group	0	(2,500)	(3,345)
Principal payments on capital leases	(1,075)	(620)	(2)
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	0	936	152
Financing costs associated with issuance of debt	(8)	(5,945)	(1,845)
Proceeds from stock option exercises	0	295	551
Net cash provided from (used for) financing activities	(1,083)	69,301	2,943
Net increase (decrease) in cash from continuing operations	(29,988)	21,600	10,430
Net cash provided from (used for) operating activities of discontinued operations	0	3,718	21,052
Net cash provided from (used for) investing activities of discontinued operations	0	(15,007)	(15,082)
Net cash provided from (used for) financing activities of discontinued operations	0	3,318	5,117
Net increase (decrease) in cash from discontinued operations	0	(7,971)	11,087
Net increase (decrease) in cash	(29,988)	13,629	21,517
Cash, beginning of period	38,290	24,661	3,144
Cash, end of period	8,302	38,290	24,661
Other Significant Noncash Transaction, Value of Consideration Received	858	0	0
Supplemental disclosures:
Interest paid on long-term debt	17,731	9,751	18,055
Interest paid on lease financing obligations	101	101	96
Accruals for capital expenditures	524	5,034	307
Income taxes paid (refunded), net	(1,733)	(2,889)	(446)
Capital lease obligations incurred	116	10,779	0
Preferred stock issued for consideration in acquisition	$ 0	$ 57,711	$ 0