Document And Entity Information - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2016	Mar. 04, 2016	Jun. 28, 2015
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	CARROLS RESTAURANT GROUP, INC.
Entity Central Index Key	0000809248
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--01-03
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	Jan. 03, 2016
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		35,827,660
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Public Float			$ 357,079,380