Long-Term Debt Long Term Debt (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jan. 03, 2016	Dec. 28, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Capital leases	$ 8,006	$ 8,694
Long-term Debt	208,006	158,694
Less: current portion	(1,435)	(1,272)
Less: deferred financing costs	4,529	3,170
Long-term debt, net of current portion and deferred financing costs	202,042	154,252
8% Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrols Restaurant Group Senior Secured Second Lien Notes	200,000	0
11.25% Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrols Restaurant Group Senior Secured Second Lien Notes	$ 0	$ 150,000

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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For an unclassified balance sheet, the carrying amount (net of accumulated amortization) as of the balance sheet date of capitalized costs associated with the issuance of debt instruments (for example, legal, accounting, underwriting, printing, and registration costs) that will be charged against earnings over the life of the debt instruments to which such costs pertain.

+ References

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Carrying amount of long-term debt, net of unamortized discount or premium, including current and noncurrent amounts. Includes, but not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, debentures, mortgage loans and commercial paper. Excludes capital lease obligations.

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Amount of long-term debt and capital lease obligation due after one year or beyond the normal operating cycle, if longer.

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Amount of long-term debt, after 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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