Document And Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Oct. 02, 2016	Nov. 07, 2016
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	CARROLS RESTAURANT GROUP, INC.
Entity Central Index Key	0000809248
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--01-01
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Oct. 02, 2016
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2016
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		35,835,800