Document And Entity Information - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 01, 2017	Mar. 03, 2017	Jul. 03, 2016
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
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-K
Document Period End Date	Jan. 01, 2017
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2016
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		36,202,380
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Public Float			$ 421,171,436