Document And Entity Information - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Apr. 01, 2018	May 03, 2019
Document Information [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation	$ 1,526	$ 1,585
Entity Registrant Name	CARROLS RESTAURANT GROUP, INC.
Entity Central Index Key	0000809248
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-29
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2019
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding			44,371,515