Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
Oct. 02, 2011	Oct. 29, 2010
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Oct. 02, 2011
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2011
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Entity Registrant Name	O CHARLEYS INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000864233
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-25
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		21,968,347

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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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