<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0205</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2012-04-03</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000864233</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>O CHARLEYS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>CHUX</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001546148</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Fidelity National Special Opportunities, Inc.</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O FIDELITY NATIONAL FINANCIAL, INC.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>601 RIVERSIDE AVENUE</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>JACKSONVILLE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>FL</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>32204</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle></officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001545907</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Fred Merger Sub Inc.</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O FIDELITY NATIONAL FINANCIAL, INC.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>601 RIVERSIDE AVENUE</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>JACKSONVILLE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>FL</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>32204</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle></officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock, no par value</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>19717721</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>By Fred Merger Sub Inc.</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable></derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">These shares are held by Fred Merger Sub Inc. (&quot;Merger Sub&quot;).  Merger Sub is a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of Fidelity National Special Opportunities, Inc. (&quot;FNSO&quot;).  FNSO is a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of Fidelity National Financial, Inc. (&quot;Parent&quot;).  The shares are indirectly beneficially owned by Parent and FNSO.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>FIDELITY NATIONAL SPECIAL OPPORTUNITIES, INC.   By: /s/ Michael L. Gravelle, Executive Vice President, Gen. Counsel and Corp. Secretary</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2012-04-05</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>FRED MERGER SUB INC.  By: /s/ Goodloe M. Partee, Secretary</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2012-04-05</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
