The life of the derivative, from the inception date, in years.

No definition available.

Name:	cbrl_LifeOfInterestRateSwapInYears
Namespace Prefix:	cbrl_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The adjustment to the fair value of the entity's interest rate swap liability related to its non-performance risk.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	cbrl_ReductionsInFairValueOfInterestRateSwapLiabilityRelatedToNon-PerformanceRisk
Namespace Prefix:	cbrl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The Company's weighted average credit spread at period end.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	cbrl_WeightedAverageCreditSpread
Namespace Prefix:	cbrl_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Fixed interest rate related to the interest rate derivative.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeFixedInterestRate
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Date the entity entered into the derivative contract, in CCYY-MM-DD format.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeInceptionDates
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:dateItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Fair value of the gross liabilities less the gross assets of a derivative liability or group of derivative liabilities.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 815

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 6

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6945355&loc=d3e41271-113958

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 825

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 10

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7491637&loc=d3e13433-108611

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 815

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 5

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6945355&loc=d3e41228-113958

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 825

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 15

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7491637&loc=d3e13495-108611

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilityFairValueNet1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The amount of net gains or losses on interest rate cash flow hedges reclassified during the period to earnings from accumulated other comprehensive income upon the hedged transaction affecting earnings.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 815

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4C

-Subparagraph (c)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7476318&loc=SL5624171-113959

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 133

-Paragraph 45

-Subparagraph b(1)

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_InterestRateCashFlowHedgeGainLossReclassifiedToEarningsNet
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The estimated net amount of unrealized gains or losses on interest rate cash flow hedges as of the balance sheet date expected to be reclassified to earnings within the next twelve months.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 815

-SubTopic 30

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (c)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7668309&loc=d3e80748-113994

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 133

-Paragraph 45

-Subparagraph b(2)

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_InterestRateCashFlowHedgeGainLossToBeReclassifiedDuringNext12MonthsNet
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Aggregate notional amount of interest rate derivatives, which relates to the currency amount specified in the interest rate derivative instruments.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 815

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1A

-Subparagraph (d)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7476318&loc=SL5579245-113959

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Notional Amount

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6519104

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 815

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1B

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7476318&loc=SL5580258-113959

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_NotionalAmountOfInterestRateDerivatives
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of unrealized gain (loss) related to the increase or decrease in fair value of interest rate derivatives designated as cash flow hedging instruments, which was recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income to the extent that the cash flow hedge was determined to be effective.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 815

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4C

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7476318&loc=SL5624171-113959

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 133

-Paragraph 46

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_UnrealizedGainLossOnInterestRateCashFlowHedgesPretaxAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLoss
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified			12 Months Ended												0 Months Ended				0 Months Ended
	Aug. 03, 2012	Jul. 29, 2011	Aug. 03, 2012 Interest Rate Swap [Member]	Jul. 29, 2011 Interest Rate Swap [Member]	Aug. 03, 2012 Interest Rate Swap [Member] Cash Flow Hedging [Member]	Jul. 29, 2011 Interest Rate Swap [Member] Cash Flow Hedging [Member]	Jul. 30, 2010 Interest Rate Swap [Member] Cash Flow Hedging [Member]	Aug. 03, 2012 Interest Rate Swap [Member] Cash Flow Hedging [Member] Interest Expense [Member]	Jul. 29, 2011 Interest Rate Swap [Member] Cash Flow Hedging [Member] Interest Expense [Member]	Jul. 30, 2010 Interest Rate Swap [Member] Cash Flow Hedging [Member] Interest Expense [Member]	Aug. 03, 2012 Current interest rate swap liability [Member] Interest Rate Swap [Member]	Jul. 29, 2011 Current interest rate swap liability [Member] Interest Rate Swap [Member]	Aug. 03, 2012 Long-term interest rate swap liability [Member] Interest Rate Swap [Member]	Jul. 29, 2011 Long-term interest rate swap liability [Member] Interest Rate Swap [Member]	May 04, 2006 Interest Rate Swap 2006 [Member]	Aug. 03, 2012 Interest Rate Swap 2006 [Member]	Jul. 29, 2011 Interest Rate Swap 2006 [Member]	Jul. 30, 2010 Interest Rate Swap 2006 [Member]	Aug. 10, 2010 Interest Rate Swap 2010 [Member]	Jul. 25, 2011 Two Year Interest Rate Swap 2011 [Member]	Jul. 25, 2011 Three Year Interest Rate Swap 2011 [Member]	Sep. 19, 2011 Interest Rate Swap 1 September 2011 [Member]	Sep. 19, 2011 Interest Rate Swap 2 September 2011 [Member]	Dec. 07, 2011 Interest Rate Swap December 2011 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Company's credit spread (in hundredths)	2.00%	2.00%
Effective date															Aug. 03, 2006				May 03, 2013	May 03, 2013	May 03, 2013	May 03, 2013	May 03, 2013	May 03, 2013
Term															7 years				2 years	2 years	3 years	2 years	2 years	3 years
Notional amount															$ 525,000	$ 525,000	$ 550,000	$ 575,000	$ 200,000	$ 50,000	$ 50,000	$ 25,000	$ 25,000	$ 50,000
Fixed rate (in hundredths)															5.57%				2.73%	2.00%	2.45%	1.05%	1.05%	1.40%
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair Value			34,381	51,604							20,215	0	14,166	51,604
Reduction in the fair value of the interest rate swap liability related to non-performance risk			851	1,546
Estimated pre-tax portion of AOCL that is expected to be reclassified into earnings over the next twelve months			20,539
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Amount of Income (Loss) Recognized in AOCL on Derivative (Effective Portion)					17,223	14,677	(5,049)
Amount of Loss Reclassified from AOCL into Income (Effective Portion)								$ 35,903	$ 30,355	$ 30,722