Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 29, 2013	Dec. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 25,283	$ 10,399	$ 112,661
Accounts receivable, trade, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,553, $1,490 and $1,533, respectively	114,068	103,524	111,153
Accounts receivable from The Coca-Cola Company	24,549	15,521	20,437
Accounts receivable, other	14,526	12,876	13,583
Inventories	70,255	65,924	74,492
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	32,209	33,068	29,900
Total current assets	280,890	241,312	362,226
Property, plant and equipment, net	295,147	307,467	291,768
Leased property under capital leases, net	50,212	54,150	55,601
Other assets	62,621	53,801	54,573
Franchise rights	520,672	520,672	520,672
Goodwill	102,049	102,049	102,049
Other identifiable intangible assets, net	3,764	4,023	4,127
Total assets	1,315,355	1,283,474	1,391,016
Current Liabilities:
Current portion of debt	20,000	20,000	120,000
Current portion of obligations under capital leases	5,732	5,230	5,110
Accounts payable, trade	46,279	51,651	45,308
Accounts payable to The Coca-Cola Company	43,363	27,830	42,031
Other accrued liabilities	73,858	75,113	76,900
Accrued compensation	26,733	32,428	24,955
Accrued interest payable	9,380	4,060	12,121
Total current liabilities	225,345	216,312	326,425
Deferred income taxes	142,795	140,965	145,384
Pension and postretirement benefit obligations	138,288	140,719	119,767
Other liabilities	123,208	118,303	116,588
Obligations under capital leases	60,378	64,351	65,692
Long-term debt	393,520	403,386	403,344
Total liabilities	1,083,534	1,084,036	1,177,200
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 14)
Equity:
Capital in excess of par value	108,959	107,681	107,600
Retained earnings	195,766	170,439	170,920
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(92,396)	(94,526)	(79,124)
Total equity before treasury stock	225,268	196,513	212,315
Total equity of Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated	164,014	135,259	151,061
Noncontrolling interest	67,807	64,179	62,755
Total equity	231,821	199,438	213,816
Total liabilities and equity	1,315,355	1,283,474	1,391,016
Common Stock [Member]
Equity:
Common Stock	10,204	10,204	10,204
Treasury stock	60,845	60,845	60,845
Total equity	10,204	10,204	10,204
Class B Common Stock [Member]
Equity:
Common Stock	2,735	2,715	2,715
Treasury stock	409	409	409
Total equity	$ 2,735	$ 2,715	$ 2,715