VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES - Schedule of variable interest entities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 28, 2020	Dec. 28, 2019	Sep. 29, 2019	Sep. 28, 2019	Mar. 29, 2019	Dec. 29, 2018	Sep. 29, 2018
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 7,330			$ 7,177
Accounts receivable	1,426			2,621
Inventories	2,824			2,222
Prepaid and refundable income taxes	254			254
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	1,427			1,021
Fixed Assets	39,088			47,781
Operating lease right-of-use asset	57,550		$ 62,330
Other assets	2,558			2,642
TOTAL ASSETS	143,157			94,652
Accounts payable - trade	4,414			3,549
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	9,575			10,672
Current portion of operating lease liabilities	6,109
Operating lease liabilities, less current portion	53,191
TOTAL LIABILITIES	102,327			51,945
Equity of variable interest entities	40,830	$ 43,443		42,707	$ 41,245	$ 42,862	$ 43,736
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY	143,157			94,652
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	144			170
Accounts receivable	187			219
Inventories	34			41
Prepaid and refundable income taxes	254			254
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	10			12
Due from Ark Restaurants Corp. and affiliates	295			392
Fixed Assets	235			236
Operating lease right-of-use asset	2,784
Other assets	82			82
TOTAL ASSETS	4,025			1,406
Accounts payable - trade	27			65
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	456			440
Current portion of operating lease liabilities	216
Operating lease deferred credit				(30)
Operating lease liabilities, less current portion	2,558
TOTAL LIABILITIES	3,257			475
Equity of variable interest entities	768			931
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY	$ 4,025			$ 1,406