CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 30, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents (includes $309 at March 30, 2013 and $714 at September 29, 2012 related to VIEs)	$ 4,209	$ 8,705
Short-term investments in available-for-sale securities		75
Accounts receivable (includes $212 at March 30, 2013 and $1,776 at September 29, 2012 related to VIEs)	2,500	3,790
Employee receivables	321	339
Inventories (includes $11 at March 30, 2013 and $28 at September 29, 2012 related to VIEs)	1,460	1,567
Prepaid and refundable income taxes (includes $164 at March 30, 2013 and $235 at September 29, 2012 related to VIEs)	1,223	985
Prepaid expenses and other current assets (includes $7 at March 30, 2013 and $13 at September 29, 2012 related to VIEs)	957	1,087
Total current assets	10,670	16,548
FIXED ASSETS - Net (includes $133 at March 30, 2013 and $3,189 at September 29, 2012 related to VIEs)	25,061	26,194
INTANGIBLE ASSETS - Net	1,017	1,021
GOODWILL	4,813	4,813
TRADEMARKS	721	721
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES	5,985	4,960
OTHER ASSETS (includes $71 at March 30, 2013 and September 29, 2012 related to VIEs)	5,145	907
TOTAL ASSETS	53,412	55,164
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Accounts payable - trade (includes $57 at March 30, 2013 and $153 at September 29, 2012 related to VIEs)	2,151	2,729
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities (includes $886 at March 30, 2013 and $1,950 at September 29, 2012 related VIEs)	9,621	8,873
Current portion of notes payable	2,063	885
Total current liabilities	13,835	12,487
OPERATING LEASE DEFERRED CREDIT	4,470	4,650
NOTES PAYABLE, LESS CURRENT PORTION	2,625	1,240
TOTAL LIABILITIES	20,930	18,377
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
EQUITY:
Common stock, par value $.01 per share - authorized, 10,000 shares; issued, 4,601 shares at March 30, 2013 and September 29, 2012, respectively; outstanding, 3,245 shares at March 30, 2013 and September 29, 2012, respectively	46	46
Additional paid-in capital	21,904	23,410
Retained earnings	20,493	22,372
	42,443	45,828
Less treasury stock, at cost, of 1,356 shares at March 30, 2013 and September 29, 2012, respectively	(13,220)	(13,220)
Total Ark Restaurants Corp. shareholders’ equity	29,223	32,608
NON-CONTROLLING INTERESTS	3,259	4,179
TOTAL EQUITY	32,482	36,787
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY	$ 53,412	$ 55,164