Accounting Policies, by Policy (Policies)	3 Months Ended
Dec. 30, 2017
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block]	USE OF ESTIMATES — The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The results of operations for the three months ended December 30, 2017 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for any other interim period or for the year ending September 29, 2018.
Consolidation, Policy [Policy Text Block]	PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION — The consolidated condensed interim financial statements include the accounts of Ark Restaurants Corp. and all of its wholly-owned subsidiaries, partnerships and other entities in which it has a controlling interest, collectively herein referred to as the “Company”. Also included in the consolidated condensed interim financial statements are certain variable interest entities (“VIEs”). All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Reclassification, Policy [Policy Text Block]	RECLASSIFICATIONS — Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior year’s financial statements to enhance comparability with the current year’s presentation of other income. As a result, comparative figures have been adjusted to conform to the current year’s presentation.
Seasonality [Policy Text Block]	SEASONALITY — The Company has substantial fixed costs that do not decline proportionally with sales. The first and second fiscal quarters, which include the winter months, usually reflect lower customer traffic than in the third and fourth fiscal quarters. However, sales in the third and fourth fiscal quarters can be adversely affected by inclement weather due to the significant amount of outdoor seating at the Company’s restaurants.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments, Policy [Policy Text Block]	FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS — The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents, receivables, accounts payable and accrued expenses approximate fair value due to the immediate or short-term maturity of these financial instruments. The fair values of notes receivable and payable are determined using current applicable rates for similar instruments as of the balance sheet date and approximate the carrying value of such debt instruments.
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block]	CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS — Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, deposits with banks and highly liquid investments generally with original maturities of three months or less. Outstanding checks in excess of account balances, typically vendor payments, payroll and other contractual obligations disbursed after the last day of a reporting period are reported as a current liability in the accompanying consolidated condensed balance sheets.
Supplier Concentration [Policy Text Block]	CONCENTRATIONS OF CREDIT RISK — Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents and accounts receivable. The Company reduces credit risk by placing its cash and cash equivalents with major financial institutions with high credit ratings. At times, such amounts may exceed Federally insured limits. Accounts receivable are primarily comprised of normal business receivables, such as credit card receivables, that are paid off in a short period of time and amounts due from the hotel operators where the Company has a location, and are recorded when the products or services have been delivered. The Company reviews the collectability of its receivables on an ongoing basis, and provides for an allowance when it considers the entity unable to meet its obligation. The concentration of credit risk with respect to accounts receivable is generally limited due to the short payment terms extended by the Company and the number of customers comprising the Company’s customer base. As of December 30, 2017 and September 30, 2017, the Company had accounts receivable balances due from two hotel operators totaling 48% and 39%, respectively, of total accounts receivable. For the 13-week period ended December 30, 2017 the Company made purchases from one vendor that accounted for 10% of total purchases. For the 13-week period December 31, 2016, the Company did not make purchases from any one vendor that accounted for 10% or greater of total purchases.
Segment Reporting, Policy [Policy Text Block]	SEGMENT REPORTING — As of December 30, 2017, the Company owned and operated 20 restaurants and bars, 19 fast food concepts and catering operations, exclusively in the United States, that have similar economic characteristics, nature of products and service, class of customers and distribution methods. The Company believes it meets the criteria for aggregating its operating segments into a single reporting segment in accordance with applicable accounting guidance.
New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]	NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS NOT YET ADOPTED — In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The guidance provides a comprehensive new revenue recognition model that requires a company to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to a customer at an amount that reflects the consideration it expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. The guidance also requires additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts. This update is effective for the Company in the first quarter of fiscal 2019, which is when we plan to adopt these provisions. This update permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method, however we have not yet selected a transition method. Upon initial evaluation, we do not believe this guidance will impact our recognition of revenue from company-owned restaurants, which is our primary source of revenue. We are continuing to evaluate the effect this guidance will have on other, less significant revenue sources, including catering revenues. The Company continues to monitor additional changes, modifications, clarifications or interpretations being undertaken by the FASB, which may, in conjunction with the completion of the Company’s overall assessment of the new guidance, impact the Company’s current conclusions. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases. This update requires a lessee to recognize on the balance sheet a liability to make lease payments and a corresponding right-of-use asset. The guidance also requires certain qualitative and quantitative disclosures about the amount, timing and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases. This update is effective for the Company in the first quarter of fiscal 2020, which is when we plan to adopt these provisions. We plan to elect the available practical expedients on adoption and we expect our balance sheet presentation to be materially impacted upon adoption due to the recognition of right-of-use assets and lease liabilities for operating leases. We are continuing to evaluate the effect this guidance will have on our Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements and related disclosures. In January 2017, the FASB issued guidance clarifying the definition of a business. The update provides that when substantially all the fair value of the assets acquired is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or a group of similar identifiable assets, the set is not a business. The new rules will be effective for the Company in the first quarter of 2019. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact adoption of this guidance on its Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements. In January 2017, the FASB guidance simplifying the test for goodwill impairment. The update simplifies how an entity is required to test goodwill for impairment by eliminating Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. Step 2 measures a goodwill impairment loss by comparing the implied fair value of a reporting unit’s goodwill with the carrying amount. The new rules will be effective for the Company in the first quarter of 2021. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact adoption of this guidance on its Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements.

Accounting Policies, by Policy (Policies)

3 Months Ended

Dec. 30, 2017

Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block]

USE OF ESTIMATES — The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The results of operations for the three months ended December 30, 2017 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for any other interim period or for the year ending September 29, 2018.

Consolidation, Policy [Policy Text Block]

PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION — The consolidated condensed interim financial statements include the accounts of Ark Restaurants Corp. and all of its wholly-owned subsidiaries, partnerships and other entities in which it has a controlling interest, collectively herein referred to as the “Company”. Also included in the consolidated condensed interim financial statements are certain variable interest entities (“VIEs”). All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Reclassification, Policy [Policy Text Block]

RECLASSIFICATIONS — Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior year’s financial statements to enhance comparability with the current year’s presentation of other income. As a result, comparative figures have been adjusted to conform to the current year’s presentation.

Seasonality [Policy Text Block]

SEASONALITY — The Company has substantial fixed costs that do not decline proportionally with sales. The first and second fiscal quarters, which include the winter months, usually reflect lower customer traffic than in the third and fourth fiscal quarters. However, sales in the third and fourth fiscal quarters can be adversely affected by inclement weather due to the significant amount of outdoor seating at the Company’s restaurants.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments, Policy [Policy Text Block]

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS — The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents, receivables, accounts payable and accrued expenses approximate fair value due to the immediate or short-term maturity of these financial instruments. The fair values of notes receivable and payable are determined using current applicable rates for similar instruments as of the balance sheet date and approximate the carrying value of such debt instruments.

Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block]

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS — Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, deposits with banks and highly liquid investments generally with original maturities of three months or less. Outstanding checks in excess of account balances, typically vendor payments, payroll and other contractual obligations disbursed after the last day of a reporting period are reported as a current liability in the accompanying consolidated condensed balance sheets.

Supplier Concentration [Policy Text Block]

CONCENTRATIONS OF CREDIT RISK — Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents and accounts receivable. The Company reduces credit risk by placing its cash and cash equivalents with major financial institutions with high credit ratings. At times, such amounts may exceed Federally insured limits. Accounts receivable are primarily comprised of normal business receivables, such as credit card receivables, that are paid off in a short period of time and amounts due from the hotel operators where the Company has a location, and are recorded when the products or services have been delivered. The Company reviews the collectability of its receivables on an ongoing basis, and provides for an allowance when it considers the entity unable to meet its obligation. The concentration of credit risk with respect to accounts receivable is generally limited due to the short payment terms extended by the Company and the number of customers comprising the Company’s customer base.

As of December 30, 2017 and September 30, 2017, the Company had accounts receivable balances due from two hotel operators totaling 48% and 39%, respectively, of total accounts receivable.

For the 13-week period ended December 30, 2017 the Company made purchases from one vendor that accounted for 10% of total purchases. For the 13-week period December 31, 2016, the Company did not make purchases from any one vendor that accounted for 10% or greater of total purchases.

Segment Reporting, Policy [Policy Text Block]

SEGMENT REPORTING — As of December 30, 2017, the Company owned and operated 20 restaurants and bars, 19 fast food concepts and catering operations, exclusively in the United States, that have similar economic characteristics, nature of products and service, class of customers and distribution methods. The Company believes it meets the criteria for aggregating its operating segments into a single reporting segment in accordance with applicable accounting guidance.

New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]

NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS NOT YET ADOPTED — In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The guidance provides a comprehensive new revenue recognition model that requires a company to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to a customer at an amount that reflects the consideration it expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. The guidance also requires additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts. This update is effective for the Company in the first quarter of fiscal 2019, which is when we plan to adopt these provisions. This update permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method, however we have not yet selected a transition method. Upon initial evaluation, we do not believe this guidance will impact our recognition of revenue from company-owned restaurants, which is our primary source of revenue. We are continuing to evaluate the effect this guidance will have on other, less significant revenue sources, including catering revenues. The Company continues to monitor additional changes, modifications, clarifications or interpretations being undertaken by the FASB, which may, in conjunction with the completion of the Company’s overall assessment of the new guidance, impact the Company’s current conclusions.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases. This update requires a lessee to recognize on the balance sheet a liability to make lease payments and a corresponding right-of-use asset. The guidance also requires certain qualitative and quantitative disclosures about the amount, timing and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases. This update is effective for the Company in the first quarter of fiscal 2020, which is when we plan to adopt these provisions. We plan to elect the available practical expedients on adoption and we expect our balance sheet presentation to be materially impacted upon adoption due to the recognition of right-of-use assets and lease liabilities for operating leases. We are continuing to evaluate the effect this guidance will have on our Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements and related disclosures.

In January 2017, the FASB issued guidance clarifying the definition of a business. The update provides that when substantially all the fair value of the assets acquired is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or a group of similar identifiable assets, the set is not a business. The new rules will be effective for the Company in the first quarter of 2019. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact adoption of this guidance on its Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements.

In January 2017, the FASB guidance simplifying the test for goodwill impairment. The update simplifies how an entity is required to test goodwill for impairment by eliminating Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. Step 2 measures a goodwill impairment loss by comparing the implied fair value of a reporting unit’s goodwill with the carrying amount. The new rules will be effective for the Company in the first quarter of 2021. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact adoption of this guidance on its Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements.