Basis Of Presentation And Significant Accounting Policies	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012
Basis Of Presentation And Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis Of Presentation And Significant Accounting Policies	NOTE 1—BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Basis of Presentation Carmike Cinemas, Inc. (referred to as "we", "us", "our", and the "Company") has prepared the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP") for interim financial information and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). This information reflects all adjustments which in the opinion of management are necessary for a fair presentation of the balance sheet as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, and the results of operations and cash flows for the three month periods ended March 31, 2012 and 2011. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted. The Company believes that the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011. That report includes a summary of our critical accounting policies. There have been no material changes in our accounting policies during the first three months of 2012. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company's wholly owned subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated. Accounting Estimates In the preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP, management must make certain estimates, judgments and assumptions. These estimates, judgments and assumptions are made when accounting for items and matters such as, but not limited to, depreciation, amortization, asset valuations, impairment assessments, lease classification, employee benefits, income taxes, reserves and other provisions and contingencies. These estimates are based on the information available when recorded. These estimates, judgments and assumptions can affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements, as well as the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the periods presented. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. Changes in estimates are recognized in the period they are determined. Discontinued Operations The results of operations for theatres that have been disposed of or classified as held for sale are eliminated from the Company's continuing operations and classified as discontinued operations for each period presented within the Company's condensed consolidated statements of operations. Theatres are reported as discontinued operations when the Company no longer has continuing involvement in the theatre operations and the cash flows have been eliminated, which generally occurs when the Company no longer has operations in a given market. See Note 6 – Discontinued Operations. Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Long-lived assets are tested for recoverability whenever events or circumstances indicate that the assets' carrying values may not be recoverable. The Company performs its impairment analysis at the individual theatre-level, the lowest level of independent, identifiable cash flow. Management reviews all available evidence when assessing long-lived assets for impairment, including negative trends in theatre-level cash flow, the impact of competition, the age of the theatre, and alternative uses of the assets. The Company's evaluation of negative trends in theatre-level cash flow considers the seasonality of the business, with significant revenues and cash flow generated in the summer and year-end holiday season. Absent any unusual circumstances, management evaluates new theatres for potential impairment only after a theatre has been open and operational for a sufficient period of time to allow its operations to mature. For those assets that are identified as potentially being impaired, if the undiscounted future cash flows from such assets are less than the carrying value, the Company recognizes a loss equal to the difference between the carrying value and the asset's fair value. The fair value of the assets is primarily estimated using the discounted future cash flow of the assets with consideration of other valuation techniques and using assumptions consistent with those used by market participants. Significant judgment is involved in estimating cash flows and fair value; significant assumptions include attendance levels, admissions and concessions pricing, and the weighted-average cost of capital. Management's estimates are based on historical and projected operating performance. Fair Value Measurements The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities approximate their fair value due to the short-term maturities of these assets and liabilities. The fair value of the senior secured credit facilities described in Note 3 – Debt, which consist of a term loan and a revolving credit facility, is estimated based on quoted market prices at the date of measurement.

NOTE 1—BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Presentation

Carmike Cinemas, Inc. (referred to as "we", "us", "our", and the "Company") has prepared the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP") for interim financial information and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). This information reflects all adjustments which in the opinion of management are necessary for a fair presentation of the balance sheet as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, and the results of operations and cash flows for the three month periods ended March 31, 2012 and 2011. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted. The Company believes that the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011. That report includes a summary of our critical accounting policies. There have been no material changes in our accounting policies during the first three months of 2012.

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company's wholly owned subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.

Accounting Estimates

In the preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP, management must make certain estimates, judgments and assumptions. These estimates, judgments and assumptions are made when accounting for items and matters such as, but not limited to, depreciation, amortization, asset valuations, impairment assessments, lease classification, employee benefits, income taxes, reserves and other provisions and contingencies. These estimates are based on the information available when recorded. These estimates, judgments and assumptions can affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements, as well as the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the periods presented. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. Changes in estimates are recognized in the period they are determined.

Discontinued Operations

The results of operations for theatres that have been disposed of or classified as held for sale are eliminated from the Company's continuing operations and classified as discontinued operations for each period presented within the Company's condensed consolidated statements of operations. Theatres are reported as discontinued operations when the Company no longer has continuing involvement in the theatre operations and the cash flows have been eliminated, which generally occurs when the Company no longer has operations in a given market. See Note 6 – Discontinued Operations.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

Long-lived assets are tested for recoverability whenever events or circumstances indicate that the assets' carrying values may not be recoverable. The Company performs its impairment analysis at the individual theatre-level, the lowest level of independent, identifiable cash flow. Management reviews all available evidence when assessing long-lived assets for impairment, including negative trends in theatre-level cash flow, the impact of competition, the age of the theatre, and alternative uses of the assets. The Company's evaluation of negative trends in theatre-level cash flow considers the seasonality of the business, with significant revenues and cash flow generated in the summer and year-end holiday season. Absent any unusual circumstances, management evaluates new theatres for potential impairment only after a theatre has been open and operational for a sufficient period of time to allow its operations to mature.

For those assets that are identified as potentially being impaired, if the undiscounted future cash flows from such assets are less than the carrying value, the Company recognizes a loss equal to the difference between the carrying value and the asset's fair value. The fair value of the assets is primarily estimated using the discounted future cash flow of the assets with consideration of other valuation techniques and using assumptions consistent with those used by market participants. Significant judgment is involved in estimating cash flows and fair value; significant assumptions include attendance levels, admissions and concessions pricing, and the weighted-average cost of capital. Management's estimates are based on historical and projected operating performance.

Fair Value Measurements

The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities approximate their fair value due to the short-term maturities of these assets and liabilities.

The fair value of the senior secured credit facilities described in Note 3 – Debt, which consist of a term loan and a revolving credit facility, is estimated based on quoted market prices at the date of measurement.