Build-A-Bear Workshop (BBW) 10-K 19 Mar 15 2014 FY Annual report Financial data

Document_And_Entity_Informatio

Document And Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015	Mar. 13, 2015	Jun. 28, 2014
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	BUILD A BEAR WORKSHOP INC
Document Type	10-K
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-2
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		17,412,152
Entity Public Float			$164,615,013
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Entity Central Index Key	1113809
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Document Period End Date	3-Jan-15
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2014
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$65,389	$44,665
Inventories	51,939	50,248
Receivables	11,461	14,542
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	15,611	11,547
Deferred tax assets	1,378	81
Total current assets	145,778	121,083
Property and equipment, net	62,766	70,163
Other intangible assets, net	304	518
Other assets, net	3,206	3,847
Total Assets	212,054	195,611
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	38,107	34,977
Accrued expenses	24,058	16,380
Gift cards and customer deposits	34,268	33,786
Deferred revenue	2,654	4,687
Deferred tax liability		900
Total current liabilities	99,087	90,730
Deferred franchise revenue	945	905
Deferred rent	13,353	19,357
Other liabilities	1,044	229
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock, par value $0.01, Shares authorized: 15,000,000; No shares issued or outstanding at January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013	0	0
Common stock, par value $0.01, Shares authorized: 50,000,000; Issued and outstanding: 17,360,635 and 17,386,920 shares, respectively	174	174
Additional paid-in capital	69,362	69,094
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-8,698	-7,303
Retained earnings	36,787	22,425
Total stockholders' equity	97,625	84,390
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity	$212,054	$195,611

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parentheticals) (USD $)	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013
Preferred stock, par value (in Dollars per share)	$0.01	$0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized	15,000,000	15,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	0	0
Common stock, par value (in Dollars per share)	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	50,000,000	50,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	17,360,635	17,386,920
Common stock, shares outstanding	17,360,635	17,386,920

Consolidated_Statements_of_Ope

Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Revenues:
Net retail sales	$387,725	$373,173	$374,553
Franchise fees	2,531	3,564	3,598
Commercial revenue	2,098	2,332	2,790
Total revenues	392,354	379,069	380,941
Costs and expenses:
Cost of merchandise sold	211,832	220,738	230,181
Selling, general and administrative	164,445	160,708	165,516
Goodwill impairment			33,670
Interest expense (income), net	53	-259	3
Total costs and expenses	376,330	381,187	429,370
Income (loss) before income taxes	16,024	-2,118	-48,429
Income tax expense (benefit)	1,662	-6	866
Net income (loss)	$14,362	($2,112)	($49,295)
Income (loss) per common share:
Basic (in Dollars per share)	$0.82	($0.13)	($3.02)
Diluted (in Dollars per share)	$0.81	($0.13)	($3.02)
Shares used in computing common per share amounts:
Basic (in Shares)	16,908,001	16,465,138	16,331,672
Diluted (in Shares)	17,133,811	16,465,138	16,331,672

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Net income (loss)	$14,362	($2,112)	($49,295)
Foreign currency translation adjustment	-1,395	380	2,889
Reclass realized gain on liquidation of investment in a foreign entity			-407
Other comprehensive (loss) income	-1,395	380	2,482
Comprehensive income (loss)	$12,967	($1,732)	($46,813)

Consolidated_Statements_of_Sto

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (USD $)	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Total
In Thousands
Balance, at Dec. 31, 2011	$174	$65,402	($10,165)	$73,832	$129,243
Share repurchase	-4	-1,343			-1,347
Stock-based compensation		3,611			3,611
Shares issued under employee stock plans	1	-1,558			-1,557
Other comprehensive			2,482		2,482
Net loss				-49,295	-49,295
Balance, at Dec. 29, 2012	171	66,112	-7,683	24,537	83,137
Share repurchase	0	-216			-216
Stock-based compensation		2,849			2,849
Shares issued under employee stock plans	3	349			352
Other comprehensive			380		380
Net loss				-2,112	-2,112
Balance, at Dec. 28, 2013	174	69,094	-7,303	22,425	84,390
Share repurchase	-3	-3,361			-3,364
Stock-based compensation		2,051			2,051
Shares issued under employee stock plans	3	1,578			1,581
Other comprehensive			-1,395		-1,395
Net loss				14,362	14,362
Balance, at Jan. 03, 2015	$174	$69,362	($8,698)	$36,787	$97,625

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$14,362	($2,112)	($49,295)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	18,128	19,216	21,422
Stock-based compensation	2,051	2,849	3,611
Deferred taxes	-2,043	76	109
Provision for doubtful accounts	1,432	1,109	219
Asset impairment	1,107	1,408	4,486
Trade credit utilization	548	498	515
Loss on disposal of property and equipment	120	715	292
Goodwill impairment			33,670
Losses from investment in affiliate			475
Change in assets and liabilities:
Inventories	-2,323	-2,987	5,298
Receivables	1,411	-5,836	-1,739
Prepaid expenses and other assets	-3,745	2,778	1,263
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	11,131	695	-2,363
Lease related liabilities	-5,986	-1,863	-3,120
Gift cards and customer deposits	645	2,910	2,445
Deferred revenue	-1,954	-398	-746
Net cash provided by operating activities	34,884	19,058	16,542
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment	-10,790	-19,055	-16,633
Purchases of other assets and other intangible assets	-100	-307	-635
Purchases of short term investments	-899
Proceeds from sale or maturity of short term investments			2,647
Investment in unconsolidated affiliate			-475
Cash flow used in investing activities	-11,789	-19,362	-15,096
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from the exercise of employee stock options, net of withholding tax payments	1,581	348	-1,555
Purchases of Company's common stock	-3,364	-216	-1,347
Cash flow (used in) provided by financing activities	-1,783	132	-2,902
Effect of exchange rates on cash	-588	-334	260
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	20,724	-506	-1,196
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	44,665	45,171	46,367
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	65,389	44,665	45,171
Net cash paid during the period for income taxes	$1,024	$1,113	$182

Note_1_Description_of_Business

Note 1 - Description of Business and Basis of Preparation	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
Disclosure Text Block [Abstract]
Business Description and Basis of Presentation [Text Block]	-1	Description of Business and Basis of Preparation
	Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. (the Company) is a specialty retailer of plush animals and related products. The Company began operations in October 1997. The Company sells its products through its 324 company-owned stores operated primarily in leased locations in malls in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, the United Kingdom and Ireland along with its Web sites. Operations in foreign countries where the Company does not have company-owned stores are through franchise agreements.
	Reclassifications of prior year amounts related to the presentation of the provision for doubtful accounts in the statement of cash flows have been made to conform to current year presentation which do not impact total net cash provided by operating activities in any period.

Note_2_Summary_of_Significant_

Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]	-2	Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
	A summary of the Company’s significant accounting policies applied in the preparation of the accompanying consolidated financial statements follows:
		(a)	Principles of Consolidation
	The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts are eliminated in consolidation.
		(b)	Fiscal Year
	The Company operates on a 52- or 53-week fiscal year ending on the Saturday closest to December 31. The periods presented in these financial statements are the fiscal years ended January 3, 2015 (fiscal 2014), December 28, 2013 (fiscal 2013) and December 29, 2012 (fiscal 2012). Fiscal 2014 included 53 weeks. Fiscal 2013 and 2012 included 52 weeks. References to years in these financial statements relate to fiscal years or year ends rather than calendar years.
		(c)	Cash and Cash Equivalents
	Cash and cash equivalents include cash and short-term highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less held in both domestic and foreign financial institutions.
	The majority of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents exceed federal deposit insurance limits. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts and management believes that the Company is not exposed to any significant credit risk on cash and cash equivalents.
		(d)	Inventories
	Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market, with cost determined on an average-cost basis. Inventory includes supplies of $2.7 million and $2.9 million as of January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013, respectively. A reserve for estimated shortage is accrued throughout the year based on detailed historical averages.
		(e)	Receivables
	Receivables consist primarily of amounts due to the Company in relation to tenant allowances, wholesale and corporate product sales, franchisee royalties and product sales, certain amounts due from taxing authorities and licensing revenue. The Company assesses the collectability of all receivables on an ongoing basis by considering its historical credit loss experience, current economic conditions, and other relevant factors. Based on this analysis, the Company has established an allowance for doubtful accounts of $3.2 million and $1.9 million as of January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013, respectively.
		(f)	Property and Equipment
	Property and equipment consist of leasehold improvements, furniture and fixtures, computer equipment and software, building and land and are stated at cost. Leasehold improvements are depreciated using the straight-line method over the shorter of the useful life of the assets or the life of the lease which is generally ten years. Furniture and fixtures and computer equipment are depreciated using the straight-line method over the estimated service lives ranging from three to seven years. Computer software is amortized using the straight-line method over a period of three to five years. New store construction deposits are recorded at the time the deposit is made as construction-in-progress and reclassified to the appropriate property and equipment category at the time of completion of construction, when operations of the store commence. Maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred and improvements are capitalized. Gains or losses on the disposition of fixed assets are recorded upon disposal.
		(g)	Goodwill
	Goodwill is tested for impairment annually or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. This testing requires comparison of the carrying value of the reporting unit to its fair value and a reconciliation to the Company’s total market capitalization, and when appropriate, the carrying value of impaired assets is reduced to fair value. The calculation of fair value requires multiple assumptions regarding our future operations to determine future cash flows, including but not limited to, sales volume, margin rates, store growth rates and discount rates, all of which are Level 3 fair value inputs. In 2012, we performed our annual evaluation of our goodwill as of December 29, 2012. As a result of the sustained decline in the market price of our common stock, coupled with the decline in the performance of the UK reporting unit, we determined that the fair value of the reporting unit, estimated using a discounted cash flow analysis and reconciled to our market capitalization, was less than its carrying value. As a result, an impairment charge of $33.7 million was recorded as a component of loss before income taxes in the Retail segment. This represented the entire balance of the Company’s goodwill. There was no goodwill as of January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013. This does not change our long-term outlook for the UK reporting unit.
		(h)	Other Intangible Assets
	Other intangible assets consist primarily of initial costs related to trademarks and other intellectual property. Trademarks and other intellectual property represent third-party costs that are capitalized and amortized over their estimated lives ranging from one to three years using the straight-line method.
		(i)	Other Assets
	Other assets consist primarily of deferred leasing fees, deferred costs related to franchise agreements and trade credits. Deferred leasing fees are initial, direct costs related to the Company’s operating leases and are amortized over the term of the related leases. Deferred franchise costs are initial costs related to the Company’s franchise agreements that are deferred and amortized over the life of the respective franchise agreement. Amortization expense related to other assets was $0.2 million, $0.2 million and $0.3 million for 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. See Note 6 – Other Non-current Assets for further discussion regarding trade credits.
		(j)	Long-lived Assets
	Whenever facts and circumstances indicate that the carrying value of a long-lived asset may not be recoverable, the carrying value is reviewed. If this review indicates that the carrying value of the asset will not be recovered, as determined based on projected undiscounted cash flows related to the asset over its remaining life, the carrying value of the asset is reduced to its estimated fair value. See Note 4 – Property and Equipment and Note 6 – Other Non-current Assets for further discussion regarding the impairment of long-lived assets.
	The calculation of fair value requires multiple assumptions regarding our future operations to determine future cash flows, including but not limited to, sales volume, margin rates and discount rates. If different assumptions were used in the analysis, it is possible that the amount of the impairment charge may have been significantly different than what was recorded.
		(k)	Deferred Rent
	Certain of the Company’s operating leases contain predetermined fixed escalations of minimum rentals during the original lease terms. For these leases, the Company recognizes the related rental expense on a straight-line basis over the life of the lease and records the difference between the amounts charged to operations and amounts paid as deferred rent. The Company also receives certain lease incentives in conjunction with entering into operating leases. These lease incentives are recorded as deferred rent at the beginning of the lease term and recognized as a reduction of rent expense over the lease term. In addition, certain of the Company’s leases contain future contingent increases in rentals. Such increases in rental expense are recorded in the period that it is probable that store sales will meet or exceed the specified target that triggers contingent rental expense.
		(l)	Franchises
	The Company defers initial, one-time nonrefundable franchise fees and amortizes them over the initial term of the respective franchise agreements, which extend for periods up to 25 years. The Company’s obligations under the contract are ongoing and include operations and product development support and training, generally concentrated around new store openings. Continuing franchise fees are recognized as revenue as the fees are earned.
		(m)	Retail Revenue Recognition
	Net retail sales are net of discounts, exclude sales tax, and are recognized at the time of sale. Shipping and handling costs billed to customers are included in net retail sales.
	Revenues from the sale of gift cards are recognized at the time of redemption. Unredeemed gift cards are included in gift cards and customer deposits on the consolidated balance sheets. The company escheats a portion of unredeemed gift cards according to the escheatment regulations of the relevant authority that generally require remittance of the cost of merchandise portion of unredeemed gift cards over five years old. The difference between the value of gift cards and the amount escheated is recorded as income in the consolidated statement of operations.
	The Company has a customer loyalty program, the Stuff Fur Stuff club, whereby guests enroll in the program and receive one point for every dollar spent and receive awards for various discounts on future purchases after achieving defined point thresholds. Historical patterns for points converting into awards and ultimate award redemption are applied to actual points and awards outstanding at the respective balance sheet date to calculate the liability and corresponding adjustment to net retail sales. In 2014, the Company changed the program to eliminate certain discounts and reduced its liability by $0.5 million with a corresponding increase to net retail sales and a $0.4 million increase to net income.
	Management reviews these patterns and assesses the adequacy of the deferred revenue liability at the end of each fiscal quarter. Due to the estimates involved in these assessments, adjustments to the historical rates are generally made no more often than annually in order to allow time for more definite trends to emerge. Based on the assessment at the end of 2014, 2013 and 2012, the deferred revenue liability was adjusted downward by $1.3 million, $0.1 million and $0.5 million, respectively, with corresponding increases to net retail sales. Net income was increased by $1.2 million ($0.07 per diluted share) in 2014 and net loss was decreased by $0.1 million ($0.00 per share) and $0.5 million ($0.03 per share), in 2013 and 2012, respectively.
		(n)	Cost of Merchandise Sold
	Cost of merchandise sold includes the cost of the merchandise, including royalties paid to licensors of third party branded merchandise; store occupancy cost, including store depreciation and store asset impairment charges; cost of warehousing and distribution; packaging; stuffing; damages and shortages; and shipping and handling costs incurred in shipment to customers.
		(o)	Selling, General, and Administrative Expenses
	Selling, general, and administrative expenses include store payroll and related benefits, advertising, credit card fees, store supplies and store closing costs, as well as central office management payroll and related benefits, travel, information systems, accounting, insurance, legal, and public relations. It also includes depreciation and amortization of central office leasehold improvements, furniture, fixtures, and equipment, as well as amortization of trademarks and intellectual property.
		(p)	Store Preopening Expenses
	Store preopening expenses, including store set-up, certain labor and hiring costs, and rental charges incurred prior to store openings are expensed as incurred and are included in selling, general and administrative expenses.
		(q)	Advertising
	The costs of advertising and marketing programs are charged to operations in the first period the program takes place. Advertising expense was $25.8 million, $23.7 million and $23.0 million for fiscal years 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
		(r)	Income Taxes
	Income taxes are accounted for using a balance sheet approach known as the asset and liability method. The asset and liability method accounts for deferred income taxes by applying the statutory tax rates in effect at the date of the consolidated balance sheets to differences between the book basis and the tax basis of assets and liabilities. Deferred taxes are reported on a jurisdictional basis. Noncurrent deferred tax assets are included in other assets, net and noncurrent deferred tax liabilities are included in other liabilities.
	Tax positions are reviewed at least quarterly and adjusted as new information becomes available. The recoverability of deferred tax assets is evaluated by assessing the adequacy of future expected taxable income from all sources, including reversal of taxable temporary differences, forecasted operating earnings and available tax planning strategies. These estimates of future taxable income inherently require significant judgment. To the extent it is considered more likely than not that a deferred tax asset will be not recovered, a valuation allowance is established.
	The Company accounts for its total liability for uncertain tax positions according to the provisions of ASC section 740-10-25. The Company recognizes estimated interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense. See Note 8—Income Taxes for further discussion.
		(s)	Income (Loss) Per Share
	Under the two-class method, basic income (loss) per share is determined by dividing net income or loss allocated to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. In periods of net loss, no effect is given to the Company’s participating securities as they do not contractually participate in the losses of the Company. Diluted earnings or loss per share reflects the potential dilution that could occur if options to issue common stock were exercised. In periods in which the inclusion of such instruments is anti-dilutive, the effect of such securities is not given consideration.
		(t)	Stock-Based Compensation
	The Company has share-based compensation plans covering the majority of its management groups and its Board of Directors. The Company accounts for share-based payments utilizing the fair value recognition provisions of ASC section 718. The Company recognizes compensation cost for equity awards over the requisite service period for the entire award. See Note 12 – Stock Incentive Plans. For fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012, selling, general and administrative expense includes $2.1 million, $2.8 million and $3.6 million, respectively, of stock-based compensation expense.
		(u)	Comprehensive Income (Loss)
	Comprehensive income (loss) is comprised of net income (loss)and foreign currency translation adjustments.
		(v)	Deferred Compensation Plan
	The Company maintains a Deferred Compensation Plan for the benefit of certain management employees. The investment funds offered to the participant generally correspond to the funds offered in the Company’s 401(k) plan, and the account balance fluctuates with the investment returns on those funds. The fair value of the assets, classified as trading securities, and corresponding liabilities are based on unadjusted quoted market prices for the funds in active markets with sufficient volume and frequency (Level 1). The current portions of the assets of the Deferred Compensation Plan and the related liabilities of $0.3 million as of January 3, 2015 are presented in prepaid expenses and other current assets and accrued expenses in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The non-current portions of the assets and the related liabilities of $0.5 million as of January 3, 2015 are presented in other assets, net and other liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
		(w)	Fair Value of Financial Instruments
	For purposes of financial reporting, management has determined that the fair value of financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, receivables, short term investments, accounts payable and accrued expenses, approximates book value at January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013.
		(x)	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of the consolidated financial statements requires management of the Company to make a number of estimates and assumptions relating to the reported amount of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The assumptions used by management in future estimates could change significantly due to changes in circumstances, including, but not limited to, challenging economic conditions. Accordingly, future estimates may change significantly. Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include the valuation of long-lived assets, including trade credits and deferred income tax assets and the determination of deferred revenue under the Company’s customer loyalty program.
		(y)	Sales Tax Policy
	The Company’s revenues in the consolidated statement of operations are net of sales taxes.
		(z)	Foreign Currency
	Assets and liabilities of the Company’s foreign operations with functional currencies other than the U.S. dollar are translated at the exchange rate in effect at the balance sheet date, while revenues and expenses are translated at average rates prevailing during the years. Translation adjustments are reported in accumulated other comprehensive income, a separate component of stockholders’ equity. Gains and losses resulting from foreign exchange transactions are recorded as a component of selling, general and administrative expenses. Losses in fiscal 2014 were $1.6 million. Foreign exchange transactional gains and losses were immaterial in 2013 and 2012.
		(aa)	Investment in Affiliate
	The Company holds a minority interest in Ridemakerz, LLC of approximately 21%, which is accounted for under the equity method. In 2009, the carrying value of this investment was reduced to $-0-. No income or loss allocations, impairments or other charges related to Ridemakerz were recorded in fiscal 2014 or 2013. In 2012, certain investors exercised a put option on 1.25 million shares, requiring an additional investment of $0.5 million, which was immediately impaired and included in selling, general and administrative expenses as a component of net loss before income taxes in the Retail segment. Under the current agreements, the Company could, at its discretion, own up to approximately 28% of fully diluted equity in Ridemakerz. The Company has no further obligations relating to its investment in Ridemakerz.
		(bb)	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP. The core principle of the ASU is that an entity should recognize revenue for the transfer of goods or services equal to the amount that it expects to be entitled to receive for those goods or services. The ASU requires additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts, including significant judgments and changes in judgments. The ASU will be effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2017, and allows for both retrospective and modified retrospective methods of adoption. The Company is in the process of determining the method of adoption and assessing the impact of this ASU on its consolidated financial statements.

Note_3_Prepaid_Expenses_and_Ot

Note 3 - Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
Prepaid Expenses And Other Assets [Abstract]
Prepaid Expenses And Other Assets [Text Block]	(3)     Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets consist of the following (in thousands):
		2014		2013
	Prepaid rent	$	7,848	$	4,608
	Short-term investments		1,121		-
	Other		6,642		6,939
		$	15,611	$	11,547

Note_4_Property_and_Equipment

Note 4 - Property and Equipment	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Property, Plant and Equipment Disclosure [Text Block]	-4	Property and Equipment
	Property and equipment consist of the following (in thousands):
			2014		2013
	Land		$	2,261	$	2,261
	Furniture and fixtures			39,391		39,723
	Computer hardware			22,720		21,722
	Building			14,970		14,970
	Leasehold improvements			119,894		124,068
	Computer software			43,540		42,276
	Construction in progress			5,034		2,655
				247,810		247,675
	Less accumulated depreciation			185,044		177,512
			$	62,766	$	70,163
	For 2014, 2013 and 2012, depreciation expense was $17.6 million, $18.6 million and $20.4 million, respectively.
	In 2012, the Company made the decision to close a number of stores. The Company considers a more likely than not assessment that an individual location will close as a triggering event to review the store asset group for recoverability. As a result of these reviews, it was determined that certain stores would not be able to recover the carrying value of store leasehold improvements through expected undiscounted cash flows over the shortened remaining life of the related assets. Accordingly, the carrying value of the assets was reduced to fair value, calculated as the net present value of estimated future cash flows for each asset group, and asset impairment charges of $0.4 million, $1.0 million and $0.9 million were recorded in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, which are included in selling, general and administrative expenses as a component of income (loss) before income taxes in the Retail segment. Any remaining net book value is depreciated over the shortened expected life. The inputs used to determine the fair value of the assets are Level 3 fair value inputs as defined by ASC section 820-10.
	The Company reviews the operating performance and forecasts of future performance for the stores in its Retail segment. If as a result of that review, it is determined that any stores would not be able to recover the carrying value of certain store leasehold improvements through expected undiscounted cash flows over the remaining life of the related assets, the carrying value of the assets is reduced to fair value, calculated as the net present value of estimated future cash flows for each asset group, and asset impairment charges are recorded in cost of merchandise sold as a component of income or loss before income taxes in the Retail segment. Impairment charges related to this analysis in 2014 were immaterial. The inputs used to determine the fair value of the assets are Level 3 fair value inputs as defined by ASC section 820-10. In the event that we decide to close any or all of these stores in the future, we may be required to record additional impairments, lease termination charges, severance charges and other charges. The Company recorded asset impairment charges of $0.1 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013 and $1.4 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012.

Note_5_Other_Intangible_Assets

Note 5 - Other Intangible Assets	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
Disclosure Text Block [Abstract]
Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block]	-5	Other Intangible Assets
	Other intangible assets consist of the following (in thousands):
			2014		2013
	Trademarks and other intellectual property		$	12,517	$	12,389
	Less accumulated amortization			12,213		11,871
	Total, net		$	304	$	518
	Trademarks and intellectual property are amortized over three years. Amortization expense related to trademarks and intellectual property was $0.3 million, $0.4 million and $0.7 million in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Note_6_Other_Noncurrent_Assets

Note 6 - Other Non-current Assets	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
Disclosure Text Block Supplement [Abstract]
Other Assets Disclosure [Text Block]	-6	Other Non-current Assets
	In 2010, certain other non-current assets were obtained through a series of wholesale transactions whereby the Company exchanged $6.4 million of inventory, at cost, with a third-party vendor for $4.9 million of trade credits and $1.5 million in cash. The transaction was accounted for based upon the fair values of the assets involved in the transaction.  In accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Section 845-10, in an exchange transaction for trade credits, the fair value of the asset being surrendered cannot exceed its carrying value, meaning that the sale of the inventory was recorded at its cost in the Commercial segment. The trade credits expire in 2015.
	The Company evaluated its trade credits to determine if an impairment existed at January 3, 2015. Based on current utilization expectations, the Company determined that the full value of the asset was not recoverable. Accordingly, the carrying value of the trade credits was reduced to fair value, calculated as the expected present value of estimated future utilization. An impairment charge of $0.3 million was recorded in the fiscal 2014 fourth quarter and is included in selling, general and administrative expenses as a component of income (loss) before income taxes in the Commercial segment. The inputs used to determine the fair value of the asset are level 3 fair value inputs as defined by ASC 820-10. As of January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013, $0.2 million and $0.7 million, respectively was included in prepaid expenses and other current assets and $-0- and $0.4 million, respectively, was included in other assets, net, related to these credits. Impairment charges of $0.3 million and $2.2 million were recorded in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Note_7_Accrued_Expenses

Note 7 - Accrued Expenses	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]
Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities Disclosure [Text Block]	-7	Accrued Expenses
	Accrued expenses consist of the following (in thousands):
			2014		2013
	Accrued wages, bonuses and related expenses		$	11,858	$	9,745
	Sales tax payable			7,694		5,979
	Accrued rent and related expenses			3,365		429
	Current income taxes payable			1,141		227
			$	24,058	$	16,380

Note_8_Income_Taxes

Note 8 - Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block]	-8	Income Taxes
	The components of the provision for income taxes are as follows (in thousands):
			2014			2013			2012
	Current:
	Federal		$	-		$	-		$	-
	State			304			(68	)		165
	Foreign			3,293			6			790
	Deferred:
	Federal			-			-			-
	State			26			56			(928	)
	Foreign			(1,961	)		-			839
	Income tax expense (benefit)		$	1,662		$	(6	)	$	866
	A reconciliation between the statutory federal income tax rate and the effective income tax rate is as follows (in thousands):
			2014			2013			2012
	Income (loss) before income taxes		$	16,024		$	(2,118	)	$	(48,429	)
	Statutory federal income tax rate			34	%		34	%		34	%
	Income tax expense (benefit) at statutory federal rate			5,448			(720	)		(16,466	)
	State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit			310			151			124
	Permanent difference - Goodwill impairment			-			-			11,448
	Valuation allowance			(5,415	)		386			4,739
	Effect of lower foreign taxes			(372	)		497			296
	Adjustment for unrecognized tax positions			397			(70	)		(23	)
	Other items, net			1,294			(250	)		748
	Income tax expense (benefit)		$	1,662		$	(6	)	$	866
	Effective tax rate			10.4	%		0.3	%		(1.8	)%
	Temporary differences that gave rise to deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows (in thousands):
			2014			2013
	Deferred tax assets:
	Deferred revenue		$	4,833		$	4,516
	Accrued rents			1,746			1,682
	Net operating loss carryforwards			613			6,462
	Intangible assets			1,489			1,639
	Deferred compensation			1,019			2,040
	Accrued compensation			3,058			283
	Carryforward of tax credits			4,250			5,453
	Receivable write-offs			1,436			624
	Stock compensation			-			179
	Inventories			661			414
	Other			3,270			1,858
				22,375			25,150
	Less: Valuation allowance			15,572			20,987
	Total deferred tax assets			6,803			4,163
	Deferred tax liabilities:
	Depreciation			(1,021	)		(184	)
	Other			(2,975	)		(3,106	)
	Total deferred tax liabilities			(3,996	)		(3,290	)
	Net deferred tax asset		$	2,807		$	873
	As of January 3, 2015, the Company maintained a valuation allowance on its deferred tax assets of $15.6 million. In fiscal 2014, the Company generated significant U.S. income and was approximately break-even on a three-year cumulative pre-tax income (loss) basis in the U.S. The historical losses are considered a significant piece of negative evidence and while management believes these losses are not an indication of continuing operations, ASC 740 requires that objective historical evidence be given more weight than subjective evidence, such as forecasts of future income. While the current year income results are considered positive evidence, the Company does not believe this positive evidence outweighs the recent losses and as such, continues to maintain this valuation allowance. The Company released approximately $4.4 million of U.S. related valuation allowance in fiscal 2014 consistent with the level of income generated.
	In addition to this release of valuation allowance in the U.S., in fiscal 2014, the Company recorded an income tax benefit of $1.1 million due to reductions in valuation allowances in foreign jurisdictions, primarily the UK and Canada. The Company reduced the valuation allowance in the UK and Canada because the weight of evidence regarding the future realizability of the deferred tax assets had become predominately positive and realization of the deferred tax assets was more likely than not. The positive evidence considered in our assessment of the realizability of the deferred tax assets included: 1) the generation of positive cumulative income in the respective UK legal entities for the three-year period ending with fiscal 2014, and 2) the implementation of tax planning strategies that would reduce certain management and royalty fees for Canada and generate increased future income in Canada. The negative evidence considered included historical losses in certain prior years; however, the positive evidence outweighed this negative evidence.
	The fiscal 2013 income tax provision was impacted by the full valuation allowance position in most major jurisdictions.
	Included in the deferred tax asset is $4.3 million related to tax credits for which a valuation allowance of $4.3 million has been recorded. The valuation allowance for the tax credits includes amounts for which subsequently recognized tax benefits will be applied directly to contributed capital. The valuation allowance on the U.S. deferred tax assets will continue to fluctuate as a result of temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax basis of the assets and liabilities.
	Income taxes and remittance taxes have not been recorded on approximately $11.0 million of undistributed earnings of foreign operations of the Company, because the Company intends to reinvest those earnings indefinitely. It is not practicable to estimate the income tax liability that might be incurred if such earnings were remitted to the United States.
	As of January 3, 2015, the Company had total unrecognized tax benefits of $1.0 million compared to $0.7 million as of December 28, 2013.  The Company reviews its uncertain tax positions periodically and accrues interest and penalties accordingly. In fiscal 2014, $0.3 million of interest and penalties were included in the unrecognized tax benefits, compared to $0.1 million in fiscal 2013.
	A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows (in thousands):
	Balance as of December 29, 2012		$	185
	Lapse of statute			(139	)
	Audit settlement release			(4	)
	Addition to reserve			518
	Balance as of December 28, 2013			560
	Addition to reserve			200
	Audit settlement release			(29	)
	Lapse of statute			(12	)
	Balance as of January 3, 2015		$	719
	As of January 3, 2015, approximately $0.7 million of the unrecognized tax benefits would impact the Company’s provision for income taxes and effective tax rate if recognized. Management estimates that it is reasonably possible that the total amount of uncertain tax benefits could decrease by as much as $0.5 million within the next 12 months.
The Company’s income before income taxes from domestic and foreign operations (which include the United Kingdom, Canada, France and Ireland), are as follows (in thousands):
		2014			2013			2012
Domestic		$	12,973		$	(1,134	)	$	(11,550	)
Foreign			3,051			(984	)		(36,879	)
Total		$	16,024		$	(2,118	)	$	(48,429	)
The following tax years remain open in the Company’s major taxing jurisdictions as of January 3, 2015:
United States (Federal)	2011 through 2014
United Kingdom	2008 through 2014
Canada	2011 through 2014
Ireland	2007 through 2014

Note_9_LongTerm_Debt

Note 9 - Long-Term Debt	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
Disclosure Text Block [Abstract]
Long-term Debt [Text Block]	-9	Long-Term Debt
	As of January 3, 2015, the Company has a bank line of credit that provides borrowing capacity of $35 million. Borrowings under the credit agreement are secured by our assets and a pledge of 65% of the Company’s ownership interest in foreign subsidiaries. The credit agreement expires on December 31, 2016 and contains various restrictions on indebtedness, liens, guarantees, redemptions, mergers, acquisitions or sale of assets, loans, transactions with affiliates, and investments. It prohibits the Company from declaring dividends without the bank’s prior consent, unless such payment of dividends would not violate any terms of the credit agreement. The Company is also prohibited from repurchasing shares of its common stock unless such purchase would not violate any terms of the credit agreement; the Company may not use proceeds of the line of credit to repurchase shares. Borrowings bear interest at LIBOR plus 1.8%. Financial covenants include maintaining a minimum tangible net worth, maintaining a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio (as defined in the credit agreement) and not exceeding a maximum funded debt to earnings before interest, depreciation and amortization ratio. As of January 3, 2015: (i) the Company was in compliance with these covenants; (ii) there were no borrowings under the line of credit; and (iii) there was a standby letter of credit of approximately $1.1 million outstanding under the credit agreement. Giving effect to this standby letter of credit, there was approximately $33.9 million available for borrowing under the line of credit.

Note_10_Commitments_and_Contin

Note 10 - Commitments and Contingencies	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]	-10	Commitments and Contingencies
		(a)	Operating Leases
	The Company leases its retail stores and corporate offices under agreements which expire at various dates through 2030. The majority of leases contain provisions for base rent plus contingent payments based on defined sales as well as scheduled escalations. Total office and retail store base rent expense was $46.7 million, $46.5 million and $48.2 million, and contingent rents were $1.8 million, $1.3 million and $1.2 million for 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	Future minimum lease payments at January 3, 2015, were as follows (in thousands):
	2015		$	39,776
	2016			30,353
	2017			23,122
	2018			17,656
	2019			15,190
	Subsequent to 2019			50,020
			$	176,117
		(b)	Litigation
	In the normal course of business, the Company is subject to certain claims or lawsuits. Except as noted below, management is not aware of any claims or lawsuits that may have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial position or results of operations of the Company.
	In the normal course of business, the Company is subject to regular examination by various taxing authorities for years not closed by the statute of limitations, including an ongoing customs audit in the United Kingdom in which the Company is contesting audit findings. The Company accrues a liability for this type of contingency when it believes that it is both probable that a liability has been incurred and that it can reasonably estimate the amount of the loss. In 2012, the Company received notification from the customs authority that it intended to make an assessment for unpaid duty, penalties and interest. The assessment was made in 2013. The Company has appealed this determination and continues to believe that the ultimate outcome of these matters will not have a material adverse impact on the results of operations, liquidity or financial position of the Company. However, if one or more of these examinations has an unfavorable resolution, it is possible that the results of operation, liquidity or financial position of the Company could be materially affected in any particular period. Since the date of the notification in the third quarter of fiscal 2012, the Company has been required to pay the disputed duty, pending resolution of the appeal. As of January 3, 2015, $3.2 million had been paid in respect of the disputed duty and is included in receivables in the Retail segment.

Note_11_Earnings_Per_Share

Note 11 - Earnings Per Share	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings Per Share [Text Block]	-11	Earnings Per Share
	The Company uses the two-class method to compute basic and diluted earnings per common share. In periods of net loss, no effect is given to the Company’s participating securities as they do not contractually participate in the losses of the Company. The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share (in thousands, except share and per share data):
			2014		2013			2012
	NUMERATOR:
	Net income (loss) before allocation of earnings to participating securities		$	14,362	$	(2,112	)	$	(49,295	)
	Less: Earnings allocated to participating securities			439		-			-
	Net income (loss)		$	13,923	$	(2,112	)	$	(49,295	)
	DENOMINATOR:
	Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic			16,908,001		16,465,138			16,331,672
	Dilutive effect of share-based awards:			225,810		-			-
	Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - dilutive			17,133,811		16,465,138			16,331,672
	Basic income (loss) per common share attributable to Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. stockholders		$	0.82	$	(0.13	)	$	(3.02	)
	Diluted income (loss) per common share attributable to Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. stockholders		$	0.81	$	(0.13	)	$	(3.02	)
	In calculating diluted earnings per share for fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012, options to purchase 44,144; 1,065,012 and 1,155,239, respectively, shares of common stock were outstanding at the end of the period, but were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share due to their anti-dilutive effect under provisions of ASC 260-10.
	Due to the net loss in fiscal 2013 and 2012, the denominator for diluted earnings per common share is the same as the denominator for basic earnings per common share for those periods because the inclusion of stock options and unvested restricted shares would be anti-dilutive.

Note_12_Stock_Incentive_Plans

Note 12 - Stock Incentive Plans	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block]	-12	Stock Incentive Plans
	In 2003, the Company adopted the Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. 2002 Stock Incentive Plan (the 2002 Plan). In 2004, the Company adopted the Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. 2004 Stock Incentive Plan (the 2004 Plan)which the Company amended and restated in 2009 and 2014 (collectively, the Plans).
	Under the Plans, as amended, from December 29, 2013, up to 1,475,000 shares of common stock, in addition to shares of stock subject to awards outstanding under the 2002 Plan and the 2004 Plan that may lapse, terminate, be forfeited or otherwise expire were reserved and may be granted to employees and nonemployees of the Company. The Plans allow for the grant of incentive stock options, nonqualified stock options, stock appreciation rights and restricted stock. Options granted under the Plans expire no later than 10 years from the date of the grant. The exercise price of each incentive stock option shall not be less than 100% of the fair value of the stock subject to the option on the date the option is granted. The exercise price of all options shall be the fair market value on the date of the grant. The vesting provision of individual awards is at the discretion of the compensation committee of the board of directors and generally ranges from one to four years.
		(a)	Stock Options
	The following table is a summary of the balance and activity for the Plans related to stock options for the periods presented:
							Weighted		Aggregate
					Weighted		Average		Intrinsic
			Number of		Average		Remaining		Value
			Shares		Exercise Price		Contractual Term		(in thousands)
	Outstanding, December 31, 2011			1,210,816	$	8.49
	Granted			228		8.32
	Exercised			—		-
	Forfeited			55,805		7.79
	Outstanding, December 29, 2012			1,155,239		8.53
	Granted			195,512		6.56
	Exercised			204,658		5.6
	Forfeited			39,931		8.2
	Canceled or expired			41,150		9.1
	Outstanding, December 28, 2013			1,065,012		8.72
	Granted			104,064		9.59
	Exercised			351,856		6.64
	Forfeited			96,019		21.54
	Canceled or expired			6,750		8.78
	Outstanding, January 3, 2015			714,451	$	8.14		5.3	$	8,270
	Options Exercisable As Of:
	3-Jan-15			443,612	$	8.55		5	$	5,295
	The expense recorded related to options granted during fiscal 2014 and 2013 was determined using the Black-Scholes option pricing model and the provisions of Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) 107 and 110, which allow the use of a simplified method to estimate the expected term of “plain vanilla” options. The assumptions used in the option pricing model during fiscal 2014 were: (a) dividend yield of 0%; (b) historical volatility of 65%; (c) risk-free interest rates ranging from 1.7% to 2.1%; and (d) an expected life ranging from 6 to 6.25 years. The grant date fair value of options granted in 2014 was approximately $0.6 million.
	The assumptions used in the option pricing model during fiscal 2013 were: (a) dividend yield of 0%; (b) historical volatility of 65%; (c) risk-free interest rate of 1.3%; and (d) an expected life of 6.25 years. The grant date fair value of options granted in 2013 was approximately $0.7 million. The expense recorded related to options granted during fiscal 2012 was immaterial.
	The total intrinsic value of options exercised in fiscal 2014 and fiscal 2013 was approximately $1.6 million and $0.4 million, respectively. No options were exercised in 2012. The Company generally issues new shares to satisfy option exercises.
	Shares available for future option, non-vested stock and restricted stock grants were 1,323,925 and 471,327 at the end of 2014 and 2013, respectively.
		(b)	Restricted Stock
	Recipients of time-based restricted stock awards have the right to vote and receive dividends as to all unvested shares. The following table is a summary of the balance and activity for the Plans related to unvested restricted stock granted as compensation to employees and directors for the periods presented:
					Weighted
					Average
			Number of		Grant Date
			Shares		Fair Value
	Outstanding, December 31, 2011			1,438,131	$	5.85
	Granted			366,270		4.97
	Vested			874,852		5.53
	Forfeited			69,224		6.03
	Outstanding, December 29, 2012			860,325		5.78
	Granted			321,664		6
	Vested			399,405		5.39
	Forfeited			62,386		5.78
	Outstanding, December 28, 2013			720,198		5.91
	Granted			202,274		10.31
	Vested			345,577		6.25
	Forfeited			157,221		6.21
	Outstanding, January 3, 2015			419,674	$	7.64
	The vesting date fair value of shares that vested in fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $3.7 million, $2.2 million and $4.6 million, respectively. The aggregate unearned compensation expense related to options and restricted stock was $3.0 million as of January 3, 2015 and is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.4 years

Note_13_Stockholders_Equity

Note 13 - Stockholders' Equity	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]
Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block]	-13	Stockholders’ Equity
	The following table summarizes the changes in outstanding shares of common stock for fiscal 2012, 2013 and 2014:
			Common
			Stock
	Shares as of December 31, 2011			17,405,270
	Shares issued under employee stock plans, net of shares withheld in lieu of tax withholding			29,612
	Repurchase of shares			(366,700	)
	Shares as of December 29, 2012			17,068,182
	Shares issued under employee stock plans, net of shares withheld in lieu of tax withholding			346,271
	Repurchase of shares			(27,533	)
	Shares as of December 28, 2013			17,386,920
	Shares issued under employee stock plans, net of shares withheld in lieu of tax withholding			300,705
	Repurchase of shares			(326,990	)
	Shares as of January 3, 2015			17,360,635

Note_14_RelatedParty_Transacti

Note 14 - Related-Party Transactions	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Related Party Transactions Disclosure [Text Block]	-14	Related-Party Transactions
	The Company bought fixtures for new stores and furniture for the corporate offices from a related party. The total payments to this related party for fixtures and furniture amounted to $0.7 million, $1.3 million and $0.9 million, in fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The total amount due to this related party as of January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013 was immaterial.
	The Company collected $1.2 million, $2.1 million and $2.2 million in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, from its guests on behalf of charitable foundations controlled by a member of the Company’s board of directors and certain executive officers of the Company. Substantially all of the contributions are collected from guests at the point of sale via pin pad prompts or as a portion of the proceeds of specifically identified products. The foundations support a variety of children’s causes, domestic animal shelters, disaster relief and other concerns. The foundations distribute grants to qualifying charitable organizations based upon decisions of their respective contribution committees most of whose members are employees of the Company. The total due to the charitable foundations as of January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013 was $0.4 million and $0.5 million, respectively.

Note_15_Major_Vendors

Note 15 - Major Vendors	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
Risks and Uncertainties [Abstract]
Concentration Risk Disclosure [Text Block]	-15	Major Vendors
	Three vendors, each of whose primary manufacturing facilities are located in China, accounted for approximately 75%, 79% and 80% of inventory purchases in fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Note_16_Segment_Information

Note 16 - Segment Information	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block]	-16	Segment Information
	The Company’s operations are conducted through three operating segments consisting of retail, international franchising, and commercial. The retail segment includes the operating activities of company-owned stores in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Ireland and other retail delivery operations, including the Company’s web store, temporary stores and non-traditional store locations. The international franchising segment includes the licensing activities of the Company’s franchise agreements with store locations in Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa, the Middle East and Mexico. The commercial segment has been established to market the naming and branding rights of the Company’s intellectual properties for third party use. The operating segments have discrete sources of revenue, different capital structures and different cost structures. These operating segments represent the basis on which the Company’s chief operating decision maker regularly evaluates the business in assessing performance, determining the allocation of resources and the pursuit of future growth opportunities. Accordingly, the Company has determined that each of its operating segments represent a separate reportable segment. The reportable segments follow the same accounting policies used for the Company’s consolidated financial statements. Following is a summary of the financial information for the Company’s reporting segments (in thousands):
						International
			Retail			Franchising			Commercial			Total
	Fiscal 2014
	Net sales to external customers		$	387,725		$	2,531		$	2,098		$	392,354
	Net income (loss) before income taxes			15,791			(454	)		687			16,024
	Capital expenditures			10,851			39			-			10,890
	Depreciation and amortization			17,981			147			-			18,128
	Fiscal 2013
	Net sales to external customers		$	373,173		$	3,564		$	2,332		$	379,069
	Net income (loss) before income taxes			(5,028	)		2,018			892			(2,118	)
	Capital expenditures			19,178			184			-			19,362
	Depreciation and amortization			19,016			200			-			19,216
	Fiscal 2012
	Net sales to external customers		$	374,553		$	3,598		$	2,790		$	380,941
	Net income (loss) before income taxes			(49,215	)		1,993			(1,207	)		(48,429	)
	Capital expenditures			17,116			152			-			17,268
	Depreciation and amortization			21,243			179			-			21,422
	Total Assets as of:
	3-Jan-15		$	204,758		$	2,312		$	4,984		$	212,054
	28-Dec-13		$	186,912		$	2,712		$	5,987		$	195,611
	The Company’s reportable segments are primarily determined by the types of products and services that they offer. Each reportable segment may operate in many geographic areas. Revenues are recognized in the geographic areas based on the location of the customer or franchisee. The following schedule is a summary of the Company’s sales to external customers and long-lived assets by geographic area (in thousands):
			North
			America (1)			Europe (2)			Other (3)			Total
	Fiscal 2014
	Net sales to external customers		$	308,939		$	81,848		$	1,567		$	392,354
	Property and equipment, net			56,400			6,366			-			62,766
	Fiscal 2013
	Net sales to external customers		$	302,216		$	75,133		$	1,720		$	379,069
	Property and equipment, net			62,152			8,011			-			70,163
	Fiscal 2012
	Net sales to external customers		$	306,049		$	72,788		$	2,104		$	380,941
	Property and equipment, net			61,995			9,464			-			71,459
	For purposes of this table only:
	-1	North America includes the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and franchise business in Mexico
	-2	Europe includes the United Kingdom, Ireland, franchise businesses in Europe
	-3	Other includes franchise businesses outside of North America and Europe

Note_17_Subsequent_Event

Note 17 - Subsequent Event	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Events [Text Block]	-17	Subsequent Event
	On February 25, 2015, the Company announced the termination of the share repurchase program it adopted in 2008 (2008 Share Repurchase Program) and adopted a new repurchase program (2015 Share Repurchase Program) which authorizes the Company to repurchase up to $10 million of its common stock until March 31, 2016, subject to further extension by the Board of Directors. As of February 25, 2015, approximately 6,245,000 shares had been repurchased under the 2008 Share Repurchase Program for an aggregate amount of $46.2 million. Under the 2015 Share Repurchase Program, the Company currently intends to purchase up to $10 million of its common stock in the open market (including through 10b5-1 trading plans), through privately negotiated transactions, or through an accelerated repurchase transaction. The primary source of funding has been, and is expected to be, cash on hand. The timing and amount of share repurchases, if any, will depend on price, market conditions, applicable regulatory requirements, and other factors. The 2015 Share Repurchase Program does not require the Company to repurchase any specific number of shares, and may be modified, suspended or terminated at any time without prior notice. Shares repurchased under the 2015 Share Repurchase Program will be subsequently retired. As of March 13, 2015, there was approximately $9.0 million of availability under the program.

Schedule_II_Valuation_and_Qual

Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts [Abstract]
Schedule of Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Text Block]	Schedule II – Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
		Beginning		Charged to cost		Deductions (1) (2)			Ending
		Balance		and expenses					Balance
	Deferred Tax Asset Valuation Allowance
	2014		20,987		-		(5,415	)		15,572
	2013		20,865		122		-			20,987
	2012		16,126		4,739		-			20,865
	Receivables Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
	2014		1,889		1,432		(73	)		3,248
	2013		1,316		1,109		(536	)		1,889
	2012		1,800		219		(703	)		1,316
	(1) Deductions from deferred tax asset valuation allowance represent reserves utilized
	(2) Deductions from the receivables allowance for doubtful accounts represent uncollectible accounts written off and recoveries

Accounting_Policies_by_Policy_

Accounting Policies, by Policy (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Consolidation, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Principles of Consolidation
	The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts are eliminated in consolidation.
Fiscal Period, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Fiscal Year
	The Company operates on a 52- or 53-week fiscal year ending on the Saturday closest to December 31. The periods presented in these financial statements are the fiscal years ended January 3, 2015 (fiscal 2014), December 28, 2013 (fiscal 2013) and December 29, 2012 (fiscal 2012). Fiscal 2014 included 53 weeks. Fiscal 2013 and 2012 included 52 weeks. References to years in these financial statements relate to fiscal years or year ends rather than calendar years.
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Cash and Cash Equivalents
	Cash and cash equivalents include cash and short-term highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less held in both domestic and foreign financial institutions.
	The majority of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents exceed federal deposit insurance limits. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts and management believes that the Company is not exposed to any significant credit risk on cash and cash equivalents.
Inventory, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Inventories
	Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market, with cost determined on an average-cost basis. Inventory includes supplies of $2.7 million and $2.9 million as of January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013, respectively. A reserve for estimated shortage is accrued throughout the year based on detailed historical averages.
Receivables, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Receivables
	Receivables consist primarily of amounts due to the Company in relation to tenant allowances, wholesale and corporate product sales, franchisee royalties and product sales, certain amounts due from taxing authorities and licensing revenue. The Company assesses the collectability of all receivables on an ongoing basis by considering its historical credit loss experience, current economic conditions, and other relevant factors. Based on this analysis, the Company has established an allowance for doubtful accounts of $3.2 million and $1.9 million as of January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013, respectively.
Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Property and Equipment
	Property and equipment consist of leasehold improvements, furniture and fixtures, computer equipment and software, building and land and are stated at cost. Leasehold improvements are depreciated using the straight-line method over the shorter of the useful life of the assets or the life of the lease which is generally ten years. Furniture and fixtures and computer equipment are depreciated using the straight-line method over the estimated service lives ranging from three to seven years. Computer software is amortized using the straight-line method over a period of three to five years. New store construction deposits are recorded at the time the deposit is made as construction-in-progress and reclassified to the appropriate property and equipment category at the time of completion of construction, when operations of the store commence. Maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred and improvements are capitalized. Gains or losses on the disposition of fixed assets are recorded upon disposal.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Goodwill, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Goodwill
	Goodwill is tested for impairment annually or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. This testing requires comparison of the carrying value of the reporting unit to its fair value and a reconciliation to the Company’s total market capitalization, and when appropriate, the carrying value of impaired assets is reduced to fair value. The calculation of fair value requires multiple assumptions regarding our future operations to determine future cash flows, including but not limited to, sales volume, margin rates, store growth rates and discount rates, all of which are Level 3 fair value inputs. In 2012, we performed our annual evaluation of our goodwill as of December 29, 2012. As a result of the sustained decline in the market price of our common stock, coupled with the decline in the performance of the UK reporting unit, we determined that the fair value of the reporting unit, estimated using a discounted cash flow analysis and reconciled to our market capitalization, was less than its carrying value. As a result, an impairment charge of $33.7 million was recorded as a component of loss before income taxes in the Retail segment. This represented the entire balance of the Company’s goodwill. There was no goodwill as of January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013. This does not change our long-term outlook for the UK reporting unit.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Intangible Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Other Intangible Assets
	Other intangible assets consist primarily of initial costs related to trademarks and other intellectual property. Trademarks and other intellectual property represent third-party costs that are capitalized and amortized over their estimated lives ranging from one to three years using the straight-line method.
Other Assets [Policy Text Block]	Other Assets
	Other assets consist primarily of deferred leasing fees, deferred costs related to franchise agreements and trade credits. Deferred leasing fees are initial, direct costs related to the Company’s operating leases and are amortized over the term of the related leases. Deferred franchise costs are initial costs related to the Company’s franchise agreements that are deferred and amortized over the life of the respective franchise agreement. Amortization expense related to other assets was $0.2 million, $0.2 million and $0.3 million for 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. See Note 6 – Other Non-current Assets for further discussion regarding trade credits.
Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Long-lived Assets
	Whenever facts and circumstances indicate that the carrying value of a long-lived asset may not be recoverable, the carrying value is reviewed. If this review indicates that the carrying value of the asset will not be recovered, as determined based on projected undiscounted cash flows related to the asset over its remaining life, the carrying value of the asset is reduced to its estimated fair value. See Note 4 – Property and Equipment and Note 6 – Other Non-current Assets for further discussion regarding the impairment of long-lived assets.
	The calculation of fair value requires multiple assumptions regarding our future operations to determine future cash flows, including but not limited to, sales volume, margin rates and discount rates. If different assumptions were used in the analysis, it is possible that the amount of the impairment charge may have been significantly different than what was recorded.
Lease, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Deferred Rent
	Certain of the Company’s operating leases contain predetermined fixed escalations of minimum rentals during the original lease terms. For these leases, the Company recognizes the related rental expense on a straight-line basis over the life of the lease and records the difference between the amounts charged to operations and amounts paid as deferred rent. The Company also receives certain lease incentives in conjunction with entering into operating leases. These lease incentives are recorded as deferred rent at the beginning of the lease term and recognized as a reduction of rent expense over the lease term. In addition, certain of the Company’s leases contain future contingent increases in rentals. Such increases in rental expense are recorded in the period that it is probable that store sales will meet or exceed the specified target that triggers contingent rental expense.
Revenue Recognition, Services, Franchise Fees [Policy Text Block]	Franchises
	The Company defers initial, one-time nonrefundable franchise fees and amortizes them over the initial term of the respective franchise agreements, which extend for periods up to 25 years. The Company’s obligations under the contract are ongoing and include operations and product development support and training, generally concentrated around new store openings. Continuing franchise fees are recognized as revenue as the fees are earned.
Revenue Recognition, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Retail Revenue Recognition
	Net retail sales are net of discounts, exclude sales tax, and are recognized at the time of sale. Shipping and handling costs billed to customers are included in net retail sales.
	Revenues from the sale of gift cards are recognized at the time of redemption. Unredeemed gift cards are included in gift cards and customer deposits on the consolidated balance sheets. The company escheats a portion of unredeemed gift cards according to the escheatment regulations of the relevant authority that generally require remittance of the cost of merchandise portion of unredeemed gift cards over five years old. The difference between the value of gift cards and the amount escheated is recorded as income in the consolidated statement of operations.
	The Company has a customer loyalty program, the Stuff Fur Stuff club, whereby guests enroll in the program and receive one point for every dollar spent and receive awards for various discounts on future purchases after achieving defined point thresholds. Historical patterns for points converting into awards and ultimate award redemption are applied to actual points and awards outstanding at the respective balance sheet date to calculate the liability and corresponding adjustment to net retail sales. In 2014, the Company changed the program to eliminate certain discounts and reduced its liability by $0.5 million with a corresponding increase to net retail sales and a $0.4 million increase to net income.
	Management reviews these patterns and assesses the adequacy of the deferred revenue liability at the end of each fiscal quarter. Due to the estimates involved in these assessments, adjustments to the historical rates are generally made no more often than annually in order to allow time for more definite trends to emerge. Based on the assessment at the end of 2014, 2013 and 2012, the deferred revenue liability was adjusted downward by $1.3 million, $0.1 million and $0.5 million, respectively, with corresponding increases to net retail sales. Net income was increased by $1.2 million ($0.07 per diluted share) in 2014 and net loss was decreased by $0.1 million ($0.00 per share) and $0.5 million ($0.03 per share), in 2013 and 2012, respectively.
Cost of Sales, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Cost of Merchandise Sold
	Cost of merchandise sold includes the cost of the merchandise, including royalties paid to licensors of third party branded merchandise; store occupancy cost, including store depreciation and store asset impairment charges; cost of warehousing and distribution; packaging; stuffing; damages and shortages; and shipping and handling costs incurred in shipment to customers.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Selling, General, and Administrative Expenses
	Selling, general, and administrative expenses include store payroll and related benefits, advertising, credit card fees, store supplies and store closing costs, as well as central office management payroll and related benefits, travel, information systems, accounting, insurance, legal, and public relations. It also includes depreciation and amortization of central office leasehold improvements, furniture, fixtures, and equipment, as well as amortization of trademarks and intellectual property.
Start-up Activities, Cost Policy [Policy Text Block]	Store Preopening Expenses
	Store preopening expenses, including store set-up, certain labor and hiring costs, and rental charges incurred prior to store openings are expensed as incurred and are included in selling, general and administrative expenses.
Advertising Costs, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Advertising
	The costs of advertising and marketing programs are charged to operations in the first period the program takes place. Advertising expense was $25.8 million, $23.7 million and $23.0 million for fiscal years 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
Income Tax, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Income Taxes
	Income taxes are accounted for using a balance sheet approach known as the asset and liability method. The asset and liability method accounts for deferred income taxes by applying the statutory tax rates in effect at the date of the consolidated balance sheets to differences between the book basis and the tax basis of assets and liabilities. Deferred taxes are reported on a jurisdictional basis. Noncurrent deferred tax assets are included in other assets, net and noncurrent deferred tax liabilities are included in other liabilities.
	Tax positions are reviewed at least quarterly and adjusted as new information becomes available. The recoverability of deferred tax assets is evaluated by assessing the adequacy of future expected taxable income from all sources, including reversal of taxable temporary differences, forecasted operating earnings and available tax planning strategies. These estimates of future taxable income inherently require significant judgment. To the extent it is considered more likely than not that a deferred tax asset will be not recovered, a valuation allowance is established.
	The Company accounts for its total liability for uncertain tax positions according to the provisions of ASC section 740-10-25. The Company recognizes estimated interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense. See Note 8—Income Taxes for further discussion.
Earnings Per Share, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Income (Loss) Per Share
	Under the two-class method, basic income (loss) per share is determined by dividing net income or loss allocated to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. In periods of net loss, no effect is given to the Company’s participating securities as they do not contractually participate in the losses of the Company. Diluted earnings or loss per share reflects the potential dilution that could occur if options to issue common stock were exercised. In periods in which the inclusion of such instruments is anti-dilutive, the effect of such securities is not given consideration.
Share-based Compensation, Option and Incentive Plans Policy [Policy Text Block]	Stock-Based Compensation
	The Company has share-based compensation plans covering the majority of its management groups and its Board of Directors. The Company accounts for share-based payments utilizing the fair value recognition provisions of ASC section 718. The Company recognizes compensation cost for equity awards over the requisite service period for the entire award. See Note 12 – Stock Incentive Plans. For fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012, selling, general and administrative expense includes $2.1 million, $2.8 million and $3.6 million, respectively, of stock-based compensation expense.
Comprehensive Income, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Comprehensive Income (Loss)
	Comprehensive income (loss) is comprised of net income (loss)and foreign currency translation adjustments.
Deferred Charges, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Deferred Compensation Plan
	The Company maintains a Deferred Compensation Plan for the benefit of certain management employees. The investment funds offered to the participant generally correspond to the funds offered in the Company’s 401(k) plan, and the account balance fluctuates with the investment returns on those funds. The fair value of the assets, classified as trading securities, and corresponding liabilities are based on unadjusted quoted market prices for the funds in active markets with sufficient volume and frequency (Level 1). The current portions of the assets of the Deferred Compensation Plan and the related liabilities of $0.3 million as of January 3, 2015 are presented in prepaid expenses and other current assets and accrued expenses in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The non-current portions of the assets and the related liabilities of $0.5 million as of January 3, 2015 are presented in other assets, net and other liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Fair Value of Financial Instruments
	For purposes of financial reporting, management has determined that the fair value of financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, receivables, short term investments, accounts payable and accrued expenses, approximates book value at January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013.
Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of the consolidated financial statements requires management of the Company to make a number of estimates and assumptions relating to the reported amount of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The assumptions used by management in future estimates could change significantly due to changes in circumstances, including, but not limited to, challenging economic conditions. Accordingly, future estimates may change significantly. Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include the valuation of long-lived assets, including trade credits and deferred income tax assets and the determination of deferred revenue under the Company’s customer loyalty program.
Sales Tax Policy [Policy Text Block]	Sales Tax Policy
	The Company’s revenues in the consolidated statement of operations are net of sales taxes.
Foreign Currency Transactions and Translations Policy [Policy Text Block]	Foreign Currency
	Assets and liabilities of the Company’s foreign operations with functional currencies other than the U.S. dollar are translated at the exchange rate in effect at the balance sheet date, while revenues and expenses are translated at average rates prevailing during the years. Translation adjustments are reported in accumulated other comprehensive income, a separate component of stockholders’ equity. Gains and losses resulting from foreign exchange transactions are recorded as a component of selling, general and administrative expenses. Losses in fiscal 2014 were $1.6 million. Foreign exchange transactional gains and losses were immaterial in 2013 and 2012.
Equity Method Investments, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Investment in Affiliate
	The Company holds a minority interest in Ridemakerz, LLC of approximately 21%, which is accounted for under the equity method. In 2009, the carrying value of this investment was reduced to $-0-. No income or loss allocations, impairments or other charges related to Ridemakerz were recorded in fiscal 2014 or 2013. In 2012, certain investors exercised a put option on 1.25 million shares, requiring an additional investment of $0.5 million, which was immediately impaired and included in selling, general and administrative expenses as a component of net loss before income taxes in the Retail segment. Under the current agreements, the Company could, at its discretion, own up to approximately 28% of fully diluted equity in Ridemakerz. The Company has no further obligations relating to its investment in Ridemakerz.
New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP. The core principle of the ASU is that an entity should recognize revenue for the transfer of goods or services equal to the amount that it expects to be entitled to receive for those goods or services. The ASU requires additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts, including significant judgments and changes in judgments. The ASU will be effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2017, and allows for both retrospective and modified retrospective methods of adoption. The Company is in the process of determining the method of adoption and assessing the impact of this ASU on its consolidated financial statements.

Note_3_Prepaid_Expenses_and_Ot1

Note 3 - Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
Prepaid Expenses And Other Assets [Abstract]
Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Table Text Block]		2014		2013
	Prepaid rent	$	7,848	$	4,608
	Short-term investments		1,121		-
	Other		6,642		6,939
		$	15,611	$	11,547

Note_4_Property_and_Equipment_

Note 4 - Property and Equipment (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Table Text Block]		2014		2013
	Land	$	2,261	$	2,261
	Furniture and fixtures		39,391		39,723
	Computer hardware		22,720		21,722
	Building		14,970		14,970
	Leasehold improvements		119,894		124,068
	Computer software		43,540		42,276
	Construction in progress		5,034		2,655
			247,810		247,675
	Less accumulated depreciation		185,044		177,512
		$	62,766	$	70,163

Note_5_Other_Intangible_Assets1

Note 5 - Other Intangible Assets (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
Disclosure Text Block [Abstract]
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Table Text Block]		2014		2013
	Trademarks and other intellectual property	$	12,517	$	12,389
	Less accumulated amortization		12,213		11,871
	Total, net	$	304	$	518

Note_7_Accrued_Expenses_Tables

Note 7 - Accrued Expenses (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]
Schedule of Accrued Liabilities [Table Text Block]		2014		2013
	Accrued wages, bonuses and related expenses	$	11,858	$	9,745
	Sales tax payable		7,694		5,979
	Accrued rent and related expenses		3,365		429
	Current income taxes payable		1,141		227
		$	24,058	$	16,380

Note_8_Income_Taxes_Tables

Note 8 - Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit) [Table Text Block]		2014			2013			2012
	Current:
	Federal	$	-		$	-		$	-
	State		304			(68	)		165
	Foreign		3,293			6			790
	Deferred:
	Federal		-			-			-
	State		26			56			(928	)
	Foreign		(1,961	)		-			839
	Income tax expense (benefit)	$	1,662		$	(6	)	$	866
Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation [Table Text Block]		2014			2013			2012
	Income (loss) before income taxes	$	16,024		$	(2,118	)	$	(48,429	)
	Statutory federal income tax rate		34	%		34	%		34	%
	Income tax expense (benefit) at statutory federal rate		5,448			(720	)		(16,466	)
	State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit		310			151			124
	Permanent difference - Goodwill impairment		-			-			11,448
	Valuation allowance		(5,415	)		386			4,739
	Effect of lower foreign taxes		(372	)		497			296
	Adjustment for unrecognized tax positions		397			(70	)		(23	)
	Other items, net		1,294			(250	)		748
	Income tax expense (benefit)	$	1,662		$	(6	)	$	866
	Effective tax rate		10.4	%		0.3	%		(1.8	)%
Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities [Table Text Block]		2014			2013
	Deferred tax assets:
	Deferred revenue	$	4,833		$	4,516
	Accrued rents		1,746			1,682
	Net operating loss carryforwards		613			6,462
	Intangible assets		1,489			1,639
	Deferred compensation		1,019			2,040
	Accrued compensation		3,058			283
	Carryforward of tax credits		4,250			5,453
	Receivable write-offs		1,436			624
	Stock compensation		-			179
	Inventories		661			414
	Other		3,270			1,858
			22,375			25,150
	Less: Valuation allowance		15,572			20,987
	Total deferred tax assets		6,803			4,163
	Deferred tax liabilities:
	Depreciation		(1,021	)		(184	)
	Other		(2,975	)		(3,106	)
	Total deferred tax liabilities		(3,996	)		(3,290	)
	Net deferred tax asset	$	2,807		$	873
Schedule of Unrecognized Tax Benefits Roll Forward [Table Text Block]	Balance as of December 29, 2012	$	185
	Lapse of statute		(139	)
	Audit settlement release		(4	)
	Addition to reserve		518
	Balance as of December 28, 2013		560
	Addition to reserve		200
	Audit settlement release		(29	)
	Lapse of statute		(12	)
	Balance as of January 3, 2015	$	719
Schedule of Income before Income Tax, Domestic and Foreign [Table Text Block]		2014			2013			2012
	Domestic	$	12,973		$	(1,134	)	$	(11,550	)
	Foreign		3,051			(984	)		(36,879	)
	Total	$	16,024		$	(2,118	)	$	(48,429	)

Note_10_Commitments_and_Contin1

Note 10 - Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Future Minimum Rental Payments for Operating Leases [Table Text Block]	2015	$	39,776
	2016		30,353
	2017		23,122
	2018		17,656
	2019		15,190
	Subsequent to 2019		50,020
		$	176,117

Note_11_Earnings_Per_Share_Tab

Note 11 - Earnings Per Share (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block]		2014		2013			2012
	NUMERATOR:
	Net income (loss) before allocation of earnings to participating securities	$	14,362	$	(2,112	)	$	(49,295	)
	Less: Earnings allocated to participating securities		439		-			-
	Net income (loss)	$	13,923	$	(2,112	)	$	(49,295	)
	DENOMINATOR:
	Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic		16,908,001		16,465,138			16,331,672
	Dilutive effect of share-based awards:		225,810		-			-
	Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - dilutive		17,133,811		16,465,138			16,331,672
	Basic income (loss) per common share attributable to Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. stockholders	$	0.82	$	(0.13	)	$	(3.02	)
	Diluted income (loss) per common share attributable to Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. stockholders	$	0.81	$	(0.13	)	$	(3.02	)

Note_12_Stock_Incentive_Plans_

Note 12 - Stock Incentive Plans (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Stock Options, Activity [Table Text Block]						Weighted		Aggregate
				Weighted		Average		Intrinsic
		Number of		Average		Remaining		Value
		Shares		Exercise Price		Contractual Term		(in thousands)
	Outstanding, December 31, 2011		1,210,816	$	8.49
	Granted		228		8.32
	Exercised		—		-
	Forfeited		55,805		7.79
	Outstanding, December 29, 2012		1,155,239		8.53
	Granted		195,512		6.56
	Exercised		204,658		5.6
	Forfeited		39,931		8.2
	Canceled or expired		41,150		9.1
	Outstanding, December 28, 2013		1,065,012		8.72
	Granted		104,064		9.59
	Exercised		351,856		6.64
	Forfeited		96,019		21.54
	Canceled or expired		6,750		8.78
	Outstanding, January 3, 2015		714,451	$	8.14		5.3	$	8,270
	Options Exercisable As Of:
	3-Jan-15		443,612	$	8.55		5	$	5,295
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units Activity [Table Text Block]				Weighted
				Average
		Number of		Grant Date
		Shares		Fair Value
	Outstanding, December 31, 2011		1,438,131	$	5.85
	Granted		366,270		4.97
	Vested		874,852		5.53
	Forfeited		69,224		6.03
	Outstanding, December 29, 2012		860,325		5.78
	Granted		321,664		6
	Vested		399,405		5.39
	Forfeited		62,386		5.78
	Outstanding, December 28, 2013		720,198		5.91
	Granted		202,274		10.31
	Vested		345,577		6.25
	Forfeited		157,221		6.21
	Outstanding, January 3, 2015		419,674	$	7.64

Note_13_Stockholders_Equity_Ta

Note 13 - Stockholders' Equity (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]
Schedule of Common Stock Outstanding Roll Forward [Table Text Block]		Common
		Stock
	Shares as of December 31, 2011		17,405,270
	Shares issued under employee stock plans, net of shares withheld in lieu of tax withholding		29,612
	Repurchase of shares		(366,700	)
	Shares as of December 29, 2012		17,068,182
	Shares issued under employee stock plans, net of shares withheld in lieu of tax withholding		346,271
	Repurchase of shares		(27,533	)
	Shares as of December 28, 2013		17,386,920
	Shares issued under employee stock plans, net of shares withheld in lieu of tax withholding		300,705
	Repurchase of shares		(326,990	)
	Shares as of January 3, 2015		17,360,635

Note_16_Segment_Information_Ta

Note 16 - Segment Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table Text Block]					International
		Retail			Franchising			Commercial			Total
	Fiscal 2014
	Net sales to external customers	$	387,725		$	2,531		$	2,098		$	392,354
	Net income (loss) before income taxes		15,791			(454	)		687			16,024
	Capital expenditures		10,851			39			-			10,890
	Depreciation and amortization		17,981			147			-			18,128
	Fiscal 2013
	Net sales to external customers	$	373,173		$	3,564		$	2,332		$	379,069
	Net income (loss) before income taxes		(5,028	)		2,018			892			(2,118	)
	Capital expenditures		19,178			184			-			19,362
	Depreciation and amortization		19,016			200			-			19,216
	Fiscal 2012
	Net sales to external customers	$	374,553		$	3,598		$	2,790		$	380,941
	Net income (loss) before income taxes		(49,215	)		1,993			(1,207	)		(48,429	)
	Capital expenditures		17,116			152			-			17,268
	Depreciation and amortization		21,243			179			-			21,422
	Total Assets as of:
	3-Jan-15	$	204,758		$	2,312		$	4,984		$	212,054
	28-Dec-13	$	186,912		$	2,712		$	5,987		$	195,611
Schedule of Revenue from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets, by Geographical Areas [Table Text Block]		North
		America (1)			Europe (2)			Other (3)			Total
	Fiscal 2014
	Net sales to external customers	$	308,939		$	81,848		$	1,567		$	392,354
	Property and equipment, net		56,400			6,366			-			62,766
	Fiscal 2013
	Net sales to external customers	$	302,216		$	75,133		$	1,720		$	379,069
	Property and equipment, net		62,152			8,011			-			70,163
	Fiscal 2012
	Net sales to external customers	$	306,049		$	72,788		$	2,104		$	380,941
	Property and equipment, net		61,995			9,464			-			71,459

Schedule_II_Valuation_and_Qual1

Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts [Abstract]
Summary of Valuation Allowance [Table Text Block]		Beginning		Charged to cost		Deductions (1) (2)			Ending
		Balance		and expenses					Balance
	Deferred Tax Asset Valuation Allowance
	2014		20,987		-		(5,415	)		15,572
	2013		20,865		122		-			20,987
	2012		16,126		4,739		-			20,865
	Receivables Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
	2014		1,889		1,432		(73	)		3,248
	2013		1,316		1,109		(536	)		1,889
	2012		1,800		219		(703	)		1,316

Note_1_Description_of_Business1

Note 1 - Description of Business and Basis of Preparation (Details)	Jan. 03, 2015
Disclosure Text Block [Abstract]
Number of Stores	324

Note_2_Summary_of_Significant_1

Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012	Dec. 31, 2009
Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) [Line Items]
Inventory, Supplies, Net of Reserves	$2,700,000	$2,900,000
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Current	3,200,000	1,900,000
Goodwill, Impairment Loss			33,670,000
Goodwill	0	0
Amortization of Deferred Charges	200,000	200,000	300,000
Franchise Extension Period	25 years
Deferred Revenue, Period Increase (Decrease)	-1,300,000	-100,000	-500,000
Net income (loss)	14,362,000	-2,112,000	-49,295,000
Earnings Per Share, Diluted (in Dollars per share)	$0.81	($0.13)	($3.02)
Advertising Expense	25,800,000	23,700,000	23,000,000
Foreign Currency Transaction Gain (Loss), before Tax	-1,600,000
Equity Method Investment, Other than Temporary Impairment			475,000
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member] | Ridemakerz [Member]
Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Other than Temporary Impairment			500,000
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member]
Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) [Line Items]
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	2,100,000	2,800,000	3,600,000
Leasehold Improvements [Member]
Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	10 years
Furniture and Fixtures [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	3 years
Furniture and Fixtures [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	7 years
Software and Software Development Costs [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	3 years
Software and Software Development Costs [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	5 years
Maximum Amount Of Equity To Own [Member] | Ridemakerz [Member]
Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage			28.00%
Ridemakerz [Member] | Put Option [Member]
Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) [Line Items]
Open Option Contracts Written, Number of Shares			1,250,000
Ridemakerz [Member]
Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	21.00%
Equity Method Investments				0
Equity Method Investment, Other than Temporary Impairment	0	0	0
Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments	0	0	0
Other Deductions and Charges	0	0	0
Elimination of Certain Discounts [Member]
Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) [Line Items]
Deferred Revenue, Period Increase (Decrease)	-500,000
Net income (loss)	400,000
Assessments of the Deferred Revenue Liability [Member]
Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) [Line Items]
Net income (loss)	1,200,000	-100,000	-500,000
Earnings Per Share, Diluted (in Dollars per share)	$0.07	$0	($0.03)
Trademarks And Intellectual Property [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	1 year
Trademarks And Intellectual Property [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	3 years
Trademarks And Intellectual Property [Member]
Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	3 years
Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets [Member]
Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) [Line Items]
Deferred Compensation Plan Assets	300,000
Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities [Member]
Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) [Line Items]
Deferred Compensation Liability, Current	300,000
Other Assets [Member]
Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) [Line Items]
Deferred Compensation Plan Assets	500,000
Other Noncurrent Liabilities [Member]
Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) [Line Items]
Deferred Compensation Liability, Classified, Noncurrent	$500,000

Note_3_Prepaid_Expenses_and_Ot2

Note 3 - Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets (Details) - Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets (USD $)	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets [Abstract]
Prepaid rent	$7,848	$4,608
Short-term investments	1,121
Other	6,642	6,939
	$15,611	$11,547

Note_4_Property_and_Equipment_1

Note 4 - Property and Equipment (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended			3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Note 4 - Property and Equipment (Details) [Line Items]
Depreciation	$17.60	$18.60	$20.40
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member] | Property and Equipment [Member]
Note 4 - Property and Equipment (Details) [Line Items]
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed of	0.4	1	0.9
Cost of Sales [Member] | Property and Equipment [Member]
Note 4 - Property and Equipment (Details) [Line Items]
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Held-for-use				$0.10	$1.40

Note_4_Property_and_Equipment_2

Note 4 - Property and Equipment (Details) - Property and Equipment (USD $)	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and Equipment	$247,810	$247,675
Less accumulated depreciation	185,044	177,512
	62,766	70,163	71,459
Land [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and Equipment	2,261	2,261
Furniture and Fixtures [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and Equipment	39,391	39,723
Computer Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and Equipment	22,720	21,722
Building [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and Equipment	14,970	14,970
Leasehold Improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and Equipment	119,894	124,068
Software and Software Development Costs [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and Equipment	43,540	42,276
Construction in Progress [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and Equipment	$5,034	$2,655

Note_5_Other_Intangible_Assets2

Note 5 - Other Intangible Assets (Details) (Trademarks And Intellectual Property [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Trademarks And Intellectual Property [Member]
Note 5 - Other Intangible Assets (Details) [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	3 years
Amortization of Intangible Assets	$0.30	$0.40	$0.70

Note_5_Other_Intangible_Assets3

Note 5 - Other Intangible Assets (Details) - Other Intangible Assets (USD $)	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Other Intangible Assets [Abstract]
Trademarks and other intellectual property	$12,517	$12,389
Less accumulated amortization	12,213	11,871
Total, net	$304	$518

Note_6_Other_Noncurrent_Assets1

Note 6 - Other Non-current Assets (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended				3 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012	Jan. 01, 2011	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Note 6 - Other Non-current Assets (Details) [Line Items]
Cost Of Inventory Given During Exchange				$6,400,000
Other Significant Noncash Transaction, Value of Consideration Received				4,900,000
Cash Received During Exchange				1,500,000
Asset Impairment Charges	1,107,000	1,408,000	4,486,000
Prepaid Expense and Other Assets, Current	15,611,000	11,547,000			15,611,000	11,547,000
Other Assets, Noncurrent	3,206,000	3,847,000			3,206,000	3,847,000
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member] | Credits Received For Future Media Purchases During Exchange [Member]
Note 6 - Other Non-current Assets (Details) [Line Items]
Asset Impairment Charges					300,000	300,000	2,200,000
Credits Received For Future Media Purchases During Exchange [Member]
Note 6 - Other Non-current Assets (Details) [Line Items]
Prepaid Expense and Other Assets, Current	200,000	700,000			200,000	700,000
Other Assets, Noncurrent	$0	$400,000			$0	$400,000

Note_7_Accrued_Expenses_Detail

Note 7 - Accrued Expenses (Details) - Accrued Expenses (USD $)	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Accrued Expenses [Abstract]
Accrued wages, bonuses and related expenses	$11,858	$9,745
Sales tax payable	7,694	5,979
Accrued rent and related expenses	3,365	429
Current income taxes payable	1,141	227
	$24,058	$16,380

Note_8_Income_Taxes_Details

Note 8 - Income Taxes (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013
Note 8 - Income Taxes (Details) [Line Items]
Deferred Tax Assets, Valuation Allowance	$15,572,000	$20,987,000
Operating Loss Carryforwards, Valuation Allowance	-4,400,000
Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Credit Carryforwards	4,250,000	5,453,000
Undistributed Earnings of Foreign Subsidiaries	11,000,000
Unrecognized Tax Benefits	1,000,000	700,000
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Income Tax Penalties and Interest Expense	300,000	100,000
Unrecognized Tax Benefits that Would Impact Effective Tax Rate	700,000
Significant Change in Unrecognized Tax Benefits is Reasonably Possible, Amount of Unrecorded Benefit	500,000
State And Foreign Net Operating Loss Carryforwards [Member]
Note 8 - Income Taxes (Details) [Line Items]
Operating Loss Carryforwards, Valuation Allowance	4,300,000
Foreign Tax Authority [Member]
Note 8 - Income Taxes (Details) [Line Items]
Valuation Allowance, Deferred Tax Asset, Increase (Decrease), Amount	$1,100,000
IRELAND | Start Year [Member]
Note 8 - Income Taxes (Details) [Line Items]
Open Tax Year	2008
IRELAND | End Year [Member]
Note 8 - Income Taxes (Details) [Line Items]
Open Tax Year	2014
UNITED KINGDOM | End Year [Member]
Note 8 - Income Taxes (Details) [Line Items]
Open Tax Year	2014
CANADA | Start Year [Member]
Note 8 - Income Taxes (Details) [Line Items]
Open Tax Year	2011
CANADA | End Year [Member]
Note 8 - Income Taxes (Details) [Line Items]
Open Tax Year	2014
Start Year [Member] | Internal Revenue Service (IRS) [Member]
Note 8 - Income Taxes (Details) [Line Items]
Open Tax Year	2011
End Year [Member] | Internal Revenue Service (IRS) [Member]
Note 8 - Income Taxes (Details) [Line Items]
Open Tax Year	2014

Note_8_Income_Taxes_Details_Co

Note 8 - Income Taxes (Details) - Components of the Provision For Income Taxes (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Current:
State	$304	($68)	$165
Foreign	3,293	6	790
Deferred:
State	26	56	-928
Foreign	-1,961		839
Income tax expense (benefit)	$1,662	($6)	$866

Note_8_Income_Taxes_Details_Re

Note 8 - Income Taxes (Details) - Reconciliation Between the Statutory Federal Income Tax Rate and Effective Income Tax Rate (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Reconciliation Between the Statutory Federal Income Tax Rate and Effective Income Tax Rate [Abstract]
Income (loss) before income taxes	$16,024	($2,118)	($48,429)
Statutory federal income tax rate	34.00%	34.00%	34.00%
Income tax expense (benefit) at statutory federal rate	5,448	-720	-16,466
State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit	310	151	124
Permanent difference - Goodwill impairment			11,448
Valuation allowance	-5,415	386	4,739
Effect of lower foreign taxes	-372	497	296
Adjustment for unrecognized tax positions	397	-70	-23
Other items, net	1,294	-250	748
Income tax expense (benefit)	$1,662	($6)	$866
Effective tax rate	10.40%	0.30%	-1.80%

Note_8_Income_Taxes_Details_Te

Note 8 - Income Taxes (Details) - Temporary Differences That Gave Rise to Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities (USD $)	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Deferred tax assets:
Deferred revenue	$4,833	$4,516
Accrued rents	1,746	1,682
Net operating loss carryforwards	613	6,462
Intangible assets	1,489	1,639
Deferred compensation	1,019	2,040
Accrued compensation	3,058	283
Carryforward of tax credits	4,250	5,453
Receivable write-offs	1,436	624
Stock compensation		179
Inventories	661	414
Other	3,270	1,858
	22,375	25,150
Less: Valuation allowance	15,572	20,987
Total deferred tax assets	6,803	4,163
Deferred tax liabilities:
Depreciation	-1,021	-184
Other	-2,975	-3,106
Total deferred tax liabilities	-3,996	-3,290
Net deferred tax asset	$2,807	$873

Note_8_Income_Taxes_Details_Re1

Note 8 - Income Taxes (Details) - Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Note 8 - Income Taxes (Details) - Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits [Line Items]
Balance as of December	$1,000	$700
Tax Reserve [Member]
Note 8 - Income Taxes (Details) - Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits [Line Items]
Balance as of December	719	560	185
Lapse of statute	-12	-139
Audit settlement release	-29	-4
Addition to reserve	$200	$518

Note_8_Income_Taxes_Details_In

Note 8 - Income Taxes (Details) - Income Before Income Taxes From Domestic and Foreign Operations (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Income Before Income Taxes From Domestic and Foreign Operations [Abstract]
Domestic	$12,973	($1,134)	($11,550)
Foreign	3,051	-984	-36,879
Total	$16,024	($2,118)	($48,429)

Note_9_LongTerm_Debt_Details

Note 9 - Long-Term Debt (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
Note 9 - Long-Term Debt (Details) [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	35,000,000
Pledge Of Ownership Interest In Foreign Subsidiaries	65.00%
Long-term Line of Credit	0
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount	1,100,000
Line of Credit Facility, Remaining Borrowing Capacity	33,900,000
Line of Credit [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
Note 9 - Long-Term Debt (Details) [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	1.80%

Note_10_Commitments_and_Contin2

Note 10 - Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Operating Leases, Rent Expense, Minimum Rentals	$46.70	$46.50	$48.20
Operating Leases, Rent Expense, Contingent Rentals	1.8	1.3	1.2
Receivable Disputed Duty Paid	$3.20

Note_10_Commitments_and_Contin3

Note 10 - Commitments and Contingencies (Details) - Future Minimum Lease Payments (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Future Minimum Lease Payments [Abstract]
2015					$39,776
2016				30,353
2017			23,122
2018		17,656
2019	15,190
Subsequent to 2019	50,020
	$176,117

Note_11_Earnings_Per_Share_Det

Note 11 - Earnings Per Share (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Note 11 - Earnings Per Share (Details) [Line Items]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	44,144
Equity Option [Member]
Note 11 - Earnings Per Share (Details) [Line Items]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount		1,065,012	1,155,239

Note_11_Earnings_Per_Share_Det1

Note 11 - Earnings Per Share (Details) - Computation Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Common Share (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
NUMERATOR:
Net income (loss) before allocation of earnings to participating securities	$14,362	($2,112)	($49,295)
Less: Earnings allocated to participating securities	439
Net income (loss)	$13,923	($2,112)	($49,295)
DENOMINATOR:
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic	16,908,001	16,465,138	16,331,672
Dilutive effect of share-based awards:	225,810
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - dilutive	17,133,811	16,465,138	16,331,672
Basic income (loss) per common share attributable to Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. stockholders	$0.82	($0.13)	($3.02)
Diluted income (loss) per common share attributable to Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. stockholders	$0.81	($0.13)	($3.02)

Note_12_Stock_Incentive_Plans_1

Note 12 - Stock Incentive Plans (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Note 12 - Stock Incentive Plans (Details) [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Authorized (in Shares)	1,475,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Purchase Price of Common Stock, Percent	100.00%
Grant Date Fair Value of Options	$600,000	$700,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period, Intrinsic Value	1,600,000	400,000	0
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Available for Grant (in Shares)	1,323,925	471,327
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized	3,000,000
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition	1 year 146 days
Employee Stock Option [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Note 12 - Stock Incentive Plans (Details) [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period	1 year
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Risk Free Interest Rate	1.70%
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Term	6 years
Employee Stock Option [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Note 12 - Stock Incentive Plans (Details) [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period	4 years
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Risk Free Interest Rate	2.10%
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Term	6 years 3 months
Employee Stock Option [Member]
Note 12 - Stock Incentive Plans (Details) [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Expiration Period	10 years
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Dividend Rate	0.00%	0.00%
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Volatility Rate	65.00%	65.00%
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Risk Free Interest Rate		1.30%
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Term		6 years 3 months
Restricted Stock [Member]
Note 12 - Stock Incentive Plans (Details) [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period, Fair Value	$3,700,000	$2,200,000	$4,600,000

Note_12_Stock_Incentive_Plans_2

Note 12 - Stock Incentive Plans (Details) - Summary of the Balance and Activity for the Plans Related to Stock Options (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Summary of the Balance and Activity for the Plans Related to Stock Options [Abstract]
Outstanding, Number of Shares	1,065,012	1,155,239	1,210,816
Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$8.72	$8.53	$8.49
Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	5 years 109 days
3-Jan-15	443,612
3-Jan-15	$8.55
3-Jan-15	5 years
3-Jan-15	$5,295
Granted, Number of Shares	104,064	195,512	228
Granted, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$9.59	$6.56	$8.32
Exercised, Number of Shares	351,856	204,658
Exercised, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$6.64	$5.60
Forfeited, Number of Shares	96,019	39,931	55,805
Forfeited, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$21.54	$8.20	$7.79
Canceled or expired	6,750	41,150
Canceled or expired (in Dollars per share)	$8.78	$9.10
Outstanding, Number of Shares	714,451	1,065,012	1,155,239
Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$8.14	$8.72	$8.53
Outstanding, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	8,270
3-Jan-15		443,612
3-Jan-15		$8.55
3-Jan-15		$5,295

Note_12_Stock_Incentive_Plans_3

Note 12 - Stock Incentive Plans (Details) - Summary of Plans Related to Unvested Restricted Stock (Restricted Stock [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Restricted Stock [Member]
Note 12 - Stock Incentive Plans (Details) - Summary of Plans Related to Unvested Restricted Stock [Line Items]
Outstanding, Number of Shares	720,198	860,325	1,438,131
Outstanding, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$5.91	$5.78	$5.85
Granted, Number of Shares	202,274	321,664	366,270
Granted, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$10.31	$6	$4.97
Vested, Number of Shares	345,577	399,405	874,852
Vested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$6.25	$5.39	$5.53
Forfeited, Number of Shares	157,221	62,386	69,224
Forfeited, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$6.21	$5.78	$6.03
Outstanding, Number of Shares	419,674	720,198	860,325
Outstanding, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$7.64	$5.91	$5.78

Note_13_Stockholders_Equity_De

Note 13 - Stockholders' Equity (Details) - Summary Changes in Outstanding Shares of Common Stock	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Stock
Shares as of	17,386,920	17,068,182	17,405,270
Shares issued under employee stock plans, net of shares withheld in lieu of tax withholding	300,705	346,271	29,612
Repurchase of shares	-326,990	-27,533	-366,700
Shares as of	17,360,635	17,386,920	17,068,182

Note_14_RelatedParty_Transacti1

Note 14 - Related-Party Transactions (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Note 14 - Related-Party Transactions (Details) [Line Items]
Related Party Transaction, Purchases from Related Party	$0.70	$1.30	$0.90
Charitable Foundations Controlled By Executive Officers Member] | Charitable Contribution Collected On Behalf Of Related Party [Member]
Note 14 - Related-Party Transactions (Details) [Line Items]
Related Party Transaction, Amounts of Transaction	1.2	2.1	2.2
Charitable Foundations Controlled By Executive Officers Member]
Note 14 - Related-Party Transactions (Details) [Line Items]
Due to Related Parties	($0.40)	($0.50)

Note_15_Major_Vendors_Details

Note 15 - Major Vendors (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Note 15 - Major Vendors (Details) [Line Items]
Number Of Major Vendors	3
Inventory Purchases [Member] | Supplier Concentration Risk [Member]
Note 15 - Major Vendors (Details) [Line Items]
Concentration Risk, Percentage	75.00%	79.00%	80.00%

Note_16_Segment_Information_De

Note 16 - Segment Information (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of Operating Segments	3

Note_16_Segment_Information_De1

Note 16 - Segment Information (Details) - Financial Information for the Companybs Reportable Segments (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Fiscal 2014
Net sales to external customers	$392,354	$379,069	$380,941
Income (loss) before income taxes	16,024	-2,118	-48,429
Capital expenditures, net	10,890	19,362	17,268
Depreciation and amortization	18,128	19,216	21,422
Total Assets as of:
Total Assets, by segments	212,054	195,611
Retail [Member]
Fiscal 2014
Net sales to external customers	387,725	373,173	374,553
Income (loss) before income taxes	15,791	-5,028	-49,215
Capital expenditures, net	10,851	19,178	17,116
Depreciation and amortization	17,981	19,016	21,243
Total Assets as of:
Total Assets, by segments	204,758	186,912
International Franchising [Member]
Fiscal 2014
Net sales to external customers	2,531	3,564	3,598
Income (loss) before income taxes	-454	2,018	1,993
Capital expenditures, net	39	184	152
Depreciation and amortization	147	200	179
Total Assets as of:
Total Assets, by segments	2,312	2,712
Commercial [Member]
Fiscal 2014
Net sales to external customers	2,098	2,332	2,790
Income (loss) before income taxes	687	892	-1,207
Total Assets as of:
Total Assets, by segments	$4,984	$5,987

Note_16_Segment_Information_De2

Note 16 - Segment Information (Details) - Sales to External Customers and Long-lived Assets by Geographic Area (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 03, 2015		Dec. 28, 2013		Dec. 29, 2012
Fiscal 2014
Net sales to external customers	$392,354		$379,069		$380,941
Property and equipment, net	62,766		70,163		71,459
North America [Member]
Fiscal 2014
Net sales to external customers	308,939	[1]	302,216	[1]	306,049	[1]
Property and equipment, net	56,400	[1]	62,152	[1]	61,995	[1]
Europe [Member]
Fiscal 2014
Net sales to external customers	81,848	[2]	75,133	[2]	72,788	[2]
Property and equipment, net	6,366	[2]	8,011	[2]	9,464	[2]
Other Geographic Region [Member]
Fiscal 2014
Net sales to external customers	1,567	[3]	1,720	[3]	2,104	[3]
Property and equipment, net		[3]		[3]		[3]
[1]	North America includes the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and franchise business in Mexico
[2]	Europe includes the United Kingdom, Ireland, franchise businesses in Europe
[3]	Other includes franchise businesses outside of North America and Europe

Note_17_Subsequent_Event_Detai

Note 17 - Subsequent Event (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended			0 Months Ended	84 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012	Feb. 25, 2015	Feb. 25, 2015	Mar. 13, 2015
Note 17 - Subsequent Event (Details) [Line Items]
Stock Repurchased and Retired During Period, Shares (in Shares)	326,990	27,533	366,700
Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock	$3,364,000	$216,000	$1,347,000
Subsequent Event [Member] | 2008 Share Repurchase Program [Member]
Note 17 - Subsequent Event (Details) [Line Items]
Stock Repurchase Program, Authorized Amount				10,000,000	10,000,000
Stock Repurchased and Retired During Period, Shares (in Shares)				6,245,000
Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock					46,200,000
Subsequent Event [Member] | Share Repurchase Program 2015 [Member]
Note 17 - Subsequent Event (Details) [Line Items]
Stock Repurchase Program, Number of Shares Intended to Purchase (in Shares)				10,000,000	10,000,000
Stock Repurchase Program, Remaining Authorized Repurchase Amount						$9,000,000

Schedule_II_Valuation_and_Qual2

Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Details) - Summary of Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 03, 2015		Dec. 28, 2013		Dec. 29, 2012
Valuation Allowance of Deferred Tax Assets [Member]
Valuation Allowance [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	$20,987		$20,865		$16,126
Charged to cost and expenses			122		4,739
Deductions	-5,415	[1],[2]		[1],[2]		[1],[2]
Ending Balance	15,572		20,987		20,865
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts [Member]
Valuation Allowance [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	1,889		1,316		1,800
Charged to cost and expenses	1,432		1,109		219
Deductions	-73	[1],[2]	-536	[1],[2]	-703	[1],[2]
Ending Balance	$3,248		$1,889		$1,316
[1]	Deductions from deferred tax asset valuation allowance represent reserves utilized
[2]	Deductions from the receivables allowance for doubtful accounts represent uncollectible accounts written off and recoveries