Heritage-Crystal Clean (HCCI) 10-Q 16 Oct 14 2014 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 06, 2014	Oct. 10, 2014
Document Information [Line Items]	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'Heritage-Crystal Clean, Inc.	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0001403431	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--01-03	'
Entity Filer Category	'Accelerated Filer	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Document Period End Date	6-Sep-14	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q3	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	18,629,184

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Sep. 06, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current Assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$15,890	$22,632
Accounts receivable - net	36,272	31,172
Inventory - net	30,160	27,307
Deferred income taxes	1,318	1,004
Other current assets	5,587	3,661
Total Current Assets	89,227	85,776
Property, plant and equipment - net	90,294	85,039
Equipment at customers - net	20,979	19,358
Software and intangible assets - net	15,508	16,094
Goodwill	9,798	9,691
Total Assets	225,806	215,958
Current Liabilities:	'	'
Accounts payable	23,778	18,291
Current maturities of long-term debt and term loan	2,420	2,906
Accrued salaries, wages, and benefits	3,641	4,145
Taxes payable	1,923	1,292
Other accrued expenses	2,638	2,730
Total Current Liabilities	34,400	29,364
Term loan, less current maturities	16,750	17,500
Long-term debt, less current maturities	147	552
Deferred income taxes	11,296	9,238
Total Liabilities	62,593	56,654
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:	'	'
Total Heritage-Crystal Clean, Inc. Stockholders' Equity	162,356	158,370
Noncontrolling Interest	857	934
Total Equity	163,213	159,304
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity	225,806	215,958
Common Stock [Member]	'	'
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:	'	'
Common stock - 26,000,000 shares authorized at $0.01 par value, 18,447,586 and 18,360,282 shares issued and outstanding at September 6, 2014 and December 28, 2013, respectively	184	184
Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	'	'
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:	'	'
Additional paid-in capital	147,348	146,043
Retained Earnings [Member]	'	'
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:	'	'
Retained earnings	$14,824	$12,143

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets Parenthetical (USD $)	Mar. 23, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Common stock, shares authorized	22,000,000	22,000,000
Common stock, par value	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, shares issued	18,152,691	18,068,852
Common stock, shares outstanding	18,152,691	18,068,852

Consolidated_Statements_of_Ope

Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 06, 2014	Sep. 07, 2013	Sep. 06, 2014	Sep. 07, 2013
Product Revenues	$38,532	$32,302	$106,449	$87,766
Service Revenues	39,384	35,301	115,513	103,394
Total revenues	77,916	67,603	221,962	191,160
Operating expenses -	'	'	'	'
Operating Costs	62,588	55,698	183,478	160,185
Selling, general, and administrative expenses	8,183	7,051	25,332	20,691
Selling General and Administrative Expenses Depreciation	-492	274	1,502	698
Depreciation and amortization	2,593	2,224	7,911	6,246
Other expense - net	172	138	357	231
Operating income	4,380	2,492	4,884	3,807
Interest expense b net	24	97	110	310
Income before income taxes	4,356	2,395	4,774	3,497
Provision for income taxes	1,942	1,061	2,011	1,526
Net income	2,414	1,334	2,763	1,971
Income attributable to noncontrolling interest	3	26	82	72
Net Income Attributable to Heritage-Crystal Clean, Inc. common stockholders	2,411	1,308	2,681	1,899
Net income per share: basic	$0.13	$0.07	$0.15	$0.10
Net income per share: diluted	$0.13	$0.07	$0.14	$0.10
Number of weighted average shares outstanding: basic	18,446	18,272	18,423	18,174
Number of weighted average shares outstanding: diluted	18,810	18,585	18,762	18,494
Noncontrolling Interest [Member]	'	'	'	'
Operating expenses -	'	'	'	'
Income attributable to noncontrolling interest	'	'	82	'
Retained Earnings [Member]	'	'	'	'
Operating expenses -	'	'	'	'
Net Income Attributable to Heritage-Crystal Clean, Inc. common stockholders	'	'	2,681	'
Segment Reconciling Items [Member]	'	'	'	'
Operating expenses -	'	'	'	'
Selling, general, and administrative expenses	8,183	7,051	25,332	20,691
Selling General and Administrative Expenses Depreciation	492	274	1,502	698
Other expense - net	-172	-138	-357	-231
Interest expense b net	'	'	$110	$310

Consolidated_Statement_of_Stoc

Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity (USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 06, 2014	Sep. 06, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
Shares	18,447,586	18,447,586	18,360,282
Total Heritage-Crystal Clean, Inc. Stockholders' Equity	$162,356	$162,356	$158,370
Noncontrolling Interest	857	857	934
Total Equity	163,213	163,213	159,304
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Net Income Attributable to Parent	2,411	2,681	'
Income attributable to noncontrolling interest	3	82	'
Net Income, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	2,414	2,763	'
Distribution	'	-159	'
Issuance of common stock - Acquisition	'	12,005	'
Issuance of common stock - Acquisition	'	193	'
Issuance of common stock - ESPP	'	18,700	'
Issuance of common stock - ESPP	'	319	'
Exercise of stock options	'	0	'
Share-based compensation	'	56,599	'
Share-based compensation	'	793	'
Common Stock [Member]	'	'	'
Par Value Common	184	184	184
Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	'	'	'
Additional Paid-in Capital	147,348	147,348	146,043
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Issuance of common stock - Acquisition	'	193	'
Issuance of common stock - ESPP	'	319	'
Share-based compensation	'	793	'
Retained Earnings [Member]	'	'	'
Retained earnings	14,824	14,824	12,143
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Net Income Attributable to Parent	'	2,681	'
Total Heritage-Crystal Clean, Inc. Stockholders' Equity [Member]	'	'	'
Total Heritage-Crystal Clean, Inc. Stockholders' Equity	162,356	162,356	158,370
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Net Income attributable to Heritage-Crystal Clean, Inc. common shareholders	'	2,681	'
Issuance of common stock - Acquisition	'	193	'
Issuance of common stock - ESPP	'	319	'
Share-based compensation	'	793	'
Noncontrolling Interest [Member]	'	'	'
Noncontrolling Interest	857	857	934
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Income attributable to noncontrolling interest	'	82	'
Distribution	'	($159)	'

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 06, 2014	Sep. 07, 2013
Cash flows from Operating Activities:	'	'
Net income	$2,763	$1,971
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	7,911	6,246
Bad debt provision	352	446
Share-based Compensation	793	808
Loss on Disposal of Property Plant Equipment	271	5
Deferred taxes	1,745	1,274
Other, net	34	28
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:	'	'
Increase in accounts receivable	-5,256	-8,547
(Increase) decrease in inventory	-2,833	36
Increase in other current assets	-1,917	-1,439
Increase in accounts payable	7,156	1,439
Increase in accrued expenses	290	2,375
Cash provided by operating activities	11,309	4,642
Cash flows from Investing Activities:	'	'
Capital expenditures	-15,098	-10,625
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	-954	-10,195
Cash used in investing activities	-16,052	-20,820
Cash flows from Financing Activities:	'	'
Proceeds from Term Loan	0	750
Payments on Term Loan	-1,000	-750
Payments of notes payable	-869	-688
Payments of Contingent Consideration	-290	-423
Payments to Noncontrolling Interests	-159	0
Proceeds from the issuance of common stock	319	335
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options	0	76
Cash used in financing activities	-1,999	-700
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	-6,742	-16,878
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	22,632	47,766
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	15,890	'
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:	'	'
Income taxes paid	275	218
Cash paid for interest, net of capitalized interest of $189 and $84 respectively	106	354
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash information:	'	'
Payables for construction in process	353	466
Business acquisition, note issued	203	1,235
Business acquisition, common stock issued	193	2,230
Equity Component [Domain]	'	'
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash information:	'	'
Business acquisition, common stock issued	$193	'

Basis_of_Presentation

Basis of Presentation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 06, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Basis of Presentation	'
	ORGANIZATION AND NATURE OF OPERATIONS
	Heritage-Crystal Clean, Inc., a Delaware corporation and its subsidiaries (collectively the “Company”), provides parts cleaning and hazardous and non-hazardous waste services to small and mid-sized customers in both the manufacturing and vehicle service sectors.  The Company's service programs include parts cleaning, containerized waste management, used oil collection, vacuum truck services, and waste antifreeze collection and recycling.  The Company also owns and operates a used oil re-refinery through which it recycles used oil into high quality lubricant base oil and byproducts. The Company's locations are in the United States and Canada. The Company conducts its primary business operations through Heritage-Crystal Clean, LLC, its wholly owned subsidiary, and all intercompany balances have been eliminated in consolidation. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) necessary for a fair presentation have been included. The results for the quarter ended September 6, 2014 do not necessarily indicate the results that may be expected for the full year.
	The Company’s fiscal year ends on the Saturday closest to December 31.  The most recently completed fiscal year ended on December 28, 2013.  The current fiscal year will end on January 3, 2015. Each of the Company's first three fiscal quarters consists of twelve weeks while the last fiscal quarter consists of sixteen or seventeen weeks.
	In the Company's Environmental Services segment, product revenues include sales of solvent, machines, antifreeze, and accessories; and service revenues include servicing of parts cleaning machines, drum waste removal services, vacuum truck services, and other services.  In the Company's Oil Business segment, product revenues include sales of re-refined base oil, byproducts, and used oil; and service revenues include revenues from collecting and disposing of waste water. Due to the Company's integrated business model, it is impracticable to separately present costs of tangible products and costs of services.

Summary_of_Significant_Account

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 06, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	'
	SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP") requires the use of certain estimates by management in determining the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.  Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions are the allowance for doubtful accounts receivable, valuation of inventory at lower of cost or market, valuation of goodwill and other intangible assets, and income taxes.  Actual results could differ from those estimates. The results of operations for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results for the entire fiscal year.
	Revenue Recognition
	The Company derives its revenues primarily from the services it performs and from the sale of processed oil from its used oil re-refinery. Parts cleaning and other service revenues are recognized as the service is performed. Product revenues are recognized at the time risk of loss passes to the customer. The risk of loss passes to customers at various times depending on the particular terms of the sales contract in force with each individual customer. Common thresholds for when risk of loss passes to the customer are at the time that product is loaded onto the shipping vessel or at the time that product is offloaded at the customer’s receiving location. Revenues are recognized only if collection of the relevant receivable is probable, persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, and the sales price is fixed or determinable.
	Operating Costs
	Within operating costs is cost of sales. Cost of sales in the Environmental Services segment includes the costs of the materials the Company sells and provides in its services, such as solvents and other chemicals, cleaning machines sold to customers, transportation of inventory and waste, and payments to third parties to recycle or dispose of the waste materials that the Company collects. The Company’s used solvent that it retrieves from customers in its product reuse program is accounted for as a reduction in net cost of solvent under cost of sales, whether placed in inventory or sold to a purchaser for reuse. If the used solvent is placed in inventory it is recorded at lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost of sales in the Oil Business include the costs paid to generators for used oil, transportation out to customers, and most of the costs for operating the used oil re-refinery.
	Operating costs also include the Company's costs of operating its branch system and hubs. These costs include personnel costs (including commissions), facility rent and utilities, truck leases, fuel, transportation, and maintenance. Operating costs are not presented separately for products and services.
	Inventory
	Inventory consists primarily of used oil, processed oil, new and used solvents, new and refurbished parts cleaning machines, drums, catalyst, accessories, and absorbents. Inventories are valued at the lower of first-in, first-out ("FIFO") cost or market, net of any reserves for excess, obsolete, or unsalable inventory. The Company performs physical inventory counts on a periodic basis and uses the results of these counts to determine inventory quantities. The quantities are used to help determine the value of our inventory. The Company continually monitors its inventory levels at each of our distribution locations and evaluate inventories for excess or slow-moving items. If circumstances indicate the cost of inventories exceed their recoverable value, inventories are reduced to net realizable value.
	Acquisitions
	The Company accounts for acquired businesses using the purchase method of accounting, which requires that the assets acquired, liabilities assumed, and contingent consideration be recorded at the date of acquisition at their respective fair values. It further requires that acquisition-related costs be recognized separately from the acquisition and expensed as incurred and restructuring costs to be expensed in periods subsequent to the acquisition date. The Company records a preliminary purchase price allocation for its acquisitions and finalizes purchase price allocations as additional information relative to the fair values of the assets acquired becomes known.
	Identifiable Intangible Assets
	The fair value of identifiable intangible assets is based on significant judgments made by management. The Company has engaged third party valuation appraisal firms to assist the Company in determining the fair values and useful lives of the assets acquired. Such valuations and useful life determinations require the Company to make significant estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions are based on historical experience and information obtained from the management of the acquired companies and also include, but are not limited to, future expected cash flows to be earned from the continued operation of the acquired business and discount rates applied in determining the present value of those cash flows. Unanticipated events and circumstances may occur that could affect the accuracy or validity of such assumptions, estimates, or actual results. Acquisition-related finite lived intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated economic lives. The Company evaluates the estimated benefit periods and recoverability of its intangible assets when facts and circumstances indicate that the lives may not be appropriate and/or the carrying value of the asset may not be recoverable. If the carrying value is not recoverable, impairment is measured as the amount by which the carrying value exceeds its estimated fair value.
	Fair Value of Financial Instruments
	The Company uses a three-tier fair value hierarchy to classify and disclose all assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis, as well as assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis, in periods subsequent to their initial measurement. These tiers include: Level 1, defined as quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities; Level 2, defined as inputs other than Level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices in markets that are not active, model-based valuation techniques for which all significant assumptions are observable in the market, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities; and Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data.
	The Company’s financial instruments consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, trade receivables, trade payables, notes payable, contingent consideration, and term debt.  As of September 6, 2014 and December 28, 2013, the carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, trade receivables, trade payables, notes payable, and contingent consideration, are considered to be representative of their respective fair values due to the short maturity of these instruments. Term debt is representative of its fair value due to the interest rates being applied.
	Goodwill
	Goodwill is measured as a residual amount as of the acquisition date, which in most cases results in measuring goodwill as an excess of the purchase consideration transferred plus the fair value of any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree over the fair value of the net assets acquired, including any contingent consideration. The Company tests goodwill for impairment annually in the fourth quarter and in interim periods if changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of goodwill may not be recoverable. The Company's determination of fair value requires certain assumptions and estimates, such as margin expectations, growth expectations, expected changes in working capital, etc., regarding future profitability and cash flows of acquired businesses and market conditions. In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013, the Company tested goodwill for impairment on a quantitative basis and determined that the fair value of each reporting unit substantially exceeded the carrying value of the assets. The Company intends to test goodwill for impairment in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014.
	Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
	In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) (ASU 2014-09). ASU 2014-09 outlines a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and supersedes most current revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance. This new guidance is effective for annual reporting periods (including interim reporting periods within those periods) beginning after December 15, 2016; early adoption is not permitted. Entities have the option of using either a full retrospective or a modified approach to adopt the guidance. This update could impact the timing and amounts of revenue recognized. The Company is currently evaluating the effect that implementation of this update will have on its consolidated financial position and results of operations upon adoption.

Business_Combination

Business Combination	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 06, 2014
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'
Business Combination Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	BUSINESS COMBINATIONS
	On November 1, 2013, the Company acquired certain assets and liabilities of the northern territory of RS Used Oil Services, Inc., a subsidiary of Universal Lubricants, LLC ("ULNT/RS"), in exchange for $11.0 million in cash. The Company purchased these service routes in order to add used oil collection volume in Indiana, Ohio, Wisconsin, and parts of Illinois. The Company has retrospectively adjusted amounts with respect to the ULNT/RS acquisition that were recognized at the acquisition date to reflect new information obtained about facts and circumstances that existed as of the acquisition date that, if known, would have affected the measurement of the amounts recognized as of that date. These adjustments are related to the Company's valuation of property and equipment, intangible assets, and goodwill acquired. Such adjustments resulted in a net decrease of less than $0.1 million in property and equipment and an increase of less than $0.1 million to both intangible assets and goodwill. The Company's balance sheet as of December 28, 2013 has been retrospectively adjusted to reflect the adjustments.
	On May 14, 2014, the Company, through a new subsidiary, Heritage-Crystal Clean, Ltd., acquired the outstanding stock of Sav-Tech Solvent, Inc. ("Sav-Tech"), which is based in Ontario, Canada. Sav-Tech's services included parts cleaning and containerized waste management. The Company purchased the stock of Sav-Tech in order to expand operations into Canada. The Company paid $1.4 million consisting of $1.0 million in cash at the time of closing, $0.2 million in the form of notes payable, and $0.2 million of the Company's common stock, or 12,005 shares.
	The results of Sav-Tech are consolidated into the Company's Environmental Services segment subsequent to the closing date. The results of ULNT/RS are consolidated into the Company's Oil Business segment subsequent to the date of closing.
	The following table summarizes the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, net of cash acquired, related to the each acquisition (in thousands):
		ULNT/RS				Sav-Tech
	Accounts receivable	$	—			$	196
	Other current assets	101				7
	Inventory	955				19
	Property, plant, & equipment	1,463				691
	Intangible assets	6,314				458
	Goodwill	2,137				96
	Accounts payable	—				(81		)
	Accrued expenses	—				(36		)
	Total purchase price, net of cash acquired	$	10,970			$	1,350
	Less: common stock issued	—				193
	Less:  note issued	—				203
	Less: working capital adjustment	—				—
	Net cash paid	$	10,970			$	954
	______________
	The Company is continuing to evaluate the purchase price allocations. Preliminary purchase price allocations are tentative and subject to revision as the Company finalizes appraisals and other analyses. Final determination of the fair values may result in further adjustments to the values presented above.
	Unaudited Pro Forma Financial Information
	The pro forma financial information in the table below presents the combined results of the Company as if the ULNT/RS acquisition had occurred December 30, 2012 (in thousands, except per share data). The pro forma information is shown for illustrative purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of future results of operations of the Company or results of operations of the Company that would have actually occurred had the transactions been in effect for the period presented.
			Third Quarter Ended,					First Three Quarters Ended,
				7-Sep-13					7-Sep-13
	Total revenues			$	71,897				$	202,611
	Net income			1,245					1,684
	Income per share
	Basic			$	0.07				$	0.1
	Diluted			0.07					0.09

Accounts_Receivable

Accounts Receivable	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 06, 2014
Accounts Receivable [Abstract]	'
Loans, Notes, Trade and Other Receivables Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE
	Accounts receivable consisted of the following (in thousands):
		September 6,			December 28,
		2014			2013
	Trade	$	34,167		$	29,663
	Less: allowance for doubtful accounts	1,061			1,121
	Trade - net	33,106			28,542
	Related parties	2,715			2,045
	Other	451			585
	Total accounts receivable - net	$	36,272		$	31,172
	The following table provides the changes in the Company’s allowance for doubtful accounts for the first three quarters ended September 6, 2014 and the fiscal year ended December 28, 2013 (in thousands):
		September 6,			December 28,
		2014			2013
	Balance at beginning of period	$	1,121		$	1,244
	Bad debt provision	352			444
	Accounts written off, net of recoveries	(412		)	(567		)
	Balance at end of period	$	1,061		$	1,121

Inventory

Inventory	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 06, 2014
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Inventory	'
	INVENTORY
	The carrying value of inventory consisted of the following (in thousands):
		September 6,		December 28,
		2014		2013
	Used oil and processed oil	$	12,987	$	12,112
	Solvents and solutions	9,173		8,235
	Machines	3,665		2,934
	Drums and supplies	2,923		2,629
	Other	1,654		1,614
	Total inventory	30,402		27,524
	Less: machine refurbishing reserve	242		217
	Total inventory - net	$	30,160	$	27,307
	Inventory consists primarily of used oil, processed oil, new and used solvents, new and refurbished parts cleaning machines, drums, catalyst, accessories, and absorbents. Inventories are valued at the lower of first-in, first-out (FIFO) cost or market, net of any reserves for excess, obsolete, or unsalable inventory. The Company continually monitors its inventory levels at each of its locations and evaluates inventories for excess or slow-moving items. If circumstances indicate the cost of inventories exceed their recoverable value, inventories are reduced to net realizable value.

Property_Plant_and_Equipment

Property, Plant and Equipment	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 06, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment	'
	PROPERTY, PLANT, AND EQUIPMENT
	Property, plant, and equipment consisted of the following (in thousands):
		September 6,		December 28,
		2014		2013
	Buildings and storage tanks (a)	$	52,842	$	53,106
	Machinery, vehicles, and equipment (a)	36,075		33,659
	Leasehold improvements (a)	2,842		2,877
	Land (a)	1,064		835
	Construction in progress	17,464		11,047
	Total property, plant and equipment	110,287		101,524
	Less: accumulated depreciation	19,993		16,485
	Property, plant and equipment - net	$	90,294	$	85,039
		September 6,		December 28,
		2014		2013
	Equipment at customers	$	51,456	$	47,078
	Less: accumulated depreciation	30,477		27,720
	Equipment at customers - net	$	20,979	$	19,358
	_______________
	(a) Numbers include preliminary fair values of assets acquired in the acquisitions described in Note 3 that may be adjusted as additional information becomes known. The amounts for machinery, vehicles, and equipment and leasehold improvements have been retrospectively adjusted as of December 28, 2013 by less than $0.1 million.
	Depreciation expense for the third quarters ended September 6, 2014 and September 7, 2013 were $2.1 million and $2.0 million, respectively. Depreciation expense for the first three quarters ended September 6, 2014 and September 7, 2013 were $6.5 million and $5.7 million, respectively.

Intangible_Assets_Notes

Intangible Assets (Notes)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 06, 2014
Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	SOFTWARE AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS
	Following is a summary of software and other intangible assets (in thousands):
		September 6, 2014						December 28, 2013
		Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Net Carrying Amount		Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Net Carrying Amount
	Customer & supplier relationships(a)	$	10,895	$	1,547	$	9,348	$	10,529	$	826	$	9,703
	Software	4,999		2,997		2,002		4,799		2,815		1,984
	Non-compete agreements(a)	2,973		1,063		1,910		2,794		713		2,081
	Patents, formulae, and licenses(a)	1,829		432		1,397		1,825		370		1,455
	Other (a)	1,058		207		851		1,008		137		871
	Total software and intangible assets	$	21,754	$	6,246	$	15,508	$	20,955	$	4,861	$	16,094
	_______________
	(a) Numbers include preliminary fair values of assets acquired in the acquisitions described in Note 3 that may be adjusted as additional information becomes known. The amount for customer & supplier relationships has been retrospectively adjusted as of December 28, 2013 by less than $0.1 million.
	Amortization expense was $0.5 million for the third quarter ended September 6, 2014 and $0.2 million for third quarter ended September 7, 2013. Amortization expense was $1.4 million for the first three quarters ended September 6, 2014 and $0.6 million for the first three quarters ended September 7, 2013. The weighted average useful lives of software; customer relationships; patents, formulae, and licenses; non-compete agreements, and other intangibles were 10 years, 12 years, 15 years, 5 years, and 8 years, respectively.
	The expected amortization expense for the remainder of fiscal 2014 and for fiscal years 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018 is $0.6 million, $1.9 million, $1.7 million, $1.6 million, and $1.5 million, respectively. The preceding expected amortization expense is an estimate. Actual amounts of amortization expense may differ from estimated amounts due to additional intangible asset acquisitions, disposal of intangible assets, accelerated amortization of intangible assets, and other events.

Accounts_Payable

Accounts Payable	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 06, 2014
Accounts Payable Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Accounts Payable	'
	ACCOUNTS PAYABLE
	Accounts payable consisted of the following (in thousands):
		September 6,		December 28,
		2014		2013
	Accounts payable	$	23,410	$	17,908
	Accounts payable - related parties	368		383
	Total accounts payable	$	23,778	$	18,291

Debt_And_Financing_Arrangement

Debt And Financing Arrangements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 06, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Debt Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	DEBT AND FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS
	Bank Credit Facility
	On February 5, 2013, the Company entered into an Amended and Restated Credit Agreement ("Credit Agreement") that allows for up to $40.0 million in borrowings. As of September 6, 2014 and December 28, 2013, the Company's outstanding borrowings were $18.3 million and $19.3 million, respectively, under the term loan which has a maturity date of February 5, 2018.
	The remaining portion of the credit facility is a revolving loan which expires on February 5, 2018. There were no amounts outstanding under the revolver at September 6, 2014 and December 28, 2013. As of September 6, 2014 and December 28, 2013, the Company had $0.4 million of standby letters of credit issued, and $19.6 million was available for borrowing under the revolving loan portion of the bank credit facility. The actual amount available under the revolving loan portion of the Credit Agreement is limited by the Company's total leverage ratio.
	As of September 6, 2014 and December 28, 2013, the Company was in compliance with all covenants under the Credit Agreement.
	During the third quarter of fiscal 2014, the Company recorded interest of $0.1 million on the term loan and capitalized $0.1 million for various capital projects. During the first three quarters of fiscal 2014, the Company recorded interest of $0.3 million on the term loan and capitalized $0.2 million for various capital projects. During the third quarter of fiscal 2013, the Company recorded interest of $0.1 million on the term loan, of which less than $0.1 million was capitalized for various capital projects. During the first three quarters of fiscal 2013, the Company recorded interest of $0.3 million on the term loan and capitalized $0.1 million for various capital projects.
	Notes Payable
	At September 6, 2014 and December 28, 2013, the Company had outstanding notes payable related to business acquisitions of $1.1 million and $1.7 million, respectively, of which $0.9 million and $1.2 million were recorded as current maturities.
	The Company's weighted average interest rate for all debt as of September 6, 2014 and September 7, 2013 was 1.9% and 2.5%, respectively.

Segment_Information

Segment Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 06, 2014
Segment Reporting Information, Profit (Loss) [Abstract]	'
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	SEGMENT INFORMATION
	The Company reports in two segments: "Environmental Services" and "Oil Business." The Environmental Services segment consists of the Company's parts cleaning, containerized waste management, vacuum truck service, and antifreeze recycling activities. The Oil Business segment consists of the Company's used oil collection and used oil re-refining activities.
	No single customer in either segment accounted for more than 10.0% of consolidated revenues in any of the periods presented. There were no intersegment revenues.
	Operating segment results for the third quarters and first three quarters ended September 6, 2014, and September 7, 2013 were as follows (in thousands):
	Third Quarter Ended,
	September 6, 2014
				Environmental		Oil Business			Corporate and		Consolidated
				Services					Eliminations
	Revenues
		Product revenues		$	4,270	$	34,262		$	—	$	38,532
		Service revenues		37,535		1,849					39,384
	Total revenues			$	41,805	$	36,111		$	—	$	77,916
	Operating expenses
		Operating costs		28,645		33,943			—		62,588
		Operating depreciation and amortization		1,208		893			—		2,101
	Profit before corporate selling, general, and administrative expenses			$	11,952	$	1,275		$	—	$	13,227
	Selling, general, and administrative expenses								8,183		8,183
	Depreciation and amortization from SG&A								492		492
	Total selling, general, and administrative expenses								$	8,675	$	8,675
	Other expense - net								172		172
	Operating income										4,380
	Interest expense – net								24		24
	Income before income taxes										$	4,356
	Third Quarter Ended,
	September 7, 2013
				Environmental		Oil Business			Corporate and		Consolidated
				Services					Eliminations
	Revenues
		Product revenues		$	3,498	$	28,804		$	—	$	32,302
		Service revenues		33,176		2,125					35,301
	Total revenues			$	36,674	$	30,929		$	—	$	67,603
	Operating expenses
		Operating costs		26,790		28,908			—		55,698
		Operating depreciation and amortization		1,160		790			—		1,950
	Profit before corporate selling, general, and administrative expenses			$	8,724	$	1,231		$	—	$	9,955
	Selling, general, and administrative expenses								7,051		7,051
	Depreciation and amortization from SG&A								274		274
	Total selling, general, and administrative expenses								$	7,325	$	7,325
	Other expense - net								138		138
	Operating income										2,492
	Interest expense – net								97		97
	Income before income taxes										$	2,395
	First Three Quarters Ended,
	September 6, 2014
				Environmental		Oil Business			Corporate and		Consolidated
				Services					Eliminations
	Revenues
		Product revenues		$	12,915	$	93,534		$	—	$	106,449
		Service revenues		109,449		6,064					115,513
	Total revenues			$	122,364	$	99,598		$	—	$	221,962
	Operating expenses
		Operating costs		86,104		97,374			—		183,478
		Operating depreciation and amortization		3,713		2,696			—		6,409
	Profit (loss) before corporate selling, general, and administrative expenses			$	32,547	$	(472	)	$	—	$	32,075
	Selling, general, and administrative expenses								25,332		25,332
	Depreciation and amortization from SG&A								1,502		1,502
	Total selling, general, and administrative expenses								$	26,834	$	26,834
	Other expense - net								357		357
	Operating income										4,884
	Interest expense – net								110		110
	Income before income taxes										$	4,774
	First Three Quarters Ended,
	September 7, 2013
			Environmental		Oil Business			Corporate and		Consolidated
			Services					Eliminations
Revenues
	Product revenues		$	9,020	$	78,746		$	—	$	87,766
	Service revenues		98,278		5,116					103,394
Total revenues			$	107,298	$	83,862		$	—	$	191,160
Operating expenses
	Operating costs		77,129		83,056			—		160,185
	Operating depreciation and amortization		3,320		2,228			—		5,548
Profit (loss) before corporate selling, general, and administrative expenses			$	26,849	$	(1,422	)	$	—	$	25,427
Selling, general, and administrative expenses								20,691		20,691
Depreciation and amortization from SG&A								698		698
Total selling, general, and administrative expenses								$	21,389	$	21,389
Other expense - net								231		231
Operating income										3,807
Interest expense – net								310		310
Income before income taxes										$	3,497
Total assets by segment as of September 6, 2014 and December 28, 2013 were as follows (in thousands):
			September 6, 2014		December 28, 2013
Total Assets:
	Environmental Services		$	78,312	$	80,451
	Oil Business		121,837		110,040
	Unallocated Corporate Assets		25,657		25,467
		Total	$	225,806	$	215,958
Segment assets for the Environmental Services and Oil Business segments consist of property, plant, and equipment, intangible assets, accounts receivable, goodwill, and inventories. Assets for the corporate unallocated amounts consist of property, plant, and equipment used at the corporate headquarters, as well as cash and net deferred tax assets.

Commitments_And_Contingencies

Commitments And Contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 06, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
	The Company may enter into purchase obligations with certain vendors. They represent expected payments to third party service providers and other commitments entered into during the normal course of our business. These purchase obligations are generally cancelable with or without notice, without penalty, although certain vendor agreements provide for cancellation fees or penalties depending on the terms of the contract.
	The Company has purchase obligations in the form of open purchase orders of $17.9 million as of September 6, 2014, primarily for used oil, solvent, machine purchases, disposal and transportation expenses, and capital expenditures.
	The Company may be subject to investigations, claims or lawsuits as a result of operating its business, including matters governed by environmental laws and regulations.  When claims are asserted, the Company evaluates the likelihood that a loss will occur and records a liability for those instances when the likelihood is deemed probable and the exposure is reasonably estimable.  The Company carries insurance at levels it believes are adequate to cover loss contingencies based on historical claims activity.  When the potential loss exposure is limited to the insurance deductible and the likelihood of loss is determined to be probable, the Company accrues for the amount of the required deductible, unless a lower amount of exposure is estimated. As of September 6, 2014 and December 28, 2013, the Company had accrued $0.4 million related to loss contingencies.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 06, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	INCOME TAXES
	In fiscal 2011, the Company deducted for federal income tax purposes 100% bonus depreciation on the majority of its capital expenditures for assets placed in service in fiscal 2011. Therefore, the Company recorded a noncurrent deferred tax liability to reflect the temporary book-tax difference for the resulting inability to deduct the federal income tax depreciation on those same 2011 capital expenditures in future years. As a result of the temporary differences related to the tax treatment of the federal bonus depreciation, the Company recorded a gross Net Operating Loss ("NOL") of $44.7 million, which will expire in 2031. In addition, in fiscal 2012 and 2013, the Company deducted 50% bonus depreciation for federal income tax purposes on certain capital expenditures. The balance on the NOL as of September 6, 2014 was $29.5 million. As of September 6, 2014, the remaining deferred tax asset related to the Company's state and federal NOL was a tax effected balance of $12.3 million.
	The Company recognizes windfall tax benefits associated with the exercise of stock options directly to stockholders' equity only when realized. Consequently, deferred tax assets are not recognized for NOLs resulting from windfall tax benefits. At September 6, 2014, deferred tax assets do not include $0.9 million of excess tax benefits from share-based compensation.
	The Company's effective tax rate for the third quarter of fiscal 2014 was 44.6% compared to 44.3% in the third quarter of fiscal 2013. The Company's effective tax rate for the first three quarters of fiscal 2014 was 42.1% compared to 43.6% in the first three quarters of fiscal 2013. This rate decrease is attributable to relatively favorable tax treatment of discrete items such as the release of reserves on uncertain tax positions for 2011 and 2012 as well as tax credits received in 2014 for the prior year.
	The Company establishes reserves when it is more likely than not that the Company will not realize the full tax benefit of a position. The Company had a reserve of $0.2 million and $0.3 million for uncertain tax positions as of September 6, 2014 and December 28, 2013, respectively. The gross unrecognized tax benefits would, if recognized, decrease the Company's effective tax rate.

Sharebased_Compensation

Share-based Compensation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 06, 2014
Share-based Compensation [Abstract]	'
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block]	'
	SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION
	The aggregate number of shares of common stock which may be issued under the Company’s 2008 Omnibus Plan ("Plan") is 1,902,077 plus any common stock that becomes available for issuance pursuant to the reusage provision of the Plan.  As of September 6, 2014, the number of shares available for issuance under the Plan was 649,387 shares.
	Stock Option Awards
	A summary of stock option activity under this Plan is as follows:
	Outstanding Stock Options	Number of			Weighted Average			Weighted Average	Aggregate
		Options			Exercise Price			Remaining	Intrinsic Value as of Date Listed
		Outstanding						Contractual Term	(in thousands)
								(in years)
	Options outstanding at December 28, 2013	579,614			$	10.98		4.35	$	5,133
	Exercised	—			—
	Options outstanding at September 6, 2014	579,614			$	10.98		3.66	$	3,423
	Restricted Stock Compensation/Awards
	Annually, the Company grants restricted shares to its Board of Directors. The shares become fully vested one year from their grant date. The fair value of each restricted stock grant is based on the closing price of the Company's stock on the date of grant. The Company amortizes the expense over the service period, which is the fiscal year in which the award is granted. On May 3, 2014, 18,666 restricted shares that had been granted for service in fiscal 2013 vested. On May 1, 2014, the Company granted 17,772 restricted shares for service in fiscal 2014. Expense related to the Board of Directors' restricted stock in each of the first three quarters of fiscal 2014 and 2013 was $0.2 million. As of September 6, 2014, there was $0.1 million unrecognized expense associated with these awards, which will be recorded throughout fiscal 2014.
	In March 2011, the Company granted 92,909 restricted shares to certain members of management under the Company's 2010 Long Term Incentive Plan (LTIP).  In October 2011, the Company granted 12,783 restricted shares based on the completion of the front part of the used oil re-refinery. These restricted shares were subject to a graded vesting schedule over a three year period starting January 1, 2012.  On January 1, 2014, the final shares related to these grants vested.
	In February 2012, the Company granted 59,502 restricted shares to certain members of management under the Company's 2011 LTIP. These restricted shares are subject to a graded vesting schedule over a three year period starting January 1, 2013. There was approximately $0.1 million and $0.3 million of unrecognized compensation expense remaining related to these awards as of September 6, 2014 and December 28, 2013 respectively. In each of the first three quarters of fiscal 2014 and 2013, $0.2 million of compensation expense was recorded related to these awards.
	In February 2013, the Company granted 10,000 restricted shares to a member of management based on the performance of the individual in fiscal 2012 and having met certain goals. The restricted shares are subject to a graded vesting schedule over a three year period. There was less than $0.1 million of unrecognized compensation expense remaining related to this award as of September 6, 2014 and December 28, 2013. In each of the first three quarters of fiscal 2014 and 2013, less than $0.1 million of compensation expense was recorded related to this award.
	In February 2014, the Company granted certain members of management 132,107 restricted shares based on the Company's performance in fiscal 2013. These restricted shares are subject to a graded vesting schedule over a three year period starting January 1, 2015. There was approximately $1.2 million and $1.7 million in unrecognized compensation expense remaining related to these awards as of September 6, 2014 and December 28, 2013, respectively. In the first three quarters of fiscal 2014 and 2013, $0.4 million and $0.3 million of compensation expense was recorded related to these awards, respectively.
	In February 2014, as part of management's annual compensation for fiscal 2014, the Company approved a plan to grant certain members of management restricted shares in the future based on the Company's performance in fiscal 2014. Based on the relevant guidance, the Company determined that the service inception date for these awards was prior to the grant date and therefore began accruing compensation expense in fiscal 2014, based on the Company's assessment as to the probability that the performance criteria would be achieved. As such, there was approximately $1.6 million in unrecognized compensation expense relating to these awards as of September 6, 2014. In the first three quarters of fiscal 2014, $0.3 million of compensation expense was recorded related to these awards.
	The following table summarizes information about restricted stock awards for the period ended September 6, 2014:
	Restricted Stock (Nonvested Shares)		Number of Shares			Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value Per Share
	Nonvested shares outstanding at December 28, 2013		100,052			$	16.97
	Granted		149,879			$	16.59
	Vested		(76,935	)		$	15.73
	Nonvested shares outstanding at September 6, 2014		172,996			$	17.19
	Employee Stock Purchase Plan
	As of September 6, 2014, the Company had reserved 145,507 shares of common stock available for purchase under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan of 2008, including 125,000 additional shares made available for purchase under the Plan at the Company's fiscal 2014 annual meeting. In the first three quarters of fiscal 2014, employees purchased 18,700 shares of the Company’s common stock with a weighted average fair market value of $17.95 per share.

Earnings_Per_Share

Earnings Per Share	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 06, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Earnings Per Share [Text Block]	'
	EARNINGS PER SHARE
	The following table reconciles the number of shares outstanding for the third quarters and first three quarters of fiscal 2014 and 2013, respectively, to the number of weighted average basic shares outstanding and the number of weighted average diluted shares outstanding for the purposes of calculating basic and diluted earnings per share (in thousands, except per share data):
		Third Quarter Ended,				First Three Quarters Ended,
		September 6, 2014		September 7, 2013		September 6, 2014		September 7, 2013
	Net income	$	2,414	$	1,334	$	2,763	$	1,971
	Less: Income attributable to noncontrolling interest	3		26		82		72
	Net income attributable to Heritage-Crystal Clean, Inc. available to common stockholders	$	2,411	$	1,308	$	2,681	$	1,899
	Weighted average basic shares outstanding	18,446		18,272		18,423		18,174
	Dilutive shares for share–based compensation plans	364		313		339		320
	Weighted average diluted shares outstanding	18,810		18,585		18,762		18,494
	Net income per share: basic	$	0.13	$	0.07	$	0.15	$	0.1
	Net income per share: diluted	$	0.13	$	0.07	$	0.14	$	0.1

Subsequent_Events_Subsequent_E

Subsequent Events Subsequent Events (Notes)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 06, 2014
Subsequent Events [Abstract]	'
Subsequent Events [Text Block]	'
	(15) SUBSEQUENT EVENT
	On October 16, 2014, the Company purchased the outstanding stock of FCC Environmental LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and International Petroleum Corp. of Delaware, a Delaware corporation (together "FCC Environmental"), pursuant to a Stock Purchase Agreement entered into with Dédalo Patrimonial S.L.U., a sociedad limitadad unipersonal formed under the laws of Spain ("Seller"). FCC Environmental is an environmental services provider and substantial collector of used oil in the United States and operates 34 facilities in the eastern half of the United States. The purchase price for FCC Environmental was $90 million subject to certain adjustments, including, without limitation, a working capital adjustment and indemnification rights and obligations.
	In addition, on October 16, 2014, the Company entered into a First and Second Amendment (collectively the "Amendments") to its Amended and Restated Credit Agreement. The Amendments provide for borrowings of up to $140.0 million, which consists of Term A loans totaling $80.0 million and a revolving loan of up to $60.0 million. The Term A loans mature on February 5, 2018.
	Financial covenants include:
	•	An interest coverage ratio (based on interest expense and EBITDA) of at least 3.5 to 1.0;
	•	A total leverage ratio no greater than 4.0 to1.0 through fiscal 2014, no greater than 3.75 to 1.0 in the first quarter of fiscal 2015, no greater than 3.5 to 1.0 for the second quarter of fiscal 2015, no greater than 3.25 to 1.0 for the third quarter of fiscal 2015, and no greater than 3.0 to 1.0 thereafter; and
	•	A capital expenditures covenant limiting capital expenditures to $22.0 million in fiscal 2014 and $15.0 million in each fiscal year thereafter. Under the Second Amendment, the Company is restricted from making capital expenditures for the expansion of the Company's used oil re-refinery to 75 million gallons of nameplate capacity until October 16, 2015, unless the Company raises funds to continue the expansion through an equity offering.
	The Credit Agreement places certain limitations on acquisitions and includes a prohibition on the payment of dividends.
	As of October 16, 2014 the Company had borrowed $80.0 million under the Credit Agreement, of which $17.9 million was in the form of a Term A Loan and $62.1 million was in the form of a Term A-1 Loan. The actual amount available under the revolving loan portion of the Credit Agreement is limited by the Company's total leverage ratio. As of October 16, 2014 the Company had $12.0 million outstanding under the revolving loan portion of the Credit Agreement and up to an additional $32.0 million was available for issuance under the revolving portion of the Credit Agreement.
	In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014, the Company experienced an unplanned shutdown at its used oil re-refinery in Indianapolis.  As a result, it is estimated that the hydro-treater portion of the re-refinery will not operate for approximately two weeks. While the impact of the shutdown cannot be determined at this time, the Company expects that the re-refinery will operate at a lower level of base oil production capacity in the fourth quarter compared to what it experienced during the third quarter of fiscal 2014.

Summary_of_Significant_Account1

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 06, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP") requires the use of certain estimates by management in determining the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.  Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions are the allowance for doubtful accounts receivable, valuation of inventory at lower of cost or market, valuation of goodwill and other intangible assets, and income taxes.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Revenue Recognition, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Revenue Recognition
	The Company derives its revenues primarily from the services it performs and from the sale of processed oil from its used oil re-refinery. Parts cleaning and other service revenues are recognized as the service is performed. Product revenues are recognized at the time risk of loss passes to the customer. The risk of loss passes to customers at various times depending on the particular terms of the sales contract in force with each individual customer. Common thresholds for when risk of loss passes to the customer are at the time that product is loaded onto the shipping vessel or at the time that product is offloaded at the customer’s receiving location. Revenues are recognized only if collection of the relevant receivable is probable, persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, and the sales price is fixed or determinable.
Cost of Sales, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Operating Costs
	Within operating costs is cost of sales. Cost of sales in the Environmental Services segment includes the costs of the materials the Company sells and provides in its services, such as solvents and other chemicals, cleaning machines sold to customers, transportation of inventory and waste, and payments to third parties to recycle or dispose of the waste materials that the Company collects. The Company’s used solvent that it retrieves from customers in its product reuse program is accounted for as a reduction in net cost of solvent under cost of sales, whether placed in inventory or sold to a purchaser for reuse. If the used solvent is placed in inventory it is recorded at lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost of sales in the Oil Business include the costs paid to generators for used oil, transportation out to customers, and most of the costs for operating the used oil re-refinery.
	Operating costs also include the Company's costs of operating its branch system and hubs. These costs include personnel costs (including commissions), facility rent and utilities, truck leases, fuel, transportation, and maintenance. Operating costs are not presented separately for products and services.
Business Combinations Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Acquisitions
	The Company accounts for acquired businesses using the purchase method of accounting, which requires that the assets acquired, liabilities assumed, and contingent consideration be recorded at the date of acquisition at their respective fair values. It further requires that acquisition-related costs be recognized separately from the acquisition and expensed as incurred and restructuring costs to be expensed in periods subsequent to the acquisition date. The Company records a preliminary purchase price allocation for its acquisitions and finalizes purchase price allocations as additional information relative to the fair values of the assets acquired becomes known.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Identifiable Intangible Assets
	The fair value of identifiable intangible assets is based on significant judgments made by management. The Company has engaged third party valuation appraisal firms to assist the Company in determining the fair values and useful lives of the assets acquired. Such valuations and useful life determinations require the Company to make significant estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions are based on historical experience and information obtained from the management of the acquired companies and also include, but are not limited to, future expected cash flows to be earned from the continued operation of the acquired business and discount rates applied in determining the present value of those cash flows. Unanticipated events and circumstances may occur that could affect the accuracy or validity of such assumptions, estimates, or actual results. Acquisition-related finite lived intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated economic lives. The Company evaluates the estimated benefit periods and recoverability of its intangible assets when facts and circumstances indicate that the lives may not be appropriate and/or the carrying value of the asset may not be recoverable. If the carrying value is not recoverable, impairment is measured as the amount by which the carrying value exceeds its estimated fair value.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Fair Value of Financial Instruments
	The Company uses a three-tier fair value hierarchy to classify and disclose all assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis, as well as assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis, in periods subsequent to their initial measurement. These tiers include: Level 1, defined as quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities; Level 2, defined as inputs other than Level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices in markets that are not active, model-based valuation techniques for which all significant assumptions are observable in the market, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities; and Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data.
	The Company’s financial instruments consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, trade receivables, trade payables, notes payable, contingent consideration, and term debt.  As of September 6, 2014 and December 28, 2013, the carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, trade receivables, trade payables, notes payable, and contingent consideration, are considered to be representative of their respective fair values due to the short maturity of these instruments. Term debt is representative of its fair value due to the interest rates being applied.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Goodwill, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Goodwill
	Goodwill is measured as a residual amount as of the acquisition date, which in most cases results in measuring goodwill as an excess of the purchase consideration transferred plus the fair value of any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree over the fair value of the net assets acquired, including any contingent consideration. The Company tests goodwill for impairment annually in the fourth quarter and in interim periods if changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of goodwill may not be recoverable. The Company's determination of fair value requires certain assumptions and estimates, such as margin expectations, growth expectations, expected changes in working capital, etc., regarding future profitability and cash flows of acquired businesses and market conditions. In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013, the Company tested goodwill for impairment on a quantitative basis and determined that the fair value of each reporting unit substantially exceeded the carrying value of the assets. The Company intends to test goodwill for impairment in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014.
Fiscal Period, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	The Company’s fiscal year ends on the Saturday closest to December 31.  The most recently completed fiscal year ended on December 28, 2013.  The current fiscal year will end on January 3, 2015. Each of the Company's first three fiscal quarters consists of twelve weeks while the last fiscal quarter consists of sixteen or seventeen weeks.

Business_Combination_Tables

Business Combination (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 06, 2014
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Schedule of Business Acquisitions, by Acquisition [Table Text Block]	'
	The following table summarizes the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, net of cash acquired, related to the each acquisition (in thousands):
		ULNT/RS				Sav-Tech
	Accounts receivable	$	—			$	196
	Other current assets	101				7
	Inventory	955				19
	Property, plant, & equipment	1,463				691
	Intangible assets	6,314				458
	Goodwill	2,137				96
	Accounts payable	—				(81		)
	Accrued expenses	—				(36		)
	Total purchase price, net of cash acquired	$	10,970			$	1,350
	Less: common stock issued	—				193
	Less:  note issued	—				203
	Less: working capital adjustment	—				—
	Net cash paid	$	10,970			$	954
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information [Table Text Block]	'
	The pro forma information is shown for illustrative purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of future results of operations of the Company or results of operations of the Company that would have actually occurred had the transactions been in effect for the period presented.
			Third Quarter Ended,					First Three Quarters Ended,
				7-Sep-13					7-Sep-13
	Total revenues			$	71,897				$	202,611
	Net income			1,245					1,684
	Income per share
	Basic			$	0.07				$	0.1
	Diluted			0.07					0.09

Accounts_Receivable_Tables

Accounts Receivable (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 06, 2014
Accounts Receivable [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Table Text Block]	'
	Accounts receivable consisted of the following (in thousands):
		September 6,			December 28,
		2014			2013
	Trade	$	34,167		$	29,663
	Less: allowance for doubtful accounts	1,061			1,121
	Trade - net	33,106			28,542
	Related parties	2,715			2,045
	Other	451			585
	Total accounts receivable - net	$	36,272		$	31,172
	The following table provides the changes in the Company’s allowance for doubtful accounts for the first three quarters ended September 6, 2014 and the fiscal year ended December 28, 2013 (in thousands):
		September 6,			December 28,
		2014			2013
	Balance at beginning of period	$	1,121		$	1,244
	Bad debt provision	352			444
	Accounts written off, net of recoveries	(412		)	(567		)
	Balance at end of period	$	1,061		$	1,121

Inventory_Tables

Inventory (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 06, 2014
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Inventory, Current [Table Text Block]	'
	The carrying value of inventory consisted of the following (in thousands):
		September 6,		December 28,
		2014		2013
	Used oil and processed oil	$	12,987	$	12,112
	Solvents and solutions	9,173		8,235
	Machines	3,665		2,934
	Drums and supplies	2,923		2,629
	Other	1,654		1,614
	Total inventory	30,402		27,524
	Less: machine refurbishing reserve	242		217
	Total inventory - net	$	30,160	$	27,307

Property_Plant_and_Equipment_T

Property, Plant and Equipment (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 06, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Table Text Block]	'
	Property, plant, and equipment consisted of the following (in thousands):
		September 6,		December 28,
		2014		2013
	Buildings and storage tanks (a)	$	52,842	$	53,106
	Machinery, vehicles, and equipment (a)	36,075		33,659
	Leasehold improvements (a)	2,842		2,877
	Land (a)	1,064		835
	Construction in progress	17,464		11,047
	Total property, plant and equipment	110,287		101,524
	Less: accumulated depreciation	19,993		16,485
	Property, plant and equipment - net	$	90,294	$	85,039
		September 6,		December 28,
		2014		2013
	Equipment at customers	$	51,456	$	47,078
	Less: accumulated depreciation	30,477		27,720
	Equipment at customers - net	$	20,979	$	19,358

Intangible_Assets_Tables

Intangible Assets (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 06, 2014
Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Intangible Assets [Table Text Block]	'
	Following is a summary of software and other intangible assets (in thousands):
		September 6, 2014						December 28, 2013
		Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Net Carrying Amount		Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Net Carrying Amount
	Customer & supplier relationships(a)	$	10,895	$	1,547	$	9,348	$	10,529	$	826	$	9,703
	Software	4,999		2,997		2,002		4,799		2,815		1,984
	Non-compete agreements(a)	2,973		1,063		1,910		2,794		713		2,081
	Patents, formulae, and licenses(a)	1,829		432		1,397		1,825		370		1,455
	Other (a)	1,058		207		851		1,008		137		871
	Total software and intangible assets	$	21,754	$	6,246	$	15,508	$	20,955	$	4,861	$	16,094
	_______________
	(a) Numbers include preliminary fair values of assets acquired in the acquisitions described in Note 3 that may be adjusted as additional information becomes known.

Accounts_Payable_Tables

Accounts Payable (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 06, 2014
Accounts Payable, Current [Abstract]	'
Accounts Payable [Table Text Block]	'
	Accounts payable consisted of the following (in thousands):
		September 6,		December 28,
		2014		2013
	Accounts payable	$	23,410	$	17,908
	Accounts payable - related parties	368		383
	Total accounts payable	$	23,778	$	18,291

Segment_Information_Tables

Segment Information (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 06, 2014
SEGMENT INFORMATION [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table Text Block]	'
	Operating segment results for the third quarters and first three quarters ended September 6, 2014, and September 7, 2013 were as follows (in thousands):
	Third Quarter Ended,
	September 6, 2014
				Environmental		Oil Business			Corporate and		Consolidated
				Services					Eliminations
	Revenues
		Product revenues		$	4,270	$	34,262		$	—	$	38,532
		Service revenues		37,535		1,849					39,384
	Total revenues			$	41,805	$	36,111		$	—	$	77,916
	Operating expenses
		Operating costs		28,645		33,943			—		62,588
		Operating depreciation and amortization		1,208		893			—		2,101
	Profit before corporate selling, general, and administrative expenses			$	11,952	$	1,275		$	—	$	13,227
	Selling, general, and administrative expenses								8,183		8,183
	Depreciation and amortization from SG&A								492		492
	Total selling, general, and administrative expenses								$	8,675	$	8,675
	Other expense - net								172		172
	Operating income										4,380
	Interest expense – net								24		24
	Income before income taxes										$	4,356
	Third Quarter Ended,
	September 7, 2013
				Environmental		Oil Business			Corporate and		Consolidated
				Services					Eliminations
	Revenues
		Product revenues		$	3,498	$	28,804		$	—	$	32,302
		Service revenues		33,176		2,125					35,301
	Total revenues			$	36,674	$	30,929		$	—	$	67,603
	Operating expenses
		Operating costs		26,790		28,908			—		55,698
		Operating depreciation and amortization		1,160		790			—		1,950
	Profit before corporate selling, general, and administrative expenses			$	8,724	$	1,231		$	—	$	9,955
	Selling, general, and administrative expenses								7,051		7,051
	Depreciation and amortization from SG&A								274		274
	Total selling, general, and administrative expenses								$	7,325	$	7,325
	Other expense - net								138		138
	Operating income										2,492
	Interest expense – net								97		97
	Income before income taxes										$	2,395
	First Three Quarters Ended,
	September 6, 2014
				Environmental		Oil Business			Corporate and		Consolidated
				Services					Eliminations
	Revenues
		Product revenues		$	12,915	$	93,534		$	—	$	106,449
		Service revenues		109,449		6,064					115,513
	Total revenues			$	122,364	$	99,598		$	—	$	221,962
	Operating expenses
		Operating costs		86,104		97,374			—		183,478
		Operating depreciation and amortization		3,713		2,696			—		6,409
	Profit (loss) before corporate selling, general, and administrative expenses			$	32,547	$	(472	)	$	—	$	32,075
	Selling, general, and administrative expenses								25,332		25,332
	Depreciation and amortization from SG&A								1,502		1,502
	Total selling, general, and administrative expenses								$	26,834	$	26,834
	Other expense - net								357		357
	Operating income										4,884
	Interest expense – net								110		110
	Income before income taxes										$	4,774
	First Three Quarters Ended,
	September 7, 2013
				Environmental		Oil Business			Corporate and		Consolidated
				Services					Eliminations
	Revenues
	Product revenues		$	9,020	$	78,746		$	—	$	87,766
	Service revenues		98,278		5,116					103,394
Total revenues			$	107,298	$	83,862		$	—	$	191,160
Operating expenses
	Operating costs		77,129		83,056			—		160,185
	Operating depreciation and amortization		3,320		2,228			—		5,548
Profit (loss) before corporate selling, general, and administrative expenses			$	26,849	$	(1,422	)	$	—	$	25,427
Selling, general, and administrative expenses								20,691		20,691
Depreciation and amortization from SG&A								698		698
Total selling, general, and administrative expenses								$	21,389	$	21,389
Other expense - net								231		231
Operating income										3,807
Interest expense – net								310		310
Income before income taxes										$	3,497
Reconciliation of Assets from Segment to Consolidated [Table Text Block]	'
	Total assets by segment as of September 6, 2014 and December 28, 2013 were as follows (in thousands):
				September 6, 2014		December 28, 2013
	Total Assets:
		Environmental Services		$	78,312	$	80,451
		Oil Business		121,837		110,040
		Unallocated Corporate Assets		25,657		25,467
			Total	$	225,806	$	215,958

Sharebased_Compensation_Tables

Share-based Compensation (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 06, 2014
Share-based Compensation [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Stock Options, Activity [Table Text Block]	'
	A summary of stock option activity under this Plan is as follows:
	Outstanding Stock Options	Number of			Weighted Average			Weighted Average	Aggregate
		Options			Exercise Price			Remaining	Intrinsic Value as of Date Listed
		Outstanding						Contractual Term	(in thousands)
								(in years)
	Options outstanding at December 28, 2013	579,614			$	10.98		4.35	$	5,133
	Exercised	—			—
	Options outstanding at September 6, 2014	579,614			$	10.98		3.66	$	3,423
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units Activity [Table Text Block]	'
	The following table summarizes information about restricted stock awards for the period ended September 6, 2014:
	Restricted Stock (Nonvested Shares)		Number of Shares			Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value Per Share
	Nonvested shares outstanding at December 28, 2013		100,052			$	16.97
	Granted		149,879			$	16.59
	Vested		(76,935	)		$	15.73
	Nonvested shares outstanding at September 6, 2014		172,996			$	17.19

Earnings_Per_Share_Tables

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 06, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block]	'
	The following table reconciles the number of shares outstanding for the third quarters and first three quarters of fiscal 2014 and 2013, respectively, to the number of weighted average basic shares outstanding and the number of weighted average diluted shares outstanding for the purposes of calculating basic and diluted earnings per share (in thousands, except per share data):
		Third Quarter Ended,				First Three Quarters Ended,
		September 6, 2014		September 7, 2013		September 6, 2014		September 7, 2013
	Net income	$	2,414	$	1,334	$	2,763	$	1,971
	Less: Income attributable to noncontrolling interest	3		26		82		72
	Net income attributable to Heritage-Crystal Clean, Inc. available to common stockholders	$	2,411	$	1,308	$	2,681	$	1,899
	Weighted average basic shares outstanding	18,446		18,272		18,423		18,174
	Dilutive shares for share–based compensation plans	364		313		339		320
	Weighted average diluted shares outstanding	18,810		18,585		18,762		18,494
	Net income per share: basic	$	0.13	$	0.07	$	0.15	$	0.1
	Net income per share: diluted	$	0.13	$	0.07	$	0.14	$	0.1

Basis_of_Presentation_Details

Basis of Presentation (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 06, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Deferred income taxes	$11,296	$9,238

Summary_of_Significant_Account2

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 06, 2014	Sep. 07, 2013	Sep. 06, 2014	Sep. 07, 2013
Amortization of Intangible Assets	$0.50	$0.20	$1.40	$0.60
Interest Costs Capitalized	'	'	0.2	0.1
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Two	1.9	'	1.9	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Three	1.7	'	1.7	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Four	1.6	'	1.6	'
Schedule of Expected Amortization Expense [Table Text Block]	$1.50	'	$1.50	'
Software [Member]	'	'	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	'	'	'10 years	'
Noncompete Agreements [Member]	'	'	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	'	'	'5 years	'
Other Intangible Assets [Member]	'	'	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	'	'	'8 years	'

Summary_of_Significant_Account3

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Goodwill (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 06, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013	Sep. 06, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified			Sav-Tech [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]	'	'	'
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	'	'	$96
Goodwill	$9,798	$9,691	'

Business_Combination_Details

Business Combination (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended			12 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 07, 2013	Sep. 06, 2014	Sep. 07, 2013	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 28, 2013	Nov. 01, 2013	Sep. 06, 2014	14-May-14
					UL-NT/RS [Member]	UL-NT/RS [Member]	Sav-Tech [Member]	Sav-Tech [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Gross	'	'	'	'	$11,000,000	'	$954,000	'
Goodwill, Purchase Accounting Adjustments	'	100,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Issuance of common stock - Acquisition	'	193,000	2,230,000	'	'	'	193,000	'
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Acquisitions	'	12,005	'	'	'	'	12,005	'
Accounts Receivable, Net	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	196,000
Other current assets	'	'	'	'	'	101,000	'	7,000
Inventory	'	'	'	'	'	955,000	'	19,000
Property, Plant, & Equipment	'	'	'	'	'	1,463,000	'	691,000
Intangible Assets	'	'	'	'	'	6,314,000	'	458,000
Goodwill	'	9,798,000	'	9,691,000	'	2,137,000	'	'
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	'	'	'	'	'	'	96,000	'
Accounts Payable	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-81,000
Accrued expenses	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-36,000
Business Acquisition Purchase Price Net of Cash Acquired	'	'	'	'	'	10,970,000	'	1,350,000
Less: note issued	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-203,000
Net cash paid	'	'	'	'	'	10,970,000	'	'
Total Revenues	71,897,000	'	202,611,000	'	'	'	'	'
Net Income	$1,245,000	'	$1,684,000	'	'	'	'	'
Basic	$0.07	'	$0.10	'	'	'	'	'
Diluted	$0.07	'	$0.09	'	'	'	'	'

Business_Combination_Pro_Forma

Business Combination Pro Forma Business Combination (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 07, 2013	Sep. 07, 2013
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information, Nonrecurring Adjustment [Line Items]	'	'
Total Revenues	$71,897	$202,611
Net Income	$1,245	$1,684
Basic	$0.07	$0.10
Diluted	$0.07	$0.09

Accounts_Receivable_Details

Accounts Receivable (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 06, 2014	Sep. 07, 2013	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Trade	$34,167	'	$29,663	'
Less allowance for doubtful accounts	1,061	'	1,121	1,244
Trade - net	33,106	'	28,542	'
Trade - affiliates	2,715	'	2,045	'
Other	451	'	585	'
Total accounts receivable - net	36,272	'	31,172	'
Bad debt provision	352	446	444	'
Accounts written off, net of recoveries	($412)	'	($567)	'

Inventory_Details

Inventory (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 06, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Used oil and processed oil	$12,987	$12,112
Solvents and solutions	9,173	8,235
Machines	3,665	2,934
Drums and supplies	2,923	2,629
Other	1,654	1,614
Total inventory	30,402	27,524
Less: Machine refurbishing reserve	242	217
Total inventory - net	$30,160	$27,307

Property_Plant_and_Equipment_D

Property, Plant and Equipment (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	Sep. 06, 2014		Sep. 07, 2013	Sep. 06, 2014		Sep. 07, 2013	Dec. 28, 2013
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'		'	'		'	'
Depreciation	$2,000,000		$2,100,000	$5,700,000		$7,000,000	'
Buildings and storage tanks	52,842,000	[1]	'	52,842,000	[1]	'	53,106,000	[1]
Machinery, vehicles and equipment (a)	36,075,000	[1]	'	36,075,000	[1]	'	33,659,000	[1]
Leasehold improvements	2,842,000	[1]	'	2,842,000	[1]	'	2,877,000	[1]
Land	1,064,000	[1]	'	1,064,000	[1]	'	835,000	[1]
Construction in progress	17,464,000		'	17,464,000		'	11,047,000
Total property, plant and equipment	110,287,000		'	110,287,000		'	101,524,000
Less accumulated depreciation	19,993,000		'	19,993,000		'	16,485,000
Property, plant and equipment - net	90,294,000		'	90,294,000		'	85,039,000
Equipment at customers	51,456,000		'	51,456,000		'	47,078,000
Less accumulated depreciation	30,477,000		'	30,477,000		'	27,720,000
Equipment at customers - net	20,979,000		'	20,979,000		'	19,358,000
Goodwill, Purchase Accounting Adjustments	'		'	$100,000		'	'
[1]	(a) Numbers include preliminary fair values of assets acquired in the acquisitions described in Note 3 that may be adjusted as additional information becomes known. The amounts for machinery, vehicles, and equipment and leasehold improvements have been retrospectively adjusted as of December 28, 2013 by less than $0.1 million.

Intangible_Assets_Details

Intangible Assets (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	Sep. 06, 2014		Sep. 07, 2013	Sep. 06, 2014		Sep. 07, 2013	Dec. 28, 2013
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'		'	'		'	'
Intangible Assets, Gross	$21,754,000		'	$21,754,000		'	$20,955,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	6,246,000		'	6,246,000		'	4,861,000
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill)	15,508,000		'	15,508,000		'	16,094,000
Amortization of Intangible Assets	500,000		200,000	1,400,000		600,000	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Remainder of Fiscal Year	600,000		'	600,000		'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Two	1,900,000		'	1,900,000		'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Three	1,700,000		'	1,700,000		'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Four	1,600,000		'	1,600,000		'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Five	1,500,000		'	1,500,000		'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Purchase Accounting Adjustments	'		'	100,000		'	'
Customer Relationships [Member]	'		'	'		'	'
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'		'	'		'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	'		'	'12 years		'	'
Software [Member]	'		'	'		'	'
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'		'	'		'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	'		'	'10 years		'	'
Patents, formulae, and licenses [Member]	'		'	'		'	'
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'		'	'		'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	'		'	'15 years		'	'
Noncompete Agreements [Member]	'		'	'		'	'
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'		'	'		'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	'		'	'5 years		'	'
Other Intangible Assets [Member]	'		'	'		'	'
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'		'	'		'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	'		'	'8 years		'	'
Customer Relationships [Member]	'		'	'		'	'
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'		'	'		'	'
Intangible Assets, Gross	10,895,000	[1]	'	10,895,000	[1]	'	10,529,000	[1]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	1,547,000	[1]	'	1,547,000	[1]	'	826,000	[1]
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill)	9,348,000	[1]	'	9,348,000	[1]	'	9,703,000	[1]
Software [Member]	'		'	'		'	'
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'		'	'		'	'
Intangible Assets, Gross	4,999,000		'	4,999,000		'	4,799,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	2,997,000		'	2,997,000		'	2,815,000
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill)	2,002,000		'	2,002,000		'	1,984,000
Patents, formulae, and licenses [Member]	'		'	'		'	'
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'		'	'		'	'
Intangible Assets, Gross	1,829,000	[1]	'	1,829,000	[1]	'	1,825,000	[1]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	432,000	[1]	'	432,000	[1]	'	370,000	[1]
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill)	1,397,000	[1]	'	1,397,000	[1]	'	1,455,000	[1]
Noncompete Agreements [Member]	'		'	'		'	'
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'		'	'		'	'
Intangible Assets, Gross	2,973,000	[1]	'	2,973,000	[1]	'	2,794,000	[1]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	1,063,000	[1]	'	1,063,000	[1]	'	713,000	[1]
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill)	1,910,000	[1]	'	1,910,000	[1]	'	2,081,000	[1]
Other Intangible Assets [Member]	'		'	'		'	'
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'		'	'		'	'
Intangible Assets, Gross	1,058,000	[1]	'	1,058,000	[1]	'	1,008,000	[1]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	207,000	[1]	'	207,000	[1]	'	137,000	[1]
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill)	$851,000	[1]	'	$851,000	[1]	'	$871,000	[1]
[1]	(a) Numbers include preliminary fair values of assets acquired in the acquisitions described in Note 3 that may be adjusted as additional information becomes known.

Accounts_Payable_Details

Accounts Payable (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 06, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Accounts payable	$23,410	$17,908
Accounts payable - related parties	368	383
Accounts payable	$23,778	$18,291

Debt_And_Financing_Arrangement1

Debt And Financing Arrangements (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended				3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 06, 2014	Sep. 07, 2013	Oct. 16, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013	Sep. 06, 2014	Sep. 07, 2013	Dec. 28, 2013	Sep. 06, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
					Revolving Credit Facility [Member]	Revolving Credit Facility [Member]	Revolving Credit Facility [Member]	Notes Payable, Other Payables [Member]	Notes Payable, Other Payables [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	$40	'	$140	'	'	'	'	'	'
Long-term Debt	18.3	'	'	19.3	'	'	'	'	'
Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding	'	'	'	'	0	'	0	'	'
Interest Costs Incurred	0.3	0.3	'	'	0.1	0.1	'	'	'
Interest Costs Capitalized	0.2	0.1	'	'	0.1	0.1	'	'	'
Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate	1.90%	2.50%	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount	0.4	'	'	0.3	'	'	'	'	'
Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity	19.6	'	'	19.7	'	'	'	'	'
Long-term Debt, Fair Value	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1.1	1.7
Notes Payable, Current	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$0.90	$1.20

Debt_And_Financing_Arrangement2

Debt And Financing Arrangements Future Maturities of Long Term Debt (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 06, 2014	Sep. 07, 2013
Repayments of Long-term Debt	$1,000	$750

Related_Party_Transactions_Det

Related Party Transactions (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 06, 2014	Sep. 07, 2013
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'
Payments of Contingent Consideration	$290	$423
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired	954	10,195
Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock	$319	$335

Segment_Information_Details

Segment Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 06, 2014	Sep. 07, 2013	Sep. 06, 2014	Sep. 07, 2013	Dec. 28, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Product Revenues	$38,532	$32,302	$106,449	$87,766	'
Service Revenues	39,384	35,301	115,513	103,394	'
Total revenues	77,916	67,603	221,962	191,160	'
Operating Costs	62,588	55,698	183,478	160,185	'
Operating depreciation and amortization	2,101	1,950	6,409	5,548	'
Profit (Loss) Before Corporate Selling General and Administrative Expenses	13,227	9,955	32,075	25,427	'
Selling, general, and administrative expenses	8,183	7,051	25,332	20,691	'
Depreciation and amortization from SG&A	492	-274	-1,502	-698	'
Total selling, general, and administrative expenses	8,675	7,325	26,834	21,389	'
Other expense - net	172	138	357	231	'
Operating loss	4,380	2,492	4,884	3,807	'
Interest expense b net	24	97	110	310	'
Income before income taxes	4,356	2,395	4,774	3,497	'
Provision for income taxes	1,942	1,061	2,011	1,526	'
Total Assets	225,806	'	225,806	'	215,958
Environmental Services Segment [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Concentration Risk, Customer	'	'	'.1	'.1	'
Product Revenues	4,270	3,498	12,915	9,020	'
Service Revenues	37,535	33,176	109,449	98,278	'
Total revenues	41,805	36,674	122,364	107,298	'
Operating Costs	28,645	26,790	86,104	77,129	'
Operating depreciation and amortization	1,208	1,160	3,713	3,320	'
Profit (Loss) Before Corporate Selling General and Administrative Expenses	11,952	8,724	32,547	26,849	'
Total Assets	78,312	'	78,312	'	80,451
Oil Business Segment [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Concentration Risk, Customer	'	'	'0.1	'.1	'
Product Revenues	34,262	28,804	93,534	78,746	'
Service Revenues	1,849	2,125	6,064	5,116	'
Total revenues	36,111	30,929	99,598	83,862	'
Operating Costs	33,943	28,908	97,374	83,056	'
Operating depreciation and amortization	893	790	2,696	2,228	'
Profit (Loss) Before Corporate Selling General and Administrative Expenses	1,275	1,231	-472	-1,422	'
Total Assets	121,837	'	121,837	'	110,040
Corporate and Eliminations [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Selling, general, and administrative expenses	8,183	7,051	25,332	20,691	'
Depreciation and amortization from SG&A	-492	-274	-1,502	-698	'
Total selling, general, and administrative expenses	8,675	7,325	26,834	21,389	'
Other expense - net	-172	-138	-357	-231	'
Interest expense b net	'	'	110	310	'
Total Assets	$25,657	'	$25,657	'	$25,467

Commitments_And_Contingencies_

Commitments And Contingencies (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 06, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Purchase Commitment, Remaining Minimum Amount Committed	$17.90	'
Loss Contingency Accrual, at Carrying Value	$0.40	$0.40

Income_Taxes_Details

Income Taxes (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 06, 2014	Sep. 07, 2013	Sep. 06, 2014	Sep. 07, 2013	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 31, 2011
Operating Loss Carryforwards	$29.50	'	$29.50	'	'	$44.70
Deferred Tax Assets, Gross	12.3	'	12.3	'	'	'
Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Deferred Expense, Compensation and Benefits, Share-based Compensation Cost	0.9	'	0.9	'	'	'
Effective Income Tax Rate, Continuing Operations	44.60%	44.30%	42.10%	43.60%	'	'
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Balance	$0.20	'	$0.20	'	$0.30	'

Sharebased_Compensation_Detail

Share-based Compensation (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

4 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified

Mar. 22, 2014

Sep. 06, 2014

Dec. 28, 2013

Dec. 28, 2013

Sep. 06, 2014

Mar. 26, 2011

Dec. 31, 2011

Mar. 23, 2013

Mar. 24, 2012

Sep. 06, 2014

Dec. 28, 2013

Mar. 23, 2013

Sep. 06, 2014

Dec. 28, 2013

Mar. 22, 2014

Mar. 23, 2013

Sep. 06, 2014

Sep. 07, 2013

Dec. 28, 2013

Sep. 06, 2014

2013 Board of Director Stock [Member]

2014 Board of Director Stock [Member]

2010 LTI Grant [Member]

2010 LTI Grant [Member]

2011 LTI Grant [Member]

2011 LTI Grant [Member]

2011 LTI Grant [Member]

2011 LTI Grant [Member]

2012 Performance Grant [Member]

2012 Performance Grant [Member]

2012 Performance Grant [Member]

2013 Long Term Incentive Plan [Member]

2013 Long Term Incentive Plan [Member]

2013 Long Term Incentive Plan [Member]

2013 Long Term Incentive Plan [Member]

2013 Long Term Incentive Plan [Member]

2014 Long Term Incentive Plan [Member]

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stock Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term

'3 years 7 months 29 days

'

'4 years 4 months 6 days

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Authorized

'

1,902,077

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Available for Grant

'

649,387

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Total Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized

'

'

'

'

$100

'

'

'

'

$100

$300

'

$100

$100

'

'

$1,200

'

$1,700

$1,600

Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Share-based Compensation, Net of Forfeitures

'

56,599

'

18,666

17,772

92,909

12,783

'

59,502

'

'

10,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense

'

$793

'

'

$200

'

'

$100

'

$200

'

$100

$100

'

'

$100

$400

$300

'

$300

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Nonvested shares outstanding at Period Start, Number of Shares

100,052

100,052

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Granted, Number of Shares

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

132,107

'

149,879

'

'

'

Vested, Number of Shares

'

-76,935

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Nonvested shares outstanding at Period End, Number of Shares

'

172,996

100,052

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Roll Forward]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Nonvested shares outstanding at Period Start, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share

$16.97

$16.97

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Granted, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share

'

$16.59

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Vested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share (dollars per share)

'

$15.73

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Nonvested shares outstanding at Period End, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share

'

$17.19

$16.97

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Sharebased_Compensation_Stock_

Share-based Compensation Stock Option Vesting Schedule (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 22, 2014	Sep. 06, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Number of Options Outstanding at Period Start	579,614	579,614	'
Exercised, Granted, Number of Options Outstanding	'	0	'
Number of Options Outstanding at Period End	'	579,614	579,614
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Weighted Average Exercise Price of Stock Options Outstanding at Period Start (dollars per share)	$10.98	$10.98	'
Exercised, Weighted Average Exercise Price of Stock Options Outstanding (dollars per share)	'	$0	'
Weighted Average Exercise Price of Stock Options Outstanding at Period End (dollars per share)	'	$10.98	$10.98
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Additional Disclosures [Abstract]	'	'	'
Stock Options Outstanding, Aggregate Intrinsic Value as of Date Listed	'	$3,423	$5,133
Stock Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	'3 years 7 months 29 days	'	'4 years 4 months 6 days

Sharebased_Compensation_Employ

Share-based Compensation Employee Stock Purchase Plan (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 06, 2014
Share-based Compensation [Abstract]	'
Shares Available Employee Stock Purchase Plan	145,507
ESPP Shares Made Available	125,000
Issuance of common stock - ESPP	18,700
Weighted Average Fair Value Per Share ESPP	$17.95

Earnings_Per_Share_Details

Earnings Per Share (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 06, 2014	Sep. 07, 2013	Sep. 06, 2014	Sep. 07, 2013
Earnings Per Share, Diluted, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net income	$2,414	$1,334	$2,763	$1,971
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	3	26	82	72
Net Income Attributable to Heritage-Crystal Clean, Inc. common stockholders	$2,411	$1,308	$2,681	$1,899
Number of weighted average shares outstanding: basic	18,446	18,272	18,423	18,174
Dilutive shares for sharebbased compensation plans	364	313	339	320
Number of weighted average shares outstanding: diluted	18,810	18,585	18,762	18,494
Net income per share: basic	$0.13	$0.07	$0.15	$0.10
Net income per share: diluted	$0.13	$0.07	$0.14	$0.10

Subsequent_Events_Details

Subsequent Events (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

4 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

29 Months Ended

37 Months Ended

Sep. 12, 2015

Jun. 20, 2015

Mar. 28, 2015

Jan. 03, 2015

Jan. 03, 2015

Sep. 06, 2014

Sep. 07, 2013

Jan. 03, 2015

Feb. 05, 2018

Feb. 05, 2018

Oct. 16, 2014

Dec. 28, 2013

integer

Subsequent Event [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired

'

'

'

'

'

$954,000

$10,195,000

'

'

'

'

'

Business combination purchase price

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

90,000,000

'

Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity

'

'

'

'

'

40,000,000

'

'

'

'

140,000,000

'

Interest Coverage Ratio

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3.5

'

Total Leverage Ratio

3.3

3.5

3.8

4

'

'

'

'

3

'

'

'

Capital Expenditure Limitations

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

22,000,000

'

15,000,000

'

'

Re-refinery capacity

'

'

'

'

75,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Long-term Debt

'

'

'

'

'

18,300,000

'

'

'

'

'

19,300,000

Line of Credit Facility, Remaining Borrowing Capacity

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

32,000,000

'

Plant shutdown

'

'

'

'

'2

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

FCC Environmental [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Subsequent Event [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of locations

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

34

'

Term A-1 Loan [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Subsequent Event [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Long-term Debt

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

62,100,000

'

Term A Loan [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Subsequent Event [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Long-term Debt

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

17,900,000

'

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Subsequent Event [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Long-term Debt

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

12,000,000

'

Term A Loan [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Subsequent Event [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

80,000,000

'

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Subsequent Event [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$60,000,000

'

Selected_Quarterly_Data_Detail

Selected Quarterly Data (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 06, 2014	Sep. 07, 2013	Sep. 06, 2014	Sep. 07, 2013
Product Revenues	$38,532	$32,302	$106,449	$87,766
Service Revenues	39,384	35,301	115,513	103,394
Total revenues	77,916	67,603	221,962	191,160
Selling, general, and administrative expenses	8,183	7,051	25,332	20,691
Depreciation and amortization	2,593	2,224	7,911	6,246
Other expense - net	172	138	357	231
Operating income	4,380	2,492	4,884	3,807
Loss before income taxes	4,356	2,395	4,774	3,497
Provision for income taxes	1,942	1,061	2,011	1,526
Net Income Attributable to Parent	2,411	1,308	2,681	1,899
Basic	18,446	18,272	18,423	18,174
Diluted	18,810	18,585	18,762	18,494
Segment Reconciling Items [Member]	'	'	'	'
Selling, general, and administrative expenses	8,183	7,051	25,332	20,691
Other expense - net	($172)	($138)	($357)	($231)