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GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS - Amortized Intangible Assets - (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended |
--- | --- | --- | --- | ---
Sep. 24, 2016 | Sep. 26, 2015 | Sep. 24, 2016 | Sep. 26, 2015 | Dec. 27, 2014 | Dec. 26, 2015
Components of amortized intangible assets |  |  |  |  |  |
Gross Carrying Amount | $ 209,913 |  | $ 209,913 |  |  | $ 215,939
Accumulated Amortization | 120,311 |  | 120,311 |  |  | 111,672
Amortization expense for intangible assets | 3,964 | $ 4,507 | 12,037 | $ 14,157 |  |
Estimated amortization expense |  |  |  |  |  |
2015 | 15,895 |  | 15,895 |  |  |
2016 | 15,390 |  | 15,390 |  |  |
2017 | 13,764 |  | 13,764 |  |  |
2018 | 12,994 |  | 12,994 |  |  |
2019 | 11,945 |  | 11,945 |  |  |
Customer Relationships |  |  |  |  |  |
Components of amortized intangible assets |  |  |  |  |  |
Gross Carrying Amount | 195,371 |  | 195,371 |  |  | 201,801
Accumulated Amortization | 109,595 |  | $ 109,595 |  |  | 101,614
Weighted Average Life |  |  | 13 years |  | 13 years |
Proprietary Software & Database |  |  |  |  |  |
Components of amortized intangible assets |  |  |  |  |  |
Gross Carrying Amount | 3,658 |  | $ 3,658 |  |  | 3,571
Accumulated Amortization | 3,056 |  | $ 3,056 |  |  | 2,966
Weighted Average Life |  |  | 8 years |  | 8 years |
Patents & Proprietary Technology |  |  |  |  |  |
Components of amortized intangible assets |  |  |  |  |  |
Gross Carrying Amount | 6,998 |  | $ 6,998 |  |  | 6,815
Accumulated Amortization | 3,831 |  | $ 3,831 |  |  | 3,421
Weighted Average Life |  |  | 11 years |  | 11 years |
Other |  |  |  |  |  |
Components of amortized intangible assets |  |  |  |  |  |
Gross Carrying Amount | 3,886 |  | $ 3,886 |  |  | 3,752
Accumulated Amortization | $ 3,829 |  | $ 3,829 |  |  | $ 3,671
Weighted Average Life |  |  | 3 years |  | 3 years |

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- Definition The aggregate expense charged against earnings to allocate the cost of intangible assets (nonphysical assets not used in production) in a systematic and rational manner to the periods expected to benefit from such assets. As a noncash expense, this element is added back to net income when calculating cash provided by or used in operations using the indirect method. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 350 -SubTopic 30 -Section 45 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6388964&loc=d3e16225-109274 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 28 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66902209&loc=d3e3602-108585 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 350 -SubTopic 30 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (a)(2) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66006027&loc=d3e16323-109275 + Details
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- Definition Useful life of finite-lived intangible assets, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Amount of amortization expense for assets, excluding financial assets and goodwill, lacking physical substance with a finite life expected to be recognized during the fifth fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 350 -SubTopic 30 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (a)(3) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66006027&loc=d3e16323-109275 + Details
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