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Financial Instruments and Risk Management (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified | 12 Months Ended |
--- | --- | ---
Sep. 24, 2011 | Sep. 25, 2010 | Sep. 26, 2009
Asset Fair Value Measurement Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Roll Forward] |  |  |
Beginning balance of over-the-counter options | $ 1,509 | $ 1,675 |
Beginning balance realized during the period | (1,509) | (1,434) |
Change in the fair value of beginning balance | 0 | (241) |
Contracts purchased during the period | 1,780 | 1,509 |
Ending balance of over-the-counter options | 1,780 | 1,509 |
Liability Fair Value Measurement Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Roll Forward] |  |  |
Beginning balance of over-the-counter options | 30 | 844 |
Beginning balance realized during the period | (30) | (844) |
Change in the fair value of beginning balance | 0 | 0 |
Contracts purchased during the period | 118 | 30 |
Ending balance of over-the-counter options | 118 | 30 |
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities [Abstract] |  |  |
Period over which partnership's outstanding commodity-related derivatives were scheduled to mature (in months) | 15M |  |
Weighted average maturity of outstanding commodity-related derivatives (in months) | 4M | 3M |
Credit Risk [Abstract] |  |  |
Number of locations served by the Partnership | 300 |  |
Number of states which the Partnership operates | 30 |  |
Minimum concentration risk threshold accounted for by a single customer (in hundredths) | 10.00% | 10.00% | 10.00%
Number of suppliers providing a concentration of propane supplies | 3 |  |
Concentration percentage of propane supply provided by suppliers (in hundredths) | 37.00% | 38.00% | 40.00%
Bank Debt and Senior Notes [Abstract] |  |  |
Fair Value of Senior Notes | 248,500 |  |
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] |  |  |
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items] |  |  |
Fair value - liabilities | 4,596 | 6,301 |
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Interest Rate Swaps [Member] | Other Liabilities [Member] |  |  |
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items] |  |  |
Fair value - liabilities | 1,934 | 3,561 |
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Interest Rate Swaps [Member] | Other Current Liabilities [Member] |  |  |
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items] |  |  |
Fair value - liabilities | 2,662 | 2,740 |
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] |  |  |
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items] |  |  |
Fair Value - assets | 5,454 | 2,623 |
Fair value - liabilities | 2,476 | 2,479 |
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Commodity Options [Member] | Other Liabilities [Member] |  |  |
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items] |  |  |
Fair value - liabilities | 69 | 0 |
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Commodity Options [Member] | Other Current Liabilities [Member] |  |  |
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items] |  |  |
Fair value - liabilities | 2,407 | 641 |
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Commodity Options [Member] | Other Current Assets [Member] |  |  |
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items] |  |  |
Fair Value - assets | 3,710 | 2,601 |
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Commodity Options [Member] | Other Assets [Member] |  |  |
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items] |  |  |
Fair Value - assets | 612 | 0 |
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Commodity Futures [Member] | Other Current Liabilities [Member] |  |  |
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items] |  |  |
Fair value - liabilities | 0 | 1,838 |
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Commodity Futures [Member] | Other Current Assets [Member] |  |  |
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items] |  |  |
Fair Value - assets | 1,132 | 22 |
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Commodity Futures [Member] | Other Assets [Member] |  |  |
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items] |  |  |
Fair Value - assets | $ 0 | $ 0 |

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- Definition For an entity that discloses a concentration risk in relation to quantitative amount, which serves as the "benchmark" (or denominator) in the equation, this concept represents the concentration percentage derived from the division. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 275 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 20 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6927468&loc=d3e6404-108592 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 825 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 21 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6947722&loc=d3e13537-108611 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 825 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 20 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6947722&loc=d3e13531-108611 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 275 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 18 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6927468&loc=d3e6351-108592 + Details
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- Definition Fair value of derivative asset, presented on a gross basis even when the derivative instrument is subject to master netting arrangements and qualifies for net presentation in the statement of financial position. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 815 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4B -Subparagraph (a),(c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6935481&loc=SL5624163-113959 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 133 -Paragraph 44C -Subparagraph a -Clause 1 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 133 -Paragraph 205G -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. + Details
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- Definition This element represents total gains or losses for the period (realized and unrealized), arising from assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis using unobservable inputs (Level 3), which are included in earnings or resulted in a change in net asset value. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 157 -Paragraph 32 -Subparagraph c(1) -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 820 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (c)(1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6925170&loc=d3e19207-110258 + Details
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- Definition The increase (decrease) of assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis using unobservable inputs (Level 3) which have taken place during the period. Such increase (decrease) may be comprised of changes in fair value (gains or losses) whether realized or unrealized that have been included in earnings, changed net asset value, or other comprehensive income (a separate component of shareholders' equity); purchases, sales, issuances, or settlements of assets; and net transfers in to or out of this category within the fair value hierarchy. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 157 -Paragraph 32 -Subparagraph c(1), c(2), c(3) -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 820 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6925170&loc=d3e19207-110258 + Details
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- Definition Purchases that have taken place during the period in relation to assets measured at fair value and categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 820 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (c)(2) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6925170&loc=d3e19207-110258 + Details
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- Definition This element represents an asset measured at fair value using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) which is required for reconciliation purposes of beginning and ending balances. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 157 -Paragraph 32 -Subparagraph c -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 820 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6925170&loc=d3e19207-110258 + Details
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- Definition This element represents total gains or losses for the period (realized and unrealized), arising from liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis using unobservable inputs (Level 3), which are included in earnings or resulted in a change in net asset value. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 157 -Paragraph 32 -Subparagraph c(1) -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 820 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (c)(1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6925170&loc=d3e19207-110258 + Details
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- Definition The increase (decrease) of liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis using unobservable inputs (Level 3) which have taken place during the period. Such increase (decrease) may be comprised of changes in fair value (gains or losses) whether realized or unrealized that have been included in earnings, changed net asset value, or other comprehensive income (a separate component of shareholders' equity); purchases, sales, issuances, or settlements of assets; and net transfers in to or out of this category within the fair value hierarchy. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 157 -Paragraph 32 -Subparagraph c(1), c(2), c(3) -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. + Details
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- Definition Purchases that have taken place during the period in relation to liabilities measured at fair value and categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 820 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (c)(2) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6925170&loc=d3e19207-110258 + Details
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- Definition This element represents a liability measured at fair value using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) which is required for reconciliation purposes of beginning and ending balances. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 820 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6925170&loc=d3e19207-110258 + Details
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- Definition The fair value amount of long-term debt whether such amount is presented as a separate caption or as a parenthetical disclosure. Additionally, this element may be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements. The element may be used in both the balance sheet and disclosure in the same submission. + Details
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