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Selected Balance Sheet Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Sep. 29, 2012 | Sep. 24, 2011 | Sep. 25, 2010
Selected Balance Sheet Information [Abstract] |  |  |
Propane, fuel oil and refined fuels and natural gas | $ 83,543 | $ 64,601 |
Appliances | 4,633 | 1,306 |
Total inventory | 88,176 | 65,907 |
Term of purchase contracts | 1 year |  |
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] |  |  |
Property, plant and equipment, gross | 1,396,733 | 745,416 |
Less: accumulated depreciation | (427,408) | (407,291) |
Property, plant and equipment, net | 969,325 | 338,125 |
Depreciation expense | 35,237 | 32,368 | 28,411
Land and improvements [Member] |  |  |
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] |  |  |
Property, plant and equipment, gross | 206,130 | 27,904 |
Buildings and improvements [Member] |  |  |
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] |  |  |
Property, plant and equipment, gross | 112,610 | 82,639 |
Transportation equipment [Member] |  |  |
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] |  |  |
Property, plant and equipment, gross | 73,428 | 19,067 |
Storage facilities [Member] |  |  |
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] |  |  |
Property, plant and equipment, gross | 115,445 | 79,525 |
Equipment, primarily tanks and cylinders [Member] |  |  |
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] |  |  |
Property, plant and equipment, gross | 836,757 | 485,859 |
Computer systems [Member] |  |  |
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] |  |  |
Property, plant and equipment, gross | 48,320 | 47,718 |
Construction in progress [Member] |  |  |
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] |  |  |
Property, plant and equipment, gross | $ 4,043 | $ 2,704 |

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- Definition The cumulative amount of depreciation, depletion and amortization (related to property, plant and equipment, but not including land) that has been recognized in the income statement. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 360 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6391035&loc=d3e2868-110229 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.14) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB) -Number 12 -Paragraph 5 -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 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 14 -Article 5 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB) -Number 12 -Paragraph 5 -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. + Details
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- Definition Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of natural gas in storage, which is a mixture of gases (liquefied or otherwise), used for fuel and manufacturing purposes, which is ready for sale. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 6 -Subparagraph a -Article 5 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.6(a)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 + Details
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- Definition Tangible assets that are held by an entity for use in the production or supply of goods and services, for rental to others, or for administrative purposes and that are expected to provide economic benefit for more than one year; net of accumulated depreciation. Examples include land, buildings, machinery and equipment, and other types of furniture and equipment including, but not limited to, office equipment, furniture and fixtures, and computer equipment and software. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.13) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Article 7 -Section 03 -Paragraph 8 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 13 -Subparagraph a -Article 5 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 12 -Paragraph 5 -Subparagraph b, 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 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 360 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6391035&loc=d3e2868-110229 + Details
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