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Selected Balance Sheet Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified | 12 Months Ended |
--- | --- | ---
Sep. 24, 2011 | Sep. 25, 2010 | Sep. 26, 2009 | Mar. 24, 2012
Selected Balance Sheet Information [Abstract] |  |  |  |
Propane and refined fuels | $ 64,601 | $ 59,836 |  | $ 65,879
Appliances and related parts | 1,306 | 1,211 |  | 1,408
Total inventory | 65,907 | 61,047 |  | 67,287
Term of purchase contracts (in years) | 1Y |  |  |
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Property, plant and equipment, gross | 745,416 | 740,875 |  |
Less: accumulated depreciation | 407,291 | 390,455 |  |
Property, plant and equipment, net | 338,125 | 350,420 |  | 330,452
Depreciation expense | 32,368 | 28,411 | 28,123 |
Adjustment to accelerate depreciation expense | 2,883 | 1,800 |  |
Land and improvements [Member] |  |  |  |
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Property, plant and equipment, gross | 27,904 | 28,250 |  |
Buildings and improvements [Member] |  |  |  |
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Property, plant and equipment, gross | 82,639 | 80,072 |  |
Transportation equipment [Member] |  |  |  |
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Property, plant and equipment, gross | 19,067 | 22,959 |  |
Storage facilities [Member] |  |  |  |
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Property, plant and equipment, gross | 79,525 | 78,176 |  |
Tanks and cylinders [Member] |  |  |  |
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Property, plant and equipment, gross | 485,859 | 481,423 |  |
Computer systems [Member] |  |  |  |
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Property, plant and equipment, gross | 47,718 | 44,705 |  |
Construction in progress [Member] |  |  |  |
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Property, plant and equipment, gross | $ 2,704 | $ 5,290 |  |

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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 The decrease in accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization (relating to property, plant and equipment) as a result of write-downs of property, plant and equipment. + References Reference 1: 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. + Details
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- Definition Gross amount, as of the balance sheet date, of merchandise, goods, commodities, or supplies held for future sale or to be used in manufacturing, servicing or production process. + 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 210.5-02.6(a)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 + Details
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