Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jun. 25, 2011	Jun. 26, 2010	Jun. 25, 2011	Jun. 26, 2010	Sep. 25, 2010
Segment Information [Abstract]
Number of operating segments	5		5
Number of reportable segments	3		3
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues:	$ 216,563	$ 198,070	$ 1,008,972	$ 968,665
Operating income:	353	555	157,927	171,109
Loss on debt extinguishment	0	0	0	9,473
Interest expense, net	6,867	6,808	20,532	20,599
Provision for income taxes	273	363	737	890
Net (loss) income	(6,787)	(6,616)	136,658	140,147
Depreciation and amortization:	9,670	8,868	26,304	23,094
Assets:	976,123		976,123		970,260
Propane [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues:	169,258	155,538	786,968	758,410
Operating income:	20,434	22,010	193,700	220,688
Depreciation and amortization:	5,011	5,235	15,326	12,596
Assets:	708,398		708,398		693,699
Fuel Oil and Refined Fuels [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues:	22,528	20,090	124,448	120,648
Operating income:	(318)	(141)	14,437	14,703
Depreciation and amortization:	1,378	788	2,691	2,332
Assets:	47,341		47,341		57,681
Natural Gas and Electricity [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues:	16,691	13,608	68,348	59,311
Operating income:	1,789	2,119	10,409	9,338
Depreciation and amortization:	225	241	672	747
Assets:	19,320		19,320		21,552
All Other Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues:	8,086	8,834	29,208	30,296
Operating income:	(3,433)	(4,604)	(8,947)	(12,817)
Depreciation and amortization:	34	295	192	420
Assets:	4,040		4,040		3,042
Corporate [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating income:	(18,119)	(18,829)	(51,672)	(60,803)
Depreciation and amortization:	3,022	2,309	7,423	6,999
Assets:	285,005		285,005		282,267
Corporate Elimination [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Assets:	$ (87,981)		$ (87,981)		$ (87,981)