Selected Balance Sheet Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	12 Months Ended
Sep. 24, 2011	Sep. 25, 2010	Sep. 26, 2009
Selected Balance Sheet Information [Abstract]
Propane and refined fuels	$ 64,601	$ 59,836
Appliances and related parts	1,306	1,211
Total inventory	65,907	61,047
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
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

Reflects when the a purchase contract terminates, which may be presented in a variety of ways (year, month and year, day, month and year, quarter).

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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.

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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.

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The amount of expense recognized in the current period that reflects the allocation of the cost of tangible assets over the assets' useful lives. Includes production and non-production related depreciation.

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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.

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Carrying amount (lower of cost or market) as of the balance sheet date of inventories less all valuation and other allowances. Excludes noncurrent inventory balances (expected to remain on hand past one year or one operating cycle, if longer).

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Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of inventories of a nature not otherwise specified in the taxonomy.

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Gross amount, at the balance sheet date, of long-lived physical assets used in the normal conduct of business and not intended for resale. This can 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.

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Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

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