Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 24, 2011	Sep. 25, 2010	Sep. 26, 2009
Segment Information [Abstract]
Number of operating segments	5
Number of reportable segments	3
Revenues [Abstract]
Propane	$ 929,492	$ 885,459	$ 864,012
Fuel oil and refined fuels	139,572	135,059	159,596
Natural gas and electricity	84,721	77,587	76,832
All other	36,767	38,589	42,714
Total revenues	1,190,552	1,136,694	1,143,154
Operating income:
Total operating income	143,228	153,368	210,615
Reconciliation to income from continuing operations:
Loss on debt extinguishment	0	9,473	4,624
Interest expense, net	27,378	27,397	38,267
Provision for income taxes	884	1,182	2,486
Net income	114,966	115,316	165,238
Depreciation and amortization	35,628	30,834	30,343
Assets	956,459	970,914
Propane [Member]
Revenues [Abstract]
Propane	929,492	885,459	864,012
Operating income:
Total operating income	203,567	230,717	268,969
Reconciliation to income from continuing operations:
Depreciation and amortization	19,525	17,505	15,951
Assets	706,008	693,699
Fuel Oil and Refined Fuels [Member]
Revenues [Abstract]
Fuel oil and refined fuels	139,572	135,059	159,596
Operating income:
Total operating income	11,140	11,589	17,950
Reconciliation to income from continuing operations:
Depreciation and amortization	4,139	3,277	4,253
Assets	44,973	57,681
Natural Gas and Electricity [Member]
Revenues [Abstract]
Natural gas and electricity	84,721	77,587	76,832
Operating income:
Total operating income	11,667	11,629	12,791
Reconciliation to income from continuing operations:
Depreciation and amortization	897	970	1,008
Assets	18,675	21,552
All Other Segment [Member]
Revenues [Abstract]
All other	36,767	38,589	42,714
Operating income:
Total operating income	(13,750)	(17,995)	(16,346)
Reconciliation to income from continuing operations:
Depreciation and amortization	111	261	436
Assets	3,719	3,042
Corporate [Member]
Operating income:
Total operating income	(69,396)	(82,572)	(72,749)
Reconciliation to income from continuing operations:
Depreciation and amortization	10,956	8,821	8,695
Assets	$ 183,084	$ 194,940