Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 24, 2012	Mar. 26, 2011	Mar. 24, 2012	Mar. 26, 2011	Sep. 24, 2011
Segment Information [Abstract]
Number of operating segments					5
Number of reportable segments					3
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	$ 357,626	$ 464,102	$ 657,512	$ 792,409
Operating income	56,125	107,233	86,415	157,574
Depreciation and amortization	7,649	8,454	15,434	16,634
Total assets	931,478		931,478		956,459
Reconciliation to net income:
Loss on debt extinguishment	507	0	507	0
Interest expense, net	6,425	6,819	13,263	13,665
Provision for income taxes	(380)	98	(160)	464
Net income	49,573	100,316	72,805	143,445
All Other Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	8,411	9,586	18,909	21,122
Operating income	(3,732)	(2,951)	(6,329)	(5,514)
Depreciation and amortization	20	98	53	105
Total assets	3,694		3,694		3,719
Corporate [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating income	(15,730)	(16,352)	(31,511)	(33,553)
Depreciation and amortization	1,988	2,715	4,061	5,318
Total assets	132,681		132,681		183,084
Propane [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	283,759	358,309	524,115	617,710
Operating income	70,483	108,128	113,981	173,266
Depreciation and amortization	4,942	4,800	9,855	9,493
Total assets	728,135		728,135		706,008
Fuel Oil and Refined Fuels [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	43,748	63,518	74,729	101,920
Operating income	3,465	13,033	5,931	14,755
Depreciation and amortization	620	617	1,162	1,271
Total assets	48,347		48,347		44,973
Natural Gas and Electricity [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	21,708	32,689	39,759	51,657
Operating income	1,639	5,375	4,343	8,620
Depreciation and amortization	79	224	303	447
Total assets	$ 18,621		$ 18,621		$ 18,675