Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jun. 23, 2012	Jun. 25, 2011	Jun. 23, 2012	Jun. 25, 2011	Sep. 24, 2011
Segment Information [Abstract]
Number of operating segments	5		5
Number of reportable segments	3		3
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	$ 179,601	$ 216,563	$ 837,113	$ 1,008,972
Total operating income	(2,744)	353	83,671	157,927
Reconciliation to net income [Abstract]
Loss on debt extinguishment	0	0	507	0
Interest expense, net	6,479	6,867	19,742	20,532
Provision for income taxes	100	273	(60)	737
Net income	(9,323)	(6,787)	63,482	136,658
Total depreciation and amortization	8,472	9,670	23,906	26,304
Total assets	896,064		896,064		956,459
All other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	7,268	8,086	26,177	29,208
Total operating income	(4,029)	(3,433)	(10,358)	(8,947)
Reconciliation to net income [Abstract]
Total depreciation and amortization	19	34	72	192
Total assets	3,693		3,693		3,719
Corporate [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total operating income	(23,612)	(18,119)	(55,123)	(51,672)
Reconciliation to net income [Abstract]
Total depreciation and amortization	1,799	3,022	5,860	7,423
Total assets	153,431		153,431		183,084
Propane [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	142,681	169,258	666,796	786,968
Total operating income	25,270	20,434	139,251	193,700
Reconciliation to net income [Abstract]
Total depreciation and amortization	5,142	5,011	14,997	15,326
Total assets	685,576		685,576		706,008
Fuel oil and refined fuels [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	17,533	22,528	92,262	124,448
Total operating income	(1,789)	(318)	4,142	14,437
Reconciliation to net income [Abstract]
Total depreciation and amortization	1,433	1,378	2,595	2,691
Total assets	38,765		38,765		44,973
Natural gas and electricity [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	12,119	16,691	51,878	68,348
Total operating income	1,416	1,789	5,759	10,409
Reconciliation to net income [Abstract]
Total depreciation and amortization	79	225	382	672
Total assets	$ 14,599		$ 14,599		$ 18,675