Selected Balance Sheet Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2012	Sep. 24, 2011	Sep. 25, 2010
Selected Balance Sheet Information [Abstract]
Propane, fuel oil and refined fuels and natural gas	$ 83,543	$ 64,601
Appliances	4,633	1,306
Total inventory	88,176	65,907
Term of purchase contracts	1 year
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	1,396,733	745,416
Less: accumulated depreciation	(427,408)	(407,291)
Property, plant and equipment, net	969,325	338,125
Depreciation expense	35,237	32,368	28,411
Land and improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	206,130	27,904
Buildings and improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	112,610	82,639
Transportation equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	73,428	19,067
Storage facilities [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	115,445	79,525
Equipment, primarily tanks and cylinders [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	836,757	485,859
Computer systems [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	48,320	47,718
Construction in progress [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$ 4,043	$ 2,704