CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF PARTNERS' CAPITAL (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Common Unitholders [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Total
Balance at Sep. 26, 2009	$ 418,824	$ (61,288)		$ 357,536
Balance (in units) at Sep. 26, 2009	35,228,000
Net income	115,316		115,316	115,316
Other comprehensive income:
Net unrealized losses on cash flow hedges		(5,706)	(5,706)	(5,706)
Reclassification of realized losses on cash flow hedges into earnings		3,597	3,597	3,597
Amortization of net actuarial losses and prior service credits into earnings and net change in funded status of benefit plans		3,353	3,353	3,353
Recognition in earnings of net actuarial loss for pension settlement		2,818	2,818	2,818
Total comprehensive income			119,378
Partnership distributions	(118,263)			(118,263)
Common Units issued under Restricted Unit Plans (in units)	90,000
Compensation cost recognized under Restricted Unit Plans, net of forfeitures	4,005			4,005
Balance at Sep. 25, 2010	419,882	(57,226)		362,656
Balance (in units) at Sep. 25, 2010	35,318,000
Net income	114,966		114,966	114,966
Other comprehensive income:
Net unrealized losses on cash flow hedges		(1,177)	(1,177)	(1,177)
Reclassification of realized losses on cash flow hedges into earnings		2,881	2,881	2,881
Amortization of net actuarial losses and prior service credits into earnings and net change in funded status of benefit plans		(4,394)	(4,394)	(4,394)
Recognition in earnings of net actuarial loss for pension settlement				0
Total comprehensive income			112,276
Partnership distributions	(120,636)			(120,636)
Common Units issued under Restricted Unit Plans (in units)	111,000
Compensation cost recognized under Restricted Unit Plans, net of forfeitures	3,922			3,922
Balance at Sep. 24, 2011	418,134	(59,916)		358,218
Balance (in units) at Sep. 24, 2011	35,429,000
Net income	1,882		1,882	1,882
Other comprehensive income:
Net unrealized losses on cash flow hedges		(3,561)	(3,561)	(3,561)
Reclassification of realized losses on cash flow hedges into earnings		2,680	2,680	2,680
Amortization of net actuarial losses and prior service credits into earnings and net change in funded status of benefit plans		(310)	(310)	(310)
Recognition in earnings of net actuarial loss for pension settlement				0
Total comprehensive income			691
Partnership distributions	(121,094)			(121,094)
Sale of Common Units under public offering, net of offering expenses	259,842			259,842
Sale of Common Units under public offering, net of offering expenses (in units)	7,245,000
Common Units issued under Restricted Unit Plans (in units)	139,000
Issuance of Common Units for business acquisition	590,027			590,027
Issuance of Common Units for business acquisition (in units)	14,200,000
Compensation cost recognized under Restricted Unit Plans, net of forfeitures	4,059			4,059
Balance at Sep. 29, 2012	$ 1,152,850	$ (61,107)		$ 1,091,743
Balance (in units) at Sep. 29, 2012	57,013,000