Selected Balance Sheet Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012	Sep. 24, 2011
Selected Balance Sheet Information [Abstract]
Propane, fuel oil and refined fuels and natural gas	$ 75,885	$ 83,543
Appliances	1,738	4,633
Total inventory	77,623	88,176
Term of purchase contracts	1 year
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	1,380,842	1,363,431
Less: accumulated depreciation	(492,610)	(427,203)
Property, plant and equipment, net	888,232	936,228
Depreciation expense	72,353	35,032	32,368
Land and improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	207,516	195,803
Buildings and improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	104,137	114,960
Transportation equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	71,815	70,058
Storage facilities [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	113,571	115,905
Equipment, primarily tanks and cylinders [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	830,282	814,342
Computer systems [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	49,049	48,320
Construction in progress [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$ 4,472	$ 4,043