Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2013 Segment	Dec. 29, 2012	Sep. 28, 2013
Segment Information [Abstract]
Number of operating segments	5
Number of reportable segments	3
Revenues [Abstract]
Total revenues	$ 526,056	$ 490,703
Operating income [Abstract]
Total operating income	80,055	82,308
Reconciliation to net income [Abstract]
Interest expense, net	21,207	24,556
Provision for income taxes	177	132
Net income	58,671	57,620
Depreciation and amortization [Abstract]
Total depreciation and amortization	34,827	30,527
Assets [Abstract]
Total assets	2,776,441		2,727,987
Propane [Member]
Revenues [Abstract]
Total revenues	438,594	392,785
Operating income [Abstract]
Total operating income	106,382	104,160
Depreciation and amortization [Abstract]
Total depreciation and amortization	25,733	24,670
Assets [Abstract]
Total assets	2,538,755		2,452,909
Fuel Oil and Refined Fuels [Member]
Revenues [Abstract]
Total revenues	54,268	62,146
Operating income [Abstract]
Total operating income	479	690
Depreciation and amortization [Abstract]
Total depreciation and amortization	2,296	1,600
Assets [Abstract]
Total assets	86,186		77,473
Natural Gas and Electricity [Member]
Revenues [Abstract]
Total revenues	18,316	18,389
Operating income [Abstract]
Total operating income	2,652	2,566
Depreciation and amortization [Abstract]
Total depreciation and amortization	40	78
Assets [Abstract]
Total assets	21,508		16,789
All Other [Member]
Revenues [Abstract]
Total revenues	14,878	17,383
Operating income [Abstract]
Total operating income	(5,850)	(4,860)
Depreciation and amortization [Abstract]
Total depreciation and amortization	205	74
Assets [Abstract]
Total assets	5,535		3,860
Corporate [Member]
Operating income [Abstract]
Total operating income	(23,608)	(20,248)
Depreciation and amortization [Abstract]
Total depreciation and amortization	6,553	4,105
Assets [Abstract]
Total assets	$ 124,457		$ 176,956