Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2014	Mar. 30, 2013	Mar. 29, 2014 Segment	Mar. 30, 2013	Sep. 28, 2013
Segment Information [Abstract]
Number of operating segments			5
Number of reportable segments			3
Revenues [Abstract]
Total revenues	$ 873,772	$ 678,426	$ 1,399,828	$ 1,169,129
Operating income [Abstract]
Total operating income	171,044	153,977	251,099	236,285
Reconciliation to net income [Abstract]
Interest expense, net	21,226	24,343	42,433	48,899
Provision for income taxes	271	150	448	282
Net income	149,547	129,484	208,218	187,104
Depreciation and amortization [Abstract]
Total depreciation and amortization	33,282	31,316	68,109	61,843
Assets [Abstract]
Total assets	2,853,545		2,853,545		2,727,987
Propane [Member]
Revenues [Abstract]
Total revenues	728,504	540,537	1,167,098	933,322
Operating income [Abstract]
Total operating income	189,517	178,285	295,899	282,445
Depreciation and amortization [Abstract]
Total depreciation and amortization	26,808	24,718	52,541	49,388
Assets [Abstract]
Total assets	2,589,935		2,589,935		2,452,909
Fuel Oil and Refined Fuels [Member]
Revenues [Abstract]
Total revenues	93,722	92,795	147,990	154,941
Operating income [Abstract]
Total operating income	9,271	5,759	9,750	6,449
Depreciation and amortization [Abstract]
Total depreciation and amortization	899	1,328	3,195	2,928
Assets [Abstract]
Total assets	95,864		95,864		77,473
Natural Gas and Electricity [Member]
Revenues [Abstract]
Total revenues	39,083	29,732	57,399	48,121
Operating income [Abstract]
Total operating income	5,022	5,711	7,674	8,277
Depreciation and amortization [Abstract]
Total depreciation and amortization	2	40	42	118
Assets [Abstract]
Total assets	23,586		23,586		16,789
All Other [Member]
Revenues [Abstract]
Total revenues	12,463	15,362	27,341	32,745
Operating income [Abstract]
Total operating income	(6,538)	(6,534)	(12,388)	(11,394)
Depreciation and amortization [Abstract]
Total depreciation and amortization	192	217	397	291
Assets [Abstract]
Total assets	3,711		3,711		3,860
Corporate [Member]
Operating income [Abstract]
Total operating income	(26,228)	(29,244)	(49,836)	(49,492)
Depreciation and amortization [Abstract]
Total depreciation and amortization	5,381	5,013	11,934	9,118
Assets [Abstract]
Total assets	$ 140,449		$ 140,449		$ 176,956