Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jun. 28, 2014	Jun. 29, 2013	Jun. 28, 2014 Segment	Jun. 29, 2013	Sep. 28, 2013
Segment Information [Abstract]
Number of operating segments			5
Number of reportable segments			3
Revenues [Abstract]
Total revenues	$ 297,143	$ 290,805	$ 1,696,971	$ 1,459,934
Operating (loss) income [Abstract]
Total operating (loss) income	(26,575)	(20,655)	224,524	215,631
Reconciliation to net (loss) income [Abstract]
Loss on debt extinguishment	11,589	0	11,589	0
Interest expense, net	20,662	24,385	63,095	73,284
Provision for income taxes	163	148	611	430
Net (loss) income	(58,989)	(45,188)	149,229	141,917
Depreciation and amortization [Abstract]
Total depreciation and amortization	32,992	31,505	101,101	93,347
Assets [Abstract]
Total assets	2,649,500		2,649,500		2,727,987
Propane [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Total assets	2,418,145		2,418,145		2,452,909
Fuel Oil and Refined Fuels [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Total assets	74,314		74,314		77,473
Natural Gas and Electricity [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Total assets	14,495		14,495		16,789
All Other [Member]
Revenues [Abstract]
Total revenues	11,160	12,870	38,501	45,615
Operating (loss) income [Abstract]
Total operating (loss) income	(6,724)	(7,625)	(19,112)	(19,019)
Depreciation and amortization [Abstract]
Total depreciation and amortization	187	227	584	518
Assets [Abstract]
Total assets	4,391		4,391		3,860
Corporate [Member]
Operating (loss) income [Abstract]
Total operating (loss) income	(22,640)	(21,836)	(72,476)	(71,328)
Depreciation and amortization [Abstract]
Total depreciation and amortization	5,496	5,152	17,430	14,270
Assets [Abstract]
Total assets	138,155		138,155		176,956
Reportable Segments [Member] | Propane [Member]
Revenues [Abstract]
Total revenues	242,173	230,777	1,409,271	1,164,099
Operating (loss) income [Abstract]
Total operating (loss) income	4,457	12,267	300,356	294,713
Depreciation and amortization [Abstract]
Total depreciation and amortization	26,067	24,802	78,608	74,189
Reportable Segments [Member] | Fuel Oil and Refined Fuels [Member]
Revenues [Abstract]
Total revenues	26,898	31,026	174,888	185,967
Operating (loss) income [Abstract]
Total operating (loss) income	(3,160)	(5,263)	6,590	1,186
Depreciation and amortization [Abstract]
Total depreciation and amortization	1,240	1,284	4,435	4,212
Reportable Segments [Member] | Natural Gas and Electricity [Member]
Revenues [Abstract]
Total revenues	16,912	16,132	74,311	64,253
Operating (loss) income [Abstract]
Total operating (loss) income	1,492	1,802	9,166	10,079
Depreciation and amortization [Abstract]
Total depreciation and amortization	$ 2	$ 40	$ 44	$ 158