Commitments and Contingencies

12 Months Ended

Sep. 27, 2014

Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract]

Commitments and Contingencies

12. Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments. The Partnership leases certain property, plant and equipment, including portions of the Partnership’s vehicle fleet, for various periods under noncancelable leases. Rental expense under operating leases was $31,849, $33,036 and $23,593 for fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Future minimum rental commitments under noncancelable operating lease agreements as of September 27, 2014 are as follows:

Fiscal Year	Minimum Lease Payments
2015	$	25,266
2016		17,781
2017		12,199
2018		9,224
2019		6,131
2020 and thereafter		7,469

Contingencies.

Self Insurance. As described in Note 2, the Partnership is self-insured for general and product, workers’ compensation and automobile liabilities up to predetermined amounts above which third party insurance applies. At September 27, 2014 and September 28, 2013, the Partnership had accrued liabilities of $62,450 and $58,152, respectively, representing the total estimated losses under these self-insurance programs. For the portion of the estimated liability that exceeds insurance deductibles, the Partnership records an asset within other assets (or prepaid expenses and other current assets, as applicable) related to the amount of the liability expected to be covered by insurance which amounted to $18,410 and $18,330 as of September 27, 2014 and September 28, 2013, respectively.

Legal Matters. The Partnership’s operations are subject to operating hazards and risks normally incidental to handling, storing and delivering combustible liquids such as propane. The Partnership has been, and will continue to be, a defendant in various legal proceedings and litigation as a result of these operating hazards and risks, and as a result of other aspects of its business. Although any litigation is inherently uncertain, based on past experience, the information currently available to the Partnership, and the amount of its accrued insurance liabilities, the Partnership does not believe that currently pending or threatened litigation matters, or known claims or known contingent claims, will have a material adverse effect on its results of operations, financial condition or cash flow.