Selected Balance Sheet Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2014	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012
Selected Balance Sheet Information [Abstract]
Propane, fuel oil and refined fuels and natural gas	$ 89,470	$ 75,885
Appliances	1,495	1,738
Total inventory	90,965	77,623
Term of purchase contracts	1 year
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	1,356,746	1,380,842
Less: accumulated depreciation	(529,920)	(492,610)
Property, plant and equipment, net	826,826	888,232
Depreciation expense	78,921	72,353	35,032
Land and improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	201,353	207,516
Buildings and improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	103,751	104,137
Transportation equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	64,254	71,815
Storage facilities [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	110,586	113,571
Equipment, primarily tanks and cylinders [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	823,478	830,282
Computer systems [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	49,904	49,049
Construction in progress [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$ 3,420	$ 4,472