Segment Information - Disclosure by Reportable Segment and Reconciliation of Total Operating Segment Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 26, 2015	Sep. 27, 2014	Sep. 28, 2013
Revenues [Abstract]
Total revenues	$ 1,416,979	$ 1,938,257	$ 1,703,606
Operating income (loss) [Abstract]:
Total operating income	177,758	190,126	176,976
Reconciliation to net income:
Loss on debt extinguishment	15,072	11,589	2,144
Interest expense, net	77,634	83,261	95,427
Provision for income taxes	700	767	607
Net income	84,352	94,509	78,798
Depreciation and amortization [Abstract]
Total depreciation and amortization	133,294	136,399	130,384
Assets [Abstract]
Total assets	2,485,730	2,609,363
Operating/Reportable Segments [Member] | Propane [Member]
Revenues [Abstract]
Total revenues	1,176,980	1,606,840	1,357,102
Operating income (loss) [Abstract]:
Total operating income	280,761	295,916	287,473
Depreciation and amortization [Abstract]
Total depreciation and amortization	110,728	106,491	104,533
Assets [Abstract]
Total assets	2,209,343	2,365,320
Operating/Reportable Segments [Member] | Fuel Oil and Refined Fuels [Member]
Revenues [Abstract]
Total revenues	127,495	194,684	208,957
Operating income (loss) [Abstract]:
Total operating income	7,621	2,473	(2,799)
Depreciation and amortization [Abstract]
Total depreciation and amortization	3,885	5,429	4,634
Assets [Abstract]
Total assets	58,077	69,360
Operating/Reportable Segments [Member] | Natural Gas and Electricity [Member]
Revenues [Abstract]
Total revenues	66,865	87,093	79,432
Operating income (loss) [Abstract]:
Total operating income	14,614	10,818	11,565
Depreciation and amortization [Abstract]
Total depreciation and amortization	8	46	198
Assets [Abstract]
Total assets	13,253	13,992
Operating/Reportable Segments [Member] | All Other [Member]
Revenues [Abstract]
Total revenues	45,639	49,640	58,115
Operating income (loss) [Abstract]:
Total operating income	(25,409)	(25,644)	(26,483)
Depreciation and amortization [Abstract]
Total depreciation and amortization	288	699	638
Assets [Abstract]
Total assets	2,888	3,342
Operating/Reportable Segments [Member] | Corporate [Member]
Operating income (loss) [Abstract]:
Total operating income	(99,829)	(93,437)	(92,780)
Depreciation and amortization [Abstract]
Total depreciation and amortization	18,385	23,734	$ 20,381
Assets [Abstract]
Total assets	$ 202,169	$ 157,349