Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Carrying Values of Goodwill Assigned to Partnership's Operating Segments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Sep. 24, 2016	Sep. 26, 2015
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill		$ 1,101,097	$ 1,093,891
Accumulated adjustments		(6,462)	(6,462)
Goodwill, net		1,094,635	1,087,429
Goodwill acquired	[1]	14,710
Goodwill disposed	[2]	(7,504)
Propane [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill		1,082,297	1,075,091
Accumulated adjustments		0	0
Goodwill, net		1,082,297	1,075,091
Goodwill acquired	[1]	14,710
Goodwill disposed	[2]	(7,504)
Fuel Oil and Refined Fuels [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill		10,900	10,900
Accumulated adjustments		(6,462)	(6,462)
Goodwill, net		4,438	4,438
Goodwill acquired	[1]	0
Goodwill disposed	[2]	0
Natural Gas and Electricity [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill		7,900	7,900
Accumulated adjustments		0	0
Goodwill, net		7,900	$ 7,900
Goodwill acquired	[1]	0
Goodwill disposed	[2]	$ 0

[1] Reflects the impact from the Propane USA acquisition (Note 3).

[2] Reflects the impact from the disposition of certain assets and operations in a non-strategic market of the propane segment (Note 3).