Segment Information - Disclosure by Reportable Segment and Reconciliation of Total Operating Segment Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 24, 2016	Sep. 26, 2015	Sep. 27, 2014
Revenues [Abstract]
Total revenues	$ 1,046,111	$ 1,416,979	$ 1,938,257
Operating income (loss) [Abstract]:
Total operating income	90,406	177,758	190,126
Reconciliation to net income:
Loss on debt extinguishment	292	15,072	11,589
Interest expense, net	75,086	77,634	83,261
Provision for income taxes	588	700	767
Net income	14,440	84,352	94,509
Depreciation and amortization [Abstract]
Total depreciation and amortization	129,616	133,294	136,399
Assets [Abstract]
Total assets	2,295,969	2,485,730
Operating/Reportable Segments [Member] | Propane [Member]
Revenues [Abstract]
Total revenues	884,169	1,176,980	1,606,840
Operating income (loss) [Abstract]:
Total operating income	184,213	280,761	295,916
Depreciation and amortization [Abstract]
Total depreciation and amortization	110,067	110,728	106,491
Assets [Abstract]
Total assets	2,141,108	2,209,343
Operating/Reportable Segments [Member] | Fuel Oil and Refined Fuels [Member]
Revenues [Abstract]
Total revenues	68,759	127,495	194,684
Operating income (loss) [Abstract]:
Total operating income	5,649	7,621	2,473
Depreciation and amortization [Abstract]
Total depreciation and amortization	2,725	3,885	5,429
Assets [Abstract]
Total assets	53,266	58,077
Operating/Reportable Segments [Member] | Natural Gas and Electricity [Member]
Revenues [Abstract]
Total revenues	50,763	66,865	87,093
Operating income (loss) [Abstract]:
Total operating income	10,755	14,614	10,818
Depreciation and amortization [Abstract]
Total depreciation and amortization	3	8	46
Assets [Abstract]
Total assets	13,415	13,253
Operating/Reportable Segments [Member] | All Other [Member]
Revenues [Abstract]
Total revenues	42,420	45,639	49,640
Operating income (loss) [Abstract]:
Total operating income	(25,945)	(25,409)	(25,644)
Depreciation and amortization [Abstract]
Total depreciation and amortization	304	288	699
Assets [Abstract]
Total assets	2,185	2,888
Operating/Reportable Segments [Member] | Corporate [Member]
Operating income (loss) [Abstract]:
Total operating income	(84,266)	(99,829)	(93,437)
Depreciation and amortization [Abstract]
Total depreciation and amortization	16,517	18,385	$ 23,734
Assets [Abstract]
Total assets	$ 85,995	$ 202,169