Segment Information - Disclosure by Reportable Segment and Reconciliation of Total Operating Segment Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 24, 2016	Sep. 26, 2015
Revenues [Abstract]
Total revenues	$ 1,187,886	$ 1,046,111	$ 1,416,979
Operating income (loss) [Abstract]:
Total operating income	115,284	90,406	177,758
Reconciliation to net income:
Loss on debt extinguishment	1,567	292	15,072
Interest expense, net	75,263	75,086	77,634
Provision for income taxes	459	588	700
Net income	37,995	14,440	84,352
Depreciation and amortization [Abstract]
Total depreciation and amortization	127,938	129,616	133,294
Assets [Abstract]
Total assets	2,171,283	2,282,299
Operating/Reportable Segments [Member] | Propane [Member]
Revenues [Abstract]
Total revenues	1,011,078	884,169	1,176,980
Operating income (loss) [Abstract]:
Total operating income	205,035	184,213	280,761
Depreciation and amortization [Abstract]
Total depreciation and amortization	111,374	110,067	110,728
Assets [Abstract]
Total assets	2,066,997	2,141,108
Operating/Reportable Segments [Member] | Fuel Oil and Refined Fuels [Member]
Revenues [Abstract]
Total revenues	78,126	68,759	127,495
Operating income (loss) [Abstract]:
Total operating income	8,552	5,649	7,621
Depreciation and amortization [Abstract]
Total depreciation and amortization	2,610	2,725	3,885
Assets [Abstract]
Total assets	49,863	53,266
Operating/Reportable Segments [Member] | Natural Gas and Electricity [Member]
Revenues [Abstract]
Total revenues	55,103	50,763	66,865
Operating income (loss) [Abstract]:
Total operating income	13,826	10,755	14,614
Depreciation and amortization [Abstract]
Total depreciation and amortization	0	3	8
Assets [Abstract]
Total assets	12,455	13,415
Operating/Reportable Segments [Member] | All Other [Member]
Revenues [Abstract]
Total revenues	43,579	42,420	45,639
Operating income (loss) [Abstract]:
Total operating income	(23,017)	(25,945)	(25,409)
Depreciation and amortization [Abstract]
Total depreciation and amortization	283	304	288
Assets [Abstract]
Total assets	2,147	2,185
Operating/Reportable Segments [Member] | Corporate [Member]
Operating income (loss) [Abstract]:
Total operating income	(89,112)	(84,266)	(99,829)
Depreciation and amortization [Abstract]
Total depreciation and amortization	13,671	16,517	$ 18,385
Assets [Abstract]
Total assets	$ 39,821	$ 72,325