Fair Value Measurements (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 27, 2012		Jul. 29, 2011
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash equivalents	$ 72,926	[1]	$ 29,548	[1]
Deferred compensation plan assets	28,748	[2]	29,665	[2]
Total assets at fair value	101,674		59,213
Interest rate swap liability (see Note 5)	45,050		51,604
Total liabilities at fair value	45,050		51,604
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash equivalents	72,926	[1]	29,548	[1]
Deferred compensation plan assets	28,748	[2]	29,665	[2]
Total assets at fair value	101,674		59,213
Interest rate swap liability (see Note 5)	0		0
Total liabilities at fair value	0		0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash equivalents	0	[1]	0	[1]
Deferred compensation plan assets	0	[2]	0	[2]
Total assets at fair value	0		0
Interest rate swap liability (see Note 5)	45,050		51,604
Total liabilities at fair value	45,050		51,604
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash equivalents	0	[1]	0	[1]
Deferred compensation plan assets	0	[2]	0	[2]
Total assets at fair value	0		0
Interest rate swap liability (see Note 5)	0		0
Total liabilities at fair value	$ 0		$ 0

[1] Consists of money market fund investments.

[2] Represents plan assets invested in mutual funds established under a Rabbi Trust for the Company's non-qualified savings plan and is included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as other assets.