CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 03, 2012	Jul. 29, 2011	Jul. 30, 2010
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME [Abstract]
Total revenue	$ 2,580,195	$ 2,434,435	$ 2,404,515
Cost of goods sold	827,484	772,471	745,818
Gross profit	1,752,711	1,661,964	1,658,697
Labor and other related expenses	951,435	904,229	908,211
Other store operating expenses	464,130	451,957	437,136
Store operating income	337,146	305,778	313,350
General and administrative expenses	146,171	139,222	145,882
Impairment and store dispositions, net	0	(625)	2,800
Operating income	190,975	167,181	164,668
Interest expense	44,687	51,490	48,959
Income before income taxes	146,288	115,691	115,709
Provision for income taxes	43,207	30,483	30,451
Net income	$ 103,081	$ 85,208	$ 85,258
Net income per share - basic (in dollars per share)	$ 4.47	$ 3.70	$ 3.71
Net income per share - diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 4.40	$ 3.61	$ 3.62
Basic weighted average shares outstanding (in shares)	23,067,566	22,998,200	23,007,856
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding (in shares)	23,408,126	23,634,675	23,579,752