Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 02, 2013	Aug. 03, 2012	Jul. 29, 2011
Derivative [Line Items]
Company's credit spread (in hundredths)	1.50%	2.00%
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value, liability	$ 11,644	$ 34,381
Estimated pre-tax portion of AOCL that is expected to be reclassified into earnings over the next twelve months	5,915
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Amount of Income Recognized in AOCL on Derivative (Effective Portion)	23,620	17,223	14,677
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member] | Interest Expense [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Amount of Loss Reclassified from AOCL into Income (Effective Portion)	20,773	35,903	30,355
Other Assets [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value, asset	883	0
Current interest rate swap liability [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Reduction in the fair value	123	851
Current interest rate swap liability [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value, liability	0	20,215
Long-term interest rate swap liability [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value, liability	11,644	14,166
Interest Rate Swap Aug 10, 2010 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Effective date	May 03, 2013
Term	2 years
Notional amount	200,000
Fixed rate (in hundredths)	2.73%
Two Year Interest Rate Swap July 25, 2011 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Effective date	May 03, 2013
Term	2 years
Notional amount	50,000
Fixed rate (in hundredths)	2.00%
Three Year Interest Rate Swap July 25, 2011 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Effective date	May 03, 2013
Term	3 years
Notional amount	50,000
Fixed rate (in hundredths)	2.45%
Interest Rate Swap 1 September 19, 2011 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Effective date	May 03, 2013
Term	2 years
Notional amount	25,000
Fixed rate (in hundredths)	1.05%
Interest Rate Swap 2 September 19, 2011 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Effective date	May 03, 2013
Term	2 years
Notional amount	25,000
Fixed rate (in hundredths)	1.05%
Interest Rate Swap December 7, 2011 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Effective date	May 03, 2013
Term	3 years
Notional amount	50,000
Fixed rate (in hundredths)	1.40%
Interest Rate Swap March 18, 2013 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Effective date	May 03, 2015
Term	3 years
Notional amount	50,000
Fixed rate (in hundredths)	1.51%
Interest Rate Swap April 8, 2013 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Effective date	May 03, 2015
Term	2 years
Notional amount	50,000
Fixed rate (in hundredths)	1.05%
Interest Rate Swap April 15, 2013 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Effective date	May 03, 2015
Term	2 years
Notional amount	50,000
Fixed rate (in hundredths)	1.03%
Interest Rate Swap April 22, 2013 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Effective date	May 03, 2015
Term	3 years
Notional amount	25,000
Fixed rate (in hundredths)	1.30%
Interest Rate Swap April 25, 2013 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Effective date	May 03, 2015
Term	3 years
Notional amount	25,000
Fixed rate (in hundredths)	1.30%
Interest Rate Swap May 4, 2006 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Term	7 years
Notional amount	$ 525,000
Fixed rate (in hundredths)	5.57%