CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 28, 2017	Jul. 29, 2016	Jul. 31, 2015
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME [Abstract]
Total revenue	$ 2,926,289	$ 2,912,351	$ 2,842,284
Cost of goods sold (exclusive of depreciation and rent)	891,293	928,176	924,171
Labor and other related expenses	1,017,124	1,006,188	992,382
Other store operating expenses	563,300	554,534	523,307
Store operating income	454,572	423,453	402,424
General and administrative expenses	141,414	142,982	147,544
Operating income	313,158	280,471	254,880
Interest expense	14,271	14,052	16,679
Income before income taxes	298,887	266,419	238,201
Provision for income taxes	96,988	77,120	74,298
Net income	$ 201,899	$ 189,299	$ 163,903
Net income per share - basic (in dollars per share)	$ 8.40	$ 7.91	$ 6.85
Net income per share - diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 8.37	$ 7.86	$ 6.82
Basic weighted average shares outstanding (in shares)	24,031,810	23,945,041	23,918,368
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding (in shares)	24,118,288	24,074,273	24,048,924