Reportable Segments - Segment Reporting Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		5 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 09, 2016	Feb. 11, 2015	Feb. 11, 2015	Mar. 09, 2016	Aug. 26, 2015
Sales:
Total	$ 86,314	$ 85,486	$ 166,043	$ 199,861
Segment level profit:
Total	(302)	(734)	(5,121)	(1,887)
Depreciation and amortization:
Total	5,220	4,781	9,849	12,235
Capital expenditures:
Total	5,241	7,399	10,988	10,970
Opening costs	(174)	(670)	(1,595)	(571)
Depreciation and amortization	(5,220)	(4,781)	(9,849)	(12,235)
Selling, general and administrative expenses	(9,843)	(9,381)	(18,532)	(23,086)
Provision for asset impairments	(37)	(218)	(218)	(37)
Net gain on disposition of property and equipment	556	1,377	1,087	835
Interest income	1	1	2	2
Interest expense	(495)	(569)	(1,025)	(1,191)
Other income (expense), net	29	78	258	(90)
Loss before income taxes and discontinued operations	(767)	(1,224)	(5,886)	(3,166)
Vending revenue	137	120	244	295
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	30,028			30,028	$ 30,028
Operating Segments [Member]
Sales:
Total	92,069	90,982	177,842	212,814
Segment level profit:
Total	14,416	12,939	23,986	33,207
Operating Segments [Member] | Company Owned Restaurants [Member]
Sales:
Total	86,451	85,606	166,287	200,156
Segment level profit:
Total	12,746	11,395	20,746	29,530
Depreciation and amortization:
Total	4,318	4,108	8,491	10,128
Capital expenditures:
Total	5,128	7,394	10,974	10,622
Depreciation and amortization	(4,318)	(4,108)	(8,491)	(10,128)
Vending revenue	137	120	244	295
Operating Segments [Member] | Company Owned Restaurants [Member] | Fuddruckers Trade Name Cheeseburger In Paradise Liquor Licenses And Jimmy Buffet Intangibles [Member]
Capital expenditures:
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	10,200			10,200
Operating Segments [Member] | Culinary Contract Services [Member]
Sales:
Total	3,918	3,771	8,369	8,833
Segment level profit:
Total	398	293	792	891
Depreciation and amortization:
Total	27	29	98	64
Capital expenditures:
Total	0	0	0	0
Depreciation and amortization	(27)	(29)	(98)	(64)
Operating Segments [Member] | Franchise [Member]
Sales:
Total	1,700	1,605	3,186	3,825
Segment level profit:
Total	1,272	1,251	2,448	2,786
Depreciation and amortization:
Total	192	177	354	448
Capital expenditures:
Total	0	0	0	0
Depreciation and amortization	(192)	(177)	(354)	(448)
Operating Segments [Member] | Franchise [Member] | Royalty Intangibles [Member]
Capital expenditures:
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	11,900			11,900
Corporate, Non-Segment [Member]
Depreciation and amortization:
Total	683	467	906	1,595
Capital expenditures:
Total	113	5	14	348
Depreciation and amortization	$ (683)	$ (467)	$ (906)	$ (1,595)