Reportable Segments - Segment Reporting Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 15, 2017	Mar. 09, 2016	Mar. 15, 2017	Mar. 09, 2016
Sales:
Restaurant sales	$ 81,064	$ 86,314	$ 189,147	$ 199,861
Segment level profit:
Profit	(8,265)	(302)	(14,739)	(1,887)
Depreciation and amortization:
Depreciation and amortization	4,788	5,220	11,338	12,235
Capital expenditures:
Purchases of property and equipment	2,982	5,241	7,962	10,970
Opening costs	(132)	(174)	(298)	(571)
Depreciation and amortization	(4,788)	(5,220)	(11,338)	(12,235)
Selling, general and administrative expenses	(9,008)	(9,843)	(22,767)	(23,086)
Provision for asset impairments and restaurant closings, net	(5,963)	(37)	(6,250)	(37)
Net (loss) gain on disposition of property and equipment	(329)	556	(414)	835
Interest income	1	1	3	2
Interest expense	(727)	(495)	(1,330)	(1,191)
Other income (expense), net	(242)	29	(139)	(90)
Loss before income taxes and discontinued operations	(9,233)	(767)	(16,205)	(3,166)
Vending revenue	125	137	284	295
Operating Segments [Member]
Sales:
Restaurant sales	86,314	92,069	200,724	212,814
Segment level profit:
Profit	11,955	14,416	26,328	33,207
Operating Segments [Member] | Company-owned restaurants [Member]
Sales:
Restaurant sales	81,189	86,451	189,431	200,156
Segment level profit:
Profit	10,226	12,746	22,822	29,530
Depreciation and amortization:
Depreciation and amortization	3,981	4,318	9,435	10,128
Capital expenditures:
Purchases of property and equipment	2,783	5,128	7,333	10,622
Depreciation and amortization	(3,981)	(4,318)	(9,435)	(10,128)
Vending revenue	125	137	284	295
Operating Segments [Member] | Culinary contract services [Member]
Sales:
Restaurant sales	3,306	3,918	7,602	8,833
Segment level profit:
Profit	346	398	831	891
Depreciation and amortization:
Depreciation and amortization	15	27	38	64
Capital expenditures:
Purchases of property and equipment	0	0	0	0
Depreciation and amortization	(15)	(27)	(38)	(64)
Operating Segments [Member] | Franchise operations [Member]
Sales:
Restaurant sales	1,819	1,700	3,691	3,825
Segment level profit:
Profit	1,383	1,272	2,675	2,786
Depreciation and amortization:
Depreciation and amortization	178	192	414	448
Capital expenditures:
Purchases of property and equipment	0	0	0	0
Depreciation and amortization	(178)	(192)	(414)	(448)
Corporate [Member]
Depreciation and amortization:
Depreciation and amortization	614	683	1,451	1,595
Capital expenditures:
Purchases of property and equipment	199	113	629	348
Depreciation and amortization	$ (614)	$ (683)	$ (1,451)	$ (1,595)