Reportable Segments - Segment Reporting Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended						4 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Aug. 29, 2018	Jun. 06, 2018	Mar. 14, 2018	Aug. 30, 2017	Jun. 07, 2017	Mar. 15, 2017	Dec. 20, 2017	Dec. 21, 2016	Aug. 29, 2018	Aug. 30, 2017	Aug. 31, 2016
Sales:
Sales	$ 83,903	$ 86,004	$ 81,792	$ 86,589	$ 88,719	$ 86,314	$ 113,497	$ 114,409	$ 365,196	$ 376,031	$ 402,639
Segment level profit:
Segment level profit									38,106	50,102	62,532
Depreciation and amortization:
Depreciation and amortization									17,453	20,438	21,889
Total assets:
Assets	199,989			226,457					199,989	226,457	252,225
Capital expenditures:
Capital expenditures									13,247	12,502	18,253
Loss before income taxes and discontinued operations:
Segment level profit									38,106	50,102	62,532
Opening costs									(554)	(492)	(787)
Depreciation and amortization									(17,453)	(20,438)	(21,889)
Selling, general and administrative expenses									(38,725)	(37,878)	(42,422)
Provision for asset impairments and restaurant closings									(8,917)	(10,567)	(1,442)
Net gain on disposition of property and equipment									5,357	1,804	684
Interest income									12	8	4
Interest expense									(3,348)	(2,443)	(2,247)
Other income (expense), net									298	(454)	186
Loss before income taxes and discontinued operations									(25,224)	(20,358)	(5,381)
Vending revenue	119	$ 118	$ 151	130	$ 133	$ 125	$ 143	$ 159	531	547	583
Intangible assets	29,907			29,907					29,907	29,907
Company-owned restaurants
Sales:
Sales									333,049	351,365	378,694
Segment level profit:
Segment level profit									31,648	42,943	55,419
Loss before income taxes and discontinued operations:
Segment level profit									31,648	42,943	55,419
Vending revenue									531	547	583
Company-owned restaurants | Fuddruckers trade name, Cheeseburger in Paradise liquor licenses, and Jimmy Buffet intangibles
Loss before income taxes and discontinued operations:
Intangible assets	8,400								8,400
Culinary contract services
Sales:
Sales									25,782	17,943	16,695
Segment level profit:
Segment level profit									1,621	2,169	1,740
Loss before income taxes and discontinued operations:
Segment level profit									1,621	2,169	1,740
Franchise operations
Sales:
Sales									6,365	6,723	7,250
Segment level profit:
Segment level profit									4,837	4,990	5,373
Loss before income taxes and discontinued operations:
Segment level profit									4,837	4,990	5,373
Franchise operations | Royalty intangibles
Loss before income taxes and discontinued operations:
Intangible assets	9,900								9,900
Operating Segments | Company-owned restaurants
Depreciation and amortization:
Depreciation and amortization									14,741	16,948	18,181
Total assets:
Assets	151,511			189,990					151,511	189,990	211,182
Capital expenditures:
Capital expenditures									11,109	11,374	17,258
Loss before income taxes and discontinued operations:
Depreciation and amortization									(14,741)	(16,948)	(18,181)
Operating Segments | Culinary contract services
Depreciation and amortization:
Depreciation and amortization									71	64	103
Total assets:
Assets	4,569			3,342					4,569	3,342	3,390
Capital expenditures:
Capital expenditures									235	3	28
Loss before income taxes and discontinued operations:
Depreciation and amortization									(71)	(64)	(103)
Operating Segments | Franchise operations
Depreciation and amortization:
Depreciation and amortization									769	770	784
Total assets:
Assets	10,982			11,325					10,982	11,325	12,266
Loss before income taxes and discontinued operations:
Depreciation and amortization									(769)	(770)	(784)
Corporate
Depreciation and amortization:
Depreciation and amortization									1,872	2,656	2,821
Total assets:
Assets	$ 32,927			$ 21,800					32,927	21,800	25,387
Capital expenditures:
Capital expenditures									1,903	1,125	967
Loss before income taxes and discontinued operations:
Depreciation and amortization									$ (1,872)	$ (2,656)	$ (2,821)