Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 29, 2012	Aug. 31, 2011	Aug. 25, 2010
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income (loss)	$ 6,854	$ 2,965	$ (2,893)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Provision for asset impairments, net of gains/losses on property sales	1,084	(3,317)	(1,864)
Depreciation and amortization	17,974	17,278	15,488
Provision for doubtful accounts	382	298	34
(Gain) impairment of investments			(1,636)
Amortization of debt issuance cost	112	893	328
Non-cash compensation expense		27	258
Share-based compensation expense	795	755	954
Reduction in tax benefits from stock options	27	71	90
Gain on acquisition		(137)
Deferred tax expense (benefit)	(341)	1,007	(4,672)
Cash provided by operating activities before changes in operating asset and liabilities	26,887	19,840	6,087
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
(Increase) decrease in trade accounts and other receivables	55	(2,522)	(169)
(Increase) decrease in food and supply inventories	629	(1,094)	411
Increase in prepaid expenses and other assets	(1,448)	(952)	(476)
Increase in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	3,139	1,181	3,444
Net cash provided by operating activities	29,262	16,453	9,297
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds (purchases) from redemption or maturity of long-term investments			8,539
Issuance of note receivable	(177)
Acquisition of Fuddruckers		(600)	(63,064)
Proceeds from disposal of assets, insurance proceeds and property held for sale	5,232	14,672	9,393
Purchases of property and equipment	(25,845)	(11,038)	(3,580)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(20,790)	3,034	(48,712)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Credit facility borrowings	43,300	86,650	122,100
Credit facility repayments	(51,800)	(106,650)	(80,600)
Debt issuance costs	(1)	(562)	(667)
Proceeds received on the exercise of employee stock options		27
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(8,501)	(20,535)	40,833
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(29)	(1,048)	1,418
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	1,252	2,300	882
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$ 1,223	$ 1,252	$ 2,300