Financial Information of Segments (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 21, 2012	Nov. 23, 2011	Aug. 29, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Culinary contract services	$ 3,841	$ 4,536
Franchising	1,522	1,482
Sales	79,453	79,325
Segment level profit	11,774	12,112
Depreciation and amortization	4,136	4,114
Capital expenditures	(4,874)	(4,519)
Opening costs	(206)	(35)
Depreciation and amortization	(4,136)	(4,114)
General and administrative expenses	(7,378)	(6,810)
Provision for asset impairments, net	(90)	(175)
Net gain (loss) on disposition of property and equipment	242	(9)
Interest income	2	1
Interest expense	(175)	(279)
Other income, net	234	217
Income before income taxes and discontinued operations	267	908
Total assets	230,256		231,017
Company Owned Assets
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Company-owned restaurants	74,090	73,307
Segment level profit	9,877	10,200
Depreciation and amortization	3,675	3,648
Capital expenditures	(4,820)	(4,445)
Total assets	182,874		182,290
Culinary Contract Services
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Culinary contract services	3,841	4,536
Segment level profit	375	430
Depreciation and amortization	108	114
Capital expenditures	(1)	(32)
Total assets	3,577		3,774
Franchising
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Franchising	1,522	1,482
Segment level profit	1,522	1,482
Depreciation and amortization	177	177
Capital expenditures	0	0
Total assets	14,954		15,352
Corporate
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Depreciation and amortization	176	175
Capital expenditures	(53)	(42)
Total assets	$ 28,851		$ 29,601