Note 4 - Fair Value Measurements (Details) - Non-recurring Fair Value Measurements Related to Impaired Property and Equipment (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 28, 2013	Aug. 29, 2012	Aug. 31, 2011
Continuing Operations
Level	$ 1,723	$ (278)	$ 1,574
Company Owned Restaurants [Member] | Continuing Operations [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Continuing Operations
Level		0
Company Owned Restaurants [Member] | Continuing Operations [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Continuing Operations
Level		0
Company Owned Restaurants [Member] | Continuing Operations [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Continuing Operations
Level	722	0
Company Owned Restaurants [Member] | Continuing Operations [Member]
Continuing Operations
Balance	722	0
Total Impairment	(462)	(276)
Corporate Assets [Member] | Continuing Operations [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Continuing Operations
Level			0
Corporate Assets [Member] | Continuing Operations [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Continuing Operations
Level			0
Corporate Assets [Member] | Continuing Operations [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Continuing Operations
Level	447		1,900
Corporate Assets [Member] | Continuing Operations [Member]
Continuing Operations
Balance	447		1,900
Total Impairment	(153)		(84)
Corporate Assets [Member] | Discontinued Operations [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Continuing Operations
Level		0	0
Corporate Assets [Member] | Discontinued Operations [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Continuing Operations
Level		0	0
Corporate Assets [Member] | Discontinued Operations [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Continuing Operations
Level	3,159	2,683	4,819
Corporate Assets [Member] | Discontinued Operations [Member]
Continuing Operations
Balance	3,159	2,683	4,819
Total Impairment	(663)	(868)	(618)
Culinary Contract Services [Member] | Continuing Operations [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Continuing Operations
Level		0
Culinary Contract Services [Member] | Continuing Operations [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Continuing Operations
Level		0
Culinary Contract Services [Member] | Continuing Operations [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Continuing Operations
Level		57
Culinary Contract Services [Member] | Continuing Operations [Member]
Continuing Operations
Balance		57
Total Impairment		(175)
Continuing Operations [Member]
Continuing Operations
Total Impairment	$ 615	$ (451)