Note 4 - Reportable Segments (Details) - Financial Information as Required By ASC 280 For Segment Reporting (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 20, 2013	Nov. 21, 2012
Sales:
Sales	$ 81,446	$ 73,968
Segment level profit:
Segment Level Profit	87,342	79,453
Depreciation and amortization:
Depreciation and Amortization	4,413	4,136
Income before income taxes and discontinued operations:
Income before income taxes and discontinued operations	(2,288)	295
Company Owned Restaurants [Member]
Sales:
Sales	81,558	74,090
Segment level profit:
Segment Level Profit	8,828	9,878
Depreciation and amortization:
Depreciation and Amortization	3,980	3,675
Capital expenditures:
Capital expenditures	(9,058)	(4,820)
Culinary Contract Services [Member]
Sales:
Sales	4,270	3,841
Segment level profit:
Segment Level Profit	598	375
Depreciation and amortization:
Depreciation and Amortization	93	108
Capital expenditures:
Capital expenditures	0	(1)
Franchise [Member]
Sales:
Sales	1,514	1,522
Segment level profit:
Segment Level Profit	1,514	1,522
Depreciation and amortization:
Depreciation and Amortization	177	177
Capital expenditures:
Capital expenditures	0	0
Segment Sales Total [Member]
Sales:
Sales	87,342	79,453
Segment Level Profit Total [Member]
Segment level profit:
Segment Level Profit	10,940	11,775
Corporate Segment [Member]
Depreciation and amortization:
Depreciation and Amortization	163	158
Capital expenditures:
Capital expenditures	(149)	(53)
Depreciation and Amortization Total [Member]
Depreciation and amortization:
Depreciation and Amortization	4,413	4,118
Capital Expenditures Total [Member]
Capital expenditures:
Capital expenditures	(9,207)	(4,874)
Segment Level Profit Total [Member]
Income before income taxes and discontinued operations:
Income before income taxes and discontinued operations	10,940	11,775
Opening Costs [Member]
Income before income taxes and discontinued operations:
Income before income taxes and discontinued operations	(350)	(206)
Depreciation and Amortization Total [Member]
Income before income taxes and discontinued operations:
Income before income taxes and discontinued operations	(4,413)	(4,118)
General and Administrative Expense [Member]
Income before income taxes and discontinued operations:
Income before income taxes and discontinued operations	(8,029)	(7,378)
Provision For Asset Impairments, Net [Member]
Income before income taxes and discontinued operations:
Income before income taxes and discontinued operations	(430)	(90)
Net Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Property and Equipment [Member]
Income before income taxes and discontinued operations:
Income before income taxes and discontinued operations	(51)	242
Interest Income [Member]
Income before income taxes and discontinued operations:
Income before income taxes and discontinued operations	2	2
Interest Expense [Member]
Income before income taxes and discontinued operations:
Income before income taxes and discontinued operations	(253)	(175)
Other Income [Member]
Income before income taxes and discontinued operations:
Income before income taxes and discontinued operations	$ 296	$ 243