Supplemental Cash Flows Information 1 (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 29, 2012		Apr. 27, 2011		Apr. 28, 2010
Cash Paid During the Year For:
Interest	$ 277,954,000		$ 268,131,000		$ 305,332,000
Income taxes	265,547,000		154,527,000		138,953,000
Details of Acquisitions:
Fair value of assets	0		1,057,870,000		16,072,000
Liabilities	(3,250,000)	[1]	274,294,000	[1]	4,644,000	[1]
Redeemable noncontrolling interest	0	[2]	124,669,000	[2]	0	[2]
Cash paid	3,250,000		658,907,000		11,428,000
Less cash acquired	0		(40,605,000)		0
Net cash paid for acquisitions	3,250,000		618,302,000		11,428,000
Obligations to sellers			$ 44,500,000

[1] Includes contingent obligations to sellers of $44.5 million in 2011.

[2] See Note 18 for additional information.