Note 6 - Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
Jun. 29, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block]
Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block]	(6) Income Taxes *Effective income tax rate. The Company’s effective income tax rate was 35.7% for the nine-month period ended June 29, 2013 compared with 38.1% for the nine-month period ended June 30, 2012. The year-over-year decrease in the effective rate was primarily due to changes in permanent book versus tax differences. The effective income tax rates for both periods were based upon the estimated effective income tax rate applicable for the entire fiscal year after giving effect to any significant items related specifically to interim periods. Deferred income taxes.* As of June 29, 2013, the Company has recorded a current deferred tax asset (net of valuation allowance) of $2.1 million in other current assets and a non-current deferred tax liability of $5.4 million in other liabilities on its consolidated balance sheet. The deferred tax asset primarily relates to pre-tax losses that were incurred in prior fiscal years. The Company has $27.8 million of state net operating loss carryforwards (“NOLs”) that begin to expire in 2016, but principally expire between 2016 and 2032, and $5.3 million of federal NOLs that expire in 2031 and 2032. The Company has also recorded $262,000 of gross deferred tax assets for various state tax credits that begin to expire in 2014, but principally expire between 2014 and 2019. In accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 740, the Company evaluates its deferred tax assets to determine if a valuation allowance is required based on the consideration of all available evidence using a “more likely than not” standard, with significant weight being given to evidence that can be objectively verified. The realization of the Company’s deferred tax assets is entirely dependent upon the Company’s ability to generate future taxable income in applicable jurisdictions. Since the Company operates in multiple jurisdictions, it assesses the need for a valuation allowance on a jurisdiction-by-jurisdiction basis, considering the applicable tax laws. The Company recorded a valuation allowance of $696,000 and $679,000 as of June 29, 2013 and September 29, 2012, respectively, pertaining to various state NOLs and tax credits that were not expected to be utilized. The valuation allowance established by the Company is subject to periodic review and adjustment based on changes in facts and circumstances. If the Company should utilize the state NOLs and tax credits against which an allowance has previously been provided or if it is determined that it is “more likely than not” that the Company will realize any of these state NOLs and tax credits, an income tax benefit would be recognized at that time. *Uncertainty in income taxes*. Based on management’s judgment, as June 29, 2013, the Company has no material, known tax exposures that require the establishment of contingency reserves for uncertain tax positions. The Company files U.S. federal income tax returns as well as state and local income tax returns in various jurisdictions. Federal and certain state tax returns filed by the Company subsequent to fiscal year 2007 remain subject to examination together with certain state tax returns subsequent to fiscal year 2003. The Company’s 2011 fiscal year federal income tax return is currently under examination by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service.

Note 6 - Income Taxes

9 Months Ended

Jun. 29, 2013

(6) Income Taxes

Effective income tax rate. The Company’s effective income tax rate was 35.7% for the nine-month period ended June 29, 2013 compared with 38.1% for the nine-month period ended June 30, 2012. The year-over-year decrease in the effective rate was primarily due to changes in permanent book versus tax differences. The effective income tax rates for both periods were based upon the estimated effective income tax rate applicable for the entire fiscal year after giving effect to any significant items related specifically to interim periods.

Deferred income taxes. As of June 29, 2013, the Company has recorded a current deferred tax asset (net of valuation allowance) of $2.1 million in other current assets and a non-current deferred tax liability of $5.4 million in other liabilities on its consolidated balance sheet. The deferred tax asset primarily relates to pre-tax losses that were incurred in prior fiscal years. The Company has $27.8 million of state net operating loss carryforwards (“NOLs”) that begin to expire in 2016, but principally expire between 2016 and 2032, and $5.3 million of federal NOLs that expire in 2031 and 2032. The Company has also recorded $262,000 of gross deferred tax assets for various state tax credits that begin to expire in 2014, but principally expire between 2014 and 2019.

In accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 740, the Company evaluates its deferred tax assets to determine if a valuation allowance is required based on the consideration of all available evidence using a “more likely than not” standard, with significant weight being given to evidence that can be objectively verified. The realization of the Company’s deferred tax assets is entirely dependent upon the Company’s ability to generate future taxable income in applicable jurisdictions. Since the Company operates in multiple jurisdictions, it assesses the need for a valuation allowance on a jurisdiction-by-jurisdiction basis, considering the applicable tax laws. The Company recorded a valuation allowance of $696,000 and $679,000 as of June 29, 2013 and September 29, 2012, respectively, pertaining to various state NOLs and tax credits that were not expected to be utilized.

The valuation allowance established by the Company is subject to periodic review and adjustment based on changes in facts and circumstances. If the Company should utilize the state NOLs and tax credits against which an allowance has previously been provided or if it is determined that it is “more likely than not” that the Company will realize any of these state NOLs and tax credits, an income tax benefit would be recognized at that time.

Uncertainty in income taxes. Based on management’s judgment, as June 29, 2013, the Company has no material, known tax exposures that require the establishment of contingency reserves for uncertain tax positions.

The Company files U.S. federal income tax returns as well as state and local income tax returns in various jurisdictions. Federal and certain state tax returns filed by the Company subsequent to fiscal year 2007 remain subject to examination together with certain state tax returns subsequent to fiscal year 2003. The Company’s 2011 fiscal year federal income tax return is currently under examination by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for income taxes. Disclosures may include net deferred tax liability or asset recognized in an enterprise's statement of financial position, net change during the year in the total valuation allowance, approximate tax effect of each type of temporary difference and carryforward that gives rise to a significant portion of deferred tax liabilities and deferred tax assets, utilization of a tax carryback, and tax uncertainties information.

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