Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 24, 2022	Sep. 25, 2021
Operating activities:
Net earnings	$ 78,906	$ 47,235	$ 55,607
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities
Depreciation of fixed assets	56,616	49,669	46,781
Amortization of intangibles and deferred costs	6,525	3,454	2,610
Intangible asset impairment charges	1,678	1,010	1,273
(Gains) Losses from disposals of property & equipment	(409)	220	(231)
Share-based compensation	5,318	4,269	4,199
Deferred income taxes	10,935	8,829	(2,896)
(Gain) Loss on marketable securities	(8)	315	(1,026)
Other	323	(95)	77
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effects from purchase of companies
Decrease (Increase) in accounts receivable	11,399	(32,778)	(35,755)
Decrease (Increase) in inventories	9,475	(49,431)	(14,155)
Decrease (Increase) in prepaid expenses	5,924	(9,343)	9,629
(Decrease) Increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities	(14,403)	2,708	35,386
Net cash provided by operating activities	172,279	26,062	101,499
Investing activities:
Payments for purchases of companies, net of cash acquired	0	(221,301)	0
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	(104,737)	(87,291)	(53,578)
Proceeds from redemption and sales of marketable securities	9,716	12,026	60,891
Proceeds from disposal of property and equipment	1,781	399	2,435
Other	0	0	191
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities	(93,240)	(296,167)	9,939
Financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of stock	15,212	16,160	20,256
Borrowings under credit facility	114,000	125,000	0
Repayment of borrowings under credit facility	(142,000)	(70,000)	0
Payments for debt issuance costs	0	(225)	0
Payments on finance lease obligations	(180)	(279)	(144)
Payment of cash dividend	(53,877)	(48,437)	(44,785)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(66,845)	22,219	(24,673)
Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents	2,206	(125)	618
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	14,400	(248,011)	87,383
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	35,181	283,192	195,809
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 49,581	$ 35,181	$ 283,192