Impairment, Disposition Of Property And Equipment, Restaurant Closing Costs And Restructuring (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Apr. 14, 2013	Apr. 15, 2012	Apr. 14, 2013 litigation	Apr. 15, 2012
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Impairment charges and other			$ 4,828	$ 2,109
Losses (gains) on the disposition of property and equipment, net	1,248	1,775	416	2,858
Impairment and other charges, net	2,382	5,074	5,645	9,425
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Business Exit Costs	429	864	1,190	2,933
Severance costs	302	1,525	670	1,525
Other restructuring costs	41	0	485	0
Restructuring costs	343	1,525	1,155	1,525
Number of Closed Restaurants Related to Eminent Domain Proceeds in Current Period			2
Gains from imminent domain [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Losses (gains) on the disposition of property and equipment, net			(2,400)
Facility Closing [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	19,561	21,228	20,677	21,657
Business Exit Costs	312	666	738	1,912
Cash payments	(1,436)	(1,727)	(2,978)	(3,402)
Balance at end of period	18,437	20,167	18,437	20,167
Employee Severance [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	671		1,758
Cash payments	(934)		(2,389)
Severance costs	302		670
Balance at end of period	39		39
Underperforming Jack In The Box Restaurants [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Impairment charges and other	$ 362	$ 910	$ 2,884	$ 2,109