Impairment, Disposition Of Property And Equipment, Restaurant Closing Costs And Restructuring (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jul. 07, 2013	Jul. 08, 2012	Jul. 07, 2013 litigation	Jul. 08, 2012
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Special Termination Benefits	$ 0	$ 6,167	$ 0	$ 6,167
Impairment charges and other			28,237	2,765
Losses (gains) on the disposition of property and equipment, net	2,055	884	2,525	3,762
Impairment and other charges, net	3,428	15,161	9,053	24,556
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Business Exit Costs	733	2,337	1,849	5,270
Severance costs	4	3,972	674	5,497
Other restructuring costs	135	1,145	620	1,145
Restructuring costs	139	11,284	1,294	12,809
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	18,437	20,167	20,677	21,657
Business Exit Costs	1,285	119	1,285	546
business exit costs - adjustments	367	1,682	1,105	3,167
Cash payments	(1,480)	(1,649)	(4,458)	(5,051)
Employee Severance [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	39	1,525	1,758	0
Cash payments	15	2,826	2,404	2,826
Severance costs	4	3,972	674	5,497
Balance at end of period	28	2,671	28	2,671
Underperforming Jack In The Box Restaurants [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Impairment charges and other	501	656	3,385	2,765
Continuing Operations [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Losses (gains) on the disposition of property and equipment, net				$ 3,712