Segment Reporting (Summarized Financial Information Of Reportable Segments) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jul. 07, 2013	Jul. 08, 2012	Jul. 07, 2013	Jul. 08, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Consolidated revenues	$ 350,329	$ 354,052	$ 1,151,886	$ 1,160,397
Consolidated earnings from operations	30,884	23,728	101,506	89,704
Consolidated depreciation expense	21,091	21,063
Consolidated goodwill	148,632		148,632		140,622
Goodwill, Acquired During Period			8,380
Goodwill, Written off Related to Sale of Business Unit	129	199	196	851
Total goodwill disposals			(370)
Jack In The Box [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Consolidated revenues	272,755	288,178	918,246	970,254
Consolidated earnings from operations	23,485	15,439	83,002	71,085
Consolidated depreciation expense	17,350	17,873	58,783	60,199
Consolidated goodwill					47,847
Goodwill, Acquired During Period			1,173
Goodwill, Written off Related to Sale of Business Unit			(196)
Qdoba [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Consolidated revenues	77,574	65,874	233,640	190,143
Consolidated earnings from operations	7,410	8,347	18,602	18,776
Consolidated depreciation expense	3,741	3,190	12,054	9,933
Consolidated goodwill					92,775
Goodwill, Acquired During Period			7,207
Total goodwill disposals			(174)
FFE Operations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Consolidated earnings from operations	$ (11)	$ (58)	$ (98)	$ (157)