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. 13, 2014	Apr. 14, 2013	Apr. 13, 2014	Apr. 14, 2013 litigation
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Asset Impairment Charges	$ 85	$ 362
Losses (gains) on the disposition of property and equipment, net			1,745	416
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost	731	407
Business Exit Costs			1,295	1,190
Impairment and other charges, net	9,056	2,373	10,965	5,625
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Severance costs	1,098	302	1,396	670
Restructuring Charges	7,491	343	7,789	1,155
Other restructuring costs		41		485
Other Asset Impairment Charges	6,393		6,393
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	15,499	19,561	16,321	20,677
Cash payments	(1,553)	(1,436)	(2,987)	(2,978)
Balance at end of period	14,596	18,437	14,596	18,437
Restructuring costs	650	312
business exit costs - adjustments			1,262	738
Employee Severance [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	98	671	253	1,758
Cash payments	1,196	934	1,649	2,389
Severance costs	1,098	302	1,396	670
Balance at end of period	0	39	0	39
Jack In The Box Restaurants [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Asset Impairment Charges			180	2,884
Continuing Operations [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Losses (gains) on the disposition of property and equipment, net	$ 749	$ 1,261	$ (1,701)	$ 396