Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2012	Jul. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2010
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 16,391	$ 34,422	$ 35,775
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	127,581	117,957	110,638
Cost of real estate sales	34,912	168,267	42,821
Stock-based compensation expense	11,999	12,493	11,843
Deferred income taxes, net	9,243	32,194	(4,427)
Gain on sale of real property	0	0	(6,087)
Asset impairment charge	0	2,561	0
Loss on extinguishment of debt	0	7,372	0
Other non-cash income, net	(6,041)	(8,571)	(7,533)
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Restricted cash	(1,733)	(424)	(769)
Accounts receivable, net	(2,577)	(1,638)	5,687
Inventories, net	(10,853)	(2,758)	652
Investments in real estate	(2,160)	(24,920)	(166,446)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	(2,515)	(23,223)	(12,547)
Income taxes payable	(305)	(12,495)	26,625
Deferred real estate deposits	(757)	(32,139)	(11,573)
Other assets and liabilities, net	12,234	(1,811)	11,291
Net cash provided by operating activities	185,419	267,287	35,950
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(132,625)	(95,640)	(68,957)
Acquisition of businesses	(23,479)	(62,344)	(15,870)
Cash received from sale of real property	0	0	8,920
Other investing activities, net	150	(204)	(7,645)
Net cash used in investing activities	(155,954)	(158,188)	(83,552)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from borrowings under other long-term debt	56,000	189,000	140,962
Payments of other long-term debt	(57,052)	(226,861)	(106,309)
Repurchases of common stock	(30,365)	0	(14,999)
Dividends paid	(24,249)	(5,411)	0
Proceeds from borrowings under the 6.50% Notes	0	390,000	0
Payments of tender of 6.75% Notes	0	(390,000)	0
Payment of financing costs	0	(12,400)	0
Acquisition of noncontrolling interest	0	0	(31,000)
Other financing activities, net	2,144	1,971	4,395
Net cash used in financing activities	(53,522)	(53,701)	(6,951)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(33)	0	0
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(24,090)	55,398	(54,553)
Cash and cash equivalents:
Beginning of period	70,143	14,745	69,298
End of period	46,053	70,143	14,745
Cash paid for interest, net of amounts capitalized	30,212	35,826	14,968
Taxes paid (refunded), net	$ 216	$ 1,355	$ (4,694)