Earnings Per Share (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended												12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013	Jun. 29, 2013	Mar. 30, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012	Sep. 29, 2012	Jun. 23, 2012	Mar. 24, 2012	Dec. 24, 2011	Sep. 24, 2011	Jun. 25, 2011	Mar. 26, 2011	Dec. 25, 2010	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012	Sep. 24, 2011
Numerator for basic and diluted earnings per share:
Net income attributable to GMCR													$ 483,232	$ 362,628	$ 199,501
Denominator:
Basic weighted average shares outstanding													149,638,636	154,933,948	146,214,860
Effect of dilutive securities - stock options (in shares)													3,162,857	4,141,698	5,927,574
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding													152,801,493	159,075,646	152,142,434
Basic and diluted net income per common share
Basic net income per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.84	$ 0.78	$ 0.89	$ 0.72	$ 0.59	$ 0.47	$ 0.60	$ 0.67	$ 0.49	$ 0.38	$ 0.46	$ 0.02	$ 3.23	$ 2.34	$ 1.36
Diluted net income per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.83	$ 0.76	$ 0.87	$ 0.70	$ 0.58	$ 0.46	$ 0.58	$ 0.66	$ 0.47	$ 0.37	$ 0.44	$ 0.02	$ 3.16	$ 2.28	$ 1.31
Diluted earnings per share, other disclosure
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share (in shares)													822,000	763,000	199,000