Unaudited Quarterly Financial Data (Quarterly Information) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data	3 Months Ended											12 Months Ended
	Sep. 24, 2011	Jun. 25, 2011	Mar. 26, 2011	Dec. 25, 2010		Sep. 25, 2010	Jun. 26, 2010	Mar. 27, 2010		Dec. 26, 2009		Sep. 24, 2011	Sep. 25, 2010		Sep. 26, 2009
Unaudited Quarterly Financial Data
Net sales	$ 711,883	$ 717,210	$ 647,658	$ 574,148	[1]	$ 373,087	$ 316,583	$ 321,953	[2]	$ 345,152	[2]	$ 2,650,899	$ 1,356,775		$ 786,135
Gross profit	254,090	264,080	242,855	143,600	[1]	113,446	108,885	107,850	[2]	95,577	[2]	904,625	425,758		245,391
Net income attributable to GMCR	$ 75,369	$ 56,348	$ 65,372	$ 2,412	[1]	$ 26,991	$ 18,400	$ 24,055	[2]	$ 10,060	[2]	$ 199,501	$ 79,506	[3]	$ 54,439	[3]
Earnings Per Share Basic	$ 0.49	$ 0.38	$ 0.46	$ 0.02	[1]	$ 0.20	$ 0.14	$ 0.18	[2]	$ 0.08	[2]	$ 1.36	$ 0.60	[3]	$ 0.48	[3]
Earnings Per Share Diluted	$ 0.47	$ 0.37	$ 0.44	$ 0.02	[1]	$ 0.20	$ 0.13	$ 0.17	[2]	$ 0.07	[2]	$ 1.31	$ 0.58	[3]	$ 0.45	[3]

[1] As retrospectively adjusted upon finalization of the Van Houtte valuation and purchase price allocation.

[2] Restated to reflect a 3-for-1 stock split effective May 17, 2010.

[3] Previous years restated to reflect a 3-for-1 stock split effective May 17, 2010 and a 3-for-2 stock split effective June 8, 2009.