Note 16 - Restructuring, Asset Impairment, and Other Charges (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended						12 Months Ended
	May 26, 2012	Feb. 25, 2012	Nov. 26, 2011	Aug. 27, 2011	May 28, 2011	Feb. 26, 2011	Nov. 24, 2012	Nov. 26, 2011
Restructuring, Settlement and Impairment Provisions	$ 475	$ 236	$ 418	$ 123	$ 1,080	$ 879	$ 711	$ 2,500
Gain (Loss) on Contract Termination	131	228			2,844	884	(359)	(3,728)
Number of Closed Retail Locations								6
Restructuring Costs and Asset Impairment Charges							711	2,500
Licensee Debt Cancellation Charges					6,447			6,447
Bassett [Member] | Demolition of Closed Facility [Member]
Restructuring, Settlement and Impairment Provisions							203	318
Bassett [Member] | Write-down Of Closed Facility [Member]
Restructuring, Settlement and Impairment Provisions								428
Mt. Airy [Member] | Write-down Of Closed Facility [Member]
Restructuring, Settlement and Impairment Provisions							385
Richmond [Member] | Write-off of Leasehold Improvements [Member]
Restructuring, Settlement and Impairment Provisions							123
Manchester [Member] | Write-off of Leasehold Improvements [Member]
Restructuring, Settlement and Impairment Provisions								190
Demolition of Closed Facility [Member]
Restructuring, Settlement and Impairment Provisions							588	1,312
Write-down Of Closed Facility [Member]
Restructuring, Settlement and Impairment Provisions								566
Write-off of Leasehold Improvements [Member]
Restructuring, Settlement and Impairment Provisions								966
Lease Exit [Member]
Gain (Loss) on Contract Termination							228	1,221
Previously Closed Retail Locations [Member]
Gain (Loss) on Contract Termination							131	1,007
Relocation of Manchester Store [Member]
Restructuring, Settlement and Impairment Provisions								32
Total Non-Cash Impairment Charges [Member]
Restructuring Costs and Asset Impairment Charges								2,150
Lease Exit Costs and Lease Modifications [Member]
Gain (Loss) on Contract Termination								3,728
Modification of Lease [Member]
Gain (Loss) on Contract Termination								1,500
Asset Impairment and Lease Termination [Member]
Restructuring, Settlement and Impairment Provisions								4,790
Write Down of Idle Retail Locations [Member]
Restructuring, Settlement and Impairment Provisions								2,106
Write off of Tenant Improvements [Member]
Restructuring, Settlement and Impairment Provisions								1,847
Closed Licensee Store Lease Termination Costs [Member]
Restructuring, Settlement and Impairment Provisions								661
Adjustments of Previous Estimates [Member]
Restructuring, Settlement and Impairment Provisions								$ 176