Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements (Statements of Operations) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jul. 01, 2014	Jun. 25, 2013	Jul. 01, 2014	Jun. 25, 2013
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Income
Total sales	$ 285,906	$ 261,958	$ 582,159	$ 540,927
Total costs and expenses	279,603	241,044	561,459	494,162
Operating income	6,303	20,914	20,700	46,765
Interest expense	10,042	10,237	20,204	20,477
Equity in net income of subsidiary		0	0	0
Income before income taxes	(3,739)	10,677	496	26,288
Income tax expense	(2,365)	2,589	(1,086)	4,956
Net income	(1,374)	8,088	1,582	21,332
Parent Guarantor: Holdings
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Income
Total sales			0	0
Total costs and expenses		0	0	0
Operating income		0	0	0
Interest expense		0	0	0
Equity in net income of subsidiary	(1,374)	8,088	1,582	21,332
Income before income taxes	(1,374)	8,088	1,582	21,332
Income tax expense	0	0	0	0
Net income	(1,374)	8,088	1,582	21,332
Subsidiary Issuer: NPC
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Income
Total sales	252,847	261,958	519,215	540,927
Total costs and expenses	247,780	241,044	499,750	494,162
Operating income	5,067	20,914	19,465	46,765
Interest expense	10,042	10,237	20,204	20,477
Equity in net income of subsidiary	797	0	788	0
Income before income taxes	(4,178)	10,677	49	26,288
Income tax expense	(2,804)	2,589	(1,533)	4,956
Net income	(1,374)	8,088	1,582	21,332
Subsidiary Co-Issuer: NPCQB
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Income
Total sales	33,059	0	62,944	0
Total costs and expenses	31,823	0	61,709	0
Operating income	1,236	0	1,235	0
Interest expense	0	0	0	0
Equity in net income of subsidiary		0	0	0
Income before income taxes	1,236	0	1,235	0
Income tax expense	439	0	447	0
Net income	797	0	788	0
Subsidiary Co-Issuer: NPC Op Co B
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Income
Total sales		0	0	0
Total costs and expenses		0	0	0
Operating income		0	0	0
Interest expense		0	0	0
Equity in net income of subsidiary		0	0	0
Income before income taxes		0	0	0
Income tax expense		0	0	0
Net income		0	0	0
Eliminations
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Income
Total sales		0	0	0
Total costs and expenses		0	0	0
Operating income		0	0	0
Interest expense		0	0	0
Equity in net income of subsidiary	577	(8,088)	(2,370)	(21,332)
Income before income taxes	577	(8,088)	(2,370)	(21,332)
Income tax expense	0	0	0	0
Net income	$ 577	$ (8,088)	$ (2,370)	$ (21,332)