Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements (Statements of Income) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2016	Dec. 29, 2015	Dec. 30, 2014
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Income
Total sales	$ 1,236,568	$ 1,223,299	$ 1,179,897
Total costs and expenses	1,185,759	1,180,571	1,145,570
Operating income	50,809	42,728	34,327
Interest expense	44,823	41,784	41,101
Equity in net income of subsidiary	0	0	0
Income (loss) before income taxes	5,986	944	(6,774)
Income tax benefit	(2,743)	(5,768)	(8,446)
Net income	8,729	6,712	1,672
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	(18,839)	(11,690)	(3,312)
Income (loss) before income taxes	(18,839)	(11,690)	(3,312)
Income tax benefit	0	0	0
Net income	(18,839)	(11,690)	(3,312)
Parent Guarantor: Holdings
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	8,729	6,712	1,672
Income (loss) before income taxes	8,729	6,712	1,672
Income tax benefit	0	0	0
Net income	8,729	6,712	1,672
Subsidiary Issuer: NPC
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Income
Total sales	998,792	1,020,006	1,020,101
Total costs and expenses	963,617	984,526	988,819
Operating income	35,175	35,480	31,282
Interest expense	44,823	41,784	41,101
Equity in net income of subsidiary	10,110	4,978	1,640
Income (loss) before income taxes	462	(1,326)	(8,179)
Income tax benefit	(8,267)	(8,038)	(9,851)
Net income	8,729	6,712	1,672
Subsidiary Co-Issuer: NPCQB
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Income
Total sales	237,776	203,293	159,796
Total costs and expenses	222,142	196,045	156,751
Operating income	15,634	7,248	3,045
Interest expense	0	0	0
Equity in net income of subsidiary	0	0	0
Income (loss) before income taxes	15,634	7,248	3,045
Income tax benefit	5,524	2,270	1,405
Net income	10,110	4,978	1,640
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 (loss) before income taxes	0	0	0
Income tax benefit	0	0	0
Net income	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0