Note 4 - Reportable Segments (Details) - Financial Information as Required by ASC 280 for Segment Reporting (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Feb. 12, 2014	Feb. 13, 2013	Feb. 12, 2014	Feb. 13, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales	$ 83,907	$ 81,685	$ 164,852	$ 155,654
Segment Level Profit	89,546	87,011	176,388	166,465
Depreciation and Amortization			8,916	8,467
Income (loss) before income taxes and discontinued operations	(3,579)	1,109	(5,385)	1,341
Company Owned Restaurants [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales	84,022	81,804	165,079	155,895
Segment Level Profit	9,378	10,152	18,436	20,009
Depreciation and Amortization	4,054	3,853	7,817	7,528
Capital Expenditures	9,447	6,402	18,505	11,222
Culinary Contract Services [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales	3,979	3,667	8,249	7,508
Segment Level Profit	483	325	1,080	700
Depreciation and Amortization	91	106	184	214
Capital Expenditures		40		41
Franchise [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales	1,545	1,540	3,060	3,062
Segment Level Profit	1,545	1,540	3,060	3,061
Depreciation and Amortization	177	177	354	354
Segment Sales Total [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales	89,546	87,011	176,388	166,465
Segment Level Profit Total [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment Level Profit	11,406	12,017	22,576	23,770
Corporate Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Depreciation and Amortization	177	176	488	334
Capital Expenditures	428	119	577	172
Depreciation and Amortization Total [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Depreciation and Amortization	4,499	4,312	8,843	8,430
Capital Expenditures Total [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Capital Expenditures	9,875	6,561	19,082	11,435
Segment Level Profit Total [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Income (loss) before income taxes and discontinued operations	11,406	12,017	22,576	23,770
Opening Costs [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Income (loss) before income taxes and discontinued operations	(682)	(261)	(1,031)	(467)
Depreciation and Amortization Total [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Income (loss) before income taxes and discontinued operations	(4,499)	(4,312)	(8,843)	(8,430)
General and Administrative Expense [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Income (loss) before income taxes and discontinued operations	(8,117)	(7,652)	(16,184)	(15,072)
Provision For Asset Impairments, Net [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Income (loss) before income taxes and discontinued operations	(1,640)		(1,850)	(90)
Net Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Property and Equipment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Income (loss) before income taxes and discontinued operations	(16)	1,321	(67)	1,563
Interest Income [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Income (loss) before income taxes and discontinued operations	1	2	3	4
Interest Expense [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Income (loss) before income taxes and discontinued operations	(292)	(214)	(545)	(389)
Other Income [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Income (loss) before income taxes and discontinued operations	$ 260	$ 207	$ 556	$ 451