Fair Value Measurements (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Jul. 25, 2014		Jul. 26, 2013 property
Impaired Long-Lived Assets Held and Used [Line Items]
Number Of Locations Closed			28
Impairment of assets held for sale	$ 258		$ 8,609
Bob Evans Restaurants
Impaired Long-Lived Assets Held and Used [Line Items]
Assets held for use	1,319	[1]	1,180	[1],[2]
Impairment of assets held for sale	$ 258	[3]	$ 8,609	[4]
Bob Evans Restaurants | Operating Restaurant
Impaired Long-Lived Assets Held and Used [Line Items]
Number Of Locations For Operating Properties	5		1

[1] $1,319 relates to impairment of five operating locations

[2] $1,180 relates to impairment of one operating location

[3] $258 relates to impairment of one nonoperating location

[4] $8,609 relates to impairment of 29 nonoperating locations, of which one location is no longer classified as held for sale