Impairments and Loss on Sale of Assets (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended				3 Months Ended			12 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 23, 2015		Jan. 24, 2014		Jan. 23, 2015		Jan. 24, 2014		Jul. 26, 2013	Oct. 25, 2013	Apr. 26, 2013 property	Apr. 25, 2014 property	Oct. 24, 2014
Impaired Long-Lived Assets Held and Used [Line Items]
Assets held for sale	$ 0		$ 0		$ 258		$ 12,380
Bob Evans Restaurants
Impaired Long-Lived Assets Held and Used [Line Items]
Assets held and used	1,672	[1]	1,769	[2]	2,991	[3]	4,133	[4]
Assets held for sale	0		0	[3]	258	[5]	9,380	[6]	8,609
Number Of Locations For Operating Properties	6		5		11
Number Of Locations For Non Operating Properties	2				2		29
Bob Evans Restaurants | Operating Restaurant
Impaired Long-Lived Assets Held and Used [Line Items]
Number Of Locations For Operating Properties			5
Number Of Locations For Non Operating Properties	8				13
Bob Evans Restaurants | Nonoperating Restaurant
Impaired Long-Lived Assets Held and Used [Line Items]
Assets held for sale										771
Number Of Locations For Non Operating Properties			1		1		7		2		29	29
BEF Foods
Impaired Long-Lived Assets Held and Used [Line Items]
Assets held for sale	0		0		0		3,000	[5]
BEF Foods | Nonoperating Restaurant
Impaired Long-Lived Assets Held and Used [Line Items]
Assets held for sale													$ 3,000	[3]

[1] Relates to six operating and two nonoperating locations

[2] Relates to five operating location

[3] Relates to eleven operating and two nonoperating locations

[4] Relates to seven operating locations

[5] Relates to one nonoperating location

[6] Relates to 29 nonoperating locations