Restructuring and Severance Charges (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Jul. 24, 2015 USD ($) restaurant	Jul. 25, 2014 USD ($)	Apr. 24, 2015 USD ($) restaurant
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Planned number of restaurants to be closed | restaurant	2
Number of restaurants closed | restaurant	18
Restructuring and severance costs	$ 128	$ 950
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Balance	3,626	1,227	$ 1,227
Restructuring and related severance charges incurred	128	950
Amounts paid	(2,236)	(729)
Adjustments	(78)
Balance	1,440	1,448	$ 3,626
Wholly Owned Properties
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Planned number of restaurants to be closed | restaurant			16
Property Subject to Operating Lease
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Planned number of restaurants to be closed | restaurant			4
Bob Evans Restaurants
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Balance	1,105	0	$ 0
Restructuring and related severance charges incurred	100	0
Amounts paid	(1,075)	0
Adjustments	0
Balance	130	0	1,105
BEF Foods
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Balance	481	553	553
Restructuring and related severance charges incurred	28	528
Amounts paid	(216)	(415)
Adjustments	(4)
Balance	289	666	481
Corporate and Other
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Balance	2,040	674	674
Restructuring and related severance charges incurred	0	422
Amounts paid	(945)	(314)
Adjustments	(74)
Balance	$ 1,021	$ 782	$ 2,040