Restructuring and Severance Charges Narrative (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 29, 2016 USD ($) restaurant	Oct. 23, 2015 restaurant	Apr. 29, 2016 USD ($)	Apr. 24, 2015 USD ($)	Apr. 25, 2014 USD ($)	Apr. 26, 2013 USD ($)
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and severance charges incurred			$ 2,606	$ 4,340	$ 6,151
Corporate severance liabilities	$ 2,698		2,698	3,626	1,227	$ 3,820
Severance
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Corporate severance liabilities	1,563		1,563
Bob Evans Restaurants
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and severance charges incurred			1,135	1,105	0
Corporate severance liabilities	1,135		1,135	1,105	0	$ 0
Bob Evans Restaurants | Severance
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Corporate severance liabilities	$ 1,135		1,135
Restructuring Plan 2015
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Number of property locations held for sale | restaurant	16
Severance costs			1,106
Restructuring Plan 2015 | Leased Location
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Number of property locations held for sale | restaurant	4
Restructuring Plan 2015 | Bob Evans Restaurants
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Number of locations closed | restaurant		20
Restructuring Plan 2016
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Severance costs	$ 1,135
Restructuring Plan 2016 | Wholly Owned Properties
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Number of locations closed | restaurant	21
Planned number of restaurants to be closed | restaurant	21
Restructuring Plan 2016 | Property Subject to Operating Lease
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Planned number of restaurants to be closed | restaurant	6
Continuing Operations
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and severance charges incurred			$ 1,471	$ 3,234	$ 6,151