Fair Value Measurements (Impairment of Assets) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jan. 25, 2013	Jan. 27, 2012	Jan. 25, 2013	Jan. 27, 2012
Impaired Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Line Items]
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Held-for-use		$ 0
Impaired Locations				0
BEF Foods [Member]
Impaired Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Line Items]
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Held-for-use	0	0	0	87
Bob Evans Restaurant [Member]
Impaired Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Line Items]
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Held-for-use	2,371	0	3,598	2,806
Mimi's Cafe [Member]
Impaired Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Line Items]
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Held-for-use	2,167	0	2,167	0
Underperforming Location [Member] | Bob Evans Restaurant [Member]
Impaired Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Line Items]
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Held-for-use	1,717	0	1,717	600
Impaired Locations	3	0	3	1
Underperforming Location [Member] | Mimi's Cafe [Member]
Impaired Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Line Items]
Impaired Locations	3	0	3
Non Operating Restaurant [Member] | Bob Evans Restaurant [Member]
Impaired Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Line Items]
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Held-for-use	$ 654	$ 0	$ 1,881	$ 2,206
Impaired Locations	5	0	6