Note P - Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements (Details) - Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Dec. 03, 2013	Dec. 04, 2012	Dec. 03, 2013	Dec. 04, 2012	Dec. 31, 2008
Revenue:
Restaurant sales and operating revenue	$ 274,719	$ 298,597	$ 562,811	$ 624,864
Franchise revenue	1,490	1,480	3,072	3,136
Total revenue	276,209	300,077	565,883	628,000
Operating costs and expenses:
Cost of merchandise	77,669	82,847	157,607	170,710
Payroll and related costs	97,517	100,731	200,250	207,923
Other restaurant operating costs	65,289	65,648	132,823	131,502
Depreciation	13,915	14,677	28,124	29,688
Selling, general, and administrative	37,031	38,541	74,046	81,548
Closures and impairments	14,143	1,891	22,176	2,978
Interest expense, net	6,620	6,765	13,373	13,555
Gain/(Loss) on extinguishment of debt	672	(155)	1,183	(155)	(155)
Total operating costs and expenses	312,856	310,945	629,582	637,749
(Loss)/income from continuing operations before income taxes	(36,647)	(10,868)	(63,699)	(9,749)
Provision/(benefit) for income taxes from continuing operations	(1,910)	(6,664)	(7,063)	(8,619)
(Loss)/income from continuing operations	(34,737)	(4,204)	(56,636)	(1,130)
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	354	(10,864)	11	(11,339)
Net (loss)/income	(34,383)	(15,068)	(56,625)	(12,469)	(12,469)
Other comprehensive income:
Pension liability reclassification, net of tax	477	380	955	761
Total comprehensive (loss)/income	(33,906)	(14,688)	(55,670)	(11,708)
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Operating costs and expenses:
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries	(104)	9,434	4,421	21,466
Total operating costs and expenses	(104)	9,434	4,421	21,466
(Loss)/income from continuing operations before income taxes	104	(9,434)	(4,421)	(21,466)
(Loss)/income from continuing operations	104	(9,434)	(4,421)	(21,466)
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax		580		652
Net (loss)/income	104	(8,854)	(4,421)	(20,814)
Other comprehensive income:
Total comprehensive (loss)/income	104	(8,854)	(4,421)	(20,814)
Parent Company [Member]
Revenue:
Restaurant sales and operating revenue	198,850	216,215	408,932	454,187
Franchise revenue	98	41	119	133
Total revenue	198,948	216,256	409,051	454,320
Operating costs and expenses:
Cost of merchandise	56,320	59,998	114,847	124,200
Payroll and related costs	69,365	71,486	142,891	147,679
Other restaurant operating costs	46,493	46,781	94,895	93,601
Depreciation	10,208	10,773	20,572	21,872
Selling, general, and administrative	25,724	24,971	51,718	53,992
Intercompany selling, general, and administrative allocations	14,008	16,442	28,771	34,484
Closures and impairments	8,058	2,137	13,223	2,974
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries	104	(9,434)	(4,421)	(21,466)
Interest expense, net	5,171	5,342	10,231	10,641
Intercompany interest expense/(income)	3,229	3,434	6,414	6,822
Gain/(Loss) on extinguishment of debt	672	(155)	1,183	(155)
Total operating costs and expenses	239,352	231,775	480,324	474,644
(Loss)/income from continuing operations before income taxes	(40,404)	(15,519)	(71,273)	(20,324)
Provision/(benefit) for income taxes from continuing operations	(5,667)	(11,315)	(14,637)	(19,194)
(Loss)/income from continuing operations	(34,737)	(4,204)	(56,636)	(1,130)
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	354	(10,864)	11	(11,339)
Net (loss)/income	(34,383)	(15,068)	(56,625)	(12,469)
Other comprehensive income:
Pension liability reclassification, net of tax	477	380	955	761
Total comprehensive (loss)/income	(33,906)	(14,688)	(55,670)	(11,708)
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Revenue:
Restaurant sales and operating revenue	75,869	82,382	153,879	170,677
Franchise revenue	1,392	1,439	2,953	3,003
Total revenue	77,261	83,821	156,832	173,680
Operating costs and expenses:
Cost of merchandise	21,349	22,849	42,760	46,510
Payroll and related costs	28,152	29,245	57,359	60,244
Other restaurant operating costs	18,796	18,867	37,928	37,901
Depreciation	3,707	3,904	7,552	7,816
Selling, general, and administrative	11,307	13,570	22,328	27,556
Intercompany selling, general, and administrative allocations	(14,008)	(16,442)	(28,771)	(34,484)
Closures and impairments	6,085	(246)	8,953	4
Interest expense, net	1,449	1,423	3,142	2,914
Intercompany interest expense/(income)	(3,229)	(3,434)	(6,414)	(6,822)
Total operating costs and expenses	73,608	69,736	144,837	141,639
(Loss)/income from continuing operations before income taxes	3,653	14,085	11,995	32,041
Provision/(benefit) for income taxes from continuing operations	3,757	4,651	7,574	10,575
(Loss)/income from continuing operations	(104)	9,434	4,421	21,466
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax		(580)		(652)
Net (loss)/income	(104)	8,854	4,421	20,814
Other comprehensive income:
Total comprehensive (loss)/income	$ (104)	$ 8,854	$ 4,421	$ 20,814