Note 5 - Fair Value Measurements - Fair Value of Financial Assets (Details) - Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017	Oct. 01, 2016
Cash equivalents	$ 31,659	$ 58,846
Cash surrender value of life insurance policies	9,026	7,909
Total	40,685	66,755
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Cash equivalents	31,659	58,846
Cash surrender value of life insurance policies
Total	31,659	58,846
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Cash equivalents
Cash surrender value of life insurance policies	9,026	7,909
Total	$ 9,026	$ 7,909