Impairment, Disposition Of Property And Equipment, Restaurant Closing Costs And Restructuring (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	4 Months Ended
	Jan. 20, 2013 litigation	Jan. 22, 2012
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Impairment charges and other	$ 4,458	$ 1,199
Losses (gains) on the disposition of property and equipment, net	(832)	1,083
Restructuring costs	812	0
Impairment and other charges, net	3,263	4,351
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Business Exit Costs	761	2,069
Severance costs	368
Other restructuring costs	444
Restructuring costs	812	0
Number of Closed Restaurants Related to Eminent Domain Proceeds in Current Period	2
Gains from imminent domain [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Losses (gains) on the disposition of property and equipment, net	(2,100)
Facility Closing [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	20,677	21,657
Business Exit Costs	426	1,246
Cash payments	(1,542)	(1,675)
Balance at end of period	19,561	21,228
Employee Severance [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	1,758
Cash payments	(1,455)
Severance costs	368
Balance at end of period	671
Underperforming Jack In The Box Restaurants [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Impairment charges and other	$ 2,522	$ 1,199