Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2014		Sep. 29, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings	$ 88,950		$ 51,152	$ 57,651
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	91,384		96,219	97,958
Deferred finance cost amortization	2,175		2,277	2,695
Deferred income taxes	4,152		(18,604)	(6,615)
Share-based compensation expense	10,358		11,392	6,883
Pension and postretirement expense	13,760		31,147	33,526
(Gains) losses on cash surrender value of company-owned life insurance	6,049		8,998	12,137
Gains on the sale of company-operated restaurants	3,548		(4,640)	(29,145)
Losses on the disposition of property and equipment	2,889		3,344	6,281
Impairment charges and other	9,225		28,230	9,403
Loss on early retirement of debt	789		939	0
Changes in assets and liabilities, excluding acquisitions and dispositions:
Accounts and other receivables	19,589		33,994	3,497
Inventories	(300)		27,415	4,334
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(16,831)		13,117	(12,849)
Accounts payable	(627)		(26,945)	(3,264)
Accrued liabilities	20,358		(10,560)	247
Pension and postretirement contributions	(25,349)		(23,886)	(20,318)
Other	(16,999)		(6,721)	(1,417)
Cash flows provided by operating activities	201,022		198,872	136,730
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment	(60,525)		(84,690)	(80,200)
Purchases of assets intended for sale and leaseback	(2,801)		(26,058)	(35,927)
Proceeds From Assets Held For Sale and Leaseback	5,698		47,431	27,844
Proceeds from the sale of company-operated restaurants	10,536	[1]	30,619	47,115
Collections on notes receivable	2,974		6,448	12,230
Disbursements for loans to franchisees	0		0	(3,977)
Acquisition of franchise-operated restaurants	(1,750)		(12,064)	(48,945)
Other	2,889		4,375	344
Cash flows used in investing activities	(42,979)		(33,939)	(81,516)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Borrowings on revolving credit facilities	652,000		646,000	576,380
Repayments of borrowings on revolving credit facilities	(521,000)		(721,000)	(602,540)
Proceeds from issuance of debt	200,000		200,000	0
Principal repayments on debt	(193,399)		(175,946)	(21,110)
Debt issuance costs	(3,607)		(4,392)	(741)
Payments of Dividends	(15,808)		0	0
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	31,748		61,993	10,167
Repurchases of common stock	(323,866)		(132,833)	(30,013)
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation arrangements	17,664		2,094	1,115
Change in book overdraft	(848)		(39,678)	8,573
Cash flows used in financing activities	(157,116)		(163,762)	(58,169)
Effect of Exchange Rate on Cash and Cash Equivalents	7		4	0
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	934		1,175	(2,955)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	9,644		8,469
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 10,578		$ 9,644	$ 8,469

[1] Amounts in 2014, 2013 and 2012 include additional proceeds of $2.1 million, $3.3 million and $2.3 million, respectively, recognized upon the extension of the underlying franchise and lease agreements related to restaurants sold in a prior year.