Supplementary Cash Flow Data (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 03, 2012	Feb. 26, 2011	Feb. 27, 2010
Supplementary Cash Flow Data
Cash paid for interest (net of capitalized amounts of $315, $509 and $859)	$ 528,894	$ 464,456	$ 484,873
Capitalized amount of interest	315	509	859
Cash payments for income taxes, net	4,913	4,907	2,987
Equipment financed under capital leases	7,052	4,622	185
Equipment received for noncash consideration	3,616	3,476	15,603
Preferred stock dividends paid in additional shares	9,919	9,346	8,807
Non-cash reduction in lease financing obligation			25,889
Accrued capital expenditures	45,454	37,557	16,846
Gross borrowings from revolver	2,654,000	1,511,000	2,746,574
Gross repayments to revolver	$ 2,546,000	$ 1,563,000	$ 3,504,574