Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 03, 2011	Jul. 29, 2011
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	RUDDICK CORP
Entity Central Index Key	0000085704
Trading Symbol	rdk
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--10-03
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		49,144,694
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Jul. 03, 2011
Amendment Flag	true
Amendment Description	Level 4
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2011
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3