Earnings Per Share ("EPS") (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
Jul. 03, 2011	Jun. 27, 2010	Jul. 03, 2011	Jun. 27, 2010
Basic EPS:
Net income attributable to Ruddick Corporation	$ 32,098	$ 28,870	$ 100,137	$ 80,080
Weighted average common shares outstanding	48,489	48,252	48,460	48,180
Basic EPS	$ 0.66	$ 0.60	$ 2.07	$ 1.66
Diluted EPS:
Net income attributable to Ruddick Corporation	32,098	28,870	100,137	80,080
Weighted average common shares outstanding	48,489	48,252	48,460	48,180
Net potential common share equivalents - stock options	26	66	28	87
Net potential common share equivalents - stock awards	$ 359	$ 310	$ 342	$ 291
Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted	48,874	48,628	48,830	48,558
Diluted EPS	$ 0.66	$ 0.59	$ 2.05	$ 1.65
Stock Options
Excluded from the calculation of common share equivalents:
Anti-dilutive common share equivalents		10		10
Stock Awards
Excluded from the calculation of common share equivalents:
Anti-dilutive common share equivalents
Performance Stock Awards
Excluded from the calculation of common share equivalents:
Anti-dilutive common share equivalents			140,000	147,000

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