The Company and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 24, 2012	Mar. 25, 2012	Dec. 25, 2011	Sep. 29, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 25, 2011
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Amounts reclassified to conform with fiscal 2013 financial statement presentation										$ 1,000,000	$ 100,000
Increase in operating profit due to reclassifications	16,826,000	28,177,000	31,235,000	20,900,000	20,979,000	23,868,000	39,459,000	27,037,000	97,138,000	111,343,000	101,034,000
Fiscal year duration									364 days	371 days	364 days
Discount rate of worker's compensation reserve									2.00%	2.50%
Advertising cost									17,800,000	18,900,000	18,300,000
Advertising allowance									300,000	700,000	1,300,000
Self-insurance expense									24,800,000	22,800,000	24,400,000
Accrued payroll and related expenses [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Amounts accrued for workers' compensation, automobile and general liability self-insurance reserves	74,400,000				71,500,000				74,400,000	71,500,000
Co-operative advertising reimbursement [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Rebates and allowances from vendors									400,000	1,400,000	2,100,000
Stater Bros. Markets [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Number of retail grocery supermarkets	166								166
Reclassification from Other income, net to Gain on sale of property and equipment [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Increase in operating profit due to reclassifications										$ 1,000,000	$ 100,000