Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 21, 2011	Dec. 22, 2010
Restaurant Operations:
Net sales	$ 161,516	$ 153,059
Franchise fees	2,144	2,045
Other revenue	530	511
Total	164,190	155,615
Investment Management Operations:
Management fee income	0	110
Consolidated Affiliated Partnerships:
Investment gains/losses	2,124	2,687
Other income	76	310
Total	2,200	3,107
Total net revenues	166,390	158,722
Costs and expenses
Cost of sales	45,424	41,280
Restaurant operating costs	73,963	72,689
General and administrative	13,258	11,014
Depreciation and amortization	6,301	6,609
Marketing	8,887	8,951
Rent	4,047	3,896
Pre-opening costs	101	42
Asset impairments and provision for restaurant closings	0	283
Loss on disposal of assets	216	104
Other operating (income) expense	(519)	822
Total costs and expenses, net	151,678	145,690
Other income (expense)
Interest, dividend and other investment income	626	35
Interest on obligations under leases	(2,325)	(2,449)
Interest expense	(1,855)	(565)
Realized investment gains/losses	3,595	2,878
Derivative and short sale gains/losses	0	175
Total other income (expense)	41	74
Earnings before income taxes	14,753	13,106
Income taxes	4,760	4,341
Net earnings	9,993	8,765
Earnings attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests:
Income allocation	(1,234)	(1,812)
Incentive fee	36	2,510
Total earnings/loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests	(1,198)	698
Net earnings attributable to Biglari Holdings Inc.	$ 8,795	$ 9,463
Earnings per share attributable to Biglari Holdings Inc.
Basic earnings per common and common equivalent share	$ 6.60	$ 7.13
Diluted earnings per common and common equivalent share	$ 6.58	$ 7.08
Weighted average shares and equivalents
Basic	1,333,467	1,327,207
Diluted	1,335,926	1,335,982