Note 19. Schedule of reconciliation of segments (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 18, 2013	Dec. 19, 2012
Earnings before income taxes and noncontrolling interests	$ 1,371	$ 5,930
Net earnings attributable to Biglari Holdings Inc.	16,491	4,562
Restaurant Operations | Steak n Shake
Earnings before income taxes and noncontrolling interests	5,599	8,502
Net earnings attributable to Biglari Holdings Inc.	3,720	5,666
Restaurant Operations | Western
Earnings before income taxes and noncontrolling interests	352	282
Net earnings attributable to Biglari Holdings Inc.	217	160
Restaurant Operations | Total Restaurant Operations
Earnings before income taxes and noncontrolling interests	5,951	8,784
Net earnings attributable to Biglari Holdings Inc.	3,937	5,826
Corporate | Corporate And Other
Earnings before income taxes and noncontrolling interests	(3,106)	(1,118)
Net earnings attributable to Biglari Holdings Inc.	(2,048)	(188)
Corporate | Gain from Investment Partnerships
Earnings before income taxes and noncontrolling interests	23,493	0
Net earnings attributable to Biglari Holdings Inc.	15,516	0
Corporate | Investment Gains/Losses
Earnings before income taxes and noncontrolling interests	0	1
Net earnings attributable to Biglari Holdings Inc.	0	1
Corporate | TotalCorporateAndOtherMember
Earnings before income taxes and noncontrolling interests	20,387	(1,117)
Net earnings attributable to Biglari Holdings Inc.	13,468	(187)
Reconciliation Of Segments | Eliminations
Earnings before income taxes and noncontrolling interests	(23,493)	0
Net earnings attributable to Biglari Holdings Inc.	0	0
Reconciliation Of Segments | InterestExpenseMember
Earnings before income taxes and noncontrolling interests	(1,474)	(1,737)
Net earnings attributable to Biglari Holdings Inc.	$ (914)	$ (1,077)