Note 21. Schedule of reconciliation of segments (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended						4 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 24, 2014	Jul. 02, 2014	Dec. 18, 2013	Sep. 25, 2013	Jul. 03, 2013	Dec. 19, 2012	Apr. 09, 2014	Apr. 10, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 24, 2014	Sep. 25, 2013	Sep. 26, 2012
Earnings before income taxes	$ 13,048	$ 13,367	$ 24,864	$ 39,277	$ 169,834	$ 5,930	$ (12,263)	$ 1,420
Consolidated
Earnings before income taxes									145,600	28,399	39,016	216,461	31,198
Restaurant Operations - SteakNShake
Earnings before income taxes									10,172	9,461	26,494	28,376	45,622
Restaurant Operations - Western
Earnings before income taxes									394	329	1,765	511	2,157
Operating Businesses
Earnings before income taxes									5,974	9,790	13,739	28,887	47,779
Operating Businesses | Restaurant
Earnings before income taxes									10,566	9,790	28,259	28,887	47,779
Operating Businesses | First Guard
Earnings before income taxes									906	0	1,461	0	0
Operating Businesses | Maxim
Earnings before income taxes									(5,498)	0	(15,981)	0	0
Corporate | Corporate And Other
Earnings before income taxes									(1,804)	(3,243)	(8,003)	(9,717)	(10,671)
Corporate | Investment gains (including contributions)
Earnings before income taxes									0	0	29,524	183,774	4,200
Corporate | Investment partnerships gains
Earnings before income taxes									144,702	23,493	14,055	20,068	0
Corporate | TotalCorporateAndOtherMember
Earnings before income taxes									142,898	20,250	35,576	194,125	(6,471)
ReconciliationOfSegmentsMember | InterestExpenseMember
Earnings before income taxes									$ (3,272)	$ (1,641)	$ (10,299)	$ (6,551)	$ (10,110)