Legal Entity [Axis] Common Stock Statement, Equity Components [Axis] Additional Paid-In Capital Retained Earnings Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Treasury Stock Entity Registrant Name Entity Central Index Key Document Type Document Period End Date Amendment Flag Current Fiscal Year End Date Is Entity a Well-known Seasoned Issuer? Is Entity a Voluntary Filer? Is Entity's Reporting Status Current? Entity Filer Category Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Document Fiscal Period Focus Document Fiscal Year Focus Assets [Abstract] Assets Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period Cash and cash equivalents at end of period Cash and cash equivalents Investments Investments Receivables, net of allowance of $521 and $475, respectively Receivables, net of allowance of $521 and $475, respectively Inventories Inventories Deferred income taxes Deferred income taxes Assets held for sale Assets held for sale Other current assets Other current assets Total current assets Assets, Current Property and equipment, net Property and equipment, net Goodwill Goodwill Other intangible assets, net Other intangible assets, net Other assets Other assets Total assets Assets Liabilities and shareholders' equity Liabilities [Abstract] Liabilities Current liabilities: Accounts payable Accounts payable Due to broker Due to broker Accrued expenses Accrued expenses Revolving credit Revolving credit Current portion of long-term debt Current portion of long-term debt Total current liabilities Liabilities, Current Deferred income taxes Deferred Tax Liabilities, Noncurrent Long-term debt Long-term debt Other long-term liabilities Other long-term liabilities Total liabilities Liabilities Commitments and contingencies Commitments and contingencies Redeemable noncontrolling interests of consolidated affiliated partnerships Redeemable noncontrolling interests of consolidated affiliated partnerships Shareholders' equity Common stock - $0.50 stated value, 2,500,000 shares authorized - 1,511,174 and 1,511,175 shares issued, 1,227,156 and 1,227,654 shares outstanding (net of treasury stock), respectively Common stock - $0.50 stated value, 2,500,000 shares authorized - 1,511,174 and 1,511,175 shares issued, 1,227,156 and 1,227,654 shares outstanding (net of treasury stock), respectively Additional paid-in capital Additional paid-in capital Retained earnings Retained earnings Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) Treasury Stock, Value Treasury stock - at cost: 284,018 shares and 283,521 shares (includes 205,743 shares held by consolidated affiliated partnerships) at July 6, 2011 and September 29, 2010, respectively Biglari Holdings Inc. shareholders' equity Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent Total liabilities and shareholders' equity Liabilities and Equity Receivables, allowance for doubtful accounts Receivables, allowance for doubtful accounts (in dollars) Common stock, par value Common stock, par value (in dollars per share) Common stock, shares authorized Common stock, shares authorized Common stock, shares issued Common stock, shares issued Common stock, shares outstanding Common stock, shares outstanding Treasury stock - at cost, shares Treasury stock - at cost, shares Net revenues Net revenues Restaurant Operations: Franchise fees Franchise fees Investment Management Operations: Management fee income Management fee income Consolidated Affiliated Partnerships: Other income/loss Other income/loss Total net revenues Total net revenues Costs and expenses Cost of sales Cost of sales Restaurant operating costs Restaurant operating costs General and administrative General and administrative Marketing Marketing Rent Rent Pre-opening costs Pre-opening costs Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Property Loss (gain) on disposal of assets Loss (gain) on disposal of assets Loss (gain) on disposal of assets Other operating (income) expense Other operating (income) expense Total costs and expenses, net Costs and Expenses Other income (expense) Interest expense Interest expense Realized Investment Gains (Losses), Total Realized investment gains/losses Realized investment gains Realized investment gains, net Derivative gains/losses Derivative and short sale gains/losses Derivative (gains) losses Earnings before income taxes Earnings before income taxes Earnings before income taxes Income taxes Income taxes Net earnings Net earnings Net earnings Net earnings attributable to Biglari Holdings Inc. Net earnings attributable to Biglari Holdings Inc. Net earnings attributable to Biglari Holdings Inc. Basic earnings per common and common equivalent share Basic earnings per common and common equivalent share (in dollars per share) Diluted earnings per common and common equivalent share Diluted earnings per common and common equivalent share (in dollars per share) Weighted average shares and equivalents Basic Basic (in shares) Diluted Diluted (in shares) Operating activities Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to operating cash flows (excluding investment operations of consolidated affiliated partnerships): Provision for deferred income taxes Provision for deferred income taxes Changes in receivables and inventories Changes in receivables and inventories The increase (decrease) during the reporting period in the aggregate value of all inventory and all receivables held by the reporting entity, associated with underlying transactions that are classified as operating activities. Changes in other assets Changes in other assets Changes in accounts payable and accrued expenses Changes in accounts payable and accrued expenses Investment operations of consolidated affiliated partnerships: Purchases of investments Purchases of investments Sales of investments Sales of investments Unrealized (gains) losses on marketable securities held by consolidated affiliated partnerships Unrealized (gains) losses on marketable securities held by consolidated affiliated partnerships Net cash provided by operating activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities Investing activities Additions of property and equipment Additions of property and equipment Change in due to/from broker Change in due to/from broker Cash from merger activities Cash from merger activities Net cash used in investing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities Financing activities Proceeds from revolving credit facility Proceeds from revolving credit facility Payments on revolving credit facility Payments on revolving credit facility Borrowings on long-term debt Borrowings on long-term debt Principal payments on long-term debt Principal payments on long-term debt Distributions to noncontrolling interest Distributions to noncontrolling interest Financing activities of consolidated affiliated partnerships: Financing activities of consolidated affiliated partnerships: Contributions from noncontrolling interests Contributions from noncontrolling interests Net cash used in financing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities General General Seasonality of Restaurant Operations Seasonality of Restaurant Operations The entire disclosure for a seasonality of restaurant operations. New Accounting Standards New Accounting Standards The entire disclosure for a new accounting standards. Reclassifications Reclassifications Earnings Per Share Earnings Per Share Investments Investment [Text Block] Consolidated Affiliated Partnerships Consolidated Affiliated Partnerships Disclosure [Text Block] The entire disclosure for a consolidated afiliated partnerships. Other Current Assets Other Current Assets The entire disclosure for a other current assets. Property and Equipment Property and Equipment Goodwill and Other Intangibles Goodwill and Other Intangibles Other Assets Other Assets Borrowings Borrowings Other Long-term Liabilities Other Long-term Liabilities The entire disclosure for a other long-term liabilities. Income Taxes Income Taxes Common Stock Plans Common Stock Plans The entire disclosure for a common stock plans. Commitments and Contingencies Commitments and Contingencies Fair Value of Financial Assets and Liabilities Fair Value of Financial Assets and Liabilities Steak n Shake of Tallahassee Steak n Shake of Tallahassee Related Party Transactions Related Party Transactions Business Segment Reporting Business Segment Reporting Document and Entity Information [Abstract] Business Description and Basis of Presentation [Abstract] Business Combinations [Abstract] Seasonality Of Restaurant Operations Disclosure [Abstract] Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract] Reclassifications [Abstract] Earnings Per Share [Abstract] Earnings per share attributable to Biglari Holdings Inc. Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract] Consolidated Affiliated Partnerships Disclosure [Abstract] Property, Plant and Equipment Assets Held-for-sale Disclosure [Abstract] Other Current Assets [Abstract] Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract] Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract] Other Assets [Abstract] Debt Disclosure [Abstract] Other Liabilities, Noncurrent [Abstract] Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract] Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract] Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract] Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract] Related Party Transactions [Abstract] Segment Reporting [Abstract] Statement [Table] Statement [Table] Statement [Line Items] Statement [Line Items] Statement, Scenario [Axis] Scenario, Unspecified [Domain] Entity [Domain] Statement Of cash Flow [Abstract] Income Statement [Abstract] Statement Of Financial Position [Abstract] Other Revenue, Net Other revenue Revenue, Net, Total Total Consolidated Affiliated Partnerships Total Reflects all revenue from consolidated affiliated partnerships and investment management operations. Nonoperating Income (Expense), Total Total other income (expense) Proceeds from Sale of Property, Plant, and Equipment, Total Proceeds from property and equipment disposals Payments to Acquire Investments, Total Purchases of investments Proceeds from Sale of Investment Projects Sales of investments Payments of Distributions to Affiliates Distributions to noncontrolling interests Payments Related to Tax Withholding for Share-based Compensation Repurchase of employee shares for tax withholding Cash paid in lieu of fractional shares Cash paid in lieu of fractional shares The cash outflow paid to shareholders in lieu of fractional shares created by a stock split or dividend including reverse splits and dividends. Changes In Cash Equivalents Held By Consolidated Affiliated Partnerships Changes in cash equivalents held by consolidated affiliated partnerships The net amount of changes in cash equivalents held by consolidated affiliated partnerships. Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease), Total Decrease in cash and cash equivalents Proceeds and Excess Tax Benefit from Share-based Compensation Proceeds and tax benefits from exercise of stock options and employees stock purchase plan Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract] Statement of Stockholders' Equity Equity Component [Domain] Equity Component [Domain] Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward] Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Balance at September 29, 2010 Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Total Balance Balance Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment for Sale of Securities Included in Net Income, Net of Tax Reclassification of investment appreciation in net earnings, net of $58 tax Reclassification of investment appreciation in net earnings, net of tax $789 (July 2011) and $58 (July 2010) Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Holding Gain (Loss) on Securities Arising During Period, Net of Tax Net change in unrealized gains and losses on investments, net of tax $3,342 (July 2011) and $393 (July 2010) Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Total comprehensive income Total comprehensive income Adjustment To Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests To Reflect Maximum Redemption Value Adjustment to redeemable noncontrolling interests to reflect maximum redemption value This element represents the amount of recognized adjustment to redeemable noncontrolling interests to reflect maximum redemption value. Adjustments To Additional Paid In Capital,Retirement Of Shares Held By Subsidiary Retirement of shares held by subsidiary Represents shares held by subsidiary retired as part of the purchase of that subsidiary at par value. Adjustments To Additional Paid In Capital, Cash Paid In Lieu Of Fractional Shares Cash paid in lieu of fractional shares Represents the amount of cash paid in lieu of fractional shares created by stock splits and dividends or reverse stock splits and dividends. Stock Repurchased During Period, Value Reacquired shares from acquisition Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment for Sale of Securities Included in Net Income, Tax Reclassification of investment appreciation in net earnings, tax Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Holding Gain (Loss) on Securities Arising During Period, Tax Net change in unrealized gains and losses on investments, tax Class of Stock [Axis] Class of Stock [Domain] Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital [Abstract] Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Share-based Compensation, Requisite Service Period Recognition [Abstract] Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract] Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Available-for-sale Securities Adjustment, Net of Tax [Abstract] Parent [Member] Investments Held By Consolidated Affiliated Partnerships Investments held by consolidated affiliated partnerships Total investments held by our subsidiaries' partnerships required to be consolidated into the Company's financials because the Company is either the general partner or has significant control over the partnerships. Principal Transactions Revenue Investment gains/losses Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization Depreciation and amortization Asset Impairments And Provision For Restaurant Closings Asset impairments and provision for restaurant closings Investment Income, Interest and Dividend Interest, dividend and other investment income Obligations Under Leases,Current Current portion of obligations under leases Current portion (payable within one year) as of the balance sheet date on all financing and capital leases held by the Company. Obligations Under Leases,Non-Current Obligations under leases Noncurrent portion (payable in greater than one year) as of the balance sheet date on all financing and capital leases held by the Company. Interest On Obligations Under Leases Interest on obligations under leases The aggregate amount of interest expense incurred on the Company's financing and capital lease obligations. Income Allocation Income/loss allocation The portion of net income or loss attributable to the redeemable noncontrolling interest deducted in order to derive the portion attributable to the parent. Incentive Fee Reallocation Incentive fee reallocation The portion of incentive fee allocation charged to nonaffiliated entities in the limited partnerships. Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract] Earnings/loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests: Stock-Based Compensation And Other Non-Cash Expenses Stock-based compensation and other non-cash expenses Principal Payments On Direct Financing Lease Obligations Principal payments on direct financing lease obligations The cash outflow for principal payments made on direct financing lease obligations. Stock Issued During Period, Value, Stock Options Exercised Exercise of stock options and other stock compensation transactions Business Combination Disclosure [Text Block] Acquisitions Disclosure Of Long Lived Assets Held-For-Sale [Text Block] Assets Held for Sale Disclosure regarding assets held for sale for long lived asstes. Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest Total earnings/loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests Total earnings/loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests Gain (Loss) on Sale of Stock in Subsidiary Gain on sale of subsidiary Proceeds from Divestiture of Interest in Joint Venture Proceeds from sale of joint venture Proceeds from Divestiture of Businesses, Net of Cash Divested Proceeds from sale of subsidiary, net of cash on hand Purchase of Shares of Company Stock by Consolidated Affiliated Partnerships Purchase of shares of Company stock by consolidated affiliated partnerships The cash outflow for Purchase of shares of Company stock by consolidated affiliated partnerships. Purchase of shares of Company stock by consolidated affiliated partnerships Proceeds from Sale of Shares of Company Stock by Consolidated Affiliated Partnerships Proceeds from sale of shares of Company stock by consolidated affiliated partnerships The cash inflow from proceeds from sale of shares of Company stock by consolidated affiliated partnerships. Sale of Company shares by consolidated affiliated partnerships Realized Gain (Loss) on Marketable Securities, Cost Method Investments, and Other Investments, Total Realized investment gains, net Changes in Due To/From Broker Changes in due to/from broker Partnership Member Revenue from Franchisor Owned Outlets Net sales Treasury stock - at cost, shares held by consolidated affiliated partnerships Treasury stock - at cost, shares held by consolidated affiliated partnerships Number of common shares that were previously issued and that were repurchased by consolidated affiliated partnerships of the issuing entity required to be consolidated into the Company's financials because the Company is either the general partner or has significant control over the partnerships. This stock maintains all voting and dividend rights. Loss (Gain) on disposal of assets Loss (gain) on disposal of assets The losses (gains) included in results of operations resulting from the sale or disposal of property, plant and equipment which do not qualify for treatment as discontinued operations. Loss (gain) on disposal of assets