Common Stock Equity Components [Axis] Additional Paid-In Capital Retained Earnings Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Treasury Stock Right to Operate Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets by Major Class [Axis] Franchise Agreement Other Intangible assets with indefinite lives Financial Obligations Major Property Class [Axis] Capital Leases Operating Property Property Subject to or Available for Operating Lease [Axis] Non-Operating Property Building Land Land and leasehold improvements Equipment Resturant Retail Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping, Disclosure Item Amounts [Axis] Level 1 Fair Value, Hierarchy [Axis] Level 2 Level 3 Other Non Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan Investments Steak n Shake Business Segments [Axis] Western Total Restaurant Operations Management fees Consolidated affiliated partnerships Total Investment Management Operations Total Revenue Restaurant Operations Products and Services [Axis] Steak N Shake Income Statement Location [Axis] InvestmentManagement IncentiveFee ManagementFees Consolidated Affiliated Partnerships Corporate Corporate And Other Investment And Derivative Gains Losses TotalCorporateAndOtherMember Reconciliation Of Segments Eliminations InterestExpenseMember Steak n Shake Western Investment Management Corporate and other Consolidated results Retained Earnings / Accumulated Deficit Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Insurance Investments Held By Consolidated Affiliated Partnerships Document And Entity Information 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 Public Float Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Document Fiscal Period Focus Document Fiscal Year Focus Statement of Financial Position [Abstract] Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents Investments Receivables, net of allowance of $703 and $744, respectively Inventories Deferred income taxes Assets held for sale Other current assets Total current assets Property and equipment, net Goodwill Other intangible assets, net Other assets Investments held by consolidated affiliated partnerships Total assets Current liabilities: Accounts payable Due to broker Accrued expenses Revolving credit Deferred income taxes Current portion of obligations under leases Current portion of long-term debt Total current liabilities Deferred income taxes Obligations under leases Long-term debt Other long-term liabilities Total liabilities Commitments and contingencies (Note 14) Redeemable noncontrolling interests of consolidated affiliated partnerships Shareholders' equity Common stock - $0.50 stated value, 2,500,000 shares authorized - 1,511,174 shares issued,1,228,038 and 1,227,928 shares outstanding (net of treasury stock), respectively Additional paid-in capital Retained earnings Accumulated other comprehensive income Treasury stock - at cost: 283,136 and 283,246 shares (includes 205,743 shares held by consolidated affiliated partnerships) at April 10, 2013 and September 26, 2012, respectively Biglari Holdings Inc. shareholders' equity Total liabilities and shareholders' equity Assets Receivables, allowance for doubtful accounts Common stock, par value Common stock, shares authorized Common stock, shares issued Common stock, shares outstanding Treasury stock - at cost, shares Partnership Member Treasury stock - at cost, shares held by consolidated affiliated partnerships Income Statement [Abstract] Restaurant Operations: Net sales Franchise royalties and fees Other revenue Total Investment Management Operations: Management fee income Consolidated Affiliated Partnerships: Investment gains/losses Other income/loss Total Total net revenues Costs and expenses Cost of sales Restaurant operating costs General and administrative Depreciation and amortization Marketing Rent Pre-opening costs Provision for restaurant closings Impairment of intangible assets Loss on disposal of assets Other operating (income) expense Total costs and expenses, net Other income (expenses) Interest, dividend and other investment income Interest on obligations under leases Interest expense Realized investment gains/losses Other than temporary impairment losses on investments Total other income (expense) Earnings before income taxes Income taxes Net earnings Earnings attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests: Income allocation Incentive fee Total earnings/loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests Net earnings attributable to Biglari Holdings Inc. Earnings per share attributable to Biglari Holdings Inc. Basic earnings per common and common equivalent share Diluted earnings per common and common equivalent share Weighted average shares and equivalents Basic Diluted Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Income Net earnings attributable to Biglari Holdings Inc. Other comprehensive income: Reclassification of investment appreciation in net earnings Applicable income taxes Reclassification of other than temporary impairment losses on investments Applicable income taxes Net change in unrealized gains and losses on investments Applicable income taxes Foreign currency translation Other comprehensive income, net Total comprehensive income Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract] Operating activities Net earnings Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to operating cash flows (excluding investment operations of consolidated affiliated partnerships): Provision for deferred income taxes Asset impairments and provision for restaurant closings Stock-based compensation and other non-cash expenses Realized investment gains Other than temporary impairment on investments Changes in receivables and inventories Changes in other assets Changes in accounts payable and accrued expenses Investment operations of consolidated affiliated partnerships: Purchases of investments Sales of investments Realized investment gains, net Unrealized gains/losses on marketable securities held by consolidated affiliated partnerships Changes in cash and cash equivalents held by consolidated affiliated partnerships Net cash provided by operating activities Investing activities Additions of property and equipment Proceeds from property and equipment disposals Purchase of business and lease rights Purchases of investments Sales of investments Changes in due to/from broker Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities Financing activities Proceeds from revolving credit facility Payments on revolving credit facility Borrowings on long-term debt Principal payments on long-term debt Principal payments on direct financing lease obligations Proceeds from exercise of stock options and employees stock purchase plan Excess tax benefits from stock-based awards Financing activities of consolidated affiliated partnerships: Contributions from noncontrolling interests Distributions to noncontrolling interests Net cash used in financing activities Decrease in cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period Cash and cash equivalents at end of period Statement [Table] Statement [Line Items] Beginning Balance Reclassification of investment appreciation in net earnings, net of tax Net change in unrealized gains and losses on investments, net of tax Exercise of stock options and other stock compensation transactions Adjustment to redeemable noncontrolling interest to reflect maximum redemption value Ending Balance Accounting Policies [Abstract] Note 1. General Note 2. New Accounting Standards Earnings Per Share [Abstract] Note 3. Earnings Per Share Note 4. Investments Note 4. Investments Note 5. Consolidated Affiliated Partnerships Note 5. Consolidated Affiliated Partnerships Notes to Financial Statements Note 6. Assets Held for Sale Note 7. Other Current Assets Note 7. Other Current Assets Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract] Note 8. Property and Equipment Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract] Note 9. Goodwill and Other Intangibles Other Assets [Abstract] Note 10. Other Assets Debt Disclosure [Abstract] Note 11. Borrowings Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract] Note 12. Other Long-term Liabilities Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract] Note 13. Income Taxes Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] Note 14. Commitments and Contingencies Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract] Note 15. Fair Value of Financial Assets and Liabilities Related Party Transactions [Abstract] Note 16. Related Party Transactions Segment Reporting [Abstract] Note 17. Business Segment Reporting Description of Business Basis of Presentation and Consolidation Reconciliation of basic and diluted weighted average common shares Schedule of Investments [Abstract] Schedule of fair value of Investments Schedule of investment gains/losses Note 5. Consolidated Affiliated Partnerships Tables Tabular disclosure of available-for-sale securities at cost and fair market value of consolidated affiliated partnerships. Tabular disclosure of investments held by consolidated affiliated partnerships Tabular disclosure of realized and unrealized gains and losses on investments of consolidated affiliated partnerships reported in the statement of income. Tabular disclosure of redeemable noncontrolling interests of consolidated affiliated partnerships reported in the balance sheet. Schedule of assets held for sale Schedule of Property, Plant and Equipment Schedule of Other Intangibles Schedule Of Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Schedule Of Net Revenue by Segment Schedule of reconciliation of segments earnings to consolidated Basic earnings per share: Weighted average common shares, basic Diluted earnings per share: Weighted average common shares, diluted Dilutive effect of stock awards Weighted average common and incremental shares Number of share - based awards excluded from the calculation of earnings per share as the awards' exercise prices were greater than the average market price of the Company's common stock Cost Gross unrealized gains Gross unrealized losses Fair value Gross realized gains on sales Gross realized losses on sales Total realized gains/losses Note 4. Investments Details Narrative Unrealized losses on available for sale equity securities in a continuous unrealized loss position for more than twelve consecutive months Number of shares held in investee, Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc Number of shares held in investee by consolidated affiliated partnerships Impairment recorded for available for sale securities investment Equity securities: Cost Fair value Fair value of equity securities Cash Investments held by consolidated affiliated partnerships Schedule of gain/losses on affiliated partnership Net unrealized gains/losses Net realized gains/losses from sale Total net unrealized and realized gains/losses Carrying value at beginning of period Contributions from noncontrolling interests Distributions to noncontrolling interests Incentive fee Income/loss allocation Adjustment to redeemable noncontrolling interest to reflect maximum redemption value Carrying value at end of period Note 5. Consolidated Affiliated Partnerships Details Narrative Cost of consolidated affiliated partnerships' holdings of the Company's common stock Consolidated affiliated partnerships' holdings of the Company's common stock Company's initial investment in consolidated affiliated partnerships Fair value of the Company's investment in consolidated affiliated partnerships Company's pro rata ownership of Company common stock through consolidated affiliated partnerships Fair value of the Company's pro rata ownership of Company common stock through consolidated affiliated partnerships Restricted cash included in investments held by consolidated affiliated partnerships Redeemable noncontrolling interest (maximum redemption amount) Incentive reallocation fee Adjustment to increase the redemption value based on unrealized gains on the Company's common stock held by the consolidated affiliated partnerships Land and buildings Improvements Total assets held for sale Note 6. Schedule Of Assets Held For Sale In Numbers Details Narrative Number of parcels of land sold during the period Number of land parcels included in assets held for sale Number of closed restaurants sold Land Buildings Land and leasehold improvements Equipment Construction in progress Property and equipment, gross Less accumulated depreciation and amortization Gross carrying amount Accumulated amortization Net definite-lived intangible assets Intangible assets with indefinite lives Total intangible assets Note 9. Goodwill And Other Intangibles Details Narrative Amortization expense Future amortization expense for each of the next five years Estimated weighted average useful life of definite-lived intangible assets Impairment loss Reduction to outstanding balance on its revolving credit facility Outstanding debt credit facility Revolver balance Note 13. Income Taxes Details Narrative Income tax benefit Unrecognized tax benefits Equity Securities Equity Securities Held by Consolidated Affiliated Partnerships Fair value Securities Held by Consolidated Affiliated Partnerships Other Assets Non-qualified Deferred Compensation Plan Investments Cash equivalents Investments held by consolidated affiliated partnerships Total assets at fair value Liabilities Interest rate swaps Total liabilities at fair value Note 16. Related Party Transactions Details Narrative Fair value of related party investments in consolidated affiliated partnerships Net Revenue Legal Entity [Axis] Earnings before income taxes and noncontrolling interests Note 17. Schedule Of Reconciliation Of Segments Details Narrative Current portion (payable within one year) as of the balance sheet date on all financing and capital leases held by the Company. Noncurrent portion (payable in greater than one year) as of the balance sheet date on all financing and capital leases held by the Company. Total investments held by partnerships of subsidiaries required to be consolidated into the the parent company's financials because the parent company is either the general partner or has significant control over the partnerships. Reflects all revenue from consolidated affiliated partnerships and investment management operations. The aggregate amount of interest expense incurred on the Company's financing and capital lease obligations. The portion of net income or loss attributable to the redeemable noncontrolling interest deducted in order to derive the portion attributable to the parent. The portion of incentive fee allocation charged to nonaffiliated entities in the limited partnerships. The cash outflow for principal payments made on direct financing lease obligations. The portion of incentive fee allocation charged to nonaffiliated entities in the limited partnerships. The portion of net income or loss attributable to the redeemable noncontrolling interest deducted in order to derive the portion attributable to the parent. Total number of shares held in investee by Company, including shares held by consolidated affiliated parternships OthersMember SteakNShakeRestaurantOperationsMember WesternRestaurantOperationsMember Assets, Current Assets [Default Label] Deferred Tax Liabilities, Net, Current Liabilities, Current Deferred Tax Liabilities, Net, Noncurrent Liabilities [Default Label] Treasury Stock, Value Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent Liabilities and Equity Revenue, Net Revenues Gains (Losses) on Sales of Other Assets Other Operating Income (Expense), Net Costs and Expenses InterestOnObligationsUnderLeases Interest Expense Nonoperating Income (Expense) IncomeAllocation IncentiveFeeReallocation Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment for Sale of Securities Included in Net Income, Tax Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments, Portion in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Available-for-sale Securities, Tax IncreaseDecreaseinReceivablesAndInventories Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Assets Payments for Purchase of Securities, Operating Activities Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Securities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment PurchasesOfLeaseRights Payments to Acquire Investments Proceeds from Sale of Available-for-sale Securities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities Repayments of Lines of Credit Repayments of Long-term Debt PrincipalPaymentsOnDirectFinancingLeaseObligations Payments of Distributions to Affiliates Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities Investment Holdings [Text Block] ConsolidatedAffiliatedPartnershipsDisclosureTextBlock Other Current Assets [Text Block] AvailableForSaleSecuritiesOfConsolidatedAffiliatedPartnershipsAmortizedCost InvestmentsHeldByConsolidatedAffiliatedPartnerships Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest, Equity, Other, Carrying Amount Proceeds from Noncontrolling Interests Land [Default Label] LandAndLeaseholdImprovements Fixtures and Equipment, Gross Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill) InvestmentsHeldByConsolidatedAffiliatedPartnershipsFairValueDisclosure