Note P - Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements (Details) - Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
 3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Dec. 03, 2013
Dec. 04, 2012
Dec. 03, 2013
Dec. 04, 2012
Dec. 31, 2008
Revenue:          
Restaurant sales and operating revenue $ 274,719 $ 298,597 $ 562,811 $ 624,864  
Franchise revenue 1,490 1,480 3,072 3,136  
Total revenue 276,209 300,077 565,883 628,000  
Operating costs and expenses:          
Cost of merchandise 77,669 82,847 157,607 170,710  
Payroll and related costs 97,517 100,731 200,250 207,923  
Other restaurant operating costs 65,289 65,648 132,823 131,502  
Depreciation 13,915 14,677 28,124 29,688  
Selling, general, and administrative 37,031 38,541 74,046 81,548  
Closures and impairments 14,143 1,891 22,176 2,978  
Interest expense, net 6,620 6,765 13,373 13,555  
Gain/(Loss) on extinguishment of debt 672 (155) 1,183 (155) (155)
Total operating costs and expenses 312,856 310,945 629,582 637,749  
(Loss)/income from continuing operations before income taxes (36,647) (10,868) (63,699) (9,749)  
Provision/(benefit) for income taxes from continuing operations (1,910) (6,664) (7,063) (8,619)  
(Loss)/income from continuing operations (34,737) (4,204) (56,636) (1,130)  
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax 354 (10,864) 11 (11,339)  
Net (loss)/income (34,383) (15,068) (56,625) (12,469) (12,469)
Other comprehensive income:          
Pension liability reclassification, net of tax 477 380 955 761  
Total comprehensive (loss)/income (33,906) (14,688) (55,670) (11,708)  
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
          
Operating costs and expenses:          
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries (104) 9,434 4,421 21,466  
Total operating costs and expenses (104) 9,434 4,421 21,466  
(Loss)/income from continuing operations before income taxes 104 (9,434) (4,421) (21,466)  
(Loss)/income from continuing operations 104 (9,434) (4,421) (21,466)  
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax   580   652  
Net (loss)/income 104 (8,854) (4,421) (20,814)  
Other comprehensive income:          
Total comprehensive (loss)/income 104 (8,854) (4,421) (20,814)  
Parent Company [Member]
          
Revenue:          
Restaurant sales and operating revenue 198,850 216,215 408,932 454,187  
Franchise revenue 98 41 119 133  
Total revenue 198,948 216,256 409,051 454,320  
Operating costs and expenses:          
Cost of merchandise 56,320 59,998 114,847 124,200  
Payroll and related costs 69,365 71,486 142,891 147,679  
Other restaurant operating costs 46,493 46,781 94,895 93,601  
Depreciation 10,208 10,773 20,572 21,872  
Selling, general, and administrative 25,724 24,971 51,718 53,992  
Intercompany selling, general, and administrative allocations 14,008 16,442 28,771 34,484  
Closures and impairments 8,058 2,137 13,223 2,974  
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries 104 (9,434) (4,421) (21,466)  
Interest expense, net 5,171 5,342 10,231 10,641  
Intercompany interest expense/(income) 3,229 3,434 6,414 6,822  
Gain/(Loss) on extinguishment of debt 672 (155) 1,183 (155)  
Total operating costs and expenses 239,352 231,775 480,324 474,644  
(Loss)/income from continuing operations before income taxes (40,404) (15,519) (71,273) (20,324)  
Provision/(benefit) for income taxes from continuing operations (5,667) (11,315) (14,637) (19,194)  
(Loss)/income from continuing operations (34,737) (4,204) (56,636) (1,130)  
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax 354 (10,864) 11 (11,339)  
Net (loss)/income (34,383) (15,068) (56,625) (12,469)  
Other comprehensive income:          
Pension liability reclassification, net of tax 477 380 955 761  
Total comprehensive (loss)/income (33,906) (14,688) (55,670) (11,708)  
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
          
Revenue:          
Restaurant sales and operating revenue 75,869 82,382 153,879 170,677  
Franchise revenue 1,392 1,439 2,953 3,003  
Total revenue 77,261 83,821 156,832 173,680  
Operating costs and expenses:          
Cost of merchandise 21,349 22,849 42,760 46,510  
Payroll and related costs 28,152 29,245 57,359 60,244  
Other restaurant operating costs 18,796 18,867 37,928 37,901  
Depreciation 3,707 3,904 7,552 7,816  
Selling, general, and administrative 11,307 13,570 22,328 27,556  
Intercompany selling, general, and administrative allocations (14,008) (16,442) (28,771) (34,484)  
Closures and impairments 6,085 (246) 8,953 4  
Interest expense, net 1,449 1,423 3,142 2,914  
Intercompany interest expense/(income) (3,229) (3,434) (6,414) (6,822)  
Total operating costs and expenses 73,608 69,736 144,837 141,639  
(Loss)/income from continuing operations before income taxes 3,653 14,085 11,995 32,041  
Provision/(benefit) for income taxes from continuing operations 3,757 4,651 7,574 10,575  
(Loss)/income from continuing operations (104) 9,434 4,421 21,466  
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax   (580)   (652)  
Net (loss)/income (104) 8,854 4,421 20,814  
Other comprehensive income:          
Total comprehensive (loss)/income $ (104) $ 8,854 $ 4,421 $ 20,814