Note 5 - Property, Equipment, Assets Held for Sale, Operating Leases, and Sale-leaseback Transactions - Property and Equipment, Net (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Nov. 29, 2016
May 31, 2016
Property, plant and equipment $ 1,142,635 $ 1,224,475
Less accumulated depreciation 525,202 553,225
Property and equipment, net 617,433 671,250
Land [Member]    
Property, plant and equipment 182,784 209,930
Building [Member]    
Property, plant and equipment 372,027 398,984
Building Improvements [Member]    
Property, plant and equipment 277,027 303,032
Restaurant Equipment [Member]    
Property, plant and equipment 210,761 222,646
Other Equipment [Member]    
Property, plant and equipment 75,149 82,204
Other Capitalized Property Plant and Equipment [Member]    
Property, plant and equipment [1] 19,146 4,354
Construction in Progress and Other [Member]    
Property, plant and equipment $ 5,741 $ 3,325
[1] Surplus properties represent assets held for sale that are not classified as such in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as we have yet to conclude that we can sell these assets within the next 12 months. These assets primarily consist of parcels of land upon which we have no intention to build restaurants, closed properties which include a building, and liquor licenses not needed for operations.