Weis Markets (WMK) 10-K 14 Mar 19 2018 FY Annual report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018	Mar. 14, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Dec. 29, 2018
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2018
Entity Registrant Name	WEIS MARKETS INC
Trading Symbol	wmk
Entity Central Index Key	0000105418
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-29
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		26,898,443
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Public Float			$ 466,000,000
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No

Consolidated Balance Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 29, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017
Current:
Cash and cash equivalent	$ 37,808	$ 47,917
Marketable securities	54,298	63,665
SERP investment	14,686	14,476
Accounts receivable, net	57,285	56,265
Inventories	280,756	279,509
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	24,289	19,435
Income taxes recoverable	0	2,047
Total current assets	469,122	483,314
Property and equipment, net	887,608	886,243
Goodwill	52,330	52,330
Intangible and other assets, net	22,951	19,852
Total assets	1,432,011	1,441,739
Current:
Accounts payable	191,099	216,252
Accrued expenses	45,354	33,403
Accrued self-insurance	15,516	17,470
Deferred revenue, net	7,961	7,217
Income taxes payable	7,283	0
Total current liabilities	267,213	274,342
Long-term debt	0	34,988
Postretirement benefit obligations	18,110	18,409
Accrued self-insurance	17,795	20,140
Deferred income taxes	90,793	87,422
Other	15,201	13,594
Total liabilities	409,112	448,895
Shareholders' Equity
Common stock, no par value, 100,800,000 shares authorized, 33,047,807 shares issued, 26,898,443 shares outstanding	9,949	9,949
Retained earnings	1,163,545	1,127,872
Accumulated other comprehensive income (Net of deferred taxes of $110 in 2018 and $2,310 in 2017)	262	5,880
Shareholders' equity before treasury stock	1,173,756	1,143,701
Treasury stock at cost, 6,149,364 shares	(150,857)	(150,857)
Total shareholders' equity	1,022,899	992,844
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$ 1,432,011	$ 1,441,739

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017
Consolidated Balance Sheets [Abstract]
Common stock, par value	$ 0	$ 0
Common stock, shares authorized	100,800,000	100,800,000
Common stock, shares issued	33,047,807	33,047,807
Common stock, shares outstanding	26,898,443	26,898,443
Accumulated other comprehensive income, deferred taxes	$ 110	$ 2,310
Treasury stock, shares	6,149,364	6,149,364

Consolidated Statements of Inco

Consolidated Statements of Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Consolidated Statements of Income [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 3,509,270	$ 3,466,807	$ 3,136,720
Cost of sales, including advertising, warehousing and distribution expenses	2,574,269	2,554,284	2,273,182
Gross profit on sales	935,001	912,523	863,538
Operating, general and administrative expenses	851,411	836,098	765,213
Income from operations	83,590	76,425	98,325
Investment income (loss) and interest expense	(1,454)	2,598	2,457
Gain on bargain purchase	0	0	23,879
Income before provision for income taxes	82,136	79,023	124,661
Provision for income taxes	19,398	(19,391)	37,499
Net income	$ 62,738	$ 98,414	$ 87,162
Weighted-average shares outstanding, basic and diluted	26,898,443	26,898,443	26,898,443
Cash dividends per share	$ 1.21	$ 1.20	$ 1.20
Basic and diluted earnings per share	$ 2.33	$ 3.66	$ 3.24

Consolidated Statements of Comp

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 62,738	$ 98,414	$ 87,162
Available-for-sale marketable securities
Unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during period (Net of deferred taxes of $62, $19 and $239, respectively)	(177)	(43)	348
Accumulated change in effective tax rate		1,042
Reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses included in net income (Net of deferred taxes of $14, $11 and $180, respectively)	40	29	(257)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(137)	1,028	91
Comprehensive income, net of tax	$ 62,601	$ 99,442	$ 87,253

Consolidated Statements of Co_2

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Unrealized holding gains (loss) arising during period, deferred taxes	$ 62	$ 19	$ 239
Reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses included in net income, deferred taxes	$ 14	$ 11	$ 180

Consolidated Statements of Shar

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Common Stock [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Total
Balance, at Dec. 26, 2015	$ 9,949	$ 1,007,894	$ 4,761	$ (150,857)	$ 871,747
Balance, shares at Dec. 26, 2015	33,047,807			6,149,364
Net income	$ 0	87,162	0	$ 0	87,162
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of reclassification adjustments and tax	0	0	91	0	91
Dividends paid	0	(32,278)	0	0	(32,278)
Balance, at Dec. 31, 2016	$ 9,949	1,062,778	4,852	$ (150,857)	926,722
Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2016	33,047,807			6,149,364
Cumulative effect of accounting principle adoption of ASU 2016-01	$ 0	(1,042)	1,042	$ 0	0
Net income	0	98,414	0	0	98,414
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of reclassification adjustments and tax	0	0	(14)	0	(14)
Dividends paid	0	(32,278)	0	0	(32,278)
Balance, at Dec. 30, 2017	$ 9,949	1,127,872	5,880	$ (150,857)	992,844
Balance, shares at Dec. 30, 2017	33,047,807			6,149,364
Cumulative effect of accounting principle adoption of ASU 2016-01	$ 0	5,481	(5,481)	$ 0	0
Net income	0	62,738	0	0	62,738
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of reclassification adjustments and tax	0	0	(137)	0	(137)
Dividends paid	0	(32,546)	0	0	(32,546)
Balance, at Dec. 29, 2018	$ 9,949	$ 1,163,545	$ 262	$ (150,857)	$ 1,022,899
Balance, shares at Dec. 29, 2018	33,047,807			6,149,364

Consolidated Statements of Cash

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 62,738	$ 98,414	$ 87,162
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	93,567	85,415	76,862
(Gain) loss on disposition of fixed assets	1,274	(700)	1,353
Impairment of fixed assets	1,532	0	894
(Gain) loss on sale of marketable securities	54	40	(437)
Unrealized loss in value of investment securities	1,606	0	0
Gain on sale of intangible assets	0	0	(200)
Gain on acquisition of business	0	0	(23,879)
Deferred income taxes	3,418	(31,993)	5,703
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Inventories	(1,247)	(2,726)	(38,102)
Accounts receivable and prepaid expenses	(5,874)	4,045	(7,613)
Accounts payable and other liabilities	(18,583)	7,742	46,131
Income taxes	9,330	(422)	41
Other	565	446	1,161
Net cash provided by operating activities	148,380	160,261	149,076
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of property and equipment	(95,696)	(95,857)	(142,144)
Proceeds from the sale of property and equipment	1,734	2,246	442
Purchase of marketable securities	(5,627)	(12,612)	(40,858)
Proceeds from maturities of marketable securities	6,550	8,442	1,335
Proceeds from the sale of marketable securities	5,834	7,272	62,566
Acquisition of business	0	0	(63,632)
Purchase of intangible assets	(3,540)	(3,565)	(2,568)
Proceeds from sale of intangible assets	0	0	200
Change in SERP investment	(210)	(3,322)	(2,075)
Net cash used in investing activities	(90,955)	(97,396)	(186,734)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Payments on long-term debt	(34,988)	(29,488)
Proceeds from long-term debt			64,476
Dividends paid	(32,546)	(32,278)	(32,278)
Net cash used in financing activities	(67,534)	(61,766)	32,198
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(10,109)	1,099	(5,460)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	47,917	46,818	52,278
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 37,808	$ 47,917	$ 46,818

Consolidated Statements Of Ca_2

Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows [Abstract]
Income taxes paid	$ 6,500	$ 13,000	$ 31,000
Interest paid	$ 383	$ 973	$ 141

Summary Of Significant Accounti

Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies	Note 1 Summary of Significant Accounting Policies The following is a summary of the significant accounting policies utilized in preparing the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements:  (a) Description of Business Weis Markets, Inc. is a Pennsylvania business corporation formed in 1924. The Company is engaged principally in the retail sale of food in Pennsylvania and surrounding states. The Company’s operations are reported as a single reportable segment. There was no material change in the nature of the Company's business during fiscal 2018 .  (b) Definition of Fiscal Year The Company’s fiscal year ends on the last Saturday in December. Fiscal 2018 was comprised of 52 Weeks , ending on December 29, 2018 . Fiscal 2017 was comprised of 52 weeks, ending on December 30, 2017 . Fiscal 2016 was comprised of 53 weeks, ending on December 31, 2016 . References to years in this Annual Report relate to fiscal years.  (c) Principles of Consolidation The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.  (d) Use of Estimates Management of the Company has made a number of estimates and assumptions relating to the reporting of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities to prepare these Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Actual results could differ from those estimates.  (e) Cash and Cash Equivalents The Company maintains its cash balances in the form of core checking accounts and money market accounts. The Company maintains cash deposits with banks that at times exceed applicable insurance limits. The Company reduces its exposure to credit risk by maintaining such deposits with high quality financial institutions that management believes are creditworthy.  The Company considers investments with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Investment amounts classified as cash equivalents as of December 29, 2018 and December 30, 2017 totaled $5.4 million and $3 41,000 , respectively.  Consumer electronic payments accepted at the point of sale, including all credit card, debit card and electronic benefits transfer transactions that process in less than seven days are classified as cash equivalents.  (f) Marketable Securities Marketable securities consist of municipal bonds and equity securities. The Company invests primarily in high-grade marketable debt securities. The Company classifies all of its marketable securities as available-for-sale.  Available-for-sale securities are recorded at fair value as determined by quoted market price based on national markets. Unrealized holding gains and losses, net of the related tax effect, on municipal bonds are excluded from earnings and are reported as a separate component of shareholders’ equity until realized. Unrealized holding gains and losses on equity securities are recorded in investment income (loss) and interest expense. A decline in the fair value below cost that is deemed other than temporary results in a charge to earnings and the establishment of a new cost basis for the security. Dividend and interest income is recognized when earned. Realized gains and losses are included in earnings and are derived using the specific identification method for determining the cost of securities.  With the adoption of ASU 2016-01, equity securities are measured at fair value and the unrealized holding gains and losses are recorded in investment income (loss) and interest expense. The Company incurred a $1.6 million loss in 2018 as a result.  (g) Accounts Receivable Accounts receivable are stated net of an allowance for uncollecti ble accounts of $2.1 million and $1.9 million as of December 29, 2018 and December 30, 2017 , respectively. The reserve balance relates to amounts due from pharmacy third party providers, retail customer returned checks, manufacturing customers, vendors and tenants. The Company maintains an allowance for the amount of receivables deemed to be uncollectible and calculates this amount based upon historical collection activity adjusted for current conditions.  Note 1 Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)  (h) Inventories Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value, using both the last-in, first-out (LIFO) and average cost methods. The Company’s center store and pharmacy inventories are valued using LIFO. Under this method, inventory is stated at cost, which is determined by applying a cost-to-retail to each similar merchandise category’s ending retail value. The Company’s fresh inventories are valued using average cost. The Company evaluates inventory shortages throughout the year based on actual physical counts in its facilities. Allowances for inventory shortages are recorded based on the results of these counts and to provide for estimated shortages from the last physical count to the financial statement date.  (i) Property and Equipment Property and equipment are recorded at cost. Depreciation is provided on the cost of buildings and improvements and equipment using the straight-line method.  Leasehold improvements are amortized using the straight-line method over the terms of the leases or the useful lives of the assets, whichever is shorter.  Maintenance and repairs are expensed and renewals and betterments are capitalized. When assets are retired or otherwise disposed of, the assets and accumulated depreciation are removed from the respective accounts and any profit or loss on the disposition is credited or charged to “Operating, general and administrative expenses.”  (j) Goodwill and Intangible Assets Goodwill is not amortized but tested for impairment on an annual basis and between annual tests when indicators of impairment are identified. Intangible assets with an indefinite useful life are not amortized until their useful life is determined to be no longer indefinite and are tested for impairment annually or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired.  The Company’s intangible assets and related accumulated amortization at December 29, 2018 and December 30, 2017 consisted of the following:     December 29, 2018 December 30, 2017  Accumulated Accumulated  (dollars in thousands) Gross Amortization Net Gross Amortization Net  Liquor Licenses $ 14,226 $ - $ 14,226 $ 11,121 $ - $ 11,121  Lease Acquisitions 10,273 4,666 5,607 10,960 3,902 7,058  Customer Lists 1,597 309 1,288 1,162 175 987  Total $ 26,096 $ 4,975 $ 21,121 $ 23,243 $ 4,077 $ 19,166  Intangible assets with a definite useful life are generally amortized on a straight-line basis over periods up to 30 years for lease acquisitions and up to 10 years for customer lists . Estimated amortization expense for the next five fiscal years is approximately $1,017,000 in 2019, $979,000 in 2020, $921,000 in 2021, $673,000 in 2022 and $526,000 in 2023. As of December 29, 2018 , the Company’s intangible assets with indefinite lives consisted of goodwill and Pennsylvania liquor licenses. Note 1 Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)  (k) Impairment of Long-Lived Assets The Company periodically evaluates the period of depreciation or amortization for long-lived assets to determine whether current circumstances warrant revised estimates of useful lives. The Company completes an impairment test annually. The Company also reviews its property and equipment for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount to the net undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. An impairment loss would be recorded for the excess of net book value over the fair value of the asset impaired. The fair value is estimated based on current market values or expected discounted future cash flows.  With respect to owned property and equipment associated with closed stores, the value of the property and equipment would be adjusted to reflect recoverable values if current economic conditions and estimated fair values of the property was less than the net book value.  In accordance with Accounting Standards Codification No. 360, Property, Plant and Equipment , the Company recorded a pre-tax charge of $1.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2018 and $894,000 in the fourth quarter of 2016 for the impairment of long-lived assets, including equipment and leasehold improvements. The charge s w ere a result of management determin ing that the net book value of these propert ies was less than the recoverable value. This charge was included as a component of "Operating, general and administrative expenses."  The results of impairment tests are subject to management’s estimates and assumptions of projected cash flows and operating results. The Company believes that, based on current conditions, materially different reported results are not likely to result from long-lived asset impairments. However, a change in assumptions or market conditions could result in a change in estimated future cash flows and the likelihood of materially different reported results.  (l) Store Closing Costs The Company provides for closed store liabilities relating to the estimated post-closing lease liabilities and related other exit costs associated with the store closing commitments. As of December 29, 2018 , there were no closed stores with post-closing lease liability or other exit costs. Closed store lease liabilities totaled $39,000 as of December 30, 2017. The Company estimates the lease liabilities, net of estimated sublease income, using the undiscounted rent payments of closed stores. Other exit costs include estimated real estate taxes, common area maintenance, insurance and utility costs to be incurred after the store closes over the remaining lease term. Store closings are generally completed within one year after the decision to close. Adjustments to closed store liabilities and other exit costs primarily relate to changes in sublease income and actual exit costs differing from original estimates. Adjustments are made for changes in estimates in the period in which the changes become known. Any excess store closing liability remaining upon settlement of the obligation is reversed to income in the period that such settlement is determined. Store closing liabilities are reviewed quarterly to ensure that any accrued amount that is not a sufficient estimate of future costs, or that is no longer needed for its originally intended purpose, is adjusted to income in the proper period. Inventory write-downs, if any, in connection with store closings are classified in cost of sales. Costs to transfer inventory and equipment from closed stores are expensed as incurred.  (m) Self-Insurance The Company is self-insured for a majority of its workers’ compensation, general liability, vehicle accident and associate medical benefit claims. The self-insurance liability for most of the medical benefit claims is determined based on historical data and an estimate of claims incurred but not reported. The other self-insurance liabilities including workers’ compensation are determined actuarially, based on claims filed and an estimate of claims incurred but not yet reported. The Company was liable for associate health claims up to an annual maximum of $2.0 million per member prior to March 1, 2014 and an unlimited amount per member as of and after March 1, 2014. As of March 1, 2014, the Company purchased stop loss insurance which carries a $500,000 specific deductible with a $250,000 aggregating deductible. The Company is liable for workers' compensation claims up to $2.0 million per claim . Property and casualty insurance coverage is maintained with outside carriers at deductible or retention levels ranging from $100,000 to $1.0 million . Significant assumptions used in the development of the actuarial estimates include reliance on the Company’s historical claims data including average monthly claims and average lag time between incurrence and reporting of the claim.  (n) Income Taxes The Company recognizes deferred tax assets and liabilities for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The Company reviews the tax positions taken or expected to be taken on tax returns to determine whether and to what extent a benefit can be recognized in the Consolidated Financial Statements. Refer to Note 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for the amount of unrecognized tax benefits and other disclosures related to uncertain tax positions. To the extent interest and penalties would be assessed by taxing authorities on any underpayment of income tax, such amounts are accrued and classified as a component of income tax expense. Note 1 Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)  (o) Earnings Per Share Earnings per share are based on the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding.  (p) Revenue Recognition Revenue from the sale of products to the Company’s customers is recognized at the point of sale. Discounts provided to customers at the point of sale through the Weis Club Preferred Shopper loyalty program are recognized as a reduction in sales as products are sold. Periodically, the Company will run a point based sales incentive program that rewards customers with future sales discounts. The Company makes reasonable and reliable estimates of the amount of future discounts based upon historical experience and its customer data tracking software. Sales are reduced by these estimates over the life of the program. Discounts to customers at the point of sale provided by vendors, usually in the form of paper coupons, are not recognized as a reduction in sales provided the discounts are redeemable at any retailer that accepts those discounts. The Company records “Deferred revenue” for the sale of gift cards and revenue is recognized in “Net sales” at the time of customer redemption for products. Gift card breakage income is recognized in “Operating, general and administrative expenses” based upon historical redemption patterns and represents the balance of gift cards for which the Company believes the likelihood of redemption by the customer is remote. Sales tax is excluded from “Net sales.” The Company charges sales tax on all taxable customer purchases and remits these taxes monthly to the appropriate taxing jurisdiction. Merchandise return activity is immaterial to revenues due to products being returned quickly and the relatively low unit cost.  (q) Cost of Sales, Including Advertising, Warehousing and Distribution Expenses “Cost of sales, including warehousing and distribution expenses” consists of direct product costs (net of discounts and allowances), advertising (net of vendor paid cooperative advertising credits), distribution center and transportation costs, as well as manufacturing facility operations. Advertising costs, net of vendor paid cooperative advertising credits, are expensed as incurred which are primarily funded by vendor cooperative advertising credits and occur in the same period as the product is sold.  (r) Vendor Allowances Vendor allowances related to the Company's buying and merchandising activities are recorded as a reduction of cost of sales as they are earned, in accordance with the underlying agreement. Off-invoice and bill-back allowances are used to reduce direct product costs upon the receipt of goods. Promotional rebates and credits are accounted for as a reduction in the cost of inventory and recognized when the related inventory is sold. Volume incentive discounts are realized as a reduction of cost of sales at the time it is deemed probable and reasonably estimable that the incentive target will be reached. Long-term contract incentives, which require an exclusive vendor relationship, are allocated over the life of the contract. Promotional allowance funds for specific vendor-sponsored programs are recognized as a reduction of cost of sales as the program occurs and the funds are earned per the agreement. Cash discounts for prompt payment of invoices are realized in cost of sales as invoices are paid. Warehouse and back-haul allowances provided by suppliers for distributing their product through the Company’s distribution system are recorded in cost of sales offsetting costs incurred. Warehouse rack and slotting allowances are recorded in cost of sales when new items are initially set up in the Company's distribution system, which is when the related expenses are incurred and performance under the agreement is complete. Swell allowances for damaged goods are realized in cost of sales as provided by the supplier, helping to offset product shrink losses also recorded in cost of sales.  Vendor allowances recorded as credits in cost of sales totaled $132.0 million in 2018 , $ 131.1 million in 2017 and $141.6 million in 2016 . Vendor paid cooperative advertising credits totaled $19.4 million in 2018 , $ 19.2 million in 2017 and $19.1 million in 2016 . These credits were netted against advertising costs within “Cost of Sales, including Advertising, Warehousing and Distribution expenses.” The Company had accounts receivable due from vendors of $1.6 million and $1.0 million for earned advertising credits and $12. 8 million and $13.1 million for earned promotional discounts as of December 29, 2018 and December 30, 2017 , respectively. The Company had $7.4 million and $9.8 million in unearned income included in accrued liabilities for unearned vendor programs under long-term contracts for display and shelf space allocation as of December 29, 2018 and December 30, 2017 , respectively.  (s) Operating, General and Administrative Expenses Business operating costs including expenses generated from administration and purchasing functions, are recorded in “Operating, general and administrative expenses” in the Consolidated Statements of Income. Business operating costs include items such as wages, benefits, utilities, repairs and maintenance, rent, insurance, depreciation, leasehold amortization and costs for outside provided services.  (t) Advertising Costs The Company expenses advertising costs as incurred. The Company recorded advertising expense, before vendor paid cooperative advertising credits, of $30.5 million in 2018 , $31 .0 million in 2017 and $26.3 million in 2016 in “ Cost of Sales, including Advertising, Warehousing and Distribution Expenses .” Note 1 Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)  (u) Rental and Commission Income The Company leases or subleases space to tenants in owned, vacated and open store facilities. Rental income is recorded when earned as a component of “Operating, general and administrative expenses.” All leases are operating leases, as disclosed in Note 5.  The Company provides a variety of services to its customers, including but not limited to lottery, money orders, third-party gift cards, and third-party bill pay services. Commission income earned from these services are recorded when earned as a component of “Operating, general and administrative expenses.”  (v) Current Relevant Accounting Standards In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) , as amended by several subsequent ASU’s, which establishes principles for recognizing revenue upon the transfer of promised goods or services to customers, in an amount that reflects the expected consideration received in exchange for those goods or services. In August 2015, the FASB issued a one-year deferral of the effective date of this new guidance resulting in it now being effective for the Company beginning in fiscal year 2018. The Company’s assessment of the new guidance has identified customer loyalty programs and gift cards affected by the new guidance. The Company adopted the new standard using the modified retrospective method beginning December 31, 2017. The effects related to these transactions did not materially effect the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements. The Company determined that adoption of the ASU did not have a significant impact on the Company’s point of sale product sales.  In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01 Financial Instruments – Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities . ASU 2016-01 generally requires that equity investments (excluding equity method investments) be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income. The adoption of ASU 2016-01 had an impact on the net income reported in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Income in the amount of a $1.6 million loss for the year ended December 29, 2018. The ASU was adopted as of December 31, 2017. The cumulative effect of the adoption was made to the balance sheet as of December 31, 2017 and resulted in a reclassification of $5.5 million of related accumulated unrealized gains, net of applicaple deferred income taxes, that were included in accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings, resulting on no impact on the Company’s shareholders’ equity.  In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02 Leases (Topic 842). ASU 2016-02 requires lessees to recognize assets and liabilities for the rights and obligations created by their leases with lease terms more than 12 months. ASU 2016-02 will become effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018 and for interim periods within those fiscal years. During 2018, the ASU was amended to permit the election of transitional provisions, including the elimination of the requirement to restate reporting periods prior to the date of adoption. The Company also will elect to not reassess the original conclusions reached regarding lease identification, lease classification and initial direct costs. The Company is currently in the process of evaluating the impact of adoption of the ASU and expects the adoption to have a significant impact on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. Based upon the current evaluation of the standard, the adoption will result in the addition of approximately $210 million of assets and liabilities to the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets, with no significant change to the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income or Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.  In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-04 Liabilities – Extinguishments of Liabilities (Subtopic 405-20) Recognition of Breakage for Certain Prepaid Stored-Value Products . ASU 2016-04 requires that an entity must disclose the methodology and specific judgements made in applying the breakage recognized. ASU 2016-04 will become effective for the financial statements issued for the fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company has evaluated the effect of the adoption of the ASU and determined there was not a significant impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements. The Company adopted ASU 2016-04 beginning December 31, 2017.

Marketable Securities

Marketable Securities	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018
Marketable Securities [Abstract]
Marketable Securities	Note 2 Marketable Securities The Company’s marketable securities are all classified as available-for-sale within “Current Assets” in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. FASB has established three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:  Level 1 Observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities; Level 2 Observable inputs, other than Level 1 inputs in active markets, that are observable either directly or indirectly; and Level 3 Unobservable inputs for which there is little or no market data, which require the reporting entity to develop its own assumptions.  The Company’s marketable securities valued using Level 1 inputs include highly liquid equity securities, for which quoted market prices are available . The Company’s bond portfolio is valued using Level 2 inputs . The Company’s municipal bonds are valued using a combination of pricing for similar securities, recently executed transactions, cash flow models with yield curves and other pricing models utilizing observable inputs, which are considered Level 2 inputs.  For Level 2 investment valuation, the Company utilizes standard pricing procedures of its investment advisory firm(s), which include various third party pricing services. These procedures also require specific price monitoring practices as well as pricing review reports, valuation oversight and pricing challenge procedures to maintain the most accurate representation of investment fair market value.  The Company accrues interest on its bond portfolio throughout the life of each bond held. Dividends from the equity securities are recognized as received. Both interest and dividends are recognized in “Investment income and interest expense” on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Income.  Marketable securities, as of December 29, 2018 and December 30, 2017 , consisted of:      Gross Gross  (dollars in thousands) Amortized Unrealized Unrealized Fair  December 29, 2018 Cost Holding Gains Holding Losses Value  Available-for-sale:  Level 1  Equity securities $ 1,198 $ 6,028 $ - $ 7,226  Level 2  Municipal bonds 46,699 426 (53) 47,072  $ 47,897 $ 6,454 $ (53) $ 54,298      Gross Gross  (dollars in thousands) Amortized Unrealized Unrealized Fair  December 30, 2017 Cost Holding Gains Holding Losses Value  Available-for-sale:  Level 1  Equity securities $ 1,198 $ 7,634 $ - $ 8,832  Level 2  Municipal bonds 54,278 671 (116) 54,833  $ 55,476 $ 8,305 $ (116) $ 63,665  Maturities of marketable securities classified as available-for-sale at December 29, 2018 , were as follows:    Amortized Fair  (dollars in thousands) Cost Value  Available-for-sale:  Due within one year $ 4,974 $ 4,960  Due after one year through five years 23,661 23,856  Due after five years through ten years 18,064 18,256  Equity securities 1,198 7,226  $ 47,897 $ 54,298  Note 2 Marketable Securities (continued)  SERP Investments The Company also maintains a non-qualified supplemental executive retirement plan for certain of its associates which allows them to defer income to future periods. Participants in the plans earn a return on their deferrals based on mutual fund investments. The Company chooses to invest in the underlying mutual fund investments to offset the liability associated with the non-qualified deferred compensation plans. Such investments are reported on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets as “SERP investment,” are classified as trading securities and are measured at fair value using Level 1 inputs with gains and losses included in “Investment income and interest expense” on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Income. The changes in the underlying liability to the associates are recorded in “Operating, general and administrative expenses .”

Inventories

Inventories	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018
Inventories [Abstract]
Inventories	Note 3 Inventories Merchandise inventories, as of December 29, 2018 and December 30, 2017 , were valued as follows:     (dollars in thousands) 2018 2017  LIFO $ 211,911 $ 221,777  Average cost 68,845 57,732  $ 280,756 $ 279,509  Management believes the use of the LIFO method for valuing certain inventories represents the most appropriate matching of costs and revenues in the Company’s circumstances . If all inventories were valued on the average cost method, which approximates current cost, total inventories would have been $76,517,000 and $78,005,000 higher than as reported on the above methods as of December 29, 2018 and December 30, 2017 , respectively. During 2018, the Company had certain decrements in its LIFO pools, which had an insignificant impact on the cost of sales.

Property and Equipment

Property and Equipment	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018
Property and Equipment [Abstract]
Property and Equipment	Note 4 Property and Equipment Property and equipment, as of December 29, 2018 and December 30, 2017 , consisted of:     Useful Life  (dollars in thousands) ( in years) 2018 2017  Land $ 133,386 $ 129,878  Buildings and improvements 10 -60 713,128 693,898  Equipment 3 -12 1,069,616 1,054,986  Leasehold improvements 5 -20 224,231 212,109  Total, at cost 2,140,361 2,090,871  Less accumulated depreciation and amortization 1,252,753 1,204,628  $ 887,608 $ 886,243

Lease Commitments

Lease Commitments	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018
Lease Commitments [Abstract]
Lease Commitments	Note 5 Lease Commitments At December 29, 2018 , the Company leased approximately 53% of its open store facilities under operating leases that expire at various dates through 2033 . These leases generally provide for fixed annual rentals; however, several provide for minimum annual rentals plus contingent rentals as a percentage of annual sales and a number of leases require the Company to pay for all or a portion of insurance, real estate taxes, water and sewer rentals, and repairs, the cost of which is charged to the related expense category rather than being accounted for as rent expense. Most of the leases contain multiple renewal options, under which the Company may extend the lease terms from 5 to 20 years. Rents on operating leases, including agreements with step rents, are charged to expense on a straight-line basis over the minimum lease term. Additionally, the Company has operating leases for certain transportation and other equipment.  Rent expense and income on all leases consisted of:     (dollars in thousands) 2018 2017 2016  Minimum annual rentals $ 47,253 $ 46,804 $ 38,632  Contingent rentals 419 432 431  Lease or sublease income (7,757) (7,612) (7,212)  $ 39,915 $ 39,624 $ 31,851  The following is a schedule by years of future minimum rental payments required under operating leases and total minimum sublease and lease rental income to be received that have initial or remaining non-cancelable lease terms in excess of one year as of December 29, 2018 .      (dollars in thousands) Leases Subleases  2019 $ 43,713 $ (3,692)  2020 40,730 (3,524)  2021 34,556 (3,025)  2022 28,550 (2,453)  2023 24,323 (2,013)  Thereafter 70,412 (7,845)  $ 242,284 $ (22,552)

Retirement Plans

Retirement Plans	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018
Retirement Plans [Abstract]
Retirement Plans	Note 6 Retirement Plans The Company has a qualified retirement savings plan, the Weis Markets, Inc. Retirement Savings Plan, covering substantially all full-time associates. The plan has a contributory component as well as a noncontributory profit-sharing component for certain associates. The noncontributory component covers eligible associates which included certain salaried associates, store management and administrative support personnel. The Company also has two non-qualified supplemental retirement plans covering highly compensated employees of the Company. The Company’s policy is to fund retirement plan costs as accrued, with the exception of the deferred compensation plan. Employer contributions to the qualified retirement plan are made at the sole discretion of the Company.  Retirement plan costs:     (dollars in thousands) 2018 2017 2016  Retirement savings plan 3,525 3,343 3,593  Deferred compensation plan 508 813 788  Supplemental executive retirement plan (529) 2,625 1,193  $ 3,504 $ 6,781 $ 5,574  The Company maintains a non-qualified deferred compensation plan for the payment of specific amounts of annual retirement benefits to certain officers or their beneficiaries over an actuarially computed normal life expectancy. Currently, there are no active officers in the plan. The expected payments under the plan provisions were determined through actuarial calculations dependent on the age of the recipient, using an assumed discount rate. The plan is unfunded and accounted for on an accrual ba sis. The recorded liability at December 29, 2018 is $4,409,000 , which is based on expected payments to be made over the remaining lives of the beneficiaries. This amount is included in “Accrued expenses” and “Postretirement benefit obligations” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The expected payment amounts are approximately $1 ,013,000 for 2019 and for the years thereafter dependent on the lives of the beneficiaries.  The Company also maintains a non-qualified supplemental executive retirement plan for certain of its associates. This plan is designed to provide retirement benefits and salary deferral opportunities because of limitations imposed by the Internal Revenue Code and the Regulations implemented by the Internal Revenue Service. This plan is unfunded and accounted for on an accrual basis. Participants in this plan are excluded from participation in the profit sharing portion of the Weis Markets, Inc. Retirement Savings Plan once their yearly earnings exceed the IRS highly compensated threshold. The Board of Directors annually determines the amount of the allocation to the plans at its sole discretion. The allocation among the various plan participants is made in both flat dollar amounts and in relationship to their compensation. Plan participants are 100% vested in their accounts after six years of service with the Company. Benefits are distributed among participants upon reaching the applicable retirement age . Substantial risk of benefit forfeiture do es exist for participants in this plan. The non-qualified pharmacist deferred compensation plan was consolidated into the non-qualified supplemental executive retirement plan during 2018. The present value of accumulated benefits amounted to $14,715,000 and $14,508,000 at December 29, 2018 and December 30, 2017 , respectively, and is included in “Postretirement benefit obligations” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018
Revenue Recognition [Abstract]
Revenue Recognition	Note 7 Revenue Recognition  The adoption of ASU 2014-9 Revenue from Contracts with Customers (ASC 606) did not have a material impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements. The Chief Operating Officer, the Company’s chief operating decision maker, analyzed store operational revenues by geographical area but each area offers customers similar product, has similar distribution methods, and supported by centralized management processes. The Company’s operations are reported as a single reportable segment.  The following table represents net sales by type of product for years ending December 29, 2018, December 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016.     52 Weeks Ended  ( dollars in thousands ) December 29, 2018 December 30, 2017 December 31, 2016  Grocery $ 3,063,218 87.3 % $ 3,041,481 87.7 % $ 2,736,596 87.3 %  Pharmacy 314,584 9.0 309,079 8.9 298,875 9.5  Fuel 125,993 3.6 109,467 3.2 94,907 3.0  Manufacturing 5,475 0.1 6,780 0.2 6,342 0.2   Total net sales $ 3,509,270 100.0 % $ 3,466,807 100.0 % $ 3,136,720 100.0 %  

Cash and Cash Equivalents and A

Cash and Cash Equivalents and Advertising Accounting Policies, and Prior Year Reclassifications	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018
Cash and Cash Equivalents and Advertising Accounting Policies, and Prior Year Reclassifications [Abstract]
Cash and Cash Equivalents and Advertising Accounting Policies, and Prior Year Reclassifications	Note 8 Cash and Cash Equivalents and Advertising Accounting Policies, and Prior Year Reclassifications As of December 31, 2017, the Com pany changed its policy for cash and cash equivalents to include all credit card, debit card, and electronic benefits transfer transactions that process in less than seven days in the amount of $23.6 million and $26.6 million as of December 29, 2018 and December 30, 2017, respectively. Management deems the classification of the amounts due from third-party financial institutions to be more appropriately reported in cash and cash equivalents due to certainty and timely settlements in less than seven days. The amounts have been reclassified from accounts receivable to cash and cash equivalents as of December 30, 2017 in the amount of $26.6 million to conform the presentation of the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 29, 2018 .  As of December 31, 2017, the Company changed its policy for advertising costs to expense advertising costs as incurred, net of vendor paid cooperative advertising credits, in Cost of sales, in the amount of $11.1 million, $13.9 million and $8.6 million for the years ended December 29, 2018, December 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively. Management deems that the policy change to record net advertising costs in Cost of sales instead of Operating, general and administrative expenses better represents Cost of sales inclusive of direct product costs (net of discounts and allowances), distribution center and transportation costs, manufacturing facility operations and advertising costs that are primarily funded by vendor cooperative advertising credits and occur in the same period the product is sold. Advertising costs net of vendor cooperative advertising credits have been reclassified to Cost of sales out of Operating, General and Administrative costs for the years ended December 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 in the amount of $13.9 million and $8.6 million, respectively, to conform to the presentation of the Consolidated Statement of Income for the year ended December 29, 2018.  The tables below summarize the effect of the reclassifications of previously reported Consolidated Financial Statements for the fiscal years ended December 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016.    As of December 30, 2017  As Previously  Consolidated Balance Sheets (dollars in thousands) Reported Reclassifications As Adjusted  Cash and cash equivalent $ 21,305 $ 26,612 $ 47,917  Accounts receivable, net 82,877 (26,612) 56,265    December 30, 2017 December 31, 2016  Consolidated Statements of Income As Previously As Previously  (dollars in thousands) Reported Reclassifications As Adjusted Reported Reclassifications As Adjusted  Cost of sales, including advertising, warehousing and distribution expenses $ 2,540,348 $ 13,936 $ 2,554,284 $ 2,264,565 $ 8,617 $ 2,273,182  Gross profit on sales 926,459 (13,936) 912,523 872,155 (8,617) 863,538  Operating, general and administrative expenses 850,034 (13,936) 836,098 773,830 (8,617) 765,213    52 Weeks Ended  December 30, 2017  Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows As Previously  (dollars in thousands) Reported Reclassifications As Adjusted  Accounts receivable and prepaid expenses $ 9,598 $ (5,553) $ 4,045  Net cash provided by operating activities 165,814 (5,553) 160,261  Net increase (decreases) in cash and cash equivalents 6,652 (5,553) 1,099  Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 14,653 32,165 46,818  Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 21,305 $ 26,612 $ 47,917  Note 8 Cash and Cash Equivalents and Advertising Accounting Policies, and Prior Year Reclassifications (continued)       53 Weeks Ended  December 31, 2016  Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows As Previously  (dollars in thousands) Reported Reclassifications As Adjusted  Accounts receivable and prepaid expenses $ (5,096) $ (2,517) $ (7,613)  Net cash provided by operating activities 151,593 (2,517) 149,076  Net increase (decreases) in cash and cash equivalents (2,943) (2,517) (5,460)  Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 17,596 34,682 52,278  Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 14,653 $ 32,165 $ 46,818 

Accumulated Other Comprehensive

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	Note 9 Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income All balances in accumulated other comprehensive income are related to available-for-sale marketable securities. The following table sets forth the balance of the Company’s accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax.    Unrealized Gains  on Available-for-Sale  (dollars in thousands) Marketable Securities  Accumulated other comprehensive income balance as of December 31, 2016 $ 4,852   Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications (43)  Accumulated change in effective tax rate 1,042  Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income 29  Net current period other comprehensive loss 1,028  Accumulated other comprehensive income balance as of December 30, 2017 $ 5,880   Amount reclassified to retained earnings for equity unrealized gain (adoption of ASU 2016-01) (5,481)  Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications (177)  Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income 40  Net current period change in other comprehensive income (5,618)  Accumulated other comprehensive income balance as of December 29, 2018 $ 262  The following table sets forth the effects on net income of the amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income for the periods ended December 29, 2018 , December 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 .    Amounts Reclassified from  Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income to the  Consolidated Statements of Income  (dollars in thousands) Location 2018 2017 2016  Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale marketable securities  Investment income and interest expense $ (54) $ (40) $ 437  Provision for income taxes 14 11 (180)  Total amount reclassified, net of tax $ (40) $ (29) $ 257 

Income Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018
Income Taxes [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Note 10 Income Taxes The provision (benefit) for income taxes consists of:    (dollars in thousands) 2018 2017 2016  Current:  Federal $ 11,385 $ 10,630 $ 25,908  State 4,594 1,972 5,888  Deferred:  Federal 6,059 (34,659) 6,020  State (2,640) 2,666 (317)  $ 19,398 $ (19,391) $ 37,499  The reconciliation of income taxes computed at the federal statutory rate of 21% in 2018 and 35% in 2017 and 2016 respectively. Ending deferred tax liability has been computed at the federal statutory rate of 21% due to the Tax Reform.    (dollars in thousands) 2018 2017 2016  Income taxes at federal statutory rate $ 17,249 $ 27,658 $ 43,631  State income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit 639 1,306 2,413  Deferred tax on gain on bargain purchase - - (8,358)  Nondeductible employee-related expenses 768 1,828 -  2017 tax reform 657 (49,336) -  Other 85 (847) (187)  Provision for income taxes (effective tax rate 23.6% , (24.5)% and 30.1% , respectively) $ 19,398 $ (19,391) $ 37,499  The effective income tax rate was 23.6% , negative 24.5% and 30.1% in 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively. The effective income tax rate differs from the federal statutory rate of 21% primarily due Nondeductible employee expenses. On December 22, 2017, the U.S. Government enacted the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “ Tax Reform”). The Tax Reform significantly impacted the Company’s effective income tax rate by reducing the U.S. federal corporate tax rate from 35% to 21% effective January 1, 2018 and allowing immediate expensing of qualified assets placed into service after September 27, 2017. Other elements of the Tax Reform have minor impacts, however the above mentioned decreased deferred income tax by $49.3 million during 2017 . The effective income tax rate decreased in 2016 due to the impact of the bargain purchase gain on the 38 locations being included in the overall gain calculation and not in income tax expense. The effective tax rate excluding the bargain purchase gain was 37.2% .  Cash paid for federal income taxes was $4.5 million , $12.0 million $27.3 million and in 2018, 2017and 2016 respectively. Cash paid for state income taxes was $2.1 m illion , $1.0 million and $3.7 million in 2018, 2017 and 2016 respectively.  The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities at December 29, 2018 and December 30, 2017 , are:    (dollars in thousands) 2018 2017  Deferred tax assets:  Accounts receivable $ 588 $ 542  Compensated absences 355 848  Employment incentives 842 388  Employee benefit plans 4,914 5,581  General liability insurance 2,702 2,991  Postretirement benefit obligations 5,272 5,365  Net operating loss carryforwards 8,030 7,745  Other 7,967 4,373  Total deferred tax assets 30,670 27,833  Deferred tax liabilities:  Inventories (9,828) (8,026)  Unrealized gains on marketable securities (1,809) (2,310)  Nondeductible accruals and other (5,274) (5,160)  Depreciation (104,552) (99,759)  Total deferred tax liabilities (121,463) (115,255)  Net deferred tax liability $ (90,793) $ (87,422) Note 10 Income Taxes (continued) The following table summarizes the activity related to the Company’s unrecognized tax benefits:     (dollars in thousands) 2018 2017  Unrecognized tax benefits at beginning of year $ 4,691 $ 3,124  Increases based on tax positions related to the current year 1,714 1,567  Additions for tax positions of prior year - -  Reductions for tax positions of prior years - -  Settlements - -  Expiration of the statute of limitations for assessment of taxes - -  Unrecognized tax benefits at end of year $ 6,405 $ 4,691  The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would affec t the effective tax rate was $1,714,000 in 2018, $1,567,000 in 2017 and $1,860,000 in 2016. The Company or one of its subsidiaries files tax returns in the United States and various state jurisdictions. The tax years subject to examination in the United State and in Pennsylvania, where the majority of the Company's revenues are generated, are 2015 to 2018 . The Company has net operating loss carryforwards of $101.8 million available for state income tax purposes. The net operating losses will begin to expire starting in 2027 . The Company expects to fully utilize these net operating loss carryforward s .

Acquisition of Business

Acquisition of Business	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018
Acquisition of Business [Abstract]
Acquisition of Business	Note 11 Acquisition of Business Fiscal 2018 Acquisitions There were no acquisitions for fiscal 2018.  Fiscal 2017 Acquisitions There were no acquisitions for fiscal 2017.  Fiscal 2016 Acquisitions On August 1, 2016, the Company purchased five Mars Super Market stores located in Maryland. Weis Markets, Inc. acquired these locations and their operations in an effort to expand its presence in the Baltimore County region. The results of operations of the former Mars Super Market acquisition are included in the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements from the date of acquisition. The five former Mars Super Market stores contributed $91.7 million, $91.5 million and $38.0 million to sales in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The cash purchase price paid was $24.6 million for the property, equipment, inventories, prepaid expenses and goodwill related to this purchase. The Company accounted for this transaction as a business combination in accordance with the acquisition method. The fair value of intangibles was determined based on the discounted cash flow model and property and equipment were determined based on external appraisals. Weis Markets, Inc. assumed two lease obligations in the acquisition of the former Mars Super Market stores and entered into two new lease agreements. Goodwill of $ 13.3 million has been recorded, based upon the expected benefits to be derived from new management business strategy and cost synergies. The $13.3 million of goodwill is deductible for tax purposes. The purchase price has been allocated to the acquired assets as follows.  The following table summarizes the fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of acquisition. The fair values of the acquired assets and assumed liabilities are reported below.     5 Mars Super Market Stores  (dollars in thousands) August 1, 2016  Inventories $ 1,267  Accounts receivable and prepaid expenses 248  Property and equipment 7,305  Goodwill 13,255  Intangibles - favorable leasehold interest, net 2,495  Total fair value of assets acquired $ 24,570  Note 11 Acquisition of Business (continued) Fiscal 2016 Acquisitions (continued) In September 2016, the Company began its acquisition of 38 former Food Lion, LLC stores. Within eight weeks, ending in October 2016, Weis Markets acquired 21 Maryland, 13 Virginia and 4 Delaware former Food Lion, LLC stores. The results of operations of the 38 former Food Lion, LLC stores are included in the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements from the date of acquisition. The Company accounted for this transaction as a business combination in accordance with the acquisition method. The fair value of intangibles was determined based on the discounted cash flow model and property and equipment were determined based on external appraisals. The acquired locations were part of a FTC forced diversiture in the approval process of the merger of Ahold and Delhaize Group, which resulted in a below fair value purchase price consideration. The cash purchase price paid was $29.4 million for the property, equipment, inventories, prepaid expenses and liabilities. Weis Markets, Inc. assumed thirty lease obligations and ownership of eight locations. The Company recognized a gain of $ 23.9 million on the purchase of the 38 former Food Lion, LLC stores. The 38 acquired Food Lion, LLC locations contributed $346.1 million, $369.2 million and $92.5 million to sales in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.  The following table summarizes the fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of acquisition. The fair values of the acquired assets and assumed liabilities are reported below.     38 Food Lion, LLC Stores  (dollars in thousands) Sept. 11 - Oct. 30, 2016  Assets $  Current:  Accounts receivable, net 146  Inventories 7,614  Prepaid expenses and other current assets 1,044  Total current assets 8,804  Property and equipment, net 60,735  Intangibles - favorable leasehold interest 4,583  Total assets 74,122   Liabilities  Current:  Accrued expenses (428)  Total current liabilities (428)  Other - unfavorable leasehold interest (3,738)  Deferred tax liability (16,663)  Total liabilities (20,829)   Total fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed $ 53,293   Gain on bargain purchase $ 23,879 Note 11 Acquisition of Business (continued) Fiscal 2016 Acquisitions (continued) On October 30, 2016, Weis Markets acquired a former Nell’s Family Market store located in East Berlin, PA from C&S Wholesale Grocers. The results of operations of the former Nell’s Family Market acquisition are included in the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements from the date of acquisition. The purchase price was $13.0 million , of which $3.4 million is payable over a 4 year term for the property, equipment, inventory, prepaid expenses and liabilities. The Company accounted for this transaction as a business combination in accordance with the acquisition method. The fair value of intangibles was determined based on the discounted cash flow model and property and equipment were determined based on external appraisals. The former Nell’s Family Market contributed $19.7 million, $17.6 million and $3.0 million to sales in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Goodwill of $3.9 million has been recorded, based upon the expected benefits to be derived from new management business strategy and cost synergies. The $3.9 million of goodwill is deductible for tax purposes.  The following table summarizes the fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of acquisition. The fair values of the acquired assets and assumed liabilities are reported below.     Nell's Family Market Store  (dollars in thousands) October 30, 2016  Assets $  Current:  Inventories 401  Prepaid expenses and other current assets 39  Total current assets 440  Property and equipment, net 8,625  Goodwill 3,913  Intangible and other assets, net 23  Total assets 13,001   Liabilities  Current:  Accrued expenses (3)  Total current liabilities (3)   Total fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed $ 12,998  The pro forma information includes historical results of operations of the 38 former Food Lion Supermarket and 5 former Mars Super Market stores but does not include efficiencies, cost reductions, synergies or investments in lower prices for the Company’s customers expected to result from the acquisitions. The unaudited pro forma financial information in the table below is not necessarily indicative of the results that actually would have occurred had the 38 former Food Lion Supermarket and the 5 former Mars Super Market stores been acquired at the beginning of 2016. The Company does not have reliable information to provide additional pro forma disclosures.    (dollars in thousands)  For the Fiscal Years Ended December 29, 2018, 2018 2017 2016  December 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 (52 weeks) (52 weeks) (53 weeks)  Store sales $ 3,503,795 $ 3,460,484 $ 3,563,145 

Summary of Quarterly Results

Summary of Quarterly Results	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018
Summary of Quarterly Results [Abstract]
Summary of Quarterly Results	Note 12 Summary of Quarterly Results (Unaudited) Quarterly financial data for 2018 and 2017 are as follows:    (dollars in thousands, except per share amounts) Thirteen Weeks Ended  March 31, 2018 June 30, 2018 September 29, 2018 December 29, 2018  Net sales $ 876,106 $ 871,100 $ 869,076 $ 892,988  Gross profit on sales 234,907 240,295 232,340 227,459  Net income 16,191 19,095 14,207 13,245  Basic and diluted earnings per share $ .60 $ .71 $ .53 $ .49      (dollars in thousands, except per share amounts) Thirteen Weeks Ended  April 1,2017 July 1, 2017 September 30, 2017 December 30, 2017  Net sales $ 852,229 $ 876,569 $ 854,261 $ 883,748  Gross profit on sales 229,036 233,758 219,609 230,120  Net income 11,836 18,475 4,449 63,654 *  Basic and diluted earnings per share $ .44 $ .69 $ .16 $ 2.37 __________________ * The quarter ended December 30, 2017 includes the tax benefit of $49.3 million as a result of revaluing the Company’s net deferred tax liability using the enacted Federal tax rate of 21% under the Tax Reform.  

Fair Value Information

Fair Value Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018
Fair Value Information [Abstract]
Fair Value Information	Note 13 Fair Value Information The carrying amounts for cash, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximate fair value because of the short maturities of these instruments. The fair values of the Company’s marketable securities, as disclosed in Note 2, are based on quoted market prices and institutional pricing guidelines for those securities not classified as Level 1 securities. The Company’s SERP investments are classified as trading securities and are carried at fair value using Level 1 inputs.

Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018
Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	Note 14 Commitments and Contingencies The Company is involved in various legal actions arising out of the normal course of business. The Company also accrues for tax contingencies when it is probable that a liability to a taxing authority has been incurred and the amount of the contingency can be reasonably estimated, based on experience. In the opinion of management, the ultimate disposition of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's consolidated financial position, results of operations or liquidity.

Long-Term Debt

Long-Term Debt	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018
Long-Term Debt [Abstract]
Long-Term Debt	Note 15 Long-Term Debt On September 1, 2016 Weis Markets entered into a revolving credit agreement with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association (the “Credit Agreement”). The Credit Agreement provides for an unsecured revolving credit facility with an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $100.0 million with an additional discretionary amount available of $50.0 mi llion. On October 24, 2018, the credit agreement was amended to reduce the available revolving credit amount from $100.0 million to $50.0 million, with an additional discretionary availability of $50.0 million. As of December 29, 2018 , the availability under the revolving credit agreement was $87.1 million with $12.9 million of letters of credit outstanding. The revolving credit agreement matures on September 1, 2019. The letters of credit are maintained primarily to support performance, payment, deposit or surety obligations of the Company.  Interest expense related to long-term debt was $288,000 and $946,000 for 2018 and 2017 , respectively.

Related Party Transactions

Related Party Transactions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Related Party Transactions	Note 16 Related Party Transactions On January 16, 2018, the Company purchased a parcel of land from Central Properties, Inc., a company in which Jonathan H. Weis and his immediate family members had a material beneficial ownership. Subsequent to the purchase, Central Properties, Inc. was dissolved. The purchase price of $1.1 million was approved by the Company’s Executive Committee in accordance with Company policy and regulatory guidelines, and reviewed and approved by the Board of Directors in accordance with the Company’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, the Code of Ethics for CEO and CFO, the Audit Committee Charter and the Company’s Related Party Transaction policy.

Subsequent Events

Subsequent Events	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Events	Note 17 Subsequent Events On October 16, 2018, the Company entered into a non-binding purchase agreement for property in Hamlin, PA totaling $3.9 million. This purchase was finalized on January 2, 2019.

Valuation and Qualifying Accoun

Valuation and Qualifying Accounts	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts [Abstract]
Schedule of Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Text Block]	Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts:   SCHEDULE II - VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS WEIS MARKETS, INC. (dollars in thousands)      Col. A Col. B Col. C Col. D Col. E  Additions  Balance at Charged to Charged to Balance at  Beginning Costs and Accounts Deductions End of  Description of Period Expenses Describe Describe (1) Period  Fiscal Year ended December 29, 2018:  Deducted from asset accounts:  Allowance for uncollectible accounts $ 1,946 $ 1,144 $ --- $ 1,000 $ 2,090   Fiscal Year ended December 30, 2017:  Deducted from asset accounts:  Allowance for uncollectible accounts $ 1,455 $ 2,176 $ --- $ 1,685 $ 1,946   Fiscal Year ended December 31, 2016:  Deducted from asset accounts:  Allowance for uncollectible accounts $ 1,967 $ 1,145 $ --- $ 1,657 $ 1,455  (1) Deductions are uncollectible accounts written off, net of recoveries.

Summary Of Significant Accoun_2

Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Policy)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Description of Business [Policy Text Block]	(a) Description of Business Weis Markets, Inc. is a Pennsylvania business corporation formed in 1924. The Company is engaged principally in the retail sale of food in Pennsylvania and surrounding states. The Company’s operations are reported as a single reportable segment. There was no material change in the nature of the Company's business during fiscal 2018 .
Definition of Fiscal Year [Policy Text Block]	(b) Definition of Fiscal Year The Company’s fiscal year ends on the last Saturday in December. Fiscal 2018 was comprised of 52 Weeks , ending on December 29, 2018 . Fiscal 2017 was comprised of 52 weeks, ending on December 30, 2017 . Fiscal 2016 was comprised of 53 weeks, ending on December 31, 2016 . References to years in this Annual Report relate to fiscal years.
Principles of Consolidation [Policy Text Block]	(c) Principles of Consolidation The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Use of Estimates [Policy Text Block]	(d) Use of Estimates Management of the Company has made a number of estimates and assumptions relating to the reporting of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities to prepare these Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Policy Text Block]	(e) Cash and Cash Equivalents The Company maintains its cash balances in the form of core checking accounts and money market accounts. The Company maintains cash deposits with banks that at times exceed applicable insurance limits. The Company reduces its exposure to credit risk by maintaining such deposits with high quality financial institutions that management believes are creditworthy.  The Company considers investments with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Investment amounts classified as cash equivalents as of December 29, 2018 and December 30, 2017 totaled $5.4 million and $3 41,000 , respectively.  Consumer electronic payments accepted at the point of sale, including all credit card, debit card and electronic benefits transfer transactions that process in less than seven days are classified as cash equivalents. 
Marketable Securities [Policy Text Block]	(f) Marketable Securities Marketable securities consist of municipal bonds and equity securities. The Company invests primarily in high-grade marketable debt securities. The Company classifies all of its marketable securities as available-for-sale.  Available-for-sale securities are recorded at fair value as determined by quoted market price based on national markets. Unrealized holding gains and losses, net of the related tax effect, on municipal bonds are excluded from earnings and are reported as a separate component of shareholders’ equity until realized. Unrealized holding gains and losses on equity securities are recorded in investment income (loss) and interest expense. A decline in the fair value below cost that is deemed other than temporary results in a charge to earnings and the establishment of a new cost basis for the security. Dividend and interest income is recognized when earned. Realized gains and losses are included in earnings and are derived using the specific identification method for determining the cost of securities.  With the adoption of ASU 2016-01, equity securities are measured at fair value and the unrealized holding gains and losses are recorded in investment income (loss) and interest expense. The Company incurred a $1.6 million loss in 2018 as a result.
Accounts Receivable [Policy Text Block]	(g) Accounts Receivable Accounts receivable are stated net of an allowance for uncollecti ble accounts of $2.1 million and $1.9 million as of December 29, 2018 and December 30, 2017 , respectively. The reserve balance relates to amounts due from pharmacy third party providers, retail customer returned checks, manufacturing customers, vendors and tenants. The Company maintains an allowance for the amount of receivables deemed to be uncollectible and calculates this amount based upon historical collection activity adjusted for current conditions.
Inventories [Policy Text Block]	(h) Inventories Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value, using both the last-in, first-out (LIFO) and average cost methods. The Company’s center store and pharmacy inventories are valued using LIFO. Under this method, inventory is stated at cost, which is determined by applying a cost-to-retail to each similar merchandise category’s ending retail value. The Company’s fresh inventories are valued using average cost. The Company evaluates inventory shortages throughout the year based on actual physical counts in its facilities. Allowances for inventory shortages are recorded based on the results of these counts and to provide for estimated shortages from the last physical count to the financial statement date.
Property and Equipment [Policy Text Block]	(i) Property and Equipment Property and equipment are recorded at cost. Depreciation is provided on the cost of buildings and improvements and equipment using the straight-line method.  Leasehold improvements are amortized using the straight-line method over the terms of the leases or the useful lives of the assets, whichever is shorter.  Maintenance and repairs are expensed and renewals and betterments are capitalized. When assets are retired or otherwise disposed of, the assets and accumulated depreciation are removed from the respective accounts and any profit or loss on the disposition is credited or charged to “Operating, general and administrative expenses.”
Goodwill and Intangible Assets [Policy Text Block]	(j) Goodwill and Intangible Assets Goodwill is not amortized but tested for impairment on an annual basis and between annual tests when indicators of impairment are identified. Intangible assets with an indefinite useful life are not amortized until their useful life is determined to be no longer indefinite and are tested for impairment annually or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired.  The Company’s intangible assets and related accumulated amortization at December 29, 2018 and December 30, 2017 consisted of the following:     December 29, 2018 December 30, 2017  Accumulated Accumulated  (dollars in thousands) Gross Amortization Net Gross Amortization Net  Liquor Licenses $ 14,226 $ - $ 14,226 $ 11,121 $ - $ 11,121  Lease Acquisitions 10,273 4,666 5,607 10,960 3,902 7,058  Customer Lists 1,597 309 1,288 1,162 175 987  Total $ 26,096 $ 4,975 $ 21,121 $ 23,243 $ 4,077 $ 19,166  Intangible assets with a definite useful life are generally amortized on a straight-line basis over periods up to 30 years for lease acquisitions and up to 10 years for customer lists . Estimated amortization expense for the next five fiscal years is approximately $1,017,000 in 2019, $979,000 in 2020, $921,000 in 2021, $673,000 in 2022 and $526,000 in 2023. As of December 29, 2018 , the Company’s intangible assets with indefinite lives consisted of goodwill and Pennsylvania liquor licenses.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets [Policy Text Block]	(k) Impairment of Long-Lived Assets The Company periodically evaluates the period of depreciation or amortization for long-lived assets to determine whether current circumstances warrant revised estimates of useful lives. The Company completes an impairment test annually. The Company also reviews its property and equipment for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount to the net undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. An impairment loss would be recorded for the excess of net book value over the fair value of the asset impaired. The fair value is estimated based on current market values or expected discounted future cash flows.  With respect to owned property and equipment associated with closed stores, the value of the property and equipment would be adjusted to reflect recoverable values if current economic conditions and estimated fair values of the property was less than the net book value.  In accordance with Accounting Standards Codification No. 360, Property, Plant and Equipment , the Company recorded a pre-tax charge of $1.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2018 and $894,000 in the fourth quarter of 2016 for the impairment of long-lived assets, including equipment and leasehold improvements. The charge s w ere a result of management determin ing that the net book value of these propert ies was less than the recoverable value. This charge was included as a component of "Operating, general and administrative expenses."  The results of impairment tests are subject to management’s estimates and assumptions of projected cash flows and operating results. The Company believes that, based on current conditions, materially different reported results are not likely to result from long-lived asset impairments. However, a change in assumptions or market conditions could result in a change in estimated future cash flows and the likelihood of materially different reported results.
Store Closing Costs [Policy Text Block]	(l) Store Closing Costs The Company provides for closed store liabilities relating to the estimated post-closing lease liabilities and related other exit costs associated with the store closing commitments. As of December 29, 2018 , there were no closed stores with post-closing lease liability or other exit costs. Closed store lease liabilities totaled $39,000 as of December 30, 2017. The Company estimates the lease liabilities, net of estimated sublease income, using the undiscounted rent payments of closed stores. Other exit costs include estimated real estate taxes, common area maintenance, insurance and utility costs to be incurred after the store closes over the remaining lease term. Store closings are generally completed within one year after the decision to close. Adjustments to closed store liabilities and other exit costs primarily relate to changes in sublease income and actual exit costs differing from original estimates. Adjustments are made for changes in estimates in the period in which the changes become known. Any excess store closing liability remaining upon settlement of the obligation is reversed to income in the period that such settlement is determined. Store closing liabilities are reviewed quarterly to ensure that any accrued amount that is not a sufficient estimate of future costs, or that is no longer needed for its originally intended purpose, is adjusted to income in the proper period. Inventory write-downs, if any, in connection with store closings are classified in cost of sales. Costs to transfer inventory and equipment from closed stores are expensed as incurred.
Self-Insurance [Policy Text Block]	(m) Self-Insurance The Company is self-insured for a majority of its workers’ compensation, general liability, vehicle accident and associate medical benefit claims. The self-insurance liability for most of the medical benefit claims is determined based on historical data and an estimate of claims incurred but not reported. The other self-insurance liabilities including workers’ compensation are determined actuarially, based on claims filed and an estimate of claims incurred but not yet reported. The Company was liable for associate health claims up to an annual maximum of $2.0 million per member prior to March 1, 2014 and an unlimited amount per member as of and after March 1, 2014. As of March 1, 2014, the Company purchased stop loss insurance which carries a $500,000 specific deductible with a $250,000 aggregating deductible. The Company is liable for workers' compensation claims up to $2.0 million per claim . Property and casualty insurance coverage is maintained with outside carriers at deductible or retention levels ranging from $100,000 to $1.0 million . Significant assumptions used in the development of the actuarial estimates include reliance on the Company’s historical claims data including average monthly claims and average lag time between incurrence and reporting of the claim.
Income Taxes [Policy Text Block]	(n) Income Taxes The Company recognizes deferred tax assets and liabilities for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The Company reviews the tax positions taken or expected to be taken on tax returns to determine whether and to what extent a benefit can be recognized in the Consolidated Financial Statements. Refer to Note 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for the amount of unrecognized tax benefits and other disclosures related to uncertain tax positions. To the extent interest and penalties would be assessed by taxing authorities on any underpayment of income tax, such amounts are accrued and classified as a component of income tax expense.
Earnings Per Share [Policy Text Block]	(o) Earnings Per Share Earnings per share are based on the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding.
Revenue Recognition [Policy Text Block]	(p) Revenue Recognition Revenue from the sale of products to the Company’s customers is recognized at the point of sale. Discounts provided to customers at the point of sale through the Weis Club Preferred Shopper loyalty program are recognized as a reduction in sales as products are sold. Periodically, the Company will run a point based sales incentive program that rewards customers with future sales discounts. The Company makes reasonable and reliable estimates of the amount of future discounts based upon historical experience and its customer data tracking software. Sales are reduced by these estimates over the life of the program. Discounts to customers at the point of sale provided by vendors, usually in the form of paper coupons, are not recognized as a reduction in sales provided the discounts are redeemable at any retailer that accepts those discounts. The Company records “Deferred revenue” for the sale of gift cards and revenue is recognized in “Net sales” at the time of customer redemption for products. Gift card breakage income is recognized in “Operating, general and administrative expenses” based upon historical redemption patterns and represents the balance of gift cards for which the Company believes the likelihood of redemption by the customer is remote. Sales tax is excluded from “Net sales.” The Company charges sales tax on all taxable customer purchases and remits these taxes monthly to the appropriate taxing jurisdiction. Merchandise return activity is immaterial to revenues due to products being returned quickly and the relatively low unit cost. 
Cost of Sales, Including Advertising, Warehousing and Distribution Expenses [Policy Text Block]	(q) Cost of Sales, Including Advertising, Warehousing and Distribution Expenses “Cost of sales, including warehousing and distribution expenses” consists of direct product costs (net of discounts and allowances), advertising (net of vendor paid cooperative advertising credits), distribution center and transportation costs, as well as manufacturing facility operations. Advertising costs, net of vendor paid cooperative advertising credits, are expensed as incurred which are primarily funded by vendor cooperative advertising credits and occur in the same period as the product is sold.
Vendor Allowances [Policy Text Block]	(r) Vendor Allowances Vendor allowances related to the Company's buying and merchandising activities are recorded as a reduction of cost of sales as they are earned, in accordance with the underlying agreement. Off-invoice and bill-back allowances are used to reduce direct product costs upon the receipt of goods. Promotional rebates and credits are accounted for as a reduction in the cost of inventory and recognized when the related inventory is sold. Volume incentive discounts are realized as a reduction of cost of sales at the time it is deemed probable and reasonably estimable that the incentive target will be reached. Long-term contract incentives, which require an exclusive vendor relationship, are allocated over the life of the contract. Promotional allowance funds for specific vendor-sponsored programs are recognized as a reduction of cost of sales as the program occurs and the funds are earned per the agreement. Cash discounts for prompt payment of invoices are realized in cost of sales as invoices are paid. Warehouse and back-haul allowances provided by suppliers for distributing their product through the Company’s distribution system are recorded in cost of sales offsetting costs incurred. Warehouse rack and slotting allowances are recorded in cost of sales when new items are initially set up in the Company's distribution system, which is when the related expenses are incurred and performance under the agreement is complete. Swell allowances for damaged goods are realized in cost of sales as provided by the supplier, helping to offset product shrink losses also recorded in cost of sales.  Vendor allowances recorded as credits in cost of sales totaled $132.0 million in 2018 , $ 131.1 million in 2017 and $141.6 million in 2016 . Vendor paid cooperative advertising credits totaled $19.4 million in 2018 , $ 19.2 million in 2017 and $19.1 million in 2016 . These credits were netted against advertising costs within “Cost of Sales, including Advertising, Warehousing and Distribution expenses.” The Company had accounts receivable due from vendors of $1.6 million and $1.0 million for earned advertising credits and $12. 8 million and $13.1 million for earned promotional discounts as of December 29, 2018 and December 30, 2017 , respectively. The Company had $7.4 million and $9.8 million in unearned income included in accrued liabilities for unearned vendor programs under long-term contracts for display and shelf space allocation as of December 29, 2018 and December 30, 2017 , respectively.
Operating, General and Administrative Expenses [Policy Text Block]	 (s) Operating, General and Administrative Expenses Business operating costs including expenses generated from administration and purchasing functions, are recorded in “Operating, general and administrative expenses” in the Consolidated Statements of Income. Business operating costs include items such as wages, benefits, utilities, repairs and maintenance, rent, insurance, depreciation, leasehold amortization and costs for outside provided services.
Advertising Costs [Policy Text Block]	(t) Advertising Costs The Company expenses advertising costs as incurred. The Company recorded advertising expense, before vendor paid cooperative advertising credits, of $30.5 million in 2018 , $31 .0 million in 2017 and $26.3 million in 2016 in “ Cost of Sales, including Advertising, Warehousing and Distribution Expenses .”
Rental and Commission Income [Policy Text Block]	(u) Rental and Commission Income The Company leases or subleases space to tenants in owned, vacated and open store facilities. Rental income is recorded when earned as a component of “Operating, general and administrative expenses.” All leases are operating leases, as disclosed in Note 5.  The Company provides a variety of services to its customers, including but not limited to lottery, money orders, third-party gift cards, and third-party bill pay services. Commission income earned from these services are recorded when earned as a component of “Operating, general and administrative expenses.”
Current Relevant Accounting Standards	(v) Current Relevant Accounting Standards In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) , as amended by several subsequent ASU’s, which establishes principles for recognizing revenue upon the transfer of promised goods or services to customers, in an amount that reflects the expected consideration received in exchange for those goods or services. In August 2015, the FASB issued a one-year deferral of the effective date of this new guidance resulting in it now being effective for the Company beginning in fiscal year 2018. The Company’s assessment of the new guidance has identified customer loyalty programs and gift cards affected by the new guidance. The Company adopted the new standard using the modified retrospective method beginning December 31, 2017. The effects related to these transactions did not materially effect the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements. The Company determined that adoption of the ASU did not have a significant impact on the Company’s point of sale product sales.  In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01 Financial Instruments – Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities . ASU 2016-01 generally requires that equity investments (excluding equity method investments) be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income. The adoption of ASU 2016-01 had an impact on the net income reported in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Income in the amount of a $1.6 million loss for the year ended December 29, 2018. The ASU was adopted as of December 31, 2017. The cumulative effect of the adoption was made to the balance sheet as of December 31, 2017 and resulted in a reclassification of $5.5 million of related accumulated unrealized gains, net of applicaple deferred income taxes, that were included in accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings, resulting on no impact on the Company’s shareholders’ equity.  In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02 Leases (Topic 842). ASU 2016-02 requires lessees to recognize assets and liabilities for the rights and obligations created by their leases with lease terms more than 12 months. ASU 2016-02 will become effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018 and for interim periods within those fiscal years. During 2018, the ASU was amended to permit the election of transitional provisions, including the elimination of the requirement to restate reporting periods prior to the date of adoption. The Company also will elect to not reassess the original conclusions reached regarding lease identification, lease classification and initial direct costs. The Company is currently in the process of evaluating the impact of adoption of the ASU and expects the adoption to have a significant impact on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. Based upon the current evaluation of the standard, the adoption will result in the addition of approximately $210 million of assets and liabilities to the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets, with no significant change to the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income or Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.  In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-04 Liabilities – Extinguishments of Liabilities (Subtopic 405-20) Recognition of Breakage for Certain Prepaid Stored-Value Products . ASU 2016-04 requires that an entity must disclose the methodology and specific judgements made in applying the breakage recognized. ASU 2016-04 will become effective for the financial statements issued for the fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company has evaluated the effect of the adoption of the ASU and determined there was not a significant impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements. The Company adopted ASU 2016-04 beginning December 31, 2017.

Summary Of Significant Accoun_3

Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Schedule of Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets	The Company’s intangible assets and related accumulated amortization at December 29, 2018 and December 30, 2017 consisted of the following:     December 29, 2018 December 30, 2017  Accumulated Accumulated  (dollars in thousands) Gross Amortization Net Gross Amortization Net  Liquor Licenses $ 14,226 $ - $ 14,226 $ 11,121 $ - $ 11,121  Lease Acquisitions 10,273 4,666 5,607 10,960 3,902 7,058  Customer Lists 1,597 309 1,288 1,162 175 987  Total $ 26,096 $ 4,975 $ 21,121 $ 23,243 $ 4,077 $ 19,166 

Marketable Securities (Tables)

Marketable Securities (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018
Marketable Securities [Abstract]
Schedule Of Marketable Securities	 Marketable securities, as of December 29, 2018 and December 30, 2017 , consisted of:      Gross Gross  (dollars in thousands) Amortized Unrealized Unrealized Fair  December 29, 2018 Cost Holding Gains Holding Losses Value  Available-for-sale:  Level 1  Equity securities $ 1,198 $ 6,028 $ - $ 7,226  Level 2  Municipal bonds 46,699 426 (53) 47,072  $ 47,897 $ 6,454 $ (53) $ 54,298      Gross Gross  (dollars in thousands) Amortized Unrealized Unrealized Fair  December 30, 2017 Cost Holding Gains Holding Losses Value  Available-for-sale:  Level 1  Equity securities $ 1,198 $ 7,634 $ - $ 8,832  Level 2  Municipal bonds 54,278 671 (116) 54,833  $ 55,476 $ 8,305 $ (116) $ 63,665 
Schedule Of Maturities Of Marketable Securities	Maturities of marketable securities classified as available-for-sale at December 29, 2018 , were as follows:    Amortized Fair  (dollars in thousands) Cost Value  Available-for-sale:  Due within one year $ 4,974 $ 4,960  Due after one year through five years 23,661 23,856  Due after five years through ten years 18,064 18,256  Equity securities 1,198 7,226  $ 47,897 $ 54,298 

Inventories (Tables)

Inventories (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018
Inventories [Abstract]
Merchandise Inventories	Merchandise inventories, as of December 29, 2018 and December 30, 2017 , were valued as follows:     (dollars in thousands) 2018 2017  LIFO $ 211,911 $ 221,777  Average cost 68,845 57,732  $ 280,756 $ 279,509 

Property and Equipment (Tables)

Property and Equipment (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018
Property and Equipment [Abstract]
Schedule Of Property, Plant And Equipment	Property and equipment, as of December 29, 2018 and December 30, 2017 , consisted of:     Useful Life  (dollars in thousands) ( in years) 2018 2017  Land $ 133,386 $ 129,878  Buildings and improvements 10 -60 713,128 693,898  Equipment 3 -12 1,069,616 1,054,986  Leasehold improvements 5 -20 224,231 212,109  Total, at cost 2,140,361 2,090,871  Less accumulated depreciation and amortization 1,252,753 1,204,628  $ 887,608 $ 886,243 

Lease Commitments (Tables)

Lease Commitments (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018
Lease Commitments [Abstract]
Schedule Of Rent Expense	   (dollars in thousands) 2018 2017 2016  Minimum annual rentals $ 47,253 $ 46,804 $ 38,632  Contingent rentals 419 432 431  Lease or sublease income (7,757) (7,612) (7,212)  $ 39,915 $ 39,624 $ 31,851 
Schedule of Future Minimum Rental Payments	   (dollars in thousands) Leases Subleases  2019 $ 43,713 $ (3,692)  2020 40,730 (3,524)  2021 34,556 (3,025)  2022 28,550 (2,453)  2023 24,323 (2,013)  Thereafter 70,412 (7,845)  $ 242,284 $ (22,552) 

Retirement Plans (Tables)

Retirement Plans (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018
Retirement Plans [Abstract]
Schedule of Costs of Retirement Plans	   (dollars in thousands) 2018 2017 2016  Retirement savings plan 3,525 3,343 3,593  Deferred compensation plan 508 813 788  Supplemental executive retirement plan (529) 2,625 1,193  $ 3,504 $ 6,781 $ 5,574 

Revenue Recognition (Tables)

Revenue Recognition (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018
Revenue Recognition [Abstract]
Schedule Of Sales By Type Of Product	  52 Weeks Ended  ( dollars in thousands ) December 29, 2018 December 30, 2017 December 31, 2016  Grocery $ 3,063,218 87.3 % $ 3,041,481 87.7 % $ 2,736,596 87.3 %  Pharmacy 314,584 9.0 309,079 8.9 298,875 9.5  Fuel 125,993 3.6 109,467 3.2 94,907 3.0  Manufacturing 5,475 0.1 6,780 0.2 6,342 0.2   Total net sales $ 3,509,270 100.0 % $ 3,466,807 100.0 % $ 3,136,720 100.0 % 

Cash and Cash Equivalents and_2

Cash and Cash Equivalents and Advertising Accounting Policies, and Prior Year Reclassifications (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018
Cash and Cash Equivalents and Advertising Accounting Policies, and Prior Year Reclassifications [Abstract]
Effect Of Reclassification Of Financial Statements	  As of December 30, 2017  As Previously  Consolidated Balance Sheets (dollars in thousands) Reported Reclassifications As Adjusted  Cash and cash equivalent $ 21,305 $ 26,612 $ 47,917  Accounts receivable, net 82,877 (26,612) 56,265    December 30, 2017 December 31, 2016  Consolidated Statements of Income As Previously As Previously  (dollars in thousands) Reported Reclassifications As Adjusted Reported Reclassifications As Adjusted  Cost of sales, including advertising, warehousing and distribution expenses $ 2,540,348 $ 13,936 $ 2,554,284 $ 2,264,565 $ 8,617 $ 2,273,182  Gross profit on sales 926,459 (13,936) 912,523 872,155 (8,617) 863,538  Operating, general and administrative expenses 850,034 (13,936) 836,098 773,830 (8,617) 765,213    52 Weeks Ended  December 30, 2017  Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows As Previously  (dollars in thousands) Reported Reclassifications As Adjusted  Accounts receivable and prepaid expenses $ 9,598 $ (5,553) $ 4,045  Net cash provided by operating activities 165,814 (5,553) 160,261  Net increase (decreases) in cash and cash equivalents 6,652 (5,553) 1,099  Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 14,653 32,165 46,818  Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 21,305 $ 26,612 $ 47,917  Note 8 Cash and Cash Equivalents and Advertising Accounting Policies, and Prior Year Reclassifications (continued)       53 Weeks Ended  December 31, 2016  Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows As Previously  (dollars in thousands) Reported Reclassifications As Adjusted  Accounts receivable and prepaid expenses $ (5,096) $ (2,517) $ (7,613)  Net cash provided by operating activities 151,593 (2,517) 149,076  Net increase (decreases) in cash and cash equivalents (2,943) (2,517) (5,460)  Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 17,596 34,682 52,278  Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 14,653 $ 32,165 $ 46,818  

Accumulated Other Comprehensi_2

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	   Unrealized Gains  on Available-for-Sale  (dollars in thousands) Marketable Securities  Accumulated other comprehensive income balance as of December 31, 2016 $ 4,852   Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications (43)  Accumulated change in effective tax rate 1,042  Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income 29  Net current period other comprehensive loss 1,028  Accumulated other comprehensive income balance as of December 30, 2017 $ 5,880   Amount reclassified to retained earnings for equity unrealized gain (adoption of ASU 2016-01) (5,481)  Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications (177)  Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income 40  Net current period change in other comprehensive income (5,618)  Accumulated other comprehensive income balance as of December 29, 2018 $ 262 
Schedule Of Reclassifications out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	   Amounts Reclassified from  Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income to the  Consolidated Statements of Income  (dollars in thousands) Location 2018 2017 2016  Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale marketable securities  Investment income and interest expense $ (54) $ (40) $ 437  Provision for income taxes 14 11 (180)  Total amount reclassified, net of tax $ (40) $ (29) $ 257 

Income Taxes (Tables)

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018
Income Taxes [Abstract]
Schedule of Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	   (dollars in thousands) 2018 2017 2016  Current:  Federal $ 11,385 $ 10,630 $ 25,908  State 4,594 1,972 5,888  Deferred:  Federal 6,059 (34,659) 6,020  State (2,640) 2,666 (317)  $ 19,398 $ (19,391) $ 37,499 
Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation	   (dollars in thousands) 2018 2017 2016  Income taxes at federal statutory rate $ 17,249 $ 27,658 $ 43,631  State income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit 639 1,306 2,413  Deferred tax on gain on bargain purchase - - (8,358)  Nondeductible employee-related expenses 768 1,828 -  2017 tax reform 657 (49,336) -  Other 85 (847) (187)  Provision for income taxes (effective tax rate 23.6% , (24.5)% and 30.1% , respectively) $ 19,398 $ (19,391) $ 37,499 
Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities	   (dollars in thousands) 2018 2017  Deferred tax assets:  Accounts receivable $ 588 $ 542  Compensated absences 355 848  Employment incentives 842 388  Employee benefit plans 4,914 5,581  General liability insurance 2,702 2,991  Postretirement benefit obligations 5,272 5,365  Net operating loss carryforwards 8,030 7,745  Other 7,967 4,373  Total deferred tax assets 30,670 27,833  Deferred tax liabilities:  Inventories (9,828) (8,026)  Unrealized gains on marketable securities (1,809) (2,310)  Nondeductible accruals and other (5,274) (5,160)  Depreciation (104,552) (99,759)  Total deferred tax liabilities (121,463) (115,255)  Net deferred tax liability $ (90,793) $ (87,422) 
Schedule of Unrecognized Tax Benefits	   (dollars in thousands) 2018 2017  Unrecognized tax benefits at beginning of year $ 4,691 $ 3,124  Increases based on tax positions related to the current year 1,714 1,567  Additions for tax positions of prior year - -  Reductions for tax positions of prior years - -  Settlements - -  Expiration of the statute of limitations for assessment of taxes - -  Unrecognized tax benefits at end of year $ 6,405 $ 4,691 

Acquisition of Business (Tables

Acquisition of Business (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Schedule Of Pro Forma Information	  (dollars in thousands)  For the Fiscal Years Ended December 29, 2018, 2018 2017 2016  December 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 (52 weeks) (52 weeks) (53 weeks)  Store sales $ 3,503,795 $ 3,460,484 $ 3,563,145 
Mars Super Market [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Summary of Fair Value of Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed	   5 Mars Super Market Stores  (dollars in thousands) August 1, 2016  Inventories $ 1,267  Accounts receivable and prepaid expenses 248  Property and equipment 7,305  Goodwill 13,255  Intangibles - favorable leasehold interest, net 2,495  Total fair value of assets acquired $ 24,570 
Food Lion, LLC [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Summary of Fair Value of Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed	   38 Food Lion, LLC Stores  (dollars in thousands) Sept. 11 - Oct. 30, 2016  Assets $  Current:  Accounts receivable, net 146  Inventories 7,614  Prepaid expenses and other current assets 1,044  Total current assets 8,804  Property and equipment, net 60,735  Intangibles - favorable leasehold interest 4,583  Total assets 74,122   Liabilities  Current:  Accrued expenses (428)  Total current liabilities (428)  Other - unfavorable leasehold interest (3,738)  Deferred tax liability (16,663)  Total liabilities (20,829)   Total fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed $ 53,293   Gain on bargain purchase $ 23,879 
Nell's Family Market [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Summary of Fair Value of Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed	   Nell's Family Market Store  (dollars in thousands) October 30, 2016  Assets $  Current:  Inventories 401  Prepaid expenses and other current assets 39  Total current assets 440  Property and equipment, net 8,625  Goodwill 3,913  Intangible and other assets, net 23  Total assets 13,001   Liabilities  Current:  Accrued expenses (3)  Total current liabilities (3)   Total fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed $ 12,998 

Summary of Quarterly Results (T

Summary of Quarterly Results (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018
Summary of Quarterly Results [Abstract]
Quarterly Financial Information	   (dollars in thousands, except per share amounts) Thirteen Weeks Ended  March 31, 2018 June 30, 2018 September 29, 2018 December 29, 2018  Net sales $ 876,106 $ 871,100 $ 869,076 $ 892,988  Gross profit on sales 234,907 240,295 232,340 227,459  Net income 16,191 19,095 14,207 13,245  Basic and diluted earnings per share $ .60 $ .71 $ .53 $ .49      (dollars in thousands, except per share amounts) Thirteen Weeks Ended  April 1,2017 July 1, 2017 September 30, 2017 December 30, 2017  Net sales $ 852,229 $ 876,569 $ 854,261 $ 883,748  Gross profit on sales 229,036 233,758 219,609 230,120  Net income 11,836 18,475 4,449 63,654 *  Basic and diluted earnings per share $ .44 $ .69 $ .16 $ 2.37 __________________ * The quarter ended December 30, 2017 includes the tax benefit of $49.3 million as a result of revaluing the Company’s net deferred tax liability using the enacted Federal tax rate of 21% under the Tax Reform. 

Summary Of Significant Accoun_4

Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 29, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Mar. 01, 2014
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Cumulative Effect of New Accounting Principle in Period of Adoption	$ 0		$ 0	$ 0
Fiscal Period Duration		364 days	364 days	371 days
Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value		$ 5,400,000	$ 341,000
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable		2,100,000	1,900,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Next Twelve Months		1,017,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Two		979,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Three		921,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Four		673,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Five		526,000
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Held-for-use	$ 894,000	1,532,000	0	$ 894,000
Closed store lease liabilities		0	39,000
Self Insurance, Maximum of Workers Compensation Claims Liability per Associate per Claim		2,000,000
Stop loss insurance specific deductible					$ 500,000
Stop loss insurance aggregating deductible					$ 250,000
Cost of Goods Sold, Vendor Allowances		132,000,000	131,100,000	141,600,000
Vendor Paid Cooperative Advertising Credits		19,400,000	19,200,000	$ 19,100,000
Accounts Receivable, Earned Advertising Credits		1,600,000	1,000,000
Accounts Receivable, Earned Promotional Discounts		12,000,000	13,100,000
Unearned Income for Vendor Programs		7,400,000	9,800,000
Accounting Standards Update 2016-01 [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
New Accounting Pronouncement or Change in Accounting Principle, Effect of Change on Net Income		(1,600,000)
Cumulative Effect of New Accounting Principle in Period of Adoption			$ 5,500,000
Unrealized loss in value of equity securities		1,600,000
Accounting Standards Update 2016-02 [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
New Accounting Pronouncement or Change in Accounting Principle, Effect of Change on Net Income		0
Cumulative Effect of New Accounting Principle in Period of Adoption		(210,000,000)
Between March 1, 2013 to March 1, 2014 [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Self Insurance, Annual Maximum of Health Claims Liability per Associate		2,000,000
Maximum [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Property and Casualty Insurance, Deductible		1,000,000
Minimum [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Property and Casualty Insurance, Deductible		$ 100,000
Lease Acquisitions [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life		30 years
Customer Lists [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life		10 years

Summary Of Significant Accoun_5

Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Schedule of Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 29, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	$ 4,975	$ 4,077
Intangible Assets, Gross (Excluding Goodwill)	26,096	23,243
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill)	21,121	19,166
Liquor Licenses [Member]
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill)	14,226	11,121
Lease Acquisitions [Member]
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	10,273	10,960
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	4,666	3,902
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net	5,607	7,058
Customer Lists [Member]
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	1,597	1,162
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	309	175
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net	$ 1,288	$ 987

Marketable Securities (Schedule

Marketable Securities (Schedule Of Marketable Securities) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 29, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	$ 47,897	$ 55,476
Gross Unrealized Holding Gains	6,454	8,305
Gross Unrealized Holding Losses	(53)	(116)
Fair Value	54,298	63,665
Equity Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	1,198	1,198
Gross Unrealized Holding Gains	6,028	7,634
Fair Value	7,226	8,832
Municipal Bonds [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	46,699	54,278
Gross Unrealized Holding Gains	426	671
Gross Unrealized Holding Losses	(53)	(116)
Fair Value	$ 47,072	$ 54,833

Marketable Securities (Schedu_2

Marketable Securities (Schedule Of Maturities of Marketable Securities) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 29, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017
Marketable Securities [Abstract]
Amortized Cost, Due within one year	$ 4,974
Fair Value, Due within one year	4,960
Amortized Cost, Due after one year through five years	23,661
Fair Value, Due after one year through five years	23,856
Amortized Cost, Due after five years through ten years	18,064
Fair Value, Due after five years through ten years	18,256
Amortized Cost, Equity securities	1,198
Fair Value, Equity securities	7,226
Amortized Cost	47,897	$ 55,476
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value, Total	$ 54,298	$ 63,665

Inventories (Details)

Inventories (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 29, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017
Inventories [Abstract]
LIFO	$ 211,911	$ 221,777
Average Cost	68,845	57,732
Inventories	280,756	279,509
Excess of Replacement or Current Costs over Stated LIFO Value	$ 76,517	$ 78,005

Property and Equipment (Schedul

Property and Equipment (Schedule Of Property, Plant And Equipment) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, at cost	$ 2,140,361	$ 2,090,871
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	1,252,753	1,204,628
Property and equipment, net	887,608	886,243
Land [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, at cost	133,386	129,878
Buildings and improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, at cost	713,128	693,898
Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, at cost	1,069,616	1,054,986
Leasehold improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, at cost	$ 224,231	$ 212,109
Minimum [Member] | Buildings and improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, useful life	10 years
Minimum [Member] | Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, useful life	3 years
Minimum [Member] | Leasehold improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, useful life	5 years
Maximum [Member] | Buildings and improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, useful life	60 years
Maximum [Member] | Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, useful life	12 years
Maximum [Member] | Leasehold improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, useful life	20 years

Lease Commitments (Narrative) (

Lease Commitments (Narrative) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Percentage of facilities under operating lease	53.00%
Lease Expiration Date	Dec. 31, 2033
Maximum [Member]
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Lessee, Operating Lease, Renewal Term	20 years
Minimum [Member]
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Lessee, Operating Lease, Renewal Term	5 years

Lease Commitments (Schedule Of

Lease Commitments (Schedule Of Rent Expense) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Lease Commitments [Abstract]
Minimum annual rentals	$ 47,253	$ 46,804	$ 38,632
Contingent rentals	419	432	431
Lease or sublease income	(7,757)	(7,612)	(7,212)
Operating Leases, Rent Expense, Net, Total	$ 39,915	$ 39,624	$ 31,851

Lease Commitments (Schedule O_2

Lease Commitments (Schedule Of Future Minimum Rental Payments) (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 29, 2018USD ($)
Lease Commitments [Abstract]
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Next Twelve Months	$ 43,713
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Two Years	40,730
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Three Years	34,556
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Four Years	28,550
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Five Years	24,323
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due Thereafter	70,412
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Total	242,284
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Receivable, Current	(3,692)
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Receivable, in Two Years	(3,524)
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Receivable, in Three Years	(3,025)
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Receivable, in Four Years	(2,453)
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Receivable, in Five Years	(2,013)
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Receivable, Thereafter	(7,845)
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Receivable, Total	$ (22,552)

Retirement Plans (Narrative) (D

Retirement Plans (Narrative) (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018USD ($)	Dec. 30, 2017USD ($)
Retirement Plans [Abstract]
Number of supplemental retirement plans	2
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefit Obligation	$ 4,409
Retirement Plans, Accumulated Benefit Obligation	$ 14,715	$ 14,508
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Requisite Service Period	6 years
2018	$ 1,013

Retirement Plans (Schedule Of C

Retirement Plans (Schedule Of Costs Of Retirement Plan) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Pension Cost (Reversal of Cost)	$ 3,504	$ 6,781	$ 5,574
Retirement savings plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Pension Cost (Reversal of Cost)	3,525	3,343	3,593
Deferred compensation plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Pension Cost (Reversal of Cost)	508	813	788
Supplemental executive retirement plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Pension Cost (Reversal of Cost)	$ (529)	$ 2,625	$ 1,193

Revenue Recognition (Schedule O

Revenue Recognition (Schedule Of Sales By Type Of Product) (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018USD ($)	Sep. 29, 2018USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2018USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2018USD ($)	Dec. 30, 2017USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)	Jul. 01, 2017USD ($)	Apr. 01, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 29, 2018USD ($)segment	Dec. 30, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Number of reportable segments | segment									1
Total net sales	$ 892,988	$ 869,076	$ 871,100	$ 876,106	$ 883,748	$ 854,261	$ 876,569	$ 852,229	$ 3,509,270	$ 3,466,807	$ 3,136,720
Sales Revenue, Net [Member] | Product Concentration Risk [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total net sales									$ 3,509,270	$ 3,466,807	$ 3,136,720
Concentration percent									100.00%	100.00%	100.00%
Grocery [Member] | Sales Revenue, Net [Member] | Product Concentration Risk [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total net sales									$ 3,063,218	$ 3,041,481	$ 2,736,596
Concentration percent									87.30%	87.70%	87.30%
Pharmacy [Member] | Sales Revenue, Net [Member] | Product Concentration Risk [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total net sales									$ 314,584	$ 309,079	$ 298,875
Concentration percent									9.00%	8.90%	9.50%
Fuel [Member] | Sales Revenue, Net [Member] | Product Concentration Risk [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total net sales									$ 125,993	$ 109,467	$ 94,907
Concentration percent									3.60%	3.20%	3.00%
Manufacturing [Member] | Sales Revenue, Net [Member] | Product Concentration Risk [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total net sales									$ 5,475	$ 6,780	$ 6,342
Concentration percent									0.10%	0.20%	0.20%

Cash and Cash Equivalents and_3

Cash and Cash Equivalents and Advertising Accounting Policies, and Prior Year Reclassifications (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 26, 2015
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalent	$ 37,808	$ 47,917	$ 46,818	$ 52,278
Accounts receivable, net	57,285	56,265
Advertising Expense	30,500	31,000	26,300
Cost of sales, including advertising, warehousing and distribution expenses	2,574,269	2,554,284	2,273,182
Credit Card Receivable [Member]
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalent	23,600	26,600
Reclassifications [Member]
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalent		26,612	32,165	$ 34,682
Accounts receivable, net		(26,612)
Advertising Expense	$ 11,100	13,900	8,600
Cost of sales, including advertising, warehousing and distribution expenses		$ 13,936	$ 8,617

Cash and Cash Equivalents and_4

Cash and Cash Equivalents and Advertising Accounting Policies, and Prior Year Reclassifications (Effect Of Reclassification Of Consolidated Balance Sheets) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 29, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 26, 2015
Cash and cash equivalent	$ 37,808	$ 47,917	$ 46,818	$ 52,278
Accounts receivable, net	$ 57,285	56,265
As Previously Reported [Member]
Cash and cash equivalent		21,305	14,653	17,596
Accounts receivable, net		82,877
Reclassifications [Member]
Cash and cash equivalent		26,612	$ 32,165	$ 34,682
Accounts receivable, net		$ (26,612)

Cash and Cash Equivalents and_5

Cash and Cash Equivalents and Advertising Accounting Policies, and Prior Year Reclassifications (Effect Of Reclassification Of Consolidated Statements Of Income) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018	Sep. 29, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jul. 01, 2017	Apr. 01, 2017	Dec. 29, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Cost of sales, including advertising, warehousing and distribution expenses									$ 2,574,269	$ 2,554,284	$ 2,273,182
Gross profit on sales	$ 227,459	$ 232,340	$ 240,295	$ 234,907	$ 230,120	$ 219,609	$ 233,758	$ 229,036	935,001	912,523	863,538
Operating, general and administrative expenses									$ 851,411	836,098	765,213
As Previously Reported [Member]
Cost of sales, including advertising, warehousing and distribution expenses										2,540,348	2,264,565
Gross profit on sales										926,459	872,155
Operating, general and administrative expenses										850,034	773,830
Reclassifications [Member]
Cost of sales, including advertising, warehousing and distribution expenses										13,936	8,617
Gross profit on sales										(13,936)	(8,617)
Operating, general and administrative expenses										$ (13,936)	$ (8,617)

Cash and Cash Equivalents and_6

Cash and Cash Equivalents and Advertising Accounting Policies, and Prior Year Reclassifications (Effect Of Reclassification Of Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Accounts receivable and prepaid expenses	$ (5,874)	$ 4,045	$ (7,613)
Net cash provided by operating activities	148,380	160,261	149,076
Net increase (decreases) in cash and cash equivalents	(10,109)	1,099	(5,460)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	47,917	46,818	52,278
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	37,808	47,917	46,818
As Previously Reported [Member]
Accounts receivable and prepaid expenses		9,598	(5,096)
Net cash provided by operating activities		165,814	151,593
Net increase (decreases) in cash and cash equivalents		6,652	(2,943)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	21,305	14,653	17,596
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period		21,305	14,653
Reclassifications [Member]
Accounts receivable and prepaid expenses		(5,553)	(2,517)
Net cash provided by operating activities		(5,553)	(2,517)
Net increase (decreases) in cash and cash equivalents		(5,553)	(2,517)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	$ 26,612	32,165	34,682
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period		$ 26,612	$ 32,165

Accumulated Other Comprehensi_3

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Schedule Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Amount reclassified to retained earnings for equity unrealized gain (adoption of ASU 2016-01)		$ 0	$ 0
Unrealized Gain On Available-For-Sale Marketable Securities [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive income balance, beginning balance	$ 5,880	4,852
Amount reclassified to retained earnings for equity unrealized gain (adoption of ASU 2016-01)	(5,481)
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications	(177)	(43)
Accumulated change in effective tax rate		1,042
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	40	29
Net current period change in other comprehensive income	(5,618)	1,028
Accumulated other comprehensive income balance, ending balance	$ 262	$ 5,880

Accumulated Other Comprehensi_4

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Schedule Of Reclassifications out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended									12 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018	Sep. 29, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017	[1]	Sep. 30, 2017	Jul. 01, 2017	Apr. 01, 2017	Dec. 29, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Investment income and interest expense										$ (1,454)	$ 2,598	$ 2,457
Provision for income taxes										(19,398)	19,391	(37,499)
Net income	$ 13,245	$ 14,207	$ 19,095	$ 16,191	$ 63,654		$ 4,449	$ 18,475	$ 11,836	62,738	98,414	87,162
Unrealized Gain On Available-For-Sale Marketable Securities [Member] | Reclassification Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Investment income and interest expense										(54)	(40)	437
Provision for income taxes										14	11	(180)
Net income										$ (40)	$ (29)	$ 257
[1]	The quarter ended December 30, 2017 includes the tax benefit of $49.3 million as a result of revaluing the Company's net deferred tax liability using the enacted Federal tax rate of 21% under the Tax Reform.

Income Taxes (Narrative) (Detai

Income Taxes (Narrative) (Details) $ in Thousands	2 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 30, 2016store	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 29, 2018USD ($)	Dec. 30, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)store	Dec. 26, 2015
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Federal tax rate		21.00%		35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
Effective tax rate			23.60%	(24.50%)	30.10%
2017 tax reform			$ 657	$ (49,336)
Effective tax rate, excluding bargain purchase gain					37.20%
Unrecognized tax benefits that would impact effective tax rate			$ 1,714	1,567	$ 1,860
Earliest Tax Year [Member] | PENNSYLVANIA
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Open Tax Year			2015
Latest Tax Year [Member] | PENNSYLVANIA
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Open Tax Year			2018
Federal [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Income Taxes Paid			$ 4,500	12,000	27,300
State [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Income Taxes Paid			2,100	$ 1,000	$ 3,700
Operating Loss Carryforwards			$ 101,800
Operating Loss Carryforwards, Expiration Date			Jan. 1, 2027
Food Lion, LLC [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Number of stores acquired | store	38				38

Income Taxes (Schedule of Compo

Income Taxes (Schedule of Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit)) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Income Taxes [Abstract]
Current Federal Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	$ 11,385	$ 10,630	$ 25,908
Current State Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	4,594	1,972	5,888
Deferred Federal Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	6,059	(34,659)	6,020
Deferred State Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	(2,640)	2,666	(317)
Provision for income taxes	$ 19,398	$ (19,391)	$ 37,499

Income Taxes (Schedule of Effec

Income Taxes (Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Income Taxes [Abstract]
Income taxes at federal statutory rate	$ 17,249	$ 27,658	$ 43,631
State income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit	639	1,306	2,413
Deferred tax on gain on bargain purchase	0	0	(8,358)
Nondeductible employee-related expenses	768	1,828
2017 tax reform	657	(49,336)
Other	85	(847)	(187)
Provision for income taxes	$ 19,398	$ (19,391)	$ 37,499
Effective tax rate	23.60%	(24.50%)	30.10%

Income Taxes (Schedule of Defer

Income Taxes (Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 29, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017
Income Taxes [Abstract]
Accounts receivable	$ 588	$ 542
Compensated absences	355	848
Employment incentives	842	388
Employee benefit plans	4,914	5,581
General liability insurance	2,702	2,991
Postretirement benefit obligations	5,272	5,365
Net operating loss carryforwards	8,030	7,745
Other	7,967	4,373
Total deferred tax assets	30,670	27,833
Inventories	(9,828)	(8,026)
Unrealized gains on marketable securities	(1,809)	(2,310)
Nondeductible accruals and other	(5,274)	(5,160)
Depreciation	(104,552)	(99,759)
Total deferred tax liabilities	(121,463)	(115,255)
Net deferred tax liability	$ (90,793)	$ (87,422)

Income Taxes (Schedule of Unrec

Income Taxes (Schedule of Unrecognized Tax Benefits) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017
Income Taxes [Abstract]
Unrecognized tax benefits at beginning of year	$ 4,691	$ 3,124
Increases based on tax positions related to the current year	1,714	1,567
Additions for tax positions of prior year	0	0
Reductions for tax positions of prior years	0	0
Settlements	0	0
Expiration of the statute of limitations for assessment of taxes	0	0
Unrecognized tax benefits at end of year	$ 6,405	$ 4,691

Acquisition of Business (Narrat

Acquisition of Business (Narrative) (Details) $ in Thousands	Oct. 30, 2016USD ($)store	Aug. 01, 2016USD ($)store	Oct. 30, 2016USD ($)storesite	Dec. 29, 2018USD ($)	Dec. 30, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)store
Acquisitions [Line Items]
Purchase price				$ 0	$ 0	$ 63,632
Gain on bargain purchase				0	0	23,879
Goodwill				52,330	52,330
Mars Super Market [Member]
Acquisitions [Line Items]
Sales				91,700	91,500	38,000
Number of stores acquired | store		5
Purchase price		$ 24,600
Goodwill		$ 13,255
Number of lease obligations assumed		2
Number of new lease agreements due to acquisition		2
Goodwill deductible for tax purposes		$ 13,300
Food Lion, LLC [Member]
Acquisitions [Line Items]
Sales				346,100	369,200	$ 92,500
Number of stores acquired | store			38			38
Number of owned stores acquired | site			8
Purchase price			$ 29,400
Gain on bargain purchase	$ 23,879
Number of lease obligations assumed			30
Food Lion, LLC [Member] | MARYLAND
Acquisitions [Line Items]
Number of stores acquired | store			21
Food Lion, LLC [Member] | DELAWARE
Acquisitions [Line Items]
Number of stores acquired | store			4
Food Lion, LLC [Member] | VIRGINIA
Acquisitions [Line Items]
Number of stores acquired | store			13
Nell's Family Market [Member]
Acquisitions [Line Items]
Sales				$ 19,700	$ 17,600	$ 3,000
Number of stores acquired | store	1
Purchase price	$ 13,000
Purchase price payable	3,400
Purchase price payable, term				4 years
Goodwill	3,913		$ 3,913
Goodwill deductible for tax purposes	$ 3,900		$ 3,900

Acquisition of Business (Summar

Acquisition of Business (Summary of Fair Value of Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed - Mars Super Market Stores) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 29, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017	Aug. 01, 2016
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill	$ 52,330	$ 52,330
Mars Super Market [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Inventories			$ 1,267
Accounts receivable and prepaid expenses			248
Property and equipment			7,305
Goodwill			13,255
Intangibles - favorable leasehold interest, net			2,495
Total fair value of assets acquired			$ 24,570

Acquisition of Business (Summ_2

Acquisition of Business (Summary of Fair Value of Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed - Food Lion) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Oct. 30, 2016	Dec. 29, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Gain on bargain purchase		$ 0	$ 0	$ 23,879
Food Lion, LLC [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Accounts receivable, net	$ 146
Inventories	7,614
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	1,044
Total current assets	8,804
Property and equipment, net	60,735
Intangibles - favorable leasehold interest	4,583
Total fair value of assets acquired	74,122
Accrued expenses	(428)
Total current liabilities	(428)
Other - unfavorable leasehold interest	(3,738)
Deferred tax liability	(16,663)
Total liabilities	(20,829)
Total fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed	53,293
Gain on bargain purchase	$ 23,879

Acquisition of Business (Summ_3

Acquisition of Business (Summary of Fair Value of Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed - Nell's Family Market Store) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 29, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017	Oct. 30, 2016
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill	$ 52,330	$ 52,330
Nell's Family Market [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Inventories			$ 401
Prepaid expenses and other current assets			39
Total current assets			440
Property and equipment, net			8,625
Goodwill			3,913
Intangible and other assets, net			23
Total fair value of assets acquired			13,001
Accrued expenses			(3)
Total current liabilities			(3)
Total fair value of assets acquired and liabilties assumed			$ 12,998

Acquisition of Business (Schedu

Acquisition of Business (Schedule Of Pro Forma Information) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Acquisition of Business [Abstract]
Store Sales	$ 3,503,795	$ 3,460,484	$ 3,563,145

Summary of Quarterly Results (D

Summary of Quarterly Results (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended									12 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018	Sep. 29, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017		Sep. 30, 2017	Jul. 01, 2017	Apr. 01, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 29, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 26, 2015
Summary of Quarterly Results [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 892,988	$ 869,076	$ 871,100	$ 876,106	$ 883,748		$ 854,261	$ 876,569	$ 852,229		$ 3,509,270	$ 3,466,807	$ 3,136,720
Gross profit on sales	227,459	232,340	240,295	234,907	230,120		219,609	233,758	229,036		935,001	912,523	863,538
Net income	$ 13,245	$ 14,207	$ 19,095	$ 16,191	$ 63,654	[1]	$ 4,449	$ 18,475	$ 11,836		$ 62,738	$ 98,414	$ 87,162
Basic and diluted earnings per share	$ 0.49	$ 0.53	$ 0.71	$ 0.60	$ 2.37		$ 0.16	$ 0.69	$ 0.44		$ 2.33	$ 3.66	$ 3.24
2017 tax reform											$ 657	$ (49,336)
Federal tax rate										21.00%		35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
[1]	The quarter ended December 30, 2017 includes the tax benefit of $49.3 million as a result of revaluing the Company's net deferred tax liability using the enacted Federal tax rate of 21% under the Tax Reform.

Long-Term Debt (Details)

Long-Term Debt (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017	Sep. 01, 2016
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Interest Expense, Debt	$ 288,000	$ 946,000
Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Remaining Borrowing Capacity	87,100,000
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount	12,900,000
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	50,000,000		$ 100,000,000
Line of Credit [Member] | Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	$ 50,000,000		$ 50,000,000

Related Party Transactions (Det

Related Party Transactions (Details) $ in Millions	Jan. 16, 2018USD ($)
Jonathan H. Weis [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Purchase of land	$ 1.1

Subsequent Events (Details)

Subsequent Events (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jan. 02, 2019	Dec. 29, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Purchase of property		$ 95,696	$ 95,857	$ 142,144
Subsequent Event [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Purchase of property	$ 3,900

Valuation and Qualifying Acco_2

Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Details) - Allowance For Uncollectible Accounts [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 29, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]
Balance at Beginning of Period		$ 1,946	$ 1,455	$ 1,967
Charged to Costs and Expenses		1,144	2,176	1,145
Charged to Accounts
Deductions	[1]	1,000	1,685	1,657
Balance at End of Period		$ 2,090	$ 1,946	$ 1,455
[1]	Deductions are uncollectible accounts written off, net of recoveries.