Income Taxes

9 Months Ended

May 28, 2011

Notes To Financial Statements [Abstract]

Income Taxes

10. Income Taxes

The Company's effective income tax rate was 35.2% and 36.8% for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended May 28, 2011, respectively, as compared to 35.0% and 38.0% for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended May 29, 2010, respectively.  The decrease in the effective income tax rate for the thirty-nine weeks ended May 28, 2011 compared to the thirty-nine weeks ended May 29, 2010 was due to the reversal of tax contingency reserves related to the resolution of certain state tax audits as well as decreases in the Canadian federal and provincial tax rates.  The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions as a component of income tax expense which is consistent with the recognition of these items in prior reporting periods.  During the thirty-nine weeks ended May 28, 2011, there were no material changes in the amount of unrecognized tax benefits or the amount accrued for interest and penalties.

All U.S. and Canadian federal income tax examinations have substantially concluded through fiscal years 2006 and 2003, respectively. With a few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to state and local income tax examinations for periods prior to fiscal 2005.  The Company is not aware of any tax positions for which it is reasonably possible that the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits will change significantly in the next 12 months.