Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	12 Months Ended
Aug. 27, 2011	Aug. 28, 2010
Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill [Rollforward]
Beginning balance	$ 271,857	$ 261,171
Goodwill acquired during the period	16,014	10,584
Other	378	102
Ending balance	288,249	271,857
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets by Segment [Line Items]
Goodwill	288,249	271,857
Intangible assets, net [Abstract]
Gross Carrying Amount	172,421	160,136
Accumulated Amortization	111,516	101,099
Net Carrying Amount	60,905	59,037
Estimated future amortization expense [Abstract]
2012	10,677
2013	9,682
2014	7,535
2015	6,924
2016	6,380
Thereafter	19,707
Total	60,905
US and Canadian Rental and Cleaning [Member]
Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill [Rollforward]
Ending balance	283,400
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets by Segment [Line Items]
Goodwill	283,400
Specialty Garments [Member]
Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill [Rollforward]
Ending balance	4,200
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets by Segment [Line Items]
Goodwill	4,200
First Aid [Member]
Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill [Rollforward]
Ending balance	600
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets by Segment [Line Items]
Goodwill	600
Customer Contracts [Member]
Intangible assets, net [Abstract]
Gross Carrying Amount	144,497	133,209
Accumulated Amortization	86,607	76,681
Net Carrying Amount	57,890	56,528
Other Intangible Assets [Member]
Intangible assets, net [Abstract]
Gross Carrying Amount	27,924	26,927
Accumulated Amortization	24,909	24,418
Net Carrying Amount	$ 3,015	$ 2,509

The accumulated amount of amortization of a major finite-lived intangible asset class. A major class is composed of intangible assets that can be grouped together because they are similar, either by their nature or by their use in the operations of a company.

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Sum of the gross carrying amounts before accumulated amortization as of the balance sheet date of all intangible assets having statutory or estimated useful lives. The aggregate gross carrying amount (including any previously recognized impairment charges) of a major finite-lived intangible asset class. A major class is composed of intangible assets that can be grouped together because they are similar, either by their nature or by their use in the operations of a company.

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The amount of amortization expense expected to be recognized for the remainder of the finite-lived intangible asset useful life after the fifth succeeding fiscal year.

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Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date, which is the cumulative amount paid and (if applicable) the fair value of any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree, adjusted for any amortization recognized prior to the adoption of any changes in generally accepted accounting principles (as applicable) and for any impairment charges, in excess of the fair value of net assets acquired in one or more business combination transactions.

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The aggregate amount of goodwill acquired in the period and allocated to the reportable segment. The value is stated at fair value based on the purchase price allocation.

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A roll forward is a reconciliation of a concept from the beginning of a period to the end of a period.

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