Income Taxes

3 Months Ended

Nov. 26, 2011

Income Taxes [Abstract]

Income Taxes

10. Income Taxes

The Company's effective income tax rate was 38.3% for the thirteen weeks ended November 26, 2011, as compared to 37.0% for the thirteen weeks ended November 27, 2010.  The Company's tax rate in the first quarter of fiscal 2012 is higher than in the first quarter of fiscal 2011 primarily due to the fact that the 2011 rate benefited from the reversal of tax contingency reserves related to the resolution of certain state tax audits.  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 thirteen weeks ended November 26, 2011, there were no material changes in the amount of unrecognized tax benefits or the amount accrued for interest and penalties.

U.S. and Canadian federal income tax statutes have lapsed for filings up to and including fiscal years 2007 and 2004, respectively. With a few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to state and local income tax examinations for periods prior to fiscal 2006.  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.