Segment Reporting (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Nov. 26, 2011	Nov. 27, 2010
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of operating segments	6
Number of reporting segments	5
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 313,025	$ 273,090
Income (loss) from operations	42,354	39,170
Interest (income) expense, net	(58)	1,621
Income (loss) before taxes	41,785	37,721
US and Canadian Rental and Cleaning [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	269,210	236,192
Income (loss) from operations	43,731	42,184
Interest (income) expense, net	(579)	(509)
Income (loss) before taxes	44,319	42,687
MFG [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	41,386	37,705
Income (loss) from operations	11,482	13,881
Interest (income) expense, net	0	0
Income (loss) before taxes	11,603	13,829
Net Interco MFG Elim [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	(41,386)	(37,705)
Income (loss) from operations	(32)	(5,059)
Interest (income) expense, net	0	0
Income (loss) before taxes	(32)	(5,059)
Corporate [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	3,063	2,499
Income (loss) from operations	(20,199)	(16,592)
Interest (income) expense, net	521	2,130
Income (loss) before taxes	(20,702)	(18,717)
Subtotal Core Laundry Operations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	272,273	238,691
Income (loss) from operations	34,982	34,414
Interest (income) expense, net	(58)	1,621
Income (loss) before taxes	35,188	32,740
Specialty Garments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	30,268	25,811
Income (loss) from operations	6,566	4,029
Interest (income) expense, net	0	0
Income (loss) before taxes	5,791	4,254
First Aid [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	10,484	8,588
Income (loss) from operations	806	727
Interest (income) expense, net	0	0
Income (loss) before taxes	$ 806	$ 727

The number of operating segments operated by the Company.

No definition available.

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- Definition

The number of reporting segments operated by the Company.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Sum of operating profit and nonoperating income or expense before Income or Loss from equity method investments, income taxes, extraordinary items, and noncontrolling interest.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Article 4

-Section 08

-Paragraph h

-Subparagraph 1(i)

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 235

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(h)(1)(i))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6881521&loc=d3e23780-122690

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- Definition

Amount of interest revenue net of interest expense for the reportable segment. Reporting interest revenue net of interest expense is permitted only when a majority of the segment's revenues are from interest and the chief operating decision maker relies primarily on net interest revenue to assess the performance of the segment and make decisions about resources to be allocated to the segment.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 131

-Paragraph 27

-Subparagraph end

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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- Definition

The net result for the period of deducting operating expenses from operating revenues.

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

Aggregate revenue recognized during the period (derived from goods sold, services rendered, insurance premiums, or other activities that constitute an entity's earning process). For financial services companies, also includes investment and interest income, and sales and trading gains.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Article 5

-Section 03

-Paragraph 1

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 225

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6880815&loc=d3e20235-122688

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