Segment Reporting (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Feb. 25, 2012	Feb. 26, 2011	Feb. 25, 2012	Feb. 26, 2011
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of operating segments	6		6
Number of reporting segments	5		5
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 309,959	$ 278,595	$ 622,984	$ 551,685
Income (loss) from operations	30,836	27,673	73,190	66,843
Interest (income) expense, net	(194)	1,548	(252)	3,169
Income (loss) before taxes	31,086	26,344	72,871	64,065
US and Canadian Rental and Cleaning [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	273,742	244,306	542,952	480,498
Income (loss) from operations	35,038	32,802	78,769	74,986
Interest (income) expense, net	(528)	(604)	(1,107)	(1,113)
Income (loss) before taxes	35,546	33,396	79,865	76,083
MFG [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	34,992	34,880	76,378	72,585
Income (loss) from operations	11,018	11,567	22,500	25,448
Interest (income) expense, net	0	0	0	0
Income (loss) before taxes	10,915	11,516	22,518	25,345
Net Interco MFG Elim [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	(34,992)	(34,880)	(76,378)	(72,585)
Income (loss) from operations	(67)	(1,739)	(99)	(6,798)
Interest (income) expense, net	0	0	0	0
Income (loss) before taxes	(67)	(1,739)	(99)	(6,798)
Corporate [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	3,505	2,562	6,568	5,061
Income (loss) from operations	(18,540)	(19,552)	(38,739)	(36,144)
Interest (income) expense, net	334	2,152	855	4,282
Income (loss) before taxes	(18,901)	(21,705)	(39,603)	(40,422)
Subtotal Core Laundry Operations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	277,247	246,868	549,520	485,559
Income (loss) from operations	27,449	23,078	62,431	57,492
Interest (income) expense, net	(194)	1,548	(252)	3,169
Income (loss) before taxes	27,493	21,468	62,681	54,208
Specialty Garments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	23,501	23,516	53,769	49,327
Income (loss) from operations	2,576	3,728	9,142	7,757
Interest (income) expense, net	0	0	0	0
Income (loss) before taxes	2,782	4,009	8,573	8,263
First Aid [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	9,211	8,211	19,695	16,799
Income (loss) from operations	811	867	1,617	1,594
Interest (income) expense, net	0	0	0	0
Income (loss) before taxes	$ 811	$ 867	$ 1,617	$ 1,594