Segment Reporting (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	May 26, 2012	May 28, 2011	May 26, 2012	May 28, 2011
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of operating segments	6		6
Number of reporting segments	5		5
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 320,931	$ 291,567	$ 943,915	$ 843,252
Income (loss) from operations	42,672	29,133	115,862	95,976
Interest (income) expense, net	(145)	970	(397)	4,139
Income (loss) before taxes	42,360	28,454	115,231	92,519
US and Canadian Rental and Cleaning [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	277,871	248,826	820,823	729,324
Income (loss) from operations	42,538	32,511	121,307	107,497
Interest (income) expense, net	(770)	(567)	(1,877)	(1,680)
Income (loss) before taxes	43,311	33,094	123,176	109,177
MFG [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	39,954	43,124	116,332	115,709
Income (loss) from operations	13,076	11,939	35,576	37,387
Interest (income) expense, net	0	0	0	0
Income (loss) before taxes	13,117	11,894	35,635	37,239
Net Interco MFG Elim [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	(39,954)	(43,124)	(116,332)	(115,709)
Income (loss) from operations	(2,054)	(1,733)	(2,153)	(8,531)
Interest (income) expense, net	0	0	0	0
Income (loss) before taxes	(2,053)	(1,733)	(2,152)	(8,531)
Corporate [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	3,270	3,226	9,838	8,287
Income (loss) from operations	(17,285)	(20,212)	(56,024)	(56,356)
Interest (income) expense, net	625	1,537	1,480	5,819
Income (loss) before taxes	(17,974)	(21,679)	(57,577)	(62,101)
Subtotal Core Laundry Operations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	281,141	252,052	830,661	737,611
Income (loss) from operations	36,275	22,505	98,706	79,997
Interest (income) expense, net	(145)	970	(397)	4,139
Income (loss) before taxes	36,401	21,576	99,082	75,784
Specialty Garments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	29,263	30,575	83,032	79,902
Income (loss) from operations	5,033	5,685	14,175	13,442
Interest (income) expense, net	0	0	0	0
Income (loss) before taxes	4,595	5,935	13,168	14,198
First Aid [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	10,527	8,940	30,222	25,739
Income (loss) from operations	1,364	943	2,981	2,537
Interest (income) expense, net	0	0	0	0
Income (loss) before taxes	$ 1,364	$ 943	$ 2,981	$ 2,537