Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 25, 2012	Aug. 27, 2011	Aug. 28, 2010
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 94,989	$ 76,486	$ 76,408
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation	55,877	54,188	52,107
Amortization of intangible assets	10,562	10,545	9,370
Amortization of deferred financing costs	238	261	267
Share-based compensation	6,714	6,732	3,662
Accretion on environmental contingencies	631	681	794
Accretion on asset retirement obligations	632	589	568
Deferred income taxes	(330)	13,318	705
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
Receivables	(7,595)	(20,881)	(6,308)
Inventories	590	(28,413)	(4,331)
Rental merchandise in service	(12,017)	(36,369)	(11,451)
Prepaid expenses	(1,763)	(247)	(99)
Accounts payable	(3,688)	9,796	4,748
Accrued liabilities	5,518	2,654	9,257
Prepaid and accrued income taxes	11,360	(3,147)	(1,724)
Net cash provided by operating activities	161,718	86,193	133,973
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired	0	(32,556)	(20,908)
Capital expenditures	(74,549)	(63,847)	(50,015)
Other	(508)	(397)	(1,794)
Net cash used in investing activities	(75,057)	(96,800)	(72,717)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from long-term debt	40,410	30,000	8,850
Payments on long-term debt	(55,851)	(91,464)	(9,113)
Payments of deferred financing costs	0	(975)	0
Proceeds from exercise of Common Stock options	2,410	1,360	1,177
Payment of cash dividends	(2,840)	(2,830)	(2,777)
Net cash used in financing activities	(15,871)	(63,909)	(1,863)
Effect of exchange rate changes	521	2,070	1,714
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	71,311	(72,446)	61,107
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	48,812	121,258	60,151
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	120,123	48,812	121,258
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Interest paid	1,890	7,866	8,503
Income taxes paid, net of refunds received	$ 44,732	$ 33,819	$ 48,764