Segment Reporting (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Nov. 24, 2012	Nov. 26, 2011
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of operating segments	6	6
Number of reporting segments	5	5
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 332,569	$ 313,025
Income (loss) from operations	49,959	42,354
Interest (income) expense, net	(307)	(58)
Income (loss) before taxes	50,426	41,785
US and Canadian Rental and Cleaning [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	291,283	269,210
Income (loss) from operations	51,271	43,731
Interest (income) expense, net	(694)	(579)
Income (loss) before taxes	51,965	44,319
MFG [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	42,595	41,386
Income (loss) from operations	15,322	11,482
Interest (income) expense, net	0	0
Income (loss) before taxes	15,247	11,603
Net Interco MFG Elim [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	(42,595)	(41,386)
Income (loss) from operations	(2,966)	(32)
Interest (income) expense, net	0	0
Income (loss) before taxes	(2,966)	(32)
Corporate [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	3,277	3,063
Income (loss) from operations	(19,099)	(20,199)
Interest (income) expense, net	387	521
Income (loss) before taxes	(19,498)	(20,702)
Subtotal Core Laundry Operations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	294,560	272,273
Income (loss) from operations	44,528	34,982
Interest (income) expense, net	(307)	(58)
Income (loss) before taxes	44,748	35,188
Specialty Garments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	27,884	30,268
Income (loss) from operations	4,704	6,566
Interest (income) expense, net	0	0
Income (loss) before taxes	4,951	5,791
First Aid [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	10,125	10,484
Income (loss) from operations	727	806
Interest (income) expense, net	0	0
Income (loss) before taxes	$ 727	$ 806

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.

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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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