Note 11. Segment Reporting (Detail) - Segment Reporting (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Feb. 23, 2013	Feb. 25, 2012	Feb. 23, 2013	Feb. 25, 2012
Revenues	$ 334,306	$ 309,959	$ 666,875	$ 622,984
Income (loss) from operations	42,889	30,836	92,848	73,190
Interest (income) expense, net	(524)	(194)	(831)	(252)
Income (loss) before taxes	43,215	31,086	93,641	72,871
U.S. And Canadian Rental And Cleaning [Member]
Revenues	297,800	273,742	589,083	542,952
Income (loss) from operations	48,411	35,038	99,682	78,769
Interest (income) expense, net	(827)	(528)	(1,521)	(1,107)
Income (loss) before taxes	49,241	35,546	101,206	79,865
MFG [Member]
Revenues	38,177	34,992	80,772	76,378
Income (loss) from operations	12,783	11,018	28,105	22,500
Interest (income) expense, net	0	0	0	0
Income (loss) before taxes	12,773	10,915	28,020	22,518
Net Interco MFG Elimination [Member]
Revenues	(38,177)	(34,992)	(80,772)	(76,378)
Income (loss) from operations	(40)	(67)	(3,006)	(99)
Interest (income) expense, net	0	0	0	0
Income (loss) before taxes	(40)	(67)	(3,006)	(99)
Corporate [Member]
Revenues	3,829	3,505	7,106	6,568
Income (loss) from operations	(20,827)	(18,540)	(39,926)	(38,739)
Interest (income) expense, net	303	334	690	855
Income (loss) before taxes	(21,139)	(18,901)	(40,637)	(39,603)
Subtotal Core Laundry Operations [Member]
Revenues	301,629	277,247	596,189	549,520
Income (loss) from operations	40,327	27,449	84,855	62,431
Interest (income) expense, net	(524)	(194)	(831)	(252)
Income (loss) before taxes	40,835	27,493	85,583	62,681
Specialty Garments [Member]
Revenues	22,593	23,501	50,477	53,769
Income (loss) from operations	1,275	2,576	5,979	9,142
Interest (income) expense, net	0	0	0	0
Income (loss) before taxes	1,093	2,782	6,044	8,573
First Aid [Member]
Revenues	10,084	9,211	20,209	19,695
Income (loss) from operations	1,287	811	2,014	1,617
Interest (income) expense, net	0	0	0	0
Income (loss) before taxes	$ 1,287	$ 811	$ 2,014	$ 1,617