Note 11. Segment Reporting (Details) - Segment Reporting (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	May 25, 2013	May 26, 2012	May 25, 2013	May 26, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 335,764	$ 320,931	$ 1,002,639	$ 943,915
Income (loss) from operations	45,797	42,672	138,645	115,862
Interest (income) expense, net	(317)	(145)	(1,148)	(397)
Income (loss) before taxes	45,831	42,360	139,472	115,231
U.S. And Canadian Rental And Cleaning [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	294,341	277,871	883,424	820,823
Income (loss) from operations	48,030	42,538	147,712	121,307
Interest (income) expense, net	(716)	(770)	(2,237)	(1,877)
Income (loss) before taxes	48,744	43,311	149,950	123,176
MFG [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	41,859	39,954	122,631	116,332
Income (loss) from operations	15,364	13,076	43,469	35,576
Interest (income) expense, net	0	0	0	0
Income (loss) before taxes	15,243	13,117	43,263	35,635
Net Interco MFG Elimination [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	(41,859)	(39,954)	(122,631)	(116,332)
Income (loss) from operations	(2,663)	(2,054)	(5,669)	(2,153)
Interest (income) expense, net	0	0	0	0
Income (loss) before taxes	(2,663)	(2,053)	(5,669)	(2,152)
Corporate [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	3,388	3,270	10,494	9,838
Income (loss) from operations	(20,375)	(17,285)	(60,301)	(56,024)
Interest (income) expense, net	399	625	1,089	1,480
Income (loss) before taxes	(20,777)	(17,974)	(61,414)	(57,577)
Subtotal Core Laundry Operations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	297,729	281,141	893,918	830,661
Income (loss) from operations	40,356	36,275	125,211	98,706
Interest (income) expense, net	(317)	(145)	(1,148)	(397)
Income (loss) before taxes	40,547	36,401	126,130	99,082
Specialty Garments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	26,327	29,263	76,804	83,032
Income (loss) from operations	3,576	5,033	9,555	14,175
Interest (income) expense, net	0	0	0	0
Income (loss) before taxes	3,418	4,595	9,462	13,168
First Aid [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	11,708	10,527	31,917	30,222
Income (loss) from operations	1,865	1,364	3,879	2,981
Interest (income) expense, net	0	0	0	0
Income (loss) before taxes	$ 1,866	$ 1,364	$ 3,880	$ 2,981