Note 7 - Employee Benefit Plans (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 25, 2012	Aug. 27, 2011
Note 7 - Employee Benefit Plans (Details) [Line Items]
Defined Contribution Plan, Cost Recognized	$ 17,000,000	$ 11,500,000	$ 10,600,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefit Obligation	8,000,000	8,300,000
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan [Member]
Note 7 - Employee Benefit Plans (Details) [Line Items]
Pension Expense	1,900,000	1,800,000	1,700,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefit Obligation	18,110,000	16,399,000	14,944,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Accumulated Benefit Obligation	14,400,000	12,900,000
UniFirst Plan [Member]
Note 7 - Employee Benefit Plans (Details) [Line Items]
Defined Contribution Plan, Cost Recognized	400,000	300,000	300,000
Textilease Plan [Member]
Note 7 - Employee Benefit Plans (Details) [Line Items]
Defined Contribution Plan, Cost Recognized	$ 100,000	$ 100,000	$ 100,000