Note 7 - Employee Benefit Plans (Details) - Obligations and funded status related to its Pension Plans and SERP (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 25, 2012	Aug. 27, 2011
Change in benefit obligation:
Projected benefit obligation, end of year	$ 8,000	$ 8,300
Pension Plans [Member]
Change in benefit obligation:
Projected benefit obligation, beginning of year	8,301	7,372
Service cost	178	152	149
Interest cost	268	322	328
Actuarial (gain) loss	(379)	937
Benefits paid	(259)	(299)
Settlements	(155)	(183)
Projected benefit obligation, end of year	7,954	8,301	7,372
Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets, beginning of year	5,114	5,145
Actual return on plan assets	33	202
Employer contributions	206	249
Benefits paid	(259)	(299)
Settlements	(155)	(183)
Fair value of plan assets, end of year	4,939	5,114	5,145
Funded status (net amount recognized):	(3,015)	(3,187)
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan [Member]
Change in benefit obligation:
Projected benefit obligation, beginning of year	16,399	14,944
Service cost	547	512	486
Interest cost	912	858	764
Actuarial (gain) loss	827	622
Benefits paid	(575)	(537)
Projected benefit obligation, end of year	18,110	16,399	14,944
Change in plan assets:
Benefits paid	(575)	(537)
Funded status (net amount recognized):	$ (18,110)	$ (16,399)

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- Definition

The difference between fair value of plan assets at the end of the period and the fair value at the beginning of the period, adjusted for contributions and payments of benefits during the period, and after adjusting for taxes and other expenses, as applicable.

+ References

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Actual Return on Plan Assets (Component of Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost)

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- Definition

Amount of gain (loss) related to change in benefit obligation resulting from changes in actuarial assumptions, for example, but not limited to, interest, mortality, employee turnover, salary, and temporary deviation from the substantive plan.

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- Definition

1) For defined benefit pension plans, the benefit obligation is the projected benefit obligation, which is the actuarial present value as of a date of all benefits attributed by the pension benefit formula to employee service rendered prior to that date. 2) For other postretirement defined benefit plans, the benefit obligation is the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation, which is the actuarial present value of benefits attributed to employee service rendered to a particular date.

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- Definition

The amount of payments made for which participants are entitled under a pension plan, including pension benefits, death benefits, and benefits due on termination of employment. Also includes payments made under a postretirement benefit plan, including prescription drug benefits, health care benefits, life insurance benefits, and legal, educational and advisory services. This item represents a periodic decrease to the plan obligations and a decrease to plan assets.

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The increase in the fair value of plan assets from contributions made by the employer.

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- Definition

Assets, usually stocks, bonds, and other investments, that have been segregated and restricted (usually in a trust) to provide benefits, at their fair value as of the measurement date. Plan assets include amounts contributed by the employer (and by employees for a contributory plan) and amounts earned from investing the contributions, less benefits paid. If a plan has liabilities other than for benefits, those non-benefit obligations may be considered as reductions of plan assets.

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The funded status is measured as the difference between the fair value of plan assets and the benefit obligation. Will normally be the same as the net Defined Benefit Plan, Amounts Recognized in Balance Sheet, Total.

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The increase in a defined benefit pension plan's projected benefit obligation or a defined benefit postretirement plan's accumulated postretirement benefit obligation due to the passage of time.

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The actuarial present value of benefits attributed by the pension benefit formula to services rendered by employees during the period. The portion of the expected postretirement benefit obligation attributed to employee service during the period. The service cost component is a portion of the benefit obligation and is unaffected by the funded status of the plan.

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The amount of decrease that relates to an irrevocable action that relieves the employer (or the plan) of primary responsibility for a benefit obligation and eliminates significant risks related to the obligation and the assets used to effect the settlement. Examples of transactions that constitute a settlement include (a) making lump-sum cash payments to plan participants in exchange for their rights to receive specified benefits and (b) purchasing nonparticipating annuity contracts.

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