Note 15 - Segment Reporting (Details) - Segment Reporting (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 25, 2012	Aug. 27, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 1,355,515	$ 1,256,289	$ 1,134,126
Income (loss) from operations	186,203	151,108	123,973
Interest (income) expense, net	(1,550)	(606)	4,186
Income (loss) before taxes	187,609	150,734	120,572
Depreciation and amortization	69,607	66,439	64,733
Capital expenditures	103,526	74,549	63,847
Total assets	1,373,425	1,240,534	1,141,520
U.S. And Canadian Rental And Cleaning [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	1,200,286	1,099,421	986,028
Income (loss) from operations	200,852	164,793	144,431
Interest (income) expense, net	(2,944)	(2,535)	(2,307)
Income (loss) before taxes	203,798	167,284	146,745
Depreciation and amortization	46,793	43,501	41,322
Capital expenditures	97,519	66,526	55,799
Total assets	1,240,487	1,108,362	1,015,977
MFG [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	170,867	160,421	160,042
Income (loss) from operations	61,896	50,036	48,839
Income (loss) before taxes	61,749	50,101	48,748
Depreciation and amortization	1,033	1,133	1,194
Capital expenditures	3,559	1,306	2,653
Total assets	31,781	28,099	28,879
Net Interco MFG Elimination [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	(170,867)	(160,421)	(160,042)
Income (loss) from operations	(9,729)	(5,168)	(8,807)
Income (loss) before taxes	(9,729)	(5,168)	(8,807)
Corporate Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	14,079	12,902	10,929
Income (loss) from operations	(82,357)	(76,376)	(78,738)
Interest (income) expense, net	1,394	1,929	6,493
Income (loss) before taxes	(83,783)	(78,345)	(85,146)
Depreciation and amortization	15,296	15,599	16,252
Subtotal Core Laundry Operations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	1,214,365	1,112,323	996,957
Income (loss) from operations	170,662	133,285	105,725
Interest (income) expense, net	(1,550)	(606)	4,186
Income (loss) before taxes	172,035	133,872	101,540
Depreciation and amortization	63,122	60,233	58,768
Capital expenditures	101,078	67,832	58,452
Total assets	1,272,268	1,136,461	1,044,856
Specialty Garments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	96,688	102,758	103,322
Income (loss) from operations	10,539	13,460	15,292
Income (loss) before taxes	10,572	12,499	16,076
Depreciation and amortization	5,114	4,788	4,500
Capital expenditures	1,962	6,044	5,028
Total assets	79,640	83,137	76,351
First Aid [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	44,462	41,208	33,847
Income (loss) from operations	5,002	4,363	2,956
Income (loss) before taxes	5,002	4,363	2,956
Depreciation and amortization	1,371	1,418	1,465
Capital expenditures	486	673	367
Total assets	$ 21,517	$ 20,936	$ 20,313