Note 13 - Segment Reporting (Details) - Segment Reporting (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 01, 2014	Feb. 23, 2013	Mar. 01, 2014	Feb. 23, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 343,967	$ 334,306	$ 690,671	$ 666,875
Income (loss) from operations	40,724	42,889	96,364	92,848
Interest (income) expense, net	(661)	(524)	(1,218)	(831)
Income (loss) before taxes	41,224	43,215	97,580	93,641
U.S. And Canadian Rental And Cleaning [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	309,342	297,800	617,784	589,083
Income (loss) from operations	46,794	48,411	105,153	99,682
Interest (income) expense, net	(865)	(827)	(1,595)	(1,521)
Income (loss) before taxes	47,640	49,241	106,727	101,206
MFG [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	42,101	38,177	86,334	80,772
Income (loss) from operations	14,299	12,783	29,873	28,105
Income (loss) before taxes	14,270	12,773	29,763	28,020
Net Interco MFG Elimination [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	(42,101)	(38,177)	(86,334)	(80,772)
Income (loss) from operations	362	(40)	(902)	(3,006)
Income (loss) before taxes	362	(40)	(902)	(3,006)
Corporate Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	3,839	3,829	7,403	7,106
Income (loss) from operations	(22,012)	(20,827)	(42,309)	(39,926)
Interest (income) expense, net	204	303	377	690
Income (loss) before taxes	(22,266)	(21,139)	(42,735)	(40,637)
Subtotal Core Laundry Operations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	313,181	301,629	625,187	596,189
Income (loss) from operations	39,443	40,327	91,815	84,855
Interest (income) expense, net	(661)	(524)	(1,218)	(831)
Income (loss) before taxes	40,006	40,835	92,853	85,583
Specialty Garments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	20,406	22,593	44,849	50,477
Income (loss) from operations	312	1,275	3,071	5,979
Income (loss) before taxes	249	1,093	3,249	6,044
First Aid [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	10,380	10,084	20,635	20,209
Income (loss) from operations	969	1,287	1,478	2,014
Income (loss) before taxes	$ 969	$ 1,287	$ 1,478	$ 2,014