Note 6 - Employee Benefit Plans (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 30, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 25, 2012
Note 6 - Employee Benefit Plans (Details) [Line Items]
Defined Contribution Plan, Cost Recognized	$ 16,400,000	$ 17,000,000	$ 11,500,000
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan [Member]
Note 6 - Employee Benefit Plans (Details) [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost	2,076,000	1,931,000	1,845,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Accumulated Benefit Obligation	17,000,000	14,400,000
UniFirst Plan [Member]
Note 6 - Employee Benefit Plans (Details) [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Minimum Annual Interest Rate	3.25%
Pension Expense	400,000	400,000	300,000
Textilease Plan [Member]
Note 6 - Employee Benefit Plans (Details) [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Minimum Annual Interest Rate	1.50%
Pension Expense	200,000	100,000	100,000
Pension Plan [Member]
Note 6 - Employee Benefit Plans (Details) [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost	564,000	492,000	445,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Accumulated Benefit Obligation	$ 8,800,000	$ 8,000,000