Note 14 - Segment Reporting (Details) - Segment Reporting (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Aug. 30, 2014	May 31, 2014	Mar. 01, 2014	Nov. 30, 2013	Aug. 31, 2013	May 25, 2013	Feb. 23, 2013	Nov. 24, 2012	Aug. 30, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 25, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 351,988	$ 352,238	$ 343,967	$ 346,704	$ 352,876	$ 335,764	$ 334,306	$ 332,569	$ 1,394,897	$ 1,355,515	$ 1,256,289
Income (loss) from operations									193,275	186,203	151,108
Interest (income) expense, net									(2,359)	(1,550)	(606)
Income (loss) before taxes	47,657	50,114	41,224	56,356	48,137	45,831	43,215	50,426	195,351	187,609	150,734
Depreciation and amortization									71,752	69,607	66,439
Capital expenditures									91,808	103,526	74,549
Total assets	1,424,161				1,374,862				1,424,161	1,374,862	1,240,534
U.S. And Canadian Rental And Cleaning [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									1,244,408	1,200,286	1,099,421
Income (loss) from operations									209,497	200,852	164,793
Interest (income) expense, net									(3,077)	(2,944)	(2,535)
Income (loss) before taxes									212,551	203,798	167,284
Depreciation and amortization									49,116	46,793	43,501
Capital expenditures									86,430	97,519	66,526
Total assets	1,286,984				1,241,924				1,286,984	1,241,924	1,108,362
MFG [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									183,340	170,867	160,421
Income (loss) from operations									63,675	61,896	50,036
Income (loss) before taxes									63,540	61,749	50,101
Depreciation and amortization									1,306	1,033	1,133
Capital expenditures									2,264	3,559	1,306
Total assets	38,066				31,781				38,066	31,781	28,099
Net Interco MFG Elimination [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									(183,340)	(170,867)	(160,421)
Income (loss) from operations									(3,777)	(9,729)	(5,168)
Income (loss) before taxes									(3,777)	(9,729)	(5,168)
Corporate Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									15,077	14,079	12,902
Income (loss) from operations									(87,145)	(82,357)	(76,376)
Interest (income) expense, net									718	1,394	1,929
Income (loss) before taxes									(87,897)	(83,783)	(78,345)
Depreciation and amortization									15,751	15,296	15,599
Subtotal Core Laundry Operations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									1,259,485	1,214,365	1,112,323
Income (loss) from operations									182,250	170,662	133,285
Interest (income) expense, net									(2,359)	(1,550)	(606)
Income (loss) before taxes									184,417	172,035	133,872
Depreciation and amortization									66,173	63,122	60,233
Capital expenditures									88,694	101,078	67,832
Total assets	1,325,050				1,273,705				1,325,050	1,273,705	1,136,461
Specialty Garments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									91,484	96,688	102,758
Income (loss) from operations									7,178	10,539	13,460
Income (loss) before taxes									7,087	10,572	12,499
Depreciation and amortization									4,646	5,114	4,788
Capital expenditures									1,847	1,962	6,044
Total assets	77,037				79,640				77,037	79,640	83,137
First Aid [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									43,928	44,462	41,208
Income (loss) from operations									3,847	5,002	4,363
Income (loss) before taxes									3,847	5,002	4,363
Depreciation and amortization									933	1,371	1,418
Capital expenditures									1,267	486	673
Total assets	$ 22,074				$ 21,517				$ 22,074	$ 21,517	$ 20,936