Note 14 - Segment Reporting (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Feb. 28, 2015

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table Text Block]

	US and
	Canadian											Subtotal
	Rental and					Net Interco						Core Laundry						Specialty
Thirteen weeks ended	Cleaning			MFG		MFG Elim			Corporate			Operations			Garments			First Aid		Total
February 28, 2015
Revenues	$	327,950		$	50,844	$	(50,844	)	$	4,118		$	332,068		$	18,661		$	10,733	$	361,462
Income (loss) from operations	$	51,691		$	17,003	$	(443	)	$	(27,327	)(a)	$	40,924		$	(435	)	$	1,062	$	41,551
Interest (income) expense, net	$	(901	)	$	—	$	—		$	196		$	(705	)	$	—		$	—	$	(705	)
Income (loss) before taxes	$	52,605		$	17,054	$	(443	)	$	(27,654	)	$	41,562		$	(1,248	)	$	1,062	$	41,376
March 1, 2014
Revenues	$	309,342		$	42,101	$	(42,101	)	$	3,839		$	313,181		$	20,406		$	10,380	$	343,967
Income (loss) from operations	$	46,794		$	14,299	$	362		$	(22,012	)	$	39,443		$	312		$	969	$	40,724
Interest (income) expense, net	$	(865	)	$	—	$	—		$	204		$	(661	)	$	—		$	—	$	(661	)
Income (loss) before taxes	$	47,640		$	14,270	$	362		$	(22,266	)	$	40,006		$	249		$	969	$	41,224
Twenty-six weeks ended
February 28, 2015
Revenues	$	658,851		$	102,672	$	(102,672	)	$	9,064		$	667,915		$	41,137		$	22,771	$	731,823
Income (loss) from operations	$	114,990		$	35,234	$	(2,132	)	$	(50,295	)(a)	$	97,797		$	1,833		$	2,510	$	102,140
Interest (income) expense, net	$	(1,671	)	$	—	$	—		$	350		$	(1,321	)	$	—		$	—	$	(1,321	)
Income (loss) before taxes	$	116,689		$	35,326	$	(2,132	)	$	(50,901	)	$	98,982		$	718		$	2,510	$	102,210
March 1, 2014
Revenues	$	617,784		$	86,334	$	(86,334	)	$	7,403		$	625,187		$	44,849		$	20,635	$	690,671
Income (loss) from operations	$	105,153		$	29,873	$	(902	)	$	(42,309	)	$	91,815		$	3,071		$	1,478	$	96,364
Interest (income) expense, net	$	(1,595	)	$	—	$	—		$	377		$	(1,218	)	$	—		$	—	$	(1,218	)
Income (loss) before taxes	$	106,727		$	29,763	$	(902	)	$	(42,735	)	$	92,853		$	3,249		$	1,478	$	97,580