Note 14 - Segment Reporting (Details) - Segment Reporting (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2015		Mar. 01, 2014	Feb. 28, 2015	Mar. 01, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 361,462		$ 343,967	$ 731,823	$ 690,671
Income (loss) from operations	41,551		40,724	102,140	96,364
Interest (income) expense, net	(705)		(661)	(1,321)	(1,218)
Income (loss) before taxes	41,376		41,224	102,210	97,580
U.S. And Canadian Rental And Cleaning [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	327,950		309,342	658,851	617,784
Income (loss) from operations	51,691		46,794	114,990	105,153
Interest (income) expense, net	(901)		(865)	(1,671)	(1,595)
Income (loss) before taxes	52,605		47,640	116,689	106,727
MFG [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	50,844		42,101	102,672	86,334
Income (loss) from operations	17,003		14,299	35,234	29,873
Income (loss) before taxes	17,054		14,270	35,326	29,763
Net Interco MFG Elimination [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	(50,844)		(42,101)	(102,672)	(86,334)
Income (loss) from operations	(443)		362	(2,132)	(902)
Income (loss) before taxes	(443)		362	(2,132)	(902)
Corporate Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	4,118		3,839	9,064	7,403
Income (loss) from operations	(27,327)	[1]	(22,012)	(50,295)	(42,309)
Interest (income) expense, net	196		204	350	377
Income (loss) before taxes	(27,654)		(22,266)	(50,901)	(42,735)
Subtotal Core Laundry Operations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	332,068		313,181	667,915	625,187
Income (loss) from operations	40,924		39,443	97,797	91,815
Interest (income) expense, net	(705)		(661)	(1,321)	(1,218)
Income (loss) before taxes	41,562		40,006	98,982	92,853
Specialty Garments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	18,661		20,406	41,137	44,849
Income (loss) from operations	(435)		312	1,833	3,071
Income (loss) before taxes	(1,248)		249	718	3,249
First Aid [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	10,733		10,380	22,771	20,635
Income (loss) from operations	1,062		969	2,510	1,478
Income (loss) before taxes	$ 1,062		$ 969	$ 2,510	$ 1,478

[1] The Company increased its environmental contingency reserves during its second fiscal quarter of 2015 by $3.6 million. This increase was due mainly to additional costs the Company expects to incur associated with the construction of a planned municipal transit station in the area of its Somerville site. To a lesser extent, the Company's reserves also were increased due to the effect of lower interest rates on the discounting of its environmental liabilities.