Note 7 - Employee Benefit Plans (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 29, 2015	Aug. 30, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013
Note 7 - Employee Benefit Plans (Details) [Line Items]
Defined Contribution Plan, Cost Recognized	$ 15,800	$ 16,400	$ 17,000
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan [Member]
Note 7 - Employee Benefit Plans (Details) [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost	2,783	2,076	1,931
Defined Benefit Plan, Accumulated Benefit Obligation	$ 18,600	17,000
UniFirst Plan [Member]
Note 7 - Employee Benefit Plans (Details) [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Minimum Annual Interest Rate	3.25%
Pension Expense	$ 400	400	400
Textilease Plan [Member]
Note 7 - Employee Benefit Plans (Details) [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Minimum Annual Interest Rate	1.50%
Pension Expense	$ 300	200	100
Pension Plan [Member]
Note 7 - Employee Benefit Plans (Details) [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost	692	564	$ 492
Defined Benefit Plan, Accumulated Benefit Obligation	$ 8,300	$ 8,800