Note 14 - Segment Reporting (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 28, 2015	Nov. 29, 2014
US and Canadian Rental and Cleaning [Member]
Revenues	$ 329,780	$ 330,901
Income (loss) from operations	56,726	63,299
Interest (income) expense, net	(744)	(770)
Income (loss) before taxes	57,493	64,084
MFG [Member]
Revenues	45,815	51,828
Income (loss) from operations	$ 16,544	$ 18,231
Interest (income) expense, net
Income (loss) before taxes	$ 16,536	$ 18,272
Net Interco MFG Elimination [Member]
Revenues	(45,815)	(51,828)
Income (loss) from operations	$ (51)	$ (1,689)
Interest (income) expense, net
Income (loss) before taxes	$ (51)	$ (1,689)
Corporate Segment [Member]
Revenues	5,257	4,946
Income (loss) from operations	(20,247)	(22,968)
Interest (income) expense, net	201	154
Income (loss) before taxes	(20,578)	(23,247)
Subtotal Core Laundry Operations [Member]
Revenues	335,037	335,847
Income (loss) from operations	52,972	56,873
Interest (income) expense, net	(543)	(616)
Income (loss) before taxes	53,400	57,420
Specialty Garments [Member]
Revenues	26,770	22,476
Income (loss) from operations	$ 4,286	$ 2,268
Interest (income) expense, net
Income (loss) before taxes	$ 3,922	$ 1,966
First Aid [Member]
Revenues	11,577	12,038
Income (loss) from operations	$ 1,036	$ 1,448
Interest (income) expense, net
Income (loss) before taxes	$ 1,036	$ 1,448
Revenues	373,384	370,361
Income (loss) from operations	58,294	60,589
Interest (income) expense, net	(543)	(616)
Income (loss) before taxes	$ 58,358	$ 60,834