Note 15 - Segment Reporting - Segment Reporting (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
Nov. 26, 2016	Nov. 28, 2015
Revenues	$ 386,108	$ 373,384
Income (loss) from operations	45,757	58,294
Interest (income) expense, net	(801)	(543)
Income (loss) before taxes	46,064	58,358
US and Canadian Rental and Cleaning [Member]
Revenues	344,481	329,780
Income (loss) from operations	52,827	56,726
Interest (income) expense, net	(834)	(744)
Income (loss) before taxes	53,708	57,493
MFG [Member]
Revenues	48,862	45,815
Income (loss) from operations	18,207	16,544
Interest (income) expense, net
Income (loss) before taxes	18,222	16,536
Net Interco MFG Elimination [Member]
Revenues	(48,804)	(45,815)
Income (loss) from operations	(939)	(51)
Interest (income) expense, net
Income (loss) before taxes	(939)	(51)
Corporate Segment [Member]
Revenues	7,304	5,257
Income (loss) from operations	(26,422)	(20,247)
Interest (income) expense, net	33	201
Income (loss) before taxes	(26,580)	(20,578)
Subtotal Core Laundry Operations [Member]
Revenues	351,843	335,037
Income (loss) from operations	43,673	52,972
Interest (income) expense, net	(801)	(543)
Income (loss) before taxes	44,411	53,400
Specialty Garments [Member]
Revenues	22,356	26,770
Income (loss) from operations	1,151	4,286
Interest (income) expense, net
Income (loss) before taxes	720	3,922
First Aid [Member]
Revenues	11,909	11,577
Income (loss) from operations	933	1,036
Interest (income) expense, net
Income (loss) before taxes	$ 933	$ 1,036

Amount of income (loss) from continuing operations before deduction of income tax expense (benefit) and income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest, and addition of income (loss) from equity method investments.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 235
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(h)(1)(i))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26873400&loc=d3e23780-122690

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The net amount of operating interest income (expense).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 225
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-04.10)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879574&loc=d3e536633-122882

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+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 225
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=63488584&loc=d3e20235-122688

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