Goodwill, Service Contracts and Other Assets - Narrative (Details) - USD ($)		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 01, 2015	Nov. 30, 2015	Nov. 30, 2014	Nov. 30, 2015	Nov. 30, 2014	May. 31, 2015
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill impairment	$ 0
Goodwill		$ 1,273,594,000		$ 1,273,594,000		$ 1,195,612,000
Amortization expense for continuing operations		4,200,000	$ 3,500,000	7,800,000	$ 7,000,000
Estimated amortization expense, year one		14,600,000		14,600,000
Estimated amortization expense, year two		11,200,000		11,200,000
Estimated amortization expense, year three		10,200,000		10,200,000
Estimated amortization expense, year four		9,600,000		9,600,000
Estimated amortization expense, year five		9,200,000		9,200,000
Uniform Rental and Facility Services
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	943,900,000	942,926,000		942,926,000		943,909,000
First Aid and Safety Services
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	155,000,000	233,917,000		233,917,000		154,954,000
All Other
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	$ 96,700,000	$ 96,751,000		$ 96,751,000		$ 96,749,000