Goodwill, Service Contracts and Other Assets - Narrative (Details) $ in Thousands			12 Months Ended
	Jun. 01, 2015 segment	Jun. 01, 2015	May 31, 2016 USD ($) transaction	May 31, 2015 USD ($)	May 31, 2014 USD ($)
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Number of transactions involved in sale of business | transaction			3
Goodwill impairment units	5	5
Goodwill			$ 1,291,593	$ 1,195,612	$ 1,267,411
Continuing Operations
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortization of intangible assets			15,600	13,700	$ 15,200
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, Amortization Expense, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Estimated amortization expense, year one			13,800
Estimated amortization expense, year two			12,300
Estimated amortization expense, year three			11,700
Estimated amortization expense, year four			11,300
Estimated amortization expense, year five			$ 9,400
All Other
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Goodwill impairment units	3	3
Goodwill				96,700
Uniform Rental and Facility Services
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Goodwill				943,900
First Aid and Safety Services
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Goodwill				$ 155,000