Operating Segment Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended												12 Months Ended
		May 31, 2017	Feb. 28, 2017	Nov. 30, 2016	Aug. 31, 2016	May 31, 2016		Feb. 29, 2016	[1]	Nov. 30, 2015	[1]	Aug. 31, 2015	[1]	May 31, 2017	May 31, 2016	May 31, 2015
Disclosures related to operating segments
Revenue		$ 1,530,287	$ 1,255,367	$ 1,271,077	$ 1,266,650	$ 1,243,548	[1]	$ 1,190,539		$ 1,191,121		$ 1,170,564		$ 5,323,381	$ 4,795,772	$ 4,369,677
Gross margin		678,726	$ 559,924	$ 565,218	$ 576,427	546,371	[1]	$ 517,853		$ 520,221		$ 516,895		2,380,295	2,101,340	1,892,923
Selling and administrative expenses														1,527,380	1,332,399	1,209,284
G&K Services, Inc. transaction and integration expenses														79,224
Gain on sale of stock of an equity method investment														0	0	21,739
Interest expense, net														86,287	63,626	64,822
Income before income taxes														687,404	705,315	640,556
Depreciation and amortization														196,595	165,279	152,595
Capital expenditures														273,317	275,385	217,720
Total assets		6,844,057				4,098,815								6,844,057	4,098,815	4,185,674
Operating Segments | Uniform Rental and Facility Services
Disclosures related to operating segments
Revenue														4,202,490	3,759,524	3,519,199
Gross margin														1,894,716	1,666,691	1,526,534
Selling and administrative expenses														1,138,345	994,590	922,582
G&K Services, Inc. transaction and integration expenses														79,224
Gain on sale of stock of an equity method investment																0
Interest expense, net														0	0	0
Income before income taxes														677,147	672,101	603,952
Depreciation and amortization														156,998	130,421	123,129
Capital expenditures														232,832	237,871	184,200
Total assets		5,801,680				3,104,822								5,801,680	3,104,822	2,831,978
Operating Segments | First Aid and Safety Services
Disclosures related to operating segments
Revenue														508,233	461,783	326,593
Gross margin														230,166	197,010	152,339
Selling and administrative expenses														177,378	147,503	107,226
Gain on sale of stock of an equity method investment																0
Interest expense, net														0	0	0
Income before income taxes														52,788	49,507	45,113
Depreciation and amortization														19,962	16,021	9,774
Capital expenditures														26,863	22,364	13,589
Total assets		444,717				421,697								444,717	421,697	254,707
Operating Segments | All Other
Disclosures related to operating segments
Revenue														612,658	574,465	523,885
Gross margin														255,413	237,639	214,050
Selling and administrative expenses														211,657	190,306	179,476
Gain on sale of stock of an equity method investment																0
Interest expense, net														0	0	0
Income before income taxes														43,756	47,333	34,574
Depreciation and amortization														17,905	16,879	16,909
Capital expenditures														12,645	14,840	18,528
Total assets		367,562				322,474								367,562	322,474	299,885
Corporate
Disclosures related to operating segments
Revenue	[2]													0	0	0
Gross margin	[2]													0	0	0
Selling and administrative expenses	[2]													0	0	0
Gain on sale of stock of an equity method investment																21,739
Interest expense, net	[2]													86,287	63,626	64,822
Income before income taxes	[2]													(86,287)	(63,626)	(43,083)
Depreciation and amortization	[2]													1,730	1,958	2,783
Capital expenditures	[2]													977	310	1,403
Total assets	[2]	$ 230,098				$ 249,822								$ 230,098	$ 249,822	$ 799,104

[1] The figures for fiscal 2016 reflect the change in classification of Discontinued Services as discontinued operations within the Consolidated Statements of Income. See Note 16 entitled Discontinued Operations for additional information.

[2] Corporate assets include cash and marketable securities in all periods presented. Corporate assets as of May 31, 2017 and 2016 also include the assets of Discontinued Services. Corporate assets as of May 31, 2015 also include assets of Discontinued Services, Shred-it and real estate assets of Storage that were not included in the sale transactions. Corporate depreciation and amortization includes depreciation and amortization of Discontinued Services.