Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 25, 2012	Aug. 27, 2011	Aug. 28, 2010
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 930,373	$ 848,974	$ 738,311
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment	211,831	196,209	192,084
Amortization of debt origination fees	8,066	8,962	6,495
Income tax benefit from exercise of stock options	(63,041)	(34,945)	(22,251)
Deferred income taxes	25,557	44,667	(9,023)
Share-based compensation expense	33,363	26,625	19,120
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	(21,276)	(14,605)	782
Merchandise inventories	(167,914)	(155,421)	(96,077)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	197,406	342,826	349,122
Income taxes payable	56,754	34,319	12,474
Other,net	12,862	(6,073)	5,215
Net cash provided by operating activities	1,223,981	1,291,538	1,196,252
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(378,054)	(321,604)	(315,400)
Purchase of marketable securities	(45,665)	(43,772)	(56,156)
Proceeds from sale of marketable securities	42,385	43,081	52,620
Disposal of capital assets	6,573	3,301	11,489
Net cash used in investing activities	(374,761)	(318,994)	(307,447)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net (payments) proceeds from commercial paper	(54,200)	134,600	155,400
Net (payments) proceeds from short-term borrowings	(27,071)	6,901	26,186
Proceeds from issuance of debt	500,000	500,000
Repayment of debt		(199,300)
Net proceeds from sale of common stock	75,343	55,846	52,922
Purchase of treasury stock	(1,362,869)	(1,466,802)	(1,123,655)
Income tax benefit from exercise of stock options	63,041	34,945	22,251
Payments of capital lease obligations	(26,750)	(22,781)	(16,597)
Other	(10,927)	(17,180)
Net cash used in financing activities	(843,433)	(973,771)	(883,493)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(300)	553	262
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	5,487	(674)	5,574
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	97,606	98,280	92,706
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	103,093	97,606	98,280
Supplemental cash flow information:
Interest paid, net of interest cost capitalized	161,797	155,531	150,745
Income taxes paid	443,666	405,654	420,575
Assets acquired through capital lease	$ 74,726	$ 32,301	$ 75,881