UniFirst (UNF) 10-K 29 Oct 14 2014 FY Annual report Financial data

Document_And_Entity_Informatio

Document And Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 30, 2014	Feb. 28, 2014	Oct. 17, 2014	Oct. 17, 2014
			Common Class A [Member]	Common Class B [Member]
Document Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'UNIFIRST CORP	'	'	'
Document Type	'10-K	'	'	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--08-30	'	'	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	'	15,193,047	4,860,519
Entity Public Float	'	$1,622,023,215	'	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'	'	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0000717954	'	'	'
Entity Current Reporting Status	'Yes	'	'	'
Entity Voluntary Filers	'No	'	'	'
Entity Filer Category	'Large Accelerated Filer	'	'	'
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	'Yes	'	'	'
Document Period End Date	30-Aug-14	'	'	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'	'	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'FY	'	'	'

Consolidated_Statements_of_Inc

Consolidated Statements of Income (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 30, 2014		Aug. 31, 2013		Aug. 25, 2012
Revenues	$1,394,897		$1,355,515		$1,256,289
Operating expenses:	'		'		'
Cost of revenues (1)	858,306	[1]	836,174	[1]	797,944	[1]
Selling and administrative expenses (1)	271,564	[1]	263,531	[1]	240,798	[1]
Depreciation and amortization	71,752		69,607		66,439
Total operating expenses	1,201,622		1,169,312		1,105,181
Income from operations	193,275		186,203		151,108
Other (income) expense:	'		'		'
Interest expense	772		1,651		2,132
Interest income	-3,131		-3,201		-2,738
Foreign exchange loss	283		144		980
Total other (income) expense	-2,076		-1,406		374
Income before income taxes	195,351		187,609		150,734
Provision for income taxes	75,426		70,924		55,745
Net income	119,925		116,685		94,989
Income per share b Diluted:	'		'		'
Common Stock (in Dollars per share)	$5.95		$5.81		$4.76
Income allocated to b Basic:	'		'		'
Income allocated to b Basic	119,925		116,685		94,989
Income allocated to b Diluted:	'		'		'
Common Stock	118,626		114,927		93,358
Weighted average number of shares outstanding b Diluted:	'		'		'
Common Stock (in Shares)	19,939		19,789		19,616
Common Class A [Member]	'		'		'
Income per share b Basic:	'		'		'
Income per share b Basic (in Dollars per share)	$6.29		$6.14		$5.02
Income allocated to b Basic:	'		'		'
Income allocated to b Basic	94,849		91,916		74,643
Weighted average number of shares outstanding b Basic:	'		'		'
Weighted average number of shares outstanding b Basic (in Shares)	15,080		14,975		14,882
Dividends per share:	'		'		'
Dividends per share (in Dollars per share)	$0.15		$0.15		$0.15
Common Class B [Member]	'		'		'
Income per share b Basic:	'		'		'
Income per share b Basic (in Dollars per share)	$5.03		$4.91		$4.01
Income allocated to b Basic:	'		'		'
Income allocated to b Basic	$23,705		$22,913		$18,630
Weighted average number of shares outstanding b Basic:	'		'		'
Weighted average number of shares outstanding b Basic (in Shares)	4,711		4,666		4,643
Dividends per share:	'		'		'
Dividends per share (in Dollars per share)	$0.12		$0.12		$0.12
[1]	Exclusive of depreciation on the Company's property, plant and equipment and amortization of its intangible assets.

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 30, 2014		Aug. 31, 2013		Aug. 25, 2012
Net income	$119,925		$116,685		$94,989
Foreign currency translation adjustments	-2,852		-6,081		-2,204
Pension benefit liabilities, net of income taxes	-1,126	[1]	255	[1]	-362	[1]
Other comprehensive (loss) income	-3,978		-5,826		-2,566
Comprehensive income	$115,947		$110,859		$92,423
[1]	These amounts are shown net of the effect of income taxes

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Aug. 30, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Cash and cash equivalents	$191,769	$197,479
Receivables, less reserves of $5,114 and $4,894 respectively	152,523	141,156
Inventories	78,858	74,351
Rental merchandise in service	146,449	132,630
Prepaid and deferred income taxes	13,342	7,099
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	6,349	8,679
Total current assets	589,290	561,394
Land, buildings and leasehold improvements	393,584	376,222
Machinery and equipment	512,842	474,402
Motor vehicles	166,573	153,219
Total property, plant and equipment	1,072,999	1,003,843
Less b accumulated depreciation	586,717	546,157
Total property, plant and equipment, net	486,282	457,686
Goodwill	303,648	302,363
Customer contracts, net	40,210	47,397
Other intangible assets, net	1,267	1,947
Deferred income taxes	1,403	1,417
Other assets	2,061	2,658
Total assets	1,424,161	1,374,862
Loans payable and current maturities of long-term debt	7,704	111,253
Accounts payable	59,177	45,633
Accrued liabilities	100,818	95,582
Accrued and deferred income taxes	23,342	12,506
Total current liabilities	191,041	264,974
Long-term debt, net of current maturities	155	155
Accrued liabilities	50,235	45,037
Accrued and deferred income taxes	48,271	51,298
Total long-term liabilities	98,661	96,490
Commitments and contingencies (Note 10)	'	'
Shareholdersb equity:	'	'
Preferred Stock, $1.00 par value; 2,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding	0	0
Capital surplus	59,415	51,445
Retained earnings	1,075,572	958,508
Accumulated other comprehensive income	-2,533	1,445
Total shareholdersb equity	1,134,459	1,013,398
Total liabilities and shareholdersb equity	1,424,161	1,374,862
Common Class A [Member]	'	'
Shareholdersb equity:	'	'
Common stock	1,519	1,513
Common Class B [Member]	'	'
Shareholdersb equity:	'	'
Common stock	$486	$487

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parentheticals) (USD $)	Aug. 30, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Receivables reserves (in Dollars)	$5,114	$4,894
Preferred stock par value (in Dollars per share)	$1	$1
Preferred stock, shares authorized	2,000,000	2,000,000
Preferred Stock, shares issued	0	0
Preferred Stock, shares outstanding	0	0
Common Class A [Member]	'	'
Common stock par value (in Dollars per share)	$0.10	$0.10
Common stock, shares authorized	30,000,000	30,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	15,189,947	15,129,524
Common stock, shares outstanding	15,189,947	15,129,524
Common Class B [Member]	'	'
Common stock par value (in Dollars per share)	$0.10	$0.10
Common stock, shares authorized	20,000,000	20,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	4,860,519	4,873,277
Common stock, shares outstanding	4,860,519	4,873,277

Consolidated_Statements_of_Sha

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity (USD $)		Common Class A [Member]		Common Class B [Member]		Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Total
In Thousands		Common Stock [Member]		Common Stock [Member]
Balance at Aug. 27, 2011		$1,499		$488		$33,588	$752,530	$9,837	$797,942
Balance (in Shares) at Aug. 27, 2011		14,987		4,887		'	'	'	'
Net income		'		'		'	94,989	'	94,989
Pension benefit liabilities, net (1)	[1]	'		'		'	'	-362	-362
Pension benefit liabilities, net (1) (in Shares)	[1]	'		'		'	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation		'		'		'	'	-2,204	-2,204
Dividends declared		'		'		'	-2,843	'	-2,843
Shares converted (in Shares)		3		-3		'	'	'	'
Share-based compensation, net (2)	[2]	'		'		6,578	'	'	6,578
Share-based compensation, net (2) (in Shares)	[2]	1		'		'	'	'	'
Share-based awards exercised, net (1)(3)	[1],[3]	7		'		2,818	'	'	2,825
Share-based awards exercised, net (1)(3) (in Shares)	[1],[3]	73		'		'	'	'	'
Balance at Aug. 25, 2012		1,506		488		42,984	844,676	7,271	896,925
Balance (in Shares) at Aug. 25, 2012		15,064		4,884		'	'	'	'
Net income		'		'		'	116,685	'	116,685
Pension benefit liabilities, net (1)	[1]	'		'		'	'	255	255
Pension benefit liabilities, net (1) (in Shares)	[1]	'		'		'	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation		'		'		'	'	-6,081	-6,081
Dividends declared		'		'		'	-2,853	'	-2,853
Shares converted		1		-1		'	'	'	'
Shares converted (in Shares)		12		-12		'	'	'	'
Share-based compensation, net (2)	[2]	-3		'		2,982	'	'	2,979
Share-based compensation, net (2) (in Shares)	[2]	-36		'		'	'	'	'
Share-based awards exercised, net (1)(3)	[1],[3]	9		'		5,479	'	'	5,488
Share-based awards exercised, net (1)(3) (in Shares)	[1],[3]	90		'		'	'	'	'
Balance at Aug. 31, 2013		1,513		487		51,445	958,508	1,445	1,013,398
Balance (in Shares) at Aug. 31, 2013		15,130		4,872		'	'	'	'
Net income		'		'		'	119,925	'	119,925
Pension benefit liabilities, net (1)	[1]	'		'		'	'	-1,126	-1,126
Pension benefit liabilities, net (1) (in Shares)	[1]	'		'		'	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation		'		'		'	'	-2,852	-2,852
Dividends declared		'		'		'	-2,861	'	-2,861
Shares converted		1		-1		'	'	'	'
Shares converted (in Shares)		12		-12		'	'	'	'
Share-based compensation, net (2)	[2]	-3		'		2,079	'	'	2,076
Share-based compensation, net (2) (in Shares)	[2]	-36		'		'	'	'	'
Share-based awards exercised, net (1)(3)	[1],[3]	8		'		5,891	'	'	5,899
Share-based awards exercised, net (1)(3) (in Shares)		84	[1],[3]	'	[1],[3]	'	'	'	-89,638
Balance at Aug. 30, 2014		$1,519		$486		$59,415	$1,075,572	($2,533)	$1,134,459
Balance (in Shares) at Aug. 30, 2014		15,190		4,860		'	'	'	'
[1]	These amounts are shown net of the effect of income taxes
[2]	These amounts are shown net of any shares withheld by the Company to satisfy certain tax withholdings obligations in connection with the vesting of certain shares of restricted stock.
[3]	These amounts include excess tax benefits that the Company realized as part of the exercise of share-based awards.

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 30, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 25, 2012
Net income	$119,925	$116,685	$94,989
Depreciation	62,791	59,810	55,877
Amortization of intangible assets	8,961	9,797	10,562
Amortization of deferred financing costs	209	238	238
Share-based compensation	5,601	6,315	6,714
Accretion on environmental contingencies	716	542	631
Accretion on asset retirement obligations	941	676	632
Deferred income taxes	8,439	20,666	-330
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:	'	'	'
Receivables, less reserves	-11,541	-6,907	-7,716
Inventories	-4,450	1,146	590
Rental merchandise in service	-14,002	7,079	-12,017
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	2,623	-698	-1,642
Accounts payable	13,646	321	-4,176
Accrued liabilities	6,890	11,261	3,705
Prepaid and accrued income taxes	-6,130	-15,360	11,360
Net cash provided by operating activities	194,619	211,571	159,417
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired	-3,635	-30,714	'
Capital expenditures	-91,808	-103,526	-74,549
Other	1,269	54	-508
Net cash used in investing activities	-94,174	-134,186	-75,057
Proceeds from loans payable and long-term debt	9,388	14,033	42,711
Payments on loans payable and long-term debt	-113,247	-9,524	-55,851
Proceeds from exercise of Common Stock options, including excess tax benefits	5,899	5,488	2,410
Taxes withheld and paid related to net share settlement of equity awards	-3,527	-3,332	'
Payment of cash dividends	-2,860	-2,851	-2,840
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	-104,347	3,814	-13,570
Effect of exchange rate changes	-1,808	-3,843	521
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	-5,710	77,356	71,311
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	197,479	120,123	48,812
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	191,769	197,479	120,123
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:	'	'	'
Interest paid	763	1,524	1,890
Income taxes paid, net of refunds received	$69,755	$63,069	$44,732

Note_1_Summary_of_Significant_

Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 30, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]	'
	1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
	Business Description
	UniFirst Corporation (the “Company”) is one of the largest providers of workplace uniforms and protective clothing in the United States. The Company designs, manufactures, personalizes, rents, cleans, delivers, and sells a wide range of uniforms and protective clothing, including shirts, pants, jackets, coveralls, lab coats, smocks, aprons and specialized protective wear, such as flame resistant and high visibility garments. The Company also rents and sells industrial wiping products, floor mats, facility service products and other non-garment items, and provides restroom and cleaning supplies and first aid cabinet services and other safety supplies, to a variety of manufacturers, retailers and service companies.
	The Company serves businesses of all sizes in numerous industry categories. Typical customers include automobile service centers and dealers, delivery services, food and general merchandise retailers, food processors and service operations, light manufacturers, maintenance facilities, restaurants, service companies, soft and durable goods wholesalers, transportation companies, and others who require employee clothing for image, identification, protection or utility purposes. The Company also provides its customers with restroom and cleaning supplies, including air fresheners, paper products and hand soaps.
	At certain specialized facilities, the Company decontaminates and cleans work clothes and other items that may have been exposed to radioactive materials and services special cleanroom protective wear. Typical customers for these specialized services include government agencies, research and development laboratories, high technology companies and utility providers operating nuclear reactors.
	As discussed and described in Note 14, “Segment Reporting”, to these Consolidated Financial Statements, the Company has five reporting segments: US and Canadian Rental and Cleaning, Manufacturing (“MFG”), Specialty Garments Rental and Cleaning (“Specialty Garments”), First Aid and Corporate. The operations of the US and Canadian Rental and Cleaning reporting segment are referred to by the Company as its “industrial laundry operations” and the locations related to this reporting segment are referred to as “industrial laundries”. The Company refers to its US and Canadian Rental and Cleaning, MFG, and Corporate segments combined as its “Core Laundry Operations”.
	Principles of Consolidation
	The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries, all of which are wholly-owned. Intercompany balances and transactions are eliminated in consolidation.
	Reclassifications
	The Company has recorded certain immaterial classification adjustments to its August 31, 2013 balance sheet as well as its August 31, 2013 and August 25, 2012 statement of cash flows. These classification adjustments did not impact current or historical net income, shareholders' equity or net cash provided by operating activities.
	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of these Consolidated Financial Statements is in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“US GAAP”) which requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts in the financial statements and accompanying notes. These estimates are based on historical information, current trends, and information available from other sources. Actual results could differ from these estimates.
	Fiscal Year
	The Company’s fiscal year ends on the last Saturday in August. For financial reporting purposes, fiscal 2014 consisted of 52 weeks, fiscal 2013 consisted of 53 weeks and fiscal 2012 consisted of 52 weeks. The additional week was included in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013.
	Cash and Cash Equivalents
	Cash and cash equivalents include cash in banks and bank short-term investments with maturities of less than ninety days.
	Financial Instruments
	The Company’s financial instruments, which may expose the Company to concentrations of credit risk, include cash and cash equivalents, receivables, accounts payable, loans payable and long-term debt. Each of these financial instruments is recorded at cost, which approximates its fair value given the short maturity of each financial instrument.
	Revenue Recognition and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
	The Company recognizes revenue from rental operations in the period in which the services are provided. Direct sales revenue is recognized in the period in which the services are performed or when the product is shipped. Management judgments and estimates are used in determining the collectability of accounts receivable and evaluating the adequacy of the allowance for doubtful accounts. The Company considers specific accounts receivable and historical bad debt experience, customer credit worthiness, current economic trends and the age of outstanding balances as part of its evaluation. Changes in estimates are reflected in the period they become known. If the financial condition of the Company’s customers were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, additional allowances may be required. Material changes in its estimates may result in significant differences in the amount and timing of bad debt expense recognition for any given period. Revenues do not include taxes we collect from our customers and remit to governmental authorities.
	Inventories and Rental Merchandise in Service
	Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market value, net of any reserve for excess and obsolete inventory. Judgments and estimates are used in determining the likelihood that new goods on hand can be sold to customers or used in rental operations. Historical inventory usage and current revenue trends are considered in estimating both excess and obsolete inventories. If actual product demand and market conditions are less favorable than those projected by management, additional inventory write-downs may be required. The Company uses the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) method to value its inventories.
	The components of inventory as of August 30, 2014 and August 31, 2013 were as follows (in thousands):
			August 30,			August 31,
			2014			2013
	Raw materials		$	19,053		$	16,673
	Work in process			3,759			2,366
	Finished goods			56,046			55,312
	Total inventories		$	78,858		$	74,351
	Rental merchandise in service is amortized, primarily on a straight-line basis, over the estimated service lives of the merchandise, which range from 6 to 36 months. In establishing estimated lives for merchandise in service, management considers historical experience and the intended use of the merchandise. Material differences may result in the amount and timing of operating profit for any period if management makes significant changes to these estimates.
	Property, plant and equipment
	Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred, while expenditures for renewals and betterments are capitalized. The Company provides for depreciation on the straight-line method based on the following estimated useful lives:
	Buildings (in years)	30	-	40
	Building components (in years)	10	-	20
	Leasehold improvements	Shorter of useful life or term of lease
	Machinery and equipment (in years)	3	-	10
	Motor vehicles (in years)	3	-	5
	Long-lived assets, including property, plant and equipment, are evaluated for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate an asset may be impaired. There have been no material impairments of long-lived assets in fiscal 2014, 2013 or 2012.
	Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
	In accordance with US GAAP, the Company does not amortize goodwill. Instead, current accounting guidance requires that companies test goodwill for impairment on an annual basis. Management completes its annual goodwill impairment test in the fourth quarter of each fiscal year. In addition, US GAAP requires that companies test goodwill if events occur or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit to which goodwill is assigned below its carrying amount. The Company’s evaluation considers changes in the operating environment, competitive information, market trends, operating performance and cash flow modeling.
	The Company cannot predict future economic conditions and their impact on the Company or the future market value of the Company’s stock. A decline in the Company’s market capitalization and/or deterioration in general economic conditions could negatively and materially impact the Company’s assumptions and assessment of the fair value of the Company’s business. If general economic conditions or the Company’s financial performance deteriorate, the Company may be required to record a goodwill impairment charge in the future which could have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.
	Definite-lived intangible assets are amortized over their useful lives, which are based on management’s estimates of the period that the assets will generate economic benefits. Definite-lived intangible assets are evaluated for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable in accordance with US GAAP. There were no impairments of goodwill or indicators of impairment for definite-lived intangible assets in fiscal 2014, 2013 or 2012.
	As of August 30, 2014, definite-lived intangible assets have a weighted average useful life of approximately 14.6 years. Customer contracts have a weighted average useful life of approximately 14.9 years and other intangible assets, net, which consist of primarily, restrictive covenants, deferred financing costs and trademarks, have a weighted average useful life of approximately 4.5 years.
	Environmental and Other Contingencies
	The Company is subject to legal proceedings and claims arising from the conduct of its business operations, including environmental matters, personal injury, customer contract matters and employment claims. Accounting principles generally accepted in the United States require that a liability for contingencies be recorded when it is probable that a liability has occurred and the amount of the liability can be reasonably estimated. Significant judgment is required to determine the existence of a liability, as well as the amount to be recorded. The Company regularly consults with attorneys and outside consultants, in its consideration of the relevant facts and circumstances, before recording a contingent liability. The Company records accruals for environmental and other contingencies based on enacted laws, regulatory orders or decrees, the Company’s estimates of costs, insurance proceeds, participation by other parties, the timing of payments, and the input of outside consultants and attorneys.
	The estimated liability for environmental contingencies has been discounted as of August 30, 2014 using risk-free interest rates ranging from 2.4 % to 3.1% over periods ranging from ten to thirty years. The estimated current costs, net of legal settlements with insurance carriers, have been adjusted for the estimated impact of inflation at 3% per year. Changes in enacted laws, regulatory orders or decrees, management’s estimates of costs, risk-free interest rates, insurance proceeds, participation by other parties, the timing of payments, the input of the Company’s attorneys and outside consultants or other factual circumstances could have a material impact on the amounts recorded for environmental and other contingent liabilities. Refer to Note 10, “Commitments and Contingencies”, of these Consolidated Financial Statements for additional discussion and analysis.
	Asset Retirement Obligations
	Under US GAAP, asset retirement obligations generally apply to legal obligations associated with the retirement of long-lived assets that result from the acquisition, construction, development and/or the normal operation of a long-lived asset. The Company recognizes asset retirement obligations in the period in which they are incurred if a reasonable estimate of fair value can be made. The associated asset retirement costs are capitalized as part of the carrying amount of the long-lived asset.
	The Company has recognized as a liability the present value of the estimated future costs to decommission its nuclear laundry facilities. The Company depreciates, on a straight-line basis, the amount added to property, plant and equipment and recognizes accretion expense in connection with the discounted liability over the various remaining lives which range from approximately seven to thirty years.
	The estimated liability has been based on historical experience in decommissioning nuclear laundry facilities, estimated useful lives of the underlying assets, external vendor estimates as to the cost to decommission these assets in the future, and federal and state regulatory requirements. The estimated current costs have been adjusted for the estimated impact of inflation at 3% per year. The liability has been discounted using credit-adjusted risk-free rates that range from approximately 7.0 % to 7.5 %. Revisions to the liability could occur due to changes in the Company’s estimated useful lives of the underlying assets, estimated dates of decommissioning, changes in decommissioning costs, changes in federal or state regulatory guidance on the decommissioning of such facilities, or other changes in estimates. Changes due to revised estimates will be recognized by adjusting the carrying amount of the liability and the related long-lived asset if the assets are still in service, or charged to expense in the period if the assets are no longer in service.
	Insurance
	The Company is self-insured for certain obligations related to health, workers’ compensation, vehicles and general liability programs. The Company also purchases stop-loss insurance policies to protect itself from catastrophic losses. Judgments and estimates are used in determining the potential value associated with reported claims and for events that have occurred, but have not been reported. The Company’s estimates consider historical claims experience and other factors. The Company’s liabilities are based on estimates, and, while the Company believes that its accruals are adequate, the ultimate liability may be significantly different from the amounts recorded. Changes in claims experience, the Company’s ability to settle claims or other estimates and judgments used by management could have a material impact on the amount and timing of expense for any period.
	Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan and other Pension Plans
	Pension expense is recognized on an accrual basis over employees’ estimated service periods. Pension expense is generally independent of funding decisions or requirements.
	The Company (1) recognizes in its statement of financial position the over-funded or under-funded status of its defined benefit postretirement plan measured as the difference between the fair value of plan assets and the benefit obligation, (2) recognizes as a component of other comprehensive income, net of tax, the actuarial gains and losses and the prior service costs and credits that arise during the period but are not recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost, (3) measures defined benefit plan assets and defined benefit plan obligations as of the date of its statement of financial position, and (4) discloses additional information in the notes to financial statements about certain effects on net periodic benefit cost in the upcoming fiscal year that arise from delayed recognition of the actuarial gains and losses and the prior service costs and credits. Refer to Note 6, “Employee Benefit Plans”, of these Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion regarding the Company’s pension plans.
	The calculation of pension expense and the corresponding liability requires the use of a number of critical assumptions, including the expected long-term rates of return on plan assets, the assumed discount rates, assumed rate of compensation increases and life expectancy of participants. Changes in these assumptions can result in different expense and liability amounts, and future actual experience can differ from these assumptions. Pension expense increases as the expected rate of return on pension plan assets decreases. Future changes in plan asset returns, assumed discount rates and various other factors related to the participants in the Company’s pension plans will impact the Company’s future pension expense and liabilities. The Company cannot predict with certainty what these factors will be in the future.
	Income Taxes
	The Company computes income tax expense by jurisdiction based on its operations in each jurisdiction. Deferred income taxes are provided for temporary differences between the amounts recognized for income tax and financial reporting purposes at currently enacted tax rates.
	The Company is periodically reviewed by U.S. domestic and foreign tax authorities regarding the amount of taxes due. These reviews typically include inquiries regarding the timing and amount of deductions and the allocation of income among various tax jurisdictions. In evaluating the exposure associated with various filing positions, the Company records estimated reserves. Refer to Note 4, “Income Taxes”, of these Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion regarding the Company’s accounting for income taxes and its uncertain tax positions for financial accounting purposes.
	The Company has undistributed earnings from its foreign subsidiaries of approximately $111.8 million as of August 30, 2014. The Company considers these undistributed earnings as indefinitely reinvested and therefore has not provided for U.S. income taxes or foreign withholding taxes. If these earnings were ultimately distributed to the U.S. in the form of dividends or otherwise, or if the shares of its international subsidiaries were sold or transferred, the Company would likely be subject to additional U.S. income taxes, net of the impact of any available foreign tax credits as well as foreign withholding taxes. It is not practicable to estimate the amount of unrecognized deferred U.S. taxes on these undistributed earnings.
	Advertising Costs
	Advertising costs are expensed as incurred and are classified as selling and administrative expenses. The Company incurred advertising costs of $1.5 million, $1.2 million and $1.5 million for the fiscal years ended August 30, 2014, August 31, 2013 and August 25, 2012, respectively.
	Share-Based Compensation
The Company adopted a stock incentive plan (the “1996 Plan”) in November 1996 and reserved 1,500,000 shares of Common Stock for issuance under the 1996 Plan. This plan provided for the issuance of stock options and stock appreciation rights (collectively referred to as “Share-Based Awards”). The Company ceased granting new awards under the 1996 Plan as of January 21, 2011, and the 1996 Plan expired in accordance with its terms on January 8, 2012. The Company adopted a stock incentive plan (the “2010 Plan”) in October 2010 and reserved 600,000 shares of Common Stock for issuance under the 2010 Plan. The 2010 Plan replaced the Company’s 1996 Plan. The 2010 Plan permits the award of incentive and non-qualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, unrestricted stock, performance shares, dividend equivalent rights and cash-based awards.  No awards may be made under the 2010 Plan after January 11, 2021. On October 27, 2014, the Board of Directors, subject to the approval of the Company’s shareholders at the 2015 annual meeting, approved an amendment to the 2010 Plan to, among other matters, reserve for issuance an additional 750,000 shares and extend the term of the 2010 Plan by 10 years. Share-based compensation, which includes expense related to Share-Based Awards, unrestricted and restricted stock grants, has been recorded in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Income in selling and administrative expenses.
All Share-Based Awards issued to management were recommended to the Board of Directors by the Compensation Committee and approved by the Board of Directors. All Share-Based Awards and shares of unrestricted stock issued to the Company’s non-employee members of the Board of Directors under the 2010 Plan were recommended to the Board of Directors by the Compensation Committee and approved by the Board of Directors. Share-Based Awards granted to non-employee directors are granted on the third business day following the annual shareholders’ meeting.
All Share-Based Awards issued to employees were granted with an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the Company’s Common Stock on the date of grant and are subject to a five-year cliff-vesting schedule under which the awards become fully vested or exercisable after five years from the date of grant and expire ten years after the grant date. Share-Based Awards and shares of unrestricted stock granted to the Company’s non-employee members of the Board of Directors (the “Directors”) are fully vested as of the date of grant. Prior to fiscal 2009, non-employee Director Share-Based Award grants expired ten years from the grant date. Beginning in fiscal 2009, non-employee director Share-Based Award grants expire eight years after the grant date.
US GAAP requires that share-based compensation cost be measured at the grant date based on the value of the award and be recognized as expense over the requisite service period, which is generally the vesting period. Determining the fair value of Share-Based Awards at the grant date requires judgment, including estimating expected dividends, share price volatility and the amount of Share-Based Awards that are expected to be forfeited. The fair value of each Share-Based Award is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model.
Compensation expense for all Share-Based Awards is recognized ratably over the related vesting period. Certain Share-Based Awards and shares of unrestricted stock were granted during fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012 to non-employee Directors of the Company, which were fully vested upon grant and, with respect to stock appreciation rights, expire eight years after the grant date. Accordingly, compensation expense related to these Share-Based Awards and shares of unrestricted stock in fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012 were recognized on the date of grant.
The Company recognizes compensation expense for restricted stock grants over the related vesting period. For unrestricted stock grants, compensation expense is recognized on the date of grant. The fair value for each restricted and unrestricted stock grant is determined by using the closing price of the Company’s stock on the date of the grant. Refer to Note 11, “Share-Based Compensation”, of these Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion regarding the Company’s share-based compensation plans.
The fair value of each Share-Based Award is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions used:
Fiscal year ended August		2014			2013			2012
Risk-free interest rate			1.9	%		1.24	%		1.54	%
Expected dividend yield			0.27	%		0.41	%		0.56	%
Expected life in years			7.45			7.42			7.39
Expected volatility			32.9	%		33.4	%		33.8	%
The weighted average fair values of Share-Based Awards granted during fiscal years 2014, 2013 and 2012 were $39.08, $25.09 and $18.28, respectively.
Net Income Per Share
The Company calculates net income per share in accordance with US GAAP, which requires the Company to allocate income to its unvested participating securities as part of its earnings per share (“EPS”) calculations.
The Class B Common Stock may be converted at any time on a one-for-one basis into Common Stock at the option of the holder of the Class B Common Stock. Diluted earnings per share for the Company’s Common Stock assumes the conversion of all of the Company’s Class B Common Stock into Common Stock, full vesting of outstanding restricted stock, and the exercise of Share-Based Awards under the Company’s stock-based incentive plans.
The following table sets forth the computation of basic earnings per share using the two-class method for amounts attributable to the Company’s shares of Common Stock and Class B Common Stock (in thousands, except per share data):
Year ended		August 30,			August 31,			August 25,
		2014			2013			2012
Net income available to shareholders		$	119,925		$	116,685		$	94,989
Allocation of net income for Basic:
Common Stock		$	94,849		$	91,916		$	74,643
Class B Common Stock			23,705			22,913			18,630
Unvested participating shares			1,371			1,856			1,716
		$	119,925		$	116,685		$	94,989
Weighted average number of shares for Basic:
Common Stock			15,080			14,975			14,882
Class B Common Stock			4,711			4,666			4,643
Unvested participating shares			249			345			391
			20,040			19,986			19,916
Earnings per share for Basic:
Common Stock		$	6.29		$	6.14		$	5.02
Class B Common Stock		$	5.03		$	4.91		$	4.01
The Company calculates diluted EPS for Common Stock using the more dilutive of the following two methods:
	•		The treasury stock method; or
	•		The two-class method assuming a participating security is not exercised or converted.
For the years ended August 30, 2014, August 31, 2013 and August 25, 2012, the Company’s diluted EPS assumes the conversion of all vested Class B Common Stock into Common Stock and uses the two-class method for its unvested participating shares as follows (in thousands, except per share data):
		Year Ended August 30, 2014									Year Ended August 31, 2013							Year Ended August 25, 2012
		Earnings									Earnings							Earnings
		to Common			Common						to Common			Common				to Common			Common
		shareholders			Shares			EPS			shareholders			Shares		EPS		shareholders			Shares		EPS
As reported – Basic		$	94,849			15,080		$	6.29		$	91,916			14,975	$	6.14	$	74,643			14,882	$	5.02
Add: effect of dilutive potential common shares
Share-Based Awards			—			148						—			148				—			91
Class B Common Stock			23,705			4,711						22,913			4,666				18,630			4,643
Add: Undistributed earnings allocated to unvested participating shares			1,339			—						1,810			—				1,664			—
Less: Undistributed earnings reallocated to unvested participating shares			(1,267	)		—						(1,712	)		—				(1,579	)		—
Diluted EPS – Common Stock		$	118,626			19,939		$	5.95		$	114,927			19,789	$	5.81	$	93,358			19,616	$	4.76
Share-Based Awards that would result in the issuance of 185 shares of Common Stock were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share for the year ended August 30, 2014 because they were anti-dilutive. Share-Based Awards that would result in the issuance of 152 shares of Common Stock were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share for the year ended August 31, 2013 because they were anti-dilutive. There were no shares of common stock that were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share for the year ended August 25, 2012.
Foreign Currency Translation
The functional currency of our foreign operations is the local country’s currency. Transaction gains and losses, including gains and losses on our intercompany transactions, are included in other (income) expense in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Income. Assets and liabilities of operations outside the United States are translated into U.S. dollars using period-end exchange rates. Revenues and expenses are translated at the average exchange rates in effect during each month of the fiscal year. The effects of foreign currency translation adjustments are included in shareholders’ equity as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In February 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued updated accounting guidance that improves the reporting of reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income. The amendments in this updated guidance require an entity to report the effect of significant reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income on the respective line items in net income if the amount being reclassified is required under US GAAP to be reclassified in its entirety to net income. For other amounts that are not required under US GAAP to be reclassified in their entirety to net income in the same reporting period, an entity is required to cross-reference other disclosures required under US GAAP that provide additional detail about those amounts. This guidance was effective for annual reporting periods, and any interim periods within those annual periods, that begin after December 15, 2012 and was to be applied prospectively, with early adoption permitted. The Company adopted this guidance on September 1, 2013 and the adoption did not have a material impact on its financial statements.
In July 2013, the FASB issued updated accounting guidance on the presentation of unrecognized tax benefits. This update provides that an entity’s unrecognized tax benefits, or a portion of its unrecognized tax benefits, should be presented in its financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward, with one exception. That exception states that, to the extent a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward is not available at the reporting date under the tax law of the applicable jurisdiction to settle any additional income taxes that would result from the disallowance of a tax position, or the tax law of the applicable jurisdiction does not require the entity to use, and the entity does not intend to use, the deferred tax asset for such purpose, the unrecognized tax benefit should be presented in the financial statements as a liability and should not be combined with deferred tax assets. This guidance is effective for annual reporting periods, and any interim periods within those annual periods, that begin after December 15, 2013 and is to be applied prospectively, with early adoption permitted. The Company does not expect this guidance to have a material impact on its financial statements.
In May 2014, the FASB issued updated accounting guidance on revenue recognition. This update provides a comprehensive new revenue recognition model that requires revenue to be recognized in a manner to depict the transfer of goods or services to a customer at an amount that reflects the consideration expected to be received in exchange for those goods or services. This guidance is effective for annual reporting periods, and any interim periods within those annual periods, that begin after December 15, 2016 and allows for either full retrospective or modified retrospective application, with early adoption not permitted. Accordingly, the standard is effective for the Company on August 27, 2017. The Company is currently evaluating the adoption method it will apply and the impact that this guidance will have on its financial statements and related disclosures.
In August 2014, the FASB issued accounting guidance about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern. This update defines management’s responsibility to assess an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern, and to provide related footnote disclosures in certain circumstances. This guidance is effective for annual periods ending after December 15, 2016, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that this guidance will have on its financial statements and related disclosures.

Note_2_Acquisitions

Note 2 - Acquisitions	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 30, 2014
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'
Business Combination Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	2. Acquisitions
	During the fiscal year ended August 30, 2014, the Company completed seven acquisitions with an aggregate purchase price of approximately $3.6 million. The results of operations of these acquisitions have been included in the Company’s consolidated financial results since their respective acquisition dates. None of these acquisitions were significant in relation to the Company’s consolidated financial results and, therefore, pro forma financial information has not been presented.
	Aggregate information relating to the acquisition of businesses which were accounted for as purchases is as follows (in thousands, except number of businesses acquired):
	Year ended	August 30,		August 31,			August 25,
		2014		2013			2012
	Number of businesses acquired		7		7			—
	Tangible assets acquired	$	949	$	7,494		$	—
	Intangible assets and goodwill acquired		2,686		23,326			—
	Liabilities assumed		—		(106	)		—
	Acquisition of businesses	$	3,635	$	30,714		$	—
	Tangible assets acquired primarily relate to accounts receivable, inventory, prepaid expenses and property, plant and equipment. Liabilities assumed primarily relate to accounts payable and accrued liabilities.
	The amount assigned to intangible assets acquired was based on their respective fair values determined as of the acquisition date. The excess of the purchase price over the tangible and intangible assets was recorded as goodwill. In fiscal 2014 and 2013 all of the goodwill was allocated to the US and Canadian Rental and Cleaning segment and was deductible for tax purposes. Goodwill is not being amortized and is tested for impairment as required, at least annually.

Note_3_Fair_Value_Measurements

Note 3 - Fair Value Measurements	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 30, 2014
Disclosure Text Block [Abstract]	'
Fair Value, Measurement Inputs, Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	3. Fair Value Measurements
	US GAAP establishes a framework for measuring fair value and establishes disclosure requirements about fair value measurements. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. We considered non-performance risk when determining fair value of our derivative financial instruments.
	The fair value hierarchy prescribed under US GAAP contains three levels as follows:
	Level 1 –	Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
	Level 2 –	Observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1, such as quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.
	Level 3 –	Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities. This includes certain pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies and similar techniques that use significant unobservable inputs.
	All financial assets or liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis (at least annually) have been segregated into the most appropriate level within the fair value hierarchy based on the inputs used to determine the fair value at the measurement date.  The assets or liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized in the tables below (in thousands):
			As of August 30, 2014
			Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Fair Value
	Assets:
	Cash equivalents		$	47,552	$	—	$	—	$	47,552
	Pension plan assets			—		5,008		—		5,008
	Total		$	47,552	$	5,008	$	—	$	52,560
			As of August 31, 2013
			Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Fair Value
	Assets:
	Cash equivalents		$	33,325	$	—	$	—	$	33,325
	Pension plan assets			—		4,939		—		4,939
	Total		$	33,325	$	4,939	$	—	$	38,264
	The Company’s cash equivalents listed above represents money market securities and are classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy because they are valued using quoted market prices. The Company does not adjust the quoted market price for such financial instruments.
	The Company’s pension plan assets listed above represent guaranteed deposit accounts that are maintained and operated by Prudential Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company (“PRIAC”). All assets are merged with the general assets of PRIAC and are invested predominantly in privately placed securities and mortgages. At the beginning of each calendar year, PRIAC notifies the Company of the annual rates of interest which will be applied to the amounts held in the guaranteed deposit account during the next calendar year. In determining the interest rate to be applied, PRIAC considers the investment performance of the underlying assets of the prior year; however, regardless of the investment performance the Company is guaranteed a minimum rate of return. Refer to Note 6, “Employee Benefit Plans”, of these Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion regarding the Company’s pension plan assets listed in the above table.

Note_4_Income_Taxes

Note 4 - Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 30, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	4. Income Taxes
	The provision for income taxes consists of the following (in thousands):
	Year ended	August 30,			August 31,			August 25,
		2014			2013			2012
	Current:
	Federal	$	54,005		$	39,455		$	43,470
	Foreign		3,480			3,999			3,604
	State		9,216			6,722			8,066
	Total current	$	66,701		$	50,176		$	55,140
	Deferred:
	Federal	$	6,838		$	17,514		$	540
	Foreign		59			151			90
	State		1,828			3,083			(25	)
	Total deferred	$	8,725		$	20,748		$	605
	Total	$	75,426		$	70,924		$	55,745
	The following table reconciles the provision for income taxes using the statutory federal income tax rate to the actual provision for income taxes (in thousands):
		August 30,			August 31,			August 25,
		2014			2013			2012
	Income taxes at the statutory federal income tax rate		35	%		35	%		35	%
	State income taxes		3.8			3.5			3.5
	Adjustments to tax reserves		0.1			-0.1			-0.6
	Foreign tax rate differential		-0.5			-0.8			-1
	Permanent and other		0.2			0.2			0.1
	Total		38.6	%		37.8	%		37	%
	The tax effect of items giving rise to the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities is as follows (in thousands):
		August 30,			August 31,
		2014			2013
	Deferred Tax Assets
	Payroll and benefit related	$	16,216		$	16,524
	Insurance related		13,935			13,073
	Environmental		7,765			7,133
	Other		13,682			11,421
	Total deferred tax assets	$	51,598		$	48,151
	Deferred Tax Liabilities
	Tax in excess of book depreciation	$	37,152		$	42,512
	Purchased intangible assets		31,100			28,632
	Rental merchandise in service		52,745			38,722
	Total deferred tax liabilities		120,997			109,866
	Net deferred tax liability	$	69,399		$	61,715
	The Company has evaluated its deferred tax assets and believes that they will be fully recovered. As a result, the Company has not established a valuation allowance. The Company’s deferred liability related to rental merchandise in service increased from $38.7 million as of August 31, 2013 to $52.7 million as of August 30, 2014 as a result of a change in tax regulations which impacted the timing of certain allowable deductions.
	As of August 30, 2014 and August 31, 2013, there was $0.8 million and $0.7 million, respectively, in total unrecognized tax benefits, which if recognized, would favorably impact the Company’s effective tax rate. The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions as a component of income tax expense which is consistent with the recognition of these items in prior reporting periods. As of August 30, 2014, the Company had accrued a total of $0.1 million in interest and penalties, in its long-term accrued liabilities. For the year ended August 30, 2014, the Company recognized a nominal expense in its accompanying Consolidated Statement of Income related to interest and penalties. For the year ended August 31, 2013, the Company recognized a nominal benefit in its accompanying Consolidated Statement of Income related to interest and penalties. For the year ended August 25, 2012, the Company recognized a benefit in its accompanying Consolidated Statement of Income related to interest and penalties totaling $0.5 million.
	A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows (in thousands):
	Balance at August 25, 2012	$	1,051
	Additions based on tax positions related to the current year		350
	Statute expirations		(475	)
	Balance at August 31, 2013	$	926
	Additions based on tax positions related to the current year		430
	Statute expirations		(186	)
	Balance at August 30, 2014	$	1,170
	The Company has a significant portion of its operations in the United States and Canada.  It is required to file federal income tax returns as well as state income tax returns in a majority of the U.S. states and also in the Canadian provinces of Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, Saskatchewan, Quebec and New Brunswick.  At times, the Company is subject to audits in these jurisdictions, which typically are complex and can require several years to resolve. The final resolution of any such tax audits could result in either a reduction in the Company’s accruals or an increase in its income tax provision, both of which could have a material impact on the consolidated results of operations in any given period.
	U.S. and Canadian federal income tax statutes have lapsed for filings up to and including fiscal years 2010 and 2006, respectively, and the Company recently concluded an audit of U.S. federal income taxes for 2010 and 2011. With a few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to state and local income tax examinations for periods prior to fiscal 2009. The Company is not aware of any tax positions for which it is reasonably possible that the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits will change significantly in the next 12 months.

Note_5_Loans_Payable_and_Longt

Note 5 - Loans Payable and Long-term Debt	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 30, 2014
Disclosure Text Block [Abstract]	'
Long-term Debt [Text Block]	'
	5. Loans Payable and Long-term Debt
	Loans payable and long-term debt outstanding on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets are as follows (in thousands):
		August 30,		August 31,
		2014		2013
	Series D, floating rate notes due September 2013 bearing interest at LIBOR plus 50 basis points, which was 0.77% as of August 31, 2013.	$	—	$	100,000
	Other		7,859		11,408
	Long-term debt		7,859		111,408
	Less – loans payable and current maturities of long-term debt		7,704		111,253
		$	155	$	155
	Aggregate maturities of loan payable and long-term debt for the five fiscal years subsequent to August 30, 2014 and thereafter are as follows (in thousands):
	2015	$	7,704
	2016		—
	2017		—
	2018		—
	2019		—
	Thereafter		155
	Total	$	7,859
	On May 5, 2011, the Company entered into a $250.0 million unsecured revolving credit agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) with a syndicate of banks, which matures on May 4, 2016. Under the Credit Agreement, the Company is able to borrow funds at variable interest rates based on, at the Company’s election, the Eurodollar rate or a base rate, plus in each case a spread based on the Company’s consolidated funded debt ratio. Availability of credit requires compliance with certain financial and other covenants, including a maximum consolidated funded debt ratio and minimum consolidated interest coverage ratio as defined in the Credit Agreement. The Company tests its compliance with these financial covenants on a fiscal quarterly basis. At August 30, 2014, the interest rates applicable to the Company’s borrowings under the Credit Agreement would be calculated as LIBOR plus 75 basis points at the time of the respective borrowing. As of August 30, 2014, the Company had no outstanding borrowings, outstanding letters of credit amounting to $49.6 million and $200.4 million available for borrowing under the Credit Agreement.
	On September 14, 2006, the Company issued $100.0 million of floating rates notes (“Floating Rate Notes”) pursuant to a Note Purchase Agreement, which bore interest at LIBOR plus 50 basis points. On September 14, 2013, the Floating Rate Notes matured and were repaid in full from the Company’s cash reserves.
	As of August 30, 2014, the Company was in compliance with all covenants under the Credit Agreement.

Note_6_Employee_Benefit_Plans

Note 6 - Employee Benefit Plans	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 30, 2014
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	6. Employee Benefit Plans
	Defined Contribution Retirement Savings Plan
	The Company has a defined contribution retirement savings plan with a 401(k) feature for all eligible employees not under collective bargaining agreements. The Company matches a portion of the employee’s contribution and may make an additional contribution at its discretion. Contributions charged to expense under the plan for the years ended August 30, 2014, August 31, 2013 and August 25, 2012 were $16.4 million, $17.0 million and $11.5 million, respectively.
	Pension Plans and Supplemental Executive Retirement Plans
	The Company accounts for its pension plans and Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan on an accrual basis over employees’ estimated service periods.
	The Company (1) recognizes in its statement of financial position the over-funded or under-funded status of its defined benefit postretirement plans measured as the difference between the fair value of plan assets and the benefit obligation, (2) recognizes as a component of other comprehensive income, net of tax, the actuarial gains and losses and the prior service costs and credits that arise during the period but are not recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost, (3) measures defined benefit plan assets and defined benefit plan obligations as of the date of its statement of financial position, and (4) discloses additional information in the notes to financial statements about certain effects on net periodic benefit cost in the upcoming fiscal year that arise from delayed recognition of the actuarial gains and losses and the prior service costs and credits.
	The Company maintains an unfunded Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (“SERP”) for certain eligible employees of the Company. The benefits are based on the employee’s compensation upon retirement. The amount charged to expense related to this plan amounted to approximately $2.1 million, $1.9 million and $1.8 million for the fiscal years ended 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	The Company maintains a non-contributory defined benefit pension plan (“UniFirst Plan”) covering union employees at one of its locations. The benefits are based on years of service. The UniFirst Plan assets are invested in a Guaranteed Deposit Account (“GDA”) that is maintained and operated by Prudential Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company (“PRIAC”). All assets are merged with the general assets of PRIAC and are invested predominantly in privately placed securities and mortgages. At the beginning of each calendar year, PRIAC notifies the Company of the annual rates of interest which will be applied to the amounts held in the Guaranteed Deposit Account during the next calendar year. In determining the interest rate to be applied, PRIAC considers the investment performance of the underlying assets of the prior year; however, regardless of the investment performance the annual interest rate applied per the contract must be a minimum of 3.25%. The amount charged to expense related to this plan amounted to approximately $0.4 million, $0.4 million and $0.3 million for fiscal years ended 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	In connection with one of the Company’s acquisitions, the Company assumed liabilities related to a frozen pension plan covering many of the acquired Company’s former employees (“Textilease Plan”). The pension benefits are based on years of service and the employee’s compensation. The Textilease Plan assets are held in a separate GDA with PRIAC; however the minimum interest rate per the Textilease Plan contract is 1.5%. The amount charged to expense related to this plan amounted to approximately $0.2 million, $0.1 million and $0.1 million for fiscal years ended 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively
	The Company refers to its UniFirst Plan and Textilease Plan collectively as its “Pension Plans”.
	The components of net periodic benefit cost related to the Company’s Pension Plans and SERP for the years ended August 30, 2014, August 31, 2013 and August 25, 2012 were as follows (in thousands):
		Pension Plans									SERP
		2014			2013			2012			2014			2013			2012
	Service cost	$	172		$	178		$	152		$	615		$	547		$	512
	Interest cost		328			268			322			942			912			858
	Expected return on assets		(183	)		(198	)		(199	)		—			—			—
	Amortization of prior service cost		62			62			62			368			368			368
	Amortization of unrecognized loss		113			138			65			151			104			107
	Other events		72			44			43			—			—			—
	Net periodic benefit cost	$	564		$	492		$	445		$	2,076		$	1,931		$	1,845
	The calculation of pension expense and the corresponding liability requires the use of a number of critical assumptions, including the expected long-term rates of return on plan assets, the assumed discount rate, the assumed rate of compensation increases and life expectancy of participants. Changes in these assumptions can result in different expense and liability amounts, and future actual experience can differ from these assumptions. Pension expense increases as the expected rate of return on pension plan assets decreases. Future changes in plan asset returns, assumed discount rates and various other factors related to the participants in the Company’s pension plans will impact its future pension expense and liabilities. The Company cannot predict with certainty what these factors will be in the future.
	The Company’s obligations and funded status related to its Pension Plans and SERP as of August 30, 2014 and August 31, 2013 were as follows (in thousands):
		Pension Plans						SERP
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Change in benefit obligation:
	Projected benefit obligation, beginning of year	$	7,954		$	8,301		$	18,110		$	16,399
	Service cost		172			178			615			547
	Interest cost		328			268			942			912
	Actuarial (gain) loss		708			(379	)		2,272			827
	Benefits paid		(198	)		(259	)		(655	)		(575	)
	Settlements		(209	)		(155	)		—			—
	Projected benefit obligation, end of year	$	8,755		$	7,954		$	21,284		$	18,110
	Change in plan assets:
	Fair value of plan assets, beginning of year	$	4,939		$	5,114		$	—		$	—
	Actual return on plan assets		154			33			—			—
	Employer contributions		322			206			—			—
	Benefits paid		(198	)		(259	)		—			—
	Settlements		(209	)		(155	)		—			—
	Fair value of plan assets, end of year	$	5,008		$	4,939		$	—		$	—
	Funded status (net amount recognized):	$	(3,747	)	$	(3,015	)	$	(21,284	)	$	(18,110	)
	As of August 30, 2014 and August 31, 2013, the accumulated benefit obligations for the Company’s Pension Plans were $8.8 million and $8.0 million, respectively. As of August 30, 2014 and August 31, 2013, the accumulated benefit obligations for the Company’s SERP were $17.0 million and $14.4 million, respectively.
	The amounts recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheet for the Company’s Pension Plans and SERP as of August 30, 2014 and August 31, 2013 were as follows (in thousands):
		Pension Plans						SERP
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Deferred tax assets	$	1,097		$	913		$	2,193		$	1,665
	Accrued liabilities	$	3,747		$	3,015		$	21,284		$	18,110
	Accumulated other comprehensive loss	$	(1,753	)	$	(1,458	)	$	(3,503	)	$	(2,660	)
	As of August 30, 2014 and August 31, 2013, the amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income for the Company’s Pension Plans and SERP (in thousands):
		Pension Plans						SERP
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Net actuarial loss	$	(1,534	)	$	(1,201	)	$	(3,016	)	$	(1,947	)
	Unrecognized prior service cost		(219	)		(257	)		(487	)		(713	)
		$	(1,753	)	$	(1,458	)	$	(3,503	)	$	(2,660	)
	The weighted average assumptions used in calculating the Company’s projected benefit obligation as of August 30, 2014 and August 31, 2013, were as follows:
		Pension Plans						SERP
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Discount rate		3.6	%		4.3	%		3.8	%		4.6	%
	Rate of compensation increase	N/A			N/A				5	%		5	%
	The weighted average assumptions used in calculating the Company’s net periodic service cost for the years ended August 30, 2014, August 31, 2013 and August 25, 2012, were as follows:
		Pension Plans									SERP
		2014			2013			2012			2014			2013			2012
	Discount rate		4.3	%		3.3	%		4.6	%		4.6	%		3.6	%		4.9	%
	Expected return on plan assets		4	%		4	%		4	%	N/A			N/A			N/A
Rate of compensation increase	N/A			N/A			N/A				5	%		5	%		5	%
The following benefit payments, which reflect expected future service, that are expected to be paid for the five fiscal years subsequent to August 30, 2014 and thereafter are as follows (in thousands):
	Pension Plans			SERP
2015	$	510		$	761
2016		398			929
2017		383			936
2018		290			960
2019		639			1,015
Thereafter		6,535			16,683
	$	8,755		$	21,284

Note_7_Goodwill_and_Other_Inta

Note 7 - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 30, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	7. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
	As discussed in Note 2, Acquisitions, when the Company acquires a business the amount assigned to the tangible assets and liabilities and intangible assets acquired is based on their respective fair values determined as of the acquisition date. The excess of the purchase price over the tangible assets and liabilities and intangible assets is recorded as goodwill. The following details the changes in the Company’s intangible assets and goodwill related to the Company’s acquisitions as well as its asset purchases for the years ended August 30, 2014 and August 31, 2013 as well as the respective periods over which the assets will be amortized (in thousands, except weighted average life in years). These amounts include additional payments associated with prior year acquisitions as well as changes to acquisition purchase allocations that had not been finalized as of the end of the prior fiscal year:
	Year ended	August 30,			Weighted Average		August 31,		Weighted Average
		2014			Life in Years		2013		Life in Years
	Goodwill	$	1,404		N/A		$	14,448	N/A
	Customer contracts		1,141			12.9		8,146		15
	Other intangible assets		179			6.7		732		5
	Total intangible assets and goodwill acquired	$	2,724				$	23,326
	The Company does not amortize goodwill, but it is reviewed annually or more frequently if certain indicators arise, for impairment. There were no impairment losses related to goodwill or intangible assets during the years ended August 30, 2014, August 31, 2013 or August 25, 2012.
	The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill are as follows (in thousands):
	Balance as of August 25, 2012	$	288,137
	Goodwill recorded during the period		14,448
	Other		(222	)
	Balance as of August 31, 2013	$	302,363
	Goodwill recorded during the period		1,404
	Other		(119	)
	Balance as of August 30, 2014	$	303,648
	As of August 30, 2014, the Company has allocated $298.9 million, $4.1 million and $0.6 million of goodwill to its US and Canadian Rental and Cleaning, Specialty Garments and First Aid segments, respectively.
	Intangible assets, net in the Company’s accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets are as follows (in thousands):
		Gross Carrying			Accumulated		Net Carrying
		Amount			Amortization		Amount
	30-Aug-14
	Customer contracts	$	153,730		$	113,520	$	40,210
	Other intangible assets		28,670			27,403		1,267
		$	182,400		$	140,923	$	41,477
	31-Aug-13
	Customer contracts	$	152,672		$	105,275	$	47,397
	Other intangible assets		28,517			26,570		1,947
		$	181,189		$	131,845	$	49,344
	Estimated amortization expense for the five fiscal years subsequent to August 30, 2014 and thereafter, based on intangible assets, net as of August 30, 2014 is as follows (in thousands):
	2015	$	8,390
	2016		7,469
	2017		6,793
	2018		6,272
	2019		3,559
	Thereafter		8,994
		$	41,477

Note_8_Accrued_Liabilities

Note 8 - Accrued Liabilities	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 30, 2014
Accrued Liabilities [Abstract]	'
Accrued Liabilities [Text Block]	'
	8. Accrued Liabilities
	Accrued liabilities in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheet consists of the following (in thousands):
		August 30,		August 31,
		2014		2013
	Current liabilities:
	Payroll and benefit related	$	48,978	$	47,361
	Insurance related		37,683		36,095
	Environmental related		5,046		5,158
	Other		9,111		6,968
		$	100,818	$	95,582
	Long-term liabilities:
	Benefit related	$	23,760	$	19,719
	Environmental related		14,800		14,522
	Asset retirement obligations		11,675		10,796
		$	50,235	$	45,037
	Total accrued liabilities	$	151,053	$	140,619

Note_9_Asset_Retirement_Obliga

Note 9 - Asset Retirement Obligations	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 30, 2014
Asset Retirement Obligation Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Asset Retirement Obligation Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	9. Asset Retirement Obligations
	Asset retirement obligations generally applies to legal obligations associated with the retirement of long-lived assets that result from the acquisition, construction, development and/or the normal operation of a long-lived asset. Accordingly, the Company recognizes asset retirement obligations in the period in which they are incurred if a reasonable estimate of fair value can be made. The associated asset retirement costs are capitalized as part of the carrying amount of the long-lived asset. The Company continues to depreciate, on a straight-line basis, the amount added to property, plant and equipment and recognizes accretion expense in connection with the discounted liability over the various remaining lives which range from approximately seven to thirty years.
	The Company recognized as a liability the present value of the estimated future costs to decommission its nuclear laundry facilities. The estimated liability is based on historical experience in decommissioning nuclear laundry facilities, estimated useful lives of the underlying assets, external vendor estimates as to the cost to decommission these assets in the future, and federal and state regulatory requirements. The estimated current costs have been adjusted for the estimated impact of inflation at 3% per year. The liability has been discounted using credit-adjusted risk-free rates that range from approximately 7.0% to 7.5% over seven to thirty years. Revisions to the liability could occur due to changes in the Company’s estimated useful lives of the underlying assets, estimated dates of decommissioning, changes in decommissioning costs, changes in federal or state regulatory guidance on the decommissioning of such facilities, or other changes in estimates. Changes due to revised estimates will be recognized by adjusting the carrying amount of the liability and the related long-lived asset if the assets are still in service, or charged to expense in the period if the assets are no longer in service.
	A reconciliation of the Company’s asset retirement liabilities is as follows (in thousands):
		August 30,			August 31,
		2014			2013
	Beginning balance	$	10,796		$	10,120
	Accretion expense		941			676
	Effect of exchange rate changes		(62	)		—
	Ending balance	$	11,675		$	10,796
	Asset retirement obligations are included in long-term accrued liabilities in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Note_10_Commitments_and_Contin

Note 10 - Commitments and Contingencies	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 30, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	10. Commitments and Contingencies
	Lease Commitments
	The Company leases certain buildings and equipment from independent parties. Total rent expense on all leases was $9.9 million, $8.7 million and $7.7 million for the fiscal years ended 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Annual minimum lease commitments for the five years subsequent to August 30, 2014 and thereafter are as follows (in thousands):
	2015		$	7,720
	2016			6,151
	2017			4,498
	2018			2,897
	2019			1,689
	Thereafter			1,722
			$	24,677
	Environmental and Legal Contingencies
	The Company and its operations are subject to various federal, state and local laws and regulations governing, among other things, air emissions, wastewater discharges, and the generation, handling, storage, transportation, treatment and disposal of hazardous waste and other substances. In particular, industrial laundries use and must dispose of detergent waste water and other residues, and, in the past used perchloroethylene and other dry cleaning solvents. The Company is attentive to the environmental concerns surrounding the disposal of these materials and has, through the years, taken measures to avoid their improper disposal. In the past, the Company has settled, or contributed to the settlement of, actions or claims brought against the Company relating to the disposal of hazardous materials and there can be no assurance that the Company will not have to expend material amounts to remediate the consequences of any such disposal in the future.
	US GAAP requires that a liability for contingencies be recorded when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the liability can be reasonably estimated. Significant judgment is required to determine the existence of a liability, as well as the amount to be recorded. The Company regularly consults with attorneys and outside consultants in its consideration of the relevant facts and circumstances before recording a contingent liability. Changes in enacted laws, regulatory orders or decrees, management’s estimates of costs, insurance proceeds, participation by other parties, the timing of payments, the input of the Company’s attorneys and outside consultants or other factual circumstances could have a material impact on the amounts recorded for environmental and other contingent liabilities.
	Under environmental laws, an owner or lessee of real estate may be liable for the costs of removal or remediation of certain hazardous or toxic substances located on, or in, or emanating from, such property, as well as related costs of investigation and property damage. Such laws often impose liability without regard to whether the owner or lessee knew of, or was responsible for the presence of such hazardous or toxic substances. There can be no assurances that acquired or leased locations have been operated in compliance with environmental laws and regulations or that future uses or conditions will not result in the imposition of liability upon the Company under such laws or expose the Company to third-party actions such as tort suits. The Company continues to address environmental conditions under terms of consent orders or otherwise negotiated with the applicable environmental authorities with respect to sites located in or related to Woburn, Massachusetts, Somerville, Massachusetts, Springfield, Massachusetts, Uvalde, Texas, Stockton, California, three sites related to former operations in Williamstown, Vermont, as well as sites located in Goldsboro, North Carolina, Wilmington, North Carolina and Landover, Maryland.
	The Company has accrued certain costs related to the sites described above as it has been determined that the costs are probable and can be reasonably estimated. The Company has potential exposure related to a parcel of land (the "Central Area") related to the Woburn, Massachusetts site discussed above. Currently, the consent decree for the Woburn site does not define or require any remediation work in the Central Area. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (the "EPA") has provided the Company and other signatories to the consent decree with comments on the design and implementation of groundwater and soil remedies at the Woburn site and investigation of environmental conditions in the Central Area. The Company, and other signatories, have implemented and proposed to do additional work at the Woburn site but many of the EPA’s comments remain to be resolved. The Company has accrued costs to perform certain work responsive to EPA's comments. The Company is also in discussions with EPA concerning its invoices for oversight costs with respect to the Woburn site and the Central Area. The Company has implemented mitigation measures and continues to monitor environmental conditions at the Somerville, Massachusetts site. The Company also expects to incur monitoring and mitigation costs associated with the planned construction of a transit station in the area of the Somerville site.
	The Company routinely reviews and evaluates sites that may require remediation and monitoring and determines its estimated costs based on various estimates and assumptions. These estimates are developed using its internal sources or by third party environmental engineers or other service providers. Internally developed estimates are based on:
		•		Management’s judgment and experience in remediating and monitoring the Company’s sites;
		•		Information available from regulatory agencies as to costs of remediation and monitoring;
		•		The number, financial resources and relative degree of responsibility of other potentially responsible parties (“PRPs”) who may be liable for remediation and monitoring of a specific site; and
		•		The typical allocation of costs among PRPs.
	There is usually a range of reasonable estimates of the costs associated with each site. In accordance with US GAAP, the Company’s accruals reflect the amount within the range that it believes is the best estimate or the low end of a range of estimates if no point within the range is a better estimate. Where it believes that both the amount of a particular liability and the timing of the payments are reliably determinable, the Company adjusts the cost in current dollars using a rate of 3% for inflation until the time of expected payment and discounts the cost to present value using current risk-free interest rates. As of August 30, 2014, the risk-free interest rates utilized by the Company ranged from 2.4% to 3.1%.
	For environmental liabilities that have been discounted, the Company includes interest accretion, based on the effective interest method, in selling and administrative expenses on the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Income. The changes to the Company’s environmental liabilities for the years ended August 30, 2014 and August 31, 2013 are as follows (in thousands):
	Year ended		August 30,			August 31,
			2014			2013
	Beginning balance		$	19,680		$	20,020
	Costs incurred for which reserves have been provided			(2,913	)		(1,862	)
	Insurance proceeds			687			282
	Interest accretion			716			542
	Changes in discount rates			1,080			(1,585	)
	Revisions in estimates			596			2,283
	Ending balance		$	19,846		$	19,680
	Anticipated payments and insurance proceeds of currently identified environmental remediation liabilities as of August 30, 2014, for the next five fiscal years and thereafter, as measured in current dollars, are reflected below.
	(In thousands)		2015			2016			2017			2018			2019			Thereafter			Total
	Estimated costs – current dollars		$	5,219		$	1,915		$	1,663		$	745		$	863		$	12,407		$	22,812
	Estimated insurance proceeds			(173	)		(159	)		(173	)		(159	)		(173	)		(1,430	)		(2,267	)
	Net anticipated costs		$	5,046		$	1,756		$	1,490		$	586		$	690		$	10,977		$	20,545
	Effect of inflation																					7,075
	Effect of discounting																					(7,774	)
	Balance as of August 30, 2014																				$	19,846
	Estimated insurance proceeds are primarily received from an annuity received as part of a legal settlement with an insurance company. Annual proceeds of approximately $0.3 million are deposited into an escrow account which funds remediation and monitoring costs for three sites related to former operations in Williamstown, Vermont. Annual proceeds received but not expended in the current year accumulate in this account and may be used in future years for costs related to this site through the year 2027. As of August 30, 2014, the balance in this escrow account, which is held in a trust and is not recorded in the Company’s accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheet, was approximately $2.9 million. Also included in estimated insurance proceeds are amounts the Company is entitled to receive pursuant to legal settlements as reimbursements from three insurance companies for estimated costs at the site in Uvalde, Texas.
	The Company’s nuclear garment decontamination facilities are licensed by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (“NRC”), or, in certain cases, by the applicable state agency, and are subject to regulation by federal, state and local authorities. There can be no assurance that such regulation will not lead to material disruptions in the Company’s garment decontamination business.
	From time to time, the Company is also subject to legal proceedings and claims arising from the conduct of its business operations, including litigation related to charges for certain ancillary services on invoices, personal injury claims, customer contract matters, employment claims and environmental matters as described above.
	While it is impossible to ascertain the ultimate legal and financial liability with respect to contingent liabilities, including lawsuits and environmental contingencies, the Company believes that the aggregate amount of such liabilities, if any, in excess of amounts covered by insurance have been properly accrued in accordance with US GAAP. It is possible, however, that the future financial position or results of operations for any particular period could be materially affected by changes in the Company’s assumptions or strategies related to these contingencies or changes out of the Company’s control.
	As previously disclosed, the Company is a defendant in hundreds of lawsuits relating to New England Compounding Center’s (“NECC”) highly-publicized compounding and sale of tainted methylprednisolone acetate, which reportedly resulted in a widespread outbreak of fungal meningitis and other infections. It has been reported that over 60 people died and another approximately 700 people were allegedly seriously injured as a result of this outbreak. These suits against the Company relate to the limited, once-a-month cleaning services the Company provided to portions of NECC’s cleanroom facilities.
	In February 2013, suits against NECC were transferred to a multi-district litigation (“MDL”) proceeding in federal court in Boston, Massachusetts. The MDL court appointed the Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee (“PSC”) for the NECC litigation.
	On November 5, 2013, a Master Complaint was filed in the NECC MDL proceeding naming the Company as one of numerous defendants in the matter. Individual plaintiffs were able to piggy-back on the Master Complaint by filing a Short Form Complaint to initiate legal actions against one or more of the defendants named in the Master Complaint. As of October 17, 2014, the Company has either received demand letters from or been named as a defendant in suits relating to approximately 650 patients who allegedly received the tainted drug from NECC. The Company has notified its insurers of these claims and they have issued reservation of rights letters with respect to coverage of these claims. The Company is in continuing discussions with its insurers concerning coverage matters. In early October 2014, the Company, together with its insurers, engaged in a mediation with the PSC in an attempt to settle these suits. The parties were unable to reach a settlement in this mediation. Although settlement discussions may resume in the future, no assurances can be given that any settlement will be reached in this matter. At the present time, the Company believes that if it is able to reach a satisfactory settlement in this matter, its insurance coverage with respect to these claims should be sufficient. However, if the Company does not reach a satisfactory settlement and is found to be liable with respect to claims brought against it relating to NECC that are not covered by the Company’s insurance or exceed such insurance coverage, the Company may incur liabilities that are material to its financial condition and operating results. While the Company is unable to ascertain the ultimate outcome of this matter, based on the information currently available, the Company believes that a loss with respect to this matter is neither probable nor remote. Given the uncertainty regarding the possibility of any settlement occurring, and the uncertainty associated with any other resolution of these suits, the Company is unable to reasonably assess an estimate or range of estimates of any potential losses.
	Other Contingent Liabilities
	As security for certain agreements with the NRC and various state agencies related to the nuclear operations (see above) and certain insurance programs, the Company had standby irrevocable bank commercial letters of credit of $49.6 million and $47.1 million outstanding as of August 30, 2014 and August 31, 2013, respectively.

Note_11_Sharebased_Compensatio

Note 11 - Share-based Compensation	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 30, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block]	'
	11. Share-based Compensation
	In fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012, a total of 583, 1,590 and 3,153 shares of unrestricted stock, respectively, were granted to some of the Company’s non-employee directors. Accordingly, compensation expense related to the 2014, 2013 and 2012 unrestricted stock was recognized on the date of grant.
	In fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012, the Company granted a total of 4,700, 6,570 and 8,620 stock appreciation rights, respectively, under the 2010 Plan to the Company’s non-employee directors. Such stock appreciation rights were fully vested upon grant, expire on the earlier of the eighth anniversary of the grant date or the second anniversary of the date that the director ceases to be a member of the Board of Directors and must be settled in stock at the time of exercise. Accordingly, compensation expense related to the stock appreciation rights were recognized on the date of grant.
	On April 5, 2010, the Company entered into a Restricted Stock Award Agreement (the “Performance Criteria Restricted Stock Award Agreement”) with its Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) pursuant to which the Company granted 350,000 shares (the “Performance Restricted Shares”) of restricted common stock to the CEO. The Performance Restricted Shares were earned when the Company achieved certain consolidated revenues and adjusted operating margins as set forth in the Performance Criteria Restricted Stock Award Agreement during certain performance periods in fiscal 2010, fiscal 2011 and fiscal 2012 as set forth in such agreement (collectively, the “Performance Criteria”). The Performance Restricted Shares earned upon achievement of the Performance Criteria will vest in four equal amounts on the third, fourth, fifth and sixth anniversaries of the grant date provided that the CEO continues to be employed by the Company on each such date. As the Company believed that it was probable that the Performance Criteria would be met, compensation expense began being recognized as of the grant date of these shares. As required by accounting rules, the Company is recognizing compensation expense for each vesting tranche of the Performance Restricted Shares ratably from the service inception date to the vesting date for each tranche. In the event Mr. Croatti’s employment with the Company is terminated by the Company without cause or by reason of his death or disability, the Performance Restricted Shares that have not yet vested will automatically vest in full.
	Also on April 5, 2010, the Company entered into a Restricted Stock Award Agreement (the “Restricted Stock Award Agreement”) with the CEO pursuant to which the Company granted 50,000 shares (the “Restricted Shares”) of restricted common stock to the CEO. The Restricted Shares vest in equal amounts on each of the first six anniversaries of the grant date provided that the CEO continues to be employed by the Company on each such date. Compensation expense related to the Restricted Shares is being recognized ratably over the vesting period. In the event Mr. Croatti’s employment with the Company is terminated by the Company without cause or by reason of his death or disability, the Restricted Shares that have not yet vested will automatically vest in full.
	For the Performance Criteria Restricted Stock Award Agreement and the Restricted Stock Award Agreement, the fair value of the restricted shares was the closing price on April 5, 2010, which was $51.39.
	Compensation expense for all share-based compensation, which includes Share-Based Awards and restricted stock grants, for the five fiscal years subsequent to August 30, 2014, is expected to be as follows (in thousands):
		Share-Based Awards			Restricted Stock		Total
	2015	$	1,859		$	1,697	$	3,556
	2016		1,513			680		2,193
	2017		1,227			—		1,227
	2018		821			—		821
	2019		133			—		133
	Total	$	5,553		$	2,377	$	7,930
	As of August 30, 2014, the total compensation cost not yet recognized related to non-vested share-based compensation grants was approximately $7.9 million. The weighted average periods over which compensation cost for Share-Based Awards and restricted stock will be recognized are 2.3 years and 1.1 years, respectively.
	The following table summarizes the Share-Based Award activity for the fiscal year ended August 30, 2014:
		Number of			Weighted
		Shares			Average
					Exercise Price
	Outstanding, August 31, 2013		584,540		$	48.47
	Granted		129,200			103.16
	Exercised		(89,638	)		34.26
	Forfeited		(5,500	)		58.53
	Outstanding, August 30, 2014		618,602		$	61.86
	Exercisable, August 30, 2014		85,902		$	47.36

Note_12_Shareholders_Equity

Note 12 - Shareholders' Equity	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 30, 2014
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]	'
Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	12. Shareholders’ Equity
	The Company has two classes of common stock: Common Stock and Class B Common Stock. Each share of Common Stock is entitled to one vote, is freely transferable, and is entitled to a cash dividend equal to 125% of any cash dividend paid on each share of Class B Common Stock. Each share of Class B Common Stock is entitled to ten votes and can be converted to Common Stock on a share-for-share basis. However, until converted to Common Stock, shares of Class B Common Stock are not freely transferable. For the year ended August 30, 2014, a total of 12,758 shares of Class B Common Stock were converted to Common Stock.

Note_13_Accumulated_Other_Comp

Note 13 - Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 30, 2014
Disclosure Text Block [Abstract]	'
Comprehensive Income (Loss) Note [Text Block]	'
	13. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
	The changes in each component of accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax, are as follows (in thousands):
		Foreign			Pension- related			Total
		Currency Translation						Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
	Balance, August 25, 2012	$	11,644		$	(4,373	)	$	7,271
	Change during the year		(6,081	)		255			(5,826	)
	Balance, August 31, 2013		5,563			(4,118	)		1,445
	Change during the year		(2,852	)		(1,126	)		(3,978	)
	Balance, August 30, 2014	$	2,711		$	(5,244	)	$	(2,533	)

Note_14_Segment_Reporting

Note 14 - Segment Reporting	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	14. Segment Reporting
	Operating segments are identified as components of an enterprise for which separate discrete financial information is available for evaluation by the chief operating decision-maker, or decision-making group, in making decisions on how to allocate resources and assess performance. The Company’s chief operating decision maker is the Company’s chief executive officer. The Company has six operating segments based on the information reviewed by its chief executive officer: US Rental and Cleaning, Canadian Rental and Cleaning, Manufacturing (“MFG”), Corporate, Specialty Garments Rental and Cleaning (“Specialty Garments”) and First Aid. The US Rental and Cleaning and Canadian Rental and Cleaning operating segments have been combined to form the US and Canadian Rental and Cleaning reporting segment, and as a result, the Company has five reporting segments.
	The US and Canadian Rental and Cleaning reporting segment purchases, rents, cleans, delivers and sells, uniforms and protective clothing and non-garment items in the United States and Canada. The laundry locations of the US and Canadian Rental and Cleaning reporting segment are referred to by the Company as “industrial laundries” or “industrial laundry locations.”
	The MFG operating segment designs and manufactures uniforms and non-garment items primarily for the purpose of providing these goods to the US and Canadian Rental and Cleaning reporting segment. MFG revenues are generated when goods are shipped from the Company’s manufacturing facilities, or its subcontract manufacturers, to other Company locations. These revenues are recorded at a transfer price which is typically in excess of the actual manufacturing cost. Manufactured products are carried in inventory until placed in service at which time they are amortized at this transfer price. On a consolidated basis, intercompany revenues and income are eliminated and the carrying value of inventories and rental merchandise in service is reduced to the manufacturing cost. Income before income taxes from MFG net of the intercompany MFG elimination offsets the merchandise amortization costs incurred by the US and Canadian Rental and Cleaning reporting segment as the merchandise costs of this reporting segment are amortized and recognized based on inventories purchased from MFG at the transfer price which is above the Company’s manufacturing cost.
	The Corporate operating segment consists of costs associated with the Company’s distribution center, sales and marketing, information systems, engineering, materials management, manufacturing planning, finance, budgeting, human resources, other general and administrative costs and interest expense. The revenues generated from the Corporate operating segment represent certain direct sales made by the Company directly from its distribution center. The products sold by this operating segment are the same products rented and sold by the US and Canadian Rental and Cleaning reporting segment. In the table below, no assets or capital expenditures are presented for the Corporate operating segment because no assets are allocated to this operating segment in the information reviewed by the chief executive officer. However, depreciation and amortization expense related to certain assets are reflected in income from operations and income before income taxes for the Corporate operating segment. The assets that give rise to this depreciation and amortization are included in the total assets of the US and Canadian Rental and Cleaning reporting segment as this is how they are tracked and reviewed by the Company. The majority of expenses accounted for within the Corporate segment relate to costs of the US and Canadian Rental and Cleaning segment, with the remainder of the costs relating to the Specialty Garment and First Aid segments.
	The Specialty Garments operating segment purchases, rents, cleans, delivers and sells, specialty garments and non-garment items primarily for nuclear and cleanroom applications and provides cleanroom cleaning services at limited customer locations. The First Aid operating segment sells first aid cabinet services and other safety supplies as well as maintains wholesale distribution and pill packaging operations.
	The Company refers to the US and Canadian Rental and Cleaning, MFG, and Corporate reporting segments combined as its “Core Laundry Operations,” which is included as a subtotal in the following tables (in thousands):
	As of and for the year ended		US and			MFG		Net Interco			Corporate			Subtotal			Specialty		First Aid		Total
	30-Aug-14		Canadian					MFG Elim						Core Laundry			Garments
			Rental and											Operations
			Cleaning
	Revenues		$	1,244,408		$	183,340	$	(183,340	)	$	15,077		$	1,259,485		$	91,484	$	43,928	$	1,394,897
	Income (loss) from operations		$	209,497		$	63,675	$	(3,777	)	$	(87,145	)	$	182,250		$	7,178	$	3,847	$	193,275
	Interest (income) expense, net		$	(3,077	)	$	—	$	—		$	718		$	(2,359	)	$	—	$	—	$	(2,359	)
	Income (loss) before taxes		$	212,551		$	63,540	$	(3,777	)	$	(87,897	)	$	184,417		$	7,087	$	3,847	$	195,351
	Depreciation and amortization		$	49,116		$	1,306	$	—		$	15,751		$	66,173		$	4,646	$	933	$	71,752
	Capital expenditures		$	86,430		$	2,264	$	—		$	—		$	88,694		$	1,847	$	1,267	$	91,808
	Total assets		$	1,286,984		$	38,066	$	—		$	—		$	1,325,050		$	77,037	$	22,074	$	1,424,161
	As of and for the year ended		US and			MFG		Net Interco			Corporate			Subtotal			Specialty		First Aid		Total
	31-Aug-13		Canadian					MFG Elim						Core Laundry			Garments
			Rental and											Operations
			Cleaning
	Revenues		$	1,200,286		$	170,867	$	(170,867	)	$	14,079		$	1,214,365		$	96,688	$	44,462	$	1,355,515
	Income (loss) from operations		$	200,852		$	61,896	$	(9,729	)	$	(82,357	)	$	170,662		$	10,539	$	5,002	$	186,203
	Interest (income) expense, net		$	(2,944	)	$	—	$	—		$	1,394		$	(1,550	)	$	—	$	—	$	(1,550	)
	Income (loss) before taxes		$	203,798		$	61,749	$	(9,729	)	$	(83,783	)	$	172,035		$	10,572	$	5,002	$	187,609
	Depreciation and amortization		$	46,793		$	1,033	$	—		$	15,296		$	63,122		$	5,114	$	1,371	$	69,607
	Capital expenditures		$	97,519		$	3,559	$	—		$	—		$	101,078		$	1,962	$	486	$	103,526
	Total assets		$	1,241,924		$	31,781	$	—		$	—		$	1,273,705		$	79,640	$	21,517	$	1,374,862
	As of and for the year ended		US and			MFG		Net Interco			Corporate			Subtotal			Specialty		First Aid		Total
	25-Aug-12		Canadian					MFG Elim						Core Laundry			Garments
			Rental and											Operations
			Cleaning
	Revenues		$	1,099,421		$	160,421	$	(160,421	)	$	12,902		$	1,112,323		$	102,758	$	41,208	$	1,256,289
	Income (loss) from operations		$	164,793		$	50,036	$	(5,168	)	$	(76,376	)	$	133,285		$	13,460	$	4,363	$	151,108
	Interest (income) expense, net		$	(2,535	)	$	—	$	—		$	1,929		$	(606	)	$	—	$	—	$	(606	)
	Income (loss) before taxes		$	167,284		$	50,101	$	(5,168	)	$	(78,345	)	$	133,872		$	12,499	$	4,363	$	150,734
	Depreciation and amortization		$	43,501		$	1,133	$	—		$	15,599		$	60,233		$	4,788	$	1,418	$	66,439
	Capital expenditures		$	66,526		$	1,306	$	—		$	—		$	67,832		$	6,044	$	673	$	74,549
	Total assets		$	1,108,362		$	28,099	$	—		$	—		$	1,136,461		$	83,137	$	20,936	$	1,240,534
	The Company’s long-lived assets as of August 30, 2014 and August 31, 2013 and revenues and income before income taxes for the years ended August 30, 2014, August 31, 2013 and August 25, 2012 were attributed to the following countries (in thousands):
	Long-lived assets as of:		30-Aug-14			31-Aug-13
	United States		$	781,478		$	769,121
	Europe, Canada, Mexico and Nicaragua (1)			53,393			44,347
	Total		$	834,871		$	813,468
	Revenues for the year ended:		30-Aug-14			31-Aug-13		25-Aug-12
	United States		$	1,258,609		$	1,223,534	$	1,144,753
	Europe and Canada (1)			136,288			131,981		111,536
	Total		$	1,394,897		$	1,355,515	$	1,256,289
	Income before income taxes for the year ended:		30-Aug-14			31-Aug-13		25-Aug-12
	United States		$	182,354		$	171,899	$	134,651
	Europe, Canada, Mexico and Nicaragua (1)			12,997			15,710		16,083
	Total		$	195,351		$	187,609	$	150,734
		-1	No country accounts for greater than 10% of total long-lived assets, revenues or income before income taxes

Quarterly_Financial_Data_Unaud

Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 30, 2014
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Quarterly Financial Information [Text Block]	'
	Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)
	The following is a summary of the results of operations for each of the quarters within the years ended August 30, 2014 and August 31, 2013. This quarterly financial information was prepared by the Company without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission; however, the Company believes that the information furnished reflects all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) which were, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair statement of results in the interim periods. This summary should be read in conjunction with these Consolidated Financial Statements and notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
	(In thousands, except per share data)	First		Second		Third		Fourth
	For the year ended August 30, 2014	Quarter		Quarter		Quarter		Quarter
	Revenues	$	346,704	$	343,967	$	352,238	$	351,988
	Income before income taxes		56,356		41,224		50,114		47,657
	Provision for income taxes		21,894		15,577		19,170		18,785
	Net income	$	34,462	$	25,647	$	30,944	$	28,872
	Income per share – basic
	Common Stock	$	1.81	$	1.34	$	1.62	$	1.51
	Class B Common Stock	$	1.45	$	1.08	$	1.3	$	1.21
	Income per share – diluted
	Common Stock	$	1.71	$	1.27	$	1.53	$	1.43
	Income allocated to – basic
	Common Stock	$	27,208	$	20,267	$	24,493	$	22,876
	Class B Common Stock	$	6,798	$	5,041	$	6,127	$	5,742
	Income allocated to – diluted
	Common Stock	$	34,031	$	25,326	$	30,637	$	28,631
	Weighted average number of shares outstanding – basic
	Common Stock		15,029		15,077		15,102		15,113
	Class B Common Stock		4,693		4,687		4,722		4,741
	Weighted average number of shares outstanding – diluted
	Common Stock		19,891		19,924		19,977		20,007
	(In thousands, except per share data)	First		Second		Third		Fourth
	For the year ended August 31, 2013	Quarter		Quarter		Quarter		Quarter
	Revenues	$	332,569	$	334,306	$	335,764	$	352,876
	Income before income taxes		50,426		43,215		45,831		48,137
	Provision for income taxes		19,666		16,573		17,109		17,576
	Net income	$	30,760	$	26,642	$	28,722	$	30,561
	Income per share – basic
	Common Stock	$	1.62	$	1.4	$	1.51	$	1.61
	Class B Common Stock	$	1.3	$	1.12	$	1.21	$	1.29
	Income per share – diluted
	Common Stock	$	1.54	$	1.33	$	1.43	$	1.52
	Income allocated to – basic
	Common Stock	$	24,191	$	20,963	$	22,638	$	24,123
	Class B Common Stock	$	6,025	$	5,209	$	5,647	$	6,033
	Income allocated to – diluted
	Common Stock	$	30,244	$	26,196	$	28,307	$	30,178
	Weighted average number of shares outstanding – basic
	Common Stock		14,925		14,962		14,993		15,017
	Class B Common Stock		4,647		4,647		4,675		4,694
	Weighted average number of shares outstanding – diluted
	Common Stock		19,693		19,747		19,820		19,882

Schedule_II_Valuation_and_Qual

Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts and Reserves	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 30, 2014
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	SCHEDULE II VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS AND RESERVES
	FOR EACH OF THE THREE YEARS IN THE PERIOD ENDED
	AUGUST 30, 2014 (IN THOUSANDS)
	Description	Balance,		Charged to		Charges for			Balance,
		Beginning of		Costs and		Which Reserves			End of
		Period		Expenses		Were Created			Period
						or Deductions
	Reserves for Accounts Receivable
	For the year ended August 30, 2014	$	4,894	$	4,378	$	(4,158	)	$	5,114
	For the year ended August 31, 2013	$	5,152	$	3,939	$	(4,197	)	$	4,894
	For the year ended August 25, 2012	$	4,201	$	6,221	$	(5,270	)	$	5,152
	Reserve for Obsolete Inventory
	For the year ended August 30, 2014	$	2,018	$	535	$	(640	)	$	1,913
	For the year ended August 31, 2013	$	2,322	$	251	$	(555	)	$	2,018
	For the year ended August 25, 2012	$	1,410	$	1,465	$	(553	)	$	2,322

Accounting_Policies_by_Policy_

Accounting Policies, by Policy (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 30, 2014
Accounting Policies, by Policy (Policies) [Line Items]	'
Basis of Accounting, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Business Description
	UniFirst Corporation (the “Company”) is one of the largest providers of workplace uniforms and protective clothing in the United States. The Company designs, manufactures, personalizes, rents, cleans, delivers, and sells a wide range of uniforms and protective clothing, including shirts, pants, jackets, coveralls, lab coats, smocks, aprons and specialized protective wear, such as flame resistant and high visibility garments. The Company also rents and sells industrial wiping products, floor mats, facility service products and other non-garment items, and provides restroom and cleaning supplies and first aid cabinet services and other safety supplies, to a variety of manufacturers, retailers and service companies.
	The Company serves businesses of all sizes in numerous industry categories. Typical customers include automobile service centers and dealers, delivery services, food and general merchandise retailers, food processors and service operations, light manufacturers, maintenance facilities, restaurants, service companies, soft and durable goods wholesalers, transportation companies, and others who require employee clothing for image, identification, protection or utility purposes. The Company also provides its customers with restroom and cleaning supplies, including air fresheners, paper products and hand soaps.
	At certain specialized facilities, the Company decontaminates and cleans work clothes and other items that may have been exposed to radioactive materials and services special cleanroom protective wear. Typical customers for these specialized services include government agencies, research and development laboratories, high technology companies and utility providers operating nuclear reactors.
	As discussed and described in Note 14, “Segment Reporting”, to these Consolidated Financial Statements, the Company has five reporting segments: US and Canadian Rental and Cleaning, Manufacturing (“MFG”), Specialty Garments Rental and Cleaning (“Specialty Garments”), First Aid and Corporate. The operations of the US and Canadian Rental and Cleaning reporting segment are referred to by the Company as its “industrial laundry operations” and the locations related to this reporting segment are referred to as “industrial laundries”. The Company refers to its US and Canadian Rental and Cleaning, MFG, and Corporate segments combined as its “Core Laundry Operations”.
Consolidation, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Principles of Consolidation
	The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries, all of which are wholly-owned. Intercompany balances and transactions are eliminated in consolidation.
Reclassification, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Reclassifications
	The Company has recorded certain immaterial classification adjustments to its August 31, 2013 balance sheet as well as its August 31, 2013 and August 25, 2012 statement of cash flows. These classification adjustments did not impact current or historical net income, shareholders' equity or net cash provided by operating activities.
Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of these Consolidated Financial Statements is in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“US GAAP”) which requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts in the financial statements and accompanying notes. These estimates are based on historical information, current trends, and information available from other sources. Actual results could differ from these estimates.
Fiscal Period, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Fiscal Year
	The Company’s fiscal year ends on the last Saturday in August. For financial reporting purposes, fiscal 2014 consisted of 52 weeks, fiscal 2013 consisted of 53 weeks and fiscal 2012 consisted of 52 weeks. The additional week was included in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013.
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Cash and Cash Equivalents
	Cash and cash equivalents include cash in banks and bank short-term investments with maturities of less than ninety days.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Financial Instruments
	The Company’s financial instruments, which may expose the Company to concentrations of credit risk, include cash and cash equivalents, receivables, accounts payable, loans payable and long-term debt. Each of these financial instruments is recorded at cost, which approximates its fair value given the short maturity of each financial instrument.
Revenue Recognition, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Revenue Recognition and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
	The Company recognizes revenue from rental operations in the period in which the services are provided. Direct sales revenue is recognized in the period in which the services are performed or when the product is shipped. Management judgments and estimates are used in determining the collectability of accounts receivable and evaluating the adequacy of the allowance for doubtful accounts. The Company considers specific accounts receivable and historical bad debt experience, customer credit worthiness, current economic trends and the age of outstanding balances as part of its evaluation. Changes in estimates are reflected in the period they become known. If the financial condition of the Company’s customers were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, additional allowances may be required. Material changes in its estimates may result in significant differences in the amount and timing of bad debt expense recognition for any given period. Revenues do not include taxes we collect from our customers and remit to governmental authorities.
Inventory, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Inventories and Rental Merchandise in Service
	Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market value, net of any reserve for excess and obsolete inventory. Judgments and estimates are used in determining the likelihood that new goods on hand can be sold to customers or used in rental operations. Historical inventory usage and current revenue trends are considered in estimating both excess and obsolete inventories. If actual product demand and market conditions are less favorable than those projected by management, additional inventory write-downs may be required. The Company uses the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) method to value its inventories.
	The components of inventory as of August 30, 2014 and August 31, 2013 were as follows (in thousands):
			August 30,			August 31,
			2014			2013
	Raw materials		$	19,053		$	16,673
	Work in process			3,759			2,366
	Finished goods			56,046			55,312
	Total inventories		$	78,858		$	74,351
	Rental merchandise in service is amortized, primarily on a straight-line basis, over the estimated service lives of the merchandise, which range from 6 to 36 months. In establishing estimated lives for merchandise in service, management considers historical experience and the intended use of the merchandise. Material differences may result in the amount and timing of operating profit for any period if management makes significant changes to these estimates.
Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Property, plant and equipment
	Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred, while expenditures for renewals and betterments are capitalized. The Company provides for depreciation on the straight-line method based on the following estimated useful lives:
	Buildings (in years)	30	-	40
	Building components (in years)	10	-	20
	Leasehold improvements	Shorter of useful life or term of lease
	Machinery and equipment (in years)	3	-	10
	Motor vehicles (in years)	3	-	5
	Long-lived assets, including property, plant and equipment, are evaluated for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate an asset may be impaired. There have been no material impairments of long-lived assets in fiscal 2014, 2013 or 2012.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Goodwill, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
	In accordance with US GAAP, the Company does not amortize goodwill. Instead, current accounting guidance requires that companies test goodwill for impairment on an annual basis. Management completes its annual goodwill impairment test in the fourth quarter of each fiscal year. In addition, US GAAP requires that companies test goodwill if events occur or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit to which goodwill is assigned below its carrying amount. The Company’s evaluation considers changes in the operating environment, competitive information, market trends, operating performance and cash flow modeling.
	The Company cannot predict future economic conditions and their impact on the Company or the future market value of the Company’s stock. A decline in the Company’s market capitalization and/or deterioration in general economic conditions could negatively and materially impact the Company’s assumptions and assessment of the fair value of the Company’s business. If general economic conditions or the Company’s financial performance deteriorate, the Company may be required to record a goodwill impairment charge in the future which could have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.
	Definite-lived intangible assets are amortized over their useful lives, which are based on management’s estimates of the period that the assets will generate economic benefits. Definite-lived intangible assets are evaluated for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable in accordance with US GAAP. There were no impairments of goodwill or indicators of impairment for definite-lived intangible assets in fiscal 2014, 2013 or 2012.
	As of August 30, 2014, definite-lived intangible assets have a weighted average useful life of approximately 14.6 years. Customer contracts have a weighted average useful life of approximately 14.9 years and other intangible assets, net, which consist of primarily, restrictive covenants, deferred financing costs and trademarks, have a weighted average useful life of approximately 4.5 years.
Environmental Costs, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Environmental and Other Contingencies
	The Company is subject to legal proceedings and claims arising from the conduct of its business operations, including environmental matters, personal injury, customer contract matters and employment claims. Accounting principles generally accepted in the United States require that a liability for contingencies be recorded when it is probable that a liability has occurred and the amount of the liability can be reasonably estimated. Significant judgment is required to determine the existence of a liability, as well as the amount to be recorded. The Company regularly consults with attorneys and outside consultants, in its consideration of the relevant facts and circumstances, before recording a contingent liability. The Company records accruals for environmental and other contingencies based on enacted laws, regulatory orders or decrees, the Company’s estimates of costs, insurance proceeds, participation by other parties, the timing of payments, and the input of outside consultants and attorneys.
	The estimated liability for environmental contingencies has been discounted as of August 30, 2014 using risk-free interest rates ranging from 2.4 % to 3.1% over periods ranging from ten to thirty years. The estimated current costs, net of legal settlements with insurance carriers, have been adjusted for the estimated impact of inflation at 3% per year. Changes in enacted laws, regulatory orders or decrees, management’s estimates of costs, risk-free interest rates, insurance proceeds, participation by other parties, the timing of payments, the input of the Company’s attorneys and outside consultants or other factual circumstances could have a material impact on the amounts recorded for environmental and other contingent liabilities. Refer to Note 10, “Commitments and Contingencies”, of these Consolidated Financial Statements for additional discussion and analysis.
Asset Retirement Obligations and Environmental Cost, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Asset Retirement Obligations
	Under US GAAP, asset retirement obligations generally apply to legal obligations associated with the retirement of long-lived assets that result from the acquisition, construction, development and/or the normal operation of a long-lived asset. The Company recognizes asset retirement obligations in the period in which they are incurred if a reasonable estimate of fair value can be made. The associated asset retirement costs are capitalized as part of the carrying amount of the long-lived asset.
	The Company has recognized as a liability the present value of the estimated future costs to decommission its nuclear laundry facilities. The Company depreciates, on a straight-line basis, the amount added to property, plant and equipment and recognizes accretion expense in connection with the discounted liability over the various remaining lives which range from approximately seven to thirty years.
	The estimated liability has been based on historical experience in decommissioning nuclear laundry facilities, estimated useful lives of the underlying assets, external vendor estimates as to the cost to decommission these assets in the future, and federal and state regulatory requirements. The estimated current costs have been adjusted for the estimated impact of inflation at 3% per year. The liability has been discounted using credit-adjusted risk-free rates that range from approximately 7.0 % to 7.5 %. Revisions to the liability could occur due to changes in the Company’s estimated useful lives of the underlying assets, estimated dates of decommissioning, changes in decommissioning costs, changes in federal or state regulatory guidance on the decommissioning of such facilities, or other changes in estimates. Changes due to revised estimates will be recognized by adjusting the carrying amount of the liability and the related long-lived asset if the assets are still in service, or charged to expense in the period if the assets are no longer in service.
Insurance [Policy Text Block]	'InsuranceThe Company is self-insured for certain obligations related to health, workers’ compensation, vehicles and general liability programs. The Company also purchases stop-loss insurance policies to protect itself from catastrophic losses. Judgments and estimates are used in determining the potential value associated with reported claims and for events that have occurred, but have not been reported. The Company’s estimates consider historical claims experience and other factors. The Company’s liabilities are based on estimates, and, while the Company believes that its accruals are adequate, the ultimate liability may be significantly different from the amounts recorded. Changes in claims experience, the Company’s ability to settle claims or other estimates and judgments used by management could have a material impact on the amount and timing of expense for any period.
Pension and Other Postretirement Plans, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan and other Pension Plans
	Pension expense is recognized on an accrual basis over employees’ estimated service periods. Pension expense is generally independent of funding decisions or requirements.
	The Company (1) recognizes in its statement of financial position the over-funded or under-funded status of its defined benefit postretirement plan measured as the difference between the fair value of plan assets and the benefit obligation, (2) recognizes as a component of other comprehensive income, net of tax, the actuarial gains and losses and the prior service costs and credits that arise during the period but are not recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost, (3) measures defined benefit plan assets and defined benefit plan obligations as of the date of its statement of financial position, and (4) discloses additional information in the notes to financial statements about certain effects on net periodic benefit cost in the upcoming fiscal year that arise from delayed recognition of the actuarial gains and losses and the prior service costs and credits. Refer to Note 6, “Employee Benefit Plans”, of these Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion regarding the Company’s pension plans.
	The calculation of pension expense and the corresponding liability requires the use of a number of critical assumptions, including the expected long-term rates of return on plan assets, the assumed discount rates, assumed rate of compensation increases and life expectancy of participants. Changes in these assumptions can result in different expense and liability amounts, and future actual experience can differ from these assumptions. Pension expense increases as the expected rate of return on pension plan assets decreases. Future changes in plan asset returns, assumed discount rates and various other factors related to the participants in the Company’s pension plans will impact the Company’s future pension expense and liabilities. The Company cannot predict with certainty what these factors will be in the future.
Income Tax, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Income Taxes
	The Company computes income tax expense by jurisdiction based on its operations in each jurisdiction. Deferred income taxes are provided for temporary differences between the amounts recognized for income tax and financial reporting purposes at currently enacted tax rates.
	The Company is periodically reviewed by U.S. domestic and foreign tax authorities regarding the amount of taxes due. These reviews typically include inquiries regarding the timing and amount of deductions and the allocation of income among various tax jurisdictions. In evaluating the exposure associated with various filing positions, the Company records estimated reserves. Refer to Note 4, “Income Taxes”, of these Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion regarding the Company’s accounting for income taxes and its uncertain tax positions for financial accounting purposes.
	The Company has undistributed earnings from its foreign subsidiaries of approximately $111.8 million as of August 30, 2014. The Company considers these undistributed earnings as indefinitely reinvested and therefore has not provided for U.S. income taxes or foreign withholding taxes. If these earnings were ultimately distributed to the U.S. in the form of dividends or otherwise, or if the shares of its international subsidiaries were sold or transferred, the Company would likely be subject to additional U.S. income taxes, net of the impact of any available foreign tax credits as well as foreign withholding taxes. It is not practicable to estimate the amount of unrecognized deferred U.S. taxes on these undistributed earnings.
Advertising Costs, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Advertising Costs
	Advertising costs are expensed as incurred and are classified as selling and administrative expenses. The Company incurred advertising costs of $1.5 million, $1.2 million and $1.5 million for the fiscal years ended August 30, 2014, August 31, 2013 and August 25, 2012, respectively.
Share-based Compensation, Option and Incentive Plans Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Share-Based Compensation
	The Company adopted a stock incentive plan (the “1996 Plan”) in November 1996 and reserved 1,500,000 shares of Common Stock for issuance under the 1996 Plan. This plan provided for the issuance of stock options and stock appreciation rights (collectively referred to as “Share-Based Awards”). The Company ceased granting new awards under the 1996 Plan as of January 21, 2011, and the 1996 Plan expired in accordance with its terms on January 8, 2012. The Company adopted a stock incentive plan (the “2010 Plan”) in October 2010 and reserved 600,000 shares of Common Stock for issuance under the 2010 Plan. The 2010 Plan replaced the Company’s 1996 Plan. The 2010 Plan permits the award of incentive and non-qualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, unrestricted stock, performance shares, dividend equivalent rights and cash-based awards.  No awards may be made under the 2010 Plan after January 11, 2021. On October 27, 2014, the Board of Directors, subject to the approval of the Company’s shareholders at the 2015 annual meeting, approved an amendment to the 2010 Plan to, among other matters, reserve for issuance an additional 750,000 shares and extend the term of the 2010 Plan by 10 years. Share-based compensation, which includes expense related to Share-Based Awards, unrestricted and restricted stock grants, has been recorded in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Income in selling and administrative expenses.
	All Share-Based Awards issued to management were recommended to the Board of Directors by the Compensation Committee and approved by the Board of Directors. All Share-Based Awards and shares of unrestricted stock issued to the Company’s non-employee members of the Board of Directors under the 2010 Plan were recommended to the Board of Directors by the Compensation Committee and approved by the Board of Directors. Share-Based Awards granted to non-employee directors are granted on the third business day following the annual shareholders’ meeting.
	All Share-Based Awards issued to employees were granted with an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the Company’s Common Stock on the date of grant and are subject to a five-year cliff-vesting schedule under which the awards become fully vested or exercisable after five years from the date of grant and expire ten years after the grant date. Share-Based Awards and shares of unrestricted stock granted to the Company’s non-employee members of the Board of Directors (the “Directors”) are fully vested as of the date of grant. Prior to fiscal 2009, non-employee Director Share-Based Award grants expired ten years from the grant date. Beginning in fiscal 2009, non-employee director Share-Based Award grants expire eight years after the grant date.
	US GAAP requires that share-based compensation cost be measured at the grant date based on the value of the award and be recognized as expense over the requisite service period, which is generally the vesting period. Determining the fair value of Share-Based Awards at the grant date requires judgment, including estimating expected dividends, share price volatility and the amount of Share-Based Awards that are expected to be forfeited. The fair value of each Share-Based Award is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model.
	Compensation expense for all Share-Based Awards is recognized ratably over the related vesting period. Certain Share-Based Awards and shares of unrestricted stock were granted during fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012 to non-employee Directors of the Company, which were fully vested upon grant and, with respect to stock appreciation rights, expire eight years after the grant date. Accordingly, compensation expense related to these Share-Based Awards and shares of unrestricted stock in fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012 were recognized on the date of grant.
	The Company recognizes compensation expense for restricted stock grants over the related vesting period. For unrestricted stock grants, compensation expense is recognized on the date of grant. The fair value for each restricted and unrestricted stock grant is determined by using the closing price of the Company’s stock on the date of the grant. Refer to Note 11, “Share-Based Compensation”, of these Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion regarding the Company’s share-based compensation plans.
	The fair value of each Share-Based Award is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions used:
	Fiscal year ended August		2014			2013			2012
	Risk-free interest rate			1.9	%		1.24	%		1.54	%
	Expected dividend yield			0.27	%		0.41	%		0.56	%
	Expected life in years			7.45			7.42			7.39
	Expected volatility			32.9	%		33.4	%		33.8	%
	The weighted average fair values of Share-Based Awards granted during fiscal years 2014, 2013 and 2012 were $39.08, $25.09 and $18.28, respectively.
Foreign Currency Transactions and Translations Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Foreign Currency Translation
	The functional currency of our foreign operations is the local country’s currency. Transaction gains and losses, including gains and losses on our intercompany transactions, are included in other (income) expense in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Income. Assets and liabilities of operations outside the United States are translated into U.S. dollars using period-end exchange rates. Revenues and expenses are translated at the average exchange rates in effect during each month of the fiscal year. The effects of foreign currency translation adjustments are included in shareholders’ equity as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets.
New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	In February 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued updated accounting guidance that improves the reporting of reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income. The amendments in this updated guidance require an entity to report the effect of significant reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income on the respective line items in net income if the amount being reclassified is required under US GAAP to be reclassified in its entirety to net income. For other amounts that are not required under US GAAP to be reclassified in their entirety to net income in the same reporting period, an entity is required to cross-reference other disclosures required under US GAAP that provide additional detail about those amounts. This guidance was effective for annual reporting periods, and any interim periods within those annual periods, that begin after December 15, 2012 and was to be applied prospectively, with early adoption permitted. The Company adopted this guidance on September 1, 2013 and the adoption did not have a material impact on its financial statements.
	In July 2013, the FASB issued updated accounting guidance on the presentation of unrecognized tax benefits. This update provides that an entity’s unrecognized tax benefits, or a portion of its unrecognized tax benefits, should be presented in its financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward, with one exception. That exception states that, to the extent a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward is not available at the reporting date under the tax law of the applicable jurisdiction to settle any additional income taxes that would result from the disallowance of a tax position, or the tax law of the applicable jurisdiction does not require the entity to use, and the entity does not intend to use, the deferred tax asset for such purpose, the unrecognized tax benefit should be presented in the financial statements as a liability and should not be combined with deferred tax assets. This guidance is effective for annual reporting periods, and any interim periods within those annual periods, that begin after December 15, 2013 and is to be applied prospectively, with early adoption permitted. The Company does not expect this guidance to have a material impact on its financial statements.
	In May 2014, the FASB issued updated accounting guidance on revenue recognition. This update provides a comprehensive new revenue recognition model that requires revenue to be recognized in a manner to depict the transfer of goods or services to a customer at an amount that reflects the consideration expected to be received in exchange for those goods or services. This guidance is effective for annual reporting periods, and any interim periods within those annual periods, that begin after December 15, 2016 and allows for either full retrospective or modified retrospective application, with early adoption not permitted. Accordingly, the standard is effective for the Company on August 27, 2017. The Company is currently evaluating the adoption method it will apply and the impact that this guidance will have on its financial statements and related disclosures.
	In August 2014, the FASB issued accounting guidance about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern. This update defines management’s responsibility to assess an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern, and to provide related footnote disclosures in certain circumstances. This guidance is effective for annual periods ending after December 15, 2016, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that this guidance will have on its financial statements and related disclosures.
The 2010 Plan [Member]	'
Accounting Policies, by Policy (Policies) [Line Items]	'
Earnings Per Share, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Net Income Per Share
	The Company calculates net income per share in accordance with US GAAP, which requires the Company to allocate income to its unvested participating securities as part of its earnings per share (“EPS”) calculations.
	The Class B Common Stock may be converted at any time on a one-for-one basis into Common Stock at the option of the holder of the Class B Common Stock. Diluted earnings per share for the Company’s Common Stock assumes the conversion of all of the Company’s Class B Common Stock into Common Stock, full vesting of outstanding restricted stock, and the exercise of Share-Based Awards under the Company’s stock-based incentive plans.
	The following table sets forth the computation of basic earnings per share using the two-class method for amounts attributable to the Company’s shares of Common Stock and Class B Common Stock (in thousands, except per share data):
	Year ended		August 30,			August 31,			August 25,
			2014			2013			2012
	Net income available to shareholders		$	119,925		$	116,685		$	94,989
	Allocation of net income for Basic:
	Common Stock		$	94,849		$	91,916		$	74,643
	Class B Common Stock			23,705			22,913			18,630
	Unvested participating shares			1,371			1,856			1,716
			$	119,925		$	116,685		$	94,989
	Weighted average number of shares for Basic:
	Common Stock			15,080			14,975			14,882
	Class B Common Stock			4,711			4,666			4,643
	Unvested participating shares			249			345			391
				20,040			19,986			19,916
	Earnings per share for Basic:
	Common Stock		$	6.29		$	6.14		$	5.02
	Class B Common Stock		$	5.03		$	4.91		$	4.01
	The Company calculates diluted EPS for Common Stock using the more dilutive of the following two methods:
		•		The treasury stock method; or
		•		The two-class method assuming a participating security is not exercised or converted.
	For the years ended August 30, 2014, August 31, 2013 and August 25, 2012, the Company’s diluted EPS assumes the conversion of all vested Class B Common Stock into Common Stock and uses the two-class method for its unvested participating shares as follows (in thousands, except per share data):
			Year Ended August 30, 2014									Year Ended August 31, 2013							Year Ended August 25, 2012
			Earnings									Earnings							Earnings
			to Common			Common						to Common			Common				to Common			Common
			shareholders			Shares			EPS			shareholders			Shares		EPS		shareholders			Shares		EPS
	As reported – Basic		$	94,849			15,080		$	6.29		$	91,916			14,975	$	6.14	$	74,643			14,882	$	5.02
	Add: effect of dilutive potential common shares
	Share-Based Awards			—			148						—			148				—			91
	Class B Common Stock			23,705			4,711						22,913			4,666				18,630			4,643
	Add: Undistributed earnings allocated to unvested participating shares			1,339			—						1,810			—				1,664			—
	Less: Undistributed earnings reallocated to unvested participating shares			(1,267	)		—						(1,712	)		—				(1,579	)		—
	Diluted EPS – Common Stock		$	118,626			19,939		$	5.95		$	114,927			19,789	$	5.81	$	93,358			19,616	$	4.76
	Share-Based Awards that would result in the issuance of 185 shares of Common Stock were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share for the year ended August 30, 2014 because they were anti-dilutive. Share-Based Awards that would result in the issuance of 152 shares of Common Stock were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share for the year ended August 31, 2013 because they were anti-dilutive. There were no shares of common stock that were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share for the year ended August 25, 2012.

Note_1_Summary_of_Significant_1

Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 30, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Inventory, Current [Table Text Block]	'
			August 30,			August 31,
			2014			2013
	Raw materials		$	19,053		$	16,673
	Work in process			3,759			2,366
	Finished goods			56,046			55,312
	Total inventories		$	78,858		$	74,351
Property, Plant and Equipment [Table Text Block]	'
	Buildings (in years)	30	-	40
	Building components (in years)	10	-	20
	Leasehold improvements	Shorter of useful life or term of lease
	Machinery and equipment (in years)	3	-	10
	Motor vehicles (in years)	3	-	5
Schedule of Share-based Payment Award, Stock Options, Valuation Assumptions [Table Text Block]	'
	Fiscal year ended August		2014			2013			2012
	Risk-free interest rate			1.9	%		1.24	%		1.54	%
	Expected dividend yield			0.27	%		0.41	%		0.56	%
	Expected life in years			7.45			7.42			7.39
	Expected volatility			32.9	%		33.4	%		33.8	%
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Table Text Block]	'
	Year ended		August 30,			August 31,			August 25,
			2014			2013			2012
	Net income available to shareholders		$	119,925		$	116,685		$	94,989
	Allocation of net income for Basic:
	Common Stock		$	94,849		$	91,916		$	74,643
	Class B Common Stock			23,705			22,913			18,630
	Unvested participating shares			1,371			1,856			1,716
			$	119,925		$	116,685		$	94,989
	Weighted average number of shares for Basic:
	Common Stock			15,080			14,975			14,882
	Class B Common Stock			4,711			4,666			4,643
	Unvested participating shares			249			345			391
				20,040			19,986			19,916
	Earnings per share for Basic:
	Common Stock		$	6.29		$	6.14		$	5.02
	Class B Common Stock		$	5.03		$	4.91		$	4.01
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Diluted, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Table Text Block]	'
			Year Ended August 30, 2014									Year Ended August 31, 2013							Year Ended August 25, 2012
			Earnings									Earnings							Earnings
			to Common			Common						to Common			Common				to Common			Common
			shareholders			Shares			EPS			shareholders			Shares		EPS		shareholders			Shares		EPS
	As reported – Basic		$	94,849			15,080		$	6.29		$	91,916			14,975	$	6.14	$	74,643			14,882	$	5.02
	Add: effect of dilutive potential common shares
	Share-Based Awards			—			148						—			148				—			91
	Class B Common Stock			23,705			4,711						22,913			4,666				18,630			4,643
	Add: Undistributed earnings allocated to unvested participating shares			1,339			—						1,810			—				1,664			—
	Less: Undistributed earnings reallocated to unvested participating shares			(1,267	)		—						(1,712	)		—				(1,579	)		—
	Diluted EPS – Common Stock		$	118,626			19,939		$	5.95		$	114,927			19,789	$	5.81	$	93,358			19,616	$	4.76

Note_2_Acquisitions_Tables

Note 2 - Acquisitions (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 30, 2014
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Business Acquisitions, by Acquisition [Table Text Block]	'
	Year ended	August 30,		August 31,			August 25,
		2014		2013			2012
	Number of businesses acquired		7		7			—
	Tangible assets acquired	$	949	$	7,494		$	—
	Intangible assets and goodwill acquired		2,686		23,326			—
	Liabilities assumed		—		(106	)		—
	Acquisition of businesses	$	3,635	$	30,714		$	—

Note_3_Fair_Value_Measurements1

Note 3 - Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 30, 2014
Disclosure Text Block [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Table Text Block]	'
		As of August 30, 2014
		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Fair Value
	Assets:
	Cash equivalents	$	47,552	$	—	$	—	$	47,552
	Pension plan assets		—		5,008		—		5,008
	Total	$	47,552	$	5,008	$	—	$	52,560
		As of August 31, 2013
		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Fair Value
	Assets:
	Cash equivalents	$	33,325	$	—	$	—	$	33,325
	Pension plan assets		—		4,939		—		4,939
	Total	$	33,325	$	4,939	$	—	$	38,264

Note_4_Income_Taxes_Tables

Note 4 - Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 30, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit) [Table Text Block]	'
	Year ended	August 30,			August 31,			August 25,
		2014			2013			2012
	Current:
	Federal	$	54,005		$	39,455		$	43,470
	Foreign		3,480			3,999			3,604
	State		9,216			6,722			8,066
	Total current	$	66,701		$	50,176		$	55,140
	Deferred:
	Federal	$	6,838		$	17,514		$	540
	Foreign		59			151			90
	State		1,828			3,083			(25	)
	Total deferred	$	8,725		$	20,748		$	605
	Total	$	75,426		$	70,924		$	55,745
Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation [Table Text Block]	'
		August 30,			August 31,			August 25,
		2014			2013			2012
	Income taxes at the statutory federal income tax rate		35	%		35	%		35	%
	State income taxes		3.8			3.5			3.5
	Adjustments to tax reserves		0.1			-0.1			-0.6
	Foreign tax rate differential		-0.5			-0.8			-1
	Permanent and other		0.2			0.2			0.1
	Total		38.6	%		37.8	%		37	%
Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities [Table Text Block]	'
		August 30,			August 31,
		2014			2013
	Deferred Tax Assets
	Payroll and benefit related	$	16,216		$	16,524
	Insurance related		13,935			13,073
	Environmental		7,765			7,133
	Other		13,682			11,421
	Total deferred tax assets	$	51,598		$	48,151
	Deferred Tax Liabilities
	Tax in excess of book depreciation	$	37,152		$	42,512
	Purchased intangible assets		31,100			28,632
	Rental merchandise in service		52,745			38,722
	Total deferred tax liabilities		120,997			109,866
	Net deferred tax liability	$	69,399		$	61,715
Summary of Income Tax Contingencies [Table Text Block]	'
	Balance at August 25, 2012	$	1,051
	Additions based on tax positions related to the current year		350
	Statute expirations		(475	)
	Balance at August 31, 2013	$	926
	Additions based on tax positions related to the current year		430
	Statute expirations		(186	)
	Balance at August 30, 2014	$	1,170

Note_5_Loans_Payable_and_Longt1

Note 5 - Loans Payable and Long-term Debt (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 30, 2014
Disclosure Text Block [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table Text Block]	'
		August 30,		August 31,
		2014		2013
	Series D, floating rate notes due September 2013 bearing interest at LIBOR plus 50 basis points, which was 0.77% as of August 31, 2013.	$	—	$	100,000
	Other		7,859		11,408
	Long-term debt		7,859		111,408
	Less – loans payable and current maturities of long-term debt		7,704		111,253
		$	155	$	155
Schedule of Maturities of Long-term Debt [Table Text Block]	'
	2015	$	7,704
	2016		—
	2017		—
	2018		—
	2019		—
	Thereafter		155
	Total	$	7,859

Note_6_Employee_Benefit_Plans_

Note 6 - Employee Benefit Plans (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 30, 2014
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Net Benefit Costs [Table Text Block]	'
		Pension Plans									SERP
		2014			2013			2012			2014			2013			2012
	Service cost	$	172		$	178		$	152		$	615		$	547		$	512
	Interest cost		328			268			322			942			912			858
	Expected return on assets		(183	)		(198	)		(199	)		—			—			—
	Amortization of prior service cost		62			62			62			368			368			368
	Amortization of unrecognized loss		113			138			65			151			104			107
	Other events		72			44			43			—			—			—
	Net periodic benefit cost	$	564		$	492		$	445		$	2,076		$	1,931		$	1,845
Changes in Projected Benefit Obligations, Fair Value of Plan Assets, and Funded Status of Plan [Table Text Block]	'
		Pension Plans						SERP
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Change in benefit obligation:
	Projected benefit obligation, beginning of year	$	7,954		$	8,301		$	18,110		$	16,399
	Service cost		172			178			615			547
	Interest cost		328			268			942			912
	Actuarial (gain) loss		708			(379	)		2,272			827
	Benefits paid		(198	)		(259	)		(655	)		(575	)
	Settlements		(209	)		(155	)		—			—
	Projected benefit obligation, end of year	$	8,755		$	7,954		$	21,284		$	18,110
	Change in plan assets:
	Fair value of plan assets, beginning of year	$	4,939		$	5,114		$	—		$	—
	Actual return on plan assets		154			33			—			—
	Employer contributions		322			206			—			—
	Benefits paid		(198	)		(259	)		—			—
	Settlements		(209	)		(155	)		—			—
	Fair value of plan assets, end of year	$	5,008		$	4,939		$	—		$	—
	Funded status (net amount recognized):	$	(3,747	)	$	(3,015	)	$	(21,284	)	$	(18,110	)
Schedule of Amounts Recognized in Balance Sheet [Table Text Block]	'
		Pension Plans						SERP
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Deferred tax assets	$	1,097		$	913		$	2,193		$	1,665
	Accrued liabilities	$	3,747		$	3,015		$	21,284		$	18,110
	Accumulated other comprehensive loss	$	(1,753	)	$	(1,458	)	$	(3,503	)	$	(2,660	)
Schedule of Amounts Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block]	'
		Pension Plans						SERP
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Net actuarial loss	$	(1,534	)	$	(1,201	)	$	(3,016	)	$	(1,947	)
	Unrecognized prior service cost		(219	)		(257	)		(487	)		(713	)
		$	(1,753	)	$	(1,458	)	$	(3,503	)	$	(2,660	)
Schedule of Assumptions Used [Table Text Block]	'
		Pension Plans						SERP
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Discount rate		3.6	%		4.3	%		3.8	%		4.6	%
	Rate of compensation increase	N/A			N/A				5	%		5	%
Schedule of Assumptions Used in Calculating Net Periodic Service Cost [Table Text Block]	'
		Pension Plans									SERP
		2014			2013			2012			2014			2013			2012
	Discount rate		4.3	%		3.3	%		4.6	%		4.6	%		3.6	%		4.9	%
	Expected return on plan assets		4	%		4	%		4	%	N/A			N/A			N/A
	Rate of compensation increase	N/A			N/A			N/A				5	%		5	%		5	%
Schedule of Expected Benefit Payments [Table Text Block]	'
		Pension Plans			SERP
	2015	$	510		$	761
	2016		398			929
	2017		383			936
	2018		290			960
	2019		639			1,015
	Thereafter		6,535			16,683
		$	8,755		$	21,284

Note_7_Goodwill_and_Other_Inta1

Note 7 - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 30, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Intangible Assets and Goodwill [Table Text Block]	'
	Year ended	August 30,			Weighted Average		August 31,		Weighted Average
		2014			Life in Years		2013		Life in Years
	Goodwill	$	1,404		N/A		$	14,448	N/A
	Customer contracts		1,141			12.9		8,146		15
	Other intangible assets		179			6.7		732		5
	Total intangible assets and goodwill acquired	$	2,724				$	23,326
Schedule of Goodwill [Table Text Block]	'
	Balance as of August 25, 2012	$	288,137
	Goodwill recorded during the period		14,448
	Other		(222	)
	Balance as of August 31, 2013	$	302,363
	Goodwill recorded during the period		1,404
	Other		(119	)
	Balance as of August 30, 2014	$	303,648
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Table Text Block]	'
		Gross Carrying			Accumulated		Net Carrying
		Amount			Amortization		Amount
	30-Aug-14
	Customer contracts	$	153,730		$	113,520	$	40,210
	Other intangible assets		28,670			27,403		1,267
		$	182,400		$	140,923	$	41,477
	31-Aug-13
	Customer contracts	$	152,672		$	105,275	$	47,397
	Other intangible assets		28,517			26,570		1,947
		$	181,189		$	131,845	$	49,344
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense [Table Text Block]	'
	2015	$	8,390
	2016		7,469
	2017		6,793
	2018		6,272
	2019		3,559
	Thereafter		8,994
		$	41,477

Note_8_Accrued_Liabilities_Tab

Note 8 - Accrued Liabilities (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 30, 2014
Accrued Liabilities [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Accrued Liabilities [Table Text Block]	'
		August 30,		August 31,
		2014		2013
	Current liabilities:
	Payroll and benefit related	$	48,978	$	47,361
	Insurance related		37,683		36,095
	Environmental related		5,046		5,158
	Other		9,111		6,968
		$	100,818	$	95,582
	Long-term liabilities:
	Benefit related	$	23,760	$	19,719
	Environmental related		14,800		14,522
	Asset retirement obligations		11,675		10,796
		$	50,235	$	45,037
	Total accrued liabilities	$	151,053	$	140,619

Note_9_Asset_Retirement_Obliga1

Note 9 - Asset Retirement Obligations (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 30, 2014
Asset Retirement Obligation Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Asset Retirement Obligations [Table Text Block]	'
		August 30,			August 31,
		2014			2013
	Beginning balance	$	10,796		$	10,120
	Accretion expense		941			676
	Effect of exchange rate changes		(62	)		—
	Ending balance	$	11,675		$	10,796

Note_10_Commitments_and_Contin1

Note 10 - Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 30, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Future Minimum Rental Payments for Operating Leases [Table Text Block]	'
	2015	$	7,720
	2016		6,151
	2017		4,498
	2018		2,897
	2019		1,689
	Thereafter		1,722
		$	24,677
Schedule Of Environmental Liabilities [TableTextBlock]	'
	Year ended	August 30,			August 31,
		2014			2013
	Beginning balance	$	19,680		$	20,020
	Costs incurred for which reserves have been provided		(2,913	)		(1,862	)
	Insurance proceeds		687			282
	Interest accretion		716			542
	Changes in discount rates		1,080			(1,585	)
	Revisions in estimates		596			2,283
	Ending balance	$	19,846		$	19,680
Schedule Of Environmental Remediation Liabilities [Table Text Block]	'
	(In thousands)	2015			2016			2017			2018			2019			Thereafter			Total
	Estimated costs – current dollars	$	5,219		$	1,915		$	1,663		$	745		$	863		$	12,407		$	22,812
	Estimated insurance proceeds		(173	)		(159	)		(173	)		(159	)		(173	)		(1,430	)		(2,267	)
	Net anticipated costs	$	5,046		$	1,756		$	1,490		$	586		$	690		$	10,977		$	20,545
	Effect of inflation																				7,075
	Effect of discounting																				(7,774	)
	Balance as of August 30, 2014																			$	19,846

Note_11_Sharebased_Compensatio1

Note 11 - Share-based Compensation (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 30, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
Compensation Expense For All Share-Based Compensation For Five Fiscal Years [Table Text Block]	'
		Share-Based Awards			Restricted Stock		Total
	2015	$	1,859		$	1,697	$	3,556
	2016		1,513			680		2,193
	2017		1,227			—		1,227
	2018		821			—		821
	2019		133			—		133
	Total	$	5,553		$	2,377	$	7,930
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Stock Options, Activity [Table Text Block]	'
		Number of			Weighted
		Shares			Average
					Exercise Price
	Outstanding, August 31, 2013		584,540		$	48.47
	Granted		129,200			103.16
	Exercised		(89,638	)		34.26
	Forfeited		(5,500	)		58.53
	Outstanding, August 30, 2014		618,602		$	61.86
	Exercisable, August 30, 2014		85,902		$	47.36

Note_13_Accumulated_Other_Comp1

Note 13 - Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 30, 2014
Disclosure Text Block [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block]	'
		Foreign			Pension- related			Total
		Currency Translation						Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
	Balance, August 25, 2012	$	11,644		$	(4,373	)	$	7,271
	Change during the year		(6,081	)		255			(5,826	)
	Balance, August 31, 2013		5,563			(4,118	)		1,445
	Change during the year		(2,852	)		(1,126	)		(3,978	)
	Balance, August 30, 2014	$	2,711		$	(5,244	)	$	(2,533	)

Note_14_Segment_Reporting_Tabl

Note 14 - Segment Reporting (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table Text Block]	'
	As of and for the year ended	US and			MFG		Net Interco			Corporate			Subtotal			Specialty		First Aid		Total
	30-Aug-14	Canadian					MFG Elim						Core Laundry			Garments
		Rental and											Operations
		Cleaning
	Revenues	$	1,244,408		$	183,340	$	(183,340	)	$	15,077		$	1,259,485		$	91,484	$	43,928	$	1,394,897
	Income (loss) from operations	$	209,497		$	63,675	$	(3,777	)	$	(87,145	)	$	182,250		$	7,178	$	3,847	$	193,275
	Interest (income) expense, net	$	(3,077	)	$	—	$	—		$	718		$	(2,359	)	$	—	$	—	$	(2,359	)
	Income (loss) before taxes	$	212,551		$	63,540	$	(3,777	)	$	(87,897	)	$	184,417		$	7,087	$	3,847	$	195,351
	Depreciation and amortization	$	49,116		$	1,306	$	—		$	15,751		$	66,173		$	4,646	$	933	$	71,752
	Capital expenditures	$	86,430		$	2,264	$	—		$	—		$	88,694		$	1,847	$	1,267	$	91,808
	Total assets	$	1,286,984		$	38,066	$	—		$	—		$	1,325,050		$	77,037	$	22,074	$	1,424,161
	As of and for the year ended	US and			MFG		Net Interco			Corporate			Subtotal			Specialty		First Aid		Total
	31-Aug-13	Canadian					MFG Elim						Core Laundry			Garments
		Rental and											Operations
		Cleaning
	Revenues	$	1,200,286		$	170,867	$	(170,867	)	$	14,079		$	1,214,365		$	96,688	$	44,462	$	1,355,515
	Income (loss) from operations	$	200,852		$	61,896	$	(9,729	)	$	(82,357	)	$	170,662		$	10,539	$	5,002	$	186,203
	Interest (income) expense, net	$	(2,944	)	$	—	$	—		$	1,394		$	(1,550	)	$	—	$	—	$	(1,550	)
	Income (loss) before taxes	$	203,798		$	61,749	$	(9,729	)	$	(83,783	)	$	172,035		$	10,572	$	5,002	$	187,609
	Depreciation and amortization	$	46,793		$	1,033	$	—		$	15,296		$	63,122		$	5,114	$	1,371	$	69,607
	Capital expenditures	$	97,519		$	3,559	$	—		$	—		$	101,078		$	1,962	$	486	$	103,526
	Total assets	$	1,241,924		$	31,781	$	—		$	—		$	1,273,705		$	79,640	$	21,517	$	1,374,862
	As of and for the year ended	US and			MFG		Net Interco			Corporate			Subtotal			Specialty		First Aid		Total
	25-Aug-12	Canadian					MFG Elim						Core Laundry			Garments
		Rental and											Operations
		Cleaning
	Revenues	$	1,099,421		$	160,421	$	(160,421	)	$	12,902		$	1,112,323		$	102,758	$	41,208	$	1,256,289
	Income (loss) from operations	$	164,793		$	50,036	$	(5,168	)	$	(76,376	)	$	133,285		$	13,460	$	4,363	$	151,108
	Interest (income) expense, net	$	(2,535	)	$	—	$	—		$	1,929		$	(606	)	$	—	$	—	$	(606	)
	Income (loss) before taxes	$	167,284		$	50,101	$	(5,168	)	$	(78,345	)	$	133,872		$	12,499	$	4,363	$	150,734
	Depreciation and amortization	$	43,501		$	1,133	$	—		$	15,599		$	60,233		$	4,788	$	1,418	$	66,439
	Capital expenditures	$	66,526		$	1,306	$	—		$	—		$	67,832		$	6,044	$	673	$	74,549
	Total assets	$	1,108,362		$	28,099	$	—		$	—		$	1,136,461		$	83,137	$	20,936	$	1,240,534
Long-lived Assets by Geographic Areas [Table Text Block]	'
	Long-lived assets as of:	30-Aug-14			31-Aug-13
	United States	$	781,478		$	769,121
	Europe, Canada, Mexico and Nicaragua (1)		53,393			44,347
	Total	$	834,871		$	813,468
Revenue from External Customers by Geographic Areas [Table Text Block]	'
	Revenues for the year ended:	30-Aug-14			31-Aug-13		25-Aug-12
	United States	$	1,258,609		$	1,223,534	$	1,144,753
	Europe and Canada (1)		136,288			131,981		111,536
	Total	$	1,394,897		$	1,355,515	$	1,256,289
	Income before income taxes for the year ended:	30-Aug-14			31-Aug-13		25-Aug-12
	United States	$	182,354		$	171,899	$	134,651
	Europe, Canada, Mexico and Nicaragua (1)		12,997			15,710		16,083
	Total	$	195,351		$	187,609	$	150,734

Quarterly_Financial_Data_Unaud1

Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 30, 2014
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Quarterly Financial Information [Table Text Block]	'
	(In thousands, except per share data)	First		Second		Third		Fourth
	For the year ended August 30, 2014	Quarter		Quarter		Quarter		Quarter
	Revenues	$	346,704	$	343,967	$	352,238	$	351,988
	Income before income taxes		56,356		41,224		50,114		47,657
	Provision for income taxes		21,894		15,577		19,170		18,785
	Net income	$	34,462	$	25,647	$	30,944	$	28,872
	Income per share – basic
	Common Stock	$	1.81	$	1.34	$	1.62	$	1.51
	Class B Common Stock	$	1.45	$	1.08	$	1.3	$	1.21
	Income per share – diluted
	Common Stock	$	1.71	$	1.27	$	1.53	$	1.43
	Income allocated to – basic
	Common Stock	$	27,208	$	20,267	$	24,493	$	22,876
	Class B Common Stock	$	6,798	$	5,041	$	6,127	$	5,742
	Income allocated to – diluted
	Common Stock	$	34,031	$	25,326	$	30,637	$	28,631
	Weighted average number of shares outstanding – basic
	Common Stock		15,029		15,077		15,102		15,113
	Class B Common Stock		4,693		4,687		4,722		4,741
	Weighted average number of shares outstanding – diluted
	Common Stock		19,891		19,924		19,977		20,007
	(In thousands, except per share data)	First		Second		Third		Fourth
	For the year ended August 31, 2013	Quarter		Quarter		Quarter		Quarter
	Revenues	$	332,569	$	334,306	$	335,764	$	352,876
	Income before income taxes		50,426		43,215		45,831		48,137
	Provision for income taxes		19,666		16,573		17,109		17,576
	Net income	$	30,760	$	26,642	$	28,722	$	30,561
	Income per share – basic
	Common Stock	$	1.62	$	1.4	$	1.51	$	1.61
	Class B Common Stock	$	1.3	$	1.12	$	1.21	$	1.29
	Income per share – diluted
	Common Stock	$	1.54	$	1.33	$	1.43	$	1.52
	Income allocated to – basic
	Common Stock	$	24,191	$	20,963	$	22,638	$	24,123
	Class B Common Stock	$	6,025	$	5,209	$	5,647	$	6,033
	Income allocated to – diluted
	Common Stock	$	30,244	$	26,196	$	28,307	$	30,178
	Weighted average number of shares outstanding – basic
	Common Stock		14,925		14,962		14,993		15,017
	Class B Common Stock		4,647		4,647		4,675		4,694
	Weighted average number of shares outstanding – diluted
	Common Stock		19,693		19,747		19,820		19,882

Note_1_Summary_of_Significant_2

Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended									0 Months Ended
	Aug. 30, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 25, 2012	Aug. 30, 2014	Aug. 30, 2014	Aug. 29, 2009	Aug. 30, 2014	Aug. 30, 2014	Nov. 30, 1996	Oct. 27, 2014	Oct. 31, 2010
				Customer Contracts [Member]	Other Intangible Assets [Member]	Non-Employee Director Share-Based Award Grants Prior to Fiscal 2009 [Member]	Non-Employee Director Share-Based Award Grants Beginning Fiscal 2009 [Member]	Certain Share-Based Awards Granted During Fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012 to Non-Employee Directors[Member]	The 1996 Plan [Member]	The 2010 Plan [Member]	The 2010 Plan [Member]
Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of Reportable Segments	5	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Rental Merchandise Useful Life, Minimum	'6 months	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Rental Merchandise Useful Life, Maximum	'36 months	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Goodwill, Impairment Loss (in Dollars)	$0	$0	$0	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	'14 years 219 days	'	'	'14 years 328 days	'4 years 6 months	'	'	'	'	'	'
Site Contingency Discount Rate, Lower Range	2.40%	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Contingency Discount Rate, Upper Range	3.10%	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Site Contingency Discounted Period, Lower Range	'10 years	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Site Contingency Discounted Period, Upper Range	'30 years	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Environmental Contingencies Inflation Rate	3.00%	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Range of Years Discount for Estimated Future Costs to Decommission Its Nuclear Laundry Facilities, Minimum Years	'7 years	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Range of Years Discount for Estimated Future Costs to Decommission Its Nuclear Laundry Facilities Maximum Years	'30 years	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Estimated Impact Of Inflation Per Year	3.00%	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Credit Adjusted Risk Free Rates Minimum Rate	7.00%	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Credit Adjusted Risk Free Rates Maximum Rate	7.50%	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Undistributed Earnings of Foreign Subsidiaries (in Dollars)	111,800,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Advertising Expense (in Dollars)	$1,500,000	$1,200,000	$1,500,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Authorized (in Shares)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,500,000	'	600,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Additional Shares Authorized (in Shares)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	750,000	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period	'5 years	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Expiration Period	'10 years	'	'	'	'	'10 years	'8 years	'8 years	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value (in Dollars per share)	$39.08	$25.09	$18.28	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Common Stock, Conversion Basis	'one-for-one	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount (in Shares)	185	152	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'

Note_1_Summary_of_Significant_3

Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) - Components of Inventory (USD $)	Aug. 30, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Components of Inventory [Abstract]	'	'
Raw materials	$19,053	$16,673
Work in process	3,759	2,366
Finished goods	56,046	55,312
Total inventories	$78,858	$74,351

Note_1_Summary_of_Significant_4

Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) - Estimated Useful Lives of Property, Plant, and Equipment	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 30, 2014
Building [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'
Property and equipment, useful life	'30 years
Building [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'
Property and equipment, useful life	'40 years
Building Components [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'
Property and equipment, useful life	'10 years
Building Components [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'
Property and equipment, useful life	'20 years
Machinery and Equipment [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'
Property and equipment, useful life	'3 years
Machinery and Equipment [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'
Property and equipment, useful life	'10 years
Vehicles [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'
Property and equipment, useful life	'3 years
Vehicles [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'
Property and equipment, useful life	'5 years

Note_1_Summary_of_Significant_5

Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) - Stock Options, Valuation Assumptions	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 30, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 25, 2012
Stock Options, Valuation Assumptions [Abstract]	'	'	'
Risk-free interest rate	1.90%	1.24%	1.54%
Expected dividend yield	0.27%	0.41%	0.56%
Expected life in years	'7 years 164 days	'7 years 153 days	'7 years 142 days
Expected volatility	32.90%	33.40%	33.80%

Note_1_Summary_of_Significant_6

Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) - Summary of Earnings Per Share, Basic, Two Class Method (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 30, 2014	31-May-14	Mar. 01, 2014	Nov. 30, 2013	Aug. 31, 2013	25-May-13	Feb. 23, 2013	Nov. 24, 2012	Aug. 30, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 25, 2012
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net income available to shareholders	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$119,925	$116,685	$94,989
Weighted average number of shares for Basic:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Weignted average number of shares for Basic (in Shares)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	20,040	19,986	19,916
Common Class A [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net income available to shareholders	22,876	24,493	20,267	27,208	24,123	22,638	20,963	24,191	94,849	91,916	74,643
Weighted average number of shares for Basic:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Weignted average number of shares for Basic (in Shares)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	15,080	14,975	14,882
Earnings per share for Basic:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Earnings per share for Basic (in Dollars per share)	$1.51	$1.62	$1.34	$1.81	$1.61	$1.51	$1.40	$1.62	$6.29	$6.14	$5.02
Common Class B [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net income available to shareholders	5,742	6,127	5,041	6,798	6,033	5,647	5,209	6,025	23,705	22,913	18,630
Weighted average number of shares for Basic:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Weignted average number of shares for Basic (in Shares)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	4,711	4,666	4,643
Earnings per share for Basic:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Earnings per share for Basic (in Dollars per share)	$1.21	$1.30	$1.08	$1.45	$1.29	$1.21	$1.12	$1.30	$5.03	$4.91	$4.01
Unvested Participating Shares [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net income available to shareholders	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$1,371	$1,856	$1,716
Weighted average number of shares for Basic:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Weignted average number of shares for Basic (in Shares)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	249	345	391

Note_1_Summary_of_Significant_7

Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) - Summary of Earnings Per Share, Diluted, Two Class Method (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 30, 2014	31-May-14	Mar. 01, 2014	Nov. 30, 2013	Aug. 31, 2013	25-May-13	Feb. 23, 2013	Nov. 24, 2012	Aug. 30, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 25, 2012
Earnings Per Share, Diluted, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Earnings to common shareholders	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$119,925	$116,685	$94,989
Add: Undistributed earnings allocated to unvested participating shares	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,339	1,810	1,664
Less: Undistributed earnings reallocated to unvested participating shares	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-1,267	-1,712	-1,579
Diluted EPS b Common Stock	28,631	30,637	25,326	34,031	30,178	28,307	26,196	30,244	118,626	114,927	93,358
Diluted EPS b Common Stock (in Shares)	20,007	19,977	19,924	19,891	19,882	19,820	19,747	19,693	19,939	19,789	19,616
Diluted EPS b Common Stock (in Dollars per share)	$1.43	$1.53	$1.27	$1.71	$1.52	$1.43	$1.33	$1.54	$5.95	$5.81	$4.76
Share-Based Awards (in Shares)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	148	148	91
Common Class A [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Earnings Per Share, Diluted, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Earnings to common shareholders	22,876	24,493	20,267	27,208	24,123	22,638	20,963	24,191	94,849	91,916	74,643
Common shares (in Shares)	15,113	15,102	15,077	15,029	15,017	14,993	14,962	14,925	15,080	14,975	14,882
EPS (in Dollars per share)	$1.51	$1.62	$1.34	$1.81	$1.61	$1.51	$1.40	$1.62	$6.29	$6.14	$5.02
Common Class B [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Earnings Per Share, Diluted, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Earnings to common shareholders	$5,742	$6,127	$5,041	$6,798	$6,033	$5,647	$5,209	$6,025	$23,705	$22,913	$18,630
Common shares (in Shares)	4,741	4,722	4,687	4,693	4,694	4,675	4,647	4,647	4,711	4,666	4,643
EPS (in Dollars per share)	$1.21	$1.30	$1.08	$1.45	$1.29	$1.21	$1.12	$1.30	$5.03	$4.91	$4.01

Note_2_Acquisitions_Details

Note 2 - Acquisitions (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 30, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'	'
Number of Businesses Acquired	7	7
Business Combination, Consideration Transferred	$3.60	'

Note_2_Acquisitions_Details_Ac

Note 2 - Acquisitions (Details) - Acquisitions (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 30, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013
Acquisitions [Abstract]	'	'
Number of businesses acquired	7	7
Tangible assets acquired	$949	$7,494
Intangible assets and goodwill acquired	2,686	23,326
Liabilities assumed	'	-106
Acquisition of businesses	$3,635	$30,714

Note_3_Fair_Value_Measurements2

Note 3 - Fair Value Measurements (Details) - Fair Value Measurments (USD $)	Aug. 30, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Assets:	'	'
Cash equivalents	$47,552	$33,325
Pension plan assets	5,008	4,939
Total	52,560	38,264
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Assets:	'	'
Cash equivalents	47,552	33,325
Total	47,552	33,325
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Assets:	'	'
Pension plan assets	5,008	4,939
Total	$5,008	$4,939

Note_4_Income_Taxes_Details

Note 4 - Income Taxes (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 25, 2012	Aug. 30, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Leasing Arrangements	'	$52,745,000	$38,722,000
Unrecognized Tax Benefits that Would Impact Effective Tax Rate	'	800,000	700,000
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Income Tax Penalties and Interest Accrued	'	100,000	'
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Income Tax Penalties Expense	$500,000	'	'

Note_4_Income_Taxes_Details_Pr

Note 4 - Income Taxes (Details) - Provision for Income Taxes (Incomplete) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 30, 2014	31-May-14	Mar. 01, 2014	Nov. 30, 2013	Aug. 31, 2013	25-May-13	Feb. 23, 2013	Nov. 24, 2012	Aug. 30, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 25, 2012
Provision for Income Taxes (Incomplete) [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Federal	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$54,005	$39,455	$43,470
Foreign	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	3,480	3,999	3,604
State	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	9,216	6,722	8,066
Total current	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	66,701	50,176	55,140
Federal	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	6,838	17,514	540
Foreign	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	59	151	90
State	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,828	3,083	-25
Total deferred	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	8,725	20,748	605
Total	$18,785	$19,170	$15,577	$21,894	$17,576	$17,109	$16,573	$19,666	$75,426	$70,924	$55,745

Note_4_Income_Taxes_Details_Re

Note 4 - Income Taxes (Details) - Reconciliation of Provision for Income Taxes (Incomplete)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 30, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 25, 2012
Reconciliation of Provision for Income Taxes (Incomplete) [Abstract]	'	'	'
Income taxes at the statutory federal income tax rate	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
State income taxes	3.80%	3.50%	3.50%
Adjustments to tax reserves	0.10%	-0.10%	-0.60%
Foreign tax rate differential	-0.50%	-0.80%	-1.00%
Permanent and other	0.20%	0.20%	0.10%
Total	38.60%	37.80%	37.00%

Note_4_Income_Taxes_Details_Co

Note 4 - Income Taxes (Details) - Components of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities (Incomplete) (USD $)	Aug. 30, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Components of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities (Incomplete) [Abstract]	'	'
Payroll and benefit related	$16,216	$16,524
Insurance related	13,935	13,073
Environmental	7,765	7,133
Other	13,682	11,421
Total deferred tax assets	51,598	48,151
Tax in excess of book depreciation	37,152	42,512
Purchased intangible assets	31,100	28,632
Rental merchandise in service	52,745	38,722
Total deferred tax liabilities	120,997	109,866
Net deferred tax liability	$69,399	$61,715

Note_4_Income_Taxes_Details_Re1

Note 4 - Income Taxes (Details) - Reconciliation Unrecognized Tax Benefits (Incomplete) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 30, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 25, 2012
Reconciliation Unrecognized Tax Benefits (Incomplete) [Abstract]	'	'	'
Balance	$1,170	$926	$1,051
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year	430	350	'
Statute expirations	($186)	($475)	'

Note_5_Loans_Payable_and_Longt2

Note 5 - Loans Payable and Long-term Debt (Details) (USD $)	Aug. 30, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 30, 2014	Aug. 30, 2014	Aug. 30, 2014	Sep. 14, 2013	Aug. 31, 2013	Sep. 14, 2013
			Credit Agreement [Member]	Credit Agreement [Member]	Credit Agreement [Member]	Floating Rate Note [Member]	Floating Rate Note [Member]	Floating Rate Note [Member]
			Revolving Credit Facility [Member]	London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]		London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
Note 5 - Loans Payable and Long-term Debt (Details) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	'	'	$250,000,000	'	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	'	'	4-May-16	'	'	'	'	14-Sep-13
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	'	'	'	0.75%	'	0.50%	0.50%	'
Long-term Line of Credit	'	'	0	'	'	'	'	'
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount	49,600,000	47,100,000	'	'	49,600,000	'	'	'
Line of Credit Facility, Remaining Borrowing Capacity	'	'	200,400,000	'	'	'	'	'
Proceeds from Issuance of Debt	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$100,000,000

Note_5_Loans_Payable_and_Longt3

Note 5 - Loans Payable and Long-term Debt (Details) - Long-Term Debt Outstanding (USD $)	Aug. 30, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Long-Term Debt	$7,859	$111,408
Less b loans payable and current maturities of long-term debt	7,704	111,253
	155	155
Other	7,859	11,408
Floating Rate Note [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Long-Term Debt	'	$100,000

Note_5_Loans_Payable_and_Longt4

Note 5 - Loans Payable and Long-term Debt (Details) - Long-Term Debt Outstanding (Parentheticals) (Floating Rate Note [Member])	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013
Floating Rate Note [Member]	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
LIBOR plus basis points	0.50%
IntP5rP5st ratP5	0.77%

Note_5_Loans_Payable_and_Longt5

Note 5 - Loans Payable and Long-term Debt (Details) - Aggregate Maturities of Long-Term Debt (USD $)	Aug. 30, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Aggregate Maturities of Long-Term Debt [Abstract]	'	'
2015	$7,704	'
Thereafter	155	'
Total	$7,859	$111,408

Note_6_Employee_Benefit_Plans_1

Note 6 - Employee Benefit Plans (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 30, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 25, 2012
Note 6 - Employee Benefit Plans (Details) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Defined Contribution Plan, Cost Recognized	$16,400,000	$17,000,000	$11,500,000
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Note 6 - Employee Benefit Plans (Details) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost	2,076,000	1,931,000	1,845,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Accumulated Benefit Obligation	17,000,000	14,400,000	'
UniFirst Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Note 6 - Employee Benefit Plans (Details) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Minimum Annual Interest Rate	3.25%	'	'
Pension Expense	400,000	400,000	300,000
Textilease Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Note 6 - Employee Benefit Plans (Details) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Minimum Annual Interest Rate	1.50%	'	'
Pension Expense	200,000	100,000	100,000
Pension Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Note 6 - Employee Benefit Plans (Details) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost	564,000	492,000	445,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Accumulated Benefit Obligation	$8,800,000	$8,000,000	'

Note_6_Employee_Benefit_Plans_2

Note 6 - Employee Benefit Plans (Details) - Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 30, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 25, 2012
Pension Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Note 6 - Employee Benefit Plans (Details) - Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Line Items]	'	'	'
Service cost	$172	$178	$152
Interest cost	328	268	322
Expected return on assets	-183	-198	-199
Amortization of prior service cost	62	62	62
Amortization of unrecognized loss	113	138	65
Other events	72	44	43
Net periodic benefit cost	564	492	445
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Note 6 - Employee Benefit Plans (Details) - Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Line Items]	'	'	'
Service cost	615	547	512
Interest cost	942	912	858
Amortization of prior service cost	368	368	368
Amortization of unrecognized loss	151	104	107
Net periodic benefit cost	$2,076	$1,931	$1,845

Note_6_Employee_Benefit_Plans_3

Note 6 - Employee Benefit Plans (Details) - Obligations and Funded Status Related to Its Pension Plans and SERP (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 30, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 25, 2012
Note 6 - Employee Benefit Plans (Details) - Obligations and Funded Status Related to Its Pension Plans and SERP [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	$5,008	$4,939	'
Pension Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Note 6 - Employee Benefit Plans (Details) - Obligations and Funded Status Related to Its Pension Plans and SERP [Line Items]	'	'	'
Projected benefit obligation	7,954	8,301	'
Fair value of plan assets	4,939	5,114	'
Funded status (net amount recognized):	-3,747	-3,015	'
Actual return on plan assets	154	33	'
Employer contributions	322	206	'
Service cost	172	178	152
Interest cost	328	268	322
Actuarial (gain) loss	708	-379	'
Benefits paid	-198	-259	'
Settlements	-209	-155	'
Projected benefit obligation	8,755	7,954	8,301
Fair value of plan assets	5,008	4,939	5,114
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Note 6 - Employee Benefit Plans (Details) - Obligations and Funded Status Related to Its Pension Plans and SERP [Line Items]	'	'	'
Projected benefit obligation	18,110	16,399	'
Funded status (net amount recognized):	-21,284	-18,110	'
Service cost	615	547	512
Interest cost	942	912	858
Actuarial (gain) loss	2,272	827	'
Benefits paid	-655	-575	'
Projected benefit obligation	$21,284	$18,110	$16,399

Note_6_Employee_Benefit_Plans_4

Note 6 - Employee Benefit Plans (Details) - Amounts Recorded in Consolidated Balance Sheet (USD $)	Aug. 30, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 25, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Note 6 - Employee Benefit Plans (Details) - Amounts Recorded in Consolidated Balance Sheet [Line Items]	'	'	'
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	($5,244)	($4,118)	($4,373)
Pension Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Note 6 - Employee Benefit Plans (Details) - Amounts Recorded in Consolidated Balance Sheet [Line Items]	'	'	'
Deferred tax assets	1,097	913	'
Accrued liabilities	3,747	3,015	'
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-1,753	-1,458	'
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Note 6 - Employee Benefit Plans (Details) - Amounts Recorded in Consolidated Balance Sheet [Line Items]	'	'	'
Deferred tax assets	2,193	1,665	'
Accrued liabilities	21,284	18,110	'
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	($3,503)	($2,660)	'

Note_6_Employee_Benefit_Plans_5

Note 6 - Employee Benefit Plans (Details) - Amounts Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (USD $)	Aug. 30, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Pension Plan [Member]	'	'
Note 6 - Employee Benefit Plans (Details) - Amounts Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'	'
Net actuarial loss	($1,534)	($1,201)
Unrecognized prior service cost	-219	-257
	-1,753	-1,458
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan [Member]	'	'
Note 6 - Employee Benefit Plans (Details) - Amounts Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'	'
Net actuarial loss	-3,016	-1,947
Unrecognized prior service cost	-487	-713
	($3,503)	($2,660)

Note_6_Employee_Benefit_Plans_6

Note 6 - Employee Benefit Plans (Details) - Weighted Average Assumptions Used In Calculating the Company's Projected Benefit Obligation	Aug. 30, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 25, 2012
Pension Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Note 6 - Employee Benefit Plans (Details) - Weighted Average Assumptions Used In Calculating the Company's Projected Benefit Obligation [Line Items]	'	'	'
Discount rate	3.60%	4.30%	'
Rate of compensation increase	'	'	'
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Note 6 - Employee Benefit Plans (Details) - Weighted Average Assumptions Used In Calculating the Company's Projected Benefit Obligation [Line Items]	'	'	'
Discount rate	3.80%	4.60%	'
Rate of compensation increase	5.00%	5.00%	5.00%

Note_6_Employee_Benefit_Plans_7

Note 6 - Employee Benefit Plans (Details) - Weighted Average Assumptions Used in Calculating the Company's Net Periodic Service Cost	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 30, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 25, 2012
Pension Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Note 6 - Employee Benefit Plans (Details) - Weighted Average Assumptions Used in Calculating the Company's Net Periodic Service Cost [Line Items]	'	'	'
Discount rate	4.30%	3.30%	4.60%
Expected return on plan assets	4.00%	4.00%	4.00%
Rate of compensation increase	'	'	'
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Note 6 - Employee Benefit Plans (Details) - Weighted Average Assumptions Used in Calculating the Company's Net Periodic Service Cost [Line Items]	'	'	'
Discount rate	4.60%	3.60%	4.90%
Expected return on plan assets	'	'	'
Rate of compensation increase	5.00%	5.00%	5.00%

Note_6_Employee_Benefit_Plans_8

Note 6 - Employee Benefit Plans (Details) - Expected Benefit Payments (USD $)	Aug. 30, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 25, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Pension Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Note 6 - Employee Benefit Plans (Details) - Expected Benefit Payments [Line Items]	'	'	'
2015	$510	'	'
2016	398	'	'
2017	383	'	'
2018	290	'	'
2019	639	'	'
Thereafter	6,535	'	'
	8,755	7,954	8,301
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Note 6 - Employee Benefit Plans (Details) - Expected Benefit Payments [Line Items]	'	'	'
2015	761	'	'
2016	929	'	'
2017	936	'	'
2018	960	'	'
2019	1,015	'	'
Thereafter	16,683	'	'
	$21,284	$18,110	$16,399

Note_7_Goodwill_and_Other_Inta2

Note 7 - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details) (USD $)	Aug. 30, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 25, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Note 7 - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Goodwill	$303,648	$302,363	$288,137
U.S. And Canadian Rental And Cleaning [Member]	'	'	'
Note 7 - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Goodwill	298,900	'	'
Specialty Garments [Member]	'	'	'
Note 7 - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Goodwill	4,100	'	'
First Aid [Member]	'	'	'
Note 7 - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Goodwill	$600	'	'

Note_7_Goodwill_and_Other_Inta3

Note 7 - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details) - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 30, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013
Note 7 - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details) - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Goodwill	$1,404	$14,448
Goodwill	'	'
Total intangible assets and goodwill acquired	2,724	23,326
Customer Contracts [Member]	'	'
Note 7 - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details) - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Intangible assets acquired	1,141	8,146
Intangible assets acquired, weighted average life in years	'12 years 328 days	'15 years
Other Intangible Assets [Member]	'	'
Note 7 - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details) - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Intangible assets acquired	$179	$732
Intangible assets acquired, weighted average life in years	'6 years 255 days	'5 years

Note_7_Goodwill_and_Other_Inta4

Note 7 - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details) - Summary of Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 30, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 25, 2012
Summary of Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill [Abstract]	'	'	'
Balance	$303,648	$302,363	$288,137
Goodwill recorded during the period	1,404	14,448	'
Other	($119)	($222)	'

Note_7_Goodwill_and_Other_Inta5

Note 7 - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details) - Summary of Intangible Assets (USD $)	Aug. 30, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross Carrying Amount	$182,400	$181,189
Accumulated Amortization	140,923	131,845
Net Carrying Amount	41,477	49,344
Customer Contracts [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross Carrying Amount	153,730	152,672
Accumulated Amortization	113,520	105,275
Net Carrying Amount	40,210	47,397
Other Intangible Assets [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross Carrying Amount	28,670	28,517
Accumulated Amortization	27,403	26,570
Net Carrying Amount	$1,267	$1,947

Note_7_Goodwill_and_Other_Inta6

Note 7 - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details) - Estimated Amortization Expense (USD $)	Aug. 30, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Estimated Amortization Expense [Abstract]	'	'
2015	$8,390	'
2016	7,469	'
2017	6,793	'
2018	6,272	'
2019	3,559	'
Thereafter	8,994	'
	$41,477	$49,344

Note_8_Accrued_Liabilities_Det

Note 8 - Accrued Liabilities (Details) - Summary of Current and Long-Term Accrued Liabilities (USD $)	Aug. 30, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Summary of Current and Long-Term Accrued Liabilities [Abstract]	'	'
Payroll and benefit related	$48,978	$47,361
Insurance related	37,683	36,095
Environmental related	5,046	5,158
Other	9,111	6,968
	100,818	95,582
Benefit related	23,760	19,719
Environmental related	14,800	14,522
Asset retirement obligations	11,675	10,796
	50,235	45,037
Total accrued liabilities	$151,053	$140,619

Note_9_Asset_Retirement_Obliga2

Note 9 - Asset Retirement Obligations (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 30, 2014
Note 9 - Asset Retirement Obligations (Details) [Line Items]	'
Estimated Impact Of Inflation Per Year	3.00%
Credit Adjusted Risk Free Rates Minimum Rate	7.00%
Credit Adjusted Risk Free Rates Maximum Rate	7.50%
Minimum [Member]	'
Note 9 - Asset Retirement Obligations (Details) [Line Items]	'
Asset Retirement Obligation Remaining Lives	'7 years
Maximum [Member]	'
Note 9 - Asset Retirement Obligations (Details) [Line Items]	'
Asset Retirement Obligation Remaining Lives	'30 years

Note_9_Asset_Retirement_Obliga3

Note 9 - Asset Retirement Obligations (Details) - Asset Retirement Obligations (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 30, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 25, 2012
Asset Retirement Obligations [Abstract]	'	'	'
Balance	$10,796	$10,120	'
Accretion expense	941	676	632
Effect of exchange rate changes	-62	'	'
Balance	$11,675	$10,796	$10,120

Note_10_Commitments_and_Contin2

Note 10 - Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 30, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 25, 2012
Note 10 - Commitments and Contingencies (Details) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Operating Leases, Rent Expense	$9.90	$8.70	$7.70
Number Of Sites Related To Former Operations With Environmental Issues	3	'	'
Estimated Impact Of Inflation Per Year	3.00%	'	'
Proceeds from Legal Settlements	0.3	'	'
Escrow Deposit	2.9	'	'
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount	$49.60	$47.10	'
Minimum [Member]	'	'	'
Note 10 - Commitments and Contingencies (Details) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Risk Free Rates Of Interest Used To Discount Remediation Costs	2.40%	'	'
Maximum [Member]	'	'	'
Note 10 - Commitments and Contingencies (Details) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Risk Free Rates Of Interest Used To Discount Remediation Costs	3.10%	'	'

Note_10_Commitments_and_Contin3

Note 10 - Commitments and Contingencies (Details) - Annual Minimum Lease Commitments (USD $)	Aug. 30, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Annual Minimum Lease Commitments [Abstract]	'
2015	$7,720
2016	6,151
2017	4,498
2018	2,897
2019	1,689
Thereafter	1,722
	$24,677

Note_10_Commitments_and_Contin4

Note 10 - Commitments and Contingencies (Details) - Changes to Environmental Liabilities (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 30, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013
Changes to Environmental Liabilities [Abstract]	'	'
Balance	$19,680	$20,020
Costs incurred for which reserves have been provided	-2,913	-1,862
Insurance proceeds	687	282
Interest accretion	716	542
Changes in discount rates	1,080	-1,585
Revisions in estimates	596	2,283
Balance	$19,846	$19,680

Note_10_Commitments_and_Contin5

Note 10 - Commitments and Contingencies (Details) - Anticipated Payments and Insurance Proceeds of Identified Environmental Remediation Liabilities (USD $)	Aug. 30, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 25, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Anticipated Payments and Insurance Proceeds of Identified Environmental Remediation Liabilities [Abstract]	'	'	'
Estimated costs b current dollars	$5,219	'	'
Estimated costs b current dollars	1,915	'	'
Estimated costs b current dollars	1,663	'	'
Estimated costs b current dollars	745	'	'
Estimated costs b current dollars	863	'	'
Estimated costs b current dollars	12,407	'	'
Estimated costs b current dollars	22,812	'	'
Estimated insurance proceeds	-173	'	'
Estimated insurance proceeds	-159	'	'
Estimated insurance proceeds	-173	'	'
Estimated insurance proceeds	-159	'	'
Estimated insurance proceeds	-173	'	'
Estimated insurance proceeds	-1,430	'	'
Estimated insurance proceeds	-2,267	'	'
Net anticipated costs	5,046	'	'
Net anticipated costs	1,756	'	'
Net anticipated costs	1,490	'	'
Net anticipated costs	586	'	'
Net anticipated costs	690	'	'
Net anticipated costs	10,977	'	'
Net anticipated costs	20,545	'	'
Effect of inflation	7,075	'	'
Effect of discounting	-7,774	'	'
Balance as of August 30, 2014	$19,846	$19,680	$20,020

Note_11_Sharebased_Compensatio2

Note 11 - Share-based Compensation (Details) (USD $)

Aug. 30, 2014

Apr. 05, 2010

Aug. 30, 2014

Aug. 31, 2013

Aug. 25, 2012

Aug. 30, 2014

Aug. 31, 2013

Aug. 25, 2012

Apr. 05, 2010

Apr. 05, 2010

Aug. 30, 2014

Aug. 30, 2014

In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified

Unrestricted Stock [Member]

Unrestricted Stock [Member]

Unrestricted Stock [Member]

Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) [Member]

Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) [Member]

Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) [Member]

Performance Restriced Shares [Member]

Restricted Stock [Member]

Restricted Stock [Member]

Share Based Awards [Member]

The 2010 Plan [Member]

The 2010 Plan [Member]

The 2010 Plan [Member]

Chief Executive Officer [Member]

Chief Executive Officer [Member]

Note 11 - Share-based Compensation (Details) [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period

'

'

583

1,590

3,153

4,700

6,570

8,620

350,000

50,000

'

'

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Requisite Service Period

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'4 years

'6 years

'

'

Share Price (in Dollars per share)

'

$51.39

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized (in Dollars)

$7.90

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'1 year 36 days

'2 years 109 days

Note_11_Sharebased_Compensatio3

Note 11 - Share-based Compensation (Details) - Summary of Compensation Expense for All Share-Based Compensation (USD $)	Aug. 30, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Note 11 - Share-based Compensation (Details) - Summary of Compensation Expense for All Share-Based Compensation [Line Items]	'
2015	$3,556
2016	2,193
2017	1,227
2018	821
2019	133
Total	7,930
Share Based Awards [Member]	'
Note 11 - Share-based Compensation (Details) - Summary of Compensation Expense for All Share-Based Compensation [Line Items]	'
2015	1,859
2016	1,513
2017	1,227
2018	821
2019	133
Total	5,553
Restricted Stock [Member]	'
Note 11 - Share-based Compensation (Details) - Summary of Compensation Expense for All Share-Based Compensation [Line Items]	'
2015	1,697
2016	680
Total	$2,377

Note_11_Sharebased_Compensatio4

Note 11 - Share-based Compensation (Details) - Summary of Share-Based Activity (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 30, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013
Summary of Share-Based Activity [Abstract]	'	'
Outstanding	618,602	584,540
Outstanding	$61.86	$48.47
Exercisable, August 30, 2014	85,902	'
Exercisable, August 30, 2014	$47.36	'
Granted	129,200	'
Granted	$103.16	'
Exercised	-89,638	'
Exercised	$34.26	'
Forfeited	-5,500	'
Forfeited	$58.53	'

Note_12_Shareholders_Equity_De

Note 12 - Shareholders' Equity (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 30, 2014
Common Class A [Member]	'
Note 12 - Shareholders' Equity (Details) [Line Items]	'
Common Stock, Voting Rights, Number of Votes	1
Common Stock, Dividend Rate, Percentage	125.00%
Common Class B [Member]	'
Note 12 - Shareholders' Equity (Details) [Line Items]	'
Common Stock, Voting Rights, Number of Votes	10
Conversion of Stock, Shares Converted (in Shares)	12,758

Note_13_Accumulated_Other_Comp2

Note 13 - Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income (Details) - Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 30, 2014		Aug. 31, 2013		Aug. 25, 2012
Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax [Abstract]	'		'		'
Foreign Currency Translation	$2,711		$5,563		$11,644
Pension - related	-5,244		-4,118		-4,373
Total Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	-2,533		1,445		7,271
Foreign Currency Translation	-2,852		-6,081		-2,204
Pension - related	-1,126	[1]	255	[1]	-362	[1]
Total Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	($3,978)		($5,826)		($2,566)
[1]	These amounts are shown net of the effect of income taxes

Note_14_Segment_Reporting_Deta

Note 14 - Segment Reporting (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Number of Operating Segments	6
Number of Reportable Segments	5

Note_14_Segment_Reporting_Deta1

Note 14 - Segment Reporting (Details) - Segment Reporting (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 30, 2014	31-May-14	Mar. 01, 2014	Nov. 30, 2013	Aug. 31, 2013	25-May-13	Feb. 23, 2013	Nov. 24, 2012	Aug. 30, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 25, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	$351,988	$352,238	$343,967	$346,704	$352,876	$335,764	$334,306	$332,569	$1,394,897	$1,355,515	$1,256,289
Income (loss) from operations	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	193,275	186,203	151,108
Interest (income) expense, net	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-2,359	-1,550	-606
Income (loss) before taxes	47,657	50,114	41,224	56,356	48,137	45,831	43,215	50,426	195,351	187,609	150,734
Depreciation and amortization	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	71,752	69,607	66,439
Capital expenditures	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	91,808	103,526	74,549
Total assets	1,424,161	'	'	'	1,374,862	'	'	'	1,424,161	1,374,862	1,240,534
U.S. And Canadian Rental And Cleaning [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,244,408	1,200,286	1,099,421
Income (loss) from operations	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	209,497	200,852	164,793
Interest (income) expense, net	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-3,077	-2,944	-2,535
Income (loss) before taxes	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	212,551	203,798	167,284
Depreciation and amortization	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	49,116	46,793	43,501
Capital expenditures	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	86,430	97,519	66,526
Total assets	1,286,984	'	'	'	1,241,924	'	'	'	1,286,984	1,241,924	1,108,362
MFG [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	183,340	170,867	160,421
Income (loss) from operations	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	63,675	61,896	50,036
Income (loss) before taxes	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	63,540	61,749	50,101
Depreciation and amortization	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,306	1,033	1,133
Capital expenditures	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	2,264	3,559	1,306
Total assets	38,066	'	'	'	31,781	'	'	'	38,066	31,781	28,099
Net Interco MFG Elimination [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-183,340	-170,867	-160,421
Income (loss) from operations	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-3,777	-9,729	-5,168
Income (loss) before taxes	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-3,777	-9,729	-5,168
Corporate Segment [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	15,077	14,079	12,902
Income (loss) from operations	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-87,145	-82,357	-76,376
Interest (income) expense, net	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	718	1,394	1,929
Income (loss) before taxes	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-87,897	-83,783	-78,345
Depreciation and amortization	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	15,751	15,296	15,599
Subtotal Core Laundry Operations [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,259,485	1,214,365	1,112,323
Income (loss) from operations	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	182,250	170,662	133,285
Interest (income) expense, net	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-2,359	-1,550	-606
Income (loss) before taxes	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	184,417	172,035	133,872
Depreciation and amortization	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	66,173	63,122	60,233
Capital expenditures	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	88,694	101,078	67,832
Total assets	1,325,050	'	'	'	1,273,705	'	'	'	1,325,050	1,273,705	1,136,461
Specialty Garments [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	91,484	96,688	102,758
Income (loss) from operations	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	7,178	10,539	13,460
Income (loss) before taxes	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	7,087	10,572	12,499
Depreciation and amortization	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	4,646	5,114	4,788
Capital expenditures	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,847	1,962	6,044
Total assets	77,037	'	'	'	79,640	'	'	'	77,037	79,640	83,137
First Aid [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	43,928	44,462	41,208
Income (loss) from operations	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	3,847	5,002	4,363
Income (loss) before taxes	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	3,847	5,002	4,363
Depreciation and amortization	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	933	1,371	1,418
Capital expenditures	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,267	486	673
Total assets	$22,074	'	'	'	$21,517	'	'	'	$22,074	$21,517	$20,936

Note_14_Segment_Reporting_Deta2

Note 14 - Segment Reporting (Details) - Summary of Long-Lived Assets by Geographic Area (USD $)	Aug. 30, 2014		Aug. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Note 14 - Segment Reporting (Details) - Summary of Long-Lived Assets by Geographic Area [Line Items]	'		'
Long-lived assets	$834,871		$813,468
UNITED STATES	'		'
Note 14 - Segment Reporting (Details) - Summary of Long-Lived Assets by Geographic Area [Line Items]	'		'
Long-lived assets	781,478		769,121
Europe, Canada, Mexico and Nicaragua [Member]	'		'
Note 14 - Segment Reporting (Details) - Summary of Long-Lived Assets by Geographic Area [Line Items]	'		'
Long-lived assets	$53,393	[1]	$44,347	[1]
[1]	No country accounts for greater than 10% of total long-lived assets, revenues or income before income taxes

Note_14_Segment_Reporting_Deta3

Note 14 - Segment Reporting (Details) - Summary of Revenues and Income Before Income Taxes by Geographic Area (USD $)

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Aug. 30, 2014

31-May-14

Mar. 01, 2014

Nov. 30, 2013

Aug. 31, 2013

25-May-13

Feb. 23, 2013

Nov. 24, 2012

Aug. 30, 2014

Aug. 31, 2013

Aug. 25, 2012

Note 14 - Segment Reporting (Details) - Summary of Revenues and Income Before Income Taxes by Geographic Area [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Revenues

$351,988

$352,238

$343,967

$346,704

$352,876

$335,764

$334,306

$332,569

$1,394,897

$1,355,515

$1,256,289

Income before income taxes

47,657

50,114

41,224

56,356

48,137

45,831

43,215

50,426

195,351

187,609

150,734

UNITED STATES

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Note 14 - Segment Reporting (Details) - Summary of Revenues and Income Before Income Taxes by Geographic Area [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Revenues

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,258,609

1,223,534

1,144,753

Income before income taxes

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

182,354

171,899

134,651

Europe and Canada [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Note 14 - Segment Reporting (Details) - Summary of Revenues and Income Before Income Taxes by Geographic Area [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Revenues

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

136,288

[1]

131,981

[1]

111,536

[1]

Europe, Canada, Mexico and Nicaragua [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Note 14 - Segment Reporting (Details) - Summary of Revenues and Income Before Income Taxes by Geographic Area [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Income before income taxes

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$12,997

[1]

$15,710

[1]

$16,083

[1]

[1]

No country accounts for greater than 10% of total long-lived assets, revenues or income before income taxes

Quarterly_Financial_Data_Unaud2

Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Details) - Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 30, 2014	31-May-14	Mar. 01, 2014	Nov. 30, 2013	Aug. 31, 2013	25-May-13	Feb. 23, 2013	Nov. 24, 2012	Aug. 30, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 25, 2012
Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Details) - Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	$351,988	$352,238	$343,967	$346,704	$352,876	$335,764	$334,306	$332,569	$1,394,897	$1,355,515	$1,256,289
Income before income taxes	47,657	50,114	41,224	56,356	48,137	45,831	43,215	50,426	195,351	187,609	150,734
Provision for income taxes	18,785	19,170	15,577	21,894	17,576	17,109	16,573	19,666	75,426	70,924	55,745
Net income	28,872	30,944	25,647	34,462	30,561	28,722	26,642	30,760	119,925	116,685	94,989
Common Stock (in Dollars per share)	$1.43	$1.53	$1.27	$1.71	$1.52	$1.43	$1.33	$1.54	$5.95	$5.81	$4.76
Income allocated to b Basic	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	119,925	116,685	94,989
Common Stock	28,631	30,637	25,326	34,031	30,178	28,307	26,196	30,244	118,626	114,927	93,358
Common Stock (in Shares)	20,007	19,977	19,924	19,891	19,882	19,820	19,747	19,693	19,939	19,789	19,616
Common Class A [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Details) - Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Income per share b Basic (in Dollars per share)	$1.51	$1.62	$1.34	$1.81	$1.61	$1.51	$1.40	$1.62	$6.29	$6.14	$5.02
Income allocated to b Basic	22,876	24,493	20,267	27,208	24,123	22,638	20,963	24,191	94,849	91,916	74,643
Weighted average number of shares outstanding b Basic (in Shares)	15,113	15,102	15,077	15,029	15,017	14,993	14,962	14,925	15,080	14,975	14,882
Common Class B [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Details) - Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Income per share b Basic (in Dollars per share)	$1.21	$1.30	$1.08	$1.45	$1.29	$1.21	$1.12	$1.30	$5.03	$4.91	$4.01
Income allocated to b Basic	$5,742	$6,127	$5,041	$6,798	$6,033	$5,647	$5,209	$6,025	$23,705	$22,913	$18,630
Weighted average number of shares outstanding b Basic (in Shares)	4,741	4,722	4,687	4,693	4,694	4,675	4,647	4,647	4,711	4,666	4,643

Schedule_II_Valuation_and_Qual1

Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts and Reserves (Details) - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts and Reserves (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 30, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 25, 2012
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts [Member]	'	'	'
Valuation Allowance [Line Items]	'	'	'
Balance	$4,894	$5,152	$4,201
Charged to Costs and Expenses	4,378	3,939	6,221
Charges for Which Reserves Were Created or Deductions	-4,158	-4,197	-5,270
Balance	5,114	4,894	5,152
Inventory Valuation Reserve [Member]	'	'	'
Valuation Allowance [Line Items]	'	'	'
Balance	2,018	2,322	1,410
Charged to Costs and Expenses	535	251	1,465
Charges for Which Reserves Were Created or Deductions	-640	-555	-553
Balance	$1,913	$2,018	$2,322