Healthcare Services (HCSG) 10-Q 23 Oct 15 2015 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document And Entity Information

Document And Entity Information - shares shares in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Oct. 21, 2015
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	HEALTHCARE SERVICES GROUP INC
Entity Central Index Key	731,012
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2015
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		71,967

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Un

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 44,369	$ 75,280
Marketable securities, at fair value	59,199	11,799
Accounts and notes receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $5,316,000 as of September 30, 2015 and $6,136,000 as of December 31, 2014	209,626	198,128
Inventories and supplies	35,887	35,462
Deferred income taxes	0	3,455
Prepaid income taxes	1,086	912
Prepaid expenses and other	11,809	9,792
Total current assets	361,976	334,828
Property and equipment, net	13,251	12,772
Goodwill	44,438	44,438
Other intangible assets, less accumulated amortization of $18,663,000 as of September 30, 2015 and $16,232,000 as of December 31, 2014	17,918	20,349
Notes receivable — long term portion	2,626	5,179
Deferred compensation funding, at fair value	23,905	24,742
Deferred income taxes — long term portion	10,642	27,233
Other noncurrent assets	42	38
TOTAL ASSETS	474,798	469,579
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	37,982	43,554
Accrued payroll, accrued and withheld payroll taxes	28,183	47,696
Other accrued expenses	6,742	8,961
Deferred income taxes	821	0
Accrued insurance claims	19,115	17,748
Total current liabilities	92,843	117,959
Accrued insurance claims — long term portion	60,531	50,514
Deferred compensation liability	$ 24,306	$ 25,276
Commitments and contingencies
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
Common stock, $.01 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized; 73,692,000 shares issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2015 and 72,878,000 shares as of December 31, 2014	$ 737	$ 729
Additional paid-in capital	196,333	186,022
Retained earnings	110,789	100,237
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of taxes	206	25
Common stock in treasury, at cost, 1,758,000 shares as of September 30, 2015 and 1,821,000 shares as of December 31, 2014	(10,947)	(11,183)
Total stockholders’ equity	297,118	275,830
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY	$ 474,798	$ 469,579

Consolidated Balance Sheets (U3

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Current assets:
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 5,316	$ 6,136
Accumulated amortization of other intangible assets	$ 18,663	$ 16,232
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
Common stock, par value (dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized (shares)	100,000,000	100,000,000
Common stock, shares issued (shares)	73,692,000	72,878,000
Common stock, shares outstanding (shares)	73,692,000	72,878,000
Common stock in treasury (shares)	1,758,000	1,821,000

Consolidated Statements Of Comp

Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 360,165	$ 320,099	$ 1,070,767	$ 951,559
Operating costs and expenses:
Costs of services provided	308,645	315,757	916,798	858,943
Selling, general and administrative	23,445	39,375	75,332	83,661
Other income (expense):
Investment and interest	(1,334)	(50)	(585)	1,134
Income (loss) before income taxes	26,741	(35,083)	78,052	10,089
Income tax provision (benefit)	9,655	(12,901)	29,162	3,711
Net income (loss)	$ 17,086	$ (22,182)	$ 48,890	$ 6,378
Per share data:
Basic earnings (loss) per common share (dollars per share)	$ 0.24	$ (0.31)	$ 0.68	$ 0.09
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share (dollars per share)	$ 0.24	$ (0.31)	$ 0.68	$ 0.09
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic (shares)	72,009	70,671	71,714	70,479
Diluted (shares)	72,691	70,671	72,381	71,213
Comprehensive income:
Net income (loss)	$ 17,086	$ (22,182)	$ 48,890	$ 6,378
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized gain (loss) on available for sale marketable securities, net of taxes	198	(4)	181	3
Total comprehensive income (loss)	$ 17,284	$ (22,186)	$ 49,071	$ 6,381

Consolidated Statements Of Cash

Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$ 48,890	$ 6,378
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	5,678	5,306
Bad debt provision	2,225	3,720
Deferred income tax (benefits)	20,767	(11,920)
Stock-based compensation expense	2,567	2,277
Amortization of premium on marketable securities	314	263
Unrealized loss (gain) on deferred compensation fund investments	939	(694)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts and notes receivable	(11,170)	(12,178)
Inventories and supplies	(425)	(361)
Prepaid expenses and other assets	(2,020)	(3,082)
Deferred compensation funding	836	(2,004)
Accounts payable and other accrued expenses	(7,703)	14,591
Accrued payroll, accrued and withheld payroll taxes	(18,189)	(11,480)
Accrued insurance claims	11,384	30,902
Deferred compensation liability	(1,415)	3,155
Income taxes payable	(173)	(1,222)
Net cash provided by operating activities	52,505	23,651
Cash flows from investing activities:
Disposals of fixed assets	248	393
Additions to property and equipment	(3,975)	(3,656)
Purchases of marketable securities	(52,219)	(3,633)
Sales of marketable securities	4,786	2,945
Net cash used in investing activities	(51,160)	(3,951)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Dividends paid	(38,338)	(36,598)
Reissuance of treasury stock pursuant to Dividend Reinvestment Plan	83	55
Tax benefit from equity compensation plans	1,062	1,042
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options	4,937	4,522
Net cash used in financing activities	(32,256)	(30,979)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	(30,911)	(11,279)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period	75,280	64,155
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period	44,369	52,876
Supplementary Cash Flow Information:
Cash paid for interest	137	122
Cash paid for income taxes, net of refunds	7,508	15,810
Issuance of Common Stock in 2015 and 2014, respectively, pursuant to Employee Stock Purchase Plan	$ 1,701	$ 1,851

Consolidated Statements Of Stoc

Consolidated Statements Of Stockholders' Equity (Unaudited) - 9 months ended Sep. 30, 2015 - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-In Capital	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, net of taxes	Retained Earnings	Treasury Stock
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2014		72,878
Balance at Dec. 31, 2014	$ 275,830	$ 729	$ 186,022	$ 25	$ 100,237	$ (11,183)
Comprehensive income:
Net income for the period	48,890				48,890
Unrealized gain on available for sale marketable securities, net of taxes	181			181
Total comprehensive income (loss)	49,071
Exercise of stock options, net of shares tendered for payment (in shares)		285
Exercise of stock options, net of shares tendered for payment	4,937	$ 3	4,934
Tax benefit from equity compensation plans	1,062		1,062
Share-based compensation expense — stock options and restricted stock	2,280		2,280
Treasury shares issued for Deferred Compensation Plan funding and redemptions	492		422			70
Shares issued pursuant to Employee Stock Purchase Plan	1,701		1,363			338
Cash dividends	(38,338)				(38,338)
Shares issued pursuant to Dividend Reinvestment Plan	83		255			(172)
Shares issued pursuant to prior year acquisition (in shares)		529
Shares issued pursuant to prior year acquisition	0	$ 5	(5)
Balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2015		73,692
Balance at Sep. 30, 2015	$ 297,118	$ 737	$ 196,333	$ 206	$ 110,789	$ (10,947)

Description of Business and Sig

Description of Business and Significant Accounting Policies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Description of Business and Significant Accounting Policies	Description of Business and Significant Accounting Policies Unaudited Interim Financial Data The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States ("U.S. GAAP") for interim financial information and the requirements of Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, these consolidated financial statements do not include all of the information and footnotes necessary for a complete presentation of financial position, results of operations and cash flows. However, in our opinion, all adjustments which are of a normal recurring nature and necessary for a fair presentation have been reflected in these consolidated financial statements. The balance sheet shown in this report as of December 31, 2014 has been derived from, and does not include, all the disclosures contained in the financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2014 . The financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 . The results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for any future period. Nature of Operations We provide management, administrative and operating expertise and services to the housekeeping, laundry, linen, facility maintenance and dietary service departments of the health care industry, including nursing homes, retirement complexes, rehabilitation centers and hospitals located throughout the United States. Although we do not directly participate in any government reimbursement programs, our clients’ reimbursements are subject to government regulation. Therefore, they are directly affected by any legislation relating to Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement programs. We provide our services primarily pursuant to full service agreements with our clients. In such agreements, we are responsible for the day-to-day management of the managers and hourly employees located at our clients’ facilities. We also provide services on the basis of a management-only agreement for a very limited number of clients. Our agreements with clients typically provide for a one year service term, cancelable by either party upon 30 to 90 days’ notice after the initial 90-day period. We are organized into two reportable segments: housekeeping, laundry, linen and other services (“Housekeeping”), and dietary department services (“Dietary”). Housekeeping consists of the managing of the client’s housekeeping department which is principally responsible for the cleaning, disinfecting and sanitizing of patient rooms and common areas of a client’s facility, as well as the laundering and processing of the personal clothing belonging to the facility’s patients. Also within the scope of this segment’s service is the responsibility for laundering and processing of the bed linens, uniforms and other assorted linen items utilized by a client facility. Dietary consists of managing the client’s dietary department which is principally responsible for food purchasing, meal preparation and providing dietitian consulting professional services, which includes the development of a menu that meets the patient’s dietary needs. Principles of Consolidation The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Healthcare Services Group, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash and cash equivalents are held in U.S. financial institutions or in custodial accounts with U.S. financial institutions. Cash and cash equivalents are defined as short-term, highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less at time of purchase that are readily convertible into cash and have insignificant interest rate risk. Inventories and Supplies Inventories and supplies include housekeeping, linen and laundry supplies, as well as food provisions and supplies. Inventories and supplies are stated at cost to approximate a first-in, first-out (FIFO) basis. Linen supplies are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful life of 24 months. Revenue Recognition Revenues from our service agreements with clients are recognized as services are performed. As a distributor of laundry equipment, we occasionally sell laundry installations to certain clients. The sales in most cases represent the construction and installation of a turn-key operation and are for payment terms ranging from 24 to 60 months. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 , laundry installation sales were not material. Income Taxes We use the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under this method, income tax expense is recognized for the amount of taxes payable or refundable for the current period. We accrue for probable tax obligations as required by facts and circumstances in the various regulatory environments. In addition, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax basis of assets and liabilities. If appropriate, we would record a valuation allowance to reduce deferred tax assets to an amount for which realization is more likely than not. In accordance with U.S. GAAP, we account for uncertain income tax positions reflected within our financial statements based on a recognition threshold and measurement process for financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. Earnings (Loss) per Common Share Basic earnings (loss) per common share are computed by dividing income (loss) available to common shareholders by the weighted-average common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings (loss) per common share reflect the weighted-average common shares outstanding and dilutive common shares, such as those issuable upon exercise of stock options. Share-Based Compensation U.S. GAAP addresses the accounting for share-based compensation, specifically, the measurement and recognition of compensation expense, based on estimated fair values, for all share-based awards made to employees and directors, including stock options and participation in the Company’s employee stock purchase plan. We estimate the fair value of share-based awards on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option valuation model. The value of the portion of the award that is ultimately expected to vest is recognized as an expense in the Company’s consolidated statements of comprehensive income over the requisite service periods. We use the straight-line single option method of expensing share-based awards in our consolidated statements of comprehensive income. Because share-based compensation expense is based on awards that are ultimately expected to vest, share-based compensation expense will be reduced to account for estimated forfeitures. Forfeitures are to be estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. Use of Estimates in Financial Statements In preparing financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP, we make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, as well as the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Significant estimates are used for, but not limited to, our allowance for doubtful accounts, accrued insurance claims, asset valuations and review for potential impairment, and deferred taxes. The estimates are based upon various factors including current and historical trends, as well as other pertinent industry and regulatory authority information. We regularly evaluate this information to determine if it is necessary to update the basis for our estimates and to compensate for known changes. Self-Funded Captive Insurance Programs In July 2015, the Company transitioned its workers compensation and certain employee health & welfare insurance programs to HCSG Insurance Corp. ("HCSG Insurance"), its wholly owned captive insurance subsidiary. HCSG Insurance previously provided general liability coverage to the Company. HCSG Insurance was formed in January 2014 to provide the Company with greater efficiency in managing its property & casualty and health & welfare programs. Concentrations of Credit Risk Financial instruments, as defined by U.S. GAAP, which potentially subject us to concentrations of credit risk, consist principally of cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities, deferred compensation funding and accounts and notes receivable. We define our marketable securities as fixed income investments which are highly liquid investments that can be readily purchased or sold using established markets. At September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , substantially all of our cash and cash equivalents, and marketable securities were held in one large financial institution located in the United States. Our clients are concentrated in the health care industry, primarily providers of long-term care. Many of our clients’ revenues are highly contingent on Medicare, Medicaid and third party payors’ reimbursement funding rates. Congress has enacted a number of major laws during the past decade that have significantly altered, or threatened to alter, overall government reimbursement for nursing home services. These changes and lack of substantive reimbursement funding rate reform legislation, as well as other trends in the long-term care industry have affected and could adversely affect the liquidity of our clients, resulting in their inability to make payments to us on agreed upon payment terms. These factors, in addition to delays in payments from clients, could result in significant additional bad debts in the future. Recent Accounting Pronouncements In September 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2015-16, Business Combinations (Topic 805). The amendments in this ASU require that an acquirer recognize adjustments to provisional amounts that are identified during the measurement period in the reporting period in which the adjustment amounts are determined. Additionally, this ASU requires an entity to present separately on the face of the income statement or disclose in the notes the portion of the amount recorded in current period earnings by line item that would have been recorded in previous reporting periods if the adjustment to the provisional amounts had been recognized as of the acquisition date. To simplify the accounting for adjustments made to provisional amounts recognized in a business combination, the amendments in this ASU eliminates the requirement to retrospectively account for those adjustments. This ASU is effective prospectively for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, including interim periods within those fiscal years.The Company does not expect the guidance in this ASU to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. In August 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued ASU 2015-14, Revenue from Contracts with Customer (Topic 606): Deferral of the Effective Date . This ASU defers the effective date of ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customer (Topic 606) for all entities by one year. As a result, all entities will be required to apply the provisions of ASU 2014-09 to annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim reporting periods within that reporting period. Early adoption is permitted only as of annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim reporting periods within that reporting period. The Company is currently assessing the adoption date and impact the guidance in this ASU will have, if any, on our consolidated results of operations, cash flows, or financial position. In June 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued ASU 2015-10, Technical Corrections and Improvements . The amendments in this ASU represent changes to clarify the Codification, correct unintended application of guidance, or make minor improvements to the Codification that are not expected to have a significant effect on current accounting practice or create a significant administrative cost to most entities. Additionally, some of the amendments will make the Codification easier to understand and easier to apply by eliminating inconsistencies, providing needed clarifications, and improving the presentation of guidance in the Codification. This ASU is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning on or after December 15, 2015, with early adoption permitted. The Company does not expect the guidance in this ASU to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. In August 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued ASU 2014-15, Presentation of Financial Statements - Going Concern (Subtopic 205-40). This ASU will require an entity's management, for each annual and interim reporting period, to evaluate whether there are conditions or events, considered in the aggregate, that raise substantial doubt about the entity's ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date that the financial statements are issued. The definition of substantial doubt within this ASU incorporates a likelihood threshold of "probable" similar to the use of that term under current guidance for Topic 450, Contingencies. Certain disclosures will be required if conditions give rise to substantial doubt. This ASU is effective for the annual period ending after December 15, 2016, and for annual periods and interim periods thereafter, with early adoption permitted. The Company does not expect the guidance in this ASU to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

Acquisition

Acquisition	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Acquisition	Acquisition On July 12, 2013 , the Company acquired substantially all of the operating assets of Platinum Health Services, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and Platinum Health Services PEO, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (collectively “Platinum”). The total purchase consideration was $50,766,000 , which consisted of a cash payment of $5,000,000 , the issuance of 1,215,000 shares of the Company's common stock with a fair value of $30,062,000 and contingent consideration with a fair value of $15,704,000 as described below. The purchase price allocation was completed in the second quarter of 2014. Upon the achievement of certain financial and retention targets, the Platinum stockholders were eligible for contingent consideration paid by the future issuance of 1,005,000 shares of the Company's common stock. As of September 30, 2015, all shares of contingent consideration were earned and distributed to the Platinum stockholders. The Company's obligation to pay contingent consideration has been appropriately classified as equity within the financial statements.

Changes in Accumulated Other Co

Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income by Component	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]
Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income by Component	Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income by Component U.S. GAAP establishes standards for presenting information about significant items reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by component. As of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , respectively, we generated other comprehensive income from one component, which relates to the unrealized gains and losses from our available for sale marketable securities during a given reporting period. The following table provides a summary of changes in accumulated other comprehensive income for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 : Unrealized Gains and Losses on Available for Sale Securities (1) Accumulated other comprehensive income — December 31, 2014 $ 25,000 Other comprehensive income before reclassifications 184,000 Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (2)(3) (3,000 ) Net current period change in other comprehensive income 181,000 Accumulated other comprehensive income — September 30, 2015 $ 206,000 (1) All amounts are net of tax. (2) Realized gains and losses are recorded pre-tax in the other income - investment and interest caption on our consolidated statements of comprehensive income. (3) For the nine months ended September 30, 2015 , the Company recorded $5,000 of realized gains from the sale of available for sale securities. Refer to Note 6 herein for further information.

Property and Equipment

Property and Equipment	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Property and Equipment	Property and Equipment Property and equipment is recorded at cost. Depreciation is recorded over the estimated useful life of each class of depreciable assets, and is computed using the straight-line method. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the estimated asset life or term of the lease. Repairs and maintenance costs are charged to expense as incurred. The following table sets forth the amounts of property and equipment by each class of depreciable assets as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 : September 30, 2015 December 31, 2014 Laundry and linen equipment installations $ 1,088,000 $ 2,578,000 Housekeeping and office equipment and furniture 28,918,000 33,546,000 Autos and trucks 138,000 232,000 Total property and equipment, at cost 30,144,000 36,356,000 Less accumulated depreciation 16,893,000 23,584,000 Total property and equipment, net $ 13,251,000 $ 12,772,000 Depreciation expense for the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 was $1,036,000 and $898,000 , respectively. Depreciation expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 was $3,247,000 and $2,794,000 , respectively.

Goodwill And Other Intangible A

Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets	Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of net assets acquired of businesses and is not amortized. Goodwill is evaluated for impairment on an annual basis, or more frequently if impairment indicators arise, using a fair-value-based test that compares the fair value of the reporting unit to its carrying value. Goodwill by reportable operating segment, as described in Note 11 herein, was approximately $42,377,000 and $2,061,000 for Housekeeping and Dietary, respectively, as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 . The cost of intangible assets is based on fair values at the date of acquisition. Intangible assets with determinable lives are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful life (between 7 and 10 years). The following table sets forth the amounts of our identifiable intangible assets subject to amortization, which were acquired in acquisitions. September 30, 2015 December 31, 2014 Customer relationships $ 35,781,000 $ 35,781,000 Non-compete agreements 800,000 800,000 Total other intangibles, gross 36,581,000 36,581,000 Less accumulated amortization 18,663,000 16,232,000 Other intangibles, net $ 17,918,000 $ 20,349,000 The customer relationships and non-compete agreements have a weighted-average amortization period of eight years. As of September 30, 2015 , the Company's non-compete agreements have been fully amortized. The following table sets forth the estimated amortization expense for intangibles subject to amortization for the remainder of 2015, the following five fiscal years and thereafter: Period/Year Total Amortization Expense October 1 to December 31, 2015 $ 811,000 2016 2,698,000 2017 2,427,000 2018 2,328,000 2019 2,130,000 2020 2,130,000 Thereafter 5,394,000 Amortization expense for the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 was $811,000 and $827,000 , respectively. Amortization expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 was $2,431,000 and $2,512,000 , respectively.

Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurements	Fair Value Measurements We, in accordance with U.S. GAAP, define fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (exit price). We have not elected the fair value option for our available for sale marketable securities as we believe these assets are more representative of our investing activities and are viewed as non-operating in nature. These assets are available for future needs of the Company to support our current and projected growth, if required. In accordance with U.S. GAAP, our investments in marketable securities are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. These investment securities are valued based upon quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active, and model-based valuation techniques for which all significant assumptions are observable in the market. The Company’s financial instruments consist mainly of cash and cash equivalents, available for sale marketable securities, accounts and notes receivable, prepaid expenses and other, and accounts payable (including income taxes payable and accrued expenses). The carrying value of these financial instruments approximates their fair value because of their short-term nature. The fair value of financial instruments is defined as the amount at which the instrument could be exchanged in a current transaction between willing parties. The following tables provide fair value measurement information for our marketable securities and deferred compensation fund investment assets as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 : As of September 30, 2015 Fair Value Measurement Using: Carrying Total Fair Quoted Significant Significant Financial Assets: Marketable securities Municipal bonds — available for sale $ 59,199,000 $ 59,199,000 $ — $ 59,199,000 $ — Deferred compensation fund Money Market $ 3,411,000 $ 3,411,000 $ — $ 3,411,000 $ — Balanced and Lifestyle 8,633,000 8,633,000 8,633,000 — — Large Cap Growth 4,857,000 4,857,000 4,857,000 — — Fixed Income 2,684,000 2,684,000 2,684,000 — — Small Cap Growth 2,159,000 2,159,000 2,159,000 — — Mid Cap Growth 1,164,000 1,164,000 1,164,000 — — International 997,000 997,000 997,000 — — Deferred compensation fund $ 23,905,000 $ 23,905,000 $ 20,494,000 $ 3,411,000 $ — As of December 31, 2014 Fair Value Measurement Using: Carrying Total Fair Quoted Significant Significant Financial Assets: Marketable securities Municipal bonds — available for sale $ 11,799,000 $ 11,799,000 $ — $ 11,799,000 $ — Deferred compensation fund Money Market $ 4,278,000 $ 4,278,000 $ — $ 4,278,000 $ — Balanced and Lifestyle 8,885,000 8,885,000 8,885,000 — — Large Cap Growth 4,856,000 4,856,000 4,856,000 — — Small Cap Value 2,392,000 2,392,000 2,392,000 — — Fixed Income 2,081,000 2,081,000 2,081,000 — — International 1,097,000 1,097,000 1,097,000 — — Mid Cap Growth 1,153,000 1,153,000 1,153,000 — — Deferred compensation fund $ 24,742,000 $ 24,742,000 $ 20,464,000 $ 4,278,000 $ — The fair value of the municipal bonds is measured using third party pricing service data. The fair value of equity investments in the funded deferred compensation plan are valued (Level 1) based on quoted market prices. The money market fund in the funded deferred compensation plan is valued (Level 2) at the net asset value (“NAV”) of the shares held by the plan at the end of the period. As a practical expedient, fair value of our money market fund is valued at the NAV as determined by the custodian of the fund. The money market fund includes short-term United States dollar denominated money-market instruments. The money market fund can be redeemed at its NAV at its measurement date as there are no significant restrictions on the ability of participants to sell this investment. These assets will be redeemed by the plan participants on an as needed basis. Unrealized gains and losses from marketable securities are recorded in the other comprehensive income caption in our consolidated statements of comprehensive income. For the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, we recorded unrealized gains from marketable securities of $198,000 and unrealized losses of $4,000 , respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, we recorded unrealized gains from marketable securities of $181,000 and $3,000 , respectively. Amortized Cost Gross Unrealized Gains Gross Unrealized Losses Estimated Fair Value Other-than-temporary Impairments September 30, 2015 Type of security: Municipal bonds — available for sale $ 58,876,000 $ 330,000 $ (7,000 ) $ 59,199,000 $ — Total debt securities $ 58,876,000 $ 330,000 $ (7,000 ) $ 59,199,000 $ — December 31, 2014 Type of security: Municipal bonds — available for sale $ 11,758,000 $ 48,000 $ (7,000 ) $ 11,799,000 $ — Total debt securities $ 11,758,000 $ 48,000 $ (7,000 ) $ 11,799,000 $ — For the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, we received total proceeds, less the amount of interest received, of $1,858,000 and $763,000 , respectively, from sales of available for sale municipal bonds. These sales resulted in realized gains of $2,000 and $3,000 , respectively, and were recorded in other income – investment and interest caption on our consolidated statements of comprehensive income for the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014. The basis for the sale of these securities was a specific identification of each bond sold during this period. For the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, we received total proceeds, less the amount of interest received, of $4,404,000 and $2,638,000 , respectively, from sales of available for sale municipal bonds. These sales resulted in realized gains of $5,000 and $7,000 , respectively, and were recorded in other income – investment and interest caption on our consolidated statements of comprehensive income for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014. The basis for the sale of these securities was a specific identification of each bond sold during this period. The following tables include contractual maturities of debt securities held at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , which are classified as marketable securities in the consolidated Balance Sheet. Municipal Bonds — Available for Sale Contractual maturity: September 30, 2015 December 31, 2014 Maturing in one year or less $ 2,543,000 $ 4,343,000 Maturing in second year through fifth year 18,353,000 7,456,000 Maturing in sixth year through tenth year 23,447,000 — Maturing after ten years 14,856,000 — Total debt securities $ 59,199,000 $ 11,799,000

Share-Based Compensation

Share-Based Compensation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Share-Based Compensation	Share-Based Compensation 2012 Equity Incentive Plan The Company's 2012 Equity Incentive Plan (the "2012 Plan") provides that current or prospective officers, employees, non-employee directors and advisors can receive share-based awards such as stock options, restricted stock and other stock awards. The 2012 Plan seeks to promote the highest level of performance by providing an economic interest in the long-term success of the Company. As of the adoption of the 2012 Plan, no further grants were permitted under any previously existing stock plans (the "Pre-existing Plans"). Additionally, all remaining shares available for future grants under the Pre-existing Plans became available for issuance under the 2012 Plan. The Nominating, Compensation and Stock Option Committee of the Board of Directors is responsible for determining the individuals who will be granted stock awards, the number of stock awards each individual will receive, the price per share (in accordance with the terms of our 2012 Plan), and the exercise period of each stock award. A summary of stock-based compensation expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 is as follows: For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 2014 Stock Options $ 2,093,000 $ 1,946,000 Restricted Stock 187,000 81,000 Employee Stock Purchase Plan ("ESPP") 287,000 250,000 Total pre-tax stock-based compensation expense charged against income (1) $ 2,567,000 $ 2,277,000 (1) Stock-based compensation expense is recorded in the selling, general and administrative caption in our consolidated statements of comprehensive income. We have outstanding stock awards that were granted under the Pre-existing Plans to non-employee directors, officers and employees of the Company and other specified groups, depending on the Pre-existing Plan. As of September 30, 2015 , 4,360,000 shares of common stock were reserved for issuance under our 2012 Plan, including 1,788,000 shares available for future grant. The stock price will not be less than the fair market value of the common stock on the date the award is granted. No stock award will have a term in excess of ten years. Since 2008, all awards granted under the Pre-existing Plans and the 2012 Plan become vested and exercisable ratably over a five year period on each yearly anniversary date of the option grant. A summary of our stock option activity under the 2012 Plan as of December 31, 2014 and changes during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 is as follows: Stock Options Outstanding Number of Shares Weighted Average Exercise Price December 31, 2014 2,362,000 $ 19.45 Granted 561,000 30.30 Cancelled (70,000 ) 26.43 Exercised (282,000 ) 17.68 September 30, 2015 2,571,000 $ 21.82 The weighted average grant-date fair value of stock options granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 was $6.64 and $8.24 per common share, respectively. During the nine months ended September 30, 2015 , the Company granted 25,000 shares of restricted stock with a weighted average grant date fair value of $30.30 per share. During the nine months ended September 30, 2014 , the Company granted 14,000 shares of restricted stock with a weighted average grant date fair value of $28.02 per share. A summary of our non-vested stock-based compensation as of December 31, 2014 and changes during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 is as follows: Number of Non-vested Shares Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value December 31, 2014 1,465,000 $ 6.17 Granted 561,000 6.64 Vested (486,000 ) 5.17 Forfeited (70,000 ) 6.66 September 30, 2015 1,470,000 $ 6.66 The following table summarizes other information about our outstanding stock options at September 30, 2015 . Stock Options Range of exercise prices $10.39 - $30.30 Outstanding: Weighted average remaining contractual life (years) 6.7 Aggregate intrinsic value $ 30,541,000 Exercisable: Number of shares 1,101,000 Weighted average remaining contractual life (years) 4.9 Aggregate intrinsic value $ 19,136,000 Exercised: Aggregate intrinsic value $ 4,118,000 Fair Value Estimates The fair value of stock awards granted in 2015 and 2014 was estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option valuation model based on the following assumptions: September 30, 2015 September 30, 2014 Risk-free interest rate 1.9% 1.9% Weighted average expected life in years 5.8 years 5.9 years Expected volatility 27.2% 36.9% Dividend yield 2.2% 2.4% Other Information Other information pertaining to activity of our stock awards during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 were as follows: September 30, 2015 September 30, 2014 Total grant-date fair value of stock awards granted $ 4,027,000 $ 4,268,000 Total fair value of stock awards vested during period $ 2,719,000 $ 2,051,000 Total unrecognized compensation expense related to non-vested stock awards $ 7,859,000 $ 7,169,000 At September 30, 2015 , the unrecognized compensation cost related to stock awards granted but not yet vested, as reported above, was expected to be recognized through the fourth quarter of 2019 for the 2015 grants and the fourth quarter of 2018 for the 2014 grants. Employee Stock Purchase Plan We have an Employee Stock Purchase Plan ("ESPP") for all eligible employees. All full-time and certain part-time employees who have completed two years of continuous service with us are eligible to participate. On April 12, 2011, the Board of Directors extended the ESPP for an additional five offerings through 2016. Annual offerings commence and terminate on the respective year’s first and last calendar day. Under the ESPP, we are authorized to issue up to 4,050,000 shares of our common stock to our employees. Pursuant to such authorization, we have 2,421,000 shares available for future grant at September 30, 2015 . The stock-based compensation expense associated with our ESPP was estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option valuation model based on the following assumptions: September 30, 2015 September 30, 2014 Risk-free interest rate 0.18% 0.10% Weighted average expected life in years 1.0 year 1.0 year Expected volatility 19.2% 21.9% Dividend yield 2.2% 2.4%

Dividends

Dividends	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Equity [Abstract]
Dividends	Dividends During the nine months ended September 30, 2015 , we paid regular quarterly cash dividends approximating $38,338,000 as follows: Quarter Ended March 31, 2015 June 30, 2015 September 30, 2015 Cash dividend per common share $ 0.17625 $ 0.17750 $ 0.17875 Total cash dividends paid $ 12,655,000 $ 12,760,000 $ 12,923,000 Record date February 20, 2015 May 22, 2015 August 21, 2015 Payment date March 27, 2015 June 26, 2015 September 25, 2015 Additionally, on October 13, 2015 , our Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.18 per common share, which will be paid on December 18, 2015 , to shareholders of record as of the close of business on November 20, 2015 . Cash dividends on our outstanding weighted average number of basic common shares for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 were approximately as follows: For the Three Months Ended September 30, For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 2014 2015 2014 Cash dividends per common share $ 0.18 $ 0.17 $ 0.53 $ 0.52 Our Board of Directors reviews our dividend policy on a quarterly basis. Although there can be no assurance that we will continue to pay dividends or the amount of the dividend, we expect to continue to pay a regular quarterly cash dividend. In connection with the establishment of our dividend policy, we adopted a Dividend Reinvestment Plan in 2003.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Income Taxes For the nine months ended September 30, 2015 , our effective tax rate remained constant at 37% compared to the 2014 period. Such differences between the effective tax rates and the applicable U.S. federal statutory rate arise primarily from the effect of state and local income taxes and tax credits available to the Company. As such, the 2015 estimated annual effective tax rate is expected to be approximately 37% compared to 31% for 2014. This amount could vary depending on the availability of tax credits. We account for income taxes using the asset and liability method, which results in recognizing income tax expense based on the amount of income taxes payable or refundable for the current year. Additionally, we evaluate regularly the tax positions taken or expected to be taken resulting from financial statement recognition of certain items. Based on our evaluation, we have concluded that there are no significant uncertain tax positions requiring recognition in our financial statements. Our evaluation was performed for the tax years ended December 31, 2011 through 2014 (with regard to U.S. federal income tax returns) and December 31, 2010 through 2014 (with regard to various state and local income tax returns), the tax years which remain subject to examination by major tax jurisdictions as of September 30, 2015 . We may from time to time be assessed interest or penalties by taxing jurisdictions, although any such assessments historically have been minimal and immaterial to our financial results. When we have received an assessment for interest and/or penalties, it has been classified in the financial statements as selling, general and administrative expense.

Related Party Transactions

Related Party Transactions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Related Party Transactions	Related Party Transactions A director is a member of a law firm which was retained by us. In each of the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 , fees received from us by such firm did not exceed $120,000 in any period. Additionally, such fees did not exceed, in either period, 5% of such firm’s or the Company's revenues.

Segment Information

Segment Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Information	Segment Information Reportable Operating Segments U.S. GAAP establishes standards for reporting information regarding operating segments in annual financial statements. 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. We manage and evaluate our operations in two reportable segments: Housekeeping (housekeeping, laundry, linen and other services) and Dietary (dietary department services). Although both segments serve a similar client base and share many operational similarities, they are managed separately due to distinct differences in the type of service provided, as well as the specialized expertise required of the professional management personnel responsible for delivering the respective segment’s services. We consider the various services provided within each reportable segment to comprise an identifiable reportable operating segment since such services are rendered pursuant to a single service agreement, specific to that reportable segment, as well as the fact that the delivery of the respective reportable segment’s services are managed by the same management personnel of the particular reportable segment. The Company’s accounting policies for the segments are generally the same as the Company’s significant accounting policies. Differences between the reportable segments’ operating results and other disclosed data and our consolidated financial statements relate primarily to corporate level transactions and recording of transactions at the reportable segment level which use methods other than generally accepted accounting principles. There are certain inventories and supplies that are primarily expensed when incurred within the operating segments, while they are capitalized for the consolidated financial statements. As discussed, most corporate expense is not allocated to the operating segments, and such expenses include corporate salary and benefit costs, bad debt expense, certain legal costs, information technology costs, depreciation, amortization of finite lived intangibles, share based compensation costs and other corporate specific costs. Additionally, there are allocations for workers' compensation and general liability expense within the operating segments that differ from our actual expense recorded for U.S. GAAP. Additionally, included in the differences between the reportable segments’ operating results and other disclosed data are amounts attributable to Huntingdon Holdings Inc. ("Huntingdon"), our investment holding company subsidiary. Huntingdon does not transact any business with the reportable segments. Segment amounts disclosed are prior to any elimination entries made in consolidation. Housekeeping provides services in Canada, although essentially all of its revenues and net income, 99% in both categories, are earned in one geographic area, the United States. Dietary provides services solely in the United States. Housekeeping Dietary Corporate and Total Three Months Ended September 30, 2015 Revenues $ 227,760,000 $ 132,405,000 $ — $ 360,165,000 Income before income taxes 21,770,000 8,239,000 (3,268,000 ) (1) 26,741,000 Three Months Ended September 30, 2014 Revenues $ 211,552,000 $ 108,547,000 $ — $ 320,099,000 Income (loss) before income taxes 15,589,000 5,648,000 (56,320,000 ) (1) (35,083,000 ) Housekeeping Dietary Corporate and Total Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 Revenues $ 681,306,000 $ 389,461,000 $ — $ 1,070,767,000 Income before income taxes 64,139,000 25,008,000 (11,095,000 ) (1) 78,052,000 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014 Revenues $ 627,650,000 $ 323,909,000 $ — $ 951,559,000 Income before income taxes 52,224,000 18,946,000 (61,081,000 ) (1) 10,089,000 (1) Represents primarily corporate office cost and related overhead, recording of transactions at the reportable segment level which use methods other than U.S. GAAP, as well as consolidated subsidiaries’ operating expenses that are not allocated to the reportable segments, net of investment and interest income. Additionally, during the third quarter 2014, the Company recorded a one-time, non-cash change in estimate related to our self-insurance claims reserve which was not allocated to the reportable segments. Total Revenues from Clients We earned total revenues from clients in the following service categories: For the Three Months Ended September 30, For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 2014 2015 2014 Housekeeping services $ 158,019,000 $ 147,812,000 $ 471,692,000 $ 437,358,000 Laundry and linen services 69,060,000 63,241,000 207,887,000 188,766,000 Dietary services 132,405,000 108,547,000 389,461,000 323,909,000 Maintenance services and other 681,000 499,000 1,727,000 1,526,000 $ 360,165,000 $ 320,099,000 $ 1,070,767,000 $ 951,559,000

Earnings Per Common Share

Earnings Per Common Share	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings Per Common Share	Earnings Per Common Share Basic net earnings per share are computed using the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding. The dilutive effect of potential common shares outstanding is included in diluted net earnings per share. The computations of basic net earnings per share and diluted net earnings per share are as follows: Three Months Ended September 30, 2015 Income Shares Per-share Net income $ 17,086,000 Basic earnings per common share $ 17,086,000 72,009,000 $ 0.24 Effect of dilutive securities: Stock options and restricted stock 682,000 — Diluted earnings per common share $ 17,086,000 72,691,000 $ 0.24 Three Months Ended September 30, 2014 Income Shares Per-share Net loss $ (22,182,000 ) Basic loss per common share $ (22,182,000 ) 70,671,000 $ (0.31 ) Effect of dilutive securities: Stock options and restricted stock — — Diluted loss per common share $ (22,182,000 ) 70,671,000 $ (0.31 ) Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 Income Shares Per-share Net income $ 48,890,000 Basic earnings per common share $ 48,890,000 71,714,000 $ 0.68 Effect of dilutive securities: Stock options and restricted stock 667,000 — Diluted earnings per common share $ 48,890,000 72,381,000 $ 0.68 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014 Income Shares Per-share Net income $ 6,378,000 Basic earnings per common share $ 6,378,000 70,479,000 $ 0.09 Effect of dilutive securities: Stock options and restricted stock 734,000 — Diluted earnings per common share $ 6,378,000 71,213,000 $ 0.09 Stock awards to purchase 597,000 and 925,000 shares of common stock having average exercise prices of $30.03 and $29.33 per common share, respectively, were outstanding during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 but not included in the computation of diluted earnings per common share because the exercise prices of the options were greater than the average market price of the common shares, and therefore, would be antidilutive. Stock awards to purchase 909,000 and 827,000 shares of common stock having average exercise prices of $26.01 and $26.32 per common share, respectively, were outstanding during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 but not included in the computation of diluted earnings per common share because the exercise prices of the options were greater than the average market price of the common shares, and therefore, would be antidilutive.

Other Contingencies

Other Contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Other Contingencies	Other Contingencies Line of Credit We have a $200,000,000 bank line of credit on which we may draw to meet short-term liquidity requirements in excess of internally generated cash flow. Amounts drawn under the line of credit are payable upon demand. At September 30, 2015 , there were no borrowings under the line of credit. However, at such date, we had outstanding a $75,978,000 (increased to $78,259,000 on October 1, 2015) irrevocable standby letter of credit which relates to payment obligations under our insurance programs. As a result of the letter of credit issued, the amount available under the line of credit was reduced by $75,978,000 at September 30, 2015 . The line of credit requires us to satisfy one financial covenant. We are in compliance with our financial covenant at September 30, 2015 and expect to continue to remain in compliance with such financial covenant. This line of credit has a five year term and expires on December 18, 2018 . Tax Jurisdictions and Matters We provide our services in 48 states and are subject to numerous local taxing jurisdictions within those states. Consequently, in the ordinary course of business, a jurisdiction may contest our reporting positions with respect to the application of its tax code to our services. A jurisdiction’s conflicting position on the taxability of our services could result in additional tax liabilities. We have tax matters with various taxing authorities. Because of the uncertainties related to both the probable outcome and amount of probable assessment due, we are unable to make a reasonable estimate of a liability. We do not expect the resolution of any of these matters, taken individually or in the aggregate, to have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position or results of operations based on our best estimate of the outcomes of such matters. Legal Proceedings We are also subject to various claims and legal actions in the ordinary course of business. Some of these matters include payroll and employee-related matters and examinations by governmental agencies. As we become aware of such claims and legal actions, we provide accruals if the exposures are probable and estimable. If an adverse outcome of such claims and legal actions is reasonably possible, we assess materiality and provide such financial disclosure, as appropriate. Government Regulations Many states have significant budget deficits. State Medicaid programs are experiencing increased demand, and with lower revenues than projected, they have fewer resources to support their Medicaid programs. In addition, comprehensive health care legislation under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 (together, the “Act”) was signed into law in March 2010. The Act will continue to significantly impact the governmental healthcare programs in which our clients participate, and reimbursements received thereunder from governmental or third-party payors. Effective October 1, 2011, a rule enacted by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (“CMS”) reduced Medicare payments to nursing centers by 11.1% and changed the reimbursement for the provision of group rehabilitation therapy services to Medicare beneficiaries. Furthermore, during the remainder of 2015 and in coming years, new proposals or additional changes in existing regulations could be made to the Act and/or CMS could propose additional reimbursement reductions which could directly impact the governmental reimbursement programs in which our clients participate. As a result, some state Medicaid programs are reconsidering previously approved increases in nursing home reimbursement or are considering delaying or foregoing those increases. A few states have indicated it is possible they will run out of cash to pay Medicaid providers, including nursing homes. In addition, certain states have rejected Federal Medicaid assistance under the Act and may continue to do so. Any negative changes in our clients’ reimbursements may negatively impact our results of operations. Although we continually evaluate the Act’s effect on our client base, we may not know the full effect until such time as these laws are fully implemented and CMS and other agencies issue applicable regulations or guidance. In January 2013, the U.S. Congress enacted the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012, which delayed automatic spending cuts, including reduced Medicare payments to plans and providers up to 2% . These discretionary spending caps were originally enacted under provisions in the Budget Control Act of 2011, an initiative to reduce the federal deficit through the year 2021, also known as “sequestration.” The sequestration went into effect starting March 2013. In December 2013, the U.S. Congress enacted the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013, which reduces the impact of the sequestration for two years, beginning in fiscal year 2014 and extended the reduction in Medicare payments to plans and providers for an additional two years from 2021 through the year 2023. Effective October 1, 2015, a rule enacted by CMS modified payment rates and policies. CMS estimates that the aggregate payments to skilled nursing facilities during fiscal year 2016 will increase by 1.2% or $430,000,000 compared to fiscal year 2015.

Subsequent Events

Subsequent Events	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Events	Subsequent Events We evaluated all subsequent events through the date this Form 10-Q is being filed with the SEC. We believe there were no events or transactions occurring during this subsequent reporting period which require recognition or additional disclosure in these financial statements.

Description of Business and S21

Description of Business and Significant Accounting Policies (Policy)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Unaudited Interim Financial Data	The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States ("U.S. GAAP") for interim financial information and the requirements of Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, these consolidated financial statements do not include all of the information and footnotes necessary for a complete presentation of financial position, results of operations and cash flows. However, in our opinion, all adjustments which are of a normal recurring nature and necessary for a fair presentation have been reflected in these consolidated financial statements. The balance sheet shown in this report as of December 31, 2014 has been derived from, and does not include, all the disclosures contained in the financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2014 . The financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 . The results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for any future period.
Nature Of Operations	We provide management, administrative and operating expertise and services to the housekeeping, laundry, linen, facility maintenance and dietary service departments of the health care industry, including nursing homes, retirement complexes, rehabilitation centers and hospitals located throughout the United States. Although we do not directly participate in any government reimbursement programs, our clients’ reimbursements are subject to government regulation. Therefore, they are directly affected by any legislation relating to Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement programs. We provide our services primarily pursuant to full service agreements with our clients. In such agreements, we are responsible for the day-to-day management of the managers and hourly employees located at our clients’ facilities. We also provide services on the basis of a management-only agreement for a very limited number of clients. Our agreements with clients typically provide for a one year service term, cancelable by either party upon 30 to 90 days’ notice after the initial 90-day period. We are organized into two reportable segments: housekeeping, laundry, linen and other services (“Housekeeping”), and dietary department services (“Dietary”). Housekeeping consists of the managing of the client’s housekeeping department which is principally responsible for the cleaning, disinfecting and sanitizing of patient rooms and common areas of a client’s facility, as well as the laundering and processing of the personal clothing belonging to the facility’s patients. Also within the scope of this segment’s service is the responsibility for laundering and processing of the bed linens, uniforms and other assorted linen items utilized by a client facility. Dietary consists of managing the client’s dietary department which is principally responsible for food purchasing, meal preparation and providing dietitian consulting professional services, which includes the development of a menu that meets the patient’s dietary needs.
Principles Of Consolidation	The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Healthcare Services Group, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.
Cash and Cash Equivalents	Cash and cash equivalents are held in U.S. financial institutions or in custodial accounts with U.S. financial institutions. Cash and cash equivalents are defined as short-term, highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less at time of purchase that are readily convertible into cash and have insignificant interest rate risk.
Inventories and Supplies	Inventories and supplies include housekeeping, linen and laundry supplies, as well as food provisions and supplies. Inventories and supplies are stated at cost to approximate a first-in, first-out (FIFO) basis. Linen supplies are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful life of 24 months.
Revenue Recognition	Revenues from our service agreements with clients are recognized as services are performed. As a distributor of laundry equipment, we occasionally sell laundry installations to certain clients. The sales in most cases represent the construction and installation of a turn-key operation and are for payment terms ranging from 24 to 60 months.
Income Taxes	We use the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under this method, income tax expense is recognized for the amount of taxes payable or refundable for the current period. We accrue for probable tax obligations as required by facts and circumstances in the various regulatory environments. In addition, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax basis of assets and liabilities. If appropriate, we would record a valuation allowance to reduce deferred tax assets to an amount for which realization is more likely than not. In accordance with U.S. GAAP, we account for uncertain income tax positions reflected within our financial statements based on a recognition threshold and measurement process for financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return.
Earnings (Loss) per Common Share	Basic earnings (loss) per common share are computed by dividing income (loss) available to common shareholders by the weighted-average common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings (loss) per common share reflect the weighted-average common shares outstanding and dilutive common shares, such as those issuable upon exercise of stock options.
Share-Based Compensation	U.S. GAAP addresses the accounting for share-based compensation, specifically, the measurement and recognition of compensation expense, based on estimated fair values, for all share-based awards made to employees and directors, including stock options and participation in the Company’s employee stock purchase plan. We estimate the fair value of share-based awards on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option valuation model. The value of the portion of the award that is ultimately expected to vest is recognized as an expense in the Company’s consolidated statements of comprehensive income over the requisite service periods. We use the straight-line single option method of expensing share-based awards in our consolidated statements of comprehensive income. Because share-based compensation expense is based on awards that are ultimately expected to vest, share-based compensation expense will be reduced to account for estimated forfeitures. Forfeitures are to be estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates.
Use of Estimates in Financial Statements	In preparing financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP, we make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, as well as the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Significant estimates are used for, but not limited to, our allowance for doubtful accounts, accrued insurance claims, asset valuations and review for potential impairment, and deferred taxes. The estimates are based upon various factors including current and historical trends, as well as other pertinent industry and regulatory authority information. We regularly evaluate this information to determine if it is necessary to update the basis for our estimates and to compensate for known changes.
Self-Funded Captive Insurance Programs	In July 2015, the Company transitioned its workers compensation and certain employee health & welfare insurance programs to HCSG Insurance Corp. ("HCSG Insurance"), its wholly owned captive insurance subsidiary. HCSG Insurance previously provided general liability coverage to the Company. HCSG Insurance was formed in January 2014 to provide the Company with greater efficiency in managing its property & casualty and health & welfare programs.
Concentrations of Credit Risk	Financial instruments, as defined by U.S. GAAP, which potentially subject us to concentrations of credit risk, consist principally of cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities, deferred compensation funding and accounts and notes receivable. We define our marketable securities as fixed income investments which are highly liquid investments that can be readily purchased or sold using established markets. At September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , substantially all of our cash and cash equivalents, and marketable securities were held in one large financial institution located in the United States. Our clients are concentrated in the health care industry, primarily providers of long-term care. Many of our clients’ revenues are highly contingent on Medicare, Medicaid and third party payors’ reimbursement funding rates. Congress has enacted a number of major laws during the past decade that have significantly altered, or threatened to alter, overall government reimbursement for nursing home services. These changes and lack of substantive reimbursement funding rate reform legislation, as well as other trends in the long-term care industry have affected and could adversely affect the liquidity of our clients, resulting in their inability to make payments to us on agreed upon payment terms. These factors, in addition to delays in payments from clients, could result in significant additional bad debts in the future.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	In September 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2015-16, Business Combinations (Topic 805). The amendments in this ASU require that an acquirer recognize adjustments to provisional amounts that are identified during the measurement period in the reporting period in which the adjustment amounts are determined. Additionally, this ASU requires an entity to present separately on the face of the income statement or disclose in the notes the portion of the amount recorded in current period earnings by line item that would have been recorded in previous reporting periods if the adjustment to the provisional amounts had been recognized as of the acquisition date. To simplify the accounting for adjustments made to provisional amounts recognized in a business combination, the amendments in this ASU eliminates the requirement to retrospectively account for those adjustments. This ASU is effective prospectively for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, including interim periods within those fiscal years.The Company does not expect the guidance in this ASU to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. In August 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued ASU 2015-14, Revenue from Contracts with Customer (Topic 606): Deferral of the Effective Date . This ASU defers the effective date of ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customer (Topic 606) for all entities by one year. As a result, all entities will be required to apply the provisions of ASU 2014-09 to annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim reporting periods within that reporting period. Early adoption is permitted only as of annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim reporting periods within that reporting period. The Company is currently assessing the adoption date and impact the guidance in this ASU will have, if any, on our consolidated results of operations, cash flows, or financial position. In June 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued ASU 2015-10, Technical Corrections and Improvements . The amendments in this ASU represent changes to clarify the Codification, correct unintended application of guidance, or make minor improvements to the Codification that are not expected to have a significant effect on current accounting practice or create a significant administrative cost to most entities. Additionally, some of the amendments will make the Codification easier to understand and easier to apply by eliminating inconsistencies, providing needed clarifications, and improving the presentation of guidance in the Codification. This ASU is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning on or after December 15, 2015, with early adoption permitted. The Company does not expect the guidance in this ASU to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. In August 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued ASU 2014-15, Presentation of Financial Statements - Going Concern (Subtopic 205-40). This ASU will require an entity's management, for each annual and interim reporting period, to evaluate whether there are conditions or events, considered in the aggregate, that raise substantial doubt about the entity's ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date that the financial statements are issued. The definition of substantial doubt within this ASU incorporates a likelihood threshold of "probable" similar to the use of that term under current guidance for Topic 450, Contingencies. Certain disclosures will be required if conditions give rise to substantial doubt. This ASU is effective for the annual period ending after December 15, 2016, and for annual periods and interim periods thereafter, with early adoption permitted. The Company does not expect the guidance in this ASU to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

Changes in Accumulated Other 22

Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income by Component (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	The following table provides a summary of changes in accumulated other comprehensive income for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 : Unrealized Gains and Losses on Available for Sale Securities (1) Accumulated other comprehensive income — December 31, 2014 $ 25,000 Other comprehensive income before reclassifications 184,000 Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (2)(3) (3,000 ) Net current period change in other comprehensive income 181,000 Accumulated other comprehensive income — September 30, 2015 $ 206,000 (1) All amounts are net of tax. (2) Realized gains and losses are recorded pre-tax in the other income - investment and interest caption on our consolidated statements of comprehensive income. (3) For the nine months ended September 30, 2015 , the Company recorded $5,000 of realized gains from the sale of available for sale securities. Refer to Note 6 herein for further information.

Property and Equipment (Tables)

Property and Equipment (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Property, Plant and Equipment	The following table sets forth the amounts of property and equipment by each class of depreciable assets as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 : September 30, 2015 December 31, 2014 Laundry and linen equipment installations $ 1,088,000 $ 2,578,000 Housekeeping and office equipment and furniture 28,918,000 33,546,000 Autos and trucks 138,000 232,000 Total property and equipment, at cost 30,144,000 36,356,000 Less accumulated depreciation 16,893,000 23,584,000 Total property and equipment, net $ 13,251,000 $ 12,772,000

Goodwill And Other Intangible24

Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Identifiable Intangible Assets Subject To Amortization	The following table sets forth the amounts of our identifiable intangible assets subject to amortization, which were acquired in acquisitions. September 30, 2015 December 31, 2014 Customer relationships $ 35,781,000 $ 35,781,000 Non-compete agreements 800,000 800,000 Total other intangibles, gross 36,581,000 36,581,000 Less accumulated amortization 18,663,000 16,232,000 Other intangibles, net $ 17,918,000 $ 20,349,000
Estimated Amortization Expense For Intangibles Subject To Amortization	The following table sets forth the estimated amortization expense for intangibles subject to amortization for the remainder of 2015, the following five fiscal years and thereafter: Period/Year Total Amortization Expense October 1 to December 31, 2015 $ 811,000 2016 2,698,000 2017 2,427,000 2018 2,328,000 2019 2,130,000 2020 2,130,000 Thereafter 5,394,000

Fair Value Measurements (Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurements	The following tables provide fair value measurement information for our marketable securities and deferred compensation fund investment assets as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 : As of September 30, 2015 Fair Value Measurement Using: Carrying Total Fair Quoted Significant Significant Financial Assets: Marketable securities Municipal bonds — available for sale $ 59,199,000 $ 59,199,000 $ — $ 59,199,000 $ — Deferred compensation fund Money Market $ 3,411,000 $ 3,411,000 $ — $ 3,411,000 $ — Balanced and Lifestyle 8,633,000 8,633,000 8,633,000 — — Large Cap Growth 4,857,000 4,857,000 4,857,000 — — Fixed Income 2,684,000 2,684,000 2,684,000 — — Small Cap Growth 2,159,000 2,159,000 2,159,000 — — Mid Cap Growth 1,164,000 1,164,000 1,164,000 — — International 997,000 997,000 997,000 — — Deferred compensation fund $ 23,905,000 $ 23,905,000 $ 20,494,000 $ 3,411,000 $ — As of December 31, 2014 Fair Value Measurement Using: Carrying Total Fair Quoted Significant Significant Financial Assets: Marketable securities Municipal bonds — available for sale $ 11,799,000 $ 11,799,000 $ — $ 11,799,000 $ — Deferred compensation fund Money Market $ 4,278,000 $ 4,278,000 $ — $ 4,278,000 $ — Balanced and Lifestyle 8,885,000 8,885,000 8,885,000 — — Large Cap Growth 4,856,000 4,856,000 4,856,000 — — Small Cap Value 2,392,000 2,392,000 2,392,000 — — Fixed Income 2,081,000 2,081,000 2,081,000 — — International 1,097,000 1,097,000 1,097,000 — — Mid Cap Growth 1,153,000 1,153,000 1,153,000 — — Deferred compensation fund $ 24,742,000 $ 24,742,000 $ 20,464,000 $ 4,278,000 $ —
Marketable Debt Securities	Amortized Cost Gross Unrealized Gains Gross Unrealized Losses Estimated Fair Value Other-than-temporary Impairments September 30, 2015 Type of security: Municipal bonds — available for sale $ 58,876,000 $ 330,000 $ (7,000 ) $ 59,199,000 $ — Total debt securities $ 58,876,000 $ 330,000 $ (7,000 ) $ 59,199,000 $ — December 31, 2014 Type of security: Municipal bonds — available for sale $ 11,758,000 $ 48,000 $ (7,000 ) $ 11,799,000 $ — Total debt securities $ 11,758,000 $ 48,000 $ (7,000 ) $ 11,799,000 $ —
Contractual Maturities Of Available For Sale Investments	The following tables include contractual maturities of debt securities held at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , which are classified as marketable securities in the consolidated Balance Sheet. Municipal Bonds — Available for Sale Contractual maturity: September 30, 2015 December 31, 2014 Maturing in one year or less $ 2,543,000 $ 4,343,000 Maturing in second year through fifth year 18,353,000 7,456,000 Maturing in sixth year through tenth year 23,447,000 — Maturing after ten years 14,856,000 — Total debt securities $ 59,199,000 $ 11,799,000

Share-Based Compensation (Table

Share-Based Compensation (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Schedule of Stock-based Compensation Expense	A summary of stock-based compensation expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 is as follows: For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 2014 Stock Options $ 2,093,000 $ 1,946,000 Restricted Stock 187,000 81,000 Employee Stock Purchase Plan ("ESPP") 287,000 250,000 Total pre-tax stock-based compensation expense charged against income (1) $ 2,567,000 $ 2,277,000 (1) Stock-based compensation expense is recorded in the selling, general and administrative caption in our consolidated statements of comprehensive income.
Summary Of Other Information Of Stock Option Plans	Other information pertaining to activity of our stock awards during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 were as follows: September 30, 2015 September 30, 2014 Total grant-date fair value of stock awards granted $ 4,027,000 $ 4,268,000 Total fair value of stock awards vested during period $ 2,719,000 $ 2,051,000 Total unrecognized compensation expense related to non-vested stock awards $ 7,859,000 $ 7,169,000 A summary of our stock option activity under the 2012 Plan as of December 31, 2014 and changes during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 is as follows: Stock Options Outstanding Number of Shares Weighted Average Exercise Price December 31, 2014 2,362,000 $ 19.45 Granted 561,000 30.30 Cancelled (70,000 ) 26.43 Exercised (282,000 ) 17.68 September 30, 2015 2,571,000 $ 21.82
Schedule of Nonvested Share Activity	A summary of our non-vested stock-based compensation as of December 31, 2014 and changes during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 is as follows: Number of Non-vested Shares Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value December 31, 2014 1,465,000 $ 6.17 Granted 561,000 6.64 Vested (486,000 ) 5.17 Forfeited (70,000 ) 6.66 September 30, 2015 1,470,000 $ 6.66
Summarized Information Of Stock Options Outstanding	The following table summarizes other information about our outstanding stock options at September 30, 2015 . Stock Options Range of exercise prices $10.39 - $30.30 Outstanding: Weighted average remaining contractual life (years) 6.7 Aggregate intrinsic value $ 30,541,000 Exercisable: Number of shares 1,101,000 Weighted average remaining contractual life (years) 4.9 Aggregate intrinsic value $ 19,136,000 Exercised: Aggregate intrinsic value $ 4,118,000
Assumption For Fair Value Of Options Granted	The fair value of stock awards granted in 2015 and 2014 was estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option valuation model based on the following assumptions: September 30, 2015 September 30, 2014 Risk-free interest rate 1.9% 1.9% Weighted average expected life in years 5.8 years 5.9 years Expected volatility 27.2% 36.9% Dividend yield 2.2% 2.4%
Schedule of Share-based Payment Award, Employee Stock Purchase Plan, Valuation Assumptions	The stock-based compensation expense associated with our ESPP was estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option valuation model based on the following assumptions: September 30, 2015 September 30, 2014 Risk-free interest rate 0.18% 0.10% Weighted average expected life in years 1.0 year 1.0 year Expected volatility 19.2% 21.9% Dividend yield 2.2% 2.4%

Dividends (Tables)

Dividends (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Equity [Abstract]
Schedule of Dividends Payable	During the nine months ended September 30, 2015 , we paid regular quarterly cash dividends approximating $38,338,000 as follows: Quarter Ended March 31, 2015 June 30, 2015 September 30, 2015 Cash dividend per common share $ 0.17625 $ 0.17750 $ 0.17875 Total cash dividends paid $ 12,655,000 $ 12,760,000 $ 12,923,000 Record date February 20, 2015 May 22, 2015 August 21, 2015 Payment date March 27, 2015 June 26, 2015 September 25, 2015
Dividends Paid on outstanding weighted average number of basic common shares	Cash dividends on our outstanding weighted average number of basic common shares for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 were approximately as follows: For the Three Months Ended September 30, For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 2014 2015 2014 Cash dividends per common share $ 0.18 $ 0.17 $ 0.53 $ 0.52

Segment Information (Tables)

Segment Information (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Schedule Of Information Of Reportable Segments	Housekeeping Dietary Corporate and Total Three Months Ended September 30, 2015 Revenues $ 227,760,000 $ 132,405,000 $ — $ 360,165,000 Income before income taxes 21,770,000 8,239,000 (3,268,000 ) (1) 26,741,000 Three Months Ended September 30, 2014 Revenues $ 211,552,000 $ 108,547,000 $ — $ 320,099,000 Income (loss) before income taxes 15,589,000 5,648,000 (56,320,000 ) (1) (35,083,000 ) Housekeeping Dietary Corporate and Total Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 Revenues $ 681,306,000 $ 389,461,000 $ — $ 1,070,767,000 Income before income taxes 64,139,000 25,008,000 (11,095,000 ) (1) 78,052,000 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014 Revenues $ 627,650,000 $ 323,909,000 $ — $ 951,559,000 Income before income taxes 52,224,000 18,946,000 (61,081,000 ) (1) 10,089,000 (1) Represents primarily corporate office cost and related overhead, recording of transactions at the reportable segment level which use methods other than U.S. GAAP, as well as consolidated subsidiaries’ operating expenses that are not allocated to the reportable segments, net of investment and interest income. Additionally, during the third quarter 2014, the Company recorded a one-time, non-cash change in estimate related to our self-insurance claims reserve which was not allocated to the reportable segments.
Revenues By Client Services	We earned total revenues from clients in the following service categories: For the Three Months Ended September 30, For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 2014 2015 2014 Housekeeping services $ 158,019,000 $ 147,812,000 $ 471,692,000 $ 437,358,000 Laundry and linen services 69,060,000 63,241,000 207,887,000 188,766,000 Dietary services 132,405,000 108,547,000 389,461,000 323,909,000 Maintenance services and other 681,000 499,000 1,727,000 1,526,000 $ 360,165,000 $ 320,099,000 $ 1,070,767,000 $ 951,559,000

Earnings Per Common Share (Tabl

Earnings Per Common Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Computation Of Basic And Diluted Net Earnings Per Share	The computations of basic net earnings per share and diluted net earnings per share are as follows: Three Months Ended September 30, 2015 Income Shares Per-share Net income $ 17,086,000 Basic earnings per common share $ 17,086,000 72,009,000 $ 0.24 Effect of dilutive securities: Stock options and restricted stock 682,000 — Diluted earnings per common share $ 17,086,000 72,691,000 $ 0.24 Three Months Ended September 30, 2014 Income Shares Per-share Net loss $ (22,182,000 ) Basic loss per common share $ (22,182,000 ) 70,671,000 $ (0.31 ) Effect of dilutive securities: Stock options and restricted stock — — Diluted loss per common share $ (22,182,000 ) 70,671,000 $ (0.31 ) Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 Income Shares Per-share Net income $ 48,890,000 Basic earnings per common share $ 48,890,000 71,714,000 $ 0.68 Effect of dilutive securities: Stock options and restricted stock 667,000 — Diluted earnings per common share $ 48,890,000 72,381,000 $ 0.68 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014 Income Shares Per-share Net income $ 6,378,000 Basic earnings per common share $ 6,378,000 70,479,000 $ 0.09 Effect of dilutive securities: Stock options and restricted stock 734,000 — Diluted earnings per common share $ 6,378,000 71,213,000 $ 0.09

Description of Business and S30

Description of Business and Significant Accounting Policies (Details)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015segment
Schedule of Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Terms of service agreement	Our agreements with clients typically provide for a one year service term, cancelable by either party upon 30 to 90 days’ notice after the initial 90-day period.
Service term	1 year
Initial period of service term	90 days
Number of reportable segments	2
Amortization period of inventories and supplies	24 months
Minimum
Schedule of Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Days to notify cancellation of service	30 days
Property and equipment payment terms	24 months
Maximum
Schedule of Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Days to notify cancellation of service	90 days
Property and equipment payment terms	60 months

Acquisition (Narrative) (Detail

Acquisition (Narrative) (Details) - Platinum Health Services, LLC shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	Jul. 12, 2013USD ($)shares
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Total purchase consideration	$ 50,766
Cash payments to acquire business	$ 5,000
Equity interest issued to acquiree (number of shares) | shares	1,215
Equity interest issued to acquiree	$ 30,062
Contingent consideration fair value	$ 15,704
Contingent Consideration, Total Shares
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Equity interest issued to acquiree (number of shares) | shares	1,005

Changes in Accumulated Other 32

Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income by Component (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Accumulated other comprehensive income — December 31, 2014			$ 25
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications			184
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income			(3)
Net current period change in other comprehensive income	$ 198	$ (4)	181	$ 3
Accumulated other comprehensive income — September 30, 2015	$ 206		$ 206

Changes in Accumulated Other 33

Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income by Component (Narrative) (Details) (Details) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]
Realized gains from the sale of available for sale securities	$ 5

Property and Equipment (Details

Property and Equipment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total property and equipment, at cost	$ 30,144		$ 30,144		$ 36,356
Less accumulated depreciation	16,893		16,893		23,584
Property and equipment, net	13,251		13,251		12,772
Depreciation	1,036	$ 898	3,247	$ 2,794
Laundry and linen equipment installations
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total property and equipment, at cost	1,088		1,088		2,578
Housekeeping and office equipment and furniture
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total property and equipment, at cost	28,918		28,918		33,546
Autos and trucks
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total property and equipment, at cost	$ 138		$ 138		$ 232

Goodwill And Other Intangible35

Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	$ 44,438		$ 44,438		$ 44,438
Amortization expense	811	$ 827	$ 2,431	$ 2,512
Minimum
Goodwill [Line Items]
Weighted average useful life of acquired finite-lived intangible assets			7 years
Maximum
Goodwill [Line Items]
Weighted average useful life of acquired finite-lived intangible assets			10 years
Non-compete Agreements
Goodwill [Line Items]
Weighted-average amortization period of finite-lived intangible assets			8 years
Customer Relationships
Goodwill [Line Items]
Weighted-average amortization period of finite-lived intangible assets			8 years
Housekeeping Segment
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	42,377		$ 42,377		42,377
Dietary Segment
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	$ 2,061		$ 2,061		$ 2,061

Goodwill And Other Intangible36

Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets (Identifiable Intangible Assets Subject To Amortization) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Total other intangibles, gross	$ 36,581	$ 36,581
Less accumulated amortization	18,663	16,232
Other intangibles, net	17,918	20,349
Customer Relationships
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Total other intangibles, gross	35,781	35,781
Non-compete Agreements
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Total other intangibles, gross	$ 800	$ 800

Goodwill And Other Intangible37

Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets (Estimated Amortization Expense For Intangibles Subject To Amortization) (Details) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, Amortization Expense, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
October 1 to December 31, 2015	$ 811
2,016	2,698
2,017	2,427
2,018	2,328
2,019	2,130
2,020	2,130
Thereafter	$ 5,394

Fair Value Measurements (Market

Fair Value Measurements (Marketable Securities and Deferred Compensation Fund Investment Assets) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Marketable securities	$ 59,199	$ 11,799
Deferred compensation fund	23,905	24,742
Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Deferred compensation fund	20,494	20,464
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Deferred compensation fund	3,411	4,278
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Deferred compensation fund	0	0
Total Fair Value
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Deferred compensation fund	23,905	24,742
Carrying Amount
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Deferred compensation fund	23,905	24,742
Municipal bonds — available for sale
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Marketable securities	59,199	11,799
Municipal bonds — available for sale | Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Marketable securities	0	0
Municipal bonds — available for sale | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Marketable securities	59,199	11,799
Municipal bonds — available for sale | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Marketable securities	0	0
Municipal bonds — available for sale | Total Fair Value
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Marketable securities	59,199	11,799
Municipal bonds — available for sale | Carrying Amount
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Marketable securities	59,199	11,799
Money Market | Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Deferred compensation fund	0	0
Money Market | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Deferred compensation fund	3,411	4,278
Money Market | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Deferred compensation fund	0	0
Money Market | Total Fair Value
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Deferred compensation fund	3,411	4,278
Money Market | Carrying Amount
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Deferred compensation fund	3,411	4,278
Balanced and Lifestyle | Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Deferred compensation fund	8,633	8,885
Balanced and Lifestyle | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Deferred compensation fund	0	0
Balanced and Lifestyle | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Deferred compensation fund	0	0
Balanced and Lifestyle | Total Fair Value
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Deferred compensation fund	8,633	8,885
Balanced and Lifestyle | Carrying Amount
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Deferred compensation fund	8,633	8,885
Large Cap Growth | Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Deferred compensation fund	4,857	4,856
Large Cap Growth | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Deferred compensation fund	0	0
Large Cap Growth | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Deferred compensation fund	0	0
Large Cap Growth | Total Fair Value
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Deferred compensation fund	4,857	4,856
Large Cap Growth | Carrying Amount
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Deferred compensation fund	4,857	4,856
Small Cap Value | Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Deferred compensation fund		2,392
Small Cap Value | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Deferred compensation fund		0
Small Cap Value | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Deferred compensation fund		0
Small Cap Value | Total Fair Value
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Deferred compensation fund		2,392
Small Cap Value | Carrying Amount
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Deferred compensation fund		2,392
Fixed Income | Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Deferred compensation fund	2,684	2,081
Fixed Income | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Deferred compensation fund	0	0
Fixed Income | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Deferred compensation fund	0	0
Fixed Income | Total Fair Value
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Deferred compensation fund	2,684	2,081
Fixed Income | Carrying Amount
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Deferred compensation fund	2,684	2,081
Small Cap Growth | Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Deferred compensation fund	2,159
Small Cap Growth | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Deferred compensation fund	0
Small Cap Growth | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Deferred compensation fund	0
Small Cap Growth | Total Fair Value
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Deferred compensation fund	2,159
Small Cap Growth | Carrying Amount
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Deferred compensation fund	2,159
Mid Cap Growth | Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Deferred compensation fund	1,164	1,153
Mid Cap Growth | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Deferred compensation fund	0	0
Mid Cap Growth | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Deferred compensation fund	0	0
Mid Cap Growth | Total Fair Value
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Deferred compensation fund	1,164	1,153
Mid Cap Growth | Carrying Amount
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Deferred compensation fund	1,164	1,153
International | Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Deferred compensation fund	997	1,097
International | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Deferred compensation fund	0	0
International | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Deferred compensation fund	0	0
International | Total Fair Value
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Deferred compensation fund	997	1,097
International | Carrying Amount
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Deferred compensation fund	$ 997	$ 1,097

Fair Value Measurements (Narrat

Fair Value Measurements (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Unrealized gain (loss) on available for sale marketable securities, net of taxes	$ 198	$ (4)	$ 181	$ 3
Proceeds from available for sale municipal bonds	1,858	763	4,404	2,638
Realized gain on other income, investment and interest	$ 2	$ 3	$ 5	$ 7

Fair Value Measurements (Mark40

Fair Value Measurements (Marketable Debt Securities) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value, Investments, Entities that Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	$ 58,876	$ 11,758
Gross Unrealized Gains	330	48
Gross Unrealized Losses	(7)	(7)
Estimated Fair Value	59,199	11,799
Other-than-temporary Impairments	0	0
Municipal bonds — available for sale
Fair Value, Investments, Entities that Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	58,876	11,758
Gross Unrealized Gains	330	48
Gross Unrealized Losses	(7)	(7)
Estimated Fair Value	59,199	11,799
Other-than-temporary Impairments	$ 0	$ 0

Fair Value Measurements (Contra

Fair Value Measurements (Contractual Maturities Of Available For Sale Investments) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Maturing in one year or less	$ 2,543	$ 4,343
Maturing in second year through fifth year	18,353	7,456
Maturing in sixth year through tenth year	23,447	0
Maturing after ten years	14,856	0
Total debt securities	$ 59,199	$ 11,799

Share-Based Compensation (Narra

Share-Based Compensation (Narrative) (Details)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015$ / sharesshares	Sep. 30, 2014$ / sharesshares	Apr. 12, 2011offering
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Common stock reserved for future issuance	4,360,000
Shares available for future grant	1,788,000
Maximum term of grants	10 years
Options vested and exercisable, period	5 years
Weighted average grant-date fair value of stock options granted (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 6.64	$ 8.24
Restricted Stock
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Restricted stock granted	25,000	14,000
Weighted average grant date fair value of restricted stock granted | $ / shares	$ 30.30	$ 28.02
Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares available for future grant	2,421,000
Requisite service period for plan participation eligibility	2 years
Number of additional offerings | offering			5
Stock options authorized to issue to employees	4,050,000

Stock-Based Compensation (Summa

Stock-Based Compensation (Summary Of Stock-Based Compensation Expense) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total pre-tax stock-based compensation expense charged against income	$ 2,567	$ 2,277
Stock Options
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total pre-tax stock-based compensation expense charged against income	2,093	1,946
Restricted Stock
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total pre-tax stock-based compensation expense charged against income	187	81
Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total pre-tax stock-based compensation expense charged against income	$ 287	$ 250

Share-Based Compensation (Summa

Share-Based Compensation (Summary Of Stock Award Activity) (Details) shares in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015$ / sharesshares
Number of Shares
Number of Shares, December 31, 2014	2,362
Granted, Number of Shares	561
Cancelled, Number of Shares	(70)
Exercised, Number of Shares	(282)
Number of Shares, September 30, 2015	2,571
Weighted Average Exercise Price
Weighted Average price, December 31, 2014 (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 19.45
Granted, Weighted Average price (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	30.30
Cancelled, Weighted Average price (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	26.43
Exercised, Weighted Average price (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	17.68
Weighted Average price, September 30, 2015 (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 21.82

Share-Based Compensation (Sum45

Share-Based Compensation (Summary of Nonvested Share Activity) (Details) - $ / shares shares in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Number of Non-vested Shares
December 31, 2014 (in shares)	1,465
Granted (in shares)	561
Vested (in shares)	(486)
Forfeited (in shares)	(70)
September 30, 2015 (in shares)	1,470
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
December 31, 2014 (in dollars per share)	$ 6.17
Granted (in dollars per share)	6.64	$ 8.24
Vested (in dollars per share)	5.17
Forfeited (in dollars per share)	6.66
September 30, 2015 (in dollars per share)	$ 6.66

Share-Based Compensation (Sum46

Share-Based Compensation (Summarized Information About Stock Awards) (Details) - $10.39 to $30.30 $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)$ / sharesshares
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Exercise price range - lower limit (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 10.39
Exercise price range - upper limit (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 30.30
Weighted average remaining contractual life of stock options outstanding	6 years 8 months 12 days
Aggregate intrinsic value of outstanding stock options	$ 30,541
Number of stock options exercisable (in shares) | shares	1,101
Weighted average remaining contractual life of stock options exercisable	4 years 10 months 24 days
Aggregate intrinsic value of options exercisable	$ 19,136
Aggregate intrinsic value of stock options exercised	$ 4,118

Share-Based Compensation (Assum

Share-Based Compensation (Assumption For Fair Value Of Options Granted) (Details)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Risk-free interest rate	1.90%	1.90%
Weighted average expected life in years	5 years 9 months 18 days	5 years 10 months 24 days
Expected volatility	27.20%	36.90%
Dividend yield	2.20%	2.40%

Share-Based Compensation (Sum48

Share-Based Compensation (Summary Of Other Information Of Stock Awards) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Total grant-date fair value of stock awards granted	$ 4,027	$ 4,268
Total fair value of stock awards vested during period	2,719	2,051
Total unrecognized compensation expense related to non-vested stock awards	$ 7,859	$ 7,169

Share-Based Compensation (Ass49

Share-Based Compensation (Assumptions For Employee Stock Purchase Plan) (Details)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Risk-free interest rate	1.90%	1.90%
Weighted average expected life in years	5 years 9 months 18 days	5 years 10 months 24 days
Expected volatility	27.20%	36.90%
Dividend yield	2.20%	2.40%
Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Risk-free interest rate	0.18%	0.10%
Weighted average expected life in years	1 year	1 year
Expected volatility	19.20%	21.90%
Dividend yield	2.20%	2.40%

Dividends - Cash Dividends (Det

Dividends - Cash Dividends (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	Oct. 13, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Cash dividend paid per common share (in dollars per share)		$ 0.17875	$ 0.1775	$ 0.17625
Aggregate cash dividends paid		$ 12,923	$ 12,760	$ 12,655	$ 38,338	$ 36,598
Subsequent Event
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Dividend declared per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.18

Dividends - Cash Dividends per

Dividends - Cash Dividends per Common Share (Details) - $ / shares	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Equity [Abstract]
Cash dividends per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.18	$ 0.17	$ 0.53	$ 0.52

Income Taxes (Details)

Income Taxes (Details)	9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Tax [Line Items]
Effective tax rate	37.00%	37.00%		31.00%
Forecast
Income Tax [Line Items]
Effective tax rate			37.00%

Related Party Transactions (Det

Related Party Transactions (Details) - USD ($)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Fees paid to related party firm (less than)	$ 120,000	$ 120,000
Percentage of fee paid to related party in relation to related party's total revenue (less than)	5.00%	5.00%

Segment Information (Schedule O

Segment Information (Schedule Of Information Of Reportable Segments) (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2014USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)segment	Sep. 30, 2014USD ($)
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of reportable segments | segment			2
Percentage of revenue and income earned in one geographic area			99.00%
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 360,165	$ 320,099	$ 1,070,767	$ 951,559
Income (loss) before income taxes	26,741	(35,083)	78,052	10,089
Operating Segments | Housekeeping Services
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	227,760	211,552	681,306	627,650
Income (loss) before income taxes	21,770	15,589	64,139	52,224
Operating Segments | Dietary Services
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	132,405	108,547	389,461	323,909
Income (loss) before income taxes	8,239	5,648	25,008	18,946
Corporate And Eliminations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Income (loss) before income taxes	$ (3,268)	$ (56,320)	$ (11,095)	$ (61,081)

Segment Information (Revenues B

Segment Information (Revenues By Client Services) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 360,165	$ 320,099	$ 1,070,767	$ 951,559
Housekeeping Services
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenues	158,019	147,812	471,692	437,358
Laundry and Linen Services
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenues	69,060	63,241	207,887	188,766
Dietary Services
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenues	132,405	108,547	389,461	323,909
Maintenance Services and Other
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 681	$ 499	$ 1,727	$ 1,526

Earnings Per Common Share (Comp

Earnings Per Common Share (Computation Of Basic And Diluted Net Earnings Per Share) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net income (loss)	$ 17,086	$ (22,182)	$ 48,890	$ 6,378
Basic earnings per common share, Income (Numerator)	$ 17,086	$ (22,182)	$ 48,890	$ 6,378
Basic earnings per common share, Shares (Denominator)	72,009	70,671	71,714	70,479
Basic earnings per common share (dollars per share)	$ 0.24	$ (0.31)	$ 0.68	$ 0.09
Effect of dilutive securities:
Stock options and restricted stock, Shares (Denominator)	682	0	667	734
Stock options and restricted stock (dollars per share)	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0
Diluted earnings per common share, Income (Numerator)	$ 17,086	$ (22,182)	$ 48,890	$ 6,378
Diluted earnings per common share, Shares (Denominator)	72,691	70,671	72,381	71,213
Diluted earnings per common share (dollars per share)	$ 0.24	$ (0.31)	$ 0.68	$ 0.09
Options outstanding to purchase common stock excluded from computation of diluted earnings per common share (shares)	597	909	925	827
Antidilutive securities excluded from earnings per share, average exercise price (dollars per share)	$ 30.03	$ 26.01	$ 29.33	$ 26.32

Other Contingencies (Details)

Other Contingencies (Details)	Oct. 01, 2011	Jan. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)financial_covenantstate	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)	Oct. 01, 2015USD ($)
Short-term Debt [Line Items]
Bank line of credit			$ 200,000,000
Borrowings under line of credit			0
Reduction of bank line of credit			$ 75,978,000
Number of financial covenants | financial_covenant			1
Credit line, term			5 years
Line of credit expiration date			Dec. 18, 2018
Number of states in which entity operates | state			48
Percentage of reduction to Medicare payments to nursing centers	11.10%
Forecast
Short-term Debt [Line Items]
Percentage Increase Of Medicare Payments To Skilled Nursing Facilities				1.20%
Monetary Increase Of Medicare Payments To Skilled Nursing Facilities				$ 430,000,000
Standby Letter Of Credit
Short-term Debt [Line Items]
Irrevocable standby letter of credit, outstanding			$ 75,978,000		$ 78,259,000
Maximum
Short-term Debt [Line Items]
Percentage of reduction of Medicare payments to plans and providers		2.00%