Page 79 Exhibit 24 POWER OF ATTORNEY KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each of the undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints David Levy and Brock Hattox, and each of them individually, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact (with full power of substitution and resubstitution) to act for him in his name, place, and stead in his capacity as a director or officer of National Service Industries, Inc., to file a registrant's annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 1996, and any and all amendments thereto, with any exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact, and each of them individually, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact or either of them, or their substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. /s/ James S. Balloun James S. Balloun, Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Director /s/ Brock Hattox Brock Hattox, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer /s/ Mark R. Bachmann Mark R. Bachmann, Vice President and Controller (Principal Accounting Officer) /s/ David Levy David Levy, Executive Vice President, Administration and Counsel, and Director Dated: November 20, 1996 Page 80 Exhibit 24 POWER OF ATTORNEY KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints David Levy and Brock Hattox, and each of them individually, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact (with full power of substitution and resubstitution) to act for him in his name, place, and stead in his capacity as a director or officer of National Service Industries, Inc., to file a registrant's annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 1996, and any and all amendments thereto, with any exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact, and each of them individually, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact or either of them, or their substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. /s/ John L. Clendenin John L. Clendenin Dated: November 20, 1996 Page 81 Exhibit 24 POWER OF ATTORNEY KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints David Levy and Brock Hattox, and each of them individually, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact (with full power of substitution and resubstitution) to act for him in his name, place, and stead in his capacity as a director or officer of National Service Industries, Inc., to file a registrant's annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 1996, and any and all amendments thereto, with any exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact, and each of them individually, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact or either of them, or their substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. /s/ Robert M. Holder, Jr. Robert M. Holder, Jr. Dated: November 20, 1996 Page 82 Exhibit 24 POWER OF ATTORNEY KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints David Levy and Brock Hattox, and each of them individually, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact (with full power of substitution and resubstitution) to act for him in his name, place, and stead in his capacity as a director or officer of National Service Industries, Inc., to file a registrant's annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 1996, and any and all amendments thereto, with any exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact, and each of them individually, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact or either of them, or their substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. /s/ F. Ross Johnson F. Ross Johnson Dated: November 20, 1996 Page 83 Exhibit 24 POWER OF ATTORNEY KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints David Levy and Brock Hattox, and each of them individually, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact (with full power of substitution and resubstitution) to act for him in his name, place, and stead in his capacity as a director or officer of National Service Industries, Inc., to file a registrant's annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 1996, and any and all amendments thereto, with any exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact, and each of them individually, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact or either of them, or their substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. /s/ James C. Kennedy James C. Kennedy Dated: November 20, 1996 Page 84 Exhibit 24 POWER OF ATTORNEY KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints David Levy and Brock Hattox, and each of them individually, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact (with full power of substitution and resubstitution) to act for him in his name, place, and stead in his capacity as a director or officer of National Service Industries, Inc., to file a registrant's annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 1996, and any and all amendments thereto, with any exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact, and each of them individually, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact or either of them, or their substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. /s/ Donald R. Keough Donald R. Keough Dated: November 20, 1996 Page 85 Exhibit 24 POWER OF ATTORNEY KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints David Levy and Brock Hattox, and each of them individually, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact (with full power of substitution and resubstitution) to act for him in his name, place, and stead in his capacity as a director or officer of National Service Industries, Inc., to file a registrant's annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 1996, and any and all amendments thereto, with any exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact, and each of them individually, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact or either of them, or their substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. /s/ Bryan D. Langton Bryan D. Langton Dated: November 20, 1996 Page 86 Exhibit 24 POWER OF ATTORNEY KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints David Levy and Brock Hattox, and each of them individually, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact (with full power of substitution and resubstitution) to act for him in his name, place, and stead in his capacity as a director or officer of National Service Industries, Inc., to file a registrant's annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 1996, and any and all amendments thereto, with any exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact, and each of them individually, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact or either of them, or their substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. /s/ Bernard Marcus Bernard Marcus Dated: November 20, 1996 Page 87 Exhibit 24 POWER OF ATTORNEY KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints David Levy and Brock Hattox, and each of them individually, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact (with full power of substitution and resubstitution) to act for him in his name, place, and stead in his capacity as a director or officer of National Service Industries, Inc., to file a registrant's annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 1996, and any and all amendments thereto, with any exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact, and each of them individually, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact or either of them, or their substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. /s/ John G. Medlin, Jr. John G. Medlin, Jr. Dated: November 20, 1996 Page 88 Exhibit 24 POWER OF ATTORNEY KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints David Levy and Brock Hattox, and each of them individually, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact (with full power of substitution and resubstitution) to act for him in his name, place, and stead in his capacity as a director or officer of National Service Industries, Inc., to file a registrant's annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 1996, and any and all amendments thereto, with any exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact, and each of them individually, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact or either of them, or their substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. /s/ D. Raymond Riddle D. Raymond Riddle Dated: November 20, 1996 Page 89 Exhibit 24 POWER OF ATTORNEY KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints David Levy and Brock Hattox, and each of them individually, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact (with full power of substitution and resubstitution) to act for him in his name, place, and stead in his capacity as a director or officer of National Service Industries, Inc., to file a registrant's annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 1996, and any and all amendments thereto, with any exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact, and each of them individually, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact or either of them, or their substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. /s/ Herman J. Russell Herman J. Russell Dated: November 20, 1996 Page 90 Exhibit 24 POWER OF ATTORNEY KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints David Levy and Brock Hattox, and each of them individually, her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact (with full power of substitution and resubstitution) to act for her in her name, place, and stead in her capacity as a director or officer of National Service Industries, Inc., to file a registrant's annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 1996, and any and all amendments thereto, with any exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact, and each of them individually, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact or either of them, or their substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. /s/ Betty L. Siegel Betty L. Siegel Dated: November 20, 1996 Page 91 Exhibit 24 POWER OF ATTORNEY KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints David Levy and Brock Hattox, and each of them individually, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact (with full power of substitution and resubstitution) to act for him in his name, place, and stead in his capacity as a director or officer of National Service Industries, Inc., to file a registrant's annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 1996, and any and all amendments thereto, with any exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact, and each of them individually, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact or either of them, or their substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. /s/ Erwin Zaban Erwin Zaban Dated: November 20, 1996