Business Segments (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
Mar. 29, 2013	Mar. 30, 2012	Mar. 29, 2013	Mar. 30, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales	$ 3,403,737	$ 3,345,560	$ 6,939,652	$ 6,768,172
Operating income	79,895	133,714	256,305	300,590
Interest and Other Financing Costs, net	(109,993)	(118,533)	(209,447)	(227,347)
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes	(30,098)	15,181	46,858	73,243
Food and Support Services - North America
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales	2,354,315	2,336,609	4,811,899	4,733,857
Operating income	84,238	101,074	225,789	227,319
Food and Support Services - International
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales	702,154	671,679	1,427,051	1,356,518
Operating income	(10,027)	22,289	9,183	42,843
Uniform and Career Apparel
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales	347,268	337,272	700,702	677,797
Operating income	23,277	23,543	54,373	56,585
Total Segment Operating Income Excluding Corporate
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating income	97,488	146,906	289,345	326,747
Corporate
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating income	$ (17,593)	$ (13,192)	$ (33,040)	$ (26,157)

Amount represents the cost of borrowed funds accounted for as interest, amortization of deferred debt financing fees, foreign exchange gains or losses and interest income.

No definition available.

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- Definition

This element represents the income or loss from continuing operations attributable to the economic entity which may also be defined as revenue less expenses from ongoing operations, after income or loss from equity method investments, but before income taxes, extraordinary items, and noncontrolling interest.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 10

-Article 5

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- Definition

The net result for the period of deducting operating expenses from operating revenues.

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

Total revenue from sale of goods and services rendered during the reporting period, in the normal course of business, reduced by sales returns and allowances, and sales discounts.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 225

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6880815&loc=d3e20235-122688

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 1

-Article 5

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