Page 12

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS








As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation of our
report  dated  June 8, 2000  included  in this Form 11-K into  National  Service
Industries, Inc.'s previously filed Registration Statement covering the National
Service Industries Retirement and 401(k) Plan.



/s/ Arthur Andersen



Atlanta, Georgia
June 22, 2000