Consolidated Statements of Income (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	May 31, 2012	May 31, 2011	May 31, 2010
Revenue:
Rental uniforms and ancillary products	$ 2,912,261	$ 2,692,248	$ 2,569,357
Other services	1,189,739	1,118,136	977,982
Total revenue	4,102,000	3,810,384	3,547,339
Costs and expenses:
Cost of rental uniforms and ancillary products	1,648,551	1,530,456	1,449,576
Cost of other services	714,841	670,641	599,946
Selling and administrative expenses	1,198,981	1,168,944	1,086,359
Legal settlements, net of insurance proceeds	0	0	23,529
Restructuring credits	0	0	(2,880)
Operating income	539,627	440,343	390,809
Interest income	(1,942)	(2,030)	(1,695)
Interest expense	70,625	49,704	48,612
Income before income taxes	470,944	392,669	343,892
Income taxes	173,307	145,680	128,272
Net income	$ 297,637	$ 246,989	$ 215,620
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 2.27	$ 1.68	$ 1.40
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 2.27	$ 1.68	$ 1.40
Dividends declared and paid per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.54	$ 0.49	$ 0.48