Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	May 31, 2012	May 31, 2011
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 339,825	$ 438,106
Marketable securities	0	87,220
Accounts receivable, principally trade, less allowance of $17,017 abd $17,507, respectively	450,861	429,131
Inventories, net	251,205	249,658
Uniforms and other rental items in service	452,785	393,826
Income taxes, current	22,188	33,542
Deferred tax asset	0	45,813
Prepaid expenses and other	24,704	23,481
Total current assets	1,541,568	1,700,777
Property and equipment, at cost, net	944,305	946,218
Goodwill	1,485,375	1,487,882
Service contracts, net	76,822	102,312
Other assets, net	112,836	114,751
Total assets	4,160,906	4,351,940
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	94,840	110,279
Accrued compensation and related liabilities	91,214	79,834
Accrued liabilities	256,642	242,691
Deferred tax liability	2,559	0
Long-term debt due within one year	225,636	1,335
Total current liabilities	670,891	434,139
Long-term liabilities:
Long-term debt due after one year	1,059,166	1,284,790
Deferred income taxes	204,581	196,321
Accrued liabilities	87,133	134,041
Total long-term liabilities	1,350,880	1,615,152
Shareholders' equity:
Preferred stock, no par value: 100,000 shares authorized, none outstanding	0	0
Common stock, no par value: 425,000,000 shares authorized, 2012: 173,745,913 shares issued and 126,519,758 shares outstanding, 2011: 173,346,180 shares issued and 137,583,884 shares outstanding	148,255	135,401
Paid-in capital	107,019	95,732
Retained earnings	3,482,073	3,255,256
Treasury stock: 2012: 47,226,155 shares, 2011: 35,762,296 shares	(1,634,875)	(1,242,547)
Other accumulated comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation	52,399	70,214
Unrealized loss on derivatives	(16,104)	(12,326)
Other	368	919
Total shareholders' equity	2,139,135	2,302,649
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$ 4,160,906	$ 4,351,940