Operating Segment Information (Tables)

12 Months Ended

May 31, 2012

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Information related to operating segments

(In thousands)	Rental Uniforms & Ancillary Products			Uniform Direct Sales		First Aid, Safety & Fire Protection		Document Management		Corporate			Total
May 31, 2012
Revenue	$	2,912,261		$	433,994	$	415,703	$	340,042	$	—		$	4,102,000
Gross margin	$	1,263,710		$	129,614	$	178,465	$	166,819	$	—		$	1,738,608
Selling and admin. expenses	834,210			80,577		143,338		140,856		—			1,198,981
Interest income	—			—		—		—		(1,942		)	(1,942		)
Interest expense	—			—		—		—		70,625			70,625
Income before income taxes	$	429,500		$	49,037	$	35,127	$	25,963	$	(68,683	)	$	470,944
Depreciation and amortization	$	121,842		$	7,087	$	19,641	$	45,595	$	—		$	194,165
Capital expenditures	$	107,152		$	5,161	$	15,264	$	33,225	$	—		$	160,802
Total assets	$	2,765,691		$	136,478	$	362,128	$	556,784	$	339,825		$	4,160,906
May 31, 2011
Revenue	$	2,692,248		$	419,222	$	377,663	$	321,251	$	—		$	3,810,384
Gross margin	$	1,161,792		$	126,475	$	156,060	$	164,960	$	—		$	1,609,287
Selling and admin. expenses	822,230			78,220		134,604		133,890		—			1,168,944
Interest income	—			—		—		—		(2,030		)	(2,030		)
Interest expense	—			—		—		—		49,704			49,704
Income before income taxes	$	339,562		$	48,255	$	21,456	$	31,070	$	(47,674	)	$	392,669
Depreciation and amortization	$	122,767		$	6,720	$	18,599	$	45,381	$	—		$	193,467
Capital expenditures	$	108,557		$	5,223	$	23,215	$	45,597	$	—		$	182,592
Total assets	$	2,721,261		$	154,109	$	355,332	$	595,912	$	525,326		$	4,351,940
May 31, 2010
Revenue	$	2,569,357		$	386,370	$	338,651	$	252,961	$	—		$	3,547,339
Gross margin	$	1,119,781		$	116,336	$	131,726	$	129,974	$	—		$	1,497,817
Selling and admin. expenses	786,145			76,232		118,284		105,698		—			1,086,359
Legal settlements, net of insurance proceeds	—			—		—		—		23,529			23,529
Restructuring credits	(2,880		)	—		—		—		—			(2,880		)
Interest income	—			—		—		—		(1,695		)	(1,695		)
Interest expense	—			—		—		—		48,612			48,612
Income before income taxes	$	336,516		$	40,104	$	13,442	$	24,276	$	(70,446	)	$	343,892
Depreciation and amortization	$	131,714		$	7,582	$	16,178	$	37,667	$	—		$	193,141
Capital expenditures	$	68,224		$	6,791	$	8,155	$	27,908	$	—		$	111,078
Total assets	$	2,441,748		$	132,415	$	329,569	$	499,917	$	566,087		$	3,969,736