Consolidated Statements of Income (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data	12 Months Ended
	May 31, 2011	May 31, 2010	May 31, 2009
Revenue:
Rental uniforms and ancillary products	$ 2,692,248	$ 2,569,357	$ 2,755,015
Other services	1,118,136	977,982	1,019,670
Total revenue	3,810,384	3,547,339	3,774,685
Costs and expenses:
Cost of rental uniforms and ancillary products	1,530,456	1,449,576	1,562,230
Cost of other services	670,641	599,946	661,584
Selling and administrative expenses	1,168,944	1,086,359	1,082,709
Legal settlements, net of insurance proceeds		23,529
Restructuring (credits) charges		(2,880)	10,209
Impairment of long-lived assets			48,888
Operating income	440,343	390,809	409,065
Interest income	(2,030)	(1,695)	(2,764)
Interest expense	49,704	48,612	50,236
Income before income taxes	392,669	343,892	361,593
Income taxes	145,680	128,272	135,236
Net income	$ 246,989	$ 215,620	$ 226,357
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 1.68	$ 1.40	$ 1.48
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 1.68	$ 1.40	$ 1.48
Dividends declared and paid per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.49	$ 0.48	$ 0.47