olivLaw · US equity research
UniFirst Corporation UNF
Services-Personal Services · SIC 7200 · Vertical: Services-Personal Services (SIC 7200)
UniFirst supplies uniforms, protective clothing, facility service products and first aid and safety supplies in North America to businesses of all sizes. The company is currently in a merger agreement with Cintas, and revenue rose modestly in fiscal 2026 to 2.523 billion USD, while operating margins were lower due to transaction costs.
The AI analysis may be outdated: new filings came after its sources (see the «AI analysis» section).
At the close of 03 Nov 2026, UniFirst Corporation (UNF) stock was 256.12 USD (−0.92% on the day), with market capitalisation 5.1 bn USD, P/E 42.5 on diluted EPS of 6.02 USD over the last 12 months, dividend yield 0.49%, beta 0.51, 52-week range 150.02–301.19 USD. Latest reported quarter (Q4 2026): revenue of 645.0 m USD (+5.0% YoY), net income of 34.7 m USD (−15.4% YoY), diluted EPS 1.90 USD.
Data as of · AI analysis dated · Source: SEC filings and closing prices, computed by olivLaw.
Price history
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Technical reading
- RSI (14)
- 44.2
- weak (30–45)
- Bollinger (20, 2)
- 244.37 – 280.65
- in the lower half of the band · %B 0.32 · band width 13.8%
- SMA 50 / 200
- 265.46 / 261.00
- mixed trend
- MACD (12, 26, 9)
- -1.76 / -0.81
- MACD below signal
Indicators describe past prices; on their own they do not predict direction. On our history the RSI ≤ 40 filter added no return (see the signals methodology).
Performance
| Company | S&P 500 | vs S&P 500 | Vertical median | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 month | +1.7% | −2.0% | +3.7 pp | — |
| 3 months | −11.8% | −2.2% | −9.6 pp | — |
| 6 months | +1.5% | +4.3% | −2.8 pp | — |
| Year to date | +32.8% | +10.6% | +22.2 pp | — |
| 1 year | +64.4% | +10.5% | +54.0 pp | −16.8% |
| 3 years | +51.2% | +73.7% | −22.4 pp | −14.9% |
| 5 years | +26.5% | +61.7% | −35.2 pp | — |
Price returns, dividends excluded.
Quarterly results
Latest quarter: Q4 2026 · 29 Aug 2026
Quarterly margins
Quarterly statements · USD
| Fiscal year | Q1 '25 | Q2 '25 | Q3 '25 | Q4 '25 | Q1 '26 | Q2 '26 | Q3 '26 | Q4 '26 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 604.9 m | 602.2 m | 610.8 m | 614.4 m | 621.3 m | 622.5 m | 634.4 m | 645.0 m |
| Cost of revenue | 381.1 m | 394.1 m | 385.2 m | 382.0 m | 393.0 m | 403.7 m | 399.7 m | 403.9 m |
| SG&A | 133.5 m | 141.9 m | 142.7 m | 147.0 m | 147.8 m | 157.4 m | 175.9 m | 163.8 m |
| Operating income | 55.5 m | 31.2 m | 48.2 m | 49.6 m | 45.3 m | 26.0 m | 23.0 m | 41.7 m |
| Depreciation & amortisation | 34.8 m | 34.9 m | 34.7 m | 35.9 m | 35.2 m | 35.4 m | 35.8 m | 35.7 m |
| Interest expense | — | 2.2 m | — | — | — | 1.6 m | — | — |
| Pre-tax income | 57.9 m | 32.6 m | 53.4 m | 51.4 m | 47.0 m | 27.3 m | 24.4 m | 43.3 m |
| Income tax | 14.8 m | 8.2 m | 13.7 m | 10.4 m | 12.6 m | 6.9 m | 4.5 m | 8.6 m |
| Net income | 43.1 m | 24.5 m | 39.7 m | 41.0 m | 34.4 m | 20.5 m | 19.9 m | 34.7 m |
| Diluted EPS | 2.31 | 1.31 | 2.13 | 2.23 ≈ | 1.89 | 1.13 | 1.09 | 1.90 ≈ |
| Operating cash flow | 58.1 m | 70.2 m ≈ | 68.2 m ≈ | 100.4 m | 14.9 m | 73.6 m ≈ | 50.9 m ≈ | 65.9 m |
| Capex | 33.6 m | 32.5 m ≈ | 43.7 m ≈ | 44.5 m | 38.9 m | 38.4 m ≈ | 29.7 m ≈ | 27.6 m |
| Dividends paid | 5.9 m | 6.3 m ≈ | 6.2 m ≈ | 6.2 m | 6.1 m | 6.3 m ≈ | 6.3 m ≈ | 6.3 m |
| Share repurchases | 6.4 m | 6.2 m ≈ | 13.1 m ≈ | 45.3 m | 32.7 m | 0 ≈ | 0 ≈ | 0 |
≈ derived quarter (cumulative difference / share-days average)
E/P over time
E/P = trailing-12-month diluted EPS / price at quarter end. E/P is the inverse of P/E and stays defined when earnings are negative.
Today's P/E sits at the 98 percentile of its own 40-quarter history (min 17.3, median 27.0, max 46.9; quarters with earnings only).
Fiscal years
| Fiscal year | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 1.8 bn | 1.8 bn | 1.8 bn | 2.0 bn | 2.2 bn | 2.4 bn | 2.4 bn | 2.5 bn |
| Revenue YoY | +6.7% | −0.3% | +1.2% | +9.6% | +11.6% | +8.7% | +0.2% | +3.7% |
| Net income | 179.1 m | 135.8 m | 151.1 m | 103.4 m | 103.7 m | 145.5 m | 148.3 m | 109.5 m |
| Net income YoY | +9.3% | −24.2% | +11.3% | −31.6% | +0.3% | +40.3% | +1.9% | −26.2% |
| Diluted EPS | 9.33 | 7.13 | 7.94 | 5.46 | 5.53 | 7.77 | 7.98 | 6.02 |
| Diluted EPS YoY | +13.6% | −23.6% | +11.4% | −31.2% | +1.3% | +40.5% | +2.7% | −24.6% |
| net % | 9.9% | 7.5% | 8.3% | 5.2% | 4.6% | 6.0% | 6.1% | 4.3% |
| Free cash flow | 162.3 m | 170.0 m | 78.7 m | -21.7 m | 43.8 m | 134.9 m | 142.5 m | 70.8 m |
Reported results vs expectations
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Balance sheet & financial health
Fiscal year 2026 · 29 Aug 2026
- Cash
- 192.1 m USD
- Financial debt
- unavailable USD
- Net debt
- unavailable USD
- Equity
- 2.2 bn USD
- Total assets
- 2.9 bn USD
- Debt / equity
- unavailable
- Current ratio
- 3.14x
- ROE
- 5.0%
- ROA
- 3.9%
- FCF margin
- 2.8%
Financial statements (source on every figure)
Revenue and net income (USD)
Margins
Income statement · USD
| Line | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | Source (latest year) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 1.8 bn | 2.0 bn | 2.2 bn | 2.4 bn | 2.4 bn | 2.5 bn | SEC (XBRL)· 28 Oct 2026verified |
| Cost of revenue | 1.1 bn | 1.3 bn | 1.5 bn | 1.6 bn | 1.5 bn | 1.6 bn | SEC (XBRL)· 28 Oct 2026verified |
| Gross profit | 684.9 m ≈ | 694.4 m ≈ | 751.8 m ≈ | 847.6 m ≈ | 890.0 m ≈ | 922.9 m ≈ | SEC (XBRL)· 28 Oct 2026derived |
| SG&A | 383.2 m | 451.2 m | 496.9 m | 522.6 m | 565.1 m | 644.9 m | SEC (XBRL)· 28 Oct 2026verified |
| Operating income | 195.8 m | 134.4 m | 133.6 m | 183.6 m | 184.5 m | 136.0 m | SEC (XBRL)· 28 Oct 2026verified |
| Depreciation & amortisation | 106.0 m | 108.8 m | 121.2 m | 141.4 m | 140.4 m | 142.0 m | SEC (XBRL)· 28 Oct 2026verified |
| EBITDA | 301.8 m ≈ | 243.1 m ≈ | 254.8 m ≈ | 325.0 m ≈ | 324.9 m ≈ | 278.0 m ≈ | SEC (XBRL)· 28 Oct 2026derived |
| Pre-tax income | 196.9 m | 134.3 m | 138.8 m | 189.4 m | 195.4 m | 142.1 m | SEC (XBRL)· 28 Oct 2026verified |
| Income tax | 45.8 m | 30.9 m | 35.2 m | 43.9 m | 47.1 m | 32.6 m | SEC (XBRL)· 28 Oct 2026verified |
| Net income | 151.1 m | 103.4 m | 103.7 m | 145.5 m | 148.3 m | 109.5 m | SEC (XBRL)· 28 Oct 2026verified |
| Diluted EPS | 7.94 | 5.46 | 5.53 | 7.77 | 7.98 | 6.02 | SEC (XBRL)· 28 Oct 2026verified |
| Weighted average diluted shares | 19.0 m | 18.9 m | 18.8 m | 18.7 m | 18.6 m | 18.2 m | SEC (XBRL)· 28 Oct 2026verified |
≈ computed by olivLaw from the reported lines of the same year: Revenue − Cost of revenue; Operating income + Depreciation & amortisation.
Balance sheet · USD
| Line | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | Source (latest year) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cash | 512.9 m | 376.4 m | 79.4 m | 161.6 m | 203.5 m | 192.1 m | SEC (XBRL)· 28 Oct 2026verified |
| Inventories | 143.6 m | 151.5 m | 148.3 m | 156.9 m | 145.2 m | 146.4 m | SEC (XBRL)· 28 Oct 2026verified |
| Current assets | 1.1 bn | 1.1 bn | 840.1 m | 915.7 m | 924.6 m | 968.5 m | SEC (XBRL)· 28 Oct 2026verified |
| Property, plant & equipment, net | 617.7 m | 665.1 m | 756.5 m | 801.6 m | 829.6 m | 843.6 m | SEC (XBRL)· 28 Oct 2026verified |
| Goodwill | 429.5 m | 457.3 m | 647.9 m | 648.9 m | 657.7 m | 675.4 m | SEC (XBRL)· 28 Oct 2026verified |
| Intangibles (excl. goodwill) | 84.6 m | 85.0 m | 145.6 m | 120.0 m | 105.8 m | 90.1 m | SEC (XBRL)· 28 Oct 2026verified |
| Total assets | 2.4 bn | 2.4 bn | 2.6 bn | 2.7 bn | 2.8 bn | 2.9 bn | SEC (XBRL)· 28 Oct 2026verified |
| Accounts payable | 81.4 m | 82.1 m | 92.7 m | 92.5 m | 95.0 m | 94.5 m | SEC (XBRL)· 28 Oct 2026verified |
| Current liabilities | 254.7 m | 243.7 m | 267.2 m | 281.4 m | 290.4 m | 308.3 m | SEC (XBRL)· 28 Oct 2026verified |
| Total liabilities | 508.1 m | 512.1 m | 566.0 m | 587.9 m | 609.2 m | 641.2 m | SEC (XBRL)· 28 Oct 2026verified |
| Equity | 1.9 bn † | 1.9 bn † | 2.0 bn † | 2.1 bn † | 2.2 bn † | 2.2 bn † | SEC (XBRL)· 28 Oct 2026verified |
† equity attributable to the parent's shareholders: in these years the issuer no longer reports the total including non-controlling interests.
Cash flow · USD
| Line | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | Source (latest year) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Operating cash flow | 212.3 m | 122.6 m | 215.8 m | 295.3 m | 296.9 m | 205.3 m | SEC (XBRL)· 28 Oct 2026verified |
| Capex | 133.6 m | 144.3 m | 172.0 m | 160.4 m | 154.3 m | 134.5 m | SEC (XBRL)· 28 Oct 2026verified |
| Free cash flow | 78.7 m ≈ | -21.7 m ≈ | 43.8 m ≈ | 134.9 m ≈ | 142.5 m ≈ | 70.8 m ≈ | SEC (XBRL)· 28 Oct 2026derived |
| Investing cash flow | -141.5 m | -186.5 m | -487.6 m | -162.2 m | -155.0 m | -152.5 m | SEC (XBRL)· 28 Oct 2026verified |
| Financing cash flow | -34.3 m | -69.4 m | -25.8 m | -50.4 m | -101.2 m | -64.7 m | SEC (XBRL)· 28 Oct 2026verified |
| Dividends paid | 18.1 m | 20.8 m | 22.1 m | 23.3 m | 24.6 m | 25.2 m | SEC (XBRL)· 28 Oct 2026verified |
| Share repurchases | 11.2 m | 44.4 m | 0 | 23.8 m | 70.9 m | 32.7 m | SEC (XBRL)· 28 Oct 2026verified |
≈ computed by olivLaw from the reported lines of the same year: Operating cash flow − Capex.
Computed indicators
Growth
Profitability
Returns
Balance sheet
Liquidity
Cash
Efficiency
Market and valuation
1 indicators that do not apply to the sector.
Valuation
olivLaw classification
Score: 37 / 100
A scoring methodology on indicators and valuation, not investment advice.
score < 40
Closing price
03 Nov 2026Source: olivLaw, closing series
Market cap: 5.1 bn USD
Key indicators
Coverage and freshness
Score by group
- Valuation16
- Balance sheet100
- Quality50
- Growth27
- Returns50
Estimated value range
The combined range = the median of the valid methods' low, central and high values; it is not a probability interval and does not cover every result. Envelope of all methods: 57.25 – 73.66 USD.
Valuation assumptions are editorial choices, not measured; beta is not measured.
Method ranges (USD per share)
— — Mid · ▏ Price
Valuation methods
- DCF (discounted cash flow)unavailable · the reported interest expense is far older than the latest period (the filer changed its XBRL tag): a stale figure is not used
- Peers: EV/EBITDAunavailable · net debt missing: EV cannot be bridged to equity (missing debt is not zero)
- Peers: P/E57.25 – 73.66 (Mid 72.74)5 companies used · median multiple 12.1x · quartiles 9.5x – 12.2xCSV, HRB, RGS, SCI, YELP
- Dividend discount (DDM)unavailable · input data missing
Classification (SIC) comparables group by industry code, not by economic activity; the direct group is an editorial selection by activity. Members' multiples are on their own trailing twelve months, at their own latest close.
Assumptions (illustrative, editorial)
- Risk-free rate
- 4.3%
- Equity risk premium
- 5.0%
- Beta (default)
- 1.00
- Cost of equity
- 9.3%
- Terminal growth
- 2.5%
Factor scorecard
Unattractive profile · Score 37/100
| Factor | Value | Score | Weight used |
|---|---|---|---|
| ROIC · Quality | unavailable | unavailable | — |
| Net margin · Quality | 4.3% | 50 (vs peers) | 10% |
| FCF conversion · Quality | 64.6% | 49 (on a fixed band) | 10% |
| Revenue CAGR 3Y · Growth | 4.2% | 35 (on a fixed band) | 13% |
| EPS CAGR 3Y · Growth | 2.9% | 19 (on a fixed band) | 13% |
| Net debt / EBITDA · Balance sheet | unavailable | unavailable | — |
| Interest coverage · Balance sheet | unavailable | unavailable | — |
| Current ratio · Balance sheet | 3.1x | 100 (on a fixed band) | 7% |
| P/E (TTM) · Valuation | 42.5x | 14 (vs peers) | 17% |
| EV/EBITDA · Valuation | unavailable | unavailable | — |
| FCF yield · Valuation | 1.4% | 17 (on a fixed band) | 13% |
| Shareholder yield (distributions) · Returns | 1.1% | 16 (on a fixed band) | 10% |
| Payout ratio (FCF) · Returns | 35.5% | 100 (on a fixed band) | 7% |
Factors without a value were dropped; the remaining weights were renormalised.
Score groups
- Balance sheet· partial100/100 · 1/3 factors with a value
- Growth27/100 · 2/2 factors with a value
- Quality50/100 · 2/3 factors with a value
- Returns50/100 · 2/2 factors with a value
- Valuation16/100 · 2/3 factors with a value
A «partial» group is computed from under half of its weight or from one factor: it is not a full assessment of the group.
Memo
UNIFIRST CORPORATION (UNF). Latest full fiscal year: 2026; data up to 2026-08-29.
Figures computed from the financial statements: revenue 2.5 bn USD in 2026; YoY growth 3.7%; net margin 4.3%; ROE 5.0%.
The estimated value range is 57.25–73.66 USD per share (median of 1 methods, agreement: single method); assumptions are illustrative. Against the central value of 72.74 USD, the price of 256.12 USD leaves a potential of -71.6% (value / price − 1) and a margin of safety of -252.1% (1 − price / value). The range is the median of the methods' low, central and high values, not a probability interval.
olivLaw score 37/100, methodological classification: unattractive profile (score, margin of safety and method agreement together; not a judgement of the right price). Groups assessed only in part: balance. Not investment advice.
Text generated deterministically from the figures shown; no language model. Not investment advice.
What supports the thesis
- Current ratio: 3.1x
- Payout ratio (FCF): 35.5%
What contradicts it
- EPS CAGR 3Y: 2.9%
- P/E (TTM): 42.5x
- FCF yield: 1.4%
- Shareholder yield (distributions): 1.1%
- The price is above the estimated value range
Not assessed (insufficient data or a ratio without meaning): ROIC, Net debt / EBITDA, Interest coverage, EV/EBITDA.
Versus the vertical median
Services-Personal Services (SIC 7200) · same industry (4-digit SIC) · compared with 10 companies
Multiples and returns vs the median
Price rebased to 100 (monthly, 5 years)
Companies in the vertical
| Market cap | P/E | ROE | Net margin | Revenue YoY | 1A / 3A | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SCIService Corporation International | 10.2 bn | 18.6 | 35.7% | 12.7% | +2.9% | −5% / +23% |
| HRBH&R Block Inc | 6.6 bn | 9.4 | 710.9% | 18.6% | +4.9% | +26% / +17% |
| YELPYelp Inc | 1.1 bn | 9.5 | 18.2% | 8.6% | +3.7% | −31% / −55% |
| CSVCarriage Services, Inc. | 544.1 m | 12.2 | 17.3% | 10.7% | +3.3% | −21% / +52% |
| EVIEVI Industries, Inc. | 285.9 m | 45.9 | 5.3% | 1.7% | +14.6% | +8% / −15% |
| WWWw International, Inc. | 129.8 m | 0.1 | 332.6% | 148.1% | −11.6% | −54% / unavailable |
| RGSRegis Corporation | 72.8 m | 12.1 | 3.7% | 3.1% | +6.8% | +8% / +324% |
| DLPNDolphin Entertainment, Inc. | 11.8 m | — | -51.6% | -6.3% | +9.7% | −44% / −71% |
| XWELXWELL, Inc. | 5.7 m | — | — | -82.9% | −13.8% | −13% / −72% |
| UNFUnifirst Corporation | — | 42.5 | 5.0% | 4.3% | +3.7% | +64% / +51% |
| MRMMedirom Healthcare Technologies Inc. | — | — | 26.0% | 1.8% | +21.5% | −84% / −93% |
1- and 3-year price returns: for UNF from daily closes (the same as the performance table), for the other companies from month-end closes.
olivLaw engine forecast
The world engine ran after the company's latest material disclosure. Probabilities are of TOUCHING a level within the horizon (not closing there) and sit next to the random walk (p_rw), the no-information benchmark.
The engine has no published run for this company yet.
Valuation scenarios (editable assumptions)
Illustrative scenarios
Illustrative: not forecasts and without probabilities. Each case is one coherent set of assumptions, computed on today's figures.
Estimated price (USD)
| Estimated price | Bear | Base | Bull |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 years | 138.10 Total return -46% · Per year -46% | 244.20 Total return -5% · Per year -5% | 367.88 Total return 44% · Per year 44% |
| 3 years | 133.11 Total return -48% · Per year -20% | 264.92 Total return 3% · Per year 1% | 438.34 Total return 71% · Per year 20% |
| 5 years | 128.29 Total return -50% · Per year -13% | 287.40 Total return 12% · Per year 2% | 522.29 Total return 104% · Per year 15% |
- Exit P/E± 66.23
- Net margin± 46.36
- Annual revenue growth± 38.18
- Annual dilution± 3.90
AI analysis
AI-generatedAI-generated analysis (Claude) from cited public sources; it may contain errors. Not investment advice. As of 27 Oct 2026 · Model: claude-haiku-5-5.
Possibly outdated: the newest document it read is from 21 Oct 2026; since then the company filed 10-K (28 Oct 2026).
In brief
UniFirst supplies uniforms, protective clothing, facility service products and first aid and safety supplies in North America to businesses of all sizes. The company is currently in a merger agreement with Cintas, and revenue rose modestly in fiscal 2026 to 2 2.523 billion USD, while operating margins were lower due to transaction costs. 3
SWOT
Strengths
- The company manufactures most of its own garments, giving it control over quality, price and service speed 1.
- Broad coverage with many service locations and customers across several industries reduces dependence on any single sector 3.
- The balance sheet is solid, with no long-term debt at the end of fiscal 2026, and dividends continued to be paid 3.
Weaknesses
- Operating margins declined in fiscal 2026, partly due to transaction costs and ERP project costs 3.
- The company reported a material weakness in internal control, the remediation of which remains uncertain 2.
- The first aid segment posted operating losses, reflecting growth investment in its van business 3.
Opportunities
- Existing and new customers could expand contracts if acquisition and retention trends keep improving 3.
- The first aid and safety segment has growth potential if investments in the van business pay off 3.
- If the Cintas merger is completed, the combination could produce synergies, although the benefits are uncertain 2.
Threats
Risks
- Cintas transactionhigh
The merger could fail to close on time or at all if regulators impose conditions or legal issues arise 2.
- Competitionhigh
Competitive pressure could reduce prices and margins, and losing market share could affect results 1.
- Labor and healthcare costsmedium
Healthcare costs have grown faster than revenue, and unionization could raise labor costs 1.
- Internal controlmedium
The company reported a material weakness in internal control, and timely remediation is not assured 1.
- Operations in Mexico and Nicaraguamedium
Production concentrated in a few overseas plants is exposed to political instability, supply disruption and tariffs 1.
Investment thesis
What would need to be true (bull case)
- Organic growth returned in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026 and customer retention improved, a sign the recurring service model is working 3.
- A balance sheet with no long-term debt and in-house production of most garments provides financial flexibility and cost control 3.
- If the transaction closes, combining with Cintas could bring synergies and a stronger market position 2.
What would break the thesis
- Operating margins fell in fiscal 2026, with transaction and ERP project costs weighing on results 3.
- Merger uncertainty, including antitrust requirements, could delay or block the combination and affect customer relations 2.
- Demand depends on customer employment levels, so an economic slowdown could reduce service volumes 1.
What to watch
- Completion of the Cintas merger and any conditions imposed by regulators2026
- Evolution of operating margin after transaction costs roll offQ1 2027
- Results of the First Aid & Safety Solutions segment2027
Products, market & competition
AI-generatedAI-generated analysis (Claude) from cited public sources; it may contain errors. Not investment advice. As of 27 Oct 2026 · Model: claude-haiku-5-5.
Possibly outdated: the newest document it read is from 21 Oct 2026; since then the company filed 10-K (28 Oct 2026).
The business
UniFirst Corporation, incorporated in Massachusetts in 1950, is one of the leading providers of uniform and workwear programs in North America. The company designs, manufactures, personalizes, rents, cleans, delivers and sells uniforms and protective clothing, as well as industrial wiping products, floor mats, facility service products and first aid services. The model relies on periodic pickup, usually weekly, of soiled items and delivery of cleaned ones 1. It serves more than 300,000 customer locations in the U.S., Canada and Europe 3.
Segments
Market context
The North American uniform and workwear rental market is highly competitive, with differentiation based on product range, service quality and price 1. Demand depends on customer employment levels, so the market is sensitive to economic cycles and unemployment 1. The rest of the market is split among hundreds of smaller and regional firms 1.
The first aid and safety market and the nuclear and cleanroom garment niches are growing through expansion of existing customers and acquisitions 1. Acquisition prices tend to rise when competitors bid for the same targets 1.
Trends
- Pending Cintas transactionmixed
The proposed merger with Cintas dominates the company's situation and could reshape the competitive landscape if completed. The company already incurred over 37 million USD of transaction costs in fiscal 2026 and no longer provides financial guidance 3.
- Cost inflationheadwind
Rising energy, wage and healthcare costs could compress margins if prices cannot be passed on to customers 1.
- Customer acquisition and retentiontailwind
New customer acquisition and retention rates improved in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026, suggesting organic growth may be recovering 3.
- Trade policy and tariffsheadwind
Tariffs on imported goods and trade policy could affect costs of raw materials and finished garments, especially for production in Mexico and Nicaragua 1.
Competitive position
The principal competitors in uniform rental programs are Cintas Corporation, Alsco and Vestis Corporation 1. Cintas is also the counterparty in the pending merger, which would substantially change the competitive landscape if completed 2.
The company also competes with businesses that sell uniforms and facility products directly to end customers, a highly fragmented market of national, regional and local providers 1. Differentiation rests on product range, service quality and price 1.
- Cintas CorporationCTAS
Principal competitor and counterparty in the pending merger agreement with UniFirst.
- Alsco
Textile rental provider named as a principal competitor in uniform programs.
- Vestis Corporation
Provider of uniform and facility service programs named as a principal competitor.
- Regional and local direct sellers
Fragmented market of direct sellers of uniforms and facility products at national, regional and local levels.
Links, dependencies and risks
Who the company is tied to, from its own SEC filings (customers, suppliers, production, partners, competitors, countries, regulation), from the 5 %+ holders' statements (13D/13G) and from what other companies say about it. Click a node for its evidence; on a listed company the graph moves to it.
Loading the links…
News & filings
In the press
No news in our archive over the last 180 days.
SEC filings
- Annual report28 Oct 2026
- Current report21 Oct 2026Results of operations · Financial statements and exhibits
- Current report11 Sept 2026Departure or appointment of officers · Financial statements and exhibits
- Current report28 Aug 2026Departure or appointment of officers
- Quarterly report08 Jul 2026
- Current report01 Jul 2026Results of operations · Financial statements and exhibits
- Current report12 Jun 2026Shareholder vote · Regulation FD disclosure · Other events · Financial statements and exhibits
- Quarterly report07 Apr 2026
- Current report01 Apr 2026Results of operations · Financial statements and exhibits
- Current report11 Mar 2026Material agreement · Amendments to articles or bylaws · Regulation FD disclosure · Other events · Financial statements and exhibits
Sources
- [1] Form 10-K, fiscal year ended 2025-08-30 · SEC / UniFirst Corporation · 29 Oct 2025
- [2] Form 10-Q, quarter ended 2026-05-30 · SEC / UniFirst Corporation · 08 Jul 2026
- [3] Form 8-K, results release (exhibit 99.1) · SEC / UniFirst Corporation · 21 Oct 2026
Figures computed by olivLaw from SEC filings and closing prices; the qualitative analysis is AI-generated from cited sources. Not investment advice.