Revenue increased 3.7 per cent year on year (YoY) to $2.52 billion in the 52 weeks ended August 29, 2026. Operating income declined to $136 million from $184.5 million, while adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) fell to $327.1 million from $336.8 million. Net income decreased 26.2 per cent to $109.5 million and diluted earnings per share (EPS) declined to $6.02 from $7.98.
UniFirst Corporation recorded fiscal 2026 revenue of $2.52 billion, up 3.7 per cent, supported by growth across its operating segments.
Net income fell to $109.5 million as proposed Cintas merger and enterprise resource planning costs weighed on earnings.
Fourth-quarter revenue rose 5 per cent to $645 million, while adjusted EBITDA margin improved to 14.7 per cent.
“We are pleased with how we closed the fiscal year with a solid fourth quarter delivering improved growth and profitability. We remain focused on caring for our customers and communities, supporting our Team Partners, and demonstrating UniFirst’s compelling value to both new and existing customers,” said Steven Sintros, president and chief executive officer, UniFirst Corporation.
FY26 margins and segment performance
The operating margin narrowed to 5.4 per cent from 7.6 per cent in fiscal 2025, while adjusted EBITDA margin declined to 13 per cent from 13.8 per cent. The year’s results included $37.2 million of costs associated with the proposed Cintas merger and $13.3 million of costs directly linked to the enterprise resource planning project. Together, these items reduced operating income by $50.5 million, net income by $37.9 million and diluted EPS by $2.08, UniFirst said in a press release.
Uniform & Facility Service Solutions revenue rose 3.5 per cent to $2.30 billion, while First Aid & Safety Solutions revenue increased 10.9 per cent to $127 million. Revenue in the Other segment, which includes nuclear solutions operations, grew 1.2 per cent to $100.4 million. The core uniform segment generated operating income of $126.3 million, whereas First Aid & Safety posted an operating loss of $4.6 million as UniFirst continued investments in its van business.
Net cash from operating activities declined to $205.3 million from $296.9 million. Capital expenditure, including capitalised software costs, was $134.5 million, compared with $154.3 million a year earlier. Cash and cash equivalents stood at $192.1 million at year-end, and UniFirst had no long-term debt outstanding.
Q4 revenue growth lifts adjusted EBITDA margin
In the fourth quarter ended August 29, 2026, revenue rose 5 per cent year on year to $645 million. Operating income fell to $41.7 million from $49.6 million, but adjusted EBITDA increased to $94.9 million from $88.1 million, lifting the adjusted EBITDA margin to 14.7 per cent from 14.3 per cent. Net income declined to $34.7 million from $41 million, while diluted EPS decreased to $1.90 from $2.23.
The quarter included $14.4 million of merger-related costs and $2.8 million related to the enterprise resource planning project. These charges reduced quarterly operating income by $17.3 million and net income by $12.9 million. Operating margin declined to 6.5 per cent from 8.1 per cent.
Fourth-quarter Uniform & Facility Service Solutions revenue grew 4.5 per cent to $585.4 million, including organic growth of 4.6 per cent, aided by solid new customer wins and improving retention. First Aid & Safety Solutions revenue increased 13 per cent to $35.2 million, while Other segment revenue rose 5.3 per cent to $24.5 million, reflecting European growth that was partly offset by fewer reactor outages and the wind-down of a refurbishment project.
Cintas transaction remains subject to approvals
UniFirst and Cintas completed their responses to the Canadian Competition Bureau’s supplementary information request in September and certified substantial compliance with the US Federal Trade Commission’s second request in October. Under a timing agreement, the companies will not complete the transaction before December 11, 2026, unless the regulator closes its investigation earlier.
UniFirst expects the merger to close before the end of calendar 2026, subject to customary conditions and regulatory approvals, and said it will not provide financial guidance or host quarterly earnings calls while the transaction is pending.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (SG)
