UniFirst Corporation reported its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year of fiscal 2026, which ended on August 29, 2026. The company reported consolidated revenues of $645.0 million for the fourth quarter, an increase of 5.0% compared to the prior year. For the full fiscal year, consolidated revenues reached $2.523 billion, representing a 3.7% increase.
However, profitability metrics declined year-over-year. For the fourth quarter, operating income was $41.7 million, down from $49.6 million in the prior year, resulting in an operating margin of 6.5%. Net income for the quarter was $34.7 million, and diluted earnings per share (EPS) were $1.90, compared to $2.23 and $2.23 in the prior year, respectively. For the full fiscal year, operating income totaled $136.0 million, and net income was $109.5 million, with diluted EPS of $6.02.
The company attributed the decline in profitability to costs associated with its proposed merger with Cintas Corporation and an enterprise resource planning project. In the fourth quarter, the company incurred approximately $14.4 million in merger-related costs, and for the full year, these costs totaled approximately $37.2 million. Additionally, the company recorded costs related to its Key Initiative, which were approximately $13.3 million for fiscal 2026.
Segment performance varied by division. The Uniform & Facility Service Solutions segment saw revenues of $585.4 million for the quarter, a 4.5% increase, with organic growth of 4.6%. The First Aid & Safety Solutions segment reported revenues of $35.2 million, a 13.0% increase, but recorded an operating loss of $1.5 million. The Other segment, which includes nuclear solutions, reported revenues of $24.5 million, a 5.3% increase, with operating income of $3.3 million.
On the balance sheet, UniFirst held $192.1 million in cash and cash equivalents as of August 29, 2026, with no long-term debt outstanding. During fiscal 2026, the company repurchased 194,100 shares of its common stock for approximately $31.7 million and paid $25.2 million in dividends to shareholders.
Regarding the proposed merger with Cintas, UniFirst and Cintas received a Supplementary Information Request from the Canadian Competition Bureau in July 2026. Both companies certified completion of their responses in September 2026. On October 2, 2026, the companies entered into a timing agreement with the Federal Trade Commission, agreeing not to consummate the transaction prior to December 11, 2026, unless given notice that the FTC investigation is closed. The transaction is expected to close prior to the end of calendar year 2026, subject to regulatory approvals and other conditions. Due to the pending merger, UniFirst is no longer providing financial guidance or hosting quarterly conference calls.
