Core Viewpoint - The Boyar Value Group has called for an immediate strategic review of UniFirst Corporation due to years of underperformance and the Board's refusal to engage with credible potential buyers [1][2]. Company Performance - UniFirst has faced years of underperformance, which has eroded shareholder confidence and destroyed value [3]. - The company has dismissed multiple acquisition approaches, including a recent proposal from Cintas Corporation that offered a more than 45% premium to UniFirst's unaffected price, which was $275 per share [2][3]. Governance Concerns - The refusal of UniFirst's Board to engage with credible buyers raises serious fiduciary concerns, as highlighted by the Boyar Value Group [2][4]. - There are concerns that the Board's decisions may be influenced by the substantial annual compensation of over $300,000 earned by many non-employee directors, rather than focusing solely on maximizing long-term shareholder value [5]. Strategic Recommendations - Boyar Value Group urges the UniFirst Board to take specific actions, including forming an independent special committee, reengaging with Cintas and other credible buyers, conducting a robust sale process, and providing transparency to shareholders regarding strategic alternatives [7].

Core Viewpoint - Engine Capital LP, a significant independent shareholder of UniFirst Corporation, is urging the company's trustees to engage in discussions regarding the potential sale of the company to enhance its future for employees, customers, and shareholders [1][2]. Shareholder Engagement - Engine Capital has made multiple attempts to privately communicate with the trustees about strengthening the Board and the need for a sale, but these attempts have been ignored, prompting the public letter [2][3]. - The letter emphasizes the trustees' disregard for shareholders and calls for a meeting to discuss the future of UniFirst [2][14]. Board Composition and Governance - Engine Capital has proposed the nomination of a third qualified director to the Board, alongside Michael Croatti, to enhance governance and value creation [3]. - The company has suggested expanding the Board to eight directors as a compromise to accommodate the new candidate [3]. Financial Performance and Legacy Concerns - Under the current trustees, UniFirst has reportedly lost competitive ground, which is detrimental to employees and customers, and has resulted in significant financial losses for the Croatti family [4][5]. - Since the passing of former CEO Ron Croatti over eight years ago, UniFirst's stock price has remained flat, while competitor Cintas' shares have increased nearly five-fold, indicating a substantial loss of value [6]. Call for Sale and Strategic Direction - Engine Capital argues that a sale of UniFirst is the optimal path forward, as the current management's strategic initiatives are unlikely to yield the necessary improvements [7][8]. - The letter suggests that pursuing a sale would not only benefit stakeholders but also restore the legacy of the Croatti family [8]. Annual Meeting Concerns - The company has scheduled a virtual-only annual meeting for December 15, 2025, which is seen as a deviation from standard practices and a tactic to limit shareholder participation [9][10]. - The timing of the meeting is criticized as an attempt to manipulate the election process, raising concerns about the Board's commitment to shareholder rights [10][12]. Governance and Transparency Issues - The actions taken by the Board, including the accelerated meeting date and virtual format, are viewed as contrary to good governance principles and shareholder democracy [13]. - Engine Capital calls for accountability among directors who endorse such tactics, suggesting they should be barred from serving on public company boards [13].

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Core Points - UniFirst Corporation filed its preliminary proxy statement for the 2026 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, recommending shareholders vote for its director nominees and expressing confidence in its long-term growth strategy [1][3][4] Group 1: Board of Directors - The Board nominated CEO Steven S. Sintros and Audit Committee Chairman Joseph M. Nowicki for election, while Raymond C. Zemlin will retire after his term [2] - The Board recommends shareholders vote against the nominees proposed by Engine Capital Management, LP, advocating for its own candidates instead [3] - The current Board consists of seven directors, five of whom are independent, with expertise in finance, operations, technology, and other relevant areas [5] Group 2: Strategic Focus - The Company emphasizes a clear strategy focused on investing in people, technology, and infrastructure to drive growth and profitability [4] - The Board is committed to refreshing its composition, having appointed three new independent directors in the past three years [5] Group 3: Proxy Materials - UniFirst's preliminary proxy materials are available on the SEC's website, and definitive materials will be mailed to eligible shareholders [6] - Shareholders are advised to disregard any proxy materials from Engine Capital and to use the WHITE proxy card provided by UniFirst [6] Group 4: Company Overview - UniFirst is a North American leader in providing customized business uniform programs, facility service products, and first aid and safety services, with over 270 service locations and more than 2 million workers outfitted daily [8]

Customer Base and Revenue - The company serves over 300,000 customer locations across the U.S., Canada, and Europe, with no individual customer accounting for more than 10% of total revenue in the last three years [24]. - The company has experienced fluctuations in revenues and operating results due to various factors, including economic conditions and seasonal patterns [22]. Manufacturing and Sourcing - Approximately 62% of garments placed in service during fiscal 2025 were manufactured in-house, primarily work pants and shirts, with the remainder sourced from various suppliers [29]. - The company manufactured approximately 99% of the mats placed in service at its plant in Cave City, Arkansas [29]. Employment and Talent Management - As of August 30, 2025, the company employed approximately 16,000 team partners, emphasizing recruitment, development, and retention of talent [30]. Financial Obligations and Borrowing Capacity - The company has total contractual cash obligations of $259.8 million as of August 30, 2025, with significant commitments in operating leases and purchase commitments [185]. - The company had total borrowing capacity of $300 million under its Credit Agreement, with no outstanding borrowings as of August 30, 2025, and $193.3 million available for borrowing [187]. Acquisitions - The company regularly evaluates acquisition opportunities and typically pays for acquisitions with cash, cash generated from operations, or borrowings [184]. Customer Service Commitment - The company maintains a commitment to service excellence, with a system in place to respond to customer inquiries within 24 hours [27]. Environmental Regulations - The company is subject to various environmental regulations and has taken measures to address environmental concerns related to its operations [32]. Financial Instruments and Energy Costs - As of August 30, 2025, the company had forward contracts with a notional value of approximately 1.8 million CAD, with a fair value recorded at $0.1 million in prepaid expenses and other current assets [188]. - During fiscal 2025, energy costs, including fuel, natural gas, and electricity, represented approximately 3.9% of total revenue [189]. - The company reclassified $0.1 million from accumulated other comprehensive loss to revenue related to derivative financial instruments during fiscal 2025 [188].

Core Points - UniFirst Corporation has declared increased quarterly cash dividends of $0.365 per share for Common Stock and $0.292 per share for Class B Common Stock, payable on January 2, 2026 [1] Company Overview - UniFirst Corporation is a North American leader in supplying and servicing uniform and workwear programs, facility service products, and first aid and safety supplies [2] - The company operates five ISO-9001-certified manufacturing facilities and manages specialized garment programs for the cleanroom and nuclear industries [2] - With over 270 service locations and more than 300,000 customer locations, UniFirst outfits over 2 million workers daily [2]

Core Viewpoint - UniFirst (UNF) reported quarterly earnings of $2.28 per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.15 per share, but down from $2.46 per share a year ago, indicating a +6.05% earnings surprise [1] Financial Performance - The company achieved revenues of $614.45 million for the quarter ended August 2025, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 1.03%, although this is a decrease from $639.87 million in the same quarter last year [2] - Over the last four quarters, UniFirst has exceeded consensus EPS estimates four times and topped consensus revenue estimates twice [2] Stock Performance and Outlook - Since the beginning of the year, UniFirst shares have increased by approximately 1.3%, while the S&P 500 has gained 14.5% [3] - The future performance of the stock will largely depend on management's commentary during the earnings call and the earnings outlook for the upcoming quarters [4][6] Earnings Estimates - The current consensus EPS estimate for the next quarter is $2.61 on revenues of $627.61 million, and for the current fiscal year, it is $8.84 on revenues of $2.52 billion [7] Industry Context - The Uniform and Related industry, to which UniFirst belongs, is currently ranked in the top 39% of over 250 Zacks industries, suggesting a favorable outlook compared to lower-ranked industries [8]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Full-year revenues for fiscal 2025 reached $2.432 billion, a 2.1% increase compared to fiscal 2024 after adjusting for an additional week of operations in the previous year [5][21] - Consolidated revenues in Q4 2025 were $614.4 million, down from $639.9 million in the prior year, with a revenue growth of approximately 3.4% when excluding the extra week in fiscal 2024 [21][22] - Consolidated operating income for Q4 2025 was $49.6 million, compared to $54 million in the prior year, while net income decreased to $41 million or $2.23 per diluted share from $44.6 million or $2.39 per diluted share [21][22] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Uniform and Facility Service Solutions revenues for Q4 2025 were $560.1 million, a decrease of 4.4% from Q4 2024, with organic growth of approximately 2.9% [23][24] - First Aid and Safety Solutions segment revenues in Q4 2025 increased to $31.1 million, with organic growth of 12.4% driven by the segment's van business [25] - Revenues from the Other segment, which includes nuclear services, were $23.3 million, a decrease of 5.3% from Q4 2024 due to lower activity in North American nuclear operations [26] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company experienced notable improvements in customer retention in fiscal 2025 after two years of elevated lost business, with positive trends in key leading indicators such as NPS scores [7] - The employment environment has impacted parts of the customer base, leading to fluctuations in wear-in numbers and overall growth rates [7][12] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to drive organic growth to mid-single digits and improve EBITDA margins into the high teens over the next couple of years [16] - Investments in technology and organizational initiatives are expected to enhance operational efficiency and scalability, particularly through the implementation of the Oracle ERP system [11][31] - The company is focusing on enhancing customer experience and operational excellence through the introduction of the UniFirst Way, a collection of service-focused procedures [8] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the ability to drive meaningful improvements in overall profitability despite expected temporary setbacks in fiscal 2026 [14][16] - The impact of tariffs is anticipated to escalate in fiscal 2026, but the company believes it is well-positioned to navigate the evolving trade situation [12][13] - Management highlighted the importance of patience and thoughtful execution in addressing current sourcing and cost environments [16] Other Important Information - The company made significant investments in capital expenditures totaling $154.3 million in fiscal 2025, focusing on facility additions and system updates [26] - The company plans to continue deploying cash flows for strategic investments, including infrastructure enhancements and share buyback programs [18] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you confirm the drivers for the guided 2.6% organic growth for Uniform and Facility Service Solutions? - Management indicated that while there is momentum in sales and retention, the economic outlook and fluctuations in employment cycles are contributing factors to the current organic growth outlook [34][35] Question: What are the expected impacts on margins for 2026? - Management noted that tariffs, sales and service investments, and digital transformation costs are expected to impact margins, with operational efficiencies anticipated to provide some offsets [37][38] Question: Will benefits from sales and service investments be realized in 2026? - Management clarified that while some benefits from sales and service investments will begin to materialize in 2026, significant ERP-enabled benefits are expected to emerge in 2027 and beyond [45][46] Question: How do you expect pricing dynamics to evolve in 2026? - Management acknowledged that pricing remains challenging due to inflation and tariffs, but they anticipate working through these dynamics with customers [53][54] Question: What is the expected impact of the nuclear services business in fiscal 2026? - Management expects a wind-down of a large project in the first quarter, with normal seasonality affecting the nuclear business throughout the year [75][76]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Full-year revenues for fiscal 2025 reached $2.432 billion, a 2.1% increase compared to fiscal 2024 after adjusting for an additional week of operations in the previous year [5][21] - Consolidated revenues in Q4 2025 were $614.4 million, down from $639.9 million in the prior year, with a revenue growth of approximately 3.4% when excluding the extra week in fiscal 2024 [21][22] - Consolidated operating income for Q4 2025 was $49.6 million, compared to $54 million in the prior year, while net income decreased to $41 million or $2.23 per diluted share from $44.6 million or $2.39 per diluted share [21][22] - Consolidated adjusted EBITDA for Q4 2025 was $88.1 million, down from $95 million in the prior year [21][22] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Uniform & Facility Service Solutions revenues for Q4 2025 were $560.1 million, a decrease of 4.4% from Q4 2024, with organic growth of approximately 2.9% [23][24] - First Aid & Safety Solutions segment revenues in Q4 2025 increased to $31.1 million, with organic growth of 12.4% driven by the segment's van business [25] - Revenues from the Other segment, which includes nuclear services, were $23.3 million, a decrease of 5.3% from Q4 2024 due to lower activity in North American nuclear operations [26] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company noted improvements in customer retention and key performance metrics, despite a softer employment environment impacting parts of its customer base [7][8] - The First Aid & Safety Solutions segment is expected to achieve double-digit growth in fiscal 2026, reflecting strong market potential [17] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on driving organic growth to mid-single digits and improving EBITDA margins into the high teens [16] - Investments in technology and organizational initiatives are aimed at enhancing customer experience and operational excellence [3][10] - The introduction of the UniFirst Way aims to unify operational approaches and improve service delivery [8][9] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the company's ability to drive meaningful improvements in overall profitability despite anticipated challenges in fiscal 2026 [14][19] - The impact of tariffs is expected to influence short to medium-term profitability, with ongoing efforts to mitigate cost increases [12][13] - Management acknowledged that fiscal 2026 may reflect a temporary step back in profitability due to investments in growth initiatives [16][28] Other Important Information - The company has a robust balance sheet with no long-term debt and cash equivalents totaling $209.2 million [26] - Capital expenditures for fiscal 2025 totaled $154.3 million, with ongoing investments in infrastructure and automation initiatives [26][18] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you confirm the drivers for the guided 2.6% organic growth for Uniform & Facility Services? - Management indicated that improvements in sales and retention are expected, but challenges from the employment environment may impact growth [33][35] Question: What are the factors impacting margins for 2026? - Management highlighted tariffs, sales and service investments, and digital transformation costs as key factors affecting margins [37][38] Question: Will benefits from sales and service investments be seen in 2026? - Management stated that while some benefits may emerge, significant improvements from ERP-related investments are expected in 2027 and beyond [44][45] Question: What is the outlook for pricing in 2026? - Management noted that pricing remains challenging due to inflation and tariffs, but they expect to work through these dynamics with customers [53][55] Question: Can you provide insights on the nuclear services business for fiscal 2026? - Management expects a wind-down of a large project in the first quarter, with normal seasonality affecting performance throughout the year [75][76]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Full-year revenues for fiscal 2025 reached $2.432 billion, a 2.1% increase compared to fiscal 2024 after adjusting for an additional week of operations in the previous year [5] - Consolidated revenues in Q4 2025 were $614.4 million, down from $639.9 million in the prior year, with a revenue growth of approximately 3.4% when excluding the extra week in fiscal 2024 [18][21] - Consolidated operating income for Q4 2025 was $49.6 million, compared to $54 million in the prior year, while net income decreased to $41 million or $2.23 per diluted share from $44.6 million or $2.39 per diluted share [18] - Consolidated adjusted EBITDA for Q4 2025 was $88.1 million, down from $95 million in the prior year [18] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Uniform and Facility Service Solutions revenues for Q4 2025 were $560.1 million, a decrease of 4.4% from Q4 2024, with organic growth of approximately 2.9% [21][22] - First Aid and Safety Solutions segment revenues in Q4 2025 increased to $31.1 million, with organic growth of 12.4% driven by the segment's van business [23] - Revenues from the Other segment, which includes nuclear services, were $23.3 million, a decrease of 5.3% from Q4 2024 due to lower activity in North American nuclear operations [24] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company noted improvements in customer retention and key performance metrics, despite a softer employment environment impacting parts of its customer base [6][12] - The company experienced notable improvements in retention after two years of elevated lost business, with positive trends in NPS scores and customers under contract [6] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to drive organic growth to mid-single digits and improve EBITDA margins into the high teens over the next couple of years [14] - Investments in technology and organizational initiatives are expected to enhance operational efficiency and scalability, particularly through the implementation of the Oracle ERP system [10][30] - The company is focusing on enhancing customer experience and operational excellence through the introduction of the UniFirst Way, a collection of service-focused procedures [7] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the ability to drive meaningful improvements in overall profitability, despite expecting a temporary step back in profitability for fiscal 2026 due to ongoing investments [12][14] - The impact of tariffs is anticipated to escalate in fiscal 2026, with management taking steps to minimize cost increases through strategic sourcing and collaboration with customers [11][27] - The company expects to see continued improvements in customer retention and sales effectiveness, which are crucial for future growth [33][42] Other Important Information - The company generated solid cash flows from operating activities totaling $296.9 million in fiscal 2025, with capital expenditures of $154.3 million [24][25] - The company plans to continue strategic investments, including infrastructure enhancements and automation initiatives, to promote growth and efficiency [16] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you confirm the drivers for the guided 2.6% organic growth for Uniform and Facility Service Solutions? - Management indicated that while there is momentum in sales and retention, the economic outlook and fluctuations in employment cycles are contributing factors to the current guidance [32][34] Question: What are the factors impacting margins for 2026? - Management highlighted tariffs, sales and service investments, and digital transformation costs as primary factors affecting margins, with expectations for operational efficiency to provide some offsets [35][36] Question: Will benefits from investments in sales and service be realized in 2026? - Management stated that while some benefits from sales and service investments will begin to materialize in 2026, significant improvements from ERP-related investments are expected to be realized in 2027 and beyond [40][42] Question: What is the expected impact of tariffs on pricing and client bases? - Management noted that the pricing environment remains challenging due to tariffs and inflation, but they anticipate working through these dynamics with customers [46][50] Question: Can you provide insights on the nuclear services segment's expected performance? - Management expects a wind-down of a large project in the first quarter of fiscal 2026, which will impact the nuclear services segment's performance, particularly in the first quarter [66][68]