Cintas Achieves Record High Margin, Bets on Major Acquisition and New Credit Facility

Cintas Corporation (CTAS) reported third-quarter fiscal 2026 results for the period ended February 28, posting revenue of $2.84 billion—a year-over-year increase of 8.9%. Gross margin reached a record 51.0%, and diluted earnings per share rose 9.7% to $1.24.

The company achieved 8.2% organic revenue growth across its three primary route-based businesses. On March 10, Cintas announced an agreement to acquire UniFirst and raised its full-year fiscal 2026 guidance to $11.21–11.24 billion in revenue and $4.86–4.90 in adjusted diluted EPS.

On March 27, Cintas also secured a new senior unsecured revolving credit facility, available through March 27, 2031, to fund the UniFirst acquisition, refinance existing bridge financing, and support working capital and general corporate purposes—thereby enhancing its long-term financial structure.

According to recent reports, the UniFirst deal is valued at approximately $5.5 billion, with UniFirst shareholders set to receive a mix of cash and Cintas common stock. Another analysis noted that Cintas’ third-quarter results beat market expectations and that the stock experienced a modest adjustment immediately following the earnings release.

Headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, Cintas is a uniform rental and business services provider offering workwear and protective apparel, restroom and cleaning services, and first-aid and safety products to businesses across North America. The uniform rental and facilities services industry is sensitive to economic cycles, labor costs, and laundering expenses, and Cintas competes for market share in North America against UniFirst, Aramark and others.