UniFirst Corporation Reports First Quarter Financial Results for Fiscal 2026
WILMINGTON, Mass., Jan. 7, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- UniFirst Corporation (NYSE: UNF) has announced its financial results for the first quarter of fiscal 2026, ending November 29, 2025. The company reported a 2.7% increase in consolidated revenues to $621.3 million, up from $604.9 million in the same quarter of fiscal 2025.
Consolidated Financial Highlights
UniFirst's operating margin decreased to 7.3% compared to 9.2% in the prior year, attributed to strategic investments aimed at fostering growth and enhancing digital capabilities. Net income for the quarter stood at $34.4 million, down from $43.1 million year-over-year, with diluted earnings per share at $1.89 compared to $2.31 in the prior period. The adjusted EBITDA margin was 13.3%, a decrease from 15.5% a year ago.
Additionally, the quarterly tax rate increased to 26.9% from 25.6% in the previous year. “Our first quarter performance aligned with expectations and reflects the impact of our necessary investments,” said Steven Sintros, President and CEO of UniFirst. He added, “These initiatives might stress margins in the short term, but we believe they will lead to enhanced profitability in the future.”
Segment Reporting Results
The performance of various segments within UniFirst for the first quarter of fiscal 2026 is as follows:
- Uniform & Facility Service Solutions: Revenues rose by 2.4% to $565.9 million, driven by organic growth. However, operating margin fell to 7.4% from 8.8%.
- First Aid & Safety Solutions: This segment experienced a 15.3% revenue increase to $30.2 million. Operating loss and adjusted EBITDA were reported at $0.4 million and $0.8 million, respectively.
- Other: Revenues declined by 2.9% to $25.2 million, showing the impact of a significant refurbishment project winding down. Operating income was $3.9 million.
Balance Sheet and Capital Allocation
As of November 29, 2025, UniFirst reported cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments of $129.5 million, with no long-term debt. The Company faces a share repurchase of $31.7 million that occurred during the first quarter of fiscal 2026, having $8.9 million left under its existing authorization. The company also declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.365 per share.
Financial Outlook for Fiscal 2026
UniFirst continues to reaffirm its financial guidance for the full fiscal 2026 year, anticipating consolidated revenues between $2.475 billion and $2.495 billion, and fully diluted earnings per share ranging from $6.58 to $6.98. This outlook factors in approximately $7.0 million of costs related to its Key Initiative, aimed at improving operational efficiency and profitability.
Conference Call and Additional Information
UniFirst Corporation will hold a conference call today at 9:00 a.m. ET to discuss its quarterly results and business outlook. A live webcast of the call is available on the company’s website at www.unifirst.com.
About UniFirst Corporation
Headquartered in Wilmington, Mass., UniFirst Corporation (NYSE: UNF) is a leading provider of uniforms and workwear, facility service products, and first aid and safety supplies in North America. The Company operates over 270 service locations and serves more than 300,000 customers, providing services to over 2 million workers daily. For more information, contact UniFirst at 888.296.2740 or visit UniFirst.com.