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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                                Washington, D.C.
                                      20549


                                    FORM 10-Q

              QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
                       THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934



     For the quarter ended                            Commission File
         May 31, 1997                                  Number 1-8504



                              UNIFIRST CORPORATION
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)



           Massachusetts                                04-2103460
     (State of Incorporation)                    (IRS Employer ID Number)


                                 68 Jonspin Road
                         Wilmington, Massachusetts 01887
                    (Address of principal executive offices)

                  Registrant's telephone number: (508) 658-8888



Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the preceeding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was
required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days.


                                                Yes [X]       No [ ]


The number of outstanding shares of the registrant's Common Stock and Class B
Common Stock as of July 7, 1997 were 7,893,864 and 12,616,744 respectively.


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PART 1 - FINANCIAL INFORMATION


FORM 10-Q
UNIFIRST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
(unaudited)

May 31, August 31, June 1, 1997 1996* 1996 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Assets Current assets: Cash $ 5,936,000 $ 3,425,000 $ 5,533,000 Receivables 39,855,000 36,634,000 38,750,000 Inventories 20,192,000 17,053,000 16,350,000 Rental merchandise in service 39,362,000 37,973,000 35,611,000 Prepaid expenses 140,000 127,000 117,000 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total current assets 105,485,000 95,212,000 96,361,000 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Property and equipment: Land, buildings and leasehold improvements 133,489,000 119,346,000 118,101,000 Machinery and equipment 136,060,000 120,671,000 119,204,000 Motor vehicles 36,690,000 33,278,000 33,379,000 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 306,239,000 273,295,000 270,684,000 Less - accumulated depreciation 124,252,000 113,191,000 111,408,000 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 181,987,000 160,104,000 159,276,000 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Other assets 48,767,000 47,062,000 43,520,000 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- $336,239,000 $302,378,000 $299,157,000 ==================================================================================================================== Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity Current liabilities: Current maturities of long-term obligations $ 1,037,000 $ 1,058,000 $ 1,050,000 Notes payable 3,340,000 2,757,000 -- Accounts payable 13,075,000 11,697,000 13,261,000 Accrued liabilities 46,167,000 37,371,000 38,639,000 Accrued and deferred income taxes 2,679,000 3,679,000 4,380,000 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total current liabilities 66,298,000 56,562,000 57,330,000 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Long-term obligations, net of current maturities 42,745,000 38,307,000 41,287,000 Deferred income taxes 17,213,000 16,400,000 15,201,000 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Shareholders' equity: Preferred stock, $1.00 par value; 2,000,000 shares authorized; none issued -- -- -- Common stock, $.10 par value; 30,000,000 shares authorized; issued and outstanding 7,893,864 shares 789,000 789,000 789,000 Class B Common stock, $.10 par value; 20,000,000 shares authorized; issued and outstanding 12,616,744 shares 1,262,000 1,262,000 1,262,000 Capital surplus 7,078,000 7,078,000 7,078,000 Retained earnings 201,531,000 182,384,000 176,568,000 Cumulative translation adjustment (677,000) (404,000) (358,000) - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total shareholders' equity 209,983,000 191,109,000 185,339,000 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- $336,239,000 $302,378,000 $299,157,000 ====================================================================================================================
* Condensed from audited financial statements The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed financial statements. 3 FORM 10-Q UNIFIRST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (unaudited)
Thirty-nine Forty Thirteen Thirteen weeks ended weeks ended weeks ended weeks ended May 31, June 1, May 31, June 1, 1997 1996 1997 1996 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Revenues $313,164,000 $294,792,000 $107,124,000 $98,554,000 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Costs and expenses: Operating costs 192,243,000 180,520,000 65,905,000 59,339,000 Selling and administrative expenses 69,676,000 68,528,000 23,123,000 22,868,000 Depreciation and amortization 17,161,000 15,339,000 5,969,000 5,340,000 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 279,080,000 264,387,000 94,997,000 87,547,000 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Income from operations 34,084,000 30,405,000 12,127,000 11,007,000 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Interest expense (income): Interest expense 1,792,000 1,995,000 641,000 755,000 Interest income (155,000) (193,000) (49,000) (61,000) - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1,637,000 1,802,000 592,000 694,000 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Income before income taxes 32,447,000 28,603,000 11,535,000 10,313,000 Provision for income taxes 11,681,000 10,297,000 4,153,000 3,713,000 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net income $ 20,766,000 $ 18,306,000 $ 7,382,000 $ 6,600,000 ================================================================================================================================== Weighted average number of shares outstanding 20,510,608 20,510,608 20,510,608 20,510,608 ================================================================================================================================== Net income per share $ 1.01 $ 0.89 $ 0.36 $ 0.32 ==================================================================================================================================
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed financial statements. 4 FORM 10-Q UNIFIRST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (unaudited)
Thirty-nine Forty weeks ended weeks ended May 31, June 1, 1997 1996 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cash flows from operating activities: Net Income $ 20,766,000 $ 18,306,000 Adjustments: Depreciation 14,303,000 12,767,000 Amortization of other assets 2,858,000 2,572,000 Receivables (2,865,000) (4,688,000) Inventories (3,172,000) 215,000 Rental merchandise in service (804,000) (1,789,000) Prepaid expenses (13,000) -- Accounts payable 1,303,000 280,000 Accrued liabilities 8,806,000 3,197,000 Accrued and deferred income taxes (986,000) 513,000 Deferred income taxes 818,000 614,000 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net cash provided by operating activities 41,014,000 31,987,000 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cash flows from investing activities: Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired (4,971,000) (11,517,000) Capital expenditures (35,954,000) (22,313,000) Other assets, net (959,000) (2,168,000) - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net cash used in investing activities (41,884,000) (35,998,000) - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cash flows from financing activities: Increase in debt 6,329,000 12,925,000 Reduction of debt (1,329,000) (7,831,000) Cash dividends paid or payable (1,619,000) (1,439,000) - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net cash provided by financing activities 3,381,000 3,655,000 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net increase (decrease) in cash 2,511,000 (356,000) Cash at beginning of period 3,425,000 5,889,000 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cash at end of period $ 5,936,000 $ 5,533,000 ================================================================================================== Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information: Interest paid $ 1,773,000 $ 2,007,000 Income taxes paid $ 11,868,000 $ 9,379,000 ==================================================================================================
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed financial statements. 5 FORM 10-Q UNIFIRST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE THIRTY-NINE WEEKS ENDED MAY 31, 1997 1. These condensed financial statements have been prepared by the Company without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations; however, the Company believes that the information furnished reflects all adjustments which are, in the opinion of management, necessary to a fair statement of results for the interim period. It is suggested that these condensed financial statements be read in conjunction with the financial statements and the notes, thereto, included in the Company's latest annual report. 2. From time to time, the Company is subject to legal proceedings and claims arising from the conduct of their business operations, including personal injury, customer contract, employment claims and environmental matters. In the opinion of management, such proceedings and claims are not likely to result in losses which would have a material adverse effect upon the financial position or results of operations of the Company. 6 FORM 10-Q UNIFIRST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION FOR THE THIRTY-NINE WEEKS ENDED MAY 31, 1997 RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - --------------------- Thirty-nine Weeks of Fiscal 1997 compared to Forty Weeks of Fiscal 1996 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Revenues for the first thirty-nine weeks of fiscal 1997 increased $18,372,000 or 6.2% over the first forty weeks of fiscal 1996. This increase can be attributed to acquisitions (2.5%), price increases (1.0%) and growth from existing operations (5.2%) offset by one week less of revenue (2.5%) in fiscal 1997. Income from operations as a percentage of revenue increased to 10.9% in fiscal 1997 from 10.3% for the fiscal 1996 period. The main reason for the increase is improved profit margins in the Company's core uniform rental business. Net interest expense (interest expense less interest income) was $1,637,000 in fiscal 1997 as compared to $1,802,000 in fiscal 1996. The decrease is attributable to lower interest rates in fiscal 1997. The Company's effective income tax rate was 36.0% in both periods. Thirteen Weeks ended May 31, 1997 compared to Thirteen Weeks ended June 1, 1996 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fiscal 1997 third quarter revenues increased $8,570,000 or 8.7% over the fiscal 1996 third quarter. This increase can be attributed to acquisitions (1.6%), price increases (1.0%) and growth from existing operations (6.1%). Income from operations as a percentage of revenue of 11.3% in fiscal 1997 was comparable to 11.2% for the fiscal 1996 period. Net interest expense (interest expense less interest income) was $592,000 in fiscal 1997 as compared to $694,000 in fiscal 1996. The decrease is attributable to lower interest rates in the fiscal 1997 quarter. The Company's effective income tax rate was 36.0% in both periods. 7 FORM 10-Q UNIFIRST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION (continued) FOR THE THIRTY-NINE WEEKS ENDED MAY 31, 1997 LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES - ------------------------------- During the thirty-nine weeks ended May 31, 1997 net cash provided by operating activities, $41,014,000, was primarily used for capital expenditures, $35,954,000 and acquisition of businesses, $4,971,000. The Company had $5,936,000 in cash and $23,900,000 available on its $60,000,000 line of credit as of May 31, 1997. The Company believes its ability to generate cash from operations will adequately cover its foreseeable capital requirements. Shareholders' equity at May 31, 1997 was $210 million, 83% of total capitalization, indicating the overall strength of the Company's balance sheet. EFFECTS OF INFLATION - -------------------- Inflation has had the effect of increasing the reported amounts of the Company's revenues and costs. The Company uses the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method to value a significant portion of inventories. This method tends to reduce the amount of income due to inflation included in the Company's results of operations. The Company believes that, through increases in its prices and productivity improvements, it has been able to recover increases in costs and expenses attributable to inflation. 8 PART II - OTHER INFORMATION FORM 10-Q UNIFIRST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K - ----------------------------------------- (a) Exhibits: (27) Financial Data Schedule (b) Reports on Form 8-K: None SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf of the undersigned thereunto duly authorized. UNIFIRST CORPORATION /s/ RONALD D. CROATTI --------------------- Ronald D. Croatti Vice Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Date: July 15, 1997 /s/ JOHN B. BARTLETT -------------------- John B. Bartlett Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
 

5 THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF UNIFIRST CORPORATION FOR THE THIRTY-NINE WEEKS ENDED MAY 31, 1997, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. 1,000 U.S. DOLLARS 9-MOS AUG-30-1997 SEP-01-1996 MAY-31-1997 1 5,936 0 40,705 850 20,192 105,485 306,239 124,252 336,239 66,298 42,745 0 0 2,051 207,932 336,239 313,164 313,164 279,080 279,080 0 0 1,637 32,447 11,681 20,766 0 0 0 20,766 1.01 0