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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
  November 29, 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: (978) 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 January 7, 1998 were 7,903,864 and 12,606,744 respectively.


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PART 1 - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

FORM 10-Q
UNIFIRST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
(unaudited)
November 29, August 30, November 30, 1997 1997* 1996 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Assets Current assets: Cash $ 4,189,000 $ 4,054,000 $ 3,636,000 Receivables 45,146,000 39,431,000 39,792,000 Inventories 19,464,000 19,497,000 17,925,000 Rental merchandise in service 40,673,000 40,013,000 39,746,000 Prepaid expenses 146,000 149,000 121,000 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total current assets 109,618,000 103,144,000 101,220,000 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Property and equipment: Land, buildings and leasehold improvements 141,715,000 137,281,000 123,730,000 Machinery and equipment 148,947,000 142,242,000 125,081,000 Motor vehicles 38,149,000 37,276,000 33,406,000 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 328,811,000 316,799,000 282,217,000 Less - accumulated depreciation 133,287,000 128,532,000 117,543,000 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 195,524,000 188,267,000 164,674,000 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Other assets 48,639,000 48,215,000 45,575,000 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- $353,781,000 $339,626,000 $311,469,000 ============================================================================================================= Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity Current liabilities: Current maturities of long-term obligations $ 1,045,000 $ 1,040,000 $ 1,063,000 Notes payable 2,820,000 3,213,000 2,705,000 Accounts payable 11,995,000 13,085,000 13,130,000 Accrued liabilities 47,231,000 45,637,000 38,942,000 Accrued and deferred income taxes 6,441,000 2,555,000 6,494,000 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total current liabilities 69,532,000 65,530,000 62,334,000 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Long-term obligations, net of current maturities 41,659,000 39,797,000 33,928,000 Deferred income taxes 17,440,000 17,107,000 16,713,000 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 7,903,864 shares 790,000 790,000 789,000 Class B Common stock, $.10 par value; 20,000,000 shares authorized; issued and outstanding 12,606,744 shares 1,261,000 1,261,000 1,262,000 Capital surplus 7,078,000 7,078,000 7,078,000 Retained earnings 217,235,000 208,949,000 189,700,000 Cumulative translation adjustment (1,214,000) (886,000) (335,000) - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total shareholders' equity 225,150,000 217,192,000 198,494,000 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- $353,781,000 $339,626,000 $311,469,000 =============================================================================================================
* 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)
Thirteen Thirteen weeks ended weeks ended November 29, November 30, 1997 1996 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Revenues $112,402,000 $103,976,000 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Costs and expenses: Operating costs 66,325,000 62,120,000 Selling and administrative expenses 25,397,000 23,520,000 Depreciation and amortization 6,308,000 5,547,000 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 98,030,000 91,187,000 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Income from operations 14,372,000 12,789,000 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Interest expense (income): Interest expense 651,000 585,000 Interest income (70,000) (70,000) - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 581,000 515,000 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Income before income taxes 13,791,000 12,274,000 Provision for income taxes 4,965,000 4,419,000 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Net income $ 8,826,000 $ 7,855,000 ========================================================================================== Weighted average number of shares outstanding 20,510,608 20,510,608 ========================================================================================== Net income per share $ 0.43 $ 0.38 ==========================================================================================
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)
Thirteen Thirteen weeks ended weeks ended November 29, November 30, 1997 1996 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cash flows from operating activities: Net Income $ 8,826,000 $ 7,855,000 Adjustments: Depreciation 5,246,000 4,627,000 Amortization of other assets 1,062,000 920,000 Receivables (5,785,000) (3,138,000) Inventories 26,000 (945,000) Rental merchandise in service (720,000) (1,756,000) Prepaid expenses 2,000 6,000 Accounts payable (1,096,000) 1,438,000 Accrued liabilities 1,624,000 1,561,000 Accrued and deferred income taxes 3,909,000 2,803,000 Deferred income taxes 348,000 309,000 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net cash provided by operating activities 13,442,000 13,680,000 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cash flows from investing activities: Capital expenditures (12,765,000) (9,121,000) Other assets, net (1,497,000) 618,000 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net cash used in investing activities (14,262,000) (8,503,000) - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cash flows from financing activities: Increase in debt 2,124,000 -- Reduction of debt (629,000) (4,427,000) Cash dividends paid or payable (540,000) (539,000) - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities 955,000 (4,966,000) - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net increase in cash 135,000 211,000 Cash at beginning of period 4,054,000 3,425,000 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cash at end of period $ 4,189,000 $ 3,636,000 =================================================================================================== Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information: Interest paid $ 643,000 $ 551,000 Income taxes paid $ 746,000 $ 1,291,000 ===================================================================================================
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 THIRTEEN WEEKS ENDED NOVEMBER 29, 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 THIRTEEN WEEKS ENDED NOVEMBER 29, 1997 RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - --------------------- Thirteen Weeks of Fiscal 1998 compared to Thirteen Weeks of Fiscal 1997 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Fiscal 1998 first quarter revenues increased $8,426,000 or 8.1% over the fiscal 1997 first quarter. This increase can be attributed to acquisitions (1.0%), price increases (1.0%) and growth from existing operations (6.1%). Income from operations as a percentage of revenue increased to 12.8% in fiscal 1998 from 12.3% for the fiscal 1997 period. The main reason for this increase is the Company's continued focus on controlling costs. Net interest expense (interest expense less interest income) was $581,000 in fiscal 1998 as compared to $515,000 in fiscal 1997. The increase is attributable to higher debt levels in fiscal 1998. The Company's effective income tax rate was 36.0% in both periods. LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES - ------------------------------- During the thirteen weeks ended November 29, 1997 net cash provided by operating activities, $13,442,000, was primarily used for capital expenditures, $12,765,000 and dividends, $540,000. The Company had $4,189,000 in cash and $24,675,000 available on its $60,000,000 line of credit as of November 29, 1997. The Company believes its ability to generate cash from operations will adequately cover its foreseeable capital requirements. Shareholders' equity at November 29, 1997 was $225.2 million, 84.1% 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. 7 FORM 10-Q UNIFIRST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION FOR THE THIRTEEN WEEKS ENDED NOVEMBER 29, 1997 (continued) RECENT DEVELOPMENTS - ------------------- The Company is currently considering for implementation in the fourth quarter an increase in its amortization period for most garments placed in service from 12 months to 15 months, which is more consistent with their respective useful life. Most of the Company's principal publicly-held competitors amortize their garments over an average of 15 to 18 months. Beginning in January 1998, the Company began testing its new 330,000 square foot Owensboro, Kentucky distribution facility. The Company expects this facility to be completed in late fiscal 1998 and to be fully operational by the end of fiscal 1999. During this period, the Company expects to incur further start-up costs and to begin expensing the costs of constructing this facility and its operating overhead. FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS - -------------------------- This Report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results of differ materially from those projected in such statements. Such risks and uncertainties include those relating to the timing of the implementation, if any, of the above-described change in the Company's amortization of its garments and the timing and operations of its new Owensboro, Kentucky facility. 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: January 13, 1998 /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 THIRTEEN WEEKS ENDED NOVEMBER 29, 1997, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. 1,000 U.S. DOLLARS 3-MOS AUG-29-1998 AUG-31-1997 NOV-29-1997 1 4,189 0 46,496 1,350 19,464 109,618 328,811 133,287 353,781 69,532 41,659 0 0 2,051 223,099 353,781 112,402 112,402 98,030 98,030 0 0 581 13,791 4,965 8,826 0 0 0 8,826 0.43 0