News Release Details

Unifirst Investor Information
 

UniFirst Announces Financial Results for the First Quarter of Fiscal 2024

January 3, 2024 at 8:00 AM EST

WILMINGTON, Mass., Jan. 03, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- UniFirst Corporation (NYSE: UNF) (the “Company,” “UniFirst” or “we”) today reported results for its first quarter ended November 25, 2023 as compared to the corresponding period in the prior fiscal year:

Q1 2024 Financial Highlights

  • Consolidated revenues for the first quarter increased 9.5% to $593.5 million.
  • Operating income was $53.1 million, an increase of 22.4%.
  • The quarterly tax rate decreased to 23.4% compared to 25.2% in the prior year.
  • Net income increased to $42.3 million from $34.0 million in the prior year, or 24.6%.
  • Diluted earnings per share increased to $2.26 from $1.81 in the prior year, or 24.9%.
  • EBITDA increased to $86.2 million compared to $69.7 million in the prior year, or 23.7%.

The Company's financial results for the first quarter of fiscal 2024 and 2023 included approximately $2.9 million and $10.0 million, respectively, of costs directly attributable to its customer relationship management (“CRM”) computer system, enterprise resource planning (“ERP”) system and branding initiatives (the "Key Initiatives"). Investments in the branding initiatives concluded in fiscal 2023. The effect of the Key Initiatives on the first quarter of fiscal 2024 and 2023 combined to decrease:

  • Both operating income and EBITDA by $2.9 million and $10.0 million, respectively.
  • Net income by $2.4 million and $7.6 million, respectively.
  • Diluted earnings per share by $0.12 and $0.40, respectively.

Steven Sintros, UniFirst President and Chief Executive Officer, said, “We are pleased with the results from our first quarter, which represent a solid start to our new fiscal year. I want to sincerely thank all of our Team Partners who continue to Always Deliver for each other and our customers as we strive towards our vision of being universally recognized as the best service provider in the industry. …all while living our Mission of Serving the People Who do the Hard Work.”

Segment Reporting Highlights

Core Laundry Operations

  • Revenues for the quarter increased 9.8% to $524.0 million.
  • Organic growth, which excludes the effect of acquisitions and fluctuations in the Canadian dollar, was 5.2%.
  • Operating margin increased to 8.0% from 7.1%.
  • Core Laundry Operations' EBITDA margin increased to 14.0% from 12.2%.

The costs incurred related to the Key Initiatives, discussed above, were recorded to the Core Laundry Operations' segment, and decreased both the Core Laundry Operations' operating and EBITDA margin for the first quarters of fiscal 2024 and 2023 by 0.6% and 2.1%, respectively.

The segment's operating and EBITDA margin comparisons were also impacted by investments in our corporate capabilities that we have made over the last year and higher merchandise costs, which were partially offset by lower energy costs as a percentage of revenues. The purchase accounting for the Company's March 2023 acquisition of Clean Uniform further impacted the segment’s operating margin, most notably in the form of elevated non-cash acquisition-related intangibles amortization.

Specialty Garments

  • Revenues for the quarter were $44.7 million, an increase of 1.3%, which was driven by growth in the segment's cleanroom operations.
  • Operating margin increased to 27.1% from 23.1% a year ago, primarily as a result of the strong top line performance.
  • Specialty Garments consists of nuclear decontamination and cleanroom operations, and its results can vary significantly due to seasonality and the timing of reactor outages and projects.

Balance Sheet and Capital Allocation

  • Cash, cash equivalents and Short-term investments totaled $88.8 million as of November 25, 2023.
  • The Company had no long-term debt outstanding as of November 25, 2023.
  • On October 24, 2023, our Board of Directors authorized a new share repurchase program to repurchase from time to time up to $100.0 million of our outstanding shares of Common Stock, inclusive of the amount which remained available under the share repurchase program previously authorized on October 18, 2021. Under the new share repurchase program, the Company repurchased 1,500 shares of Common Stock for $0.3 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2024. As of November 25, 2023, the Company had $99.7 million remaining under its new share repurchase program.
  • Weighted average shares outstanding – Diluted for both the first quarter of fiscal 2024 and fiscal 2023 were 18.8 million.

Financial Outlook

Mr. Sintros continued, "At this time, we continue to expect our revenues for fiscal 2024 to be between $2.415 billion and $2.435 billion, however, due to recent trends in our Core Laundry Operations in the latter half of the quarter we anticipate that the lower half of the range is more likely. We continue to expect diluted earnings per share to be between $6.52 and $7.16.” As a reminder, our guidance for fiscal 2024 includes one extra week of operations compared to fiscal 2023 due to the timing of our fiscal calendar.

Conference Call Information

UniFirst Corporation will hold a conference call today at 9:00 a.m. (ET) to discuss its quarterly financial results, business highlights and outlook. A simultaneous live webcast of the call will be available over the Internet and can be accessed at www.unifirst.com.

About UniFirst Corporation

Headquartered in Wilmington, Mass., UniFirst Corporation (NYSE: UNF) is a North American leader in the supply and servicing of uniform and workwear programs, facility service products, as well as first aid and safety supplies and services. Together with its subsidiaries, the Company also manages specialized garment programs for the cleanroom and nuclear industries. In addition to partnering with leading brands, UniFirst manufactures its own branded workwear, protective clothing, and floorcare products at its five company-owned ISO-9001-certified manufacturing facilities. With more than 270 service locations, over 300,000 customer locations, and 16,000-plus employee Team Partners, the Company outfits more than 2 million workers every day. For more information, contact UniFirst at 888.296.2740 or visit UniFirst.com.

Forward-Looking Statements Disclosure

This public announcement contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws that reflect the Company's current views with respect to future events and financial performance, including projected revenues, operating margin and earnings per share. Forward-looking statements contained in this public announcement are subject to the safe harbor created by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and may be identified by words such as “guidance,” “outlook,” “estimates,” “anticipates,” “projects,” “plans,” “expects,” “intends,” “believes,” “seeks,” “could,” “should,” “may,” “will,” “strategy,” “objective,” “assume,” “strive,” “design,” “assumption,” “vision” or the negative versions thereof, and similar expressions and by the context in which they are used. Such forward-looking statements are based upon our current expectations and speak only as of the date made. Such statements are highly dependent upon a variety of risks, uncertainties and other important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected in such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to, uncertainties caused by an economic recession or other adverse economic conditions, including, without limitation, as a result of continued high inflation rates or further increases in inflation or interest rates or extraordinary events or circumstances such as geopolitical conflicts like the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, disruption in the Middle East or the COVID-19 pandemic, and their impact on our customers' businesses and workforce levels, disruptions of our business and operations, including limitations on, or closures of, our facilities, or the business and operations of our customers or suppliers in connection with extraordinary events or circumstances such as the COVID-19 pandemic, uncertainties regarding our ability to consummate acquisitions and successfully integrate acquired businesses, including Clean Uniform, and the performance of such businesses, uncertainties regarding any existing or newly-discovered expenses and liabilities related to environmental compliance and remediation, any adverse outcome of pending or future contingencies or claims, our ability to compete successfully without any significant degradation in our margin rates, seasonal and quarterly fluctuations in business levels, our ability to preserve positive labor relationships and avoid becoming the target of corporate labor unionization campaigns that could disrupt our business, the effect of currency fluctuations on our results of operations and financial condition, our dependence on third parties to supply us with raw materials, which such supply could be severely disrupted as a result of extraordinary events or circumstances such as the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, any loss of key management or other personnel, increased costs as a result of any changes in federal, state, international or other laws, rules and regulations or governmental interpretation of such laws, rules and regulations, uncertainties regarding, or adverse impacts from continued high price levels of natural gas, electricity, fuel and labor or increases in such costs, the negative effect on our business from sharply depressed oil and natural gas prices, the continuing increase in domestic healthcare costs, increased workers' compensation claim costs, increased healthcare claim costs, our ability to retain and grow our customer base, demand and prices for our products and services, fluctuations in our Specialty Garments business, political or other instability, supply chain disruption or infection among our employees in Mexico and Nicaragua where our principal garment manufacturing plants are located, our ability to properly and efficiently design, construct, implement and operate a new customer relationship management computer system, interruptions or failures of our information technology systems, including as a result of cyber-attacks, additional professional and internal costs necessary for compliance with any changes in or additional Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), New York Stock Exchange and accounting or other rules, including, without limitation, recent rules proposed by the SEC regarding climate-related and cybersecurity-related disclosures, strikes and unemployment levels, our efforts to evaluate and potentially reduce internal costs, economic and other developments associated with the war on terrorism and its impact on the economy, the impact of foreign trade policies and tariffs or other impositions on imported goods on our business, results of operations and financial condition, general economic conditions, our ability to successfully implement our business strategies and processes, including our capital allocation strategies, our ability to successfully remediate the material weakness in internal control over financial reporting disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 26, 2023 and the other factors described under Part I, Item 1A. “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 26, 2023, Part II, Item 1A. “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in our subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and in our other filings with the SEC. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances arising after the date on which they are made.


Consolidated Statements of Income
(Unaudited)

    Thirteen Weeks Ended  
(In thousands, except per share data)   November 25, 2023     November 26, 2022  
Revenues   $ 593,525     $ 541,798  
             
Operating expenses:            
Cost of revenues (1)     383,796       353,972  
Selling and administrative expenses (1)     122,859       117,363  
Depreciation and amortization     33,733       27,045  
Total operating expenses     540,388       498,380  
             
Operating income     53,137       43,418  
             
Other (income) expense:            
Interest income, net     (2,834 )     (2,769 )
Other expense, net     716       791  
Total other income, net     (2,118 )     (1,978 )
             
Income before income taxes     55,255       45,396  
Provision for income taxes     12,930       11,439  
             
Net income   $ 42,325     $ 33,957  
             
Income per share – Basic:            
Common Stock   $ 2.35     $ 1.89  
Class B Common Stock   $ 1.88     $ 1.51  
             
Income per share – Diluted:            
Common Stock   $ 2.26     $ 1.81  
             
Income allocated to – Basic:            
Common Stock   $ 35,566     $ 28,525  
Class B Common Stock   $ 6,759     $ 5,432  
             
Income allocated to – Diluted:            
Common Stock   $ 42,325     $ 33,957  
             
Weighted average shares outstanding – Basic:            
Common Stock     15,111       15,082  
Class B Common Stock     3,590       3,590  
             
Weighted average shares outstanding – Diluted:            
Common Stock     18,769       18,754  
                 

(1)     Exclusive of depreciation on the Company's property, plant and equipment and amortization on its intangible assets.


Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(Unaudited)

(In thousands)   November 25, 2023     August 26, 2023  
Assets            
Current assets:            
Cash and cash equivalents   $ 77,380     $ 79,443  
Short-term investments     11,394       10,157  
Receivables, net     299,494       279,078  
Inventories     148,513       148,334  
Rental merchandise in service     249,611       248,323  
Prepaid taxes     10,284       20,907  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets     62,262       53,876  
Total current assets     858,938       840,118  
             
Property, plant and equipment, net     766,532       756,540  
Goodwill     648,797       647,900  
Customer contracts and other intangible assets, net     138,468       145,618  
Deferred income taxes     615       567  
Operating lease right-of-use assets, net     65,389       62,565  
Other assets     123,313       116,667  
Total assets   $ 2,602,052     $ 2,569,975  
             
Liabilities and shareholders’ equity            
Current liabilities:            
Accounts payable   $ 86,315     $ 92,730  
Accrued liabilities     155,419       156,408  
Accrued taxes           352  
Operating lease liabilities, current     17,051       17,739  
Total current liabilities     258,785       267,229  
Long-term liabilities:            
Accrued liabilities     121,720       121,682  
Accrued and deferred income taxes     131,040       130,084  
Operating lease liabilities     50,334       47,020  
Total liabilities     561,879       566,015  
             
Shareholders’ equity:            
Common Stock     1,513       1,510  
Class B Common Stock     359       359  
Capital surplus     99,537       99,303  
Retained earnings     1,962,688       1,926,549  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss     (23,924 )     (23,761 )
       Total shareholders’ equity     2,040,173       2,003,960  
           Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity   $ 2,602,052     $ 2,569,975  
 


Detail of Operating Results

(Unaudited)

    Thirteen Weeks Ended November 25, 2023     Thirteen Weeks Ended November 26, 2022  
    Core Laundry   Specialty   First         Core Laundry   Specialty   First      
    Operations   Garments   Aid   Total     Operations   Garments   Aid   Total  
Revenues   $ 523,989   $ 44,669   $ 24,867   $ 593,525     $ 477,398   $ 44,079   $ 20,321   $ 541,798  
Revenue Growth %     9.8 %   1.3 %   22.4 %   9.5 %                  
                                     
Operating Income (Loss) (1), (2)   $ 42,091   $ 12,117   $ (1,071 ) $ 53,137     $ 33,831   $ 10,183   $ (596 ) $ 43,418  
Operating Margin     8.0 %   27.1 %   -4.3 %   9.0 %     7.1 %   23.1 %   -2.9 %   8.0 %
                                     
EBITDA (1), (2)   $ 73,320   $ 13,148   $ (314 ) $ 86,154     $ 58,435   $ 11,171   $ 66   $ 69,672  
EBITDA Margin     14.0 %   29.4 %   -1.3 %   14.5 %     12.2 %   25.3 %   0.3 %   12.9 %
                                                     

(1)     The Company's financial results for the first quarter of fiscal 2024 and 2023 included approximately $2.9 million and $10.0 million, respectively, of costs directly attributable to its Key Initiatives.
(2)     The Key Initiatives' costs resulted in a decrease in both Core Laundry Operations' operating margin and EBITDA margin for the first quarter of fiscal 2024 and 2023 of 0.6% and 2.1%, respectively.


Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)

(In thousands)   November 25, 2023     November 26, 2022  
Cash flows from operating activities:            
Net income   $ 42,325     $ 33,957  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities:            
Depreciation and amortization (1)     33,733       27,045  
Share-based compensation     2,534       1,461  
Accretion on environmental contingencies     316       259  
Accretion on asset retirement obligations     233       227  
Deferred income taxes     640       765  
Other     79       (42 )
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:            
Receivables, less reserves     (20,413 )     (23,675 )
Inventories     (138 )     8,154  
Rental merchandise in service     (1,330 )     (12,961 )
Prepaid expenses and other current assets and Other assets     (9,692 )     (9,076 )
Accounts payable     (6,663 )     399  
Accrued liabilities     (6,172 )     (6,655 )
Prepaid and accrued income taxes     10,218       7,840  
Net cash provided by operating activities     45,670       27,698  
             
Cash flows from investing activities:            
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired           (6,556 )
Capital expenditures, including capitalization of software costs     (39,050 )     (39,044 )
Purchases of investments     (11,394 )     (107,000 )
Maturities of investments     10,217        
Proceeds from sale of assets     606       240  
Net cash used in investing activities     (39,621 )     (152,360 )
             
Cash flows from financing activities:            
Proceeds from exercise of share-based awards     2       2  
Taxes withheld and paid related to net share settlement of equity awards     (2,290 )     (2,028 )
Repurchase of Common Stock     (255 )      
Payment of cash dividends     (5,573 )     (5,570 )
Net cash used in financing activities     (8,116 )     (7,596 )
             
Effect of exchange rate changes     4       33  
             
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents     (2,063 )     (132,225 )
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period     79,443       376,399  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period   $ 77,380     $ 244,174  
 

(1)     Depreciation and amortization for the first quarter of fiscal 2024 and 2023 included approximately $4.6 million and $2.6 million, respectively, of non-cash amortization expense recognized on acquisition-related intangible assets.

Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The Company reports its consolidated financial results in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). To supplement the Company's consolidated financial results in this press release, the Company also presents EBITDA and EBITDA margin, which are non-GAAP financial measures. The Company defines EBITDA as net income before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization. EBITDA margin is defined as EBITDA for a period divided by revenue for the same period.

The Company believes these non-GAAP financial measures provide useful supplemental information regarding the performance of the Company and its segments to both management and investors. These non-GAAP financial measures exclude certain items that may impact the comparability of the Company's results. In addition, by excluding certain items, these non-GAAP financial measures enable management and investors to further evaluate the underlying operating performance of the Company.

Supplemental reconciliations of the Company's consolidated net income on a GAAP basis to EBITDA and EBITDA margin, which are non-GAAP financial measures, are presented in the following tables. Investors are encouraged to review the reconciliations of the non-GAAP financial measures to their most directly comparable GAAP financial measures, which are provided below. EBITDA and EBITDA margin should be considered in addition to, and not as substitutes for, or in isolation from, measures prepared in accordance with GAAP.

The Company does not allocate its provision for income taxes to its business segments and as a result, presents it in a separate column in the following tables.

  Thirteen Weeks Ended November 25, 2023  
    Core Laundry     Specialty     First              
(In thousands, except percentages)   Operations     Garments     Aid     Other     Total  
Revenue   $ 523,989     $ 44,669     $ 24,867     $     $ 593,525  
                               
Net income   $ 44,209     $ 12,117     $ (1,071 )   $ (12,930 )   $ 42,325  
Provision for income taxes                       12,930       12,930  
Interest income, net     (2,834 )                       (2,834 )
Depreciation and amortization     31,945       1,031       757             33,733  
EBITDA   $ 73,320     $ 13,148     $ (314 )   $     $ 86,154  
EBITDA Margin     14.0 %     29.4 %     -1.3 %           14.5 %
                                       


  Thirteen Weeks Ended November 26, 2022  
    Core Laundry     Specialty     First              
(In thousands, except percentages)   Operations     Garments     Aid     Other     Total  
Revenue   $ 477,398     $ 44,079     $ 20,321     $     $ 541,798  
                               
Net income   $ 35,809     $ 10,183     $ (596 )   $ (11,439 )   $ 33,957  
Provision for income taxes                       11,439       11,439  
Interest income, net     (2,769 )                       (2,769 )
Depreciation and amortization     25,395       988       662             27,045  
EBITDA   $ 58,435     $ 11,171     $ 66     $     $ 69,672  
EBITDA Margin     12.2 %     25.3 %     0.3 %           12.9 %


Investor Relations Contact
Shane O'Connor, Executive Vice President & CFO
UniFirst Corporation          
978-658-8888
shane_oconnor@unifirst.com 


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Source: UniFirst Corporation

 

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