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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
  March 1, 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 April 7, 1997 were 7,888,864 and 12,621,744 respectively.


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PART 1 - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

FORM 10-Q
UNIFIRST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
(unaudited)
March 1, August 31, March 2, 1997 1996* 1996 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Assets Current assets: Cash $ 7,186,000 $ 3,425,000 $ 5,942,000 Receivables 38,419,000 36,634,000 38,312,000 Inventories 19,454,000 17,053,000 17,431,000 Rental merchandise in service 38,833,000 37,973,000 33,516,000 Prepaid expenses 130,000 127,000 102,000 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total current assets 104,022,000 95,212,000 95,303,000 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Property and equipment: Land, buildings and leasehold improvements 129,005,000 119,346,000 116,152,000 Machinery and equipment 130,402,000 120,671,000 115,860,000 Motor vehicles 33,814,000 33,278,000 31,072,000 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 293,221,000 273,295,000 263,084,000 Less - accumulated depreciation 120,947,000 113,191,000 108,618,000 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 172,274,000 160,104,000 154,466,000 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Other assets 46,006,000 47,062,000 44,015,000 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- $322,302,000 $302,378,000 $293,784,000 ========================================================================================================= Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity Current liabilities: Current maturities of long-term obligations $ 1,032,000 $ 1,058,000 $ 1,046,000 Notes payable 3,144,000 2,757,000 353,000 Accounts payable 14,423,000 11,697,000 13,144,000 Accrued liabilities 41,065,000 37,371,000 40,131,000 Accrued and deferred income taxes 3,916,000 3,679,000 3,909,000 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total current liabilities 63,580,000 56,562,000 58,583,000 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Long-term obligations, net of current maturities 38,517,000 38,307,000 41,014,000 Deferred income taxes 16,925,000 16,400,000 14,981,000 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 7,888,864 shares 789,000 789,000 789,000 Class B Common stock, $.10 par value; 20,000,000 shares authorized; issued and outstanding 12,621,744 shares 1,262,000 1,262,000 1,262,000 Capital surplus 7,078,000 7,078,000 7,078,000 Retained earnings 194,689,000 182,384,000 170,507,000 Cumulative translation adjustment (538,000) (404,000) (430,000) - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total shareholders' equity 203,280,000 191,109,000 179,206,000 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- $322,302,000 $302,378,000 $293,784,000 ========================================================================================================= * 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)
Twenty-six Twenty-seven Thirteen Fourteen weeks ended weeks ended weeks ended weeks ended March 1, March 2, March 1, March 2, 1997 1996 1997 1996 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Revenues $206,040,000 $196,238,000 $102,064,000 $100,825,000 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Costs and expenses: Operating costs 126,338,000 121,181,000 64,218,000 63,604,000 Selling and administrative expenses 46,553,000 45,660,000 23,033,000 23,907,000 Depreciation and amortization 11,192,000 9,999,000 5,645,000 5,093,000 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 184,083,000 176,840,000 92,896,000 92,604,000 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Income from operations 21,957,000 19,398,000 9,168,000 8,221,000 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Interest expense (income): Interest expense 1,151,000 1,240,000 566,000 574,000 Interest income (106,000) (132,000) (36,000) (65,000) - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1,045,000 1,108,000 530,000 509,000 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Income before income taxes 20,912,000 18,290,000 8,638,000 7,712,000 Provision for income taxes 7,528,000 6,584,000 3,109,000 2,776,000 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net income $ 13,384,000 $ 11,706,000 $ 5,529,000 $ 4,936,000 ====================================================================================================================== Weighted average number of shares outstanding 20,510,608 20,510,608 20,510,608 20,510,608 ====================================================================================================================== Net income per share $0.65 $0.57 $0.27 $0.24 ======================================================================================================================
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)
Twenty-six Twenty-seven weeks ended weeks ended March 1, March 2, 1997 1996 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cash flows from operating activities: Net Income $ 13,384,000 $ 11,706,000 Adjustments: Depreciation 9,351,000 8,338,000 Amortization of other assets 1,841,000 1,661,000 Receivables (1,680,000) (4,254,000) Inventories (2,437,000) (899,000) Rental merchandise in service (623,000) 303,000 Prepaid expenses (3,000) 16,000 Accounts payable 2,700,000 99,000 Accrued liabilities 3,698,000 4,690,000 Accrued and deferred income taxes 241,000 44,000 Deferred income taxes 527,000 395,000 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net cash provided by operating activities 26,999,000 22,099,000 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cash flows from investing activities: Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired (1,677,000) (11,517,000) Capital expenditures (21,540,000) (13,089,000) Other assets, net 487,000 (1,712,000) - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net cash used in investing activities (22,730,000) (26,318,000) - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cash flows from financing activities: Increase in debt 1,789,000 12,598,000 Reduction of debt (1,218,000) (7,427,000) Cash dividends paid or payable (1,079,000) (899,000) - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities (508,000) 4,272,000 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net increase in cash 3,761,000 53,000 Cash at beginning of period 3,425,000 5,889,000 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cash at end of period $ 7,186,000 $ 5,942,000 ========================================================================================= Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information: Interest paid $ 1,138,000 $ 1,283,000 Income taxes paid $ 6,766,000 $ 6,356,000 =========================================================================================
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 TWENTY-SIX WEEKS ENDED MARCH 1, 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 TWENTY-SIX WEEKS ENDED MARCH 1, 1997 RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - --------------------- Twenty-six Weeks of Fiscal 1997 compared to Twenty-seven Weeks of Fiscal 1996 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Revenues for the first twenty-six weeks of fiscal 1997 increased $9,802,000 or 5.0% over the first twenty-seven weeks of fiscal 1996. This increase can be attributed to acquisitions (3.0%), price increases (1.0%) and growth from existing operations (4.7%) offset by one week less of revenue (3.7%) in fiscal 1997. Income from operations as a percentage of revenue increased to 10.7% in fiscal 1997 from 9.9% 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 $1,045,000 in fiscal 1997 as compared to $1,108,000 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 March 1, 1997 Compared to Fourteen Weeks ended March 2, - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1996 - ---- Fiscal 1997 second quarter revenues increased $1,239,000 or 1.2% compared to the fourteen weeks in fiscal 1996. This increase can be attributed to acquisitions (2.7%), price increases (1.0%) and growth from existing operations (4.6%) offset by one week less of revenue (7.1%) in the 1997 second quarter. Income from operations as a percentage of revenue increased to 9.0% in fiscal 1997 from 8.2% for the fiscal 1996 period. The primary 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 $530,000 in fiscal 1997 as compared to $509,000 in fiscal 1996. The increase is attributable to higher average debt levels 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 TWENTY-SIX WEEKS ENDED MARCH 1, 1997 LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES - ------------------------------- During the twenty-six weeks ended March 1, 1997 net cash provided by operating activities, $26,999,000, was primarily used for capital expenditures, $21,540,000, acquisition of a business, $1,677,000 and dividends, $1,079,000. The Company had $7,186,000 in cash and $28,200,000 available on its $60,000,000 line of credit as of March 1, 1997. The Company believes its ability to generate cash from operations will adequately cover its foreseeable capital requirements. Shareholders' equity at March 1, 1997 was $203.3 million, 83.7% 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 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders - ------------------------------------------------------------ Registrant's Annual Meeting of Shareholders was held on January 14, 1997. Aldo A. Croatti and Albert Cohen were reelected to the Board of Directors. With respect to Mr. Croatti, 7,359,449 shares of Common Stock and 12,620,464 shares of Class B Common Stock were voted for his election and 112,689 shares of Common Stock were voted against his election. With respect to Mr. Cohen, 7,315,249 shares of Common Stock were voted for his election and 156,889 shares of Common Stock were voted against his election. Also at this meeting, the UniFirst 1996 Stock Incentive Plan was approved, with 5,426,541 shares of Common Stock and 12,620,464 shares of Class B Common Stock voting in favor of the Plan, 1,964,321 shares of Common Stock voting against the Plan and 81,276 shares of Common Stock abstaining. 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: April 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 TWENTY-SIX WEEKS ENDED MARCH 1, 1997, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. 1,000 U.S.DOLLARS 6-MOS AUG-30-1997 SEP-01-1996 MAR-01-1997 1 7,186 0 39,269 850 19,454 104,022 293,221 120,947 322,302 63,580 38,517 0 0 2,051 201,229 322,302 206,040 206,040 184,083 184,083 0 0 1,045 20,912 7,528 13,384 0 0 0 13,384 0.65 0