1


                       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
  February 28, 1998                                        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 April 1, 1998 were 10,203,864 and 10,306,744 respectively.



   2


PART 1 - FINANCIAL INFORMATION


FORM 10-Q UNIFIRST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS (unaudited) February 28, 1998 August 30, 1997* March 1, 1997 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Assets Current assets: Cash $ 7,177,000 $ 4,054,000 $ 7,186,000 Receivables 41,718,000 39,431,000 38,419,000 Inventories 20,671,000 19,497,000 19,454,000 Rental merchandise in service 40,518,000 40,013,000 38,833,000 Prepaid expenses 147,000 149,000 130,000 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total current assets 110,231,000 103,144,000 104,022,000 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Property and equipment: Land, buildings and leasehold improvements 145,361,000 137,281,000 129,005,000 Machinery and equipment 155,583,000 142,242,000 130,402,000 Motor vehicles 38,523,000 37,276,000 33,814,000 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 339,467,000 316,799,000 293,221,000 Less - accumulated depreciation 137,595,000 128,532,000 120,947,000 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 201,872,000 188,267,000 172,274,000 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Other assets 48,336,000 48,215,000 46,006,000 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- $360,439,000 $339,626,000 $322,302,000 ================================================================================================================================ Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity Current liabilities: Current maturities of long-term obligations $ 1,050,000 $ 1,040,000 $ 1,032,000 Notes payable 2,543,000 3,213,000 3,144,000 Accounts payable 14,054,000 13,085,000 14,423,000 Accrued liabilities 49,160,000 45,637,000 41,065,000 Accrued and deferred income taxes 2,189,000 2,555,000 3,916,000 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total current liabilities 68,996,000 65,530,000 63,580,000 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Long-term obligations, net of current maturities 43,005,000 39,797,000 38,517,000 Deferred income taxes 17,687,000 17,107,000 16,925,000 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 222,954,000 208,949,000 194,689,000 Cumulative translation adjustment (1,332,000) (886,000) (538,000) - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total shareholders' equity 230,751,000 217,192,000 203,280,000 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- $360,439,000 $339,626,000 $322,302,000 ================================================================================================================================ * 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-six Thirteen Thirteen weeks ended weeks ended weeks ended weeks ended February 28, March 1, February 28, March 1, 1998 1997 1998 1997 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Revenues $221,746,000 $206,040,000 $109,344,000 $102,064,000 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Costs and expenses: Operating costs 135,262,000 126,338,000 68,937,000 64,218,000 Selling and administrative expenses 49,147,000 46,553,000 23,750,000 23,033,000 Depreciation and amortization 12,601,000 11,192,000 6,293,000 5,645,000 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 197,010,000 184,083,000 98,980,000 92,896,000 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Income from operations 24,736,000 21,957,000 10,364,000 9,168,000 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Interest expense (income): Interest expense 1,299,000 1,151,000 648,000 566,000 Interest income (133,000) (106,000) (63,000) (36,000) - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1,166,000 1,045,000 585,000 530,000 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Income before income taxes 23,570,000 20,912,000 9,779,000 8,638,000 Provision for income taxes 8,485,000 7,528,000 3,520,000 3,109,000 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net income $ 15,085,000 $ 13,384,000 $ 6,259,000 $ 5,529,000 ================================================================================================================================ Weighted average number of shares outstanding 20,510,608 20,510,608 20,510,608 20,510,608 ================================================================================================================================ Net income per share - basic & diluted $0.74 $0.65 $0.31 $0.27 ================================================================================================================================ 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-six weeks ended weeks ended February 28, March 1, 1998 1997 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cash flows from operating activities: Net Income $ 15,085,000 $ 13,384,000 Adjustments: Depreciation 10,470,000 9,351,000 Amortization of other assets 2,131,000 1,841,000 Receivables (2,356,000) (1,680,000) Inventories (1,209,000) (2,437,000) Rental merchandise in service (566,000) (623,000) Prepaid expenses 1,000 (3,000) Accounts payable 942,000 2,700,000 Accrued liabilities 3,553,000 3,698,000 Accrued and deferred income taxes (343,000) 241,000 Deferred income taxes 594,000 527,000 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net cash provided by operating activities 28,302,000 26,999,000 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cash flows from investing activities: Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired -- (1,677,000) Capital expenditures (24,335,000) (21,540,000) Other assets, net (2,332,000) 487,000 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net cash used in investing activities (26,667,000) (22,730,000) - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cash flows from financing activities: Increase in debt 4,121,000 1,789,000 Reduction of debt (1,553,000) (1,218,000) Cash dividends paid or payable (1,080,000) (1,079,000) - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities 1,488,000 (508,000) - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net increase in cash 3,123,000 3,761,000 Cash at beginning of period 4,054,000 3,425,000 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cash at end of period $ 7,177,000 $ 7,186,000 ====================================================================================================================== Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information: Interest paid $ 1,321,000 $ 1,138,000 Income taxes paid $ 8,271,000 $ 6,766,000 ====================================================================================================================== 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 FEBRUARY 28, 1998 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 should 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. 3. As previously announced Mr. Aldo Croatti, Chairman of the Company's Board of Directors, sold 2,300,000 shares of Common Stock pursuant to an underwritten offering with William Blair & Company, L.L.C. Since all of the shares were sold by Mr. Croatti, the Company did not receive any of the proceeds from such sale. 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 FEBRUARY 28, 1998 RESULTS OF OPERATIONS TWENTY-SIX WEEKS OF FISCAL 1998 COMPARED TO TWENTY-SIX WEEKS OF FISCAL 1997 Revenues. Revenues for the first twenty-six weeks of fiscal 1998 increased $15.7 million or 7.6% over the first twenty-six weeks of fiscal 1997. This increase can be attributed to growth from existing operations (5.6%), acquisitions (1.0%) and price increases (1.0%). Growth from existing operations was primarily from the conventional uniform rental business. The increase in revenues from acquisitions resulted from three acquisitions made in fiscal 1997 (two in Massachusetts in February and August 1997 and one in Vancouver, British Columbia in April 1997). Operating Costs. Operating costs increased to $135.3 million for the first half of fiscal 1998 as compared with $126.3 million for the same period of fiscal 1997 as a result of costs associated with increased revenues, but declined to 61.0% from 61.3% as a percentage of revenues for these periods. The improvement in operating costs as a percentage of revenues was due primarily to the Company's continued focus on cost control. Selling and Administrative Expenses. The Company's selling and administrative expenses increased to $49.1 million for the first twenty-six weeks of fiscal 1998 as compared with $46.6 million for the same period in fiscal 1997, but declined to 22.2% from 22.6% of revenues, respectively. The increase in the amount of selling and administrative expenses was primarily attributable to increased sales personnel and other costs to support the Company's increased revenues. The decrease in selling and administrative expense as a percentage of revenues was primarily due to the Company's ongoing focus on controlling costs. Depreciation and Amortization. The Company's depreciation and amortization expense increased to $12.6 million, or 5.7% of revenues, for the first half of fiscal 1998 as compared with $11.2 million, or 5.4% of revenues, for the same period in fiscal 1997. This increase was due primarily to increased capital expenditures for information systems hardware and software to upgrade certain of its Company-wide systems. Net Interest Expense. Net interest expense was $1.2 million for the first twenty-six weeks of fiscal 1998 as compared to $1.0 million in the same period of fiscal 1997. The increase is attributable primarily to higher debt levels in fiscal 1998. Net interest expense was 0.5% of revenues for each period. Income Taxes. 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 FEBRUARY 28, 1998 RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued) THIRTEEN WEEKS ENDED FEBRUARY 28, 1998 COMPARED TO THIRTEEN WEEKS ENDED MARCH 1, 1997 Revenues. Fiscal 1998 second quarter revenues increased $7.3 million or 7.1% over the fiscal 1997 second quarter. This increase can be attributed to growth from existing operations (5.1%), acquisitions (1.0%) and price increases (1.0%). Growth from existing operations was primarily from the conventional uniform rental business. The increase in revenues from acquisitions resulted from the three acquisitions made in fiscal 1997 discussed above. Operating Costs. Operating costs increased to $68.9 million for the second quarter of fiscal 1998 as compared with $64.2 million for the same period of fiscal 1997 as a result of costs associated with increased revenues. The Company's operating costs as a percentage of revenues increased slightly to 63.0% from 62.9% for the second quarter of fiscal 1998 and 1997, respectively. Selling and Administrative Expenses. The Company's selling and administrative expenses increased slightly, to $23.8 million from $23.0 million, for the second quarter of fiscal 1998 and fiscal 1997, respectively. As a percent of revenues, the fiscal 1998 second quarter was 21.7% as compared to 22.6% in the second quarter of fiscal 1997. The decrease in selling and administrative expense as a percentage of revenues was primarily attributable to the Company's ongoing focus on controlling costs. Depreciation and Amortization. The Company's depreciation and amortization expense increased to $6.3 million, or 5.8% of revenues, for the second quarter of fiscal 1998 as compared with $5.6 million, or 5.5% of revenues, for the same period in fiscal 1997. This increase was due primarily to increased capital expenditures for information systems hardware and software to upgrade certain of its Company-wide systems. Net Interest Expense. Net interest expense was $585,000 in the second quarter of fiscal 1998 as compared to $530,000 in the same period of fiscal 1997. The increase is attributable primarily to higher debt levels in the fiscal 1998 quarter. Net interest expense was 0.5% of revenues for each period. Income Taxes. The Company's effective income tax rate was 36.0% in both periods. 8 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 FEBRUARY 28, 1998 LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES Shareholders' equity at February 28, 1998 was $230.8 million, 84.0% of total capitalization, indicating the overall strength of the Company's balance sheet. During the twenty-six weeks ended February 28, 1998 net cash provided by operating activities, $28.3 million, was primarily used to fund current capital expenditures, $24.3 million, and pay cash stock dividends. The Company had $7.2 million in cash and $22.6 million available on its $60 million unsecured line of credit with two banks as of February 28, 1998. The Company believes its generated cash from operations and the Company's borrowing capacity will adequately cover its foreseeable capital requirements. 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. 9 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 13, 1998. Cynthia Croatti and Reynold L. Hoover were reelected to the Board of Directors. With respect to Ms. Croatti, 7,335,227 shares of Common Stock and 12,605,544 shares of Class B Common Stock were voted for her election and 166,581 shares of Common Stock were voted against her election. With respect to Mr. Hoover, 7,331,307 shares of Common Stock were voted for his election and 170,501 shares of Common Stock were voted against his election. 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 14, 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 TWENTY-SIX WEEKS ENDED FEBRUARY 28, 1998, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. 1,000 U.S. DOLLARS 6-MOS AUG-29-1998 AUG-31-1997 FEB-28-1998 1 7,177 0 43,218 1,500 20,671 110,231 339,467 137,595 360,439 68,996 43,005 0 0 2,051 228,700 360,439 221,746 221,746 197,010 197,010 0 0 1,166 23,570 8,485 15,085 0 0 0 15,085 0.74 0.74