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 November 25, 2000 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 preceding 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 3, 2001 were 9,096,834 and 10,243,744 respectively.

2 PART 1 - FINANCIAL INFORMATION ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FORM 10-Q UNIFIRST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (unaudited) (In thousands, except per share data) November 25, August 26, November 27, 2000 2000* 1999 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Assets Current assets: Cash $4,486 $7,137 $2,101 Receivables 61,701 54,015 57,986 Inventories 27,095 27,598 22,055 Rental merchandise in service 60,937 59,256 57,688 Prepaid expenses 313 299 205 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total current assets 154,532 148,305 140,035 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Property and equipment: Land, buildings and leasehold improvements 197,072 194,619 180,736 Machinery and equipment 208,086 205,883 196,343 Motor vehicles 54,535 53,535 49,686 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 459,693 454,037 426,765 Less - accumulated depreciation 196,998 191,704 179,480 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 262,695 262,333 247,285 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Other assets 89,294 89,512 88,677 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- $506,521 $500,150 $475,997 =================================================================================================================================== Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity Current liabilities: Current maturities of long-term obligations $1,804 $1,903 $1,619 Notes payable 964 1,118 2,394 Accounts payable 19,543 19,718 18,277 Accrued liabilities 50,962 47,170 49,547 Accrued and deferred income taxes 15,186 12,294 10,205 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total current liabilities 88,459 82,203 82,042 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Long-term obligations, net of current maturities 120,196 124,735 114,172 Deferred income taxes 22,319 22,040 20,931 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 10,499,634 shares 1,051 1,050 1,050 Class B Common stock, $.10 par value; 20,000,000 shares authorized; issued and outstanding 10,243,744 shares 1,025 1,026 1,026 Treasury stock, 1,271,800 shares, at cost (21,779) (20,049) (20,049) Capital surplus 12,438 12,438 12,438 Retained earnings 285,172 278,676 266,250 Accumulated other comprehensive income (2,360) (1,969) (1,863) - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total shareholders' equity 275,547 271,172 258,852 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- $506,521 $500,150 $475,997 =================================================================================================================================== * Condensed from audited financial statements The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

3 FORM 10-Q UNIFIRST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (unaudited) Thirteen Thirteen weeks ended weeks ended (In thousands, except per share data) November 25, November 27, 2000 1999 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Revenues $141,009 $131,790 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Costs and expenses: Operating costs 86,749 81,839 Selling and administrative expenses 31,159 31,023 Depreciation and amortization 9,166 8,531 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 127,074 121,393 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Income from operations 13,935 10,397 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Interest expense (income): Interest expense 2,630 1,709 Interest income (220) (119) - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2,410 1,590 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Income before income taxes 11,525 8,807 Provision for income taxes 4,380 3,347 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net income $7,145 $5,460 ========================================================================================================= Weighted average number of shares outstanding - basic & diluted 19,620 19,690 ========================================================================================================= Net income per share - basic & diluted $0.36 $0.28 ========================================================================================================= The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

4 FORM 10-Q UNIFIRST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (unaudited) Thirteen Thirteen weeks ended weeks ended (In thousands) November 25, November 27, 2000 1999 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cash flows from operating activities: Net Income $7,145 $5,460 Adjustments: Depreciation 7,427 6,933 Amortization of other assets 1,739 1,598 Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions: Receivables (7,818) (6,157) Inventories 422 5,327 Rental merchandise in service (1,820) (1,894) Prepaid expenses (15) (6) Accounts payable (113) 507 Accrued liabilities 3,816 2,878 Accrued and deferred income taxes 2,934 2,434 Deferred income taxes 307 234 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net cash provided by operating activities 14,024 17,314 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cash flows from investing activities: Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired - (533) Capital expenditures (8,169) (11,875) Increase in other assets (1,335) (3,246) - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net cash used in investing activities (9,504) (15,654) - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cash flows from financing activities: Increase in debt - 3,090 Reduction of debt (4,792) (1,435) Repurchase of common stock (1,730) (3,466) Cash dividends (649) (660) - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net cash used in financing activities (7,171) (2,471) - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net decrease in cash (2,651) (811) Cash at beginning of period 7,137 2,912 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cash at end of period $4,486 $2,101 ======================================================================================================================= Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information: Interest paid $1,571 $1,642 Income taxes paid 1,208 651 ======================================================================================================================= The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

5 FORM 10-Q UNIFIRST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE THIRTEEN WEEKS ENDED NOVEMBER 25, 2000 1. These condensed consolidated 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 (consisting only of normal recurring 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 consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and the notes, thereto, included in the Company's latest annual report on Form 10-K. Results for an interim period are not indicative of any future interim periods or for an entire fiscal year. 2. From time to time, the Company is subject to legal proceedings and claims arising from the conduct of its business operations, including legal proceedings and claims relating to personal injury, customer contract, employment 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. The components of comprehensive income for the thirteen week periods ended November 25, 2000 and November 27, 1999 were as follows: Thirteen Thirteen weeks ended weeks ended (in thousands) November 25, November 27, 2000 1999 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net income $7,145 $5,460 Other comprehensive income: Foreign currency translation adjustments (391) 85 --------------------------------------- Comprehensive income $6,754 $5,545 ======================================= 4. Net income per share is calculated using the weighted average number of common and dilutive potential common shares outstanding during the year. Anti-dilutive shares of 113,500 for the thirteen weeks ended November 25, 2000 have been excluded from the weighted average number of common and dilutive potential common shares outstanding.

6 FORM 10-Q UNIFIRST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION FOR THE THIRTEEN WEEKS ENDED NOVEMBER 25, 2000 RESULTS OF OPERATIONS THIRTEEN WEEKS OF FISCAL 2001 COMPARED WITH THIRTEEN WEEKS OF FISCAL 2000 Revenues. Fiscal 2001 first quarter revenues increased $9.2 million or 7.0% to $141.0 million as compared with $131.8 million for the fiscal 2000 first quarter. This increase can be attributed to growth from existing operations (5.7%), price increases (1.0%) and acquisitions (.3%). Growth from existing operations was primarily from the conventional uniform rental business (3.6%), and from the nuclear garment services business (2.1%). The increase in revenues from acquisitions resulted from one acquisition made in fiscal 2000. Operating Costs. Operating costs increased to $86.7 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2001 as compared with $81.8 million for the same period of fiscal 2000 as a result of costs associated with increased revenues. As a percentage of revenues, operating costs decreased to 61.5% from 62.1% for these periods, primarily due to lower merchandise costs. Selling and Administrative Expenses. The Company's selling and administrative expenses increased to $31.2 million, or 22.1% of revenues, for the first quarter of fiscal 2001 as compared with $31.0 million, or 23.5% of revenues, for the same period in fiscal 2000. These costs were favorably impacted by a $1.1 million settlement received in a lawsuit related to the Company's nuclear garment services business. Excluding this settlement these expenses would have been $32.3 million, or 22.9% of revenues, in the fiscal 2001 first quarter. Depreciation and Amortization. The Company's depreciation and amortization expense increased to $9.2 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2001 as compared with $8.5 million for the same period in fiscal 2000. As a percentage of revenues, depreciation and amortization expense was 6.5% for both periods. Net Interest Expense. Net interest expense was $2.4 million, or 1.7% of revenues, for the first quarter of fiscal 2001 as compared with $1.6 million, or 1.2% of revenues, for the same period in fiscal 2000. The increase is primarily attributable to higher interest rates in the fiscal 2001 quarter. Income Taxes. The Company's effective income tax rate was 38.0% for both the first quarter of fiscal 2001 and the first quarter of fiscal 2000. LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES Shareholders' equity at November 25, 2000 was $275.5 million, or 69.3% of total capitalization. During the thirteen weeks ended November 25, 2000 net cash provided by operating activities ($14.0 million) was primarily used for capital expenditures ($8.2 million), debt repayment ($4.8 million) and repurchase of common stock ($1.7 million).

7 The Company had $4.5 million in cash and $39.4 million available on its $170 million unsecured line of credit with a syndicate of banks as of November 25, 2000. The Company believes its generated cash from operations and its borrowing capacity will adequately cover its foreseeable capital requirements. SEASONALITY Historically, the Company's revenues and operating results have varied from quarter to quarter and are expected to continue to fluctuate in the future. These fluctuations have been due to a number of factors, including: general economic conditions in the Company's markets; the timing of acquisitions and of commencing start-up operations and related costs; the effectiveness of integrating acquired businesses and start-up operations; the timing of nuclear plant outages; capital expenditures; seasonal rental and purchasing patterns of the Company's customers; and price changes in response to competitive factors. In addition, the Company's operating results historically have been lower during the second and fourth fiscal quarters than during the other quarters of the fiscal year. The operating results for any historical quarter are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for an entire fiscal year or any other interim periods. 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. SAFE HARBOR FOR FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS Forward looking statements contained in this quarterly report are subject to the safe harbor created by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and are highly dependent upon a variety of important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected in such forward looking statements. Such factors include uncertainties regarding the transfer of the Company's manufacturing facilities to new facilities in Mexico, the Company's ability to consummate and successfully integrate acquired businesses, uncertainties regarding any existing or newly-discovered expenses and liabilities related to environmental compliance and remediation, the Company's ability to compete successfully without any significant degradation in its margin rates, seasonal fluctuations in business levels, uncertainties regarding the price levels of oil, natural gas, and other fuels, control of the Company by the Croatti family and general economic conditions. When used in this quarterly report, the words "intend," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," and "expect" and similar expressions as they relate to the Company are included to identify such forward looking statements. ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK Foreign Currency Exchange Risk Management has determined that all of the Company's foreign subsidiaries operate primarily in local currencies that represent the functional currencies of the subsidiaries. All assets and liabilities of foreign subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars using the exchange rate prevailing at the balance sheet date, while income and expense accounts are translated at average exchange rates during the year. As such, the Company's operating results are affected by fluctuations in the value of the U.S. dollar as

8 compared to currencies in foreign countries, as a result of the Company's transactions in these foreign markets. The Company does not operate a hedging program to mitigate the effect of a significant rapid change in the value of the Dutch Guilder or the Canadian Dollar as compared to the U.S. dollar. If such a change did occur, the Company would have to take into account a currency exchange gain or loss in the amount of the change in the U.S. dollar denominated balance of the amounts outstanding at the time of such change. While the Company does not believe such a gain or loss is likely, and would not likely be material, there can be no assurance that such a loss would not have an adverse material effect on the Company's results of operations or financial condition. Interest Rate Risk The Company is exposed to market risk from changes in interest rates which may adversely affect its financial position, results of operations and cash flows. In seeking to minimize the risks from interest rate fluctuations, the Company manages exposures through its regular operating and financing activities. In fiscal 2000 the Company entered into an interest rate swap agreement with a bank, notional amount $40 million, maturing October 13, 2004. The Company pays a fixed rate of 6.38% and receives a variable rate tied to the LIBOR rate. As of November 25, 2000 the variable rate was 6.80%. The Company is exposed to interest rate risk primarily through its borrowings under its $170 million unsecured line of credit with a syndicate of banks. Under the line of credit, the Company may borrow funds at variable interest rates based on the Eurodollar rate or the bank's money market rate, as selected by the Company. As of November 25, 2000 and November 27, 1999, the fair market values of the Company's outstanding debt and swap agreement approximate their carrying value.

9 PART II - OTHER INFORMATION FORM 10-Q UNIFIRST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES ITEM 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K (a) Exhibits: None (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 President and Chief Executive Officer Date: January 9, 2001 /s/ JOHN B. BARTLETT --------------------- John B. Bartlett Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer