Cintas Corporation Delivers Strong Q4 and Full-Year 2026 Results
Cintas Corporation, a leading provider of workplace solutions and services, announced its fiscal 2026 fourth-quarter and full-year results in a recent conference call. The company's performance exceeded expectations, with robust top-line growth and strong profitability across each business segment.
The fourth quarter saw total revenue increase by 8.9% to $2.91 billion, with organic revenue growth rate adjusted for acquisitions and foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations reaching 8.4%. Gross margin remained at 51%, a record high, up approximately 130 basis points from the prior year.
Operating income as a percentage of revenue was 23.2%, growing to $673 million, a 12.7% increase over the prior year. Adjusting for UniFirst-related transaction expenses, adjusted operating income as a percentage of revenue was 23.6%, representing a year-over-year increase of roughly 120 basis points.
Diluted earnings per share (EPS) grew by 15.6% to $1.26, while adjusted diluted EPS were $1.29, an increase of 18.3% compared to last year's fourth quarter. These results mark a strong conclusion to an outstanding fiscal year for Cintas.
For the full year 2026, revenue reached approximately $11.26 billion, an 8.9% increase over fiscal 2025. Organic revenue growth was 8.3%, marking the 55th year out of the last 57 years that the company has grown both its top and bottom lines.
Cintas' strong top-line performance highlights the durability of its business model in all macro environments, demonstrating how the company's culture continues to be its biggest differentiator. The results also showcase the company's ability to capitalize on a massive total addressable market, with a long runway for future growth of customers across all industries.
"We are very pleased with our fourth-quarter results to close out fiscal 2026," said Todd Schneider, President and Chief Executive Officer of Cintas. "Our robust top-line growth and strong profitability underscore the strength of our value proposition across each of our businesses."
The company's balanced approach to capital allocation remains a key pillar of its value creation strategy, with a focus on investments back into the business, strategic acquisitions in route-based businesses, and other priorities.
