UniFirst Corp. (NYSE:UNF) announced its fiscal 2026 first-quarter results on Wednesday, and shares moved lower after the report as investors digested the earnings and outlook.
Revenue was $621.318 million, up 2.7% year over year and above the $615.253 million estimate, while adjusted EPS was $1.97, missing the $2.06 estimate. GAAP diluted EPS was $1.89, down from $2.31 a year earlier.
Net income was $34.363 million, compared with $43.105 million in the prior-year period. Operating margin was 7.3% versus 9.2%, reflecting planned investments in growth and digital transformation initiatives, and adjusted EBITDA margin was 13.3% versus 15.5%.
Management Commentary
“Our first quarter performance was consistent with our expectations and reflects the impact of planned investments designed to accelerate growth and enhance operational efficiency,” said Steven Sintros, UniFirst President and Chief Executive Officer.
“While these initiatives weighed on near-term margins, we believe they position UniFirst for improved profitability …