Unifirst SEC Filings

Engine Capital, which owns about 3.2% of UniFirst’s common stock, is running a proxy contest for the 2026 annual meeting and urging shareholders to elect its director nominees, Arnaud Ajdler and Michael Croatti, on the BLUE proxy card. The firm highlights that proxy advisory firm ISS has recommended shareholders vote for Engine’s candidates over incumbent directors Joseph Nowicki and Steven Sintros, signaling support for changes to UniFirst’s board and governance.

Engine criticizes UniFirst’s dual-class share structure, board decisions, and operating performance, and refers to previously rejected premium acquisition offers from Cintas. It argues that an independent special committee should be formed to re-engage potential acquirers and pursue a potential sale of the company, and raises concerns about reported succession plans that could elevate COO Kelly Rooney to CEO. Engine provides voting instructions and directs investors to its campaign site, SaveUniFirst.com.

Engine Capital LP, which owns 462,626 shares of UniFirst Corporation common stock and 56,800 shares of Class B common stock, has issued a supplemental proxy statement for UniFirst’s 2026 annual meeting of shareholders. These holdings represent approximately 3.2% of outstanding common shares, 1.6% of outstanding Class B shares, and 2.1% of the combined voting power.

The supplement explains how shareholders of record can attend and vote at the virtual annual meeting, scheduled for December 15, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time. Shareholders must pre‑register online by 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time on December 14, 2025 using the control number from their proxy materials. Engine emphasizes that the solicitation is being made by Engine, not UniFirst’s board or management, and reminds shareholders that any previously submitted management proxy can be revoked by submitting a later‑dated BLUE universal proxy card.

UniFirst Corp (UNF) now has River Road Asset Management, LLC as a significant shareholder. River Road reports beneficial ownership of 881,303 shares of UniFirst common stock, representing 6.1% of the outstanding shares, based on 14,565,659 shares outstanding as of October 22, 2025.

River Road is a registered investment adviser and used client funds totaling $134,947,269.25 to purchase the position. The stake was acquired for investment purposes in the ordinary course of business, but River Road may discuss UniFirst’s operations, strategy, capital allocation, and potential board nominees with management and other parties and could adjust its holdings over time. River Road states it does not intend to seek control or participate in UniFirst’s day-to-day management.

UniFirst Corporation’s President and CEO, who also serves as a director, reported a routine equity transaction on a Form 4. On 11/19/2025, 287 shares of UniFirst common stock were withheld at a price of $159.85 per share, coded as an “F” transaction, to cover tax obligations tied to the vesting of restricted stock units. After this withholding, the reporting person beneficially owns 28,815 UniFirst equity units, consisting of common shares and multiple tranches of restricted stock units that vest in scheduled annual installments through October 31, 2028.

River Road Asset Management, LLC filed a Schedule 13D reporting a significant stake in UniFirst Corp. (UNF). River Road, a Delaware-organized investment adviser, reports beneficial ownership of 881,303 shares of UniFirst common stock, representing 6.1% of the 14,565,659 shares outstanding as of October 22, 2025. The firm used approximately $134,947,269.25 of client funds under its management to acquire this position.

The stake was acquired for investment purposes in the ordinary course of business, and River Road states it does not intend to seek control or participate in UniFirst’s day-to-day management. However, it may buy or sell shares and discuss topics such as operations, strategy, governance, capital allocation, and potential board nominees with UniFirst management, directors, other shareholders, and market participants, which could lead to changes in its ownership over time.