UniFirst COO Kelly Rooney to resign in September

UNIFIRST CORP (UNF) reported that on August 24, 2026, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Kelly Rooney notified the company of her decision to resign to pursue other career opportunities.

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

UNIFIRST CORP (UNF) reported that on August 24, 2026, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Kelly Rooney notified the company of her decision to resign to pursue other career opportunities. Her final day is expected to be in mid to late September 2026, and she will not receive severance-related payments or benefits because the resignation is voluntary. The company stated that her departure is not due to any disagreement regarding operations, policies, or practices. Following her departure, Senior Vice Presidents of Operations Steve Chikerotis and Brian Vollant will oversee operations on an interim basis, reporting to President and Chief Executive Officer Steven Sintros.

Positive

• None.

Negative

• Key operating executive resigning: Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Kelly Rooney is voluntarily resigning effective mid to late September 2026, creating a leadership transition in UniFirst’s operations.

8-K Event Classification

Item 5.02 — Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers

1 item

Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers Governance

Key personnel changes including departures, elections, or appointments of directors and executive officers.

Key Figures

Resignation notice date: August 24, 2026 Anticipated final employment period: Mid to late September 2026 Report execution date: August 28, 2026

3 metrics

Resignation notice date August 24, 2026 Date Kelly Rooney notified UniFirst of her decision to resign as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

Anticipated final employment period Mid to late September 2026 Expected timing of Kelly Rooney’s final day of employment with UniFirst

Report execution date August 28, 2026 Date the report was signed by Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Shane O’Connor

Key Terms

Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, Emerging growth company

3 terms

Executive Vice President other

"her role as the Company’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer"

An executive vice president is a high-ranking leader within a company who oversees major parts of its operations or strategies. Think of them as senior managers responsible for important areas, similar to a vice principal in a school hierarchy. Their role matters to investors because they help guide the company's success and decision-making at the top level.

Chief Operating Officer other

"her role as the Company’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer"

A chief operating officer (COO) is a senior executive responsible for overseeing the day-to-day activities of a company, ensuring that all parts of the organization work smoothly and efficiently. They often act like a company's operational quarterback, translating strategic plans into practical actions. For investors, the COO's effectiveness can influence a company's performance and stability, making them an important figure in assessing the company's management strength.

Emerging growth company regulatory

"405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ... Emerging growth company"

An emerging growth company is a recently public or smaller public firm that qualifies for temporary, lighter regulatory and disclosure rules to reduce the cost and effort of being public. For investors, it means the company may provide less historical financial detail and face fewer reporting requirements than larger firms, so it can grow more quickly but also carries higher uncertainty—like buying a promising early-stage product with fewer user reviews.

FAQ

AI-generated questions and answers. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

What did UNF announce regarding Executive Vice President and COO Kelly Rooney?

UniFirst Corporation announced that Kelly Rooney, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, notified the company on August 24, 2026 of her decision to resign to pursue other career opportunities. Her final day of employment is expected to be in mid to late September 2026.

Is Kelly Rooney’s resignation from UNF related to any disagreement with the company?

No. UniFirst stated that Ms. Rooney’s departure is not the result of any disagreement with the company on matters relating to its operations, policies, or practices. The company expressed appreciation for her contributions and wished her well in her future endeavors.

Will Kelly Rooney receive severance benefits from UniFirst (UNF)?

No. Because Ms. Rooney is voluntarily resigning from her employment with UniFirst, the company stated that she will not be entitled to any severance-related payments or benefits in connection with her departure.

Who will oversee UniFirst (UNF) operations after Kelly Rooney’s departure?

After Ms. Rooney’s departure, Steve Chikerotis and Brian Vollant, both Senior Vice Presidents, Operations, will oversee UniFirst’s operations on an interim basis, and they will report to Steven Sintros, the company’s President and Chief Executive Officer.

When did UniFirst (UNF) execute this report related to the COO’s resignation?

The report was executed on August 28, 2026, when UniFirst Corporation, through Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Shane O’Connor, signed the document pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

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Available on EDGAR 08/28/2026 - 08:45 AM EDT Accepted by SEC EDGAR 08/28/2026 - 08:30 AM EDT Learn about SEC filing dates

UNIFIRST CORP false 0000717954 0000717954 2026-08-24 2026-08-24

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): August 24, 2026

UNIFIRST CORPORATION

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

Massachusetts		001-08504		04-2103460
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)		(Commission File Number)		(IRS Employer Identification No.)
68 Jonspin Road, Wilmington, Massachusetts				01887
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)				(Zip Code)

Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code: (978) 658-8888

Not Applicable

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instructions A.2. below):

☐ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

☐ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class		Trading symbol(s)		Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $0.10 par value per share		UNF		New York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§ 230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§ 240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

On August 24, 2026, Kelly Rooney notified UniFirst Corporation (the “Company”) of her decision to resign from her role as the Company’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer in order to pursue other career opportunities. The Company anticipates that Ms. Rooney’s final day of employment will be mid to late September 2026. Because Ms. Rooney is voluntarily resigning from her employment with the Company, she will not be entitled to any severance related payments or benefits.

Ms. Rooney’s departure is not the result of any disagreement between Ms. Rooney and the Company on any matter relating to the Company’s operations, policies or practices.

The Company thanks Ms. Rooney for her many contributions as Chief Operating Officer and wishes her well in her future endeavors.

Following Ms. Rooney’s departure, Steve Chikerotis, Senior Vice President, Operations, and Brian Vollant, Senior Vice President, Operations, will oversee the Company’s operations on an interim basis, reporting into Steven Sintros, President and Chief Executive Officer.

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 by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

Date: August 28, 2026

By:		/s/ Shane O’Connor
Name:		Shane O’Connor
Title:		Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Filing Exhibits & Attachments

3 documents

Other Documents

• EX-101 XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION SCHEMA 3.1 KB
• EX-101 XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION LABEL LINKBASE 16.8 KB
• EX-101 XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION PRESENTATION LINKBASE 10.5 KB