Cintas FTC merger review clears second request, deal expected by year-end

Cintas and UniFirst have substantially complied with the FTC's second request for additional information and entered a timing agreement with the FTC that clears the way for deal close on or after December 11, 2026. This represents material regulatory progress on the UniFirst acquisition originally announced in March 2026, reducing deal risk ahead of the year-end target close.

Cintas is buying UniFirst, and the FTC's detailed antitrust review is moving forward without apparent blockers. The companies can now finalize the deal starting mid-December if regulators don't object.