DEF 14A of Cintas Corp, Sep 15, 2026

DEF 14A of Cintas Corp

Filed Sep 15, 2026 · FY20260000723254-26-000040

Open on EDGAR

  1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

    ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

  2. (Item 1 on the Proxy Card)

    (Item 1 on the Proxy Card) The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board has nominated for election the following individuals: Beverly K. Carmichael, Karen L. Carnahan, Robert E. Coletti, Scott D. Farmer, Martin Mucci, Joseph Scaminace, Todd M. Schneider and Ronald W. Tysoe. Proxies solicited by the Board will be voted for the election of these nominees if no direction is given. All directors elected at the Annual Meeting will be elected to hold office until the next Annual Meeting, with each director to serve until such director's successor is elected and qualified or until such director's earlier death, resignation or removal. In voting to elect directors, shareholders are not entitled to cumulate their votes. Melanie W. Barstad has decided not to stand for reelection and, thus, has not been nominated for reelection. Ms. Barstad's decision is not the result of any disagreement with the Company on any matter relating to the Company's operations, policies or procedures. Following the Annual Meeting, the Board will consist of eight directors. In accordance with NASDAQ Stock Market, LLC (NASDAQ) rules, our Board affirmatively determines the independence of each director and nominee for election as a director in accordance with the elements of independence set forth in the NASDAQ listing standards and rules promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Exchange Act). Cintas' director independence standards, incorporated in the Corporate Governance Guidelines, are available under the About – Investor Relations – Corporate Governance page of our website at www.cintas.com/investors. Based on these standards, the Board determined that each of the following nonemployee directors is independent: Melanie W. Barstad, Beverly K. Carmichael, Karen L. Carnahan, Martin Mucci, Joseph Scaminace and Ronald W. Tysoe. Our Audit, Compensation and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees are composed solely of independent directors. All directors are elected for one-year terms. Information on each of our nominees is given below. An uncontested election is one in which the number of nominees does not exceed the number of directors to be elected. In an uncontested election, like this election, our Bylaws require that any nominee who does not receive a majority of the votes cast with respect to such nominee must offer their resignation to the Board. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will take the matter under advisement and make a recommendation to the Board on whether to accept or reject the resignation or whether other action should be taken. The Board has 90 days following certification of the shareholder vote to consider the offer of resignation. Within such 90-day period, the Board will disclose publicly its decision whether to accept the director's resignation offer. If a director nominee becomes unavailable before the election, your proxy card authorizes us to vote for a replacement nominee if the Board names one. The Board recommends you vote FOR each of the following nominees:

  3. (Item 1 on the Proxy Card)

    | Beverly K. Carmichael | | Age: 67 | | Director Since: 2024 | | Independent Director | | Board Committees: - Compensation Committee - Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee |

  4. (Item 1 on the Proxy Card)

    Background: Beverly K. Carmichael served as the Executive Vice President, Chief People, Culture and Resource Officer at Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc., an American chain of casual dining restaurants, from 2017 until 2019, where she led the human resources and legal teams. Prior to that, she was the Senior Vice President and Chief People Officer at Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. from 2014 until 2017. Earlier in her career, Ms. Carmichael held various leadership positions at Ticketmaster Entertainment, LLC, Rockwell Collins, Inc. and Southwest Airlines Co. and was a practicing attorney at Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP and at Southwest Airlines. Her Board membership experience encompasses both public and private companies, including Pursuit Attractions and Hospitality (NYSE: PRSU), formerly Viad Corp (NYSE: VVI), Blue Apron and ezCater, Inc. Ms. Carmichael was honored in 2025 by Women Inc. as one of the Most Influential Corporate Board Directors, in 2024 by Savoy Magazine as one of the Most Influential Corporate Directors and in 2022 by Directors & Boards as a Director to Watch. Qualifications and Key Skills: The Board believes that Ms. Carmichael's experience in human resources, employment law, executive compensation, as well as her experience developing and executing strategies to enhance employee and customer experiences and maximizing performance make her service on the Board valuable to Cintas.

  5. (Item 1 on the Proxy Card)

    | Karen L. Carnahan | | Age: 72 | | Director Since: 2019 | | Independent Director | | Board Committees: - Audit Committee (financial expert under SEC guidelines) - Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee |

  6. (Item 1 on the Proxy Card)

    Background: Karen L. Carnahan was an employee-partner of Cintas for more than 30 years, where she served at an executive level for more than 20 years, including the roles of Vice President and Treasurer, Vice President of Corporate Development and President and Chief Operating Officer of Cintas' document management division. In 2014, Ms. Carnahan joined Shred-it International Inc. (Shred-it) as chief operating officer when Cintas' document management business merged with Shred-it, from which she then retired in 2015. Ms. Carnahan is on the Board of Trustees of Touchstone Investments (a member of Western & Southern Financial Group). In addition, Ms. Carnahan has received several prestigious awards including being named a Woman of Excellence by the West Chester, Ohio Chamber Alliance in 2007 and Greater Cincinnati YWCA Career Woman of Achievement in 2009. She received the Ohio Diversity Council's Glass Ceiling Award in 2013, and Ms. Carnahan was honored in both 2023 and 2025 by Women Inc. as one of the Most Influential Corporate Board Directors. Qualifications and Key Skills: The Board believes that Ms. Carnahan's understanding of Cintas through her many years as a trusted employee-partner at Cintas, her status as an independent director and the fact that she is an "audit committee financial expert" under SEC guidelines, make her service on the Board beneficial to Cintas.

  7. (Item 1 on the Proxy Card)

    | Robert E. Coletti | | Age: 69 | | Director Since: 2016 | | Board Committees: - Executive Committee |

  8. (Item 1 on the Proxy Card)

    Background: Robert E. Coletti is a retired partner emeritus of the law firm of Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL (KMK Law). Mr. Coletti joined KMK Law in 1982, where he became a partner in 1988 and a senior partner in 2016, with a practice concentrated in the corporate, securities and financing areas. Mr. Coletti currently serves on the Board of Directors of The Everglades Foundation and Gilligan Oil Company and the Board of Visitors of the Farmer School of Business at Miami University. Mr. Coletti served on the Miami University Board of Trustees from 2014 to 2021. He was a Trustee of the Miami University Foundation from 2006 to 2012, where he also served as Chairman of the Board from 2010 to 2012. Mr. Coletti is the brother-in-law of Scott D. Farmer. Qualifications and Key Skills: The Board believes that Mr. Coletti's knowledge of Cintas, gained through his many years of advising Cintas and his legal expertise surrounding complicated business matters, make his service on the Board valuable to Cintas.

  9. (Item 1 on the Proxy Card)

    | Scott D. Farmer | | Age: 67 | | Director Since: 1994 | | Board Committees: - Executive Committee |

  10. (Item 1 on the Proxy Card)

    Background: Scott D. Farmer joined Cintas in 1981. He has held the positions of Vice President – National Account Division, Vice President – Marketing and Merchandising, Rental Division Group Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. He was elected Chief Executive Officer in July 2003. Mr. Farmer was appointed Chairman of the Board in September 2016, and upon his retirement as Chief Executive Officer in May 2021, he was appointed Executive Chairman of the Board. Mr. Farmer is the brother-in-law of Robert E. Coletti. Qualifications and Key Skills: The Board believes that Mr. Farmer's breadth of knowledge and experience in the areas of marketing, business development and corporate strategy, as well as his familiarity with all aspects of Cintas' business, render his service on the Board extremely beneficial to Cintas.

  11. (Item 1 on the Proxy Card)

    | Martin Mucci | | Age: 66 | | Director Since: 2023 | | Independent Director | | Board Committees: - Audit Committee (financial expert under SEC guidelines) - Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee |

  12. (Item 1 on the Proxy Card)

    Background: Martin Mucci served as Chief Executive Officer of Paychex, Inc. (Paychex), a digitally driven human capital solutions company, from September 2010 to October 2022, which he originally joined in 2002 as Senior Vice President, Operations. Prior to joining Paychex, Mr. Mucci had a 20-year career with Frontier Communications of Rochester, a telecommunications company, where he held various senior level positions, including President of Telephone Operations and President and Chief Executive Officer of Frontier Telephone of Rochester. He currently serves as the Chairman of the Board of Paychex and is also a Director of Royal Oak Realty Trust, a private, non-traded Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT). Qualifications and Key Skills: The Board believes that Mr. Mucci’s senior leadership in digital transformation, customer experience and corporate financial matters for publicly traded companies, as well as his independent director status and the fact that he is an “audit committee financial expert” under SEC guidelines, makes his service on the Board extremely beneficial to Cintas.

  13. (Item 1 on the Proxy Card)

    | Joseph Scaminace | | Age: 73 | | Director Since: 2010 | | Independent Director | | Board Committees: - Compensation Committee - Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee (Chair) - Executive Committee (Chair) |

  14. (Item 1 on the Proxy Card)

    Background: Joseph Scaminace is designated as Lead Director of the Cintas Board of Directors. Mr. Scaminace was Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Vectra Corporation (formerly OM Group, Inc.), a diversified industrial growth company, from 2005 until his retirement in 2015. Prior to joining Vectra Corporation, Mr. Scaminace was the President and Chief Operating Officer of The Sherwin-Williams Company, a paint and coatings company, where he had worked in various capacities since 1983. He is a member of the Board of Trustees of The Cleveland Clinic. Mr. Scaminace is also a former director of Parker Hannifin Corporation. Qualifications and Key Skills: The Board believes that Mr. Scaminace's principal executive officer experience and former service as a director of another publicly-traded company, which have provided him with insight into high-level corporate governance and executive compensation matters, as well as his independent director status, make him an integral member of Cintas' Board.

  15. (Item 1 on the Proxy Card)

    | Todd M. Schneider | | Age: 59 | | Director Since: 2021 |

  16. (Item 1 on the Proxy Card)

    Background: Todd M. Schneider joined Cintas in 1989. He has held various positions within Cintas, including several management positions. He was Vice President of Sales of the Midwest/South Central Region Rental Division and President and Chief Operating Officer of the former Document Management Division. He served as Senior Vice President of Sales of the Rental Division until June 2013, when he was appointed President & Chief Operating Officer of the Rental Division. In July 2018, Mr. Schneider was appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer responsible for operations and marketing. In June 2021, Mr. Schneider was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of Cintas. Effective August 1, 2026, in connection with Cintas' decision to separate the roles of President and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Schneider serves as the Company's Chief Executive Officer and no longer holds the title of President. In January 2026, Mr. Schneider was elected to the Board of Directors of PPG Industries, Inc. (PPG) where he serves on the Nominating and Governance, and Sustainability and Innovation committees of PPG's Board. Qualifications and Key Skills: The Board believes Mr. Schneider's extensive knowledge of Cintas through his various management and leadership roles makes his service on the Board extremely beneficial to Cintas.

  17. (Item 1 on the Proxy Card)

    | Ronald W. Tysoe | | Age: 73 | | Director Since: 2008 | | Independent Director | | Board Committees: - Audit Committee (Chair) (financial expert under SEC guidelines) - Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee |

  18. (Item 1 on the Proxy Card)

    Background: Ronald W. Tysoe served as Vice Chairman of Federated Department Stores, Inc. (now known as Macy's Inc.), a clothing and home furnishings company, from April 1990 to October 2006. Mr. Tysoe has previously served as a director of Taubman Centers, Inc. from 2007 to 2020, J. C. Penney Company, Inc. from 2013 to 2020, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce from 2004 to 2019, Pzena Investment Management Inc. from 2008 until 2013 and Scripps Networks Interactive, Inc. from 2008 to 2018. Qualifications and Key Skills: The Board believes that Mr. Tysoe's service as a Vice Chairman of another publicly-traded company, his independent director status and the fact that he is an "audit committee financial expert" under SEC guidelines, given his understanding of accounting and financial reporting, disclosures and controls, make his Board service extremely beneficial to Cintas.

  19. COMPENSATION TABLE

    | Name | Fees Earned or Paid in Cash(1) ($) | Stock Awards(2) ($) | Option Awards(2) ($) | Total ($) | | Melanie W. Barstad | 127,500 | 92,502 | 92,543 | 312,545 | | Beverly K. Carmichael | 112,500 | 92,502 | 92,543 | 297,545 | | Karen L. Carnahan | 115,000 | 92,502 | 92,543 | 300,045 | | Robert E. Coletti | 100,000 | 92,502 | 92,543 | 285,045 | | Martin Mucci | 115,000 | 92,502 | 92,543 | 300,045 | | Joseph Scaminace | 155,000 | 92,502 | 92,543 | 340,045 | | Ronald W. Tysoe | 135,000 | 92,502 | 92,543 | 320,045 |

  20. Compensation Decision-Making Process

    Compensation Decision-Making Process The Compensation Committee determines the compensation for the executive officers based on recommendations made by management as discussed below. Annually, the Compensation Committee conducts a job evaluation for each NEO, which includes a review of the job duties and a market analysis of executive compensation plans. The analysis focuses on a peer group of companies, as well as published general industry survey data by revenue size. The Compensation Committee evaluates base salary, annual cash incentives and long-term compensation. We believe that our NEOs' target compensation is competitive with the total target compensation of comparable NEOs in our market analysis. Based on the market analysis and individual performance, the Senior Vice President of Human Resources makes a recommendation to the Compensation Committee on all the NEOs' base salary, annual cash incentive target and annual long-term compensation target for the upcoming fiscal year. In October 2025, and at various meetings held during the remainder of fiscal 2026, the Board reviewed the results of our 2025 "say-on-pay" vote, in which approximately 95% of the votes cast approved of our NEOs' compensation. In addition, after taking into consideration the strong support for our executive compensation program reflected in the 2025 say-on-pay results, the Compensation Committee decided to generally continue to apply the same philosophy, compensation objectives and governing principles as it used for fiscal 2025 when making subsequent decisions regarding NEO compensation. The Compensation Committee believes the voting results again demonstrate significant support for our NEO pay program and did not make any changes to the fiscal 2026 program specifically in response to the 2025 say-on-pay results. The Compensation Committee has, however, continued to monitor the voting policies of our institutional shareholders and their advisors since last year, as well as reviewed the overall program to seek to ensure it achieves the designed goal as set forth in "Compensation Philosophy and Objectives" above and will continue to take those voting policies and the effectiveness of the program into account when considering changes to our executive compensation program.

  21. Key Elements of Compensation

    | Element | Form of Compensation | Purpose | | Base Salaries | Cash | Provides competitive, fixed compensation to attract and retain exceptional executive talent | | Annual Cash Incentives | Cash | Provides a variable financial incentive to achieve corporate and individual goals | | Long-Term Equity Incentives | Non-qualified stock options and/or restricted stock | Encourages, under the terms of Cintas' equity plan, NEOs to build and maintain a long-term equity ownership position in Cintas so that their interests are aligned with our shareholders | | Health, Retirement and Other Benefits | Eligibility to participate in benefit plans generally available to our employee-partners, including the Cintas Partners' Plan contributions (described below), health, life insurance and disability plans, our Deferred Compensation Plan (described below), and certain perquisites | Benefit plans are generally part of a broad-based employee benefits program. The Deferred Compensation Plan and perquisites provide competitive benefits to our NEOs |

  22. Executive Chairman Compensation

    Executive Chairman Compensation Beginning in fiscal 2025, the Compensation Committee determined to redesign Mr. Farmer’s compensation to better align with his role as an Executive Chairman. As a result, the Compensation Committee increased his base salary, determined that Mr. Farmer would not participate in the Management Incentive Plan and determined that Mr. Farmer’s equity awards would no longer be based on the achievement of certain corporate performance goals, but rather, would align with the annual retainer of the Board and he would receive an annual equity award in the form of restricted stock, which generally vests three years from the date of the grant. Mr. Farmer's base salary for fiscal 2026 was $750,000, the same as fiscal 2025, and on August 10, 2026, Mr. Farmer was awarded 830 shares of restricted stock as his long-term equity award, valued at approximately $185,000 based on the closing market price of our common stock on the date of grant. Mr. Farmer remains eligible to participate in our health, welfare and retirement programs in the same manner as other executive officers. The following descriptions of the key elements of compensation describe the program as applicable to our NEOs, other than Mr. Farmer.

  23. Annual Cash Incentives

    Annual Cash Incentives The Compensation Committee strongly believes that variable annual cash incentives provide a direct financial incentive for NEOs to achieve corporate and individual goals, which are strategically aligned with enhancing shareholder value. Near the beginning of each fiscal year, the Compensation Committee establishes an annual cash incentive target for each participating NEO based on certain financial goals and non-financial performance. The performance components and targets were derived from the operating plans for Cintas for fiscal 2026 and represent goals for that year that the Compensation Committee believed would be challenging for Cintas, yet achievable if senior and operating management met or surpassed their business unit goals and objectives. The Compensation Committee currently anticipates that performance components and targets similar to those described below will be utilized in fiscal 2027 because these objectives are key drivers of our long-term growth and creation of shareholder value. However, the Compensation Committee reserves the right to determine on an ongoing basis the performance components and targets it will use in developing the performance-based portion of the NEOs' compensation. For fiscal 2026, the Compensation Committee approved a total incentive compensation plan for each of Mr. Schneider and Mr. Rozakis. The aggregate amount of annual cash incentive for fiscal 2026 that could be earned by each of Mr. Schneider and Mr. Rozakis was based on the financial objectives of fiscal 2026 diluted EPS and fiscal 2026 sales growth and certain non-financial goals. The diluted EPS and sales growth goals were established with reference to the operating plans for Cintas for fiscal 2026. The diluted EPS goals for all participants for fiscal 2026 were identical. Mr. Schneider's non-financial goals related to safety, corporate development, asset capacity utilization and leadership development matters. The non-financial goals for Mr. Rozakis related to safety, software implementation, cross-functional business organization establishment and sales strategy. Based upon the overall achievement of these objectives, each of Mr. Schneider and Mr. Rozakis could earn from 0% to a maximum of 185% of the target annual cash incentive (with the maximum for each officer reflecting 200% of the portion of the award related to diluted EPS and sales growth and 100% of the portion of the award related to non-financial goals). The following table summarizes the annual cash incentive target awards and performance criteria (including percentage weightings) that were reviewed and approved by the Compensation Committee:

  24. Annual Cash Incentives

    | Name | Target Annual Cash Incentive Target | Diluted EPS Component | Sales Growth Component | Non-Financial Component | Increase in Target Award vs. the Prior Fiscal Year | | Todd M. Schneider | $2,046,933 | 42.5% | 42.5% | 15.0% | 22.5% | | James N. Rozakis | $1,060,000 | 42.5% | 42.5% | 15.0% | 18.5% |

  25. Annual Cash Incentives

    The increases in target incentive award over the prior year for both Mr. Schneider and Mr. Rozakis were due to market adjustments for their respective positions and experience compared to similar positions in the market for companies with revenue between $10 billion and $20 billion, as well as our peer group of companies with median revenue of $12 billion. Under the Management Incentive Plan, annual cash incentive calculations for achievement of financial goals are based on actual results, subject to adjustment at the discretion of the Compensation Committee to exclude non-recurring or unusual items that are not operational, such as accounting principle changes or revenue from an acquisition that was not in the business plan. No such special adjustments were made to the fiscal 2026 results. The potential annual cash incentive payout percentage multiplier for each component of Mr. Schneider's and Mr. Rozakis' target annual cash incentive is provided in the following tables (for each participating NEO, annual cash incentive payouts were designed to be interpolated on a straight-line basis, based on actual achievement between the levels of achievement established for the diluted EPS and sales growth components of the annual cash incentives):

  26. Annual Cash Incentives

    | Diluted EPS Component Level of Achievement | Diluted EPS Goals | Annual Cash Incentive Payout | | Below Threshold | <$4.48 | 0% | | Threshold | $4.48 | 25% | | Target | $4.72 | 100% | | Maximum | $5.05 | 200% |

  27. Annual Cash Incentives

    | Sales Growth Component Level of Achievement | Sales Growth Goals (% Growth Over Prior Fiscal Year) | Annual Cash Incentive Payout | | Below Threshold | <5.9% | 0% | | Threshold | 5.9% | 25% | | Target | 7.4% | 100% | | Maximum | 10.4% | 200% |

  28. Annual Cash Incentives

    | Non-Financial Component Level of Achievement | Annual Cash Incentive Payout | | Does Not Meet Goals | 0% | | Meets Most Goals | 25% | | Meets Goals | 100% |

  29. Annual Cash Incentives

    The Grants of Plan-Based Awards for Fiscal 2026 table outlines estimated possible payouts under these non-equity incentive plan awards. Based on Cintas' adjusted diluted EPS and sales growth for fiscal 2026, Mr. Schneider and Mr. Rozakis earned an annual cash incentive payout of $2,766,430 and $1,432,590, respectively. The fiscal 2026 adjusted diluted EPS achievement for incentive plan calculation purposes was determined to be $4.94, which differs from the Company's reported diluted EPS of $4.91 because it takes into consideration the non-recurring or unusual financial impacts that occurred during the fiscal year for acquisition-related transaction expenses. This adjusted diluted EPS figure is between the "Target" and "Maximum" that could have been achieved. Sales growth achievement for fiscal 2026 incentive plan calculation purposes was determined to be 8.9%. This sales growth figure is between the "Target" and "Maximum" that could have been achieved. Mr. Schneider and Mr. Rozakis received $307,040 and $159,000, respectively, based on the performance of their non-financial goals outlined above. The individual performance level for both Mr. Schneider and Mr. Rozakis was "Meets Goals." This resulted in a total annual cash incentive payment for Mr. Schneider and Mr. Rozakis of $3,073,470 and $1,591,590, respectively. For fiscal 2026, the Compensation Committee also approved total incentive compensation plans for each of Mr. Garula and Mr. Denton. The aggregate amount of annual cash incentive payout that could be earned for fiscal 2026 by each of Mr. Garula and Mr. Denton was designed to be based on the sum of that NEO's earned incentive for the fiscal 2026 diluted EPS component and the individual performance component (consisting of an overall subjective performance evaluation rather than performance against specified individual performance goals). Based upon overall performance, the eligible NEOs could earn from 0% to a maximum of 200% of the annual cash incentive target. The following table summarizes the annual cash incentive target awards and performance criteria (including percentage weightings) that were reviewed and approved by the Compensation Committee:

  30. Annual Cash Incentives

    | Name | Annual Cash Incentive Target | Diluted EPS Component | Individual Performance Component | Increase in Target Award vs. the Prior Fiscal Year | | Scott A. Garula | $620,100 | 50% | 50% | N/A(1) | | D. Brock Denton | $491,261 | 50% | 50% | 10.4%(2) |

  31. Annual Cash Incentives

    (1) Mr. Garula was promoted to Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Cintas on June 1, 2025, and was not considered an NEO in the prior fiscal year. (2) The increases in target incentive award over the prior year for Mr. Denton was due to market adjustments for his position and experience compared to similar positions in the market for companies with revenue between $10 billion and $20 billion, as well as our peer group of companies with median revenue of $12 billion. The potential annual cash incentive payout percentage multiplier for the diluted EPS component of Mr. Garula's and Mr. Denton's target annual cash incentive was the same as for Mr. Schneider and Mr. Rozakis. The potential annual cash incentive payout percentage multiplier for the individual performance component of Mr. Garula's and Mr. Denton's target annual cash incentive is provided in the following table:

  32. Annual Cash Incentives

    | Individual Performance Component Level of Achievement | Annual Cash Incentive Payout | | Does Not Meet Goals | 0% | | Meets Most Goals | 50% | | Meets Goals | 100% | | Exceeds Goals | 150% | | Outstanding Achievement | 200% |

  33. Annual Cash Incentives

    The Grants of Plan-Based Awards for Fiscal 2026 table outlines estimated possible payouts under these non-equity incentive plan awards. As presented to and approved by the Compensation Committee, the actual annual cash incentive payments earned for fiscal 2026 as reflected in the Fiscal 2026 Summary Compensation Table are as follows: Mr. Garula earned a fiscal 2026 annual cash incentive award of $1,105,845 which reflected an individual performance level between "Exceeds Goals" and "Outstanding Achievement." Mr. Denton earned a fiscal 2026 annual cash incentive award of $900,646 which reflected an individual performance level of "Outstanding Achievement." Fiscal 2026 adjusted diluted EPS was achieved between the "Target" and the "Maximum" level, as disclosed above.

  34. Long-Term Equity Incentives

    Long-Term Equity Incentives The Compensation Committee believes that long-term equity incentives are a critical component of the overall compensation strategy, designed to align the interests of our NEOs with sustained, long-term shareholder value creation. Our long-term equity incentive compensation program is comprised of annual, performance-based opportunities to earn non-qualified stock options and/or restricted stock. With respect to the participating NEOs, these awards are made pursuant to Compensation Committee decisions substantially along lines as described above for the Management Incentive Plan. The purpose of such awards is to incentivize NEOs to profitably grow Cintas' long-term business objectives and encourage NEOs to build and maintain a long-term equity ownership position in Cintas so that their interests are aligned with those of our shareholders. The following table summarizes the fiscal 2026 annual long-term equity incentive target award opportunities and performance criteria (including percentage weightings) that were reviewed and approved by the Compensation Committee when determining such target award opportunities:

  35. Long-Term Equity Incentives

    | Name | Annual Long-Term Equity Incentive Target Award | Diluted EPS Component | Sales Growth Component | | Todd M. Schneider | $7,888,917 | 50% | 50% | | Scott D. Farmer | $— | — | — | | Scott A. Garula | $1,456,515 | 50% | 50% | | James N. Rozakis(1) | $2,912,882 | 50% | 50% | | D. Brock Denton | $1,456,473 | 50% | 50% |

  36. Long-Term Equity Incentives

    (1)The increase in the annual long-term equity incentive target award over the prior year for Mr. Rozakis was due to a market adjustment for his respective position and experience compared to similar positions in the market for companies with revenue between $10 billion and $20 billion, as well as our peer group of companies with median revenue of $12 billion As determined by the Compensation Committee, with consideration that Mr. Schneider and Mr. Garula are over the age of 55, Mr. Schneider and Mr. Garula received their long-term incentive award for fiscal 2026 entirely in restricted stock, and Mr. Rozakis and Mr. Denton received 50% of their award in stock options and 50% of their award in restricted stock. The following information provides more detail with respect to the target award percentage multiplier tied to each milestone level of achievement. The diluted EPS component for all eligible NEOs was considered by the Compensation Committee on the following basis:

  37. Long-Term Equity Incentives

    | Diluted EPS Component Level of Achievement | Diluted EPS Goals | Equity Award | | Below Threshold | <$4.48 | 0% | | Threshold | $4.48 | 50% | | Target | $4.72 | 100% | | Maximum | $5.05 | 200% |

  38. Long-Term Equity Incentives

    The sales growth component for all eligible NEOs was considered by the Compensation Committee on the following basis:

  39. Long-Term Equity Incentives

    | Sales Growth Component Level of Achievement | Sales Growth Goals (% Growth Over Prior Fiscal Year) | Equity Award | | Below Threshold | <5.9% | 0% | | Threshold | 5.9% | 50% | | Target | 7.4% | 100% | | Maximum | 10.4% | 200% |

  40. Long-Term Equity Incentives

    The factors that influence the determination of equity grant targets include level of responsibility, market compensation analysis, overall performance of the individual and the strategic impact of their role within Cintas. The Compensation Committee reviewed and approved the targets at the beginning of the fiscal year, and the actual award payout was granted based upon that NEO's performance compared to the targets. Based upon performance, the eligible NEOs could be awarded from 0% to a maximum of 200% of their target fiscal 2026 long-term incentive awards. On August 10, 2026, Mr. Rozakis and Mr. Denton were awarded 35,995 and 17,999 non-qualified stock options, respectively, under the Amended 2016 Plan, based on fiscal 2026 adjusted diluted EPS (between "Target" and "Maximum") and fiscal 2026 sales growth achievements (between "Target" and "Maximum"), as outlined under the Annual Cash Incentives section above. On August 10, 2026, Mr. Schneider, Mr. Rozakis, Mr. Garula and Mr. Denton were awarded 57,944, 10,695, 10,695 and 5,348 shares of restricted stock, respectively, under the Amended 2016 Plan based on fiscal 2026 adjusted diluted EPS (between “Target” and “Maximum”) and fiscal 2026 sales growth achievements (between “Target” and “Maximum”), as outlined under the Annual Cash Incentives section above. These shares were awarded as Mr. Schneider's and Mr. Garula's long-term equity awards. In accordance with the Amended 2016 Plan, stock option awards have an exercise price equal to the closing stock price on the grant date of the award. As a result, stock options awarded to the NEOs increase in value only if the market price of the common stock increases. Stock options generally vest at a rate of 33% per year, beginning on the third anniversary of the date of grant and ending on the fifth anniversary of the date of grant. Restricted stock for NEOs generally vests three years from the date of grant.

  41. Employment, Severance and Change in Control Agreements

    Employment, Severance and Change in Control Agreements Cintas has not entered into any employment or severance agreements with any of its NEOs that provide for payments upon a termination of employment or in connection with a change in control. Upon a termination of employment other than for "cause", Cintas has a practice of providing severance in exchange for a release of claims. Cintas has no policy regarding change in control agreements. For a further discussion on these topics, please see the Potential Payments Upon Termination, Retirement or Change in Control section of this proxy statement.

  42. Equity Grant Practices

    Equity Grant Practices The Compensation Committee approves all equity award grants to our NEOs on or before the grant date. The Compensation Committee's general practice is to complete its annual executive compensation review and determine performance goals and target compensation for our NEOs, following which they approve equity awards for NEOs. Specifically, the Compensation Committee has determined to grant annual equity awards no earlier than August 10 of each fiscal year, which the Compensation Committee believes is a sufficient amount of time for the public markets to absorb our fiscal year-end financial results. On occasion, the Compensation Committee may grant equity awards outside of our annual grant cycle for new hires, promotions, recognition, retention or other purposes. While the Compensation Committee has discretionary authority to grant equity awards to our NEOs outside of the cycle described above, it does not have a practice or policy of granting equity awards in anticipation of the release of material non-public information and, in any event, we do not time the release of material non-public information in coordination with grants of equity awards in a manner that intentionally benefits our NEOs.

  43. COMPENSATION TABLE

    | Name and Principal Position | Fiscal Year | Salary ($) | Bonus ($) | Stock Awards(1) ($) | Option Awards(1) ($) | Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compen- sation(2) ($) | All Other Compen- sation(3) ($) | Total ($) | | Todd M. Schneider | 2026 | 1,153,067 | — | 7,888,917 | — | 3,073,470 | 43,151 | 12,158,605 | | Chief Executive Officer(4) | 2025 | 1,114,074 | — | 5,589,531 | — | 2,510,725 | 35,346 | 9,249,676 | | | 2024 | 1,076,400 | — | 5,083,041 | — | 2,369,161 | 268,872 | 8,797,474 | | Scott D. Farmer | 2026 | 750,000 | — | 179,737 | — | — | 63,307 | 993,044 | | Executive Chairman of the Board | 2025 | 750,000 | — | 187,329 | — | — | 57,624 | 994,953 | | | 2024 | 500,000 | — | 1,904,797 | — | 815,187 | 328,649 | 3,548,633 | | Scott A. Garula(5) | 2026 | 650,000 | — | 1,456,515 | — | 1,105,845 | 99,694 | 3,312,054 | | Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer | | | | | | | | | | James N. Rozakis | 2026 | 800,000 | — | 1,456,515 | 1,456,367 | 1,591,590 | 41,685 | 5,346,157 | | President and Chief Operating Officer(4) | 2025 | 675,338 | — | 826,472 | 826,384 | 1,344,372 | 34,100 | 3,706,666 | | | 2024 | 652,500 | — | 867,228 | 1,091,912 | 1,127,647 | 153,867 | 3,893,154 | | D. Brock Denton | 2026 | 579,318 | — | 728,258 | 728,215 | 900,646 | 41,092 | 2,977,529 | | Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary(4) | 2025 | 559,728 | — | 551,045 | 550,960 | 755,316 | 33,454 | 2,450,503 | | | 2024 | 538,200 | — | 503,320 | 502,910 | 853,577 | 52,328 | 2,450,335 |

  44. OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS

    OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS

  45. OPTION EXERCISES AND STOCK

    OPTION EXERCISES AND STOCK

  46. CEO PAY RATIO

    CEO PAY RATIO We note that, due to our permitted use of reasonable estimates and assumptions in preparing this pay ratio disclosure, the disclosure may involve a degree of imprecision, and thus this ratio disclosure is a reasonable estimate calculated in a manner consistent with Item 402(u) of Regulation S-K using the data and assumptions described below. Our calculation of the pay ratio may be different than the pay ratios of other public companies as a result of different methodologies used to determine the pay ratios. As a result, we would discourage the use of reported ratios as a basis for any comparison between companies. In this summary, we refer to the employee-partner who received the Median Annual Compensation as the “Median Employee-Partner.” For purposes of this pay ratio disclosure, the date used to identify the Median Employee-Partner was May 30, 2025 (the Determination Date). The CEO Compensation for purposes of this pay ratio disclosure was $12,158,605 for fiscal 2026, which is the amount reported for Mr. Schneider in the “Total” column of the Fiscal 2026 Summary Compensation Table, plus employer-paid healthcare and employer-offered insurance. Additionally, for purposes of this pay ratio disclosure, the Median Annual Compensation for fiscal 2026 was $75,766 and was calculated in accordance with Item 402(c)(2)(x) of Regulation S-K, plus employer-paid healthcare and employer-offered insurance. The ratio of the CEO Compensation to the Median Annual Compensation for fiscal 2026 was approximately 160 to 1. Because there were no changes to our employee-partner population or compensation arrangements in fiscal 2026 that we reasonably believe would result in a significant change to our pay ratio disclosure, we continued to rely on our fiscal 2025 methodology used to identify the Median Employee-Partner. To identify the Median Employee-Partner from our total employee population, we first measured compensation for the period beginning on May 26, 2024, and ending on May 30, 2025 (measurement period) for approximately 48,300 employee-partners, representing all full-time, part-time, seasonal and temporary employee-partners of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries as of the Determination Date. This number does not include any independent contractors or “leased” workers, as permitted by the applicable SEC rules. This number includes any employee-partners of businesses acquired by us or combined with us. Also, as permitted by SEC rules, under the 5% “de minimis exemption,” we excluded all non-U.S. and non-Canadian employee-partners, which represent less than 5% of our total workforce. The excluded employee-partners consisted of approximately 600 employee-partners in Honduras and approximately 500 employee-partners in Mexico. This compensation measurement was calculated by totaling salary and wages for each employee-partner for the measurement period. Specifically excluded from the calculation were the value of equity and equity-based awards, as such awards are not widely distributed to our employee-partner population. Further, we did not utilize any statistical sampling or cost-of-living adjustments for purposes of this pay ratio disclosure. A portion of our employee-partner workforce (full-time and part-time) identified above worked for less than the full measurement period due to commencing employment during that period. In determining the Median Employee-Partner, we annualized the compensation measure over the full measurement period for such individuals (but avoided creating full-time equivalencies) based on reasonable assumptions and estimates relating to our employee-partner compensation program. Please note that SEC rules for identifying the median employee and calculating the pay ratio allow companies to apply various methodologies and apply various assumptions and, as result, the pay ratio reported by us may not be comparable to the pay ratio reported by other companies.

  47. PAY VERSUS PERFORMANCE

    PAY VERSUS PERFORMANCE As required by Section 953(a) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, and Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K promulgated under the Exchange Act, we are providing the following information about the relationship between executive compensation actually paid and certain financial performance of the Company. For further information concerning the Company’s variable pay-for-performance philosophy and how it aligns executive compensation with the Company’s performance, see the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section.

  48. PAY VERSUS PERFORMANCE

    | | | | | | Value of Initial Fixed $100 Investment Based on: | | | | | Fiscal Year(1) | Summary Compensation Table Total for PEO(2) ($) | Compensation Actually Paid to PEO(3) ($) | Average Summary Compensation Table Total for Non-PEO NEOs(4) ($) | Average Compensation Actually Paid to Non-PEO NEOs(5) ($) | Total Shareholder Return(6) ($) | Peer Group Total Shareholder Return(7) ($) | Net Income (thousands)(8) ($) | Adjusted Diluted EPS(9) ($) | | 2026 | 12,158,605 | 483,956 | 3,157,196 | (2,231,101) | 202.95 | 152.21 | 1,999,968 | 4.94 | | 2025 | 9,249,676 | 34,558,802 | 2,646,724 | 10,732,212 | 265.88 | 152.81 | 1,812,281 | 4.40 | | 2024 | 8,797,474 | 34,924,915 | 3,446,319 | 11,645,926 | 197.47 | 121.94 | 1,571,592 | 3.79 | | 2023 | 7,570,256 | 19,652,770 | 2,837,688 | 6,352,215 | 136.24 | 108.07 | 1,348,010 | 3.25 | | 2022 | 7,777,100 | 18,315,893 | 2,749,487 | 6,719,935 | 113.77 | 97.61 | 1,235,757 | 2.81 |

  49. PAY VERSUS PERFORMANCE

    ___________ (1) For purposes of this table the principal executive officer (PEO) and non-PEO NEOs are as follows:

  50. PAY VERSUS PERFORMANCE

    | Fiscal Year | PEO | Non-PEO NEOs | | 2026 | Todd M. Schneider | Scott D. Farmer, Scott A. Garula, James N. Rozakis, D. Brock Denton | | 2025 | Todd M. Schneider | Scott D. Farmer, J. Michael Hansen, James N. Rozakis, D. Brock Denton | | 2024 | Todd M. Schneider | Scott D. Farmer, J. Michael Hansen, James N. Rozakis, D. Brock Denton | | 2023 | Todd M. Schneider | Scott D. Farmer, J. Michael Hansen, Michael L. Thompson, D. Brock Denton | | 2022 | Todd M. Schneider | Scott D. Farmer, J. Michael Hansen, Michael L. Thompson, D. Brock Denton |

  51. PAY VERSUS PERFORMANCE

    (2) Represents the amount of total compensation reported for the PEO for each corresponding fiscal year in the “Total” column of the Summary Compensation Table for each applicable fiscal year. (3) Represents the amount of “compensation actually paid” to the PEO, as computed in accordance with Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K. The dollar amounts do not necessarily reflect the actual amount of compensation earned by or paid to the PEO during the applicable fiscal year. In accordance with the requirements of Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K, the following adjustments were made to the PEO’s total Summary Compensation Table compensation for each year to determine the compensation actually paid:

  52. PAY VERSUS PERFORMANCE

    | Fiscal Year | Reported Summary Compensation Table Total for PEO ($) | Reported Value of Equity Awards(a) ($) | Equity Award Adjustments(b) ($) | Compensation Actually Paid to PEO ($) | | 2026 | 12,158,605 | (7,888,917) | (3,785,732) | 483,956 | | 2025 | 9,249,676 | (5,589,531) | 30,898,657 | 34,558,802 | | 2024 | 8,797,474 | (5,083,041) | 31,210,482 | 34,924,915 | | 2023 | 7,570,256 | (4,442,984) | 16,525,498 | 19,652,770 | | 2022 | 7,777,100 | (4,822,899) | 15,361,692 | 18,315,893 |

  53. PAY VERSUS PERFORMANCE

    (a) The grant date fair value of equity awards represents the total of the amounts reported in the “Stock Awards” and “Option Awards” columns in the Summary Compensation Table for the applicable fiscal year. (b) The equity award adjustments for each applicable fiscal year include the addition (or subtraction, as applicable) of the following: (i) the year-end fair value of any equity awards granted in the applicable fiscal year that are outstanding and unvested as of the end of the fiscal year; (ii) the amount of change as of the end of the applicable fiscal year (from the end of the prior fiscal year) in fair value of any awards granted in prior fiscal years that are outstanding and unvested as of the end of the applicable fiscal year; (iii) for awards that are granted and vest in same applicable fiscal year, the fair value as of the vesting date; (iv) for awards granted in prior years that vest in the applicable fiscal year, the amount equal to the change as of the vesting date (from the end of the prior fiscal year) in fair value; (v) for awards granted in prior fiscal years that are determined to fail to meet the applicable vesting conditions during the applicable fiscal year, a deduction for the amount equal to the fair value at the end of the prior fiscal year; and (vi) the dollar value of any dividends or other earnings paid on stock or option awards in the applicable fiscal year prior to the vesting date that are not otherwise reflected in the fair value of such award or included in any other component of total compensation for the applicable fiscal year. The valuation assumptions used to calculate fair values did not materially differ from those disclosed at the time of grant. The amounts deducted or added in calculating the equity award adjustments are as follows:

  54. PAY VERSUS PERFORMANCE

    | Fiscal Year | Year End Fair Value of Unvested Covered Year Equity Awards ($) | Year over Year Change in Fair Value of Outstanding and Unvested Prior Year Equity Awards ($) | Fair Value as of Vesting Date of Equity Awards Granted and Vested in the Year ($) | Year over Year Change in Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted in Prior Years that Vested in the Year ($) | Total Equity Award Adjustments ($) | | 2026 | 9,923,489 | (13,053,532) | — | (655,689) | (3,785,732) | | 2025 | 10,498,275 | 18,297,427 | — | 2,102,955 | 30,898,657 | | 2024 | 12,284,138 | 18,000,062 | — | 926,282 | 31,210,482 | | 2023 | 9,556,114 | 6,916,705 | — | 52,679 | 16,525,498 | | 2022 | 8,399,186 | 5,134,815 | — | 1,827,691 | 15,361,692 |

  55. PAY VERSUS PERFORMANCE

    (4) Represents the average of the amounts reported for Cintas' non-PEO NEOs as a group in the “Total” column of the Summary Compensation Table in each applicable fiscal year. (5) Represents the average amount of “compensation actually paid” to the non-PEO NEOs as a group, as computed in accordance with Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K. The dollar amounts do not necessarily reflect the actual average amount of compensation earned by or paid to the non-PEO NEOs as a group during the applicable fiscal year. In accordance with the requirements of Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K, the following adjustments were made to average total Summary Compensation Table compensation for the non-PEO NEOs as a group for each year to determine the compensation actually paid, using the same methodology described above in footnote three.

  56. PAY VERSUS PERFORMANCE

    | Fiscal Year | Average Reported Summary Compensation Table Total for Non-PEO NEOs ($) | Average Reported Value of Equity Awards(a) ($) | Average Equity Award Adjustments(b) ($) | Average Compensation Actually Paid to Non-PEO NEOs ($) | | 2026 | 3,157,196 | (1,501,402) | (3,886,895) | (2,231,101) | | 2025 | 2,646,724 | (1,148,783) | 9,234,271 | 10,732,212 | | 2024 | 3,446,319 | (1,707,327) | 9,906,934 | 11,645,926 | | 2023 | 2,837,688 | (1,319,175) | 4,833,702 | 6,352,215 | | 2022 | 2,749,487 | (1,258,646) | 5,229,094 | 6,719,935 |

  57. PAY VERSUS PERFORMANCE

    (a) The grant date fair value of equity awards represents the average of the amounts reported in the “Stock Awards” and “Option Awards” columns in the Summary Compensation Table for the applicable fiscal year. (b) The amounts deducted or added in calculating the equity award adjustments are as follows:

  58. PAY VERSUS PERFORMANCE

    | Fiscal Year | Average Year End Fair Value of Unvested Covered Year Equity Awards ($) | Year over Year Average Change in Fair Value of Outstanding and Unvested Prior Year Equity Awards ($) | Average Fair Value as of Vesting Date of Equity Awards Granted and Vested in the Year ($) | Year over Year Average Change in Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted in Prior Years that Vested in the Year ($) | Total Average Equity Award Adjustments ($) | | 2026 | 1,867,127 | (5,565,620) | — | (188,402) | (3,886,895) | | 2025 | 2,124,356 | 6,655,927 | — | 453,988 | 9,234,271 | | 2024 | 3,737,731 | 5,798,522 | — | 370,681 | 9,906,934 | | 2023 | 2,836,813 | 1,975,658 | — | 21,231 | 4,833,702 | | 2022 | 2,433,694 | 1,624,432 | — | 1,170,968 | 5,229,094 |

  59. PAY VERSUS PERFORMANCE

    (6) Cumulative total shareholder return (TSR) is calculated by dividing the sum of the cumulative amount of dividends for the measurement period, assuming dividend reinvestment, and the difference between the Company’s share price at the end and the beginning of each respective measurement period by the Company’s share price at the beginning of such measurement period. (7) Represents the weighted peer group TSR, weighted according to the respective companies’ stock market capitalization at the beginning of each period for which a return is indicated. The peer group used for this purpose is the group of four comparison companies used for the stock performance graph on page 22 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2026 (ABM Industries, Aramark, Rollins, Inc. and UniFirst Corporation). (8) Represents the amount of net income reflected in the Company’s audited financial statements for the applicable fiscal year. (9) Under the Management Incentive Plan, annual incentive calculations for achievement of financial goals are based on actual results, subject to adjustment at the discretion of the Compensation Committee to exclude non-recurring or unusual items that are not operational, such as accounting principle changes or revenue from an acquisition that was not in the business plan. The adjusted diluted EPS presented for fiscal 2026 represents a non-GAAP adjusted financial measure that excludes the impact of acquisition-related transaction expenses. The adjusted diluted EPS presented for fiscal 2022 represents a non-GAAP adjusted financial measure that excludes the impact of special gains and the related income tax impact. In fiscal years 2025, 2024 and 2023, there were no such non-recurring or unusual items, so no adjustments were made.

  60. Board of Directors

    Board of Directors (A)Power of the Board of Directors. The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of a Board of Directors. (B)Number of Directors. The number of directors which shall constitute the Board of Directors shall, as of the date this Certificate of Incorporation becomes effective, be eight and, thereafter, shall be fixed exclusively by one or more resolutions adopted from time to time solely by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Board of Directors. (C)Election of Directors. 1.Each director shall serve for a term ending on the date of the annual meeting of stockholders next following the annual meeting at which such director was most recently elected. Notwithstanding the foregoing, each director shall hold office until the annual meeting at which his or her term expires and until his or her successor shall have been duly elected and qualified, or until his or her earlier death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or removal from office. In no event will a decrease in the number of directors shorten the term of any incumbent director. 2.There shall be no cumulative voting in the election of directors. Election of directors need not be by written ballot unless the Bylaws so provide. (D)Vacancies. Vacancies on the Board of Directors resulting from death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal or otherwise and newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the number of directors shall, except as otherwise required by law, be filled solely by a majority of the directors then in office (although less than a quorum) or by the sole remaining director, and each director so elected shall hold office until the annual meeting at which his or her term expires and until his or her successor shall have been duly elected and qualified, or until his or her earlier death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or removal. (E)Removal. No director may be removed from office by the stockholders except with the affirmative vote of the holders of not less than a majority of the total voting power of all outstanding securities of the Corporation generally entitled to vote in the election of directors, voting together as a single class. (F)Preferred Stock Directors. Notwithstanding anything else contained herein, whenever the holders of one or more classes or series of Preferred Stock shall have the right, voting separately as a class or series, to elect directors, the election, term of office, filling of vacancies, removal and other features of such directorships shall be governed by the terms of such class or series of Preferred Stock adopted by resolution or resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors pursuant to Article 4(A) hereto, and such directors so elected shall not be subject to the provisions of this Article 6 unless otherwise provided therein.