Cintas Corp. agreed to acquire rival UniFirst Corp. in a $5.5 billion cash-and-stock deal, ending a years-long pursuit of the uniform supplier.

UniFirst shareholders will receive $155 in cash plus 0.7720 shares of Cintas stock per share, valuing each UniFirst share at $310.

The transaction, expected to close in the second half of 2026, aims to help the combined company compete in the garment industry and supply about 1.5 million businesses across North America.

Cintas projects $375 million in operating cost savings and expects earnings to grow by the second full year after closing, Bloomberg has reported.

Activist investor Engine Capital praised the deal, saying it maximizes value for UniFirst shareholders, while Cintas CEO Todd Schneider highlighted the growth and efficiency benefits of the merger.