Revenue Recognition

3 Months Ended

Aug. 31, 2020

Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition

The following table presents Cintas' total revenue disaggregated by operating segment for the three months ended August 31:

	2020				2019
(In thousands)	Revenue		%		Revenue		%
Uniform Rental and Facility Services	$	1,394,411	79.8	%	$	1,454,527	80.3	%
First Aid and Safety Services	204,481		11.7	%	172,090		9.5	%
Fire Protection Services	108,065		6.2	%	110,126		6.1	%
Uniform Direct Sales	39,618		2.3	%	74,396		4.1	%
Total revenue	$	1,746,575	100.0	%	$	1,811,139	100.0	%

Fire Protection Services and Uniform Direct Sales are included within All Other as disclosed in Note 12 entitled Segment Information.

Revenue Recognition Policy

More than 95% of the Company's revenue is derived from fees for route servicing of Uniform Rental and Facility Services, First Aid and Safety Services and Fire Protection Services, performed by a Cintas employee-partner, at the customer's location of business. Revenues from our route servicing customer contracts represent a single-performance obligation. The Company recognizes these revenues over time as services are performed based on the nature of services provided and contractual rates (output method). The Company's remaining revenues, primarily within the Uniform Direct Sales operating segment, and representing less than 5% of the Company's total revenues, are recognized when the obligations under the terms of a contract with a customer are satisfied. This generally occurs when the goods are transferred to the customer.

Revenue recorded is presented net of sales and other taxes we collect on behalf of governmental authorities. Shipping and handling costs charged to customers are treated as fulfillment activities and are recorded in both revenue and cost of sales at the time control is transferred to the customer. Certain of our customer contracts, primarily within our Uniform Direct Sales operating segment, include pricing terms and conditions that include components of variable consideration. The variable consideration is typically in the form of consideration paid to a customer based on performance metrics specified within the contract. Specifically, some contracts contain discounts or rebates that the customer can earn through the achievement of specified volume levels. Each component of variable consideration is earned based on the Company's actual performance during the measurement period specified within the contract. To determine the transaction price, the Company estimates the variable consideration using the most likely amount method, based on the specific contract provisions and known performance results during the relevant measurement period. When determining if variable consideration should be constrained, the Company considers whether factors outside its control could result in a significant reversal of revenue. In making these assessments, the Company considers the likelihood and magnitude of a potential reversal. The Company's performance period generally corresponds with the monthly invoice period. No constraints on our revenue recognition were applied during the three months ended August 31, 2020 or 2019. The Company reassesses these estimates during each reporting period. Cintas maintains a liability for these discounts and rebates within accrued liabilities on the consolidated condensed balance sheets. Variable consideration also includes consideration paid to a customer at the beginning of a contract. Cintas capitalizes this consideration and amortizes it over the life of the contract as a reduction to revenue in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 606, "Revenue" (Topic 606). These assets are included in other assets, net on the consolidated condensed balance sheet.

Additionally, in accordance with Topic 606, certain Uniform Direct Sales customer contracts contain a provision with an enforceable right of payment and the underlying product has no alternative use to Cintas. Consequently, when both aforementioned provisions are prevalent in a customer contract, the revenue is recorded for finished goods that the customer is obligated to purchase under the termination terms of the contract.

Costs to Obtain a Contract

The Company capitalizes commission expenses paid to our employee-partners when the commissions are deemed to be incremental for obtaining the route servicing customer contract. The deferred commissions are amortized on a straight-line basis over the expected period of benefit. We review the deferred commission balances for impairment on an ongoing basis. Deferred commissions are classified as current or noncurrent based on the timing of when we expect to recognize the expense. The current portion is included in prepaid expenses and other current assets and the noncurrent portion is included in other assets, net on the Company's consolidated condensed balance sheets. As of August 31, 2020, the current and noncurrent assets related to deferred commissions totaled $77.5 million and $230.0 million, respectively. As of May 31, 2020, the current and noncurrent assets related to deferred commissions totaled $76.2 million and $227.1 million, respectively. We recorded amortization expense related to deferred commissions of $20.4 million and $18.8 million during the three months ended August 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. These expenses are classified in selling and administrative expenses on the consolidated condensed statements of income.