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Employee Benefit Plans
 12 Months Ended
May 31, 2025
Retirement Benefits [Abstract]  
Employee Benefit Plans Employee Benefit Plans
Pension Plans
In conjunction with the acquisition of G&K in fiscal 2017, Cintas assumed the Pension Plan that covers substantially all legacy G&K employees who were employed as of July 1, 2005, except certain employees who were covered by union-administered plans. Benefits are based on the number of years of service and each employee’s compensation near retirement. We will make annual contributions to the Pension Plan consistent with federal funding requirements. The Pension Plan was frozen by G&K effective December 31, 2006. Future growth in benefits will not occur beyond this date. Applicable accounting standards require that the consolidated balance sheets reflect the funded status of the Pension Plan. The funded status of the Pension Plan is measured as the difference between the plan assets at fair value and the PBO. As of May 31, 2025 and 2024, the fair value of the plan assets was $52.5 million and $48.3 million, respectively. As of May 31, 2025 and 2024 the PBO was $63.7 million and $64.3 million, respectively. The net pension liability of $11.2 million and $16.0 million was included in long-term accrued liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets as of May 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.
Pension Plan assets are held in trust for the benefit of the plan participants and are invested in a diversified portfolio of equity investments, fixed income investments and cash. Information on the Pension Plan assets, using the fair value hierarchy discussed in Note 1 entitled Significant Accounting Polices, is as follows as of May 31:
20252024
(In thousands)Level 1Level 2Level 3TotalLevel 1Level 2Level 3Total
Cash equivalents$1,573 $— $— $1,573 $1,813 $— $— $1,813 
U.S. government
   securities		— 4,100 — 4,100 — 4,354 — 4,354 
Corporate debt— 17,435 — 17,435 — 17,288 — 17,288 
Municipal obligations— 169 — 169 — 143 — 143 
Mutual funds:
   U.S. securities24,798 — — 24,798 20,881 — — 20,881 
   International securities4,389 — — 4,389 3,793 — — 3,793 
Total$30,760 $21,704 $— $52,464 $26,487 $21,785 $— $48,272 
Cintas’ Pension Plan assets are generally classified within Level 1 or Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy because they are valued using quoted market prices, broker or dealer quotations, or alternative pricing sources, primarily matrix pricing, with reasonable levels of price transparency. Matrix pricing, primarily used for marketable debt securities, is based on quoted prices for securities with similar coupons, ratings and maturities, rather than on specific bids and offers for the specific security. The types of financial instruments based on quoted market prices in active markets generally include cash equivalents (money market securities) and mutual funds. Such instruments are generally classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. The Company does not adjust the quoted market price for such financial instruments.

The types of financial instruments valued based on quoted market prices in markets that are not active, broker or dealer quotations, or alternative pricing sources, including matrix pricing, with reasonable levels of price transparency include marketable debt securities, such as U.S. government securities and corporate bonds. Such financial instruments are generally classified within Level 2 of the fair market value hierarchy. All the Company’s marketable debt securities are actively traded, and the recorded fair value reflects current market conditions. However, due to the inherent volatility in the investment market, there is at least a reasonable possibility that recorded investment values may change by a material amount in the near term.

Non-Contributory Retirement Plans
Cintas' Partners' Plan (the Plan) is a non-contributory profit sharing plan and Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) for the benefit of substantially all U.S. Cintas employee-partners who have completed one year of service. The Plan also includes a 401(k) savings feature covering substantially all U.S. employee-partners. The amounts of contributions to the Plan and ESOP, as well as the matching contribution to the 401(k), are made at the discretion of the Board of Directors (the Board). Total contributions, including Cintas' matching contributions, which approximate cost, were $129.8 million, $115.1 million and $99.1 million for the fiscal years ended May 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The expense associated with these contributions was recorded in selling and administrative expenses on the consolidated statements of income.

Cintas has a non-contributory deferred profit sharing plan (DPSP), which covers substantially all Canadian employee-partners. In addition, a registered retirement savings plan (RRSP) is offered to those employee-partners. The amounts of contributions to the DPSP, as well as the matching contribution to the RRSP, are made at the discretion of the Board. Total contributions, which approximate cost, were $4.7 million, $4.2 million and $3.7 million for the fiscal years ended May 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The expense associated with these contributions was recorded in selling and administrative expenses on the consolidated statements of income.

Cintas has a supplemental executive retirement plan (SERP) subject to Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code for the benefit of certain highly compensated Cintas employee-partners. The SERP allows participants to defer the receipt of compensation which would otherwise become payable to them. Matching contributions are made at the discretion of the Board. Total matching contributions, which approximates cost, were $12.9 million, $13.1 million and $12.3 million for the fiscal years ended May 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The expense associated with these contributions was recorded in selling and administrative expenses on the consolidated statements of income.