Cintas (CTAS) 10-K 27 Jul 18 2018 FY Annual report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	May 31, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Nov. 30, 2017
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	CINTAS CORP
Entity Central Index Key	723,254
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	May 31, 2018
Amendment Flag	false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--05-31
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Public Float			$ 16,762,648,293
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		106,279,307
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,018
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY

Consolidated Statements of Inco

Consolidated Statements of Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	May 31, 2018	May 31, 2017	May 31, 2016
Revenue:
Uniform rental and facility services	$ 5,247,124	$ 4,202,490	$ 3,759,524
Other	1,229,508	1,120,891	1,036,248
Total revenue	6,476,632	5,323,381	4,795,772
Costs and expenses:
Cost of uniform rental and facility services	2,886,959	2,307,774	2,092,833
Cost of other	681,150	635,312	601,599
Selling and administrative expenses	1,916,792	1,527,380	1,332,399
G&K Services, Inc. transaction and integration expenses	41,897	79,224	0
Operating income	949,834	773,691	768,941
Interest income	(1,342)	(237)	(896)
Interest expense	110,175	86,524	64,522
Income before income taxes	841,001	687,404	705,315
Income taxes	57,069	230,118	256,710
Income from continuing operations	783,932	457,286	448,605
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax of $35,313, $15,057 and $138,184, respectively	58,654	23,422	244,915
Net income	$ 842,586	$ 480,708	$ 693,520
Basic earnings per share:
Continuing operations (dollars per share)	$ 7.24	$ 4.27	$ 4.08
Discontinued operations (dollars per share)	0.54	0.22	2.22
Basic earnings per share (dollars per share)	7.78	4.49	6.30
Diluted earnings per share:
Continuing operations (dollars per share)	7.03	4.17	4.02
Discontinued operations (dollars per share)	0.53	0.21	2.19
Diluted earnings per share (dollars per share)	7.56	4.38	6.21
Dividends declared and paid per share (dollars per share)	$ 1.62	$ 1.33	$ 1.05

Consolidated Statements of Inc3

Consolidated Statements of Income (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	May 31, 2018	May 31, 2017	May 31, 2016
Income Statement [Abstract]
Discontinued operations, income tax expense	$ 35,313	$ 15,057	$ 138,184

Consolidated Statements of Comp

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	May 31, 2018	May 31, 2017	May 31, 2016
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 842,586	$ 480,708	$ 693,520
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	19,276	(10,252)	(11,933)
Cumulative translation adjustment on Shred-it	0	0	6,472
Change in fair value of cash flow hedges	0	31,136	(12,156)
Amortization of interest rate lock agreements	(933)	1,076	1,952
Other	1,029	(115)	(738)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax expense (benefit) of $690, $19,118 and ($9,813), respectively	19,372	21,845	(16,403)
Comprehensive income (loss)	$ 861,958	$ 502,553	$ 677,117

Consolidated Statements of Com5

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	May 31, 2018	May 31, 2017	May 31, 2016
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Other comprehensive income (loss), tax	$ 690	$ 19,118	$ (9,813)

Consolidated Balance Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	May 31, 2018		May 31, 2017
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 138,724		$ 169,266
Marketable securities	0		22,219
Accounts receivable, principally trade, less allowance of $33,510 and $20,525, respectively	804,583		736,008
Inventories, net	280,347		278,218
Uniforms and other rental items in service	702,261		635,702
Income taxes, current	19,634		44,320
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	32,383		30,132
Assets held for sale	0		38,613
Total current assets	1,977,932		1,954,478
Property and equipment, net	1,382,730		1,323,501
Investments	175,581	[1]	164,788	[2]
Goodwill	2,846,888		2,782,335
Service contracts, net	545,768		586,988
Other assets, net	29,315		31,967
Total assets	6,958,214		6,844,057
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	215,074		177,051
Accrued compensation and related liabilities	140,654		149,635
Accrued liabilities	420,129		429,809
Liabilities held for sale	0		11,457
Debt due within one year	0		362,900
Total current liabilities	775,857		1,130,852
Long-term liabilities:
Debt due after one year	2,535,309		2,770,624
Deferred income taxes	352,581		469,328
Accrued liabilities	277,941		170,460
Total long-term liabilities	3,165,831		3,410,412
Shareholders' equity:
Preferred stock, no par value: 100,000 shares authorized, none outstanding	0		0
Common stock, no par value: 425,000,000 shares authorized, 2018: 182,723,471 shares issued and 106,326,383 shares outstanding, 2017: 180,992,605 shares issued and 105,400,629 shares outstanding	618,464		485,068
Paid-in capital	245,211		223,924
Retained earnings	5,837,827		5,170,830
Treasury stock: 2018: 76,397,088 shares, 2017: 75,591,976 shares	(3,701,319)		(3,574,000)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	16,343		(3,029)
Total shareholders' equity	3,016,526		2,302,793
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$ 6,958,214		$ 6,844,057
[1]	Investments include inter company investment activity. Corp 2 and Subsidiary Guarantors hold $17.6 million and $158.0 million, respectively, of the $175.6 million consolidated net investments.
[2]	Investments include inter company investment activity. Corp 2 and Subsidiary Guarantors hold $29.0 million and $135.8 million, respectively, of the $164.8 million consolidated net investments.

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	May 31, 2018	May 31, 2017
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Allowance on accounts receivable	$ 33,510	$ 20,525
Preferred stock, shares authorized (in shares)	100,000	100,000
Preferred stock, shares outstanding ( in shares)	0	0
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	425,000,000	425,000,000
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	182,723,471	180,992,605
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	106,326,383	105,400,629
Treasury stock, shares (in shares)	76,397,088	75,591,976

Consolidated Statements of Shar

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock	Paid-In Capital	Retained Earnings	Other Accumulated Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Treasury Stock
Balance (shares) at May. 31, 2015		178,117				66,414
Beginning Balance at May. 31, 2015	$ 1,932,455	$ 329,248	$ 157,183	$ 4,227,620	$ (8,471)	$ (2,773,125)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	693,520			693,520
Comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(16,403)				(16,403)
Dividends	(115,273)			(115,273)
Stock-based compensation	79,293		79,293
Vesting of stock-based compensation awards (shares)		605
Vesting of stock-based compensation awards	0	$ 52,208	(52,208)
Stock options exercised, net of shares surrendered (in shares)		876
Stock options exercised, net of shares surrendered	28,226	$ 28,226
Repurchase of common stock (shares)						(8,971)
Repurchase of common stock	(780,151)					$ (780,151)
Other	20,992		20,992
Balance (shares) at May. 31, 2016		179,598				75,385
Ending Balance at May. 31, 2016	1,842,659	$ 409,682	205,260	4,805,867	(24,874)	$ (3,553,276)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	480,708			480,708
Comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	21,845				21,845
Dividends	(142,433)			(142,433)
Stock-based compensation	88,868		88,868
Vesting of stock-based compensation awards (shares)		429
Vesting of stock-based compensation awards	0	$ 43,516	(43,516)
Stock options exercised, net of shares surrendered (in shares)		966
Stock options exercised, net of shares surrendered	31,870	$ 31,870
Repurchase of common stock (shares)						(207)
Repurchase of common stock	(20,724)					$ (20,724)
Adoption of new accounting guidance	0		(26,688)	26,688
Balance (shares) at May. 31, 2017		180,993				75,592
Ending Balance at May. 31, 2017	2,302,793	$ 485,068	223,924	5,170,830	(3,029)	$ (3,574,000)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	842,586			842,586
Comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	19,372				19,372
Dividends	(175,589)			(175,589)
Stock-based compensation	112,835		112,835
Vesting of stock-based compensation awards (shares)		701
Vesting of stock-based compensation awards	0	$ 91,548	(91,548)
Stock options exercised, net of shares surrendered (in shares)		1,029
Stock options exercised, net of shares surrendered	41,848	$ 41,848
Repurchase of common stock (shares)						(805)
Repurchase of common stock	(127,319)					$ (127,319)
Balance (shares) at May. 31, 2018		182,723				76,397
Ending Balance at May. 31, 2018	$ 3,016,526	$ 618,464	$ 245,211	$ 5,837,827	$ 16,343	$ (3,701,319)

Consolidated Statements of Cash

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	May 31, 2018	May 31, 2017	May 31, 2016
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 842,586	$ 480,708	$ 693,520
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation	215,476	171,565	149,691
Amortization of intangible assets	63,940	25,030	15,588
Stock-based compensation	112,835	88,868	79,293
Gain on sale of business	(96,400)	0	0
Gain on deconsolidation		(25,457)	(354,071)
Asset impairment charge	0	23,331	0
G&K Services, Inc. transaction and integration costs	0	31,445	0
Short-term debt financing fees included in net income	0	17,062	0
Settlement of cash flow hedges	0	30,194	0
Deferred income taxes	(119,295)	3,902	(59,302)
Change in current assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions of businesses:
Accounts receivable, net	(66,267)	(93,557)	(52,762)
Inventories, net	(3,323)	(668)	(17,917)
Uniforms and other rental items in service	(64,299)	(8,732)	(6,306)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(15,526)	24,201	(965)
Accounts payable	35,275	13,726	(564)
Accrued compensation and related liabilities	(9,392)	13,654	13,512
Accrued liabilities and other	42,468	(501)	22,714
Income taxes, current	26,082	(29,424)	(800)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	964,160	763,887	465,845
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(271,699)	(273,317)	(275,385)
Proceeds from redemption of marketable securities and investments	179,857	218,324	434,179
Purchase of marketable securities and investments	(153,708)	(181,065)	(494,146)
Proceeds from sale of business	127,835	0	0
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired	(19,346)	(2,102,371)	(156,579)
Other, net	1,363	(196)	4,137
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities	(135,698)	(2,310,349)	128,381
Cash flows from financing activities:
(Payments) issuance of commercial paper, net	(50,500)	50,500	0
Proceeds from issuance of debt, net	0	1,932,229	0
Repayment of debt	(550,000)	(250,000)	(16)
Payment of short-term debt financing fees	0	(17,062)	0
Proceeds from exercise of stock-based compensation awards	41,848	31,870	28,226
Dividends paid	(175,589)	(142,433)	(115,273)
Repurchase of common stock	(127,319)	(20,724)	(780,151)
Other, net	(2,580)	(5,878)	490
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(864,140)	1,578,502	(866,724)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	5,136	(2,131)	(5,218)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(30,542)	29,909	(277,716)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	169,266	139,357	417,073
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	138,724	169,266	139,357
Storage
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Gain on sale of business		(1,460)	(15,786)
Gain on deconsolidation	0	(1,460)	(15,786)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds from sale of business	0	2,400	35,338
Shred-it
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Gain on deconsolidation	0	(25,457)	(354,071)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds from sale of business	$ 0	$ 25,876	$ 580,837

Significant Accounting Policies

Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	May 31, 2018
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Significant Accounting Policies	Significant Accounting Policies Business description. Cintas Corporation (collectively with its majority-owned subsidiaries and any entities over which it has control, Cintas, Company, we, us or our) helps more than one million businesses of all types and sizes, primarily in North America, as well as Latin America, Europe and Asia, get Ready™ to open their doors with confidence every day by providing a wide range of products and services that enhance our customers’ image and help keep their facilities and employees clean, safe and looking their best. With products and services including uniforms, floor care, restroom supplies, first aid and safety products, fire extinguishers and testing, and safety and compliance training, Cintas helps customers get Ready for the Workday™. On March 21, 2017, Cintas completed the acquisition of G&K Services, Inc. (G&K) for consideration of approximately $2.1 billion . G&K is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cintas that operates within the Uniform Rental and Facility Services operating segment. To finance the G&K acquisition, Cintas used a combination of new senior notes, a term loan, other borrowings under its existing credit facility and cash on hand. G&K's results of operations are included in Cintas' consolidated financial statements as of and from the date of acquisition. Cintas’ reportable operating segments are Uniform Rental and Facility Services and First Aid and Safety Services. The Uniform Rental and Facility Services reportable operating segment, consists of the rental and servicing of uniforms and other garments including flame resistant clothing, mats, mops and shop towels and other ancillary items. In addition to these rental items, restroom cleaning services and supplies, carpet and tile cleaning services and the sale of items from our catalogs to our customers on route are included within this reportable operating segment. The First Aid and Safety Services reportable operating segment consists of first aid and safety products and services. The remainder of Cintas’ business, which consists of Fire Protection Services and its Uniform Direct Sale business, is included in All Other. Cintas evaluates operating segment performance based on revenue and income before income taxes. Revenue and income before income taxes for each of these reportable operating segments for the years ended May 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 are presented in Note 14 entitled Operating Segment Information. The Company regularly reviews its operating segments for reporting purposes based on the information its chief operating decision maker (CODM) regularly reviews for purposes of allocating resources and assessing performance and makes changes when appropriate. In fiscal 2018, Cintas sold a significant business referred to as "Discontinued Services." Prior to the sale of Discontinued Services, the operations were primarily included in All Other and classified as held for sale. In fiscal 2014, Cintas completed its partnership transaction with the shareholders of Shred-it International Inc. to combine Cintas' shredding business (Shredding) with the shredding business of Shred-it International Inc. (the Shredding Transaction). Pursuant to the Shredding Transaction, the newly formed partnership (the Shred-it Partnership) was owned 42% by Cintas and 58% by the shareholders of Shred-it International Inc. Cintas' investment in the Shred-it Partnership (Shred-it) and the results of Shredding are classified as discontinued operations for all periods presented as a result of selling the investment during fiscal 2016. During fiscal 2015, Cintas sold the storage business (Storage) and, as a result, its operations are also classified as discontinued operations for all periods presented. In accordance with the applicable accounting guidance for the disposal of long-lived assets and discontinued operations, the results of Discontinued Services, Shredding and Storage have been excluded from both continuing operations and operating segment results for all periods presented. See Note 16 entitled Discontinued Operations for additional information. Principles of consolidation. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Cintas controlled majority-owned subsidiaries and any entities over which Cintas has control. Intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated as appropriate. Use of estimates. The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (U.S. GAAP) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. The Company’s results are affected by economic, political, legislative, regulatory and legal actions. Economic conditions, such as recessionary trends, inflation, interest and monetary exchange rates, government fiscal policies and changes in the prices of raw materials, can have a significant effect on operations. These factors and other events could cause actual results to differ from management's estimates. Revenue recognition. Rental revenue, which is recorded in the Uniform Rental and Facility Services reportable operating segment, is recognized when services are performed. Other revenue, which is recorded in the First Aid and Safety Services reportable operating segment and All Other, is recognized when either services are performed or when products are shipped and the title and risks of ownership pass to the customer. Cost of uniform rental and facility services. Cost of uniform rental and facility services consists primarily of production expenses, delivery expenses and the amortization of in service inventory, including uniforms, mats, shop towels and other ancillary items. The Uniform Rental and Facility Services reportable operating segment inbound freight charges, purchasing and receiving costs, inspection costs, warehousing costs and other costs of distribution are included in the cost of uniform rental and facility services. Cost of other. Cost of other consists primarily of cost of goods sold (predominantly first aid and safety products, uniforms and fire protection products), delivery expenses and distribution expenses in the First Aid and Safety Services reportable operating segment and All Other. Cost of other includes inbound freight charges, purchasing and receiving costs, inspection costs, warehousing costs and other costs of distribution. Selling and administrative expenses. Selling and administrative expenses consist primarily of sales labor and commissions, management and administrative labor, payroll taxes, medical expense, insurance expense, legal and professional costs and amortization of finite-lived intangible assets. G&K transaction and integration expenses. As a result of the acquisition of G&K in fiscal 2017, the Company incurred various transaction and integration expenses in both fiscal 2018 and fiscal 2017, which relate primarily to asset impairment charges, legal and professional fees, employee termination expenses, the write-off of excess inventory, location closure expenses and other miscellaneous expenses. See Note 17 entitled G&K Services, Inc. Transaction and Integration Expenses. Cash and cash equivalents. Cintas considers all highly liquid domestic investments with a maturity of three months or less, at date of purchase, to be cash equivalents. At May 31, 2018 and 2017 , cash and cash equivalents includes $30.9 million and $30.6 million , respectively, of restricted cash used as collateral associated with the general insurance program. Marketable securities. Marketable securities are typically comprised of fixed income securities and are classified as available-for-sale. Accounts receivable. Accounts receivable is comprised of amounts owed through product shipments and services provided and is presented net of an allowance for doubtful accounts. The allowance is an estimate based on historical rates of collections and allowances for specific accounts identified as uncollectible. The allowance that is an estimate based on Cintas' historical rates of collections is recorded for overdue amounts, beginning with a nominal percentage and increasing substantially as the account ages. The amount provided as the account ages will differ slightly between the Uniform Rental and Facility Services reportable operating segment, the First Aid and Safety Services reportable operating segment and All Other because of differences in customers served and the nature of each business. When an account is considered uncollectible, it is written off against the allowance for doubtful accounts. Inventories. Inventories are valued at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out) or net realizable value. Cintas applies a commonly accepted practice of using inventory turns to apply variances between actual and standard costs to the inventory balances. The judgments and estimates used to calculate inventory turns will have an impact on the valuation of inventories at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Inventory is comprised of the following amounts at May 31: (In thousands) 2018 2017 Raw materials $ 17,042 $ 17,528 Work in process 27,350 17,951 Finished goods 235,955 242,739 $ 280,347 $ 278,218 Inventories are recorded net of reserves for obsolete inventory of $ 37.0 million and $ 38.3 million at May 31, 2018 and 2017 , respectively. The inventory obsolescence reserve is determined by specific identification, as well as an estimate based on Cintas' historical rates of obsolescence. Uniforms and other rental items in service. These items are valued at cost less amortization, calculated using the straight-line method. Uniforms in service (other than cleanroom and flame resistant clothing) are amortized over their useful life of 18 months. Uniforms acquired in the G&K acquisition were amortized over 12 months. Other rental items, including shop towels, mats, mops, cleanroom garments, flame resistant clothing, linens and restroom dispensers, are amortized over their useful lives, which range from 8 to 60 months. The amortization rates used are based on industry experience, Cintas' specific experience and wear tests performed by Cintas. These factors are critical to determining the amount of in service inventory and related cost of uniforms and facility services that are presented in the consolidated financial statements. Property and equipment. Property and equipment is stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation or at fair value upon acquisition. Depreciation is calculated using the straight-line method primarily over the following estimated useful lives of the assets based on industry and Cintas specific experience, in years: Buildings 30 to 40 Building improvements 5 to 20 Equipment 3 to 10 Leasehold improvements 2 to 15 Investments. Investments consists primarily of the cash surrender value of life insurance policies and equity method investments. The equity method is used to account for an investment if our investment gives us the ability to exercise significant influence over the operating and financial policies of the investee. In general, equity method investments are initially measured at cost. However, an equity method investment resulting from a transaction in which a controlled group of assets that constitutes a business is deconsolidated is initially measured at fair value. Cintas recognizes its share of the investee’s earnings or losses in income. Cintas also adjusts its share of the investee's earnings for intra-entity transactions, basis differences, investee capital transactions and other comprehensive income through income or other comprehensive income as appropriate. Equity method investments are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the investment might not be recoverable. Long-lived assets. When events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of long-lived assets may not be recoverable, the estimated undiscounted future cash flows are compared to the carrying amount of the assets. If the estimated undiscounted future cash flows are less than the carrying amount of the assets, an impairment loss is recorded based on the excess of the carrying amount of the assets over their respective fair values. Fair value is generally determined by discounted cash flows, prices of similar assets or third-party real estate valuations, as appropriate. During fiscal 2017, as a result of the identification of certain G&K plants and branches for future closure, an indicator of potential impairment was identified. Cintas recognized an impairment loss of $23.3 million during the fiscal year ended May 31, 2017, based on the excess of the carrying amount of asset over their respective fair values. The undiscounted cash flows used to test recoverability were performed, using Level 2 inputs based on both the cost and market approaches, at the lowest discernible level, which is at the location level. Cintas did not identify any indicators of impairment for the fiscal years ended May 31, 2018 and 2016 . Goodwill. Goodwill, obtained through acquisitions of businesses, is valued at cost less any impairment. Cintas completes an annual impairment test, which may include an assessment of qualitative factors including, but not limited to, macroeconomic conditions, industry and market conditions, and entity specific factors such as strategies and financial performance. The test may also include the determination of the estimated fair value of Cintas' reporting units via comparisons to current market values, where available, and discounted cash flow analyses. Assumptions may include growth rates based on historical trends and margin improvement leveraged from such growth, as well as discount rates. We determine discount rates separately for each reporting unit using the weighted average cost of capital, which includes a calculation of cost of equity, which is developed using the capital asset pricing model and comparable company betas (a measure of systemic risk), and cost of debt. We also use comparable market earnings multiple data and our market capitalization to corroborate our reporting unit valuations. We test for goodwill impairment at the reporting unit level. Due to the fiscal 2018 executed sale of Discontinued Services and the ongoing integration of the acquired G&K operations within the legacy Cintas Uniform Rental and Facility Services operating segment, the composition for Cintas’ reporting units for the evaluation of goodwill impairment has changed. Discrete financial information of G&K ceased to exist in early fiscal 2018 and is now evaluated by the CODM within the consolidated Uniform Rental and Facility Services operating segment. Cintas has identified four reporting units for purposes of evaluating goodwill impairment: Uniform Rental and Facility Services, First Aid and Safety Services, and two reporting units within All Other. The Company evaluated impairment indicators for all reporting units, including those prior to and subsequent to the composition change in fiscal 2018, noting none. Based on the results of the annual impairment tests, Cintas was not required to recognize an impairment of goodwill for the fiscal years ended May 31, 2018 , 2017 or 2016 . Cintas will continue to perform impairment tests as of March 1 in future years and when indicators of impairment exist. Service contracts and other assets. Service contracts and other assets, which consist primarily of noncompete and consulting agreements obtained through acquisitions of businesses, are generally amortized by use of the straight-line method over the estimated lives of the agreements, which are generally 5 to 10 years. The G&K service contract asset is being amortized over a period of 15 years , which represents the estimated life of the economic benefit. The G&K service contract asset amortization is based on the annual economic value of the underlying asset which generally decreases over the 15 -year term. Certain noncompete agreements, as well as all service contracts, require that a valuation be determined using a discounted cash flow model. The assumptions and judgments used in these models involve estimates of cash flows and discount rates, among other factors. Because of the assumptions used to value these intangible assets, actual results over time could vary from original estimates. Impairment of service contracts and other assets is accomplished through specific identification. No impairment has been recognized by Cintas for the fiscal years ended May 31, 2018 , 2017 and 2016 . Business Combinations. Accounting for acquisitions requires us to recognize separately from goodwill the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed at their acquisition date fair values. Goodwill as of the acquisition date is measured as the excess of consideration transferred over the net of the acquisition date fair values of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed. While we use our best estimates and assumptions to accurately value assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date as well as contingent consideration, where applicable, our estimates are inherently uncertain and subject to refinement. As a result, during the measurement period, which may be up to one year from the acquisition date, we record adjustments to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed with the corresponding offset to goodwill. Upon the conclusion of the measurement period or final determination of the values of assets acquired or liabilities assumed, whichever comes first, any subsequent adjustments are recorded to our consolidated statements of income. See Note 9 entitled Acquisitions and Divestitures for a discussion of the G&K acquisition. Debt Issuance Costs. Debt issuance costs for the revolving credit facility are included in other assets and all other debt issuance costs reduce the carrying amount of long-term debt. Accrued liabilities. Current accrued liabilities are recorded when it is probable that a liability has occurred and the amount of the liability can be reasonably estimated. Current accrued liabilities include the following amounts at May 31: (In thousands) 2018 2017 General insurance liabilities $ 163,400 $ 153,743 Employee benefit related liabilities 112,801 110,104 Taxes and related liabilities 8,148 8,057 Accrued interest 24,763 36,638 Other 111,017 121,267 $ 420,129 $ 429,809 General insurance liabilities represent the estimated ultimate cost of all asserted and unasserted claims incurred, primarily related to workers' compensation, auto liability and other general liability exposure through the consolidated balance sheet dates. Our reserves are estimated through actuarial procedures of the insurance industry and by using industry assumptions, adjusted for specific expectations based on our claims history. Cintas records an increase or decrease in selling and administrative expenses related to development of prior claims, higher claims activity and other environmental factors in the period in which it becomes known. These changes in estimates may be material to the consolidated financial statements. Long-term accrued liabilities consists primarily of reserves associated with unrecognized tax benefits, which are described in more detail in Note 8 entitled Income Taxes, retirement obligations, which are described in more detail in Note 10 entitled Employee Benefit Plans, and environmental obligations acquired primarily through the G&K acquisition, which are further described below. Environmental Obligations. Environmental obligations are recorded when it is probable that obligations have been incurred and the costs can be reasonably estimated, except for acquired environmental obligations which are recorded at fair value. Cintas’ environmental obligations are estimated based on an evaluation of various factors, including currently available facts, existing technology, presently enacted laws and regulations, and remediation experience. Where the available information is sufficient to estimate the amount of the obligation, that estimate has been recorded. Where the information is only sufficient to establish a range of probable liability and no point within the range is more likely than any other, the lower end of the range has been used. Management actively monitors all locations for compliance and changes in facts and circumstances. No one location or site is deemed to be material or in violation of the applicable laws and regulations, even though costs are being incurred. Costs estimated for environmental obligations are not discounted to their present value. Pension Plans. The Company assumed G&K's noncontributory, defined benefit pension plan (the Pension Plan) covering substantially all employees who were employed as of July 1, 2005, except certain employees who are covered by union-administered plans. Benefits are based on the number of years of service and each employee's compensation near retirement. G&K froze the Pension Plan effective December 31, 2006. Future growth in benefits will not occur after this date. The Company's funding policy provides for contributions of an amount between the minimum required and maximum amount that can be deducted for federal income tax purposes. The funded status is measured as the difference between the fair value of plan assets and the benefit obligation at May 31, the measurement date. The benefit obligation is the projected benefit obligation (PBO). The PBO represents the actuarial present value of benefits expected to be paid upon retirement based on estimated future compensation levels. The measurement of the PBO is based on the Company’s estimates and actuarial valuations. The fair value of plan assets represents the current market value of assets held by an irrevocable trust fund for the sole benefit of participants. These valuations reflect the terms of the Pension Plan and use participant-specific information such as compensation, age and years of service, as well as certain assumptions that require significant judgment, including estimates of discount rates, expected return on plan assets, rate of compensation increases, interest crediting rates and mortality rates. We recognize, as of a measurement date, any unrecognized actuarial net gains or losses that exceed ten percent of the larger of the projected benefit obligations or the plan assets, defined as the "corridor." Amounts inside the corridor are amortized over the plan participants' life expectancy. We determine the expected return on assets using the fair value of plan assets. Stock-based compensation. Compensation expense is recognized for all share-based payments to employees, including stock options and restricted stock awards, in the consolidated statements of income based on the fair value of the awards that are granted. The fair value of stock options is estimated at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. Generally, measured compensation cost, net of actual forfeitures, is recognized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period of the related share-based compensation award. Derivatives and hedging activities. Cintas formally documents all relationships between hedging instruments and hedged items, as well as its risk management objective and strategy for undertaking various hedge transactions. Derivatives are recorded at fair value on the consolidated balance sheet, and gains and losses are recorded as adjustments to income or other comprehensive income, as appropriate. For derivative financial instruments that are designated as a hedge, unrealized gains and losses related to the effective portion are either recognized in income immediately to offset the realized gain or loss on the hedged item, or are deferred and reported as a component of other comprehensive income in stockholders' equity and subsequently recognized in net income when the hedged item affects net income. The change in fair value of the ineffective portion of a derivative financial instrument is recognized in net income immediately. Income taxes. The provision for income taxes includes taxes paid, currently payable or receivable, and those deferred. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the Tax Act) includes a mandatory one-time tax on accumulated earnings of foreign subsidiaries and, as a result, previously unremitted earnings for which no U.S. deferred tax liability had been accrued have now been subject to U.S. tax. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined by the differences between the consolidated financial statement carrying amounts and the tax basis of assets and liabilities. See Note 8 entitled Income Taxes for the types of items that give rise to significant deferred income tax assets and liabilities. Deferred income taxes are classified as assets or liabilities based on the classification of the related asset or liability for financial reporting purposes. Cintas regularly reviews deferred tax assets for recoverability based upon projected future taxable income and the expected timing of the reversals of existing temporary differences. Although realization is not assured, management believes it is more likely than not that the recorded deferred tax assets, as adjusted for valuation allowances, will be realized. Accounting for uncertain tax positions requires the determination of whether tax benefits claimed or expected to be claimed on a tax return should be recorded in the consolidated financial statements. Companies may recognize the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized in the consolidated financial statements from such a position should be measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than fifty percent likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement. Cintas is periodically reviewed by domestic and foreign tax authorities regarding the amount of taxes due. These reviews include questions regarding the timing and amount of deductions and the allocation of income among various tax jurisdictions. In evaluating the exposure associated with various filing positions, Cintas records reserves as deemed appropriate. Based on Cintas' evaluation of current tax positions, Cintas believes its tax related accruals are appropriate. Litigation and other contingencies. Cintas is subject to legal proceedings and claims arising from the ordinary course of its business, including personal injury, customer contract, environmental and employment claims. U.S. GAAP requires that a liability for contingencies be recorded when it is probable that a liability has occurred and the amount of the liability can be reasonably estimated. In the opinion of management, the aggregate liability, if any, with respect to such ordinary course of business actions will not have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial position or consolidated results of operations of Cintas. Fair value measurements. Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standard Codification (ASC) Topic 820 defines fair value as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. When determining the fair value measurements for assets and liabilities, the Company considers the principal or most advantageous market in which the Company would transact and the market-based risk measurements or assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, such as inherent risk, transfer restrictions and credit risk. It also establishes a three-level fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value. This hierarchy requires entities to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. The three levels of inputs used to measure fair value are as follows: Level 1 — Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Level 2 — Observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1, such as quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data. Level 3 — Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities. This includes certain pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies and similar techniques that use significant unobservable inputs. In instances where the determination of the fair value measurement is based on inputs from different levels of the fair value hierarchy, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the entire fair value measurement falls is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. Cintas' assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment and considers factors specific to the asset or liability. There were no transfers between levels for the years ended May 31, 2018 or 2017. The carrying value of accounts receivable and accounts payable, and other current assets and liabilities, approximate fair value because of the short-term maturity of those instruments. In order to meet the requirements of ASC 820, Cintas utilizes two basic valuation approaches to determine the fair value of its assets and liabilities required to be recorded on a recurring basis at fair value. The first approach is the cost approach. The cost approach is generally the value a market participant would expect to replace the respective asset or liability. The second approach is the market approach. The market approach looks at what a market participant would consider valuing an exact or similar asset or liability to that of Cintas, including those traded on exchanges. Cintas' non-financial assets and liabilities not permitted or required to be measured at fair value on a recurring basis primarily relate to assets and liabilities acquired in a business acquisition unless otherwise noted in Note 2 entitled Fair Value Disclosures. Cintas is required to provide additional disclosures about fair value measurements as part of the consolidated financial statements for each major category of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis (including business acquisitions). Based on the nature of Cintas' business acquisitions, which occur regularly throughout the fiscal year, the majority of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed consist of working capital, primarily valued using Level 2 inputs, property and equipment, also primarily valued using Level 2 inputs and goodwill and other identified intangible assets valued using Level 3 inputs. In general, non-recurring fair values determined by Level 1 inputs utilize quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities, which generally are not applicable to non-financial assets and liabilities. Fair values determined by Level 2 inputs utilize data points that are observable, such as definitive sales agreements, appraisals or established market values of comparable assets. Fair values determined by Level 3 inputs are unobservable data points for the asset or liability and include situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability, such as internal estimates of future cash flows and company specific discount rates. New accounting pronouncements. In April 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standard Update (ASU) 2014-08, “Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity,” which amended accounting guidance related to the reporting of discontinued operations and disclosures of disposals of components of an entity. The amended guidance changes the thresholds for disposals to qualify as discontinued operations and requires additional disclosures. Cintas adopted ASU 2014-08 during the quarter ended August 31, 2015 and applied the amended accounting guidance to Shred-it and all subsequent transactions, as appropriate. In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)," to clarify revenue recognition principles. The standard applies one comprehensive revenue recognition model across all contracts

Fair Value Disclosures

Fair Value Disclosures	12 Months Ended
	May 31, 2018
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Disclosures	Fair Value Disclosures All financial instruments that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis (at least annually) have been segregated into the most appropriate level within the fair value hierarchy based on the inputs used to determine the fair value at the consolidated balance sheet date. These financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized below: As of May 31, 2018 (In thousands) Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Fair Value Cash and cash equivalents $ 138,724 $ — $ — $ 138,724 Total assets at fair value $ 138,724 $ — $ — $ 138,724 As of May 31, 2017 (In thousands) Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Fair Value Cash and cash equivalents $ 169,266 $ — $ — $ 169,266 Marketable securities: Canadian treasury securities — 22,219 — 22,219 Total assets at fair value $ 169,266 $ 22,219 $ — $ 191,485 Cintas' cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities are generally classified within Level 1 or Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. Financial instruments classified as Level 1 are based on quoted market prices in active markets, and financial instruments classified as Level 2 are based on quoted market prices, broker or dealer quotations or alternative pricing sources with reasonable levels of price transparency. The types of financial instruments Cintas classifies within Level 1 include most bank deposits and money market securities. Cintas does not adjust the quoted market price for such financial instruments. The types of financial instruments Cintas classifies within Level 2 are primarily high grade domestic commercial paper and Canadian treasury securities (federal). The valuation technique used for Cintas’ marketable securities classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy is primarily the market approach. The primary inputs to value Cintas’ marketable securities are the respective instrument's future cash flows based on its stated yield and the amount a market participant would pay for a similar instrument. Primarily all of Cintas’ marketable 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 possibility that recorded investment values may change in the near term. Interest, realized gains and losses and declines in value determined to be other than temporary on available-for-sale securities are included in interest income or expense. The cost of the securities sold is based on the specific identification method. There were no outstanding marketable securities as of May 31, 2018. The amortized cost basis of marketable securities as of May 31, 2017 was $22.2 million . Purchases of marketable securities were $ 143.9 million , $ 171.3 million and $ 488.8 million for the fiscal years ended May 31, 2018 , 2017 and 2016 , respectively. All outstanding marketable securities as of May 31, 2017 had contractual maturities due within one year. The methods described above may produce a fair value that may not be indicative of net realizable value or reflective of future fair values. Furthermore, while Cintas believes its valuation methods are appropriate and consistent with other market participants, the use of different methodologies or assumptions to determine the fair value of certain financial instruments could result in a different estimate of fair value at the consolidated balance sheet dates. In addition to assets and liabilities that are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis, Cintas records assets and liabilities at fair value on a nonrecurring basis as required under U.S. GAAP. Cintas' acquisition of G&K in fiscal 2017 was recorded at fair value. See Note 9 entitled Acquisitions and Divestitures for additional information on the measurement of the G&K assets acquired and liabilities assumed.

Property and Equipment

Property and Equipment	12 Months Ended
	May 31, 2018
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Property and Equipment	Property and Equipment Cintas' property and equipment is summarized as follows at May 31: (In thousands) 2018 2017 Land $ 177,281 $ 173,166 Buildings and improvements 644,322 624,615 Equipment 2,070,009 1,930,018 Leasehold improvements 34,891 32,679 Construction in progress 119,937 79,400 3,046,440 2,839,878 Less: accumulated depreciation 1,663,710 1,516,377 $ 1,382,730 $ 1,323,501 Interest expense is net of capitalized interest of $1.0 million , $2.1 million and $1.1 million for the fiscal years ended May 31, 2018 , 2017 and 2016, respectively. Cintas capitalizes certain expenditures for software that are purchased or internally developed for use in business. Included in equipment at May 31, 2018 and 2017 were $253.8 million and $229.0 million , respectively, of internal use software. Depreciation of internal use software begins when the software is ready for service and continues on the straight-line method over the estimated useful life, generally 10 years. Accumulated depreciation related to internal use software included in accumulated depreciation were $88.8 million and $78.3 million at May 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Investments

Investments	12 Months Ended
	May 31, 2018
Investments [Abstract]
Investments	Investments Investments at May 31, 2018 of $175.6 million include the cash surrender value of insurance policies of $154.0 million , equity method investments of $16.4 million and cost method investments of $5.2 million . Investments at May 31, 2017 of $164.8 million include the cash surrender value of insurance policies of $144.0 million , equity method investments of $15.8 million and cost method investments of $5.0 million . Investments are evaluated for impairment on an annual basis or when indicators of impairment exist. For fiscal years 2018 , 2017 and 2016 , no losses due to impairment were recorded.

Goodwill, Service Contracts and

Goodwill, Service Contracts and Other Assets	12 Months Ended
	May 31, 2018
Goodwill, Service Contracts and Other Assets [Abstract]
Goodwill, Service Contracts and Other Assets	Goodwill, Service Contracts and Other Assets Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill and service contracts by reportable operating segment and All Other, are as follows: Goodwill (in thousands) Uniform Rental and Facility Services First Aid and Safety Services All Other Total Balance at June 1, 2016 $ 949,730 $ 241,448 $ 84,898 $ 1,276,076 Goodwill acquired 1,499,008 2,265 6,281 1,507,554 Foreign currency translation (668 ) (601 ) (26 ) (1,295 ) Balance at May 31, 2017 $ 2,448,070 $ 243,112 $ 91,153 $ 2,782,335 Goodwill acquired (1) 55,152 370 5,939 61,461 Foreign currency translation 2,254 797 41 3,092 Balance at May 31, 2018 $ 2,505,476 $ 244,279 $ 97,133 $ 2,846,888 (1) Adjustments to the G&K preliminary purchase price allocation represents $52.7 million of the acquired goodwill in the Uniform Rental and Facility Services reportable operating segment. See Note 9 entitled Acquisitions and Divestitures for more information. Assets held for sale at May 31, 2017 include $15.5 million of goodwill associated with Discontinued Services. Service Contracts (in thousands) Uniform Rental and Facility Services First Aid and Safety Services All Other Total Balance at June 1, 2016 $ 19,912 $ 32,252 $ 26,030 $ 78,194 Service contracts acquired 521,708 1,632 5,895 529,235 Service contracts amortization (11,636 ) (3,952 ) (4,922 ) (20,510 ) Foreign currency translation (61 ) 130 — 69 Balance at May 31, 2017 $ 529,923 $ 30,062 $ 27,003 $ 586,988 Service contracts acquired 4,098 985 4,310 9,393 Service contracts amortization (45,296 ) (3,842 ) (4,906 ) (54,044 ) Foreign currency translation 3,342 89 — 3,431 Balance at May 31, 2018 $ 492,067 $ 27,294 $ 26,407 $ 545,768 Information regarding Cintas' service contracts and other assets is as follows: As of May 31, 2018 (In thousands) Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Net Service contracts $ 924,978 $ 379,210 $ 545,768 Noncompete and consulting agreements $ 41,710 $ 39,877 $ 1,833 Other 38,787 11,305 27,482 Total $ 80,497 $ 51,182 $ 29,315 As of May 31, 2017 (In thousands) Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Net Service contracts $ 911,273 $ 324,285 $ 586,988 Noncompete and consulting agreements $ 40,743 $ 39,244 $ 1,499 Other 34,890 4,422 30,468 Total $ 75,633 $ 43,666 $ 31,967 Amortization expense for continuing operations was $ 61.2 million , $ 22.8 million and $ 14.2 million for the fiscal years ended May 31, 2018 , 2017 and 2016 , respectively. Estimated amortization expense for continuing operations, excluding any future acquisitions, for each of the next five full fiscal years and thereafter is $ 62.5 million, $ 61.1 million, $ 55.2 million, $ 53.2 million, $ 44.9 million and $283.4 million , respectively. At May 31, 2018, the weighted average amortization period for service contracts, noncompete and consulting agreements and other was 12.8 years, 5 years and 4 years, respectively.

Debt and Derivatives

Debt and Derivatives	12 Months Ended
	May 31, 2018
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Debt and Derivatives	Debt and Derivatives Cintas' debt is summarized as follows at May 31: (In thousands) Interest Rate Fiscal Year Issued Fiscal Year Maturity 2018 2017 Debt due within one year Senior notes 6.13 % 2008 2018 $ — $ 300,000 Commercial paper 1.24 % (1) Various Various — 50,500 Current portion of term loan 2.00 % (1) 2017 2018 — 12,500 Debt issuance costs — (100 ) Total debt due within one year $ — $ 362,900 Debt due after one year Senior notes 4.30 % 2012 2022 $ 250,000 $ 250,000 Senior notes 2.90 % 2017 2022 650,000 650,000 Senior notes 3.25 % 2013 2023 300,000 300,000 Senior notes (2) 2.78 % 2013 2023 52,119 52,554 Senior notes (3) 3.11 % 2015 2025 52,309 52,645 Senior notes 3.70 % 2017 2027 1,000,000 1,000,000 Senior notes 6.15 % 2007 2037 250,000 250,000 Long-term portion of term loan 2.00 % (1) 2017 2022 — 237,500 Debt issuance costs (19,119 ) (22,075 ) Total debt due after one year $ 2,535,309 $ 2,770,624 (1) Variable rate debt instrument. The rate presented is the variable borrowing rate at May 31, 2017. (2) Cintas assumed these senior notes with the acquisition of G&K, and they were recorded at fair value. The interest rate shown above is the effective interest rate. The principal amount of these notes is $50.0 million with a stated interest rate of 3.73% . (3) Cintas assumed these senior notes with the acquisition of G&K, and they were recorded at fair value. The interest rate shown above is the effective interest rate. The principal amount of these notes is $50.0 million with a stated interest rate of 3.88% . The average interest rate for all Cintas debt at May 31, 2018 was 3.8% with maturity dates through fiscal year 2037. Cintas' senior notes, excluding the G&K senior notes assumed with the acquisition of G&K in fiscal 2017, and term loan are recorded at cost, net of debt issuance costs. The fair value of the long-term debt is estimated using Level 2 inputs based on general market prices. The carrying value and fair value of Cintas' debt as of May 31, 2018 were $2,550.0 million and $ 2,582.0 million , respectively, and as of May 31, 2017 were $3,156.0 million and $ 3,296.8 million , respectively. On December 1, 2017, in accordance with the terms of the notes, Cintas paid the $300.0 million aggregate principal amount of its 6.13% , 10 -year senior notes that matured on that date with cash on hand and $265.0 million in proceeds from the issuance of commercial paper. During the twelve months ended May 31, 2018, Cintas paid a net total of $50.5 million of commercial paper. Letters of credit outstanding were $143.0 million and $ 110.9 million at May 31, 2018 and 2017 , respectively. Maturities of debt during each of the next five years are $0.0 million , $0.0 million , $0.0 million , $900.0 million and $350.0 million , respectively. Interest paid was $ 122.1 million , $ 76.6 million and $ 64.5 million for the fiscal years ended May 31, 2018 , 2017 and 2016 , respectively. Interest paid in fiscal 2017 included the payment of $17.1 million in short-term debt financing fees, which were related to the acquisition of G&K and are not reoccurring. The credit agreement that supports our commercial paper program was amended on September 16, 2016. The amendment increased the capacity of the revolving credit facility from $450.0 million to $600.0 million and added a $250.0 million term loan. The term loan facility was paid in full during the first quarter of fiscal 2018. The credit agreement has an accordion feature that provides Cintas the ability to request increases to the borrowing commitments under either the revolving credit facility or the term loan facility of up to $250.0 million in the aggregate, subject to customary conditions. The maturity date of the agreement is September 15, 2021. No commercial paper or borrowings on our revolving credit facility were outstanding at May 31, 2018 . As of May 31, 2017, there was $50.5 million of commercial paper outstanding with a weighted average interest rate of 1.24% and maturity dates less than 30 days and no borrowings on our revolving credit facility. The fair value of the commercial paper is estimated using Level 2 inputs based on general market prices. Given its short-term nature, the carrying value of the outstanding commercial paper approximates fair value. Cintas uses interest rate locks to manage its overall interest expense as interest rate locks effectively change the interest rate of specific debt issuances. The interest rate locks are entered into to protect against unfavorable movements in the benchmark treasury rate related to forecasted debt issuances. Cintas used interest rate lock agreements to hedge against movements in the treasury rates at the time Cintas issued its senior notes in fiscal 2007, fiscal 2008, fiscal 2012, fiscal 2013 and fiscal 2017. The amortization of the cash flow hedges resulted in a decrease to other comprehensive income of $0.9 million in the fiscal year ended May 31, 2018 and an increase to other comprehensive income of $1.1 million and $2.0 million in the fiscal years ended May 31, 2017 and 2016 , respectively. During the third quarter of fiscal 2016, Cintas entered into an interest rate lock agreement with a notional value of $550.0 million for a forecasted debt issuance. As of the third quarter of fiscal 2017, Cintas had multiple interest rate lock agreements in place for forecasted long-term debt issuances. The notional value of the planned debt issuances was $500.0 million of 5 -year senior notes and $1.0 billion of 10 -year senior notes. In conjunction with the issuance of long-term debt in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017, Cintas settled these interest rate lock agreements, which resulted in a deferred gain of $30.2 million . The effective portion of the gain was recorded in other comprehensive income to be amortized as a reduction to interest expense beginning in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017 through the remaining life of the debt. To hedge the exposure of movements in the foreign currency rates, Cintas may use foreign currency hedges. These hedges reduce the impact on cash flows from movements in the foreign currency exchange rates. Examples of foreign currency hedge instruments that Cintas may use are average rate options and forward contracts. These instruments did not impact foreign currency exchange during fiscal 2018 , 2017 or 2016 . Cintas had no foreign currency forward contracts as of May 31, 2018 or 2017 . Cintas has certain covenants related to debt agreements. These covenants limit Cintas' ability to incur certain liens, to engage in sale-leaseback transactions and to merge, consolidate or sell all or substantially all of Cintas' assets. These covenants also require Cintas to maintain certain debt to consolidated earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) and interest coverage ratios. Cross-default provisions exist between certain debt instruments. If a default of a significant covenant were to occur, the default could result in an acceleration of the maturity of the indebtedness, impair liquidity and limit the ability to raise future capital. Cintas was in compliance with all of the debt covenants for all periods presented.

Leases

Leases	12 Months Ended
	May 31, 2018
Leases [Abstract]
Leases	Leases Cintas conducts certain operations from leased facilities and leases certain equipment. Most leases contain renewal options for periods from 1 to 10 years. The lease agreements provide for increases in rent expense if the options are exercised based on increases in certain price level factors or other prearranged factors. Step rent provisions, escalation clauses, capital improvements funding and other lease concessions are taken into account in computing minimum lease payments. Minimum lease payments are recognized on a straight-line basis over the minimum lease term. Lease payments are not dependent on an existing index or rate and are not included in minimum lease payments. It is anticipated that expiring leases will be renewed or replaced. The minimum rental payments under noncancelable lease arrangements for each of the next five years and thereafter are $ 49.3 million, $ 41.6 million, $ 33.7 million, $ 25.5 million, $ 18.9 million and $ 27.7 million, respectively. Rent expense for continuing operations under operating leases during the fiscal years ended May 31, 2018 , 2017 and 2016 , was $ 70.0 million , $ 49.6 million and $ 40.8 million , respectively. The increase in the year ended May 31, 2018, is related to increases in leased facilities and leased equipment as a result of the G&K acquisition.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	May 31, 2018
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Income Taxes Income before income taxes for continuing operations consists of the following components: (In thousands) 2018 2017 2016 U.S. operations $ 798,215 $ 673,055 $ 685,167 Foreign operations 42,786 14,349 20,148 $ 841,001 $ 687,404 $ 705,315 Income tax expense (benefit) for continuing operations consists of the following components: (In thousands) 2018 2017 2016 Current: Federal $ 137,601 $ 187,134 $ 272,663 State and local 19,582 27,197 25,428 Foreign 15,103 6,996 6,471 172,286 221,327 304,562 Deferred (115,217 ) 8,791 (47,852 ) $ 57,069 $ 230,118 $ 256,710 Reconciliation of income tax expense for continuing operations using the statutory rate and actual income tax expense is as follows: (In thousands) 2018 2017 2016 Income taxes at the U.S. federal statutory rate $ 245,322 $ 240,677 $ 246,881 Permanent differences (1) (47,137 ) (29,414 ) — State and local income taxes, net of federal benefit 24,783 19,210 16,339 Other (2) (4,451 ) (355 ) (6,510 ) Impact of the Tax Act: Deemed repatriation of non-U.S. earnings, net of foreign tax credits and other (collectively, transition tax) 9,768 — — Non-U.S. withholding taxes related to certain non-U.S. earnings subject to repatriation 4,363 — — Remeasurement of U.S. net deferred tax liabilities from 35% to 21% (175,579 ) — — $ 57,069 $ 230,118 $ 256,710 (1) Includes the impact of ASU 2016-09. (2) Primarily consists of adjustments for uncertain tax positions, deferred adjustments and return to provision adjustments. The components of deferred income taxes included on the consolidated balance sheets are as follows: (In thousands) 2018 2017 Deferred tax assets: Allowance for doubtful accounts $ 6,955 $ 7,707 Inventory obsolescence 8,668 16,096 Insurance and contingencies 36,727 54,489 Stock-based compensation 53,532 73,027 Net operating loss and foreign related carry-forwards (1) 11,910 37,814 Deferred compensation and other 31,093 25,891 148,885 215,024 Valuation allowance (11,302 ) (18,088 ) 137,583 196,936 Deferred tax liabilities: Uniform and other rental items in service 143,580 210,766 Property and equipment 115,712 126,872 Service contracts and other intangible assets 183,000 290,049 Treasury locks 3,545 6,435 State taxes and other 44,327 32,142 490,164 666,264 Net deferred tax liability $ 352,581 $ 469,328 (1) The decrease in fiscal 2018 from fiscal 2017 is primarily due to the utilization of the net operating loss related to the G&K acquisition in fiscal 2017. The majority of these net operating losses have a five-year expiration period. The progression of the valuation allowance is as follows: (In thousands) 2018 2017 Balance at beginning of year $ (18,088 ) $ (17,047 ) Additions (3,268 ) (1,667 ) Subtractions (1) 10,054 626 Balance at end of year $ (11,302 ) $ (18,088 ) (1) Primarily related to expiration of net operating loss carryforwards and application of the Tax Act. Income taxes paid were $ 175.3 million , $ 269.6 million and $ 452.6 million for the fiscal years ended May 31, 2018 , 2017 and 2016 , respectively. As of May 31, 2018 and 2017 , there was $ 26.9 million and $ 12.6 million , respectively, in total unrecognized tax benefits, which, if recognized, would favorably impact Cintas' effective tax rate. Cintas recognizes interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits and penalties in income tax expense in the consolidated statements of income, which is consistent with the recognition of these items in prior reporting periods. The total amount accrued for interest and penalties as of May 31, 2018 and 2017 , was $ 1.8 million and $ 0.9 million , respectively. Cintas records this tax liability in long-term accrued liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets, as appropriate. A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of the gross unrecognized tax benefits (exclusive of interest and penalties) is as follows: (In thousands) Balance at June 1, 2016 $ 16,531 Additions from G&K acquisition (1) 2,084 Additions for tax positions of prior years 2,520 Settlements (2) (1,044 ) Statute expirations (2,734 ) Balance at May 31, 2017 $ 17,357 Additions for tax positions of the current year 10,164 Additions from G&K acquisition (1) 6,394 Additions for tax positions of prior years 5,675 Statute expirations (2,943 ) Balance at May 31, 2018 $ 36,647 (1) Increase in unrecognized tax benefit associated with unrecognized benefits assumed in the G&K acquisition. (2) Decrease in unrecognized tax benefit associated with the settlement of a fiscal 2012 Internal Revenue Service audit. The majority of Cintas' operations are in North America. Cintas is required to file federal income tax returns, as well as state income tax returns in a majority of the domestic states and also in certain Canadian provinces. At times, Cintas is subject to audits in these jurisdictions. The audits, by nature, are sometimes complex and can require several years to resolve. The final resolution of any such tax audit could result in either a reduction in Cintas' accruals or an increase in its income tax provision, either of which could have an impact on the consolidated results of operation in any given period. All U.S. federal income tax returns are closed to audit through fiscal 2014. Cintas is currently in various audits in certain foreign jurisdictions and certain domestic states. The years under foreign and domestic state audits cover fiscal years back to 2013. Based on the resolution of the various audits and other potential regulatory developments, it is expected that the balance of unrecognized tax benefits will not change for the fiscal year ending May 31, 2019 . On December 22, 2017, the President signed into legislation the Tax Act. Among other changes, the Tax Act reduced the U.S. corporate tax rate from 35% to 21% and requires companies to pay a one-time transition tax on earnings of foreign subsidiaries. The Tax Act also includes provisions that are expected to offset some of the benefit of the anticipated U.S. corporate tax rate reduction, including the repeal of the deduction for domestic production activities and the expansion of the limitation on the deduction of certain executive compensation. In addition, the Tax Act alters the landscape of taxation of non-U.S. operations and provides immediate deductions for certain new investments, among other provisions. Provisional Deferred Tax Revaluation Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. As changes in tax laws or rates occur, deferred tax assets and liabilities are adjusted through income tax expense in the period changes are enacted. Cintas revalued its deferred tax assets and liabilities based on the newly enacted 21% U.S. corporate tax rate. Cintas will continue to revise certain aspects of the calculation, which could potentially affect the measurement of these balances or give rise to new deferred tax amounts. The provisional amount related to the revaluation of the net deferred tax liability balance was a benefit of $175.6 million , which was recognized as a component of income tax expense for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2018. Provisional Transition Tax The one-time transition tax is based on Cintas' post-1986 earnings and profits (E&P) of foreign subsidiaries that were previously deferred for U.S. income tax purposes. Cintas recorded a transition tax liability, net of foreign tax credits, of $9.8 million that was recognized as additional income tax expense during the fiscal year ended May 31, 2018. Cintas is still revising the transition tax calculation, as the Company has not completed its final analysis of all provisions of the Tax Act. The provisional amount is subject to change based on computation of final fiscal 2018 E&P, the amounts held in cash and cash equivalents at the end of fiscal 2018, a historical E&P validation and foreign tax credit analysis. Foreign Withholding Tax Foreign withholding taxes of $3.7 million have been recognized and paid on certain non-U.S. earnings subject to repatriation that were previously tax deferred. We will continue to monitor all foreign E&P we believe to be permanently reinvested in foreign operations, if any. Given the impact of the G&K acquisition to Cintas' Canadian operations in fiscal 2018, Cintas has revised its position to a partially invested assertion (only a portion of future E&P is no longer deemed to not be permanently reinvested). Cintas has accrued a withholding tax estimate of $0.7 million related to fiscal 2018 earnings not deemed to be permanently reinvested as it relates to E&P generated after the enactment of the Tax Act. As of May 31, 2018, the estimated impacts of the Tax Act recorded during the twelve months ended May 31, 2018 are provisional in nature, and Cintas will continue to assess the impact of the Tax Act and will record adjustments through the income tax provision in the relevant period as amounts are known and reasonably estimable during the measurement period. Accordingly, Cintas has not completed the final analysis related to the tax impact of the Tax Act, consequently, the impact of the Tax Act may differ from Cintas' provisional estimates due to, and among other factors, information currently not available, changes in interpretations and the issuance of additional guidance, as well as changes in assumptions, including actions Cintas may take in future periods as a result of the Tax Act. However, Cintas has recognized a reasonable estimate of the effects of its deferred tax balances and one-time transition tax that are recorded within the financial statements for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2018. Although realization is not assured, management believes it is more likely than not that the recorded deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowances, will be realized.

Acquisitions and Divestitures

Acquisitions and Divestitures	12 Months Ended
	May 31, 2018
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Acquisitions and Divestitures	Acquisitions and Divestitures Acquisitions The purchase price paid for each acquisition has been allocated to the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. During fiscal 2018 , Cintas acquired five businesses included in the Uniform Rental and Facility Services reportable operating segment, three businesses included in the First Aid and Safety Services reportable operating segment and six businesses included in All Other. During fiscal 2017 , Cintas acquired three businesses included in the Uniform Rental and Facility Services reportable operating segment, including the G&K acquisition discussed below, four businesses included in the First Aid and Safety Services reportable operating segment, and eleven businesses included in All Other. The following summarizes the aggregate purchase price and fair value allocations for all businesses acquired: (In thousands) 2018 2017 Fair value of tangible assets acquired $ 421 $ 550,491 Fair value of service contracts acquired 9,271 529,235 Fair value of other intangibles acquired 892 17,556 Net goodwill recognized 12,094 1,507,554 Total fair value of assets acquired 22,678 2,604,836 Fair value of liabilities assumed 3,332 502,465 Total cash paid for acquisitions, net of cash acquired $ 19,346 $ 2,102,371 G&K Acquisition On March 21, 2017, Cintas completed the acquisition of G&K for consideration of approximately $2.1 billion . Pursuant to the merger agreement governing the acquisition, each share of common stock of G&K issued and outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the G&K acquisition was canceled and converted into the right to receive $97.50 in cash. The total purchase price was $2,078.4 million , which was funded using a combination of new senior notes, a term loan, other borrowings under our existing credit facility and cash on hand. The net consideration transferred for G&K consisted of the following items: (In thousands) Cash consideration for common stock $ 1,901,845 (1) Cash consideration for share-based awards 62,257 (2) Cash consideration for G&K revolving debt 124,180 (3) Cash consideration for transaction expenses 24,529 (4) Total consideration 2,112,811 Cash acquired (34,393 ) (5) Net consideration transferred $ 2,078,418 (1) The cash consideration for outstanding shares of G&K common stock is the product of the agreed-upon cash per share price of $97.50 and total G&K outstanding shares of approximately 19.5 million . (2) The cash consideration for share-based awards is the product of the agreed-upon cash per share price of $97.50 and the total number of restricted stock outstanding and the “in the money” stock options net of the weighted average exercise price. (3) The cash consideration for G&K revolving debt reflects the repayment of the outstanding obligation. (4) Represents G&K legal and professional fees that were incurred prior to acquisition and were due upon the closing of the transaction. (5) Represents the G&K cash balance acquired at acquisition. Purchase Price Allocation Cintas accounted for the G&K acquisition using the acquisition method. The final allocation of the purchase price was determined by management with the assistance of third-party valuation specialists and is based on estimates of the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of March 21, 2017. The components of the final purchase price allocation, at fair value, are as follows: Assets: 2018 Accounts receivable $ 95,710 Inventories 28,813 Uniforms and other rental items in service 93,659 Income taxes, current 15,873 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 43,235 Property and equipment 253,346 Goodwill 1,545,905 Service contracts 519,000 Trade names 17,000 Other assets 15,585 Liabilities: Accounts payable (53,220 ) Accrued compensation and related liabilities (9,594 ) Accrued liabilities (108,198 ) Long term accrued liabilities (85,688 ) G&K senior notes (105,359 ) Deferred income taxes (187,649 ) Total consideration $ 2,078,418 As a result of the finalization of the G&K purchase price allocation in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018, adjustments were made to the preliminary purchase price allocation to adjust the acquired environmental obligations of G&K to fair value (in accordance with ASC Topic 820) on the acquisition date and record the corresponding deferred income tax impact. Cintas has an environmental and legal group dedicated to the ongoing review and monitoring of environmental remediation sites, including those acquired by G&K. During the measurement period, the environmental group performed an evaluation of the G&K locations’ operational history and a consideration of alternative remedies and cost sharing arrangements resulted in Cintas’ calculation of the estimated fair value of the acquired obligations. Cintas’ environmental and legal group will continue to monitor the acquired environmental obligations and adjustments to these reserves could occur in the future. New environmental obligations will be recorded in accordance with Cintas’ accounting policy, as described in Note 1 under "Environmental Obligations." The fair value of the intangible assets has been estimated using the income approach through a discounted cash flow analysis (except as noted below with respect to the trade names) with the cash flow projections discounted using a rate of 9.5% . The cash flows are based on estimates used to price the G&K acquisition, and the discount rates applied were benchmarked with reference to the implied rate of return from Cintas’ pricing model and the weighted average cost of capital. The G&K service contract intangible asset is being amortized over a period of 15 years , which represents the estimated useful life of the economic benefit, and the asset amortization is based on the annual economic value of the underlying asset, which generally decreases over the 15 -year term. The trade names represent the G&K corporate trade name and all of the branded variations thereof. Cintas applied the income approach through a relief from royalty method analysis to determine the fair value of the trade name assets. The table below sets forth the valuation and amortization period of identifiable intangible assets: Identifiable intangible assets: Valuation Amortization Period Service contracts $ 519,000 15 years Trade names 17,000 3 years Total $ 536,000 Cintas estimated the fair value of the acquired property, plant and equipment using a combination of the cost and market approaches, depending on the type of asset. The fair value of property, plant and equipment consisted of real property of $141.8 million and personal property of $111.5 million . Goodwill is calculated as the excess of the consideration transferred over the net assets recognized and represents the estimated future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired that could not be individually identified and separately recognized. None of the goodwill is deductible for income tax purposes. The factors contributing to the recognition of the amount of goodwill are based on several strategic and synergistic benefits that are expected to be realized from the G&K acquisition. These benefits include improved service capabilities, an enhanced footprint in the markets that we serve, attractive synergy opportunities and value creation. The goodwill is entirely allocated to the Uniform Rental and Facility Services reportable operating segment. The following unaudited pro forma information presents the combined financial results for Cintas and G&K as if the G&K acquisition had been completed at the beginning of Cintas’ fiscal 2016, June 1, 2015. Prior to the acquisition, G&K used a 52-week or 53-week fiscal year ending on the Saturday nearest June 30. The pro forma financial information set forth below for the year ended May 31, 2016 includes G&K's annual results for the period of June 28, 2015 through July 2, 2016 adjusted for number of working days in Cintas' fiscal 2016. The pro forma financial information for the year ended May 31, 2017 includes G&K's publicly reported results for the period of July 2, 2016 through December 31, 2016 annualized and adjusted for the number of work days in the stub period of June 1, 2016 through March 21, 2017 and the actual results from March 22, 2017 through May 31, 2017. Actual net sales and net income of the acquired G&K business included in reported fiscal 2017 results were $187.7 million and $5.7 million , respectively. In thousands except per share data 2017 2016 Net sales $ 6,107,109 $ 5,762,741 Net income $ 488,482 $ 520,224 Earnings per common share - diluted $ 4.45 $ 4.66 The information above does not include the pro forma adjustments that would be required under Regulation S-X for pro forma financial information, and does not reflect future events that may occur after May 31, 2017 or any operating efficiencies or inefficiencies that may result from the G&K acquisition and related financing. Therefore, the information is not necessarily indicative of results that would have been achieved had the businesses been combined during the periods presented or the results that Cintas will experience going forward. Cintas is required to provide additional disclosures about fair value measurements as part of the consolidated financial statements for each major category of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis (including business acquisitions). The working capital assets and liabilities, as well as the property and equipment acquired, were valued using Level 2 inputs which included data points that are observable, such as definitive sales agreements, appraisals or established market values of comparable assets (market approach). Goodwill, service contracts and other intangibles were valued using Level 3 inputs, which are unobservable by nature, and included internal estimates of future cash flow using a discount rate of 9.5% (income approach). Significant increases (decreases) in any of those unobservable inputs in isolation would result in a significantly lower (higher) fair value measurement. Management utilizes third-party valuation firms to assist in the determination of purchase accounting fair values, and specifically those considered Level 3 measurements. Management ultimately oversees the third-party valuation firms to ensure that the transaction-specific assumptions are appropriate for Cintas. Divestitures In fiscal 2018, Cintas sold a significant business referred to as Discontinued Services which was primarily included in All Other. Additionally, in fiscal 2014, Cintas completed the Shredding Transaction with Shred-it International, Inc. to combine Cintas’ Shredding with Shred-it International Inc.’s shredding business and created the Shred-it Partnership. In fiscal 2016, Cintas sold Shred-it. In fiscal 2015, Cintas sold Storage. Storage, excluding related real estate owned by Cintas, was sold in three separate transactions to three separate buyers. In fiscal 2016, Cintas sold the remaining Storage assets classified as held for sale. Both Shredding and Storage were previously included in the former Document Management Services operating segment. As a result of the transactions noted above, the results from Discontinued Services, Shredding, Shred-it and Storage are reported under discontinued operations for all periods presented and are excluded from continuing operations and from operating segment results for all periods presented. See Note 16 entitled Discontinued Operations for additional information.

Employee Benefit Plans

Employee Benefit Plans	12 Months Ended
	May 31, 2018
Retirement Benefits [Abstract]
Employee Benefit Plans	Employee Benefit Plans Pension Plans In conjunction with the acquisition of G&K, Cintas assumed G&K's noncontributory defined benefit pension plan (the Pension Plan) that covers substantially all 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 sheet 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 projected benefit obligation. The net pension liability at May 31, 2018 and 2017 is included in the long-term accrued liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet. Unrecognized differences between actual amounts and estimates based on actuarial assumptions are included in accumulated other comprehensive income in our consolidated balance sheet. The difference between actual amounts and estimates based on actuarial assumptions are recognized in other comprehensive income in the period in which they occur. The estimated amortization from accumulated other comprehensive income into net periodic benefit cost during fiscal year 2019 is immaterial. Obligations and Funded Status at May 31: (in thousands) 2018 2017 Change in benefit obligation: Projected benefit obligation, beginning of year $ 87,387 $ — Projected benefit obligation acquired in G&K acquisition — 84,553 Interest cost 2,818 562 Actuarial (gain) loss (940 ) 2,750 Benefits paid (2,924 ) (478 ) Projected benefit obligation, end of year $ 86,341 $ 87,387 Change in plan assets: Fair value of plan assets, beginning of year $ 59,396 $ — Plan assets acquired in G&K acquisition — 57,747 Actual return on plan assets 2,309 2,127 Benefits paid (2,924 ) (478 ) Fair value of plan assets, end of year $ 58,781 $ 59,396 Funded status-net amount recognized $ (27,560 ) $ (27,991 ) The accrued benefit liability of $27.6 million and $28.0 million was included in long-term accrued liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet as of May 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. An unrecognized net actuarial loss of $0.8 million and $1.2 million related to the Pension Plan was included in "other" within in the accumulated other comprehensive loss on the Consolidated Balance Sheet at May 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost (in thousands) 2018 2017 Interest cost $ 2,818 $ 562 Expected return on assets (2,832 ) (590 ) Amortization of net loss — — Net periodic benefit cost $ (14 ) $ (28 ) Assumptions The following weighted average assumptions were used to determine benefit obligations for the Pension Plan at May 31, 2018 and 2017: 2018 2017 Discount rate 3.95 % 3.79 % Rate of compensation increase N/A N/A The following weighted average assumptions were used to determine net periodic benefit cost for the Pension Plan for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2018 and 2017: 2018 2017 Discount rate 3.79 % 4.00 % Expected return on plan assets 4.90 % 5.40 % Rate of compensation increase N/A N/A Plan Assets The asset allocations in the Pension Plan at May 31, 2018 and 2017 are as follows: 2018 2018 2017 Target Asset Actual Asset Actual Asset Allocation International equity 8.0 % 7.9 % 8.3 % Large cap equity 26.0 % 26.5 % 26.3 % Small cap equity 5.0 % 5.6 % 5.3 % Absolute return strategy funds 16.0 % 15.8 % 16.2 % Fixed income 45.0 % 44.2 % 43.6 % Long/short equity fund — % — % 0.3 % Total 100 % 100 % 100 % Our investment committee, assisted by outside consultants, evaluates the objectives and investment policies concerning our long-term investment goals and asset allocation strategies. Plan assets are invested in various asset classes that are expected to produce a sufficient level of diversification and investment return over the long term. To develop the expected long-term rate of return on asset assumptions, we consider the historical returns and future expectations of returns for each asset class, as well as the target asset allocation, changes in investments expenses and investment goals of the pension portfolio. This resulted in the selection of 4.90% expected return on plan assets for fiscal year 2018 and 5.40% expected return on plan assets for fiscal year 2017. The investment goals are (1) to meet or exceed the assumed actuarial rate of return over the long term within reasonable and prudent levels of risk, and (2) to preserve the real purchasing power of assets to meet future obligations. The nature and duration of benefit obligations, along with assumptions concerning asset class returns and return correlations, are considered when determining an appropriate asset allocation to achieve the investment objectives. Pension plan assets for our qualified pension plans are held in a trust for the benefit of the plan participants and are invested in a diversified portfolio of equity investments, fixed income investments and cash. Risk targets are established and monitored against acceptable ranges. All investment policies and procedures are designed to ensure that the plans' investments are in compliance with the Employee Retirement Income Security Act. Guidelines are established defining permitted investments within each asset class. The implementation of the investment strategy discussed above is executed through a variety of investment types, including U.S. government securities, corporate debt and mutual funds. These investments are valued at the closing price reported on the active market on which the individual securities are traded. The methods described above may produce a fair value calculation that may not be indicative of net realizable value or reflective of future fair values. Furthermore, while we believe our valuation methods are appropriate and consistent with other market participants, the use of different methodologies or assumptions to determine the fair value of certain financial instruments could result in a different fair value measurement at the reporting date. Information on the Pension Plan investments as of May 31, 2018 and 2017, using the fair value hierarchy discussed in Note 1 entitled Significant Accounting Polices, is as follows: May 31, 2018 (in thousands) Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Cash equivalents $ 487 $ — $ — $ 487 U.S. government securities 2,426 3,458 — 5,884 Corporate debt — 19,826 — 19,826 Mutual funds: U.S. securities 27,901 — — 27,901 International securities 4,683 — — 4,683 Total $ 35,497 $ 23,284 $ — $ 58,781 May 31, 2017 (in thousands) Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Cash equivalents $ 629 $ — $ — $ 629 U.S. government securities 1,874 3,401 — 5,275 Corporate debt — 20,210 — 20,210 Mutual funds: U.S. securities 28,353 — — 28,353 International securities 4,929 — — 4,929 Total $ 35,785 $ 23,611 $ — $ 59,396 We expect to make contributions of approximately $4.3 million to the Pension Plan during the next 12 months. The Pension Plan benefit payments expected to be paid for each of the next five years and thereafter are $3.2 million , $3.4 million , $3.6 million , $3.7 million , $3.9 million and $21.4 million , respectively. Future changes in plan asset returns, assumed discount rates and various other factors related to the Pension Plan will impact future pension expense and liabilities. We cannot predict the impact of these changes in the future, and any changes may have a material impact on our results of operations and financial position. Cintas administers a pension plan that was assumed in a previous acquisition and has historically been deemed immaterial for disclosure purposes. As of May 31, 2018 and 2017, the fair value of this pension plan's total assets was $7.5 million and $7.1 million , respectively, and the projected benefit obligation was $7.4 million and $7.5 million , respectively. For the years ended May 31, 2018 and 2017, the net periodic benefit cost recorded for this plan was income of $0.1 million and expense of $0.1 million , respectively. 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. During fiscal 2018 the G&K 401(k) plan was merged into the Plan. There were no changes to the Plan as as a result of the merger. Total contributions, including Cintas' matching contributions, which approximate cost, were $ 56.7 million , $ 47.5 million and $ 43.1 million for the fiscal years ended May 31, 2018 , 2017 and 2016 , respectively. 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 employees. The amounts of contributions to the DPSP, as well as the matching contribution to the RRSP, are made at the discretion of the Board of Directors. Total contributions, which approximate cost, were $ 2.8 million , $ 1.8 million and $ 1.6 million for the fiscal years ended May 31, 2018 , 2017 and 2016 , respectively. 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 of Directors. Total matching contributions were $ 8.2 million , $ 6.9 million and $ 6.6 million for the fiscal years ended May 31, 2018 , 2017 and 2016 , respectively.

Earnings per Share

Earnings per Share	12 Months Ended
	May 31, 2018
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings per Share	Earnings per Share The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share from continuing operations using the two-class method for amounts attributable to Cintas' common shares: Basic Earnings per Share from Continuing Operations (In thousands except per share data) 2018 2017 2016 Income from continuing operations $ 783,932 $ 457,286 $ 448,605 Less: income from continuing operations allocated to participating securities 11,794 8,168 7,131 Income from continuing operations available to common shareholders $ 772,138 $ 449,118 $ 441,474 Basic weighted average common shares outstanding 106,593 104,964 108,221 Basic earnings per share from continuing operations $ 7.24 $ 4.27 $ 4.08 Diluted Earnings per Share from Continuing Operations (In thousands except per share data) 2018 2017 2016 Income from continuing operations $ 783,932 $ 457,286 $ 448,605 Less: income from continuing operations allocated to participating securities 11,794 8,168 7,131 Income from continuing operations available to common shareholders $ 772,138 $ 449,118 $ 441,474 Basic weighted average common shares outstanding 106,593 104,964 108,221 Effect of dilutive securities – employee stock options 3,217 2,819 1,735 Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding 109,810 107,783 109,956 Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations $ 7.03 $ 4.17 $ 4.02 Basic and diluted earnings per share from discontinued operations were calculated using the two-class method. Basic earnings per share from discontinued operations were $0.54 , $0.22 and $2.22 for the fiscal years ended May 31, 2018 , 2017 and 2016 , respectively. Diluted earnings per share from discontinued operations were $0.53 , $0.21 and $2.19 for the fiscal years ended May 31, 2018 , 2017 and 2016 , respectively. For the fiscal years ended May 31, 2018 , 2017 and 2016 , options granted to purchase 0.8 million , 0.6 million and 0.5 million shares of Cintas common stock, respectively, were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share. The exercise prices of these options were greater than the average market price of the common shares (anti-dilutive). On January 13, 2015, Cintas announced that the Board of Directors authorized a $500.0 million share buyback program. This program was completed in September 2015. On August 4, 2015, we announced that the Board of Directors authorized a $500.0 million share buyback program. This program was completed in June 2016. On August 2, 2016, we announced that the Board of Directors authorized a new $500.0 million share buyback program. The following table summarizes the buyback activity by program and fiscal period: (In thousands except per share data) 2018 2017 2016 Buyback Program Shares Avg. Price per Share Purchase Price Shares Avg. Price per Share Purchase Price Shares Avg. Price per Share Purchase Price January 13, 2015 — $ — $ — — $ — $ — 3,078 $ 85.44 $ 262,928 August 4, 2015 — $ — $ — 39 $ 94.09 $ 3,691 5,649 $ 87.85 $ 496,309 August 2, 2016 518 $ 173.51 $ 89,997 — $ — $ — — $ — $ — 518 $ 173.51 $ 89,997 39 $ 94.09 $ 3,691 8,727 $ 87.00 $ 759,237 Subsequent to May 31, 2018 through July 27, 2018 , Cintas purchased 0.3 million shares at an average price of $199.15 per share for a total purchase price of $60.0 million . Under the August 2, 2016 program through July 27, 2018, Cintas has purchased a total of 0.8 million shares of Cintas common stock at an average price of $182.93 per share for a total purchase price of $150.0 million . In addition to the buyback program, Cintas acquired shares of Cintas common stock in satisfaction of employee payroll taxes due on restricted stock awards that vested during the fiscal year. For the fiscal year ended May 31, 2018 , Cintas acquired 0.3 million shares at an average price of $130.30 per share for a total purchase price of $37.3 million . For the fiscal year ended May 31, 2017 , Cintas acquired 0.2 million shares at an average price of $101.37 per share for a total purchase price of $17.0 million . For the fiscal year ended May 31, 2016, Cintas acquired 0.2 million shares at an average price of $86.07 per share for a total purchase price of $20.9 million .

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation	12 Months Ended
	May 31, 2018
Share-based Compensation [Abstract]
Stock-Based Compensation	Stock-Based Compensation On August 2, 2016, the Board of Directors approved and adopted the Cintas Corporation 2016 Equity and Incentive Compensation Plan (the 2016 Plan) to replace the Cintas' 2005 Equity Compensation Plan, as amended (the 2005 Plan). The 2016 Plan was approved by Cintas shareholders at its Annual Meeting on October 18, 2016, at which time the 2016 Plan became effective. Under the 2016 Plan, Cintas may grant officers and key employee-partners equity compensation in the form of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted and unrestricted stock awards, performance awards and other stock unit awards representing up to an aggregate of 12,500,000 shares of Cintas' common stock. Any shares of common stock that remained available under the 2005 Plan became part of the total available share balance of 12,500,000 shares under the 2016 Plan. At May 31, 2018 , 10,595,954 shares of common stock were reserved for future issuance under the 2016 Plan. Total compensation cost for stock-based awards for continuing operations was $110.7 million , $87.5 million and $77.8 million for the fiscal years ended May 31, 2018 , 2017 and 2016 , respectively. The total income tax benefit recognized in the consolidated income statement for share-based compensation arrangements for continuing operations was $ 32.3 million , $ 32.5 million and $ 28.3 million for the fiscal years ended May 31, 2018 , 2017 and 2016 , respectively. Stock Options Stock options are granted at the fair market value of the underlying common stock on the date of grant. The option terms are determined by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors, but no stock option may be exercised later than 10 years after the date of the grant. The option awards generally have 10 -year terms with graded vesting in years 3 through 5 based on continuous service during that period. Cintas recognizes compensation expense for these options using the straight-line recognition method over the vesting period. The fair value of options was estimated at the date of grant using a Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following assumptions: 2018 2017 2016 Risk-free interest rate 1.8 % 1.2 % 2.0 % Dividend yield 1.2 % 1.3 % 1.4 % Expected volatility of Cintas' common stock 17.2 % 21.6 % 23.3 % Expected life of the option in years 6.5 7.5 7.5 The risk-free interest rate is based on U.S. government issues with a remaining term equal to the expected life of the stock options. The determination of expected volatility is based on historical volatility of Cintas' common stock over the period commensurate with the expected term of stock options, as well as other relevant factors. The weighted average expected term was determined based on the historical employee exercise behavior of the options. The weighted-average fair value of stock options granted during fiscal 2018 , 2017 and 2016 was $ 29.31 , $ 23.34 and $ 22.20 , respectively. The information presented in the following table relates primarily to stock options granted and outstanding under either the 2016 Plan or under previously adopted plans: Shares Weighted Average Exercise Price Outstanding, June 1, 2015 (1,426,550 shares exercisable) 7,835,570 $ 51.59 Granted 1,739,767 93.55 Canceled (4,413 ) 34.56 Forfeited (231,042 ) 60.57 Exercised (919,975 ) 35.07 Outstanding, May 31, 2016 (1,649,236 shares exercisable) 8,419,907 61.83 Granted 1,343,180 126.51 Canceled (5,368 ) 32.45 Forfeited (165,452 ) 73.43 Exercised (1,004,217 ) 35.95 Outstanding, May 31, 2017 (1,795,898 shares exercisable) 8,588,050 74.77 Granted 1,664,867 175.86 Canceled (7,809 ) 45.10 Forfeited (255,627 ) 94.73 Exercised (1,059,295 ) 44.06 Outstanding, May 31, 2018 (2,006,922 shares exercisable) 8,930,186 $ 96.71 The intrinsic value of stock options exercised was $110.9 million , $76.5 million and $48.5 million for the fiscal years ended May 31, 2018 , 2017 and 2016 , respectively. The total cash received from employees as a result of employee stock option exercises for the fiscal years ended May 31, 2018 , 2017 and 2016 was $ 41.8 million , $31.9 million and $28.2 million , respectively. The fair value of stock options vested was $ 17.9 million , $ 12.7 million and $ 11.0 million for the fiscal years ended May 31, 2018 , 2017 and 2016 , respectively. The following table summarizes the information related to stock options outstanding at May 31, 2018 : Outstanding Options Exercisable Options Range of Exercise Prices Number Outstanding Average Remaining Option Life Weighted Average Exercise Price Number Exercisable Weighted Average Exercise Price $ 22.42 – $ 59.50 1,901,639 4.03 $ 39.27 1,615,907 $ 37.74 59.51 – 89.78 2,671,836 6.69 76.01 348,008 65.55 89.79 – 109.33 1,346,379 8.13 107.33 42,346 101.57 109.34 – 182.25 3,010,332 9.55 158.55 661 137.30 $ 22.42 – $ 182.25 8,930,186 7.31 $ 100.73 2,006,922 $ 43.94 At May 31, 2018 , the aggregate intrinsic value of stock options outstanding and exercisable was $ 728.0 million and $ 277.6 million , respectively. The weighted-average remaining contractual term of stock options exercisable is 4.3 years. Restricted Stock Awards Restricted stock awards consist of Cintas' common stock that is subject to such conditions, restrictions and limitations as the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors determines to be appropriate. The vesting period is generally three years after the grant date. The recipient of restricted stock awards will have all rights of a shareholder of Cintas, including the right to vote and the right to receive cash dividends during the vesting period. Cintas recognizes compensation expense for these restricted stock awards using the straight-line recognition method over the vesting period. The information presented in the following table relates to restricted stock awards granted and outstanding under either the 2016 Plan or under previously adopted plans: Shares Weighted Average Grant Price Outstanding, unvested grants at June 1, 2015 2,210,113 $ 57.60 Granted 1,069,748 92.10 Forfeited (70,998 ) 65.79 Vested (605,427 ) 38.76 Outstanding, unvested grants at May 31, 2016 2,603,436 75.94 Granted 614,076 128.63 Forfeited (46,766 ) 81.23 Vested (428,672 ) 48.67 Outstanding, unvested grants at May 31, 2017 2,742,074 91.91 Granted 669,932 183.83 Forfeited (69,416 ) 102.96 Vested (701,476 ) 64.64 Outstanding, unvested grants at May 31, 2018 2,641,114 $ 122.18 The remaining unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested stock options and restricted stock at May 31, 2018 was $ 258.6 million . The weighted-average period of time over which this cost will be recognized is 1.9 years.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	12 Months Ended
	May 31, 2018
Equity [Abstract]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) The following table summarizes the changes in the accumulated balances for each component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax: (In thousands) Foreign Currency Unrealized (Loss) Gain on Cash Flow Hedges Other Total Balance at May 31, 2016 $ (2,474 ) $ (20,830 ) $ (1,570 ) $ (24,874 ) Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications (10,252 ) 31,136 (115 ) 20,769 Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) — 1,076 — 1,076 Net current period other comprehensive (loss) income (10,252 ) 32,212 (115 ) 21,845 Balance at May 31, 2017 (12,726 ) 11,382 (1,685 ) (3,029 ) Other comprehensive income before reclassifications 19,276 — 1,029 20,305 Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) — (933 ) — (933 ) Net current period other comprehensive income (loss) 19,276 (933 ) 1,029 19,372 Balance at May 31, 2018 $ 6,550 $ 10,449 $ (656 ) $ 16,343 The following table summarizes the reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) during the fiscal years ended May 31: Reclassifications out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Details about Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Components Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Affected Line in the Consolidated Statements of Income (in thousands) 2018 2017 Amortization of interest rate locks $ 1,504 $ (1,714 ) Interest expense Tax (expense) benefit (571 ) 638 Income taxes Amortization of interest rate locks, net of tax $ 933 $ (1,076 ) Net of tax

Operating Segment Information

Operating Segment Information	12 Months Ended
	May 31, 2018
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Operating Segment Information	Operating Segment Information Cintas’ reportable operating segments are Uniform Rental and Facility Services and First Aid and Safety Services. The Uniform Rental and Facility Services reportable operating segment, consists of the rental and servicing of uniforms and other garments including flame resistant clothing, mats, mops and shop towels and other ancillary items. In addition to these rental items, restroom cleaning services and supplies, carpet and tile cleaning services and the sale of items from our catalogs to our customers on route are included within this reportable operating segment. The First Aid and Safety Services reportable operating segment consists of first aid and safety products and services. The remainder of Cintas’ business, which consists of Fire Protection Services and its Uniform Direct Sale business, is included in All Other. Cintas evaluates the performance of each operating segment based on several factors of which the primary financial measures are operating segment revenue and income before income taxes. The accounting policies of the operating segments are the same as those described in Note 1 entitled Significant Accounting Policies. Information related to the operations of Cintas' operating segments is set forth below: (In thousands) Uniform Rental and Facility Services First Aid and Safety Services All Other Corporate (1) Total May 31, 2018 Revenue $ 5,247,124 $ 564,706 $ 664,802 $ — $ 6,476,632 Gross margin $ 2,360,165 $ 265,785 $ 282,573 $ — $ 2,908,523 Selling and administrative expenses 1,500,644 190,567 225,581 — 1,916,792 G&K Services, Inc. transaction and integration expenses 41,897 — — — 41,897 Interest expense, net — — — 108,833 108,833 Income before income taxes $ 817,624 $ 75,218 $ 56,992 $ (108,833 ) $ 841,001 Depreciation and amortization $ 236,773 $ 21,898 $ 20,745 $ — $ 279,416 Capital expenditures $ 225,694 $ 27,932 $ 18,073 $ — $ 271,699 Total assets $ 5,977,314 $ 471,165 $ 371,011 $ 138,724 $ 6,958,214 May 31, 2017 Revenue $ 4,202,490 $ 508,233 $ 612,658 $ — $ 5,323,381 Gross margin $ 1,894,716 $ 230,166 $ 255,413 $ — $ 2,380,295 Selling and administrative expenses 1,138,345 177,378 211,657 — 1,527,380 G&K Services, Inc. transaction and integration expenses 79,224 — — — 79,224 Interest expense, net — — — 86,287 86,287 Income before income taxes $ 677,147 $ 52,788 $ 43,756 $ (86,287 ) $ 687,404 Depreciation and amortization $ 156,998 $ 19,962 $ 17,905 $ 1,730 $ 196,595 Capital expenditures $ 232,832 $ 26,863 $ 12,645 $ 977 $ 273,317 Total assets $ 5,801,680 $ 444,717 $ 367,562 $ 230,098 $ 6,844,057 May 31, 2016 Revenue $ 3,759,524 $ 461,783 $ 574,465 $ — $ 4,795,772 Gross margin $ 1,666,691 $ 197,010 $ 237,639 $ — $ 2,101,340 Selling and administrative expenses 994,590 147,503 190,306 — 1,332,399 Interest expense, net — — — 63,626 63,626 Income before income taxes $ 672,101 $ 49,507 $ 47,333 $ (63,626 ) $ 705,315 Depreciation and amortization $ 130,421 $ 16,021 $ 16,879 $ 1,958 $ 165,279 Capital expenditures $ 237,871 $ 22,364 $ 14,840 $ 310 $ 275,385 Total assets $ 3,104,822 $ 421,697 $ 322,474 $ 249,822 $ 4,098,815 (1) Corporate assets include cash and marketable securities in all periods presented. Corporate assets as of May 31, 2017 and 2016 also include the assets of Discontinued Services. Corporate depreciation and amortization includes depreciation and amortization of Discontinued Services.

Quarterly Financial Data (Unaud

Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)	12 Months Ended
	May 31, 2018
Quarterly Financial Data [Abstract]
Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)	Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) The following is a summary of the results of operation for each of the quarters within the fiscal years ended May 31, 2018 and 2017 : May 31, 2018 (in thousands) First Quarter Second Quarter Third Quarter Fourth Quarter Revenue $ 1,611,503 $ 1,606,441 $ 1,589,138 $ 1,669,550 Gross margin $ 739,353 $ 716,369 $ 700,463 $ 752,338 Net income, continuing operations $ 161,108 $ 137,737 $ 295,789 $ 189,298 Basic earnings per share, continuing operations $ 1.50 $ 1.27 $ 2.73 $ 1.74 Diluted earnings per share, continuing operations $ 1.45 $ 1.24 $ 2.66 $ 1.68 Weighted average number of shares outstanding 105,740 106,340 106,558 106,593 May 31, 2017 (in thousands) First Quarter Second Quarter Third Quarter Fourth Quarter Revenue $ 1,266,650 $ 1,271,077 $ 1,255,367 $ 1,530,287 Gross margin $ 576,427 $ 565,218 $ 559,924 $ 678,726 Net income, continuing operations $ 136,208 $ 121,950 $ 116,954 $ 82,174 Basic earnings per share, continuing operations $ 1.27 $ 1.15 $ 1.09 $ 0.76 Diluted earnings per share, continuing operations $ 1.24 $ 1.12 $ 1.06 $ 0.75 Weighted average number of shares outstanding 104,483 104,957 105,093 105,325

Discontinued Operations

Discontinued Operations	12 Months Ended
	May 31, 2018
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]
Discontinued Operations	Discontinued Operations In fiscal 2018, Cintas sold a significant business referred to as Discontinued Services and received $127.8 million of proceeds from the sale. Prior to the sale, Discontinued Services was primarily included in All Other and was classified as held for sale. Additionally, the results of Shred-it and Shredding are classified as discontinued operations for all periods presented as a result of entering into a definitive agreement during fiscal 2016 to sell the investment. During fiscal 2015, Cintas sold Storage and, as a result, its operations are also classified as discontinued operations for all periods presented. Shredding and Storage were was previously included in the former Document Management Services reportable operating segment. In accordance with the applicable accounting guidance for the disposal of long-lived assets, the results of Discontinued Services, Shredding and Storage have been excluded from both continuing operations and operating segment results for all periods presented. In fiscal 2016, we completed the transaction to sell Shred-it. Cintas’ share of the proceeds from the sale were $578.3 million . During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016, Cintas received additional proceeds and consideration related to the sale of Shred-it. The Company realized a pre-tax gain of $4.3 million as a result of the additional consideration received. During the fiscal year ended May 31, 2016, Cintas recorded a net loss on Shred-it of $24.3 million , which included amortization of basis differences of approximately $4.8 million . After the sale of Shred-it, the basis differences no longer exist and Cintas no longer records income or loss from Shred-it. In fiscal 2017, we received additional proceeds related to the sale of Shred-it. Cintas realized a pre-tax gain of $25.5 million as a result of the additional consideration received. Cintas still has the opportunity to receive additional consideration, subject to certain holdback provisions. Because of the uncertainty surrounding the holdback provisions, this opportunity represents a gain contingency that has not been recorded as of May 31, 2018. During fiscal 2016, Cintas received additional proceeds on the sale of Storage related to the contingent consideration and realized a pre-tax gain of $10.9 million . During fiscal 2016, Cintas also sold the remaining Storage assets classified as held for sale. Cintas received proceeds of $24.4 million from the sale of these assets and realized a pretax gain of $4.8 million . In fiscal 2017, Cintas received additional proceeds related to the sale of Storage and recorded a pre-tax gain of $2.4 million . Following is selected financial information included in net income from discontinued operations for the Discontinued Services, Shredding and Storage businesses: (In thousands) 2018 2017 2016 Revenue $ 10,773 $ 105,559 $ 109,686 (Loss) income before income taxes, excluding gains from sale transactions and investments (2,433 ) 10,622 13,242 Income tax benefit (expense) 706 (3,930 ) (4,900 ) Gain on sale of business 96,400 — — Gain on Shred-it — 25,457 354,071 Gain on Storage transactions — 2,400 15,786 Income tax expense on net gain (36,019 ) (11,127 ) (133,284 ) Net income from discontinued operations $ 58,654 $ 23,422 $ 244,915

G & K Services, Inc. Transactio

G & K Services, Inc. Transaction and Integration Expenses	12 Months Ended
	May 31, 2018
Business Combinations [Abstract]
G & K Services, Inc. Transaction and Integration Expenses	G&K Services, Inc. Transaction and Integration Expenses As a result of the acquisition of G&K in fiscal 2017, the Company incurred $41.9 million and $79.2 million in transaction and integration expenses in fiscal 2018 and 2017, respectively. The $41.9 million of costs incurred in fiscal 2018 related to lease cancellation costs, facility closure expenses and other integration expenses directly related to the acquisition. In fiscal 2017, the expenses related to asset impairment charges of $23.3 million and other transaction and integration expenses of $55.9 million , which consisted of the following: $17.4 million of legal and professional fees directly related to the acquisition, $31.0 million of employee termination expenses recognized under ASC Topic 712, "Compensation - Nonretirement Postemployment Benefits," $5.5 million write-off of excess inventory and $2.0 million of other miscellaneous integration expenses. These transaction and integration expenses for both fiscal years are included in a single line in the Consolidated Statements of Income and are reported by operating segment in Note 14 entitled Operating Segment Information. Our accounting policy for long-lived assets is described in Note 1 entitled Significant Accounting Policies. The asset impairment charges in fiscal 2017 of $23.3 million relate to the write-down of machinery and equipment and other fixed assets to their fair value in G&K plants and branches that were identified by the Company on April 30, 2017 for future closure. The Company determined that these assets cannot be used for other purposes, and the undiscounted projected future cash flows associated with these assets are less than their carrying value at April 30, 2017. The fair value utilized for purposes of the asset impairment analysis was determined by using Level 2 inputs based on both the cost and market approaches. In fiscal 2018, the amount of employee termination benefits paid was $15.2 million , resulting in a related liability balance of $9.1 million as of May 31, 2018. The amount of employee termination benefits paid in fiscal 2017 was $6.7 million , resulting in a related liability balance of $24.3 million as of May 31, 2017.

Supplemental Guarantor Informat

Supplemental Guarantor Information	12 Months Ended
	May 31, 2018
Condensed Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Supplemental Guarantor Information	Supplemental Guarantor Information Cintas Corporation No. 2 (Corp. 2) is the indirectly, wholly-owned principal operating subsidiary of Cintas. Corp. 2 is the issuer of the $2,550.0 million aggregate principal amount of outstanding debt, which is unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, by Cintas Corporation and its wholly-owned, direct and indirect domestic subsidiaries. As allowed by Securities and Exchange Commission rules, the following condensed consolidating financial statements are provided as an alternative to filing separate financial statements of the guarantors. Each of the subsidiaries presented in the following condensed consolidating financial statements has been fully consolidated in Cintas' consolidated financial statements. The following condensed consolidating financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements of Cintas and notes thereto of which this note is an integral part. Condensed consolidating financial statements for Cintas, Corp. 2, the subsidiary guarantors and non-guarantors are presented on the following pages: Condensed Consolidating Income Statement Year Ended May 31, 2018 (in thousands) Cintas Corporation Corp. 2 Subsidiary Guarantors Non- Guarantors Eliminations Cintas Corporation Consolidated Revenue: Uniform rental and facility services $ — $ 4,361,716 $ 681,846 $ 400,792 $ (197,230 ) $ 5,247,124 Other — 1,778,845 112 88,092 (637,541 ) 1,229,508 Equity in net income of affiliates 783,932 — — — (783,932 ) — 783,932 6,140,561 681,958 488,884 (1,618,703 ) 6,476,632 Costs and expenses (income): Cost of uniform rental and facility services — 2,511,854 418,722 254,718 (298,335 ) 2,886,959 Cost of other — 1,183,036 (57,220 ) 62,368 (507,034 ) 681,150 Selling and administrative expenses — 2,093,655 (271,222 ) 125,545 (31,186 ) 1,916,792 G&K Services, Inc. transaction and integration expenses — 15,383 22,148 4,366 — 41,897 Operating income 783,932 336,633 569,530 41,887 (782,148 ) 949,834 Interest income — (310 ) (242 ) (793 ) 3 (1,342 ) Interest expense (income) — 111,292 (1,017 ) (100 ) — 110,175 Income before income taxes 783,932 225,651 570,789 42,780 (782,151 ) 841,001 Income tax (benefit) expense — (48,907 ) 90,886 15,212 (122 ) 57,069 Income from continuing operations 783,932 274,558 479,903 27,568 (782,029 ) 783,932 Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax 58,654 68,293 (9,688 ) — (58,605 ) 58,654 Net income $ 842,586 $ 342,851 $ 470,215 $ 27,568 $ (840,634 ) $ 842,586 Condensed Consolidating Income Statement Year Ended May 31, 2017 (in thousands) Cintas Corporation Corp. 2 Subsidiary Guarantors Non- Guarantors Eliminations Cintas Corporation Consolidated Revenue: Uniform rental and facility services $ — $ 3,511,483 $ 604,679 $ 257,288 $ (170,960 ) $ 4,202,490 Other — 1,604,877 1,810 73,006 (558,802 ) 1,120,891 Equity in net income of affiliates 457,286 — — — (457,286 ) — 457,286 5,116,360 606,489 330,294 (1,187,048 ) 5,323,381 Costs and expenses (income): Cost of uniform rental and facility services — 2,021,365 378,404 164,969 (256,964 ) 2,307,774 Cost of other — 1,070,780 (41,509 ) 56,210 (450,169 ) 635,312 Selling and administrative expenses — 1,686,209 (220,887 ) 87,672 (25,614 ) 1,527,380 G&K Services, Inc. transaction and integration expenses — 51,868 19,060 8,296 — 79,224 Operating income 457,286 286,138 471,421 13,147 (454,301 ) 773,691 Interest income — (26 ) (191 ) (22 ) 2 (237 ) Interest expense (income) — 89,706 (2,978 ) (204 ) — 86,524 Income before income taxes 457,286 196,458 474,590 13,373 (454,303 ) 687,404 Income taxes — 65,829 159,025 5,365 (101 ) 230,118 Income from continuing operations 457,286 130,629 315,565 8,008 (454,202 ) 457,286 Income from discontinued operations, net of tax 23,422 22,287 — 1,135 (23,422 ) 23,422 Net income $ 480,708 $ 152,916 $ 315,565 $ 9,143 $ (477,624 ) $ 480,708 Condensed Consolidating Income Statement Year Ended May 31, 2016 (in thousands) Cintas Corporation Corp. 2 Subsidiary Guarantors Non- Guarantors Eliminations Cintas Corporation Consolidated Revenue: Uniform rental and facility services $ — $ 3,147,844 $ 553,414 $ 213,526 $ (155,260 ) $ 3,759,524 Other — 1,484,556 8,540 66,270 (523,118 ) 1,036,248 Equity in net income of affiliates 448,605 — — — (448,605 ) — 448,605 4,632,400 561,954 279,796 (1,126,983 ) 4,795,772 Costs and expenses (income): Cost of uniform rental and facility services — 1,835,835 350,500 142,601 (236,103 ) 2,092,833 Cost of other — 1,001,576 (40,741 ) 48,539 (407,775 ) 601,599 Selling and administrative expenses — 1,497,106 (206,889 ) 69,257 (27,075 ) 1,332,399 Operating income 448,605 297,883 459,084 19,399 (456,030 ) 768,941 Interest income — — (666 ) (232 ) 2 (896 ) Interest expense (income) — 65,534 (1,027 ) 15 — 64,522 Income before income taxes 448,605 232,349 460,777 19,616 (456,032 ) 705,315 Income taxes — 82,783 164,169 9,874 (116 ) 256,710 Income from continuing operations 448,605 149,566 296,608 9,742 (455,916 ) 448,605 Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax 244,915 250,625 — (5,837 ) (244,788 ) 244,915 Net income $ 693,520 $ 400,191 $ 296,608 $ 3,905 $ (700,704 ) $ 693,520 Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income Year Ended May 31, 2018 (in thousands) Cintas Corporation Corp. 2 Subsidiary Guarantors Non- Guarantors Eliminations Cintas Corporation Consolidated Net income $ 842,586 $ 342,851 $ 470,215 $ 27,568 $ (840,634 ) $ 842,586 Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax: Foreign currency translation adjustments 19,276 — — 19,276 (19,276 ) 19,276 Amortization of interest rate lock agreements (933 ) (933 ) — — 933 (933 ) Other 1,029 267 762 — (1,029 ) 1,029 Other comprehensive income (loss) 19,372 (666 ) 762 19,276 (19,372 ) 19,372 Comprehensive income $ 861,958 $ 342,185 $ 470,977 $ 46,844 $ (860,006 ) $ 861,958 Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income Year Ended May 31, 2017 (in thousands) Cintas Corporation Corp. 2 Subsidiary Guarantors Non- Guarantors Eliminations Cintas Corporation Consolidated Net income $ 480,708 $ 152,916 $ 315,565 $ 9,143 $ (477,624 ) $ 480,708 Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax: Foreign currency translation adjustments (10,252 ) — — (10,252 ) 10,252 (10,252 ) Change in fair value of cash flow hedges 31,136 31,136 — — (31,136 ) 31,136 Amortization of interest rate lock agreements 1,076 1,076 — — (1,076 ) 1,076 Other (115 ) — (115 ) — 115 (115 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) 21,845 32,212 (115 ) (10,252 ) (21,845 ) 21,845 Comprehensive income (loss) $ 502,553 $ 185,128 $ 315,450 $ (1,109 ) $ (499,469 ) $ 502,553 Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income Year Ended May 31, 2016 (in thousands) Cintas Corporation Corp. 2 Subsidiary Guarantors Non- Guarantors Eliminations Cintas Corporation Consolidated Net income $ 693,520 $ 400,191 $ 296,608 $ 3,905 $ (700,704 ) $ 693,520 Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax: Foreign currency translation adjustments — — — (11,933 ) — (11,933 ) Cumulative translation adjustment on Shred-it — 5,875 — 597 — 6,472 Change in fair value of cash flow hedges — (12,156 ) — — — (12,156 ) Amortization of interest rate lock agreements — 1,952 — — — 1,952 Other — — (730 ) (8 ) — (738 ) Other comprehensive loss — (4,329 ) (730 ) (11,344 ) — (16,403 ) Comprehensive income (loss) $ 693,520 $ 395,862 $ 295,878 $ (7,439 ) $ (700,704 ) $ 677,117 Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet As of May 31, 2018 (in thousands) Cintas Corporation Corp. 2 Subsidiary Guarantors Non- Guarantors Eliminations Cintas Corporation Consolidated Assets Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ — $ 44,499 $ 60,310 $ 33,915 $ — $ 138,724 Accounts receivable, net — 620,920 120,767 62,896 — 804,583 Inventories, net — 225,581 38,844 15,922 — 280,347 Uniforms and other rental items in service — 585,108 81,494 54,248 (18,589 ) 702,261 Income taxes, current — 5,546 9,258 4,830 — 19,634 Prepaid expenses and other current assets — 9,453 21,688 1,242 — 32,383 Total current assets — 1,491,107 332,361 173,053 (18,589 ) 1,977,932 Property and equipment, net — 900,014 370,186 112,530 — 1,382,730 Investments (1) 321,083 3,595,668 950,239 1,716,070 (6,407,479 ) 175,581 Goodwill — — 2,579,769 267,231 (112 ) 2,846,888 Service contracts, net — 468,283 — 77,485 — 545,768 Other assets, net 2,230,196 593 4,381,476 8,656 (6,591,606 ) 29,315 $ 2,551,279 $ 6,455,665 $ 8,614,031 $ 2,355,025 $ (13,017,786 ) $ 6,958,214 Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity Current liabilities: Accounts payable $ (465,247 ) $ (1,724,844 ) $ 2,395,434 $ (28,216 ) $ 37,947 $ 215,074 Accrued compensation and related liabilities — 104,560 24,878 11,216 — 140,654 Accrued liabilities — 88,949 308,485 22,695 — 420,129 Total current liabilities (465,247 ) (1,531,335 ) 2,728,797 5,695 37,947 775,857 Long-term liabilities: Debt due after one year — 2,534,919 — 390 — 2,535,309 Deferred income taxes — 215,881 104,559 32,141 — 352,581 Accrued liabilities — 63,073 198,181 16,687 — 277,941 Total long-term liabilities — 2,813,873 302,740 49,218 — 3,165,831 Total shareholders' equity 3,016,526 5,173,127 5,582,494 2,300,112 (13,055,733 ) 3,016,526 $ 2,551,279 $ 6,455,665 $ 8,614,031 $ 2,355,025 $ (13,017,786 ) $ 6,958,214 (1) Investments include inter company investment activity. Corp 2 and Subsidiary Guarantors hold $17.6 million and $158.0 million , respectively, of the $175.6 million consolidated net investments. Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet As of May 31, 2017 (in thousands) Cintas Corporation Corp. 2 Subsidiary Guarantors Non- Guarantors Eliminations Cintas Corporation Consolidated Assets Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ — $ 48,658 $ 17,302 $ 103,306 $ — $ 169,266 Marketable securities — — — 22,219 — 22,219 Accounts receivable, net — 543,769 137,881 54,358 — 736,008 Inventories, net — 243,677 21,466 14,461 (1,386 ) 278,218 Uniforms and other rental items in service — 531,295 78,012 45,388 (18,993 ) 635,702 Income taxes, current — 16,173 25,138 3,009 — 44,320 Prepaid expenses and other current assets — 13,234 16,188 710 — 30,132 Assets held for sale — 23,095 15,518 — — 38,613 Total current assets — 1,419,901 311,505 243,451 (20,379 ) 1,954,478 Property and equipment, net — 851,018 364,724 107,759 — 1,323,501 Investments (1) 321,083 3,605,457 929,657 1,711,070 (6,402,479 ) 164,788 Goodwill — — 2,742,898 39,549 (112 ) 2,782,335 Service contracts, net — 505,698 — 81,290 — 586,988 Other assets, net 1,516,463 14,705 3,489,653 11,983 (5,000,837 ) 31,967 $ 1,837,546 $ 6,396,779 $ 7,838,437 $ 2,195,102 $ (11,423,807 ) $ 6,844,057 Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity Current liabilities: Accounts payable $ (465,247 ) $ (1,596,731 ) $ 2,292,388 $ (91,467 ) $ 38,108 $ 177,051 Accrued compensation and related liabilities — 94,505 42,866 12,264 — 149,635 Accrued liabilities — 191,819 219,303 18,687 — 429,809 Liabilities held for sale — 11,457 — — — 11,457 Debt due within one year — 362,900 — — — 362,900 Total current liabilities (465,247 ) (936,050 ) 2,554,557 (60,516 ) 38,108 1,130,852 Long-term liabilities: Debt due after one year — 2,770,234 — 390 — 2,770,624 Deferred income taxes — — 436,613 32,715 — 469,328 Accrued liabilities — 28,384 140,923 1,153 — 170,460 Total long-term liabilities — 2,798,618 577,536 34,258 — 3,410,412 Total shareholders' equity 2,302,793 4,534,211 4,706,344 2,221,360 (11,461,915 ) 2,302,793 $ 1,837,546 $ 6,396,779 $ 7,838,437 $ 2,195,102 $ (11,423,807 ) $ 6,844,057 (1) Investments include inter company investment activity. Corp 2 and Subsidiary Guarantors hold $29.0 million and $135.8 million , respectively, of the $164.8 million consolidated net investments. Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows Year Ended May 31, 2018 (in thousands) Cintas Corporation Corp. 2 Subsidiary Guarantors Non- Guarantors Eliminations Cintas Corporation Consolidated Cash flows from operating activities: Net income $ 842,586 $ 342,851 $ 470,215 $ 27,568 $ (840,634 ) $ 842,586 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities: Depreciation — 143,301 58,206 13,969 — 215,476 Amortization of intangible assets — 50,231 5,102 8,607 — 63,940 Stock-based compensation 112,835 — — — — 112,835 Gain on sale of business — (111,921 ) 15,521 — (96,400 ) Deferred income taxes — (80,328 ) (38,906 ) (61 ) — (119,295 ) Changes in current assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions of businesses: Accounts receivable, net — (76,945 ) 17,129 (6,451 ) — (66,267 ) Inventories, net — 15,080 (17,377 ) 360 (1,386 ) (3,323 ) Uniforms and other rental items in service — (51,682 ) (3,483 ) (8,730 ) (404 ) (64,299 ) Prepaid expenses and other current assets — 3,676 (19,421 ) 219 — (15,526 ) Accounts payable — (60,978 ) 108,724 (12,310 ) (161 ) 35,275 Accrued compensation and related liabilities — 9,522 (18,595 ) (319 ) — (9,392 ) Accrued liabilities and other — (133,671 ) 173,905 2,234 — 42,468 Income taxes, current — 11,874 15,898 (1,690 ) — 26,082 Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities 955,421 61,010 766,918 23,396 (842,585 ) 964,160 Cash flows from investing activities: Capital expenditures — (192,668 ) (65,211 ) (13,820 ) — (271,699 ) Proceeds from redemption of marketable securities — 13,589 (1,189 ) 167,457 — 179,857 Purchase of marketable securities and investments — 9,789 (24,636 ) (143,861 ) 5,000 (153,708 ) Proceeds from sale of business — 127,835 — — — 127,835 Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired — (19,346 ) — — — (19,346 ) Other, net (694,429 ) 599,192 (633,629 ) (107,356 ) 837,585 1,363 Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities (694,429 ) 538,391 (724,665 ) (97,580 ) 842,585 (135,698 ) Cash flows from financing activities: Payments of commercial paper, net — (50,500 ) — — — (50,500 ) Repayment of debt — (550,000 ) — — — (550,000 ) Proceeds from exercise of stock-based compensation awards 41,848 — — — — 41,848 Dividends paid (175,521 ) — — (68 ) — (175,589 ) Repurchase of common stock (127,319 ) — — — — (127,319 ) Other, net — (3,060 ) 755 (275 ) — (2,580 ) Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities (260,992 ) (603,560 ) 755 (343 ) — (864,140 ) Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents — — — 5,136 — 5,136 Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents — (4,159 ) 43,008 (69,391 ) — (30,542 ) Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year — 48,658 17,302 103,306 — 169,266 Cash and cash equivalents at end of year $ — $ 44,499 $ 60,310 $ 33,915 $ — $ 138,724 Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows Year Ended May 31, 2017 (in thousands) Cintas Corporation Corp. 2 Subsidiary Guarantors Non- Guarantors Eliminations Cintas Corporation Consolidated Cash flows from operating activities: Net income $ 480,708 $ 152,916 $ 315,565 $ 9,143 $ (477,624 ) $ 480,708 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities: Depreciation — 117,578 43,660 10,327 — 171,565 Amortization of intangible assets — 21,496 1,178 2,356 — 25,030 Stock-based compensation 88,868 — — — — 88,868 Gain on Storage — (1,460 ) — — — (1,460 ) Gain on Shred-it — (23,516 ) — (1,941 ) — (25,457 ) Asset impairment charge — 20,966 — 2,365 — 23,331 G&K Services, Inc. transaction and integration costs — 26,453 — 4,992 — 31,445 Short-term debt financing fees included in net income — 17,062 — — — 17,062 Settlement of cash flow hedges — 30,194 — — — 30,194 Deferred income taxes — (26,289 ) 26,058 4,133 — 3,902 Changes in current assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions of businesses: Accounts receivable, net — (50,012 ) (40,380 ) (3,165 ) — (93,557 ) Inventories, net — 7,787 (2,317 ) (3,679 ) (2,459 ) (668 ) Uniforms and other rental items in service — (4,951 ) (5,011 ) 1,959 (729 ) (8,732 ) Prepaid expenses and other current assets — 21,119 2,775 307 — 24,201 Accounts payable — 1,765,713 (1,509,215 ) (242,875 ) 103 13,726 Accrued compensation and related liabilities — (7,498 ) 19,815 1,337 — 13,654 Accrued liabilities and other — 2,813 (5,675 ) 2,361 — (501 ) Income taxes, current — (5,205 ) (22,445 ) (1,774 ) — (29,424 ) Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities 569,576 2,065,166 (1,175,992 ) (214,154 ) (480,709 ) 763,887 Cash flows from investing activities: Capital expenditures — (153,963 ) (102,682 ) (16,672 ) — (273,317 ) Proceeds from redemption of marketable securities — — — 218,324 — 218,324 Purchase of marketable securities and investments — 18,150 (797,559 ) 598,344 — (181,065 ) Proceeds from sale of Storage — 2,400 — — — 2,400 Proceeds from sale of Shred-it — 23,935 — 1,941 — 25,876 Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired — (2,112,015 ) — 9,644 — (2,102,371 ) Other, net (438,344 ) (1,562,294 ) 2,039,740 (520,007 ) 480,709 (196 ) Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities (438,344 ) (3,783,787 ) 1,139,499 291,574 480,709 (2,310,349 ) Cash flows from financing activities: Proceeds from issuance of commercial paper, net — 50,500 — — — 50,500 Proceeds from the issuance of debt, net — 1,932,229 (2,000 ) 2,000 — 1,932,229 Repayment of debt — (250,000 ) — — — (250,000 ) Payment of short-term debt financing fees — (17,062 ) — — — (17,062 ) Proceeds from exercise of stock-based compensation awards 31,870 — — — — 31,870 Dividends paid (142,378 ) — — (55 ) — (142,433 ) Repurchase of common stock (20,724 ) — — — — (20,724 ) Other, net — (6,282 ) 404 — — (5,878 ) Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities (131,232 ) 1,709,385 (1,596 ) 1,945 — 1,578,502 Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents — — — (2,131 ) — (2,131 ) Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents — (9,236 ) (38,089 ) 77,234 — 29,909 Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year — 57,894 55,391 26,072 — 139,357 Cash and cash equivalents at end of year $ — $ 48,658 $ 17,302 $ 103,306 $ — $ 169,266 Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows Year Ended May 31, 2016 (in thousands) Cintas Corporation Corp. 2 Subsidiary Guarantors Non- Guarantors Eliminations Cintas Corporation Consolidated Cash flows from operating activities: Net income $ 693,520 $ 400,191 $ 296,608 $ 3,905 $ (700,704 ) $ 693,520 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities: Depreciation — 102,443 37,883 9,365 — 149,691 Amortization of intangible assets — 14,830 304 454 — 15,588 Stock-based compensation 79,293 — — — — 79,293 Gain on Storage transactions — (12,547 ) — (3,239 ) — (15,786 ) (Gain) loss on Shred-it — (366,460 ) — 12,389 — (354,071 ) Deferred income taxes — (83,648 ) 22,025 2,321 — (59,302 ) Changes in current assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions of businesses: Accounts receivable, net — (30,381 ) (20,196 ) (2,185 ) — (52,762 ) Inventories, net — (23,917 ) 2,011 (2,454 ) 6,443 (17,917 ) Uniforms and other rental items in service — (3,193 ) (2,032 ) (1,840 ) 759 (6,306 ) Prepaid expenses and other current assets — (167 ) (914 ) 116 — (965 ) Accounts payable — (487,582 ) 491,918 (4,884 ) (16 ) (564 ) Accrued compensation and related liabilities — 9,838 3,103 571 — 13,512 Accrued liabilities and other — (3,790 ) 25,625 155 724 22,714 Income taxes, current — 895 (1,118 ) (577 ) — (800 ) Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities 772,813 (483,488 ) 855,217 14,097 (692,794 ) 465,845 Cash flows from investing activities: Capital expenditures — (162,075 ) (100,380 ) (12,930 ) — (275,385 ) Proceeds from redemption of marketable securities — — — 434,179 — 434,179 Purchase of marketable securities and investments — (3,333 ) (12,085 ) (488,765 ) 10,037 (494,146 ) Proceeds from Storage transactions, net of cash contributed — 32,099 — 3,239 — 35,338 Proceeds from sale of Shred-it — 568,223 — 12,614 — 580,837 Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired — (130,786 ) — (25,793 ) — (156,579 ) Other, net 94,344 169,821 (945,406 ) 1,897 683,481 4,137 Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities 94,344 473,949 (1,057,871 ) (75,559 ) 693,518 128,381 Cash flows from financing activities: Proceeds from the issuance of debt — — (165 ) 165 — — Repayment of debt — (9,151 ) 10,224 (365 ) (724 ) (16 ) Proceeds from exercise of stock-based compensation awards 28,226 — — — — 28,226 Dividends paid (115,232 ) — — (41 ) — (115,273 ) Repurchase of common stock (780,151 ) — — — — (780,151 ) Other, net — 1,952 (730 ) (732 ) — 490 Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities (867,157 ) (7,199 ) 9,329 (973 ) (724 ) (866,724 ) Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents — — — (5,218 ) — (5,218 ) Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents — (16,738 ) (193,325 ) (67,653 ) — (277,716 ) Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year — 74,632 248,716 93,725 — 417,073 Cash and cash equivalents at end of year $ — $ 57,894 $ 55,391 $ 26,072 $ — $ 139,357

Schedule II - Valuation and Qua

Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts and Reserves	12 Months Ended
	May 31, 2018
SEC Schedule, 12-09, Valuation and Qualifying Accounts [Abstract]
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts and Reserves	Schedule II — Valuation and Qualifying Accounts and Reserves (In thousands) Balance at Beginning of Year Additions (1) Deductions (2) Balance at End of Year Allowance for Doubtful Accounts May 31, 2016 $ 15,497 $ 8,274 $ 4,668 $ 19,103 May 31, 2017 $ 19,103 $ 6,446 $ 5,024 $ 20,525 May 31, 2018 $ 20,525 $ 13,358 $ 373 $ 33,510 Reserve for Obsolete Inventory May 31, 2016 $ 30,531 $ 5,195 $ 3,010 $ 32,716 May 31, 2017 $ 32,716 $ 10,049 $ 4,460 $ 38,305 May 31, 2018 $ 38,305 $ 1,335 $ 2,597 $ 37,043 (1) Represents amounts charged to expense to increase reserve for estimated future bad debts or to increase reserve for obsolete inventory. Amounts related to inventory are computed by performing a thorough analysis of future marketability by specific inventory item as well as an estimate based on Cintas' historical rates of obsolescence. (2) Represents reductions in the balance sheet reserve due to the actual write-off of non-collectible accounts receivable or the physical disposal of obsolete inventory items. These amounts do not impact Cintas' consolidated income statement.

Significant Accounting Polici29

Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	May 31, 2018
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Principles of consolidation	The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Cintas controlled majority-owned subsidiaries and any entities over which Cintas has control. Intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated as appropriate.
Use of estimates	The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (U.S. GAAP) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. The Company’s results are affected by economic, political, legislative, regulatory and legal actions. Economic conditions, such as recessionary trends, inflation, interest and monetary exchange rates, government fiscal policies and changes in the prices of raw materials, can have a significant effect on operations. These factors and other events could cause actual results to differ from management's estimates.
Revenue recognition	Rental revenue, which is recorded in the Uniform Rental and Facility Services reportable operating segment, is recognized when services are performed. Other revenue, which is recorded in the First Aid and Safety Services reportable operating segment and All Other, is recognized when either services are performed or when products are shipped and the title and risks of ownership pass to the customer.
Cost of uniform rental and facility services	Cost of uniform rental and facility services consists primarily of production expenses, delivery expenses and the amortization of in service inventory, including uniforms, mats, shop towels and other ancillary items. The Uniform Rental and Facility Services reportable operating segment inbound freight charges, purchasing and receiving costs, inspection costs, warehousing costs and other costs of distribution are included in the cost of uniform rental and facility services.
Cost of other	Cost of other consists primarily of cost of goods sold (predominantly first aid and safety products, uniforms and fire protection products), delivery expenses and distribution expenses in the First Aid and Safety Services reportable operating segment and All Other. Cost of other includes inbound freight charges, purchasing and receiving costs, inspection costs, warehousing costs and other costs of distribution.
Selling and administrative expenses	Selling and administrative expenses consist primarily of sales labor and commissions, management and administrative labor, payroll taxes, medical expense, insurance expense, legal and professional costs and amortization of finite-lived intangible assets.
Cash and cash equivalents	Cintas considers all highly liquid domestic investments with a maturity of three months or less, at date of purchase, to be cash equivalents.
Marketable securities	Marketable securities are typically comprised of fixed income securities and are classified as available-for-sale.
Accounts receivable	Accounts receivable is comprised of amounts owed through product shipments and services provided and is presented net of an allowance for doubtful accounts. The allowance is an estimate based on historical rates of collections and allowances for specific accounts identified as uncollectible. The allowance that is an estimate based on Cintas' historical rates of collections is recorded for overdue amounts, beginning with a nominal percentage and increasing substantially as the account ages. The amount provided as the account ages will differ slightly between the Uniform Rental and Facility Services reportable operating segment, the First Aid and Safety Services reportable operating segment and All Other because of differences in customers served and the nature of each business. When an account is considered uncollectible, it is written off against the allowance for doubtful accounts.
Inventories	The inventory obsolescence reserve is determined by specific identification, as well as an estimate based on Cintas' historical rates of obsolescence. Inventories are valued at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out) or net realizable value. Cintas applies a commonly accepted practice of using inventory turns to apply variances between actual and standard costs to the inventory balances. The judgments and estimates used to calculate inventory turns will have an impact on the valuation of inventories at the lower of cost or net realizable value.
Uniforms and other rental items in service	These items are valued at cost less amortization, calculated using the straight-line method. Uniforms in service (other than cleanroom and flame resistant clothing) are amortized over their useful life of 18 months. Uniforms acquired in the G&K acquisition were amortized over 12 months. Other rental items, including shop towels, mats, mops, cleanroom garments, flame resistant clothing, linens and restroom dispensers, are amortized over their useful lives, which range from 8 to 60 months. The amortization rates used are based on industry experience, Cintas' specific experience and wear tests performed by Cintas. These factors are critical to determining the amount of in service inventory and related cost of uniforms and facility services that are presented in the consolidated financial statements.
Property and equipment	Property and equipment is stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation or at fair value upon acquisition. Depreciation is calculated using the straight-line method primarily over the following estimated useful lives of the assets based on industry and Cintas specific experience, in years: Buildings 30 to 40 Building improvements 5 to 20 Equipment 3 to 10 Leasehold improvements 2 to 15
Investments	Investments consists primarily of the cash surrender value of life insurance policies and equity method investments. The equity method is used to account for an investment if our investment gives us the ability to exercise significant influence over the operating and financial policies of the investee. In general, equity method investments are initially measured at cost. However, an equity method investment resulting from a transaction in which a controlled group of assets that constitutes a business is deconsolidated is initially measured at fair value. Cintas recognizes its share of the investee’s earnings or losses in income. Cintas also adjusts its share of the investee's earnings for intra-entity transactions, basis differences, investee capital transactions and other comprehensive income through income or other comprehensive income as appropriate. Equity method investments are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the investment might not be recoverable.
Long-lived assets	When events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of long-lived assets may not be recoverable, the estimated undiscounted future cash flows are compared to the carrying amount of the assets. If the estimated undiscounted future cash flows are less than the carrying amount of the assets, an impairment loss is recorded based on the excess of the carrying amount of the assets over their respective fair values. Fair value is generally determined by discounted cash flows, prices of similar assets or third-party real estate valuations, as appropriate. During fiscal 2017, as a result of the identification of certain G&K plants and branches for future closure, an indicator of potential impairment was identified. Cintas recognized an impairment loss of $23.3 million during the fiscal year ended May 31, 2017, based on the excess of the carrying amount of asset over their respective fair values. The undiscounted cash flows used to test recoverability were performed, using Level 2 inputs based on both the cost and market approaches, at the lowest discernible level, which is at the location level.
Goodwill	Goodwill, obtained through acquisitions of businesses, is valued at cost less any impairment. Cintas completes an annual impairment test, which may include an assessment of qualitative factors including, but not limited to, macroeconomic conditions, industry and market conditions, and entity specific factors such as strategies and financial performance. The test may also include the determination of the estimated fair value of Cintas' reporting units via comparisons to current market values, where available, and discounted cash flow analyses. Assumptions may include growth rates based on historical trends and margin improvement leveraged from such growth, as well as discount rates. We determine discount rates separately for each reporting unit using the weighted average cost of capital, which includes a calculation of cost of equity, which is developed using the capital asset pricing model and comparable company betas (a measure of systemic risk), and cost of debt. We also use comparable market earnings multiple data and our market capitalization to corroborate our reporting unit valuations. We test for goodwill impairment at the reporting unit level. Due to the fiscal 2018 executed sale of Discontinued Services and the ongoing integration of the acquired G&K operations within the legacy Cintas Uniform Rental and Facility Services operating segment, the composition for Cintas’ reporting units for the evaluation of goodwill impairment has changed. Discrete financial information of G&K ceased to exist in early fiscal 2018 and is now evaluated by the CODM within the consolidated Uniform Rental and Facility Services operating segment. Cintas has identified four reporting units for purposes of evaluating goodwill impairment: Uniform Rental and Facility Services, First Aid and Safety Services, and two reporting units within All Other. The Company evaluated impairment indicators for all reporting units, including those prior to and subsequent to the composition change in fiscal 2018, noting none. Based on the results of the annual impairment tests, Cintas was not required to recognize an impairment of goodwill for the fiscal years ended May 31, 2018 , 2017 or 2016 . Cintas will continue to perform impairment tests as of March 1 in future years and when indicators of impairment exist.
Service contracts and other assets	Service contracts and other assets, which consist primarily of noncompete and consulting agreements obtained through acquisitions of businesses, are generally amortized by use of the straight-line method over the estimated lives of the agreements, which are generally 5 to 10 years. The G&K service contract asset is being amortized over a period of 15 years , which represents the estimated life of the economic benefit. The G&K service contract asset amortization is based on the annual economic value of the underlying asset which generally decreases over the 15 -year term. Certain noncompete agreements, as well as all service contracts, require that a valuation be determined using a discounted cash flow model. The assumptions and judgments used in these models involve estimates of cash flows and discount rates, among other factors. Because of the assumptions used to value these intangible assets, actual results over time could vary from original estimates. Impairment of service contracts and other assets is accomplished through specific identification.
Business Combinations	Accounting for acquisitions requires us to recognize separately from goodwill the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed at their acquisition date fair values. Goodwill as of the acquisition date is measured as the excess of consideration transferred over the net of the acquisition date fair values of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed. While we use our best estimates and assumptions to accurately value assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date as well as contingent consideration, where applicable, our estimates are inherently uncertain and subject to refinement. As a result, during the measurement period, which may be up to one year from the acquisition date, we record adjustments to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed with the corresponding offset to goodwill. Upon the conclusion of the measurement period or final determination of the values of assets acquired or liabilities assumed, whichever comes first, any subsequent adjustments are recorded to our consolidated statements of income.
Debt Issuance Costs	Debt issuance costs for the revolving credit facility are included in other assets and all other debt issuance costs reduce the carrying amount of long-term debt.
Accrued liabilities	Current accrued liabilities are recorded when it is probable that a liability has occurred and the amount of the liability can be reasonably estimated. General insurance liabilities represent the estimated ultimate cost of all asserted and unasserted claims incurred, primarily related to workers' compensation, auto liability and other general liability exposure through the consolidated balance sheet dates. Our reserves are estimated through actuarial procedures of the insurance industry and by using industry assumptions, adjusted for specific expectations based on our claims history. Cintas records an increase or decrease in selling and administrative expenses related to development of prior claims, higher claims activity and other environmental factors in the period in which it becomes known. These changes in estimates may be material to the consolidated financial statements. Long-term accrued liabilities consists primarily of reserves associated with unrecognized tax benefits, which are described in more detail in Note 8 entitled Income Taxes, retirement obligations, which are described in more detail in Note 10 entitled Employee Benefit Plans, and environmental obligations acquired primarily through the G&K acquisition, which are further described below.
Environmental Obligations	Environmental obligations are recorded when it is probable that obligations have been incurred and the costs can be reasonably estimated, except for acquired environmental obligations which are recorded at fair value. Cintas’ environmental obligations are estimated based on an evaluation of various factors, including currently available facts, existing technology, presently enacted laws and regulations, and remediation experience. Where the available information is sufficient to estimate the amount of the obligation, that estimate has been recorded. Where the information is only sufficient to establish a range of probable liability and no point within the range is more likely than any other, the lower end of the range has been used. Management actively monitors all locations for compliance and changes in facts and circumstances. No one location or site is deemed to be material or in violation of the applicable laws and regulations, even though costs are being incurred.
Pension Plans	The Company assumed G&K's noncontributory, defined benefit pension plan (the Pension Plan) covering substantially all employees who were employed as of July 1, 2005, except certain employees who are covered by union-administered plans. Benefits are based on the number of years of service and each employee's compensation near retirement. G&K froze the Pension Plan effective December 31, 2006. Future growth in benefits will not occur after this date. The Company's funding policy provides for contributions of an amount between the minimum required and maximum amount that can be deducted for federal income tax purposes. The funded status is measured as the difference between the fair value of plan assets and the benefit obligation at May 31, the measurement date. The benefit obligation is the projected benefit obligation (PBO). The PBO represents the actuarial present value of benefits expected to be paid upon retirement based on estimated future compensation levels. The measurement of the PBO is based on the Company’s estimates and actuarial valuations. The fair value of plan assets represents the current market value of assets held by an irrevocable trust fund for the sole benefit of participants. These valuations reflect the terms of the Pension Plan and use participant-specific information such as compensation, age and years of service, as well as certain assumptions that require significant judgment, including estimates of discount rates, expected return on plan assets, rate of compensation increases, interest crediting rates and mortality rates.
Stock-based compensation	Compensation expense is recognized for all share-based payments to employees, including stock options and restricted stock awards, in the consolidated statements of income based on the fair value of the awards that are granted. The fair value of stock options is estimated at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. Generally, measured compensation cost, net of actual forfeitures, is recognized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period of the related share-based compensation award.
Derivatives and hedging activities	Cintas formally documents all relationships between hedging instruments and hedged items, as well as its risk management objective and strategy for undertaking various hedge transactions. Derivatives are recorded at fair value on the consolidated balance sheet, and gains and losses are recorded as adjustments to income or other comprehensive income, as appropriate. For derivative financial instruments that are designated as a hedge, unrealized gains and losses related to the effective portion are either recognized in income immediately to offset the realized gain or loss on the hedged item, or are deferred and reported as a component of other comprehensive income in stockholders' equity and subsequently recognized in net income when the hedged item affects net income. The change in fair value of the ineffective portion of a derivative financial instrument is recognized in net income immediately.
Income taxes	Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined by the differences between the consolidated financial statement carrying amounts and the tax basis of assets and liabilities. See Note 8 entitled Income Taxes for the types of items that give rise to significant deferred income tax assets and liabilities. Deferred income taxes are classified as assets or liabilities based on the classification of the related asset or liability for financial reporting purposes. Cintas regularly reviews deferred tax assets for recoverability based upon projected future taxable income and the expected timing of the reversals of existing temporary differences. Although realization is not assured, management believes it is more likely than not that the recorded deferred tax assets, as adjusted for valuation allowances, will be realized. Accounting for uncertain tax positions requires the determination of whether tax benefits claimed or expected to be claimed on a tax return should be recorded in the consolidated financial statements. Companies may recognize the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized in the consolidated financial statements from such a position should be measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than fifty percent likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement. Cintas is periodically reviewed by domestic and foreign tax authorities regarding the amount of taxes due. These reviews include questions regarding the timing and amount of deductions and the allocation of income among various tax jurisdictions. In evaluating the exposure associated with various filing positions, Cintas records reserves as deemed appropriate. Based on Cintas' evaluation of current tax positions, Cintas believes its tax related accruals are appropriate.
Litigation and other contingencies	Cintas is subject to legal proceedings and claims arising from the ordinary course of its business, including personal injury, customer contract, environmental and employment claims. U.S. GAAP requires that a liability for contingencies be recorded when it is probable that a liability has occurred and the amount of the liability can be reasonably estimated. In the opinion of management, the aggregate liability, if any, with respect to such ordinary course of business actions will not have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial position or consolidated results of operations of Cintas.
Fair value measurements	Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standard Codification (ASC) Topic 820 defines fair value as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. When determining the fair value measurements for assets and liabilities, the Company considers the principal or most advantageous market in which the Company would transact and the market-based risk measurements or assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, such as inherent risk, transfer restrictions and credit risk. It also establishes a three-level fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value. This hierarchy requires entities to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. The three levels of inputs used to measure fair value are as follows: Level 1 — Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Level 2 — Observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1, such as quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data. Level 3 — Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities. This includes certain pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies and similar techniques that use significant unobservable inputs. In instances where the determination of the fair value measurement is based on inputs from different levels of the fair value hierarchy, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the entire fair value measurement falls is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. Cintas' assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment and considers factors specific to the asset or liability. There were no transfers between levels for the years ended May 31, 2018 or 2017. The carrying value of accounts receivable and accounts payable, and other current assets and liabilities, approximate fair value because of the short-term maturity of those instruments. In order to meet the requirements of ASC 820, Cintas utilizes two basic valuation approaches to determine the fair value of its assets and liabilities required to be recorded on a recurring basis at fair value. The first approach is the cost approach. The cost approach is generally the value a market participant would expect to replace the respective asset or liability. The second approach is the market approach. The market approach looks at what a market participant would consider valuing an exact or similar asset or liability to that of Cintas, including those traded on exchanges. Cintas' non-financial assets and liabilities not permitted or required to be measured at fair value on a recurring basis primarily relate to assets and liabilities acquired in a business acquisition unless otherwise noted in Note 2 entitled Fair Value Disclosures. Cintas is required to provide additional disclosures about fair value measurements as part of the consolidated financial statements for each major category of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis (including business acquisitions). Based on the nature of Cintas' business acquisitions, which occur regularly throughout the fiscal year, the majority of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed consist of working capital, primarily valued using Level 2 inputs, property and equipment, also primarily valued using Level 2 inputs and goodwill and other identified intangible assets valued using Level 3 inputs. In general, non-recurring fair values determined by Level 1 inputs utilize quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities, which generally are not applicable to non-financial assets and liabilities. Fair values determined by Level 2 inputs utilize data points that are observable, such as definitive sales agreements, appraisals or established market values of comparable assets. Fair values determined by Level 3 inputs are unobservable data points for the asset or liability and include situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability, such as internal estimates of future cash flows and company specific discount rates.
New accounting pronouncements	In April 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standard Update (ASU) 2014-08, “Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity,” which amended accounting guidance related to the reporting of discontinued operations and disclosures of disposals of components of an entity. The amended guidance changes the thresholds for disposals to qualify as discontinued operations and requires additional disclosures. Cintas adopted ASU 2014-08 during the quarter ended August 31, 2015 and applied the amended accounting guidance to Shred-it and all subsequent transactions, as appropriate. In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)," to clarify revenue recognition principles. The standard applies one comprehensive revenue recognition model across all contracts, entities and sectors. The core principal of the new standard is that revenue should be recognized to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The standard includes cost guidance, whereby all direct and incremental costs to obtain or fulfill a contract will be capitalized and amortized over the corresponding period of benefit, determined on a contract by contract basis. This guidance is also intended to improve disclosure requirements and enhance the comparability of revenue recognition practices. Improved disclosures under the amended guidance relate to the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue that is recognized from contracts with customers. Cintas adopted this standard on June 1, 2018. The largest impacts to the Company’s financial statements will result from the new qualitative and quantitative disclosures that will be required upon adoption of the new standard. There will be two implementation adjustments upon adoption of the new standard related to the capitalization of certain direct and incremental contract costs and the timing of revenue recognition for certain contracts with customers that create an asset with no alternative use to the Company. The Company will apply the modified retrospective adoption alternative for this standard and anticipates recognizing a cumulative effect adjustment in the range of approximately $185.0 million to $215.0 million of an increase to retained earnings as of June 1, 2018, which primarily reflects the deferral of contract costs. In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, "Interest - Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30), Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs." ASU 2015-03 requires that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the consolidated condensed balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. This guidance is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2015. The guidance is applied retrospectively and early adoption is permitted. Cintas adopted ASU 2015-03 during the quarter ended August 31, 2016 and has applied this amended accounting guidance to its long-term debt and other assets for all periods presented. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842),” which sets out the principles for the recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of leases for both parties to a contract (i.e. lessees and lessors). The new standard requires lessees to apply a dual approach, classifying leases as either finance or operating leases based on the principle of whether or not the lease is effectively a financed purchase by the lessee. This classification will determine whether lease expense is recognized based on an effective interest method or on a straight line basis over the term of the lease, respectively. A lessee is also required to record a right-of-use asset and a lease liability for all leases with a term of greater than 12 months regardless of their classification. Leases with a term of 12 months or less will be accounted for similar to existing guidance for operating leases today. Topic 842 supersedes the previous leases standard, ASC 840, "Leases." This guidance is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018; however, early adoption is permitted. Entities are required to use a modified retrospective approach for leases that exist or are entered into after the beginning of the earliest comparative period in the financial statements. Cintas is currently evaluating the impact that ASU 2016-02 will have on its consolidated financial statements. The Company currently expects the adoption of this standard to result in a material increase to the assets and liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, "Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting." ASU 2016-09 is intended to simplify accounting for share-based payments. Upon adoption, ASU 2016-09 requires excess tax benefits for share-based payments to be recorded as a reduction of income tax expense and reflected within operating cash flows rather than being recorded within equity and reflected within financing cash flows. The standard also permits the repurchase of more of an employee’s shares for tax withholding purposes without triggering liability accounting, clarifies that all cash payments made on an employee’s behalf for withheld shares should be presented as a financing activity on our cash flows statement, and provides an accounting policy election to account for forfeitures as they occur. This update is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016; however, early adoption is permitted. Cintas adopted ASU 2016-09 during the quarter ended August 31, 2016 and elected to make an accounting policy change to recognize forfeitures as they occur. The adoption impact on the consolidated balance sheet was a cumulative-effect adjustment of $26.7 million , increasing opening retained earnings and decreasing paid-in capital. In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, “Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment.” ASU 2017-04 eliminates the two-step process that required identification of potential impairment and a separate measure of the actual impairment. Goodwill impairment charges, if any, would be determined by the difference between a reporting unit's carrying value and its fair value (impairment loss is limited to the carrying value). This standard is effective for annual or any interim goodwill impairment tests beginning after December 15, 2019. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements. In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-07, “Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Costs.” ASU 2017-07 continues to require the service component of pension and other postretirement benefit costs to be presented in the same line item as other employee compensation costs on the consolidated statement of income and changes the presentation of other components of net benefit cost so that these items will be presented outside of operating income within the consolidated statements of income. Cintas retrospectively adopted ASU 2017-07 on June 1, 2017. The adoption of this standard did not have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements. In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02, "Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income." ASU 2018-02 allows entities to elect to reclassify the income tax effects of the Tax Act on items within accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings and requires additional related disclosures. This standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018 and interim periods within those fiscal years. Cintas is currently evaluating the impact that ASU 2018-02 will have on its consolidated condensed financial statements. No other new accounting pronouncement recently issued or newly effective had or is expected to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

Significant Accounting Polici30

Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	May 31, 2018
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Schedule of Inventory	Inventory is comprised of the following amounts at May 31: (In thousands) 2018 2017 Raw materials $ 17,042 $ 17,528 Work in process 27,350 17,951 Finished goods 235,955 242,739 $ 280,347 $ 278,218
Property and Equipment Estimated Useful Lives	Depreciation is calculated using the straight-line method primarily over the following estimated useful lives of the assets based on industry and Cintas specific experience, in years: Buildings 30 to 40 Building improvements 5 to 20 Equipment 3 to 10 Leasehold improvements 2 to 15 Cintas' property and equipment is summarized as follows at May 31: (In thousands) 2018 2017 Land $ 177,281 $ 173,166 Buildings and improvements 644,322 624,615 Equipment 2,070,009 1,930,018 Leasehold improvements 34,891 32,679 Construction in progress 119,937 79,400 3,046,440 2,839,878 Less: accumulated depreciation 1,663,710 1,516,377 $ 1,382,730 $ 1,323,501
Current Accrued Liabilities	Current accrued liabilities include the following amounts at May 31: (In thousands) 2018 2017 General insurance liabilities $ 163,400 $ 153,743 Employee benefit related liabilities 112,801 110,104 Taxes and related liabilities 8,148 8,057 Accrued interest 24,763 36,638 Other 111,017 121,267 $ 420,129 $ 429,809

Fair Value Disclosures (Tables)

Fair Value Disclosures (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	May 31, 2018
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Summary of Financial Instruments Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis	These financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized below: As of May 31, 2018 (In thousands) Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Fair Value Cash and cash equivalents $ 138,724 $ — $ — $ 138,724 Total assets at fair value $ 138,724 $ — $ — $ 138,724 As of May 31, 2017 (In thousands) Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Fair Value Cash and cash equivalents $ 169,266 $ — $ — $ 169,266 Marketable securities: Canadian treasury securities — 22,219 — 22,219 Total assets at fair value $ 169,266 $ 22,219 $ — $ 191,485

Property and Equipment (Tables)

Property and Equipment (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	May 31, 2018
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Property and Equipment	Depreciation is calculated using the straight-line method primarily over the following estimated useful lives of the assets based on industry and Cintas specific experience, in years: Buildings 30 to 40 Building improvements 5 to 20 Equipment 3 to 10 Leasehold improvements 2 to 15 Cintas' property and equipment is summarized as follows at May 31: (In thousands) 2018 2017 Land $ 177,281 $ 173,166 Buildings and improvements 644,322 624,615 Equipment 2,070,009 1,930,018 Leasehold improvements 34,891 32,679 Construction in progress 119,937 79,400 3,046,440 2,839,878 Less: accumulated depreciation 1,663,710 1,516,377 $ 1,382,730 $ 1,323,501

Goodwill, Service Contracts a33

Goodwill, Service Contracts and Other Assets (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	May 31, 2018
Goodwill, Service Contracts and Other Assets [Abstract]
Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill by Operating Segment	Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill and service contracts by reportable operating segment and All Other, are as follows: Goodwill (in thousands) Uniform Rental and Facility Services First Aid and Safety Services All Other Total Balance at June 1, 2016 $ 949,730 $ 241,448 $ 84,898 $ 1,276,076 Goodwill acquired 1,499,008 2,265 6,281 1,507,554 Foreign currency translation (668 ) (601 ) (26 ) (1,295 ) Balance at May 31, 2017 $ 2,448,070 $ 243,112 $ 91,153 $ 2,782,335 Goodwill acquired (1) 55,152 370 5,939 61,461 Foreign currency translation 2,254 797 41 3,092 Balance at May 31, 2018 $ 2,505,476 $ 244,279 $ 97,133 $ 2,846,888 (1) Adjustments to the G&K preliminary purchase price allocation represents $52.7 million of the acquired goodwill in the Uniform Rental and Facility Services reportable operating segment. See Note 9 entitled Acquisitions and Divestitures for more information.
Changes in Carrying Amount of Service Contracts by Operating Segment	Assets held for sale at May 31, 2017 include $15.5 million of goodwill associated with Discontinued Services. Service Contracts (in thousands) Uniform Rental and Facility Services First Aid and Safety Services All Other Total Balance at June 1, 2016 $ 19,912 $ 32,252 $ 26,030 $ 78,194 Service contracts acquired 521,708 1,632 5,895 529,235 Service contracts amortization (11,636 ) (3,952 ) (4,922 ) (20,510 ) Foreign currency translation (61 ) 130 — 69 Balance at May 31, 2017 $ 529,923 $ 30,062 $ 27,003 $ 586,988 Service contracts acquired 4,098 985 4,310 9,393 Service contracts amortization (45,296 ) (3,842 ) (4,906 ) (54,044 ) Foreign currency translation 3,342 89 — 3,431 Balance at May 31, 2018 $ 492,067 $ 27,294 $ 26,407 $ 545,768
Information Regarding Service Contracts and Other Assets	Information regarding Cintas' service contracts and other assets is as follows: As of May 31, 2018 (In thousands) Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Net Service contracts $ 924,978 $ 379,210 $ 545,768 Noncompete and consulting agreements $ 41,710 $ 39,877 $ 1,833 Other 38,787 11,305 27,482 Total $ 80,497 $ 51,182 $ 29,315 As of May 31, 2017 (In thousands) Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Net Service contracts $ 911,273 $ 324,285 $ 586,988 Noncompete and consulting agreements $ 40,743 $ 39,244 $ 1,499 Other 34,890 4,422 30,468 Total $ 75,633 $ 43,666 $ 31,967

Debt and Derivatives (Tables)

Debt and Derivatives (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	May 31, 2018
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Summary of Outstanding Debt	Cintas' debt is summarized as follows at May 31: (In thousands) Interest Rate Fiscal Year Issued Fiscal Year Maturity 2018 2017 Debt due within one year Senior notes 6.13 % 2008 2018 $ — $ 300,000 Commercial paper 1.24 % (1) Various Various — 50,500 Current portion of term loan 2.00 % (1) 2017 2018 — 12,500 Debt issuance costs — (100 ) Total debt due within one year $ — $ 362,900 Debt due after one year Senior notes 4.30 % 2012 2022 $ 250,000 $ 250,000 Senior notes 2.90 % 2017 2022 650,000 650,000 Senior notes 3.25 % 2013 2023 300,000 300,000 Senior notes (2) 2.78 % 2013 2023 52,119 52,554 Senior notes (3) 3.11 % 2015 2025 52,309 52,645 Senior notes 3.70 % 2017 2027 1,000,000 1,000,000 Senior notes 6.15 % 2007 2037 250,000 250,000 Long-term portion of term loan 2.00 % (1) 2017 2022 — 237,500 Debt issuance costs (19,119 ) (22,075 ) Total debt due after one year $ 2,535,309 $ 2,770,624 (1) Variable rate debt instrument. The rate presented is the variable borrowing rate at May 31, 2017. (2) Cintas assumed these senior notes with the acquisition of G&K, and they were recorded at fair value. The interest rate shown above is the effective interest rate. The principal amount of these notes is $50.0 million with a stated interest rate of 3.73% . (3) Cintas assumed these senior notes with the acquisition of G&K, and they were recorded at fair value. The interest rate shown above is the effective interest rate. The principal amount of these notes is $50.0 million with a stated interest rate of 3.88% .

Income Taxes (Tables)

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	May 31, 2018
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Components of Income Before Income Taxes	Income before income taxes for continuing operations consists of the following components: (In thousands) 2018 2017 2016 U.S. operations $ 798,215 $ 673,055 $ 685,167 Foreign operations 42,786 14,349 20,148 $ 841,001 $ 687,404 $ 705,315
Components of Income Taxes	Income tax expense (benefit) for continuing operations consists of the following components: (In thousands) 2018 2017 2016 Current: Federal $ 137,601 $ 187,134 $ 272,663 State and local 19,582 27,197 25,428 Foreign 15,103 6,996 6,471 172,286 221,327 304,562 Deferred (115,217 ) 8,791 (47,852 ) $ 57,069 $ 230,118 $ 256,710
Reconciliation of Income Tax Expense Using the Statutory Rate and Actual Income Tax Expense	Reconciliation of income tax expense for continuing operations using the statutory rate and actual income tax expense is as follows: (In thousands) 2018 2017 2016 Income taxes at the U.S. federal statutory rate $ 245,322 $ 240,677 $ 246,881 Permanent differences (1) (47,137 ) (29,414 ) — State and local income taxes, net of federal benefit 24,783 19,210 16,339 Other (2) (4,451 ) (355 ) (6,510 ) Impact of the Tax Act: Deemed repatriation of non-U.S. earnings, net of foreign tax credits and other (collectively, transition tax) 9,768 — — Non-U.S. withholding taxes related to certain non-U.S. earnings subject to repatriation 4,363 — — Remeasurement of U.S. net deferred tax liabilities from 35% to 21% (175,579 ) — — $ 57,069 $ 230,118 $ 256,710 (1) Includes the impact of ASU 2016-09. (2) Primarily consists of adjustments for uncertain tax positions, deferred adjustments and return to provision adjustments.
Components of Deferred Income Taxes	The components of deferred income taxes included on the consolidated balance sheets are as follows: (In thousands) 2018 2017 Deferred tax assets: Allowance for doubtful accounts $ 6,955 $ 7,707 Inventory obsolescence 8,668 16,096 Insurance and contingencies 36,727 54,489 Stock-based compensation 53,532 73,027 Net operating loss and foreign related carry-forwards (1) 11,910 37,814 Deferred compensation and other 31,093 25,891 148,885 215,024 Valuation allowance (11,302 ) (18,088 ) 137,583 196,936 Deferred tax liabilities: Uniform and other rental items in service 143,580 210,766 Property and equipment 115,712 126,872 Service contracts and other intangible assets 183,000 290,049 Treasury locks 3,545 6,435 State taxes and other 44,327 32,142 490,164 666,264 Net deferred tax liability $ 352,581 $ 469,328 (1) The decrease in fiscal 2018 from fiscal 2017 is primarily due to the utilization of the net operating loss related to the G&K acquisition in fiscal 2017. The majority of these net operating losses have a five-year expiration period.
Summary of Valuation Allowance	The progression of the valuation allowance is as follows: (In thousands) 2018 2017 Balance at beginning of year $ (18,088 ) $ (17,047 ) Additions (3,268 ) (1,667 ) Subtractions (1) 10,054 626 Balance at end of year $ (11,302 ) $ (18,088 ) (1) Primarily related to expiration of net operating loss carryforwards and application of the Tax Act.
Reconciliation of Beginning and Ending Amount of Gross Unrecognized Tax Benefits	A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of the gross unrecognized tax benefits (exclusive of interest and penalties) is as follows: (In thousands) Balance at June 1, 2016 $ 16,531 Additions from G&K acquisition (1) 2,084 Additions for tax positions of prior years 2,520 Settlements (2) (1,044 ) Statute expirations (2,734 ) Balance at May 31, 2017 $ 17,357 Additions for tax positions of the current year 10,164 Additions from G&K acquisition (1) 6,394 Additions for tax positions of prior years 5,675 Statute expirations (2,943 ) Balance at May 31, 2018 $ 36,647 (1) Increase in unrecognized tax benefit associated with unrecognized benefits assumed in the G&K acquisition. (2) Decrease in unrecognized tax benefit associated with the settlement of a fiscal 2012 Internal Revenue Service audit.

Acquisitions and Divestitures (

Acquisitions and Divestitures (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	May 31, 2018
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Schedule of Aggregate Purchase Price for Businesses Acquired	The following summarizes the aggregate purchase price and fair value allocations for all businesses acquired: (In thousands) 2018 2017 Fair value of tangible assets acquired $ 421 $ 550,491 Fair value of service contracts acquired 9,271 529,235 Fair value of other intangibles acquired 892 17,556 Net goodwill recognized 12,094 1,507,554 Total fair value of assets acquired 22,678 2,604,836 Fair value of liabilities assumed 3,332 502,465 Total cash paid for acquisitions, net of cash acquired $ 19,346 $ 2,102,371 The components of the final purchase price allocation, at fair value, are as follows: Assets: 2018 Accounts receivable $ 95,710 Inventories 28,813 Uniforms and other rental items in service 93,659 Income taxes, current 15,873 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 43,235 Property and equipment 253,346 Goodwill 1,545,905 Service contracts 519,000 Trade names 17,000 Other assets 15,585 Liabilities: Accounts payable (53,220 ) Accrued compensation and related liabilities (9,594 ) Accrued liabilities (108,198 ) Long term accrued liabilities (85,688 ) G&K senior notes (105,359 ) Deferred income taxes (187,649 ) Total consideration $ 2,078,418 The net consideration transferred for G&K consisted of the following items: (In thousands) Cash consideration for common stock $ 1,901,845 (1) Cash consideration for share-based awards 62,257 (2) Cash consideration for G&K revolving debt 124,180 (3) Cash consideration for transaction expenses 24,529 (4) Total consideration 2,112,811 Cash acquired (34,393 ) (5) Net consideration transferred $ 2,078,418 (1) The cash consideration for outstanding shares of G&K common stock is the product of the agreed-upon cash per share price of $97.50 and total G&K outstanding shares of approximately 19.5 million . (2) The cash consideration for share-based awards is the product of the agreed-upon cash per share price of $97.50 and the total number of restricted stock outstanding and the “in the money” stock options net of the weighted average exercise price. (3) The cash consideration for G&K revolving debt reflects the repayment of the outstanding obligation. (4) Represents G&K legal and professional fees that were incurred prior to acquisition and were due upon the closing of the transaction. (5) Represents the G&K cash balance acquired at acquisition.
Schedule of Preliminary Valuation and Amortization Period of Identifiable Intangible Assets	The table below sets forth the valuation and amortization period of identifiable intangible assets: Identifiable intangible assets: Valuation Amortization Period Service contracts $ 519,000 15 years Trade names 17,000 3 years Total $ 536,000
Schedule of Pro Forma Financial Information	The following unaudited pro forma information presents the combined financial results for Cintas and G&K as if the G&K acquisition had been completed at the beginning of Cintas’ fiscal 2016, June 1, 2015. Prior to the acquisition, G&K used a 52-week or 53-week fiscal year ending on the Saturday nearest June 30. The pro forma financial information set forth below for the year ended May 31, 2016 includes G&K's annual results for the period of June 28, 2015 through July 2, 2016 adjusted for number of working days in Cintas' fiscal 2016. The pro forma financial information for the year ended May 31, 2017 includes G&K's publicly reported results for the period of July 2, 2016 through December 31, 2016 annualized and adjusted for the number of work days in the stub period of June 1, 2016 through March 21, 2017 and the actual results from March 22, 2017 through May 31, 2017. Actual net sales and net income of the acquired G&K business included in reported fiscal 2017 results were $187.7 million and $5.7 million , respectively. In thousands except per share data 2017 2016 Net sales $ 6,107,109 $ 5,762,741 Net income $ 488,482 $ 520,224 Earnings per common share - diluted $ 4.45 $ 4.66

Employee Benefit Plans (Tables)

Employee Benefit Plans (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	May 31, 2018
Retirement Benefits [Abstract]
Obligations and Funded Status	Obligations and Funded Status at May 31: (in thousands) 2018 2017 Change in benefit obligation: Projected benefit obligation, beginning of year $ 87,387 $ — Projected benefit obligation acquired in G&K acquisition — 84,553 Interest cost 2,818 562 Actuarial (gain) loss (940 ) 2,750 Benefits paid (2,924 ) (478 ) Projected benefit obligation, end of year $ 86,341 $ 87,387 Change in plan assets: Fair value of plan assets, beginning of year $ 59,396 $ — Plan assets acquired in G&K acquisition — 57,747 Actual return on plan assets 2,309 2,127 Benefits paid (2,924 ) (478 ) Fair value of plan assets, end of year $ 58,781 $ 59,396 Funded status-net amount recognized $ (27,560 ) $ (27,991 )
Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost	Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost (in thousands) 2018 2017 Interest cost $ 2,818 $ 562 Expected return on assets (2,832 ) (590 ) Amortization of net loss — — Net periodic benefit cost $ (14 ) $ (28 )
Weighted Average Assumptions Used to Determine Benefit Obligations	The following weighted average assumptions were used to determine benefit obligations for the Pension Plan at May 31, 2018 and 2017: 2018 2017 Discount rate 3.95 % 3.79 % Rate of compensation increase N/A N/A The following weighted average assumptions were used to determine net periodic benefit cost for the Pension Plan for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2018 and 2017: 2018 2017 Discount rate 3.79 % 4.00 % Expected return on plan assets 4.90 % 5.40 % Rate of compensation increase N/A N/A
Asset allocations in the pension plan	The asset allocations in the Pension Plan at May 31, 2018 and 2017 are as follows: 2018 2018 2017 Target Asset Actual Asset Actual Asset Allocation International equity 8.0 % 7.9 % 8.3 % Large cap equity 26.0 % 26.5 % 26.3 % Small cap equity 5.0 % 5.6 % 5.3 % Absolute return strategy funds 16.0 % 15.8 % 16.2 % Fixed income 45.0 % 44.2 % 43.6 % Long/short equity fund — % — % 0.3 % Total 100 % 100 % 100 %
Pension plan investments using the fair value hierarchy	Information on the Pension Plan investments as of May 31, 2018 and 2017, using the fair value hierarchy discussed in Note 1 entitled Significant Accounting Polices, is as follows: May 31, 2018 (in thousands) Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Cash equivalents $ 487 $ — $ — $ 487 U.S. government securities 2,426 3,458 — 5,884 Corporate debt — 19,826 — 19,826 Mutual funds: U.S. securities 27,901 — — 27,901 International securities 4,683 — — 4,683 Total $ 35,497 $ 23,284 $ — $ 58,781 May 31, 2017 (in thousands) Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Cash equivalents $ 629 $ — $ — $ 629 U.S. government securities 1,874 3,401 — 5,275 Corporate debt — 20,210 — 20,210 Mutual funds: U.S. securities 28,353 — — 28,353 International securities 4,929 — — 4,929 Total $ 35,785 $ 23,611 $ — $ 59,396

Earnings per Share (Tables)

Earnings per Share (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	May 31, 2018
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share For Continuing Operations	The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share from continuing operations using the two-class method for amounts attributable to Cintas' common shares: Basic Earnings per Share from Continuing Operations (In thousands except per share data) 2018 2017 2016 Income from continuing operations $ 783,932 $ 457,286 $ 448,605 Less: income from continuing operations allocated to participating securities 11,794 8,168 7,131 Income from continuing operations available to common shareholders $ 772,138 $ 449,118 $ 441,474 Basic weighted average common shares outstanding 106,593 104,964 108,221 Basic earnings per share from continuing operations $ 7.24 $ 4.27 $ 4.08 Diluted Earnings per Share from Continuing Operations (In thousands except per share data) 2018 2017 2016 Income from continuing operations $ 783,932 $ 457,286 $ 448,605 Less: income from continuing operations allocated to participating securities 11,794 8,168 7,131 Income from continuing operations available to common shareholders $ 772,138 $ 449,118 $ 441,474 Basic weighted average common shares outstanding 106,593 104,964 108,221 Effect of dilutive securities – employee stock options 3,217 2,819 1,735 Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding 109,810 107,783 109,956 Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations $ 7.03 $ 4.17 $ 4.02
Summary of Buyback Activity by Program	The following table summarizes the buyback activity by program and fiscal period: (In thousands except per share data) 2018 2017 2016 Buyback Program Shares Avg. Price per Share Purchase Price Shares Avg. Price per Share Purchase Price Shares Avg. Price per Share Purchase Price January 13, 2015 — $ — $ — — $ — $ — 3,078 $ 85.44 $ 262,928 August 4, 2015 — $ — $ — 39 $ 94.09 $ 3,691 5,649 $ 87.85 $ 496,309 August 2, 2016 518 $ 173.51 $ 89,997 — $ — $ — — $ — $ — 518 $ 173.51 $ 89,997 39 $ 94.09 $ 3,691 8,727 $ 87.00 $ 759,237

Stock-Based Compensation (Table

Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	May 31, 2018
Share-based Compensation [Abstract]
Assumptions Used to Determine Fair Value of Options	The fair value of options was estimated at the date of grant using a Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following assumptions: 2018 2017 2016 Risk-free interest rate 1.8 % 1.2 % 2.0 % Dividend yield 1.2 % 1.3 % 1.4 % Expected volatility of Cintas' common stock 17.2 % 21.6 % 23.3 % Expected life of the option in years 6.5 7.5 7.5
Stock Options Granted and Outstanding	The information presented in the following table relates primarily to stock options granted and outstanding under either the 2016 Plan or under previously adopted plans: Shares Weighted Average Exercise Price Outstanding, June 1, 2015 (1,426,550 shares exercisable) 7,835,570 $ 51.59 Granted 1,739,767 93.55 Canceled (4,413 ) 34.56 Forfeited (231,042 ) 60.57 Exercised (919,975 ) 35.07 Outstanding, May 31, 2016 (1,649,236 shares exercisable) 8,419,907 61.83 Granted 1,343,180 126.51 Canceled (5,368 ) 32.45 Forfeited (165,452 ) 73.43 Exercised (1,004,217 ) 35.95 Outstanding, May 31, 2017 (1,795,898 shares exercisable) 8,588,050 74.77 Granted 1,664,867 175.86 Canceled (7,809 ) 45.10 Forfeited (255,627 ) 94.73 Exercised (1,059,295 ) 44.06 Outstanding, May 31, 2018 (2,006,922 shares exercisable) 8,930,186 $ 96.71
Summary of Information Related to Stock Options Outstanding	The following table summarizes the information related to stock options outstanding at May 31, 2018 : Outstanding Options Exercisable Options Range of Exercise Prices Number Outstanding Average Remaining Option Life Weighted Average Exercise Price Number Exercisable Weighted Average Exercise Price $ 22.42 – $ 59.50 1,901,639 4.03 $ 39.27 1,615,907 $ 37.74 59.51 – 89.78 2,671,836 6.69 76.01 348,008 65.55 89.79 – 109.33 1,346,379 8.13 107.33 42,346 101.57 109.34 – 182.25 3,010,332 9.55 158.55 661 137.30 $ 22.42 – $ 182.25 8,930,186 7.31 $ 100.73 2,006,922 $ 43.94
Restricted Stock Awards Granted and Outstanding	The information presented in the following table relates to restricted stock awards granted and outstanding under either the 2016 Plan or under previously adopted plans: Shares Weighted Average Grant Price Outstanding, unvested grants at June 1, 2015 2,210,113 $ 57.60 Granted 1,069,748 92.10 Forfeited (70,998 ) 65.79 Vested (605,427 ) 38.76 Outstanding, unvested grants at May 31, 2016 2,603,436 75.94 Granted 614,076 128.63 Forfeited (46,766 ) 81.23 Vested (428,672 ) 48.67 Outstanding, unvested grants at May 31, 2017 2,742,074 91.91 Granted 669,932 183.83 Forfeited (69,416 ) 102.96 Vested (701,476 ) 64.64 Outstanding, unvested grants at May 31, 2018 2,641,114 $ 122.18

Accumulated Other Comprehensi40

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	May 31, 2018
Equity [Abstract]
Schedule of Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	The following table summarizes the changes in the accumulated balances for each component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax: (In thousands) Foreign Currency Unrealized (Loss) Gain on Cash Flow Hedges Other Total Balance at May 31, 2016 $ (2,474 ) $ (20,830 ) $ (1,570 ) $ (24,874 ) Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications (10,252 ) 31,136 (115 ) 20,769 Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) — 1,076 — 1,076 Net current period other comprehensive (loss) income (10,252 ) 32,212 (115 ) 21,845 Balance at May 31, 2017 (12,726 ) 11,382 (1,685 ) (3,029 ) Other comprehensive income before reclassifications 19,276 — 1,029 20,305 Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) — (933 ) — (933 ) Net current period other comprehensive income (loss) 19,276 (933 ) 1,029 19,372 Balance at May 31, 2018 $ 6,550 $ 10,449 $ (656 ) $ 16,343
Schedule of Reclassifications Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	The following table summarizes the reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) during the fiscal years ended May 31: Reclassifications out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Details about Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Components Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Affected Line in the Consolidated Statements of Income (in thousands) 2018 2017 Amortization of interest rate locks $ 1,504 $ (1,714 ) Interest expense Tax (expense) benefit (571 ) 638 Income taxes Amortization of interest rate locks, net of tax $ 933 $ (1,076 ) Net of tax

Operating Segment Information (

Operating Segment Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	May 31, 2018
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Information Related to Operating Segments	Information related to the operations of Cintas' operating segments is set forth below: (In thousands) Uniform Rental and Facility Services First Aid and Safety Services All Other Corporate (1) Total May 31, 2018 Revenue $ 5,247,124 $ 564,706 $ 664,802 $ — $ 6,476,632 Gross margin $ 2,360,165 $ 265,785 $ 282,573 $ — $ 2,908,523 Selling and administrative expenses 1,500,644 190,567 225,581 — 1,916,792 G&K Services, Inc. transaction and integration expenses 41,897 — — — 41,897 Interest expense, net — — — 108,833 108,833 Income before income taxes $ 817,624 $ 75,218 $ 56,992 $ (108,833 ) $ 841,001 Depreciation and amortization $ 236,773 $ 21,898 $ 20,745 $ — $ 279,416 Capital expenditures $ 225,694 $ 27,932 $ 18,073 $ — $ 271,699 Total assets $ 5,977,314 $ 471,165 $ 371,011 $ 138,724 $ 6,958,214 May 31, 2017 Revenue $ 4,202,490 $ 508,233 $ 612,658 $ — $ 5,323,381 Gross margin $ 1,894,716 $ 230,166 $ 255,413 $ — $ 2,380,295 Selling and administrative expenses 1,138,345 177,378 211,657 — 1,527,380 G&K Services, Inc. transaction and integration expenses 79,224 — — — 79,224 Interest expense, net — — — 86,287 86,287 Income before income taxes $ 677,147 $ 52,788 $ 43,756 $ (86,287 ) $ 687,404 Depreciation and amortization $ 156,998 $ 19,962 $ 17,905 $ 1,730 $ 196,595 Capital expenditures $ 232,832 $ 26,863 $ 12,645 $ 977 $ 273,317 Total assets $ 5,801,680 $ 444,717 $ 367,562 $ 230,098 $ 6,844,057 May 31, 2016 Revenue $ 3,759,524 $ 461,783 $ 574,465 $ — $ 4,795,772 Gross margin $ 1,666,691 $ 197,010 $ 237,639 $ — $ 2,101,340 Selling and administrative expenses 994,590 147,503 190,306 — 1,332,399 Interest expense, net — — — 63,626 63,626 Income before income taxes $ 672,101 $ 49,507 $ 47,333 $ (63,626 ) $ 705,315 Depreciation and amortization $ 130,421 $ 16,021 $ 16,879 $ 1,958 $ 165,279 Capital expenditures $ 237,871 $ 22,364 $ 14,840 $ 310 $ 275,385 Total assets $ 3,104,822 $ 421,697 $ 322,474 $ 249,822 $ 4,098,815 (1) Corporate assets include cash and marketable securities in all periods presented. Corporate assets as of May 31, 2017 and 2016 also include the assets of Discontinued Services. Corporate depreciation and amortization includes depreciation and amortization of Discontinued Services.

Quarterly Financial Data (Una42

Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	May 31, 2018
Quarterly Financial Data [Abstract]
Summary of Results of Operations for Each Quarter	The following is a summary of the results of operation for each of the quarters within the fiscal years ended May 31, 2018 and 2017 : May 31, 2018 (in thousands) First Quarter Second Quarter Third Quarter Fourth Quarter Revenue $ 1,611,503 $ 1,606,441 $ 1,589,138 $ 1,669,550 Gross margin $ 739,353 $ 716,369 $ 700,463 $ 752,338 Net income, continuing operations $ 161,108 $ 137,737 $ 295,789 $ 189,298 Basic earnings per share, continuing operations $ 1.50 $ 1.27 $ 2.73 $ 1.74 Diluted earnings per share, continuing operations $ 1.45 $ 1.24 $ 2.66 $ 1.68 Weighted average number of shares outstanding 105,740 106,340 106,558 106,593 May 31, 2017 (in thousands) First Quarter Second Quarter Third Quarter Fourth Quarter Revenue $ 1,266,650 $ 1,271,077 $ 1,255,367 $ 1,530,287 Gross margin $ 576,427 $ 565,218 $ 559,924 $ 678,726 Net income, continuing operations $ 136,208 $ 121,950 $ 116,954 $ 82,174 Basic earnings per share, continuing operations $ 1.27 $ 1.15 $ 1.09 $ 0.76 Diluted earnings per share, continuing operations $ 1.24 $ 1.12 $ 1.06 $ 0.75 Weighted average number of shares outstanding 104,483 104,957 105,093 105,325

Discontinued Operations (Tables

Discontinued Operations (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	May 31, 2018
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]
Schedule of Discontinued Operations	Following is selected financial information included in net income from discontinued operations for the Discontinued Services, Shredding and Storage businesses: (In thousands) 2018 2017 2016 Revenue $ 10,773 $ 105,559 $ 109,686 (Loss) income before income taxes, excluding gains from sale transactions and investments (2,433 ) 10,622 13,242 Income tax benefit (expense) 706 (3,930 ) (4,900 ) Gain on sale of business 96,400 — — Gain on Shred-it — 25,457 354,071 Gain on Storage transactions — 2,400 15,786 Income tax expense on net gain (36,019 ) (11,127 ) (133,284 ) Net income from discontinued operations $ 58,654 $ 23,422 $ 244,915

Supplemental Guarantor Inform44

Supplemental Guarantor Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	May 31, 2018
Condensed Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Condensed Consolidating Income Statement	Condensed Consolidating Income Statement Year Ended May 31, 2018 (in thousands) Cintas Corporation Corp. 2 Subsidiary Guarantors Non- Guarantors Eliminations Cintas Corporation Consolidated Revenue: Uniform rental and facility services $ — $ 4,361,716 $ 681,846 $ 400,792 $ (197,230 ) $ 5,247,124 Other — 1,778,845 112 88,092 (637,541 ) 1,229,508 Equity in net income of affiliates 783,932 — — — (783,932 ) — 783,932 6,140,561 681,958 488,884 (1,618,703 ) 6,476,632 Costs and expenses (income): Cost of uniform rental and facility services — 2,511,854 418,722 254,718 (298,335 ) 2,886,959 Cost of other — 1,183,036 (57,220 ) 62,368 (507,034 ) 681,150 Selling and administrative expenses — 2,093,655 (271,222 ) 125,545 (31,186 ) 1,916,792 G&K Services, Inc. transaction and integration expenses — 15,383 22,148 4,366 — 41,897 Operating income 783,932 336,633 569,530 41,887 (782,148 ) 949,834 Interest income — (310 ) (242 ) (793 ) 3 (1,342 ) Interest expense (income) — 111,292 (1,017 ) (100 ) — 110,175 Income before income taxes 783,932 225,651 570,789 42,780 (782,151 ) 841,001 Income tax (benefit) expense — (48,907 ) 90,886 15,212 (122 ) 57,069 Income from continuing operations 783,932 274,558 479,903 27,568 (782,029 ) 783,932 Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax 58,654 68,293 (9,688 ) — (58,605 ) 58,654 Net income $ 842,586 $ 342,851 $ 470,215 $ 27,568 $ (840,634 ) $ 842,586 Condensed Consolidating Income Statement Year Ended May 31, 2017 (in thousands) Cintas Corporation Corp. 2 Subsidiary Guarantors Non- Guarantors Eliminations Cintas Corporation Consolidated Revenue: Uniform rental and facility services $ — $ 3,511,483 $ 604,679 $ 257,288 $ (170,960 ) $ 4,202,490 Other — 1,604,877 1,810 73,006 (558,802 ) 1,120,891 Equity in net income of affiliates 457,286 — — — (457,286 ) — 457,286 5,116,360 606,489 330,294 (1,187,048 ) 5,323,381 Costs and expenses (income): Cost of uniform rental and facility services — 2,021,365 378,404 164,969 (256,964 ) 2,307,774 Cost of other — 1,070,780 (41,509 ) 56,210 (450,169 ) 635,312 Selling and administrative expenses — 1,686,209 (220,887 ) 87,672 (25,614 ) 1,527,380 G&K Services, Inc. transaction and integration expenses — 51,868 19,060 8,296 — 79,224 Operating income 457,286 286,138 471,421 13,147 (454,301 ) 773,691 Interest income — (26 ) (191 ) (22 ) 2 (237 ) Interest expense (income) — 89,706 (2,978 ) (204 ) — 86,524 Income before income taxes 457,286 196,458 474,590 13,373 (454,303 ) 687,404 Income taxes — 65,829 159,025 5,365 (101 ) 230,118 Income from continuing operations 457,286 130,629 315,565 8,008 (454,202 ) 457,286 Income from discontinued operations, net of tax 23,422 22,287 — 1,135 (23,422 ) 23,422 Net income $ 480,708 $ 152,916 $ 315,565 $ 9,143 $ (477,624 ) $ 480,708 Condensed Consolidating Income Statement Year Ended May 31, 2016 (in thousands) Cintas Corporation Corp. 2 Subsidiary Guarantors Non- Guarantors Eliminations Cintas Corporation Consolidated Revenue: Uniform rental and facility services $ — $ 3,147,844 $ 553,414 $ 213,526 $ (155,260 ) $ 3,759,524 Other — 1,484,556 8,540 66,270 (523,118 ) 1,036,248 Equity in net income of affiliates 448,605 — — — (448,605 ) — 448,605 4,632,400 561,954 279,796 (1,126,983 ) 4,795,772 Costs and expenses (income): Cost of uniform rental and facility services — 1,835,835 350,500 142,601 (236,103 ) 2,092,833 Cost of other — 1,001,576 (40,741 ) 48,539 (407,775 ) 601,599 Selling and administrative expenses — 1,497,106 (206,889 ) 69,257 (27,075 ) 1,332,399 Operating income 448,605 297,883 459,084 19,399 (456,030 ) 768,941 Interest income — — (666 ) (232 ) 2 (896 ) Interest expense (income) — 65,534 (1,027 ) 15 — 64,522 Income before income taxes 448,605 232,349 460,777 19,616 (456,032 ) 705,315 Income taxes — 82,783 164,169 9,874 (116 ) 256,710 Income from continuing operations 448,605 149,566 296,608 9,742 (455,916 ) 448,605 Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax 244,915 250,625 — (5,837 ) (244,788 ) 244,915 Net income $ 693,520 $ 400,191 $ 296,608 $ 3,905 $ (700,704 ) $ 693,520
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income	Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income Year Ended May 31, 2018 (in thousands) Cintas Corporation Corp. 2 Subsidiary Guarantors Non- Guarantors Eliminations Cintas Corporation Consolidated Net income $ 842,586 $ 342,851 $ 470,215 $ 27,568 $ (840,634 ) $ 842,586 Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax: Foreign currency translation adjustments 19,276 — — 19,276 (19,276 ) 19,276 Amortization of interest rate lock agreements (933 ) (933 ) — — 933 (933 ) Other 1,029 267 762 — (1,029 ) 1,029 Other comprehensive income (loss) 19,372 (666 ) 762 19,276 (19,372 ) 19,372 Comprehensive income $ 861,958 $ 342,185 $ 470,977 $ 46,844 $ (860,006 ) $ 861,958 Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income Year Ended May 31, 2017 (in thousands) Cintas Corporation Corp. 2 Subsidiary Guarantors Non- Guarantors Eliminations Cintas Corporation Consolidated Net income $ 480,708 $ 152,916 $ 315,565 $ 9,143 $ (477,624 ) $ 480,708 Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax: Foreign currency translation adjustments (10,252 ) — — (10,252 ) 10,252 (10,252 ) Change in fair value of cash flow hedges 31,136 31,136 — — (31,136 ) 31,136 Amortization of interest rate lock agreements 1,076 1,076 — — (1,076 ) 1,076 Other (115 ) — (115 ) — 115 (115 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) 21,845 32,212 (115 ) (10,252 ) (21,845 ) 21,845 Comprehensive income (loss) $ 502,553 $ 185,128 $ 315,450 $ (1,109 ) $ (499,469 ) $ 502,553 Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income Year Ended May 31, 2016 (in thousands) Cintas Corporation Corp. 2 Subsidiary Guarantors Non- Guarantors Eliminations Cintas Corporation Consolidated Net income $ 693,520 $ 400,191 $ 296,608 $ 3,905 $ (700,704 ) $ 693,520 Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax: Foreign currency translation adjustments — — — (11,933 ) — (11,933 ) Cumulative translation adjustment on Shred-it — 5,875 — 597 — 6,472 Change in fair value of cash flow hedges — (12,156 ) — — — (12,156 ) Amortization of interest rate lock agreements — 1,952 — — — 1,952 Other — — (730 ) (8 ) — (738 ) Other comprehensive loss — (4,329 ) (730 ) (11,344 ) — (16,403 ) Comprehensive income (loss) $ 693,520 $ 395,862 $ 295,878 $ (7,439 ) $ (700,704 ) $ 677,117
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet	Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet As of May 31, 2018 (in thousands) Cintas Corporation Corp. 2 Subsidiary Guarantors Non- Guarantors Eliminations Cintas Corporation Consolidated Assets Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ — $ 44,499 $ 60,310 $ 33,915 $ — $ 138,724 Accounts receivable, net — 620,920 120,767 62,896 — 804,583 Inventories, net — 225,581 38,844 15,922 — 280,347 Uniforms and other rental items in service — 585,108 81,494 54,248 (18,589 ) 702,261 Income taxes, current — 5,546 9,258 4,830 — 19,634 Prepaid expenses and other current assets — 9,453 21,688 1,242 — 32,383 Total current assets — 1,491,107 332,361 173,053 (18,589 ) 1,977,932 Property and equipment, net — 900,014 370,186 112,530 — 1,382,730 Investments (1) 321,083 3,595,668 950,239 1,716,070 (6,407,479 ) 175,581 Goodwill — — 2,579,769 267,231 (112 ) 2,846,888 Service contracts, net — 468,283 — 77,485 — 545,768 Other assets, net 2,230,196 593 4,381,476 8,656 (6,591,606 ) 29,315 $ 2,551,279 $ 6,455,665 $ 8,614,031 $ 2,355,025 $ (13,017,786 ) $ 6,958,214 Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity Current liabilities: Accounts payable $ (465,247 ) $ (1,724,844 ) $ 2,395,434 $ (28,216 ) $ 37,947 $ 215,074 Accrued compensation and related liabilities — 104,560 24,878 11,216 — 140,654 Accrued liabilities — 88,949 308,485 22,695 — 420,129 Total current liabilities (465,247 ) (1,531,335 ) 2,728,797 5,695 37,947 775,857 Long-term liabilities: Debt due after one year — 2,534,919 — 390 — 2,535,309 Deferred income taxes — 215,881 104,559 32,141 — 352,581 Accrued liabilities — 63,073 198,181 16,687 — 277,941 Total long-term liabilities — 2,813,873 302,740 49,218 — 3,165,831 Total shareholders' equity 3,016,526 5,173,127 5,582,494 2,300,112 (13,055,733 ) 3,016,526 $ 2,551,279 $ 6,455,665 $ 8,614,031 $ 2,355,025 $ (13,017,786 ) $ 6,958,214 (1) Investments include inter company investment activity. Corp 2 and Subsidiary Guarantors hold $17.6 million and $158.0 million , respectively, of the $175.6 million consolidated net investments. Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet As of May 31, 2017 (in thousands) Cintas Corporation Corp. 2 Subsidiary Guarantors Non- Guarantors Eliminations Cintas Corporation Consolidated Assets Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ — $ 48,658 $ 17,302 $ 103,306 $ — $ 169,266 Marketable securities — — — 22,219 — 22,219 Accounts receivable, net — 543,769 137,881 54,358 — 736,008 Inventories, net — 243,677 21,466 14,461 (1,386 ) 278,218 Uniforms and other rental items in service — 531,295 78,012 45,388 (18,993 ) 635,702 Income taxes, current — 16,173 25,138 3,009 — 44,320 Prepaid expenses and other current assets — 13,234 16,188 710 — 30,132 Assets held for sale — 23,095 15,518 — — 38,613 Total current assets — 1,419,901 311,505 243,451 (20,379 ) 1,954,478 Property and equipment, net — 851,018 364,724 107,759 — 1,323,501 Investments (1) 321,083 3,605,457 929,657 1,711,070 (6,402,479 ) 164,788 Goodwill — — 2,742,898 39,549 (112 ) 2,782,335 Service contracts, net — 505,698 — 81,290 — 586,988 Other assets, net 1,516,463 14,705 3,489,653 11,983 (5,000,837 ) 31,967 $ 1,837,546 $ 6,396,779 $ 7,838,437 $ 2,195,102 $ (11,423,807 ) $ 6,844,057 Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity Current liabilities: Accounts payable $ (465,247 ) $ (1,596,731 ) $ 2,292,388 $ (91,467 ) $ 38,108 $ 177,051 Accrued compensation and related liabilities — 94,505 42,866 12,264 — 149,635 Accrued liabilities — 191,819 219,303 18,687 — 429,809 Liabilities held for sale — 11,457 — — — 11,457 Debt due within one year — 362,900 — — — 362,900 Total current liabilities (465,247 ) (936,050 ) 2,554,557 (60,516 ) 38,108 1,130,852 Long-term liabilities: Debt due after one year — 2,770,234 — 390 — 2,770,624 Deferred income taxes — — 436,613 32,715 — 469,328 Accrued liabilities — 28,384 140,923 1,153 — 170,460 Total long-term liabilities — 2,798,618 577,536 34,258 — 3,410,412 Total shareholders' equity 2,302,793 4,534,211 4,706,344 2,221,360 (11,461,915 ) 2,302,793 $ 1,837,546 $ 6,396,779 $ 7,838,437 $ 2,195,102 $ (11,423,807 ) $ 6,844,057 (1) Investments include inter company investment activity. Corp 2 and Subsidiary Guarantors hold $29.0 million and $135.8 million , respectively, of the $164.8 million consolidated net investments.
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows	Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows Year Ended May 31, 2018 (in thousands) Cintas Corporation Corp. 2 Subsidiary Guarantors Non- Guarantors Eliminations Cintas Corporation Consolidated Cash flows from operating activities: Net income $ 842,586 $ 342,851 $ 470,215 $ 27,568 $ (840,634 ) $ 842,586 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities: Depreciation — 143,301 58,206 13,969 — 215,476 Amortization of intangible assets — 50,231 5,102 8,607 — 63,940 Stock-based compensation 112,835 — — — — 112,835 Gain on sale of business — (111,921 ) 15,521 — (96,400 ) Deferred income taxes — (80,328 ) (38,906 ) (61 ) — (119,295 ) Changes in current assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions of businesses: Accounts receivable, net — (76,945 ) 17,129 (6,451 ) — (66,267 ) Inventories, net — 15,080 (17,377 ) 360 (1,386 ) (3,323 ) Uniforms and other rental items in service — (51,682 ) (3,483 ) (8,730 ) (404 ) (64,299 ) Prepaid expenses and other current assets — 3,676 (19,421 ) 219 — (15,526 ) Accounts payable — (60,978 ) 108,724 (12,310 ) (161 ) 35,275 Accrued compensation and related liabilities — 9,522 (18,595 ) (319 ) — (9,392 ) Accrued liabilities and other — (133,671 ) 173,905 2,234 — 42,468 Income taxes, current — 11,874 15,898 (1,690 ) — 26,082 Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities 955,421 61,010 766,918 23,396 (842,585 ) 964,160 Cash flows from investing activities: Capital expenditures — (192,668 ) (65,211 ) (13,820 ) — (271,699 ) Proceeds from redemption of marketable securities — 13,589 (1,189 ) 167,457 — 179,857 Purchase of marketable securities and investments — 9,789 (24,636 ) (143,861 ) 5,000 (153,708 ) Proceeds from sale of business — 127,835 — — — 127,835 Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired — (19,346 ) — — — (19,346 ) Other, net (694,429 ) 599,192 (633,629 ) (107,356 ) 837,585 1,363 Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities (694,429 ) 538,391 (724,665 ) (97,580 ) 842,585 (135,698 ) Cash flows from financing activities: Payments of commercial paper, net — (50,500 ) — — — (50,500 ) Repayment of debt — (550,000 ) — — — (550,000 ) Proceeds from exercise of stock-based compensation awards 41,848 — — — — 41,848 Dividends paid (175,521 ) — — (68 ) — (175,589 ) Repurchase of common stock (127,319 ) — — — — (127,319 ) Other, net — (3,060 ) 755 (275 ) — (2,580 ) Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities (260,992 ) (603,560 ) 755 (343 ) — (864,140 ) Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents — — — 5,136 — 5,136 Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents — (4,159 ) 43,008 (69,391 ) — (30,542 ) Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year — 48,658 17,302 103,306 — 169,266 Cash and cash equivalents at end of year $ — $ 44,499 $ 60,310 $ 33,915 $ — $ 138,724 Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows Year Ended May 31, 2017 (in thousands) Cintas Corporation Corp. 2 Subsidiary Guarantors Non- Guarantors Eliminations Cintas Corporation Consolidated Cash flows from operating activities: Net income $ 480,708 $ 152,916 $ 315,565 $ 9,143 $ (477,624 ) $ 480,708 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities: Depreciation — 117,578 43,660 10,327 — 171,565 Amortization of intangible assets — 21,496 1,178 2,356 — 25,030 Stock-based compensation 88,868 — — — — 88,868 Gain on Storage — (1,460 ) — — — (1,460 ) Gain on Shred-it — (23,516 ) — (1,941 ) — (25,457 ) Asset impairment charge — 20,966 — 2,365 — 23,331 G&K Services, Inc. transaction and integration costs — 26,453 — 4,992 — 31,445 Short-term debt financing fees included in net income — 17,062 — — — 17,062 Settlement of cash flow hedges — 30,194 — — — 30,194 Deferred income taxes — (26,289 ) 26,058 4,133 — 3,902 Changes in current assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions of businesses: Accounts receivable, net — (50,012 ) (40,380 ) (3,165 ) — (93,557 ) Inventories, net — 7,787 (2,317 ) (3,679 ) (2,459 ) (668 ) Uniforms and other rental items in service — (4,951 ) (5,011 ) 1,959 (729 ) (8,732 ) Prepaid expenses and other current assets — 21,119 2,775 307 — 24,201 Accounts payable — 1,765,713 (1,509,215 ) (242,875 ) 103 13,726 Accrued compensation and related liabilities — (7,498 ) 19,815 1,337 — 13,654 Accrued liabilities and other — 2,813 (5,675 ) 2,361 — (501 ) Income taxes, current — (5,205 ) (22,445 ) (1,774 ) — (29,424 ) Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities 569,576 2,065,166 (1,175,992 ) (214,154 ) (480,709 ) 763,887 Cash flows from investing activities: Capital expenditures — (153,963 ) (102,682 ) (16,672 ) — (273,317 ) Proceeds from redemption of marketable securities — — — 218,324 — 218,324 Purchase of marketable securities and investments — 18,150 (797,559 ) 598,344 — (181,065 ) Proceeds from sale of Storage — 2,400 — — — 2,400 Proceeds from sale of Shred-it — 23,935 — 1,941 — 25,876 Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired — (2,112,015 ) — 9,644 — (2,102,371 ) Other, net (438,344 ) (1,562,294 ) 2,039,740 (520,007 ) 480,709 (196 ) Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities (438,344 ) (3,783,787 ) 1,139,499 291,574 480,709 (2,310,349 ) Cash flows from financing activities: Proceeds from issuance of commercial paper, net — 50,500 — — — 50,500 Proceeds from the issuance of debt, net — 1,932,229 (2,000 ) 2,000 — 1,932,229 Repayment of debt — (250,000 ) — — — (250,000 ) Payment of short-term debt financing fees — (17,062 ) — — — (17,062 ) Proceeds from exercise of stock-based compensation awards 31,870 — — — — 31,870 Dividends paid (142,378 ) — — (55 ) — (142,433 ) Repurchase of common stock (20,724 ) — — — — (20,724 ) Other, net — (6,282 ) 404 — — (5,878 ) Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities (131,232 ) 1,709,385 (1,596 ) 1,945 — 1,578,502 Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents — — — (2,131 ) — (2,131 ) Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents — (9,236 ) (38,089 ) 77,234 — 29,909 Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year — 57,894 55,391 26,072 — 139,357 Cash and cash equivalents at end of year $ — $ 48,658 $ 17,302 $ 103,306 $ — $ 169,266 Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows Year Ended May 31, 2016 (in thousands) Cintas Corporation Corp. 2 Subsidiary Guarantors Non- Guarantors Eliminations Cintas Corporation Consolidated Cash flows from operating activities: Net income $ 693,520 $ 400,191 $ 296,608 $ 3,905 $ (700,704 ) $ 693,520 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities: Depreciation — 102,443 37,883 9,365 — 149,691 Amortization of intangible assets — 14,830 304 454 — 15,588 Stock-based compensation 79,293 — — — — 79,293 Gain on Storage transactions — (12,547 ) — (3,239 ) — (15,786 ) (Gain) loss on Shred-it — (366,460 ) — 12,389 — (354,071 ) Deferred income taxes — (83,648 ) 22,025 2,321 — (59,302 ) Changes in current assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions of businesses: Accounts receivable, net — (30,381 ) (20,196 ) (2,185 ) — (52,762 ) Inventories, net — (23,917 ) 2,011 (2,454 ) 6,443 (17,917 ) Uniforms and other rental items in service — (3,193 ) (2,032 ) (1,840 ) 759 (6,306 ) Prepaid expenses and other current assets — (167 ) (914 ) 116 — (965 ) Accounts payable — (487,582 ) 491,918 (4,884 ) (16 ) (564 ) Accrued compensation and related liabilities — 9,838 3,103 571 — 13,512 Accrued liabilities and other — (3,790 ) 25,625 155 724 22,714 Income taxes, current — 895 (1,118 ) (577 ) — (800 ) Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities 772,813 (483,488 ) 855,217 14,097 (692,794 ) 465,845 Cash flows from investing activities: Capital expenditures — (162,075 ) (100,380 ) (12,930 ) — (275,385 ) Proceeds from redemption of marketable securities — — — 434,179 — 434,179 Purchase of marketable securities and investments — (3,333 ) (12,085 ) (488,765 ) 10,037 (494,146 ) Proceeds from Storage transactions, net of cash contributed — 32,099 — 3,239 — 35,338 Proceeds from sale of Shred-it — 568,223 — 12,614 — 580,837 Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired — (130,786 ) — (25,793 ) — (156,579 ) Other, net 94,344 169,821 (945,406 ) 1,897 683,481 4,137 Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities 94,344 473,949 (1,057,871 ) (75,559 ) 693,518 128,381 Cash flows from financing activities: Proceeds from the issuance of debt — — (165 ) 165 — — Repayment of debt — (9,151 ) 10,224 (365 ) (724 ) (16 ) Proceeds from exercise of stock-based compensation awards 28,226 — — — — 28,226 Dividends paid (115,232 ) — — (41 ) — (115,273 ) Repurchase of common stock (780,151 ) — — — — (780,151 ) Other, net — 1,952 (730 ) (732 ) — 490 Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities (867,157 ) (7,199 ) 9,329 (973 ) (724 ) (866,724 ) Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents — — — (5,218 ) — (5,218 ) Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents — (16,738 ) (193,325 ) (67,653 ) — (277,716 ) Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year — 74,632 248,716 93,725 — 417,073 Cash and cash equivalents at end of year $ — $ 57,894 $ 55,391 $ 26,072 $ — $ 139,357

Significant Accounting Polici45

Significant Accounting Policies - Narrative (Details)	Mar. 21, 2017USD ($)	May 31, 2018USD ($)segmentbusiness	May 31, 2017USD ($)	May 31, 2016USD ($)	Jun. 01, 2018USD ($)	Aug. 31, 2016USD ($)	Apr. 30, 2014
Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Number of businesses helped | business		1,000,000
Restricted cash		$ 30,900,000	$ 30,600,000
Inventory obsolescence reserve		37,000,000	38,300,000
Impairment losses		$ 0	23,331,000	$ 0
Number of reporting units | segment		4
Impairment of intangible assets		$ 0	0	$ 0
Retained Earnings | Accounting Standards Update 2016-09
Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Cumulative effect adjustment						$ 26,700,000
Paid-In Capital | Accounting Standards Update 2016-09
Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Cumulative effect adjustment						$ (26,700,000)
Uniforms in Service
Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Inventories useful life, maximum		18 months
Other Rental Items
Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Inventories useful life, minimum		8 months
Inventories useful life, maximum		60 months
Minimum | Retained Earnings | Subsequent Event | Accounting Standards Update 2014-09
Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Cumulative effect adjustment					$ 185,000,000
Minimum | Service Contacts and Other Assets
Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Service contracts and other assets useful lives (years)		5 years
Maximum | Retained Earnings | Subsequent Event | Accounting Standards Update 2014-09
Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Cumulative effect adjustment					$ 215,000,000
Maximum | Service Contacts and Other Assets
Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Service contracts and other assets useful lives (years)		10 years
All Other
Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Number of reporting units | segment		2
Shred-it Partnership
Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Percentage of newly formed partnership owned by Cintas							42.00%
Shred-it Partnership | Shred-it
Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Partnership, ownership percentage by third party							58.00%
G & K Services
Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Consideration transferred	$ 2,112,811,000
Impairment losses			$ 23,300,000
G & K Services | Service contracts
Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Service contracts and other assets useful lives (years)		15 years

Significant Accounting Polici46

Significant Accounting Policies - Inventories (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	May 31, 2018	May 31, 2017
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Raw materials	$ 17,042	$ 17,528
Work in process	27,350	17,951
Finished goods	235,955	242,739
Inventories, net	280,347	278,218
Inventory obsolescence reserve	$ 37,000	$ 38,300

Significant Accounting Polici47

Significant Accounting Policies - Estimated Useful Lives (Details)	12 Months Ended
	May 31, 2018
Minimum | Buildings
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, useful lives	30 years
Minimum | Building improvements
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, useful lives	5 years
Minimum | Equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, useful lives	3 years
Minimum | Leasehold improvements
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, useful lives	2 years
Maximum | Buildings
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, useful lives	40 years
Maximum | Building improvements
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, useful lives	20 years
Maximum | Equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, useful lives	10 years
Maximum | Leasehold improvements
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, useful lives	15 years

Significant Accounting Polici48

Significant Accounting Policies - Accrued Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	May 31, 2018	May 31, 2017
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
General insurance liabilities	$ 163,400	$ 153,743
Employee benefit related liabilities	112,801	110,104
Taxes and related liabilities	8,148	8,057
Accrued interest	24,763	36,638
Other	111,017	121,267
Accrued liabilities	$ 420,129	$ 429,809

Fair Value Disclosures - Financ

Fair Value Disclosures - Financial Instruments on a Recurring Basis (Details) - Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring - USD ($) $ in Thousands	May 31, 2018	May 31, 2017
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 138,724	$ 169,266
Total assets at fair value	138,724	191,485
Canadian treasury securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Marketable Securities		22,219
Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	138,724	169,266
Total assets at fair value	138,724	169,266
Level 1 | Canadian treasury securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Marketable Securities		0
Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Total assets at fair value	0	22,219
Level 2 | Canadian treasury securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Marketable Securities		22,219
Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Total assets at fair value	$ 0	0
Level 3 | Canadian treasury securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Marketable Securities		$ 0

Fair Value Disclosures - Narrat

Fair Value Disclosures - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	May 31, 2018	May 31, 2017	May 31, 2016
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Amortized cost basis, marketable securities		$ 22.2
Marketable securities purchased	$ 143.9	$ 171.3	$ 488.8

Property and Equipment (Details

Property and Equipment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	May 31, 2018	May 31, 2017	May 31, 2016
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	$ 3,046,440	$ 2,839,878
Less: accumulated depreciation	1,663,710	1,516,377
Property, plant and equipment, net	1,382,730	1,323,501
Capitalized interest	1,000	2,100	$ 1,100
Land
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	177,281	173,166
Buildings and improvements
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	644,322	624,615
Equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	2,070,009	1,930,018
Leasehold improvements
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	34,891	32,679
Construction in progress
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	119,937	79,400
Internal Use Software
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	$ 253,800	229,000
Property and equipment, useful lives	10 years
Less: accumulated depreciation	$ 88,800	$ 78,300

Investments - Narrative (Detail

Investments - Narrative (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	May 31, 2018		May 31, 2017		May 31, 2016
Investments [Abstract]
Investments	$ 175,581,000	[1]	$ 164,788,000	[2]
Cash surrender value of life insurance policies	154,000,000		144,000,000
Equity method investments	16,400,000		15,800,000
Cost method investments	5,200,000		5,000,000
Losses due to impairment	$ 0		$ 0		$ 0
[1]	Investments include inter company investment activity. Corp 2 and Subsidiary Guarantors hold $17.6 million and $158.0 million, respectively, of the $175.6 million consolidated net investments.
[2]	Investments include inter company investment activity. Corp 2 and Subsidiary Guarantors hold $29.0 million and $135.8 million, respectively, of the $164.8 million consolidated net investments.

Goodwill, Service Contracts a53

Goodwill, Service Contracts and Other Assets - Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	May 31, 2018	May 31, 2017
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance at the beginning of the period	$ 2,782,335	$ 1,276,076
Goodwill acquired	61,461	1,507,554
Foreign currency translation	3,092	(1,295)
Balance at the end of the period	2,846,888	2,782,335
G & K Services
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Preliminary purchase price allocation adjustment	52,700
Operating Segments | Uniform Rental and Facility Services
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance at the beginning of the period	2,448,070	949,730
Goodwill acquired	55,152	1,499,008
Foreign currency translation	2,254	(668)
Balance at the end of the period	2,505,476	2,448,070
Operating Segments | First Aid and Safety Services
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance at the beginning of the period	243,112	241,448
Goodwill acquired	370	2,265
Foreign currency translation	797	(601)
Balance at the end of the period	244,279	243,112
Operating Segments | All Other
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance at the beginning of the period	91,153	84,898
Goodwill acquired	5,939	6,281
Foreign currency translation	41	(26)
Balance at the end of the period	$ 97,133	$ 91,153

Goodwill, Service Contracts a54

Goodwill, Service Contracts and Other Assets - Changes in Carrying Amount of Service Contracts (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	May 31, 2018	May 31, 2017
Service contracts [Roll Forward]
Balance at the beginning of the period	$ 586,988	$ 78,194
Service contracts acquired	9,393	529,235
Service contracts amortization	(54,044)	(20,510)
Foreign currency translation	3,431	69
Balance at the end of the period	545,768	586,988
Operating Segments | Uniform Rental and Facility Services
Service contracts [Roll Forward]
Balance at the beginning of the period	529,923	19,912
Service contracts acquired	4,098	521,708
Service contracts amortization	(45,296)	(11,636)
Foreign currency translation	3,342	(61)
Balance at the end of the period	492,067	529,923
Operating Segments | First Aid and Safety Services
Service contracts [Roll Forward]
Balance at the beginning of the period	30,062	32,252
Service contracts acquired	985	1,632
Service contracts amortization	(3,842)	(3,952)
Foreign currency translation	89	130
Balance at the end of the period	27,294	30,062
Operating Segments | All Other
Service contracts [Roll Forward]
Balance at the beginning of the period	27,003	26,030
Service contracts acquired	4,310	5,895
Service contracts amortization	(4,906)	(4,922)
Foreign currency translation	0	0
Balance at the end of the period	$ 26,407	$ 27,003

Goodwill, Service Contracts a55

Goodwill, Service Contracts and Other Assets - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	May 31, 2018	May 31, 2017	May 31, 2016
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Goodwill	$ 2,846,888	$ 2,782,335	$ 1,276,076
Service contracts
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, Amortization Expense, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Weighted average amortization period	12 years 9 months 18 days
Noncompete and consulting agreements
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, Amortization Expense, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Weighted average amortization period	5 years
Consulting Agreements and Other
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, Amortization Expense, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Weighted average amortization period	4 years
Continuing Operations
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortization of intangible assets	$ 61,200	22,800	$ 14,200
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, Amortization Expense, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Estimated amortization expense, year one	62,500
Estimated amortization expense, year two	61,100
Estimated amortization expense, year three	55,200
Estimated amortization expense, year four	53,200
Estimated amortization expense, year five	44,900
Estimated amortization expense, thereafter	$ 283,400
Discontinued Operations, Held-for-sale
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Goodwill		$ 15,500

Goodwill, Service Contracts a56

Goodwill, Service Contracts and Other Assets - Information Regarding Service Contracts and Other Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	May 31, 2018	May 31, 2017	May 31, 2016
Information regarding service contracts and other assets
Service contracts, net	$ 545,768	$ 586,988	$ 78,194
Other assets, carrying amount	80,497	75,633
Other assets, accumulated amortization	51,182	43,666
Other assets, net	29,315	31,967
Noncompete and consulting agreements
Information regarding service contracts and other assets
Other assets, carrying amount	41,710	40,743
Other assets, accumulated amortization	39,877	39,244
Other assets, net	1,833	1,499
Other
Information regarding service contracts and other assets
Other assets, carrying amount	38,787	34,890
Other assets, accumulated amortization	11,305	4,422
Other assets, net	27,482	30,468
Service contracts
Information regarding service contracts and other assets
Service contracts, carrying amount	924,978	911,273
Service contracts, accumulated amortization	379,210	324,285
Service contracts, net	$ 545,768	$ 586,988

Debt and Derivatives - Summary

Debt and Derivatives - Summary of Outstanding Debt (Details) - USD ($)	May 31, 2018	Dec. 01, 2017	May 31, 2017
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Commercial paper	$ 0		$ 50,500,000
Debt due within one year
Debt issuance costs	0		(100,000)
Total debt due within one year	0		362,900,000
Debt due after one year
Debt issuance costs	(19,119,000)		(22,075,000)
Total debt due after one year	2,535,309,000		2,770,624,000
Senior Notes, 6.13%, 2018 Maturity | Senior notes
Debt due within one year
Long-term Debt, current	$ 0		300,000,000
Debt due after one year
Stated interest rate (as a percent)	6.13%	6.13%
Commercial Paper, 1.24% | Commercial paper
Debt due within one year
Long-term Debt, current	$ 0		50,500,000
Debt due after one year
Interest Rate (as a percent)	1.24%
Term Loan Facility | Line of Credit
Debt due within one year
Long-term Debt, current	$ 0		12,500,000
Debt due after one year
Long-term Debt, non-current	$ 0		237,500,000
Interest Rate (as a percent)	2.00%
Senior Notes 4.30%, 2022 Maturity | Senior notes
Debt due after one year
Long-term Debt, non-current	$ 250,000,000		250,000,000
Stated interest rate (as a percent)	4.30%
Senior Notes, 2.90%, 2022 Maturity | Senior notes
Debt due after one year
Long-term Debt, non-current	$ 650,000,000		650,000,000
Stated interest rate (as a percent)	2.90%
Senior Notes, 3.25%, 2023 Maturity | Senior notes
Debt due after one year
Long-term Debt, non-current	$ 300,000,000		300,000,000
Stated interest rate (as a percent)	3.25%
Senior Notes, 2.78%, 2023 Maturity | Senior notes
Debt due after one year
Long-term Debt, non-current	$ 52,119,000		52,554,000
Interest Rate (as a percent)	2.78%
Senior Notes, 2.78%, 2023 Maturity | Senior notes | G & K Services
Debt due after one year
Face value	$ 50,000,000
Stated interest rate (as a percent)	3.73%
Senior Notes, 3.11%, 2025 Maturity | Senior notes
Debt due after one year
Long-term Debt, non-current	$ 52,309,000		52,645,000
Interest Rate (as a percent)	3.11%
Senior Notes, 3.11%, 2025 Maturity | Senior notes | G & K Services
Debt due after one year
Face value	$ 50,000,000
Stated interest rate (as a percent)	3.88%
Senior Notes, 3.70%, 2027 Maturity | Senior notes
Debt due after one year
Long-term Debt, non-current	$ 1,000,000,000		1,000,000,000
Stated interest rate (as a percent)	3.70%
Senior Notes, 6.15%, 2037 Maturity | Senior notes
Debt due after one year
Long-term Debt, non-current	$ 250,000,000		$ 250,000,000
Stated interest rate (as a percent)	6.15%

Debt and Derivatives - Narrativ

Debt and Derivatives - Narrative (Details)	Dec. 01, 2017USD ($)	Feb. 28, 2017USD ($)	May 31, 2018USD ($)contract	May 31, 2017USD ($)contract	May 31, 2016USD ($)	Sep. 16, 2016USD ($)	Sep. 15, 2016USD ($)	Feb. 29, 2016USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Average interest rate (as a percent)			3.80%
Long-term debt, carrying amount			$ 2,535,309,000	$ 2,770,624,000
Proceeds from issuance of commercial paper	$ 265,000,000
Letters of credit outstanding, amount			143,000,000	110,900,000
Long-term Debt, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Maturities of long term debt, next twelve months			0
Maturities of long term debt, year two			0
Maturities of long term debt, year three			0
Maturities of long term debt, year four			900,000,000
Maturities of long term debt, year five			350,000,000
Interest paid			122,100,000	76,600,000	$ 64,500,000
Payments of financing costs			0	17,062,000	0
Commercial paper			0	$ 50,500,000
Borrowings on revolving credit facility			$ 0
Foreign Currency Forward Contracts
Long-term Debt, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Number of derivative instruments held | contract			0	0
Other comprehensive Income
Long-term Debt, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Amortization of interest rate lock agreements			$ (900,000)	$ 1,100,000	$ 2,000,000
Commercial paper
Long-term Debt, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Weighted average interest rate (as a percent)			1.24%
G & K Services
Long-term Debt, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Payments of financing costs				17,100,000
Senior notes | Treasury Lock | Designated as Hedging Instrument | Cash Flow Hedging
Long-term Debt, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Notional amount								$ 550,000,000
Deferred gain on derivatives				30,200,000
Term Notes Due Through 2036 | Unsecured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, carrying amount			$ 2,550,000,000	3,156,000,000
Long-term debt, fair value			$ 2,582,000,000	$ 3,296,800,000
Senior Notes, 6.13%, 2018 Maturity | Senior notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repayment of senior notes	$ 300,000,000
Stated interest rate (as a percent)	6.13%		6.13%
Debt instrument term	10 years
Commercial Paper, 1.24% | Commercial paper
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repayment of debt			$ 50,500,000
Debt Amendment June 2016
Long-term Debt, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Revolving credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity with accordion feature							$ 450,000,000
Debt Amendment September 2016
Long-term Debt, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Revolving credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity with accordion feature						$ 600,000,000
Line of credit facility, accordion feature, increase limit (up to)						250,000,000
Debt Amendment September 2016 | Revolving Credit Facility
Long-term Debt, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Revolving credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity with accordion feature						$ 250,000,000
Borrowings on revolving credit facility			$ 0
Senior Notes, 5-Year Maturity | Senior notes | Treasury Lock | Designated as Hedging Instrument | Cash Flow Hedging
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument term		5 years
Long-term Debt, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Notional amount		$ 500,000,000
Senior Notes, 10-Year Maturity | Senior notes | Treasury Lock | Designated as Hedging Instrument | Cash Flow Hedging
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument term		10 years
Long-term Debt, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Notional amount		$ 1,000,000,000

Leases (Details)

Leases (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	May 31, 2018	May 31, 2017	May 31, 2016
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Operating leases minimum payments due, due in year one	$ 49.3
Operating leases minimum payments due, due in two years	41.6
Operating leases minimum payments due, due in three years	33.7
Operating leases minimum payments due, due in four years	25.5
Operating leases minimum payments due, due in five years	18.9
Operating leases minimum payments due, due thereafter	27.7
Continuing Operations
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Operating lease rent expense	$ 70	$ 49.6	$ 40.8
Minimum
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Operating leases renewal option period	1 year
Maximum
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Operating leases renewal option period	10 years

Income Taxes - Components of In

Income Taxes - Components of Income Before Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	May 31, 2018	May 31, 2017	May 31, 2016
Income before income taxes for continuing operations consists of the following components:
U.S. operations	$ 798,215	$ 673,055	$ 685,167
Foreign operations	42,786	14,349	20,148
Income before income taxes from continuing operations	$ 841,001	$ 687,404	$ 705,315

Income Taxes - Components of 61

Income Taxes - Components of Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	May 31, 2018	May 31, 2017	May 31, 2016
Income tax expense for continuing operations consists of the following components:
Federal	$ 137,601	$ 187,134	$ 272,663
State and local	19,582	27,197	25,428
Foreign	15,103	6,996	6,471
Current income tax expense	172,286	221,327	304,562
Deferred	(115,217)	8,791	(47,852)
Income taxes	$ 57,069	$ 230,118	$ 256,710

Income Taxes - Reconciliation o

Income Taxes - Reconciliation of Income Tax Expense Using the Statutory Rate and Actual Income Tax Expense (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	May 31, 2018	May 31, 2017	May 31, 2016
Reconciliation of income tax expense for continuing operations using the statutory rate and actual income tax expense is as follows:
Income taxes at the U.S. federal statutory rate	$ 245,322	$ 240,677	$ 246,881
Permanent differences (1)	(47,137)	(29,414)	0
State and local income taxes, net of federal benefit	24,783	19,210	16,339
Other (2)	(4,451)	(355)	(6,510)
Deemed repatriation of non-U.S. earnings, net of foreign tax credits and other (collectively, transition tax)	9,768	0	0
Non-U.S. withholding taxes related to certain non-U.S. earnings subject to repatriation	4,363	0	0
Remeasurement of U.S. net deferred tax liabilities from 35% to 21%	(175,579)	0	0
Income taxes	$ 57,069	$ 230,118	$ 256,710

Income Taxes - Components of De

Income Taxes - Components of Deferred Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	May 31, 2018	May 31, 2017	May 31, 2016
Deferred tax assets:
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 6,955	$ 7,707
Inventory obsolescence	8,668	16,096
Insurance and contingencies	36,727	54,489
Stock-based compensation	53,532	73,027
Net operating loss and foreign related carry-forwards	11,910	37,814
Deferred compensation and other	31,093	25,891
Deferred tax assets, gross	148,885	215,024
Valuation allowance	(11,302)	(18,088)	$ (17,047)
Deferred tax assets, net	137,583	196,936
Deferred tax liabilities:
Uniform and other rental items in service	143,580	210,766
Property and equipment	115,712	126,872
Service contracts and other intangible assets	183,000	290,049
Treasury locks	3,545	6,435
State taxes and other	44,327	32,142
Deferred tax liabilities	490,164	666,264
Net deferred tax liability	$ 352,581	$ 469,328

Income Taxes - Summary of Valua

Income Taxes - Summary of Valuation Allowance (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	May 31, 2018	May 31, 2017
Movement in Valuation Allowance [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	$ (18,088)	$ (17,047)
Additions	(3,268)	(1,667)
Subtractions (1)	10,054	626
Balance at end of period	$ (11,302)	$ (18,088)

Income Taxes - Narrative (Detai

Income Taxes - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	May 31, 2018	May 31, 2017	May 31, 2016
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Income taxes paid	$ 175.3	$ 269.6	$ 452.6
Unrecognized tax benefits that would impact effective tax rates if recognized	26.9	12.6
Unrecognized tax benefits, interest and penalties accrued	1.8	$ 0.9
Revaluation of net deferred tax liability	175.6
Provisional transition tax liability	9.8
Foreign withholding taxes	3.7
G & K Services
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Foreign withholding taxes	$ 0.7

Income Taxes - Reconciliation U

Income Taxes - Reconciliation Unrecognized Tax Benefits (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	May 31, 2018	May 31, 2017
Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	$ 17,357	$ 16,531
Additions from G&K acquisition	6,394	2,084
Additions for tax positions of prior years	5,675	2,520
Settlements		(1,044)
Statute expirations	(2,943)	(2,734)
Additions for tax positions of the current year	10,164
Balance at end of period	$ 36,647	$ 17,357

Acquisitions and Divestitures -

Acquisitions and Divestitures - Narrative (Details)	Mar. 21, 2017USD ($)$ / shares	May 31, 2018segment_business	May 31, 2017segment_business	May 31, 2015transactionbuyer
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of transactions involved in sale of business | transaction				3
Number of buyers involved in sale of business | buyer				3
Series of Business Acquisitions | Uniform Rental and Facility Services
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of businesses acquired | segment_business		5	3
Series of Business Acquisitions | First Aid and Safety Services
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of businesses acquired | segment_business		3	4
Series of Business Acquisitions | All Other
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of businesses acquired | segment_business		6	11
G & K Services
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Consideration transferred	$ 2,112,811,000
Share price of acquisition (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 97.50
Net consideration transferred	$ 2,078,418,000
Goodwill deductible for tax purposes	0
Cash consideration	$ 1,901,845,000
G & K Services | Service contracts
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Amortization Period (in years)		15 years
G & K Services | Level 3 | Measurement Input, Discount Rate
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Discount rate (as a percent)	0.095
G & K Services | Real Property
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Fair value of property plant and equipment	$ 141,800,000
G & K Services | Personal Property
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Fair value of property plant and equipment	$ 111,500,000

Acquisitions and Divestitures68

Acquisitions and Divestitures - Aggregate Purchase Price for Businesses Acquired (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	May 31, 2018	May 31, 2017	May 31, 2016
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Net goodwill recognized	$ 2,846,888	$ 2,782,335	$ 1,276,076
Series of Business Acquisitions
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Fair value of tangible assets acquired	421	550,491
Net goodwill recognized	12,094	1,507,554
Total fair value of assets acquired	22,678	2,604,836
Fair value of liabilities assumed	3,332	502,465
Total cash paid for acquisitions, net of cash acquired	19,346	2,102,371
Series of Business Acquisitions | Service contracts
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Fair value of intangible assets acquired	9,271	529,235
Series of Business Acquisitions | Other intangibles
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Fair value of intangible assets acquired	$ 892	$ 17,556

Acquisitions and Divestitures69

Acquisitions and Divestitures - Purchase Price Allocation (Details) - G & K Services $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands, shares in Millions	Mar. 21, 2017USD ($)$ / sharesshares
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash consideration for common stock	$ 1,901,845
Cash consideration for share-based awards	62,257
Cash consideration for G&K revolving debt	124,180
Cash consideration for transaction expenses	24,529
Total consideration	2,112,811
Cash acquired	(34,393)
Net consideration transferred	$ 2,078,418
Share price of acquisition (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 97.50
Shares acquired in acquisition (in shares) | shares	19.5

Acquisitions and Divestitures70

Acquisitions and Divestitures - Schedule of Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed G&K Transaction (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	May 31, 2018	May 31, 2017	Mar. 21, 2017	May 31, 2016
Assets:
Goodwill	$ 2,846,888	$ 2,782,335		$ 1,276,076
G & K Services
Assets:
Accounts receivable			$ 95,710
Inventory			28,813
Other current assets			93,659
Income taxes, current			15,873
Prepaid expenses and other current assets			43,235
Property, plant and equipment			253,346
Goodwill			1,545,905
Other assets			15,585
Liabilities:
Accounts payable			(53,220)
Accrued compensation and related liabilities			(9,594)
Accrued liabilities			(108,198)
Long term accrued liabilities			(85,688)
G&K senior notes			(105,359)
Deferred income taxes			(187,649)
Total consideration			2,078,418
G & K Services | Service contracts
Assets:
Intangible assets			519,000
G & K Services | Trade names
Assets:
Intangible assets			$ 17,000

Acquisitions and Divestitures71

Acquisitions and Divestitures - Schedule of Valuation and Amortization Period of Identifiable Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	May 31, 2018	May 31, 2017
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Valuation	$ 9,393	$ 529,235
G & K Services
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Valuation	536,000
G & K Services | Service contracts
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Valuation	$ 519,000
Amortization Period (in years)	15 years
G & K Services | Trade names
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Valuation	$ 17,000
Amortization Period (in years)	3 years

Acquisitions and Divestitures72

Acquisitions and Divestitures - Pro Forma Financial Information (Details) - G & K Services - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	May 31, 2017	May 31, 2016
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Actual sales of acquired entity included in fiscal 2017 results	$ 187,700
Actual net income of acquired entity included in fiscal 2017 results	5,700
Net sales	6,107,109	$ 5,762,741
Net income	$ 488,482	$ 520,224
Earnings per common share - Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 4.45	$ 4.66

Employee Benefit Plans - Narrat

Employee Benefit Plans - Narrative (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	May 31, 2018	May 31, 2017	May 31, 2016
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Accrued benefit liability	$ 27,600,000	$ 28,000,000
Unrecognized net actuarial loss	$ 800,000	$ 1,200,000
Expected return on plan assets (as a percent)	4.90%	5.40%
Expected contributions next twelve months	$ 4,300,000
Expected contributions in year two	3,200,000
Expected contributions in year three	3,400,000
Expected contributions in year four	3,600,000
Expected contributions in year five	3,700,000
Expected contributions in year six	3,900,000
Expected contributions thereafter	21,400,000
Fair value of plan assets	58,781,000	$ 59,396,000	$ 0
Projected benefit obligation	86,341,000	87,387,000	0
Estimated contribution to pension plan	0
Net periodic benefit expense (income)	(14,000)	(28,000)
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (SERP)
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Employer contributions	$ 8,200,000	6,900,000	6,600,000
United States Plan
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Required years of service for plan eligibility (years)	1 year
Employer contributions	$ 56,700,000	47,500,000	43,100,000
Deferred Profit Sharing Plan (DPSP)
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Employer contributions	2,800,000	1,800,000	$ 1,600,000
Pension Plan of Immaterial Acquisitions
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	7,500,000	7,100,000
Projected benefit obligation	7,400,000	7,500,000
Net periodic benefit expense (income)	$ (100,000)	$ 100,000

Employee Benefit Plans - Obliga

Employee Benefit Plans - Obligations and Funded Status (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	May 31, 2018	May 31, 2017
Change in benefit obligation:
Projected benefit obligation, beginning of year	$ 87,387	$ 0
Projected benefit obligation acquired in G&K acquisition	0	84,553
Interest cost	2,818	562
Actuarial (gain) loss	(940)	2,750
Benefits paid	(2,924)	(478)
Projected benefit obligation, end of year	86,341	87,387
Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets, beginning of year	59,396	0
Plan assets acquired in G&K acquisition	0	57,747
Actual return on plan assets	2,309	2,127
Benefits paid	(2,924)	(478)
Fair value of plan assets, end of year	58,781	59,396
Funded status-net amount recognized	$ (27,560)	$ (27,991)

Employee Benefit Plans - Compon

Employee Benefit Plans - Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	May 31, 2018	May 31, 2017
Retirement Benefits [Abstract]
Interest cost	$ 2,818	$ 562
Expected return on assets	(2,832)	(590)
Amortization of net loss	0	0
Net periodic benefit cost	$ (14)	$ (28)

Employee Benefit Plans - Weight

Employee Benefit Plans - Weighted Average Assumptions Used to Determine Benefit Obligations (Details)	12 Months Ended
	May 31, 2018	May 31, 2017
Retirement Benefits [Abstract]
Discount rate (as a percent)	3.95%	3.79%
Discount rate (as a percent)	3.79%	4.00%
Expected return on plan assets (as a percent)	4.90%	5.40%

Employee Benefit Plans - Asset

Employee Benefit Plans - Asset allocations in the pension plan (Details)	May 31, 2018	May 31, 2017
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target Asset Allocations (as a percent)	100.00%
Actual Asset Allocations (as a percent)	100.00%	100.00%
International equity
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target Asset Allocations (as a percent)	8.00%
Actual Asset Allocations (as a percent)	7.90%	8.30%
Large cap equity
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target Asset Allocations (as a percent)	26.00%
Actual Asset Allocations (as a percent)	26.50%	26.30%
Small cap equity
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target Asset Allocations (as a percent)	5.00%
Actual Asset Allocations (as a percent)	5.60%	5.30%
Absolute return strategy funds
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target Asset Allocations (as a percent)	16.00%
Actual Asset Allocations (as a percent)	15.80%	16.20%
Fixed income
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target Asset Allocations (as a percent)	45.00%
Actual Asset Allocations (as a percent)	44.20%	43.60%
Long/short equity fund
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target Asset Allocations (as a percent)	0.00%
Actual Asset Allocations (as a percent)	0.00%	0.30%

Employee Benefit Plans - Pensio

Employee Benefit Plans - Pension plan investments using the fair value hierarchy (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	May 31, 2018	May 31, 2017	May 31, 2016
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	$ 58,781	$ 59,396	$ 0
Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	35,497	35,785
Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	23,284	23,611
Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
Cash equivalents
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	487	629
Cash equivalents | Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	487	629
Cash equivalents | Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
Cash equivalents | Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
U.S. government securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	5,884	5,275
U.S. government securities | Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	2,426	1,874
U.S. government securities | Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	3,458	3,401
U.S. government securities | Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
Corporate debt
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	19,826	20,210
Corporate debt | Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
Corporate debt | Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	19,826	20,210
Corporate debt | Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
U.S. securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	27,901	28,353
U.S. securities | Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	27,901	28,353
U.S. securities | Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
U.S. securities | Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
International securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	4,683	4,929
International securities | Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	4,683	4,929
International securities | Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
International securities | Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	$ 0	$ 0

Earnings per Share - Computatio

Earnings per Share - Computation of Basic Earnings Per Share For Continuing Operations (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	May 31, 2018	Feb. 28, 2018	Nov. 30, 2017	Aug. 31, 2017	May 31, 2017	Feb. 28, 2017	Nov. 30, 2016	Aug. 31, 2016	May 31, 2018	May 31, 2017	May 31, 2016
Basic Earnings per Share from Continuing Operations
Income from continuing operations	$ 189,298	$ 295,789	$ 137,737	$ 161,108	$ 82,174	$ 116,954	$ 121,950	$ 136,208	$ 783,932	$ 457,286	$ 448,605
Less: income from continuing operations allocated to participating securities									11,794	8,168	7,131
Income from continuing operations available to common shareholders									$ 772,138	$ 449,118	$ 441,474
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding (shares)	106,593	106,558	106,340	105,740	105,325	105,093	104,957	104,483	106,593	104,964	108,221
Basic earnings per share:
Basic earnings per share, continuing operations (dollars per share)	$ 1.74	$ 2.73	$ 1.27	$ 1.50	$ 0.76	$ 1.09	$ 1.15	$ 1.27	$ 7.24	$ 4.27	$ 4.08

Earnings per Share - Computat80

Earnings per Share - Computation of Diluted Earnings Per Share For Continuing Operations (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	May 31, 2018	Feb. 28, 2018	Nov. 30, 2017	Aug. 31, 2017	May 31, 2017	Feb. 28, 2017	Nov. 30, 2016	Aug. 31, 2016	May 31, 2018	May 31, 2017	May 31, 2016
Diluted Earnings per Share from Continuing Operations
Income from continuing operations	$ 189,298	$ 295,789	$ 137,737	$ 161,108	$ 82,174	$ 116,954	$ 121,950	$ 136,208	$ 783,932	$ 457,286	$ 448,605
Less: income from continuing operations allocated to participating securities									11,794	8,168	7,131
Income from continuing operations available to common shareholders									$ 772,138	$ 449,118	$ 441,474
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding (shares)	106,593	106,558	106,340	105,740	105,325	105,093	104,957	104,483	106,593	104,964	108,221
Effect of dilutive securities - employee stock options (shares)									3,217	2,819	1,735
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding (shares)									109,810	107,783	109,956
Diluted earnings per share:
Diluted earnings per share, continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ 1.68	$ 2.66	$ 1.24	$ 1.45	$ 0.75	$ 1.06	$ 1.12	$ 1.24	$ 7.03	$ 4.17	$ 4.02

Earnings per Share - Narrative

Earnings per Share - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands	2 Months Ended	12 Months Ended			24 Months Ended
	Jul. 27, 2018	May 31, 2018	May 31, 2017	May 31, 2016	Jul. 27, 2018	Aug. 02, 2016	Aug. 04, 2015	Jan. 13, 2015
Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Line Items]
Basic earnings per share, discontinued operations (dollars per share)		$ 0.54	$ 0.22	$ 2.22
Diluted earnings per share, discontinued operations (dollars per share)		$ 0.53	$ 0.21	$ 2.19
Options granted excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share (shares)		800	600	500
Total purchase price of shares repurchased		$ 127,319,000	$ 20,724,000	$ 780,151,000
Employee Payroll Taxes Due on Restricted Stock Awards
Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Line Items]
Stock purchased under share buyback		300	200	200
Avg. Price per Share (in dollars per share)		$ 130.30	$ 101.37	$ 86.07
Total purchase price of shares repurchased		$ 37,300,000	$ 17,000,000	$ 20,900,000
January 13, 2015
Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Line Items]
Share buyback program, authorized amount								$ 500,000,000
Stock purchased under share buyback		0	0	3,078
Avg. Price per Share (in dollars per share)		$ 0	$ 0	$ 85.44
Total purchase price of shares repurchased		$ 0	$ 0	$ 262,928,000
August 4, 2015
Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Line Items]
Share buyback program, authorized amount							$ 500,000,000
Stock purchased under share buyback		0	39	5,649
Avg. Price per Share (in dollars per share)		$ 0	$ 94.09	$ 87.85
Total purchase price of shares repurchased		$ 0	$ 3,691,000	$ 496,309,000
August 2, 2016
Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Line Items]
Share buyback program, authorized amount						$ 500,000,000
Stock purchased under share buyback		518	0	0
Avg. Price per Share (in dollars per share)		$ 173.51	$ 0	$ 0
Total purchase price of shares repurchased		$ 89,997,000	$ 0	$ 0
Share Repurchase Programs
Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Line Items]
Stock purchased under share buyback		518	39	8,727
Avg. Price per Share (in dollars per share)		$ 173.51	$ 94.09	$ 87
Total purchase price of shares repurchased		$ 89,997,000	$ 3,691,000	$ 759,237,000
Subsequent Event | Share Repurchase Programs
Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Line Items]
Stock purchased under share buyback	300				800
Avg. Price per Share (in dollars per share)	$ 199.15				$ 182.93
Total purchase price of shares repurchased	$ 60,000,000				$ 150,000,000

Earnings per Share - Summary of

Earnings per Share - Summary of Buyback Activity by Program (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	May 31, 2018	May 31, 2017	May 31, 2016
Equity, Class of Treasury Stock [Line Items]
Purchase Price	$ 127,319	$ 20,724	$ 780,151
Share Repurchase Programs
Equity, Class of Treasury Stock [Line Items]
Shares	518	39	8,727
Avg. Price per Share (in dollars per share)	$ 173.51	$ 94.09	$ 87
Purchase Price	$ 89,997	$ 3,691	$ 759,237
January 13, 2015
Equity, Class of Treasury Stock [Line Items]
Shares	0	0	3,078
Avg. Price per Share (in dollars per share)	$ 0	$ 0	$ 85.44
Purchase Price	$ 0	$ 0	$ 262,928
August 4, 2015
Equity, Class of Treasury Stock [Line Items]
Shares	0	39	5,649
Avg. Price per Share (in dollars per share)	$ 0	$ 94.09	$ 87.85
Purchase Price	$ 0	$ 3,691	$ 496,309
August 2, 2016
Equity, Class of Treasury Stock [Line Items]
Shares	518	0	0
Avg. Price per Share (in dollars per share)	$ 173.51	$ 0	$ 0
Purchase Price	$ 89,997	$ 0	$ 0

Stock-Based Compensation - Narr

Stock-Based Compensation - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	May 31, 2018	May 31, 2017	May 31, 2016	Aug. 02, 2016
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Weighted-average fair value of stock options granted (dollars per share)	$ 29.31	$ 23.34	$ 22.20
Intrinsic value of options exercised	$ 110.9	$ 76.5	$ 48.5
Proceeds from stock options exercised	41.8	31.9	28.2
Fair value of vested stock options	17.9	12.7	11
Aggregate intrinsic value of outstanding options	728
Aggregate intrinsic value of exercisable options	$ 277.6
Weighted-average remaining contractual term of stock options exercisable	4 years 4 months
Unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested stock options and restricted stock	$ 258.6
Weighted-average period of time unrecognized compensation cost will be recognized	1 year 10 months 24 days
Stock Compensation Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares authorized under plan (shares)				12,500,000
Shares reserved for future issuance (shares)	10,595,954
Stock Compensation Plan | Continuing Operations
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation	$ 110.7	87.5	77.8
Stock Compensation Plan | Continuing Operations | Income Taxes
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
The total income tax benefit recognized in the consolidated income statement for share-based compensation arrangements	$ 32.3	$ 32.5	$ 28.3
Stock Options
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Maximum term after grant options may be exercised	10 years
Award expiration term	10 years
Stock Options | Minimum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Options vesting period	3 years
Stock Options | Maximum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Options vesting period	5 years
Restricted Stock Awards
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period of awards	3 years

Stock-Based Compensation - Assu

Stock-Based Compensation - Assumptions Used to Determine Fair Value of Options (Details) - Stock Options	12 Months Ended
	May 31, 2018	May 31, 2017	May 31, 2016
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Risk-free interest rate (as a percent)	1.80%	1.20%	2.00%
Dividend yield (as a percent)	1.20%	1.30%	1.40%
Expected volatility of Cintas' common stock (as a percent)	17.20%	21.60%	23.30%
Expected life of the option in years	6 years 6 months	7 years 6 months	7 years 6 months

Stock-Based Compensation - Stoc

Stock-Based Compensation - Stock Options Granted and Outstanding (Details) - $ / shares	12 Months Ended
	May 31, 2018	May 31, 2017	May 31, 2016	May 31, 2015
Shares
Outstanding, beginning of period (shares)	8,588,050	8,419,907	7,835,570
Granted (shares)	1,664,867	1,343,180	1,739,767
Canceled (shares)	(7,809)	(5,368)	(4,413)
Forfeited (shares)	(255,627)	(165,452)	(231,042)
Exercised (shares)	(1,059,295)	(1,004,217)	(919,975)
Outstanding, end of period (shares)	8,930,186	8,588,050	8,419,907
Weighted Average Exercise Price
Outstanding, beginning of period, Weighted Average Exercise Price (dollars per share)	$ 74.77	$ 61.83	$ 51.59
Granted, Weighted Average Exercise Price (dollars per share)	175.86	126.51	93.55
Canceled, Weighted Average Exercise Price (dollars per share)	45.10	32.45	34.56
Forfeited, Weighed Average Exercise Price (dollars per share)	94.73	73.43	60.57
Exercised, Weighted Average Exercise Price (dollars per share)	44.06	35.95	35.07
Outstanding, end of period, Weighted Average Exercise Price (dollars per share)	$ 96.71	$ 74.77	$ 61.83
Number of exercisable options (shares)	2,006,922	1,795,898	1,649,236	1,426,550

Stock-Based Compensation - Summ

Stock-Based Compensation - Summary of Information Related to Stock Options Outstanding (Details)	12 Months Ended
	May 31, 2018$ / sharesshares
$ 22.42 – $ 182.25
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number Outstanding (shares) | shares	8,930,186
Outstanding Options, Average Remaining Option Life	7 years 3 months 21 days
Outstanding Options, Weighted Average Exercise Price (dollars per share)	$ 100.73
Exercisable Options, Number Exercisable (shares) | shares	2,006,922
Exercisable Options, Weighted Average Exercise Price (dollars per share)	$ 43.94
Range of Exercise Prices, Lower Range Limit (dollars per share)	22.42
Range of Exercise Prices, Upper Range Limit (dollars per share)	$ 182.25
$ 22.42 – $ 59.50
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number Outstanding (shares) | shares	1,901,639
Outstanding Options, Average Remaining Option Life	3 years 12 months 10 days
Outstanding Options, Weighted Average Exercise Price (dollars per share)	$ 39.27
Exercisable Options, Number Exercisable (shares) | shares	1,615,907
Exercisable Options, Weighted Average Exercise Price (dollars per share)	$ 37.74
Range of Exercise Prices, Lower Range Limit (dollars per share)	22.42
Range of Exercise Prices, Upper Range Limit (dollars per share)	$ 59.50
59.51 – 89.78
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number Outstanding (shares) | shares	2,671,836
Outstanding Options, Average Remaining Option Life	6 years 8 months 7 days
Outstanding Options, Weighted Average Exercise Price (dollars per share)	$ 76.01
Exercisable Options, Number Exercisable (shares) | shares	348,008
Exercisable Options, Weighted Average Exercise Price (dollars per share)	$ 65.55
Range of Exercise Prices, Lower Range Limit (dollars per share)	59.51
Range of Exercise Prices, Upper Range Limit (dollars per share)	$ 89.78
89.79 – 109.33
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number Outstanding (shares) | shares	1,346,379
Outstanding Options, Average Remaining Option Life	8 years 1 month 17 days
Outstanding Options, Weighted Average Exercise Price (dollars per share)	$ 107.33
Exercisable Options, Number Exercisable (shares) | shares	42,346
Exercisable Options, Weighted Average Exercise Price (dollars per share)	$ 101.57
Range of Exercise Prices, Lower Range Limit (dollars per share)	89.79
Range of Exercise Prices, Upper Range Limit (dollars per share)	$ 109.33
109.34 – 182.25
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number Outstanding (shares) | shares	3,010,332
Outstanding Options, Average Remaining Option Life	9 years 6 months 17 days
Outstanding Options, Weighted Average Exercise Price (dollars per share)	$ 158.55
Exercisable Options, Number Exercisable (shares) | shares	661
Exercisable Options, Weighted Average Exercise Price (dollars per share)	$ 137.30
Range of Exercise Prices, Lower Range Limit (dollars per share)	109.34
Range of Exercise Prices, Upper Range Limit (dollars per share)	$ 182.25

Stock-Based Compensation - Rest

Stock-Based Compensation - Restricted Stock Awards Granted and Outstanding (Details) - Restricted Stock Awards - $ / shares	12 Months Ended
	May 31, 2018	May 31, 2017	May 31, 2016
Shares
Outstanding, beginning of period (shares)	2,742,074	2,603,436	2,210,113
Granted (shares)	669,932	614,076	1,069,748
Canceled (shares)	(69,416)	(46,766)	(70,998)
Vested (shares)	(701,476)	(428,672)	(605,427)
Outstanding, end of period (shares)	2,641,114	2,742,074	2,603,436
Weighted Average Grant Price
Outstanding, Weighted Average Grant Price, beginning of period (dollars per share)	$ 91.91	$ 75.94	$ 57.60
Granted, Weighted Average Grant Price (dollars per share)	183.83	128.63	92.10
Canceled, Weighted Average Grant Price (dollars per share)	102.96	81.23	65.79
Vested, Weighted Average Grant Price (dollars per share)	64.64	48.67	38.76
Outstanding, Weighted Average Grant Price, end of period (dollars per share)	$ 122.18	$ 91.91	$ 75.94

Accumulated Other Comprehensi88

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) - Schedule of Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	May 31, 2018	May 31, 2017	May 31, 2016
AOCI, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	$ 2,302,793	$ 1,842,659	$ 1,932,455
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	20,305	20,769
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(933)	1,076
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax expense (benefit) of $690, $19,118 and ($9,813), respectively	19,372	21,845	(16,403)
Ending Balance	3,016,526	2,302,793	1,842,659
Foreign Currency
AOCI, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	(12,726)	(2,474)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	19,276	(10,252)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	0	0
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax expense (benefit) of $690, $19,118 and ($9,813), respectively	19,276	(10,252)
Ending Balance	6,550	(12,726)	(2,474)
Unrealized (Loss) Gain on Cash Flow Hedges
AOCI, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	11,382	(20,830)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	0	31,136
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(933)	1,076
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax expense (benefit) of $690, $19,118 and ($9,813), respectively	(933)	32,212
Ending Balance	10,449	11,382	(20,830)
Other
AOCI, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	(1,685)	(1,570)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	1,029	(115)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	0	0
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax expense (benefit) of $690, $19,118 and ($9,813), respectively	1,029	(115)
Ending Balance	(656)	(1,685)	(1,570)
Other Accumulated Comprehensive Income (Loss)
AOCI, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	(3,029)	(24,874)	(8,471)
Ending Balance	$ 16,343	$ (3,029)	$ (24,874)

Accumulated Other Comprehensi89

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) - Schedule of Reclassifications Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	May 31, 2018	Feb. 28, 2018	Nov. 30, 2017	Aug. 31, 2017	May 31, 2017	Feb. 28, 2017	Nov. 30, 2016	Aug. 31, 2016	May 31, 2018	May 31, 2017	May 31, 2016
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Interest expense									$ 110,175	$ 86,524	$ 64,522
Tax (expense) benefit									(57,069)	(230,118)	(256,710)
Amortization of interest rate locks, net of tax	$ 189,298	$ 295,789	$ 137,737	$ 161,108	$ 82,174	$ 116,954	$ 121,950	$ 136,208	783,932	457,286	$ 448,605
Accumulated Gain (Loss), Net, Cash Flow Hedge, Parent | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Tax (expense) benefit									(571)	638
Amortization of interest rate locks, net of tax									933	(1,076)
Interest Rate Contract | Accumulated Gain (Loss), Net, Cash Flow Hedge, Parent | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Interest expense									$ 1,504	$ (1,714)

Operating Segment Information90

Operating Segment Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	May 31, 2018	Feb. 28, 2018	Nov. 30, 2017	Aug. 31, 2017	May 31, 2017	Feb. 28, 2017	Nov. 30, 2016	Aug. 31, 2016	May 31, 2018	May 31, 2017	May 31, 2016
Disclosures related to operating segments
Revenue	$ 1,669,550	$ 1,589,138	$ 1,606,441	$ 1,611,503	$ 1,530,287	$ 1,255,367	$ 1,271,077	$ 1,266,650	$ 6,476,632	$ 5,323,381	$ 4,795,772
Gross margin	752,338	$ 700,463	$ 716,369	$ 739,353	678,726	$ 559,924	$ 565,218	$ 576,427	2,908,523	2,380,295	2,101,340
Selling and administrative expenses									1,916,792	1,527,380	1,332,399
G&K Services, Inc. transaction and integration expenses									41,897	79,224
Interest expense, net									108,833	86,287	63,626
Income before income taxes									841,001	687,404	705,315
Depreciation and amortization									279,416	196,595	165,279
Capital expenditures									271,699	273,317	275,385
Total assets	6,958,214				6,844,057				6,958,214	6,844,057	4,098,815
Operating Segments | Uniform Rental and Facility Services
Disclosures related to operating segments
Revenue									5,247,124	4,202,490	3,759,524
Gross margin									2,360,165	1,894,716	1,666,691
Selling and administrative expenses									1,500,644	1,138,345	994,590
G&K Services, Inc. transaction and integration expenses									41,897	79,224
Interest expense, net									0	0	0
Income before income taxes									817,624	677,147	672,101
Depreciation and amortization									236,773	156,998	130,421
Capital expenditures									225,694	232,832	237,871
Total assets	5,977,314				5,801,680				5,977,314	5,801,680	3,104,822
Operating Segments | First Aid and Safety Services
Disclosures related to operating segments
Revenue									564,706	508,233	461,783
Gross margin									265,785	230,166	197,010
Selling and administrative expenses									190,567	177,378	147,503
G&K Services, Inc. transaction and integration expenses									0	0
Interest expense, net									0	0	0
Income before income taxes									75,218	52,788	49,507
Depreciation and amortization									21,898	19,962	16,021
Capital expenditures									27,932	26,863	22,364
Total assets	471,165				444,717				471,165	444,717	421,697
Operating Segments | All Other
Disclosures related to operating segments
Revenue									664,802	612,658	574,465
Gross margin									282,573	255,413	237,639
Selling and administrative expenses									225,581	211,657	190,306
G&K Services, Inc. transaction and integration expenses									0	0
Interest expense, net									0	0	0
Income before income taxes									56,992	43,756	47,333
Depreciation and amortization									20,745	17,905	16,879
Capital expenditures									18,073	12,645	14,840
Total assets	371,011				367,562				371,011	367,562	322,474
Corporate
Disclosures related to operating segments
Revenue									0	0	0
Gross margin									0	0	0
Selling and administrative expenses									0	0	0
G&K Services, Inc. transaction and integration expenses									0	0
Interest expense, net									108,833	86,287	63,626
Income before income taxes									(108,833)	(86,287)	(63,626)
Depreciation and amortization									0	1,730	1,958
Capital expenditures									0	977	310
Total assets	$ 138,724				$ 230,098				$ 138,724	$ 230,098	$ 249,822

Quarterly Financial Data (Una91

Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	May 31, 2018	Feb. 28, 2018	Nov. 30, 2017	Aug. 31, 2017	May 31, 2017	Feb. 28, 2017	Nov. 30, 2016	Aug. 31, 2016	May 31, 2018	May 31, 2017	May 31, 2016
Quarterly Financial Data [Abstract]
Revenue	$ 1,669,550	$ 1,589,138	$ 1,606,441	$ 1,611,503	$ 1,530,287	$ 1,255,367	$ 1,271,077	$ 1,266,650	$ 6,476,632	$ 5,323,381	$ 4,795,772
Gross margin	752,338	700,463	716,369	739,353	678,726	559,924	565,218	576,427	2,908,523	2,380,295	2,101,340
Net income, continuing operations	$ 189,298	$ 295,789	$ 137,737	$ 161,108	$ 82,174	$ 116,954	$ 121,950	$ 136,208	$ 783,932	$ 457,286	$ 448,605
Basic earnings per share, continuing operations (dollars per share)	$ 1.74	$ 2.73	$ 1.27	$ 1.50	$ 0.76	$ 1.09	$ 1.15	$ 1.27	$ 7.24	$ 4.27	$ 4.08
Diluted earnings per share, continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ 1.68	$ 2.66	$ 1.24	$ 1.45	$ 0.75	$ 1.06	$ 1.12	$ 1.24	$ 7.03	$ 4.17	$ 4.02
Weighted average number of shares outstanding (shares)	106,593	106,558	106,340	105,740	105,325	105,093	104,957	104,483	106,593	104,964	108,221

Discontinued Operations - Narra

Discontinued Operations - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	May 31, 2016	May 31, 2018	May 31, 2017	May 31, 2016
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Proceeds from sale of business		$ 127,835	$ 0	$ 0
Gain on sale of business		96,400	0	0
Discontinued Services
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Proceeds from sale of business		127,800
Shred-it Partnership
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Proceeds from sale of business				578,300
Gain on sale of business			25,500
Equity method investment net gain (loss)				24,300
Amortization of basis difference				4,800
Realized gain as a result of contingent consideration received	$ 4,300
Discontinued Operations
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Gain on sale of business		$ 96,400	0	0
Discontinued Operations | Storage Business
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Gain on sale of business			$ 2,400	4,800
Realized gain as a result of contingent consideration received				10,900
Proceeds from Storage transactions, net of cash contributed				$ 24,400

Discontinued Operations - Sched

Discontinued Operations - Schedule of Discontinued Operations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	May 31, 2018	May 31, 2017	May 31, 2016
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Income tax benefit (expense)	$ (35,313)	$ (15,057)	$ (138,184)
Gain on sale of business	96,400	0	0
Gain on Shred-it		25,457	354,071
Net income from discontinued operations	58,654	23,422	244,915
Shred-it Partnership
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Gain on sale of business		25,500
Discontinued Operations
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Revenue	10,773	105,559	109,686
(Loss) income before income taxes, excluding gains from sale transactions and investments	(2,433)	10,622	13,242
Income tax benefit (expense)	706	(3,930)	(4,900)
Gain on sale of business	96,400	0	0
Income tax expense on net gain	(36,019)	(11,127)	(133,284)
Net income from discontinued operations	58,654	23,422	244,915
Discontinued Operations | Shred-it Partnership
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Gain on Shred-it	0	25,457	354,071
Discontinued Operations | Storage
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Gain on sale of business	$ 0	$ 2,400	$ 15,786

G & K Services, Inc. Transact94

G & K Services, Inc. Transaction and Integration Expenses (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	May 31, 2018	May 31, 2017	May 31, 2016
Business Combination, Separately Recognized Transactions [Line Items]
G&K Services, Inc. transaction and integration expenses	$ 41,897	$ 79,224	$ 0
Asset impairment charge	0	23,331	$ 0
G & K Services
Business Combination, Separately Recognized Transactions [Line Items]
G&K Services, Inc. transaction and integration expenses	41,900	79,200
Asset impairment charge		23,300
Business acquisition and integration expenses		55,900
Legal and professional fees		17,400
Employee termination benefits		31,000
Inventory write-down		5,500
Other expenses		2,000
Employee termination benefits paid	15,200	6,700
Related severance liability	$ 9,100	$ 24,300

Supplemental Guarantor Inform95

Supplemental Guarantor Information - Narrative (Details) $ in Millions	May 31, 2018USD ($)
Condensed Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Long-term senior notes	$ 2,550

Supplemental Guarantor Inform96

Supplemental Guarantor Information - Condensed Consolidating Income Statement (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	May 31, 2018	Feb. 28, 2018	Nov. 30, 2017	Aug. 31, 2017	May 31, 2017	Feb. 28, 2017	Nov. 30, 2016	Aug. 31, 2016	May 31, 2018	May 31, 2017	May 31, 2016
Revenue:
Uniform rental and facility services									$ 5,247,124	$ 4,202,490	$ 3,759,524
Other									1,229,508	1,120,891	1,036,248
Equity in net income of affiliates									0	0	0
Total revenue	$ 1,669,550	$ 1,589,138	$ 1,606,441	$ 1,611,503	$ 1,530,287	$ 1,255,367	$ 1,271,077	$ 1,266,650	6,476,632	5,323,381	4,795,772
Costs and expenses (income):
Cost of uniform rental and facility services									2,886,959	2,307,774	2,092,833
Cost of other									681,150	635,312	601,599
Selling and administrative expenses									1,916,792	1,527,380	1,332,399
G&K Services, Inc. transaction and integration expenses									41,897	79,224	0
Operating income									949,834	773,691	768,941
Interest income									(1,342)	(237)	(896)
Interest expense (income)									110,175	86,524	64,522
Income before income taxes									841,001	687,404	705,315
Income taxes									57,069	230,118	256,710
Income from continuing operations	$ 189,298	$ 295,789	$ 137,737	$ 161,108	$ 82,174	$ 116,954	$ 121,950	$ 136,208	783,932	457,286	448,605
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax									58,654	23,422	244,915
Net income									842,586	480,708	693,520
Eliminations
Revenue:
Uniform rental and facility services									(197,230)	(170,960)	(155,260)
Other									(637,541)	(558,802)	(523,118)
Equity in net income of affiliates									(783,932)	(457,286)	(448,605)
Total revenue									(1,618,703)	(1,187,048)	(1,126,983)
Costs and expenses (income):
Cost of uniform rental and facility services									(298,335)	(256,964)	(236,103)
Cost of other									(507,034)	(450,169)	(407,775)
Selling and administrative expenses									(31,186)	(25,614)	(27,075)
G&K Services, Inc. transaction and integration expenses									0	0
Operating income									(782,148)	(454,301)	(456,030)
Interest income									3	2	2
Interest expense (income)									0	0	0
Income before income taxes									(782,151)	(454,303)	(456,032)
Income taxes									(122)	(101)	(116)
Income from continuing operations									(782,029)	(454,202)	(455,916)
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax									(58,605)	(23,422)	(244,788)
Net income									(840,634)	(477,624)	(700,704)
Corporate
Revenue:
Total revenue									0	0	0
Costs and expenses (income):
Selling and administrative expenses									0	0	0
Income before income taxes									(108,833)	(86,287)	(63,626)
Cintas Corporation | Corporate
Revenue:
Uniform rental and facility services									0	0	0
Other									0	0	0
Equity in net income of affiliates									783,932	457,286	448,605
Total revenue									783,932	457,286	448,605
Costs and expenses (income):
Cost of uniform rental and facility services									0	0	0
Cost of other									0	0	0
Selling and administrative expenses									0	0	0
G&K Services, Inc. transaction and integration expenses									0	0
Operating income									783,932	457,286	448,605
Interest income									0	0	0
Interest expense (income)									0	0	0
Income before income taxes									783,932	457,286	448,605
Income taxes									0	0	0
Income from continuing operations									783,932	457,286	448,605
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax									58,654	23,422	244,915
Net income									842,586	480,708	693,520
Corp. 2 | Corporate
Revenue:
Uniform rental and facility services									4,361,716	3,511,483	3,147,844
Other									1,778,845	1,604,877	1,484,556
Equity in net income of affiliates									0	0	0
Total revenue									6,140,561	5,116,360	4,632,400
Costs and expenses (income):
Cost of uniform rental and facility services									2,511,854	2,021,365	1,835,835
Cost of other									1,183,036	1,070,780	1,001,576
Selling and administrative expenses									2,093,655	1,686,209	1,497,106
G&K Services, Inc. transaction and integration expenses									15,383	51,868
Operating income									336,633	286,138	297,883
Interest income									(310)	(26)	0
Interest expense (income)									111,292	89,706	65,534
Income before income taxes									225,651	196,458	232,349
Income taxes									(48,907)	65,829	82,783
Income from continuing operations									274,558	130,629	149,566
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax									68,293	22,287	250,625
Net income									342,851	152,916	400,191
Subsidiary Guarantors | Corporate
Revenue:
Uniform rental and facility services									681,846	604,679	553,414
Other									112	1,810	8,540
Equity in net income of affiliates									0	0	0
Total revenue									681,958	606,489	561,954
Costs and expenses (income):
Cost of uniform rental and facility services									418,722	378,404	350,500
Cost of other									(57,220)	(41,509)	(40,741)
Selling and administrative expenses									(271,222)	(220,887)	(206,889)
G&K Services, Inc. transaction and integration expenses									22,148	19,060
Operating income									569,530	471,421	459,084
Interest income									(242)	(191)	(666)
Interest expense (income)									(1,017)	(2,978)	(1,027)
Income before income taxes									570,789	474,590	460,777
Income taxes									90,886	159,025	164,169
Income from continuing operations									479,903	315,565	296,608
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax									(9,688)	0	0
Net income									470,215	315,565	296,608
Non- Guarantors | Corporate
Revenue:
Uniform rental and facility services									400,792	257,288	213,526
Other									88,092	73,006	66,270
Equity in net income of affiliates									0	0	0
Total revenue									488,884	330,294	279,796
Costs and expenses (income):
Cost of uniform rental and facility services									254,718	164,969	142,601
Cost of other									62,368	56,210	48,539
Selling and administrative expenses									125,545	87,672	69,257
G&K Services, Inc. transaction and integration expenses									4,366	8,296
Operating income									41,887	13,147	19,399
Interest income									(793)	(22)	(232)
Interest expense (income)									(100)	(204)	15
Income before income taxes									42,780	13,373	19,616
Income taxes									15,212	5,365	9,874
Income from continuing operations									27,568	8,008	9,742
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax									0	1,135	(5,837)
Net income									$ 27,568	$ 9,143	$ 3,905

Supplemental Guarantor Inform97

Supplemental Guarantor Information - Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	May 31, 2018	May 31, 2017	May 31, 2016
Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements
Net income	$ 842,586	$ 480,708	$ 693,520
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	19,276	(10,252)	(11,933)
Cumulative translation adjustment on Shred-it	0	0	6,472
Change in fair value of cash flow hedges	0	31,136	(12,156)
Amortization of interest rate lock agreements	(933)	1,076	1,952
Other	1,029	(115)	(738)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax expense (benefit) of $690, $19,118 and ($9,813), respectively	19,372	21,845	(16,403)
Comprehensive income (loss)	861,958	502,553	677,117
Eliminations
Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements
Net income	(840,634)	(477,624)	(700,704)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(19,276)	10,252	0
Cumulative translation adjustment on Shred-it			0
Change in fair value of cash flow hedges		(31,136)	0
Amortization of interest rate lock agreements	933	(1,076)	0
Other	(1,029)	115	0
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax expense (benefit) of $690, $19,118 and ($9,813), respectively	(19,372)	(21,845)	0
Comprehensive income (loss)	(860,006)	(499,469)	(700,704)
Cintas Corporation | Corporate
Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements
Net income	842,586	480,708	693,520
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	19,276	(10,252)	0
Cumulative translation adjustment on Shred-it			0
Change in fair value of cash flow hedges		31,136	0
Amortization of interest rate lock agreements	(933)	1,076	0
Other	1,029	(115)	0
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax expense (benefit) of $690, $19,118 and ($9,813), respectively	19,372	21,845	0
Comprehensive income (loss)	861,958	502,553	693,520
Corp. 2 | Corporate
Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements
Net income	342,851	152,916	400,191
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	0	0	0
Cumulative translation adjustment on Shred-it			5,875
Change in fair value of cash flow hedges		31,136	(12,156)
Amortization of interest rate lock agreements	(933)	1,076	1,952
Other	267	0	0
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax expense (benefit) of $690, $19,118 and ($9,813), respectively	(666)	32,212	(4,329)
Comprehensive income (loss)	342,185	185,128	395,862
Subsidiary Guarantors | Corporate
Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements
Net income	470,215	315,565	296,608
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	0	0	0
Cumulative translation adjustment on Shred-it			0
Change in fair value of cash flow hedges		0	0
Amortization of interest rate lock agreements	0	0	0
Other	762	(115)	(730)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax expense (benefit) of $690, $19,118 and ($9,813), respectively	762	(115)	(730)
Comprehensive income (loss)	470,977	315,450	295,878
Non- Guarantors | Corporate
Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements
Net income	27,568	9,143	3,905
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	19,276	(10,252)	(11,933)
Cumulative translation adjustment on Shred-it			597
Change in fair value of cash flow hedges		0	0
Amortization of interest rate lock agreements	0	0	0
Other	0	0	(8)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax expense (benefit) of $690, $19,118 and ($9,813), respectively	19,276	(10,252)	(11,344)
Comprehensive income (loss)	$ 46,844	$ (1,109)	$ (7,439)

Supplemental Guarantor Inform98

Supplemental Guarantor Information - Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	May 31, 2018		May 31, 2017		May 31, 2016	May 31, 2015
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 138,724		$ 169,266		$ 139,357	$ 417,073
Marketable securities	0		22,219
Accounts receivable, net	804,583		736,008
Inventories, net	280,347		278,218
Uniforms and other rental items in service	702,261		635,702
Income taxes, current	19,634		44,320
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	32,383		30,132
Assets held for sale	0		38,613
Total current assets	1,977,932		1,954,478
Property and equipment, net	1,382,730		1,323,501
Investments	175,581	[1]	164,788	[2]
Goodwill	2,846,888		2,782,335		1,276,076
Service contracts, net	545,768		586,988
Other assets, net	29,315		31,967
Total assets	6,958,214		6,844,057		4,098,815
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	215,074		177,051
Accrued compensation and related liabilities	140,654		149,635
Accrued liabilities	420,129		429,809
Liabilities held for sale	0		11,457
Debt due within one year	0		362,900
Total current liabilities	775,857		1,130,852
Long-term liabilities:
Debt due after one year	2,535,309		2,770,624
Deferred income taxes	352,581		469,328
Accrued liabilities	277,941		170,460
Total long-term liabilities	3,165,831		3,410,412
Total shareholders' equity	3,016,526		2,302,793		1,842,659	1,932,455
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	6,958,214		6,844,057
Corporate
Current assets:
Total assets	138,724		230,098		249,822
Eliminations
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	0		0		0	0
Marketable securities			0
Accounts receivable, net	0		0
Inventories, net	0		(1,386)
Uniforms and other rental items in service	(18,589)		(18,993)
Income taxes, current	0		0
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	0		0
Assets held for sale			0
Total current assets	(18,589)		(20,379)
Property and equipment, net	0		0
Investments	(6,407,479)	[1]	(6,402,479)	[2]
Goodwill	(112)		(112)
Service contracts, net	0		0
Other assets, net	(6,591,606)		(5,000,837)
Total assets	(13,017,786)		(11,423,807)
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	37,947		38,108
Accrued compensation and related liabilities	0		0
Accrued liabilities	0		0
Liabilities held for sale			0
Debt due within one year			0
Total current liabilities	37,947		38,108
Long-term liabilities:
Debt due after one year	0		0
Deferred income taxes	0		0
Accrued liabilities	0		0
Total long-term liabilities	0		0
Total shareholders' equity	(13,055,733)		(11,461,915)
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	(13,017,786)		(11,423,807)
Cintas Corporation | Corporate
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	0		0		0	0
Marketable securities			0
Accounts receivable, net	0		0
Inventories, net	0		0
Uniforms and other rental items in service	0		0
Income taxes, current	0		0
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	0		0
Assets held for sale			0
Total current assets	0		0
Property and equipment, net	0		0
Investments	321,083	[1]	321,083	[2]
Goodwill	0		0
Service contracts, net	0		0
Other assets, net	2,230,196		1,516,463
Total assets	2,551,279		1,837,546
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	(465,247)		(465,247)
Accrued compensation and related liabilities	0		0
Accrued liabilities	0		0
Liabilities held for sale			0
Debt due within one year			0
Total current liabilities	(465,247)		(465,247)
Long-term liabilities:
Debt due after one year	0		0
Deferred income taxes	0		0
Accrued liabilities	0		0
Total long-term liabilities	0		0
Total shareholders' equity	3,016,526		2,302,793
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	2,551,279		1,837,546
Corp. 2
Current assets:
Investments	17,600		29,000
Corp. 2 | Corporate
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	44,499		48,658		57,894	74,632
Marketable securities			0
Accounts receivable, net	620,920		543,769
Inventories, net	225,581		243,677
Uniforms and other rental items in service	585,108		531,295
Income taxes, current	5,546		16,173
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	9,453		13,234
Assets held for sale			23,095
Total current assets	1,491,107		1,419,901
Property and equipment, net	900,014		851,018
Investments	3,595,668	[1]	3,605,457	[2]
Goodwill	0		0
Service contracts, net	468,283		505,698
Other assets, net	593		14,705
Total assets	6,455,665		6,396,779
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	(1,724,844)		(1,596,731)
Accrued compensation and related liabilities	104,560		94,505
Accrued liabilities	88,949		191,819
Liabilities held for sale			11,457
Debt due within one year			362,900
Total current liabilities	(1,531,335)		(936,050)
Long-term liabilities:
Debt due after one year	2,534,919		2,770,234
Deferred income taxes	215,881		0
Accrued liabilities	63,073		28,384
Total long-term liabilities	2,813,873		2,798,618
Total shareholders' equity	5,173,127		4,534,211
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	6,455,665		6,396,779
Subsidiary Guarantors
Current assets:
Investments	158,000		135,800
Subsidiary Guarantors | Corporate
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	60,310		17,302		55,391	248,716
Marketable securities			0
Accounts receivable, net	120,767		137,881
Inventories, net	38,844		21,466
Uniforms and other rental items in service	81,494		78,012
Income taxes, current	9,258		25,138
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	21,688		16,188
Assets held for sale			15,518
Total current assets	332,361		311,505
Property and equipment, net	370,186		364,724
Investments	950,239	[1]	929,657	[2]
Goodwill	2,579,769		2,742,898
Service contracts, net	0		0
Other assets, net	4,381,476		3,489,653
Total assets	8,614,031		7,838,437
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	2,395,434		2,292,388
Accrued compensation and related liabilities	24,878		42,866
Accrued liabilities	308,485		219,303
Liabilities held for sale			0
Debt due within one year			0
Total current liabilities	2,728,797		2,554,557
Long-term liabilities:
Debt due after one year	0		0
Deferred income taxes	104,559		436,613
Accrued liabilities	198,181		140,923
Total long-term liabilities	302,740		577,536
Total shareholders' equity	5,582,494		4,706,344
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	8,614,031		7,838,437
Non- Guarantors | Corporate
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	33,915		103,306		$ 26,072	$ 93,725
Marketable securities			22,219
Accounts receivable, net	62,896		54,358
Inventories, net	15,922		14,461
Uniforms and other rental items in service	54,248		45,388
Income taxes, current	4,830		3,009
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	1,242		710
Assets held for sale			0
Total current assets	173,053		243,451
Property and equipment, net	112,530		107,759
Investments	1,716,070	[1]	1,711,070	[2]
Goodwill	267,231		39,549
Service contracts, net	77,485		81,290
Other assets, net	8,656		11,983
Total assets	2,355,025		2,195,102
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	(28,216)		(91,467)
Accrued compensation and related liabilities	11,216		12,264
Accrued liabilities	22,695		18,687
Liabilities held for sale			0
Debt due within one year			0
Total current liabilities	5,695		(60,516)
Long-term liabilities:
Debt due after one year	390		390
Deferred income taxes	32,141		32,715
Accrued liabilities	16,687		1,153
Total long-term liabilities	49,218		34,258
Total shareholders' equity	2,300,112		2,221,360
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$ 2,355,025		$ 2,195,102
[1]	Investments include inter company investment activity. Corp 2 and Subsidiary Guarantors hold $17.6 million and $158.0 million, respectively, of the $175.6 million consolidated net investments.
[2]	Investments include inter company investment activity. Corp 2 and Subsidiary Guarantors hold $29.0 million and $135.8 million, respectively, of the $164.8 million consolidated net investments.

Supplemental Guarantor Inform99

Supplemental Guarantor Information - Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	May 31, 2018	May 31, 2017	May 31, 2016
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 842,586	$ 480,708	$ 693,520
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation	215,476	171,565	149,691
Amortization of intangible assets	63,940	25,030	15,588
Stock-based compensation	112,835	88,868	79,293
Gain on sale of business	(96,400)	0	0
Gain on Shred-it		(25,457)	(354,071)
Asset impairment charge	0	23,331	0
G&K Services, Inc. transaction and integration costs	0	31,445	0
Short-term debt financing fees included in net income	0	17,062	0
Settlement of cash flow hedges	0	30,194	0
Deferred income taxes	(119,295)	3,902	(59,302)
Change in current assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions of businesses:
Accounts receivable, net	(66,267)	(93,557)	(52,762)
Inventories, net	(3,323)	(668)	(17,917)
Uniforms and other rental items in service	(64,299)	(8,732)	(6,306)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(15,526)	24,201	(965)
Accounts payable	35,275	13,726	(564)
Accrued compensation and related liabilities	(9,392)	13,654	13,512
Accrued liabilities and other	42,468	(501)	22,714
Income taxes, current	26,082	(29,424)	(800)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	964,160	763,887	465,845
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(271,699)	(273,317)	(275,385)
Proceeds from redemption of marketable securities and investments	179,857	218,324	434,179
Purchase of marketable securities and investments	(153,708)	(181,065)	(494,146)
Proceeds from sale of Shred-it	127,835	0	0
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired	(19,346)	(2,102,371)	(156,579)
Other, net	1,363	(196)	4,137
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities	(135,698)	(2,310,349)	128,381
Cash flows from financing activities:
(Payments) issuance of commercial paper, net	(50,500)	50,500	0
Proceeds from issuance of debt, net	0	1,932,229	0
Repayment of debt	(550,000)	(250,000)	(16)
Payment of short-term debt financing fees	0	(17,062)	0
Proceeds from exercise of stock-based compensation awards	41,848	31,870	28,226
Dividends paid	(175,589)	(142,433)	(115,273)
Repurchase of common stock	(127,319)	(20,724)	(780,151)
Other, net	(2,580)	(5,878)	490
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(864,140)	1,578,502	(866,724)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	5,136	(2,131)	(5,218)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(30,542)	29,909	(277,716)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	169,266	139,357	417,073
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	138,724	169,266	139,357
Storage
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Gain on sale of business		(1,460)	(15,786)
Gain on Shred-it	0	(1,460)	(15,786)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds from sale of Shred-it	0	2,400	35,338
Shred-it
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Gain on Shred-it	0	(25,457)	(354,071)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds from sale of Shred-it	0	25,876	580,837
Corporate
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	0	(977)	(310)
Eliminations
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	(840,634)	(477,624)	(700,704)
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation	0	0	0
Amortization of intangible assets	0	0	0
Stock-based compensation	0	0	0
Gain on sale of business
Gain on Shred-it		0	0
Asset impairment charge		0
G&K Services, Inc. transaction and integration costs		0
Short-term debt financing fees included in net income		0
Settlement of cash flow hedges		0
Deferred income taxes	0	0	0
Change in current assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions of businesses:
Accounts receivable, net	0	0	0
Inventories, net	(1,386)	(2,459)	6,443
Uniforms and other rental items in service	(404)	(729)	759
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	0	0	0
Accounts payable	(161)	103	(16)
Accrued compensation and related liabilities	0	0	0
Accrued liabilities and other	0	0	724
Income taxes, current	0	0	0
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(842,585)	(480,709)	(692,794)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	0	0	0
Proceeds from redemption of marketable securities and investments	0	0	0
Purchase of marketable securities and investments	5,000	0	10,037
Proceeds from sale of Shred-it	0
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired	0	0	0
Other, net	837,585	480,709	683,481
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities	842,585	480,709	693,518
Cash flows from financing activities:
(Payments) issuance of commercial paper, net	0	0
Proceeds from issuance of debt, net		0	0
Repayment of debt	0	0	(724)
Payment of short-term debt financing fees		0
Proceeds from exercise of stock-based compensation awards	0	0	0
Dividends paid	0	0	0
Repurchase of common stock	0	0	0
Other, net	0	0	0
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	0	0	(724)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	0	0	0
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	0	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	0	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	0	0	0
Eliminations | Storage
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Gain on sale of business		0	0
Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds from sale of Shred-it		0	0
Eliminations | Shred-it
Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds from sale of Shred-it		0	0
Cintas Corporation | Corporate
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	842,586	480,708	693,520
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation	0	0	0
Amortization of intangible assets	0	0	0
Stock-based compensation	112,835	88,868	79,293
Gain on sale of business	0
Gain on Shred-it		0	0
Asset impairment charge		0
G&K Services, Inc. transaction and integration costs		0
Short-term debt financing fees included in net income		0
Settlement of cash flow hedges		0
Deferred income taxes	0	0	0
Change in current assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions of businesses:
Accounts receivable, net	0	0	0
Inventories, net	0	0	0
Uniforms and other rental items in service	0	0	0
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	0	0	0
Accounts payable	0	0	0
Accrued compensation and related liabilities	0	0	0
Accrued liabilities and other	0	0	0
Income taxes, current	0	0	0
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	955,421	569,576	772,813
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	0	0	0
Proceeds from redemption of marketable securities and investments	0	0	0
Purchase of marketable securities and investments	0	0	0
Proceeds from sale of Shred-it	0
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired	0	0	0
Other, net	(694,429)	(438,344)	94,344
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities	(694,429)	(438,344)	94,344
Cash flows from financing activities:
(Payments) issuance of commercial paper, net	0	0
Proceeds from issuance of debt, net		0	0
Repayment of debt	0	0	0
Payment of short-term debt financing fees		0
Proceeds from exercise of stock-based compensation awards	41,848	31,870	28,226
Dividends paid	(175,521)	(142,378)	(115,232)
Repurchase of common stock	(127,319)	(20,724)	(780,151)
Other, net	0	0	0
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(260,992)	(131,232)	(867,157)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	0	0	0
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	0	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	0	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	0	0	0
Cintas Corporation | Corporate | Storage
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Gain on sale of business		0	0
Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds from sale of Shred-it		0	0
Cintas Corporation | Corporate | Shred-it
Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds from sale of Shred-it		0	0
Corp. 2 | Corporate
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	342,851	152,916	400,191
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation	143,301	117,578	102,443
Amortization of intangible assets	50,231	21,496	14,830
Stock-based compensation	0	0	0
Gain on sale of business	(111,921)
Gain on Shred-it		(23,516)	(366,460)
Asset impairment charge		20,966
G&K Services, Inc. transaction and integration costs		26,453
Short-term debt financing fees included in net income		17,062
Settlement of cash flow hedges		30,194
Deferred income taxes	(80,328)	(26,289)	(83,648)
Change in current assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions of businesses:
Accounts receivable, net	(76,945)	(50,012)	(30,381)
Inventories, net	15,080	7,787	(23,917)
Uniforms and other rental items in service	(51,682)	(4,951)	(3,193)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	3,676	21,119	(167)
Accounts payable	(60,978)	1,765,713	(487,582)
Accrued compensation and related liabilities	9,522	(7,498)	9,838
Accrued liabilities and other	(133,671)	2,813	(3,790)
Income taxes, current	11,874	(5,205)	895
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	61,010	2,065,166	(483,488)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(192,668)	(153,963)	(162,075)
Proceeds from redemption of marketable securities and investments	13,589	0	0
Purchase of marketable securities and investments	9,789	18,150	(3,333)
Proceeds from sale of Shred-it	127,835
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired	(19,346)	(2,112,015)	(130,786)
Other, net	599,192	(1,562,294)	169,821
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities	538,391	(3,783,787)	473,949
Cash flows from financing activities:
(Payments) issuance of commercial paper, net	(50,500)	50,500
Proceeds from issuance of debt, net		1,932,229	0
Repayment of debt	(550,000)	(250,000)	(9,151)
Payment of short-term debt financing fees		(17,062)
Proceeds from exercise of stock-based compensation awards	0	0	0
Dividends paid	0	0	0
Repurchase of common stock	0	0	0
Other, net	(3,060)	(6,282)	1,952
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(603,560)	1,709,385	(7,199)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	0	0	0
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(4,159)	(9,236)	(16,738)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	48,658	57,894	74,632
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	44,499	48,658	57,894
Corp. 2 | Corporate | Storage
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Gain on sale of business		(1,460)	(12,547)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds from sale of Shred-it		2,400	32,099
Corp. 2 | Corporate | Shred-it
Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds from sale of Shred-it		23,935	568,223
Subsidiary Guarantors | Corporate
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	470,215	315,565	296,608
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation	58,206	43,660	37,883
Amortization of intangible assets	5,102	1,178	304
Stock-based compensation	0	0	0
Gain on sale of business	15,521
Gain on Shred-it		0	0
Asset impairment charge		0
G&K Services, Inc. transaction and integration costs		0
Short-term debt financing fees included in net income		0
Settlement of cash flow hedges		0
Deferred income taxes	(38,906)	26,058	22,025
Change in current assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions of businesses:
Accounts receivable, net	17,129	(40,380)	(20,196)
Inventories, net	(17,377)	(2,317)	2,011
Uniforms and other rental items in service	(3,483)	(5,011)	(2,032)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(19,421)	2,775	(914)
Accounts payable	108,724	(1,509,215)	491,918
Accrued compensation and related liabilities	(18,595)	19,815	3,103
Accrued liabilities and other	173,905	(5,675)	25,625
Income taxes, current	15,898	(22,445)	(1,118)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	766,918	(1,175,992)	855,217
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(65,211)	(102,682)	(100,380)
Proceeds from redemption of marketable securities and investments	(1,189)	0	0
Purchase of marketable securities and investments	(24,636)	(797,559)	(12,085)
Proceeds from sale of Shred-it	0
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired	0	0	0
Other, net	(633,629)	2,039,740	(945,406)
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities	(724,665)	1,139,499	(1,057,871)
Cash flows from financing activities:
(Payments) issuance of commercial paper, net	0	0
Proceeds from issuance of debt, net		(2,000)	(165)
Repayment of debt	0	0	10,224
Payment of short-term debt financing fees		0
Proceeds from exercise of stock-based compensation awards	0	0	0
Dividends paid	0	0	0
Repurchase of common stock	0	0	0
Other, net	755	404	(730)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	755	(1,596)	9,329
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	0	0	0
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	43,008	(38,089)	(193,325)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	17,302	55,391	248,716
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	60,310	17,302	55,391
Subsidiary Guarantors | Corporate | Storage
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Gain on sale of business		0	0
Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds from sale of Shred-it		0	0
Subsidiary Guarantors | Corporate | Shred-it
Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds from sale of Shred-it		0	0
Non- Guarantors | Corporate
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	27,568	9,143	3,905
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation	13,969	10,327	9,365
Amortization of intangible assets	8,607	2,356	454
Stock-based compensation	0	0	0
Gain on sale of business	0
Gain on Shred-it		(1,941)	12,389
Asset impairment charge		2,365
G&K Services, Inc. transaction and integration costs		4,992
Short-term debt financing fees included in net income		0
Settlement of cash flow hedges		0
Deferred income taxes	(61)	4,133	2,321
Change in current assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions of businesses:
Accounts receivable, net	(6,451)	(3,165)	(2,185)
Inventories, net	360	(3,679)	(2,454)
Uniforms and other rental items in service	(8,730)	1,959	(1,840)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	219	307	116
Accounts payable	(12,310)	(242,875)	(4,884)
Accrued compensation and related liabilities	(319)	1,337	571
Accrued liabilities and other	2,234	2,361	155
Income taxes, current	(1,690)	(1,774)	(577)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	23,396	(214,154)	14,097
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(13,820)	(16,672)	(12,930)
Proceeds from redemption of marketable securities and investments	167,457	218,324	434,179
Purchase of marketable securities and investments	(143,861)	598,344	(488,765)
Proceeds from sale of Shred-it	0
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired	0	9,644	(25,793)
Other, net	(107,356)	(520,007)	1,897
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities	(97,580)	291,574	(75,559)
Cash flows from financing activities:
(Payments) issuance of commercial paper, net	0	0
Proceeds from issuance of debt, net		2,000	165
Repayment of debt	0	0	(365)
Payment of short-term debt financing fees		0
Proceeds from exercise of stock-based compensation awards	0	0	0
Dividends paid	(68)	(55)	(41)
Repurchase of common stock	0	0	0
Other, net	(275)	0	(732)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(343)	1,945	(973)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	5,136	(2,131)	(5,218)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(69,391)	77,234	(67,653)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	103,306	26,072	93,725
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$ 33,915	103,306	26,072
Non- Guarantors | Corporate | Storage
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Gain on sale of business		0	(3,239)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds from sale of Shred-it		0	3,239
Non- Guarantors | Corporate | Shred-it
Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds from sale of Shred-it		$ 1,941	$ 12,614

Schedule II - Valuation and 100

Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts and Reserves (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		May 31, 2018	May 31, 2017	May 31, 2016
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
SEC Schedule, 12-09, Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Balance at Beginning of Year		$ 20,525	$ 19,103	$ 15,497
Additions	[1]	13,358	6,446	8,274
Deductions	[2]	373	5,024	4,668
Balance at End of Year		33,510	20,525	19,103
Reserve for Obsolete Inventory
SEC Schedule, 12-09, Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Balance at Beginning of Year		38,305	32,716	30,531
Additions	[1]	1,335	10,049	5,195
Deductions	[2]	2,597	4,460	3,010
Balance at End of Year		$ 37,043	$ 38,305	$ 32,716
[1]	Represents amounts charged to expense to increase reserve for estimated future bad debts or to increase reserve for obsolete inventory. Amounts related to inventory are computed by performing a thorough analysis of future marketability by specific inventory item as well as an estimate based on Cintas' historical rates of obsolescence.
[2]	Represents reductions in the balance sheet reserve due to the actual write-off of non-collectible accounts receivable or the physical disposal of obsolete inventory items. These amounts do not impact Cintas' consolidated income statement.