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INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT

SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

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the

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CINTAS
(Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
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CINTAS CORPORATION

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[LOGO OF CINTAS]

LOGO

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING AND PROXY STATEMENT

Dear Shareholder:

We invite you to attend our Annual Meeting of Shareholders on October 17, 2001,16, 2002, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time at the Company’sCintas' Headquarters, 6800 Cintas Boulevard, Cincinnati, Ohio. At the meeting, you will hear a report on our operations and have a chance to meet your directors and executives.

This booklet includes formal notice of the meeting and the proxy statement. The proxy statement tells you more about the agenda and procedures for the meeting. It also describes how the Board operates and gives personal information about our director candidates.

Even if you only own a few shares, we want your shares to be represented at the meeting. I urge you to return your completed proxy card promptly in the enclosed envelope, or use one of the alternative voting methods described on the proxy card attachment.

Sincerely,

/s/

SIGNATURE

Richard T. Farmer

Richard T. Farmer

Chairman of the Board
August 28, 2001

September 10, 2002



NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS OF CINTAS CORPORATION

Time:10:00 a.m., Eastern Time

Date:


October 16, 2002
Date:
Place:
October 17, 2001

Place:

Cintas Corporate Headquarters
6800 Cintas Boulevard
Cincinnati, Ohio

Purpose:

1.  To establish the number of Directors to be elected at eight;
2.  To elect eight Directors;
3.  To conduct other business if properly raised.

Only shareholders of record on August 20, 2001September 4, 2002 may vote at the meeting. The approximate mailing date of the Proxy Statement and accompanying Proxy Card is August 28, 2001.

September 10, 2002.

The vote of each shareholder is important. You can vote your shares by completing and returning the proxy card sent to you. Most shareholders can also vote their shares over the Internet or by telephone. If Internet or telephone voting is available to you, voting instructions are printed on the proxy card attachment sent to you.

/s/ Richard T. Farmer
Richard T. Farmer
Chairman of the Board
August 28, 2001

SIGNATURE

Thomas E. Frooman
Vice President and Secretary – General Counsel

September 10, 2002



TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page



GENERAL INFORMATION

1

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

2

DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

4

BOARD COMMITTEES

4

AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT

4

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT

5

PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS

7

DIRECTOR AND EXECUTIVE OFFICER STOCK OWNERSHIP

8

SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE

9

SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

10

OPTION GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR

11

PERFORMANCE GRAPH

12

QUESTIONS

13


GENERAL INFORMATION

Who may vote

Shareholders of Cintas, recorded in our stock register on August 20, 2001,September 4, 2002, may vote at the meeting. As of that date, Cintas had 169,681,866170,142,446 shares of Common Stock outstanding.

Each share is entitled to one vote on each matter submitted to the shareholders at the annual meeting.

How to vote

You may vote in person at the meeting or by proxy. You may also vote by Internet or telephone using one of the methods described in the attachment to the proxy card. We recommend you vote by proxy even if you plan to attend the meeting. You can always change your vote at the meeting.

How proxies work

Cintas’

Cintas' Board of Directors is asking for your proxy. Giving us your proxy means you authorize us to vote your shares at the meeting in the manner you direct. You may vote for all, some or none of our director candidates. You may also vote for or against the other proposals or abstain from voting.

If you sign and return the enclosed proxy card, but do not specify how to vote, we will vote your shares in favor of setting the number of directors at eight and in favor of our director candidates.

You may receive more than one proxy or voting card depending on how you hold your shares. Shares registered in your name are covered by one card. If you hold shares through someone else, such as a stockbroker, you may get material from them asking how you want to vote.

Voting by proxy

All proxies properly signed will, unless a different choice is indicated, be voted “FOR”"FOR" establishing the number of directors to be elected at eight and “FOR”"FOR" the election of all nominees for Directors proposed by the Board of Directors.

If any other matters come before the meeting or any adjournment, each proxy will be voted in the discretion of the individuals named as proxies on the card.

Revoking a proxy

You may revoke your proxy before it is voted by submitting a new proxy with a later date, by voting in person at the meeting or by notifying Cintas’ CFOCintas' Secretary in writing at the address under “Questions?”"Questions?" on page 13.

Quorum

In order to carry on the business of the meeting, we must have a quorum. This means at least a majority of the outstanding shares eligible to vote must be represented at the meeting, either by proxy or in person.

Votes needed

Approval of the proposal to establish the number of directors at eight requires the favorable vote of a majority of the votes cast. The eight director candidates receiving the most votes will be elected to fill the seats on the Board. Approval of any other proposal requires the favorable vote of a majority of the votes cast. Only votes for or against a proposal count. Abstentions and broker non-votesnonvotes count for quorum purposes, but not for voting purposes. Broker non-votesnonvotes occur when a broker returns a proxy, but does not have authority to vote on a particular proposal.

Attending in person

Only shareholders, their proxy holders and Cintas’Cintas' guests may attend the meeting.

Other matters

Any other matters considered at the meeting, including adjournment, will require the affirmative vote of a majority of shares voting.

1




ELECTION OF DIRECTORS


(Items 1 and 2 on the Proxy Card)

The Board has nominated the director candidates named below.

The Board of Directors oversees the management of Cintas’Cintas' long-term strategic plans and exercises direct decision making authority in key areas, such as declaring dividends. Just as important, the Board chooses the CEO, sets the scope of his authority to manage the Company’sCintas' business day to day and evaluates his performance. The Board also reviews development and succession plans for Cintas’Cintas' top executives.

The Company’s

Cintas' By-Laws require that the Board of Directors consist of at least three members with the exact number to be established by shareholders or the Board of Directors. The Board presently consists of eightnine directors and the Board is recommending that this number be retained.

set at eight due to the retirement of Donald P. Klekamp.

The Board is nominating for election all of the following: Richard T. Farmer, Robert J. Kohlhepp, Scott D. Farmer, Paul R. Carter, Gerald V. Dirvin, James J. Gardner, Robert J. Herbold and Roger L. Howe and Donald P. Klekamp.Howe. Proxies solicited by the Board will be voted for the election of these nominees. All directors elected at the Annual Meeting will be elected to hold office until the next annual meeting. In voting to elect directors, shareholders are not entitled to cumulate their votes.

Most Cintas directors – including five of our eight nominees – are not Cintas employees. Only non-employeenonemployee directors serve on Cintas’Cintas' Audit and Compensation Committees. All eight directors are elected for one-year terms. Personal information on each of our nominees is given below.

The Board met fourfive times last year. Cintas’Cintas' directors attended 100% of Board and committee meetings.

If a director nominee becomes unavailable before the election, your proxy card authorizes us to vote for a replacement nominee if the Board names one.


The Board recommends you vote FOR each of the following candidates:
The Board recommends you vote FOR each of the following candidates:

Richard T. Farmer
1
6667

Richard T. Farmer has been with Cintas and its predecessors since 1957
and has served in his present position since 1968. Prior to August 1,
1995, Mr. Farmer also served as Chief Executive Officer. He is a Director
of Fifth Third Bancorp and its subsidiary The Fifth Third Bank, Cincinnati,
Ohio. He is also the Chairman of Summer Hill, Inc.

Robert J. Kohlhepp
1
5758

Robert J. Kohlhepp has been a Director of Cintas since 1979. He has
been employed by Cintas since 1967 serving in various executive
capacities including Vice President – Finance until 1979 when he became
Executive Vice President. He served in that capacity until October 23,
1984, when he was elected President, a position he held until July 1997.
Mr. Kohlhepp was elected to his present position of Chief Executive
Officer on August 1, 1995. He is also a Director of The MeadParker Hannifin Corporation,
Dayton, Cleveland, Ohio.

Scott D. Farmer
4243

Scott D. Farmer joined Cintas in 1981. He has served in various
management positions including President of Cintas Sales Corporation,
Vice President – National Account Division and Vice President – Marketing
and Merchandising. He was elected a Director of Cintas in 1994. In July
1997, he was elected President and Chief Operating Officer of theCintas.

Company.

2



Paul R. Carter2
62

Paul R. Carter was elected a Director of Cintas in 2002. Mr. Carter formerly was a member of Wal-Mart's Board of Directors, its Chief Financial Officer and just announced his retirement as President of Wal-Mart's real estate division effective January 31, 2003.

Gerald V. Dirvin
2&3
6465

Gerald V. Dirvin was elected a Director of Cintas in 1993. Mr. Dirvin joined
The Procter & Gamble Company in 1959 and served in various
management positions. He retired as Executive Vice President and as a
Director in 1994. Mr. Dirvin is also a Director of Fifth Third Bancorp and
its subsidiary The Fifth Third Bank, Cincinnati, Ohio.

James J. Gardner
1&3
6869

James J. Gardner served in various management positions with Cintas
from 1956 until his retirement in 1988. Mr. Gardner has served as a
Director of the CompanyCintas since 1969.

Robert J. Herbold2
2
5960

Robert J. Herbold was elected a Director of Cintas in 2001. Mr. Herbold
retired in February 2001 as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating
Officer of Microsoft Corporation. He is currently working part time for
Microsoft Corporation as Executive Vice President assisting in the
government, industry and customer areas. Additionally, he is the
managing partner of Herbold Group, LLC. Mr. Herbold is also a directorDirector of
Weyerhaeuser Company and Agilent Technologies, and Immunex.
Inc.

Roger L. Howe
2&3
6667

Roger L. Howe has been a Director of Cintas since 1979. He was the
Chairman of the Board of U.S. Precision Lens, Inc., until his retirement on
September 1, 1997. Mr. Howe held that position in the firm for over five
years. Mr. Howe is a Director of U.S. Bancorp and Convergys
Corporation.
Donald P. Klekamp2
69
Donald P. Klekamp was elected a Director of Cintas in 1984. Mr. Klekamp
is associated with the Cincinnati law firm of Keating, Muething & Klekamp,
P.L.L., which serves as counsel for the Company.

Ages are as of September 1, 2001.

2002.

Richard T. Farmer is the father of Scott D. Farmer and the brother-in-law of James J. Gardner.

1        Member of the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors.

2        Member of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors.

3        Member of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors.

3




1

Member of the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors.
2
Member of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors.
3
Member of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors.
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

For fiscal 2002, Directors who are not employees of the CompanyCintas receive a $12,000 annual retainer for serving as a Director plus $2,250 for each meeting attended. Committee members also receive $1,200 for each committee meeting attended. Committee Chairmen receive an additional fee of $2,500 per year. Each nonemployee Director is annually granted an option to purchase 1,000 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price equal to the market price on the date of grant. Directors who are employees of the CompanyCintas are not separately compensated for serving as Directors.

Cintas has approved an increase in fees for fiscal 2003. Directors who are not employees of Cintas will receive a $14,000 annual retainer for serving as a Director plus $2,750 for each meeting attended. Committee Chairmen will receive an additional fee of $3,000 per year. Committee members will continue to receive $1,200 for each committee meeting attended.

Nonemployee directors may elect to defer all or part of these fees either into Cintas stock equivalents with dividends or into a deferred account that earns interest at a rate equal to one-year United States Treasury Bills. Deferred fees are payable in one to 120 monthly installments beginning in a month selected by the Director, but in no case later than the first month after the Director leaves the Board.


BOARD COMMITTEES

The Board appoints committees to help carry out its duties. In particular, Board committees work on key issues in greater detail than would be possible at full Board meetings. Each committee reviews the results of its meetings with the full Board. The Board of Directors does not have a nominating committee.

The Audit Committeeis composed of four independent directors and is governed by the Audit Committee Charter adopted by the Board of Directors. All members meet NASD independence standards.

Committee members: Roger L. Howe (Chairman), Paul R. Carter, Gerald V. Dirvin and Robert J. Herbold and Donald P. Klekamp.

Herbold.

Meetings last year: Two.

Three.


AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT

The Audit Committee oversees the Company’sCintas' financial reporting process on behalf of the Board of Directors. Management has the primary responsibility for the financial statements and the reporting process including the systems of internal controls. In fulfilling its oversight responsibilities, the Committee reviewed the audited financial statements in the Annual Report with management including a discussion of the quality, not just the acceptability, of the accounting principles, the reasonableness of significant judgments, and the clarity of disclosures in the financial statements.

The Committee reviewed with the independent auditors, who are responsible for expressing an opinion on the conformity of those audited financial statements with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, their judgments as to the quality, not just the acceptability, of the Company’sCintas' accounting principles and such other matters as are required to be discussed with the Committee under auditing standards generally accepted in the United States, including Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61. In addition, the Committee has discussed with the independent auditors the auditors’auditors' independence from management and the CompanyCintas including the matters in the written disclosures required by the Independence Standards Board including Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1 and considered1. The Committee concluded that the compatibilityprovision of these nonaudit services is compatible with maintaining the auditors’auditors' independence.

The Committee discussed with the Company’sCintas' independent auditors the overall scope and plan for their audit. The Committee meets with the independent auditors, with and without management present, to discuss the results of their examinations, their evaluations of the Company’sCintas' internal controls, and the overall quality of the Company’sCintas' financial reporting.

Based on the reviews and discussions referred to above, the Committee recommended to the Board of Directors and the Board approved that the audited financial statements be included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year

4



ended May 31, 20012002 for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Committee and the Board have also recommended the selection of the Company’sCintas' independent auditors.

The Board of Directors has reappointed Ernst & Young LLP as independent auditors to audit the financial statements of the CompanyCintas for the current fiscal year. Fees billed for the last fiscal year were:

Audit Fees$    192,000
Audit Related Services(1)$    108,000
Financial Information Systems
     Design and Implementation
     Fees
$              0
All Other Fees(2)$1,923,000
(1)
Audit related services include review of SEC registration statements, benefit plan audits and consultation on accounting standards or transactions.
(2)
All other fees primarily consists of tax services.

Audit Fees $213,000
Audit Related Services(1) $205,000
Financial Information Systems Design and Implementation Fees $0
All Other Fees(2) $1,078,000

In July 2002, the Committee adopted a policy that limits the scope of consulting services that may be provided by the outside accounting firm that performs the Cintas annual audit. This policy draws a distinction between audit and nonaudit services, and prohibits the outside accounting firm from performing these nonaudit services. Cintas will not use its outside accountants to perform nonaudit related services such as nonfinancial or management consulting services, business strategy consulting, information technology consulting, internal audit, price allocation appraisals and fairness opinions. Audit related services that will be permitted include: 401(k) audits, securities registration and reporting, tax compliance and planning, advice on the application of accounting policies, guidance on acquisition accounting and assistance with the due diligence audits.

Representatives of the firm Ernst & Young are expected to be present at the Annual Meeting. They will have an opportunity to make a statement if they so desire and will be available to respond to appropriate questions.

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED BY THE MEMBERS OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE, Roger L. Howe (Chairman), Paul R. Carter, Gerald V. Dirvin and Robert J. Herbold and Donald P. Klekamp.

Herbold.

The Compensation Committeeis responsible for establishing compensation levels for management.

Committee members: Gerald V. Dirvin (Chairman), James J. Gardner and Roger L. Howe.

Meetings last year: Two.

One.


COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT ON
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Executive Compensation Policies

The Company’s

Cintas' executive compensation policies are designed to support the corporate objective of maximizing the long-term value of the CompanyCintas for its shareholders and employees. To achieve this objective, the Committee believes it is important to provide competitive levels of compensation to attract and retain the most qualified executives, to recognize individuals who exceed expectations and to link closely overall corporate performance and executive pay. The methods by which the Committee believes the Company’sCintas' long-term objectives can be achieved are through incentive compensation plans and the issuance of options to purchase the Company’sCintas' Common Stock.

The Committee has established three primary components of the Company’sCintas' executive compensation plan. The three components are:

Ÿ
base compensation;
Ÿ
performance incentive compensation;
Ÿ
stock-based performance compensation through stock option grants.

The Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993 provides that compensation in excess of $1,000,000 per year paid to the chief executive officer of a company, as well as the other executive officers listed in the compensation table will not be deductible unless the compensation is performance-based and

5



approved by shareholders. This law was not considered by the Committee in determining fiscal 20012002 compensation since compensation levels were not in excess of the amounts deductible under the law.

Base Compensation

The Committee annually reviews base salaries of executive officers. FactorsThe factors which influence decisions made by the Committee regarding base salaries are levels of responsibility and potential for future responsibilities, salary levels offered by competitors and the overall performance of the Company.Cintas. The Committee’sCommittee's practice in establishing salary levels is based in part upon overall Company performanceon salary levels of competitively comparable jobs and is not based upon any specific objectives or policies, but reflects the subjective judgment of the Committee. However, specific annual performance goals are established for each executive officer.

Based on the Committee’sCommittee's comparison of the Company’sCintas' overall compensation levels as a percent of revenues and net income to comparable companies in the industry, the Committee believes its overall compensation levels are in the middle of the range.

Performance Incentive Compensation

A performance incentive compensation component, which is paid out in the form of an annual cash bonus, was established by the Committee to provide a direct financial incentive to achieve corporate and operating goals. The basis for determining performance incentive compensation is strictly quantitative in nature. At the beginning of each fiscal year, the Committee establishes a target bonus for certain executives based on a target levelslevel of increases in earnings per share. Cash bonuses paid to other executives are based on a percentage of operating profits of the particular division served by that officer.

Stock Option Grants

Executive compensation to reward past performance and to motivate future performance is also provided through options granted under Cintas’Cintas' Stock Option Plans. The purpose of each plan is to encourage executive officers to maintain a long-term stock ownership position in the CompanyCintas in order that their interests are aligned with those of the Company’sCintas' shareholders. The Committee in its discretion has the authority to determine participants in the plan, the number of shares to be granted and the option price and term. Consideration forAn individual's stock option awards areaward is evaluated on a subjective basis and granted to participantsthe participant until an ownership position exists which is consistent with the participant’sparticipant's current responsibilities. Options granted to executive officers in Fiscal 20012002 can be found on page 10.

Chief Executive Officer Compensation

The Committee established Mr. Kohlhepp’sKohlhepp's base salary based primarily on a subjective evaluation of the Company’sCintas' prior year’syear's financial results, past salary levels and compensation paid to other chief executive officers in the Company’sCintas' industry, as well as other U.S. based companies. Based on the Committee’sCommittee's comparison of the Company’sCintas' overall compensation level for Mr. Kohlhepp as a percent of revenue and net income to comparable companies, the Committee believes his overall compensation level is in the middle of the range. The Committee also establishes at the beginning of each year a performance incentive bonus arrangement for Mr. Kohlhepp. Based on the Company’sCintas' belief that shareholder value is best enhanced by increases in earnings per share, the Committee based this arrangement for fiscal 20012002 on a target levelslevel of increases in earnings per share. The program provided for no bonus if earnings per share did not increase 10% over the prior year’syear's earnings per share of $1.14.$1.30. The bonus potential ranged from 10% of base salary if earnings per share increased by $.12$.13 over the prior year up to a maximum of 90% if earnings per share increased by $.28$.33 over the prior year.

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED BY THE MEMBERS OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE, Gerald V. Dirvin (Chairman), James J. Gardner and Roger L. Howe

6



PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS

The following persons are the only shareholders known by the CompanyCintas to own beneficially 5% or more of its outstanding Common Stock as of August 20, 2001:

September 4, 2002:

Name of
Beneficial Owner

 Amount and Nature of
Beneficial Ownership

 Percent of
Class


Richard T. Farmer1


33,915,4832


19.9

%

James J. Gardner1

 
35,168,945
10,133,5233
2

 
20.7
6.0

%
James J.
Joan A. Gardner
1

 
10,438,888
10,133,5233

 
6.2
6.0
%
Joan A. Gardner1
10,438,8883
6.2
%

    1
    The address of Richard T. Farmer, James J. Gardner and Joan A. Gardner is Cintas Corporation, 6800 Cintas Boulevard, P.O. Box 625737, Cincinnati, Ohio 45262-5737.

    2
    Includes 80,340 shares owned by Mr. Farmer's wife, 5,898,707 shares held in trust for Mr. Farmer's children, 92,925 shares owned by a corporation controlled by Mr. Farmer, and 23,911,468 shares held by a family partnership.

    3
    Includes the following shares considered to be beneficially owned by both Mr. & Mrs. Gardner: 179,979 shares held by a charitable trust established by Mr. Gardner, 39,123 shares held by a corporation that is controlled by Mr. Gardner, 2,224,250 shares held by various limited partnerships and 7,676,296 shares held by GarFam Partners, LP in which Mr. Gardner and his spouse are limited partners.

7



    1

    The address of Richard T. Farmer, James J. Gardner and Joan A. Gardner is Cintas Corporation, 6800 Cintas Boulevard, P.O. Box 625737, Cincinnati, Ohio 45262-5737.
    2
    Includes 80,340 shares owned by Mr. Farmer’s wife, 7,417,328 shares held in trust for Mr. Farmer’s children, 92,925 shares owned by a corporation controlled by Mr. Farmer, and 26,811,468 shares held by a family partnership.
    3
    Includes the following shares considered to be beneficially owned by both Mr. & Mrs. Gardner: 193,979 shares held by a charitable trust established by Mr. Gardner, 39,123 shares held by a corporation that is controlled by Mr. Gardner, 2,277,542 shares held by various limited partnerships, 7,539,369 shares held by GarFam Partners, LP in which Mr. Gardner and his spouse are limited partners, 378,000 shares held in various trusts and 10,875 shares which may be acquired pursuant to stock options exercisable within 60 days.
    DIRECTOR AND EXECUTIVE OFFICER STOCK OWNERSHIP

    These tables show how much Cintas Corporation Common Stock each director and present executive officer of Cintas named in the summary compensation table owned on August 20, 2001.

              Common Stock Beneficially Owned(1)
    Name and Age of
    Beneficial Owner

        Position
        Amount and Nature of
    Beneficial Ownership

        Percent of
    Class

    Richard T. Farmer
    66
        Chairman of the Board    35,168,945(2)    20.7%
     
    Robert J. Kohlhepp
    57
        Chief Executive Officer
    and Director
        3,566,652(3)    2.1%
     
    Scott D. Farmer
    42
        President, Chief Operating
    Officer and Director
        689,284(4)    * 
     
    Gerald V. Dirvin
    64
        Director    28,575     * 
     
    James J. Gardner
    68
        Director    10,438,888(2)    6.2%
     
    Robert J. Herbold
    59
        Director    —       * 
     
    Roger L. Howe
    66
        Director    1,060,059(5)    * 
     
    Donald P. Klekamp
    69
        Director    165,778(6)    * 
     
    Robert R. Buck
    53
        Senior Vice President
    and President – Uniform
    Rental Division
        146,413(7)    * 
     
    All Directors and Executive
    Officers as a Group
    (11 persons)
            51,322,158(8)    30.2%
    September 4, 2002.

     
      
     Common Stock Beneficially Owned(1)
     
    Name and Age of
    Beneficial Owner

     Position
     Amount and Nature of
    Beneficial Ownership

     Percent of Class
     
    Richard T. Farmer
    67
     Chairman of the Board 33,915,483(2)19.9%

    Robert J. Kohlhepp
    58

     

    Chief Executive Officer and Director

     

    3,605,668

    (3)

    2.1

    %

    Scott D. Farmer
    43

     

    President, Chief Operating Officer and Director

     

    710,711

    (4)

    *

     

    Paul R. Carter
    62

     

    Director

     

    —  

     

    *

     

    Gerald V. Dirvin
    65

     

    Director

     

    31,575

     

    *

     

    James J. Gardner
    69

     

    Director

     

    10,133,523

    (2)

    6.0

    %

    Robert J. Herbold
    60

     

    Director

     

    500

     

    *

     

    Roger L. Howe
    67

     

    Director

     

    1,048,059

    (5)

    *

     

    Donald P. Klekamp
    70

     

    Director

     

    113,908

    (6)

    *

     

    Robert R. Buck
    54

     

    Senior Vice President and President – Uniform Rental Division

     

    152,581

    (7)

    *

     

    William C. Gale
    50

     

    Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

     

    22,838

     

    *

     

    All Directors and Executive Officers as a Group (13 persons)

     

     

     

    49,776,130

    (8)

    29.3

    %

    *Less than 1%
    (1)
    Included in the amount of Common Stock beneficially owned are the following shares of Common Stock for options exercisable within 60 days: Mr. Kohlhepp –  96,000 shares; Mr. Dirvin – 12,375 shares; Mr. Howe – 12,375 shares; Mr. Klekamp – 12,375 shares; Mr. Gardner – 10,875 shares and Mr. S. Farmer  – 39,600 shares.
    (2)
    See Principal Shareholders on page 7.
    (3)
    Includes 289,856 shares held in trust for members of Mr. Kohlhepp’s family, 176,016 shares held by a corporation that is controlled by Mr. Kohlhepp and 1,833,025 shares held by a family partnership.
    (4)
    Includes 139,350 shares held in trust for the benefit of Mr. Farmer’s children, 4,038 shares owned by Mr. Farmer’s wife and 83,880 shares held by a limited partnership.
    (5)
    Includes 161,472 shares owned by a limited partnership.
    (6)
    Includes 153,246 shares owned by Mr. Klekamp’s wife.
    (7)
    Robert R. Buck joined Cintas in 1982. He served as Senior Vice President – Finance and Chief Financial Officer from 1982 to 1991, and Senior Vice President – Midwest Region from 1991 to 1997. In July 1997, he was elected President – Uniform Rental Division.
    (8)
    Includes options for 214,800 shares, which are exercisable within 60 days.

    8



    The following is a description of our other executive officers:

    Karen L. Carnahan joined Cintas in 1979. She has held various accounting and finance positions with the Company.Cintas. In March 1992, she was elected Treasurer of the CompanyCintas and was elected Vice President of the CompanyCintas in July 1997.

    William C. Gale joined Cintas in April 1995 as Vice President-FinancePresident – Finance and Chief Financial Officer. He is presently responsible for finance, accounting and administration.

    Thomas E. Frooman joined Cintas in December 2001 as Vice President and Secretary – General Counsel. From July 1997 through December 2001, Thomas E. Frooman was a member of the law firm Keating, Muething & Klekamp, P.L.L.


    SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE

    Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires the Company’sCintas' executive officers, directors and persons who own more than ten percent of the Company’sCintas' Common Stock to file reports of ownership with the Commission and to furnish the CompanyCintas with copies of these reports. Based solely upon its review of reports received by it, or upon written representation from certain reporting persons that no reports were required, Cintas believes that during fiscal 20012002 all filing requirements were met.

    met, except Mr. Buck reported on a Form 4 filed in September 2001 stock options he exercised on July 24th, 25th and 30th.

    9



    SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

         Annual Compensation
             Long-Term
    Compensation

         
    Name and
    Principal Position

        Fiscal
    Year

        Salary
    ($)

        Bonus
    ($)

        Other
    Annual
    Compen-
    sation
    ($)

        Shares
    Underlying
    Option
    Grants(#)

        All Other
    Compen-
    sation($)
    (1)
    Richard T. Farmer    2001    371,000    79,765    63,429(2)    —      105,607
         Chairman of the Board    2000    360,000    88,691    62,560(2)    —      142,270
         1999    345,000    172,500    58,856(2)    —      142,344
     
    Robert J. Kohlhepp    2001    439,000    167,200    —       —      37,962
         Chief Executive Officer and
         Director
        2000
    1999
        400,000
    362,000
        180,000
    325,800
        —  
    —  
         15,000
    —  
        47,298
    47,072
     
    Scott D. Farmer    2001    379,000    190,000    —       15,000    7,563
         President, Chief
         Operating Officer
         and Director
        2000
    1999
        340,000
    304,000
        119,000
    212,800
        —  
    —  
         15,000
    —  
        8,291
    8,154
     
    Robert R. Buck    2001    328,000    242,520    —       —      7,547
         Senior Vice President and
         President — Uniform
         Rental Division
        2000
    1999
        300,000
    270,000
        240,456
    225,207
        —  
    —  
         7,500
    —  
        8,302
    8,207
     
    David T. Jeanmougin(3)    2001    265,000    42,665    —       —      7,410
         Senior Vice President    2000
    1999
        265,000
    250,000
        51,000
    100,000
        —  
    —  
         —  
    —  
        8,074
    7,901


    Annual Compensation

    Long-Term Compensation

    Name and
    Principal Position

    Fiscal
    Year

    Salary
    ($)

    Bonus
    ($)

    Other
    Annual
    Compen-
    sation
    ($)

    Shares
    Underlying
    Option
    Grants(#)

    All Other Compen-
    sation($)(1)

    Includes the actuarially projected current dollar valueRichard T. Farmer
    Chairman of the benefits to Messrs. R. Farmer and Kohlhepp and their spouses under a split-dollar life insurance plan.
    BoardThe Cintas Partners’ Plan is a non-contributory employee stock ownership plan and profit sharing plan with a 401(k) savings feature which covers substantially all employees. Included above are the dollars contributed by the Company pursuant to the Partners’ Plan.
    2002
    2001
    2000
    382,130
    371,000
    360,000

    79,765
    88,691
    105,184
    63,429
    62,560
    (2)
    (2)
    (2)
    Represents compensation associated with the use of the Company’s aircraft ($41,936, $28,537

    55,378
    105,607
    142,270

    Robert J. Kohlhepp
    Chief Executive Officer and $32,958 in Director


    2002
    2001
    2000


    490,000
    439,000
    400,000



    167,200
    180,000


    61,725


    (3)




    15,000


    21,288
    37,962
    47,298

    Scott D. Farmer
    President, Chief Operating Officer and 1999, respectively), financial planning ($Director


    2002
    2001
    2000


    450,000
    379,000
    340,000



    190,000
    119,000






    10,000 $25,000
    15,000
    15,000


    6,918
    7,563
    8,291

    Robert R. Buck
    Senior Vice President and $15,000 in President – Uniform Rental Division


    2002
    2001
    2000


    346,688
    328,000
    300,000


    69,721
    242,520
    240,456






    6,000

    7,500


    6,904
    7,547
    8,302

    William C. Gale
    Vice President and 1999, respectively) and other expense reimbursements.Chief Financial Officer


    2002
    2001
    2000


    260,000
    240,000
    216,000



    38,640
    41,660







    5,000
    7,500


    6,527
    7,349
    7,907
    (3)
    Mr. Jeanmougin retired effective July 31, 2001. Cintas has agreed to continue his salary and benefits through April 30, 2002.

    10


    STOCK OPTIONS

    The following table sets forth information regarding stock options granted to the executives named in the Summary Compensation Table during fiscal 2001:

    2002:


    OPTION GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR

    Name
        Number of
    Shares
    Underlying
    Options
    Granted

        Percent of
    Total Options
    Granted to
    employees in
    Fiscal 2001

        Exercise
    Price
    ($/Sh.)

        Expiration
    Date

        Potential Realizable
    Value at Assumed
    Annual Rates of
    Stock Price
    Appreciation for
    Option Term($)

        5%
        10%
    Richard T. Farmer    —      N/A     N/A    N/A    N/A    N/A
     
    Robert J. Kohlhepp    —      N/A     N/A    N/A    N/A    N/A
     
    Scott D. Farmer    15,000    2.0%    42.6719    7/24/10    402,542    1,020,120
     
    Robert R. Buck    —      N/A     N/A    N/A    N/A    N/A
     
    David T. Jeanmougin    —      N/A     N/A    N/A    N/A    N/A

     
      
      
      
      
     Potential Realizable Value at Assumed Annual Rates of Stock Price Appreciation for Option Term ($)
     
     Number of
    Shares
    Underlying
    Options
    Granted

     Percent of
    Total Options
    Granted to
    Employees in
    Fiscal 2002

      
      
     
     Exercise
    Price
    ($/Sh.)

     Expiration
    Date

    Name
     5%
     10%
    Richard T. Farmer —   N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

    Robert J. Kohlhepp

     

    —  

     

    N/A

     

    N/A

     

    N/A

     

    N/A

     

    N/A

    Scott D. Farmer

     

    10,000

     

    1.2

    %

    47.35

     

    8/8/11

     

    297,782

     

    754,637

    Robert R. Buck

     

    6,000

     

    0.7

    %

    47.35

     

    8/8/11

     

    178,669

     

    452,782

    William C. Gale

     

    —  

     

    N/A

     

    N/A

     

    N/A

     

    N/A

     

    N/A

    The following table sets forth information regarding stock options exercised by the executives named in the Summary Compensation Table during fiscal 20012002 and the value of in-the-money unexercised options held by them as of May 31, 2001:

    2002:


    AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR


    AND FISCAL YEAR END OPTION VALUES

    Name
      Shares
    Acquired on
    Exercise(#)

      Value
    Realized($)

      Number of Unexercised
    Options at May 31, 2001

      Value of Unexercised In-
    The-Money Options at
    May 31, 2001($)
    (1)
      Exercisable
      Unexercisable
      Exercisable
      Unexercisable
    Richard T. Farmer  15,000  303,401  —    —    —    —  
     
    Robert J. Kohlhepp  6,000  240,375  54,000  171,000  1,908,310  5,341,937
     
    Scott D. Farmer  12,750  483,615  56,400  159,600  2,157,247  3,530,663
     
    Robert R. Buck  9,079  307,164  —    100,500  —    2,499,631
     
    David T. Jeanmougin  105,600  4,409,751  —    44,400  —    1,393,165

     
      
      
     Number of Unexercised Options at May 31, 2002
     Value of Unexercised In-
    The-Money Options at
    May 31, 2002($)(1)

     
     Shares
    Acquired on
    Exercise (#)

     Value
    Realized ($)

    Name
     Exercisable
     Unexercisable
     Exercisable
     Unexercisable
    Richard T. Farmer —   —   —   —   —   —  

    Robert J. Kohlhepp

     

    —  

     

    —  

     

    96,000

     

    129,000

     

    3,879,034

     

    4,624,463

    Scott D. Farmer

     

    30,000

     

    1,317,900

     

    39,600

     

    156,400

     

    1,664,642

     

    3,933,688

    Robert R. Buck

     

    9,000

     

    343,250

     

    —  

     

    97,500

     

    —  

     

    2,734,436

    William C. Gale

     

    15,100

     

    543,107

     

    8,900

     

    63,500

     

    349,286

     

    1,922,912

      (1)
      Value is calculated as the difference between the fair market value of the Common Stock on May 31, 2002 ($52.21 per share) and the exercise price of the options.

    11



      (1)

      Value is calculated as the difference between the fair market value of the Common Stock on May 31, 2001 ($46.64 per share) and the exercise price of the options.
      COMMON STOCK PERFORMANCE GRAPH

      The following graph summarizes the cumulative return on $100 invested in the Company’sCintas' Common Stock, the S & P&P 500 Stock Index and the common stocks of a representative group ofthe three largest publicly traded companies engaged primarily in the uniform related industry determined by net assets at year end (the “Peer Index”"Peer Index"). The companies included in the Peer Index are AngelicaAramark Corporation, G & K Services, Inc. and UniFirst Corporation. The Peer Index substitutes Aramark Corporation for Angelica Corporation, which had been included in the Peer Index from 1993 to 2001, because Angelica Corporation sold substantially all of its uniform related businesses which occurred on or about April 19, 2002, and, therefore, is no longer in the line of business for which it was initially included. Aramark Corporation satisfied our Peer Index criteria when it became one of the three largest publicly traded uniform companies after the consummation of its public offering of securities, which occurred, on or about December 11, 2001.

      Total shareholder return was based on the increase in the price of the stock and assumed reinvestment of all dividends. Further, total return was weighted according to market capitalization of each company. The companies in the Peer Index are not the same as those considered by the Compensation Committee.

      
      
                                          [CHART]
      
                                 

      TOTAL SHAREHOLDER RETURNS
      COMPARISON OF FIVE-YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN DATE CINTAS CORP S&P 500 INDEX PEER GROUP May-96 100 100 100 Aug-96 101 98 93 Nov-96 114 114 104 Feb-97 101 120 96 May-97 117 129 95 Aug-97 131 138 106 Nov-97 146 147 114 Feb-98 160 162 129 May-98 172 169 119 Aug-98 154 149 124 Nov-98 208 182 133 Feb-99 268 194 131 May-99 240 205 123 Aug-99 195 208 105 Nov-99 174 220 89 Feb-00 152 217 51 May-00 252 226 62 Aug-00 238 242 73 Nov-00 291 210 70 Feb-01 207 199 61 May-01 268 202 78

      GRAPHIC

      12


      PROPOSALS FOR NEXT YEAR

      Shareholders who desire to have proposals included in the Notice for the 2002 Shareholders’2003 Shareholders' Meeting must submit their proposals in writing to Cintas at its offices on or before May 1, 2002.

      13, 2003.

      The form of Proxy for the Company’sCintas' Annual Meeting of Shareholders grants authority to the designated proxies to vote in their discretion on any matters that come before the meeting except those set forth in the Company’sCintas' Proxy Statement and except for matters as to which adequate notice is received. In order for a notice to be deemed adequate for the 2002 Shareholders’2003 Shareholders' Meeting, it must be received prior to July 14, 2002.

      26, 2003.

      OTHER MATTERS

      Cintas knows of no other matters to be presented at the meeting other than those specified in the Notice.


      QUESTIONS?

      If you have questions or need more information about the annual meeting, write to:

      William C. Gale, CFO
      6800 Cintas Blvd.
      P. O. Box 625737
      Cincinnati, OH 45262-5737

      or call (513) 459-1200.

      For information about your record holding call the Fifth Third Bank Shareholder Services at 1-800-837-2755. We also invite you to visit Cintas’Cintas' Internet site atwww.Cintas.comwww.Cintas.com.. Internet site materials are for your general information and are not part of this proxy solicitation.

      There are three possible ways to vote your proxy. Please choose one of the following:

      13



      Vote by Telephone

      Have your proxy card available when you call theToll-Free number1-800-250-90811-800-542-1160 using a Touch-Tonetouch-tone phone. You will be prompted to enter your Control Number found on the reverse side and then you can follow the simple instructions that will be givenpresented to you to record your vote.

      Vote by Internet

      Have your proxy card available when you access thewebsite http://www.votefast.com. You will be prompted to enter your Control Number found on the reverse side and then you can follow the simple instructionsprompts that will be givenpresented to you to record your vote.

      Vote by Mail

      Please mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the postage paidpostage-paid envelope provided or return it to: Corporate Trust Services, P.O. Box 535800, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15253.

      Vote by Telephone
      Vote by Internet
      Vote by Mail
      CallToll-Freeusing a
      Access theWebsiteandReturn your proxy
      Touch-Tonetouch-tone phoneCastcast your vote
      in thePostage-paidpostage-paid
      1-800-250-9081
      1-800-542-1160
      http://www.votefast.comenvelope provided

      Vote 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!

      Your telephone and Internetinternet votemust be received by 11:59 P.M. eastern daylight timeEastern Standard Time on October 16, 200115, 2002to be counted in the final tabulation. If you vote by telephone or Internet, please do not send your proxy by mail.

      Your Control Number is printed on the reverse side.

      Your telephone and internet vote authorizes the named proxies to vote your shares in
      the same manner as if you had marked, signed, dated and returned your proxy card.

      CINTAS CORPORATIONPROXY FOR ANNUAL MEETING
      6800 Cintas Blvd., P.O. Box 625737, Cincinnati, Ohio 45262-5737

              The undersigned hereby appoints RICHARD T. FARMER, ROBERT J. KOHLHEPP, and WILLIAM C. GALE, or any of them, proxies of the undersigned, each with the power of substitution, to vote all shares of Common Stock which the undersigned would be entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Cintas Corporation to be held October 17, 2001,16, 2002, at 10:00 a.m. (Eastern Time) at the Company’sCompany's Headquarters, 6800 Cintas Boulevard, Cincinnati, Ohio and at any adjournment of such Meeting as specified below.

      THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE FOLLOWING PROPOSALS:

      1.
      Authority to establish the number of Directors to be elected at the Meeting at eight.

      o    FOR                              o    AGAINST                              o    ABSTAIN

      2.
      Authority to elect eight nominees listed below.

      1.Authority to establish the number of Directors to be elected at the Meeting at eight.
      o ¨FOR¨ AGAINST
      ¨
      ABSTAIN
      2.Authority to elect eight nominees listed below.
      ¨FORall nominees listed below (except
      as marked to the contrary)
       o¨
      WITHHOLD AUTHORITYto vote for
      all nominees listed below

      (01) Richard T. Farmer; (02) Robert J. Kohlhepp; (03) Scott D. Farmer; (04) Paul R. Carter;
      (05) Gerald V. Dirvin; (06) James J. Gardner; (07) Robert J. Herbold; (08) Roger L. Howe

      Richard T. Farmer; Robert J. Kohlhepp; Scott D. Farmer; Gerald V. Dirvin; James J. Gardner;
      Robert J. Herbold; Roger L. Howe; Donald P. Klekamp


      WRITE THE NAME OF ANY NOMINEE(S) FOR



       
       
      WHOM AUTHORITY TO VOTE IS WITHHELD 
       
        
      (Continued on other side)

      (Continued on other side)


      Cintas Corporation
      c/o Corporate Trust Services
      Mail Drop 10AT66—4129
      38 Fountain Square Plaza
      Cincinnati, OH 4526345202

      R.S. Rowe & Company, Inc.; Job No. 10997; Proof of 8-29-02
      (781) 849-9700; (212) 926-2444; (800) 324-6202; FAX No. (781) 849-9740
      EMAIL Address: rsrowe@interserv.com
      pm6\5th-3rd\Cint-prx


      Your Control Number is:


      You are now able to cast your vote by using a touch-tone telephone or by using the Internet.internet.
      Instructions for voting are on the reverse side. Your Control Number for voting is noted above.

      fold and detach here
      ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

      -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

      3.
      In their discretion, the proxies are authorized to vote upon such other business as may properly come before the Meeting.


      THIS PROXY, WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED, WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED HEREIN BY THE UNDERSIGNED SHAREHOLDER. IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR PROPOSALS 1 AND 2.

      THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.

      ____________________________________ , 2001YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT!

      _____________________________________       

      ______________________________________     If you do not vote by telephone or internet, please sign and date this proxy card and return it promptly in the enclosed postage-paid envelope, or otherwise to Corporate Trust Services, P.O. Box 535800, Pittsburgh, PA 15253, so that your shares may be represented at the Meeting.

       , 2002









        Important: Please sign exactly as name appears hereon
      indicating, where proper, official position or representative
      capacity. In the case of joint holders, all should sign.



      QuickLinks

      SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
      OPTION GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
      AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR AND FISCAL YEAR END OPTION VALUES