Table of Contents

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON,Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A

PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTIONProxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) OFof
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OFthe Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (AMENDMENT NO.(Amendment No.           )

Filed by the Registrantý


Filed by a Party other than the Registranto


Check the appropriate box:


o

 

Preliminary Proxy Statement


o

 

Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))


ý

 

Definitive Proxy Statement


o

 

Definitive Additional Materials


o

 

Soliciting Material Pursuant to Section 240.14a-12under §240.14a-12




CINTAS CORPORATION

(Name of Registrant as Specified inIn Its Charter)

 


(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

ý

 

No fee required.

o

 

Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.
  (1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
         
  (2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
         
  (3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
         
  (4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
         
  (5) Total Fee Paid:fee paid:
         

o

 

Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.

o

 

Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.

 

 

(1)

 

Amount Previously Paid:
        
 
  (2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
         
  (3) Filing Party:
         
  (4) Date Filed:
         

Table of Contents

GRAPHICGRAPHIC

6800 Cintas Boulevard
Cincinnati, Ohio 45262


NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING AND PROXY STATEMENT

Dear Shareholder:

We invite you to attend our Annual Meeting of Shareholders on October 20, 2009,16, 2012, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time at Cintas' Headquarters, 6800 Cintas Boulevard, Cincinnati, Ohio.

This booklet includes 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 of Directors operates and gives personal information about our director candidates.nominees.

Shareholders entitled to vote at this Annual Meeting are those of record as of the close of business on August 25, 2009.20, 2012. Please note that only shareholders of record or holders of valid proxies from such shareholders may attend or vote at the meeting.Since seating will be limited, we ask shareholders to call 1-866-246-8277 to make a reservation for the meeting. When making your reservation, please give your full name, company name and address. If you do not make a reservation, you may not be provided entry into the meeting due to limited space.

Upon arrival at the Annual Meeting, shareholders may be asked for a form of personal identification and proof of stock ownership. This can be in the form of a brokerage statement or proxy card. Based on this proof of ownership and the reservation system noted above, an admission ticket will be given to the shareholder at the meeting. No cameras, recording equipment, electronic devices, cellular telephones, large bags, briefcases or packages will be permitted in the meeting.

We are once again pleased to take advantage of U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission rules that allow companies to furnish their proxy materials over the Internet. As a result, we are mailing to most of our shareholders a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (the "Notice") instead of a paper copy of this proxy statement, the accompanying proxy card and our 20092012 Annual Report.Report on Form 10-K. The Notice contains instructions on how to access and review those documents over the Internet.Internet and vote online, as well as how shareholders can elect to receive paper copies of the proxy statement, proxy card and 2012 Annual Report free of charge. We believe that this process will allow us to provide our shareholders with the information they need in a timely manner, while reducing the environmental impact and lowering the costs of printing and distributing our proxy materials. If you received a Notice by mail and would like to receive a printed copy of our proxy materials, you should follow the instructions for requesting such materials included in the Notice.

Whether or not you plan to attend the meeting, please complete and return your proxy card or vote by telephone or via the Internet by following the instructions on your proxy card.

Sincerely,

Richard T. FarmerSIGNATURE

Richard T. FarmerRobert J. Kohlhepp
Chairman of the Board

September 4, 20096, 2012


Table of Contents


NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS OF CINTAS CORPORATION

Time: 10:00 a.m., Eastern Daylight Time

Date:

 

October 20, 200916, 2012

Place:

 

Cintas Corporate Headquarters
6800 Cintas Boulevard
Cincinnati, Ohio

Purpose:

 

 

1.

 

To elect as directors the tennine nominees named in the attached proxy materials;

2.


To approve, on an advisory basis, named executive officer compensation;

3.

 

To ratify Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal 2010;

3.


To vote on a shareholder proposal if properly presented;2013; and

4.

 

To conduct other business if properly raised.

Only shareholders of record on August 25, 2009, may attend or20, 2012, are entitled to notice of and to vote at, or attend, the meeting.meeting or any adjournment thereof. The approximate mailing date of the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials is September 4, 2009.6, 2012.

The vote of each shareholder is important. You can vote your shares by completing and returning the proxy card sent to you. Shareholders can also vote their shares over the Internet or by telephone by following the voting instructions on the proxy card.

SIGNATURE

Thomas E. Frooman
Vice President and Secretary  General Counsel

September 4, 20096, 2012

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of
Proxy Materials for the Shareholder Meeting To Be Held on October 16, 2012

The Notice, 2012 Proxy Statement, 2012 Annual Report and
Form of Proxy are available at http://www.cintas.com


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 Page
 

 
 





GENERAL INFORMATION  1 

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

 

 

23

 

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

 

 

57

 

AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT

 

 

610

 

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT

 

 

912

 

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

 

1013

 

PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS

 

 

2834

 

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF DIRECTORS, DIRECTOR NOMINEES AND NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

 

 

2935

 

SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE

 

 

3036

 

RELATED PERSON TRANSACTIONS

 

 

3137


ADVISORY VOTE ON NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMPENSATION



38

 

RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

 

3238

 

OTHER ITEM TO BE VOTED ON BY SHAREHOLDERSQUESTIONS?

 

 

33


QUESTIONS



3539

 

Cintas makes available, free of charge on its website, all of its filings that are made electronically with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), including Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K. These filings are also available on the SEC's website (www.sec.gov). To access these filings, go to our website (www.cintas.com) and click on the "Financial Reports" tab at the right under the "Investors""Company and Careers – Investors" page. Copies of Cintas' Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2009,2012, including financial statements and schedules thereto, filed with the SEC, are also available without charge to shareholders upon written request addressed to:

Thomas E. Frooman
Vice President and Secretary – General Counsel
6800 Cintas Boulevard
P.O. Box 625737
Cincinnati, Ohio 45262-5737


Table of Contents

Cintas Corporation
6800 Cintas Boulevard
Cincinnati, Ohio 45262

PROXY
STATEMENT

ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON OCTOBER 16, 2012


GENERAL INFORMATION
General Information

This proxy statement and accompanying proxy, mailed or provided online, is furnished in connection with the solicitation by the Board of Directors (the "Board") of Cintas Corporation, a Washington corporation ("we" or "Cintas" or "the Company"), of proxies to be used at the annual meeting of shareholders of Cintas to be held on October 16, 2012, which we refer to as the Annual Meeting, and at any adjournment or postponement thereof. Cintas will bear the costs of this solicitation. The Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials and, for those shareholders who requested paper copies, this proxy statement and accompanying proxy, were first mailed to our shareholders on or about September 6, 2012.

Who may vote

Shareholders of Cintas, recorded in our stock register on August 25, 2009,20, 2012, may vote at the meeting. As of that date, Cintas had 153,976,594126,680,890 shares of common stock outstanding. Each share is entitled to one vote on each matter submitted to the shareholders at the annual meeting.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 proxy card. We recommend you vote by proxy, Internet or telephone even if you plan to attend the meeting. If you vote by Internet or telephone, please do not return the proxy card. If voting by mail, please complete, sign and date your proxy card enclosed with these proxy materials. If desired, you can change your vote at the meeting.

How proxies work

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 nominees. You may also vote for or against the other proposals or abstain from voting.

All proxies properly signed will, unless a different choice is indicated, be voted "FOR" the election of all nominees proposed by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, "FOR" the resolution approving the compensation of our named executive officers and "FOR" the ratification of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal 2010 and "AGAINST" the shareholder proposal if properly presented.2013.

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 or bank, you may get material from them asking how you want to vote. Specifically, if your shares are held in the name of your stockbroker or bank and you wish to vote in person at the meeting, you should request your stockbroker or bank to issue you a proxy covering your shares.

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


Table of Contents

Revoking a proxy

You may revoke your proxy at any time before the vote is taken by submitting a new proxy with a later date, by voting via the Internet or by telephone at a later time, by voting in person at the meeting or by notifying Cintas' Secretary in writing at the address under "Questions?" on page 35.39.

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

The tennine nominees receiving the most votes will be elected as members of the Board of Directors subject to a resignation policy in our Bylaws that applies to any nominee who does not receive a majority of the votes cast. See "Election of Directors" on page 2.3. Approval of Proposals 2 and 3 requires the affirmative vote of the majority of the votes cast on each proposal. Approval of all other matters considered at the meeting, including postponement or adjournment, will require the affirmative vote of a majority of shares voting.the votes cast.

Only votes for or against a proposal count. Abstentions (including abstentions with respect to one or more nominees) and broker nonvotes count for quorum purposes, but not for voting purposes. Broker nonvotes occur when a broker returns a proxy, but does not have authority to vote on a particular proposal.

Banks or brokers holding shares for beneficial owners must vote those shares as instructed. If the bank or broker has not received instructions from you, the beneficial owner, the bank or broker generally has discretionary voting power only with respect to the ratification of appointment of the independent registered public accounting firm. A bank or broker does not have discretion to cast votes with respect to Proposal 1 or Proposal 2 unless it has received voting instructions from the beneficial owner of the shares. It is therefore important that you provide instructions to your bank or broker if your shares are held by such a bank or broker so that your votes with respect to these Proposals are counted. Abstentions and broker nonvotes will have no effect on Proposals 1, 2 and 3.

Attending in person

Only shareholders, their proxy holders and Cintas' guests, each of which must be properly registered as described in the notice herewith,Notice, may attend the meeting.


Table of Contents


ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
(Item 1 on the Proxy Card)

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board of Directors has nominated for election the following current directors,individuals, namely: Gerald S. Adolph, Paul R. Carter, Gerald V. Dirvin,John F. Barrett, Melanie W. Barstad, Richard T. Farmer, Scott D. Farmer, Joyce Hergenhan, James J. Johnson, Robert J. Kohlhepp, David C. PhillipsJoseph Scaminace and Ronald W. Tysoe. Proxies solicited by the Board will be voted for the election of these nominees.nominees if no direction is given. All directors elected at the Annual Meeting will be elected to hold office until the next annual meeting.meeting, with each director to serve until such director's successor is elected and qualified or until such director's earlier resignation or removal. In voting to elect directors, shareholders are not entitled to cumulate their votes. Pursuant to Cintas' retirement policy, David C. Phillips will be retiring immediately following the Annual Meeting.

In accordance with NASDAQ Stock Market, LLC ("NASDAQ") rules, our Board of Directors affirmatively determines the independence of each director and nominee for election as a director in accordance with the elements of independence set forth in the NASDAQ listing standards and rules promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act rules.of 1934. Cintas' Director Independence Standardsdirector independence standards, incorporated in the Corporate Governance Guidelines, are available on our website at www.cintas.com.www.cintas.com, under Company and Careers – Investors – Corporate Governance. Based on these standards, the Board determined that each of the following nonemployee directors or director nominees is independent: Gerald S. Adolph, Paul R. Carter, Gerald V. Dirvin, Joyce Hergenhan,John F. Barrett, Melanie W. Barstad, James J. Johnson, David C. Phillips, Joseph Scaminace and Ronald W. Tysoe. Our Audit, Compensation and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees are composed solely of independent directors. All directors are elected for one-year terms. Information on each of our nominees is given below.

An uncontested election is one in which the number of nominees does not exceed the number of directors to be elected. In an uncontested election, like this election, our Bylaws require that any nominee who does not receive a majority of the sharesvotes cast shallwith respect to such nominee must promptly offer his or her resignation to the Board. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will take the matter under advisement and make a recommendation to the Board on whether to accept or reject the resignation or whether other action should be taken. The Board has 90 days following certification of the shareholder vote to consider the offer of resignation. Within such 90 day period, the Board will promptly disclose publicly its decision whether to accept the director's resignation offer.

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 nominees:

Gerald S. Adolph3 & 4(1)(2)
5558

 

Gerald S. Adolph was elected a Director of Cintas in 2006. He is the Chairman of the Compensation Committee. Mr. Adolph is currentlyhas been a Senior Vice President with Booz & Company.Company, a consulting firm, since 1999. Mr. Adolph has held numerous leadership positions at Booz & Company, including Worldwide Chemicals Practice Leader, Worldwide Consumer and Health Practice Leader and Global Mergers and Restructuring Practice Leader. He has also served on the Booz & CompanyAllen Hamilton board of directors from 1994 to 1997. The Board of Directors.

Paul R. Carter2 & 4
69


Paul R. Carter was elected a Director of Cintas in 2002believes that Mr. Adolph's consulting experience, giving him insight into various corporate governance and isbusiness management issues, as well as his status as an independent director, make his service on the Chairman of the Audit Committee. Mr. Carter formerly was a Director of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. and its Chief Financial Officer. He retired as Executive Vice President of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. and President of Wal-Mart's real estate division effective January 31, 2003.Board integral to Cintas.

Table of Contents

Gerald V. DirvinJohn F. Barrett3 & 4(2)(4)
7263
 Gerald V. DirvinJohn F. Barrett was appointed a Director of Cintas in 2011 and is recommended as a Director nominee by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Mr. Barrett has been the Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Western & Southern Financial Group, a Cincinnati-based diversified family of financial services companies, since 2002. Mr. Barrett is also a Director of Convergys Corporation. He served as a director of The Fifth Third Bancorp and its subsidiary, The Fifth Third Bank from 1988 to 2009, and The Andersons, Inc. from 1992 to 2008. The Board believes that Mr. Barrett's principal executive officer experience and service as a director of other publicly-traded companies, which have provided him with a deep understanding of business matters, his broad financial acumen and his status as an independent director, makes his service on the Board valuable to Cintas.

Melanie W. Barstad(1)(2)
59


Melanie W. Barstad was elected a Director of Cintas in 19932011. Ms. Barstad was with the Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies, a diversified global provider of consumer products, prescription medicines and ismedical devices, for 23 years, retiring in 2009 as President of Women's Health in the ChairmanMedical Device and Diagnostics Division. She served as a management board member on numerous Johnson & Johnson operating company boards including Johnson & Johnson Health Care Systems, Ethicon Endo Surgery and Johnson & Johnson Medical from 1997 to 2009. Ms. Barstad also served as co-chair of the Compensation Committee. Mr. Dirvin joinedJohnson & Johnson Women's Leadership Initiative. The Procter & Gamble Company in 1959Board believes that Ms. Barstad's experience running complex, enterprise-wide global businesses as a line executive and served in variousas a management positions. He retiredboard member and her status as Executive Vice President and Director of Procter & Gamble in 1994.an independent director makes her service on the Board valuable to Cintas.

Richard T. Farmer
7477

 

Richard T. Farmer is the founder of Cintas Corporation.and has served as Chairman Emeritus of the Board since 2009. He has served as Chairman of the Board of Cintas Corporation and its predecessor companies since 1968.from 1968 to 2009. Prior to the founding of Cintas, Mr. Farmer worked with his family owned company, which Cintas acquired in the early 1970s. Prior to August 1, 1995, Mr. Farmer also served as Cintas' Chief Executive Officer. The Board believes that Mr. Farmer, as the founder of Cintas, possesses unparalleled experience in, and insight into, all aspects of Cintas' business, which he is able to contribute to the Board through his position as Chairman Emeritus of the Board.

Scott D. Farmer1(3)
5053

 

Scott D. Farmer joined Cintas in 1981. He has held the positions of Vice President – National Account Division, Vice President – Marketing and Merchandising, Rental Division Group Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. In 1994, he was elected to the Board of Directors.Board. He was elected Chief Executive Officer in July 2003. The Board believes that Mr. Farmer's breadth of knowledge and experience in the areas of marketing, business development and corporate strategy, as well as his familiarity with all aspects of Cintas' business, renders his service on the Board extremely beneficial to Cintas.

Table of Contents


Joyce Hergenhan3 & 4
67


Joyce Hergenhan was elected a Director of Cintas in 2004. Ms. Hergenhan was with the General Electric Company for 22 years, serving as both Vice President for Corporate Public Relations and President of the GE Foundation until her retirement in early 2004.

James J. Johnson4(2)(4)
6265

 

James J. Johnson was appointedelected a Director of Cintas in 2009. Mr. Johnson was with the ProctorProcter & Gamble Company, a manufacturer and marketer of consumer products, for 35 years, retiring in June 2008 as Chief Legal Officer. He is alsoThe Board believes that Mr. Johnson's experience with the myriad of legal issues surrounding a Director ofpublicly-traded company and his status as an independent director renders his service on the Medical Center Fund of Cincinnati.Board invaluable to Cintas.

Robert J. Kohlhepp1(3)
6568

 

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, Executive Vice President, President, and Chief Executive Officer. He now serves asOfficer and Vice Chairman of the Board. He was elected Chairman of the Board in 2009. He is also a Director of Parker Hannifin Corporation, Cleveland, Ohio.Corporation. He served as a director of Eagle Hospitality Properties Trust, Inc. from 2004 until 2008. The Board believes that Mr. Kohlhepp's long-time service to Cintas, much of which has been in an executive capacity, has given him significant experience with capital management and allocation and public company financial statement preparation, uniquely qualifying him to serve as the Chairman of the Board.

David C. PhillipsJoseph Scaminace1, 2 & 4(1)(2)
7159

 

David C. PhillipsJoseph Scaminace was elected a Director of Cintas in 2003.2010. Mr. Scaminace has been Chairman, President and CEO of OM Group, Inc. ("OMG"), a specialty chemicals company, since 2005. Prior to joining OMG, Mr. Scaminace was the President and Chief Operating Officer of The Sherwin-Williams Company, a paint and coatings company where he had worked in various capacities since 1983. He was designated as Lead Directoris a member of the Cintas Board of Directors and is ChairmanTrustees of the Executive Committee and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. He was with Arthur Andersen LLP for 32 years in which he served in several managing partner leadership positions. After retiring from Arthur Andersen in 1994, he became Chief Executive Officer of Downtown Cincinnati, Inc., from which he retired in 1999 to expand his financial consulting services business and to work with Cincinnati Works, Inc. Cincinnati Works, Inc. is an organization dedicated to reducing the number of people living below the poverty level by assisting them to strive towards self-sufficiency through work. HeThe Cleveland Clinic. Mr. Scaminace is also a Director of Meridian Bioscience, Inc.Parker Hannifin Corporation. The Board believes that Mr. Scaminace's principal executive officer experience and service as a director of another publicly-traded company, which have provided him insight into high-level corporate governance and executive compensation matters, as well as his independent director status, make him an integral member of Cintas' Board.

Table of Contents


Ronald W. Tysoe2 & 4(2)(4)
5659

 

Ronald W. Tysoe was elected a Director of Cintas in 2008. He is the Chairman of the Audit Committee. Mr. Tysoe served as Senior Advisor of Perella Weinberg Partners LP, a financial services firm, from October 2006 tountil his retirement in September 2007. He served as Vice Chairman of Federated Department Stores, Inc. (now known as Macy's Inc.), a clothing and home furnishings company, from April 1990 to October 2006. Mr. Tysoe is also a Director of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, Scripps Networks Interactive, Inc., NRDC Acquisition Corp., Pzena Investment Management, Inc., and Taubman Centers, Inc. He served as a director of Macy's Inc. from 1988 until 2005, Ohio Casualty Corporation from 2006 until 2007 and NRDC Acquisition Corp. (now known as Retail Opportunity Investments Corp.) from 2007 until 2009. The Board believes that Mr. Tysoe's service as a Vice Chairman of another publicly-traded company, his independent director status and the fact that he is an "audit committee financial expert" under SEC guidelines, given his understanding of accounting and financial reporting, disclosures and controls, make his Board service extremely beneficial to Cintas.

Table of Contents

Richard T. Farmer is the father of Scott D. Farmer.


Table of Contents


CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Cintas is a Washington corporation and, therefore, governed by the corporate laws of Washington. Since its stock is publicly traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market and it files reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission,SEC, it is also subject to the rules of NASDAQ as well as various provisions of federal securities laws and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 ("SOX").

Governance of the corporation is placed in the hands of the directors who, in turn, elect officers to manage the business operations. The Board of Directors oversees the management of Cintas on your behalf. It reviews Cintas' long-term strategic plans and exercises direct decision making authority in all major decisions, such as significant acquisitions and the declaration of dividends. The Board also reviews financial and internal controls and management succession plans.

During fiscal 2009,2012, the Board of Directors met on seven occasions (three of which were telephonic).four occasions. In addition, the independent directors met in executive session on four occasions during fiscal 20092012 without the presence of management directors. A lead director selected by such independent directors presidesThe Lead Director presided over each session.

Cintas expects all directors to attend all Board and shareholder meetings. All of the then presiding directors attended the 20082011 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. Each of Cintas' directors attended all meetings of the Board and committees of which they were a member.member during fiscal 2012.

Shareholders may communicate with the full Board or individual directors on matters concerning Cintas by mail or through our website, in each casewebsite. Such communication should be sent to the attention of the Secretary. Interested persons may communicate directly and confidentially with our non-management directors by writing to Thomas E. Frooman, 6800 Cintas Boulevard, P.O. Box 625737, Cincinnati, Ohio 45262-5737. However, any such communications that are considered to be improper for submission to the intended recipients will not be provided to the directors. Examples of communications that would be considered improper for submission include, without limitation, customer complaints, solicitations, communications that do not relate, directly or indirectly, to Cintas' business or communications that relate to improper or irrelevant topics. In addition, please note that the Secretary will not forward communications that are spam, junk mail or mass mailings, resumes and other forms of job inquiries, surveys and business solicitations or advertisements.

At its meeting on April 28, 2004, theThe Board reviewed, approved andhas adopted the Cintas Code of Ethics.Conduct and Business Ethics applicable to officers, directors and employees. A copy of the Cintas Code of Conduct and Business Ethics is available on our website, www.cintas.com.www.cintas.com, under Company and Careers – Investors – Corporate Governance. Cintas intends to post on its website within four business days after approval any amendments or waivers to the Code of Conduct and Business Ethics.

The Directors have organized themselves into the committees described below to help carry out Board responsibilities. 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 Executive Committee is composed of David C. Phillips (Chairman), Scott D. Farmer and Robert J. Kohlhepp. It acts for the Board as required between Board meetings. This Committee had no meetings in fiscal 2009.2012, but took several actions in writing.

Each of the following committeesNominating and Corporate Governance Committee, Audit Committee and Compensation Committee is composed entirely of nonemployee directors each of whom meets the relevant independence requirements established by NASDAQ and SOX that apply to their particular assignments.


Table of Contents

Board Leadership Structure

The Board is responsible for evaluating and determining Cintas' leadership structure. Currently, two separate individuals serve in the capacities of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer ("CEO"). Mr. Robert J. Kohlhepp was elected our Chairman of the Board in 2009 and Mr. Scott D. Farmer has been our CEO since 2003. Mr. Kohlhepp has been employed by Cintas since 1967, serving in various executive capacities including Vice President – Finance, Executive Vice President, President, Chief Executive Officer and Vice Chairman of the Board. As Chairman, Mr. Kohlhepp is responsible for presiding over all meetings of the Board and shareholders, setting agendas for Board meetings and providing advice and counsel to Cintas' management regarding Cintas' business and operations. As CEO, Mr. S.D. Farmer is responsible for the general management, oversight, supervision and control of the business and affairs of Cintas, and ensuring that all actions and resolutions of the Board are carried into effect. With their many years of experience with Cintas, Cintas believes that Mr. Kohlhepp and Mr. S.D. Farmer are uniquely qualified to be Cintas' Chairman and CEO, respectively. We believe that this leadership structure is currently the most appropriate for Cintas.

In electing the Chairman and appointing the CEO, the Board considers nominees' knowledge of and experience with Cintas and its corporate culture, general industry experience and other executive skills. Our Board recognizes that, depending on the circumstances, leadership models other than the current model might be appropriate. Our corporate governance guidelines provide that the Board selects the Chairman of the Board in the manner that it determines to be in the best interests of Cintas' shareholders.

The Board considers it to be useful and appropriate to designate a nonemployee director to serve in a lead capacity to preside over meetings of independent directors, coordinate the activities of the other nonemployee directors, act as liaison among other directors, preside at Board meetings in the absence of the Chairman and to perform such other duties and responsibilities as the Board may determine. The Board has designated David C. Phillips as the Lead Director.

The Board's Role in Risk Oversight

The entire Board, rather than a separate board committee, oversees Cintas' risk management process. Cintas relies on a comprehensive enterprise risk management ("ERM") process to aggregate, monitor, measure and manage risks. The ERM approach is designed to enable the Board to establish a mutual understanding with management of the effectiveness of Cintas' risk management practices and capabilities, to review Cintas' risk exposure and to elevate certain key risks for discussion at the Board level as appropriate.

Our senior leadership is responsible for identifying, assessing and managing the company's exposure to risk, and we have established a risk committee which is responsible for overseeing and monitoring our risk strategy and chartering risk mitigation related actions. The risk committee is chaired by the CEO and has broad-based functional representation including senior management from Cintas' corporate audit, legal, operations, security and finance areas. The CEO is the only member of the Board on the risk committee.

The risk committee meets quarterly. At its meetings, the risk committee discusses risks to Cintas' business (operational, financial and legal), the potential impact to the business and the probability of occurrence in order to determine the best solution and identify the need for resource allocation. This process includes evaluating management's preparedness to respond to the risk if realized.

One risk committee meeting annually focuses on ERM and is attended by the Chairman of the Board. The risk profiles and current and future mitigating actions are discussed and refined during subsequent meetings with senior management, the CEO and the Chairman. Thereafter, the risk committee presents a comprehensive report to the Board in an interactive session during which the Board has the opportunity to further discuss the risk committee's assessments and conclusions.


Table of Contents

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for nominating persons for election as directors at each annual shareholders' meeting, making recommendations for filling any Board vacancies that may arise between meetings due to resignation or other factors and developing and recommending to the Board corporate governance policies and guidelines for Cintas. InCintas does not have a formal policy regarding diversity in determining director nominees. However, in nominating directors, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee takes into account, among other factors which it may deem appropriate, the judgment, skill, diversity, business experience and needs of the Board as its function relates to the business of Cintas. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will consider nominees recommended by security holders in written correspondence directed to the Secretary of Cintas. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee evaluates the qualifications of candidates properly submitted by shareholders on the same basis as those of other director candidates. However, in no event shall any nomination made by a shareholder be binding on Cintas unless it is made in strict accordance with Cintas' Bylaws as they may be amended from time to time. A copy of the


Table of Contents


Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Charter is available on our website, www.cintas.com.www.cintas.com, under Company and Careers – Investors – Corporate Governance.

Committee members: David C. Phillips (Chairman), Gerald S. Adolph, Paul R. Carter, Gerald V. Dirvin, Joyce Hergenhan,John F. Barrett, Melanie W. Barstad, James J. Johnson, Joseph Scaminace and Ronald W. Tysoe.

Meetings last year: Four (Two of which were telephonic meetings).Three

Audit Committee

The Audit Committee is governed by a written charter adopted by the Board. A copy of the Audit Committee Charter is attached to the proxy statement for Cintas' 2006 Annual Shareholders' Meeting and is also available on our website, www.cintas.com. Each member of the Audit Committee haswww.cintas.com, under Company and Careers – Investors – Corporate Governance. Ronald W. Tysoe and David C. Phillips have been designated as an Audit Committee financial expertexperts by the Board of Directors and satisfiesthe Board has determined that such individuals satisfy the expertise and audit committee independence standards required by NASDAQ.NASDAQ and the SEC.

The Audit Committee is solely responsible for the appointment, compensation, retention and oversight of our independent registered public accounting firm. The Audit Committee also evaluates information received from the independent registered public accounting firm and management to determine whether the registered public accounting firm is independent of management. The independent registered public accounting firm reports directly to the Audit Committee.

The Audit Committee has established procedures for the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints received by Cintas concerning accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters and has established procedures for the confidential and anonymous submission by employees of any concerns they may have regarding questionable accounting, auditing or financial matters.

The Audit Committee approves all audit and nonaudit services performed for Cintas by its independent registered public accounting firm prior to the time that those services are commenced. The Chairman also has the authority to approve these services between regularly scheduled meetings. In this event, the Chairman reports approvals made by him to the full Committee at each of its meetings. For these purposes, the Committee, or its Chairman, is provided with information as to the nature, extent and purpose of each proposed service, as well as the approximate time frame and proposed cost arrangements for that service.

Committee members: Paul R. Carter (Chairman), David C. Phillips and Ronald W. Tysoe (Chairman), John F. Barrett, James J. Johnson and David C. Phillips.

Meetings last year: Ten (Seven of which were telephonic meetings).meetings.)


Table of Contents


AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT

The Audit Committee oversees Cintas' financial reporting process on behalf of the Board of Directors.Board. Management has the primary responsibility for the financial statements and the reporting process including the systems of internal controls. As part of the oversight processes, the Audit Committee regularly meets with management of Cintas, Cintas' independent registered public accounting firm and Cintas' internal auditors.Director of Internal Audit. The Audit Committee regularly meets with each of these groups separately in closed sessions. Throughout the year, the Audit Committee had full access to management, the independent registered public accounting firm and internal auditors for Cintas. To fulfill its responsibilities, the Audit Committee did, among other things, the following:


Table of Contents


Table of Contents

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED BY THE MEMBERS OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE, Paul R. CarterRonald W. Tysoe (Chairman), John F. Barrett, James J. Johnson and David C. Phillips and Ronald W. Tysoe


Table of Contents

The Audit Committee appointed Ernst & Young LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm to audit the fiscal 2012 financial statements of Cintas' fiscal 2009.statements.

Fees billed for services in fiscal 20092012 and fiscal 20082011 are as follows:

 
 Fiscal 2009 Fiscal 2008 

Audit Fees

 $790,145 $773,250 

Audit Related Fees(1)

 $143,873 $186,098 

Tax Fees

 $351,377 $286,941 

All Other Fees

 $0 $0 

 
 Fiscal 2012 Fiscal 2011 

Audit Fees

 $799,500 $780,500 

Audit Related Fees(1)

 $152,575 $189,419 

Tax Fees(2)

 $374,696 $387,979 

All Other Fees(3)

 $0 $27,084 

All of the fees above were pre-approved by the Audit Committee. None of these fees were approved by the Audit Committee after services were rendered pursuant to the de minimis exception established by the SEC.


Table of Contents

Compensation Committee

The Compensation Committee is governed by a written charter adopted by the Board. A copy of the Compensation Committee Charter is available on our website, www.cintas.com.www.cintas.com, under Company and Careers – Investors – Corporate Governance. In discharging the responsibilities of the Board of Directors relating to compensation of Cintas' Chief Executive OfficerCEO and other senior executive officers, the purposes of the Compensation Committee are, among others, (i) to review and approve the compensation of Cintas' Chief Executive OfficerCEO and other senior executive officers, (ii) to oversee the compensation policies and programs of Cintas, including adopting, administering and approving Cintas' incentive compensation and stock plans and awards and amendments to the plans or awards and performing such duties and responsibilities under the terms of any executive compensation plan, incentive-compensation plan or equity-based plan and (iii) to oversee management succession planning. The Compensation Committee has the authority to delegate any of its responsibilities to subcommittees as the Compensation Committee may deem appropriate in its sole discretion. TheIn fiscal 2012, the Committee believes it reviewed the necessary resources available to survey the compensation practices of Cintas' peers and keep abreast of compensation developments in the marketplace. As a result, whileDuring the fiscal year ended May 31, 2012, Cintas engaged outside compensation consultants to assist with executive compensation performance metrics. This information was presented to the Compensation Committee has in the past considered and expects to consider in the future the use of outside consultants in assisting with recommending the amount or form of executive or director compensation, neither Cintas nor the Committee engaged any outside compensation consultants for the fiscal year ending May 31, 2009.their review.

Cintas' executive compensation policies are designed to support the corporate objective of maximizing the long-term value of Cintas for its shareholders and employee-partners. To achieve this objective, the Committee believes it is important to provide competitive levels of compensation to attract and retain the most qualified employees, to recognize individuals who exceed expectations and to closely link executive compensation with corporate performance. The methods by whichCintas, with the Committee believes Cintas'Compensation Committee's oversight, uses short and long-term objectives can best be achieved are through incentive and equity compensation plans.plans to ensure company objectives are achieved.

The Compensation Committee processes and procedures for the consideration and determination of executive and director compensation are discussed in the section entitled "Executive Compensation".

Committee members: Gerald V. DirvinS. Adolph (Chairman), Gerald S. AdolphMelanie W. Barstad and Joyce Hergenhan.Joseph Scaminace.

Meetings last year: TwoThree


Table of Contents

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

None of the members of the Compensation Committee, listed above, has ever been an officer or employee of Cintas. None of the members of the Compensation Committee isCintas, nor have they been an executive officer of another entity at which one of our executive officers serves on the Board of Directors.Board. No named executive officer of Cintas serves as a director or as a member of a committee of any company of which any of Cintas' nonemployee directors are executive officers.

Mr. Adolph is Senior Vice President of Booz & Company. Booz & Company engages Cintas primarily for first aid, safety and fire protection services. Booz & Company paid Cintas fees of $504,905 for services provided during the fiscal year ending May 31, 2009. Mr. Adoph does not receive any direct compensation from services provided by Cintas to Booz & Company.


COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT

The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis required by Item 402(b) of Regulation S-K with management. Based on the review and discussion, the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in Cintas' Proxy Statement and Annual Report on Schedule 14A.Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2012.

Committee Members: Gerald V. DirvinS. Adolph (Chairman), Gerald S. AdolphMelanie W. Barstad and Joyce Hergenhan.Joseph Scaminace.


Table of Contents


EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

This section discusses and analyzes the compensation awarded to, earned by, or paid to the executive officers set forth in the Fiscal 2012 Summary Compensation Table of this proxy statement (collectively, the named executive officers). It also discusses the principles underlying our policies and decisions.

Overview of Compensation Program

The Compensation Committee oversees the compensation programs of Cintas, with particular attention to the compensation for its Chief Executive OfficerCEO and the other named executive officers. It is the responsibility of the Committee to review and approve or, as the case may be, recommend to the Board of Directors for approval, changes to Cintas' compensation policies and benefits programs,benefit plans, to administer Cintas' stock plans including recommending and approving stock-based awards to named executive officers, and to otherwise ensure that Cintas' compensation philosophy is consistent with the best interests of Cintas and its shareholders and is properly implemented and monitored. Generally, the types of compensation and benefits provided to the namedall executive officers are similar to those provided to other executives.similar.

The day-to-day administration of savings plans, profit sharing plans, stock plans, health, welfare and paid-time-off plans and policies applicable to salaried employees in general are handled by Cintas' human resources, finance and legal department employees. The responsibility for certain fundamental changes outside the day-to-day requirements necessary to maintain these plans and policies belongs to the Committee.

Cintas has no policy regarding share ownership by the named executive officers. Cintas strongly encourages the named executive officers to retain shares acquired through the long-term equity incentive program.

Compensation Philosophy and Objectives

The primary focus of our executive compensation program is to support the corporate objective of maximizing the long-term value for our shareholders and employee-partners. We also strive to provide a competitive level of total compensation to all of our employee-partners, including the named executive officers, that attracts and retains talented and experienced individuals and that motivates them to contribute to Cintas' short-term and long-term success.

Our incentive compensation program is designed to reward both individual and team performance, measured by overall Cintas results and the attainment of individual goals and productivity.achievement. The Executive Incentive Plan for fiscal 20092012 applies to all namedof our executive officers. The incentive compensation arrangement for our Chief Executive Officer,CEO, Mr. Scott D. Farmer, was based on growth inCintas' earnings per share (EPS)("EPS"), growth in sales and other performance goals outlinedselected by the Committee. The incentive compensation arrangement for our President and Chief Operating Officer, Mr. J. Phillip Holloman, was based on Cintas' EPS, growth in sales and operatingfor operations within his responsibility, growth in net income for operations within his responsibility and the accomplishment of certain individual goals. The incentive compensation arrangements for our Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, William C. Gale, our Vice President and Secretary – General Counsel, Mr. Thomas E. Frooman and our Vice President and Treasurer, Mr. J. Michael L. ThompsonHansen were based on growth inCintas' EPS and the accomplishmentachievement of certain individual goals.

Role of Executive Officers in Compensation DecisionsDecision-Making Process

The Compensation Committee determines the compensation for the named executive officers based on recommendations made by management as discussed below. Annually, the Committee


Table of Contents


performs reviews a market analysis of executive compensation plans. The analysis looks at companies in Cintas' industry as well as comparably sized companies (with respect to revenue) that we consider to be Cintas' peer group (G&K Services, Inc., Unifirst Corporation, Aramark Corporation, The ServiceMaster Corporation, Iron Mountain Incorporated, Convergys Corporation, Robert Half International Inc., Paychex,Leggett & Platt, Incorporated, Chiquita Brands International, Inc., Walgreen Co.Kelly Services, Inc., Unisys Corporation and Fifth Third Bancorp)Ecolab Inc.). The Committee benchmarks base salary, annual cash


Table of Contents

incentives, long-term compensation and other compensation. Our analysis shows that our named executive officers receive totalofficers' target compensation is less than the total compensation of respective named executive officers of the majority of the companies in the peer group identified above.

Based on the market analysis and individual performance, the Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors makes a recommendation to the Committee on the Chief Executive Officer'sCEO's base salary and annual cash incentive target for the upcoming fiscal year. The Chief Executive OfficerCEO makes a recommendation to the Committee for the base salaries and annual cash incentive targets for the upcoming fiscal year for other executive officers.

In October 2011, and at various meetings held during the Senior Vice Presidentremainder of fiscal 2012, the Board reviewed the results of our 2011 "say-on-pay" and Chief Financial Officer,"say-on-frequency" votes, the Vice Presidentresults of which were we received over 92% approval of our named executive officers' compensation and Secretary – General Counselour shareholders recommended that we hold annual say-on-pay votes. Based on these results, the Board determined that we will conduct say-on-pay votes on an annual basis until the next say-on-frequency vote is held. In addition, after taking into consideration the strong support for our executive compensation program reflected in the 2011 say-on-pay results, the Compensation Committee decided to continue to apply the same philosophy, compensation objectives and governing principles as it used for fiscal 2011 when making subsequent decisions or adopting subsequent policies regarding named executive officer compensation. The Committee believes the Presidentvoting results demonstrate significant support for our named executive officer pay program and Chief Operating Officer. The Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer makes a recommendationdid not make any changes to the fiscal 2012 program in response to the 2011 say-on-pay results. The Compensation Committee onhas, however, continued to monitor the Vice Presidentvoting policies of our shareholders and Treasurer's base salarytheir advisors since last year and annual cash incentive target for the upcoming fiscal year.will continue to take those voting policies into account when considering changes to our executive compensation program.


Table of Contents

Key Elements Used to Achieveof Compensation Components

The table below summarizes the key fiscal 20092012 compensation program elements for our named executive officers:

 
  
  
  
  
 
 Element
  
 Form of Compensation
  
 Purpose
  
  Base Salaries   Cash   Provides competitive, fixed compensation to attract and retain exceptional executive talent.talent  
  Annual Cash Incentives   Cash   Provides a variable financial incentive to achieve corporate and individual operating goals.goals  
  Long-Term Equity Incentives   Non-qualified stock options and restricted stock   Encourages named executive officers to build and maintain a long-term equity ownership position in Cintas so that their interests are aligned with our shareholders.shareholders  
  Health, Retirement and Other Benefits   Eligibility to participate in benefit plans generally available to our employee-partners, including Partners' Plan contributions, health, life insurance and disability plans;plans, deferred compensation plan;plan, and certain perquisites   Benefit plans are part of a broad-based employee benefits program. The deferred compensation plan and perquisites provide competitive benefits to our named executive officers.officers  

We believe that each element of our compensation program plays a substantial role in maximizing long-term value for our shareholders and employee-partners because of the significant emphasis on pay-for-performance principles. Generally, approximately 50% of a named executive officer's total compensation is based on CintasCintas' results and the attainment of individual goals. As a result, Cintas' performance has a significant effect on the amount of compensation realized by the named executive officers.


Table of Contents

Each of these elements of pay is described and analyzed in more detail below.

Base Salaries

The Compensation Committee annually reviews the base salaries of our named executive officers. The Committee also reviews a namedan executive officer's base salary whenever there is a change in that named executive officer's job responsibilities.

The factors that influence base salary decisions are levelslevel and scope of responsibility, potential for future responsibility, salary levels offered by comparably sized companies, overall performance of the individual and overall performance of the individual. Taking these factors into account,Cintas.


Table of Contents

The following are the fiscal 20092012 base salaries that were approved by the Committee for our named executive offers:officers:

 
  
  
  
  
 
 
Officer

  
 Fiscal 2009
Base Salary

  
 % increase/(decrease)
over the prior year

  
  Scott D. Farmer   $725,000    3.6% 
  William C. Gale   $442,000    3.4% 
  Thomas E. Frooman   $407,500    3.5% 
  J. Phillip Holloman   $530,000    30.8% 
  Michael L. Thompson   $310,000    8.4% 

The 30.8% increase over the prior year for Mr. Holloman reflects a full year of compensation as President and Chief Operating Officer in fiscal 2009 compared to only four months in fiscal 2008. Mr. Holloman's annualized base salary in his current position increased $30,000 (6.0%) from fiscal 2008 to fiscal 2009.

 
 
 
Officer

  
 Fiscal 2012 Base Salary
  
 % Increase Over the Prior Year
  
  Scott D. Farmer   $769,153    3.0% 
  William C. Gale   $468,918    3.0% 
  Thomas E. Frooman   $432,317    3.0% 
  J. Michael Hansen   $271,920    3.0% 
  J. Phillip Holloman   $562,277    3.0% 

Annual Cash Incentives

The Compensation Committee strongly believes that variable annual cash incentives provide a direct financial incentive for executive officers to achieve corporate and individual operating goals. At the beginning of each fiscal year, the Committee establishes an annual cash incentive target for each named executive officer based on certain financial and non-financial goals.

The performance components and targets were derived from the operating plans for Cintas for fiscal 2012 and represent goals for that year that the Committee believed would be challenging for Cintas, yet achievable if senior and operating management met or surpassed their business unit goals and objectives.

The Committee anticipates that similar performance components and targets will be utilized in fiscal 2013 because these objectives are important and Cintas continues to make progress on these objectives. However, the Committee reserves the right to determine on an ongoing basis the performance components and targets it will use in developing the performance-based portion of the named executive officers' compensation.

For fiscal 2009,2012, the Committee approved a total compensation plan for Mr. S. D. Farmer. The aggregate amount of Mr. S. D. Farmer's annual cash incentive for fiscal 20092012 is comprised of the financial objectives of fiscal 2012 Cintas EPS, fiscal 2012 sales growth of fiscal 2009and certain non-financial goals. The EPS and sales growth goals were established with reference to the operating plans for Cintas for fiscal 2009 sales and certain corporate non-financial goals.2012. The EPS goals for all participants were identical. The percentage of the target annual cash incentive related to the growth of fiscal 20092012 Cintas EPS, the growth of fiscal 20092012 sales and the non-financial goals relating to employee diversity, global expansion, safety, capital expenditures and safety are 43%inventory were 37.5%, 43%37.5% and 14%25%, respectively. The Executive Incentive Plan provided that if Cintas met the targeted growth in EPS, and sales growth and the other non-financial goals, Mr. S. D. Farmer would receive a target annual cash incentive of $420,000.$494,565. Based upon the overall achievement of these objectives, Mr. S. D. Farmer could earn 0% up to a maximum of 200% of the target annual cash incentive.


Table of Contents

The annual cash incentive payout percentage multiplier for each component of Mr. S. D. Farmer's target annual cash incentive is provided in the following tables:

 
  
  
  
  
 
 

EPS Component Level of Achievement

  
 EPS Goals
  
 Annual
Cash Incentive
Payout

  
  Below Threshold   <$2.24    0% 
  Threshold   $2.24    11% 
  Target   $2.32    100% 
  Maximum   $2.41    200% 


 
  
  
  
  
 
 

Sales Growth Component Level of Achievement

  
 Sales Growth
Goals (% growth
over fiscal 2008)

  
 Annual
Cash Incentive
Payout

  
  Below Threshold   4% or below    0% 
  Threshold     5%    25% 
  Target     8%    100% 
  Maximum   12%    200% 

The EPS and sales growth goals were established in light of the operating plans for Cintas for fiscal 2009.







Employee Diversity, Global Expansion and Safety Component Level of
Achievement


Annual
Cash Incentive
Payout


Does Not Meet Goals0%
Meets Most Goals50%
Meets Goals100%
Exceeds Goals150%
Outstanding Achievement200%

Under the Executive Incentive Plan, annual cash incentive calculations for achievement of financial goals are based on actual results, subject to adjustment at the discretion of the Compensation Committee to exclude items that are not operational, such as accounting principle changes or revenue from an acquisition that was not in the business plan.

The Grants of Plan-Based Awards for Fiscal 2009 table outlines estimated future payouts under non-equity incentive plan awards. Based on Cintas' EPS and sales growth for fiscal 2009, Mr. S. D. Farmer did not receive a bonus for these components. Mr. S. D. Farmer received $120,000 based on the performance of the non-financial goals outlined above. Mr. S. D. Farmer's total fiscal 2009 annual cash incentive award was $120,000.

For fiscal 2009, the Committee approved a total compensation plan for Mr. Holloman. Mr. Holloman's financial objectives are based on operations within his responsibility. The aggregate amount of Mr. Holloman's annual cash incentive for fiscal 2009 is comprised of the financial objectives of growth of fiscal 2009 sales and operating income and the accomplishment of certain individual non-financial goals. The percentage of the target annual cash incentive related to the


Table of Contents


growth of fiscal 2009 sales, the growth of fiscal 2009 operating income and the non-financial goals are 38%, 38% and 24%, respectively. The Executive Incentive Plan provided that if Cintas met the targeted growth in sales and operating income and the other non-financial goals, Mr. Holloman would receive a target annual cash incentive of $212,000. Based upon the overall achievement of these objectives, Mr. Holloman could earn 0% up to a maximum of 200% of the target annual cash incentive.

The annual cash incentive payout percentage multiplier for each financial component of Mr. Holloman'sS. D. Farmer's target annual cash incentive is provided in the following tables:

 
  
  
  
  
 
 Sales Growth Component Level of Achievement
  
 Sales Growth
Goals (% growth
over fiscal 2008)

  
 Annual
Cash Incentive
Payout

  
  Below Threshold   <2.36%    0% 
  Threshold   2.36%    50% 
  Target   4.45%    100% 
  Maximum   9.68%    200% 


 
  
  
  
  
 
 Operating Income Growth Component Level of Achievement
  
 Operating Income
Growth Goals
(% growth over
fiscal 2008)

  
 Annual
Cash Incentive
Payout

  
  Below Threshold   <9.00%    0% 
  Threshold   9.00%    25% 
  Target   12.40%    100% 
  Maximum   18.00%    200% 

The sales and operating income growth goals were established in light of the operating plans for operations within Mr. Holloman's responsibility for fiscal 2009.






Individual Performance Component Level of Achievement

Annual
Cash Incentive
Payout


Does Not Meet Goals0%
Meets Most Goals50%
Meets Goals100%
Exceeds Goals150%
Outstanding Achievement200%

Under the Executive Incentive Plan,tables (for each named executive officer, annual cash incentive calculationspayouts are interpolated on a straight-line basis for achievement between the levels of achievement established for the financial goals are based on actual results, subject to adjustment at the discretioncomponents of the Compensation Committee to exclude items that are not operational, such as accounting principle changes or revenue from an acquisition that was not in the business plan.

The Grants of Plan-Based Awards for Fiscal 2009 table outlines estimated future payouts under non-equity incentive plan awards. Based on the sales and operating income growth for fiscal 2009, Mr. Holloman did not receive a bonus for these components. Mr. Holloman's individual performanceannual cash incentives):


Table of Contents


level was "Meets Goals" and, as a result, received $53,000. Mr. Holloman's total fiscal 2009 annual cash incentive award was $53,000.

For fiscal 2009, the Committee approved total compensation plans for Mr. Gale, Mr. Frooman and Mr. Thompson. The aggregate amount of annual cash incentive for fiscal 2009 for Mr. Gale, Mr. Frooman and Mr. Thompson is comprised of the sum of that named executive officer's incentive for the EPS component and the individual performance component. Based upon overall performance, the eligible named executive officers could earn 0% up to a maximum of 200% of the annual cash incentive target. The following table sets forth the annual cash incentive target and performance criteria that were reviewed and approved by the Committee:

 
  
  
  
  
  
 
 

Name

  
 Annual
Cash Incentive
Target

  
 EPS Component
  
 Individual
Performance
Component

  
  William C. Gale   $196,100    50%   50% 
  Thomas E. Frooman   $198,750    50%   50% 
  Michael L. Thompson   $63,600    50%   50% 
 
 
 

EPS Component Level of Achievement

  
 EPS Goals
  
 Annual
Cash Incentive
Payout

  
  Below Threshold   <$1.92   0% 
  Threshold   $1.92   25% 
  Target   $2.06   100% 
  Maximum   $2.26   200% 

The annual cash incentive payout percentage multiplier for each component is provided in the following tables:

 
  
  
  
  
 
 

EPS Component Level of Achievement

  
 EPS Goals
  
 Annual
Cash Incentive
Payout

  
  Below Threshold   <$2.25    0% 
  Threshold   $2.25    50% 
  Target   $2.32    100% 
  Maximum   $2.44    200% 

 
 
 

Sales Growth Component Level of Achievement

  
 Sales Growth
Goals (% Growth
Over Fiscal 2011)

  
 Annual
Cash Incentive
Payout

  
  Below Threshold   <6.55%   0% 
  Threshold   6.55%   25% 
  Target   8.05%   100% 
  Maximum   11.05%   200% 

The EPS goals were established in light of the operating plans for Cintas for fiscal 2009.

 
  
  
  
 
 

Individual Performance Component Level of Achievement

  
 Annual
Cash Incentive
Payout

  
  Does Not Meet Goals   0% 
  Meets Most Goals   50% 
  Meets Goals   100% 
  Exceeds Goals   150% 
  Outstanding Achievement   200%

The Grants of Plan-Based Awards for Fiscal 2012 table outlines estimated possible payouts under this non-equity incentive plan award. Based on Cintas' EPS and sales growth for fiscal 2012, Mr. S. D. Farmer received an annual cash incentive award of $523,930. Fiscal 2012 EPS was $2.27 per diluted share and fiscal 2012 sales growth was 7.7%. Mr. S. D. Farmer received $123,641 based on the performance of the non-financial goals outlined above. His individual performance level was "Meets Goals". Mr. S. D. Farmer's total fiscal 2012 annual cash incentive award was $647,571.

For fiscal 2012, the Committee approved a total compensation plan for Mr. Holloman. The aggregate amount of Mr. Holloman's annual cash incentive for fiscal 2012 is comprised of the financial objectives of fiscal 2012 Cintas EPS, fiscal 2012 sales growth for operations within his responsibility, fiscal 2012 net income growth for the operations within his responsibility and the accomplishment of certain non-financial goals. The sales growth and net income goals were established with reference to the operating plans for operations within Mr. Holloman's responsibility for fiscal 2012. The percentage of the target annual cash incentive related to fiscal 2012 Cintas EPS, the growth of fiscal 2012 sales for operations within his responsibility, the fiscal 2012 net income growth for operations within Mr. Holloman's responsibility and the non-financial goals relating to employee diversity, safety, capital expenditures, accounts receivables, and inventory are 30%, 30%, 15% and 25%, respectively. The Executive Incentive Plan provided that if Cintas met the targeted EPS as well as sales growth and net income for operations within his responsibility and the other non-financial goals, Mr. Holloman would receive a target annual cash incentive of $328,600. Based upon the overall achievement of these objectives, Mr. Holloman could earn 0% up to a maximum of 200% of the target annual cash incentive.


Table of Contents

The annual cash incentive payout percentage multiplier for each financial component of Mr. Holloman's target annual cash incentive is provided in the following tables:

 
 
 

EPS Component Level of Achievement

  
 EPS Goals
  
 Annual
Cash Incentive
Payout

  
  Below Threshold   <$1.92   0% 
  Threshold   $1.92   50% 
  Target   $2.06   100% 
  Maximum   $2.26   200% 


 
 
 

Sales Growth Component Level of Achievement

  
 Sales Growth
Goals (% Growth Over Fiscal 2011)

  
 Annual
Cash Incentive
Payout

  
  Below Threshold   <6.4%  0% 
  Threshold   6.4%  50% 
  Target   6.9%  100% 
  Maximum   9.9%  200% 


 
 
 

Net Income Component Level of Achievement

  
 Net
Income
Goals

  
 Annual
Cash Incentive
Payout

  
  Below Threshold   <12.2%  0% 
  Threshold   12.2%  50% 
  Target   12.7%  100% 
  Maximum   14.2%  200% 







Individual Performance Component Level of Achievement

Annual
Cash Incentive
Payout


Does Not Meet Goals0%
Meets Most Goals50%
Meets Goals100%
Exceeds Goals150%
Outstanding Achievement 200% 

Under the Executive Incentive Plan,The Grants of Plan-Based Awards for Fiscal 2012 table outlines estimated possible payouts under this non-equity incentive plan award. Based on Cintas' EPS, sales growth for operations within his responsibility for fiscal 2012 and net income growth for operations within his responsibility for fiscal 2012, Mr. Holloman received an annual cash incentive calculationsaward of $259,923 for achievement of financial goals arethese components. Mr. Holloman received $82,150 based on actual results, subject to adjustment at the discretionperformance of the Chief Executive Officernon-financial goals outlined above. His individual performance level was "Meets Goals". Mr. Holloman's total fiscal 2012 annual cash incentive award was $342,073.


Table of Contents

For fiscal 2012, the Committee approved total compensation plans for Mr. Gale, Mr. Frooman and Mr. Hansen. The aggregate amount of annual cash incentive for fiscal 2012 for Mr. Gale, Mr. Frooman and Mr. Hansen is comprised of the sum of that named executive officer's incentive for the Cintas EPS component and the individual performance component (consisting of a subjective performance evaluation rather than performance against specified individual performance goals). Based upon overall performance, the eligible named executive officers could earn 0% up to exclude itemsa maximum of 200% of the annual cash incentive target.

The following table sets forth the annual cash incentive targets and performance criteria that are not operational, such as accounting principle changes.were reviewed and approved by the Committee:

 
 
 

Name

  
 Annual
Cash Incentive
Target

  
 EPS
Component

  
 Individual
Performance
Component

  
  William C. Gale   $201,983   50%  50% 
  Thomas E. Frooman   $204,713   50%  50% 
  J. Michael Hansen   $71,020   50%  50% 

The annual cash incentive payout percentage multiplier for each component is provided in the following tables:

 
  
  
  
  
 
 

EPS Component Level of Achievement

  
 EPS Goals
  
 Annual
Cash Incentive
Payout

  
  Below Threshold   <$1.92   0% 
  Threshold                             $1.92   50% 
  Target                             $2.06   100% 
  Maximum                             $2.26   200% 







Individual Performance Component Level of Achievement

Annual
Cash Incentive
Payout


Does Not Meet Goals0%
Meets Most Goals50%
Meets Goals100%
Exceeds Goals150%
Outstanding Achievement200%

The Grants of Plan-Based Awards for Fiscal 20092012 table outlines estimated futurepossible payouts under these non-equity incentive plan awards. As presented to and approved by the Compensation Committee, the actual annual cash incentive payments earned for fiscal 20092012 as reflected in the Fiscal 2012 Summary


Table of Contents


Compensation Table are as follows: Mr. Gale earned a fiscal 20092012 annual cash incentive award of $147,075.$353,470. His individual performance level was "Exceeds Goals" and Cintas' EPS was "Below Threshold""Maximum". Mr. Frooman earned a fiscal 20092012 annual cash incentive award of $149,063.$332,659. His individual performance level was in between "Meets Goals" and "Exceeds Goals" and Cintas' EPS was "Maximum". Mr. Hansen earned a fiscal 2012 annual cash incentive award of $124,285. His individual performance level was "Exceeds Goals" and Cintas' EPS was "Below Threshold""Maximum". Mr. Thompson earned a fiscal 2009 annual cash incentive award


Table of $63,600. His individual performance level was "Outstanding Achievement" and Cintas' EPS was "Below Threshold".

The performance components and targets were derived from the operating plans for Cintas for fiscal 2009 and represent goals for that year that the Committee believes will be challenging for Cintas, yet achievable if senior and operating management meet or surpass their business unit goals and objectives.

The Committee anticipates that similar performance components and targets will be utilized in fiscal 2010. However, the Committee reserves the right to determine on an ongoing basis the performance components and targets it will use in developing the performance-based portion of the named executive officers' compensation.Contents

Long-Term Equity Incentives

Long-term equity incentive compensation is comprised of non-qualified stock options and restricted stock. With respect to Mr. S. D. Farmer and Mr. Holloman, equity awards are made at the discretion of the Compensation Committee and subjectively based on Cintas' performance and their individual performance during fiscal 2009. With respect to Mr. Gale, Mr. Frooman and Mr. Thompson,named executive officers, these awards are made pursuant to the criteria outlined in the Executive Incentive Plan. The purpose of such awards is to incentivize named executive officers to profitably grow Cintas' long-term business objectives and encourage named executive officers to build and maintain a long-term equity ownership position in Cintas so that their interests are aligned with those of our shareholders.

Under the Executive Incentive Plan, the amount of equity awards eligible for Mr. Gale, Mr. Frooman and Mr. ThompsonS. D. Farmer is based on a target level of corporateCintas' EPS and achievementa target level of Cintas' sales growth, and Mr. Farmer receives 75% of his award value in stock options and 25% of his award value in restricted stock.

Under the Executive Incentive Plan, the amount of equity awards eligible for Mr. Holloman is based on a target level of Cintas' EPS, sales growth for operations within his responsibility and net income growth for operations within his responsibility, and Mr. Holloman receives 100% of his award value in restricted stock because he is over the age of 55.

Under the Executive Incentive Plan, the amount of equity awards eligible for Mr. Gale, Mr. Frooman and Mr. Hansen is based on a target level of Cintas' EPS and individual goals.achievement. Mr. Frooman and Mr. Hansen receive 75% of their award value in stock options and 25% of their award value in restricted stock, while Mr. Gale receives 100% of his award in restricted stock because he is over the age of 55.

The tables below provide more detail with respect to the award percentage multiplier tied to each milestone level of achievement:

 
  
  
  
  
 
 
EPS Component Level of Achievement

  
 EPS Goals
  
 Equity Award %
  
  Below Threshold   <$2.25    0% 
  Threshold   $2.25    50% 
  Target   $2.32    100% 
  Maximum   $2.44    200% 

 
  
  
  
  
 
 
EPS Component Level of Achievement

  
 EPS Goals
  
 Equity Award %
  
  Below Threshold   <$1.92   0% 
  Threshold   $1.92   50% 
  Target   $2.06   100% 
  Maximum   $2.26   200% 

The EPS goalssales growth component for Mr. S. D. Farmer is identical to the table shown previously under the Annual Cash Incentives section. Both the sales growth and net income components for Mr. Holloman are identical to the tables shown previously under the Annual Cash Incentives section.

The individual performance components for Mr. Gale, Mr. Frooman and Mr. Hansen were established in light of the operating plans for Cintas for fiscal 2009.2012:

 
  
  
  
 
 
Individual Performance Component Level of Achievement

  
 Equity Award %
  
  Does Not Meet Goals   0% 
  Meets Most Goals   50% 
  Meets Goals   100% 
  Exceeds Goals   150% 
  Outstanding Achievement   200% 

Table of Contents

For fiscal 2009,2012, the Committee determined that equity awards made under the Executive Incentive Plan would be based on an established target for Mr. Gale, Mr. Frooman and Mr. Thompson.Hansen. The factors that


Table of Contents

influence the setting of targets are level of responsibility, potential for future responsibility, market compensation analyses and overall performance of the individual. The Compensation Committee reviewed and approved the targets at the beginning of the fiscal year, and the award was granted based upon that named executive officer's performance compared to the targets outlined above.

Non-Qualified Stock Options

Mr. S. D. Farmer's awards were granted on the date the Compensation Committee met to discuss Mr. S. D. Farmer's performance against his performance goals. On July 27, 2009, the Committee awarded 5,000 non-qualified stock options to23, 2012, Mr. S. D. Farmer based on a subjective analysis of his level of performance versus his goals.

On July 17, 2009, Mr. Holloman was awarded 3,000136,093 non-qualified stock options based on a subjective analysis of his level of performance versus his goals,Cintas' fiscal 2012 EPS and sales growth. On July 18, 2012, Mr. Frooman and Mr. ThompsonHansen were awarded 5,65026,975 and 5,0009,625 non-qualified stock options, respectively, based on Cintas' fiscal 20092012 EPS and their individual performance level, as outlined above under the Annual Cash Incentives section. In accordance with the 2005 Equity Compensation Plan, stock options are not granted to individuals age 55 or older, but instead, any stock option awards that would have been awarded toare awarded as shares of restricted stock. As Mr. Gale were awarded as restricted shares. As such,and Mr. GaleHolloman are over the age of 55, they did not receive any non-qualified stock options.options, but received shares of restricted stock instead.

As dictated by the 2005 Equity Compensation Plan, stock option awards have an exercise price equal to the closing stock price on the date of the award. As a result, stock options awarded to the named executive officers increase in value only if the market price of the common stock increases. Stock options vest at a rate of 33% per year, beginning on the third anniversary of the date of grant and ending on the fifth anniversary of the date of grant.

Restricted Stock

Mr. S. D. Farmer's awards were granted on the date the Compensation Committee met to discuss Mr. S. D. Farmer's performance against his performance goals. On July 27, 2009, the Committee awarded 5,323 restricted stock shares to23, 2012, Mr. S. D. Farmer was awarded 49,033 shares of restricted stock based on a subjective analysis of his level of performance versus his goals.

Cintas' fiscal 2012 EPS and sales growth. On July 17, 2009,18, 2012, Mr. Holloman was awarded 1,00027,597 shares of restricted stock shares based on a subjective analysis ofCintas' fiscal 2012 EPS, fiscal 2012 sales for operations within his level of performance versusresponsibility and fiscal 2012 net income for operations with his goals,responsibility and Mr. Gale, Mr. Frooman and Mr. ThompsonHansen were awarded 3,784, 1,90029,692, 8,937 and 1,2003,150 shares of restricted stock, shares, respectively, based on Cintas' fiscal 20092012 EPS and their individual performance level, as outlined above under the Annual Cash Incentives section.

In addition, on July 21, 2008,Restricted stock vests three years from the Boarddate of Directors approved a one-time equity grant to retain and incentivize key officers and managers of Cintas and to better align their interests with the interests of the shareholders. Mr. Gale, Mr. Frooman and Mr. Thompson were awarded 34,075, 26,901 and 25,108 restricted stock shares, respectively, as part of this one-time equity grant.

Health, Retirement and Other Benefits

Cintas' benefits program includes retirement plans and group insurance plans. The objective of our group insurance plans is to provide our named executive officers with reasonable and competitive levels of protection from events which could interrupt the named executive officer's employment and/or income received as an active employee.

The retirement plans offered to named executive officers include Cintas' Partners' Plan and the Deferred Compensation Plan. The Partners' Plan is a noncontributory employee stock ownership


Table of Contents


plan and profit sharing plan with a 401(k) savings feature which covers substantially all employees. The Deferred Compensation Plan is discussed in more detail in the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation for Fiscal 20092012 table of this proxy statement, and its accompanying narrative and footnotes.

Executive perquisites are kept by the Committee to a minimal level and do not play a significant role in executive compensation. These benefits and their incremental cost to Cintas are described in the Fiscal 2012 Summary Compensation Table and its footnotes. The Committee believes these perquisites to be reasonable, comparable with peer companies and consistent with Cintas' overall compensation practices.


Table of Contents

Stock Ownership Guidelines

The Compensation Committee believes that Cintas' named executive officers should own particular amounts of shares of stock to align their long-term objective of managing Cintas with the interests of Cintas' shareholders. The Compensation Committee has adopted a stock ownership requirement for the named executive officers. Each named executive officer is required to maintain a minimum equity stake in Cintas stock based on his job position. The following table shows the stock ownership requirements for the named executive officers:





Officer


Minimum Ownership
Requirement
(Multiple of Base Salary)


Chief Executive Officer6x
Chief Financial Officer3x
President and Chief Operating Officer3x
Vice President and Secretary, General Counsel3x
Vice President and Treasurer2x

The guidelines are assessed annually and are determined based on the current market practice and utilizing the respective named executive officer's base salary and closing stock price on the last day of the fiscal year. The named executive officers are notified about their ownership requirements annually. With the exception of the CEO, all named executive officers must come into compliance within five years from the effective date of these requirements, which was July 2010. All newly hired or promoted named executive officers will have seven years from the time of hiring or promotion to achieve the minimum ownership requirement.

For purposes of these requirements, stock ownership includes: (i) stock held outright by the named executive officer (or his spouse or dependents); (ii) stock held beneficially through the Cintas Partners' Plan; (iii) stock held in an individual brokerage account; and (iv) stock obtained through stock option exercise. Failure to meet or to show sustained progress toward meeting the ownership requirements may result in a reduction in future annual and/or long-term cash incentive payouts in the form of stock. Exceptions to these stock ownership requirements may be made at the discretion of the Compensation Committee if compliance would create a severe hardship.

Change in Control Agreements

Cintas has no policy regarding change in control agreements. For a further discussion on this topic, please see the section titled "Potential Payments Upon Termination, Retirement or Change of Control" of this proxy statement.

Tax Deductibility of Compensation

Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code places a limit of $1 million on the amount of compensation we may deduct in any one year with respect to eachcertain named executive officer.officers. There is an exception to the $1 million limitation for performance-based compensation meeting certain requirements. The Committee believes that all compensation paid to the named executive officers for fiscal year 20092012 is properly deductible under Section 162(m).


Table of Contents

Recovery of Prior Awards

We do not haveThe Committee has adopted a claw-back policy, which provides that in the event of an accounting restatement due to material noncompliance with respectfinancial reporting requirement under the U.S. federal securities laws, the Committee has the right to adjustmentuse reasonable efforts to recover from any of our current or recoveryformer officers who received incentive based compensation (including annual cash incentives, non-qualified stock options or restricted stock) during the three-year period preceding the date on which Cintas is required to prepare an accounting restatement any excess incentive based compensation awarded as a result of awards or payments if relevant company performance measures upon which previous awards werethe misstatement. This policy applies to incentive based are restated or otherwise adjustedcompensation granted after June 1, 2011. This claw-back policy is intended to be interpreted in a manner that would reduceconsistent with any applicable rules or regulations adopted by the sizeSEC or the NASDAQ Stock Market as contemplated by Section 10D of such award or payment. Under those circumstances, we expect that the Compensation Committee would evaluate whether compensation adjustments were appropriate based uponSecurities Exchange Act of 1934 and any other applicable law and shall otherwise be interpreted in the facts and circumstances surroundingbest business judgment of the applicable restatement or adjustment.Committee.


Table of Contents


FISCAL 2012 SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

The following table provides information regarding the compensation earned by our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and our three other most highly compensated executive officers during fiscal 2009, fiscal 20082012, 2011 and fiscal 2007.2010. These individuals are collectively knownreferred to as our named executive officers.

 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 

Name and Principal
Position

  
 Fiscal
Year

  
 Salary
($)

  
 Bonus(1)
($)

  
 Stock
Awards(2)
($)

  
 Option
Awards(3)
($)

  
 Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation(4)
($)

  
 All Other
Compensation(5)
($)

  
 Total
($)

  

  

 

Scott D. Farmer

    2009    725,000        213,578    247,656    120,000    70,101    1,376,335  

  

 

    Chief Executive Officer

    2008    700,000        181,094    242,956    235,000    59,692    1,418,742  

  

 

    and Director

    2007    660,000        130,771    228,120    200,000    69,119    1,288,010  

  

 

William C. Gale

    2009    442,000        448,490    56,948    147,075    43,345    1,137,858  

  

 

    Senior Vice President and

    2008    427,330        110,431    56,948    191,463    27,112    813,284  

  

 

    Chief Financial Officer

    2007    391,400        73,801    56,948    159,800    25,258    707,207  

  

 

Thomas E. Frooman

    2009    407,500        268,646    83,793    149,063    42,999    952,001  

  

 

    Vice President and

    2008    393,594        70,406    78,482    191,463    32,615    766,560  

  

 

    Secretary – General

    2007    360,500        51,979    66,613    158,900    31,989    669,981  

  

 

    Counsel

                                          

  

 

J. Phillip Holloman

    2009    530,000        99,181    99,072    53,000    26,437    807,690  

  

 

    President and Chief

    2008    405,333        93,528    96,252    185,500    28,146    808,759  

  

 

    Operating Officer

    2007    325,000        47,751    67,833    125,000    25,114    590,698  

  

 

Michael L. Thompson

    2009    310,000        217,205    85,419    63,600    35,750    711,974  

  

 

    Vice President and

    2008    286,000        35,419    80,719    75,790    25,271    503,199  

  

 

    Treasurer

    2007    267,120        25,181    71,446    53,000    23,339    440,086  

 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 

Name and Principal
Position

  
 Fiscal
Year

  
 Salary
($)

  
 Bonus(1)
($)

  
 Stock Awards(2)
($)

  
 Option Awards(2)
($)

  
 Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation(3)
($)

  
 All Other
Compensation(4)
($)

  
 Total
($)

  

  

 

Scott D. Farmer

    2012    769,153        1,842,170    1,647,528    647,571    123,766    5,030,188  

  

 

    Chief Executive Officer

    2011    746,750        2,344,561    751,957    684,000    83,040    4,610,308  

  

 

    and Director

    2010    725,000        295,874    166,359    482,000    61,946    1,731,179  

  

 

William C. Gale

    2012    468,918        1,125,624        353,470    65,328    2,013,340  

  

 

    Senior Vice President and

    2011    455,260        705,817        294,150    47,216    1,502,443  

  

 

    Chief Financial Officer

    2010    442,000        149,897        227,150    43,549    862,596  

  

 

Thomas E. Frooman

    2012    432,317        338,802    326,557    332,659    54,965    1,485,300  

  

 

    Vice President and

    2011    419,725        230,715    159,996    298,125    46,113    1,154,674  

  

 

    Secretary – General

    2010    407,500        99,198    92,920    304,750    44,361    948,729  

  

 

    Counsel

                                          

  

 

J. Michael Hansen

    2012    271,920        119,417    116,519    124,285    32,829    664,970  

  

 

    Vice President and

    2011    264,000        131,976    105,470    79,500    23,611    604,557  

  

 

    Treasurer

    2010    240,000        42,269    21,566        24,856    328,691  

  

 

J. Phillip Holloman

    2012    562,277        1,046,202        342,073    68,452    2,019,004  

  

 

    President and Chief

    2011    545,900        1,864,870        357,750    47,875    2,816,395  

  

 

    Operating Officer

    2010    530,000        118,401    110,906    234,874    23,520    1,017,701  


Table of Contents


GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS FOR FISCAL 20092012

The following table sets forth certain information regarding all grants of plan-based awards made to the named executive officers during fiscal 2009:2012:

 
  
 
  
  
  
 Estimated Future Payouts Under
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards

  
 Estimated Future Payouts Under
Equity Incentive Plan Awards

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 Name
  
 Grant
Date

  
 Threshold
($)

  
 Target
($)

  
 Maximum
($)

  
 Threshold
(#)

  
 Target
(#)

  
 Maximum
(#)

  
 All Other
Stock
Awards:
Number of
Shares of
Stock
or Units
(#)

  
 All Other
Option
Awards:
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Options
(#)

  
 Exercise
or Base
Price of
Option
Awards(8)
($/sh)

  
 Grant
Date
Fair
Value of
Stock and
Option
Awards
($)

  
  Scott D. Farmer(1)    8/19/2008    0    420,000    840,000    0(2)   0(2)   0(2)                     
       7/27/2009                                       5,000    24.41    51,700  
       7/27/2009                                  5,323              129,934  
  William C. Gale(3)    8/13/2008    0    196,100    392,200                                     
       8/13/2008(6)                  0    5,000    10,000                      
       7/21/2008(7)                                 34,075              950,011  
       7/17/2009                                  3,784              85,556  
  Thomas E. Frooman(3)    8/15/2008    0    198,750    397,500                                     
       8/15/2008(5)                  0    7,500    15,000                      
       8/15/2008(6)                  0    2,500    5,000                      
       7/21/2008(7)                                 26,901              750,000  
       7/17/2009                                       5,650    22.61    58,421  
       7/17/2009                                  1,900              42,959  
  J. Phillip Holloman(4)    8/15/2008    0    212,000    424,000    0(2)   0(2)   0(2)                     
       7/17/2009                                       3,000    22.61    31,020  
       7/17/2009                                  1,000              22,610  
  Michael L. Thompson(3)    8/26/2008    0    63,600    127,200                                     
       8/26/2008(5)                  0    5,000    10,000                      
       8/26/2008(6)                  0    1,200    2,400                      
       7/21/2008(7)                                 25,108              700,011  
       7/17/2009                                       5,000    22.61    51,700  
       7/17/2009                                  1,200              27,132  



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
  
 
  
  
  
 Estimated Possible Payouts Under
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards

  
 Estimated Possible Payouts Under
Equity Incentive Plan Awards

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 Name
  
 Grant
Date

  
 Threshold
($)

  
 Target
($)

  
 Maximum
($)

  
 Threshold
(#)

  
 Target
(#)

  
 Maximum
(#)

  
 All Other
Stock
Awards:
Number of
Shares of
Stock
or Units
(#)

  
 All Other
Option
Awards:
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Options
(#)

  
 Exercise
or Base
Price of
Option
Awards(6)
($/sh)

  
 Grant
Date
Fair
Value of
Stock and
Option
Awards
($)

  
  Scott D. Farmer(1)    9/21/2011    0    494,565    989,130                                     
       9/21/2011                   0    94,400    188,800                      
       9/21/2011                   0    31,500    63,000                      
       7/23/2012                                       136,093    37.57    1,647,528  
       7/23/2012                                  49,033              1,842,170  
  William C. Gale(2)    9/08/2011    0    201,983    403,966                                     
       9/08/2011(5)                  0    16,967    33,934                      
       7/18/2012                                  29,692              1,125,624  
  Thomas E. Frooman(2)    9/07/2011    0    204,713    409,426                                     
       9/07/2011(4)                  0    16,600    33,200                      
       9/07/2011(5)                  0    5,500    11,000                      
       7/18/2012                                       26,975    37.91    326,557  
       7/18/2012                                  8,937              338,802  
  J. Michael Hansen(2)    9/14/2011    0    71,020    142,040                                     
       9/14/2011(4)                  0    5,500    11,000                      
       9/14/2011(4)                  0    1,800    3,600                      
       7/18/2012                                       9,625    37.91    116,519  
       7/18/2012                                  3,150              119,417  
  J. Phillip Holloman(3)    9/12/2011    0    328,600    657,200                                     
       9/12/2011(5)                  0    26,167    52,334                      
       7/18/2012                                  27,597              1,046,202  


Table of Contents


Table of Contents


OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL 20092012 YEAR-END

The following table provides information regarding unexercised stock options and unvested stock awards held by our named executive officers as of May 31, 2009:2012:

 
 
  
 Option Awards(1)
  
 Stock Awards(2)
  
 
 Name
  
 Grant
Date(3)

  
 Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
Exercisable
(#)

  
 Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
Unexercisable
(#)

  
 Option
Exercise
Price
($)

  
 Option
Expiration
Date

  
 Number of
Shares
or Units of
Stock That
Have Not
Vested
(#)

  
 Market
Value of
Shares
or Units of
Stock That
Have Not
Vested
($)

  
  Scott D. Farmer    7/29/1999    15,000        41.96    7/29/2009            
       7/24/2000    15,000        42.67    7/24/2010            
       8/08/2001    10,000        47.35    8/08/2011            
       7/29/2003    10,000    40,000    39.29    7/29/2013            
       7/26/2004        25,000    42.06    7/26/2014            
       8/01/2005        25,000    44.43    8/01/2015            
       7/24/2006        15,000    35.99    7/24/2016            
       7/23/2007        7,500    38.74    7/23/2017            
       7/21/2008        10,000    27.88    7/21/2018            
       7/27/2009        5,000    24.41    7/27/2019            
                                24,852    578,803  
  William C. Gale    7/29/1999    7,501        41.96    7/29/2009            
       7/24/2000    5,000        42.67    7/24/2010            
       7/22/2002    5,000        41.65    7/22/2012            
       2/28/2003    3,000    4,500    33.57    2/28/2013            
       7/26/2004        15,000    42.06    7/26/2014            
       8/01/2005        7,500    44.43    8/01/2015            
       7/17/2006        7,500    36.08    7/17/2016            
                                50,117    1,167,225  
  Thomas E. Frooman    12/28/2001    25,000        49.69    12/28/2011            
       7/22/2002    15,000        41.65    7/22/2012            
       2/28/2003    8,000    12,000    33.57    2/28/2013            
       7/26/2004        15,000    42.06    7/26/2014            
       8/01/2005        7,500    44.43    8/01/2015            
       7/17/2006        7,500    36.08    7/17/2016            
       7/03/2007        6,575    39.84    7/03/2017            
       7/17/2008        8,000    27.30    7/17/2018            
       7/17/2009        5,650    22.61    7/17/2019            
                                36,201    843,121  
  J. Phillip Holloman    7/29/1999    4,501        41.96    7/29/2009            
       7/24/2000    5,000        42.67    7/24/2010            
       9/29/2000    5,000        43.56    9/29/2010            
       8/08/2001    2,000        47.35    8/08/2011            
       7/22/2002    3,000        41.65    7/22/2012            
       3/28/2003    3,000    4,500    35.02    3/28/2013            
       7/29/2003    200    800    39.29    7/29/2013            
       7/26/2004        7,500    42.06    7/26/2014            
       8/01/2005        15,000    44.43    8/01/2015            
       7/17/2006        5,650    36.08    7/17/2016            
       7/03/2007        7,500    39.84    7/03/2017            
       1/31/2008        25,000    32.82    1/31/2018            
       7/17/2008        8,000    27.30    7/17/2018            
       7/17/2009        3,000    22.61    7/17/2019            
                                13,100    305,099  
  Michael L. Thompson    7/29/1999    2,250        41.96    7/29/2009            
       8/08/2001    1,000        47.35    8/08/2011            
       7/22/2002    5,000        41.65    7/22/2012            
       1/31/2003    1,200    1,800    41.30    1/31/2013            
       7/29/2003    600    2,400    39.29    7/29/2013            
       7/26/2004        5,000    42.06    7/26/2014            
       8/01/2005        5,000    44.43    8/01/2015            
       1/27/2006        15,000    42.73    1/27/2016            
       7/17/2006        4,400    36.08    7/17/2016            
       7/03/2007        5,000    39.84    7/03/2017            
       7/17/2008        6,250    27.30    7/17/2018            
       7/17/2009        5,000    22.61    7/17/2019            
                                30,108    701,215  



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
  
 Option Awards(1)
  
 Stock Awards(2)
  
 
 Name
  
 Grant
Date(3)

  
 Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Exercisable

  
 Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Unexercisable

  
 Option
Exercise
Price
($)

  
 Option
Expiration
Date

  
 Number of
Shares
or Units of
Stock That
Have Not
Vested
(#)

  
 Market
Value of
Shares
or Units of
Stock That
Have Not
Vested
($)

  
  Scott D. Farmer    7/29/2003    40,000    10,000    39.29    7/29/2013            
       7/26/2004    15,000    10,000    42.06    7/26/2014            
       8/01/2005    10,000    15,000    44.43    8/01/2015            
       7/24/2006    3,000    12,000    35.99    7/24/2016            
       7/23/2007        7,500    38.74    7/23/2017            
       7/21/2008    3,300    6,700    27.88    7/21/2018            
       7/27/2009        5,000    24.41    7/27/2019            
       7/26/2010        20,589    26.23    7/26/2020            
       7/21/2011        94,467    34.18    7/21/2021            
       7/23/2012        136,093    37.57    7/23/2022            
                                144,232    5,322,161  
  William C. Gale    7/22/2002    5,000        41.65    7/22/2012            
       2/28/2003    7,500        33.57    2/28/2013            
       7/26/2004    9,000    6,000    42.06    7/26/2014            
       8/01/2005    7,500        44.43    8/01/2015            
       7/17/2006    7,500        36.08    7/17/2016            
                                59,918    2,210,974  
  Thomas E. Frooman    7/22/2002    15,000        41.65    7/22/2012            
       2/28/2003    20,000        33.57    2/28/2013            
       7/26/2004    9,000    6,000    42.06    7/26/2014            
       8/01/2005    3,000    4,500    44.43    8/01/2015            
       7/17/2006    1,500    6,000    36.08    7/17/2016            
       7/03/2007        6,575    39.84    7/03/2017            
       7/17/2008    2,640    5,360    27.30    7/17/2018            
       7/17/2009        5,650    22.61    7/17/2019            
       7/22/2010        11,500    25.88    7/22/2020            
       7/21/2011        20,100    34.18    7/21/2021            
       7/18/2012        26,975    37.91    7/18/2022            
                                48,321    1,783,045  
  J. Michael Hansen    7/22/2002    3,000        41.65    7/22/2012            
       7/29/2003    2,400    600    39.29    7/29/2013            
       5/28/2004    800    200    45.33    5/28/2014            
       7/26/2004    3,000    2,000    42.06    7/26/2014            
       8/1/2005    200    300    44.43    8/1/2015            
       7/17/2006    308    1,232    36.08    7/17/2016            
       7/3/2007         1,540    39.84    7/3/2017            
       7/17/2008    798    1,622    27.30    7/17/2018            
       7/17/2009         1,540    22.61    7/17/2019            
       7/22/2010         2,669    25.88    7/22/2020            
       7/30/2010         5,000    26.46    7/30/2020            
       7/21/2011         8,250    34.18    7/21/2021            
       7/18/2012         9,625    37.91    7/18/2022            
                                17,399    642,023  
  J. Phillip Holloman    7/22/2002    3,000        41.65    7/22/2012            
       3/28/2003    7,500        35.02    3/28/2013            
       7/29/2003    800    200    39.29    7/29/2013            
       7/26/2004    4,500    3,000    42.06    7/26/2014            
       8/01/2005    6,000    9,000    44.43    8/01/2015            
       7/17/2006    1,413    4,237    36.08    7/17/2016            
       7/03/2007        7,500    39.84    7/03/2017            
       1/31/2008        25,000    32.82    1/31/2018            
       7/17/2008    2,640    5,360    27.30    7/17/2018            
       7/17/2009        3,000    22.61    7/17/2019            
       7/22/2010        13,726    25.88    7/22/2020            
                                100,874    3,722,251  

Table of Contents


 
  
 
 Vesting Date
  
 Scott D. Farmer
  
 William C. Gale
  
 Thomas E. Frooman
  
 J. Michael Hansen
  
 J. Phillip Holloman
  
  7/17/2012        3,784    1,900    1,491    1,000  
  7/21/2012            26,901    7,891      
  7/27/2012    5,323                  
  1/31/2013                    5,000  
  7/22/2013        5,792    3,833    667    4,575  
  7/26/2013    54,280                35,000  
  7/30/2013                1,500      
  7/21/2014    35,596    20,650    6,750    2,700    27,702  
  7/18/2015        29,692    8,937    3,150    27,597  
  7/23/2015    49,033                  

Table of Contents


OPTION EXERCISES AND STOCK VESTED FOR FISCAL 2012

The following table lists the number of shares acquired and the value realized as a result of option exercises by the named executive officers in fiscal 2012 and the value of any restricted stock awards that vested in fiscal 2012:

 
 
  
  
 Option Awards
  
 Stock Awards
  
 
 Name
  
 Number of
Shares
Acquired on
Exercise
(#)

  
 Value
Realized on
Exercise
($)

  
 Number of
Shares
Acquired on
Vesting
(#)

  
 Value
Realized on
Vesting(1)
($)

  
  Scott D. Farmer            7,220    246,780  
  William C. Gale            39,442    1,331,383  
  Thomas E. Frooman            2,700    83,862  
  J. Michael Hansen            605    18,791  
  J. Phillip Holloman            2,700    83,862  


Table of Contents


NONQUALIFIED DEFERRED COMPENSATION FOR FISCAL 20092012

Our named executive officers are eligible to participate in a Deferred Compensation Plan. This Deferred Compensation Plan permits a group of highly compensated employees of Cintas to defer the receipt of current year compensation which they have earned during the year. This Deferred Compensation Plan is intended to assist Cintas in the retaining and attracting of individuals of exceptional ability.

Our named executive officers may elect to defer up to 75% of their base salary and up to 100%90% of their earned annual cash incentive awards. Amounts deferred are credited to the named executive officer's account under the Deferred Compensation Plan and are fully vested.

Future payments are distributed in a lump sum or in annual installments, based on the choice of the named executive officer. If the form of payment selected provides for subsequent payments, subsequent payments will be made on the anniversary of the initial payment. All amounts are payable in a lump sum if the named executive officer terminates employment prior to meeting the date specified.definition of retirement; should they meet the definition of retirement, the balance will be distributed as elected. All distribution decisions and payments under the Deferred Compensation Plan are subject to compliance with sectionSection 409A of the Internal Revenue Code.

While deferred, amounts are credited with "earnings" as if they were invested as the named executive officerofficers chose in one or more investment options available under the Deferred Compensation Plan. The named executive officers' accounts under the Deferred Compensation Plan will be adjusted from time to time, up or down, depending upon performance of the investment options chosen.

The following table provides information relating to the activity in the Deferred Compensation Plan accounts of the named executive officers during fiscal 20092012 and the aggregate balance of the accounts as of May 31, 2009:2012:

 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 Name
  
 Executive
Contributions
in Fiscal 2009(1)
($)

  
 Aggregate
Earnings
in Fiscal 2009(2)
($)

  
 Aggregate
Balance
at May 31, 2009
($)

  
  Scott D. Farmer    230,048    151    230,199  
  William C. Gale              
  Thomas E. Frooman    20,362    (9,199)   36,259  
  J. Phillip Holloman    45,021    (30,048)   79,191  
  Michael L. Thompson    93,689    (40,942)   138,778  

 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 Name
  
 Executive
Contributions
in Fiscal 2012(1)
($)

  
 Aggregate
Earnings in
Fiscal 2012(2)
($)

  
 Aggregate
Withdrawals/
Distributions
($)

  
 Aggregate
Balance at
May 31, 2012(3)
($)

  
  Scott D. Farmer        (36,556)       683,819  
  William C. Gale                  
  Thomas E. Frooman    73,010    (11,236)   (81,471)   91,237  
  J. Michael Hansen    38,633    (16,164)       161,594  
  J. Phillip Holloman    63,867    (21,921)       265,793  


Table of Contents


POTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION, RETIREMENT OR CHANGE OF CONTROL

Payments Made Upon Termination

Regardless of the manner in which a namedan executive officer's employment terminates, except for a "for cause" termination, he is entitled to receive amounts earned during his term of employment. Such amounts include:

In addition, if Cintas elects to terminate a namedan executive officer, he will receive four weeksweeks' written notice or four weeks of base salary instead of notice. Generally, Cintas makes no payments to executives terminated for cause. Cintas has no policy regarding severance payments.

Payments Made Upon Retirement

In the event of the retirement of a namedan executive officer, he is entitled to receive amounts earned during his term of employment. Such amounts include:

Cintas has no policy regarding retirement arrangements.

Payments Made Upon Death or Disability

In the event of the death or disability of a namedan executive officer, in addition to the benefits listed under the heading "Payments Made Upon Retirement" above for the Cintas Partners' Plan and Deferred Compensation Plan, the named executive officer will receive benefits under Cintas' disability plan or payments under Cintas' life insurance plan, as appropriate. Outstanding equity awards will immediately vest in accordance with the 2005 Equity Compensation Plan. These payments are generally available to all employees.

Payments Made Upon a Change of Control

Cintas has no policy regarding payments made upon a change of control.


Table of Contents


NONEMPLOYEE DIRECTOR COMPENSATION FOR FISCAL 20092012

For fiscal 2009,2012, Directors who are not employees of Cintas received a $40,000$44,000 cash annual retainer, payable quarterly, plus an additional $2,750$3,025 for each meeting attended. Directors received $1,375$1,513 for each telephonic meeting attended. Committee members also received $1,200$1,320 for each Committee meeting attended and $600$660 for attending each telephonic Committee meeting.meeting attended. Committee Chairmen (other than the Audit Committee Chairman) received an additional fee of $5,000.$5,500. The Audit Committee Chairman received an additional fee of $8,000.$8,800. Directors are also reimbursed for reasonable out-of-pocket travel expenses incurred in connection with attendance at Board or Committee meetings. Directors who are employees of Cintas are not separately compensated for serving as Directors.

DirectorsFor fiscal 2012, directors also receivereceived upon annual election or appointment to the Board restricted stock valued at approximately $41,000 based on the closing market price of Cintas stock on the date preceding the grant and options to purchase Cintas stock valued at approximately $41,000 based on the fair value of these options estimated at the date preceding the grant using a Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The value of the grants is prorated for Directors appointed to the Board for a partialin the middle of the year. With the exception of Mr. Johnson,Barrett, each nonemployee Director was therefore granted 1,7531,421 shares of restricted stock and an option to purchase 4,1453,943 shares of Cintas stock at an exercise price equal to the closing market price on the date of grant.grant of October 18, 2011. Mr. JohnsonBarrett was appointed to the Board on March 24, 2009,December 2, 2011, and was granted 927 shares1,190 of restricted stock and an option to purchase 2,4693,332 shares of Cintas stock at an exercise price equal to the closing market price on the date of grant. The restricted stock awards vest 100% after three years from the date of grant. The stock options vest 25% per year, beginning on the first anniversary of the grant.

Nonemployee directors may choose to defer all or part of these fees 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,U.S. treasury bills, determined as of the preceding December 31, increased by 100 basis points. Deferred fees are payable either in a lump sum or over a period ofin 12 to 120 monthly installments beginning in the month selected by the Director, but in no case later than the first month after the Director leaves the Board.

The following table details fiscal 20092012 compensation paid to nonemployee directors:

 
 
 Name
  
 Fees Earned
or Paid
in Cash(1)
($)

  
 Stock
Awards(2)
($)

  
 Option
Awards(3)
($)

  
 Total
($)

  

  

 

Gerald S. Adolph

    61,125    27,176    9,810    98,111  

  

 

Paul R. Carter

    74,525    27,176    14,190    115,891  

  

 

Gerald V. Dirvin

    66,725    27,176    14,190    108,091  

  

 

Joyce Hergenhan

    61,125    27,176    14,190    102,491  

  

 James J. Johnson(4)    20,750    5,680    1,802    28,232  

  

 

David C. Phillips

    71,525    27,176    14,190    112,891  

  

 

Ronald W. Tysoe

    74,525    13,753    4,333    92,611  

 
 
 Name
  
 Fees Earned
or Paid
in Cash(1)
($)

  
 Stock
Awards(2)
($)

  
 Option
Awards(2)
($)

  
 Total
($)

  

  

 

Gerald S. Adolph

    68,200    41,564    40,314    150,078  

  

 

John F. Barrett

    32,010    36,117    42,689    110,816  

  

 

Melanie W. Barstad

    46,035    41,564    40,314    127,913  

  

 

James J. Johnson

    69,960    41,564    40,314    151,838  

  

 

David C. Phillips

    74,140    41,564    40,314    156,018  

  

 

Joseph Scaminace

    64,020    41,564    40,314    145,898  

  

 

Ronald W. Tysoe

    77,440    41,564    40,314    159,318  


Table of Contents

Outstanding restricted stock awards granted to Mr. Johnson during fiscal 2009 was $22,721. The aggregate grant date fair value of the 1,753 restricted stock awards granted to each of the other Directors during fiscal 2009 was $41,000.

(3)
The compensation cost associated with stock options is based on the dollar amount recognized in fiscal 2009 for financial statement reporting purposes as determined pursuant to SFAS No. 123(R), excluding the estimate of forfeitures, rather than an amount paid to or realized by the director. See Note 13 of the Consolidated Financial Statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K with respect to fiscal 2009 for the assumptions made in determining the estimated grant-date fair value of stock options in accordance with SFAS No. 123(R).

(4)
James J. Johnson was appointed to the Board on March 24, 2009.

The following table details the grant date fair value of each stock option award granted in fiscal 2009:

 
  
 Name
  
 Grant Date
  
 Shares
Granted
(#)

  
 Grant Date
Fair Value
($)

  
   Gerald S. Adolph    10/14/2008    4,145    40,124  
   Paul R. Carter    10/14/2008    4,145    40,124  
   Gerald V. Dirvin    10/14/2008    4,145    40,124  
   Joyce Hergenhan    10/14/2008    4,145    40,124  
   James J. Johnson    3/24/2009    2,469    24,023  
   David C. Phillips    10/14/2008    4,145    40,124  
   Ronald W. Tysoe    10/14/2008    4,145    40,124  


Name

Options
Outstanding
(#)


Gerald S. Adolph

9,145

Paul R. Carter

13,145

Gerald V. Dirvin

15,645

Joyce Hergenhan

11,145

James J. Johnson

2,469

David C. Phillips

12,145

Ronald W. Tysoe

6,145

 
  
  
  
 Name
  
 Restricted Stock Outstanding (#)
  
 Options Outstanding (#)
  

  

 

Gerald S. Adolph

    7,524    21,296  

  

 

John F. Barrett

    1,190    3,332  

  

 

Melanie W. Barstad

    1,421    3,943  

  

 

James J. Johnson

    5,198    14,620  

  

 

David C. Phillips

    7,524    24,296  

  

 

Joseph Scaminace

    3,577    10,198  

  

 

Ronald W. Tysoe

    6,774    18,296  

Table of Contents


PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS

The following table sets forth the names and addresses of the only shareholders known by Cintas to own beneficially 5% or more of its outstanding Common Stock as of August 25, 2009:20, 2012:

Name of
Beneficial Owner
  
 Amount and Nature of
Beneficial Ownership
 Percent of
Class
 
Scott D. Farmer(1)  15,402,737(3) 10.0%

Arnhold & S. Bleichroeder Advisers, LLC(2)

 

 

12,160,966

 

 

7.9

%

Name of Beneficial Owner  
 Amount and Nature of Beneficial Ownership Percent of
Class
 
Scott D. Farmer(1)  18,973,378(5) 15.0%

First Eagle Investment Management, LLC(2)

 

 

16,681,664

(6)

 

13.2

%

Fiduciary Management, Inc.(3)

 

 

9,946,864

(7)

 

7.9

%

Vanguard Group, Inc.(4)

 

 

7,742,801

(8)

 

6.1

%


Table of Contents


SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF DIRECTORS, DIRECTOR NOMINEES AND
NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

The following table shows the amount of Cintas Corporation Common Stock each director, director nominee and named executive officer named in the Summary Compensation Table owned on August 25, 2009:20, 2012:

 
  
 Common Stock
Beneficially Owned(1)
 
Name and Age of
Beneficial Owner
 Position Amount and Nature of
Beneficial Ownership
 Percent of
Class
 
Scott D. Farmer
50
 Chief Executive Officer and Director  15,402,737(2) 10.0%

Richard T. Farmer
74

 

Chairman of the Board

 

 

3,091,141

(3)

 

2.0

%

Robert J. Kohlhepp
65

 

Vice Chairman of the Board

 

 

1,530,418

(4)

 

1.0

%

Gerald S. Adolph
55

 

Director

 

 

7,290

 

 

*

 

Paul R. Carter
69

 

Director

 

 

13,540

 

 

*

 

Gerald V. Dirvin
72

 

Director

 

 

38,282

 

 

*

 

Joyce Hergenhan
67

 

Director

 

 

10,540

 

 

*

 

James J. Johnson
62

 

Director

 

 

927

 

 

*

 

David C. Phillips
71

 

Director

 

 

11,640

(5)

 

*

 

Ronald W. Tysoe
56

 

Director

 

 

4,040

 

 

*

 

William C. Gale
57

 

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

 

81,620

 

 

*

 

Thomas E. Frooman
42

 

Vice President and Secretary – General Counsel

 

 

86,468

 

 

*

 

J. Phillip Holloman
53

 

President and Chief Operating Officer

 

 

32,233

 

 

*

 

Michael L. Thompson
43

 

Vice President and Treasurer

 

 

46,701

 

 

*

 

All Directors and Executive Officers as a Group (14 persons)

 

 

20,357,577

(6)

 

13.2

%

 
  
 Common Stock
Beneficially Owned(1)
 
Name and Age of
Beneficial Owner
 Position Amount and Nature of
Beneficial Ownership
 Percent of
Class
 
Scott D. Farmer
53
 Chief Executive Officer and Director  18,973,378(2) 15.0%

Richard T. Farmer
77

 

Chairman Emeritus of the Board

 

 

299,008

(3)

 

*

 

Robert J. Kohlhepp
68

 

Chairman of the Board

 

 

646,813

(4)

 

*

 

Gerald S. Adolph
58

 

Director

 

 

18,673

 

 

*

 

John F. Barrett
63

 

Director

 

 

6,440

(5)

 

*

 

Melanie W. Barstad
59

 

Director

 

 

1,421

 

 

*

 

James J. Johnson
65

 

Director

 

 

10,090

 

 

*

 

David C. Phillips
74

 

Director

 

 

22,773

(6)

 

*

 

Joseph Scaminace
59

 

Director

 

 

5,641

 

 

*

 

Ronald W. Tysoe
59

 

Director

 

 

14,923

 

 

*

 

William C. Gale
60

 

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

 

132,796

 

 

*

 

Thomas E. Frooman
45

 

Vice President and Secretary – General Counsel

 

 

89,822

 

 

*

 

J. Michael Hansen
44

 

Vice President and Treasurer

 

 

28,044

 

 

*

 

J. Phillip Holloman
56

 

President and Chief Operating Officer

 

 

167,352

 

 

*

 

All Directors and Executive Officers as a Group (14 persons)

 

 

20,417,174

(7)

 

16.1

%



Table of Contents


Table of Contents

The following is a description of our non-director named executive officers:

William C. Gale joined Cintas in April 1995 as Vice President – Finance and Chief Financial Officer. He was appointed Senior Vice President in July 2003. He is responsible for finance, accounting and administration.

Thomas E. Frooman joined Cintas in December 2001 as Vice President and Secretary – General Counsel.

J. Michael Hansen joined Cintas in 1995. He has held various positions within Cintas, including General Manager of the Cincinnati Fire location and Corporate Controller. He was elected Vice President and Treasurer in June 2010.

J. Phillip Holloman joined Cintas in 1996. He has held various positions within Cintas, including Vice President Engineering/Construction from 1996 to 2000, Vice President of the Distribution/Production Planning Division from 2000 to 2003, Executive Champion of Six Sigma Initiatives from 2003 to 2005 and Senior Vice President Global Supply Chain Management from 2005 to 2008. He was appointed President and Chief Operating Officer in February 2008.

Michael L. Thompson joined Cintas in 1994. He has held various positions within Cintas, including Director of Corporate Development and Corporate Controller. He was elected Vice President and Treasurer in January 2006.


SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE

Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires Cintas' executive officers, directors and persons who own more than ten percent of Cintas' Common Stock to file reports of ownership with the Commission and to furnish Cintas 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 20092012 all filing requirements were met except that Mr. Johnson reported one day late a grant of restricted stock and a grant of stock options upon appointment as a director.met.


Table of Contents


RELATED PERSON TRANSACTIONS

Cintas Corporation has a 25% interest in a corporate airplane with its Chairman Emeritus, Richard T. Farmer and his wholly owned company. This arrangement began on February 23, 2006. Cintas manages the airplane under an operating agreement whereby each party pays their own operating expenses for use of the plane, and common costs are shared based on ownership percentages. For fiscal 2009,2012, Cintas was reimbursed $1,302,124$1,673,383 under this arrangement.

In connection with the derivative action captionedManville Personal Injury Settlement Trust v. Richard T. Farmer, et. al., A0806822, filed in the Court of Common Pleas, Hamilton County, Ohio, on or about July 17, 2008, as reported in Cintas' Form 10-K, Cintas hereby reports its intention pursuant to Section 23B.08.600 of the Washington Business Corporation Act ("WBCA"), subject to any and all applicable provisions of the WBCA and Cintas' Bylaws (as such may be amended from time to time), to indemnify and/or advance expenses (the specific amounts of which are unknown as of the date of mailing of Cintas' 2009 proxy materials) to the directors and executive officers named as defendants in this action. Specifically, Sections 23B.08.500 through 23B.08.600 of the WBCA provide that a corporation may indemnify a director who is made party to a proceeding if the director acted in good faith, reasonably believed that his or her conduct was in the corporation's best interests and had no reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful. A corporation may not indemnify a director in connection with a proceeding by or in the right of the corporation (also known as a "derivative action") in which the director is adjudged liable to the corporation or in connection with any other proceeding in which the director is adjudged liable on the basis that he or she received an improper personal benefit. In the case of derivative actions, indemnification extends only to reasonable expenses incurred in connection with the defense or settlement of the action. Cintas' bylaws provide for indemnification of directors, officers, employees and agents to the maximum extent permitted by Washington law.

Cintas engages Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL for a variety of legal services. Robert E. Coletti, a partner of the firm, is an in-law of Richard T. and Scott D. Farmer. Cintas paid the firm fees of $8,085,648$3,784,342 for legal services during the fiscal year endingended May 31, 2009.2012. Mr. Coletti does not receive any direct compensation from fees paid by Cintas to the firm.

Please refer to the section titled Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation in this proxy statement for a description of a related party transaction relating to Mr. Adolph.

Joseph Automotive Group engages Cintas for a variety of services. George R. Joseph, a principleprincipal and part owner, is an in-law of Richard T. and Scott D. Farmer. Joseph Automotive Group paid Cintas fees of $394,598$227,155 for services provided during the fiscal year ending May 31, 2009.2012. Mr. Joseph does not receive any direct compensation from services provided by Cintas to the company.

The Farmer Family Foundation, based in Cincinnati, is committed to enhancing the community in which they live and serve through various contributions to non-profit organizations. One such contribution was to Cincinnati Works, Inc., co-founded by Mr. Phillips, a nonemployee director, which aims to educate and employ individuals in an effort to help them become economically self-sufficient. The independent members of the Board of Directors, excluding Mr. Phillips, discussed this contribution and determined that it did not impact his independence and did not adversely affect Mr. Phillips' ability to carry out his responsibility as Lead Director, Chairman of the Executive Committee and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and member of the Audit Committee.

Certain stock exchange rules require Cintas to conduct an appropriate review of all related party transactions (those required to be disclosed by Cintas pursuant to SEC Regulation S-K Item 404) for potential conflict of interest situations on an ongoing basis and that all such transactions must


Table of Contents


be approved by the Audit Committee or another committee comprised of independent directors. As a result, the Audit Committee annually reviews all such related party transactions and approves such related party transactions only if it determines that it is in the best interests of Cintas. In considering the transaction, the Audit Committee may consider all relevant factors, including as applicable (i) Cintas' business rationale for entering into the transaction; (ii) the alternatives to entering into a related person transaction; (iii) whether the transaction is on terms comparable to those available to third parties, or in the case of employment relationships, to employees generally; (iv) the potential for the transaction to lead to an actual or apparent conflict of interest and any safeguards imposed to prevent such actual or apparent conflicts; and (v) the overall fairness of the transaction to Cintas.

While Cintas adheres to this policy for potential related person transactions, the policy is not in written form (other than as part of listing agreements with stock exchanges to the extent required). However, approval of such related person transactions is evidenced by Audit Committee resolutions in accordance with our practice of approving transactions in this manner.


Table of Contents


ADVISORY VOTE ON NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMPENSATION
(Item 2 on the Proxy Card)

The Board is committed to excellence in governance. As part of that commitment, and as required by Section 14A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Board is providing our shareholders with an opportunity to vote to approve, on an advisory basis, named executive officer compensation, which is commonly known as "say-on-pay." We are currently conducting say-on-pay votes every year, and expect to hold the next say-on-pay vote in connection with our 2013 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

We are asking our shareholders to indicate their support for the compensation of our named executive officers as described in this proxy statement. This vote is not intended to address any specific item of compensation, but rather the overall compensation of our named executive officers and the executive compensation program and practices described in this proxy statement. Please read the Compensation Discussion and Analysis and the executive compensation tables and narrative disclosure for a detailed explanation of our executive compensation program and practices. In 2011, our shareholders approved, on an advisory basis, the compensation of our named executive officers with a "FOR" vote of 92%. Accordingly, we are asking our shareholders to vote "FOR" the following resolution:

"RESOLVED, that the compensation of the named executive officers as disclosed pursuant to the compensation disclosure rules of the SEC, including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the compensation tables and any related material disclosed in this proxy statement, is hereby approved."

As an advisory vote, this proposal is not binding on Cintas. However, the Compensation Committee of our Board, which is responsible for designing and administering our executive compensation program and practices, values the opinions expressed by shareholders in their vote on this proposal, and will consider the outcome of the vote when making future compensation decisions for named executive officers.

YOUR BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THIS PROPOSAL.

RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED
PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
(Item 23 on the Proxy Card)

Although not required, the Board is seeking shareholder ratification of the selection by the Audit Committee of Ernst & Young LLP as Cintas' independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal 2010.2013. If shareholders do not ratify this selection, the Audit Committee intends to continue the employment of Ernst & Young LLP at least through fiscal 2010,2013, as the new fiscal year has already commenced. However, the Audit Committee will take the vote into account in selecting the independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal 2011.2014. Representatives of Ernst & Young LLP are expected to be present at the Annual Meeting and will have an opportunity to make a statement, if they desire to do so, and to respond to appropriate questions that may be asked by shareholders.


YOUR BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THIS PROPOSAL.

Table of Contents


OTHER ITEM TO BE VOTED ON BY SHAREHOLDERS

Shareholder Proposal
(Item 3 on the Proxy Card)

RESOLVED: Shareholders of Cintas Corporation (the "Company") urge the Board of Directors to adopt principles for health care reform based upon principles reported by the Institute of Medicine:

Supporting Statement

The Institute of Medicine, established by Congress as part of the National Academy of Sciences, issued five principles for reforming health insurance coverage in a report,Insuring America's Health: Principles and Recommendations (2004). We believe principles for health care reform, such as those set forth by the Institute of Medicine, are essential if public confidence in our Company's commitment to health care coverage is to be maintained.

Access to affordable, comprehensive health care insurance is the most significant social policy issue in America according to polls by NBC News/The Wall Street Journal, the Kaiser Foundation, andThe New York Times/CBS News. In our opinion, health care reform also is a central issue in the presidential campaign of 2008.

Many national organizations have made health care reform a priority. In 2007, representing "a stark departure from past practice," the American Cancer Society redirected its entire $15 million advertising budget "to the consequences of inadequate health coverage" in the United States (The New York Times, 8/31/07).

John Castellani, president of the Business Roundtable (representing 160 of the country's largest companies), has stated that 52 percent of the Business Roundtable's members say health costs represent their biggest economic challenge. "The cost of health care has put a tremendous weight on the U.S. economy," according to Castellani, "The current situation is not sustainable in a global, competitive workplace." (Business Week, July 3, 2007.)

The National Coalition on Health Care (whose members include some of the largest publicly-held companies, institutional investors and labor unions) also has created principles for health insurance reform. According to the National Coalition on Health Care, implementing its principles would save employers presently providing health insurance coverage an estimated $595-$848 billion in the first 10 years of implementation.

We believe that the 47 million Americans without health insurance results in higher costs, causing an adverse effect on shareholder value for our Company, as well as all other U.S. companies which provide health insurance to their employees. Annual surcharges as high as $1,160 for the uninsured are added to the total cost of each employee's health insurance, according to Kenneth Thorpe, a leading health economist at Emory University. Moreover, we feel that increasing health care costs further reduces shareholder value when it leads companies to shift costs to employees, thereby reducing employee productivity, health and morale.


Table of Contents

The Board of Directors recommends a vote AGAINST this proposal for the following reasons:

Although the Board of Directors agrees that health care reform is an important issue that needs to be addressed, the Board does not believe that it is an appropriate subject for the boardroom or an annual meeting of shareholders. The health insurance questions raised in this proposal are not directly applicable to self-insured companies such as Cintas. On the broader topic of health care reform, the Board of Directors views health care reform as an important, but complex, public policy issue that will require action by the U.S. Congress and the President based on a thoughtful public dialogue and input and ideas from experts on health care issues, such as medical associations, health care providers and health care insurance companies. In light of the ongoing discussions in Washington, we believe that the coverage issues raised in this proposal may be addressed prior to the date of our annual meeting of shareholders.

Cintas is proud of its commitment to the health and well-being of our employee-partners and their families. Cintas offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to provide our employee-partners with the tools to manage their health care. In addition, Cintas frequently reviews its health care benefits to ensure that they remain competitive and enable Cintas to continue to attract highly-qualified employee-partners.

Standard health care benefits afforded Cintas employee-partners include: medical insurance plans and prescription drug coverage, both with several options to meet the varying needs of our partners, dental and vision insurance plans. Cintas also provides its employee-partners with additional health and wellness benefits including, for example, a tobacco cessation program, future moms maternity program and employee assistance program.

Cintas is serious about ensuring the health and well-being of its employee-partners and views a strong, effective, high-quality and well-managed health care system as vital to our country's and Cintas' well-being, prosperity and strength. The Board believes that national health care reform is the province of political leaders and health care organizations and not the boardroom or the annual meeting of shareholders.

Accordingly, the Board requests a vote AGAINST this proposal.

Upon oral or written request to Thomas E. Frooman, Secretary, 6800 Cintas Boulevard, Cincinnati, Ohio 45262, Cintas will provide the name, address, and number of voting securities held by the proponent of Item 3.


PROPOSALS FOR NEXT YEAR

Shareholders who desire to have proposals included in the Notice for the 20102013 Shareholders' Meeting must submit their proposals in writing to Cintas at its offices on or before May 7, 2010,9, 2013, and must comply with any and all requirements set forth in Cintas' Bylaws as such may be amended from time to time.time, in Rule 14a-8 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and in the NASDAQ rules.

The form of Proxy for Cintas' 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 Cintas' proxy statement and except for matters as to which adequate notice is received. In order for a notice to be deemed adequate for the 20102013 Shareholders' Meeting, it must be received prior to July 22, 2010.23, 2013.

Cintas' Bylaws require that items of new business and nominees for director be presented at least 90 days prior to the date of the meeting. If there is a change in the anticipated date of next year's Annual Meeting or these deadlines by more than 30 days, Cintas will notify all shareholders of this change through Form 8-K, 10-Q or 10-K filings.


Table
SHAREHOLDERS SHARING THE SAME ADDRESS

To the extent we deliver paper copies of Contentsour annual report to security holders, proxy statement, or Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials, as applicable, the SEC rules allow us to deliver a single copy of such proxy materials to any household at which two or more shareholders reside, if we believe the shareholders are members of the same family.

We will promptly deliver, upon oral or written request, a separate copy of our annual report to security holders, proxy statement, or Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials to any shareholder residing at the same address as another shareholder and currently receiving only one copy of such proxy materials who wishes to receive his or her own copy. Requests should be directed to our Corporate Secretary by phone at (513) 459-1200 or by mail to Cintas Corporation, 6800 Cintas Boulevard, P. O. Box 625737, Cincinnati, Ohio 45262-5737.


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:

or call (513) 459-1200.

For information about your record holding, call Wells Fargo at 1-800-468-9716. We also invite you to visit Cintas' Internet site at www.cintas.com. Internet site materials are for your general information and are not part of this proxy solicitation.


M17083-P84808 Meeting Information Meeting Type: Annual For holders as of: August 25, 2009 Date: October 20, 2009 Time: 10 a.m. EDT Location:M49312-P29343 You are receiving this communication because you hold shares in the above named company. This is not a ballot. You cannot use this notice to vote these shares. This communication presents only an overview of the more complete proxy materials that are available to you on the Internet. You may view the proxy materials online at www.proxyvote.com or easily request a paper copy (see reverse side). We encourage you to access and review all of the important information contained in the proxy materials before voting. CINTAS CORPORATION *** Exercise Your Right to Vote *** Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Shareholders' Meeting to Be Held on October 16, 2012. Meeting Information Meeting Type: Annual Meeting For holders as of: August 20, 2012 Date: October 16, 2012 Time: 10:00 AM EDT Location: Cintas Corporation 6800 Cintas Boulevard Cincinnati, OH 45262 See the reverse side of this notice to obtain proxy materials and voting instructions. CINTAS CORPORATION *** Exercise Your Right to Vote *** IMPORTANT NOTICE Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials Cintas Headquarters 6800 Cintas Boulevard Mason, Ohio 45040 CINTAS CORPORATION 6800 CINTAS BOULEVARD P.O. BOX 625737 CINCINNATI, OH 45262-5737 ATTN: JUDY GIRTY

 


M17084-P84808 Proxy Materials Available to VIEW or RECEIVE: NOTICE AND PROXY STATEMENT FORM 10-K Before You Vote How to Access the Proxy Materials Proxy Materials Available to VIEW or RECEIVE: How To Vote Please Choose One of the Following Voting Methods Vote In Person: Many shareholder meetings have attendance requirements including, but not limited to, the possession of an attendance ticket issued by the entity holding the meeting. Please check the meeting materials for any special requirements for meeting attendance. At the meeting, you will need to request a ballot to vote these shares. Vote By Internet: To vote now by Internet, go to www.proxyvote.com. Have the 12 Digit Control Numberinformation that is printed in the box marked by the arrow available and follow the instructions. Vote By Mail: You can vote by mail by requesting a paper copy of the materials, which will include a proxy card. Requests, instructions and other inquiries sent to this e-mail address will NOT be forwarded to your investment advisor. Please make the request as instructed above on or before October 6, 20092, 2012 to facilitate timely delivery. How to View Online: Have the 12-Digit Control Number availableinformation that is printed in the box marked by the arrow (located on the following page) and visit: www.proxyvote.com. How to Request and Receive a PAPER or E-MAIL Copy: If you want to receive a paper or e-mail copy of these documents for this meeting or future meetings, you must request one. There is NO charge for requesting a copy. Please choose one of the following methods to make your request: 1) BY INTERNET: www.proxyvote.com 2) BY TELEPHONE: 1-800-579-1639 3) BY E-MAIL*: sendmaterial@proxyvote.com * If requesting materials by e-mail, please send a blank e-mail with the 12-Digit Control Numberinformation that is printed in the box marked by the arrow (located on the following page) in the subject line. NOTICE AND PROXY STATEMENT ANNUAL REPORT PROXY CARD . XXXX XXXX XXXX . XXXX XXXX XXXX . XXXX XXXX XXXX M49313-P29343 Proxy Materials Available to VIEW or RECEIVE:

 


Voting Items 1. Election of Directors 1a. Gerald S. Adolph 1b. John F. Barrett 1c. Melanie W. Barstad 1d. Richard T. Farmer 1b. Paul R. Carter 1c. Gerald V. Dirvin 1g. James J. Johnson 1e. Scott D. Farmer 1f. Joyce HergenhanJames J. Johnson 1g. Robert J. Kohlhepp 1h. Joseph Scaminace 1i. David C. Phillips 3. Proposal to adopt principles for healthcare reform as reported by the Institute of Medicine. 1j. Ronald W. Tysoe 2. To ratify Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal 2010. 1. ElectionThe Board of Directors Nominees: 1h. Robert J. Kohlhepp M17085-P84808recommends you vote FOR the following: NOTE: Such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof. 2. Advisory resolution to approve named executive officer compensation. 3. Ratification of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal year 2013. The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR each of the following candidates:proposal: The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR proposal 2. The Board of Directors recommends you vote AGAINST proposal 3.the following proposal: M49314-P29343

 


M17086-P84808M49315-P29343

 

 

Signature [PLEASE SIGN WITHIN BOX] Date Signature (Joint Owners) Date THIS PROXY CARD IS VALID ONLY WHEN SIGNED AND DATED. KEEP THIS PORTION FOR YOUR RECORDS DETACH AND RETURN THIS PORTION ONLY TO VOTE, MARK BLOCKS BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS FOLLOWS: Signature (Joint Owners) Signature [PLEASE SIGN WITHIN BOX] Date Date CINTAS CORPORATION M17081-P84808M49450-P29343 ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! For Against Abstain ! ! ! For Against Abstain CINTAS CORPORATION 6800 CINTAS BOULEVARD P.O. BOX 625737 CINCINNATI, OH 45262-5737 ATTN: JUDY GIRTY For Against Abstain 1a. Gerald S. Adolph 1d. Richard T. Farmer 1b. Paul R. Carter 1c. Gerald V. Dirvin 1g. James J. Johnson 1e. Scott D. Farmer 1f. Joyce Hergenhan 1i. David C. Phillips 3. Proposal to adopt principles for healthcare reform as reported by the Institute of Medicine. 1j. Ronald W. Tysoe 2. To ratify Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal 2010. 1. Election of Directors VOTE BY INTERNET - www.proxyvote.com Use the Internet to transmit your voting instructions and for electronic delivery of information up until 11:59 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time the day before the cut-off date or meeting date. Have your proxy card in hand when you access the web sitewebsite and follow the instructions to obtain your records and to create an electronic voting instruction form. ELECTRONIC DELIVERY OF FUTURE PROXY MATERIALS If you would like to reduce the costs incurred by our company in mailing proxy materials, you can consent to receiving all future proxy statements, proxy cards and annual reports electronically via e-mail or the Internet. To sign up for electronic delivery, please follow the instructions above to vote using the Internet and, when prompted, indicate that you agree to receive or access proxy materials electronically in future years. VOTE BY PHONE - 1-800-690-6903 Use any touch-tone telephone to transmit your voting instructions up until 11:59 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time the day before the cut-off date or meeting date. Have your proxy card in hand when you call and then follow the instructions. VOTE BY MAIL Mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope we have provided or return it to Vote Processing, c/o Broadridge, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717. CINTAS CORPORATION NOTE: Such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof. The Board2. Advisory resolution to approve named executive officer compensation. 1. Election of Directors recommends you vote FOR each of the following candidates: Nominees: 1h.1a. Gerald S. Adolph 1b. John F. Barrett 1c. Melanie W. Barstad 1d. Richard T. Farmer 1e. Scott D. Farmer 1f. James J. Johnson 1g. Robert J. Kohlhepp 1h. Joseph Scaminace 1i. Ronald W. Tysoe Please sign exactly as your name(s) appear(s) hereon. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, or other fiduciary, please give full title as such. Joint owners should each sign personally. All holders must sign. If a corporation or partnership, please sign in full corporate or partnership name by authorized officer. If a director nominee becomes unavailable before the election, your proxy card authorizes us to vote3. Ratification of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for a replacement nominee if the Board names one.fiscal year 2013. The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR proposal 2.the following: ! ! ! The Board of Directors recommends you vote AGAINST proposal 3.FOR the following proposal: The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR the following proposal:

 


M49451-P29343 CINTAS CORPORATION PROXY SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS The undersigned hereby appoints Richard T. Farmer, RobertROBERT J. KohlheppKOHLHEPP, SCOTT D. FARMER and WilliamWILLIAM C. GaleGALE, and each or any of them, with full power of substitution, as proxies to vote at the Annual Meeting of StockholdersShareholders of Cintas Corporation (the "Company") to be held at Cintas'Cintas Headquarters, 6800 Cintas Boulevard, Cincinnati, Ohio, on Tuesday, October 20, 2009,16, 2012, at 10:00 a.m., EasternA.M. (Eastern Daylight Time,Time), and at any postponement or adjournment thereof, hereby revoking any proxies heretofore given, all shares of common stock of the Company, which the undersigned would be entitled to vote as directed on the reverse side, and, in their discretion, upon such other matters as may come before the meeting or any postponement orof adjournment thereof. This proxy, when properly executed, will be voted in the manner directed herein. If no such direction is made, this proxy will be voted in accordance with the Board of Directors' recommendations. Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting:Shareholders' Meeting to Be Held on October 16, 2012: The Notice and Proxy Statement and Form 10-KAnnual Report are available at www.proxyvote.com. Continued and to be signed on reverse side M17082-P84808