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


SCHEDULE 14A


Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (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 under §240.14a-12





CINTAS CORPORATION
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

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

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

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No fee required.

o
 
Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.
  (1)(1) 
Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
  (2)(2) 
Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
  (3)(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):
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Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.

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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:
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GRAPHIC




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 16, 2012,14, 2015, 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 nominees.

Shareholders entitled to vote at this Annual Meeting are those of record as of the close of business on August 20, 2012.17, 2015. 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.Annual Meeting. No cameras, recording equipment, electronic devices, cellular telephones, large bags, briefcases or packages will be permitted in the meeting.

Annual 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 thisthe proxy statement, the accompanying proxy card and our 20122015 Annual Report on Form 10-K.Report. The Notice contains instructions on how to access and review those documents over the Internet and vote online, as well as how shareholders can elect to receive paper copies of the proxy statement, proxy card and 20122015 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,

SIGNATURE

Robert J. Kohlhepp
Chairman of the Board

September 6, 2012

4, 2015

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NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS OF CINTAS CORPORATION

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

Date:

October 16, 201214, 2015

Place:

Cintas Corporate Headquarters
6800 Cintas Boulevard
Cincinnati,
Mason, Ohio 45040

Purpose:

 

1.

To elect as directors the nine 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 2013;2016; and

4.

To conduct other business if properly raised.


Only shareholders of record on August 20, 2012,17, 2015, are entitled to notice of and to vote at, or attend, the meeting or any adjournment thereof. The approximate mailing date of the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials is September 6, 2012.

4, 2015.

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
Senior Vice President, and Secretary –and General Counsel

September 6, 2012

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of4, 2015


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




Important Notice Regarding the Availability of
Proxy Materials for the Shareholder Meeting To Be Held on October 14, 2015

The Notice, 2015 Proxy Statement, 2015 Annual Report and
Form of Proxy are available at http://www.cintas.com



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Page

GENERAL INFORMATION1 
GENERAL INFORMATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .


3


CORPORATE GOVERNANCE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .


7


AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .


10


COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .


1213


EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .


1314


PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .


3435


SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF DIRECTORS, DIRECTOR NOMINEES AND NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .


3536


SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE . . . . . . . . . . . . .


3637


RELATED PERSON TRANSACTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .


3738


ADVISORY VOTE ONTO APPROVE NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMPENSATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .


3839


RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .


3839


QUESTIONS? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .


3940

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 "Company and Careers – Investors" page.select About Us - Investors - Financial Reports. Copies of Cintas' Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2012,2015, 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
Senior Vice President, and Secretary –and General Counsel
6800 Cintas Boulevard
P.O. Box 625737
Cincinnati, Ohio 45262-5737


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Cintas Corporation
6800 Cintas Boulevard
Cincinnati, Ohio 45262


PROXY
STATEMENT

STATEMENT

ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON OCTOBER 16, 201214, 2015

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 meetingAnnual Meeting of shareholders of Cintas to be held on October 16, 2012,14, 2015, 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 (the "Notice") 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.

4, 2015.

Who may vote

Shareholders of Cintas, recorded in our stock register on August 20, 2012,17, 2015, may vote at the meeting.Annual Meeting. As of that date, Cintas had 126,680,890112,442,204 shares of common stock outstanding.outstanding, including 1,880,630 outstanding shares of restricted stock. Each share is entitled to one vote on each matter submitted to the shareholders at the Annual Meeting.

How to vote

You may vote in person at the meetingAnnual 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.Annual 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.

Annual Meeting.

How proxies work

Cintas' Board is asking for your proxy. Giving us your proxy means you authorize us to vote your shares at the meetingAnnual 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 2013.

2016.

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.


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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 39.

40.

Quorum

In order to carry on the business of the meeting,Annual 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,Annual Meeting, either by proxy or in person.

Votes needed

The nine nominees receiving the most votes will be elected as members of the Board 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 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 the votes cast.

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 or 2, and abstentions will have no effect on Proposal 3.

Because Proposal 3 is a "routine" matter, there will be no broker nonvotes on this Proposal.

Attending in person

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


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ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
(Item 1 on the Proxy Card)

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board has nominated for election the following individuals, namely: Gerald S. Adolph, John F. Barrett, Melanie W. Barstad, Richard T. Farmer, Scott D. Farmer, James J. Johnson, Robert J. Kohlhepp, Joseph Scaminace and Ronald W. Tysoe. Proxies solicited by the Board will be voted for the election of these nominees if no direction is given. All directors elected at the Annual Meeting will be elected to hold office until the next annual meeting,Annual 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 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 of 1934. Cintas' director independence standards, incorporated in the Corporate Governance Guidelines, are available on our website at www.cintas.com, under Company and CareersAbout Us – 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, 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 votes cast with 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 day90-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 nominees:

Gerald S. Adolph(1)(2)
58
61

 
Gerald S. Adolph was elected a Director of Cintas in 2006. He is the Chairman of the Compensation Committee. Mr. Adolph has been a Senior Vice PresidentPrincipal with PWC Strategy& (formerly Booz & Company,Company), a consulting firm, since 1999.1981. 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 also served on the Booz Allen Hamilton board of directors from 1994 to 1997. The Board believes that Mr. Adolph's consulting experience, giving him insight into various corporate governance and business management issues, as well as his status as an independent director, make his service on the Board integral to Cintas.

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John F. Barrett(2)(4)
63
66
 John F. Barrett was appointedelected a Director of Cintas in 2011 and is recommended as a Director nominee by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.2012. 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
62

 
Melanie W. Barstad was elected a Director of Cintas in 2011. Ms. Barstad was with the Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies, a diversified global provider of consumer products, prescription medicines and medical devices, for 23 years, retiring in 2009 as President of Women's Health in the Medical 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 Johnson & Johnson Women's Leadership Initiative. She has earned the National Association of Corporate Directors Board Leadership Fellow credentials. The Board believes that Ms. Barstad's experience running complex, enterprise-wide global businesses as a line executive and as a management board member and her status as an independent director makes her service on the Board valuable to Cintas.

Richard T. Farmer
77
80

 
Richard T. Farmer is the founder of Cintas and has served as Chairman Emeritus of the Board since 2009. He served as Chairman of the Board of Cintas and its predecessor companies 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. Farmer(3)
53
56

 
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. 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.

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James J. Johnson(2)(4)
65
68
 James J. Johnson was elected a Director of Cintas in 2009. Mr. Johnson was with theThe Procter & Gamble Company, a manufacturer and marketer of consumer products, for 35 years, retiring in June 2008 as Chief Legal Officer. The Board believes that Mr. Johnson's experience with the myriad of legal issues surrounding a publicly-traded company and his status as an independent director renders his service on the Board invaluable to Cintas.

Robert J. Kohlhepp(3)
68
71

 
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, Chief Executive Officer and Vice Chairman of the Board. He was elected Chairman of the Board in 2009. He is also a Director of Parker Hannifin 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.

Joseph Scaminace(1)(2)(3)
59
62

 
Joseph Scaminace was elected a Director of Cintas in 2010. He is designated as Lead Director of the Cintas Board of Directors and is Chairman of the Executive Committee and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Mr. Scaminace has been Chairman, President and CEO of OM Group, Inc. ("OMG"), a specialty chemicalsdiversified industrial growth 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 is a member of the Board of Trustees of The Cleveland Clinic. Mr. Scaminace is also a Director of 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.

5



Ronald W. Tysoe(2)(4)
59
62

 
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 until 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., Pzena Investment Management,Taubman Centers, Inc. and Taubman Centers,J. C. Penney Company, 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 2009.2009, and Pzena Investment Management Inc. from 2008 until 2013. 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.

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

(1)
Member of the Compensation Committee of the Board.
(2)
Member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board.
(3)
Member of the Executive Committee of the Board.
(4)
Member of the Audit Committee of the Board.


(2)
Member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board.

(3)
Member of the Executive Committee of the Board.

(4)
Member of the Audit Committee of the Board.
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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 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 corporationCompany is placed in the hands of the directors who, in turn, elect officers to manage the business operations. The Board 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, deconsolidations and the declaration of dividends. The Board also reviews financial and internal controls and management succession plans.

During fiscal 2012,2015, the Board met on four occasions. In addition, the independent directors met in executive session on four occasions during fiscal 20122015 without the presence of management directors. The 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 20112014 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. Each of Cintas' directors attended all meetings of the Board and committees of which they were a member during fiscal 2012.

2015.

Shareholders may communicate with the full Board or individual directors on matters concerning Cintas by mail or through our website. 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.

The Board has adopted the Cintas Code of 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, under Company and Careers – Investors – Corporate Governance.About Us. 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 Directorsdirectors 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. PhillipsJoseph Scaminace (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 2012,2015, but took several actions in writing.

Each of the Nominating 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.


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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. PhillipsJoseph Scaminace 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 leadershipmanagement 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.has scheduled quarterly meetings, which may or may not take place depending on the current needs. 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 entirely on ERM and is attended by the Chairman of the Board.ERM. The risk profiles and current and future mitigating actions are discussed and refined during subsequent meetings with senior management the CEO and the Chairman.CEO. 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.


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

Committee members: David C. PhillipsJoseph Scaminace (Chairman), Gerald S. Adolph, John F. Barrett, Melanie W. Barstad, James J. Johnson Joseph Scaminace and Ronald W. Tysoe.

Meetings last year: Three

Two

Audit Committee

The Audit Committee is governed by a written charter adopted by the Board. A copy of the Audit Committee Charter is available on our website, www.cintas.com, under Company and CareersAbout Us – Investors – Corporate Governance. Ronald W. Tysoe and David C. Phillips havehas been designated as an Audit Committee financial expertsexpert by the Board and the Board has determined that such individuals satisfyMr. Tysoe satisfies the expertise and audit committee independence standards required by 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: Ronald W. Tysoe (Chairman), John F. Barrett and James J. Johnson and David C. Phillips.

Johnson.

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

meetings)

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AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT

The Audit Committee oversees Cintas' financial reporting process on behalf of the 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' 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:

(a)
reviewed and discussed Cintas' audited financial statements for fiscal 2015 with Cintas' management and the independent registered public accounting firm, including a discussion of the quality, not just the acceptability, of the accounting principles, the reasonableness of significant judgments and the clarity of disclosures in the financial statements;
(b)reviewed the quarterly earnings releases and reports on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q prior to release;
(c)reviewed management's representations that the interim and audited financial statements were prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and fairly present the results of operations and financial position of Cintas;
(d)reviewed and discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm the matters required by Statement on Auditing Standard No. 16; and SEC rules, including matters related to the conduct of the audit of Cintas' financial statements;
(e)
discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm the firm's independence from management and Cintas including the matters in the written disclosures and letter received from the independent registered public accounting firm as required by PCAOB Rule 3526, Communication with Audit Committees Concerning Independence;
(f)
based on the reviews and discussions with management and the independent registered public accounting firm, the independent registered public accounting firm's disclosures to the Audit Committee, the representations of management and the report of the independent registered public accounting firm, recommended to the Board, which adopted the recommendation, that Cintas' audited annual financial statements be included in Cintas' Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2015, for filing with the SEC;
(g)
reviewed all audit and nonaudit services performed for Cintas by the independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2015, and determined that its provision of nonaudit services was compatible with maintaining its independence from Cintas;
(h)consulted with counsel regarding SOX, NASDAQ's corporate governance listing standards and the corporate governance environment in general and considered any additional requirements placed on the Audit Committee as well as additional procedures or matters the Audit Committee should consider;
(i)reviewed and monitored the progress and results of the testing of internal control over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404 of SOX, reviewed a report from management and internal audit regarding the design, operation and effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting and reviewed an attestation report from the independent registered public accounting firm regarding the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting; and
(j)examined the Audit Committee Charter to determine compliance by Cintas and the Audit Committee with its provisions and to determine whether any revisions to the Charter were advisable. An updated Cintas Audit Committee Charter was approved at the January 12, 2015 Audit Committee Meeting.  Only minor wording changes to the Charter were made.


(b)
reviewed the quarterly earnings releases and Form 10-K and Form 10-Q filings prior to release;

(c)
reviewed management's representations that the interim and audited financial statements were prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and fairly present the results of operations and financial position of Cintas;

(d)
reviewed and discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm the matters required by Statement on Auditing Standards 61, as amended (AICPA, Professional Standards, Vol. 1 AU Section 380), as adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board ("PCAOB") in Rule 3200T; and SEC rules, including matters related to the conduct of the audit of Cintas' financial statements;

(e)
discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm the firm's independence from management and Cintas including the matters in the written disclosures and letter received from the independent registered public accounting firm as required by PCAOB Rule 3526,Communication with Audit Committees Concerning Independence;

(f)
based on the reviews and discussions with management and the independent registered public accounting firm, the independent registered public accounting firm's disclosures to the Audit Committee, the representations of management and the report of the independent registered public accounting firm, recommended to the Board, which adopted the recommendation, that Cintas' audited annual financial statements be included in Cintas' Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2012, for filing with the SEC;

(g)
reviewed all audit and nonaudit services performed for Cintas by the independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2012, and determined that its provision of nonaudit services was compatible with maintaining its independence from Cintas;

(h)
consulted with counsel regarding SOX, NASDAQ's corporate governance listing standards and the corporate governance environment in general and considered any additional requirements placed on the Audit Committee as well as additional procedures or matters the Audit Committee should consider;

(i)
reviewed and monitored the progress and results of the testing of internal controls over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404 of SOX, reviewed a report from management and internal audit regarding the design, operation and effectiveness of internal controls over
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RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED BY THE MEMBERS OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE, Ronald W. Tysoe (Chairman), John F. Barrett and James J. Johnson and David C. Phillips

The Audit Committee appointed Ernst & Young LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm to audit the fiscal 20122015 financial statements.

Fees billed for services in fiscal 20122015 and fiscal 20112014 are as follows:

 
 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 

  Fiscal 2015 Fiscal 2014
Audit Fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,071,650
 $966,200
Audit Related Fees(1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
 $59,500
 $59,956
Tax Fees(2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
 $398,501
 $433,192
All Other Fees(3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
 $—
 $20,097
___________
(1)
Audit related fees include review of benefit plan audits.
(2)
Tax fees consist of assistance with international tax compliance, review of U.S. tax returns and consultation on business transactions.
(3)
All other fees consist of information technology related services.
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.


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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, under Company and CareersAbout Us – Investors – Corporate Governance. In discharging the responsibilities of the Board relating to compensation of Cintas' CEO and other senior executive officers, the purposes of the Compensation Committee are, among others, (i) to review and approve the compensation of Cintas' CEO 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. In fiscal 2012,2015, 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. During
The Compensation Committee periodically reviews the fiscal year ended May 31, 2012,compensation programs and policies that apply to all Cintas engaged outside compensation consultantsemployee-partners to assist with executive compensation performance metrics. This information was presenteddetermine whether such programs and policies are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on Cintas. As part of the Compensation Committee’s on-going process, the Compensation Committee, for their review.

with the assistance of Cintas’ human resources, finance and legal departments, conducted a formal assessment of these compensation programs and policies and determined that they do not create risks that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on Cintas. Among the areas the Compensation Committee considered in determining that Cintas’ compensation programs and policies do not pose a material risk to Cintas included Cintas': compensation philosophy; compensation plan design (balanced pay mix, weightings of measures, performance targets and annual and long-term incentives); and compensation plan governance and oversight (selection of performance targets, stock ownership requirements, claw-back policy, and hedging policy).

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. Cintas, with the Compensation Committee's oversight, uses short and long-term incentive and equity compensation 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".

Compensation."

Committee members: Gerald S. Adolph (Chairman), Melanie W. Barstad and Joseph Scaminace.

Meetings last year: Three

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, nor have they been an executive officer of another entity at which one of our executive officers serves on the Board. No 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.


12


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 that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in Cintas' Proxy Statement and Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2012.

2015.

Committee Members: Gerald S. Adolph (Chairman), Melanie W. Barstad and Joseph Scaminace.


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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

This section discusses and analyzes the compensation awarded to, earned by, or paid to theCintas' named executive officers, as set forth in the Fiscal 20122015 Summary Compensation Table ofand other executive compensation tables and narratives contained in this proxy statement (collectively, the named executive officers).statement. It also discusses the principles underlying our policies and decisions.

For fiscal 2015, the Company's named executive officers include the following five current executive officers:
NameTitle
Scott D. FarmerChief Executive Officer
J. Phillip HollomanPresident and Chief Operating Officer
J. Michael Hansen
Vice President - Finance and Chief Financial Officer
(former Vice President and Treasurer)
Thomas E. FroomanSenior Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel
Robert J. KohlheppChairman of the Board
In addition, the following former executive officer is also considered a named executive officer for fiscal 2015:
NameTitle
William C. GaleFormer Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Overview of Compensation Program

The Compensation Committee oversees the compensation programs of Cintas, with particular attention to the compensation for its CEO and the other executive officers. It is the responsibility of the Compensation Committee to review and approve or, as the case may be, recommend to the Board for approval, changes to Cintas' compensation policies and benefit plans, to administer Cintas' stock plans including recommending and approving stock-based awards to 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 all executive officers are 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 areis 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 Compensation Committee.

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 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 individual achievement. The ExecutiveManagement Incentive Plan for fiscal 20122015 applies to all of our executive officers.officers, except for Mr. Kohlhepp who does not participate in the Management Incentive Plan. The incentive compensation arrangement for our CEO, Mr. Scott D. Farmer, was based on Cintas' earnings per share ("EPS"), growth in sales and other performance goals selected 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 for 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 our Vice President - Finance and Chief Financial Officer, Mr. J. Michael

14


Hansen, our Senior Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel, Mr. Thomas E. Frooman, and our former 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 Hansen were based on Cintas' EPS and achievement of certain individual goals.

Compensation Decision-Making Process

The Compensation Committee determines the compensation for the executive officers based on recommendations made by management as discussed below. Annually, the Committee reviews a market analysis of executive compensation plans. The analysis looks at companies in Cintas'published general 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, Iron Mountain Incorporated, Convergys Corporation, Robert Half International Inc., Leggett & Platt, Incorporated, Chiquita Brands International, Inc., Kelly Services, Inc., Unisys Corporation and Ecolab Inc.).survey data by revenue size. The Committee benchmarksevaluates base salary, annual cash


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

our market analysis.

Based on the market analysis and individual performance, the Chairman of the Board makes a recommendation to the Committee on the CEO's base salary and annual cash incentive target for the upcoming fiscal year. The CEO 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 2011,2014, and at various meetings held during the remainder of fiscal 2012,2015, the Board reviewed the results of our 20112014 "say-on-pay" and "say-on-frequency"vote, where over 98% of the votes the results of which were we received over 92% approvalcast approved of our named executive officers' compensation and our shareholders recommended that we hold annual say-on-pay votes.compensation. Based on thesethe results of the 2011 "say-on-frequency" vote, 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 20112014 say-on-pay results, the Compensation Committee decided to generally continue to apply the same philosophy, compensation objectives and governing principles as it used for fiscal 20112014 when making subsequent decisions or adopting subsequent policies regarding named executive officer compensation. The Committee believes the voting results demonstrate significant support for our named executive officer pay program and did not make any changes to the fiscal 20122015 program specifically in response to the 20112014 say-on-pay results. The Compensation Committee has, however, continued to monitor the voting policies of our institutional shareholders and their advisors since last year as well as review the overall program to ensure it achieves the designed goal as set forth in "Compensation Philosophy and Objectives" and will continue to take those voting policies and the effectiveness of the program into account when considering changes to our executive compensation program.

Recent Executive Officer Transition
During fiscal 2015, Mr. Gale, former Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, announced his retirement from Cintas, effective as of January 31, 2015. Cintas appointed Mr. Hansen to Vice President - Finance and Chief Financial Officer effective as of Mr. Gale's retirement and adjusted Mr. Hansen's compensation accordingly. After Mr. Hansen's appointment to Chief Financial Officer, the position of Treasurer remained open for the remainder of fiscal 2015. As a result of this transition, the Company's compensation discussion and analysis section and the related compensation tables and narratives cover six named executive officers for fiscal 2015. Not all of the named executive officers participated in or received all of the compensation elements described in this section. When discussing each compensation element in this section, Cintas explains the degree to which each named executive officer participated in or was eligible for the described elements.


15

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Key Elements of Compensation

The table below summarizes the key fiscal 20122015 compensation program elements for our named executive officers:







Element

Form of Compensation

Purpose

Base SalariesCashProvides competitive, fixed compensation to attract and retain exceptional executive talent
Annual Cash IncentivesCashProvides a variable financial incentive to achieve corporate and individual operating goals
Long-Term Equity IncentivesNon-qualified stock options and(or restricted stock units) and/or restricted stockEncourages, under the terms of Cintas' equity plan, named executive officers to build and maintain a long-term equity ownership position in Cintas so that their interests are aligned with our shareholders
Health, Retirement and Other BenefitsEligibility to participate in benefit plans generally available to our employee-partners, including Partners' Plan contributions, health, life insurance and disability plans, deferred compensation plan, and certain perquisitesBenefit plans are part of a broad-based employee benefits program. The deferred compensation plan and perquisites provide competitive benefits to our named executive 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 Cintas' results and the attainment of individual goals. As a result, Cintas' performance has a significant effect on the amount of compensation realized by the executive officers.

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

in the following pages.


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Base Salaries

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

The factors that influence base salary decisions are level and scope of responsibility, salary offered by comparably sized companies, overall performance of the individual and overall performance of Cintas.


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The following are the fiscal 20122015 base salaries that were approved by the Compensation Committee for our named executive officers:

 
 
 
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   $562,277    3.0% 
Officer
Fiscal 2015
Base Salary
 ($)
% Increase Over the Prior Year
Scott D. Farmer840,4743.0%
J. Michael Hansen(1)
340,00017.9%
Thomas E. Frooman485,0004.1%
J. Phillip Holloman625,2103.0%
Robert J. Kohlhepp408,4340.0%
William C. Gale(2)
512,9403.0%

(1) Mr. Hansen was appointed to Vice President - Finance and Chief Financial Officer effective as of January 31, 2015 upon the retirement of Mr. Gale. Upon this appointment, Mr. Hansen's base salary was adjusted from $297,134, which was his salary for the first seven months of the fiscal year, to $340,000 for the last five months of the fiscal year.
(2) Mr. Gale's base salary represents the salary he would have received had he been acting CFO for the full fiscal year.

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 participating 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 20122015 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 20132016 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 2012,2015, 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 20122015 is comprised of the financial objectives of fiscal 20122015 Cintas EPS, fiscal 20122015 sales growth and certain non-financial goals. The EPS and sales growth goals were established with reference to the operating plans for Cintas for fiscal 2012.2015. The EPS goals for all participants were identical. The percentage of the target annual cash incentive related to the fiscal 20122015 Cintas EPS, the growth of fiscal 20122015 sales and the non-financial goals relating to safety, employee diversity, global expansion, safety, capital expendituresgrowth metrics and inventorysoftware implementation, were 37.5%, 37.5% and 25%, respectively. The ExecutiveManagement Incentive Plan provided that if Cintas met the targeted EPS, sales growth and the other non-financial goals, Mr. S. D. Farmer would receive a target annual cash incentive of $494,565.$546,315. Based upon the overall achievement of these objectives, Mr. S. D. Farmer could earn from 0% up to a maximum of 200% of the target annual cash incentive.

Under the ExecutiveManagement 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

17


exclude items that are not operational, such as accounting principle changes or revenue from an acquisition that was not in the business plan.

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 (for each participating named executive officer, annual cash incentive payouts are interpolated on a straight-line basis for achievement between the levels of achievement established for the financial components of the annual cash incentives):


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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% 
EPS Component Level of AchievementEPS Goals
Annual
Cash Incentive
Payout
Below Threshold  <$2.930%
Threshold$2.9325%
Target$3.15100%
Maximum$3.47200%


 
 
 

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% 
Sales Growth Component Level of Achievement
Sales Growth
Goals (% Growth
Over Fiscal 2014)
Annual
Cash Incentive
Payout
Below Threshold<4.5%0%
Threshold4.5%25%
Target6.0%100%
Maximum9.0%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 20122015 table outlines estimated possible payouts under this non-equity incentive plan award. Based on Cintas' EPS and sales growth for fiscal 2012,2015, Mr. S. D. Farmer received an annual cash incentive award of $523,930.$665,821. Fiscal 20122015 EPS used in the incentive plan calculations, which is an adjusted figure and not the Company's reported diluted EPS, was $2.27$3.47 per diluted shareshare. The adjusted figure excludes the impacts of the deconsolidated and divested Document Management businesses. Sales growth for fiscal 2012 sales growth2015, which is an adjusted figure that excludes the impacts of the Document Management businesses, was 7.7%6.75%. Mr. S. D. Farmer received $123,641$136,579 based on the performance of the non-financial goals outlined above. His individual performance level was "Meets Goals".Goals." Mr. S. D. Farmer's total fiscal 20122015 annual cash incentive award was $647,571.

$802,400.

For fiscal 2012,2015, the Committee approved a total compensation plan for Mr. Holloman. The aggregate amount of Mr. Holloman's annual cash incentive for fiscal 20122015 is comprised of the financial objectives of fiscal 20122015 Cintas EPS, fiscal 20122015 sales growth for operations within his responsibility, fiscal 2012 net2015 income growth for the operations within his responsibility and the accomplishment of certain non-financial goals. The sales growth and net income growth goals were established with reference to the operating plans for operations within Mr. Holloman's responsibility for fiscal 2012.2015. The percentage of the target annual cash incentive related to fiscal 20122015 Cintas EPS, the growth of fiscal 20122015 sales for operations within his responsibility, the growth of fiscal 2012 net2015 income growth for operations within Mr. Holloman's responsibility and the non-financial goals relating to safety, employee diversity, safety, capital expenditures, accounts receivables,cross selling and inventory management are 30%, 30%, 15% and 25%, respectively. The ExecutiveManagement Incentive Plan provided that if Cintas met the targeted EPS as well as sales growth and net income growth for operations within his responsibility and the other non-financial goals, Mr. Holloman would receive a target annual cash incentive of $328,600.$376,672. Based upon the overall achievement of these objectives, Mr. Holloman could earn from 0% up to a maximum of 200% of the target annual cash incentive.


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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% 
EPS Component Level of AchievementEPS Goals
Annual
Cash Incentive
Payout
Below Threshold  <$2.930%
Threshold$2.9350%
Target$3.15100%
Maximum$3.47200%


 
 
 

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% 
Sales Growth Component Level of Achievement
Sales Growth
Goals (% Growth Over Fiscal 2014)
Annual
Cash Incentive
Payout
Below Threshold<10.0%0%
Threshold10.0%50%
Target11.5%100%
Maximum14.5%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% 
Income Growth Component Level of Achievement
Income Growth Goals (% Growth
Over Fiscal 2014)
Annual
Cash Incentive
Payout
Below Threshold<11.3%0%
Threshold11.3%50%
Target11.8%100%
Maximum13.8%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 20122015 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 20122015 and net income growth for operations within his responsibility for fiscal 2012,2015, Mr. Holloman received an annual cash incentive award of $259,923$377,612 for these components. Mr. Holloman received $82,150$94,168 based on the performance of the non-financial goals outlined above. His individual performance level was "Meets Goals".Goals." Mr. Holloman's total fiscal 20122015 annual cash incentive award was $342,073.

$471,780.

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For fiscal 2012,2015, the Committee approved total compensation plans for Mr. Gale,Hansen, Mr. Frooman and Mr. Hansen.Gale. As Chairman of the Board, Mr. Kohlhepp does not participate in the annual cash incentive plan. The aggregate amount of annual cash incentive for fiscal 20122015 for Mr. Gale,Hansen, Mr. Frooman and Mr. HansenGale 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). Annual cash incentive compensation for Mr. Hansen and Mr. Gale was pro-rated during fiscal 2015 due to the retirement of Mr. Gale and the promotion of Mr. Hansen. Based upon overall performance, the eligible named executive officers could earn from 0% up to a maximum of 200% of the annual cash incentive target.

The following table sets forth the annual cash incentive targets and performance criteria that 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% 
Name
Annual
Cash Incentive
Target
EPS
Component
Individual
Performance
Component
J. Michael Hansen(1)
$116,60050%50%
Thomas E. Frooman$227,90050%50%
William C. Gale(2)
$208,00050%50%

(1) Mr. Hansen's target annual cash incentive was adjusted mid-year in conjunction with his appointment to Vice President - Finance and Chief Financial Officer. Upon this appointment, Mr. Hansen's target annual cash incentive was adjusted from $78,747, which was his cash incentive target for the first seven months of the fiscal year, to $116,600 for the last five months of the fiscal year.
(2) Mr. Gale's target annual cash incentive was for the full fiscal year. His actual incentive payment was pro- rated based on his retirement.
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% 
EPS Component Level of AchievementEPS Goals
Annual
Cash Incentive
Payout
Below Threshold  <$2.930%
Threshold$2.9350%
Target$3.15100%
Maximum$3.47200%







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 20122015 table outlines estimated possible payouts under these non-equity incentive plan awards. As presented to and approved by the Committee, the actual annual cash incentive payments earned for fiscal 20122015 as reflected in the Fiscal 20122015 Summary Compensation Table are as follows: Mr. GaleHansen earned a fiscal 20122015 annual cash incentive award of $353,470.$159,888, which was adjusted mid-way through the fiscal year due to his promotion to Vice President - Finance and Chief Financial Officer as a result of Mr. Gale's retirement. Mr. Hansen's individual performance level was "Exceeds Goals" and Cintas' EPS was "Maximum." Mr. Frooman earned a fiscal 2015 annual cash incentive award of $398,825. His individual performance level was "Exceeds Goals" and Cintas' EPS was "Maximum"."Maximum." Mr. FroomanGale earned a fiscal 20122015 annual cash incentive award of $332,659.$277,333, which was pro-rated for eight of the twelve months

20


based on his retirement date, effective as of January 31, 2015. His individual performance level was in between "Meets Goals" and "Exceeds Goals""Outstanding Achievement" 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 "Maximum".

"Maximum."

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Long-Term Equity Incentives

Long-term equity incentive compensation is comprised of opportunities to earn non-qualified stock options and restricted stock. With respect to the participating named executive officers, these awards are made pursuant to the criteria outlined in the ExecutiveManagement 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

The amount of equity awards eligible for Mr. S. D. Farmer is based on a target level of Cintas' EPS and a target level of Cintas' sales growth, andgrowth. After the non-qualified stock option award is calculated, the Committee determined the form of payout, which for fiscal 2015 was restricted stock units for 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, theFarmer.

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%responsibility. After the non-qualified stock option award is calculated, the Committee determined the form of his award value inpayout, which for fiscal 2015 was restricted stock because he is over the age of 55.

Under the Executive Incentive Plan, thefor Mr. Holloman.

The amount of equity awards eligible for Mr. Gale,Hansen and Mr. Frooman and Mr. Hansen is based on a target level of Cintas' EPS and individual achievement. Mr. Frooman and Mr. Hansen receive 75% of their award value paid in stock options and 25% of their award value paid in restricted stock whileas determined by the Committe. Mr. Kohlhepp does not participate in this program, and due to his retirement, Mr. Gale receives 100% of his award in restricted stock because he is over the age of 55.

did not receive any equity awards for fiscal 2015.

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   <$1.92   0% 
  Threshold   $1.92   50% 
  Target   $2.06   100% 
  Maximum   $2.26   200% 
EPS Component Level of AchievementEPS GoalsEquity Award %
Below Threshold  <$2.930%
Threshold$2.9350%
Target$3.15100%
Maximum$3.47200%

The sales growth component for Mr. S. D. Farmer iswas considered by the Committee on a basis identical to the table shown previously under the Annual Cash Incentives section. Both the sales growth and net income components for Mr. Holloman arewere considered by the Committee on a basis 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 2012:







Individual Performance Component Level of Achievement

Equity Award %

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

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


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influence the setting of targets are level of responsibility, market compensation analysesanalysis and overall performance of the individual. The 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.

below:

Individual Performance Component Level of AchievementEquity Award %
Does Not Meet Goals0%
Meets Most Goals50%
Meets Goals100%
Exceeds Goals150%
Outstanding Achievement200%




21


Non-Qualified Stock Options

On July 23, 2012,20, 2015, Mr. S. D. Farmer wasHansen and Mr. Frooman were awarded 136,09315,750 and 29,050 non-qualified stock options, respectively, under Section 6 of the 2005 Equity Compensation Plan based on Cintas' fiscal 2012 EPS and sales growth. On July 18, 2012, Mr. Frooman and Mr. Hansen were awarded 26,975 and 9,625 non-qualified stock options, respectively, based on Cintas' fiscal 20122015 EPS and their individual performance level, as outlined under the Annual Cash Incentives section. InMr. S. D. Farmer and Mr. Holloman's awards were also denominated in opportunities to earn both non-qualified stock options and restricted stock, but in accordance with the 2005 Equity Compensation Plan stock options are not granted to individuals age 55 or older, but instead, any stock option awardsand with consideration that would have been awarded are awarded as shares of restricted stock. As Mr. GaleS. D. Farmer and Mr. Holloman are over the age of 55, they did not receive anythe Committee determined to settle Mr. S. D. Farmer's non-qualified stock options, but received shares ofoption opportunity in time-based restricted stock instead.

units and Mr. Holloman's non-qualified stock option opportunity in time-based restricted stock.Mr. Kohlhepp and Mr. Gale were not eligible for any equity awards.

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

and Restricted Stock Units

On July 23, 2012,August 4, 2015, Mr. S. D. Farmer was awarded 49,03351,742 shares of restricted stock basedunder Section 8 of the 2005 Equity Compensation Plan and 51,133 restricted stock units under Section 10 of the 2005 Equity Compensation Plan. These shares and units were awarded as Mr. S. D. Farmer's long-term equity award. Also on Cintas' fiscal 2012 EPS and sales growth. On July 18, 2012,August 4, 2015, Mr. Holloman was awarded 27,59734,976 shares of restricted stock based on Cintas' fiscal 2012 EPS, fiscal 2012 sales for operations withinunder Section 8 of the 2005 Equity Compensation Plan as his responsibility and fiscal 2012 net income for operations with his responsibilitylong-term equity award. On July 20, 2015, Mr. Hansen and Mr. Gale, Mr. Frooman and Mr. Hansen were awarded 29,692, 8,9375,308 and 3,15012,250 shares of restricted stock, respectively, under Section 8 of the 2005 Equity Compensation Plan based on Cintas' fiscal 20122015 EPS and their individual performance level, as outlined under the Annual Cash Incentives section.

Mr. Kohlhepp and Mr. Gale were not eligible for any equity awards. In addition, on August 4, 2015, Mr. S. D. Farmer was awarded 13,918 restricted stock units that will settle in cash on July 28, 2017, which grant was made in connection with the correction of the amount of Mr. S. D. Farmer's 2014 time-based restricted stock grant.

Restricted stock vestsand restricted stock units generally vest three years from the date of 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 executive officers with reasonable and competitive levels of protection from events which could interrupt the executive officer's employment and/or income received as an active employee.

The retirement plans offered to executive officers include Cintas' Partners' Plan and the Deferred Compensation Plan. The Partners' Plan is a noncontributory employee stock ownership 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 20122015 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 20122015 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.


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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:


22






Officer

Minimum Ownership
Requirement
(Multiple of Base Salary)

Chief Executive Officer6x
Chief Financial Officer3x
President and Chief Operating Officer3x
Senior Vice President, Secretary, and Secretary, General Counsel3x
Chairman of the BoardVice President and Treasurer2x6x

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.

Currently, all continuing named executive officers are in compliance with their ownership requirements.

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; (iv) granted to the named executive officer but not yet vested (i.e. restricted stock); and (iv)(v) 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.

Anti-Hedging Policy
Pursuant to our Insider Trading Policy, we have prohibited our officers from purchasing any financial instrument or engaging in any other transaction, such as a zero-cost collar or a forward sale contract, that is designed to hedge or offset any decrease in the market value of Cintas securities. Our Insider Trading Policy also prohibits our officers from participating in short sales of Cintas securities and from participating in a transaction involving options, such as puts, calls or other derivative securities, involving Cintas securities, unless approved in advance by our Chief Executive Officer in connection with a planned retirement from Cintas. Currently, all named executive officers are in compliance with this anti-hedging policy.
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 certain named executive officers. There is an exception to the $1 million limitation for performance-based compensation meeting certain requirements. The Compensation Committee believes that allthis tax deduction is only one of several relevant considerations in setting compensation.  As a result, the Compensation Committee may approve compensation paidthat in certain cases is not deductible for federal income tax purposes. Moreover, even if the Compensation Committee intends to the named executive officersgrant compensation that qualifies as performance-based compensation for fiscal year 2012 is properly deductible underpurposes of Section 162(m).


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the Code, Cintas cannot guarantee that such compensation will so qualify or ultimately will be deductible.

Recovery of Prior Awards

The Committee has adopted a claw-back policy, which provides that in the event of an accounting restatement due to material noncompliance with financial reporting requirement under the U.S. federal securities laws, the Committee has the right to use reasonable efforts to recover from any of our current or former officers who received incentive based compensation (including annual cash incentives, non-qualified stock options

23


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 the misstatement. This policy applies to incentive based compensation granted after June 1, 2011. This claw-back policy is intended to be interpreted (or in future years revised) in a manner consistent with any applicable rules or regulations adopted by the SEC or the NASDAQ Stock Market as contemplated by Section 10D of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and any other applicable law and shall otherwise be interpreted in the best business judgment of the Committee.


24


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FISCAL FISCAL 20122015 SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

The following table provides information regarding the compensation earned by our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial OfficerOfficers, and our three other most highly compensated executive officers during fiscal 2012, 20112015, 2014 and 2010.2013. These individuals are collectively referred to as our named executive officers.

 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 

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  
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. Farmer2015840,474
—4,116,782
—
802,400
332,640
6,092,296
Chief Executive Officer2014815,994
—3,082,864
—
657,360
144,666
4,700,884
and Director2013792,227
—1,280,475
887,586
346,234
156,907
3,463,429
J. Michael Hansen2015340,000
—198,298
160,649
159,888
49,278
908,113
Vice President - Finance2014288,480
—88,128
70,290
152,894
30,087
629,879
and Chief Financial Officer2013280,078
—73,332
51,713
88,628
26,877
520,628
Thomas E. Frooman2015485,000
—457,660
289,866
398,825
70,638
1,701,989
Senior Vice President,2014466,000
—342,720
212,148
383,985
40,572
1,445,425
Secretary and General Counsel2013445,287
—217,030
156,080
251,956
38,807
1,109,160
J. Phillip Holloman2015625,210
—1,710,798
—
471,780
155,273
2,963,061
President and Chief2014607,000
—1,281,136
—
420,921
80,080
2,389,137
Operating Officer2013590,000
—1,095,351
—
270,557
83,460
2,039,368
Robert J. Kohlhepp2015408,434
——
—
—
46,420
454,854
Chairman of the Board2014408,434
——
—
—
45,235
453,669
and Director2013408,434
——
—
—
49,144
457,578
William C. Gale2015512,940
——
—
277,333
145,223
935,496
Former Senior Vice2014498,000
—830,704
—
374,710
76,074
1,779,488
President and Chief Financial Officer2013482,986
—669,518
—
224,838
57,469
1,434,811
___________
(1)No discretionary cash bonuses were paid to any named executive officer during fiscal 2015, 2014 or 2013. A discretionary cash bonus is a cash payment made outside of the Management Incentive Plan and determined at the discretion of the Compensation Committee.
(2)The amounts reported for restricted stock, restricted stock units and stock options are the aggregate grant date fair values of awards granted during the fiscal year calculated in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718 (ASC 718). For more information on the assumptions used for these awards, see Note 12 of the Consolidated Financial Statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2015.
(3)Reflects the annual cash incentive awards to the named executive officers under the Management Incentive Plan discussed in further detail beginning on page 17.
(4)
All other compensation for fiscal 2015 includes reimbursements for auto allowances, executive medical programs and Cintas Partners' Plan contributions. It also includes restricted stock dividends in the amounts of $286,358 for Mr. S. D. Farmer, $24,480 for Mr. Hansen, $47,185 for Mr. Frooman, $128,687 for Mr. Holloman and $131,623 for Mr. Gale. All other compensation for fiscal 2015 also includes financial planning fees for Mr. S. D. Farmer and Mr. Kohlhepp.


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GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS FOR FISCAL 2012

2015

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

2015:

 
  
 
  
  
  
 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  
 
Estimated Possible Payouts Under Non-Equity Incentive
Plan Awards
Estimated Possible Payouts Under Equity Incentive
 Plan Awards
 
Name
Grant
Date
Threshold
($)
Target
($)
Maximum
($)
Threshold
(#)
Target
(#)
Maximum
(#)
Exercise
or Base
Price of
Option
Awards(8)
($/sh)
Grant Date
Fair Value of Stock and Option
Awards(9)
($)
Scott D. Farmer(1)
8/15/20140546,315
1,092,630
     
 
8/15/2014(5)
   031,467
62,934
 2,057,312
 
8/15/2014(7)
  
 
031,500
63,000
 2,059,470
J. Michael Hansen(2)
8/15/2014091,365
182,730
  
 
  
 
8/15/2014(6)
   09,200
18,400
65.38160,649
 
8/15/2014(7)
   03,033
6,066
 198,298
Thomas E. Frooman(2)
8/15/20140227,900
455,800
  
 
  
 
8/15/2014(6)
  
 
016,600
33,200
65.38289,866
 
8/15/2014(7)
  
 
07,000
14,000
 457,660
J. Phillip Holloman(3)
8/15/20140376,672
753,344
  
 
  
 
8/15/2014(5)
   013,067
26,134
 854,320
 
8/15/2014(7)
  
 
013,100
26,200
 856,478
Robert J. Kohlhepp(4)
—————————
William C. Gale(2)(4)
8/15/20140208,000
416,000
  
 
  
 
8/15/2014(7)
  
 
——— —
___________
(1)Mr. S. D. Farmer is eligible for an annual cash incentive and a long-term equity incentive award based on the achievement of targeted Cintas EPS and sales growth and other performance goals outlined by the Compensation Committee. If Cintas meets the targeted EPS and targeted sales growth and Mr. S. D. Farmer achieves his non-financial goals, Mr. S. D. Farmer will receive the targeted amount. This amount for EPS can decrease to 0% or increase up to 200%. For other performance goals this amount can decrease to 0% but not exceed the targeted amount, depending on the extent to which these goals are achieved. Restricted stock and restricted stock units are granted pursuant to the terms and conditions of the 2005 Equity Compensation Plan.
(2)Mr. Hansen, Mr. Frooman and Mr. Gale are eligible for an annual cash incentive and a long-term equity incentive award based on the achievement of targeted Cintas EPS and individual goals linked to the named executive officer's individual area of responsibility. If Cintas meets the targeted EPS and the named executive officer achieves his individual goals, he will receive the targeted amount. This amount can decrease to 0% or increase up to 200% of the target depending on the extent to which EPS and individual goals are achieved. If the goals up to a certain level are not met, no incentive will be paid. Restricted stock and non-qualified stock options are granted pursuant to the terms and conditions of the 2005 Equity Compensation Plan.
(3)Mr. Holloman is eligible for an annual cash incentive and a long-term equity incentive award based on the achievement of targeted Cintas EPS and sales and net income growth for operations within his responsibility and the accomplishment of certain non-financial goals outlined by the Compensation Committee. If Cintas meets the targeted EPS and targeted sales and net income growth for operations within his responsibility and Mr. Holloman achieves his individual goals, Mr. Holloman will receive the targeted amount. This amount for EPS can decrease to 0% or increase up to 200%. For other performance goals this amount can decrease to 0% but not exceed the targeted amount, depending on the extent to which these goals are achieved. Restricted stock is granted pursuant to the terms and conditions of the 2005 Equity Compensation Plan.
(4)
Mr. Kohlhepp was not eligible for the long-term equity incentive plan for fiscal 2015 due to his position with Cintas. Mr. Gale was not eligible for the long-term equity incentive plan for fiscal 2015 due to his retirement.

26


(5)
Stock option portion of the fiscal 2015 equity opportunity. This portion was originally denominated in options, and in accordance with the 2005 Equity Compensation Plan and with consideration that Mr. S. D. Farmer and Mr. Holloman are over the age of 55, the Committee determined to settle Mr. S. D. Farmer's portion in restricted stock units and Mr. Holloman's portion in restricted shares. Restricted shares and restricted stock units vest after three years and are settled in shares.
(6)
Stock option portion of the fiscal 2015 equity opportunity. 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.
(7)
Restricted stock portion of the fiscal 2015 equity opportunity, actual grants under which will vest three years from the date of actual grant. This portion was denominated in and settled in restricted shares.
(8)
The exercise price of the option is equal to the closing stock price on the date of actual grant.
(9)Amounts shown in this column represent the grant date fair value of stock and option awards calculated in accordance with ASC 718. The fair value of stock awards was determined by using the stock price on the date of the grant. The fair value of option awards was determined using the Black-Scholes model.

27

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OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL 20122015 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, 2012:

2015:

 
 
  
 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  
 
Option Awards(2)
Stock Awards(3)
Name(1)
Grant
Date
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. Farmer7/24/2006—
3,000
35.997/24/2016  
 7/23/20073,000
3,000
38.747/23/2017  
 7/21/20083,400
—
27.887/21/2018  
 7/27/20093,350
—
24.417/27/2019  
 7/26/201013,588
7,001
26.237/26/2020  
 7/21/201131,174
63,293
34.187/21/2021  
 7/23/2012—
136,093
37.577/23/2022  
 7/29/2013—
73,422
46.917/29/2023  
   
 
  257,403
22,159,824
J. Michael Hansen7/17/2006—
308
36.087/17/2016 
 
 7/03/2007—
616
39.847/03/2017 
 
 7/17/20082,420
—
27.307/17/2018 
 
 7/17/20091,540
—
22.617/17/2019 
 
 7/22/20101,761
908
25.887/22/2020 
 
 7/30/20103,300
1,700
26.467/30/2020 
 
 7/21/20112,722
5,528
34.187/21/2021 
 
 7/18/2012—
9,625
37.917/18/2022 
 
 7/17/2013—
6,569
47.227/17/2023 
 
 7/17/2014—
11,000
63.457/17/2024 
 
 1/30/2015—
16,000
78.701/30/2025  
 7/20/2015—
15,750
86.107/20/2025 
 
   
 
  19,708
1,696,662
Thomas E. Frooman7/17/2006—
1,500
36.087/17/2016 
 
 7/03/2007—
2,630
39.847/03/2017 
 
 7/17/20088,000
—
27.307/17/2018 
 
 7/17/20095,650
—
22.617/17/2019 
 
 7/22/20107,590
3,910
25.887/22/2020 
 
 7/21/20116,633
13,467
34.187/21/2021 
 
 7/18/2012—
26,975
37.917/18/2022 
 
 7/17/2013—
19,828
47.227/17/2023 
 
 7/17/2014—
29,050
63.457/17/2024 
 
 7/20/2015—
29,050
86.107/20/2025 
 
   
 
  40,006
3,444,117
J. Phillip Holloman7/17/20065,650
—
36.087/17/2016 
 
 7/03/20075,625
1,875
39.847/03/2017 
 
 1/31/200815,000
10,000
32.821/31/2018 
 
 7/22/20109,059
4,667
25.887/22/2020 
 
   
 
  110,674
9,527,925
Robert J. Kohlhepp—
—
—
—
—
—
—
William C. Gale—
—
—
—
—
 
 
   
 
  77,425
6,665,518
________
(1)Mr. Kohlhepp and Mr. Gale had no unexercised stock options as of May 31, 2015. Additionally, Mr. Kohlhepp had no unvested stock awards as of May 31, 2015.

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(2)
Stock options granted after June 1, 2008, have a 10-year term and 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. Stock options granted prior to June 1, 2008, have a 10-year term and vest at a rate of 20% per year, beginning on the fifth anniversary of the date of grant with the following exceptions:
Age 51 at fiscal year-end – 25% per year vesting, beginning fifth anniversary of grant
Age 52 at fiscal year-end – 33% per year vesting, beginning fifth anniversary of grant
Age 53 at fiscal year-end – 50% per year vesting, beginning fifth anniversary of grant
Age 54 at fiscal year-end – 100% per year vesting, beginning fifth anniversary of grant
Age 55 or older at fiscal year-end – stock options are never granted. Those amounts are converted to restricted stock awards.

(2)
Restricted stock awards generally vest three years from the date of grant. The following table indicates the dates when the shares of restricted stock held by each named executive officer vest and are no longer subject to forfeiture:
(3)Restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards generally vest three years from the date of grant. The following table indicates the dates when the shares of restricted stock or restricted stock units held by each named executive officer, excluding Mr. Kohlhepp who has no restricted stock, vest and are no longer subject to forfeiture:

 
  
 
 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    —    —    —    —  
Vesting Date
Scott D.
 Farmer
J. Michael HansenThomas E. FroomanJ. Phillip Holloman
William C.
 Gale
7/18/2015—3,1508,93727,59729,692
7/23/201549,033————
7/17/2016—2,1506,56916,66518,041
7/29/201626,830————
7/17/2017—3,60012,25031,43629,692
7/28/201778,665————
1/30/2018—5,500———
7/20/2018—5,30812,250——
8/4/2018102,875——34,976—


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OPTION EXERCISES AND STOCK VESTED FOR FISCAL 2012

2015

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 20122015 and the value of any restricted stock awards that vested in fiscal 2012:

2015:

 
 
  
  
 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  
 Option AwardsStock Awards
Name
Number of
Shares
Acquired on
Exercise
(#)
Value
Realized on
Exercise(1)
($)
Number of
Shares
Acquired on
Vesting
(#)
Value
Realized on
Vesting(2)
($)
Scott D. Farmer21,000
594,750
35,596
2,269,957
J. Michael Hansen2,656
85,550
2,700
172,179
Thomas E. Frooman17,445
480,714
6,750
430,448
J. Phillip Holloman26,000
1,064,190
27,702
1,766,557
Robert J. Kohlhepp—
—
—
—
William C. Gale15,000
455,025
20,650
1,316,851
___________
(1)Calculated by multiplying the difference between the closing price of Cintas common stock on the date of the exercise and the exercise price times the number of shares.
(2)Calculated by multiplying the closing price on the date of vesting times the number of shares.

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NONQUALIFIED DEFERRED COMPENSATION FOR FISCAL 2012

2015

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 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 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 Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code.

While deferred, amounts are credited with "earnings" as they were invested as the named executive officers 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 20122015 and the aggregate balance of the accounts as of May 31, 2012:

2015:

 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 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  
Name
Executive
Contributions
in Fiscal 2015(1)
($)
Aggregate
Earnings in
Fiscal 2015(2)
($)
Aggregate
Balance at
May 31, 2015(3)
($)
Scott D. Farmer880,81394,2462,488,520
J. Michael Hansen50,93625,513413,442
Thomas E. Frooman86,8626,618113,767
J. Phillip Holloman229,12466,515822,188
Robert J. Kohlhepp—48,5941,529,126
William C. Gale———
___________
(1)
Executive contributions are included in the named executive officer's salary and/or non-equity incentive plan compensation, as applicable and as presented in the Fiscal 2015 Summary Compensation Table.
(2)
Reflects the amount of gains during fiscal 2015 based on the performance of the investment options chosen by the named executive officer. None of these amounts are included in the Fiscal 2015 Summary Compensation Table.
(3)Include executive contributions previously reported in the Deferred Compensation Plan tables for prior years as follows: $1,219,236 for Mr. S. D. Farmer, $144,707 for Mr. Hansen, $91,948 for Mr. Frooman, $374,732 for Mr. Holloman and $1,136,635 for Mr. Kohlhepp.

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POTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION, RETIREMENT OR CHANGE OF CONTROL

Payments Made Upon Termination

Regardless of the manner in which an 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:

the right to exercise within 60 days of termination all vested stock options granted under Cintas' equity compensation plans as reflected in the Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal 20122015 Year-End table;

•
amounts contributed, earned and vested under the Cintas Partners' Plan; and

•
amounts contributed and earned under the Deferred Compensation Plan as reflected in the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation for Fiscal 20122015 table.

In addition, if Cintas elects to terminate an executive officer, he will receive four weeks' 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

If an executive officer retires as defined in the plans, he is entitled to receive amounts earned during his term of employment. Such amounts include:

outstanding equity awards granted at least six months prior to retirement will continue to vest in accordance with the 2005 Equity Compensation Plan;

•
amounts contributed, earned and vested under the Cintas Partners' Plan; and


•
amounts contributed and earned under the Deferred Compensation Plan as reflected in the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation for Fiscal 20122015 table.

Cintas has no policy regarding retirement arrangements.

Payments Made Upon Death or Disability

In the event of the death or disability of an 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.


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NONEMPLOYEE DIRECTOR COMPENSATION FOR FISCAL 2012

For fiscal 2012,2015

Effective October 2014, the Compensation Committee approved increases to the nonemployee director compensation. Directors who are not employees of Cintas received a $44,000$55,000 cash annual retainer, payable quarterly, plus an additional $3,025$3,750 for each meeting attended. Directors received $1,513$1,875 for each telephonic meeting attended. Committee members also received $1,320$1,650 for each committee meeting attended and $825 for each telephonic committee meeting attended. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Chairmen, Audit Committee Chairman and Compensation Committee Chairman received an additional fee of $15,000, $12,000 and $9,000, respectively. Prior to October 2014, the following nonemployee director compensation amounts were effective: Director's received a $46,000 cash annual retainer, payable quarterly, plus an additional $3,150 for each meeting attended. Directors received $1,575 for each telephonic meeting attended. Committee members also received $1,400 for each Committee meeting attended and $660$700 for each telephonic Committeecommittee meeting attended. Committee Chairmen (other than the Audit Committee Chairman) received an additional fee of $5,500.$6,500. The Audit Committee Chairman received an additional fee of $8,800.$9,000. Directors are also reimbursed for reasonable out-of-pocket travel expenses incurred in connection with attendance at Board or Committeecommittee meetings. Directors who are employees of Cintas are not separately compensated for serving as Directors.

directors.

For fiscal 2012,2015, directors also received upon annual election or appointment to the Board restricted stock valued at approximately $41,000$50,000 based on the closing market price of Cintas common stock on the date precedingof the grant and options to purchase Cintas common stock valued at approximately $41,000$50,000 based on the fair value of these options estimated at the date precedingof the grant using a Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The value of the grants is prorated for Directorsdirectors appointed to the Board in the middle of the year. With the exception of Mr. Barrett, eachEach nonemployee Directordirector was therefore granted 1,421703 shares of restricted stock and an option to purchase 3,9432,554 shares of Cintas common stock at an exercise price equal to the closing market price on the date of grant of October 18, 2011. Mr. Barrett was appointed to the Board on December 2, 2011, and was granted 1,190 of21, 2014. Beginning in fiscal 2015, both restricted stock awards and an option to purchase 3,332 shares of Cintas stock at an exercise price equal to the closing market price onoptions vest 100% after one year from the date of the grant. ThePrior to fiscal 2015, restricted stock awards vest 100% after three years from the date of grant. Thegrant, and 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 common stock equivalents with dividends or into a deferred account that earns interest at a rate equal to one-year 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 in 12 to 120 monthly installments beginning in the month selected by the Director,director, but in no case later than the first month after the Directordirector leaves the Board.

The following table details fiscal 20122015 compensation paid to nonemployee directors:

 
 
 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  
Name
Fees Earned
or Paid in Cash(1)
($)
Stock
Awards(2)
($)
Option
Awards(2)
($)
Total
($)
Gerald S. Adolph83,27550,03350,007183,315
John F. Barrett79,60050,03350,007179,640
Melanie W. Barstad74,90050,03350,007174,940
James J. Johnson79,77550,03350,007179,815
Joseph Scaminace87,77550,03350,007187,815
Ronald W. Tysoe91,02550,03350,007191,065

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compliance with this anti-hedging policy.

Outstanding restricted stock awards and option awards for each director at May 31, 20122015 are as follows:

 
  
  
  
 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  
Name
Restricted Stock Outstanding
(#)
Options Outstanding
(#)
Gerald S. Adolph2,49530,784
John F. Barrett2,49512,820
Melanie W. Barstad2,49513,431
James J. Johnson2,49524,108
Joseph Scaminace2,49519,686
Ronald W. Tysoe2,49516,496

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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 20, 2012:

17, 2015:

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
%
Name of Beneficial OwnerAmount and Nature of Beneficial OwnershipPercent of
Class
Scott D. Farmer(1)
18,999,509(4)
16.9%
Vanguard Group, Inc.(2)
9,441,567(5)
8.4%
First Eagle Investment Management, LLC(3)
8,822,843(6)
7.8%
(5)
As reported on Schedule 13F-HR filed on August 13, 2015, Vanguard Group, Inc. has sole voting power over 161,454 shares of Cintas common stock and sole dispositive power over 9,280,113 shares of Cintas common stock.
(6)
As reported on Schedule 13F-HR/A filed on August 12, 2015, First Eagle Investment Management, LLC has sole voting power over 8,507,978 shares of Cintas common stock and sole dispositive power over 8,822,843 shares of Cintas common stock.


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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 20, 2012:

17, 2015:

 
  
 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
%
Common Stock
Beneficially Owned(1)
Name and Age of
Beneficial Owner
Position
Amount and Nature of
Beneficial Ownership
Percent of
Class
Scott D. Farmer
56
Chief Executive Officer and Director
       18,999,509(2)(3)

16.9%
Richard T. Farmer
80
Chairman Emeritus of the Board
  4,130,511(4)

3.7%
Robert J. Kohlhepp
71
Chairman of the Board227,809
*
Gerald S. Adolph
61
Director34,022
*
John F. Barrett
66
Director
15,126(5)

*
Melanie W. Barstad
62
Director10,566
*
James J. Johnson
68
Director25,020
*
Joseph Scaminace
62
Director44,282
*
Ronald W. Tysoe
62
Director16,481
*
J. Michael Hansen
47
Vice President - Finance and Chief Financial Officer51,621
*
Thomas E. Frooman
48
Senior Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel105,240
*
J. Phillip Holloman
60
President and Chief Operating Officer167,812
*
William C. Gale
63
Former Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer81,623
*
All Directors and Executive Officers as a Group (12 persons)
19,880,799(6)

17.7%

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- 8,627. The holders do not have voting or investment power over these phantom stock units.

The following is a description of our current 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 electedappointed Vice President and Treasurer in June 2010.

2010, a position that he held through January 31, 2015, when he was then appointed to Vice President - Finance and Chief Financial Officer after the retirement of Mr. Gale. He is responsible for finance and accounting.

Thomas E. Frooman joined Cintas in December 2001 as Vice President and Secretary – General Counsel. In February 2015 he was appointed Senior Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel. He is responsible for legal, human resources, corporate compliance and corporate communications.
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.


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 20122015 all filing requirements were met.



37

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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 2012,2015, Cintas was reimbursed $1,673,383$1,589,344 under this arrangement.

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 $3,784,342$5,603,356 for legal services during the fiscal year ended May 31, 2012.2015. Mr. Coletti does not receive any direct compensation from fees paid by Cintas to the firm.

Joseph Automotive Group engages Cintas for a variety of services. George R. Joseph, a principal and part owner, is an in-law of Richard T. and Scott D. Farmer. Joseph Automotive Group paid Cintas fees of $227,155$215,406 for services provided during the fiscal year endingended May 31, 2012.2015. In addition, Cintas engages Columbia Fleet Group, an affiliate of Joseph Automotive Group, for a variety of services such as automotive titles, taxes and registrations. Cintas paid the company fees of $1,288,306 for various services during the fiscal year ended May 31, 2015. Mr. Joseph does not receive any direct compensation from services provided by Cintas or fees paid by Cintas to the company.

companies.

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 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.


38

Table of Contents


ADVISORY VOTE ONTO APPROVE 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 20132016 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 2011,2014, our shareholders approved, on an advisory basis, the compensation of our named executive officers with a "FOR" vote of 92%.98% of the votes cast. 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 willexpects to 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 3 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 2013.2016. If shareholders do not ratify this selection, the Audit Committee intends to continue the employment of Ernst & Young LLP at least through fiscal 2013,2016, 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 2014.2017. 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.



39

Table of Contents



PROPOSALS FOR NEXT YEAR

Shareholders who desire to have proposals included in the Notice for the 20132016 Shareholders' Meeting must submit their proposals in writing to Cintas at its offices on or before May 9, 2013,7, 2016, and must comply with any and all requirements set forth in Cintas' Bylaws as such may be amended from time to 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 20132016 Shareholders' Meeting, it must be received prior to July 23, 2013.

21, 2016.

Cintas' Bylaws require that items of new business and nominees for director be presented at least 90120 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 a report on Form 8-K, 10-Q or 10-K filings.


10-K.

SHAREHOLDERS SHARING THE SAME ADDRESS

To the extent we deliver paper copies of our 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,Annual Meeting, write to:

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

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.



40




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 6800 CINTAS BOULEVARD P.O. BOX 625737 CINCINNATI, OH 45262-5737 ATTN: JUDY GIRTY



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 information 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 2, 2012 to facilitate timely delivery. How to View Online: Have the information 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 information 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:

41





Voting Items 1. Election of Directors 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 The Board of Directors recommends 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 the following proposal: The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR the following proposal: M49314-P29343

42


M49315-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: M49450-P29343 ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! For Against Abstain ! ! ! For Against Abstain CINTAS CORPORATION 6800 CINTAS BOULEVARD P.O. BOX 625737 CINCINNATI, OH 45262-5737 ATTN: JUDY GIRTY 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 Time the day before the cut-off date or meeting date. Have your proxy card in hand when you access the website 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 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. 2. Advisory resolution to approve named executive officer compensation. 1. Election of Directors 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. 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 the following: ! ! ! The Board of Directors recommends you vote 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 ROBERT J. KOHLHEPP, SCOTT D. FARMER and WILLIAM C. GALE, and each or any of them, with full power of substitution, as proxies to vote at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Cintas Corporation (the "Company") to be held at Cintas Headquarters, 6800 Cintas Boulevard, Cincinnati, Ohio, on Tuesday, October 16, 2012, at 10:00 A.M. (Eastern Daylight 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 of 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 Shareholders' Meeting to Be Held on October 16, 2012: The Notice and Proxy Statement and Annual Report are available at www.proxyvote.com. Continued and to be signed on reverse side