Cintas Corporation provides services and products for the corporate environment. These include uniforms, mats, cleaning and restroom supplies, first aid and safety products, and safety courses. Cintas serves more than one million businesses across North America, making it a major provider in the service industry. The company holds a significant 31% market share in the $20 billion U.S. uniform rental industry, further solidifying its leadership position.
Many companies offer similar products and services to Cintas, but few provide as wide a selection of products and services as Cintas does. Cintas started as a small business and has grown into an industry leader, now counted among the top competitors and main competitors in the service industry. Key competitors such as Aramark, Compass Group, and Sodexo play a significant role in shaping the market and driving innovation. Aramark is often cited as Cintas’s biggest rival in terms of revenue and scale, serving various sectors such as education, healthcare, and business. Additionally, Cintas’s main competitors in the uniform and business services industry are Aramark, UniFirst Corporation, and Alsco Uniforms.
While a single source of supply (such as Cintas offers) may seem like a good idea at first, it comes with its cons—as many contracted business service customers have realized when using the suppliers that dominate the market.
In this article, we’ve done the research for you and present five of the best alternatives to Cintas. We also provide information on how to reduce billing, switch suppliers, and renegotiate. And if you are a dissatisfied customer wanting to get out of your Cintas contract, read on.
Cintas vs. Competitors
Cintas has become one of the leading companies in its field because of the diverse range of various services and products it offers, as well as the geographic footprint it has. The company has also expanded its offerings through strategic acquisitions, including Omni Services and G&K Services, which have strengthened its market position. Cintas generates about $7 billion annually, while its largest competitor, Aramark, reported approximately $16 billion in annual revenue.
That being said, not everyone is a happy customer. Some of the main issues that people have with Cintas is its notorious billing discrepancies, not honoring its own contracts, and the failure of its drivers to deliver the proper products and services on time. These challenges are reflected in Cintas’s customer satisfaction rating, which averages just 2.97 out of 5 stars based on 173 reviews. Furthermore, Cintas has received 239 complaints over the last three years according to Better Business Bureau data. Only 60% of customers recommend Cintas’s services, highlighting the need for improvement in customer satisfaction.
Unfortunately, these types of issues are not only common with Cintas; they are common industry-wide amongst some of the biggest players. Cintas and its competitors are leading uniform rental companies, providing a diverse range of various services such as workwear, protective clothing, and industry-specific solutions. The competitors we have listed below offer similar products and services to Cintas and can be a great alternative to Cintas. But they will still need monitoring and managing to ensure that the contract pricing is adhered to and that products and services, as well as the various services offered by these companies, are delivered on time. Many customers have also expressed frustration with Cintas’s automated five-year contract renewals and difficult cancellation processes. Cintas’s contract structure includes ‘evergreen clauses’ that automatically renew agreements for several more years unless canceled in writing.
At the end of the day, if you want to ensure you are getting the best service at the best possible price, a properly negotiated uniform and linen service agreement is needed together with constant vigilance.
Service Range and Specialization
Cintas stands out in the facility services sector thanks to its comprehensive service range and industry specialization. The company’s core offering is uniform rental services, providing businesses with high-quality, customized uniforms designed to meet the specific needs of various industries, from healthcare and food processing to industrial sectors. Cintas’s uniform rental program ensures that employees always have access to clean, professional workwear, supporting both safety and brand image.
Beyond uniforms, Cintas offers a robust suite of facility services, including janitorial services, cleaning services, and a wide array of facilities supplies. These services help businesses maintain clean, safe, and efficient workplaces. Cintas also delivers specialized services such as first aid and safety products, supporting workplace health and compliance with industry regulations. By offering tailored solutions that address the unique requirements of each client, Cintas differentiates itself from competitors and provides added value to businesses seeking a single-source provider for their facility and uniform needs. Ecolab’s facility services offerings overlap with some of Cintas’s business services, despite being more known for water, hygiene, and infection prevention solutions.
Customer Satisfaction and Reliability
Customer satisfaction and reliability are at the heart of Cintas’s approach to service delivery. The company is known for its commitment to providing consistent, high-quality uniform rental and facility services, which has earned it strong customer loyalty in the uniform rental industry. Cintas emphasizes personalized service, working closely with clients to understand their unique needs and deliver solutions that exceed expectations.
Clients frequently highlight Cintas’s attention to detail, timely service, and proactive communication as key reasons for their satisfaction. The company’s focus on building long-term customer relationships is evident in its dedication to resolving issues quickly and maintaining high service standards. This reliability not only sets Cintas apart from other uniform rental companies but also reinforces its reputation as a trusted partner for businesses across various industries.
Geographic Coverage and Scalability
Cintas’s extensive geographic coverage and scalability are major strengths in the competitive landscape of facility services and uniform rental. With a vast network of distribution centers across North America and a growing presence in international markets, Cintas is well-equipped to serve businesses of all sizes, from small businesses to large enterprises with multiple locations.
The company’s international operations enable it to deliver tailored solutions to clients in diverse markets, adapting its service offerings to meet local requirements and industry standards. Cintas’s scalable business model allows it to respond quickly to changing client needs, ensuring efficient and reliable service delivery regardless of location. This broad reach and operational flexibility make Cintas a preferred choice for businesses seeking a facility service provider with the capacity to support growth and expansion.
Sustainability and Innovation
Cintas is committed to sustainability and innovation, integrating environmentally responsible practices into its uniform rental and facility services. The company invests in energy-efficient technologies, waste reduction initiatives, and the use of eco-friendly products to minimize its environmental footprint. These efforts not only support Cintas’s corporate responsibility goals but also align with the growing demand from clients for sustainable business solutions. Notably, Cintas has reduced emissions intensity by 40% since 2019 and returns more than 90% of withdrawn water to municipalities. Cintas excels in service delivery due to its robust supply chain and advanced technology integration. Alsco Uniforms, a competitor with a history dating back to the 1800s, also provides linen rentals, uniform cleaning, and washroom and first aid supplies across a global footprint, showcasing the competitive landscape in which Cintas operates.
Innovation is another cornerstone of Cintas’s strategy. The company continually explores new technologies and best practices to enhance service quality and operational efficiency. By investing in research and development, Cintas stays ahead of industry trends and delivers advanced solutions that meet the evolving needs of its clients. This focus on sustainability and innovation helps Cintas maintain its leadership position in the uniform rental industry and provides a competitive edge in attracting environmentally conscious businesses.
Cintas Direct Competitors
1. Aramark
Services: Food, facilities, uniform rentals
Areas of service: North America, South America, Europe, Asia
Providing similar services and products as Cintas, Aramark Uniform Services which is now Vestis™ is Cintas’ biggest competitor, offering uniform services to the education, healthcare, business, prison, and leisure sectors, including specialized solutions for educational institutions and healthcare facilities.
Aramark‘s revenue of over $14 billion confirms its formidable global presence. The company is recognized for its expertise in facilities management and facility management, delivering comprehensive, integrated services such as janitorial, HVAC, and energy solutions. Aramark also provides integrated service solutions, ensuring seamless support across multiple sectors. In the 1990s, the company acquired many other small to mid-sized establishments that helped it grow into the managed services conglomerate it is today, focusing on food and uniform managed services.
Many hospitals use Aramark to supply cafeteria foods, and the one area in which it dominates Cintas is that of being the choice provider of prison inmate uniforms.
2. UniFirst
Services: Workwear and uniforms laundry, mending, uniform rentals, facility, embroidery, facility products, facility supplies, first aid supplies, safety supplies
Areas of service: US, Canada
UniFirst manufactures, sells, and rents uniforms and protective clothing. It also supplies facilities and sells cleaning products, as well as offering facility products and facility supplies.
Initially founded in 1936 as a dry cleaning service, today it deals mostly in uniform rentals. The company designs and manufactures uniforms and sells or hires them out. In addition, it offers a complete service for the rented out uniforms, so they can be laundered, mended, or replaced by UniFirst. UniFirst also provides first aid supplies and safety supplies as part of its comprehensive product offerings.
3. Alsco Uniforms
Alsco Uniforms has a rich history, going all the way back to the 1800s. The company is headquartered in Salt Lake City, which has been a significant base for its business operations since its founding.
This company boasts more than 130 years of experience in linen rentals and has become an industry leader in uniform rental services. Choose from thousands of uniforms that are all designed and manufactured by trusted brands that use the latest technologies.
Alsco services the automotive, facility service, food processing, healthcare, restaurant, and industrial industries, offering a wide range of services including floor mats, aid supplies, and first aid solutions as part of their comprehensive facility supply offerings.
4. Prudential Overall Supply
Services: Work apparel, fire-resistant clothing, facilities supplies, cleaning services, flooring, fire protection, infection prevention solutions, energy solutions
Areas of service: US, Canada
The Prudential Overall Supply company began in 1932 by supplying uniforms to the growing automotive business in Los Angeles, and adding uniform rentals and laundering in 1943. Today, the company serves more than 110 Fortune 500 companies internationally. As part of their supply prudential strategy, they focus on quality, sustainability, and customer service to maintain a competitive position in the uniform rental and facility services market.
The industries it serves include automotive, food services, healthcare, HACCP, and critical environments.
5. Mission Linen Supply
Services: Work apparel, linen and towels, facilities, first aid, aid supplies, tailored solutions for specific industries
Areas of service: California
At Mission Linen Supply you can rent work apparel, linen, and towels. It also offers a variety of services such as facilities solutions, first aid programs, and aid supplies. Mission Linen Supply provides tailored solutions for specific industries, including dedicated services for healthcare facilities. You can also buy workwear, food disposable products, office supplies, and commercial cleaning supplies.
The company believes that all companies have a responsibility to positively impact the environment for the good of people and the planet, and it makes business decisions based on this belief. In its plants, it utilizes wastewater pretreatment systems, water reclamation, and advanced energy-efficient equipment.
Save, Switch, or Renegotiate
As you can see, Cintas is not the only option, there are many others out there; however, they will all require careful negotiation and management to ensure you get the best service at the best price.
At P3 Cost Analysts, we specialize in managing our clients’ uniform and linen expenses. Our experts, with decades of industry knowledge, are typically able to reduce our clients’ expenses by 30–40%. We can even help you get out of your Cintas agreement
Ever-increasing uniform and linen billing can be hard to manage if you don’t know how companies like Cintas work. We have staff members who have previously worked at Cintas and similar competitors. They know what to look for and are experienced cost reduction specialists who can help you save, switch, or renegotiate.
Get in touch with us to learn more.
