For companies that utilize a large volume of uniforms and/or linens, working with a uniform rental company that fits their needs is a must. Though many uniform companies offer similar services, one provider may be a better fit due to pricing, the industry you operate in, and/or the locations the vendor operates in—including coverage in the United States, Australia, and Canada.
In this article, we will take a look at the uniform rental industry as a whole, things you should consider when working with a uniform rental company, and provide a list of some of the top uniform rental companies you can work with.
Introduction to Uniform Rental
Uniform rental services play a vital role in helping businesses present a polished, professional image while streamlining the process of outfitting employees. By partnering with leading uniform rental companies, organizations can access a variety of uniform programs tailored to their specific needs, whether they require standard uniforms or custom apparel featuring their company logo. These services are designed to deliver reliable service and dedicated support, allowing businesses to focus on their core operations without the hassle of managing uniforms in-house. Uniform rental services provide professionally cleaned and delivered uniforms on a regular basis, ensuring employees always have access to fresh and presentable workwear. With a commitment to quality products and customer satisfaction, top uniform rental providers ensure that every aspect of the uniform program—from selection to delivery—meets the highest standards. This not only enhances the professional appearance of employees but also reinforces the company’s brand and commitment to excellence.
Uniform Rental Industry Overview
Uniform and linen rental companies come in various shapes and sizes. The major players in the industry that control much of the market are typically full-service companies. On top of renting uniforms and day-to-day linens, these companies may offer different types of PPE, cleaning products, first aid supplies, and more. They also typically provide services to many different industries, and many companies also provide corporate uniforms and services tailored for professional business environments.
Other rental companies in the industry may specialize in either uniform, linen, or cleaning supplies rentals. These companies may be regional or local providers that aim to serve certain business sectors or industries. By focusing on a specific industry and/or location, these smaller companies can compete with the larger providers within their respective markets. Local providers may offer more personalized service, while national companies may provide a broader selection, catering to diverse business needs.
Considerations When Working With Uniform Companies
As mentioned above, the major uniform companies have somewhat of a monopoly in the industry. Due to this, it’s common for them to use aggressive pricing tactics and impose confusing billing variables on customers. There’s also an issue of billing standardization within the industry which allows uniform and linen providers to write their contracts and invoices in ways that serve themselves instead of customers. Transparent billing, which includes clear, itemized invoices without hidden fees, is essential to ensure fairness and build trust with customers.
Oftentimes, uniform and linen providers breach their own contracts and overcharge customers without reasonable explanations. It’s not unheard of for customers to see annual price increases occurring at 3-4x the current rate of inflation. Furthermore, pricing varies drastically by market, and we often see customers with the same service, paying dramatically different rates. Unfortunately, since most customers don’t have relevant industry knowledge or expertise, they will be overcharged without even knowing it.
For these reasons, it’s always a good idea to work with a third-party cost reduction agency to make sure that you aren’t being taken advantage of by your provider.
Facility Services and Maintenance
Beyond uniforms, many top uniform rental companies offer comprehensive facility services and maintenance solutions to support businesses in industries such as manufacturing, hospitality, and healthcare. These services often include the supply of shop towels, paper products, and other essential items that keep operations running smoothly. By outsourcing facility services to a trusted vendor, companies can reduce operational costs, ensure a steady supply of necessary products, and maintain a clean, efficient workplace. This approach allows businesses to focus on their primary objectives while benefiting from the expertise and reliability of their uniform rental partner. A well-maintained facility not only boosts employee productivity but also leaves a positive impression on customers, supporting the company’s reputation for quality and professionalism.
Customer Support and Service
Exceptional customer support and service are at the heart of successful uniform rental companies. Businesses rely on a dedicated support team to handle everything from initial inquiries to ongoing orders and adjustments, ensuring a seamless experience throughout the uniform rental process. Leading providers offer flexible uniform programs that can be customized to fit the unique requirements of each business, whether it’s adjusting quantities, changing styles, or accommodating special requests. Customer support should include a dedicated account manager for prompt issue resolution, ensuring that any concerns are addressed efficiently. By prioritizing responsive service and open communication, uniform rental companies build lasting relationships with their clients, fostering trust and loyalty. This commitment to customer care not only enhances the overall service experience but also helps businesses achieve their goals with confidence.
Apparel and Branding Options
A strong, cohesive brand image starts with the right apparel. Uniform rental companies offer a wide selection of workwear, including lab coats, pants, shirts, and other essential uniforms, to meet the diverse needs of businesses across various industries. Customization options, such as adding a company logo or choosing specific colors and styles, allow organizations to create uniforms that reflect their brand identity and values. High-quality, professional apparel not only ensures employees look their best but also instills a sense of pride and unity within the team. By providing tailored branding solutions, uniform rental companies help businesses stand out, reinforce their brand, and create a lasting impression on customers and the community.
Product Quality and Selection
When it comes to uniform rental, product quality and selection are paramount. Top uniform rental companies are committed to offering a broad range of high-quality uniforms, linens, and facility services to meet the needs of businesses in every industry. Durability, comfort, and style are key considerations, ensuring that uniforms withstand the demands of daily wear while maintaining a professional appearance. Many providers also emphasize sustainability, incorporating eco-friendly materials and responsible practices into their offerings. Sustainability initiatives are becoming increasingly important in the uniform rental industry, with many providers investing in eco-friendly practices to reduce their environmental impact. By focusing on quality and variety, uniform rental companies deliver exceptional value to their customers, helping businesses operate efficiently, support their teams, and contribute to a more sustainable future.
Top Uniform Companies
1. Aramark
Annual revenue: $12.8 Billion
Number of employees: 215,000
Headquarters: Philadelphia, PA
Aramark is a US-based provider of food service, health safety, facility management services, and uniform/linen rental services for a variety of different business sectors. These sectors include healthcare, education, correctional facilities, hospitality, and entertainment venues. With an impressive global footprint, Aramark serves over 20 different countries and was rated the 27th largest employer in the Fortune 500 in 2018. Aramark stands by its promise to deliver reliable service and ensure customer satisfaction across all its offerings.
2. Cintas
Annual revenue: 7.1 Billion
Number of employees: 42,000
Headquarters: Cincinnati, OH
As one of the major uniform and linen rental companies, Cintas offers its customers a wide variety of products and services. These include uniforms for rental or purchase, cleaning supplies, linens, first aid supplies, safety courses, and fire extinguisher testing. In response to Covid-19, Cintas has increased its offerings in regards to cleaning products, hand sanitizer, and PPE. Cintas also provides high visibility safety apparel to enhance worker safety.
According to Cintas, it aims to help businesses stay clean and maintain a professional image. It tries to make renting or buying products easy so that businesses can focus their attention on effectively running their daily operations.
3. Alsco
Annual revenue: $5.5 Billion
Number of employees: 20,000
Headquarters: Salt Lake City, UT
Alsco is the oldest company on this list, with over 130 years of experience in the linen and uniform rental industry. Alsco serves many customers in 14 countries in business sectors such as industrial facilities, automotive, healthcare, and restaurants. Alsco puts an emphasis on sustainability practices when sourcing products and providing its services. It offers thousands of different types of uniforms and focuses on sourcing uniforms from trusted suppliers. Alsco’s success is built on the hard work and dedication of its team, ensuring reliable and high-quality service for its customers.
4. UniFirst
Annual revenue: $1.8 Billion
Number of employees: 14,000
Headquarters: Wilmington, MA
UniFirst is another well-known uniform, linen, and protective clothing rental services provider operating in North America and Europe. UniFirst also provides facility services and first aid supplies in many industries including automotive, industrial, food and beverage, healthcare and dental, education, hospitality, transportation, and more. UniFirst claims to outfit more than two million workers on a daily basis and it also employs more than 14,000 people across its 260 facilities.
5. AmeriPride
Annual revenue: $600 Million
Number of employees: 1,000
Headquarters: Minnetonka, MN
AmeriPride is a subsidiary company of Aramark and operates more than 115 production facilities. AmeriPride is a major provider of uniform and linen rental services for many industries including industrial, manufacturing, food and beverage, automotive, healthcare, and hospitality. With the combined coverage of both AmeriPride and Aramark, AmeriPride says it can address customer needs quickly and more comprehensively.
6. Prudential Overall Supply
Annual revenue: $158.2 Million
Number of employees: 1,500
Headquarters: Irvine, CA
Prudential Overall Supply focuses on sourcing its uniforms and products from some of the finest vendors in the industry. It guarantees a broad selection of styles, colors, and materials that can fit the needs of many types of businesses. Prudential Overall Supply prides itself on its top-notch customer service and quality products.
7. Mission Linen
Annual revenue: $150 Million
Number of employees: 2,000
Headquarters: Santa Barbara, CA
Mission Linen offers uniform and linen rental services as well as various cleaning and first aid products. The company operates 43 facilities across the USA and also has a fleet of 800+ vehicles to help deliver its products and services. Mission Linen believes its customer-focused philosophy and emphasis on sustainability are key differentiators from other competitors in the industry. Additionally, Mission Linen does its best to support the communities it works in through volunteer efforts, sponsoring community events, and donating goods or services to those in need.
8. U.S. Linen & Uniform
Annual revenue: $24 Million
Number of employees: 125
Headquarters: Richland, WA
US Linen & Uniform is a reliable provider of uniform and linen services to the Pacific Northwest. As a family-owned company with 75 years of experience, U.S. Linen is proud of its loyal customer base and the quality services it delivers. The company’s long-standing history in the industry highlights its commitment to excellence and customer satisfaction.
9. Affinity Apparel
Annual revenue: $14.76 Million
Number of employees: 120
Headquarters: Jefferson, IN
As part of the Mi Hub family of brands, Affinity Apparel provides custom uniform solutions for customers in the healthcare, retail, transportation, food and beverage, manufacturing, hospitality, utilities, and automotive industries. With Affinity’s global resources, it can deliver flexible and tailored uniform products and services to companies of all sizes. Additionally, Affinity Apparel works hard to understand each client’s culture and business needs to create positive partnerships.
10. United Linen
Annual revenue: $13 Million
Number of employees: 350
Headquarters: Bartlesville, OK
As a family-owned and operated business, United Linen provides uniform and linen rental services in a number of states across the country. The key industries United Linen serves are food and beverage, hospitality, and medical. United Linen prides itself on the quality of its products and services and says it works hard to anticipate the current and future needs of its customers. Additionally, the core values at United Linen include teamwork, integrity, care, and friendliness.
How to Save Money on Uniform Costs
As mentioned above, billing in the uniform and linen rental industry is quite complex. Without the right expertise and experience, customers all across the country face fees, overcharges, and unreasonable price increases without them realizing it.
At P3 Cost Analysts, we specialize in working with the major uniform and linen providers and know how to reduce spending in this cost category. By working through a detailed uniform and linen billing audit, we can find many areas of savings. Additionally, we will take a close look at your vendor contracts to see if your vendor is following the terms it has outlined. If not, we work on your behalf to correct errors and or renegotiate your contracts to get the best terms possible.
On average, we can achieve a 35%–40% cost reduction on uniform and linen rental services.
Reduce Your Uniform Spending Today
As we’ve explored, there are many uniform and linen rental companies for you to choose from. Let’s explore the key considerations involved in adding brand logos and team names to uniforms, such as customization options, costs, and vendor capabilities. Since many of these companies offer similar services, you’ll have to decide which vendor works best for your industry, location, and budget. As such, it’s best to get a few quotes and to compare pricing between these vendors.
Additionally, it serves you well to consult a third-party cost reduction agency such as P3 Cost Analysts to make sure you are being billed and treated fairly in regards to your uniform and linen rental services. If you would like to learn more about our uniform and linen services auditing program, schedule your free expense audit today!
