8-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)

January 13, 2009

UNIFIRST CORPORATION

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

Massachusetts	1-8504	04-2103460
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)

68 Jonspin Road, Wilmington, Massachusetts 01887

(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (978) 658-8888

Not Applicable

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

ITEM 5.02. DEPARTURE OF DIRECTORS OR CERTAIN OFFICERS; ELECTION OF DIRECTORS; APPOINTMENT OF CERTAIN OFFICERS; COMPENSATORY ARRANGEMENTS OF CERTAIN OFFICERS.

Appointment of Principal Financial Officer

On January 13, 2009, UniFirst Corporation (“UniFirst” and the “Company”) announced that the Board of Directors of the Company appointed Steven Sintros, age 35, as the Company’s Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, effective immediately. Mr. Sintros is a Certified Public Accountant and has been with UniFirst since February 2004. He has held the position of Corporate Controller with the Company since January 2005. Prior to joining UniFirst, Mr. Sintros was a manager with Ernst & Young LLP and Arthur Andersen LLP in their Boston offices. Mr. Sintros will receive a base annual salary of $225,000. In connection with his appointment, Mr. Sintros was granted an option to purchase 1,300 shares of UniFirst common stock.

On January 13, 2009, the Company also announced that John Bartlett is retiring as its Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer effective immediately. Mr. Bartlett will be continuing on with the Company in a limited role as a senior business advisor.

A copy of the press release the Company issued announcing the appointment of Mr. Sintros and the retirement of Mr. Bartlett is filed as Exhibit 99 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated by reference herein.

Item 9.01.	Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits
EXHIBIT NO.	DESCRIPTION
99	Press Release of the Company dated January 13, 2009

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

UNIFIRST CORPORATION

Date: January 14, 2009	By:	/s/ Ronald D. Croatti
	Name:	Ronald D. Croatti
	Title:	Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President
	By:	/s/ Steven S. Sintros
	Name:	Steven S. Sintros
	Title:	Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Exhibit Index

EXHIBIT NO.	DESCRIPTION
99	Press Release of the Company dated January 13, 2009

EX-99

UniFirst Corporation	News Release
68 Jonspin Road
Wilmington, MA 01887-1086	contact:	Steven S. Sintros
Telephone 978-658-8888 Ext 520		ssintros@unifirst.com
Facsimile 978-988-0659		978-658-8888 x700

UNIFIRST ANNOUNCES MANAGEMENT CHANGES

AND DECLARES REGULAR CASH DIVIDENDS

Wilmington, MA (January 13, 2009) – UniFirst is pleased to announce that its Corporate Controller, Steven Sintros, has been promoted to the position of Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Sintros is a Certified Public Accountant and has been with UniFirst since February 2004. He was previously a manager with Ernst & Young LLP and Arthur Andersen LLP in their Boston offices. Mr. Sintros attended the College of the Holy Cross where he received an undergraduate degree in economics and Northeastern University where he earned a masters degree in accounting and business administration. In conjunction with this promotion, John Bartlett will be retiring as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Bartlett has been with UniFirst for over 30 years and has served as the Chief Financial Officer since the Company went public in 1983. Mr. Bartlett is going to be continuing on with the Company in a more limited role as a senior business advisor.

The Company is also pleased to announce the addition of David Katz as Vice President of Sales and Marketing. Mr. Katz joins UniFirst from DHL Express where he ran a complex, billion dollar business unit. As a proven senior executive with management, sales and operations expertise, Mr. Katz brings a diverse set of strategic and leadership skills to further enhance UniFirst’s growth in National Accounts and Field sales.

The Board of Directors of UniFirst Corporation (NYSE:UNF) also declared regular quarterly cash dividends of $0.0375 per share (3.75 cents) on the Company's Common Stock and $0.03 per share (3.0 cents) on the Company's Class B Common Stock. Both dividends are payable on April 3, 2009, to shareholders of record on March 13, 2009.

About UniFirst Corporation

UniFirst Corporation is one of the largest providers of workplace uniforms, protective clothing and facility services products in North America. The Company employs over 10,000 team partners who serve over 200,000 customer locations in 46 U.S. states, Canada and Europe from over 200 customer service, distribution, and manufacturing facilities. UniFirst Corporation is a publicly held company traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol UNF and is a component of the Standard & Poor's 600 Small Cap Index.