Investments	3 Months Ended
Aug. 31, 2015
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]
Investments	Investments Investments at August 31, 2015 of $123.5 million include equity method investments of $14.6 million, the cash surrender value of insurance policies of $106.7 million and cost method investments of $2.2 million. Investments at May 31, 2015 of $329.7 million include the cash surrender value of insurance policies of $101.8 million, equity method investments of $225.7 million and cost method investments of $2.2 million. Effective August 31, 2015, Cintas' investment in the Shred-it is classified as discontinued operations as a result of Cintas entering into a definitive agreement to sell its investment. Cintas' investment in Shred-it is classified as held for sale on the consolidated balance sheet at August 31, 2015. As allowed under applicable accounting guidance, the May 31, 2015 consolidated balance sheet amounts for these assets and liabilities remain in their natural classifications. See Note 13 entitled Discontinued Operations and Note 15 entitled Subsequent Event for additional information. On June 30, 2014, Cintas sold stock in an equity method investment. In conjunction with the sale of the equity method investment, Cintas also received a cash dividend of $5.2 million. Total cash received from the transaction was $35.2 million. The sale resulted in the recording of a gain, net of tax, of approximately $13.6 million in the three months ended August 31, 2014. As a result, the Company no longer has the ability to exercise significant influence over the investee. Therefore, effective July 1, 2014, the remaining investment retained by Cintas is accounted for under the cost method. Investments are evaluated for impairment on an annual basis or when indicators of impairment exist. For the three months ended August 31, 2015 and 2014, no losses due to impairment were recorded.

Investments

Investments at August 31, 2015 of $123.5 million include equity method investments of $14.6 million, the cash surrender value of insurance policies of $106.7 million and cost method investments of $2.2 million. Investments at May 31, 2015 of $329.7 million include the cash surrender value of insurance policies of $101.8 million, equity method investments of $225.7 million and cost method investments of $2.2 million.

Effective August 31, 2015, Cintas' investment in the Shred-it is classified as discontinued operations as a result of Cintas entering into a definitive agreement to sell its investment. Cintas' investment in Shred-it is classified as held for sale on the consolidated balance sheet at August 31, 2015. As allowed under applicable accounting guidance, the May 31, 2015 consolidated balance sheet amounts for these assets and liabilities remain in their natural classifications. See Note 13 entitled Discontinued Operations and Note 15 entitled Subsequent Event for additional information.

On June 30, 2014, Cintas sold stock in an equity method investment. In conjunction with the sale of the equity method investment, Cintas also received a cash dividend of $5.2 million. Total cash received from the transaction was $35.2 million. The sale resulted in the recording of a gain, net of tax, of approximately $13.6 million in the three months ended August 31, 2014. As a result, the Company no longer has the ability to exercise significant influence over the investee. Therefore, effective July 1, 2014, the remaining investment retained by Cintas is accounted for under the cost method.

Investments are evaluated for impairment on an annual basis or when indicators of impairment exist. For the three months ended August 31, 2015 and 2014, no losses due to impairment were recorded.