WILMINGTON, Mass. — UniFirst Corp., a provider of customized business uniform programs, facility service products, and first aid and safety services, recently celebrated its 25th annual Founder’s Day, honoring nine decades of company history and the enduring legacy of its founder, Aldo Croatti.

Croatti established UniFirst in 1936 out of an old horse barn in Dorchester, Massachusetts. What began as a modest operation has since grown into one of North America’s leading uniform and facility services providers. 

The company says this year’s Founder’s Day served as both a milestone commemoration and a reaffirmation of the core values that have guided the company since its inception: customer focus, respect for others, and commitment to quality.

Founder’s Day also celebrated the exemplary contributions of UniFirst team partners through the annual Employee of the Year (EOY) recognition. 

Each location honored outstanding team partners who uphold the company’s values and demonstrate extraordinary commitment to excellence. EOY recipients received a commemorative plaque, a gift and a bonus paid day off. Their names will be displayed at their respective locations in recognition of their achievement.

“Reaching a 90-year milestone is a testament to something far greater than any product or service we provide; it’s a testament to our people,” says Steven Sintros, UniFirst president and CEO. “Our team partners have been the heartbeat of this company since 1936. Their dedication, integrity and hard work are what carry Aldo Croatti’s vision forward into a new era. 

“I am incredibly proud of our Employee of the Year honorees and the culture we continue to build together.”

The celebration also highlighted the Cynthia Croatti Leadership Award, an initiative introduced last year to honor leaders within the organization who demonstrate exceptional vision, passion, and purpose.

“Ninety years ago, my father started something really special. It was never just about uniforms. It was about the dignity of hard work and the community of people who show up every day to do it,” says Cynthia Croatti, board member and adviser to the CEO. 

“Watching his vision evolve into the company we are today fills me with profound gratitude. He believed in putting people first, always, and that foundational belief remains at the very heart of everything we do.”