





                                         Exhibit 99.1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 11, 1999

CINTAS CORPORATION ANNOUNCES AGREEMENT TO ACQUIRE UNITOG COMPANY

     Cintas  Corporation  announced  today that it has entered into a definitive
merger agreement to acquire Unitog Company.  The agreement specifies that Unitog
shareholders will receive Cintas common stock in a tax-free exchange. Each share
of Unitog has been valued at $38 per share.

     Unitog,   headquartered  in  Kansas  City,   Missouri,   with  revenues  of
approximately  $275  million,  is a leading  supplier  of high  quality  uniform
services to a variety of industries.  Unitog has  approximately  4,000 employees
with uniform rental operations in 20 states and the province of Ontario, Canada.
Unitog is a publicly-held company traded over Nasdaq under the symbol UTOG.

     Robert J. Kohlhepp,  Chief Executive  Officer of Cintas,  stated,  "We have
always had a great deal of respect for Randy Rolf, Chairman, President and Chief
Executive Officer of Unitog, and his entire organization. We are pleased to have
them join  forces with  Cintas.  By  combining  these two great  companies,  our
capability to service customers of both companies will be strengthened."

     Upon completion of the merger, Cintas will have:

     -    Annual revenues exceeding $1.75 Billion
     -    More than 200  uniform  rental  locations  covering  40  states  and 2
          Canadian provinces.
     -    In excess of 300,000  business  customers using uniform  services on a
          weekly basis
     -    More than 4,000,000 individuals wearing Cintas uniforms
     -    Expanded  manufacturing and distribution  capabilities to better serve
          customers
     -    Significant synergies from combining the organizations
     -    Substantial  increase in the route  network  which will present  great
          opportunities  to provide  additional  products and services to Unitog
          customers.

     Mr.  Kohlhepp  added,  "We believe the  combination  of our companies  will
benefit all of our customers, employees and shareholders."

     Accounting  regulations  will require a restatement of Cintas  earnings for
prior periods in order to combine the results of Cintas and Unitog.  Cintas also
anticipates certain one-time expenses related to the transaction. These expenses
will coincide  with the effective  date of the merger which is expected to occur
in the fourth quarter ending May 31, 1999.  Cintas expects that earnings will be
positively impacted as a result of the merger for the fiscal year ending May 31,
2000 and thereafter.

     Consummation of the merger  requires  approval by Unitog  shareholders  and
certain regulatory agencies. Proxy materials are expected to be mailed to Unitog
shareholder in February.  The transaction is expected to be completed in Cintas'
fourth quarter ending May 31, 1999.

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     Cintas is a leader in the  corporate  identity  uniform  business  and also
provides a wide range of ancillary services including entrance mats,  sanitation
supplies,  first aid products and services, and cleanroom supplies.  Cintas is a
publicly-held company traded over Nasdaq under the symbol CTAS.

     The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a safe harbor
from  civil  litigation  for  forward-looking  statements.  This  press  release
contains forward-looking  statements that reflect the Company's current views as
to future  events and  financial  performance  with  respect to the merger  with
Unitog Company.  These statements are subject to risks and  uncertainties  which
could cause  actual  results to differ  materially  from those set forth in this
press  release.   Factors  that  might  cause  such  a  difference  include  the
possibility of greater than anticipated costs in closing the transaction,  lower
sales volumes for Unitog customers,  higher  processing and distribution  costs,
and the  reactions  of  competitors  to the  transaction  in terms of price  and
service.  Forward-looking  statements  speak  only as of the date  made.  Cintas
undertakes  no  obligation  to update any  forward-looking  statement to reflect
events or circumstances arising after it is made.

     For additional information contact:

     William C.  Gale,  Vice  President-Finance  and CFO  513/573-4211  

     Karen L. Carnahan, Vice President and Treasurer 513/573/4012
