G&K SERVICES INC
DEF 14A, 1997-10-08
PERSONAL SERVICES
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<PAGE>
                            SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
 
                  Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of
            the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No.    )
 
    Filed by the Registrant /X/
    Filed by a party other than the Registrant / /
 
    Check the appropriate box:
    / /  Preliminary Proxy Statement
    / /  Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule
         14a-6(e)(2))
    /X/  Definitive Proxy Statement
    / /  Definitive Additional Materials
    / /  Soliciting Material Pursuant to Section 240.14a-11(c) or Section 
         240.14a-12
                               G&K SERVICES, INC.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                (Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    (Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
 
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

/X/  No fee required

/ /  Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) 
     and 0-11

    (1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:

        ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    (2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:

        ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    (3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
        pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the
        filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):

        ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    (4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:

        ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    (5) Total fee paid:

        ------------------------------------------------------------------------

/ / Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.

/ / Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule
    0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid
    previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number,
    or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.

    (1) Amount Previously Paid:

        ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    (2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:

        ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    (3) Filing Party:

        ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    (4) Date Filed:

        ------------------------------------------------------------------------

<PAGE>
                                     [LOGO]
 
                               G&K SERVICES, INC.
 
                          5995 Opus Parkway, Suite 500
                          Minneapolis, Minnesota 55343
 
                            ------------------------
 
                    NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
 
                                OCTOBER 30, 1997
 
                             ---------------------
 
TO THE STOCKHOLDERS OF G&K SERVICES, INC.:
 
    Please take notice that the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of G&K Services,
Inc. (the "Company") will be held, pursuant to due call by the Board of
Directors of the Company, in the Mississippi Room of the Marquette Hotel,
Seventh and Marquette, Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Thursday, October 30, 1997, at
10:00 a.m., or at any adjournment or adjournments thereof, for the purpose of
considering and taking appropriate action with respect to the following:
 
    1.  To elect seven directors;
 
    2.  To ratify the appointment of Arthur Andersen LLP, Certified Public
       Accountants, as independent auditors of the Company for 1998;
 
    3.  To approve an amendment to the Company's 1989 Stock Option and
       Compensation Plan to increase the number of shares of Common Stock
       reserved for issuance thereunder by 1,500,000 shares; and
 
    4.  To transact any other business as may properly come before the meeting
       or any adjournments thereof.
 
    Pursuant to due action of the Board of Directors, stockholders of record on
September 25, 1997, will be entitled to vote at the meeting or any adjournments
thereof.
 
    A PROXY FOR THE MEETING IS ENCLOSED HEREWITH. YOU ARE REQUESTED TO FILL IN
AND SIGN THE PROXY, WHICH IS SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, AND MAIL IT
PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.
 
                                          By Order of the Board of Directors
 
                                          G&K SERVICES, INC.
 
                                          Timothy W. Kuck, SECRETARY
 
October 8, 1997
<PAGE>
                                PROXY STATEMENT
                                       OF
                               G&K SERVICES, INC.
 
                          5995 OPUS PARKWAY, SUITE 500
                          MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA 55343
 
                            ------------------------
 
                   ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD
                                OCTOBER 30, 1997
                             ---------------------
 
                               PROXIES AND VOTING
 
    This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of
proxies by the Board of Directors of G&K Services, Inc. (the "Company") to be
used at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company to be held October 30,
1997. The approximate date on which this Proxy Statement and the accompanying
proxy were first sent or given to stockholders was October 8, 1997. Each
stockholder who signs and returns a proxy in the form enclosed with this Proxy
Statement may revoke the same at any time prior to its use by giving notice of
such revocation to the Company in writing, in open meeting or by executing and
delivering a new proxy to the Secretary of the Company. Unless so revoked, the
shares represented by each proxy will be voted at the meeting and at any
adjournments thereof. Presence at the meeting of a stockholder who has signed a
proxy does not alone revoke that proxy. Only stockholders of record at the close
of business on September 25, 1997 (the "Record Date") will be entitled to vote
at the meeting or any adjournments thereof. All shares which are entitled to
vote and are represented at the Annual Meeting by properly executed proxies
received prior to or at the Meeting, and not revoked will be voted at the
Meeting in accordance with the instructions indicated on such proxies.
 
                VOTING SECURITIES AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS THEREOF
 
    The Company has outstanding two classes of voting securities, Class A Common
Stock, $0.50 par value, and Class B Common Stock, $0.50 par value, of which
18,990,629 shares of Class A Common Stock and 1,474,996 shares of Class B Common
Stock were outstanding as of the close of business on the Record Date. Each
share of Class A Common Stock is entitled to one vote and each share of Class B
Common Stock is entitled to ten votes on all matters put to a vote of
stockholders.
 
    The following table sets forth, as of the Record Date, certain information
with regard to the beneficial ownership of the Company's Class A and Class B
Common Stock and the voting power resulting from the ownership of such stock by
(i) all persons known by the Company to be the owner, of record or beneficially,
of more than 5% of the outstanding Class A or Class B Common Stock of the
Company,
 
                                       1
<PAGE>
(ii) each of the directors and nominees for election to the Board of Directors
of the Company, (iii) each executive officer named in the Summary Compensation
Table, and (iv) all executive officers and directors as a group, inclusive of
each Named Executive Officer and without regard to whether such persons are also
reporting persons for purposes of Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act").
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  CLASS A COMMON STOCK(2)        CLASS B COMMON STOCK
                                               ------------------------------  -------------------------   PERCENT OF
                                                  NUMBER OF      PERCENT OF    NUMBER OF    PERCENT OF       VOTING
NAME OF BENEFICIAL OWNER(1)                        SHARES           CLASS        SHARES        CLASS        POWER(3)
- ---------------------------------------------  ---------------  -------------  ----------  -------------  -------------
<S>                                            <C>              <C>            <C>         <C>            <C>
Richard Fink(4)(5)...........................        312,499            1.6     1,315,135         89.2           39.9
 5995 Opus Parkway, Suite 500
  Minneapolis, MN 55343
RCM Capital Management(6)....................      1,262,500            6.6        --           --                3.7
 Four Embarcadero Center, Suite 2900
  San Francisco, CA 94111
Dresdner Bank AG(7)..........................      1,262,500            6.6        --           --                3.7
 Jurgen-Ponto-Platz 1
  60301 Frankfurt, Germany
Wellington Management Company(8).............      1,203,700            6.3        --           --                3.6
 75 State Street
  Boston, MA 02109
Scudder, Stevens & Clark, Inc.(9)............      1,187,780            6.3        --           --                3.5
 Two International Place
  Boston, MA 02110
William Hope(4)..............................        260,096            1.4        --           --              *
 5995 Opus Parkway, Suite 500
  Minneapolis, MN 55343
Bernard Sweet(4)(10).........................         17,705          *            --           --              *
Bruce G. Allbright (4)(10)...................          5,282          *            --           --              *
Wayne M. Fortun(4)(10).......................          2,155          *            --           --              *
Donald W. Goldfus(4)(10).....................          1,750          *            --           --              *
Paul Baszucki(4)(10).........................          1,500          *            --           --                  *
Thomas Moberly(11)...........................         50,908          *            --           --              *
Timothy W. Kuck..............................          4,960          *            --           --              *
Stephen F. LaBelle...........................        --              --            --           --             --
All executive officers and directors as a
  group (9 persons)(12)......................        656,855            3.5     1,315,135         89.2           40.9
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------
 
*   Less than 1%.
 
 (1) Unless otherwise noted, each person or group identified possesses sole
     voting and investment power with respect to the shares shown opposite the
     name of such person or group.
 
 (2) Does not include shares of Class A Common Stock which may be acquired by
     holders of Class B Common Stock upon conversion of their shares of Class B
     Common Stock by the holders thereof at any time on the basis of one share
     of Class A Common Stock for each share of Class B Common Stock converted.
 
                                       2
<PAGE>
    (FOOTNOTES CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE)
 
 (3) Holders of Class B Common Stock are entitled to ten votes for each share on
     all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders. Holders of Class A Common
     Stock are entitled to one vote per share on all matters submitted to a vote
     of stockholders.
 
 (4) Each of these persons is currently a director and nominee for election to
     the Board of Directors of the Company. Messrs. Fink and Hope are also
     executive officers of the Company.
 
 (5) Includes 116,130 shares held by Richard Fink as co-trustee for the benefit
     of one of his children, and 4,256 shares owned by a private foundation with
     respect to which Mr. Fink has shared voting power. Also includes 8,850
     shares held by Mr. Fink's spouse.
 
 (6) Based solely upon the most recent Schedule 13G on file with the Securities
     and Exchange Commission. Shares of Class A Common Stock beneficially owned
     by RCM Capital Management, RCM Limited L.P. and RCM General Corporation are
     included in the aggregate beneficial ownership of RCM Capital Management.
     The reporting person possesses sole voting power with respect to 1,019,500
     shares, possesses sole investment power with respect to 1,252,500 shares
     and shares investment power with respect to 10,000 shares.
 
 (7) Based solely upon the most recent Schedule 13G on file with the Securities
     and Exchange Commission.
 
 (8) Based solely upon the most recent Schedule 13G on file with the Securities
     and Exchange Commission. The reporting person shares voting power with
     respect to 580,900 shares and shares investment power with respect to
     1,203,700 shares.
 
 (9) Based solely upon the most recent Schedule 13G on file with the Securities
     and Exchange Commission. The reporting person possesses sole voting power
     with respect to 287,780 shares, shares voting power with respect to 725,000
     shares and possesses sole investment power with respect to 1,187,780
     shares.
 
(10) Includes 1,000 shares subject to options which are exercisable within the
     next 60 days.
 
(11) Includes 750 shares held as joint tenant with his spouse and 426 shares
     held as guardian for his minor children.
 
(12) Includes 5,000 shares subject to options which are exercisable within the
     next 60 days.
 
    The foregoing footnotes are provided for informational purposes only and
each person disclaims beneficial ownership of shares owned by any member of his
or her family or held in trust for any other person, including family members.
 
    On June 14, 1985, Richard Fink, Chairman of the Board of the Company,
Stephen LaBelle, the former Secretary and Treasurer of the Company, and certain
other persons who are no longer holders of Class B Common Stock entered into a
Stockholder Agreement with the Company. This Stockholder Agreement presently
covers 1,315,135 shares of Class B Common Stock, representing approximately
89.2% of the outstanding shares of the Class B Common Stock. In connection with
his resignation from the Company in January 1997, Mr. LaBelle elected to convert
all shares of Class B Common Stock held by him into shares of Class A Common
Stock, thereby terminating his rights and obligations under the Stockholder
Agreement. The Stockholder Agreement provides for restrictions on the
transferability of the Class B Common Stock, in addition to certain other
restrictions contained in the Company's Restated
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
Articles of Incorporation. The shares of Class B Common Stock were acquired
pursuant to an exchange offer made by the Company in May 1985. The shares of
Class B Common Stock owned by Mr. Fink represent substantial voting control of
the Company.
 
                             ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
 
    Seven directors are to be elected at the meeting, each director to hold
office until the next Annual Meeting of Stockholders, or until his successor is
elected and qualified. All of the persons listed below are now serving as
directors of the Company and have consented to serve as a director, if elected.
The Board of Directors proposes for election the nominees listed below:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION, BUSINESS EXPERIENCE                   DIRECTOR
NAME AND AGE OF NOMINEE                 PAST FIVE YEARS AND DIRECTORSHIPS IN PUBLIC COMPANIES               SINCE
- ---------------------------  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------  ---------
<S>                          <C>                                                                          <C>
Bruce G. Allbright (68)      Retired since January 1990, formerly President of Dayton Hudson                   1985
                             Corporation. Prior thereto, Mr. Allbright was Chairman and Chief Executive
                             Officer of Target Stores, a Division of Dayton Hudson Corporation. Mr.
                             Allbright is a director of TCF Financial, Inc. and F.A., Hannaford Brothers
                             Company.
 
Paul Baszucki (57)           Chairman of the Board of Directors of Norstan, Inc. since May 1997. Prior         1994
                             thereto, Mr. Baszucki was Chief Executive Officer of Norstan, Inc. Mr.
                             Baszucki is also a director of Washington Scientific Industries Inc.
 
Richard Fink (67)            Chairman of the Board of the Company. Mr. Fink was also Chief Executive           1968
                             Officer of the Company until January 1997. Mr. Fink is also a director of
                             Rykoff-Sexton, Inc.
 
Wayne M. Fortun (48)         President, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer and a director        1994
                             of Hutchinson Technology Inc., and a director of Excelsior-Henderson
                             Motorcycle Manufacturing Company.
 
Donald W. Goldfus (63)       Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Apogee Enterprises,          1989
                             Inc.
 
William Hope (64)            Chief Executive Officer of the Company since January 1997. From 1993 to           1983
                             1997, Mr. Hope also served as President and Chief Operating Officer of the
                             Company. Prior thereto Mr. Hope was Vice President of the Company.
 
Bernard Sweet (73)           Retired since 1985, formerly President and Chief Executive Officer of             1975
                             Republic Airlines, Inc. Mr. Sweet is a director of Rykoff-Sexton, Inc.
</TABLE>
 
    All shares represented by proxies will be voted FOR the election of the
foregoing nominees unless a contrary choice is specified. If any nominee should
withdraw or otherwise become unavailable for reasons not presently known, the
proxies which would have otherwise been voted for such nominee will be voted for
such substitute nominee as may be selected by the Board of Directors.
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
    The affirmative vote of the holders of the greater of (a) a majority of the
outstanding shares of Class A and Class B Common Stock present and entitled to
vote on the election of directors or (b) a majority of the voting power of the
minimum number of shares entitled to vote that would constitute a quorum for
transaction of business at the meeting, is required for election to the Board of
each of the seven (7) nominees named above. A stockholder who abstains with
respect to the election of directors is considered to be present and entitled to
vote on the election of directors at the meeting, and is in effect casting a
negative vote, but a stockholder (including a broker) who does not give
authority to a proxy to vote, or withholds authority to vote on the election of
directors, shall not be considered present and entitled to vote on the election
of directors.
 
    THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE FOR ALL OF THE
NOMINEES LISTED ABOVE.
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
                             EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
 
    The following table sets forth the cash and noncash compensation for each of
the last three fiscal years awarded to or earned by the Chief Executive Officer
of the Company and the three other most highly compensated executive officers of
the Company who were serving as executive officers at the end of fiscal 1997
(the "Named Executive Officers"). Mr. Stephen F. LaBelle served as an executive
officer of the Company until his resignation in January, 1997, and would have
otherwise been a "Named Executive Officer," but for his resignation.
 
                           SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               LONG-TERM COMPENSATION
                                                                                       AWARDS
                                                ANNUAL COMPENSATION          ---------------------------
                                         ---------------------------------    RESTRICTED
                                                              OTHER ANNUAL      STOCK        SECURITIES         ALL OTHER
                                   FISCAL SALARY(1)   BONUS   COMPENSATION(2)  AWARDS(3)     UNDERLYING      COMPENSATION(4)
NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION        YEAR  ($)         ($)          ($)            ($)        OPTIONS/SARS(#)         ($)
- ---------------------------------  ----  ----     ---------   ------------   ------------   ------------   -------------------
<S>                                <C>   <C>      <C>         <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>
Richard Fink                       1997  333,230          0     36,305             --             --              18,859
Chairman of the Board              1996  306,731          0     27,582             --             --              21,929
                                   1995  300,750          0     11,123             --             --              22,338
 
William Hope                       1997  313,442          0     46,988             --             --              18,509
Chief Executive Officer            1996  279,731          0     33,492             --             --              20,447
                                   1995  273,788          0     32,500             --             --              20,563
 
Thomas Moberly                     1997  192,019          0     19,710        172,718             --              10,682
President and Chief                1996  174,808          0     13,158             --             --              10,421
Operating Officer                  1995  170,192          0     11,114             --             --               9,582
 
Timothy W. Kuck(5)                 1997  19,615           0          0        152,320         22,575                  --
Chief Financial Officer and
Secretary
 
Stephen F. LaBelle(6)              1997  95,704           0    123,258             --             --              73,945
                                   1996  146,923          0     21,016             --             --               6,332
                                   1995  145,635          0     20,471             --             --               5,793
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------
 
(1) Includes cash compensation deferred at the election of the executive officer
    under the terms of the Company's 401(k) Savings Incentive Plan and the
    Executive Deferred Compensation Plan.
 
(2) Includes amounts reimbursed for the payment of taxes resulting from the
    vesting of restricted stock awards, personal use of company car and country
    club dues. Amounts disclosed for fiscal 1996 and 1995 have been revised from
    amounts previously disclosed to include personal use of company car and
    country club dues, where applicable.
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
    (FOOTNOTES CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE)
 
(3) Amounts shown in this column reflect the dollar value of awards of
    restricted stock, based on the closing sale price of unrestricted Class A
    Common Stock on the Nasdaq National Market on the date of grant. Mr. Moberly
    was awarded 4,732 shares of restricted stock in fiscal 1997. The value of
    this award (net of the consideration paid by Mr. Moberly) is based on the
    last sale price of the Class A Common Stock on the Nasdaq National Market on
    January 3, 1997, the grant date. Mr. Kuck was awarded 4,760 shares of
    restricted stock in fiscal 1997. The value of this award (net of the
    consideration paid by Mr. Kuck) is based on the last sale price of the Class
    A Common Stock on the Nasdaq National Market on May 12, 1997, the grant
    date. As of June 28, 1997, the named executives held the following as a
    result of grants under the 1989 Stock Option and Compensation Plan: Mr. Fink
    held 8,748 restricted shares at a market value of $323,676; Mr. Hope held
    6,175 restricted shares at a market value of $228,475; Mr. Moberly held
    4,732 restricted shares at a market value of $175,084; Mr. Kuck held 4,760
    restricted shares at a market value of $176,120; and Mr. LaBelle held no
    restricted shares. Restricted stock awards vest in seven equal annual
    installments beginning on the first anniversary of the date of grant.
    Regular dividends are paid on the restricted shares. The Company has agreed
    to make certain payments to the recipients of restricted stock to cover the
    taxes payable by such persons upon the vesting of such shares. See footnote
    2 above.
 
(4) Represents matching contributions by the Company under the Company's 401(k)
    Savings Incentive Plan and the Executive Deferred Compensation Plan and term
    life insurance premiums.
 
(5) Mr. Kuck joined the Company in May 1997. His annual salary is $170,000.
 
(6) Mr. LaBelle resigned from the Company in January 1997. The salary shown was
    paid to him between June 28, 1996 and January 5, 1997. The amount shown
    under "All Other Compensation" for fiscal 1997 includes a severance payment
    of $65,318.
 
                     OPTION/SAR GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
 
    The following table sets forth the number of individual grants of stock
options made during fiscal year 1997 to the executive officers named in the
Summary Compensation Table:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      INDIVIDUAL GRANTS                           POTENTIAL REALIZABLE
                              ------------------------------------------------------------------    VALUE AT ASSUMED
                                                 PERCENT OF TOTAL                                 ANNUAL RATES OF STOCK
                              NUMBER OF SHARES     OPTIONS/SARS                                    PRICE APPRECIATION
                                 UNDERLYING         GRANTED TO        EXERCISE OR                    FOR OPTION TERM
                                OPTIONS/SARS       EMPLOYEES IN       BASE PRICE     EXPIRATION   ---------------------
NAME                             GRANTED(#)       FISCAL YEAR (%)    ($/SHARE)(1)       DATE      5%($)(2)   10%($)(2)
- ----------------------------  -----------------  -----------------  ---------------  -----------  ---------  ----------
<S>                           <C>                <C>                <C>              <C>          <C>        <C>
Timothy W. Kuck                      22,575               77.0             32.50        5/12/07     461,433   1,169,385
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------
 
(1) The fair market value of the Company's Common Stock on the date of grant was
    $32.50. Options become exercisable in seven equal annual installments
    beginning on May 12, 1998.
 
(2) The hypothetical potential appreciation shown in these columns for the named
    executive is required by rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission
    (the "SEC"). These amounts do not represent either the historical or
    anticipated future performance of the Company's Common Stock price
    appreciation.
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
              AGGREGATED OPTION/SAR EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
                       AND FISCAL YEAR-END OPTION/SAR VALUES
 
    The following table sets forth information as to the exercise of options and
number and value of unexercised options at fiscal year-end for each of the
executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table who held options
during fiscal 1997:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                       NUMBER OF SECURITIES     VALUE OF UNEXERCISED
                                                                      UNDERLYING UNEXERCISED        IN-THE-MONEY
                                                                          OPTIONS/SARS AT          OPTIONS/SARS AT
                                   SHARES ACQUIRED   VALUE REALIZED         6/28/97 (#)              6/28/97 ($)
              NAME                 ON EXERCISE (#)         ($)        EXERCISABLE/UNEXERCISABLE EXERCISABLE/UNEXERCISABLE
- --------------------------------  -----------------  ---------------  -----------------------  -----------------------
<S>                               <C>                <C>              <C>                      <C>
Timothy W. Kuck (1)                         N/A               N/A            0 / 22,575               0 / 101,588
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------
 
(1) Unexercisable options were granted on May 12, 1997 at an exercise price of
    $32.50 per share. The closing sale price of the Class A Common Stock on June
    28, 1997 was $37.00.
 
                               PENSION PLAN TABLE
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                    YEARS OF SERVICE
               ----------------------------------------------------------
REMUNERATION       15          20          25          30          35
- -------------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
<S>            <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
 $   125,000   $   31,250  $   41,666  $   52,083  $   62,500  $   62,500
     150,000       37,500      50,000      62,500      75,000      75,000
     175,000       43,750      58,333      72,917      87,500      87,500
     200,000       50,000      66,667      83,333     100,000     100,000
     225,000       56,250      75,000      93,750     112,500     112,500
     250,000       62,500      83,333     104,167     125,000     125,000
     300,000       75,000     100,000     125,000     150,000     150,000
     350,000       87,500     116,667     145,833     175,000     175,000
     400,000      100,000     133,333     166,667     200,000     200,000
     450,000      112,500     150,000     187,500     225,000     225,000
</TABLE>
 
    The table above sets forth the estimated annual straight life annuity
benefits payable upon an executive's retirement at age 65 under both the
Company's Pension Plan and its Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan, for
various compensation and years of service categories, without any reduction for
Social Security benefits. These Plans take into account the average annual
salary and bonus shown in the Summary Compensation Table, paid during the five
consecutive calendar years in which such amounts were highest (within the past
10 years). The number of years of service credited for Messrs. Fink, Hope, and
Moberly as of June 28, 1997 were 32 years, 31 years, and 23 years, respectively.
 
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS
 
    The Company has employment agreements with each of Messrs. Moberly and Kuck
that are for indefinite terms. Each agreement will terminate upon the death,
disability or retirement of the respective Named Executive Officer and provides
that employment may be terminated at any time by the Company or by such
employee. Each such Named Executive Officer also covenants and agrees that for a
period of eighteen (18) months following the date his employment with the
Company terminates, he will not (i) compete against the Company, (ii) obtain any
ownership interest in any competitor or become employed by any competitor, (iii)
encourage any employees of the Company to violate the terms of their
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
employment contracts with the Company or (iv) attempt to take away any customers
of the Company. Each such Named Executive Officer also agrees not to disclose
any confidential Company information at any time before or after termination of
his employment with the Company.
 
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
 
    The Company pays each director who is not otherwise employed by the Company
an annual fee of $14,000. The Company also pays each director not otherwise
employed by the Company $1,000 for each meeting of the Board of Directors and
$500 for each committee meeting of the Board of Directors attended.
 
    In addition, eligible directors also participate in the 1996 Director Stock
Option Plan (the "1996 Plan") which provides for an annual grant to non-employee
directors of options to purchase 1,000 shares of Common Stock at an option
exercise price equal to the average of the closing prices of the Company's
Common Stock during the ten business days preceding the Company's Annual Meeting
for a given year. Each such option has a ten-year term and generally becomes
exercisable on the first anniversary of the grant date. In connection with the
adoption of the 1996 Plan at last year's Annual Meeting, each of Messrs.
Allbright, Baszucki, Fortun, Goldfus and Sweet received a one-time grant of
options to purchase 3,000 shares of Common Stock. Those options have ten-year
terms and vest in three equal installments on each of the first, second and
third anniversaries of the grant date.
 
BOARD COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
 
    Decisions on compensation of the Company's executives generally have been
made by the Compensation Committee (the "Compensation Committee") of the Board.
Each member of the Compensation Committee is a non-employee director. Prior to
October 31, 1996, the Compensation Committee consisted of Bruce G. Allbright,
Paul Baszucki and Bernard Sweet. As of October 31, 1996, the members of the
Compensation Committee became Paul Baszucki, Wayne M. Fortun and Donald W.
Goldfus.
 
    All decisions by the Compensation Committee relating to the compensation of
the Company's executive officers are reviewed by the full Board. Pursuant to
rules designed to enhance disclosure of the Company's policies toward executive
compensation, set forth below is a report prepared by the Board of Directors
addressing the Company's compensation policies for the fiscal year ended June
28, 1997 as they affected the Company's executive officers.
 
    The Compensation Committee's executive compensation policies are designed to
provide competitive levels of compensation that integrate pay with the Company's
annual objectives and long-term goals, reward above average corporate
performance, recognize individual initiative and achievements, and assist the
Company in attracting and retaining qualified executives. Executive compensation
is set at levels that the Compensation Committee believes to be competitive with
those offered by employers of comparable size, growth and profitability in the
Company's industry.
 
    There are two elements in the Company's executive compensation program, all
determined by individual and corporate performance: base salary compensation and
long-term incentive compensation. Base salary compensation is determined by the
potential impact the individual may have on the Company, the skills and
experiences required by the job, comparisons with comparable companies and the
performance and potential of the incumbent in the job.
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
    William Hope, who became the Chief Executive Officer of the Company in
January 1997, received a base salary of $313,442 in 1997. The Company's
executive compensation program for 1997 did not provide for the payment of
annual performance-based bonuses. In 1992, Mr. Hope received a restricted stock
award of 21,620 shares. The award vests in seven equal annual installments, and
3,089 shares vested in 1997. In addition, Mr. Hope received a bonus in 1997 in
the amount of $36,541 to cover taxes due on the value of the shares which vested
in 1997. Richard Fink, who served as Chief Executive Officer of the Company
until January 1997, received a base salary of $333,230 in 1997. In 1994, Mr.
Fink received a restricted stock award of 15,309 shares. The award vests in
seven equal annual installments, and 2,187 shares vested in 1997. Mr. Fink
received a bonus in 1997 in the amount of $25,706 to cover taxes due on the
value of the shares which vested in 1997.
 
    Long-term incentive compensation under the Company's 1989 Stock Option and
Compensation Plan (the "Plan") to the Chief Executive Officer, as well as other
executive officers of the Company, are designed to integrate compensation with
the Company's annual objectives and long-term goals, reward above-average
corporate performance, recognize individual initiative and achievements, assist
in the retention of executives and align the long-term interests of management
with those of the Company's shareholders. The Compensation Committee makes
recommendations to the Board regarding the granting of restricted stock awards
and stock option grants to executives and key personnel. Awards vest and options
become exercisable based upon criteria established by the Board. During fiscal
1997, the Compensation Committee recommended an award of restricted stock to Mr.
Moberly in the amount of 4,732 shares, which award vests in seven equal annual
installments. In addition, in connection with the Company's hiring of Mr. Kuck
as its new Chief Financial Officer and Secretary, the Compensation Committee
recommended an award of restricted stock to Mr. Kuck in the amount of 4,760
shares, which award vests in seven equal annual installments. Mr. Kuck was also
granted options to purchase 22,575 shares of Common Stock which vest in seven
equal annual installments. The Compensation Committee also recommended that
stock options be granted to certain other non-executive officers of the Company.
 
    The Compensation Committee does not anticipate that any of the compensation
payable to executive officers of the Company in the coming year will exceed the
limits and deductibilities set forth in section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"). The Compensation Committee has not
established a policy regarding compensation in excess of these limits, but will
continue to monitor this issue.
 
                                                                   Paul Baszucki
                                                                 Wayne M. Fortun
                                                               Donald W. Goldfus
 
                                       10
<PAGE>
STOCK PERFORMANCE GRAPH
 
    The Securities and Exchange Commission requires that the Company include in
its proxy statement a line graph presentation comparing cumulative, five-year
stockholders' returns on an indexed basis in the Standard & Poors ("S & P") 500
Stock Index and a nationally recognized group of companies in the uniform
services industry (the "Peer Index"). The companies included in the Peer Index
are Angelica Corporation, Cintas Corporation, National Services Industries,
Inc., Unifirst Corporation and Unitog Corporation. The following chart assumes
three hypothetical $100 investments over the five-year period ended June 28,
1997, and shows the cumulative values at the end of each succeeding year
resulting from appreciation or depreciation in the stock market price, assuming
dividend reinvestment.
 
EDGAR REPRESENTATION OF DATA POINTS USED IN PRINTED GRAPHIC
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
             G&K SERVICES, INC.      PEER GROUP      S&P 500
<S>        <C>                     <C>              <C>
6/27/92                      $100             $100       $100
7/3/93                        139              110        114
7/2/94                        177              125        115
7/1/95                        224              139        145
6/29/96                       328              199        183
6/28/97                       427              245        247
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                     6/27/92        7/3/93        7/2/94        7/1/95       6/29/96       6/28/97
                                   ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------
<S>                                <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>
G&K Services, Inc................  $       100   $       139   $       177   $       224   $       328   $       427
Peer Group.......................          100           110           125           139           199           245
S & P 500........................          100           114           115           145           183           247
</TABLE>
 
           PROPOSAL TO RATIFY THE APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
 
    Subject to ratification by the stockholders, the Board of Directors has
appointed Arthur Andersen LLP as independent auditors of the Company for the
1998 fiscal year. Arthur Andersen LLP has performed this function for the
Company since the 1976 fiscal year. Members of the firm will be available
 
                                       11
<PAGE>
at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to answer questions and to make a
statement if they desire to do so.
 
    THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE FOR RATIFICATION
OF THE APPOINTMENT OF AUDITORS.
 
PROPOSAL TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF SHARES OF COMMON STOCK RESERVED FOR ISSUANCE
          UNDER THE COMPANY'S 1989 STOCK OPTION AND COMPENSATION PLAN
 
    On October 31, 1989, the stockholders of the Company approved the Plan
covering 900,000 shares of Common Stock, as adjusted for stock splits. Subject
to the approval of the stockholders, on August 28, 1997, the Board of Directors
further amended the Plan to increase the number of shares of Common Stock
reserved for issuance thereunder by 1,500,000 shares. The brief summary of the
Plan which follows is qualified in its entirety by reference to the complete
text, a copy of which is attached to this Proxy Statement as Exhibit A.
 
GENERAL
 
    The purpose of the Plan is to increase stockholder value and to advance the
interests of the Company by furnishing a variety of economic incentives
("Incentives") designed to attract, retain and motivate employees of the
Company.
 
    The Plan provides that a committee (the "Committee") composed of at least
two members of the Board of Directors of the Company who have not received
Incentives under the Plan or any other plan of the Company for at least one year
may grant Incentives to employees in the following forms: (a) stock options; (b)
stock appreciation rights; (c) stock awards; (d) restricted stock; (e)
performance shares; and (f) cash awards. Incentives may be granted only to
employees of the Company (including officers and directors of the Company, but
excluding directors of the Company who are not also employees of or consultants
to the Company) selected from time to time by the Committee.
 
    The number of shares of Common Stock which may be issued under the Plan if
this amendment is approved may not exceed 2,400,000 shares, subject to
adjustment in the event of a merger, recapitalization or other corporate
restructuring. This represents approximately 11.7% of the outstanding shares of
Common Stock on the Record Date. As of the Record Date, there were outstanding
grants of 355,054 shares of restricted stock and outstanding options for 73,456
shares under the Plan, representing a total of 428,510 stock and option awards
outstanding. Accordingly, as of the Record Date, the remaining number of shares
which may be issued under the Plan if this amendment is approved is
approximately 9.6% of the outstanding Common Stock.
 
STOCK OPTIONS
 
    Under the Plan, the Committee may grant non-qualified and incentive stock
options to eligible employees to purchase shares of Common Stock from the
Company. The Plan confers on the Committee discretion, with respect to any such
stock option, to determine the number and purchase price of the shares subject
to the option, the term of each option and the time or times during its term
when the option becomes exercisable. The purchase price for incentive stock
options may not be less than the fair market value of the shares subject to the
option on the date of grant. The number of shares subject to an option will be
reduced proportionately to the extent that the optionee exercises a related
Stock Appreciation Right ("SAR"). The term of a non-qualified option may not
exceed 10 years and one day from the date of grant and the term of an incentive
stock option may not exceed 10 years from the date of grant. Any option
 
                                       12
<PAGE>
shall become immediately exercisable in the event of specified changes in
corporate ownership or control. The Committee may accelerate the exercisability
of any option or may determine to cancel stock options in order to make a
participant eligible for the grant of an option at a lower price. The Committee
may approve the purchase by the Company of an unexercised stock option for the
difference between the exercise price and the fair market value of the shares
covered by such option.
 
    The option price may be paid in cash, check, bank draft or by delivery of
shares of Common Stock valued at their fair market value at the time of purchase
or by withholding from the shares issuable upon exercise of the option shares of
Common Stock valued at their fair market value or as otherwise authorized by the
Committee.
 
    In the event that an optionee ceases to be an employee of the Company for
any reason, including death, any stock option or unexercised portion thereof
which was otherwise exercisable on the date of termination of employment shall
expire at the time or times established by the Committee.
 
STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS
 
    A stock appreciation right or SAR is a right to receive, without payment to
the Company, a number of shares, cash or any combination thereof, the amount of
which is determined pursuant to the formula described below. An SAR may be
granted with respect to any stock option granted under the Plan, or alone,
without reference to any stock option. An SAR granted with respect to any stock
option may be granted concurrently with the grant of such option or at such
later time as determined by the Committee and as to all or any portion of the
shares subject to the option.
 
    The Plan confers on the Committee discretion to determine the number of
shares as to which an SAR will relate as well as the duration and exercisability
of an SAR. In the case of an SAR granted with respect to a stock option, the
number of shares of Common Stock to which the SAR pertains will be reduced in
the same proportion that the holder exercises the related option. The term of an
SAR may not exceed ten years and one day from the date of grant. Unless
otherwise provided by the Committee, an SAR will be exercisable for the same
time period as the stock option to which it relates is exercisable. Any SAR
shall become immediately exercisable in the event of specified changes in
corporate ownership or control. The Committee may accelerate the exercisability
of any SAR.
 
    Upon exercise of an SAR, the holder is entitled to receive an amount which
is equal to the aggregate amount of the appreciation in the shares of Common
Stock as to which the SAR is exercised. For this purpose, the "appreciation" in
the shares consists of the amount by which the fair market value of the shares
of Common Stock on the exercise date exceeds (a) in the case of an SAR related
to a stock option, the purchase price of the shares under the option or (b) in
the case of an SAR granted alone, without reference to a related stock option,
an amount determined by the Committee at the time of grant. The Committee may
pay the amount of this appreciation to the holder of the SAR by the delivery of
Common Stock, cash, or any combination of Common Stock and cash.
 
RESTRICTED STOCK
 
    Restricted stock consists of the sale or transfer by the Company to an
eligible employee of one or more shares of Common Stock which are subject to
restrictions on their sale or other transfer by the employee. The price at which
restricted stock will be sold will be determined by the Committee, and it may
vary from time to time and among employees and may be less than the fair market
value of the shares at the date of sale. All shares of restricted stock will be
subject to such restrictions as the Committee may
 
                                       13
<PAGE>
determine. Subject to these restrictions and the other requirements of the Plan,
a participant receiving restricted stock shall have all of the rights of a
shareholder as to those shares.
 
STOCK AWARDS
 
    Stock awards consist of the transfer by the Company to an eligible employee
of shares of Common Stock, without payment, as additional compensation for
services to the Company. The number of shares transferred pursuant to any stock
award will be determined by the Committee.
 
PERFORMANCE SHARES
 
    Performance shares consist of the grant by the Company to an eligible
employee of a contingent right to receive cash or payment of shares of Common
Stock. The performance shares shall be paid in shares of Common Stock to the
extent performance objectives set forth in the grant are achieved. The number of
shares granted and the performance criteria will be determined by the Committee.
 
CASH AWARDS
 
    A cash award consists of a monetary payment made by the Company to an
eligible employee as additional compensation for his services to the Company.
Payment may depend on the achievement of specified performance objectives. The
amount of any monetary payment constituting a cash award shall be determined by
the Committee.
 
NON-TRANSFERABILITY OF MOST INCENTIVES
 
    No stock option, SAR, performance share or restricted stock granted under
the Plan will be transferable by its holder, except in the event of the holder's
death, by will or the laws of descent and distribution. During an employee's
lifetime, an Incentive may be exercised only by him or her or by his or her
guardian or legal representative.
 
AMENDMENT OF THE PLAN
 
    The Board of Directors may amend or discontinue the Plan at any time.
However, no such amendment or discontinuance may, subject to adjustment in the
event of a merger, recapitalization, or other corporate restructuring, (a)
change or impair, without the consent of the recipient thereof, an Incentive
previously granted, (b) materially increase the maximum number of shares of
Common Stock which may be issued to all employees under the Plan, (c) materially
change or expand the types of Incentives that may be granted under the Plan, (d)
materially modify the requirements as to eligibility for participation in the
Plan, or (e) materially increase the benefits accruing to participants. Certain
Plan amendments require stockholder approval, including amendments which would
materially increase benefits accruing to participants, increase the number of
securities issuable under the Plan, or change the requirements for eligibility
under the Plan.
 
FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
 
    The following discussion sets forth certain United States income tax
considerations in connection with the ownership of Common Stock. These tax
considerations are stated in general terms and are based on the Code and
judicial and administrative interpretations thereof. This discussion does not
address state or local tax considerations with respect to the ownership of
Common Stock. Moreover, the tax considerations relevant to ownership of the
Common Stock may vary depending on a holder's particular status.
 
                                       14
<PAGE>
    Under existing federal income tax provisions, an employee who receives a
stock option or performance shares or an SAR under the Plan or who purchases or
receives shares of restricted stock under the Plan which are subject to
restrictions which create a "substantial risk of forfeiture" (within the meaning
of section 83 of the Code) will not normally realize any income, nor will the
Company normally receive any deduction for federal income tax purposes in the
year such Incentive is granted. An employee who receives a stock award under the
Plan consisting of shares of Common Stock will realize ordinary income in the
year of the award in an amount equal to the fair market value of the shares of
Common Stock covered by the award on the date it is made, and the Company will
be entitled to a deduction equal to the amount the employee is required to treat
as ordinary income. An employee who receives a cash award will realize ordinary
income in the year the award is paid equal to the amount thereof, and the amount
of the cash will be deductible by the Company.
 
    When a non-qualified stock option granted pursuant to the Plan is exercised,
the employee will realize ordinary income measured by the difference between the
aggregate purchase price of the shares of Common Stock as to which the option is
exercised and the aggregate fair market value of shares of the Common Stock on
the exercise date, and the Company will be entitled to a deduction in the year
the option is exercised equal to the amount the employee is required to treat as
ordinary income.
 
    Options which qualify as incentive stock options are entitled to special tax
treatment. Under existing federal income tax law, if shares purchased pursuant
to the exercise of such an option are not disposed of by the optionee within two
years from the date of granting of the option or within one year after the
transfer of the shares to the optionee, whichever is longer, then (i) no income
will be recognized to the optionee upon the exercise of the option; (ii) any
gain or loss will be recognized to the optionee only upon ultimate disposition
of the shares and, assuming the shares constitute capital assets in the
optionee's hands, will be treated as long-term capital gain or loss; (iii) the
optionee's basis in the shares purchased will be equal to the amount of cash
paid for such shares; and (iv) the Company will not be entitled to a federal
income tax deduction in connection with the exercise of the option. The Company
understands that the difference between the option price and the fair market
value of the shares acquired upon exercise of an incentive stock option will be
treated as an "item of tax preference" for purposes of the alternative minimum
tax. In addition, incentive stock options exercised more than three months after
retirement are treated as non-qualified options.
 
    The Company further understands that if the optionee disposes of the shares
acquired by exercise of an incentive stock option before the expiration of the
holding period described above, the optionee must treat as ordinary income in
the year of that disposition an amount equal to the difference between the
optionee's basis in the shares and the lesser of the fair market value of the
shares on the date of exercise or the selling price. In addition, the Company
will be entitled to a deduction equal to the amount the employee is required to
treat as ordinary income.
 
    If the exercise price of an option is paid by surrender of previously owned
shares, the basis of the shares received in replacement of the previously owned
shares is carried over. If the option is a nonstatutory option, the gain
recognized on exercise is added to the basis. If the option is an incentive
stock option, the optionee will recognize gain if the shares surrendered were
acquired through the exercise of an incentive stock option and have not been
held for the applicable holding period. This gain will be added to the basis of
the shares received in replacement of the previously owned shares.
 
    When a stock appreciation right granted pursuant to the Plan is exercised,
the employee will realize ordinary income in the year the right is exercised
equal to the value of the appreciation which he is entitled
 
                                       15
<PAGE>
to receive pursuant to the formula described above, and the Company will be
entitled to a deduction in the same year and in the same amount.
 
    An employee who receives restricted stock or performance shares subject to
restrictions which create a "substantial risk of forfeiture" (within the meaning
of section 83 of the Code) will normally realize taxable income on the date the
shares become transferable or no longer subject to substantial risk of
forfeiture or on the date of their earlier disposition. The amount of such
taxable income will be equal to the amount by which the fair market value of the
shares of Common Stock on the date such restrictions lapse (or any earlier date
on which the shares are disposed of) exceeds their purchase price, if any. An
employee may elect, however, to include in income in the year of purchase or
grant the excess of the fair market value of the shares of Common Stock (without
regard to any restrictions) on the date of purchase or grant over its purchase
price. The Company will be entitled to a deduction for compensation paid in the
same year and in the same amount as income is realized by the employee.
 
PROXIES AND VOTING
 
    The adoption of the amendment to the Plan requires the affirmative vote of a
majority of the votes cast, provided that the total votes cast represent over 50
percent in interest of all shares of Common Stock entitled to vote on this
matter. Unless instructed to the contrary, all proxies will be voted for the
adoption of the amendment.
 
    THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE FOR APPROVAL AND
ADOPTION OF THE AMENDMENT.
 
                                 OTHER MATTERS
 
BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND COMMITTEES
 
    The Board of Directors held six meetings during fiscal 1997. The Company has
an audit committee and a compensation committee, but does not have a nominating
committee of the Board of Directors. No director attended fewer than 75 percent
of the aggregate number of meetings of the Board of Directors and the committees
of the Board on which he served except Mr. Paul Baszucki.
 
    The Company's audit committee, which presently consists of Messrs. Bruce G.
Allbright and Bernard Sweet, held two meetings during fiscal 1997. The audit
committee recommends to the full Board the engagement of the independent
accountants, reviews the audit plan and results of the audit engagement, reviews
the independence of the auditors, and reviews the adequacy of the Company's
system of internal accounting controls.
 
    The Company's compensation committee, which presently consists of Messrs.
Paul Baszucki, Wayne M. Fortun and Donald W. Goldfus, held one meeting during
fiscal 1997. The compensation committee reviews the Company's remuneration
policies and practices, makes recommendations to the Board in connection with
all compensation matters affecting the Company and administers the 1989 Stock
Option and Compensation Plan.
 
CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
 
    The Company loaned Thomas Moberly, President of the Company, $200,000 in
connection with his purchase of a residence in April 1994. This loan is
evidenced by a promissory note which accrues interest at the rate of 10% per
year. Interest only on the note is payable for five years. Thereafter, the note
continues to accrue interest at the rate of 10% and is repayable in full over a
term of five years. Pursuant to the terms
 
                                       16
<PAGE>
of the note, the current balance owing by Mr. Moberly is equal to the note's
original principal amount. The note is secured by a mortgage on Mr. Moberly's
residence.
 
            SECTION 16(A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
 
    Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires the Company's officers and
directors, and persons who own more than ten percent of a registered class of
the Company's equity securities, to file reports of ownership and changes in
ownership with the SEC and the Nasdaq National Market. Officers, directors and
greater-than-ten-percent shareholders are required by SEC regulations to furnish
the Company with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file.
 
    Mr. Richard Fink, Chairman of the Board of the Company, filed a Form 5 with
the SEC on September 26, 1997 which was due on August 12, 1997. Thomas Moberly,
a Vice President of the Company, filed an amended Form 4 with the SEC on
September 26, 1997 which was due on February 10, 1997. Other than as
specifically disclosed herein, and based solely on review of the copies of such
forms furnished to the Company, or written representations that no Forms 5 were
required, the Company believes that during the fiscal year ended June 28, 1997,
all Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to its officers, directors and
greater-than-ten-percent beneficial owners were complied with.
 
PROPOSALS OF STOCKHOLDERS
 
    All proposals of stockholders intended to be presented at the 1998 Annual
Meeting of Stockholders of the Company must be received by the Company at its
executive offices on or before June 10, 1998.
 
SOLICITATION
 
    The Company will bear the cost of preparing, assembling and mailing the
proxy, Proxy Statement, Annual Report and other material which may be sent to
the stockholders in connection with this solicitation. Brokerage houses and
other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries may be requested to forward
soliciting material to the beneficial owners of stock, in which case they will
be reimbursed by the Company for their expenses in doing so. Proxies are being
solicited primarily by mail, but, in addition officers and regular employees of
the Company may solicit proxies personally, by telephone, by telegram or by
special letter.
 
    The Board of Directors does not intend to present to the meeting any other
matter not referred to above and does not presently know of any matters that may
be presented to the meeting by others. However, if other matters come before the
meeting, it is the intent of the persons named in the enclosed proxy to vote the
proxy in accordance with their best judgment.
 
                                          By Order of the Board of Directors
                                          G&K SERVICES, INC.
                                          Timothy W. Kuck, SECRETARY
 
                                       17
<PAGE>
                                                                       EXHIBIT A
 
                               G&K SERVICES, INC.
                    1989 STOCK OPTION AND COMPENSATION PLAN
 
    1.  PURPOSE.  The purpose of the 1989 Stock Option and Compensation Plan
(the "Plan") of G&K Services, Inc. (the "Company") is to increase stockholder
value and to advance the interests of the Company by furnishing a variety of
economic incentives ("Incentives") designed to attract, retain and motivate
employees. Incentives may consist of opportunities to purchase or receive shares
of Class A Common Stock, $.50 par value, of the Company ("Common Stock"),
monetary payments or both on terms determined under this Plan.
 
    2.  ADMINISTRATION.  The Plan shall be administered by the compensation
committee (the "Committee") of the Board of Directors of the Company. The
Committee shall consist of not less than two directors of the Company and shall
be appointed from time to time by the Board of Directors of the Company. Each
member of the Committee shall be a "disinterested person" within the meaning of
Rule 16b-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("Non-Employee Directors"),
and the regulations promulgated thereunder (the "1934 Act"). The Board of
Directors of the Company may from time to time appoint members of the Committee
in substitution for, or in addition to, members previously appointed, and may
fill vacancies, however caused, in the Committee. The Committee shall select one
of its members as its chairman and shall hold its meetings at such times and
places as it shall deem advisable. A majority of the Committee's members shall
constitute a quorum. All action of the Committee shall be taken by the majority
of its members. Any action may be taken by a written instrument signed by
majority of the members and actions so taken shall be fully effective as if it
had been made by a majority vote at a meeting duly called and held. The
Committee may appoint a secretary, shall keep minutes of its meetings and shall
make such rules and regulations for the conduct of its business as it shall deem
advisable. The Committee shall have complete authority to award Incentives under
the Plan, to interpret the Plan, and to make any other determination which it
believes necessary and advisable for the proper administration of the Plan. The
Committee's decisions and matters relating to the Plan shall be final and
conclusive on the Company and its participants.
 
    3.  ELIGIBLE EMPLOYEES.  Employees of the Company (including officers and
directors, but excluding directors of the Company who are not also full-time
employees of the Company) shall become eligible to receive Incentives under the
Plan when designated by the Committee. Employees may be designated individually
or by groups or categories (for example, by pay grade) as the Committee deems
appropriate. Participation by officers of the Company and any performance
objectives relating to such officers must be approved by the Committee.
Participation by others and any performance objectives relating to others may be
approved by groups or categories (for example, by pay grade) and authority to
designate participants who are not officers and to set or modify such targets
may be delegated.
 
    4.  TYPES OF INCENTIVES.  Incentives under the Plan may be granted in any
one or a combination of the following forms: (a) incentive stock options and
non-statutory stock options (section 6); (b) stock appreciation rights ("SARs")
(section 7); (c) stock awards (section 8); (d) restricted stock (section 8); (e)
performance shares (section 9); and (f) cash awards (section 10).
 
    5.  SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN.
 
        5.1.  NUMBER OF SHARES.  Subject to adjustment as provided in Section
    11.6, the number of shares of Common Stock which may be issued under the
    Plan shall not exceed 900,000 shares of Common Stock after giving effect to
    three-for-two stock splits effected in the form of a stock dividend to
    stockholders of record on September 18, 1989, and January 4, 1994.
<PAGE>
        5.2.  CANCELLATION.  To the extent that cash in lieu of shares of Common
    Stock is delivered upon the exercise of an SAR pursuant to Section 7.4, the
    Company shall be deemed, for purposes of applying the limitation on the
    number of shares, to have issued the greater of the number of shares of
    Common Stock which it was entitled to issue upon such exercise or on the
    exercise of any related option. In the event that a stock option or SAR
    granted hereunder expires or is terminated or canceled unexercised as to any
    shares of Common Stock, such shares may again be issued under the Plan
    either pursuant to stock options, SARs or otherwise. In the event that
    shares of Common Stock are issued as restricted stock or pursuant to a stock
    award and thereafter are forfeited or reacquired by the Company pursuant to
    rights reserved upon issuance thereof, such forfeited and reacquired shares
    may again be issued under the Plan, either as restricted stock, pursuant to
    stock awards or otherwise. The Committee may also determine to cancel, and
    agree to the cancellation of, stock options in order to make a participant
    eligible for the grant of a stock option at a lower price than the option to
    be canceled.
 
        5.3.  TYPE OF COMMON STOCK.  Common Stock issued under the Plan in
    connection with stock options, SARs, performance shares, restricted stock or
    stock awards, will be authorized and unissued shares.
 
    6.  STOCK OPTIONS.  A stock option is a right to purchase shares of Common
Stock from the Company. Each stock option granted by the Committee under this
Plan shall be subject to the following terms and conditions:
 
        6.1.  PRICE.  The option price per share shall be determined by the
    Committee, subject to adjustment under Section 11.6.
 
        6.2.  NUMBER.  The number of shares of Common Stock subject to the
    option shall be determined by the Committee, subject to adjustment as
    provided in Section 11.6. The number of shares of Common Stock subject to a
    stock option shall be reduced in the same proportion that the holder thereof
    exercises an SAR if any SAR is granted in conjunction with or related to the
    stock option.
 
        6.3.  DURATION AND TIME FOR EXERCISE.  Subject to earlier termination as
    provided in Section 11.4, the term of each stock option shall be determined
    by the Committee but shall not exceed ten years and one day from the date of
    grant. Each stock option shall become exercisable at such time or times
    during its term as shall be determined by the Committee at the time of
    grant. No stock option may be exercised during the first twelve months of
    its term. Except as provided by the preceding sentence, the Committee may
    accelerate the exercisability of any stock option. Subject to the foregoing
    and with the approval of the Committee, all or any part of the shares of
    Common Stock with respect to which the right to purchase has accrued may be
    purchased by the Company at the time of such accrual or at any time or times
    thereafter during the term of the option.
 
        6.4.  MANNER OF EXERCISE.  A stock option may be exercised, in whole or
    in part, by giving written notice to the Company, specifying the number of
    shares of Common Stock to be purchased and accompanied by the full purchase
    price for such shares. The option price shall be payable in United States
    dollars upon exercise of the option and may be paid by cash; uncertified or
    certified check; bank draft; by delivery of shares of Common Stock in
    payment of all or any part of the option price, which shares shall be valued
    for this purpose at the Fair Market Value on the date such option is
    exercised; by instructing the Company to withhold from the shares of Common
    Stock issuable upon exercise of the stock option shares of Common Stock in
    payment of all or any part of the option price, which shares shall be valued
    for this purpose at the Fair Market Value or in such other manner as may
 
                                      A-2
<PAGE>
    be authorized from time to time by the Committee. Prior to the issuance of
    shares of Common Stock upon the exercise of a stock option, a participant
    shall have no rights as a stockholder.
 
        6.5.  INCENTIVE STOCK OPTIONS.  Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to
    the contrary, the following additional provisions shall apply to the grant
    of stock options which are intended to qualify as Incentive Stock Options
    (as such term is defined in Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of
    1986, as amended):
 
           (a) The aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of the time the
       option is granted) of the shares of Common Stock with respect to which
       Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by any
       participant during any calendar year (under all of the Company's plans)
       shall not exceed $100,000.
 
           (b) Any Incentive Stock Option certificate authorized under the Plan
       shall contain such other provisions as the Committee shall deem
       advisable, but shall in all events be consistent with and contain all
       provisions required in order to qualify the options as Incentive Stock
       Options.
 
           (c) All Incentive Stock Options must be granted within ten years from
       the earlier of the date on which this Plan was adopted by Board of
       Directors or the date this Plan was approved by the stockholders.
 
           (d) Unless sooner exercised, all Incentive Stock Options shall expire
       no later than 10 years after the date of grant.
 
           (e) The option price for Incentive Stock Options shall be not less
       than the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock subject to the option on
       the date of grant.
 
           (f) No Incentive Stock Options shall be granted to any participant
       who, at the time such option is granted, would own (within the meaning of
       Section 422 of the Code) stock possessing more than 10% of the total
       combined voting power of all classes of stock of the employer corporation
       or of its parent or subsidiary corporation.
 
    7.  STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS.  An SAR is a right to receive, without
payment to the Company, a number of shares of Common Stock, cash or any
combination thereof, the amount of which is determined pursuant to the formula
set forth in Section 7.4. An SAR may be granted (a) with respect to any stock
option granted under this Plan, either concurrently with the grant of such stock
option or at such later time as determined by the Committee (as to all or any
portion of the shares of Common Stock subject to the stock option), or (b)
alone, without reference to any related stock option. Each SAR granted by the
Committee under this Plan shall be subject to the following terms and
conditions:
 
        7.1.  NUMBER.  Each SAR granted to any participant shall relate to such
    number of shares of Common Stock as shall be determined by the Committee,
    subject to adjustment as provided in Section 11.6. In the case of an SAR
    granted with respect to a stock option, the number of shares of Common Stock
    to which the SAR pertains shall be reduced in the same proportion that the
    holder of the option exercises the related stock option.
 
        7.2.  DURATION.  Subject to earlier termination as provided in Section
    11.4, the term of each SAR shall be determined by the Committee but shall
    not exceed ten years and one day from the date of grant. Unless otherwise
    provided by the Committee, each SAR shall become exercisable at such time or
    times, to such extent and upon such conditions as the stock option, if any,
    to which it relates is
 
                                      A-3
<PAGE>
    exercisable. No SAR may be exercised during the first twelve months of its
    term. Except as provided in the preceding sentence, the Committee may in its
    discretion accelerate the exercisability of any SAR.
 
        7.3.  EXERCISE.  An SAR may be exercised, in whole or in part, by giving
    written notice to the Company, specifying the number of SARs which the
    holder wishes to exercise. Upon receipt of such written notice, the Company
    shall, within 90 days thereafter, deliver to the exercising holder
    certificates for the shares of Common Stock or cash or both, as determined
    by the Committee, to which the holder is entitled pursuant to Section 7.4.
 
        7.4  PAYMENT.  Subject to the right of the Committee to deliver cash in
    lieu of shares of Common Stock (which, as it pertains to officers and
    directors of the Company, shall comply with all requirements of the 1934
    Act), the number of shares of Common Stock which shall be issuable upon the
    exercise of an SAR shall be determined by dividing:
 
           (a) the number of shares of Common Stock as to which the SAR is
       exercised multiplied by the amount of the appreciation in such shares
       (for this purpose, the "appreciation" shall be the amount by which the
       Fair Market Value of the shares of Common Stock subject to the SAR on the
       exercise date exceeds (1) in the case of an SAR related to a stock
       option, the purchase price of the shares of Common Stock under the stock
       option or (2) in the case of an SAR granted alone, without reference to a
       related stock option, an amount which shall be determined by the
       Committee at the time of grant, subject to adjustment under Section
       11.6); by
 
           (b) the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the exercise
       date.
 
        In lieu of issuing shares of Common Stock upon the exercise of an SAR,
    the Committee may elect to pay the holder of the SAR cash equal to the Fair
    Market Value on the exercise date of any or all of the shares which would
    otherwise be issuable. No fractional shares of Common Stock shall be issued
    upon the exercise of an SAR; instead, the holder of the SAR shall be
    entitled to receive a cash adjustment equal to the same fraction of the Fair
    Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the exercise date or to purchase
    the portion necessary to make a whole share at its Fair Market Value on the
    date of exercise.
 
    8.  STOCK AWARDS AND RESTRICTED STOCK.  A stock award consists of the
transfer by the Company to a participant of shares of Common Stock, without
other payment therefor, as additional compensation for services to the Company.
A share of restricted stock consists of shares of Common Stock which are sold or
transferred by the Company to a participant at a price determined by the
Committee (which price shall be at least equal to the minimum price required by
applicable law for the issuance of a share of Common Stock) and subject to
restrictions on their sale or other transfer by the participant. The transfer of
Common Stock pursuant to stock awards and the transfer and sale of restricted
stock shall be subject to the following terms and conditions:
 
        8.1.  NUMBER OF SHARES.  The number of shares to be transferred or sold
    by the Company to a participant pursuant to a stock award or as restricted
    stock shall be determined by the Committee.
 
        8.2.  SALE PRICE.  The Committee shall determine the price, if any, at
    which shares of restricted stock shall be sold to a participant, which may
    vary from time to time and among participants and which may be below the
    Fair Market Value of such shares of Common Stock at the date of sale.
 
                                      A-4
<PAGE>
        8.3.  RESTRICTIONS.  All shares of restricted stock transferred or sold
    hereunder shall be subject to such restrictions as the Committee may
    determine, including, without limitation any or all of the following:
 
           (a) a prohibition against the sale, transfer, pledge or other
       encumbrance of the shares of restricted stock, such prohibition to lapse
       at such time or times as the Committee shall determine (whether in annual
       or more frequent installments, at the time of the death, disability or
       retirement of the holder of such shares, or otherwise);
 
           (b) a requirement that the holder of shares of restricted stock
       forfeit, or (in the case of shares sold to a participant) resell back to
       the Company at his cost, all or a part of such shares in the event of
       termination of his employment during any period in which such shares are
       subject to restrictions;
 
           (c) such other conditions or restrictions as the Committee may deem
       advisable.
 
        8.4.  ESCROW.  In order to enforce the restrictions imposed by the
    Committee pursuant to Section 8.3, the participant receiving restricted
    stock shall enter into an agreement with the Company setting forth the
    conditions of the grant. Shares of restricted stock shall be registered in
    the name of the participant and deposited, together with a stock power
    endorsed in blank, with the Company. Each such certificate shall bear a
    legend in substantially the following form:
 
        The transferability of this certificate and the shares of Class A Common
        Stock represented by it are subject to the terms and conditions
        (including conditions of forfeiture) contained in the 1989 Stock Option
        and Compensation Plan of G&K Services, Inc. (the "Company"), and an
        agreement entered into between the registered owner and the Company. A
        copy of the Plan and the agreement is on file in the office of the
        secretary of the Company.
 
        8.5.  END OF RESTRICTIONS.  Subject to Section 11.5, at the end of any
    time period during which the shares of restricted stock are subject to
    forfeiture and restrictions on transfer, such shares will be delivered free
    of all restrictions to the participant or to the participant's legal
    representative, beneficiary or heir.
 
        8.6.  STOCKHOLDER.  Subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan,
    each participant receiving restricted stock shall have all the rights of a
    stockholder with respect to shares of stock during any period in which such
    shares are subject to forfeiture and restrictions on transfer, including
    without limitation, the right to vote such shares. Dividends paid in cash or
    property other than Common Stock with respect to shares of restricted stock
    shall be paid to the participant currently.
 
    9.  PERFORMANCE SHARES.  A performance share consists of an award which
shall be paid in shares of Common Stock, as described below. The grant of
performance share shall be subject to such terms and conditions as the Committee
deems appropriate, including the following:
 
        9.1.  PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES.  Each performance share will be subject to
    performance objectives for the Company or one of its operating units to be
    achieved by the end of a specified period. The number of performance shares
    granted shall be determined by the Committee and may be subject to such
    terms and conditions, as the Committee shall determine. If the performance
    objectives are achieved, each participant will be paid in shares of Common
    Stock or cash. If such objectives are not met, each grant of performance
    shares may provide for lesser payments in accordance with formulas
    established in the award.
 
                                      A-5
<PAGE>
        9.2.  NOT STOCKHOLDER.  The grant of performance shares to a participant
    shall not create any rights in such participant as a stockholder of the
    Company, until the payment of shares of Common Stock with respect to an
    award.
 
        9.3.  NO ADJUSTMENTS.  No adjustment shall be made in performance shares
    granted on account of cash dividends which may be paid or other rights which
    may be issued to the holders of Common Stock prior to the end of any period
    for which performance objectives were established.
 
        9.4.  EXPIRATION OF PERFORMANCE SHARE.  If any participant's employment
    with the Company is terminated for any reason other than normal retirement,
    death or disability prior to the achievement of the participant's stated
    performance objectives, all the participant's rights on the performance
    shares shall expire and terminate unless otherwise determined by the
    Committee. In the event of termination of employment by reason of death,
    disability, or normal retirement, the Committee, in its own discretion may
    determine what portions, if any, of the performance shares should be paid to
    the participant.
 
    10.  CASH AWARDS.  A cash award consists of a monetary payment made by the
Company to a participant as additional compensation for his services to the
Company. Payment of a cash award will normally depend on achievement of
performance objectives by the Company or by individuals. The amount of any
monetary payment constituting a cash award shall be determined by the Committee
in its sole discretion. Cash awards may be subject to other terms and
conditions, which may vary from time to time and among participants, as the
Committee determines to be appropriate.
 
    11.  GENERAL.
 
        11.1.  EFFECTIVE DATE.  The Plan will become effective upon its approval
    by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power of
    the shares of the Company's Class A and Class B Common Stock present and
    entitled to vote at a meeting of its stockholders. Unless approved within
    one year after the date of the Plan's adoption by the Board of Directors,
    the Plan shall not be effective for any purpose.
 
        11.2.  DURATION.  The Plan shall remain in effect until all Incentives
    granted under the Plan have either been satisfied by the issuance of shares
    of Common Stock or the payment of cash or been terminated under the terms of
    the Plan and all restrictions imposed on shares of Common Stock in
    connection with their issuance under the Plan have lapsed. No Incentives may
    be granted under the Plan after the tenth anniversary of the date the Plan
    is approved by the stockholders of the Company.
 
        11.3.  NON-TRANSFERABILITY OF INCENTIVES.  No stock option, SAR,
    restricted stock or performance award may be transferred, pledged or
    assigned by the holder thereof (except, in the event of the holder's death,
    by will or the laws of descent and distribution to the limited extent
    provided in the Plan or in the Incentive) and the Company shall not be
    required to recognize any attempted assignment of such rights by any
    participant. During a participant's lifetime, an Incentive may be exercised
    only by him or by his guardian or legal representative.
 
        11.4.  EFFECT OF TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT OR DEATH.  In the event that
    a participant ceases to be an employee of the Company for any reason,
    including death, any Incentives may be exercised or shall expire at such
    times as may be determined by the Committee.
 
        11.5.  ADDITIONAL CONDITION.  Notwithstanding anything in this Plan to
    the contrary: (a) the Company may, if it shall determine it necessary or
    desirable for any reason, at the time of award of
 
                                      A-6
<PAGE>
    any Incentive or the issuance of any shares of Common Stock pursuant to any
    Incentive, require the recipient of the Incentive, as a condition to the
    receipt thereof or to the receipt of shares of Common Stock issued pursuant
    thereto, to deliver to the Company a written representation of present
    intention to acquire the Incentive or the shares of Common Stock issued
    pursuant thereto for his own account for investment and not for
    distribution; and (b) if at any time the Company further determines, in its
    sole discretion, that the listing, registration or qualification (or any
    updating of any such document) of any Incentive or the shares of Common
    Stock issuable pursuant thereto is necessary on any securities exchange or
    under any federal or state securities or blue sky law, or that the consent
    or approval of any governmental regulatory body is necessary or desirable as
    a condition of, or in connection with the award of any Incentive, the
    issuance of shares of Common Stock pursuant thereto, or the removal of any
    restrictions imposed on such shares, such Incentive shall not be awarded or
    such shares of Common Stock shall not be issued or such restrictions shall
    not be removed, as the case may be, in whole or in part, unless such
    listing, registration, qualification, consent or approval shall have been
    effected or obtained free of any conditions not acceptable to the Company.
 
        11.6.  ADJUSTMENT.  In the event of any merger, consolidation or
    reorganization of the Company with any other corporation or corporations,
    there shall be substituted for each of the shares of Common Stock then
    subject to the Plan, including shares subject to restrictions, options, or
    achievement of performance share objectives, the number and kind of shares
    of stock or other securities to which the holders of the shares of Common
    Stock will be entitled pursuant to the transaction. In the event of any
    recapitalization, stock dividend, stock split, combination of shares or
    other change in the Common Stock, the number of shares of Common Stock then
    subject to the Plan, including shares subject to restrictions, options or
    achievements of performance shares, shall be adjusted in proportion to the
    change in outstanding shares of Common Stock. In the event of any such
    adjustments, the purchase price of any option, the performance objectives of
    any Incentive, and the shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to any
    Incentive shall be adjusted as and to the extent appropriate, in the
    discretion of the Committee, to provide participants with the same relative
    rights before and after such adjustment.
 
        11.7.  INCENTIVE PLANS AND AGREEMENTS.  Except in the case of stock
    awards or cash awards, the terms of each Incentive shall be stated in a plan
    or agreement approved by the Committee. The Committee may also determine to
    enter into agreements with holders of options to reclassify or convert
    certain outstanding options, within the terms of the Plan, as Incentive
    Stock Options or as non-statutory stock options and in order to eliminate
    SARs with respect to all or part of such options and any other previously
    issued options.
 
        11.8.  WITHHOLDING.
 
           (a) The Company shall have the right to withhold from any payments
       made under the Plan or to collect as a condition of payment, any taxes
       required by law to be withheld. At any time when a participant is
       required to pay to the Company an amount required to be withheld under
       applicable income tax laws in connection with a distribution of Common
       Stock or upon exercise of an option or SAR, the participant may satisfy
       this obligation in whole or in part by electing (the "Election") to have
       the Company withhold from the distribution shares of Common Stock having
       a value up to the amount required to be withheld. The value of the shares
       to be withheld shall be based on the Fair Market Value of the Common
       Stock on the date that the amount of tax to be withheld shall be
       determined ("Tax Date").
 
                                      A-7
<PAGE>
           (b) Each Election must be made prior to the Tax Date. The Committee
       may disapprove of any Election, may suspend or terminate the right to
       make Elections, or may provide with respect to any Incentive that the
       right to make Elections shall not apply to such Incentive. An Election is
       irrevocable.
 
           (c) If a participant is an officer or director of the Company within
       the meaning of Section 16 of the 1934 Act, then an Election is subject to
       the following additional restrictions:
 
               (1) No Election shall be effective for a Tax Date which occurs
           within six months of the grant of the award, except that this
           limitation shall not apply in the event death or disability of the
           participant occurs prior to the expiration of the six-month period.
 
               (2) The Election must be made either six months prior to the Tax
           Date or must be made during a period beginning on the third business
           day following the date of release for publication of the Company's
           quarterly or annual summary statements of sales and earnings and
           ending on the twelfth business day following such date.
 
        11.9.  NO CONTINUED EMPLOYMENT OR RIGHT TO CORPORATE ASSETS.  No
    participant under the Plan shall have any right, because of his or her
    participation, to continue in the employ of the Company for any period of
    time or to any right to continue his or her present or any other rate of
    compensation. Nothing contained in the Plan shall be construed as giving an
    employee, the employee's beneficiaries or any other person any equity or
    interests of any kind in the assets of the Company or creating a trust of
    any kind or a fiduciary relationship of any kind between the Company and any
    such person.
 
        11.10.  DEFERRAL PERMITTED.  Payment of cash or distribution of any
    shares of Common Stock to which a participant is entitled under any
    Incentive shall be made as provided in the Incentive. Payment may be
    deferred at the option of the participant if provided in the Incentive.
 
        11.11.  AMENDMENT OF THE PLAN.  The Board may amend or discontinue the
    Plan at any time. However, no such amendment or discontinuance shall,
    subject to adjustment under Section 11.6, (a) change or impair, without the
    consent of the recipient, an Incentive previously granted, (b) increase the
    maximum number of shares of Common Stock which may be issued to all
    participants under the Plan, (c) change or expand the types of Incentives
    that may be granted under the Plan, (d) change the class of persons eligible
    to receive Incentives under the Plan, or (e) materially increase the
    benefits accruing to participants under the Plan.
 
        11.12.  IMMEDIATE ACCELERATION OF INCENTIVES.  Notwithstanding any
    provision in this Plan or in any Incentive to the contrary, (a) the
    restrictions on all shares of restricted stock award shall lapse
    immediately, (b) all outstanding options and SARs will become exercisable
    immediately, and (c) all performance shares shall be deemed to be met and
    payment made immediately, if subsequent to the date that the Plan is
    approved by the Board of Directors of the Company, any of the following
    events occur unless otherwise determined by the Board of Directors and a
    majority of the Continuing Directors (as defined below):
 
               (1) any person or group of persons becomes the beneficial owner
           of 30% or more of any equity security of the Company entitled to vote
           for the election of directors;
 
               (2) a majority of the members of the Board of Directors of the
           Company is replaced within the period of less than two years by
           directors not nominated and approved by the Board of Directors; or
 
                                      A-8
<PAGE>
               (3) the stockholders of the Company approve an agreement to merge
           or consolidate with or into another corporation or an agreement to
           sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of the
           Company's assets (including a plan of liquidation).
 
    For purposes of this Section 11.12, beneficial ownership by a person or
group of persons shall be determined in accordance with Regulation 13D (or any
similar successor regulation) promulgated by the Securities and Exchange
Commission pursuant to the 1934 Act. Beneficial ownership of more than 30% of an
equity security may be established by any reasonable method, but shall be
presumed conclusively as to any person who files a Schedule 13D report with the
Securities and Exchange Commission reporting such ownership. If the restrictions
and forfeitability periods are eliminated by reason of provision (1), the
limitations of this Plan shall not become applicable again should the person
cease to own 30% or more of any equity security of the Company.
 
    For purposes of this Section 11.12, "Continuing Directors" are directors (a)
who were in office prior to the time any of provisions (1), (2) or (3) occurred
or any person publicly announced an intention to acquire 20% or more of any
equity security of the Company, (b) directors in office for a period of more
than two years, and (c) directors nominated and approved by the Continuing
Directors.
 
        11.13.  DEFINITION OF FAIR MARKET VALUE.  Whenever "Fair Market Value"
    of Common Stock shall be determined for purposes of this Plan, it shall be
    determined by reference to the last sale price of a share of Common Stock on
    the NASDAQ National Market System ("NASDAQ") on the applicable date. If
    NASDAQ is closed for trading on such date, or if the Common Stock does not
    trade on such date, then the last sale price used shall be the one on the
    date the Common Stock last traded on NASDAQ.
 
                                      A-9
<PAGE>
                               G&K SERVICES, INC.
                    PROXY FOR ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
 
                                OCTOBER 30, 1997
 
    The undersigned, a shareholder of G&K Services, Inc., hereby appoints
Richard Fink and Timothy W. Kuck, and each of them, as proxies, with full power
of substitution, to vote on behalf of the undersigned the number of shares which
the undersigned is then entitled to vote, at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders
of G&K Services, Inc. to be held in the Mississippi Room, Marquette Hotel,
Seventh Street and Marquette Avenue, Minneapolis, Minnesota, at 10:00 a.m. on
Thursday, October 30, 1997, and at any and all adjournments thereof, with all
the powers which the undersigned would possess if personally present, upon:
 
<TABLE>
<C>   <S>                                                           <C>
(1)   Election of Directors:
      / / FOR all nominees (except as marked to the contrary        / / WITHHOLD AUTHORITY to vote for all nominees listed below
      below)
 
                                Bruce G. Allbright    Paul Baszucki    Richard Fink    Wayne M. Fortun
                                          Donald W. Goldfus    William Hope    Bernard Sweet
 
      INSTRUCTION: To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee, write that nominee's name on the space provided
      below:
      --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2)   Proposal to ratify the appointment of Arthur Andersen LLP, Certified Public Accountants, as independent auditors of the
      Company for fiscal 1998.
                                               / / FOR     / / AGAINST     / / ABSTAIN
(3)   Proposal to amend the Company's 1989 Stock Option and Compensation Plan to increase the number of shares of Common Stock
      reserved for issuance thereunder by 1,500,000 shares.
                                               / / FOR     / / AGAINST     / / ABSTAIN
(4)   Upon such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournments thereof.
</TABLE>
 
  THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR ALL NOMINEES, FOR RATIFICATION
        OF THE APPOINTMENT OF AUDITORS AND FOR THE AMENDMENT TO THE 1989
                      STOCK OPTION AND COMPENSATION PLAN.
 
        (CONTINUED, AND TO BE COMPLETED AND SIGNED, ON THE REVERSE SIDE)
<PAGE>
                               G&K SERVICES, INC.
                                 ANNUAL MEETING
 
                                Marquette Hotel
                      Seventh Street and Marquette Avenue
                             Minneapolis, Minnesota
 
                                OCTOBER 30, 1997
                                   10:00 A.M.
<PAGE>
   [LOGO]
 
                          (CONTINUED FROM OTHER SIDE)
 
    The undersigned hereby revokes all previous proxies relating to the shares
covered hereby and acknowledges receipt of the Notice and Proxy Statement
relating to the Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
 
    THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. When properly
executed, this proxy will be voted on the proposals set forth herein as directed
by the shareholder, but if no direction is made in the space provided, this
proxy will be voted FOR the election of all nominees for director, FOR
ratification of the appointment of auditors and FOR the proposal to increase the
number of shares reserved for issuance under the Company's 1989 Stock Option and
Compensation Plan.
                                          Dated __________________________, 1997
                                          ______________________________________
                                                       (Signature)
                                          ______________________________________
                                                       (Signature)
 
                                          (Shareholder must sign exactly as the
                                          name appears at left. When signed as a
                                          corporate officer, executor,
                                          administrator, trustee, guardian,
                                          etc., please give full title as such.
                                          Both joint tenants must sign.)


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