UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
☒
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended July 13, 2024
OR
☐
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from to
Commission file number 1-16247
FLOWERS FOODS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Georgia
58-2582379
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)
1919 FLOWERS CIRCLE, THOMASVILLE, Georgia
(Address of principal executive offices)
31757
(Zip Code)
(229)-226-9110
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
N/A
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
Trading
Symbol(s)
Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $0.01 par value
FLO
NYSE
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer
Accelerated filer
Non-accelerated filer
Smaller reporting company
Emerging growth company
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒
As of August 9, 2024, the registrant had 210,597,138 shares of common stock, $0.01 par value per share, outstanding.
INDEX
PAGE
NUMBER
PART I. Financial Information
4
Item 1.
Financial Statements (Unaudited)
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of July 13, 2024 and December 30, 2023
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the Twelve and Twenty-Eight Weeks Ended July 13, 2024 and July 15, 2023
5
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Twelve and Twenty-Eight Weeks Ended July 13, 2024 and July 15, 2023
6
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the Twelve and Twenty-Eight Weeks Ended July 13, 2024 and July 15, 2023
7
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Twenty-Eight Weeks Ended July 13, 2024 and July 15, 2023
9
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
10
Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
35
Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
50
Item 4.
Controls and Procedures
PART II. Other Information
51
Legal Proceedings
Item 1A.
Risk Factors
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
Defaults Upon Senior Securities
Mine Safety Disclosures
Item 5.
Other Information
Item 6.
Exhibits
52
Signatures
53
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements contained in this filing and certain other written or oral statements made from time to time by Flowers Foods, Inc. (the “company”, “Flowers Foods”, “Flowers”, “us”, “we”, or “our”) and its representatives that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements relate to current expectations regarding our business and our future financial condition and results of operations and are often identified by the use of words and phrases such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “will,” “would,” “is likely to,” “is expected to” or “will continue,” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. These forward-looking statements are based upon assumptions we believe are reasonable.
Forward-looking statements are based on current information and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those projected. Certain factors that may cause actual results, performance, liquidity, and achievements to differ materially from those projected are discussed in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (this “Form 10-Q”) and may include, but are not limited to:
2
The foregoing list of important factors does not include all such factors, nor does it necessarily present them in order of importance. In addition, you should consult other disclosures made by the company (such as in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) or in company press releases) for other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected by the company. Refer to Part I, Item 1A., Risk Factors, of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 30, 2023 (the “Form 10-K”) for additional information regarding factors that could affect the company’s results of operations, financial condition and liquidity.
We caution you not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, as they speak only as of the date made and are inherently uncertain. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly revise or update such statements, except as required by law. You are advised, however, to consult any further public disclosures by the company (such as in our filings with the SEC or in company press releases) on related subjects.
We own or have rights to trademarks or trade names that we use in connection with the operation of our business, including our corporate names, logos and website names. In addition, we own or have the rights to copyrights, trade secrets and other proprietary rights that protect the content of our products and the formulations for such products. Solely for convenience, some of the trademarks, trade names and copyrights referred to in this Form 10-Q are listed without the © , ® and ™ symbols, but we will assert, to the fullest extent under applicable law, our rights to our trademarks, trade names and copyrights.
3
PART 1. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Amounts in thousands, except share data)
(Unaudited)
July 13, 2024
December 30, 2023
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents
$
6,866
22,527
Accounts and notes receivable, net of allowances of $27,029 and $33,386, respectively
390,430
328,246
Inventories, net:
Raw materials
64,733
72,941
Packaging materials
27,261
28,743
Finished goods
77,254
82,813
Inventories, net
169,248
184,497
Spare parts and supplies
90,552
86,386
Other
45,671
66,057
Total current assets
702,767
687,713
Property, plant and equipment:
Property, plant and equipment
2,554,207
2,500,531
Less: accumulated depreciation
(1,598,941
)
(1,537,550
Property, plant and equipment, net
955,266
962,981
Financing lease right-of-use assets
274
130
Operating lease right-of-use assets
295,668
276,734
Notes receivable from independent distributor partners
113,229
123,571
Assets held for sale
26,104
21,799
Other assets
14,094
18,487
Goodwill
679,896
677,796
Other intangible assets, net
640,763
657,742
Total assets
3,428,061
3,426,953
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt
—
Current maturities of financing leases
164
99
Current maturities of operating leases
59,975
47,507
Accounts payable
298,870
318,600
Other accrued liabilities
230,488
292,946
Total current liabilities
589,497
659,152
Noncurrent long-term debt
1,068,844
1,048,144
Noncurrent financing lease obligations
19
23
Noncurrent operating lease obligations
243,967
236,872
Total long-term debt and right-of-use lease liabilities
1,312,830
1,285,039
Other liabilities:
Postretirement/post-employment obligations
5,567
5,798
Deferred taxes
100,290
91,245
Other long-term liabilities
35,469
33,937
Total other long-term liabilities
141,326
130,980
Commitments and Contingencies
Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock — $100 stated par value, 200,000 authorized shares and none issued
Preferred stock — $.01 stated par value, 800,000 authorized shares and none issued
Common stock — $.01 stated par value and $.001 current par value, 500,000,000 authorized shares and 228,729,585 shares issued
199
Treasury stock — 18,130,952 shares and 18,309,359 shares, respectively
(285,992
(281,318
Capital in excess of par value
698,722
699,808
Retained earnings
970,536
932,472
Accumulated other comprehensive income
943
621
Total stockholders’ equity
1,384,408
1,351,782
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
(See Accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Amounts in thousands, except per share data)
For the Twelve Weeks Ended
For the Twenty-Eight Weeks Ended
July 15, 2023
Sales
1,224,983
1,228,050
2,801,801
2,762,543
Materials, supplies, labor and other production costs (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)
613,362
626,097
1,410,548
1,426,949
Selling, distribution and administrative expenses
471,400
475,916
1,096,651
1,067,859
Depreciation and amortization
36,827
34,984
85,062
78,719
Impairment of assets
1,377
5,377
Restructuring charges
6,805
2,499
7,403
6,694
Income from operations
95,212
88,554
196,760
182,322
Interest expense
8,978
9,009
20,279
19,846
Interest income
(4,070
(4,758
(9,760
(11,709
Other components of net periodic pension and postretirement benefit plans credit
(118
(62
(276
(145
Income before income taxes
90,422
84,365
186,517
174,330
Income tax expense
23,455
20,605
46,507
39,860
Net income
66,967
63,760
140,010
134,470
Net income per common share:
Basic:
Net income per common share
0.32
0.30
0.66
0.63
Weighted average shares outstanding
211,356
212,031
211,196
211,881
Diluted:
212,315
213,009
212,199
213,538
Cash dividends paid per common share
0.2400
0.2300
0.4700
0.4500
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Amounts in thousands)
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax:
Pension and postretirement plans:
Amortization of prior service credit included in net income
(30
(71
(72
Amortization of actuarial gain included in net income
(24
(12
(56
(29
Pension and postretirement plans, net of tax
(54
(42
(127
(101
Derivative instruments:
Net change in fair value of derivatives
444
3,092
(122
48
Loss reclassified to net income
21
295
571
1,235
Derivative instruments, net of tax
465
3,387
449
1,283
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax
411
3,345
322
1,182
Comprehensive income
67,378
67,105
140,332
135,652
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
For the Twelve Weeks Ended July 13, 2024
Common Stock
Capital in
Accumulated
Number of
Excess
Treasury Stock
SharesIssued
ParValue
of ParValue
RetainedEarnings
ComprehensiveIncome (Loss)
Number ofShares
Cost
Total
Balances at April 20, 2024
228,729,585
693,855
954,409
532
(17,587,986
(273,115
1,375,880
Amortization of stock-based compensation awards
5,814
Performance-contingent restricted stock awards issued (Note 17)
(176
11,356
176
Time-based restricted stock units issued (Note 17)
(73
4,660
73
Share repurchases
(603,942
(13,824
Issuance of deferred stock awards
(698
44,960
698
Dividends paid on vested stock-based payment awards
(153
Dividends paid — $0.2400 per common share
(50,687
Balances at July 13, 2024
(18,130,952
For the Twenty-Eight Weeks Ended July 13, 2024
ComprehensiveIncome
Balances at December 30, 2023
(18,309,359
16,943
Issuance of deferred compensation
(19
1,259
(3,922
255,161
3,922
(13,060
847,977
13,060
(1,028
66,243
1,028
(992,233
(22,703
(2,699
Dividends paid — $0.4700 per common share
(99,247
For the Twelve Weeks Ended July 15, 2023
Balances at April 22, 2023
684,154
1,025,881
(689
(16,895,489
(247,953
1,461,592
5,663
1,287
(637
43,330
637
(880
53,942
880
(612,847
(15,263
Dividends paid on vested share-based payment awards
(282
Dividends paid — $0.2300 per common share
(48,741
Balances at July 15, 2023
688,281
1,040,618
2,656
(17,409,777
(261,680
1,470,074
For the Twenty-Eight Weeks Ended July 15, 2023
Balances at December 31, 2022
689,959
1,004,271
1,474
(17,595,619
(252,613
1,443,290
15,499
(32
2,139
32
(3,623
251,222
3,623
(12,508
867,944
12,508
(1,014
63,266
1,014
(998,729
(26,244
(2,780
Dividends paid — $.4500 per common share
(95,343
8
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
CASH FLOWS PROVIDED BY (DISBURSED FOR) OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Stock-based compensation
Loss reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income to net income
1,029
1,915
Deferred income taxes
8,690
(957
Provision for inventory obsolescence
2,165
1,405
Allowances for accounts receivable
4,262
Pension and postretirement plans cost
213
317
829
1,055
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
Accounts receivable
(58,715
(78,888
Inventories
13,084
(5,736
Hedging activities
605
1,790
(19,033
(19,112
Other assets and accrued liabilities
(32,100
(8,973
NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES
168,421
128,907
CASH FLOWS PROVIDED BY (DISBURSED FOR) INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Purchases of property, plant and equipment
(61,251
(68,385
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment
809
775
Repurchase of independent distribution rights
(19,151
(2,991
Cash paid at issuance of notes receivable
(10,705
(9,613
Principal payments from notes receivable
13,687
18,524
Acquisition of business
(274,755
Investment in unconsolidated affiliate
(1,981
Other investing activities
106
57
NET CASH DISBURSED FOR INVESTING ACTIVITIES
(76,505
(338,369
CASH FLOWS PROVIDED BY (DISBURSED FOR) FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Dividends paid, including dividends on stock-based payment awards
(101,946
(98,123
Stock repurchases
Change in bank overdrafts
(2,569
(324
Proceeds from debt borrowings
226,300
757,900
Debt obligation payments
(206,300
(575,900
Payments on financing leases
(169
(1,052
Payments for financing fees
(190
(218
NET CASH (DISBURSED FOR) PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES
(107,577
56,039
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
(15,661
(153,423
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
165,134
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
11,711
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION
BASIS OF ACCOUNTING — The accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements of Flowers Foods, Inc. (the “company”, “Flowers Foods”, “Flowers”, “us”, “we”, or “our”) have been prepared by the company’s management in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and applicable rules and regulations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Accordingly, they do not include all the information and footnotes required by GAAP for audited financial statements. In the opinion of management, the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included herein contain all adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring adjustments) necessary to state fairly the company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows. The results of operations for the twelve and twenty-eight weeks ended July 13, 2024 and July 15, 2023 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for a full fiscal year. The Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 30, 2023 has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date but does not include all the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 30, 2023 (the “Form 10-K”).
INFLATIONARY ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT AND MACROECONOMIC FACTORS — We continue to monitor the impact of the inflationary economic environment, supply chain disruptions, increased labor costs, the conflict between Russia and Ukraine and the conflict in the Middle East on our business. Our results through the second quarter of Fiscal 2024 have continued to benefit from a more optimized sales mix of branded retail products as compared to pre-pandemic periods. However, inflationary pressures are impacting consumer purchasing patterns. Inflation, particularly for input costs, has also impacted our business during the previous two years which has partially offset the improved sales mix. We implemented price increases during the first and second quarters of Fiscal 2023 to mitigate these cost pressures. Commodity cost inflation began to moderate in the latter half of Fiscal 2023 and has continued during the first and second quarters of Fiscal 2024.
INVESTMENT IN UNCONSOLIDATED AFFILIATE — In the second quarter of Fiscal 2022, we invested $9.0 million in Base Culture, a Clearwater, Florida-based company with one manufacturing facility. We made an additional investment of $2.0 million in Base Culture during the second quarter of Fiscal 2023. Base Culture's product offerings include better-for-you, gluten-free, and grain-free sliced breads and baked goods that are all-natural, 100% Paleo-certified, kosher-certified, dairy-free, soy-free, and non-GMO verified. The investment is being accounted for at cost, less any impairment, adjusted for changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions involving the affiliate, as we do not control nor do we have the ability to significantly influence the affiliate, nor is there a readily determinable fair value. Should circumstances indicate a change in the fair value, a fair value adjustment may be necessary.
During the first quarter of Fiscal 2024, the company's qualitative assessment of the fair value of Base Culture indicated the investment may be impaired. Additional quantitative analysis of Base Culture indicated a fair value of approximately $1.5 million of the company’s interest. The company recognized an impairment loss of $4.0 million during the first quarter of Fiscal 2024 which is reported in the Impairment of assets line item of the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. The company also recognized an impairment loss of $5.5 million during the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2023. The losses recognized represent the difference between the estimated fair value and the company’s original carrying value. The current carrying value is approximately $1.5 million.
ESTIMATES — The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The company believes the following critical accounting estimates affect its more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of its consolidated financial statements: revenue recognition, derivative financial instruments, valuation of long-lived assets, goodwill and other intangible assets, leases, self-insurance reserves, income tax expense and accruals, postretirement plans, stock-based compensation, and commitments and contingencies. These estimates are summarized in Form 10-K.
REPORTING PERIODS — Fiscal Year End. Our fiscal year ends on the Saturday nearest December 31, resulting in a 53rd reporting week every five or six years. The last 53-week year was our Fiscal 2020. The next 53-week year will be Fiscal 2025. Our internal financial results and key performance indicators are reported on a weekly calendar basis to ensure the same numbers of Saturdays and Sundays in comparable months and to allow for a consistent four-week progression analysis. The company has elected the first quarter to report the extra four-week period. As such, our quarters are divided as follows:
Quarter
Number of Weeks
First Quarter
Sixteen
Second Quarter
Twelve
Third Quarter
Fourth Quarter
Twelve (or Thirteen in fiscal years with an extra week)
Accordingly, interim results may not be indicative of subsequent interim period results, or comparable to prior or subsequent interim period results, due to differences in the lengths of the interim periods.
Fiscal 2024 consists of 52 weeks, with the company’s quarterly reporting periods as follows: first quarter ended April 20, 2024 (sixteen weeks), second quarter ended July 13, 2024 (twelve weeks), third quarter ending October 5, 2024 (twelve weeks) and fourth quarter ending December 28, 2024 (twelve weeks).
REPORTING SEGMENT — The company has one operating segment based on the nature of products the company sells, intertwined production and distribution model, the internal management structure and information that is regularly reviewed by the chief executive officer (“CEO”), who is the chief operating decision maker, for the purpose of assessing performance and allocating resources.
SIGNIFICANT CUSTOMER — Below is the effect that our largest customer, Walmart/Sam’s Club, had on the company’s sales for the twelve and twenty-eight weeks ended July 13, 2024 and July 15, 2023. Walmart/Sam’s Club is the only customer to account for greater than 10% of the company’s sales.
(% of Sales)
23.3
22.7
22.9
22.4
Walmart/Sam’s Club is our only customer with greater than 10% of outstanding trade receivables, representing 19.5% and 20.3%, on a consolidated basis, as of July 13, 2024 and December 30, 2023, respectively, of our trade receivables.
BUSINESS PROCESS IMPROVEMENT COSTS — In the second half of Fiscal 2020, we launched initiatives to transform our business operations, which include upgrading our information system to a more robust platform, as well as investments in e-commerce, autonomous planning, and our “bakery of the future” initiatives. These costs may be expensed as incurred, capitalized, recognized as a cloud computing arrangement, or recognized as a prepaid service contract. The expensed portion of these direct costs incurred related to these initiatives was $1.6 million and $5.3 million for the twelve and twenty-eight weeks ended July 13, 2024, respectively. The expensed portion of these direct costs incurred related to these initiatives was $6.6 million and $12.8 million for the twelve and twenty-eight weeks ended July 15, 2023, respectively. These costs are reflected in the selling, distribution and administrative expenses line item of the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. Costs from previously capitalized, cloud computing arrangements, or prepaid service contracts are recognized in operating costs and are not included in the business process improvement costs above.
2. RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
Recently adopted accounting pronouncements
The company did not adopt any accounting pronouncements during the twenty-eight weeks ended July 13, 2024.
Accounting pronouncements not yet adopted
On August 23, 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-05, "Business Combinations - Joint Venture Formations (Subtopic 805-60): Recognition and Initial Measurement", which requires a joint venture to initially measure all contributions received upon its formation at fair value. This accounting will largely be consistent with ASC 805, Business Combinations, although there are some specific exceptions. This new guidance is intended to reduce diversity in practice and provide users of the joint venture’s financial statements with more decision-useful information. It may also reduce the amount of basis differences that an investor in a joint venture needs to track. The standard is effective for all joint venture entities with a formation date on or after January 1, 2025, with early adoption permitted. Joint ventures formed prior to the adoption date may elect to apply the new guidance retrospectively back to their original formation date. The company is determining the impact on our business.
On November 27, 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-07, "Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures, which requires public entities to disclose, on an annual and interim basis, significant segment expenses that are regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker and included within each reported measure of segment profit or loss. All public entities will be required to report segment information in accordance with the new guidance starting in annual periods beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. The company is determining the impact on our business.
11
On December 14, 2023, The FASB issued ASU 2023-09, "Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures, which enhances the transparency and decision usefulness of income tax disclosures by requiring; (1) consistent categories and greater disaggregation of information in the rate reconciliation and (2) income taxes paid disaggregated by jurisdiction. It also includes certain other amendments to improve the effectiveness of income tax disclosures. For public business entities, the standard is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024. Early adoption is permitted for annual financial statements that have not yet been issued or made available for issuance. The company is determining the impact on our business.
On March 29, 2024, the FASB issued ASU 2024-02, "Codification Improvements - Amendments to Remove References to the Concepts Statements" which removes references to the Board's concepts statements from the FASB Accounting Standards Codification. The ASU is part of the Board's standing project to make codification updated for technical corrections such as conforming amendments, clarifications to guidance, simplifications to wording or structure guidance, and other minor improvements. The amendments in this update are effective for public entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. The company is determining the impact on our business.
We have reviewed other recently issued accounting pronouncements and concluded that either they are not applicable to our business, or no material effect is expected upon future adoption.
3. RESTRUCTURING ACTIVITIES
In April 2024, the company announced a cost savings program to improve operational performance, which includes employee termination benefits associated with a reduction-in-force ("2024 RIF") and other optimization initiatives expected to be completed in Fiscal 2024. The company also incurred consulting costs associated with implementing the restructuring program.
In February 2023, to improve operational effectiveness, increase profitable sales, and better meet customer requirements, the company announced a restructuring of plant operation responsibilities from the sales function to the supply chain function. As part of that restructuring, we incurred costs for employee termination benefits and other cash charges, which were primarily related to the voluntary employee separation incentive plan (the "2023 VSIP"), reduction-in-force (the "2023 RIF"), and employee relocation costs. There were no additional costs incurred during Fiscal 2024.
The tables below presents the components of costs associated with the restructuring programs detailed above (amounts in thousands):
Restructuring charges:
2024 RIF
Relocation costs
Restructuring charges (1)
Restructuring-related implementation costs (2)
1,635
2,979
Total restructuring charges
8,440
10,382
2023 VSIP
1,302
5,229
2023 RIF
899
298
566
Total restructuring charges (1)
12
The table below presents the components of, and changes in, our restructuring accruals (amounts in thousands):
2023VSIP
Liability balance at December 30, 2023
1,429
Charges
Cash payments
(1,429
(6,915
(8,344
Liability balance at July 13, 2024
488
4. ACQUISITION
On February 17, 2023, the company completed the acquisition of the Papa Pita for total consideration of approximately $274.8 million, inclusive of net working capital adjustments. Papa Pita is a manufacturer and distributor of bagels, tortillas, breads, buns, English muffins, and flat breads with one production facility in West Jordan, Utah and, prior to the acquisition, Papa Pita co-manufactured certain products for the company. Papa Pita has direct-store-delivery distribution in the western U.S., expanding our geographic reach. We incurred additional acquisition costs of $3.7 million during the twenty-eight weeks ended July 15, 2023. These costs are reflected in the selling, distribution, and administrative expenses line item of the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. The company also recognized a $2.1 million goodwill measurement period adjustment related to an environmental and emissions liability during the first quarter of Fiscal 2024.
The following table summarizes the consideration paid for Papa Pita based on the fair value at the acquisition date. This table is based on the valuations for the assets acquired (the company did not acquire any cash), liabilities assumed, and the allocated intangible assets and goodwill (amounts in thousands):
Fair Value of consideration transferred:
Cash consideration paid
270,258
Working capital adjustments
4,497
Total consideration
274,755
Recognized amounts of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed:
Property, plant, and equipment
104,118
Identifiable intangible assets
27,100
Financial assets
14,250
Liabilities assumed
(5,365
Net recognized amounts of identifiable assets acquired
140,103
134,652
The following table presents the acquired intangible assets subject to amortization (amounts in thousands, except amortization periods):
Weighted average amortization years
Amortization Method
Trademarks
4,600
20.0
Straight-line
Customer relationships
22,200
25.0
Sum of year digits
Noncompete agreements
300
4.0
Total intangible assets
23.9
5. LEASES
The company’s leases consist of the following types of assets: two bakeries, corporate office space, warehouses, bakery equipment, transportation and IT equipment. The quantitative disclosures for our leases follow below.
The following table details lease modifications and renewals and lease terminations (amounts in thousands):
Lease modifications and renewals
4,171
7,417
20,637
24,765
Lease terminations
221
169
1,551
205
13
The lease modifications and renewals for the twenty-eight weeks ended July 13, 2024 include renewals of multiple warehouse leases. The lease modifications and renewals for the twenty-eight weeks ended July 15, 2023 include $10.6 million related to a 10-year extension for a freezer storage lease that occurred during our first quarter of Fiscal 2023.
Lease costs incurred by lease type, and/or type of payment, and other supplemental quantitative disclosures as of and for the twelve and twenty-eight weeks ended July 13, 2024 and July 15, 2023, respectively, were as follows (amounts in thousands):
Lease cost:
Amortization of right-of-use assets
64
393
151
917
Interest on lease liabilities
25
Operating lease cost
16,419
14,497
37,498
33,815
Short-term lease cost
2,724
787
3,427
1,612
Variable lease cost
8,571
8,789
22,348
19,713
Total lease cost
27,780
24,475
63,428
56,082
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
Operating cash flows from financing leases
Operating cash flows from operating leases
41,425
36,627
Financing cash flows from financing leases
1,052
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new financing lease liabilities
215
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities
40,393
25,193
Weighted-average remaining lease term (years):
Financing leases
2.0
Operating leases
6.8
Weighted-average IBR (percentage):
3.6
4.6
Estimated undiscounted future lease payments under non-cancelable operating leases and financing leases, along with a reconciliation of the undiscounted cash flows to operating and financing lease liabilities, respectively, as of July 13, 2024 (in thousands) were as follows:
Operating leaseliabilities
Financing leaseliabilities
Remainder of 2024
31,834
77
2025
74,383
2026
55,772
38
2027
47,553
17
2028
33,854
2029 and thereafter
112,434
1
Total minimum lease payments
355,830
191
Less: amount of lease payments representing interest
(51,888
(8
Present value of future minimum lease payments
303,942
183
Less: current obligations under leases
(59,975
(164
Long-term lease obligations
14
6. ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (“AOCI”)
The company’s total comprehensive income presently consists of net income, adjustments for our derivative financial instruments accounted for as cash flow hedges, and various pension and other postretirement benefit related items.
During the twelve and twenty-eight weeks ended July 13, 2024 and July 15, 2023, reclassifications out of AOCI were as follows (amounts in thousands):
Amount Reclassified from AOCI
Affected Line Item in the Statement
Details about AOCI Components (Note 2)
Where Net Income is Presented
Interest rate contracts
115
Commodity contracts
(143
(509
Cost of sales, Note 3
Total before tax
(28
(394
Tax benefit
Total net of tax
(21
(295
Net of tax
Prior-service credits
41
40
Note 1
Actuarial gain losses
31
72
Tax expense
(18
(15
54
42
Total reclassifications
33
(253
Where Net Income (Loss) is Presented
Gains and losses on cash flow hedges:
268
(1,029
(1,915
(761
(1,647
190
412
(571
(1,235
Amortization of defined benefit pension items:
Prior-service costs
95
Actuarial losses
74
135
(34
127
101
(444
(1,134
Note 1:These items are included in the computation of net periodic pension cost and are reported in the other components of net periodic pension and postretirement benefits credit line item on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. See Note 18, Postretirement Plans, for additional information.
Note 2:Amounts in parentheses indicate debits to determine net income.
Note 3:Amounts are presented as an adjustment to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
During the twenty-eight weeks ended July 13, 2024, changes to AOCI, net of income tax, by component were as follows (amounts in thousands and parentheses denote a debit balance):
Cash FlowHedge Items
DefinedBenefit PensionPlan Items
AOCI at December 30, 2023
963
(342
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications
Reclassified to earnings from AOCI
AOCI at July 13, 2024
1,412
(469
15
During the twenty-eight weeks ended July 15, 2023, changes to AOCI, net of income tax, by component were as follows (amounts in thousands and parentheses denote a debit balance):
AOCI at December 31, 2022
2,099
(625
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications
1,134
AOCI at July 15, 2023
3,382
(726
Amounts reclassified out of AOCI to net income that relate to commodity contracts are presented as an adjustment to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. The following table presents the net of tax amount reclassified from AOCI for our commodity contracts (amounts in thousands and positive value indicates credits to determine net income):
Gross loss reclassified from AOCI into net income
257
479
(772
(1,436
7. GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS
The table below summarizes our goodwill and other intangible assets at July 13, 2024 and December 30, 2023, respectively, each of which is explained in additional detail below (amounts in thousands):
Amortizable intangible assets, net
513,663
530,642
Indefinite-lived intangible assets
127,100
Total goodwill and other intangible assets
1,320,659
1,335,538
The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill during the twenty-eight weeks ended July 13, 2024, during which time we finalized the purchase accounting for the acquisition of Papa Pita, are as follows (amounts in thousands):
Balance as of December 30, 2023
Measurement period adjustment (see Note 4, Acquisition)
2,100
Balance as of July 13, 2024
On February 17, 2023, the company completed the acquisition of Papa Pita for total consideration of $274.8 million, inclusive of a net working capital adjustment payment. The acquisition included several amortizable intangible assets which total $27.1 million and are included in the table below. See Note 4, Acquisition, for details of the assets and the respective amortization period by category.
As of July 13, 2024 and December 30, 2023, respectively, the company had the following amounts related to amortizable intangible assets (amounts in thousands):
Asset
AccumulatedAmortization
NetValue
481,715
115,569
366,146
107,562
374,153
340,221
193,099
147,122
184,222
155,999
Non-compete agreements
5,454
5,246
208
5,206
248
Distributor relationships
4,123
3,936
187
3,881
242
831,513
317,850
300,871
16
Aggregate amortization expense for the twelve and twenty-eight weeks ended July 13, 2024 and July 15, 2023 was as follows (amounts in thousands):
AmortizationExpense
For the twelve weeks ended July 13, 2024
7,263
For the twelve weeks ended July 15, 2023
7,596
For the twenty-eight weeks ended July 13, 2024
16,979
For the twenty-eight weeks ended July 15, 2023
17,319
Estimated amortization of intangibles for each of the next five years is as follows (amounts in thousands):
Amortization ofIntangibles
14,427
30,747
28,891
27,241
25,611
There were $127.1 million of indefinite-lived intangible trademark assets separately identified from goodwill at July 13, 2024 and December 30, 2023. These trademarks are classified as indefinite-lived because we believe they are well established brands with a long history and well-defined markets. We believe these factors support an indefinite life. We perform an annual impairment analysis, or on an interim basis if the facts and circumstances change, to determine if the trademarks are realizing their expected economic benefits.
8. FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, and short-term debt approximates fair value because of the short-term maturity of the instruments. Notes receivable are entered into in connection with the purchase of independent distributors’ distribution rights by independent distributor partners (“IDPs”). These notes receivable are recorded in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at carrying value, which represents the closest approximation of fair value. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The company financed approximately 2,800 and 3,000 IDPs’ distribution rights as of July 13, 2024 and December 30, 2023, respectively, all with varied financial histories and credit risks. However, the current stated interest rates used to record the carrying values are appropriately reflective of our estimated interest rates that would be made to borrowers with similar credit ratings for the remaining maturities of the distributor notes receivable. The distribution rights are generally purchased by the IDP with a 5% down payment with the remainder financed for up to 10 years. The distributor notes receivable are collateralized by the IDPs’ distribution rights. The company maintains a wholly-owned subsidiary to assist in financing the distribution rights purchase activities if requested by new IDPs, using the distribution rights and certain associated assets as collateral. These notes receivable earn interest at a fixed rate.
Interest income was primarily related to the IDPs’ notes receivable and was as follows (amounts in thousands):
InterestIncome
4,070
4,758
9,760
11,709
At July 13, 2024 and December 30, 2023, respectively, the carrying value of the distributor notes receivable was as follows (amounts in thousands):
Distributor notes receivable
128,224
133,335
Less: current portion of distributor notes receivable recorded in accounts and notes receivable, net
(14,995
(9,764
Long-term portion of distributor notes receivable
The distributor notes receivable balance as of July 13, 2024 and December 30, 2023 include a reserve of $7.8 million and $14.8 million, respectively, related to a legal settlement. See Note 15, Commitments and Contingencies, for additional information.
The fair value of the company’s variable rate debt at July 13, 2024 approximates the recorded value. The fair value of the company’s 2.400% senior notes due 2031 (the "2031 notes") and 3.500% senior notes due 2026 (the “2026 notes”), as discussed in Note 13, Debt and Other Obligations, of this Form 10-Q, are estimated using yields obtained from independent pricing sources for similar types of borrowing arrangements and are considered a Level 2 valuation. The fair value of the 2031 notes and 2026 notes are presented in the table below (amounts in thousands, except level classification):
Carrying Value
Fair Value
Level
2031 notes
495,116
422,617
2026 notes
398,728
386,654
For fair value disclosure information about our derivative assets and liabilities see Note 9, Derivative Financial Instruments.
9. DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
The company measures the fair value of its derivative portfolio by using the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in the principal market for that asset or liability. These measurements are classified into a hierarchy by the inputs used to perform the fair value calculation as follows:
Level 1: Fair value based on unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities at the measurement date
Level 2: Modeled fair value with model inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly
Level 3: Modeled fair value with unobservable model inputs that are used to estimate the fair value of the asset or liability
Commodity Risk
The company enters into commodity derivatives designated as cash-flow hedges of existing or future exposure to changes in commodity prices. The company’s primary raw materials are flour, sweeteners and shortening, along with pulp, paper and petroleum-based packaging products. Natural gas, which is used as oven fuel, and diesel fuel are also important commodity inputs.
As of July 13, 2024, the company’s hedge portfolio contained commodity derivatives, which are recorded in the following accounts with fair values measured as indicated (amounts in thousands):
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Assets:
Other current
Other long-term
Liabilities:
(716
(746
Net Fair Value
(734
As of December 30, 2023, the company’s hedge portfolio contained commodity derivatives, which are recorded in the following accounts with fair values measured as indicated (amounts in thousands):
55
(1,918
(2
(1,920
(1,865
18
The positions held in the portfolio are used to hedge economic exposure to changes in various raw material prices and effectively fix, or limit increases in, prices for a period extending into Fiscal 2025. These instruments are designated as cash-flow hedges. The change in the fair value for these derivatives is reported in AOCI. All the company-held commodity derivatives at July 13, 2024 and December 30, 2023, respectively, qualified for hedge accounting.
Interest Rate Risk
During the second quarter of Fiscal 2024, the company entered into an interest rate swap. The company's risk management objective and strategy with respect to this interest rate swap is to protect the company against adverse fluctuations in interest rates by reducing its exposure to variability in cash flows relating to interest payments on a forecasted issuance of long-term debt. This swap is designated as a cash flow hedge.
As of July 13, 2024, the company’s hedge portfolio contained interest derivatives, which are recorded in the following accounts with fair values measured as indicated (amounts in thousands):
(22
The company's hedge portfolio did not contain any interest derivatives as of December 30, 2023.
During the first quarter of Fiscal 2021, the company entered into treasury locks to fix the interest rate for the 2031 notes issued on March 9, 2021. The derivative positions were closed when the debt was priced on March 2, 2021 with a cash settlement net receipt of $3.9 million that offset changes in the benchmark treasury rate between execution of the treasury rate locks and the debt pricing date. These rate locks were designated as a cash flow hedge and the deferred amount reported in AOCI is being reclassified to interest expense as interest payments are made on the notes through the maturity date.
The company previously entered into treasury rate locks at the time we executed the 2026 notes. These rate locks were designated as a cash flow hedge and the fair value at termination was deferred in AOCI. The deferred amount reported in AOCI is being reclassified to interest expense as interest payments are made on the related notes through the maturity date.
Derivative Assets and Liabilities
The company has the following derivative instruments located on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, which are utilized for the risk management purposes detailed above (amounts in thousands):
Derivative Assets
Derivative Liabilities
Derivatives Designated asHedging Instruments
Balance SheetLocation
BalanceSheetLocation
Othercurrentassets
Otheraccruedliabilities
716
Other accruedliabilities
1,918
Otherassets
Otherlong-termliabilities
768
1,920
Derivative AOCI transactions
The company had the following derivative instruments for deferred gains and (losses) on closed contracts and the effective portion for changes in fair value recorded in AOCI (no amounts were excluded from the effectiveness test), all of which are utilized for the risk management purposes detailed above (amounts in thousands and net of tax):
Amount of (Loss) or Gain
Amount of Gain or (Loss)
Recognized in AOCI on Derivatives
Reclassified from AOCI
(Effective Portion)
Location of Gain or (Loss)
into Income (Effective Portion)
Derivatives in Cash Flow
Hedge Relationships(1)
into Income (Effective Portion)(2)
86
466
Production costs(3)
(107
(381
201
(100
There was no hedging ineffectiveness, and no amounts were excluded from the ineffectiveness testing, during the twelve and twenty-eight weeks ended July 13, 2024 and July 15, 2023, respectively, related to the company’s commodity risk hedges.
At July 13, 2024, the balance in AOCI related to commodity price risk and interest rate risk derivative transactions that closed or will expire over the following years are as follows (amounts in thousands and net of tax) (amounts in parenthesis indicate a debit balance):
CommodityPrice RiskDerivatives
InterestRate RiskDerivatives
Totals
Closed contracts
(130
2,115
1,985
Expiring in 2024
(548
Expiring in 2025
(3
Expiring in 2026
(681
2,093
Derivative Transactions Notional Amounts
As of July 13, 2024, the company had the following outstanding financial contracts that were entered to hedge commodity risk (amounts in thousands):
NotionalAmount
Wheat contracts
1,581
Soybean oil contracts
6,483
Natural gas contracts
1,978
50,000
60,042
The company’s derivative instruments contain no credit-risk related contingent features at July 13, 2024. As of July 13, 2024 and December 30, 2023, the company had $4.2 million and $6.3 million, respectively, in other current assets representing collateral for
20
hedged positions. As of July 13, 2024 and December 30, 2023, the company had $2.9 million and $3.2 million, respectively, recorded in other accrued liabilities representing collateral due to counterparties for hedged positions.
10. OTHER CURRENT AND NON-CURRENT ASSETS
Other current assets consist of (amounts in thousands):
Prepaid assets
2,594
4,042
Service contracts
18,045
27,102
Prepaid insurance
3,397
6,546
Prepaid marketing and promotions
6,324
4,458
Collateral to counterparties for derivative positions
4,153
6,333
Income taxes receivable
9,925
17,362
1,233
214
Other non-current assets consist of (amounts in thousands):
Unamortized financing fees
1,125
Investments
2,384
2,443
1,481
5,481
Deposits
2,699
2,789
Noncurrent postretirement benefit plan asset
6,379
6,494
123
155
11. OTHER ACCRUED LIABILITIES AND OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES
Other accrued liabilities consist of (amounts in thousands):
Employee compensation
29,711
28,000
Employee vacation
20,158
17,699
Restructuring-related accruals
Employee bonus
27,220
28,004
Fair value of derivative instruments
Self-insurance reserves
34,893
38,003
Bank overdraft
15,611
18,180
Accrued interest
8,445
7,516
Accrued utilities
5,829
6,121
Accrued taxes
14,353
7,984
Accrued advertising
4,977
2,333
Accrued legal settlements
55,000
Accrued legal costs
5,716
3,798
Accrued short-term deferred income
2,715
3,217
Collateral due to counterparties for derivative positions
2,922
3,230
Multi-employer pension plan withdrawal liability
1,297
Repurchase obligations of distribution rights
45,880
64,583
10,854
4,634
The repurchase of distribution rights is part of a legal settlement which requires a phased repurchase of approximately 350 distribution rights. The company estimated the cost of these repurchases, and an additional 50 other California distribution rights that are not part of the settlement, in accordance with the settlement agreement and the amount is net of the remaining notes receivable
balance. The repurchases began at the end of the first quarter of Fiscal 2024 and are anticipated to be completed by the end of the first quarter of Fiscal 2025. See Note 15, Commitments and Contingencies, for details on this settlement.
Other long-term liabilities consist of (amounts in thousands):
Deferred income
5,965
7,222
Deferred compensation
26,928
26,207
2,576
508
12. ASSETS HELD FOR SALE
The company may repurchase distribution rights from IDPs for a variety of reasons, including when the company decides to exit a territory or, in some cases, when the IDP elects to terminate its relationship with the company. In most of the distributor agreements, if the company decides to exit a territory or stop using the independent distribution model in a territory, the company is contractually required to purchase the distribution rights from the IDP. In the event an IDP terminates its relationship with the company, the company, although not legally obligated, may repurchase and operate those distribution rights as a company-owned territory. The IDPs may also sell their distribution rights to another person or entity. Distribution rights purchased from IDPs and operated as company-owned territories are recorded on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets in the line item assets held for sale while the company actively seeks another IDP to purchase the distribution rights for the territory. Distribution rights held for sale and operated by the company are sold to IDPs at fair market value pursuant to the terms of a distributor agreement. There are multiple versions of the distributor agreement in place at any given time and the terms of such distributor agreements vary.
Additional assets recorded in assets held for sale are for property, plant and equipment. The carrying values of assets held for sale are not amortized and are evaluated for impairment as required at the end of the reporting period. The table below presents the assets held for sale as of July 13, 2024 and December 30, 2023, respectively (amounts in thousands):
Distribution rights
25,513
20,587
591
1,212
Total assets held for sale
During the second quarter of Fiscal 2024, the company recorded an asset impairment charge of $1.4 million to write-off certain cake distribution territories classified as held for sale that the company no longer intends to sell.
13. DEBT AND OTHER OBLIGATIONS
Long-term debt (net of issuance costs and debt discounts excluding line-of-credit arrangements) (leases are separately discussed in Note 5, Leases) consisted of the following at July 13, 2024 and December 30, 2023, respectively (amounts in thousands):
Unsecured credit facility
494,723
398,421
Accounts receivable repurchase facility
175,000
155,000
Less current maturities of long-term debt
Total long-term debt
Bank overdrafts occur when checks have been issued but have not been presented to the bank for payment. Certain banks allow us to delay funding of issued checks until the checks are presented for payment. The delay in funding results in a temporary source of financing from the bank. The activity related to bank overdrafts is shown as a financing activity in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Bank overdrafts are included in other accrued liabilities on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
The company also had standby letters of credit (“LOCs”) outstanding of $8.4 million at July 13, 2024 and December 30, 2023, which reduce the availability of funds under the senior unsecured revolving credit facility (the "credit facility"). The outstanding LOCs
22
are for the benefit of certain insurance companies and lessors. None of the outstanding LOCs are recorded as a liability on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
2031 Notes, 2026 Notes, Accounts Receivable Repurchase Facility, Accounts Receivable Securitization Facility, and Credit Facility
2031 Notes. On March 9, 2021, the company issued $500.0 million of senior notes. The company will pay semiannual interest on the 2031 notes on each March 15 and September 15 and the 2031 notes will mature on March 15, 2031. The notes bear interest at 2.400% per annum. On any date prior to December 15, 2030, the company may redeem some or all of the notes at a price equal to the greater of (1) 100% of the principal amount of the notes redeemed and (2) a “make-whole” amount plus, in each case, accrued and unpaid interest. The make-whole amount is equal to the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest on the 2031 notes to be redeemed that would be due if such notes matured December 15, 2030 (exclusive of interest accrued to, but not including, the date of redemption), discounted to the date of redemption on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at a rate equal to the sum of the applicable treasury rate (as defined in the indenture governing the notes), plus 20 basis points, plus, in each case, accrued and unpaid interest. At any time on or after December 15, 2030, the company may redeem some or all of the 2031 notes at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest. If the company experiences a “change of control triggering event” (which involves a change of control of the company and the related rating of the notes below investment grade), it is required to offer to purchase the notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon unless the company has exercised its option to redeem the notes in whole. The 2031 notes are also subject to customary restrictive covenants for investment grade debt, including certain limitations on liens and sale and leaseback transactions.
The face value of the 2031 notes is $500.0 million. There was a debt discount of $2.4 million representing the difference between the net proceeds, after expenses, received upon issuance of debt and the amount repayable at its maturity. The company also accrued issuance costs of $4.8 million (including underwriting fees and other fees) on the 2031 notes. Debt issuance costs and the debt discount are being amortized to interest expense over the term of the 2031 notes. As of July 13, 2024 and December 30, 2023, respectively, the company was in compliance with all restrictive covenants under the indenture governing the 2031 notes.
2026 Notes. On September 28, 2016, the company issued $400.0 million of senior notes. The company pays semiannual interest on the 2026 notes on each April 1 and October 1 and the 2026 notes will mature on October 1, 2026. The notes bear interest at 3.500% per annum. The 2026 notes are subject to interest rate adjustments if either Moody’s or S&P downgrades (or downgrades and subsequently upgrades) the credit rating assigned to the 2026 notes. On any date prior to July 1, 2026, the company may redeem some or all of the notes at a price equal to the greater of (1) 100% of the principal amount of the notes redeemed and (2) a “make-whole” amount plus, in each case, accrued and unpaid interest. The make-whole amount is equal to the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest on the 2026 notes to be redeemed that would be due if such notes matured July 1, 2026 (exclusive of interest accrued to, but not including, the date of redemption), discounted to the date of redemption on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the treasury rate (as defined in the indenture governing the notes), plus 30 basis points, plus in each case accrued and unpaid interest. At any time on or after July 1, 2026, the company may redeem some or all of the 2026 notes at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest. If the company experiences a “change of control triggering event” (which involves a change of control of the company and the related rating of the notes below investment grade), it is required to offer to purchase the notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon unless the company exercised its option to redeem the notes in whole. The 2026 notes are also subject to customary restrictive covenants for investment grade debt, including certain limitations on liens and sale and leaseback transactions.
The face value of the 2026 notes is $400.0 million. There was a debt discount of $2.1 million representing the difference between the net proceeds, after expenses, received upon issuance of debt and the amount repayable at its maturity. The company also paid issuance costs of $3.6 million (including underwriting fees and other fees) on the 2026 notes. Debt issuance costs and the debt discount are being amortized to interest expense over the term of the 2026 notes. As of July 13, 2024, and December 30, 2023, respectively, the company was in compliance with all restrictive covenants under the indenture governing the 2026 notes.
Accounts Receivable Repurchase Facility. On April 14, 2023, the company terminated the accounts receivable securitization facility (the "securitization facility") and entered into a two-year $200.0 million accounts receivable repurchase facility (the "repurchase facility"). On April, 15, 2024, the company entered into the First Omnibus Amendment to amend the repurchase facility and extend the scheduled facility expiration date from April 14, 2025 to April 14, 2026. Under the repurchase facility, certain subsidiaries of the company sell or distribute, on an ongoing basis, substantially all of their trade receivables to the company. The company may at its option onward sell all of its qualifying receivables to the funding parties under the repurchase facility with an agreement to repurchase the receivables on a monthly basis for a repurchase price equal to the purchase price paid and an interest component based on Term SOFR (as defined below) plus a margin. There is an unused fee applicable on the daily unused portion of the repurchase facility. The repurchase facility contains certain customary representations and warranties, affirmative and negative covenants, and events of default. As of July 13, 2024, the company was in compliance with all restrictive covenants under the repurchase facility.
The table below presents the borrowings and repayments under the repurchase facility during the twenty-eight weeks ended July 13, 2024:
Amount(thousands)
Balance at December 30, 2023
Borrowings
Payments
(135,000
Balance at July 13, 2024
The table below presents the net amount available for working capital and general corporate purposes under the repurchases facility as of July 13, 2024:
Gross amount available
200,000
Outstanding
(175,000
Available for withdrawal
25,000
Amounts available for withdrawal under the repurchase facility are determined as the lesser of the total repurchase facility limit and a formula derived amount based on qualifying trade receivables. The table below presents the highest and lowest outstanding balance under the repurchase facility during the twenty-eight weeks ended July 13, 2024:
High balance
195,000
Low balance
105,000
Financing costs paid at inception of the repurchase facility and when amendments are executed are being amortized over the life of the repurchase facility. The company incurred $0.2 million in financing costs during the first quarter of Fiscal 2024 related to the amendment and $0.8 million in financing costs at inception during the first quarter of Fiscal 2023. The balance of unamortized financing costs was $0.3 million on July 13, 2024 and December 30, 2023, and is recorded in other assets on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Accounts Receivable Securitization Facility. On July 17, 2013, the company entered into the securitization facility. The company had previously amended the securitization facility 11 times since execution and most recently on February 13, 2023. On April 14, 2023, the company terminated the securitization facility with no outstanding borrowings and recognized a charge of $0.3 million to write-off the unamortized loan costs upon the early extinguishment of the securitization facility.
Credit Facility. The company is party to an amended and restated credit agreement, dated as of October 24, 2003, with the lenders party thereto and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as administrative agent, (as amended, restated, modified or supplemented from time to time, the “amended and restated credit agreement”). The company has amended the amended and restated credit agreement eight times since execution, most recently on April 12, 2023 (the “eighth amendment”). Under the amended and restated credit agreement, our credit facility is a five-year, $500.0 million senior unsecured revolving loan facility with the following terms and conditions: (i) a maturity date of July 30, 2026; (ii) an applicable margin for revolving loans maintained as (1) base rate loans and swingline loans with a range of 0.00% to 0.525% and (2) SOFR loans with a range of 0.815% to 1.525%, in each case, based on the more favorable (to the company) of (x) the leverage ratio of the company and its subsidiaries and (y) the company’s debt rating; (iii) an applicable facility fee with a range of 0.06% to 0.225%, due quarterly on all commitments under the amended and restated credit agreement, based on the more favorable (to the company) of (x) the leverage ratio of the company and its subsidiaries and (y) the company’s debt rating; and (iv) a maximum leverage ratio covenant to permit the company, at its option, in connection with certain acquisitions and investments and subject to the terms and conditions provided in the amended and restated credit agreement, to increase the maximum ratio permitted thereunder on one or more occasions to 4.00 to 1.00 for a period of four consecutive fiscal quarters, including and/or immediately following the fiscal quarter in which such acquisitions or investments were completed (the “covenant holiday”), provided that each additional covenant holiday will not be available to the company until it has achieved and maintained a leverage ratio of at least 3.75 to 1.00 and has been complied with for at least two fiscal quarters. Additionally, the eighth amendment replaced the benchmark rate at which borrowings under the amended and restated credit agreement bear interest from LIBOR to the forward-looking SOFR term rate administered by CME Group Benchmark Administration Limited ("Term SOFR"). As a result of these amendments and with respect to SOFR Loans, we can borrow at Term SOFR, plus a credit spread adjustment of 0.10% subject to a floor of zero.
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In addition, the credit facility contains a provision that permits the company to request up to $200.0 million in additional revolving commitments, for a total of up to $700.0 million, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions. Proceeds from the credit facility may be used for working capital and general corporate purposes, including capital expenditures, acquisition financing, refinancing of indebtedness, dividends and share repurchases. The credit facility includes certain customary restrictions, which, among other things, require maintenance of financial covenants and limit encumbrance of assets and creation of indebtedness. Restrictive financial covenants include such ratios as a minimum interest coverage ratio and a maximum leverage ratio. The company believes that, given its current cash position, its cash flow from operating activities and its available credit capacity, it can comply with the current terms of the amended credit facility and can meet its presently foreseeable financial requirements. As of July 13, 2024 and December 30, 2023, respectively, the company was in compliance with all restrictive covenants under the credit facility.
Financing costs paid at inception of the credit facility and at the time amendments are executed are being amortized over the life of the credit facility. The company incurred additional financing costs of $0.1 million during the first quarter of Fiscal 2023 for the eighth amendment. The balance of unamortized financing costs was $0.7 million and $0.9 million on July 13, 2024 and December 30, 2023, respectively, and is recorded in other assets on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Amounts outstanding under the credit facility can vary daily. Changes in the gross borrowings and repayments can be caused by cash flow activity from operations, capital expenditures, acquisitions, dividends, share repurchases, and tax payments, as well as derivative transactions, which are part of the company’s overall risk management strategy as discussed in Note 9, Derivative Financial Instruments, of this Form 10-Q. The table below presents the borrowings and repayments under the credit facility during the twenty-eight weeks ended July 13, 2024.
71,300
(71,300
The table below presents the net amount available under the credit facility as of July 13, 2024:
500,000
Letters of credit
(8,400
491,600
The table below presents the highest and lowest outstanding balance under the credit facility during the twenty-eight weeks ended July 13, 2024:
30,000
Aggregate maturities of debt outstanding as of July 13, 2024 are as follows (excluding unamortized debt discount and issuance costs) (amounts in thousands):
575,000
1,075,000
Debt discount and issuance costs are being amortized straight-line (which approximates the effective method) over the term of the underlying debt outstanding. The table below reconciles the debt issuance costs and debt discounts to the net carrying value of each of our debt obligations (excluding line-of-credit arrangements) at July 13, 2024 (amounts in thousands):
Debt Issuance Costs
Face Value
and Debt Discount
Net Carrying Value
4,884
400,000
1,272
900,000
6,156
893,844
The table below reconciles the debt issuance costs and debt discounts to the net carrying value of each of our debt obligations (excluding line-of-credit arrangements) at December 30, 2023 (amounts in thousands):
5,277
1,579
6,856
893,144
14. VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES
Distribution rights agreement VIE analysis
The incorporated IDPs qualify as variable interest entities ("VIEs"). The IDPs who are formed as sole proprietorships are excluded from the following VIE accounting analysis and discussion.
Incorporated IDPs acquire distribution rights and enter into a contract with the company to sell the company’s products in the IDPs’ defined geographic territory. The incorporated IDPs have the option to finance the acquisition of their distribution rights with the company. They can also pay cash or obtain external financing at the time they acquire the distribution rights. The combination of the company’s loans to the incorporated IDPs and the ongoing distributor arrangements with the incorporated IDPs provide a level of funding to the equity owners of the various incorporated IDPs that would not otherwise be available. As of July 13, 2024 and December 30, 2023, there was $124.4 million and $134.4 million, respectively, in gross distribution rights notes receivable outstanding from incorporated IDPs.
The company is not considered to be the primary beneficiary of the VIEs because the company does not (i) have the ability to direct the significant activities of the VIEs that would affect their ability to operate their respective businesses and (ii) provide any implicit or explicit guarantees or other financial support to the VIEs, other than the financing described above, for specific return or performance benchmarks. The activities controlled by the incorporated IDPs that are deemed to most significantly impact the ultimate success of the incorporated IDP entities relate to those decisions inherent in operating the distribution business in the territory, including acquiring trucks and trailers, managing fuel costs, employee matters and other strategic decisions. In addition, we do not provide, nor do we intend to provide, financial or other support to the IDP. The IDPs are responsible for the operations of their respective territories.
The company’s maximum contractual exposure to loss for the incorporated IDP relates to the distributor rights note receivable for the portion of the territory the incorporated IDPs financed at the time they acquired the distribution rights. The incorporated IDPs remit payment on their distributor rights note receivable each week during the settlement process of their weekly activity. The company will operate a territory on behalf of an incorporated IDP in situations where the IDP has abandoned its distribution rights. Any remaining balance outstanding on the distribution rights notes receivable is relieved once the distribution rights have been sold on the IDPs behalf. The company’s collateral from the territory distribution rights mitigates the potential losses.
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15. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Self-insurance reserves and other commitments and contingencies
The company records self-insurance reserves as an other accrued liability on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The reserves include an estimate of expected settlements on pending claims, defense costs and a provision for claims incurred but not reported. These estimates are based on the company’s assessment of potential liability using an analysis of available information with respect to pending claims, historical experience and current cost trends. The amount of the company’s ultimate liability in respect of these matters may differ materially from these estimates.
In the event the company ceases to utilize the independent distributor model or exits a geographic market, the company is contractually required in some situations to purchase the distribution rights from the independent distributor. The company expects to continue operating under this model and has concluded for the litigation described below that none require loss contingency recognition pursuant to our policy. See Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, of our Form 10-K.
The company’s facilities are subject to various federal, state and local laws and regulations regarding the discharge of material into the environment and the protection of the environment in other ways. The company is not a party to any material proceedings arising under these laws and regulations. The company believes that compliance with existing environmental laws and regulations will not materially affect the consolidated financial condition, results of operations, cash flows or the competitive position of the company. The company believes it is currently in substantial compliance with all material environmental laws and regulations affecting the company and its properties.
Litigation
The company and its subsidiaries from time to time are parties to, or targets of, lawsuits, claims, investigations and proceedings, including personal injury, commercial, contract, environmental, antitrust, product liability, health and safety and employment matters, which are being handled and defended in the ordinary course of business. At this time, the company is defending nineteen complaints filed by IDPs alleging that such distributors were misclassified as independent contractors. Six of these lawsuits seek class and/or collective action treatment. The remaining thirteen cases either allege individual claims or do not seek class or collective action treatment or, in cases in which class treatment was sought, the court denied class certification. The respective courts have ruled on plaintiffs’ motions for class certification in two of the pending cases, each of which is discussed below. Unless otherwise noted, a class was conditionally certified under the Fair Labor Standards Act ("FLSA") in each of the cases described below, although the company has the ability to petition the court to decertify that class at a later date:
Case Name
Case No.
Venue
Date Filed
Status
Richard et al. v. Flowers Foods, Inc., Flowers Baking Co. of Lafayette,LLC, Flowers Baking Co. of BatonRouge, LLC, Flowers Baking Co. ofTyler, LLC and Flowers Baking Co.of New Orleans, LLC
6:15-cv-02557
U.S. District Court WesternDistrict of Louisiana
10/21/2015
On April 9, 2021, the court decertified the FLSA collective action and denied plaintiffs' motion to certify under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 23 a state law class of distributors who operated in the state of Louisiana. On July 6, 2024, the parties agreed to a tentative settlement in the amount of $168,000, which requires court approval.
Martins v. Flowers Foods, Inc.,Flowers Baking Co. of Bradenton,LLC and Flowers Baking Co.of Villa Rica, LLC
8:16-cv-03145
U.S. District Court MiddleDistrict of Florida
11/8/2016
The company and/or its respective subsidiaries contest the allegations and are vigorously defending all of these lawsuits. Given the stage of the complaints and the claims and issues presented, except for lawsuits disclosed herein that have reached a settlement or agreement in principle, the company cannot reasonably estimate at this time the possible loss or range of loss that may arise from the unresolved lawsuits.
Since the beginning of Fiscal 2023, the company has settled, and the appropriate court has approved, the following collective/class action lawsuits filed by IDPs alleging that such IDPs were misclassified as independent contractors:
Comments
Ludlow et al. v. Flowers Foods, Inc., Flowers Bakeries, LLC and Flowers Finance, LLC
3:18-cv-01190
U.S. District Court Southern District of California
6/6/2018
On March 18, 2024, the court approved a settlement to settle this lawsuit and two companion cases – Maciel et al. v. Flowers Foods, Inc. et al., No. 3:20-cv-02059-JO-JLB (U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California) and Maciel v. Flowers
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Foods, Inc. et al., No. 20-CIV-02959 (Superior Court of San Mateo County, California). The settlement provides for a $55 million common fund, which was paid during the second quarter of Fiscal 2024, to cover settlement payments to a class of approximately 475 plaintiffs, service awards, attorneys’ fees and settlement administration expenses. The settlement also requires a phased repurchase of distribution rights associated with approximately 350 territories in California. Once completed, the company plans to service its California market with an employment model. The repurchase of distribution rights is anticipated to be completed by the first quarter of Fiscal 2025. The company estimates the repurchase cost of the 350 territories, along with 50 additional California territories that are not part of the settlement, to be approximately $80.2 million (of which $65.3 million was originally included in other accrued liabilities and the remaining $14.9 million in a contra account to notes receivable). These amounts were recorded in the selling, distribution, and administrative expenses line item of the Consolidated Statements of Income during Fiscal 2023.
See Note 13, Debt and Other Obligations, for additional information on the company’s commitments.
16. EARNINGS PER SHARE
The following is a reconciliation of net income and weighted average shares for calculating basic and diluted earnings per common share for the twelve and twenty-eight weeks ended July 13, 2024 and July 15, 2023, respectively (amounts and shares in thousands, except per share data):
Basic Earnings Per Common Share:
Basic weighted average shares outstanding for common stock
Basic earnings per common share
Diluted Earnings Per Common Share:
Add: Shares of common stock assumed issued upon exercise of stock options and vesting of restricted stock
959
978
1,003
1,657
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding for common stock
Diluted earnings per common share
There were no anti-dilutive shares during the twelve and twenty-eight weeks ended July 13, 2024. There were 304,760 anti-dilutive shares during the twelve and twenty-eight weeks ended July 15, 2023.
17. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
On March 5, 2014, our Board of Directors approved and adopted the 2014 Omnibus Equity and Incentive Compensation Plan (“Omnibus Plan”). The Omnibus Plan was approved by our shareholders on May 21, 2014 and authorized 8,000,000 shares to be used for awards under the Omnibus Plan. The Omnibus Plan authorizes the compensation committee of the Board of Directors to provide equity-based compensation in the form of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance shares, performance units, dividend equivalents and other awards to provide our officers, key employees, and non-employee directors’
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incentives and rewards for performance. Equity awards granted after May 21, 2014 are governed by the Omnibus Plan. On May 25, 2023, the company amended and restated the Omnibus Plan to register an additional 9,340,000 shares.
The following is a summary of restricted stock and deferred stock outstanding under the Omnibus Plan described above. Information relating to the company’s stock appreciation rights, which were issued under a separate stock appreciation right plan, is also described below. The company typically grants awards at the beginning of its fiscal year. Information on grants to employees during the twenty-eight weeks ended July 13, 2024 is discussed below.
Performance-Contingent Restricted Stock Awards
Performance-Contingent Total Shareholder Return Shares (“TSR Shares”)
Certain key employees have been granted performance-contingent restricted stock under the Omnibus Plan in the form of TSR Shares. The awards vest approximately three years from the date of grant (after the filing of the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K), and the shares become non-forfeitable if, and to the extent that, on that date the vesting conditions are satisfied. The total shareholder return (“TSR”) is the percent change in the company’s stock price over the measurement period plus the dividends paid to shareholders. The performance payout is calculated at the end of each of the last four quarters (averaged) in the measurement period. Once the TSR is determined for the company (“Company TSR”), it is compared to the TSR of our food company peers (“Peer Group TSR”). The Company TSR compared to the Peer Group TSR will determine the payout as set forth below:
Percentile
Payout as %of Target
90th
200
%
70th
150
50th
100
30th
Below 30th
0
For performance between the levels described above, the degree of vesting is interpolated on a linear basis.
The TSR Shares vest immediately if the grantee dies or becomes disabled. For awards granted starting in Fiscal 2024, if the grantee retires after attaining at least age 55, provided that the sum of the grantee's age plus years of service is an amount equal to or greater than 65, on the normal vesting date the grantee will receive a pro-rated number of shares based upon the retirement date and measured at the actual performance for the entire performance period. For awards granted prior to Fiscal 2024, if the grantee retires at age 65 (or age 55 with at least 10 years of service with the company) or later, on the normal vesting date the grantee will receive a pro-rated number of shares based upon the retirement date and measured at the actual performance for the entire performance period. In addition, if the company undergoes a change in control, the TSR Shares will immediately vest at the target level, provided that if 12 months of the performance period have been completed, vesting will be determined based on Company TSR as of the date of the change in control without application of four-quarter averaging. During the vesting period, the grantee has none of the rights of a shareholder. Dividends declared during the vesting period will accrue and will be paid at vesting on the TSR Shares that ultimately vest. The fair value estimate was determined using a Monte Carlo simulation model, which utilizes multiple input variables to estimate the probability of the company achieving the market condition discussed above. Inputs into the model included the following for the company and comparator companies: (i) TSR from the beginning of the performance cycle through the measurement date; (ii) volatility; (iii) risk-free interest rates; and (iv) the correlation of the comparator companies’ TSR. The inputs are based on historical capital market data.
The following performance-contingent TSR Shares have been granted during the twenty-eight weeks ended July 13, 2024 under the Omnibus Plan (amounts in thousands, except price data):
Grant Date
SharesGranted
Vesting Date
Fair Valueper Share
12/31/2023
272
2/28/2027
26.07
29
Performance-Contingent Return on Invested Capital Shares (“ROIC Shares”)
Certain key employees have been granted performance-contingent restricted stock under the Omnibus Plan in the form of ROIC Shares. The awards generally vest approximately three years from the date of grant (after the filing of the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K), and the shares become non-forfeitable if, and to the extent that, on that date, the vesting conditions are satisfied. Return on Invested Capital (“ROIC”) is calculated by dividing our profit, as defined, by the invested capital. Generally, the performance condition requires the company’s average ROIC to exceed its average weighted cost of capital (“WACC”) by between 1.50 to 4.50 percentage points for the Fiscal 2024 awards and 1.75 to 4.75 percentage points for the Fiscal 2023 and Fiscal 2022 awards (the “ROI Target”) over the three fiscal year performance period. If the lowest ROI Target is not met, the awards are forfeited. The ROIC Shares can be earned based on a ranges of target as defined below:
Difference of ROIC minus WACC
2024 Award
Less than 150 basis points
0%
150 basis points
50%
300 basis points
100%
450+ basis points
150%
2023 and 2022 Award
Less than 175 basis points
175 basis points
375 basis points
475+ basis points
125%
The ROIC Shares vest immediately if the grantee dies or becomes disabled. For awards granted starting in Fiscal 2024, if the grantee retires after attaining at least age 55, provided that the sum of the grantee's age plus years of service is an amount equal to or greater than 65, on the normal vesting date the grantee will receive a pro-rated number of shares based upon the retirement date and measured at the actual performance for the entire performance period. For awards granted prior to Fiscal 2024, if the grantee retires at age 65 (or age 55 with at least 10 years of service with the company) or later, on the normal vesting date the grantee will receive a pro-rated number of ROIC Shares based upon the retirement date and actual performance for the entire performance period. In addition, if the company undergoes a change in control, the ROIC Shares will immediately vest at the target level. During the vesting period, the grantee has none of the rights of a shareholder. Dividends declared during the vesting period will accrue and will be paid at vesting on the ROIC Shares that ultimately vest. The fair value of this type of award is equal to the stock price on the grant date. Since these awards have a performance condition feature, the expense associated with these awards may change depending on the expected ROI Target attained at each reporting period. The 2022 award is being expensed at our current estimated payout percentage of 125% of ROI Target, and the 2023 and 2024 awards are being expensed at 100%.
The following performance-contingent ROIC Shares have been granted under the Omnibus Plan during the twenty-eight weeks ended July 13, 2024 (amounts in thousands, except price data):
22.51
Performance-Contingent Restricted Stock
The table below presents the TSR modifier share adjustment (a 127.69% final payout), ROIC modifier share adjustment (a 125% final payout), accumulated dividends on vested shares, and the tax benefit at vesting of the performance-contingent restricted stock awards (amounts in thousands, except per share data):
Award Granted
Fiscal YearVested
TSR ModifierIncreaseShares
ROIC ModifierIncreaseShares
Dividends atVesting
TaxBenefit
Fair Value atVesting
2021
2024
92,775
83,835
2,173
286
19,419
30
The company’s performance-contingent restricted stock activity for the twenty-eight weeks ended July 13, 2024 is presented below (amounts in thousands, except price data):
Shares
WeightedAverageGrant DateFair Value
Nonvested shares at December 30, 2023
2,017
27.70
Granted
544
24.29
Grant increase for achieving the ROIC modifier
84
Grant increase for achieving the TSR modifier
93
Vested
(848
24.40
Forfeited
(51
28.09
Nonvested shares at July 13, 2024
1,839
27.85
As of July 13, 2024, there was $25.2 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested restricted stock granted under the Omnibus Plan. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.94 years.
Time-Based Restricted Stock Units
Certain key employees have been granted time-based restricted stock units (“TBRSU Shares”) at the beginning of the year. These awards vest on January 5th each year in equal installments over a three-year period which began in Fiscal 2021. Occasionally, awards may be issued that have a vesting period of less than three years. Dividends earned on shares will be held by the company during the vesting period and paid in cash when the awards vest and shares are distributed.
The following TBRSU Shares have been granted under the Omnibus Plan during the twenty-eight weeks ended July 13, 2024 (amounts in thousands, except price data):
Shares Granted
818
Equally over 3 years
2/16/2024
22.42
The TBRSU Shares activity for the twenty-eight weeks ended July 13, 2024 is set forth below (amounts in thousands, except price data):
TBRSU Shares
WeightedAverageFairValue
WeightedAverageRemainingContractualTerm (Years)
UnrecognizedCompensationCost
473
26.67
(249
25.75
825
22.53
Forfeitures
(77
24.12
972
23.60
2.22
17,746
The table below presents the accumulated dividends on vested shares and the tax (expense)/benefit at vesting of the time-based restricted stock units (amounts in thousands).
Tax(Expense) Benefit
2023
(141
2,674
2022
103
(69
1,348
197
1,734
Deferred Stock
Non-employee directors may convert their annual board retainers into deferred stock equal in value to 100% of the cash payments directors would otherwise receive and the vesting period is a one-year period to match the period that cash would have been received if no conversion existed. Accumulated dividends are paid upon delivery of the shares. During the twenty-eight weeks ended July 13, 2024, non-employee directors elected to receive, and were granted, an aggregate grant of 6,663 common shares for board retainer deferrals pursuant to the Omnibus Plan. During the first quarter of Fiscal 2023, non-employee directors elected to receive, and were granted, an aggregate grant of 3,479 shares for board retainer deferrals pursuant to the Omnibus Plan which vested during the first quarter of Fiscal 2024. Non-employee directors received 14,764 shares of previously deferred board retainer deferrals during the twenty-eight weeks ended July 13, 2024.
Non-employee directors also receive annual grants of deferred stock. This deferred stock vests one year from the grant date. The deferred stock will be distributed to the grantee at a time designated by the grantee at the date of grant. Compensation expense is recorded on this deferred stock over the one-year vesting period. During the second quarter of Fiscal 2023, non-employee directors were granted 59,400 shares, of which 17,820 were deferred, for their annual grant pursuant to the Omnibus Plan that vested during the second quarter of Fiscal 2024. Additionally, during the third quarter of Fiscal 2023, an aggregate of 9,320 shares were granted to two newly elected non-employee directors, representing a prorated portion of the annual grant pursuant to the Omnibus Plan that vested during the second quarter of Fiscal 2024. Non-employee directors received 5,700 shares of previously deferred annual grant awards during the twenty-eight weeks ended July 13, 2024.
The deferred stock activity for the twenty-eight weeks ended July 13, 2024 is set forth below (amounts in thousands, except price data):
Unrecognizedcompensationcost
68
26.26
(66
25.70
23.38
79
23.52
0.84
1,534
Stock-Based Payments Compensation Expense Summary
The following table summarizes the company’s stock-based compensation expense for the twelve and twenty-eight weeks ended July 13, 2024 and July 15, 2023, respectively (amounts in thousands):
Performance-contingent restricted stock awards
3,393
4,057
1,997
1,238
Deferred and restricted stock
424
368
Total stock-based compensation
10,643
11,567
5,357
3,075
857
18. POSTRETIREMENT PLANS
The following summarizes the company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets related pension and other postretirement benefit plan accounts at July 13, 2024 compared to accounts at December 30, 2023 (amounts in thousands):
Noncurrent benefit asset
Current benefit liability
699
Noncurrent benefit liability
AOCI, net of tax
Defined Benefit Plans and Nonqualified Plan
The company sponsors two pension plans, the Flowers Foods, Inc. Retirement Plan No. 2, and the Tasty Baking Company Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (“Tasty SERP”). The Tasty SERP is frozen and has only retirees and beneficiaries remaining in the plan.
The company used a measurement date of December 31, 2023 for the defined benefit and postretirement benefit plans described below.
There were no contributions made by the company to any plan during the twenty-eight weeks ended July 13, 2024 and July 15, 2023.
The net periodic pension cost for the company’s plans include the following components (amounts in thousands):
Service cost
168
157
392
367
Interest cost
301
634
702
Expected return on plan assets
(370
(360
(864
(840
Amortization of prior service cost
Amortization of net loss
Total net periodic pension cost
216
353
The components of total net periodic benefit cost other than the service cost are included in the other components of net periodic pension and postretirement benefit plans credit line item on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.
Postretirement Benefit Plan
The company provides certain health care and life insurance benefits for eligible retired employees covered under the active medical plans. The plan incorporates an up-front deductible, coinsurance payments and retiree contributions at various premium levels. Eligibility and maximum period of coverage is based on age and length of service.
The net periodic postretirement expense for the company includes the following components (amounts in thousands):
98
96
128
Amortization of prior service credit
(126
Amortization of net gain
(57
(97
(133
Total net periodic postretirement credit
(1
(35
The components of total net periodic postretirement benefits credit other than the service cost are included in the other components of net periodic pension and postretirement benefit plans credit line item on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.
401(k) Retirement Savings Plan
The Flowers Foods, Inc. 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan covers substantially all the company’s employees who have completed certain service requirements. The total cost and employer contributions were as follows (amounts in thousands):
Total cost and employer contributions
7,597
7,094
18,117
17,069
Multi-employer Pension Plan
On July 19, 2022, the company announced the closure of the Holsum Bakery in Phoenix, Arizona. The bakery produced bread and bun products and ceased production on October 31, 2022. As a result, the union participants of the IAM National Pension Fund (the “IAM Fund”) at the Phoenix bakery will withdraw from the IAM Fund. During the third quarter of Fiscal 2022, the company recorded a liability of $1.3 million for the withdrawal from the IAM Fund. During the first quarter of Fiscal 2024, the company paid $1.4 million for the withdrawal and recorded additional expense of $0.1 million which is included in the selling, distribution and administrative expenses line item of our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. While this is our best estimate of the ultimate cost of the withdrawal from this plan, additional withdrawal liability may be incurred in the event of a mass withdrawal, as defined by statute, occurring anytime within the next three years following our complete withdrawal.
19. INCOME TAXES
The company’s effective tax rate for the twelve weeks ended July 13, 2024 was 25.9% compared to 24.4% for the twelve weeks ended July 15, 2023. The increase in the rate was primarily due to net unfavorable discrete items related to state income taxes during the current year quarter. During the twelve weeks ended July 13, 2024 and July 15, 2023, the primary differences in the effective rate and the statutory rate were state income taxes.
The company’s effective tax rate for the twenty-eight weeks ended July 13, 2024 was 24.9% compared to 22.9% for the twenty-eight weeks ended July 15, 2023. The increase in the rate was primarily due to year-over-year differences in state income taxes and stock-based compensation recorded discretely. During the twenty-eight weeks ended July 13, 2024 and July 15, 2023, the primary differences in the effective rate and the statutory rate were state income taxes.
During the twenty-eight weeks ended July 13, 2024, the company’s activity with respect to its uncertain tax positions and related interest expense accrual was not significant to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. As of July 13, 2024, we do not anticipate significant changes to the amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits over the next twelve months.
20. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
The company has evaluated subsequent events since July 13, 2024, the date of these financial statements. We believe there were no material events or transactions discovered during this evaluation that require recognition or disclosure in the financial statements other than the item discussed below.
On July 18, 2024, the company announced its Baton Rouge, Louisiana bakery will cease production in late September 2024. The facility will continue to be used as a distribution center. This bakery closure is part of our strategy to optimize capacity within our supply chain. The anticipated closure costs include asset impairment charges and severance costs and are estimated to be approximately $3.0 million to $5.0 million. We anticipate recording these closure costs during our third quarter of Fiscal 2024.
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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion of the financial condition and results of operations of the company as of and for the twelve and twenty-eight weeks ended July 13, 2024 should be read in conjunction with the Form 10-K.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations is segregated into four sections, including:
Matters Affecting Comparability
Comparative results from quarter to quarter are impacted by the company's fiscal reporting calendar. Internal financial results and key performance indicators are reported on a weekly basis to ensure the same number of Saturdays and Sundays in comparable months to allow for consistent four-week progression analysis. This structure results in our first quarter consisting of sixteen weeks while the remaining three quarters have twelve weeks (except in cases where there is an extra week every five or six years). Accordingly, interim results may not be indicative of subsequent interim period results, or comparable to prior or subsequent interim period results, due to differences in the lengths of the interim periods.
Additionally, detailed below are expense items affecting comparability that will provide greater context while reading this discussion:
Footnote
Disclosure
Business process improvement costs
1,606
6,588
5,289
12,807
Note 3
Restructuring-related implementation costs
Note 1, 12
Acquisition-related costs
489
3,712
Note 4
11,423
9,576
21,048
23,213
In February 2023, to improve operational effectiveness, increase profitable sales, and better meet customer requirements, the company announced a restructuring of plant operation responsibilities from the sales function to the supply chain function. As part of that restructuring, we incurred costs for employee termination benefits and other cash charges, which were primarily related to the voluntary employee separation incentive plan (the "VSIP"), RIF, and employee relocation costs. During the first quarter of Fiscal 2023, we recorded VSIP-related charges of $3.9 million and made VSIP-related payments of $0.5 million. Relocation costs incurred and paid during the first and second quarters of Fiscal 2023 were $0.3 million in each quarter. In the second quarter of Fiscal 2023, we recorded RIF and VSIP charges of $2.2 million and made payments of $2.9 million. These costs are recorded in the restructuring charges line item of the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. In the first quarter of Fiscal 2024, we paid the remaining VSIP payments of $1.4 million.
On July 18, 2024, the company announced its Baton Rouge, Louisiana bakery will cease production in late September 2024. The facility will continue to be used as a distribution center. This bakery closure is part of our strategy to optimize capacity within our supply chain. The anticipated closure costs include asset impairment charges and severance costs and are estimated to be approximately $3.0 to $5.0 million. We anticipate recording these closure costs during our third quarter of Fiscal 2024.
During the second quarter of the Fiscal 2022, we invested $9.0 million in Base Culture, a Clearwater, Florida-based company with one manufacturing facility. We made an additional investment of $2.0 million in the second quarter of Fiscal 2023. Base Culture's product offerings include better-for-you, gluten-free, and grain-free sliced breads and baked goods that are all-natural, 100% Paleo-certified, kosher-certified, dairy-free, soy-free, and non-GMO verified. These investments are being accounted for at cost, less any impairment, as we do not control, nor do we have the ability to significantly influence Base Culture. In the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2023, we recognized an impairment loss of $5.5 million on this investment and recognized an additional impairment of $4.0 million in the first quarter of Fiscal 2024.
Executive Overview
Business
Flowers is the second-largest producer and marketer of packaged bakery foods in the U.S. Our principal products include breads, buns, rolls, snack items, bagels, English muffins, and tortillas and are sold under a variety of brand names, including Nature’s Own, Dave's Killer Bread ("DKB"), Wonder, Canyon Bakehouse, Tastykake, and Mrs. Freshley’s. Our brands are among the best known in the U.S. baking industry. Many of our brands have a major presence in the product categories in which they compete. We manage our business as one operating segment. The company defines EBITDA as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization.
Flowers’ strategic priorities include developing our team, focusing on our brands, prioritizing our margins, and proactively seeking smart, disciplined acquisitions in the grain-based foods category. We believe executing on our strategic priorities will drive future growth and margin expansion and deliver meaningful shareholder value over time allowing us to achieve our long-term financial targets of 1% to 2% sales growth, 4% to 6% EBITDA growth, and 7% to 9% EPS growth.
Optimization initiatives in our procurement, distribution, operations, and administrative functions are projected to save $40 million to $50 million in Fiscal 2024.
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Highlights
Impact of the Inflationary Economic Environment and Other Macroeconomic Factors on Our Business
We continue to monitor the impact of a variety of factors on our business, including the impact of the inflationary economic environment on our business and consumers, supply chain disruptions, increased labor costs, the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, and the conflict in the Middle East. Our results through the second quarter of Fiscal 2024 have continued to benefit from a more optimized sales mix of branded retail products as compared to pre-pandemic periods. However, inflationary pressures are impacting consumer purchasing patterns. Inflation, particularly for input costs, has also impacted our business during the previous two fiscal years which has partially offset the improved sales mix. We implemented price increases to mitigate these cost pressures during the first quarter of Fiscal 2023 and midway through the second quarter of Fiscal 2023. Commodity cost inflation began to moderate in the latter half of Fiscal 2023 and we expect that trend to continue throughout the remainder of Fiscal 2024.
Additionally, in the prior year period, capacity constraints, largely for gluten-free production, resulted in lower production volumes and sales. These supply chain and other disruptions could continue to negatively impact production volumes as the global and U.S. supply chain remains uncertain. Although the conflict between Russia and Ukraine and the conflict in the Middle East have not impacted our operations directly, we are closely monitoring the impact of these conflicts on the broader economy including on the availability and price of commodities used in or for the production of our products. Disruptions in our operations, related to factors including, but not limited to, the procurement of raw materials and packaging items, transport of our products, and available workforce, have negatively impacted, and could continue to negatively impact, our operations, results of operations, cash flows, and liquidity.
Labor shortages and turnover at some bakeries has negatively impacted our results in the current and prior year periods. These and other factors, including, but not limited to, high employment rates and additional government regulations, may continue to adversely affect labor availability and labor costs. These challenges may negatively impact the efficiency of our production lines and our ability to operate at, or near, full capacity, and could result in increased labor costs, including additional overtime to meet demand, and higher wage rates to attract and retain workers. An overall labor shortage, lack of skilled labor, or increased turnover has and could continue to have a negative impact on the company’s operations, results of operations, liquidity, or cash flows.
We believe we have sufficient liquidity to satisfy our cash needs and we continue to execute on our strategic priorities, including our transformation strategy initiatives, as further discussed in the “Liquidity and Capital Resources” section below.
Summary of Operating Results, Cash Flows and Financial Condition
Sales decreased 0.2% for the twelve weeks ended July 13, 2024 compared to the same quarter in the prior year due to volume declines of 1.2%, partially offset by positive price/mix of 1.0%. Branded Retail sales improved 0.3% on positive price/mix, however sales in the Other sales category decreased 1.2%. Volume declines in the Other sales category drove the decrease and resulted largely from exiting certain lower margin foodservice business in the second half of Fiscal 2023, partially offset by volume increases in store branded sales. Sales of DKB continued to grow due to higher volumes, and sales of Nature's Own improved on positive price/mix, partially offset by a modest decline in volume.
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Sales increased 1.4% for the twenty-eight weeks ended July 13, 2024 compared to the same period in the prior year, with price/mix contributing 2.1% and the Papa Pita acquisition contributing 0.3% (cycled on February 17, 2024), partially offset by volume declines of 1.0%. The benefits of inflation-driven pricing actions implemented predominantly in the prior year were partially offset by softer volumes. Volume declines were concentrated in the Other sales category, partly due to exiting certain lower margin business in the second half of Fiscal 2023, and were partially offset by growth in store branded retail volumes. Sales of DKB continued to increase on higher volumes, and sales of Nature's Own improved on positive price/mix, partially offset by lower volumes.
For the twelve weeks ended July 13, 2024, income from operations was $95.2 million compared to $88.6 million in the prior year quarter. The improvement resulted from moderating input costs, and, to a lesser extent, lower distributor distribution fees, reduced marketing and consulting costs, and the prior year insurance liability claim. These benefits were partially offset by increased workforce-related costs, higher repairs and maintenance expenses, higher restructuring charges, greater outside purchases of product, and lower production volumes quarter over quarter.
Income from operations was $196.8 million for the twenty-eight weeks ended July 13, 2024 compared to $182.3 million in the prior year period. The improvement mostly resulted from moderating input costs, improved sales price/mix, and lower distributor distribution fees. Those factors were partially offset by increased workforce-related costs, higher repairs and maintenance and rent expenses, higher depreciation expense, and lower production volumes (excluding the acquisition impact).
Net income for the twelve weeks ended July 13, 2024 was $67.0 million compared to $63.8 million in the prior year quarter. The improvement resulted primarily from the increase in income from operations, as described above, net of a higher effective tax rate quarter over quarter.
Net income for the twenty-eight weeks ended July 13, 2024 was $140.0 million compared to $134.5 million in the prior year period. The growth year over year resulted primarily from the increase in income from operations, as described above, net of a higher effective tax rate in the current year period.
During the twenty-eight weeks ended July 13, 2024, we generated net cash flows from operations of $168.4 million, invested $61.3 million in capital expenditures, and increased our indebtedness by $20.0 million. Additionally, we paid $101.9 million in dividends to our shareholders and repurchased $22.7 million of company stock. On April 15, 2024, we amended the two-year $200.0 million accounts receivable repurchase facility (the "repurchase facility") to extend the scheduled facility expiration date to April 14, 2026. During the twenty-eight weeks ended July 15, 2023, we generated net cash flows from operations of $128.9 million, paid $274.8 million for the Papa Pita acquisition (inclusive of the net working capital purchase price adjustment), invested $68.4 million in capital expenditures, and increased our indebtedness $182.0 million primarily to fund the acquisition. Also, in the prior year period, we paid $98.1 million in dividends to our shareholders and repurchased $26.2 million of company stock.
Transformation Strategy Initiatives
In the second half of Fiscal 2020, we launched initiatives to transform our business operations. The primary goals of these initiatives are: (1) enable a more agile business model, empowering the organization by fundamentally redesigning core business processes; (2) embed digital capabilities and transform the way we engage with our consumers, customers and employees; and (3) modernize and simplify our application and technology infrastructure landscape, inclusive of the upgrade of our ERP system.
As discussed above, in February 2023, we announced a restructuring of plant operation responsibilities from the sales function to the supply chain function to improve operational effectiveness, increase profitable sales, and better meet customer requirements. This restructuring has transitioned to digitally enabling these key functions, driving accountability, and improving operational performance and sales execution.
Digital Strategy Initiatives
Our digital strategy initiatives include investments in digital domains of e-commerce, autonomous planning, bakery of the future, digital logistics, and digital sales. In e-commerce, we strive to become a category and market share leader, engage with the consumer through digital platforms and marketplaces, and support our retail partners’ omnichannel strategies. The autonomous planning domain encompasses predictive ordering, cost-to-serve modeling, integrated business planning, and supply and demand forecasting, among other areas. Bakery of the future involves transforming our current manufacturing processes and operational visibility to apply industry-leading digital manufacturing tools, such as real-time performance management and visibility, automation of repetitive processes, standardization of processes and procedures, and sensor-based quality monitoring tools to improve consistency and quality. Digital logistics includes real-time operational visibility, improving our routing efficiency, and automating the freight bill pay audit process. Finally, digital sales is focused on improving our sales execution through improved visibility to in-store activities, streamlined reporting, focusing in-store priorities, and improved collaboration tools across our sales ecosystem.
These digital domains are expected to improve data visibility and efficiencies while automating many of our processes. When fully implemented, we expect this work will further our brand efforts, bring us closer to the consumer, increase operational efficiencies, and deliver higher-quality, real-time insights, which will in turn enable more predictive business decision-making. We transitioned into the implementation phase for the e-commerce, autonomous planning, and bakery of the future domains and selected two bakeries for the pilot program for bakery of the future and autonomous planning in Fiscal 2021. To date, we have rolled out bakery of the future to 36 bakeries, digital logistics to all bakery locations, and autonomous planning and our digital sales tools across our entire sales organization. Costs related to the digital initiatives are fluid and cannot be currently estimated.
ERP Upgrade
Our ERP initiative, which includes upgrading our information system platform, is expected to improve data management and efficiencies while automating many of our processes. We completed the initial planning and road mapping phase of the ERP upgrade at the end of Fiscal 2020. In the first quarter of Fiscal 2021, we transitioned into the design phase and engaged a leading, global consulting firm to assist us in designing and implementing the upgrade of our ERP platform and to serve as the system integrator for the project. We transitioned into the build phase at the beginning of Fiscal 2022 and during the second quarter of Fiscal 2023, we began deploying the ERP upgrade. The deployment is anticipated to be completed in Fiscal 2026. We currently estimate total costs for the upgrade of our ERP system will be approximately $350 million (of which approximately 34% has been or is anticipated to be capitalized). As of July 13, 2024, we have incurred costs related to the project of approximately $226 million.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES:
Our financial statements are prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the U.S. ("GAAP"). These principles are numerous and complex. Our significant accounting policies are summarized in the Form 10-K. In many instances, the application of GAAP requires management to make estimates or to apply subjective principles to particular facts and circumstances. A variance in the estimates used or a variance in the application or interpretation of GAAP could yield a materially different accounting result. Refer to the Form 10-K for a discussion of the areas where we believe that the estimates, judgments or interpretations that we have made, if different, could yield the most significant differences in our financial statements. There have been no significant changes to our critical accounting policies from those disclosed in the Form 10-K.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS:
Results of operations, expressed as a percentage of sales and the dollar and percentage change from period to period, for the twelve and twenty-eight weeks ended July 13, 2024 and July 15, 2023, respectively, are set forth in the tables below (dollars in thousands):
Percentage of Sales
Increase (Decrease)
Dollars
100.0
(3,067
(0.2
50.1
51.0
(12,735
(2.0
38.5
38.8
(4,516
(0.9
0.6
0.2
4,306
NM
0.1
3.0
2.8
1,843
5.3
7.8
7.2
6,658
7.5
(0.0
Interest expense, net
4,908
4,251
0.4
0.3
657
15.5
7.4
6.9
6,057
1.9
1.7
2,850
13.8
5.5
5.2
3,207
5.0
273
39
39,258
1.4
50.3
51.7
(16,401
(1.1
39.1
38.7
28,792
2.7
709
6,343
8.1
7.0
6.6
14,438
7.9
(131
10,519
8,137
2,382
29.3
6.7
6.3
12,187
6,647
16.7
4.9
5,540
4.1
4,680
3.5
NM - the computation is not meaningful.
Percentages may not add due to rounding.
TWELVE WEEKS ENDED JULY 13, 2024 COMPARED TO TWELVE WEEKS ENDED JULY 15, 2023
Sales (dollars in thousands)
Branded Retail
789,520
787,230
64.5
64.1
2,290
435,463
440,820
35.5
35.9
(5,357
(1.2
(The table above presents certain sales by category that have been reclassified from amounts previously reported to conform to the current period presentation.)
The change in sales was generally attributable to the following:
Percentage Point Change in Sales Attributed to:
Favorable (Unfavorable)
Pricing/Mix*
1.6
1.0
Volume*
(2.8
Total percentage change in sales
* Computations above are calculated as follows (the Total column is consolidated and is not adding the Branded Retail and Other columns):
Price/Mix $ = Current year period units x change in price per unit
Price/Mix % = Price/Mix $ ÷ Prior year period Sales $
Volume $ = Prior year period price per unit x change in units
Volume % = Volume $ ÷ Prior year period Sales $
The company disaggregates its sales into two categories, Branded Retail and Other. These categories align with our brand-focused strategy to drive above-market growth via innovation and focusing on higher-margin products. The Other category includes store branded retail and non-retail sales (foodservice, restaurant, institutional, vending, thrift stores, and contract manufacturing).
Sales decreased quarter over quarter due to softer volumes in the Other sales category, partially offset by overall favorable price/mix. Strategic exits of certain foodservice business in the second half of Fiscal 2023 drove the volume decrease, net of volume growth in store branded retail sales. To mitigate the impact of the inflationary pressure on consumer spending, we increased our promotional activity quarter over quarter, though it remained below pre-pandemic levels.
Branded Retail Sales
Branded retail sales increased 0.3% quarter over quarter due to favorable price/mix resulting from a shift in mix to more premium-priced products. Volume was consistent quarter over quarter as growth in branded organic products, traditional branded buns and rolls, and branded Keto products was offset by softer volumes primarily for branded traditional loaf breads and branded cake. Our DKB and Nature's Own brands continued to perform well benefiting from efficient market execution and growth in more recently introduced products, such as Nature's Own Keto products and DKB snack bars and bites. Canyon Bakehouse's sales grew quarter over quarter on positive price/mix and volume growth enabled by capacity additions.
Other Sales
Sales in the Other category decreased 1.2% due to volume declines for non-retail sales, net of volume growth in store branded retail sales, most notably for store branded traditional loaf breads. Positive price/mix partially offset the Other sales decrease from favorable price/mix for non-retail sales, partially offset by negative price/mix for store branded retail sales. The volume decline in non-retail sales resulted primarily from exiting certain lower margin foodservice business in the second half of Fiscal 2023. Declines in vending also contributed to lower volumes.
Materials, Supplies, Labor and Other Production Costs (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately; as a percent of sales)
Increase
Line Item Component
July 13, 2024% of Sales
July 15, 2023% of Sales
(Decrease) as a% of Sales
Ingredients and packaging
29.0
31.6
(2.6
Workforce-related costs
14.3
13.5
0.8
5.9
0.9
Materials, supplies, labor and other production costs as a percent of sales decreased quarter over quarter due to moderating ingredient and packaging costs, improved sales price/mix, and decreased product returns. Lower production volumes, higher workforce-related and bakery maintenance costs, and increased outside purchases of product (sales with no associated ingredient costs), partially offset the overall improvement. Bakery maintenance costs and outside purchases of product are reflected in the Other line item in the table above. The decrease in ingredient and packaging costs was mostly attributed to lower pricing for commodities such as flour, fats and oils, and eggs, and packaging items including bags and corrugated containers. Wage inflation, higher employee compensation costs, and lower production volumes resulted in the increase in workforce-related costs as a percent of sales. We expect the impact of lower production volumes and the competitive labor market to continue to negatively impact our operations.
Prices of ingredient and packaging materials fluctuate due to government policy and regulation, weather conditions, domestic and international demand, or other unforeseen circumstances, and we monitor these markets closely. Ingredient and packaging costs continued to experience volatility in the current quarter and are expected to remain volatile for the remainder of Fiscal 2024. We enter into forward purchase agreements and other financial instruments to manage the impact of volatility in certain raw material prices. Any decrease in the availability of these agreements and instruments could increase the cost of these raw materials and significantly affect our earnings.
Selling, Distribution and Administrative Expenses (as a percent of sales)
11.5
10.6
Distributor distribution fees
13.3
14.1
(0.8
13.7
(0.4
(0.3
Workforce-related costs increased as a percent of sales quarter over quarter primarily due to a shift from distributor distribution fees, wage inflation, higher employee compensation costs, and a competitive labor market. Distributor distribution fees decreased as a percent of sales primarily due to a smaller portion of our sales being made through IDPs. We anticipate a continued shift from distributor distribution fees to workforce-related costs and territory-related logistics costs, among others, as the company completes a phased repurchase of the California distribution rights and converts to an employee-based model in that state. The repurchases began at the end of the first quarter of Fiscal 2024 and are anticipated to be completed by the end of the first quarter of Fiscal 2025. The decrease in the Other line item mostly reflects decreased marketing investments and consulting costs and an insurance liability claim in the prior year period. These items were partially offset by increased amortization of cloud-based applications, higher rent expense, and lower scrap dough income. See the “Matters Affecting Comparability” section above for a discussion of the project-related consulting costs.
Restructuring Charges and Impairment of Assets
Refer to the discussion in the “Matters Affecting Comparability” section above regarding these items.
Depreciation and Amortization Expense
Depreciation and amortization expense for the second quarter of Fiscal 2024 increased in dollars and as a percent of sales as compared to the prior year period primarily due to the ERP assets being placed in service towards the end of the second quarter of Fiscal 2023.
Income from Operations
Income from operations for the twelve weeks ended July 13, 2024 increased as a percent of sales compared to the prior year quarter due primarily to moderating ingredient and packaging costs and lower distributor distribution fees, partially offset by higher workforce-related costs and restructuring charges and lower production volumes, as discussed above.
Net Interest Expense
Net interest expense increased modestly in dollars and as a percent of sales as compared to the prior year quarter due to decreased interest income. We anticipate higher net interest expense year over year due to funding payments associated with the legal settlement and related costs, all accrued for in Fiscal 2023, and lower interest income resulting from decreases in distributor notes receivable outstanding.
Income Tax Expense
The effective tax rate for the twelve weeks ended July 13, 2024 was 25.9% compared to 24.4% in the prior year quarter. The increase in the rate quarter over quarter was primarily due to unfavorable discrete items related to state income taxes in the current year quarter. For both periods presented, the primary differences in the effective rate and statutory rate were state income taxes.
Comprehensive Income
Comprehensive income was relatively consistent quarter over quarter.
TWENTY-EIGHT WEEKS ENDED JULY 13, 2024 COMPARED TO TWENTY-EIGHT WEEKS ENDED JULY 15, 2023
Twenty-Eight Weeks Ended
1,804,387
1,767,734
64.4
64.0
36,653
2.1
997,414
994,809
35.6
36.0
2,605
2.6
(2.5
(1.0
Acquisition until cycled on February 17, 2024
Sales increased year over year due to positive pricing actions implemented predominantly in the second quarter of the prior year which targeted branded retail sales, and, to a lesser extent, the Papa Pita acquisition contribution. Volume declines, largely for non-retail items and, to a lesser extent, for branded retail traditional loaf breads, partially offset the overall sales increase. Our promotional activity increased as compared to the prior year period due to inflationary pressure on consumer spending but remained lower than pre-pandemic levels.
Branded retail sales grew 2.1% year over year due to favorable price/mix, the acquisition contribution, and modest volume growth. Price/mix benefitted from inflation-driven pricing actions taken in the second quarter of the prior year and improved mix from greater branded organic product sales. The slight increase in volume resulted primarily from growth in our more differentiated products, such as branded organic and branded Keto, and from market share gains in branded traditional buns and rolls. The increases were mostly offset by softer volumes primarily for branded traditional loaf breads and branded cake. Our Nature's Own and DKB brands continued to perform well. DKB benefitted from inflation-driven price increases implemented in the prior year, efficient market execution, and growth from more recently introduced products, such as snack bars and bites. Nature's Own benefitted from inflation-driven price increases implemented in the prior year, and growth in Keto bread (introduced in Fiscal 2023) and Keto buns (introduced in the second quarter of Fiscal 2024), but experienced volume declines year over year largely due to inflationary pressure on consumer spending.
Sales in the Other category increased 0.3% due to positive price/mix and the acquisition contribution, partially offset by volume declines. Store branded retail sales increased largely due to volume growth in store branded traditional loaf breads, partially offset by negative price/mix. Non-retail sales decreased year over year due to volume declines, partially offset by positive price/mix and the acquisition contribution. Foodservice drove most of the volume decrease as we exited certain lower margin business in the second half of Fiscal 2023. Declines in vending also contributed to lower volumes.
We anticipate our Fiscal 2024 sales will be flat to higher than Fiscal 2023 sales due to price increases implemented in Fiscal 2023 and new business coming online in the second half of Fiscal 2024, however, this benefit could be offset by changes in consumer buying patterns, changes in promotional activity, and the impact of cycling certain exits of lower margin business that occurred in Fiscal 2023 and to a lesser extent in Fiscal 2024.
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Line item component
July 13, 2024% of sales
July 15, 2023% of sales
(Decrease) as a% of sales
29.6
32.2
6.4
6.0
(1.4
Materials, supplies, labor and other production costs as a percent of sales decreased year over year due to moderating ingredient and packaging costs, improved sales price/mix, and decreased product returns. Lower production volumes (excluding the acquisition impact), higher workforce-related costs, and increased bakery maintenance costs, reflected in the Other line item, partially offset the overall improvement. The decrease in ingredient and packaging costs was mostly attributed to lower pricing for commodities such as flour, fats and oils, and eggs, and packaging items including bags and corrugated containers. Wage inflation, higher employee compensation costs, and lower production volumes drove the increase in workforce-related costs as a percent of sales. We expect the impact of lower production volumes (excluding the acquisition impact) and the competitive labor market to continue to negatively impact our operations.
11.7
10.7
13.6
(0.5
13.9
(0.1
Workforce-related costs increased as a percent of sales year over year due to a shift from distributor distribution fees, higher employee compensation costs, wage inflation, and a competitive labor market. Distributor distribution fees decreased as a percent of sales primarily due to a smaller portion of our sales being made through IDPs. We anticipate a continued shift from distributor distribution fees to workforce-related costs and territory-related logistics costs, among others, as the company completes a phased repurchase of the California distribution rights and converts to an employee-based model in that state. The repurchases began at the end of the first quarter of Fiscal 2024 and are anticipated to be completed by the end of the first quarter of Fiscal 2025. The decrease in the Other line item mostly reflects reduced transportation and consulting costs and the prior year acquisition costs and insurance liability claim, partially offset by increased amortization of cloud-based applications, increased rent expense, and lower scrap dough income. See the “Matters Affecting Comparability” section above for a discussion of the project-related consulting costs and the acquisition-related costs.
Year over year, depreciation and amortization expense increased in dollars and as a percent of sales primarily due to the ERP assets being placed in service in the second quarter of Fiscal 2023 and, to a lesser extent, the Papa Pita assets acquired midway through the first quarter of Fiscal 2023, partially offset by assets becoming fully depreciated.
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Income from operations increased as a percent of sales compared to the prior year period primarily due to moderating input costs, partially offset by lower production volumes (excluding the acquisition impact), the current year asset impairment charges, increased selling, distribution, and administrative expenses, and increased depreciation and amortization expense.
Net interest expense increased in dollars and as a percent of sales as compared to the prior year period largely due to decreased interest income. We anticipate higher net interest expense year over year due to funding payments associated with the legal settlement and related costs, all accrued for in Fiscal 2023, and lower interest income resulting from decreases in distributor notes receivable outstanding.
The effective tax rate for the twenty-eight weeks ended July 13, 2024 was 24.9% compared to 22.9% in the prior year period. The increase in the rate was primarily due to unfavorable discrete items related to state income taxes in the current year, coupled with a decrease in benefits on stock-based compensation. For both periods presented, the primary differences in the effective rate and statutory rate were state income taxes including the recognition of discrete tax credits.
The increase in comprehensive income year over year resulted primarily from increased net earnings, net of changes in the fair value of derivatives.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES:
Strategy and Update on Impact of the Inflationary Economic Environment and Other Macroeconomic Factors on Our Business
We believe that our ability to consistently generate cash flows from operating activities to meet our liquidity needs is one of our key financial strengths. Furthermore, we strive to maintain a conservative financial position as we believe it allows us flexibility to make investments and acquisitions and is a strategic competitive advantage. Currently, our liquidity needs arise primarily from working capital requirements, capital expenditures, and obligated debt repayments. We believe that we currently have access to available funds and financing sources to meet our short and long-term capital requirements. The company’s strategy for use of its excess cash flows includes:
Although there has been no material adverse impact on our results of operations, liquidity or cash flows for the twenty-eight weeks ended July 13, 2024, volatility in global and U.S. economic environments, as a result of, among other things, the inflationary economic environment, supply chain disruptions, increased labor costs, the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, and the conflict in the Middle East, could significantly impact our ability to generate future cash flows and we continue to evaluate these various potential business risks. Potential risks include the possibility of future economic downturns that could shift consumer demand away from our branded retail products to store branded products, supply chain disruptions that have impacted, and could continue to impact, the procurement of raw materials and packaging items, the available workforce, and our ability to implement additional pricing actions to offset inflation.
The macroeconomic-related factors discussed above remain fluid and the future impact on our business, results of operations, liquidity or capital resources cannot be reasonably estimated with any degree of certainty. In the event of a significant reduction in revenues, we would have additional alternatives to maintain liquidity, including the availability on our debt facilities, capital expenditure reductions, adjustments to our capital allocation policy, and cost reductions. Although we do not currently anticipate a need, we also believe that we could access the capital markets to raise additional funds. During the first quarter of Fiscal 2024, we amended the two-year $200.0 million trade receivable repurchase facility (the "repurchase facility") to extend the maturity date to April 14, 2026. We believe that we have sufficient liquidity on hand to continue business operations during this time of volatility in the global and U.S. economic environments. As of July 13, 2024, we had total available liquidity of $523.5 million, consisting of cash on hand and the available balances under the senior unsecured revolving credit facility (the "credit facility") and repurchase facility.
45
Liquidity Discussion for the Twenty-Eight Weeks Ended July 13, 2024 and July 15, 2023
Cash and cash equivalents were $6.9 million at July 13, 2024 and $22.5 million at December 30, 2023. The cash and cash equivalents were derived from the activities presented in the tables below (amounts in thousands):
Cash Flow Component
Change
Cash provided by operating activities
39,514
Cash disbursed for investing activities
261,864
Cash (disbursed for) provided by financing activities
(163,616
Total change in cash
137,762
Cash Flows Provided by Operating Activities. Net cash provided by operating activities consisted of the following items for non-cash adjustments to net income (amounts in thousands):
(886
(3,141
1,444
9,647
Other non-cash items
2,777
430
Net non-cash adjustment to net income
124,570
105,356
19,214
Net changes in working capital consisted of the following items (amounts in thousands):
Changes in accounts receivable
20,173
Changes in inventories
18,820
Changes in hedging activities
(1,185
Changes in accounts payable
Changes in other assets and accrued liabilities
(23,127
Net changes in working capital
(96,159
(110,919
14,760
46
Cash Flows Disbursed for Investing Activities. The table below presents net cash disbursed for investing activities for the twenty-eight weeks ended July 13, 2024 and July 15, 2023, respectively (amounts in thousands):
Purchases of property, plant, and equipment
7,134
Repurchases of independent distributor distribution rights, net of principal payments from notes receivable
(16,169
5,920
(22,089
1,981
49
Net cash disbursed for investing activities
Cash Flows Provided by (Disbursed for) Financing Activities. The table below presents net cash provided by (disbursed for) financing activities for the twenty-eight weeks ended July 13, 2024 and July 15, 2023, respectively (amounts in thousands):
(3,823
3,541
(2,245
Net change in debt obligations
20,000
182,000
(162,000
883
Net cash (disbursed for) provided by financing activities
Date Declared
Record Date
Payment Date
Dividend perCommon Share
DividendsPaid
May 23, 2024
June 6, 2024
June 20, 2024
50,687
February 16, 2024
March 1, 2024
March 15, 2024
48,560
47
Additionally, we paid dividends of $2.7 million at the time of vesting of certain restricted stock awards. The increase in dividends paid resulted from an increase in the dividend rate compared to the prior year. While there are no requirements to increase our dividend rate, we have shown a recent historical trend to do so. We anticipate funding future dividend payments from cash flows from operations.
Capital Structure
Long-term debt and right-of-use lease obligations and stockholders’ equity were as follows at July 13, 2024 and December 30, 2023, respectively. For additional information regarding our debt and right-of-use lease obligations, see Note 5, Leases, and Note 13, Debt and Other Obligations, of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements of this Form 10-Q.
Balance at
Fixed or
Final
Variable Rate
Maturity
Long-term debt and right-of-use lease obligations
Fixed Rate
2031
Right-of-use lease obligations
304,125
284,501
2036
1,372,969
1,332,645
Less: Current maturities of long-term debt and right- of-use lease obligations
(60,139
(47,606
Total stockholders' equity
The repurchase facility and the credit facility are generally used for short-term liquidity needs. On April 15, 2024, we amended the repurchase facility to extend the scheduled facility expiration date to April 14, 2026. See Note 13, Debt and Other Obligations, of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements of this Form 10-Q for additional information.
We believe we have sufficient liquidity to satisfy our cash needs, however, we continue to closely monitor our liquidity in light of the continued economic uncertainty in the U.S. and throughout the world due to, among other things, the impact of the inflationary economic environment, supply chain disruptions, increased labor costs, the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, and the conflict in the Middle East. There is no current portion payable over the next year for our debt obligations. Amounts available for withdrawal under the repurchase facility are determined as the lesser of the total facility limit and a formula derived amount based on qualifying trade receivables.
The following table details the amounts available under the repurchase facility and the credit facility and the highest and lowest balances outstanding under these arrangements during the twenty-eight weeks ended July 13, 2024:
Amount Available
for Withdrawal at
Highest
Lowest
Facility
Balance
Unsecured credit facility (1)
516,600
Amounts outstanding under the credit facility can vary daily. Changes in the gross borrowings and repayments can be caused by cash flow activity from operations, capital expenditures, acquisitions, dividends, share repurchases, and tax payments, as well as derivative transactions which are part of the company’s overall risk management strategy as discussed in Note 9, Derivative Financial Instruments, of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements of this Form 10-Q. During the twenty-eight weeks ended July 13, 2024, the company made $71.3 million in revolving borrowings and $71.3 million in payments on revolving borrowings under the credit facility. The amount available under the credit facility is reduced by $8.4 million for letters of credit.
The repurchase facility and the credit facility are variable rate debt and provide us the greatest direct exposure to changing interest rates. In periods of rising interest rates, like we experienced in Fiscal 2023 and Fiscal 2022, the cost of using these facilities becomes more expensive and results in increased interest expense.
Restrictive financial covenants for our borrowings can include such ratios as a minimum interest coverage ratio and a maximum leverage ratio. Our debt may also contain certain customary representations and warranties, affirmative and negative covenants, and events of default. The company believes that, given its current cash position, its cash flow from operating activities, and its available credit capacity, it can comply with the current terms of the debt agreements and can meet presently foreseeable financial requirements. As of July 13, 2024, the company was in compliance with all restrictive covenants under our debt agreements.
At July 13, 2024, the company did not have any relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, such as entities often referred to as structured finance or special purpose entities, which are established to facilitate off-balance sheet arrangements or other contractually narrow or limited purposes.
Under our share repurchase plan, the company may repurchase its common stock in the open market or privately negotiated transactions at such times and at such prices as determined to be in the company’s best interest. These repurchases may be commenced or suspended without prior notice depending on then-existing business or market conditions and other factors. During the twenty-eight weeks ended July 13, 2024, 992,233 shares, at a cost of $22.7 million, of the company’s common stock were repurchased under the share repurchase plan. From the inception of the share repurchase plan through July 13, 2024, 73.0 million shares, at a cost of $755.9 million, have been repurchased.
Accounting Pronouncements Recently Adopted and Not Yet Adopted
See Note 2, Recent Accounting Pronouncements, of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements of this Form 10-Q for information regarding recently adopted accounting pronouncements and accounting pronouncements not yet adopted.
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
The company uses derivative financial instruments as part of an overall strategy to manage market risk. The company uses forward, futures, swap and option contracts to hedge existing or future exposure to changes in interest rates and commodity prices. The company does not enter into these derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes. If actual market conditions are less favorable than those anticipated, raw material prices could increase significantly, adversely affecting the margins from the sale of our products.
Commodity Price Risk
The company enters into commodity forward, futures and option contracts and swap agreements for wheat and, to a lesser extent, other commodities in an effort to provide a predictable and consistent commodity price and thereby reduce the impact of market volatility in its raw material and packaging prices. As of July 13, 2024, the company’s hedge portfolio contained commodity derivatives with a fair value (liability) of $(0.7) million, based on quoted market prices. All of this amount relates to instruments that will be utilized in Fiscal 2024 except for an immaterial amount that will be utilized in Fiscal 2025.
A sensitivity analysis has been prepared to quantify the company’s potential exposure to commodity price risk, the interest rate price risk was immaterial, with respect to the derivative portfolio. Based on the company’s derivative portfolio as of July 13, 2024, a hypothetical ten percent increase (decrease) in commodity prices would increase (decrease) the fair value of the derivative portfolio by $0.9 million. The analysis disregards changes in the exposures inherent in the underlying hedged items; however, the company expects that any increase (decrease) in fair value of the portfolio would be substantially offset by increases (decreases) in raw material and packaging prices.
ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Management’s Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
We have established and maintain a system of disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that material information relating to the company, which is required to be timely disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), is accumulated and communicated to management in a timely fashion and is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified by the SEC’s rules and forms.
Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and our Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer ("CFO and CAO”), we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based upon that evaluation and as of the end of the period covered by this report, the CEO and the CFO and CAO concluded that the company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective to allow timely decisions regarding disclosure in its reports that the company files or submits to the SEC under the Exchange Act.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the fiscal quarter ended July 13, 2024 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, internal control over financial reporting.
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
For a description of all material pending legal proceedings, see Note 15, Commitments and Contingencies, of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements of this Form 10-Q.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
Refer to Part I, Item 1A., Risk Factors, in the Form 10-K for information regarding factors that could affect the company’s results of operations, financial condition and liquidity. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may affect us. The occurrence of any of these known or unknown risks could have a material adverse ultimate impact on our business, financial condition, or results of operations.
ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
As originally announced on December 19, 2002, and subsequently increased, our Board of Directors had approved a plan that authorized share repurchases of up to 74.6 million shares. On May 26, 2022, the company announced that the Board of Directors increased the company's share repurchase authorization by 20.0 million shares. Under the share repurchase plan, the company may repurchase its common stock in open market or privately negotiated transactions or under an accelerated share repurchase program at such times and at such prices as determined to be in the company’s best interest. These repurchases may be commenced or suspended without prior notice depending on then-existing business or market conditions and other factors.
During the twelve weeks ended July 13, 2024, 603,942 shares, at a cost of $13.8 million, of the company’s common stock were repurchased under the share repurchase plan. From the inception of the share repurchase plan through July 13, 2024, 73.0 million shares, at a cost of $755.9 million, have been repurchased. The company currently has 21.5 million shares remaining available for repurchase under the share repurchase plan. The table below sets forth the common stock repurchased by the company during the twelve weeks ended July 13, 2024 (amounts in thousands, except share price data):
Period
Total Numberof SharesPurchased
WeightedAverage PricePer Share
Total Number ofShares Purchasedas Part ofPublicly AnnouncedPlans or Programs
Maximum Numberof Shares thatMay Yet BePurchased Underthe Plans orPrograms
April 21, 2024 — May 18, 2024
22.96
22,137
May 19, 2024 — June 15, 2024
23.20
21,837
June 16, 2024 — July 13, 2024
22.57
21,537
604
22.89
ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
Not applicable.
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION
None of the company's directors or officers adopted, modified, or terminated a "Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement" or a "non-rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement," as each term is defined in Item 408 of Regulation S-K, during the company's fiscal quarter ended July 13, 2024.
ITEM 6. EXHIBITS
The following documents are filed as exhibits hereto:
Exhibit
No
Name of Exhibit
3.1
Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Flowers Foods, Inc., as amended through May 21, 2020 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Flowers Foods’ Current Report on Form 8-K, dated May 28, 2020, File No. 1-16247).
3.2
Amended and Restated Bylaws of Flowers Foods, Inc., as amended through August 18, 2023 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Flowers Foods’ Current Report on Form 8-K, dated August 21, 2023, File No. 1-16247).
10.1
*
Form of Deferred Shares Agreement for Directors
31.1
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, by A. Ryals McMullian, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and R. Steve Kinsey, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer, for the quarter ended July 13, 2024.
101.INS
Inline XBRL Instance Document - the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document.
101.SCH
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Linkbase.
101.CAL
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase.
101.DEF
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase.
101.LAB
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase.
101.PRE
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase.
104
The cover page from Flowers Foods' Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended July 13, 2024 has been formatted in Inline XBRL.
* Filed herewith
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
By:
/s/ A. RYALS MCMULLIAN
Name:
A. Ryals McMullian
Title:
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
/s/ R. STEVE KINSEY
R. Steve Kinsey
Chief Financial Officer and
Chief Accounting Officer
Date: August 16, 2024