QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the three months ended
March 31, 2023
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 001-37540
HOSTESS BRANDS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
47-4168492
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
7905 Quivira Road
66215
Lenexa,
KS
(Zip Code)
(Address of principal executive offices)
(816) 701-4600
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each Class
Ticker Symbol
Name of each exchange on which registered
Class A Common Stock, Par Value of $0.0001 per share
TWNK
The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC
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 (§229.405 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 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 Act). Yes ☐No ☒
Shares of Class A common stock outstanding - 132,850,224 shares at May 5, 2023
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains statements reflecting our views about our future performance that constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. All statements contained in this Quarterly Report other than statements of historical fact, including statements regarding our future results of operations and financial position, our business strategy and plans, and our objectives for future operations, are forward-looking statements. Statements that constitute forward-looking statements are generally identified through the inclusion of words such as “believes,” “expects,” “intends,” “estimates,” “projects,” “anticipates,” “will,” “plan,” “may,” “should,” or similar language. Statements addressing events and developments that we expect or anticipate will occur are also considered forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements included herein are made only as of the date hereof. It is routine for our internal projections and expectations to change throughout the year, and any forward-looking statements based upon these projections or expectations may change prior to the end of the next quarter or year. Readers of this Quarterly Report are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. As a result of a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties, our actual results or performance may be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Risks and uncertainties are identified under “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, as updated by subsequent filings. All subsequent written or oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these risk factors. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except to the extent required by law.
3
PART I
Item 1. Financial Statements (Unaudited)
HOSTESS BRANDS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited, amounts in thousands, except shares and per share data)
March 31,
December 31,
2023
2022
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents
$
101,666
$
98,584
Short-term investments
—
17,914
Accounts receivable, net
189,952
168,783
Inventories
67,498
65,406
Prepaids and other current assets
11,952
16,375
Total current assets
371,068
367,062
Property and equipment, net
442,963
425,313
Intangible assets, net
1,915,002
1,920,880
Goodwill
706,615
706,615
Other assets, net
63,382
72,329
Total assets
$
3,499,030
$
3,492,199
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Long-term debt and lease obligations payable within one year
$
4,176
$
3,917
Tax receivable agreement payments payable within one year
11,200
12,600
Accounts payable
91,771
85,667
Customer trade allowances
66,058
62,194
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
33,679
59,933
Total current liabilities
206,884
224,311
Long-term debt and lease obligations
998,226
999,089
Tax receivable agreement obligations
123,134
123,092
Deferred tax liability
353,376
347,030
Other long-term liabilities
1,623
1,593
Total liabilities
1,683,243
1,695,115
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 9)
Class A common stock, $0.0001 par value, 200,000,000 shares authorized, 143,099,217 shares issued and 133,005,487 shares outstanding as of March 31, 2023 and 142,650,344 shares issued and 133,117,224 shares outstanding as of December 31, 2022
14
14
Additional paid in capital
1,311,291
1,311,629
Accumulated other comprehensive income
29,499
35,078
Retained earnings
677,884
639,595
Treasury stock
(202,901)
(189,232)
Stockholders’ equity
1,815,787
1,797,084
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
$
3,499,030
$
3,492,199
See accompanying notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
4
HOSTESS BRANDS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited, amounts in thousands, except shares and per share data)
Three Months Ended
March 31, 2023
March 31, 2022
Net revenue
$
345,403
$
332,051
Cost of goods sold
224,686
216,427
Gross profit
120,717
115,624
Operating costs and expenses:
Advertising and marketing
13,899
11,950
Selling
10,649
9,777
General and administrative
28,198
29,672
Amortization of customer relationships
5,878
5,878
Total operating costs and expenses
58,624
57,277
Operating income
62,093
58,347
Other expense
Interest expense, net
10,185
9,666
Other expense
181
436
Total other expense
10,366
10,102
Income before income taxes
51,727
48,245
Income tax expense
13,438
13,687
Net income
$
38,289
$
34,558
Earnings per Class A share:
Basic
$
0.29
$
0.25
Diluted
$
0.28
$
0.25
Weighted-average shares outstanding:
Basic
133,551,603
138,602,451
Diluted
134,553,122
139,565,136
See accompanying notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
5
HOSTESS BRANDS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Unaudited, amounts in thousands)
Three Months Ended
March 31, 2023
March 31, 2022
Net income
$
38,289
$
34,558
Other comprehensive income:
Unrealized gain (loss) on interest rate swap and foreign currency contracts designated as a cash flow hedge
(3,013)
23,656
Reclassification into net income
(4,532)
1,062
Income tax benefit (expense)
1,966
(6,492)
Comprehensive income
$
32,710
$
52,784
See accompanying notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
6
HOSTESS BRANDS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(Unaudited, amounts in thousands)
Class A Voting Common Stock
Additional Paid-in Capital
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Retained Earnings
Treasury Stock
Total Stockholders’ Equity
Shares
Amount
Shares
Amount
Balance–December 31, 2022
133,117
$
14
$
1,311,629
$
35,078
$
639,595
9,533
$
(189,232)
$
1,797,084
Comprehensive income
—
—
—
(5,579)
38,289
—
—
32,710
Share-based compensation
324
—
3,011
—
—
—
—
3,011
Exercise of employee stock options
125
—
2,112
—
—
—
—
2,112
Payment of taxes for employee stock awards
—
—
(5,461)
—
—
—
—
(5,461)
Repurchase of common stock
(561)
—
—
—
—
561
(13,669)
(13,669)
Balance–March 31, 2023
133,005
$
14
$
1,311,291
$
29,499
$
677,884
10,094
$
(202,901)
$
1,815,787
Class A Voting Common Stock
Additional Paid-in Capital
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Retained Earnings
Treasury Stock
Total Stockholders’ Equity
Shares
Amount
Shares
Amount
Balance–December 31, 2021
138,279
$
14
$
1,303,254
$
(506)
$
475,400
3,753
$
(59,172)
$
1,718,990
Comprehensive income
—
—
—
18,226
34,558
—
—
52,784
Share-based compensation
350
—
2,339
—
—
—
—
2,339
Exercise of employee stock options
105
—
1,662
—
—
—
—
1,662
Payment of taxes for employee stock awards
—
—
(5,216)
—
—
—
—
(5,216)
Repurchase of common stock
(459)
—
—
—
—
459
(9,680)
(9,680)
Balance–March 31, 2022
138,275
$
14
$
1,302,039
$
17,720
$
509,958
4,212
$
(68,852)
$
1,760,879
See accompanying notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
7
HOSTESS BRANDS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited, amounts in thousands)
Three Months Ended
March 31, 2023
March 31, 2022
Operating activities
Net income
$
38,289
$
34,558
Depreciation and amortization
15,327
13,297
Debt discount amortization
264
308
Unrealized foreign exchange losses
52
317
Non-cash lease expense
73
125
Share-based compensation
3,011
2,339
Realized and unrealized gains on short-term investments
(86)
—
Deferred taxes
8,312
7,322
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable
(21,167)
(44,848)
Inventories
(2,092)
(7,054)
Prepaids and other current assets
5,092
3,735
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
(23,016)
10,866
Customer trade allowances
3,869
10,561
Net cash provided by operating activities
27,928
31,526
Investing activities
Purchases of property and equipment
(23,463)
(23,034)
Proceeds from maturity of short-term investments
18,000
—
Acquisition and development of software assets
(964)
(1,825)
Net cash used in investing activities
(6,427)
(24,859)
Financing activities
Repayments of long-term debt and lease obligations
—
(2,792)
Repurchase of common stock
(13,669)
(9,680)
Tax payments related to issuance of shares to employees
(5,461)
(5,216)
Cash received from exercise of options and warrants
2,112
1,662
Payments on tax receivable agreement
(1,358)
(1,443)
Net cash used in financing activities
(18,376)
(17,469)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
(43)
74
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
3,082
(10,728)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
98,584
249,159
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$
101,666
$
238,431
Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information:
Cash paid during the period for:
Interest, net of amounts capitalized
$
10,096
$
9,678
Net taxes paid (refunded)
$
6,416
$
(514)
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing:
Accrued capital expenditures
$
11,778
$
5,433
See accompanying notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
8
HOSTESS BRANDS, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1.Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Description of Business
Hostess Brands, Inc. is a Delaware corporation headquartered in Lenexa, Kansas. The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Hostess Brands, Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”). The Company is a leading sweet snacks company focused on developing, manufacturing, marketing, selling and distributing snacks in North America primarily under the Hostess® and Voortman® brands. The Company produces a variety of new and classic treats including iconic Hostess® Donettes®, Twinkies®, CupCakes, Ding Dongs® and Zingers®, as well as a variety of Voortman® branded cookies and wafers. The Hostess® brand dates back to 1919 when the Hostess® CupCake was introduced to the public, followed by Twinkies® in 1930.
Basis of Presentation
The Company’s operations are conducted through wholly-owned operating subsidiaries. The condensed consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The results of operations for any quarter or a partial fiscal year period are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for other periods or the full fiscal year. For the periods presented, the Company has one reportable segment.
Adoption of New Accounting Standards
In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting, which provides practical expedients and exceptions for applying GAAP to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions affected by reference rate reform if certain criteria are met. The expedients and exceptions provided by the amendments in this update apply only to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions that reference the London Inter-Bank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) or another reference rate expected to be discontinued as a result of reference rate reform. In December 2022, the FASB issued ASU No 2022-06, “Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848) - Deferral of the Sunset Date of Topic 848”, which extends the optional transition relief to ease the potential burden in accounting for reference rate reform on financial reporting. The transition relief is provided through December 31, 2024 based on the expectation that the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) will cease to be published as of June 30, 2023. The Company is evaluating the impact the new standard will have on the consolidated financial statements and related disclosures but does not anticipate a material impact.
Principles of Consolidation
All intercompany balances and transactions related to activity between the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries have been eliminated in consolidation.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and for the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.
Accounts Receivable
Accounts receivable represents amounts invoiced to customers for performance obligations which have been satisfied. As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Company’s accounts receivable were $190.0 million and $168.8 million, respectively, which have been reduced by an allowance for damages occurring during shipment, quality claims and doubtful accounts in the amount of $5.8 million for both periods ended March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022.
Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net-realizable value on a first-in first-out basis. Abnormal amounts of idle facility expense, freight, handling costs, and wasted material (spoilage) are expensed in the period they are incurred.
9
HOSTESS BRANDS, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The components of inventories are as follows:
(In thousands)
March 31, 2023
December 31, 2022
Ingredients and packaging
$
33,459
$
35,410
Finished goods
31,253
26,133
Inventory in transit to customers
2,786
3,863
$
67,498
$
65,406
Capitalized Interest
The Company capitalizes a portion of the interest on its term loan (see Note 4. Debt and Lease Obligations) related to certain property and equipment during its construction period. The capitalized interest is recorded as part of the asset to which it relates and depreciated over the asset’s estimated useful life. The Company capitalized interest of $1.7 million during the three months ended March 31, 2023. No interest was capitalized during the three months ended March 31, 2022. Capitalized interest is included in property and equipment, net on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.
Software Costs
Capitalized software is included in other assets on the condensed consolidated balance sheets in the amount of $21.0 million and $21.4 million, net of accumulated amortization of $24.0 million and $22.6 million as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. Capitalized software costs are amortized over their estimated useful life of up to five years commencing when such assets are ready for their intended use. Software amortization expense included in general and administrative expense on the condensed consolidated statements of operations was $1.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023, compared to $1.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022, respectively.
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net revenue consists of sales of packaged food products primarily within the Sweet Baked Goods (“SBG”) category in the United States, as well as in the Cookie category in the United States and Canada.
The following tables disaggregate revenue by geographical market and category.
Three Months Ended March 31, 2023
(In thousands)
Sweet Baked Goods
Cookies
Total
United States
$
308,430
$
32,714
$
341,144
Canada
—
4,259
4,259
$
308,430
$
36,973
$
345,403
Three Months Ended March 31, 2022
(In thousands)
Sweet Baked Goods
Cookies
Total
United States
$
296,372
$
30,916
$
327,288
Canada
—
4,763
4,763
$
296,372
$
35,679
$
332,051
Concentrations
The Company had one customer (together with its affiliates) that accounted for 18.3% and 20.7% of total net revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
10
HOSTESS BRANDS, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
2. Property and Equipment
Property and equipment consists of the following:
(In thousands)
March 31, 2023
December 31, 2022
Land and buildings
$
81,631
$
81,405
Right of use assets, operating
32,170
32,170
Machinery and equipment
328,110
315,149
Construction in progress
130,607
118,679
572,518
547,403
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization
(129,555)
(122,090)
$
442,963
$
425,313
Depreciation expense was $8.0 million and $6.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
3. Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities
Included in accrued expenses and other current liabilities are the following:
(In thousands)
March 31, 2023
December 31, 2022
Payroll, vacation and other compensation
$
8,812
$
6,195
Accrued interest
7,820
7,850
Incentive compensation
5,232
29,045
Other
11,815
16,843
$
33,679
$
59,933
11
HOSTESS BRANDS, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
4. Debt and Lease Obligations
A summary of the carrying value of the debt and lease obligations are as follows:
(In thousands)
March 31, 2023
December 31, 2022
Term loan (7.1% as of March 31, 2023)
Principal
$
983,221
$
983,221
Unamortized debt premium and issuance costs
(2,323)
(2,563)
980,898
980,658
Lease obligations
21,504
22,348
Total debt and lease obligations
1,002,402
1,003,006
Less: Current portion of long term debt and lease obligations
(4,176)
(3,917)
Long-term portion
$
998,226
$
999,089
At March 31, 2023, there are no principal payments due under the Company’s aggregate term loans until maturity on August 3, 2025.
Including the impact of the interest rate swap contracts, at March 31, 2023, the Company's aggregate term loans had an effective interest rate of 4.8%.
Leases
The Company has entered into operating leases for certain properties that expire at various times through 2030. The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at inception.
At March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, right of use assets related to operating leases are included in property and equipment, net on the condensed consolidated balance sheets (see Note 2. Property and Equipment). As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Company had no outstanding financing leases. Lease liabilities for operating leases are included in the current and non-current portions of long-term debt and lease obligations on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.
The table below shows the composition of lease expense:
Three Months Ended
(In thousands)
March 31, 2023
March 31, 2022
Operating lease expense
$
1,663
$
1,603
Short-term lease expense
505
373
Variable lease expense
402
382
$
2,570
$
2,358
5.Derivative Instruments
Interest Rate Swap and Foreign Currency Contracts
The Company entered into interest rate swap contracts with counterparties to make a series of payments based on fixed rates ranging from 1.11% to 2.06% and receive a series of payments based on the greater of LIBOR or 0.75%. Both the fixed and floating payment streams are based on the March 31, 2023 notional amount of $700 million, outstanding through the maturity date of the term loan in August 2025. The Company entered into these transactions to reduce its exposure to changes in cash flows associated with its variable rate debt and has designated these derivatives as cash flow hedges. At March 31, 2023, the interest on the Company’s variable rate debt hedged by these contracts is effectively fixed at rates ranging from 3.36% to 4.31%, which includes the term loan margin of 2.25%.
12
HOSTESS BRANDS, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
To reduce the effect of fluctuations in Canadian dollar (“CAD”) denominated expenses relative to their U.S. dollar equivalents originating from its Canadian operations, the Company entered into CAD purchase contracts. The contracts provide for the Company to sell a total of $3.2 million USD for $4.1 million CAD at varying defined settlement dates through June 2023. The Company has designated these contracts as cash flow hedges.
A summary of the fair value of interest rate and foreign currency instruments is as follows:
(In thousands)
March 31, 2023
December 31, 2022
Asset derivatives
Location
Interest rate swap contracts (1)
Other non-current assets
$
40,087
$
48,539
Liability derivatives
Location
Foreign currency contracts (2)
Accrued expenses
$
183
$
423
(1) The fair values of interest rate swap contracts are measured on a recurring basis by netting the discounted future fixed cash payments and the discounted expected variable cash receipts. The variable cash receipts are based on the expectation of future interest rates (forward curves) derived from observed market interest rate curves (Level 2).
(2) The fair values of foreign currency contracts are measured at each reporting period by comparison to available market information on similar contracts (Level 2).
A summary of the gains and losses related to interest rate and foreign currency instruments on the condensed consolidated statements of operations is as follows:
Three Months Ended
(In thousands)
March 31, 2023
March 31, 2022
(Gain ) Loss on derivative contracts designated as cash flow hedges
Location
Interest rate swap contracts
Interest expense, net
$
(4,672)
$
1,062
Foreign currency contracts
Cost of goods sold
140
—
$
(4,532)
$
1,062
6. Earnings per Share
Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing net income for the period by the weighted average number of shares of Class A common stock outstanding for the period excluding non-vested share-based awards. In computing diluted earnings per share, basic earnings per share is adjusted for the assumed issuance of all applicable potentially dilutive share-based awards, including restricted stock units (“RSUs”), stock options and Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”) awards.
13
HOSTESS BRANDS, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Below are basic and diluted net income per share:
Three Months Ended
March 31, 2023
March 31, 2022
Numerator:
Net income (in thousands)
$
38,289
$
34,558
Denominator:
Weighted-average Class A shares outstanding - basic
133,551,603
138,602,451
Dilutive effect of RSUs
499,273
484,295
Dilutive effect of stock options and ESPP awards
502,246
478,390
Weighted-average shares outstanding - diluted
134,553,122
139,565,136
Net income per Class A share - basic
$
0.29
$
0.25
Net income per Class A share - diluted
$
0.28
$
0.25
7. Income Taxes
The Company is subject to U.S. federal, state and local income taxes as well as Canadian income tax on its controlled foreign subsidiary. The income tax provision is determined based on the estimated full year effective tax rate, adjusted for infrequent or unusual items, which are recognized on a discrete basis in the period they occur. The Company’s estimated annual effective tax rate is 27% prior to taking into account any discrete items.
8. Tax Receivable Agreement Obligations
The following table summarizes activity related to the tax receivable agreement for the three months ended March 31, 2023:
(In thousands)
Balance December 31, 2022
$
135,692
Payments
(1,358)
Balance March 31, 2023
$
134,334
14
HOSTESS BRANDS, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
9. Commitments and Contingencies
Liabilities related to legal proceedings are recorded when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the associated amount can be reasonably estimated. Where the estimated amount of loss is within a range of amounts and no amount within the range is a better estimate than any other amount, the minimum amount is accrued. As additional information becomes available, potential liabilities are reassessed and the estimates revised, if necessary. Any accrued liabilities are subject to change in the future based on new developments in each matter, or changes in circumstances, which could have a material effect on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.
In December 2020, the Company asserted claims for indemnification against the sellers under the terms of the Share Purchase Agreement pursuant to which the Company acquired Voortman (the “Agreement”) for damages arising out of alleged breaches by the sellers of certain representations, warranties and covenants contained in such agreement relating to periods prior to the closing of the acquisition. The Company also submitted claims relating to these alleged breaches under the representation and warranty insurance policy (“RWI”) it purchased in connection with the acquisition. In the third quarter of 2022, the RWI insurers paid the Company $42.5 million CAD (the RWI coverage limit) (the “Proceeds”) related to these breaches. Per agreement with the RWI insurers, under no circumstances will the Company be required to return the Proceeds.
On November 3, 2022, pursuant to the agreement with the RWI insurer, Voortman brought claims in the Ontario (Canada) Superior Court of Justice (the “Claim”), related to the breaches against certain of the sellers from whom Voortman was acquired. The Claim alleges the seller defendants made certain non-disclosures and misrepresentations to induce the Company to overpay for Voortman. The Company is seeking damages of $109 million CAD representing the amount of the aggregate liability of the sellers for indemnification under the Agreement, $5.0 million CAD in punitive or aggravated damages, interest, proceedings fees and any other relief the presiding court deems appropriate. A portion of any recovery will be shared with the RWI insurers. Although the Company strongly believes that its Claim against the sellers is meritorious, no assurance can be given as to whether the Company will recover all, or any part, of the amounts it is pursuing.
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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion summarizes the significant factors affecting the consolidated operating results, financial condition, liquidity and capital resources of Hostess Brands, Inc. This discussion should be read in conjunction with our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included herein, and our audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022. The terms “our”, “we,” “us,” and “Company” as used herein refer to Hostess Brands, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries.
Overview
We are a leading sweet snacks company focused on developing, manufacturing, marketing, selling and distributing snacks in North America, primarily under the Hostess® and Voortman® brands. Our direct-to-warehouse (“DTW”) product distribution system allows us to deliver to our customers’ warehouses. Our customers in turn distribute to the retail stores.
Hostess® is the second leading brand by market share within the Sweet Baked Goods (SBG) category, according to Nielsen U.S. total universe. For the 13-week period ended April 1, 2023, our branded SBG (which includes Hostess®, Dolly Madison®, Cloverhill® and Big Texas®) market share was 20.3% per Nielsen’s U.S. SBG category data.
Factors Impacting Recent Results
We continue to experience increased labor, raw materials, and transportation costs in the current economic climate. Given the volatility of the global supply-chain environment, our ability to source raw materials and produce and ship products to meet the needs of our customers may be materially impacted. We continue to work closely with all of our vendors, distributors, contract manufacturers, and other external business partners to ensure availability of our products for our customers and consumers.
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Operating Results
Three Months Ended
(In thousands, except per share data)
March 31, 2023
March 31, 2022
Net revenue
$
345,403
$
332,051
Gross profit
120,717
115,624
As a % of net revenue
34.9
%
34.8
%
Operating costs and expenses
58,624
57,277
Operating income
62,093
58,347
Other expense (income)
10,366
10,102
Income tax expense
13,438
13,687
Net income
38,289
34,558
Earnings per Class A share:
Basic
$
0.29
$
0.25
Diluted
$
0.28
$
0.25
Results of Operations
Net Revenue
Net revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2023 increased $13.3 million, or 4.0%, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2022. Contribution from previously taken pricing actions and product mix provided 14.6% of the growth, offset by a 10.6% decline from volume. Compared to the same period last year, SBG net revenue increased $12.0 million or 4.0%, while cookies net revenue increased $1.3 million or 3.6%.
Gross Profit
Gross profit increased 4.4% and was 34.9% of net revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2023, an increase of 13 basis points from a gross margin of 34.8% for the three months ended March 31, 2022. The increase in gross margin was due to favorable price/mix and productivity benefits which more than offset higher supply chain costs, including inflation. The increase in gross profit was primarily attributed to favorable price/mix and productivity, partially offset by inflation.
Operating Costs and Expenses
Operating costs and expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2023 were $58.6 million, compared to $57.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022. The increase was primarily attributed to the planned increase in advertising investments, higher depreciation and higher share-based compensation expense, partially offset by project consulting costs included in the prior-year period.
Other Expense
Other expense for the three months ended March 31, 2023 was $10.4 million compared to $10.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022. The increase in other expense was primarily due to interest expense on our term loans which was $11.1 million and $9.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, partially offset by a decrease in foreign currency remeasurement.
Income Taxes
Our effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2023 was 26.0% compared to 28.4% for the three months ended March 31, 2022. The decrease in the tax rate is attributed to a discrete tax benefit of $0.5 million during the three months ended March 31, 2023 as compared to a discrete tax expense of $0.6 million during the three months ended March 31, 2022, both related to share-based compensation.
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Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our primary sources of liquidity are from cash on hand, future cash flow generated from operations, and availability under our revolving credit agreement (“Revolver”). We believe that cash flows from operations and the current cash and cash equivalents on the balance sheet will be sufficient to satisfy the anticipated cash requirements associated with our existing operations for at least the next 12 months. Our future cash requirements include, but are not limited to, the purchase commitments for certain raw materials and packaging used in our production process, scheduled rent on leased facilities, scheduled debt service payments on our term loan, settlements on related interest rate swap contracts, payments on our tax receivable agreement, settlements on our outstanding foreign currency contracts and outstanding purchase orders on capital projects.
Our ability to generate sufficient cash from our operating activities depends on our future performance, which is subject to general economic, political, financial, competitive and other factors beyond our control. In addition, future cash requirements could be higher than we currently expect as a result of various factors, including any expansion of our business that we undertake, such as acquisitions or bringing new production facilities on line. We consider all highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.
We had working capital, excluding cash and short-term investments, as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 of $62.5 million and $44.2 million, respectively. We have the ability to borrow under the Revolver to meet obligations as they come due. As of March 31, 2023, we had approximately $94.1 million available for borrowing, net of letters of credit, under our Revolver.
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Cash flows provided by operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 were $27.9 million and $31.5 million, respectively. Operating cash flows were lower due to higher tax and incentive compensation payments partially offset by favorable working capital fluctuations and increased profitability in the current year period.
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Investing activities used $6.4 million and $24.9 million of cash for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. During the three months ended March 31, 2023, we received proceeds from maturity of short-term marketable securities of $18.0 million. We did not have any proceeds from maturity of short-term investments during the three months ended March 31, 2022.
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Financing activities used $18.4 million and $17.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The net outflow in the current year period consisted of cash used to repurchase 0.6 million shares of our common stock under existing share repurchase authorizations for an amount of $13.7 million and an average price per share of $24.38, as well as tax payments related to issuance of shares to employees and scheduled payments under the tax receivable agreement, offset by cash inflows from the proceeds on exercise of employee stock options. The net outflow in the prior-year period reflects proceeds on exercise of employee stock options, offset by cash used to repurchase 0.5 million shares of our common stock for an amount of $9.7 million and an average price per share of $21.09 and scheduled payments under the tax receivable agreement and term loan.
Long-Term Debt
As of March 31, 2023, $983.2 million aggregate principal amount of the term loan was outstanding and letters of credit worth up to $5.9 million aggregate principal amount were outstanding, reducing the amount available under the Revolver. We had no outstanding borrowings under our Revolver as of March 31, 2023, with a remaining borrowing capacity of $94.1 million. As of March 31, 2023, we were in compliance with the covenants under the term loan and the Revolver.
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Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
For quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk, see Item 7A “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022. Our exposures to market risk have not changed materially since December 31, 2022.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, we evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e)) under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act)) as of March 31, 2023, the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of March 31, 2023 to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the Securities and Exchange Commission, and that information relating to the Company is accumulated and communicated to management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
During the three months ended March 31, 2023, there was no change in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
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PART II
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
We are involved from time to time in lawsuits, claims and proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. These matters typically involve personnel and employment issues, personal injury claims, contract matters and other proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. Although we do not expect the outcome of these matters to have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations, litigation is inherently unpredictable. Therefore, we could incur judgments enter into settlements or be subject to claims that could materially impact our results.
The information required to be furnished by us under this Part II, Item 1 (Legal Proceedings) is incorporated by reference to the information contained in Note 9. Commitments and Contingencies, to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
Our risk factors are set forth in the “Risk Factors” section of our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on February 21, 2023. There have been no material changes to our risk factors since the filing of the Form 10-K.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
Issuer Purchase of Equity Securities
Period
Total number of securities repurchased
Average price paid per share
Total number of securities purchased as part of publicly announced plans or programs
Approximate dollar value of securities that may yet be purchased under the program (in millions) (1)
January 1 - 31, 2023
—
$
—
—
$
21.7
February 1 - 28, 2023
—
—
—
21.7
March 1 - 31, 2023
560,610
24.38
560,610
8.0
560,610
560,610
(1)In February 2022, our Board of Directors approved a securities repurchase program of up to $150 million of our outstanding securities. As of March 31, 2023, there was $8.0 million remaining under this program. The program has no expiration date. The program may be amended, suspended or discontinued at any time at our discretion and does not commit us to repurchase our securities.
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
The cover page from the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2023, formatted in Inline XBRL
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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, on May 9, 2023.
HOSTESS BRANDS, INC.
By:
/s/ Travis E. Leonard
Travis E. Leonard Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer