Utz Brands Reports First Quarter 2023 Results

HANOVER, Pennsylvania , May 11, 2023 (press release) –

Utz Brands, Inc. (NYSE: UTZ) (“Utz” or the “Company”), a leading U.S. manufacturer of branded salty snacks, today reported financial results for the Company’s fiscal first quarter ended April 2, 2023.

1Q’23 Summary:

• Net sales increased 3.1% year-over-year to $351.4 million
• Organic Net Sales increased 4.0% year-over-year
• Net loss of $(14.5) million vs. a net loss of $(31.9) million in the year-ago period
• Adjusted EBITDA increased 10.7% year-over-year to $40.4 million
• Raising fiscal 2023 Adjusted EBITDA outlook

“Our business momentum continued as we delivered year-over-year Adjusted Gross Margin expansion, double-digit Adjusted EBITDA growth, and 4% Organic Net Sales growth even as we lapped 21% comparable growth in the prior year,” said Howard Friedman, Chief Executive Officer of Utz. “We remain well-positioned to deliver strong performance for the full year, as our Salty Snack category remains resilient, and we continue to execute against our key portfolio optimization, geographic expansion, and productivity strategies.”

First Quarter 2023 Financial Highlights

First Quarter 2023 Results

Net sales in the quarter increased 3.1% to $351.4 million compared to $340.8 million in the first quarter of 2022. The increase in net sales was driven by Organic Net Sales growth of 4.0%, partially offset by the Company’s continued shift to independent operators (“IOs”) and the resulting increase in sales discounts that impacted net sales growth by (0.9%).

Organic Net Sales growth was driven by favorable price of 9.7%, partially offset by volume/mix declines of (5.7%). The volume decline was primarily due to lapping strong volume growth of 11.3% in the prior year period and the Company’s ongoing SKU rationalization program focused on reductions in private label and certain partner brands. The Company estimates this program impacted volumes in the first quarter of 2023 by approximately (4%).

For the 13-week period ended April 2, 2023, the Company’s retail sales, as measured by Circana (formerly IRI) MULO-C, increased 9.4% versus the prior-year period and the Company’s Power Brands’ retail sales increased 9.8% versus the prior-year period⁽¹⁾. Power Brands’ retail sales growth versus the prior-year period was led by Utz®, On The Border®, Zapp’s®, Hawaiian®, Boulder Canyon®, and TGI Fridays®. The Company’s Foundation Brands’ retail sales increased 6.9%⁽²⁾. Power Brands’ retail sales growth over a two-year period increased 31.9% versus the Salty Snacks Category growth of 30.6%⁽¹⁾.

Gross profit increased 0.7% to $104.5 million, or 29.7% as a percentage of net sales, compared to gross profit of $103.8 million, or 30.5% as a percentage of net sales, in the prior-year period. Adjusted Gross Profit increased 4.6% to $121.0 million, or 34.4% as a percentage of net sales, compared to Adjusted Gross Profit of $115.7 million, or 33.9% as a percentage of net sales, in the prior-year period. The increase in Adjusted Gross Profit as a percentage of net sales was primarily driven by higher net price realization, improved product mix, and ongoing benefits from the Company’s productivity initiatives. These benefits were partially offset by higher commodity and labor inflation. Additionally, the Company estimates that the continued shift to IOs negatively impacted Adjusted Gross Margins by approximately 90 basis points, but with offsetting benefits in Selling, Distribution, and Administrative (“SD&A”) expense.

The Company reported a net loss of $(14.5) million compared to loss of $(31.9) million in the prior-year period. Adjusted Net Income in the quarter decreased (2.6)% to $15.0 million compared to $15.4 million in the first quarter of 2022, primarily due to increased interest expense compared to the prior year period. Adjusted earnings per share of $0.11 was consistent with the prior year period.

Adjusted EBITDA increased 10.7% to $40.4 million, or 11.5% as a percentage of net sales, compared to Adjusted EBITDA of $36.5 million, or 10.7% as a percentage of net sales, in the prior year period. The improvement in Adjusted EBITDA margins versus last year was the result of higher Adjusted Gross Margins and lower Adjusted SD&A expense, as a percentage of sales, both versus the prior-year period.

Balance Sheet and Cash Flow Highlights

• As of April 2, 2023
  • Cash on hand of $57.9 million and $140.8 million was available under the Company’s revolving credit facility, providing liquidity of approximately $199 million.
  • Net debt of $891.8 million resulting in a Net Leverage Ratio of 5.1x based on trailing twelve months Normalized Adjusted EBITDA of $174.4 million.
• For the 13-weeks ended April 2, 2023
  • Cash flow used in operations was $8.4 million, which reflects the seasonal use of working capital.
  • Capital expenditures were $13.9 million, and dividends paid were $8.0 million.

Fiscal Year 2023 Outlook

The Company is reaffirming its net sales outlook and raising its Adjusted EBITDA outlook for fiscal 2023:

• Total net sales growth of 3% to 5% and Organic Net Sales growth of 4% to 6%, with the Company’s continued shift to IOs impacting total net sales growth by approximately (1.0%). Net sales growth is expected to be driven by net price realization, increased marketing and innovation, and continued distribution gains of the Company’s Power Brands, partially offset by the Company’s SKU rationalization program. Based on these assumptions, the Company expects volume / mix consistent with fiscal 2022.

• Adjusted EBITDA growth of 7% to 10% (previously 6% to 10% growth) as gross margin expansion is expected to more than offset higher advertising and marketing expenses, and continued investments in capabilities and selling infrastructure.

The Company continues to expect:

• An effective tax rate (normalized GAAP basis tax expense, which excludes one-time items) in the range of 20% to 22%;
• Interest expense of approximately $55 million;
• Capital expenditures in the range of $50 to $55 million; and
• Net Leverage Ratio below 4.5x at year-end fiscal 2023.

With respect to projected fiscal 2023 Adjusted EBITDA, a quantitative reconciliation is not available without unreasonable efforts due to the high variability, complexity, and low visibility with respect to certain items which are excluded from Adjusted EBITDA. We expect the variability of these items to have a potentially unpredictable, and potentially significant, impact on our future financial results.

Conference Call and Webcast Presentation

The Company will host a conference call to discuss these results today at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time. Please visit the “Events & Presentations” section of Utz’s Investor Relations website at https://investors.utzsnacks.com to access the live listen-only webcast and presentation. Participants can also dial in over the phone by calling 1 (888) 510-2008. The Event Plus passcode is 1774171. The Company has also posted presentation slides and additional supplemental financial information, which are available now on Utz’s Investor Relations website.

A replay will be archived online and is also available telephonically approximately two hours after the call concludes through Thursday, May 18, 2023, by dialing 1-800-770-2030, and entering the Event Plus passcode 1774171.

About Utz Brands, Inc.

Utz Brands, Inc. (NYSE: UTZ) manufactures a diverse portfolio of savory snacks through popular brands including Utz®, On The Border® Chips & Dips, Golden Flake®, Zapp’s®, Good Health®, Boulder Canyon®, Hawaiian Brand®, and TORTIYAHS!®, among others.

After a century with strong family heritage, Utz continues to have a passion for exciting and delighting consumers with delicious snack foods made from top-quality ingredients. Utz’s products are distributed nationally through grocery, mass merchandisers, club, convenience, drug, and other channels. Based in Hanover, Pennsylvania, Utz has multiple manufacturing facilities located across the U.S. to serve our growing customer base. For more information, please visit www.utzsnacks.com or call 1‐800‐FOR‐SNAX.

Investors and others should note that Utz announces material financial information to its investors using its investor relations website (https://investors.utzsnacks.com/investors/default.aspx), U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) filings, press releases, public conference calls, and webcasts. Utz uses these channels, as well as social media, to communicate with our stockholders and the public about the Company, the Company’s products and other Company information. It is possible that the information that Utz posts on social media could be deemed to be material information. Therefore, Utz encourages investors, the media, and others interested in the Company to review the information posted on the social media channels listed on Utz’s investor relations website.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes certain statements made herein that are not historical facts but are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. The forward-looking statements generally are accompanied by or include, without limitation, statements such as “will”, “expect”, “intends”, “goal” or other similar words, phrases or expressions. These forward-looking statements include future plans for the Company, the estimated or anticipated future results and benefits of the Company’s future plans and operations, future capital structure, future opportunities for the Company, the effect of inflation of other supply chain disruptions, statements regarding the Company’s projected balance sheet and liabilities, including net leverage, and other statements that are not historical facts. These statements are based on the current expectations of the Company’s management and are not predictions of actual performance. These statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties and the Company’s business and actual results may differ materially. Factors that may cause such differences include, but are not limited to: the risk that the Company’s gross profit margins may be adversely impacted by a variety of factors, including variations in raw materials pricing, retail customer requirements and mix, sales velocities and required promotional support; changes in consumers’ loyalty to the Company’s brands due to factors beyond the Company’s control; changes in demand for the Company’s products affected by changes in consumer preferences and tastes or if the Company is unable to innovate or market its products effectively; costs associated with building brand loyalty and interest in the Company’s products, which may be affected by actions by the Company’s competitors’ that result in the Company’s products not suitably differentiated from the products of their competitors; fluctuations in results of operations of the Company from quarter to quarter because of changes in promotional activities; the possibility that the Company may be adversely affected by other economic, business or competitive factors; the risk that recently completed business combinations and other acquisitions recently completed by the Company (collectively, the “Business Combinations”) disrupt plans and operations; the ability to recognize the anticipated benefits of such Business Combinations, which may be affected by, among other things, competition and the ability of the Company to grow and manage growth profitably and retain its key employees; the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against the Company following the consummation of such Business Combinations; changes in applicable law or regulations; costs related to the Business Combinations; the ability of the Company to maintain the listing of the Company’s Class A Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange; the inability of the Company to develop and maintain effective internal controls; and other risks and uncertainties set forth in the section entitled “Risk Factors” and “Forward-Looking Statements” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Commission, for the fiscal year ended January 1, 2023 and other reports filed by the Company with the Commission. In addition, forward-looking statements provide the Company’s expectations, plans or forecasts of future events and views as of the date of this communication. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing the Company’s assessments as of any date subsequent to the date of this communication. The Company cautions investors not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. The Company does not undertake or accept any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect any change in its expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based, except as otherwise required by law.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures:

Utz uses non-GAAP financial information and believes it is useful to investors as it provides additional information to facilitate comparisons of historical operating results, identify trends in our underlying operating results and provide additional insight and transparency on how we evaluate the business. We use non-GAAP financial measures to budget, make operating and strategic decisions, and evaluate our performance. These non-GAAP financial measures do not represent financial performance in accordance with GAAP and may exclude items that are significant in understanding and assessing financial results. Therefore, these measures should not be considered in isolation or as an alternative to net income, cash flows from operations or other measures of profitability, liquidity or performance under GAAP. You should be aware that the presentation of these measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies.

Management believes that non-GAAP financial measures should be considered as supplements to the GAAP reported measures, should not be considered replacements for, or superior to, the GAAP measures and may not be comparable to similarly named measures used by other companies. We believe that these non-GAAP measures of financial results provide useful information to investors regarding certain financial and business trends relating to the financial condition and results of operations of the Company to date and that the presentation of non-GAAP financial measures is useful to investors in the evaluation of our operating performance compared to other companies in the salty snack industry, as similar measures are commonly used by the companies in this industry. These non-GAAP financial measures are subject to inherent limitations as they reflect the exercise of judgments by management about which expense and income are excluded or included in determining these non-GAAP financial measures. The non-GAAP financial measures are not recognized in accordance with GAAP and should not be viewed as an alternative to GAAP measures of performance.

Utz uses the following non-GAAP financial measures in its financial communications, and in the future could use others:

• Organic Net Sales
• Adjusted Gross Profit
• Adjusted Gross Profit as % of Net Sales (Adjusted Gross Profit Margin)
• Adjusted Selling, Distribution, and Administrative Expense
• Adjusted Selling, Distribution, and Administrative Expense as % of Net Sales
• Adjusted Net Income
• Adjusted Earnings Per Share
• EBITDA
• Adjusted EBITDA
• Adjusted EBITDA as % of Net Sales (Adjusted EBITDA Margin)
• Normalized Adjusted EBITDA
• Net Leverage Ratio

Organic Net Sales is defined as net sales excluding the impact of acquisitions and excluding the impact of IO route conversions.

Adjusted Gross Profit represents Gross Profit excluding Depreciation and Amortization expense, a non-cash item. In addition, Adjusted Gross Profit excludes the impact of costs that fall within the categories of non-cash adjustments and non-recurring items such as those related to stock-based compensation, hedging and purchase commitments adjustments, asset impairments, acquisition, and integration costs, business transformation initiatives, and financing-related costs. Adjusted Gross Profit is one of the key performance indicators that our management uses to evaluate operating performance. We also report Adjusted Gross Profit as a percentage of Net Sales as an additional measure for investors to evaluate our Adjusted Gross Profit margins on Net Sales.

Adjusted Selling, Distribution, and Administrative Expense is defined as all Selling, Distribution, and Administrative expense excluding Depreciation and Amortization expense, a non- cash item. In addition, Adjusted Selling, Distribution, and Administrative Expenses exclude the impact of costs that fall within the categories of non-cash adjustments and non-recurring items such as those related to stock-based compensation, hedging and purchase commitments adjustments, asset impairments, acquisition and integration costs, business transformation initiatives, and financing-related costs. We also report Adjusted Selling, Distribution, and Administrative Expense as a percentage of Net Sales as an additional measure for investors to evaluate our Adjusted Selling, Distribution, and Administrative margin on Net Sales.

Adjusted Net Income is defined as Net Income excluding the additional Depreciation and Amortization expense, a non-cash item, related to the Business Combination with Collier Creek Holdings and the acquisitions of Kennedy Endeavors, Kitchen Cooked, Inventure, Golden Flake, Truco Enterprises, R.W. Garcia and Festida. In addition, Adjusted Net Income is also adjusted to exclude deferred financing fees, interest income, and expense relating to IO loans and certain non-cash items, such as those related to stock-based compensation, hedging, and purchase commitments adjustments, asset impairments, acquisition and integration costs, business transformation initiatives, remeasurement of warrant liabilities and financing-related costs. Lastly, Adjusted Net Income normalizes the income tax provision to account for the above-mentioned adjustments.

Adjusted Earnings Per Share is defined as Adjusted Net Income (as defined, herein) divided by the weighted average shares outstanding for each period on a fully diluted basis, assuming the Private Placement Warrants are net settled and the Shares of Class V Common Stock held by Continuing Members is converted to Class A Common Stock.

EBITDA is defined as Net Income before Interest, Income Taxes, and Depreciation and Amortization.

Adjusted EBITDA is defined as EBITDA further adjusted to exclude certain non-cash items, such as stock-based compensation, hedging and purchase commitments adjustments, and asset impairments; acquisition and integration costs; business transformation initiatives; and financing-related costs. Adjusted EBITDA is one of the key performance indicators we use in evaluating our operating performance and in making financial, operating, and planning decisions. We believe Adjusted EBITDA is useful to the users of this release and financial information contained in the release in the evaluation of Utz’s operating performance compared to other companies in the salty snack industry, as similar measures are commonly used by companies in this industry. We have historically reported an Adjusted EBITDA metric to investors and banks for covenant compliance. We also provide in this release, Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of Net Sales, as an additional measure for readers to evaluate our Adjusted EBITDA margins on Net Sales.

Normalized Adjusted EBITDA is defined as Adjusted EBITDA after giving effect to pre-acquisition Adjusted EBITDA of the Festida Foods and R.W. Garcia acquisitions, and the buyout of Clem and J&D Snacks.

Net Leverage Ratio is defined as Normalized Adjusted EBITDA divided by Net Debt. Net Debt is defined as Gross Debt less Cash and Cash Equivalents.

Management believes that the non-GAAP financial measures are meaningful to investors because they increase transparency and assist investors to understand and analyze our ongoing operational performance. The financial measures are shown as supplemental disclosures in this release because they are widely used by the investment community for analysis and comparative evaluation. They also provide additional metrics to evaluate the Company’s operations and, when considered with both the GAAP results and the reconciliation to the most comparable GAAP measures, provide a more complete understanding of the Company’s business than could be obtained absent this disclosure. The non-GAAP measures are not and should not be considered an alternative to the most comparable GAAP measures or any other figure calculated in accordance with GAAP, or as an indicator of operating performance. The Company’s calculation of the non-GAAP financial measures may differ from methods used by other companies. Management believes that the non-GAAP measures are important to have an understanding of the Company’s overall operating results in the periods presented. The non-GAAP financial measures are not recognized in accordance with GAAP and should not be viewed as an alternative to GAAP measures of performance. As new events or circumstances arise, these definitions could change. When the definitions change, we will provide the updated definitions and present the related non-GAAP historical results on a comparable basis.

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures to Reported Financial Measures

Net Sales and Organic Net Sales

Gross Profit and Adjusted Gross Profit

Adjusted Selling, Distribution, and Administrative Expense

Adjusted Net Income

Depreciation & Amortization

EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA

Normalized Adjusted EBITDA

Net Debt and Leverage Ratio

Source: Utz Brands, Inc.

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