FLOWERS FOODS INC

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 sixteen weeks ended April 19, 2025 and April 20, 2024 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for a full fiscal year. The Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 28, 2024 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 Form 10-K.

INFLATIONARY ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT AND MACROECONOMIC FACTORS — We continue to monitor the impact of a variety of factors on our business, including the impact of the inflationary economic environment on our costs and the buying patterns of our consumers, supply chain disruptions, including any impact from the imposition of tariffs, increased labor costs, the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, and the conflict in the Middle East. Our results for the first quarter of Fiscal 2025 were negatively impacted by softer sales due to increased weakness in the fresh packaged bread category, most notably for branded traditional loaf breads, and in the cake category. However, sales of our more premium, better-for-you branded products, such as organic, Keto, and gluten-free products, increased quarter over quarter. Additionally, sales attributed to the Simple Mills acquisition, which diversifies our category exposure, partially offset the overall sales decline. We introduced Wonder snack cakes in the first quarter of Fiscal 2025 to address the headwind from weakness in the cake category.

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 Plant closure costs and 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.

PLANT CLOSURE COSTS AND IMPAIRMENT OF ASSETS — On February 12, 2025, the company announced the closure of its Bailey Street Bakery located in Atlanta, Georgia. The bakery produced bread and bun products and ceased production on April 16, 2025. This bakery closure is part of our strategy to optimize capacity within our supply chain. Closure costs included asset impairment charges and equipment relocation costs of $6.1 million and severance costs of $1.3 million and are recorded in the first quarter of Fiscal 2025.

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 our Form 10-K.

REPORTING PERIODS — Fiscal Year End. Our fiscal year ends on the Saturday nearest December 31, resulting in a 53 rd reporting week every five or six years. 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:

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 2025 consists of 53 weeks, with the company’s quarterly reporting periods as follows: first quarter ended April 19, 2025 (sixteen weeks), second quarter ending July 12, 2025 (twelve weeks), third quarter ending October 4, 2025 (twelve weeks) and fourth quarter ending January 3, 2026 (thirteen weeks). The last 53-week year was our Fiscal 2020.

REPORTING SEGMENT —The company has identified two operating segments based on how business activities are managed and evaluated, legacy Flowers Foods and Simple Mills. Simple Mills qualifies as an operating segment as it meets the criteria of being a business and has discrete financial information available that is regularly reviewed by thechief executive officer (the "CEO"), who is the chief operating decision maker (the "CODM"), to assess the performance and allocate resources. As Simple Mills shares similar economic characteristics with legacy Flowers Foods, we aggregate Simple Mills and legacy Flowers Foods asone operating segment for the purposes of determining ourone reportable segment.

SIGNIFICANT CUSTOMER —Below is the effect that our largest customer, Walmart/Sam’s Club, had on the company’s net sales forthe sixteen weeks ended April 19, 2025 and April 20, 2024. Walmart/Sam’s Club is the only customer to account for greater than 10% of the company’s net sales.

Walmart/Sam’s Club is our only customer with greater than 10% of outstanding trade receivables, representing 19.9% and 22.4%, on a consolidated basis, as of April 19, 2025 and December 28, 2024, 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 an upgrade of our information system, 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 $0.9 million and $3.7 million for the sixteen weeks ended April 19, 2025 and April 20, 2024, 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

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 FASB's concepts statements from the FASB Accounting Standards Codification. The ASU is part of the FASB'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 company adopted the new standard as of December 29, 2024, the beginning of our Fiscal 2025. The adoption of this guidance did not impact our financial statements.

Accounting pronouncements not yet adopted

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 November 4, 2024, the FASB issued ASU 2024-03, "Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income - Expense Disaggregation Disclosures" which improves the disclosures about a public business entity's expenses and addresses requests from investors for more detailed information about the types of expenses in commonly presented expense captions. The amendments in this update are effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2026, and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2027. Early adoption is permitted. 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, orno material effect is expected upon future adoption.

3. RESTRUCTURING ACTIVITIES

During the first quarter of Fiscal 2025, we began a review of our cost to serve focused on improving efficiencies and identifying cost reduction opportunities. We expect this analysis to continue in subsequent quarters of Fiscal 2025.

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 ("RIF") and other expense optimization initiatives. The company incurred final RIF charges and made the final payments in the first quarter of Fiscal 2025. The company also incurred consulting costs associated with implementing the restructuring program.

The tables below present the components of costs associated with the restructuring programs detailed above (amounts in thousands):

(1)

Presented on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.

(2)

Costs are recorded in the selling, distribution and administrative expenses line item of our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.

The table below presents the components of, and changes in, our restructuring accruals (amounts in thousands):

4. SEGMENTS

Our CODM evaluates operating performance based on net income adjusted for items impacting comparability as detailed below. The CODM uses adjusted net income for the annual budgeting and monthly forecasting process. The CODM considers budget-to-current forecast and prior forecast-to-current forecast variances for adjusted net income on a period basis for evaluating performance and making decisions about allocating capital and other resources.

Detailed below are expense items impacting comparability (amounts in thousands):

Our single reportable segment net sales, net income, and significant expenses are as follows (amounts in thousands):

(1)

The Other line item includes utilities, repairs and maintenance, rent, and other production costs.

(2)

The Other line item includes transportation, marketing, legal, consulting, rent, computer maintenance, and other overhead expenses.

5. ACQUISITION

On February 21, 2025, we completed the acquisition of 100% of the equity interests of Purposeful Foods Holdings, Inc., the parent company of Simple Mills, Inc., for total consideration of approximately $848.5 million, which includes $17.8 million payable to the sellers upon realization of certain tax benefits acquired as part of the transaction. Simple Mills, a market-leading natural brand offering premium better-for-you crackers, cookies, snack bars, and baking mixes, expands the company's presence in the better-for-you snacking category. The acquisition has been accounted for as a business combination. The total goodwill recorded for the acquisition was $386.9 million and is not deductible for tax purposes.

The following table summarizes the preliminary fair value of purchase consideration paid for Simple Mills and the preliminary allocation of the purchase consideration to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair value. The goodwill, identifiable intangible assets, taxes, and certain other assets and liabilities and post-close purchase price adjustments are still under review. When all relevant information is obtained, resulting changes, if any, to our provisional purchase price allocation will be adjusted to reflect new information obtained about the facts and circumstances that existed as of the respective acquisition date that, if known, would have affected the measurement of the amounts recognized as of those dates.

Property, plant and equipment in the table above includes machinery and equipment and leasehold improvements.

The following table presents the acquired intangible assets subject to amortization (amounts in thousands, except amortization periods):

Acquisitions Pro Forma

Simple Mills contributed net sales of $24.3 million and net loss of $4.2 million , which includes interest and amortization expense, net of tax impact, for the first quarter of Fiscal 2025. The following table provides the supplemental pro forma net sales and net income of the combined entity had the acquisition date of Simple Mills been December 31, 2023, the first day of Fiscal 2024 (amounts in thousands):

We incurred costs of $2.0 million in the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2024 and additional costs of $13.8 millionin the first quarter of Fiscal 2025 related to the acquisition. These costs are reflected in the selling, distribution, and administrative expenses line item of the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income and are reflected in the pro forma net income for the first quarter of Fiscal 2024. The proforma financial information also includes the following adjustments (net of tax based on statutory rates) related to the acquisition: amortization of the intangible assets and interest expense for the additional indebtedness incurred to finance the acquisition that would not have been incurred without the transaction. These adjustments increased the pro forma net income attributable to Flowers Foods for the sixteen weeks ended April 19, 2025 by $4.4 million and decreased pro forma net income for the sixteen weeks ended April 20, 2024 by $24.8 million.

6. LEASES

The company’s leases consist of the following types of assets: two bakeries, corporate office space, warehouses, bakery equipment, transportation, and IT equipment. See below for the quantitative disclosures for our leases:

The following table details lease modifications and renewals and lease terminations (amounts in thousands):

The lease modifications and renewals for the sixteen weeks ended April 19, 2025 and April 20, 2024 include renewals of multiple warehouse leases.

Lease costs incurred by lease type, and/or type of payment, and other supplemental quantitative disclosures as of and for thesixteen weeks ended April 19, 2025 and April 20, 2024, respectively, were as follows (amounts in thousands):

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 April 19, 2025 (in thousands) were as follows:

7. 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.

Duringthe sixteen weeks ended April 19, 2025 and April 20, 2024, reclassifications out of AOCI were as follows (amounts in thousands):

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 19, 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 thesixteen weeks ended April 19, 2025, changes to AOCI, net of income tax, by component were as follows (amounts in thousands and parentheses denote a debit balance):

During the sixteen weeks ended April 20, 2024, changes to AOCI, net of income tax, by component were as follows (amounts in thousands and parentheses denote a debit balance):

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):

8. GOODWILL, CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIPS, FINITE-LIVED AND INDEFINITE-LIVED TRADEMARKS, AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill during the sixteen weeks ended April 19, 2025, during which time we completed the acquisition of Simple Mills, are as follows (amounts in thousands):

On February 21, 2025, the company completed the acquisition of Simple Mills for total consideration of approximately $848.5 million. The acquisition included an amortizable intangible asset of $173.1 million and is included in the customer relationships line in the table below. See Note 5, Acquisition, for details of the assets and the respective amortization period by category.

As of April 19, 2025 and December 28, 2024, respectively, the company had the following amounts related to amortizable intangible assets (amounts in thousands):

Aggregate amortization expense forthe sixteen weeks ended April 19, 2025 and April 20, 2024 was as follows (amounts in thousands):

Estimated amortization of intangibles for each of the next five years is as follows (amounts in thousands):

There were $461.4 million and $127.1 million of indefinite-lived intangible trademark assets separately identified from goodwill at April 19, 2025 and December 28, 2024, respectively. The increase was due to the trademark acquired in the Simple Mills acquisition. 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.

9. 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 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 2,500 and 2,600 IDPs’ distribution rights as of April 19, 2025 and December 28, 2024, 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):

At April 19, 2025 and December 28, 2024, respectively, the carrying value of the distributor notes receivable was as follows (amounts in thousands):

The distributor notes receivable balance as of April 19, 2025 and December 28, 2024 include a reserve of $0.4 million and $2.4 million, respectively, related to a legal settlement. See Note 16, Commitments and Contingencies, for additional information.

The fair value of the company’s variable rate debt at April 19, 2025 approximates the recorded value. The fair value of the company's senior notes, as discussed in Note 14, 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 senior notes are presented in the table below (amounts in thousands, except level classification):

For fair value disclosure information about our derivative assets and liabilities see Note 10, Derivative Financial Instruments.

10. 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 April 19, 2025, the company’s hedge portfolio contained commodity derivatives, which are recorded in the following accounts with fair values measured as indicated (amounts in thousands):

As of December 28, 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):

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 2026. 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 April 19, 2025 and December 28, 2024, respectively, qualified for hedge accounting.

Interest Rate Risk

The company entered into interest derivatives designated as cash flow hedges of existing or future exposure to changes in interest rates. The company's risk management objective and strategy with respect to interest rate swaps was to protect the company against adverse fluctuations in interest rates by reducing its exposure to variability in cash flows relating to interest payments on the forecasted issuance of long-term debt. This swap was designated as a cash flow hedge.

For derivatives designated and that qualify as cash flow hedges of interest rate risk, the gain or loss on the derivative is recorded in AOCI and subsequently reclassified into interest expense in the same period during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. Amounts reported in AOCI related to derivatives is being reclassified to interest expense as interest payments are made on the company’s fixed-rate bonds.

The company's hedge portfolio didnot contain any interest derivatives as of April 19, 2025.

As of December 28, 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):

During the first quarter of Fiscal 2025, the company closed interest rate swaps previously entered into to protect the company against adverse fluctuations in interest rates with a cash settlement net receipt of $4.2 million. These swaps 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 maturity date.

The company previously entered into treasury rate locks at the time we executed the 2031 notes and 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 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):

Amounts in parentheses indicate debits to determine net income.

Amounts in parentheses, if any, indicate credits to determine net income.

Included in materials, supplies, labor and other production costs (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately).

There wasno hedging ineffectiveness, andno amounts were excluded from the ineffectiveness testing, duringthe sixteen weeks ended April 19, 2025 and April 20, 2024, respectively, related to the company’s commodity risk hedges.

At April 19, 2025, 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):

Derivative Transactions Notional Amounts

As of April 19, 2025, the company had the following outstanding financial contracts that were entered to hedge commodity risk (amounts in thousands):

The company’s derivative instruments contain no credit-risk related contingent features at April 19, 2025. As of April 19, 2025 and December 28, 2024, the company had $3.5 million and $4.0 million, respectively, in other current assets representing collateral for hedged positions. As of April 19, 2025 and December 28, 2024, the company had $3.4 million and $2.1 million, respectively, recorded in other accrued liabilities representing collateral due to counterparties for hedged positions.

11. OTHER CURRENT AND NON-CURRENT ASSETS

Other current assets consist of (amounts in thousands):

Other non-current assets consist of (amounts in thousands):

12. OTHER ACCRUED LIABILITIES AND OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES

Other accrued liabilities consist of (amounts in thousands):

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 were completed during the second quarter of Fiscal 2025. See Note 16, Commitments and Contingencies, for details on this settlement.

Other long-term liabilities consist of (amounts in thousands):

13. 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 April 19, 2025 and December 28, 2024, respectively (amounts in thousands):

14. 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 6, Leases) consisted of the following at April 19, 2025 and December 28, 2024, respectively (amounts in thousands):

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 April 19, 2025 and December 28, 2024, which reduce the availability of funds under the senior unsecured revolving credit facility (such credit facility prior to February 5, 2025, the "previous credit facility" and, on and subsequent to February 5, 2025, the "new credit facility" and, together with the "previous credit facility, "the "credit facility"). The outstanding LOCs 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.

Senior Notes, Accounts Receivable Repurchase Facility, Credit Facility, and Term Loan Facility

2035 Notes. On February 14, 2025, the company issued $500.0 million of senior notes due 2035. The company pays semiannual interest on the 2035 notes on each March 15 and September 15 and the 2035 notes will mature on March 15, 2035. The notes bear interest at 5.750% per annum. Prior to December 15, 2034, the company may redeem the 2035 notes at its option, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time, at the redemption prices described in the Officer’s Certificate establishing the specific terms and form of the 2035 notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but excluding, the redemption date. On or after December 15, 2034, the company may redeem the 2035 notes at its option, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of 2035 notes being redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but excluding, the redemption date. 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) with respect to the 2035 notes, the company will be required to make an offer to each holder of the 2035 notes to repurchase all or any part of such holder’s 2035 notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of the 2035 notes plus unpaid interest, if any, accrued to, but excluding, the date of repurchase, unless the company has exercised its option to redeem the 2035 notes in whole. The 2035 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 2035 notes is $500.0 million. There was a debt discount of $0.9 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 $4.8 million (including underwriting fees and other fees) on the 2035 notes. Debt issuance costs and the debt discount are being amortized to interest expense over the term of the 2035 notes. As of April 19, 2025, the company was in compliance with all restrictive covenants under the indenture governing the 2035 notes.

2055 Notes. On February 14, 2025, the company issued $300.0 million of senior notes due 2055. The company pays semiannual interest on the 2055 notes on each March 15 and September 15 and the 2055 notes will mature on March 15, 2055. The notes bear interest at 6.200% per annum. Prior to September 15, 2054, the company may redeem the 2055 notes at its option, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time, at the redemption prices described in the Officer’s Certificate establishing the specific terms and form of the 2055 notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but excluding, the redemption date. On or after September 15, 2054, the company may redeem the 2055 notes at its option, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of 2055 notes being redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but excluding, the redemption date. 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) with respect to the 2055 notes, the company will be required to make an offer to each holder of the 2055 notes to repurchase all or any part of such holder’s 2055 notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of the 2055 notes plus unpaid interest, if any, accrued to, but excluding, the date of repurchase, unless the company has exercised its option to redeem the 2055 notes in whole. The 2055 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 2055 notes is $300.0 million. There was a debt discount of $2.0 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 2055 notes. Debt issuance costs and the debt discount are being amortized to interest expense over the term of the 2055 notes. As of April 19, 2025, the company was in compliance with all restrictive covenants under the indenture governing the 2055 notes.

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 April 19, 2025 and December 28, 2024, 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 April 19, 2025 and December 28, 2024, 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 entered into a $200.0 million accounts receivable repurchase facility (the "repurchase facility"). On April, 14, 2025, the company entered into Amendment No. 2 to the Master Framework Agreement to amend the repurchase facility and extend the scheduled facility expiration date from April 14, 2026 to April 14, 2027. In addition, the amendment added a provision that permits the company to request up to $50.0 million in additional commitment, for a total of up to $250.0 million, subject to the satisfaction of certain customary conditions of the facility. 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 April 19, 2025 and December 28, 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 sixteen weeks ended April 19, 2025:

The table below presents the net amount available for working capital and general corporate purposes under the repurchase facility as of April 19, 2025:

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 thesixteen weeks ended April 19, 2025:

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 2025 related to the second amendment. The balance of unamortized financing costs was $0.3 million on April 19, 2025 and December 28, 2024, and is recorded in other assets on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Previous Credit Facility. The company was 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 previous credit facility was afive-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 set at 3.75 to 1.00, which permitted 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 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 could borrow at Term SOFR, plus a credit spread adjustment of 0.10% subject to a floor ofzero.

In addition, the previous credit facility contained a provision that permitted 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 previous credit facility could be used for working capital and general corporate purposes, including capital expenditures, acquisition financing, refinancing of indebtedness, dividends and share repurchases. The previous credit facility included certain customary restrictions, which, among other things, required maintenance of financial covenants and limited encumbrance of assets and creation of indebtedness. Restrictive financial covenants included such ratios as a minimum interest coverage ratio and a maximum leverage ratio.

New Credit Facility. On February 5, 2025, the company entered into a credit agreement, with the lenders party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent, (as amended, restated, modified or supplemented from time to time, the “new credit agreement”). The new credit agreement refinanced and replaced the amended and restated credit agreement. Under the new credit agreement, our new credit facility is afive-year, $500.0 million senior unsecured revolving loan facility with the following terms and conditions: (i) a maturity date of February 5, 2030; (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 new 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 set at 3.75 to 1.00, which permits the company, at its option, in connection with certain acquisitions and investments and subject to the terms and conditions provided in the new 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 for at least two fiscal quarters.

In addition, the new 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 new 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 new credit facility includes certain customary restrictions, which, among other things, requires maintenance of financial covenants and limits 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 new credit facility and can meet its presently foreseeable financial requirements. As of April 19, 2025, the company was in compliance with all restrictive covenants under the new credit facility.

Financing costs paid at inception of the new credit facility and at the time amendments are executed are being amortized over the life of the new credit facility. The company incurred additional financing costs of $1.5 million during the first quarter of Fiscal 2025 for the new credit facility. The balance of unamortized financing costs was $1.9 million and $0.5 million on April 19, 2025 and December 28, 2024, respectively, and is recorded in other assets on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Amounts outstanding under the new 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 10, Derivative Financial Instruments, of this Form 10-Q. Thetable below presents the borrowings and repayments under the previous credit facility, for the periodup to February 5, 2025, and the new credit facility, for the period on and from February 5, 2025, during the sixteen weeks ended April 19, 2025.

The table below presents the net amount available under the new credit facility as of April 19, 2025:

The table below presents the highest and lowest outstanding balance underthe previous credit facility, for the period up to February 5, 2025, and the new credit facility, for the period on and from February 5, 2025, during the sixteen weeks ended April 19, 2025:

Term Loan Facility. In connection with entering into the Agreement and Plan of Merger to acquire Simple Mills, the company entered into a commitment letter, pursuant to which, among other things, Royal Bank of Canada committed to provide debt financing for the consummation of the Simple Mills acquisition, consisting of a $795.0 million 364-day term loan facility (the "Term Loan Facility"), on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the commitment letter. In lieu of borrowing under the Term Loan Facility, the company issued the 2035 Notes and the 2055 Notes, on February 14, 2025, and terminated the outstanding commitments in respect of the Term Loan Facility. The company recognized costs of $3.6 million associated with the Term Loan Facility in the first quarter of Fiscal 2025 and these costs are included in the selling, distribution, and administrative expenses line item of the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.

Aggregate maturities of debt outstanding as of April 19, 2025 are as follows (excluding unamortized debt discount and issuance costs) (amounts in thousands):

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 April 19, 2025 (amounts in thousands):

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 28, 2024 (amounts in thousands):

15. 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 April 19, 2025 and December 28, 2024, there was $119.5 million and $120.6 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.

16. 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 eleven complaints filed by IDPs alleging that such distributors were misclassified as independent contractors. Five of these lawsuits seek class and/or collective action treatment. The remainingsix 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 intwo 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:

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 2024, 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:

See Note 14, Debt and Other Obligations, for additional information on the company’s commitments.

17. EARNINGS PER SHARE

The following is a reconciliation of net income and weighted average shares for calculating basic and diluted earnings per common share forthe sixteen weeks ended April 19, 2025 and April 20, 2024, respectively (amounts and shares in thousands, except per share data):

There were 2,010,338 and 407,670 anti-dilutive shares during the sixteen weeks ended April 19, 2025 and April 20, 2024, respectively.

18. 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’ 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 sixteen weeks ended April 19, 2025 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:

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 sixteen weeks ended April 19, 2025 under the Omnibus Plan (amounts in thousands, except price data):

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, which is the net income adjusted for items impacting comparability, 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 2025 and Fiscal 2024 awards and 1.75 to 4.75 percentage points for the Fiscal 2023 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:

For performance between the levels described above, the degree of vesting is interpolated on a linear basis.

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 2023 award is being expensed at our current estimated payout percentage of 125% of ROI Target, and the 2024 and 2025 awards are being expensed at 100%.

The following performance-contingent ROIC Shares have been granted under the Omnibus Plan during the sixteen weeks ended April 19, 2025 (amounts in thousands, except price data):

Performance-Contingent Restricted Stock

The table below presents the TSR modifier share adjustment (a 13.25% 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):

The company’s performance-contingent restricted stock activity for thesixteen weeks ended April 19, 2025 is presented below (amounts in thousands, except price data):

As of April 19, 2025, there was $26.3 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 2.09 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 5 th each year in equal installments over athree-year period which began in Fiscal 2022. 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 sixteen weeks ended April 19, 2025 (amounts in thousands, except price data):

The TBRSU Shares activity for thesixteen weeks ended April 19, 2025 is set forth below (amounts in thousands, except price data):

The table below presents the accumulated dividends on vested shares and the tax expense at vesting of the time-based restricted stock units (amounts in thousands).

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 aone-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 sixteen weeks ended April 19, 2025, non-employee directors elected to receive, and were granted, an aggregate grant of 7,299 common shares for board retainer deferrals pursuant to the Omnibus Plan. During the first quarter of Fiscal 2024, non-employee directors elected to receive, and were granted, an aggregate grant of 6,663 shares for board retainer deferrals pursuant to the Omnibus Plan which vested during the first quarter of Fiscal 2024. Non-employee directors received 2,209 shares of previously deferred board retainer deferrals during the sixteen weeks ended April 19, 2025.

Non-employee directors also receive annual grants of deferred stock. This deferred stock vestsone 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 2024, non-employee directors were granted 72,270 shares for their annual grant pursuant to the Omnibus Plan. Non-employee directors received 11,750 shares of previously deferred annual grant awards during the sixteen weeks ended April 19, 2025.

The deferred stock activity for thesixteen weeks ended April 19, 2025 is set forth below (amounts in thousands, except price data):

Stock-Based Payments Compensation Expense Summary

The following table summarizes the company’s stock-based compensation expense forthe sixteen weeks ended April 19, 2025 and April 20, 2024, respectively (amounts in thousands):

19. POSTRETIREMENT PLANS

The following summarizes the company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets related pension and other postretirement benefit plan accounts at April 19, 2025 compared to accounts at December 28, 2024 (amounts in thousands):

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, 2024 for the defined benefit and postretirement benefit plans described below.

There wereno contributions made by the company to any plan during the sixteen weeks ended April 19, 2025 and April 20, 2024.

The net periodic pension cost for the company’s plans include the following components (amounts in thousands):

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.

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):

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 up to July 19, 2025.

20. INCOME TAXES

The company’s effective tax rate for the sixteen weeks ended April 19, 2025 was 25.6% compared to 24.0% for thesixteen weeks ended April 20, 2024. The increase in the rate was primarily due to a discrete tax expense in the current quarter when compared to the discrete tax benefit for the prior year quarter. For the periods presented, the discrete items in the effective rate relate to state income taxes, shortfalls in the current period and windfalls in the prior year period on the vesting of stock-based compensation awards, and benefits recognized from tax credits. During the sixteen weeks ended April 19, 2025, the primary differences in the effective rate and the statutory rate were state income taxes.

During the sixteen weeks ended April 19, 2025, 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 April 19, 2025, we do not anticipate significant changes to the amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits over the next twelve months.

21. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

The company has evaluated subsequent events since April 19, 2025, 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.