BranchOut Food Inc.
For the period ended Dec 31, 2024. Filed Apr 15, 2025.
View on SEC.govAbout this filing
A company's yearly report to the SEC, with audited financial statements. It is the fullest account a company gives of its business, its finances and the risks it sees.
FY2024 · Filed Apr 15, 2025
What changed in Risk Factors?
Read the current filingPrevious report: 10-K
Period ended 2023-12-31; filed 2024-04-01.
0001493152-24-012492
Item 1A. Risk FactorsCurrent report: 10-K
Period ended 2024-12-31; filed 2025-04-15.
0001641172-25-004712
Item 1A. Risk FactorsThe baseline is this issuer’s latest earlier reporting period of the same form that was filed before the current report. A previous 10-Q is a different quarter, not a year-over-year comparison. Amendments are excluded.
Compared 127 previous paragraphs and 118 current paragraphs.
105 unchanged; 7 reworded; 6 added; 14 removed; 1 previous and 0 current paragraphs rearranged.
Tables are not compared: 11 previous and 12 current tables excluded. Dates, whitespace, punctuation and numbering changes are ignored; changes to financial figures remain significant.
A changed paragraph is not evidence that risk increased or decreased. An unchanged paragraph does not establish that risk stayed the same.
Added paragraphs (6)
Current report
On April 11, 2024, we received a letter from Nasdaq stating that we were not in compliance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(b)(1) (the “Rule”) because our stockholders’ equity of $2,210,476 as of December 31, 2023 was below the minimum requirement of $2,500,000. Pursuant to Nasdaq’s Listing Rules, on May 28, 2024, we submitted to Nasdaq a plan to regain compliance with the Rule, which was accepted by Nasdaq and provided us with an extension of 180 calendar days from April 11, 2024 (until October 8, 2024) to regain compliance with the Rule. On October 10, 2024, Nasdaq notified us that we did not meet the terms of the extension to regain compliance with the Rule, and as a result, unless we requested an appeal, trading of our common stock would be suspended. On October 11, 2024, we submitted a request for a hearing with Nasdaq’s Hearings Panel to appeal Nasdaq’s delisting determination, which stayed the suspension of trading of our common stock.
Current report
As of November 14, 2024, as a result of the sale of 928,602 Shares under the ATM Agreement for aggregate gross offering proceeds of approximately $1,795,000, we regained compliance with the Rule, and the hearing before the Hearing Panel was cancelled. However, Nasdaq informed us that it will continue to monitor the Company’s ongoing compliance with the stockholders’ equity requirement and, if we fail to evidence compliance with the Rule upon the filing of its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, we may be subject to delisting.
Current report
As of December 31, 2024, we were again not in compliance with the Rule, with stockholders’ equity of $2,341,583 as reported in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. However, as a result of the sale of 1,303,115 additional shares of our common stock under the ATM Agreement following December 31, 2024 for net proceeds of approximately $2.4 million, as of the date of filing this Annual Report on Form 10-K, the Company believes it has regained compliance with the Rule. However, Nasdaq will continue to monitor the Company’s ongoing compliance with the stockholders’ equity requirement and, if at the time of its next periodic report the Company does not evidence compliance, it may be subject to delisting. A delisting would likely have a negative effect on the price of our common stock and may impair the ability of our stockholders to sell our stock.
Current report
Tariffs imposed on the importation of our products into the United States would increase the cost of our products and could result in decreased demand for our products.
Current report
Our operations and financial results may be adversely impacted by changes in trade policies, including the imposition of tariffs, import/export restrictions, or other trade barriers. A significant portion of our products is manufactured in foreign countries, and as a result, we are subject to tariffs, customs duties, and other trade-related costs. While the recent tariffs imposed by President Trump don’t apply to imports from Peru and Chile, if the U.S. or other governments impose new or increased tariffs on goods imported from Peru or other countries where we manufacture our products, it could increase our production costs, reduce our profit margins, and lead to higher prices for consumers, potentially affecting demand for our products.
Removed paragraphs (14)
Previous report
We rely upon third parties for the manufacture of our products, and have recently been unable to utilize equipment of ours located at one of our manufacturing facilities, which has required us to shift the production of some of our products to a higher-margin manufacturer. If we continue to be unable to access our equipment, our operating results will be adversely affected.
Previous report
Our products are currently manufactured for us by two contract manufacturers, one based in the Republic of Chile, and the other in the Republic of Peru. The manufacturing facility in Peru houses our new large-scale continuous through-put dehydration machine that completed its first production run in the first quarter of 2023, and which substantially increased our production capacity. However, during the fourth quarter of 2023, the contract manufacturer located in Peru became involved in a legal dispute with its landlord and another third party, which resulted in that manufacturer suspending operations. In addition, as a result of such dispute, we currently do not have access to the dehydration machine that was previously operated by this manufacturer. Although we have been able to continue to fulfill orders by shifting fulfillment to other manufacturing sources, our costs of goods are expected to increase as a result. In addition, if we are unable to regain access to our dehydration machine and utilize it for the production of our products, our operating results may be materially and adversely affected.
Previous report
In addition, during 2023, we recognized $761,085 of impairment expense, consisting of $485,265, $243,305 and $32,515 on the collectability of a note receivable, VAT taxes receivable and prepaid inventory, respectively, owed to us by this manufacturer.
Previous report
In addition, we depend on a limited number of key suppliers and partners located primarily in Chile, Peru, the People’s Republic of China (the “PRC”) and the United States. For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, three key suppliers accounted for 100% of our total raw material and packaging purchases, and 100% of our total dried fruit was supplied from Chile in 2022 (we commenced receiving dried fruit from Peru as well in January 2023, and 100% of our packaging purchases were from the PRC. As a result of this concentration in our supply chain, our business and operations would be negatively affected if any of our key suppliers were to experience significant disruption affecting the price, quality, availability, or timely delivery of their products. Additionally, our top suppliers are in a similar geographic area, which increases the risk of significant supply disruptions from local and regional events. In the event that our supply from our current suppliers is interrupted, our operations may be interrupted resulting in lost revenue, added costs, such as, without limitation, shipping costs, and distribution delays that could harm our business and customer relationships until we are able to identify and enter into agreements with one or more alternative suppliers.
Previous report
Our results of operations may be negatively impacted by public health pandemics, epidemics or outbreaks, including COVID-19.
Previous report
COVID-19 and the restrictions intended to prevent its spread have had a significant adverse impact on economic and market conditions around the world, including in the United States. These conditions have had, and may continue to have, a material adverse impact on our business. In particular, the continued spread of the coronavirus globally could adversely impact our operations, including among others, our manufacturing and supply chain, sales and marketing and could have an adverse impact on our business and our financial results. Additionally, countries have imposed, and may impose in the future, prolonged quarantines and travel restrictions, which may significantly impact the ability of our employees to get to their places of work to produce products, may make it such that we are unable to obtain sufficient components or raw materials and component parts on a timely basis or at a cost-effective price or may significantly hamper our products from moving through the supply chain.
Previous report
Our global operations expose us to risks associated with public health crises and epidemics, pandemics and outbreaks, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. We rely on our production facilities, as well as third-party suppliers and manufacturers, in the United States, Peru, Chile, the PRC and other countries significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in the extended shutdown of certain businesses in many of these countries, which has resulted and may continue to result in disruptions or delays to our supply chain. Any disruption in businesses in any of these countries will likely impact our sales and operating results. The COVID-19 pandemic has had, and COVID-19 may continue to have, an adverse impact on our operations, supply chains and distribution systems and increase our expenses, including as a result of impacts associated with preventive and precautionary measures that we, other businesses and governments are taking. Due to these impacts and measures, we have experienced, and may continue to experience, significant and unpredictable reductions in demand for certain of our products.
Previous report
The future impact of COVID-19 is highly uncertain and cannot be predicted and there is no assurance that COVID-19 will not have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations. The extent of the impact of COVID-19 will depend on future developments, including actions taken to contain COVID-19, and if these impacts persist or exacerbate over an extended period of time.
Previous report
The rapid spread of other contagious illnesses such as a novel coronavirus, or fear of such an event, could also have a material adverse effect on the demand for our products and services and therefore have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations. Such a widespread health crisis could adversely affect the global economy, resulting in an economic downturn that could impact demand for our products.
Previous report
We sell a substantial portion of our products through retailers such as Costco, Walmart and Sam’s Club Stores; distributors such as United Natural Foods, Inc. and KeHE Distributors; and online through Amazon.com, and we depend on these third parties to sell our products to consumers. The top two retailers of our products for the year ended December 31, 2023, were Wal-Mart and Costco, accounting for 77% and 13% of our net sales, respectively. The top two retailers of our products for the year ended December 31, 2022 were Costco and KeHE Distributors, accounting for approximately 59% and 11% of our net sales, respectively, for the year. No other retailer or distributor represented more than 10% of our total net sales in 2023 or 2022.
Previous report
If we are required to obtain additional or alternative distribution agreements or arrangements in the future, we cannot be certain that we will be able to do so on satisfactory terms or in a timely manner. Our inability to enter into satisfactory distribution agreements may inhibit our ability to implement our business plan or to establish markets necessary to expand the distribution of our products successfully.
Previous report
Failure to maintain sufficient production capacity with our contract manufacturers on terms that are beneficial for us may result in our inability to meet customer demand and/or may increase our operating costs and capital expenditures.
Previous report
We intend to rely on external production capacity of our contract manufacturers and partner with co-packers that use both their own production equipment as well as our production equipment. We have plans to expand our partner production facilities though additional investments in capital expenditures. A failure by any of our contract manufacturers or our co-packers to comply with food safety, environmental, or other laws and regulations, or to produce products of the quality and taste-profile we expect, may also disrupt our supply of products. In addition, we may experience increased distribution and warehousing costs due to capacity constraints resulting from our growth. If we need to enter additional co-packing, warehousing, or distribution agreements in the future, we can provide no assurance that we would be able to find acceptable third-party providers or enter into agreements on satisfactory terms or at all. In addition, we may need to expand our internal capacity, which could increase our operating costs and could require significant capital expenditures. If we cannot maintain sufficient production, warehousing, and distribution capacity, either internally or through third party agreements, we may be unable to meet customer demand and/or our manufacturing, distribution and warehousing costs may increase, which could negatively affect our business.
Reworded paragraphs (7)
Previous wording
We have not been profitable to date, and we expect operating losses for the near future. During the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, we had net revenue of approximately $2,825,855 and $752,178, respectively, and incurred net losses of approximately $3,925,710 and $4,643,352, respectively. There can be no assurance that we will not continue to incur net losses in the future. We may not succeed in expanding our customer base and product offerings and even if we do, may never generate revenue that is significant enough to achieve profitability. Even if we do achieve profitability, we may not be able to sustain or increase profitability on a quarterly or annual basis. Furthermore, we may not be able to control overhead expenses even where our operations successfully expand. Our failure to become and remain profitable would depress our value and could impair our ability to raise capital, expand our business, diversify our product offerings, or even continue our operations.
Current wording
We have not been profitable to date, and we expect operating losses for the near future. During the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, we had net revenue of approximately $6,516,337 and $2,825,855, respectively, and incurred net losses of approximately $4,751,516 and $3,925,710, respectively. There can be no assurance that we will not continue to incur net losses in the future. We may not succeed in expanding our customer base and product offerings and even if we do, may never generate revenue that is significant enough to achieve profitability. Even if we do achieve profitability, we may not be able to sustain or increase profitability on a quarterly or annual basis. Furthermore, we may not be able to control overhead expenses even where our operations successfully expand. Our failure to become and remain profitable would depress our value and could impair our ability to raise capital, expand our business, diversify our product offerings, or even continue our operations.
Previous wording
If our available cash balances, net proceeds from our IPO and anticipated cash flow from operations are insufficient to satisfy our liquidity requirements, we may seek to sell common stock or other securities, and/or seek additional debt financing.
Current wording
If our available cash balances, net proceeds from financing activities, and anticipated cash flow from operations are insufficient to satisfy our liquidity requirements, we may seek to sell common stock or other securities, and/or seek additional debt financing.
Previous wording
Our ability to continue our business of growth and distribution of our products is dependent on the licensing agreement (the “Licensing Agreement”) we entered into with EnWave Corporation (“EnWave”) to utilize its dehydration technology in the manufacturing of our products. Our license is exclusive to North America, Central America, and South America (excluding our contract manufacturer in Chile) as it specifically relates to our avocado products and the Licensing Agreement grants non-exclusive rights for a variety of additional products. Any failure to comply with the terms of the Licensing Agreement could convert the exclusive portion of the license to a non-exclusive license, thereby permitting potential competitors to produce comparable avocado-based products using EnWave’s dehydration technology in the same geographic areas. Thus, any material failure to comply with the terms of the license or any failure to renew the license after it expires could have a material adverse impact on our financial condition and the operation of our business as it relates to our avocado-based products. Furthermore, we are reliant on EnWave to enforce its intellectual property rights in preventing would be competitors from using the technology exclusively licensed to us and there can be no assurance that EnWave will be successful in enforcing such rights in the relevant areas. Furthermore, future product development efforts may lead to additional products that we desire to commercialize. In this case, we will request expanding the exclusive and/or non-exclusive products defined by the Licensing Agreement, but there can be no assurance that EnWave will grant such requests.
Current wording
Our ability to continue our business of growth and distribution of our products is dependent on the licensing agreement (the “Licensing Agreement”) we entered into with EnWave to utilize its dehydration technology in the manufacturing of our products. Our license is exclusive to North America, Central America, and South America (excluding our contract manufacturer in Chile) as it specifically relates to our avocado products and Peru, and the Licensing Agreement grants non-exclusive rights for a variety of additional products. Any failure to comply with the terms of the Licensing Agreement could convert the exclusive portion of the license to a non-exclusive license, thereby permitting potential competitors to produce comparable avocado-based products using EnWave’s dehydration technology in the same geographic areas. Thus, any material failure to comply with the terms of the license or any failure to renew the license after it expires could have a material adverse impact on our financial condition and the operation of our business as it relates to our avocado-based products. Furthermore, we are reliant on EnWave to enforce its intellectual property rights in preventing would be competitors from using the technology exclusively licensed to us and there can be no assurance that EnWave will be successful in enforcing such rights in the relevant areas. Furthermore, future product development efforts may lead to additional products that we desire to commercialize. In this case, we will request expanding the exclusive and/or non-exclusive products defined by the Licensing Agreement, but there can be no assurance that EnWave will grant such requests.
Previous wording
We rely on retailers and distributors for a substantial portion of our sales, and our failure to maintain and further develop our sales channels could harm our business.
Current wording
We rely on big box retailers for a substantial portion of our sales, and our failure to maintain and further develop our sales channels could harm our business.
Previous wording
The loss of, or business disruption at, one or more of these retailers or distributors or a negative change in our relationship with Costco or Sam’s Club, or a disruption to any one of our sales channels could have a material adverse effect on our business. If we do not maintain our relationship with existing retailers and distributors or develop relationships with new retailers and distributors, the growth of our business may be adversely affected, and our business may be harmed.
Current wording
We sell a substantial portion of our products through big box retailers such as Costco, Walmart and Sam’s Club Stores. The top two retailers of our products for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, accounted for 99% and 90% of our net sales, respectively. The loss of, or business disruption at, one or more of these retailers or distributors or a negative change in our relationship with these retailers could have a material adverse effect on our business. If we do not maintain our relationship with these retailers or develop relationships with new retailers and distributors, the growth of our business may be adversely affected, and our business may be harmed.
Previous wording
Labor, particularly the costs of labor associated with our contract manufacturers, is a significant component of the cost of operating our business. Our ability and particularly the ability of our contract manufacturers to meet labor needs while controlling labor costs are subject to external factors, such as employment levels, prevailing wage rates, minimum wage legislation, changing demographics, health and other insurance costs and governmental labor and employment requirements. In the event of increasing wage rates, if we or any of our contract manufacturers fail to increase our wages competitively, the quality of our workforce and products could decline, while increasing our wages could cause our earnings to decrease. If we face labor shortages or increased labor costs because of increased competition for employees from our competitors and other industries, higher employee-turnover rates, or increases in the federal- or state-mandated minimum wage, change in exempt and non-exempt status, or other employee benefits costs (including costs associated with health insurance coverage or workers’ compensation insurance), our operating expenses could increase and our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.
Current wording
Labor is a significant component of the cost of operating our business. Our ability to meet labor needs while controlling labor costs are subject to external factors, such as employment levels, prevailing wage rates, minimum wage legislation, changing demographics, health and other insurance costs and governmental labor and employment requirements. In the event of increasing wage rates, if we or any of our contract manufacturers fail to increase our wages competitively, the quality of our workforce and products could decline, while increasing our wages could cause our earnings to decrease. If we face labor shortages or increased labor costs, our operating expenses could increase and our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.
Previous wording
As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, we had total liabilities of $914,622 and $8,404,033, respectively. Certain portions of this indebtedness are secured by a security interest in substantially all of our assets, and our security agreements include broad remedies in favor of the lenders, including the right to foreclose on pledged assets in connection with an event of default.
Current wording
As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, we had total liabilities of $10,514,292 and $914,622, respectively. Certain portions of this indebtedness are secured by a security interest in substantially all of our assets, and our security agreements include broad remedies in favor of the lenders, including the right to foreclose on pledged assets in connection with an event of default.
Rearranged previous paragraphs (1)
Previous report — wording carried elsewhere
If we or our contract manufacturers face labor shortages or increased labor costs, our results of operations and our growth could be adversely affected.