Grocery Outlet Holding Corp

(Unaudited)

Note 1. Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Description of Business— Based in Emeryville, California, and incorporated in Delaware in 2014, Grocery Outlet Holding Corp. (together with its wholly owned subsidiaries, collectively, "Grocery Outlet," "we," or the "Company") is a high-growth, extreme value retailer of quality, name-brand consumables and fresh products sold primarily through a network of independently operated stores. As of September 28, 2024, we had 529 stores throughout California, Washington, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Idaho, Nevada, Maryland, North Carolina, New Jersey, Georgia, Ohio, Alabama, Delaware, Kentucky and Virginia.

Basis of Presentation— The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP") and the applicable rules and regulations of the United States ("U.S.") Securities and Exchange Commission for interim reporting. Certain information and note disclosures included in our annual financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2023 (the "2023 Form 10-K"). The condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 30, 2023 included herein has been derived from those audited consolidated financial statements.

Our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Grocery Outlet Holding Corp. and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions were eliminated. In the opinion of management, these condensed consolidated financial statements include all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair statement of the results for the periods presented. The interim results of operations and cash flows are not necessarily indicative of those results and cash flows expected for any future interim or annual period.

Use of Estimates— The preparation of condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, 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 can differ from these estimates depending upon certain risks and uncertainties. Changes in these estimates are recorded when known. We consider our accounting policy relating to long-lived asset impairment to be a significant accounting policy that involves management's estimates and judgments.

Segment Reporting— We manage our business asone operating segment. In addition, all of our sales were made to customers located in the U.S. and all property and equipment is located in the U.S.

Merchandise Inventories— Merchandise inventories are valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost is primarily determined by the weighted-average cost method for warehouse inventories and the retail inventory method for store inventories. We provide for estimated inventory losses between physical inventory counts based on historical averages. This provision is adjusted periodically to reflect the actual shrink results of the physical inventory counts.

Leases— We determine if an arrangement is a lease at inception. Operating leases are included in operating lease right-of-use assets, current lease liabilities, and long-term lease liabilities in our condensed consolidated balance sheets. Finance leases are included in other assets, current lease liabilities, and long-term lease liabilities in our condensed consolidated balance sheets. Right-of-use assets represent our right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent our obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease over the same term. Right-of-use assets and liabilities are recognized at commencement date based on the present value of the lease payments over the lease term, reduced by landlord incentives. As most of our leases do not provide an implicit rate, we use our incremental borrowing rate, which is estimated to approximate the interest rate on a collateralized basis with similar terms and payments based on the information available at the commencement date, to determine the present value of our lease payments. Lease term is defined as the non-cancelable period of the lease plus any options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that we will exercise the option. Lease expense for operating lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term while finance lease payments are charged to interest expense and depreciation and amortization expense over the lease term. Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are not recorded on the balance sheet; lease expense for these short-term leases is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

We generally lease retail facilities for store locations, distribution centers, office space and equipment and account for these leases as operating leases. We account forone retail store lease and certain equipment leases as finance leases. Lease and non-lease components are accounted for separately. We sublease certain real estate to unrelated third parties under non-cancelable leases and the sublease portfolio consists of operating leases for retail stores.

Fair Value Measurements— Fair value is defined as the exchange price, or exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. The fair value of financial instruments is categorized based upon the level of judgment associated with the inputs used to measure their fair values. Fair value is measured using inputs from the three levels of the fair value hierarchy, which are described as follows:

Level 1— Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities

Level 2— Quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets or inputs that are observable

Level 3— Unobservable inputs in which there is little or no market data, which requires us to develop our own assumptions when pricing the financial instruments, such as cash flow modeling assumptions

The assets' or liabilities' fair value measurement level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The fair value framework requires that we maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value.

There wereno assets or liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring or non-recurring basis as of September 28, 2024 or December 30, 2023. Generally, assets are recorded at fair value on a non-recurring basis as a result of impairment charges. There were no transfers of assets or liabilities between levels within the fair value hierarchy during the 13 and 39 weeks ended September 28, 2024 and September 30, 2023, respectively.

Our financial assets and liabilities are carried at cost, which generally approximates their fair value, as described below:

Cash and cash equivalents, independent operator ("IO") receivables, other accounts receivable and trade accounts payable— The carrying value of such financial instruments approximates their fair value due to factors such as their short-term nature, their variable interest rates or the effect of the related allowance for expected credit losses.

Independent operator notes— The carrying value of such financial instruments approximates their fair value due to the effect of the related allowance for expected credit losses.

The following table sets forth by level within the fair value hierarchy the carrying amounts and estimated fair values of our significant financial liabilities that are not recorded at fair value on the condensed consolidated balance sheets (amounts in thousands):

(1)The carrying amounts of the senior term loan as of September 28, 2024 and December 30, 2023 were net of debt issuance costs of$1.3 million and$1.6 million, respectively.

(2)The estimated fair value of our current senior term loan and revolving credit facility borrowings under the 2023 Credit Agreement, as defined in Note 3, was deemed to approximate the carrying value, excluding unamortized debt issuance costs, because the interest rate is variable with short reset periods and is reflective of the current market rate.

Revenue Recognition

Net Sales — We recognize revenue from the sale of products at the point of sale, net of any taxes or deposits collected and remitted to governmental authorities. For e-commerce related sales in which a third-party provides home delivery service, revenue is recognized upon delivery to the customer. Our performance obligations are satisfied upon the transfer of goods to the customer, at the point of sale, and payment from customers is also due at the time of sale. Discounts provided to customers by us are recognized at the time of sale as a reduction in net sales as the products are sold. Discounts provided by IOs are not recognized as a reduction in net sales as these are provided solely by the IO who bears the incremental costs arising from the discount. We do not accept manufacturer coupons.

We do not have any material contract assets or receivables from contracts with customers, any revenue recognized in the current year from performance obligations satisfied in previous periods, any material performance obligations other than our gift card deferred revenue liability, or any material costs to obtain or fulfill a contract as of September 28, 2024 and December 30, 2023.

Gift Cards — We record a deferred revenue liability when a Grocery Outlet gift card is sold. Revenue related to gift cards is recognized as the gift cards are redeemed, which is when we have satisfied our performance obligation. While gift cards are generally redeemed within 12 months, some are never fully redeemed. We reduce the liability and recognize revenue for the unused portion of the gift cards ("breakage") under the proportional method, where recognition of breakage income is based upon the historical run-off rate of unredeemed gift cards. Our gift card deferred revenue liabilitywas $3.1 million and $3.2 million as of September 28, 2024 and December 30, 2023, respectively. Breakage amounts were immaterial for the 13 and 39 weeks ended September 28, 2024 and September 30, 2023, respectively.

Disaggregated Revenues —The following table presents net sales revenue by type of product for the periods indicated (amounts in thousands):

(1) Perishable departments include dairy and deli; produce and floral; and fresh meat and seafood.

(2) Non-perishable departments include non-perishable grocery; general merchandise; health and beauty care; frozen foods; and beer and wine.

Variable Interest Entities— In accordance with the variable interest entities sub-section of Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 810, Consolidation, we assess at each reporting period whether we, or any consolidated entity, are considered the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity ("VIE") and therefore required to consolidate the financial results of the VIE in our condensed consolidated financial statements. Determining whether to consolidate a VIE may require judgment in assessing (i) whether an entity is a VIE, and (ii) if a reporting entity is a VIE's primary beneficiary. A reporting entity is determined to be a VIE's primary beneficiary if it has the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact a VIE's economic performance and the obligation to absorb losses or rights to receive benefits that could potentially be significant to a VIE.

We had 486,466 and 453 stores operated by IOs as of September 28, 2024, December 30, 2023 and September 30, 2023, respectively. We have agreements in place with each IO. The IO orders merchandise exclusively from us which is provided to the IO on consignment. Under the Independent Operator Agreement (the "Operator Agreement"), the IO selects a majority of merchandise that we consign to the IO, which the IO chooses from our merchandise order guide according to the IO's knowledge and experience with local customer purchasing trends, preferences, historical sales and similar factors. The Operator Agreement gives the IO discretion to adjust our initial prices if the overall effect of all price changes at any time comports with the reputation of our Grocery Outlet retail stores for selling quality, name-brand consumables and fresh products and other merchandise at extreme discounts. The IO is required to furnish initial working capital and to acquire certain store and safety assets. The IO is also required to hire, train and employ a properly trained workforce sufficient in number to enable the IO to fulfill its obligations under the Operator Agreement. Additionally, the IO is responsible for expenses required for business operations, including all labor costs, utilities, credit card processing fees, supplies, taxes, fines, levies and other expenses. Either party may terminate the Operator Agreement without cause upon 75 days' notice.

As consignor of all merchandise to each IO, the aggregate net sales proceeds from merchandise sales belongs to us. Net sales related to IO stores were $1.05 billion and $991.4 million for the 13 weeks ended September 28, 2024 and September 30, 2023, respectively, and $3.15 billion and $2.94 billion for the 39 weeks ended September 28, 2024 and September 30, 2023, respectively. We, in turn, pay each IO a commission based on a share of the gross profit of the store. Inventories and related net sales proceeds are our property, and we are responsible for store rent and related occupancy costs. IO commissions are expensed and included in selling, general and administrative expenses. IO commissions were $157.0 million and $161.7 million for the 13 weeks ended September 28, 2024 and September 30, 2023, respectively, and $484.8 million and $465.1 million for the 39 weeks ended September 28, 2024 and September 30, 2023, respectively. IO commissions of $7.6 million and $21.7 million were included in accrued and other current liabilities as of September 28, 2024 and December 30, 2023, respectively.

An IO may fund its initial store investment from existing capital, a third-party loan or most commonly through a loan from us, as further discussed in Note 2. As collateral for IO obligations and performance, the Operator Agreement grants us the security interests in the assets owned by each IO related to the respective store. Since the total investment at risk associated with each IO is not sufficient to permit each IO to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support, each IO is a VIE that we have a variable interest in. To determine if we are the primary beneficiary of a VIE, we evaluate whether we have (i) the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the IO's economic performance and (ii) the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits of the IO that could potentially be significant to the IO. Our evaluation includes identification of significant activities and an assessment of the IO's ability to direct those activities.

Activities that most significantly impact the IO's economic performance relate to sales and labor. Sales activities that significantly impact the IO's economic performance include determining what merchandise the IO will order and sell and the price of such merchandise, both of which the IO controls. The IO is also responsible for all of its own labor. Labor activities that significantly impact the IO's economic performance include hiring, training, supervising, directing, compensating (including wages, salaries and employee benefits) and terminating all of the employees of the IO, activities which the IO controls. Accordingly, the IO has the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the IO's economic performance. Furthermore, the mutual termination rights associated with the Operator Agreement illustrate the lack of ultimate control over the IO. Therefore, we are not the primary beneficiary of these VIEs.

Our maximum exposure, in accordance with ASC Topic 810, to the IOs is generally limited to the IO notes and IO receivables due from these entities, which was $64.1 million and $59.2 million, gross, as of September 28, 2024 and December 30, 2023, respectively. See Note 2 for additional information.

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

No recently adopted accounting pronouncements had a material effect on our condensed consolidated financial statements.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2023-07 — In November 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued ASU No. 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280) ("ASU 2023-07"). ASU 2023-07 expands public entities’ segment disclosures by requiring disclosure of significant segment expenses that are regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker and included within each reported measure of segment profit or loss, an amount and description of its composition for other segment items, and interim disclosures of a reportable segment’s profit or loss and assets. All disclosure requirements of ASU 2023-07 are required for entities with a single reportable segment. ASU 2023-07 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023 and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. We will adopt ASU 2023-07 upon the effective date. We do not expect the adoption of ASU 2023-07 to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

ASU No. 2023-09 — In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740) ("ASU 2023-09"). ASU 2023-09 requires public entities to disclose additional information in specified categories with respect to the reconciliation of the effective tax rate to the statutory rate (the rate reconciliation) for federal, state, and foreign income taxes. It also requires greater detail about individual reconciling items in the rate reconciliation to the extent the impact of those items exceeds a specified threshold. In addition to new disclosures associated with the rate reconciliation, the ASU requires information pertaining to taxes paid (net of refunds received) to be disaggregated for federal, state, and foreign taxes and further disaggregated for specific jurisdictions to the extent the related amounts exceed a quantitative threshold. ASU 2023-09 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. We will adopt ASU 2023-09 upon the effective date and are currently evaluating the impact on our consolidated financial statements and disclosures.

Note 2. Independent Operator Notes and Independent Operator Receivables

The amounts included in IO notes and IO receivables consist primarily of funds we loaned to IOs, net of estimated uncollectible amounts. IO notes, which are payable on demand and have no maturity date, typically bear interest at rates between 5.00% and 9.95%. Accrued interest receivable on IO notes is included within the "independent operator receivables and current portion of independent operator notes, net of allowance" line item on the condensed consolidated balance sheets and was $2.7 million and $1.8 million as of September 28, 2024 and December 30, 2023, respectively. There wereno IO notes that were past due or on a non-accrual status due to delinquency as of September 28, 2024 or December 30, 2023. Notes and receivables from our IOs participating in our Temporary Commission Adjustment Program ("TCAP"), as defined below, are not considered to be past due or on a non-accrual status due to delinquency and are excluded from such measures.

IO notes and IO receivables are financial assets which are measured and carried at amortized cost. An allowance for expected credit losses is deducted from (for expected losses) or added to (for expected recoveries) the amortized cost basis of these assets to arrive at the net carrying amount expected to be collected for such assets.

The allowance is estimated using an expected loss framework, which includes information about past events, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts that impact the collectibility of the reported amounts of the assets over their lifetime. The allowance is evaluated on a collective basis for assets with shared risk characteristics and credit quality indicators. The primary shared risk characteristic and credit quality indicator pools that we use as a basis for collective evaluation include:

•TCAP — Includes the notes and receivables from IOs with stores that have been open for more than 18 months that are participating in our TCAP as of the end of each reporting period. TCAP allows us to provide a greater commission to participating IOs who require assistance in meeting their working capital needs for various reasons, such as new or increased competition or differences in IO skills and experience.

•Non-TCAP—Includes the notes and receivables from IOs with stores that have been open for more than 18 months that are not participating in TCAP as of the end of each reporting period.

•New store— Includes the notes and receivables from IOs with stores that have been open for less than 18 months as of the end of each reporting period, and may or may not be participating in TCAP.

Assets without such shared risk characteristics or credit quality indicators, such as assets with unique circumstances or with delinquencies and historical losses in excess of their TCAP, non-TCAP or new store peers are evaluated on an individual basis.

Amounts due from IOs and the related allowances as of September 28, 2024 and December 30, 2023 consisted of the following (amounts in thousands):

A summary of activity in the IO notes and IO receivables allowance was as follows (amounts in thousands):

The following table presents the outstanding gross balance of IO notes by fiscal year of origination and credit quality indicator as of September 28, 2024 (amounts in thousands):

TCAP IO Notes

Notes of IOs participating in our TCAP represented 57.3% and 51.6% of total IO note balances as of September 28, 2024 and December 30, 2023, respectively.

A total of $4.3 million of IO notes were added into our TCAP during the 13 weeks ended September 28, 2024. The weighted average contractual interest rate of such IO notes during that period was reduced from 9.95% and, as of September 28, 2024, was 5.00%. In addition, $1.3 million of IO notes were transferred from TCAP to Non-TCAP during the 13 weeks ended September 28, 2024.

A total of $6.2 million of IO notes were added into our TCAP during the 39 weeks ended September 28, 2024. The weighted average contractual interest rate of such IO notes during that period was reduced from 9.95% and, as of September 28, 2024, was 5.00%. In addition, $3.7 million of IO notes were transferred from TCAP to Non-TCAP during the 39 weeks ended September 28, 2024.

Note 3. Long-term Debt

Long-term debt consisted of the following (amounts in thousands):

2023 Credit Agreement

We are party to a credit agreement, dated February 21, 2023 (the "2023 Credit Agreement"), with Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent and collateral agent, and a syndicate of lenders that consists of (i) a senior secured term loan facility (the "senior term loan") and (ii) a senior secured revolving credit facility (the "revolving credit facility" and, together with the senior term loan, the "credit facilities") in an aggregate principal amount of $400.0 million. The revolving credit facility includes sub-commitments for $50.0 million letters of credit and $25.0 million of swingline loans.

Borrowings under the 2023 Credit Agreement bear interest at a rate equal to, at our option, either (a) the base rate, which is defined as a fluctuating rate per annum equal to the greatest of (i) the federal funds rate then in effect, plus 0.50%, (ii) the prime rate then in effect and (iii) a specified Term SOFR (as defined in the 2023 Credit Agreement) rate plus 1.00%, subject to the interest rate floors set forth therein, plus an applicable margin ranging from 0.75% to 1.75% based on our Total Net Leverage Ratio (as defined in the 2023 Credit Agreement); and (b) an adjusted Term SOFR rate determined on the basis of a one, three or six month interest period, plus 0.10%, subject to the interest rate floors set forth therein, plus an applicable margin ranging from 1.75% to 2.75% based on our Total Net Leverage Ratio. As of September 28, 2024, interest on borrowings under the credit facilities was based on one-month Term SOFR with an applicable margin of 2.25%.

The 2023 Credit Agreement permits us to add incremental term loan facilities, increase any existing term loan facility, increase revolving commitments, and/or add incremental replacement revolving credit facility tranches. The aggregate principal amount of such incremental facilities are limited to (a) an amount not in excess of the sum of the greater of $200.0 million and 100% of Consolidated EBITDA (as defined in the 2023 Credit Agreement), subject to certain limitations, plus (b) voluntary prepayments of any term loan facility, voluntary permanent reductions of the commitments for the revolving credit facility and voluntary prepayments of indebtedness secured by liens on the collateral securing the credit facilities, subject to certain exceptions, plus (c) an amount such that (assuming that the full amount of any such incremental revolving increase and/or incremental replacement revolving credit facility was drawn, and after giving effect to any appropriate pro forma adjustment events) we would be in compliance, on a pro forma basis (but excluding the cash proceeds of such incurrence), with a Total Net Leverage Ratio of 3.00 to 1.00.

Our obligations under the 2023 Credit Agreement are unconditionally guaranteed by the Grocery Outlet Holding Corp.’s direct and indirect wholly owned restricted subsidiaries, subject to certain exceptions. All obligations under the 2023 Credit Agreement, and the guarantee of such obligations, are secured, subject to permitted liens and other exceptions, by substantially all of the Company’s assets and those of each subsidiary guarantor.

The 2023 Credit Agreement requires us to make scheduled quarterly amortization payments on the senior term loan of $1.875 million beginning June 2023 through March 2025, followed by $3.75 million beginning June 2025 through December 2027, with the remaining balance due on February 21, 2028. We may voluntarily prepay the credit facilities, in whole or in part, at any time without premium or penalty, subject to reimbursement of the lenders’ breakage and redeployment costs in applicable cases.

Senior Term Loan due 2028

The senior term loan under the 2023 Credit Agreement matures on February 21, 2028 and had an interest rate of 7.60% as of September 28, 2024.

Revolving Credit Facility

As of September 28, 2024, we had $4.5 million of outstanding letters of credit and $255.5 million of remaining borrowing capacity available under the revolving credit facility, which matures on February 21, 2028. Borrowings under the revolving credit facility had interest rates ranging from 7.60% to 7.70% as of September 28, 2024. The aggregate outstanding principal balance under the revolving credit facility was $140.0 million andzero as of September 28, 2024 and December 30, 2023, respectively.

We are required to pay a quarterly commitment fee ranging from 0.15% to 0.30% on the daily unused amount of the commitment under the revolving credit facility based upon our Total Net Leverage Ratio. We are also required to pay fronting fees and other customary fees for letters of credit issued under the revolving credit facility.

Debt Covenants

The 2023 Credit Agreement contains certain customary representations and warranties, subject to limitations and exceptions, and affirmative and customary covenants. The 2023 Credit Agreement contains certain covenants that, among other things, limit our ability and the ability of our restricted subsidiaries to: pay dividends or distributions, repurchase equity, prepay junior debt and make certain investments; incur additional debt or issue certain disqualified stock and preferred stock; incur liens on assets; merge or consolidate with another company or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its assets; enter into transactions with affiliates; and allow to exist certain restrictions on the ability of our subsidiaries to pay dividends or make other payments to the borrower. The 2023 Credit Agreement also contains financial performance covenants requiring us to satisfy a maximum total net leverage ratio test and a minimum interest coverage ratio test as of the last day of each fiscal quarter. The maximum total net leverage ratio test requires us to be in compliance with a Total Net Leverage Ratio no greater than 3.50 to 1.00 as of the last day of each test period ending prior to the test period ending on or about December 31, 2025, and no greater than 3.25 to 1.00 as of the last day of each test period ending thereafter, subject to certain adjustments set forth in the 2023 Credit Agreement. The minimum interest coverage ratio test requires us to be in compliance with a Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio (as defined in the 2023 Credit Agreement) of no less than 1.75 to 1.00 as of the last day of each test period.

As of September 28, 2024, we were in compliance with all applicable financial covenant requirements for the 2023 Credit Agreement.

Schedule of Principal Maturities

Principal maturities of debt as of September 28, 2024 are as follows (amounts in thousands):

Interest Expense, Net

Interest expense, net, consisted of the following (amounts in thousands):

Loss on Debt Extinguishment and Modification

Loss on debt extinguishment and modification consisted of the following (amounts in thousands):

Note 4. Stockholders' Equity

Share Repurchase Program

In November 2021, our Board of Directors (the "Board") approved our first share repurchase program (the "2021 Share Repurchase Program"). This program, which was effective November 5, 2021 and without an expiration date, authorized us to repurchase up to $100.0 million of our outstanding common stock utilizing a variety of methods including open-market purchases, accelerated share repurchase programs, privately negotiated transactions, structured repurchase transactions and under a Rule 10b5-1 plan (which would permit shares to be repurchased when we might otherwise be precluded from doing so under securities laws). Any repurchased shares were constructively retired and returned to an unissued status.

The following table presents activity related to the 2021 Share Repurchase Program (amounts in thousands except share and per share amounts). We repurchased these shares in open-market transactions pursuant to a Rule 10b5-1 plan.

(1)Includes commissions for the shares repurchased for the 13 and 39 weeks ended September 28, 2024 and the 39 weeks ended September 30, 2023 and excludes excise tax due of $0.1 million under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 for the 13 and 39 weeks ended September 28, 2024

As of September 28, 2024, we had $34.4 million of repurchase authority remaining under the 2021 Share Repurchase Program. Subsequent to September 28, 2024, we repurchased 1,507,211 shares of common stock totaling $25.0 million at an average price of $16.62 per share in open-market transactions pursuant to a Rule 10b5-1 plan.

In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024, the Board approved a new share repurchase program (the "2024 Share Repurchase Program"), replacing the Company’s 2021 Share Repurchase Program, under which $9.4 million remained available for repurchase. The 2024 Share Repurchase Program does not have an expiration date and authorizes us to repurchase up to $100.0 million of our outstanding common stock (inclusive of fees and commissions) utilizing a variety of methods including open-market purchases, accelerated equity repurchase programs, privately negotiated transactions, block trades and under a Rule 10b5-1 plan. Any repurchased shares are constructively retired and returned to an unissued status.

Note 5. Share-based Awards

For a discussion of our share-based incentive plans, refer to Note 8 of our 2023 Form 10-K.

Share-based Award Activity

The following table summarizes stock option activity under all equity incentive plans during the 39 weeks ended September 28, 2024:

The following table summarizes restricted stock unit ("RSU") activity under all equity incentive plans during the 39 weeks ended September 28, 2024:

The following table summarizes performance-based restricted stock unit ("PSU") activity under the Grocery Outlet Holding Corp. 2019 Incentive Plan during the 39 weeks ended September 28, 2024:

(1)Represents initial grant of PSUs based on performance target level achievement of 100%.

(2)Represents the year-to-date adjustment to previously granted PSUs based on performance expectations as of September 28, 2024.

(3)An additional 977,116 PSUs could potentially be included if the maximum performance level of 200% is reached for all PSUs outstanding as of September 28, 2024.

Share-based Compensation Expense

We recognize compensation expense for stock options, RSUs and PSUs by amortizing the grant date fair value on a straight-line basis over the expected vesting period to the extent we determine the vesting of the grant is probable. We recognize share-based award forfeitures in the period such forfeitures occur.

Share-based compensation expense consisted of the following (amounts in thousands):

(1)Represents cash dividends paid upon vesting of share-based awards as a result of dividends declared in connection with a recapitalization that occurred in fiscal 2018.

Note 6. Income Taxes

Our income tax expense and effective income tax rate were as follows (amounts in thousands, except percentages):

Our tax provision for interim periods is determined using an estimated annual effective tax rate, adjusted for discrete events arising in each respective fiscal quarter. During each interim period, we update the estimated annual effective tax rate. Our effective income tax rate for the 13 and 39 weeks ended September 28, 2024 was higher than the combined U.S. federal and state statutory income tax rate primarily due to non-deductible executive compensation under Internal Revenue Code Section 162(m), partially offset by excess tax benefit related to the exercise of stock options. The increase in our effective income tax rate for the 13 and 39 weeks ended September 28, 2024 compared to the 13 and 39 weeks ended September 30, 2023 was primarily driven by lower excess tax benefits related to the exercise of stock options, nondeductible acquisition and integration costs related to the acquisition of United Grocery Outlet (as further discussed in Note 10), and lower pretax book income.

Our policy is to recognize interest and penalties associated with uncertain tax positions as part of the income tax provision in our condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income and include accrued interest and penalties with the related income tax liability on our condensed consolidated balance sheets. To date, we have not recognized any interest and penalties, nor have we accrued for or made payments for interest and penalties. We hadno uncertain tax positions as of September 28, 2024 and December 30, 2023, respectively, and do not anticipate having any material uncertain tax positions within the next 12 months.

Note 7. Related Party Transactions

Related Party Leases

As of September 28, 2024 and September 30, 2023, we leased 14 store locations andone warehouse location from entities in which Eric Lindberg, Jr., Chairman of the Board, Interim President and Chief Executive Officer, or his family, had a direct or indirect financial interest. As of September 28, 2024, the right-of-use assets and lease liabilities related to these properties were $37.9 million and$42.9 million, respectively. As of December 30, 2023, the right-of-use assets and lease liabilities related to these properties were $42.6 million and $47.6 million, respectively. These related parties received aggregate lease payments from us of $1.9 millionand $1.7 million for the 13 weeks ended September 28, 2024 and September 30, 2023, respectively, and $5.5 million and $5.1 million for the 39 weeks ended September 28, 2024 and September 30, 2023, respectively.

Independent Operator Notes and Independent Operator Receivables

We offer interest-bearing notes to IOs and the gross amount of IO operating notes and IO receivables due was $64.1 million and $59.2 million as of September 28, 2024 and December 30, 2023, respectively. See Note 2 for additional information.

Note 8. Commitments and Contingencies

We are involved from time to time in claims, proceedings and litigation arising in the normal course of business. We establish an accrual for legal proceedings if and when those matters reach a stage where they present loss contingencies that are both probable and reasonably estimable. In such cases, there may be a possible exposure to loss in excess of any amounts accrued. We monitor those matters for developments that would affect the likelihood of a loss and the accrued amount, if any, thereof, and adjust the amount as appropriate. If the loss contingency at issue is not both probable and reasonably estimable, we do not establish an accrual, but will continue to monitor the matter for developments that will make the loss contingency both probable and reasonably estimable. If it is at least a reasonable possibility that a material loss will occur, we will provide disclosure regarding the contingency. Management believes that we do not have any pending litigation that, separately or in the aggregate, would have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.

Note 9. Earnings Per Share

The following table sets forth the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share (amounts in thousands, except per share data):

(1)We are required to include in diluted weighted-average shares outstanding contingently issuable shares that would be issued assuming the end of our reporting period was the end of the relevant PSU award contingency period.

The following weighted-average common share equivalents were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share because their effect would have been anti-dilutive (amounts in thousands):

Note 10. Business Combination

Acquisition of United Grocery Outlet

On February 14, 2024, Grocery Outlet Inc., our wholly owned subsidiary, entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement with BBGO Acquisition, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Holdings"), specified parties therein that beneficially owned Holdings, and Southvest Fund VII, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, to acquire all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of Holdings (the "Transaction"). On April 1, 2024, the Transaction was completed for the total purchase consideration of $62.5 million, including $2.0 million of cash and cash equivalents on hand, after post-closing adjustments, and was funded with cash on hand.

Holdings is the owner of all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of The Bargain Barn, Inc., a Tennessee corporation doing business as United Grocery Outlet ("United Grocery Outlet"). United Grocery Outlet operated 40 discount grocery stores acrosssix states in the southeastern United States as of April 1, 2024. The acquisition provides us with the opportunity to scale in a new region as well as a platform for future potential expansion in the Southeast.

We accounted for the acquisition as a business combination using the acquisition method of accounting, which requires, among other things, that we allocate the purchase consideration to the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their acquisition-date fair values. The fair values of the acquired assets and assumed liabilities recorded on our condensed consolidated financial statements may be subject to adjustment pending completion of final valuation. These fair value estimates will be reevaluated and adjusted, if needed, during the measurement period of up to one year from the acquisition date, and recorded as adjustments to goodwill.

The following table summarizes the preliminary purchase price allocation as of September 28, 2024 recorded for acquired assets and assumed liabilities at the acquisition date (amounts in thousands):

The goodwill recognized reflects the expected future benefits from certain synergies and intangible assets that do not qualify for separate recognition. The goodwill will not be deductible for income tax purposes.

During the 39 weeks ended September 28, 2024, we recognized $8.3 million in acquisition and integration costs related to due diligence, legal, other consulting and retention bonus expenses. Such costs were included within selling, general and administrative expenses on the condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.

Pro forma results are not presented as the impact of this acquisition is not material to our condensed consolidated financial results.

Note 11. Subsequent Events

CEO Transition

On October 29, 2024, Robert J. Sheedy, Jr. agreed to step down as the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer and resign as a member of the Board, and the Board appointed Eric J. Lindberg, Jr., the current Chairman of the Board of Directors, as the Company’s Interim President and Chief Executive Officer, each effective immediately.

2024 Share Repurchase Program

In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024, the Board approved the 2024 Share Repurchase Program, which replaced the Company's 2021 Share Repurchase Program. The 2024 Share Repurchase Program does not have an expiration date and authorizes us to repurchase up to$100.0 million of our outstanding common stock (inclusive of fees and commissions). See Note 4 for additional information.