Lifeway Foods, Inc. 10-Q

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. LIFEWAY FOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Consolidated Balance Sheets September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 (In thousands) September 30, 2023 December 31, (Unaudited) 2022 Current assets Cash and cash equivalents $ 12,632 $ 4,444 Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts and discounts & allowances of $ 1,430 and $ 1,820 at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 respectively 13,095 11,414 Inventories, net 9,321 9,631 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 1,621 1,445 Refundable income taxes 260 44 Total current assets 36,929 26,978 Property, plant and equipment, net 22,285 20,905 Operating lease right-of-use asset 203 174 Goodwill 11,704 11,704 Intangible assets, net 7,033 7,438 Other assets 1,900 1,800 Total assets $ 80,054 $ 68,999 Current liabilities Current portion of note payable $ 1,250 $ 1,250 Accounts payable 9,102 7,979 Accrued expenses 5,555 3,813 Accrued income taxes 500 – Total current liabilities 16,407 13,042 Line of credit 2,777 2,777 Note payable 1,731 2,477 Operating lease liabilities 130 104 Deferred income taxes, net 3,029 3,029 Total liabilities 24,074 21,429 Commitments and contingencies (Note 9) – – Stockholders’ equity Preferred stock, no par value; 2,500 shares authorized; no shares issued or outstanding at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 – – Common stock, no par value; 40,000 shares authorized; 17,274 shares issued; 14,691 and 14,645 outstanding at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively 6,509 6,509 Paid-in capital 4,338 3,624 Treasury stock, at cost ( 16,695 ) ( 16,993 ) Retained earnings 61,828 54,430 Total stockholders' equity 55,980 47,570 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 80,054 $ 68,999 See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements 3 LIFEWAY FOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Consolidated Statements of Operations For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 (Unaudited) (In thousands, except per share data) Three Months Ended September 30, Nine months Ended September 30, 2023 2022 2023 2022 Net sales $ 40,896 $ 38,140 $ 118,030 $ 105,730 Cost of goods sold 29,099 29,962 85,428 85,032 Depreciation expense 654 590 1,953 1,833 Total cost of goods sold 29,753 30,552 87,381 86,865 Gross profit 11,143 7,588 30,649 18,865 Selling expenses 2,884 2,843 8,974 8,527 General and administrative 3,085 3,415 10,028 9,546 Amortization expense 135 135 405 405 Total operating expenses 6,104 6,393 19,407 18,478 Income from operations 5,039 1,195 11,242 387 Other income (expense): Interest expense ( 109 ) ( 77 ) ( 322 ) ( 171 ) Gain on sale of property and equipment – – 33 – Other (expense) income, net ( 1 ) ( 5 ) ( 1 ) ( 10 ) Total other income (expense) ( 110 ) ( 82 ) ( 290 ) ( 181 ) Income before provision for income taxes 4,929 1,113 10,952 206 Provision (benefit) for income taxes 1,517 130 3,554 ( 2 ) Net income $ 3,412 $ 983 $ 7,398 $ 208 Earnings per common share: Basic $ 0.23 $ 0.06 $ 0.50 $ 0.01 Diluted $ 0.23 $ 0.06 $ 0.49 $ 0.01 Weighted average common shares: Basic 14,677 15,490 14,659 15,462 Diluted 15,101 15,848 15,063 15,759 See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements 4 LIFEWAY FOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity (Unaudited) (In thousands) Common Stock Issued In treasury Paid-In Retained Total Shares $ Shares $ Capital Earnings Equity Balance, January 1, 2022 17,274 $ 6,509 ( 1,839 ) $ ( 13,436 ) $ 2,552 $ 53,506 $ 49,131 Stock-based compensation – – – – 109 – 109 Net loss – – – – – ( 895 ) ( 895 ) Balance, March 31, 2022 17,274 $ 6,509 ( 1,839 ) $ ( 13,436 ) $ 2,661 $ 52,611 $ 48,345 Issuance of common stock in connection with stock-based compensation – – 38 280 ( 399 ) – ( 119 ) Stock-based compensation – – – – 746 – 746 Net income – – – – – 120 120 Balance, June 30, 2022 17,274 $ 6,509 ( 1,801 ) $ ( 13,156 ) $ 3,008 $ 52,731 $ 49,092 Issuance of common stock in connection with stock-based compensation – – 22 159 ( 159 ) – – Stock-based compensation – – – – 422 – 422 Net income – – – – – 983 983 Balance, September 30, 2022 17,274 $ 6,509 ( 1,779 ) $ ( 12,997 ) $ 3,271 $ 53,714 $ 50,497 5 LIFEWAY FOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity (Unaudited) (In thousands) Common Stock Issued In treasury Paid-In Retained Total Shares $ Shares $ Capital Earnings Equity Balance, January 1, 2023 17,274 $ 6,509 ( 2,629 ) $ ( 16,993 ) $ 3,624 $ 54,430 $ 47,570 Stock-based compensation – – – – 343 – 343 Net income – – – – – 830 830 Balance, March 31, 2023 17,274 $ 6,509 ( 2,629 ) $ ( 16,993 ) $ 3,967 $ 55,260 $ 48,743 Issuance of common stock in connection with stock-based compensation – – 11 73 ( 112 ) – ( 39 ) Stock-based compensation – – – – 312 – 312 Net income – – – – – 3,156 3,156 Balance, June 30, 2023 17,274 $ 6,509 ( 2,618 ) $ ( 16,920 ) $ 4,167 $ 58,416 $ 52,172 Issuance of common stock in connection with stock-based compensation – – 35 225 ( 252 ) – ( 27 ) Stock-based compensation – – – – 423 – 423 Net income – – – – – 3,412 3,412 Balance, September 30, 2023 17,274 $ 6,509 ( 2,583 ) $ ( 16,695 ) $ 4,338 $ 61,828 $ 55,980 See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements 6 LIFEWAY FOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (In thousands) Nine months ended September 30, 2023 2022 Cash flows from operating activities: Net income $ 7,398 $ 208 Adjustments to reconcile net income to operating cash flow: Depreciation and amortization 2,358 2,238 Stock-based compensation 1,078 755 Non-cash interest expense 5 5 Bad debt expense 2 – Deferred revenue – ( 23 ) Gain on sale of equipment ( 33 ) – (Increase) decrease in operating assets: Accounts receivable ( 1,683 ) ( 1,576 ) Inventories 310 ( 907 ) Refundable income taxes ( 216 ) ( 309 ) Prepaid expenses and other current assets ( 176 ) ( 115 ) Increase (decrease) in operating liabilities: Accounts payable 928 3,085 Accrued expenses 1,673 1,003 Accrued income taxes 500 ( 725 ) Net cash provided by operating activities 12,144 3,639 Cash flows from investing activities: Purchases of property and equipment ( 3,146 ) ( 2,609 ) Proceeds from sales of equipment 40 – Acquisition, net of cash acquired – ( 580 ) Purchase of investments ( 100 ) – Net cash used in investing activities ( 3,206 ) ( 3,189 ) Cash flows from financing activities: Repayment of note payable ( 750 ) ( 750 ) Net cash used in financing activities ( 750 ) ( 750 ) Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 8,188 ( 300 ) Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period 4,444 9,233 Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period $ 12,632 $ 8,933 Supplemental cash flow information: Cash paid for income taxes, net $ 3,270 $ 640 Cash paid for interest $ 343 $ 158 Non-cash investing activities Accrued purchase of property and equipment $ 194 $ 250 Increase in right-of-use assets and operating lease obligations $ 86 $ 19 See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements 7 LIFEWAY FOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (In thousands, except per share data) Note 1 – Basis of Presentation The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information, and do not include certain information and footnote disclosures required for complete, audited financial statements. In the opinion of management, these statements include all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the results of all interim periods reported herein. The consolidated financial statements and related notes should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022. Results of operations for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of future or annual results. Principles of consolidation The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Lifeway Foods, Inc. and all its wholly owned subsidiaries (collectively “Lifeway” or the “Company”). All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. Note 2 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Our significant accounting policies, which are summarized in detail in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, have not materially changed. The following is a description of certain of our significant accounting policies. Use of estimates The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. 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 consolidated financial statements and reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Significant estimates made in preparing the consolidated financial statements include the reserve for promotional allowances, the valuation of goodwill and intangible assets, stock-based and incentive compensation, and deferred income taxes. Cash and cash equivalents Lifeway considers cash and all highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents are stated at cost, which approximates or equals fair value due to their short-term nature. Lifeway from time to time may have bank deposits in excess of insurance limits of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. The Company places its cash and cash equivalents with high credit quality financial institutions. Lifeway has not experienced any losses in such accounts and believes the financial risks associated with these financial instruments are minimal. Customer concentration Sales are predominately to companies in the retail food industry located within the United States. Two major customers accounted for approximately 23 % and 22 % of net sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Two major customers accounted for approximately 24 % and 23 % of net sales for the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Advertising and promotional costs Lifeway expenses advertising costs as incurred and is reported in Selling expense in the Company’s consolidated statement of operations. Total advertising expense was $ 2,884 and $ 2,585 for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Total advertising expense was $ 878 and $ 848 for the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. 8 Segments The Company is managed as a single reportable segment. The Chief Executive Officer, who is the Company’s Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”), reviews financial information on an aggregate basis for purposes of allocating resources and assessing financial performance, as well as for making strategic operational decisions and managing the organization. Substantially all of Lifeway’s consolidated revenues relate to the sale of cultured dairy products that it produces using the same processes and materials and are sold to consumers through a common network of distributors and retailers in the United States. Recent accounting pronouncements Adopted In October 2021, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2021-08, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Accounting for Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities from Contracts with Customers. The new guidance provides a single comprehensive accounting model on revenue recognition for contracts with customers and requires that the acquirer in a business combination recognize and measure contract assets and liabilities acquired in a business combination in accordance with Topic 606 (Revenue from Contracts with Customers). The amendments in this ASU are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022. The Company adopted this standard during the first quarter of 2023. The adoption did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements. In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting. The new guidance provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying U.S. GAAP to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions that reference LIBOR or another reference rate expected to be discontinued because of reference rate reform. The guidance will be effective prospectively as of March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022 and interim periods within those fiscal years. The ASU was effective upon issuance and allowed companies to adopt the amendments on a prospective basis through December 31, 2024. In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, in November 2018 issued an amendment, ASU 2018-19, Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses, and in November 2019 issued two amendments, ASU 2019-10, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326), Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815), and Leases (Topic 842): Effective Dates, and ASU 2019-11, Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses. The series of new guidance amends the impairment model by requiring entities to use a forward-looking approach based on expected losses rather than incurred losses to estimate credit losses on certain types of financial instruments, including trade receivables. This may result in the earlier recognition of allowances for losses. The guidance should be applied on either a prospective transition or modified-retrospective approach depending on the subtopic. The guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2022, including interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. The Company adopted this standard during the first quarter of 2023. The adoption did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements. Note 3 – Inventories, net Inventories consisted of the following: Schedule of inventories September 30, 2023 December 31, 2022 Ingredients $ 2,711 $ 2,859 Packaging 3,048 3,233 Finished goods 3,562 3,539 Total inventories, net $ 9,321 $ 9,631 9 Note 4 – Property, Plant and Equipment, net Property, plant and equipment consisted of the following: Schedule of property, plant and equipment September 30, 2023 December 31, 2022 Land $ 1,565 $ 1,565 Buildings and improvements 19,463 19,341 Machinery and equipment 33,574 32,786 Vehicles 705 640 Office equipment 1,059 979 Construction in process 3,393 1,180 59,759 56,491 Less accumulated depreciation ( 37,474 ) ( 35,586 ) Total property, plant and equipment, net $ 22,285 $ 20,905 Note 5 – Goodwill and Intangible Assets Goodwill Goodwill consisted of the following: Schedule of goodwill Total Balance at December 31, 2022, before accumulated impairment loses $ 12,948 Accumulated impairment losses ( 1,244 ) Balance at December 31, 2022 $ 11,704 Balance at September 30, 2023 $ 11,704 Intangible Assets Other intangible assets, net consisted of the following: Schedule of finite-lived intangible assets September 30, 2023 December 31, 2022 Gross Net Gross Net Carrying Accumulated Carrying Carrying Accumulated Carrying Amount Amortization Amount Amount Amortization Amount Recipes $ 44 $ ( 44 ) $ – $ 44 $ ( 44 ) $ – Customer lists and other customer related intangibles 4,529 ( 4,529 ) – 4,529 ( 4,529 ) – Customer relationship 3,385 ( 1,332 ) 2,053 3,385 ( 1,212 ) 2,173 Brand names 7,948 ( 2,968 ) 4,980 7,948 ( 2,683 ) 5,265 Formula 438 ( 438 ) – 438 ( 438 ) – Total intangible assets, net $ 16,344 $ ( 9,311 ) $ 7,033 $ 16,344 $ ( 8,906 ) $ 7,438 Estimated amortization expense on intangible assets for the next five years is as follows: Schedule of estimated amortization expense on intangible assets Year Amortization Three months ended December 31, 2023 $ 135 2024 $ 540 2025 $ 540 2026 $ 540 2027 $ 540 10 Note 6 – Accrued Expenses Accrued expenses consisted of the following: Schedule of accrued expenses September 30, 2023 December 31, 2022 Payroll and incentive compensation $ 4,381 $ 2,925 Real estate taxes 556 394 Utilities 174 121 Current portion of operating lease liabilities 73 70 Other 371 303 Total accrued expenses $ 5,555 $ 3,813 Note 7 – Debt Note payable consisted of the following: Schedule of debt September 30, 2023 December 31, 2022 Term loan due August 18, 2026. Interest (7.40% at September 30, 2023) payable monthly. $ 3,000 $ 3,750 Unamortized deferred financing costs ( 19 ) ( 23 ) Total note payable 2,981 3,727 Less current portion ( 1,250 ) ( 1,250 ) Total long-term portion $ 1,731 $ 2,477 The scheduled maturities of the term loan, excluding deferred financing costs, at September 30, 2023 are as follows: Schedule of maturities of long-term debt Three months ended December 31, 2023 $ 500 2024 1,000 2025 1,000 2026 500 Total term loan $ 3,000 Credit Agreement The Company is party to an Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement (as amended and modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”) with its existing lender and certain of its subsidiaries. The Credit Agreement provides for, among other things, a $ 5 million term loan to be repaid in quarterly installments of principal and interest over a term of five years, a revolving line of credit up to a maximum of $ 5 million (the “Revolving Credit Facility”) and an incremental facility not to exceed $ 5 million . The termination date of the term loan is August 18, 2026 , unless earlier terminated. The termination date of the revolving line of credit is June 30, 2025 , unless earlier terminated. All outstanding amounts under the Credit Agreement bear interest at the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”), plus 2.07% . Interest is payable monthly in arrears. As of September 30, 2023, the Company had $ 2,777 outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility. The Company had $ 2,223 available for future borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility as of September 30, 2023. Lifeway’s interest rate on debt outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility as of September 30, 2023 was 7.34 %. 11 The Credit Agreement includes customary representations, warranties, and covenants, including financial covenants requiring the Company to maintain a fixed charge coverage ratio of no less than 1.25 to 1.00, and a minimum working capital financial covenant, as defined, of no less than $11.25 million, in each of the fiscal quarters ending through the expiration date. The Credit Agreement continues to provide for events of default, including failure to repay principal and interest when due and failure to perform or violation of the provisions or covenants of the agreement, as a result of which amounts due under the Credit Agreement may be accelerated. The loans and all other amounts due and owed under the Credit Agreement and related documents are secured by substantially all of the Company’s assets. Lifeway was in compliance with the fixed charge coverage ratio and minimum working capital covenants at September 30, 2023. Note 8 – Leases The Company leases certain machinery and equipment with fixed base rent payments and variable costs based on usage. Remaining lease terms for these leases range from less than one year to six years. The Company includes lease extension options, if applicable and reasonably certain to be exercised, in the calculation of the right-of-use asset and lease liabilities. Lifeway includes only fixed payments for lease components in the measurement of the right-of-use asset and lease liability. Variable lease payments are those that vary because of changes in facts or circumstances occurring after the commencement date, other than the passage of time. There are no residual value guarantees. Lifeway does not currently have leases which meet the finance lease classification as defined under ASC 842. Lifeway treats contracts as a lease when the contract conveys the right to use a physically distinct asset for a period of time in exchange for consideration, it directs the use of the asset and obtains substantially all the economic benefits of the asset. Right-of-use assets and lease liabilities are measured and recognized based on the present value of the future minimum lease payments over the lease term at the commencement date. Lifeway has elected the practical expedient to combine lease and non-lease components into a single component for all of its leases. When the Company is unable to determine an implicit interest rate, it uses its incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at the commencement date in determining the present value of future payments for those leases. Lifeway includes options to extend or terminate the lease in the measurement of the right-of-use asset and lease liability when it is reasonably certain that it will exercise such options. Lease expense for minimum lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The Company does not record leases with an initial term of 12 months or less on the balance sheet. Expense for these short-term leases is recorded on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Total lease expense was $ 102 and $ 191 (including short term leases) for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Total lease expense was $ 41 and $ 44 (including short term leases) for the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Future maturities of lease liabilities were as follows: Schedule of future maturities of lease liabilities Year Operating Leases Three months ended December 31, 2023 $ 22 2024 86 2025 52 2026 29 2027 21 Thereafter – Total lease payments 210 Less: Interest ( 7 ) Present value of lease liabilities $ 203 12 The weighted-average remaining lease term for its operating leases was 3.50 years as of September 30, 2023. The weighted average discount rate of its operating leases was 10.08 % as of September 30, 2023. Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities was $ 70 and $ 121 for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities was $ 24 and $ 35 for the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Note 9 – Commitments and contingencies Litigation Lifeway is involved in various legal proceedings, claims, disputes, regulatory matters, audits, and proceedings arising in the ordinary course of, or incidental to the Company’s business, including commercial disputes, product liabilities, intellectual property matters and employment-related matters. Lifeway records provisions in the consolidated financial statements for pending legal matters when it believes it is probable that a loss will be incurred and the amount of such loss can be reasonably estimated. The Company evaluates, on a periodic basis, developments in legal matters that could affect the amount of any accrual and developments that would make a loss contingency both probable and reasonably estimable. If a loss contingency is not both probable and estimable, it does not establish an accrued liability. Currently, none of its accruals for outstanding legal matters are material individually or in the aggregate to its financial position and it is management’s opinion that the ultimate resolution of these outstanding legal matters will not have a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows. However, if the Company is ultimately required to make payments in connection with an adverse outcome, it is possible that such contingency could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. Note 10 – Income taxes Income taxes were recognized at effective rates of 32.5 % and ( 0.8 )% for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Income taxes were recognized at effective rates of 30.8 % and 11.7 % for the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The Company calculates the provision for income taxes during interim reporting periods by applying an estimate of the annual effective tax rate for the full year, excluding unusual or infrequently occurring discrete items, and applies that rate to income (loss) before provision for income taxes for the period. The Company’s effective tax rate may change from period to period based on recurring and non-recurring factors including the relative mix of pre-tax earnings (or losses), the jurisdictional mix of earnings, enacted tax legislation, state income taxes, the impact of non-deductible items, changes in valuation allowances, settlement of tax audits, and the expiration of the statute of limitations in relation to unrecognized tax benefits. The Company records discrete income tax items such as enacted tax rate changes and completed tax audits in the period in which they occur. The Company consistently reflects non-deductible officer compensation expense, non-deductible compensation expense related to equity incentive awards and separate state tax rates from period to period. Although similar items were reflected in 2023, the percentage effect is different due to the difference in pre-tax income in 2023 compared to 2022. Unrecognized tax benefits were $ 0 at September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The Company does not expect material changes to its unrecognized tax benefits during the next twelve months. Note 11 – Stock-based and Other Compensation Omnibus Incentive Plan In December 2015, Lifeway stockholders approved the 2015 Omnibus Incentive Plan, which authorized the issuance of an aggregate of 3.5 million shares to satisfy awards of stock options, stock appreciation rights, unrestricted stock, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance shares and performance units to qualifying employees. Under the 2015 Omnibus Incentive Plan, the Board of Directors or its Audit and Corporate Governance Committee approves stock awards to executive officers and certain senior executives, generally in the form of restricted stock or performance shares. The number of performance shares that participants may earn depends on the extent to which the corresponding performance goals have been achieved. Stock awards generally vest over a three-year performance or service period. At September 30, 2023, no shares remain available for award under the 2015 Omnibus Incentive Plan as it was terminated on August 31, 2022. However, any outstanding awards under the 2015 Omnibus Incentive Plan are unaffected by the termination of the 2015 Omnibus Incentive Plan or by the approval of the 2022 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “2022 Plan”) as described below. 13 On August 31, 2022, Lifeway stockholders approved the 2022 Plan. Under the 2022 Plan, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors may grant awards of various types of compensation, including, nonqualified stock options, incentive stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance shares, performance units, cash-based awards and other stock-based awards. The maximum number of shares authorized to be awarded under the 2022 Plan is 3.25 million shares of common stock, which includes shares that remained available under the now terminated 2015 Omnibus Incentive Plan. Awards granted under the 2022 Plan are generally subject to a minimum vesting period of at least one year. Awards may be subject to cliff-vesting or graded-vesting conditions, with graded vesting starting no earlier than one year after the grant date. The Plan Administrator may provide for shorter vesting periods in an award agreement for no more than five percent of the maximum number of shares authorized for issuance under the 2022 Plan. As of September 30, 2023, 2.77 million shares remain available to award under the 2022 Plan. Stock Options The following table summarizes stock option activity during the nine months ended September 30, 2023: Schedule of stock option activity Options Weighted average exercise price Weighted average remaining contractual life Aggregate intrinsic value Outstanding at December 31, 2022 41 $ 10.42 3.22 $ – Granted – – – – Exercised – – – – Forfeited – – – – Outstanding at September 30, 2023 41 $ 10.42 2.47 $ – Exercisable at September 30, 2023 41 $ 10.42 2.47 $ – Restricted Stock Units A Restricted Stock Unit (“RSU”) represents the right to receive one share of common stock in the future. RSUs have no exercise price. The grant date fair value of the awards is determined by the Company’s closing stock price on the grant date. Lifeway expenses RSUs over the vesting period. The following table summarizes RSU activity during the nine months ended September 30, 2023. Schedule of RSU Activity Restricted Stock Units Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Outstanding at December 31, 2022 164 $ 5.69 Granted 85 8.14 Shares issued upon vesting ( 37 ) 4.57 Forfeited ( 5 ) 6.25 Outstanding at September 30, 2023 207 $ 6.89 Vested and deferred at September 30, 2023 54 $ 5.78 For the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 total pre-tax stock-based compensation expense recognized in the consolidated statements of operations was $ 356 and $ 175 , respectively. For the nine months ended September 30,2023 and 2022 tax-related benefits of $ 100 and $ 49 , respectively, were also recognized. For the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 total pre-tax stock-based compensation expense recognized in the consolidated statements of operations was $ 154 and $ 48 , respectively. For the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 tax-related benefits of $ 43 and $ 14 , respectively, were also recognized. Future compensation expense related to restricted stock units was $ 832 as of September 30, 2023 and will be recognized on a weighted average basis over the next 1.44 years. Long-Term Incentive Plan Compensation Lifeway has established long-term incentive-based compensation programs for certain senior executives and key employees pursuant to the terms of its incentive plans. 14 2020 CEO Incentive Award During the fourth quarter 2020, Lifeway awarded a long-term equity-based incentive of $ 750 to its Chief Executive Officer (the “2020 CEO Award”) depending on Lifeway’s 2020 performance levels compared to the respective targets. The equity-based incentive compensation is payable in restricted stock that vests one-third in April 2022, one-third in April 2023, and one-third in April 2024. The issuance of vested equity awards is subject to approval under the Stock Purchase Agreement dated October 1, 1999. For the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, $ 87 and $ 186 was expensed as stock-based compensation expense in the consolidated statements of operations, respectively. For the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, $ 18 and $ 44 was expensed as stock-based compensation expense in the consolidated statements of operations, respectively. As of September 30, 2023, the total remaining unearned compensation was $ 42 , of which $ 18 will be recognized in 2023, and $ 24 in 2024, respectively, subject to vesting. 2021 Equity Award The 2021 long-term equity incentive plan compensation is based on Lifeway’s achievement of adjusted EBITDA performance versus the respective target established by the Board of Directors for 2021. Under the 2021 plan, collectively the participants earned equity-based incentive compensation of $ 1,069 based on Lifeway’s achievement of the respective financial target. The equity-based incentive compensation is payable in restricted stock that vests one-third in April 2022, one-third in April 2023, and one-third in April 2024. For the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, $ 161 and $ 364 was expensed as stock-based compensation expense in the consolidated statements of operations, respectively. For the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, $ 33 and $ 85 was expensed as stock-based compensation expense in the consolidated statements of operations, respectively. As of September 30, 2023, the total remaining unearned compensation was $ 73 , of which $ 33 will be recognized in 2023, $ 40 in 2024, respectively, subject to vesting. 2022 Equity Award Under the 2022 long-term incentive plan, participants can earn a specified number of target level Performance Share Units (“PSUs”) contingent upon the achievement of strategic milestones during the three-year Measurement Period, which is fiscal year 2022 to 2024. The strategic milestones are 1) 3-year cumulative net revenue, and 2) 3-year cumulative adjusted EBITDA. The target number of PSU awards are weighted 50% on net revenue and 50% on adjusted EBITDA. Collectively, the participants can earn 125,066 PSUs at the target level. Participants may earn more or less than the target number of shares based on actual results, however the minimum and maximum number of shares that can be earned are bound by minimum and maximum thresholds of net revenue and adjusted EBITDA. The PSU awards will be earned and will vest, if at all, after the end of the three-year measurement period based on achievement of the milestones. The PSU awards do not vest during the three-year measurement period. The PSUs have a grant date fair value of $6.25 dollars per share. For the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, $ 356 and $ 31 was expensed as stock-based compensation expense in the consolidated statements of operations, respectively. For the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, $ 116 and $ 31 was expensed as stock-based compensation expense in the consolidated statements of operations, respectively. The 2022 long-term incentive plan also granted restricted stock unit awards that contain only a service condition and vest on the passage of time in three equal installments on each of the first three anniversaries of the August 31, 2022 grant date. The stock-based compensation expense for these awards is included in the Restricted Stock Units section above. 2023 Equity Award Under the 2023 long-term incentive plan, participants can earn a specified number of target level Performance Share Units (“PSUs”) contingent upon the achievement of strategic milestones during the three-year Measurement Period, which is fiscal year 2023 to 2025. The strategic milestones are 1) 3-year cumulative net revenue, and 2) 3-year cumulative adjusted EBITDA. The target number of PSU awards are weighted 50% on net revenue and 50% on adjusted EBITDA. Collectively, the participants can earn 115,622 PSUs at the target level. Participants may earn more or less than the target number of shares based on actual results, however the minimum and maximum number of shares that can be earned are bound by minimum and maximum thresholds of net revenue and adjusted EBITDA. The PSU awards will be earned and will vest, if at all, after the end of the three-year measurement period based on achievement of the milestones. The PSU awards do not vest during the three-year measurement period. The PSUs have a grant date fair value of $6.88 dollars per share. For the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, $ 118 and $ 0 was expensed as stock-based compensation expense in the consolidated statements of operations, respectively. For the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, $ 102 and $ 0 was expensed as stock-based compensation expense in the consolidated statements of operations, respectively. 15 The 2023 long-term incentive plan also granted restricted stock unit awards that contain only a service condition and vest on the passage of time in three equal installments on each of the first three anniversaries of the June 16, 2023 grant date. The stock-based compensation expense for these awards is included in the Restricted Stock Units section above. Non-Employee Director Plan On August 31, 2022, Lifeway stockholders approved the 2022 Non-Employee Director Equity and Deferred Compensation Plan (the “2022 Director Plan”), which authorizes the grant of restricted stock units (“RSUs”), which will vest on such schedule as the Company, in its sole discretion, shall determine. Each non-employee director of the Company is eligible to be a participant in the 2022 Director Plan until they no longer serve as a non-employee director. As of the date of each annual shareholder meeting, the Company may grant each director a number of RSUs for such year and set the vesting schedule for the RSUs granted. Whether and how many RSUs the Company will grant to directors in any year is subject to the sole discretion of the Company and shall in any event be subject to the 2022 Director Plan’s overall share limits. The maximum aggregate number of shares of common stock that may be issued under the 2022 Director Plan is 500 thousand shares. As of September 30, 2023, 438 thousand shares remain available to award under the 2022 Director Plan. The aggregate fair market value of shares underlying RSU compensation that may be issued as RSU compensation to a director in any year shall not exceed $170. In addition to the grant of RSUs, the 2022 Director Plan also provides for the deferral by electing participants of all or part of their cash compensation (in 10% increments) into a deferred cash account, and they may defer all or part of their cash and/or RSU compensation (in 10% increments) into a deferred RSU account. Deferred benefits are paid in a lump sum upon the applicable director’s departure from the Board of Directors. Retirement Benefits Lifeway has a defined contribution plan which is available to substantially all full-time employees. Under the terms of the plan, the Company matches employee contributions under a prescribed formula. For the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 total contribution expense recognized in the consolidated statements of operations was $ 364 and $ 328 , respectively. For the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, total contribution expense recognized in the consolidated statements of operations was $ 106 and $ 97 , respectively. Note 12 - Earnings Per Share The following table summarizes the effects of the share-based compensation awards on the weighted average number of shares outstanding used in calculating diluted earnings (loss) per share: Schedule of weighted average number of shares Three Months Ended Nine months Ended September 30, September 30, 2023 2022 2023 2022 (In thousands) Weighted average common shares outstanding 14,677 15,490 14,659 15,462 Assumed exercise/vesting of equity awards 424 358 404 297 Weighted average diluted common shares outstanding 15,101 15,848 15,063 15,759 Note 13 – Related Party Transactions Consulting Services Lifeway obtained consulting services from Ludmila Smolyansky, a member of the Company’s Board of Directors and former Chairperson of its Board of Directors. On January 4, 2022, the Company notified Ms. Smolyansky that it was terminating the amended and restated consultancy agreement effective January 17, 2022. Service fees earned are included in general and administrative expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and were $ 0 and $ 22 during each of the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Service fees earned are included in general and administrative expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and were $ 0 during each of the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022. 16 Endorsement Agreement Lifeway was also a party to an endorsement agreement, dated as March 14, 2016, by and between the Company and Ludmila Smolyansky, a member of the Company’s Board of Directors and former Chairperson of its Board of Directors (the “Endorsement Agreement”) under which it paid the Chairperson a royalty based on the sale of certain Lifeway products, not to exceed $50 in any fiscal month. On September 6, 2022, the Company entered into an agreement (the “Termination Agreement”) with Ms. Smolyansky that terminated the Endorsement Agreement as of September 6, 2022. Pursuant to the Termination Agreement, the Company and Ms. Smolyansky have agreed, among other things, that (i) the Company paid Ms. Smolyansky a lump sum payment of $400, (ii) Ms. Smolyansky will no longer have any further claims against the Company under the Endorsement Agreement, and (iii) the Endorsement Agreement was terminated and of no further force or effect except for the provisions thereof that expressly survive termination. Royalties earned were $ 0 and $ 400 during each of the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Royalties earned were $ 0 and $ 100 during each of the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Note 14 – Subsequent Event On October 6, 2023, the Company paid the outstanding line of credit balance of $2,777 in full. There were no amounts outstanding under the line of credit after October 6, 2023, through the date of filing of these financial statements. 17