Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes included in Item 8 of this Report. In addition to historical information, the following discussion contains forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, statements regarding the Company’s expectation for future performance, liquidity and capital resources that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company’s expectations. The Company’s actual results may differ materially from those contained in or implied by any forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause such differences include those identified below and those described in “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements,” and in Item 1A “Risk Factors” of this Report. The Company assumes no obligation to update any of these forward-looking statements.
Our fiscal year ends the last Saturday in August. Our fiscal year 2024 ended August 31, 2024, was a fifty-three week period. Our fiscal years 2023 and 2022 ended August 26, 2023, and August 27, 2022, respectively, were each fifty-two week periods. Our fiscal quarters are comprised of thirteen weeks each, except for fifty-three week fiscal periods for which the fourth quarter is comprised of fourteen weeks, and end on the thirteenth Saturday of each quarter (fourteenth Saturday of the fourth quarter, when applicable). Our fiscal quarters for fiscal 2024 ended on November 25, 2023, February 24, 2024, May 25, 2024, and August 31, 2024.
Unless the context requires otherwise in this Report, the terms “we,” “us,” “our,” the “Company” and “Simply Good Foods” refer to The Simply Good Foods Company and its subsidiaries. In context, “Quest” may also refer to the Quest brand, “Atkins” may also refer to the Atkins brand, and “OWYN” may also refer to the OWYN brand. Atkins, Quest, OWYN, and the Simply Good logo are either registered trademarks or trademarks of the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary Simply Good Foods USA, Inc. or one of its affiliates in the United States and elsewhere. All rights are reserved.
Overview
The Simply Good Foods Company is a consumer packaged food and beverage company that aims to lead the nutritious snacking movement with trusted brands that offer a variety of convenient, innovative, great-tasting, better-for-you snacks and meal replacements, and other product offerings. The product portfolio we develop, market and sell consists primarily of protein bars, ready-to-drink (“RTD”) shakes, sweet and salty snacks and confectionery products marketed under the Quest, Atkins, and OWYN brand names. We believe Simply Good Foods is poised to expand its wellness platform through innovation and organic growth along with acquisition opportunities in the nutritional snacking space.
To that end, in June 2024, we completed the acquisition of Only What You Need, Inc., a plant-based protein food company, for a cash purchase price of approximately $280.0 million (subject to customary adjustments). For more information, please see “ Liquidity and Capital Resources-OWYN Acquisition ”.
Our nutritious snacking platform consists of brands that specialize in providing products for consumers that follow certain nutritional philosophies and health-and-wellness trends: Quest for consumers seeking a variety of protein-rich foods and beverages that also limit sugars and simple carbs, Atkins for those following a low-carb lifestyle, and OWYN for those looking for a plant-based ready-to-drink protein shake offering. We distribute our products in major retail channels, primarily in North America, including grocery, club, and mass merchandise, as well as through e-commerce, convenience, specialty, and other channels. Our portfolio of nutritious snacking brands gives us a strong platform with which to introduce new products, expand distribution, and attract new consumers to our products.
Business Trends
Our consolidated results of operations for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2024, were driven by volume, an additional week of activity with fiscal year 2024 having fifty-three weeks, and successfully completing the OWYN Acquisition; and the reversal of the unfavorable effects of higher raw material costs, higher co-manufacturing costs, and supply chain challenges including supply chain disruptions resulting from labor shortages and disruptions in ingredients in fiscal year 2023. For the fiscal year ended August 31, 2024, the Company benefited from lower ingredient and packaging costs which resulted in gross margin expansion compared to fiscal 2023. The Company continues to engage and have discussions with its contract manufacturers and logistics and transportation providers to have its cost structure reflect lower market prices. The Company is monitoring key ingredient inflation which may affect profitability; however we believe the Company's strategy and positioning will continue to drive profitable growth for our product offerings and growth within the growing nutritional snacking category.
Based on information available to us as of the date of this Report, we believe we will be able to deliver products at acceptable levels to fulfill customer orders on a timely basis; therefore, we expect our products will continue to be available for purchase to meet consumer meal replacement and snacking needs for the foreseeable future. We continue to monitor customer and consumer demand along with our supply chain and logistics capabilities and intend to adapt our plans as needed to continue to drive our business and meet our obligations.
Please also see the information under Item 1A. “Risk Factors” for additional information regarding the risks of inflation, higher raw material, packaging, co-manufacturing, and logistics costs, and supply chain challenges.
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Our Reportable Segment
For the fifty-three weeks ended August 31, 2024, following the OWYN Acquisition, we determined our operations are organized into two operating segments, Quest and Atkins, and OWYN, due to similar financial, economic and operating characteristics. The operating segments are also similar in the following areas: (a) the nature of the products; (b) the nature of the production processes; (c) the methods used to distribute products to customers, (d) the type of customer for the products, and (e) the nature of the regulatory environment. The Company also designed its organizational structure to support entity-wide business functions across brands, products, customers, and geographic regions. As a result, during the fifty-three weeks ended August 31, 2024, the Company determined its operations are organized into two operating segments, which were aggregated into one reporting segment. Previously, during the fifty-two weeks ended August 26, 2023, and August 27, 2022, we determined our operations were organized into one consolidated operating segment and reportable segment.
Key Financial Definitions
Net sales. Net sales consist primarily of product sales less the cost of promotional activities, slotting fees and other sales credits and adjustments, including product returns.
Cost of goods sold. Cost of goods sold consists primarily of the costs we pay to our contract manufacturing partners to produce the products sold. These costs include the purchase of raw ingredients, packaging, shipping and handling, warehousing, depreciation of warehouse equipment, and a tolling charge payable to the contract manufacturer. Cost of goods sold includes products provided at no charge as part of promotions and the non-food materials provided with customer orders.
Operating expenses. Operating expenses consist primarily of selling and marketing, general and administrative, depreciation and amortization, and business transaction costs. The following is a brief description of the components of operating expenses:
• Selling and marketing. Selling and marketing expenses comprise broker commissions, customer marketing, media and other marketing costs.
• General and administrative. General and administrative expenses are comprised of expenses associated with corporate and administrative functions that support our business, including employee compensation, stock-based compensation, professional services, executive transition costs, integration costs, restructuring costs, insurance and other general corporate expenses.
• Depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization expenses consist of expenses associated with the depreciation of fixed assets and capitalized leasehold improvements and amortization of intangible assets.
• Business Transaction Costs. Business transaction costs are comprised of transaction advisory fees, non-deferrable debt issuance costs, legal, due diligence, consulting, and accounting expenses associated with the OWYN Acquisition.
Results of Operations
During the fifty-three weeks ended August 31, 2024, our net sales increased $88.6 million, or 7.1%, to $1,331.3 million compared to net sales of $1,242.7 million for the fifty-two weeks ended August 26, 2023, driven by Quest volume growth, an additional week of activity with fiscal year 2024 having 53 weeks, and the OWYN Acquisition, which more than offset continued softness in Atkins net sales. Gross profit and gross profit margin improved due to higher sales volumes and lower ingredient and packaging costs. We expect to see continued growth during fiscal year 2025 by building on our existing capabilities and strengthening the position of our brands in the marketplace. We will continue to invest in our business and improve our operating efficiencies as well as proceeding with the integration of OWYN.
In assessing the performance of our business, we consider a number of key performance indicators used by management and typically used by our competitors, including the non-GAAP measures EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA. Because not all companies use identical calculations, this presentation of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies. See “Reconciliation of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA” below for a reconciliation of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to net income for each applicable period.
A discussion regarding our financial condition and results of operations for the fifty-three weeks ended August 31, 2024, compared to the fifty-two weeks ended August 26, 2023, is presented below. A discussion regarding our financial condition and results of operations for the fifty-two weeks ended August 26, 2023, compared to the fifty-two weeks ended August 27, 2022, can be found under Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 26, 2023, filed with the SEC on October 24, 2023.
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Comparison of Results for the Fifty-Three Weeks Ended August 31, 2024, and the Fifty-Two Weeks Ended August 26, 2023
The following table presents, for the periods indicated, selected information from our consolidated financial results, including information presented as a percentage of net sales:
53-Weeks Ended % of Net Sales 52-Weeks Ended % of Net Sales
(In thousands) August 31, 2024 August 26, 2023
Net sales $ 1,331,321 100.0 % $ 1,242,672 100.0 %
Cost of goods sold 819,755 61.6 % 789,252 63.5 %
Gross profit 511,566 38.4 % 453,420 36.5 %
Operating expenses:
Selling and marketing 143,929 10.8 % 119,489 9.6 %
General and administrative 129,699 9.7 % 111,566 9.0 %
Depreciation and amortization 16,917 1.3 % 17,416 1.4 %
Business transaction costs 14,524 1.1 % — — %
Total operating expenses 305,069 22.9 % 248,471 20.0 %
Income from operations 206,497 15.5 % 204,949 16.5 %
Other income (expense):
Interest income 4,307 0.3 % 1,144 0.1 %
Interest expense (26,029) (2.0) % (30,068) (2.4) %
Gain (loss) on foreign currency transactions 267 — % (344) — %
Other expense 1,008 0.1 % 11 — %
Total other income (expense) (20,447) (1.5) % (29,257) (2.4) %
Income before income taxes 186,050 14.0 % 175,692 14.1 %
Income tax expense 46,741 3.5 % 42,117 3.4 %
Net income $ 139,309 10.5 % $ 133,575 10.7 %
Other financial data:
Adjusted EBITDA (1)
$ 269,130 20.2 % $ 245,555 19.8 %
(1) Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial metric. See “Reconciliation of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA” below for a reconciliation of net income to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA for each applicable period.
Net sales. Net sales of $1,331.3 million represented an increase of $88.6 million, or 7.1%, for the fifty-three weeks ended August 31, 2024, compared to the fifty-two weeks ended August 26, 2023. The increase in net sales was primarily driven by Quest volume growth and the OWYN Acquisition, which contributed 2.4% of the increase, and partially offset by continued softness in Atkins net sales.
Cost of goods sold. Cost of goods sold increased $30.5 million, or 3.9%, for the fifty-three weeks ended August 31, 2024, compared to the fifty-two weeks ended August 26, 2023. The cost of goods sold increase was primarily driven by higher sales volumes and the effect of the non-cash $3.2 million inventory step-up charge related to the OWYN Acquisition.
Gross profit. Gross profit of $511.6 million increased $58.1 million, or 12.8%, for the fifty-three weeks ended August 31, 2024, compared to the fifty-two weeks ended August 26, 2023. Gross profit as a percentage of net sales was 38.4% for the fifty-three weeks ended August 31, 2024, an increase of 190 basis points from 36.5% of net sales for the fifty-two weeks ended August 26, 2023. The increase in gross profit margin was primarily driven by lower ingredient and packaging costs and was partially offset by the effect of the non-cash $3.2 million inventory step-up charge related to the OWYN Acquisition.
Operating expenses. Operating expenses increased $56.6 million, or 22.8%, for the fifty-three weeks ended August 31, 2024, compared to the fifty-two weeks ended August 26, 2023, due to the following:
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• Selling and marketing . Selling and marketing expenses increased $24.4 million, or 20.5%, for the fifty-three weeks ended August 31, 2024, compared to the fifty-two weeks ended August 26, 2023. The increase was primarily related to increased investments in marketing growth initiatives of $20.1 million and the OWYN Acquisition of $2.1 million.
• General and administrative . General and administrative expenses increased $18.1 million, or 16.3%, for the fifty-three weeks ended August 31, 2024, compared to the fifty-two weeks ended August 26, 2023. The increase was primarily attributable to an increase of $7.8 million of employee-related costs, $3.9 million in stock-based compensation expense, $3.7 million related to the OWYN Acquisition, higher executive transition costs, and higher corporate expenses and other costs.
• Depreciation and amortization . Depreciation and amortization expenses were $16.9 million and $17.4 million for the fifty-three weeks ended August 31, 2024, compared to the fifty-two weeks ended August 26, 2023, respectively.
• Business transaction costs. Business transaction costs were $14.5 million for the fifty-three weeks ended August 31, 2024, and were comprised of expenses related to the OWYN Acquisition, including $5.7 million of transaction advisory fees, $3.4 million of non-deferrable third-party financing costs incurred in connection with the 2024 Incremental Facility Amendment to the Credit Agreement (as defined below), and $5.4 million of legal, due diligence, accounting, and other costs.
Interest income. Interest income increased $3.2 million or 276.5% to $4.3 million for the fifty-three weeks ended August 31, 2024, compared to $1.1 million of interest income for the fifty-two weeks ended August 26, 2023, primarily due to higher cash balances, the increase in interest rates, and other sources of interest income.
Interest expense. Interest expense decreased $4.0 million for the fifty-three weeks ended August 31, 2024, compared to the fifty-two weeks ended August 26, 2023, primarily due to the effect of principal prepayments reducing the outstanding balance of the Term Facility (defined below) during a majority of the fiscal year prior to the incremental borrowing made in June 2024. Additionally, interest expense related to the amortization of deferred financing costs and debt discount decreased $0.7 million for the fifty-three weeks ended August 31, 2024, compared to the fifty-two weeks ended August 26, 2023. Interest expense is expected to increase in fiscal year 2025 as a result of the incremental borrowing to fund in part the OWYN Acquisition.
Gain (loss) on foreign currency transactions. Foreign currency transactions resulted in an immaterial gain and an immaterial loss for the fifty-three weeks ended August 31, 2024, and August 26, 2023, respectively. The variance is attributable to changes in foreign currency rates related to our international operations.
Income tax expense. Income tax expense increased $4.6 million for the fifty-three weeks ended August 31, 2024, compared to the fifty-two weeks ended August 26, 2023. The increase in our income tax expense is primarily driven by higher income from operations and changes in permanent differences.
Net income. Net income was $139.3 million for the fifty-three weeks ended August 31, 2024, an increase of $5.7 million, compared to net income of $133.6 million for the fifty-two weeks ended August 26, 2023. Net income benefited from higher gross profit, including the benefit of the fifty-third week, higher interest income, and lower interest expense, and was partially offset by growth in marketing expenses, higher stock-based compensation expenses, business transaction costs related to the OWYN Acquisition, and higher income tax expense.
Adjusted EBITDA. Adjusted EBITDA increased $23.6 million, or 9.6%, for the fifty-three weeks ended August 31, 2024, compared to the fifty-two weeks ended August 26, 2023, driven primarily by higher gross profit, including contribution from the OWYN Acquisition, partially offset by investments in growth initiatives and higher advertising costs. For a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to its most directly comparable GAAP measure, see “Reconciliation of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA” below.
Reconciliation of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA
EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP financial measures commonly used in our industry and should not be construed as alternatives to net income as an indicator of operating performance or as alternatives to cash flow provided by operating activities as a measure of liquidity (each as determined in accordance with GAAP). Simply Good Foods defines EBITDA as net income or loss before interest income, interest expense, income tax expense, depreciation and amortization, and Adjusted EBITDA as further adjusted to exclude the following items: stock-based compensation expense, executive transition costs, business transaction costs, inventory step-up, integration costs, term loan transaction fees, and other non-core expenses. The Company believes that EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA, when used in conjunction with net income, are useful to provide additional information to investors. Management of the Company uses EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to supplement net income because these measures reflect operating results of the on-going operations, eliminate items that are not directly attributable to the Company’s underlying operating performance, enhance the overall understanding of past financial performance and future prospects, and allow for greater transparency with respect to the key metrics the Company’s management uses in its financial and operational decision making. The Company also believes that EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are frequently used by securities analysts, investors and other interested parties in the evaluation of companies in its industry. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to other similarly titled captions of other companies due to differences in the non-GAAP calculation.
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The following unaudited table provides a reconciliation of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to its most directly comparable GAAP measure, which is net income, for the fifty-three weeks ended August 31, 2024, and fifty-two weeks ended August 26, 2023:
53-Weeks Ended 52-Weeks Ended
(In thousands) August 31, 2024 August 26, 2023
Net income $ 139,309 $ 133,575
Interest income (4,307) (1,144)
Interest expense 26,029 30,068
Income tax expense 46,741 42,117
Depreciation and amortization 20,993 20,253
EBITDA 228,765 224,869
Stock-based compensation expense 18,421 14,480
Executive transition costs 3,871 3,390
Business transaction costs 14,524 —
Inventory step-up 3,226 —
Integration of OWYN 588 —
Term loan transaction fees — 2,423
Other (1)
(265) 393
Adjusted EBITDA $ 269,130 $ 245,555
(1) Other items consist principally of exchange impact of foreign currency transactions and other expenses.
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Liquidity and Capital Resources
Overview
We have historically funded our operations with cash flow from operations and, when needed, with borrowings under our Credit Agreement (as defined below). Our principal uses of cash have been working capital, debt service, repurchases of our common stock, and acquisition opportunities.
We had $132.5 million in cash as of August 31, 2024. We believe our sources of liquidity and capital will be sufficient to finance our continued operations, growth strategy and additional expenses we expect to incur for at least the next twelve months. As circumstances warrant, we may issue debt and/or equity securities from time to time on an opportunistic basis, dependent upon market conditions and available pricing. We make no assurance that we can issue and sell such securities on acceptable terms or at all.
Our material future cash requirements from contractual and other obligations relate primarily to our principal and interest payments for our Term Facility, as defined and discussed below, and our operating and finance leases. Refer to Note 7, Long-Term Debt and Line of Credit, and Note 10, Leases, of the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Report for additional information related to the expected timing and amount of payments related to our contractual and other obligations.
Debt and Credit Facilities
On July 7, 2017, we entered into a credit agreement with Barclays Bank PLC and other parties (as amended to date, the “Credit Agreement”). The Credit Agreement at that time provided for (i) a term facility of $200.0 million (“Term Facility”) with a seven-year maturity and (ii) a revolving credit facility of up to $75.0 million (the “Revolving Credit Facility”) with a five-year maturity. Substantially concurrent with the consummation of the business combination which formed the Company between Conyers Park Acquisition Corp. and NCP-ATK Holdings, Inc. on July 7, 2017, the full $200.0 million of the Term Facility (the “Term Loan”) was drawn.
On November 7, 2019, we entered into a second amendment (the “Incremental Facility Amendment”) to the Credit Agreement to increase the principal borrowed on the Term Facility by $460.0 million. The Term Facility together with the incremental borrowing make up the Initial Term Loans (as defined in the Incremental Facility Amendment). The Incremental Facility Amendment was executed to partially finance the acquisition of Quest Nutrition, LLC on November 7, 2019. No amounts under the Term Facility were repaid as a result of the execution of the Incremental Facility Amendment.
Effective as of December 16, 2021, we entered into a third amendment (the “Extension Amendment”) to the Credit Agreement. The Extension Amendment provided for an extension of the stated maturity date of the Revolving Commitments and Revolving Loans (each as defined in the Credit Agreement) from July 7, 2022, to the earlier of (i) 91 days prior to the then-effective maturity date of the Initial Term Loans and (ii) December 16, 2026.
On January 21, 2022, we entered into the “2022 Repricing Amendment” to the Credit Agreement. The 2022 Repricing Amendment, among other things, (i) reduced the interest rate per annum applicable to the Initial Term Loans outstanding under the Credit Agreement immediately prior to the effective date of the 2022 Repricing Amendment, (ii) reset the prepayment premium for the existing Initial Term Loans to apply to Repricing Transactions (as defined in the Credit Agreement) that occur within six months after the effective date of the 2022 Repricing Amendment, and (iii) implemented SOFR and related replacement provisions for LIBOR.
On April 25, 2023, the Company entered into the “2023 Repricing Amendment” to the Credit Agreement. The 2023 Repricing Amendment, (i) reduced the interest rate per annum applicable to the Initial Term Loans outstanding under the Credit Agreement immediately prior to April 25, 2023, and (ii) provided for an extension of the maturity date of the Initial Term Loans from July 7, 2024, to March 17, 2027.
On June 13, 2024, the Company entered into a sixth amendment (the “2024 Incremental Facility Amendment”) to the Credit Agreement to increase the principal borrowed on the Term Facility by $250.0 million. The terms of the incremental borrowing are the same as the terms of the outstanding borrowings under the Term Facility. The 2024 Incremental Facility Amendment was executed to partially finance the OWYN Acquisition. No amounts under the Term Facility were repaid as a result of the execution of the 2024 Incremental Facility Amendment.
Effective as of the date of the 2024 Incremental Facility Amendment, the interest rate per annum for the Initial Term Loans is based on either:
i. A base rate equaling the higher of (a) the “prime rate,” (b) the federal funds effective rate plus 0.50%, or (c) the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate (as defined in the Credit Agreement) applicable for an interest period of one month plus 2.50% plus (x) 1.50% margin for the Term Loan or (y) 2.00% margin for the Revolving Credit Facility; or
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ii. SOFR plus a credit spread adjustment equal to 0.10% for one-month SOFR, 0.15% for up to three-month SOFR and 0.25% for up to six-month SOFR, subject to a floor of 0.50%, plus (x) 2.50% margin for the Term Loan or (y) 3.00% margin for the Revolving Credit Facility.
In connection with the closing of the 2024 Incremental Facility Amendment, the Company expensed $3.4 million of non-deferrable third-party financing costs through Business transaction costs and capitalized $1.2 million of third-party financing costs.
The Simply Good Foods Company is not a borrower under the Credit Agreement and has not provided a guarantee of the Credit Agreement. Simply Good Foods USA, Inc., is the administrative borrower and certain other subsidiary holding companies are co-borrowers under the Credit Agreement. Each of our domestic subsidiaries that is not a named borrower under the Credit Agreement has provided a guarantee on a secured basis. As security for the payment or performance of the debt under the Credit Agreement, the borrowers and the guarantors have pledged certain equity interests in their respective subsidiaries and granted the lenders a security interest in substantially all of their domestic assets. All guarantors other than Quest Nutrition, LLC and Only What You Need, Inc. are holding companies with no assets other than their investments in their respective subsidiaries.
The Credit Agreement contains certain financial and other covenants that limit our ability to, among other things, incur and/or undertake asset sales and other dispositions, liens, indebtedness, certain acquisitions and investments, consolidations, mergers, reorganizations and other fundamental changes, payment of dividends and other distributions to equity and warrant holders, and prepayments of material subordinated debt, in each case, subject to customary exceptions materially consistent with credit facilities of such type and size. The Revolving Credit Facility has a maximum total net leverage ratio equal to or less than 6.00:1.00 contingent on credit extensions in excess of 30% of the total amount of commitments available under the Revolving Credit Facility. Any failure to comply with the restrictions of the credit facilities may result in an event of default. We were in compliance with all financial covenants as of August 31, 2024, and August 26, 2023, respectively.
As of August 31, 2024, the outstanding balance of the Term Facility was $400.0 million. We are not required to make principal payments on the Term Facility over the twelve months following the period ended August 31, 2024. The outstanding balance of the Term Facility is due upon its maturity in March 2027. As of August 31, 2024, there were no amounts drawn against the Revolving Credit Facility.
OWYN Acquisition
On April 29, 2024, the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, Simply Good Foods, USA, Inc. entered into a stock purchase agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) to acquire Only What You Need, Inc. (“OWYN”), a plant-based protein food company (the “OWYN Acquisition”), for approximately $280.0 million. On June 13, 2024, pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, the Company completed the OWYN Acquisition by acquiring 100% of the equity interests for a cash purchase price at closing of $281.9 million, subject to certain customary post-closing adjustments. We acquired OWYN as a part of our vision to lead the nutritious snacking movement with trusted brands that offer a variety of convenient, innovative, great-tasting, better-for-you snacks and meal replacements that will now offer plant-based products to a wider market of consumers.
The OWYN Acquisition was funded through a combination of incremental borrowings under our outstanding Term Facility, totaling $250.0 million, and cash on hand. Business transaction costs within the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income for the fifty-three weeks ended August 31, 2024, were $14.5 million, which included $5.7 million of transaction advisory fees, $3.4 million of non-deferrable third-party financing costs incurred in connection with the 2024 Incremental Facility Amendment to the Credit Agreement, and $5.4 million of legal, due diligence, accounting, and other costs.
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Stock Repurchase Program
On October 21, 2022, we announced that our Board of Directors had approved the addition of $50.0 million to our stock repurchase program, resulting in authorized stock repurchases of up to an aggregate of $150.0 million. The Company did not repurchase any shares of common stock during the fifty-three weeks ended August 31, 2024. During the fifty-two weeks ended August 26, 2023, the Company repurchased 546,346 shares of common stock at an average share price of $30.11 per share. During the fifty-two weeks ended August 27, 2022, the Company repurchased 1,720,520 shares of common stock at an average share price of $34.79 per share.
As of August 31, 2024, approximately $71.5 million remained available for repurchases under our $150.0 million stock repurchase program. Refer to Note 12, Stockholders’ Equity of the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Report for additional information related to our stock repurchase program.
Cash Flows
The following table sets forth the major sources and uses of cash for the fifty-three weeks ended August 31, 2024, and August 26, 2023. A discussion regarding the major sources and uses of cash for the fifty-two weeks ended August 27, 2022, can be found under Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 26, 2023, filed with the SEC on October 24, 2023.
53-Weeks Ended 52-Weeks Ended
(In thousands)
August 31, 2024 August 26, 2023
Net cash provided by operating activities
$ 215,704 $ 171,117
Net cash used in investing activities
$ (286,882) $ (12,188)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities $ 115,901 $ (138,532)
Operating activities. Our net cash provided by operating activities increased $44.6 million to $215.7 million for the fifty-three weeks ended August 31, 2024, compared to $171.1 million for the fifty-two weeks ended August 26, 2023. The increase in cash provided by operating activities was primarily attributable to changes in working capital, comprised of changes in accounts receivable, net, inventories, prepaid expenses, accounts payable, and accrued expenses and other current liabilities, which are driven by the timing of payments and receipts and seasonal building of inventory. Changes in working capital provided cash of $21.3 million in the fifty-three weeks ended August 31, 2024, compared to $21.2 million of cash consumed in the fifty-two weeks ended August 26, 2023, an improvement of $42.5 million. Income from operations increased by $1.5 million to $206.5 million for the fifty-three weeks ended August 31, 2024, as compared to $204.9 million for the fifty-two weeks ended August 26, 2023.
Investing activities. Our net cash used in investing activities was $286.9 million for the fifty-three weeks ended August 31, 2024, compared to $12.2 million for the fifty-two weeks ended August 26, 2023. The increase in cash used in investing activities was primarily due to the OWYN Acquisition of $280.4 million, net of cash acquired, as well as $5.7 million of purchases of property and equipment. The $12.2 million of net cash used in investing activities for the fifty-two weeks ended August 26, 2023, was primarily comprised of $11.6 million purchases of property and equipment.
Financing activities. Our net cash provided by financing activities was $115.9 million for the fifty-three weeks ended August 31, 2024, compared to the net cash used by financing activities of $138.5 million for the fifty-two weeks ended August 26, 2023. Net cash provided by financing activities for the fifty-three weeks ended August 31, 2024, primarily consisted of $250.0 million of proceeds from the 2024 Incremental Facility Amendment in conjunction with the OWYN Acquisition, partially offset by $135.0 million in principal payments on the Term Facility. Net cash used in financing activities for the fifty-two weeks ended August 26, 2023, primarily consisted of $121.5 million in principal prepayments on the Term Facility and $16.4 million in repurchases of common stock.
Critical Accounting Policies, Judgments and Estimates
General
Our consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. While the majority of our revenue, expenses, assets and liabilities are not based on estimates, there are certain accounting principles that require management to make estimates regarding matters that are uncertain and susceptible to change. Critical accounting policies are defined as those policies that are reflective of significant judgments, estimates and uncertainties, which could potentially result in materially different results under different assumptions and conditions. Management regularly reviews the estimates and assumptions used in the preparation of the financial statements for reasonableness and adequacy. Our significant accounting policies are discussed in Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, of our Consolidated Financial Statements in this filing; however, the following discussion pertains to accounting policies we believe are most critical to the portrayal of its financial condition and results of operations and that require significant, difficult, subjective or
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complex judgments. Other companies in similar businesses may use different estimation policies and methodologies, which may affect the comparability of our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows to those of other companies.
Revenue Recognition
We recognize revenue when performance obligations under the terms of a contract with our customer are satisfied. We have determined that fulfilling and delivering products is a single performance obligation. Revenue is recognized at the point in time when we have satisfied our performance obligation and the customer has obtained control of the products. This generally occurs when the product is delivered to or picked up by our customer based on applicable shipping terms, which is typically within 30 days.
Revenue is measured as the amount of consideration expected to be received in exchange for fulfilled product orders, including estimates of variable consideration. The most common forms of variable consideration include trade promotions, such as consumer incentives, coupon redemptions and other marketing activities, allowances for unsaleable product, and any additional amounts where a distinct good or service cannot be identified or the value cannot be reasonably estimated. Estimates of variable consideration are made using various information including historical data on performance of similar trade promotional activities, market data from IRI, and our best estimate of current activity. Revisions can include changes for consideration paid to customers that lack sufficient evidence to support a distinct good or service assertion, or for which a reasonably estimable fair value cannot be determined, primarily related to our assessments of cooperative advertising programs. We review these estimates regularly and make revisions as necessary. Uncertainties related to the estimate of variable consideration are resolved in a short time frame and do not require any additional constraint on variable consideration. Adjustments to variable consideration have historically been insignificant.
Although some payment terms may be longer, the majority of our payment terms are less than 60 days. As a result, we do not have any material significant payments’ terms as payment is received shortly after the time of sale.
While our revenue recognition does not involve significant judgment, it represents a key accounting policy.
Trade Promotions
We offer trade promotions through various programs to customers and consumers. Trade promotions include discounts, rebates, slotting and other marketing activities. Trade promotions are recorded as a reduction to net sales with a corresponding reduction to accounts receivable at the time of revenue recognition for the underlying sale. The recognition of trade promotions requires management to make estimates regarding the volume of incentive that will be redeemed and their total cost. These estimates are made using various information including historical data on the performance of similar trade promotional activities, market data from IRI, and the Company’s best estimates of current activity. Our consolidated financial statements could be materially affected if the actual promotion rates are different from the estimated rates.
As of August 31, 2024, and August 26, 2023, the allowance for trade promotions was $36.3 million and $28.8 million, respectively. Differences between estimated expense and actual redemptions are recognized as a change in management estimate in a subsequent period. These differences have historically been insignificant.
Business Combination
On June 13, 2024, we completed the OWYN Acquisition for a cash purchase price of approximately $280.0 million, subject to certain customary post-closing adjustments. The OWYN Acquisition was accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting prescribed by Accounting Standard Codification (“ASC”) Topic 805, Business Combinations (“ASC 805”), whereby the results of operations, including the revenues and earnings of OWYN, are included in the financial statements from the date of acquisition. Additionally, assets acquired and liabilities assumed were recognized at their fair values based on widely accepted valuation techniques in accordance with ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements, as of the closing date. Significant judgment is required to determine the fair value of certain tangible and intangible assets. The process for estimating fair values requires the use of significant estimates, assumptions and judgments, including determining the timing and estimates of future cash flows and developing appropriate discount rates. ASC 805 establishes a measurement period to provide companies with a reasonable amount of time to obtain the information necessary to identify and measure various items in a business combination and cannot extend beyond one year from the acquisition date. Measurement period adjustments are recognized in the reporting period in which the adjustments are determined and calculated as if the accounting had been completed as of the acquisition date. We expect to complete the final fair value determination of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as soon as practicable within the measurement period, but not to exceed one year from the acquisition date.
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets, comprising our brands and trademarks, are not amortized, but instead are tested for impairment at least annually, or more frequently if indicators of impairment exist. We conduct our annual impairment tests at the beginning of
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the fourth fiscal quarter. We perform our goodwill impairment assessment for each reporting unit that has goodwill. The process of evaluating goodwill and indefinite-lived intangibles for impairment is subjective and requires significant judgment at many points during the analysis.
For the fifty-three weeks ended August 31, 2024, following the OWYN Acquisition, we determined our operations are organized into two operating segments, Quest and Atkins, and OWYN, which are aggregated into one reporting segment, due to similar financial, economic and operating characteristics. The operating segments are also similar in the following areas: (a) the nature of the products; (b) the nature of the production processes; (c) the methods used to distribute products to customers, (d) the type of customer for the products, and (e) the nature of the regulatory environment. The Company also designed its organizational structure to support entity-wide business functions across brands, products, customers, and geographic regions. Previously, during the fifty-two weeks ended August 26, 2023, and August 27, 2022, we determined our operations were organized into one, consolidated operating segment and reportable segment.
We assess goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets using either a qualitative or quantitative approach to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair values of the reporting units or indefinite-lived intangible assets are less than their carrying amounts. The qualitative assessment evaluates factors including macro-economic conditions, industry-specific and company-specific considerations, legal and regulatory environments, and historical performance. If we determine that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit or an indefinite-lived intangible asset is less than its carrying value, a quantitative assessment is performed. Otherwise, no further assessment is required. The quantitative approach compares the estimated fair value of the reporting unit, including goodwill, or the indefinite-lived intangible asset to its carrying amount. The material inputs and assumptions underlying the quantitative assessments of goodwill and intangible impairment are based on operational forecasts derived from expectations of future operating performance, which require considerable management judgment regarding matters that are uncertain and susceptible to change. Impairment is indicated if the estimated fair value of the reporting unit or indefinite-lived intangible asset is less than the carrying amount, and an impairment charge is recognized for the differential.
During fiscal year 2024, we performed a qualitative assessment in the fiscal third quarter that indicated potential indicators of impairment for the Atkins brand indefinite lived intangible asset. However, based on our quantitative assessment, the asset had an excess fair value well over its respective carrying value, resulting in no impairment. As of the date of our annual impairment assessment, which is the first day of the fourth fiscal quarter, in fiscal years 2024, 2023 and 2022, we performed qualitative assessments of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets. The qualitative assessments did not identify indicators of impairment, and it was determined that it was more likely than not each reporting unit and indefinite-lived intangible had fair values in excess of their carrying values. Accordingly, no further impairment assessment was necessary, and no impairment charges related to goodwill or indefinite-lived intangibles were recognized in the fifty-three weeks ended August 31, 2024, or the fifty-two weeks ended August 26, 2023, or August 27, 2022. Additionally, we determined there was not a material risk of impairments as of the date of the most recent assessment.
We also have intangible assets that have determinable useful lives, consisting primarily of customer relationships, proprietary recipes and formulas, licensing agreements, and software and website development costs. Costs of these finite-lived intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives. Finite-lived intangible assets are tested for impairment when events or circumstances indicated that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. For the fifty-three weeks ended August 31, 2024, and the fifty-two weeks ended August 26, 2023, and August 27, 2022, we did not identify indicators of impairment related to our finite-lived intangible assets, and as such there were no impairments recorded related to finite-lived intangible assets. We also determined that there was no material risk of intangible impairments related to our finite-lived intangible assets as of the date of the most recent assessments.
Income Taxes
We are subject to income taxes in the United States and numerous other jurisdictions. Significant judgment is required in determining our provision for income tax, including evaluating uncertainties in the application of accounting principles and complex tax laws.
Income taxes include federal, state and foreign taxes currently payable and deferred taxes arising from temporary differences between income for financial reporting and income tax purposes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the differences between the financial statement balances and the tax bases of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the year that includes the enactment date. Valuation allowances are established when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to amounts expected to be realized. Significant management judgment is required in determining the effective tax rate, evaluating tax positions and determining the net realizable value of deferred tax assets.
Warrant Liability
During the fifty-two weeks ended August 27, 2022, we had outstanding Private Warrants that allowed holders to purchase 6,700,000 shares of our common stock. Such Private Warrants were held by Conyers Park Sponsor, LLC (“Conyers Park”), a related party. Each whole warrant entitled the holder to purchase one share of our common stock at a price of $11.50 per share. On January 7, 2022, Conyers Park elected to exercise the Private Warrants in full on a cashless basis, resulting in a net issuance of 4,830,761 shares of our common stock. As a result of the cashless exercise on January 7, 2022, there were no outstanding Private Warrants as of August 31, 2024, or August 26, 2023.
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During the reporting periods the Private Warrants were outstanding, we accounted for our Private Warrants as a derivative warrant liability in accordance with ASC Topic 815-40, Derivatives and Hedging: Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity. Accordingly, we recognized the Private Warrants as a liability at fair value and adjusted the Private Warrants to fair value at each reporting period through other income. We utilized the Black-Scholes option-pricing valuation model (“Black-Scholes model”) to estimate the fair value of the Private Warrants at each reporting date.
The application of the Black-Scholes model utilizes significant assumptions, including expected volatility, the determination of which requires significant judgment. In order to determine the most accurate measure of this volatility, we measured expected volatility based on several inputs, including considering a peer group of publicly traded companies, Simply Good Foods’ implied volatility based on traded options, the implied volatility of comparable warrants, and the implied volatility of any outstanding public warrants during the periods they were outstanding. As a result of the unobservable inputs that were used to determine the expected volatility of the Private Warrants, the fair value measurement of these warrants reflected a Level 3 measurement within the fair value measurement hierarchy. The expected volatility was historically a key assumption or input to the valuation of the Private Warrants, however changes in the expected volatility assumption had less of an effect on the Black-Scholes model valuation as the Private Warrants approached their expiration.
New Accounting Pronouncements
Refer to Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, of the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Report for information regarding recently issued accounting standards.
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