Q4 2026 Mama's Creations Inc Earnings Call
Speaker #3: Greetings, and welcome to the Mama's Creations fourth quarter fiscal 2026 earnings conference call. At this time, all participants are in a listen-only mode.
Operator: Greetings and welcome to the Mama's Creations Q4 Fiscal 2026 Earnings Conference Call. At this time, all participants are in a listen-only mode. A question and answer session will follow the formal presentation. If anyone should require operator assistance, please press star zero on your telephone keypad. It is now my pleasure to introduce your Host, Luke Zimmerman of Investor Relations with Mama's Creations. Thank you, and you may begin.
Operator: Greetings and welcome to the Mama's Creations Q4 Fiscal 2026 Earnings Conference Call. At this time, all participants are in a listen-only mode. A question and answer session will follow the formal presentation. If anyone should require operator assistance, please press star zero on your telephone keypad. It is now my pleasure to introduce your Host, Luke Zimmerman of Investor Relations with Mama's Creations. Thank you, and you may begin.
Speaker #3: A question and answer session will follow the formal presentation. If anyone should require operator assistance, please press star zero on your telephone keypad.
Speaker #3: It is now my pleasure to introduce your host, Luke Zimmerman of Investor Relations with Mama's Creations. Thank you, and you may begin.
Speaker #4: Good afternoon , ladies and gentlemen . Thank you for standing by . Welcome to Mama's Creations . The Quarter and fiscal Year 2026 earnings conference call .
Luke Zimmerman: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. Thank you for standing by. Welcome to Mama's Creations' Q4 and Fiscal Year 2026 Earnings Conference Call. During today's presentation, all parties will be in a listen-only mode. Following the presentation, the conference will be open for questions. This conference is being recorded today, 14 April 2026, and the earnings press release accompanying this conference call was issued after the market close today. On our call today is Mama's Creations' Chairman and CEO, Adam L. Michaels, and CFO, Anthony Gruber. Before we get started, I'd like to note that some of the statements on this call will be forward-looking statements that reflect management's current expectations about future operating and financial results. Although management believes their expectations and assumptions are reasonable, they remain subject to significant risks and uncertainties.
Luke Zimmerman: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. Thank you for standing by. Welcome to Mama's Creations' Q4 and Fiscal Year 2026 Earnings Conference Call. During today's presentation, all parties will be in a listen-only mode. Following the presentation, the conference will be open for questions. This conference is being recorded today, 14 April 2026, and the earnings press release accompanying this conference call was issued after the market close today. On our call today is Mama's Creations' Chairman and CEO, Adam L. Michaels, and CFO, Anthony Gruber. Before we get started, I'd like to note that some of the statements on this call will be forward-looking statements that reflect management's current expectations about future operating and financial results. Although management believes their expectations and assumptions are reasonable, they remain subject to significant risks and uncertainties.
Speaker #4: During today's presentation, all parties will be in a listen-only mode. Following the presentation, the conference will be open for questions.
Speaker #4: This conference is being recorded today, April 14, 2026, and the earnings press release accompanying this conference call was issued after the market closed today.
Speaker #4: On our call today is Mama's Creations chairman and CEO , Adam Michaels and CFO Anthony Gruber Before we get started , I'd like to note that some of the statements in this call will be forward looking statements that reflect management's current expectations about future operating and financial results Although management believes there expectations and assumptions are reasonable , they remain subject to significant risks and uncertainties .
Speaker #4: Actual results for future periods may differ materially from what is stated or implied during today's call. For more information, please refer to the forward-looking statements section in today's press release and the risk factors disclosed in the company's most recent Form 10-K and any subsequent reports it files with the SEC.
Luke Zimmerman: Actual results for future periods may differ materially from what is stated or implied during today's call. For more information, please refer to the Forward-Looking Statements section in today's press release and the risk factors disclosed in the company's most recent Form 10-K and any subsequent reports it files with the SEC. Please also note that today's call will include a discussion of adjusted EBITDA, which is a non-GAAP financial measure. Important information, including required disclosures containing a reconciliation to the most directly comparable GAAP measure, is also detailed in today's press release. At this time, I'd like to turn the call over to Chairman and CEO, Adam L. Michaels. Adam, the floor is yours.
Luke Zimmerman: Actual results for future periods may differ materially from what is stated or implied during today's call. For more information, please refer to the Forward-Looking Statements section in today's press release and the risk factors disclosed in the company's most recent Form 10-K and any subsequent reports it files with the SEC. Please also note that today's call will include a discussion of adjusted EBITDA, which is a non-GAAP financial measure. Important information, including required disclosures containing a reconciliation to the most directly comparable GAAP measure, is also detailed in today's press release. At this time, I'd like to turn the call over to Chairman and CEO, Adam L. Michaels. Adam, the floor is yours.
Speaker #4: Please also note that today's call will include a discussion of adjusted EBITDA, which is a non-GAAP financial measure. Important information, including required disclosures containing a reconciliation to the most directly comparable GAAP measure, is also detailed in today's press release.
Speaker #4: At this time, I'd like to turn the call over to Chairman and CEO Adam Michaels. Adam, the floor is yours.
Speaker #5: Thank you, Luke, and thank you to everyone for joining us today. I'd like to welcome you to our fourth quarter and fiscal year 2026 financial results conference call.
Adam L. Michaels: Thank you, Luke, and thank you to everyone for joining us today. I'd like to welcome you to our Q4 and fiscal year 2026 financial results conference call. Fiscal 2026 was, without question, the most transformational year in the history of Mama's Creations. We grew revenue 39% to $171.7 million, expanded adjusted EBITDA over 50% to $15.4 million, completed a transformative acquisition that nearly doubled our manufacturing footprint, and capped the year with a record Q4 that saw revenue grow 61% to $54 million. What excites me most is not the numbers. It is the foundation we have built, the team we've assembled, and the strategic position we now hold. This organization entered fiscal 2026 as a high-growth, deli-prepared foods company with ambition.
Adam L. Michaels: Thank you, Luke, and thank you to everyone for joining us today. I'd like to welcome you to our Q4 and fiscal year 2026 financial results conference call. Fiscal 2026 was, without question, the most transformational year in the history of Mama's Creations. We grew revenue 39% to $171.7 million, expanded adjusted EBITDA over 50% to $15.4 million, completed a transformative acquisition that nearly doubled our manufacturing footprint, and capped the year with a record Q4 that saw revenue grow 61% to $54 million. What excites me most is not the numbers. It is the foundation we have built, the team we've assembled, and the strategic position we now hold. This organization entered fiscal 2026 as a high-growth, deli-prepared foods company with ambition.
Speaker #5: Fiscal '26 was, without question, the most transformational year in the history of Mama's Creations. We grew revenue 39% to $171.7 million.
Speaker #5: Expanded adjusted EBITDA over 50% to $15.4 million. Completed a transformative acquisition that nearly doubled our manufacturing footprint and capped the year with a record fourth quarter that saw revenue grow 61% to $54 million.
Speaker #5: But what excites me most is not the numbers . It is the foundation we have built . The team we've assembled , and the strategic position we now hold This organization entered fiscal 26 as a high growth deli , prepared foods company with ambition .
Speaker #5: We exit fiscal 26 as a scaled platform with the capabilities , capital and conviction to become the leading one . Stop shop , deli solution in the country As always , let us start with the macro trends .
Adam L. Michaels: We exit fiscal 2026 as a scaled platform with the capabilities, capital, and conviction to become the leading one-stop shop deli solution in the country. As always, let us start with the macro trends. I learned early in my career that it is much easier and cheaper to ride a wave versus creating your own, and the deli prepared space is a tsunami. On the consumer front, the generational shift towards deli prepared foods continues to accelerate. Fresh format grocers saw the largest bump in foot traffic in 2025 with double-digit year-over-year increases. Grocery stores are also capturing a growing share of short midday visits from quick service restaurants as consumers replace restaurant meals with more cost-conscious and healthier options.
Adam L. Michaels: We exit fiscal 2026 as a scaled platform with the capabilities, capital, and conviction to become the leading one-stop shop deli solution in the country. As always, let us start with the macro trends. I learned early in my career that it is much easier and cheaper to ride a wave versus creating your own, and the deli prepared space is a tsunami. On the consumer front, the generational shift towards deli prepared foods continues to accelerate. Fresh format grocers saw the largest bump in foot traffic in 2025 with double-digit year-over-year increases. Grocery stores are also capturing a growing share of short midday visits from quick service restaurants as consumers replace restaurant meals with more cost-conscious and healthier options.
Speaker #5: I learned early in my career that it is much easier and cheaper to ride a wave versus creating your own, and the deli prepared space is a tsunami on the consumer front.
Speaker #5: The generational shift towards deli prepared foods continues to accelerate . Fresh format grocers saw the largest bump in food traffic in 2025 , with double digit year over year increases Grocery stores are also capturing a growing share of short midday visits from quick service restaurants , as consumers replace restaurant meals with more cost conscious and healthier options Per the Supermarket news retailer Expectations Survey , 55% of retail respondents said deli and food service is the category they expect to have the most success with in 2026 , and two thirds of retailers plan to introduce more grab and go or pre-packaged prepared foods this year Meanwhile , meat sales hit a record high of $112 billion in 2025 , with 77% of shoppers agreeing that meat and poultry are part of a healthy diet , up more than 20% since 2020 .
Adam L. Michaels: Per the Supermarket News Retailer Expectations Survey, 55% of retail respondents said deli and food service is the category they expect to have the most success with in 2026, and two-thirds of retailers plan to introduce more grab-and-go or prepackaged prepared foods this year. Meanwhile, meat sales hit a record high of $112 billion in 2025, with 77% of shoppers agreeing that meat and poultry are part of a healthy diet, up more than 20% since 2020. We continue to be in the right place at the right time with the right product portfolio. Now, we have the platform to capture far more than our fair share. While we have made substantial progress over the past three and a half years and built a rock-solid foundation from which to build a market-leading platform in the deli category, our fundamental 4C strategy has not changed.
Adam L. Michaels: Per the Supermarket News Retailer Expectations Survey, 55% of retail respondents said deli and food service is the category they expect to have the most success with in 2026, and two-thirds of retailers plan to introduce more grab-and-go or prepackaged prepared foods this year. Meanwhile, meat sales hit a record high of $112 billion in 2025, with 77% of shoppers agreeing that meat and poultry are part of a healthy diet, up more than 20% since 2020. We continue to be in the right place at the right time with the right product portfolio. Now, we have the platform to capture far more than our fair share. While we have made substantial progress over the past three and a half years and built a rock-solid foundation from which to build a market-leading platform in the deli category, our fundamental 4C strategy has not changed.
Speaker #5: We continue to be in the right place at the right time, with the right product portfolio. Now we have the platform to capture far more than our fair share.
Speaker #5: While we have made substantial progress over the past three and a half years and built a rock-solid foundation from which to build a market-leading platform in the deli category, our fundamental Four C strategy has not changed.
Speaker #5: Cost remains our first C, and the Bayshore integration personifies the work Skip and his team are doing to deliver quarterly improvements in our gross margins.
Adam L. Michaels: Cost remains our first C. The Bayshore integration personifies the work Skip and his team are doing to deliver quarterly improvements in our gross margins. The integration of Crown I's Bayshore facility has exceeded our expectations. What started as a 42,000sq ft acquisition with room for improvement last summer has become a well-integrated third pillar of our manufacturing network. Procurement and logistics are 100% centralized. Production has been rebalanced across all three facilities to optimize capacity, reduce overtime, and improve absorption. The team at Bayshore has embraced the Mama's culture. Mama's has learned from the Bayshore team, and their premium product capabilities are opening doors to customers we could not previously access. The results speak for themselves. Bayshore's gross margin has improved meaningfully since the acquisition, and we remain on track to bring that facility in line with our mid to high 20s gross margin corporate target.
Adam L. Michaels: Cost remains our first C. The Bayshore integration personifies the work Skip and his team are doing to deliver quarterly improvements in our gross margins. The integration of Crown I's Bayshore facility has exceeded our expectations. What started as a 42,000sq ft acquisition with room for improvement last summer has become a well-integrated third pillar of our manufacturing network. Procurement and logistics are 100% centralized. Production has been rebalanced across all three facilities to optimize capacity, reduce overtime, and improve absorption. The team at Bayshore has embraced the Mama's culture. Mama's has learned from the Bayshore team, and their premium product capabilities are opening doors to customers we could not previously access. The results speak for themselves. Bayshore's gross margin has improved meaningfully since the acquisition, and we remain on track to bring that facility in line with our mid to high 20s gross margin corporate target.
Speaker #5: The integration of Crown One's Bayshore facility has exceeded our expectations What started as a 42,000 square foot acquisition with room for improvement last summer , has become a well integrated third pillar of our manufacturing network procurement and logistics are 100% centralized .
Speaker #5: Production has been rebalanced across all three facilities to optimize capacity, reduce overtime, and improve absorption. The team at Bayshore has embraced the Mama's culture.
Speaker #5: Mama’s has learned from the Bayshore team, and their premium product capabilities are opening doors to customers we could not previously access. And the results speak for themselves.
Speaker #5: Bay Shore's gross margin has improved meaningfully since the acquisition, and we remain on track to bring that facility in line with our mid- to high-20s gross margin.
Speaker #5: Corporate target. The cross-selling opportunity between our legacy customer base and Crown One's premium accounts is just beginning to materialize. And we expect this to be a meaningful growth driver in the coming fiscal year.
Adam L. Michaels: The cross-selling opportunity between our legacy customer base and Crown I's premium accounts is just beginning to materialize, and we expect this to be a meaningful growth driver in the coming fiscal year. Bayshore is not our only location that is shedding costs and strengthening capabilities. As you see in our Q4 numbers, our favorable chicken costing in Farmingdale, coupled with fixed asset absorption in our Costco rotation in East Rutherford, improved our gross margins and delivered superior bottom-line results. Controls is our second C. While my wife taught me that I should not have favorites, this C is a little dearer to my heart, because without controls, we can't have the other Cs. I could tell you that Q4 did not disappoint.
Adam L. Michaels: The cross-selling opportunity between our legacy customer base and Crown I's premium accounts is just beginning to materialize, and we expect this to be a meaningful growth driver in the coming fiscal year. Bayshore is not our only location that is shedding costs and strengthening capabilities. As you see in our Q4 numbers, our favorable chicken costing in Farmingdale, coupled with fixed asset absorption in our Costco rotation in East Rutherford, improved our gross margins and delivered superior bottom-line results. Controls is our second C. While my wife taught me that I should not have favorites, this C is a little dearer to my heart, because without controls, we can't have the other Cs. I could tell you that Q4 did not disappoint.
Speaker #5: But Bayshore is not our only location . That is shedding costs and strengthening capabilities . As you see in our Q4 numbers , our favorable chicken costing in Farmingdale , coupled with fixed asset absorption in our Costco rotation in East Rutherford , improved our gross margins and delivered superior bottom line results Controls is our second key , and while my wife taught me that I should not have favorites , this C is a little dearer to my heart because without controls , we can't have the other C's .
Speaker #5: And I could tell you that Q4 did not disappoint with food safety top of mind in our industry , I am proud to report that not one , not two , but all three of our facilities achieved a third party Sqf score of 98 recently , or excellent .
Adam L. Michaels: With food safety top of mind in our industry, I am proud to report that not one, not two, but all three of our facilities achieved a third-party SQF score of 98 recently, or excellent, the highest results category. What makes this even more impressive is that two of the three audits this year were unannounced, meaning, while you might wake up on a particular day to a fresh cup of coffee, Mario, Julia, and Eric woke up to a third-party inspector for a two-day inquisition. All three blew it out of the water. Congratulations to the entire team who show us every day what Mama's quality really means. I'm also excited to share that we continue to add more analytical capabilities for our teams, because what gets measured get improved.
Adam L. Michaels: With food safety top of mind in our industry, I am proud to report that not one, not two, but all three of our facilities achieved a third-party SQF score of 98 recently, or excellent, the highest results category. What makes this even more impressive is that two of the three audits this year were unannounced, meaning, while you might wake up on a particular day to a fresh cup of coffee, Mario, Julia, and Eric woke up to a third-party inspector for a two-day inquisition. All three blew it out of the water. Congratulations to the entire team who show us every day what Mama's quality really means. I'm also excited to share that we continue to add more analytical capabilities for our teams, because what gets measured get improved.
Speaker #5: The highest results category. What makes this even more impressive is that two of the three audits this year were unannounced, meaning you might wake up on a particular day to a fresh cup of coffee.
Speaker #5: Mario , Julia and Eric woke up to a third party inspector for a two day inquisition , and all three blew it out of the water .
Speaker #5: Congratulations to the entire team who show us every day what Mama's quality really means. I'm also excited to share that we continue to add more analytical capabilities for our teams, because what gets measured gets improved. Q4 saw the introduction of our Power BI platform, as well as further expansion of our planning and procurement capabilities.
Adam L. Michaels: Q4 saw the introduction of our Power BI platform, as well as further expansion of our planning and procurement capabilities. Thank you, John, for leading our technology infrastructure, and Alberto for guiding our forecasting capabilities. Controls is not a tagline or a word on a page at Mama's. It's how we run our business every day to ensure we execute with excellence. If Costs and Controls get us to the party, it is our third C, Culture, that keeps us there. The Bayshore acquisition brought tremendous management talent to our Mama's family and allowed us to build our first-ever enterprise-wide shared services model. In January, Abby led the design, communication, and rollout of a new model for Mama's, increasing responsibilities for leaders, recognizing standouts with new promotions across all three sites, and driving an overall empowerment culture, solidifying our one plant, three locations mantra.
Adam L. Michaels: Q4 saw the introduction of our Power BI platform, as well as further expansion of our planning and procurement capabilities. Thank you, John, for leading our technology infrastructure, and Alberto for guiding our forecasting capabilities. Controls is not a tagline or a word on a page at Mama's. It's how we run our business every day to ensure we execute with excellence. If Costs and Controls get us to the party, it is our third C, Culture, that keeps us there. The Bayshore acquisition brought tremendous management talent to our Mama's family and allowed us to build our first-ever enterprise-wide shared services model. In January, Abby led the design, communication, and rollout of a new model for Mama's, increasing responsibilities for leaders, recognizing standouts with new promotions across all three sites, and driving an overall empowerment culture, solidifying our one plant, three locations mantra.
Speaker #5: Thank you, John, for leading our technology and infrastructure, and Alberto for guiding our forecasting capabilities. Controls is not a tagline or a word on a page at Mama's.
Speaker #5: It's how we run our business every day to ensure we execute with excellence If costs and controls get us to the party , it is our third C culture that keeps us there The Bayshore acquisition brought tremendous management talent to our mama's family and allowed us to build our first ever enterprise wide shared services model in January .
Speaker #5: Abby led the design , communication and rollout of a new model for mama's , increasing responsibilities for leaders , recognizing standouts with new promotions across all three sites and driving an overall empowerment culture , solidifying our one plant , three locations mantra to improve communications and culture .
Adam L. Michaels: To improve communications and culture, we implemented a new employee one-stop shop portal to share messages across the organization and build community for our nearly 600 associates. Last month, Mama's Pantry, our first intranet site, opened for business, reinforcing our physical community with a digital extension available 24/7, 365. We are even more excited to share next quarter the work we've been doing around learning and development at Mama's University. As my mother, who was a teacher for over 25 years in the public school system, taught me, you are truly never too old to go back to school. Our catapult strategy, our fourth and final C, delivered extraordinarily strong results this quarter and throughout fiscal 2026. Let me speak to the Costco journey, which exemplifies our progress. Just three years ago, we had approximately half a million dollars in Costco sales, limited to one product in one region.
Adam L. Michaels: To improve communications and culture, we implemented a new employee one-stop shop portal to share messages across the organization and build community for our nearly 600 associates. Last month, Mama's Pantry, our first intranet site, opened for business, reinforcing our physical community with a digital extension available 24/7, 365. We are even more excited to share next quarter the work we've been doing around learning and development at Mama's University. As my mother, who was a teacher for over 25 years in the public school system, taught me, you are truly never too old to go back to school. Our catapult strategy, our fourth and final C, delivered extraordinarily strong results this quarter and throughout fiscal 2026. Let me speak to the Costco journey, which exemplifies our progress. Just three years ago, we had approximately half a million dollars in Costco sales, limited to one product in one region.
Speaker #5: We implemented a new employee one-stop shop portal to share messages across the organization and build community for our nearly 600 associates last month.
Speaker #5: Mama's Pantry , our first intranet site , opened for business , reinforcing our physical community with a digital extension available 24 over seven 365 .
Speaker #5: We are even more excited to share next quarter . The work we've been doing around learning and development at Mama's University . As my mother , who was a teacher for over 25 years in the public school system , taught me , you are truly never too old to go back to school .
Speaker #5: Our catapult strategy , our fourth and final C delivered extraordinarily strong results this quarter and throughout fiscal 26 . Let me speak to the Costco journey , which exemplifies our progress Just three years ago , we had approximately half $1 million in Costco sales , limited to one product in one region .
Speaker #5: By fiscal '25, thanks to Scott and the team, we have grown that to $10 million in annualized sales, with active promotions across multiple regions of the country.
Adam L. Michaels: By fiscal 2025, thanks to Scott and the team, we have grown that to $10 million in annualized sales, with active promotions across multiple regions of the country. In Q1 of fiscal 2026, we launched our first digital MVM, which essentially matched all of the fiscal 2025's full year Costco business in a single quarter. We continued ramping throughout the year with strong rotations across multiple items, culminating in Q4 with our first ever national print MVM, a true milestone that set the tone for the types of volumes we can achieve. This was a trophy achievement for volume movement at Costco. Based on this success, capturing new customers and accelerating item velocities, earlier this year, we were informed that we achieved everyday item status in the Northeast, the very region where our Costco journey began.
Adam L. Michaels: By fiscal 2025, thanks to Scott and the team, we have grown that to $10 million in annualized sales, with active promotions across multiple regions of the country. In Q1 of fiscal 2026, we launched our first digital MVM, which essentially matched all of the fiscal 2025's full year Costco business in a single quarter. We continued ramping throughout the year with strong rotations across multiple items, culminating in Q4 with our first ever national print MVM, a true milestone that set the tone for the types of volumes we can achieve. This was a trophy achievement for volume movement at Costco. Based on this success, capturing new customers and accelerating item velocities, earlier this year, we were informed that we achieved everyday item status in the Northeast, the very region where our Costco journey began.
Speaker #5: In Q1 of fiscal 26 , we launched our first digital NVMe , which essentially matched all of the fiscal 25 full year Costco business in a single quarter We continued ramping throughout the year with strong rotations across multiple items , culminating in Q4 with our first ever national print , MVM , a true milestone that set the tone for the types of volumes we can achieve .
Speaker #5: This was the trophy achievement for volume movement at Costco . Based on this success , capturing new customers and accelerating item velocities . Earlier this year , we were informed that we achieved every day item status in the northeast .
Speaker #5: The very region where our Costco journey began . This is a landmark milestone that positions us for steady state , repeatable , and plantable business , and we expect our everyday success in the northeast will lead to even more rotations and new item introductions across all eight of Costco's regions .
Adam L. Michaels: This is a landmark milestone that positions us for steady state, repeatable, and plannable businessAnd we expect our everyday success in the Northeast will lead to even more rotations and new item introductions across all eight of Costco's regions. Our operations team executed flawlessly throughout this growth, delivering on meaningful quarterly builds without a hitch, which solidifies tremendous trust with our retail partners. Beyond Costco, Chris and his team are ensuring our Catapult strategy is delivering across the entire retail landscape. At Walmart, we added another item in Q4 following the breakout success of our four-count chicken item and are launching seven new SKUs in up to 2,000 stores, all branded, which represents exceptional penetration. At Target, we're approved for two branded SKUs, one already on shelf, launching in 750 stores with plans to ramp up to approximately 2,000 stores.
Adam L. Michaels: This is a landmark milestone that positions us for steady state, repeatable, and plannable businessAnd we expect our everyday success in the Northeast will lead to even more rotations and new item introductions across all eight of Costco's regions. Our operations team executed flawlessly throughout this growth, delivering on meaningful quarterly builds without a hitch, which solidifies tremendous trust with our retail partners. Beyond Costco, Chris and his team are ensuring our Catapult strategy is delivering across the entire retail landscape. At Walmart, we added another item in Q4 following the breakout success of our four-count chicken item and are launching seven new SKUs in up to 2,000 stores, all branded, which represents exceptional penetration. At Target, we're approved for two branded SKUs, one already on shelf, launching in 750 stores with plans to ramp up to approximately 2,000 stores.
Speaker #5: Our operations team executed flawlessly throughout this growth, delivering on meaningful quarterly builds without a hitch, which solidifies tremendous trust with our retail partners.
Speaker #5: Beyond Costco , Chris and his team are ensuring our catapult strategy is delivering across the entire retail landscape at Walmart . We added another item in Q4 following the breakout success of our four count chicken item and are launching seven new SKUs in up to 2000 stores , all branded , which represents exceptional penetration at target .
Speaker #5: We're approved for two branded SKUs, one already on shelf, launching at 750 stores, with plans to ramp up to approximately 2,000 stores and have Food Lion.
Adam L. Michaels: At Food Lion, we've already expanded to roughly 1,200 stores across the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic with five branded SKUs. These placements represent a significant validation of our product innovation, quality, and operational excellence. We are growing at five times the category growth rate, a category that has recently been growing units ahead of dollars, which is rare in food and reflects strong consumer demand and trials. A key driver of our Catapult success is our commitment to quality. Our NAE, No Antibiotics Ever, chicken initiative is a significant quality differentiator that resonates with today's consumers. We're also leveraging our Bayshore acquisition to cross-sell capabilities and new products into both our legacy accounts and our Crown I customer base. Another Catapult strength in Q4 was the work Lauren and her team are doing on the marketing front, which accelerated velocities and introduced new customers to Mama's.
Adam L. Michaels: At Food Lion, we've already expanded to roughly 1,200 stores across the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic with five branded SKUs. These placements represent a significant validation of our product innovation, quality, and operational excellence. We are growing at five times the category growth rate, a category that has recently been growing units ahead of dollars, which is rare in food and reflects strong consumer demand and trials. A key driver of our Catapult success is our commitment to quality. Our NAE, No Antibiotics Ever, chicken initiative is a significant quality differentiator that resonates with today's consumers. We're also leveraging our Bayshore acquisition to cross-sell capabilities and new products into both our legacy accounts and our Crown I customer base. Another Catapult strength in Q4 was the work Lauren and her team are doing on the marketing front, which accelerated velocities and introduced new customers to Mama's.
Speaker #5: We've already expanded to roughly 1,200 stores across the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic, with five branded SKUs. These placements represent a significant validation of our product innovation, quality, and operational excellence.
Speaker #5: We are growing at five times the category growth rate, a category that has recently been growing units ahead of dollars, which is rare in food and reflects strong consumer demand in trial.
Speaker #5: A key driver of our catapult success is our commitment to quality , our NI no antibiotics ever . Chicken initiative is a significant quality differentiator that resonates with today's consumers .
Speaker #5: We're also leveraging our Bayshore acquisition to cross-sell capabilities and new products into both our legacy accounts and our crown accounts. One customer—
Speaker #6: Base .
Speaker #5: Another catapult strength in Q4 was the work Lauren and her team are doing on the marketing front, which accelerated velocities and introduced new customers to Mama's.
Speaker #5: Our Instacart programming made Costco's MVM the most successful campaign in Mama's history. An unheard-of 65% of consumers were new to the brand, which creates a flywheel effect that turns trial into repeat. December, the peak of our Costco MVM, saw our best month ever on Instacart and the partnership.
Adam L. Michaels: Our Instacart programming made Costco's MVM the most successful campaign in Mama's history. An unheard of 65% of consumers were new to brand, which creates a flywheel effect that turns trial into repeat. December, the peak of our Costco MVM, saw our best month ever on Instacart, and the partnership Lauren and Chris built made Mama's the number one meatball on Instacart for all of Q4. The team's work delivered continued double-digit ROAS with Walmart. Q4 saw new effective brand partnerships and collaborations with Brooklyn Bred and Mike's Hot Honey, all with the intention of driving trial, awareness, and deepening relationships with our consumers. This commitment to quality and visibility is being recognized, most recently in Progressive Grocer's 2026 Editors Picks list for the best new products, where our Cheese Stuffed Chicken Meatballs received worthy recognition.
Adam L. Michaels: Our Instacart programming made Costco's MVM the most successful campaign in Mama's history. An unheard of 65% of consumers were new to brand, which creates a flywheel effect that turns trial into repeat. December, the peak of our Costco MVM, saw our best month ever on Instacart, and the partnership Lauren and Chris built made Mama's the number one meatball on Instacart for all of Q4. The team's work delivered continued double-digit ROAS with Walmart. Q4 saw new effective brand partnerships and collaborations with Brooklyn Bred and Mike's Hot Honey, all with the intention of driving trial, awareness, and deepening relationships with our consumers. This commitment to quality and visibility is being recognized, most recently in Progressive Grocer's 2026 Editors Picks list for the best new products, where our Cheese Stuffed Chicken Meatballs received worthy recognition.
Speaker #5: Lauren and Chris built made mamas the number one meatball on Instacart . For all of Q4 . The team's work delivered continued double digit Roas with Walmart and Q4 saw new effective brand partnerships and collaborations with Brooklyn Bread and Mike's Hot Honey , all with the intention of driving trial awareness and deepening relationships with our consumers .
Speaker #5: This commitment to quality and visibility is being recognized , most recently in progressive Grocers 2026 . Editor's picks list for the best new products where our cheese Stuffed Chicken meatballs received worthy recognition Looking to fiscal 27 , we're planning to meaningfully increase our branded sales across our retail footprint through new introductions like at Walmart and Target , and by transitioning legacy private label items to branded like at BJ's and Publix .
Adam L. Michaels: Looking to fiscal 2027, we're planning to meaningfully increase our branded sales across our retail footprint through new introductions like at Walmart and Target, and by transitioning legacy private label items to branded, like at BJ's and Publix. We have set a strategic goal of adding net plus two SKUs or items in each of our top 10 accounts. Our trade and marketing investments are delivering strong returns with digital and in-store programming generating measurable lifts in consumer awareness and retail velocities. As I look to fiscal 2027, I see a business that is fundamentally different from where we were even 12 months ago. We have a scaled manufacturing network, a diversified and growing customer base, a strengthened balance sheet with significant M&A capacity, and a team that has proven it can integrate with excellence.
Adam L. Michaels: Looking to fiscal 2027, we're planning to meaningfully increase our branded sales across our retail footprint through new introductions like at Walmart and Target, and by transitioning legacy private label items to branded, like at BJ's and Publix. We have set a strategic goal of adding net plus two SKUs or items in each of our top 10 accounts. Our trade and marketing investments are delivering strong returns with digital and in-store programming generating measurable lifts in consumer awareness and retail velocities. As I look to fiscal 2027, I see a business that is fundamentally different from where we were even 12 months ago. We have a scaled manufacturing network, a diversified and growing customer base, a strengthened balance sheet with significant M&A capacity, and a team that has proven it can integrate with excellence.
Speaker #5: And we have set a strategic goal of adding net two SKUs or items in each of our top ten accounts. Our trade and marketing investments are delivering strong returns, with digital and in-store programming generating measurable lifts in consumer awareness and retail velocities.
Speaker #5: As I look to fiscal 27 , I see a business that is fundamentally different from where we were even 12 months ago . We have a scaled manufacturing network , a diversified and growing customer base , a strengthened balance sheet with significant M&A capacity , and a team that has proven it can integrate with excellence .
Speaker #5: Our path towards $1 billion in revenue is clearer than ever, and I am confident in our ability to deliver sustained, profitable growth for years to come. I would now like to turn the call over to Anthony Gruber, our Chief Financial Officer, to walk through some key financial details for the fourth quarter and fiscal '26.
Adam L. Michaels: Our path towards $1 billion in revenue is clearer than ever, and I am confident in our ability to deliver sustained, profitable growth for years to come. I'd now like to turn the call over to Anthony Gruber, our Chief Financial Officer, to walk through some key financial details for Q4 and fiscal 2026. Anthony?
Adam L. Michaels: Our path towards $1 billion in revenue is clearer than ever, and I am confident in our ability to deliver sustained, profitable growth for years to come. I'd now like to turn the call over to Anthony Gruber, our Chief Financial Officer, to walk through some key financial details for Q4 and fiscal 2026. Anthony?
Speaker #5: Anthony .
Anthony Gruber: Thank you, Adam. Moving to the financial results, revenue for Q4 of fiscal 2026 increased 60.7% to $54 million as compared to $33.6 million in the same year-ago quarter. Revenue for fiscal year 2026 increased 39.2% to $171.7 million as compared to $123.3 million in the prior year. The increase was primarily due to item expansion at existing customers, successful high ROI promotional activities that accelerated velocities, initial placements at new customers, and the acquisition of Crown I. Gross profit increased 53.8% to $14 million or 25.9% of total revenues in Q4 of fiscal 2026, as compared to $9.1 million or 27% of total revenues in the same year-ago quarter.
Anthony Gruber: Thank you, Adam. Moving to the financial results, revenue for Q4 of fiscal 2026 increased 60.7% to $54 million as compared to $33.6 million in the same year-ago quarter. Revenue for fiscal year 2026 increased 39.2% to $171.7 million as compared to $123.3 million in the prior year. The increase was primarily due to item expansion at existing customers, successful high ROI promotional activities that accelerated velocities, initial placements at new customers, and the acquisition of Crown I. Gross profit increased 53.8% to $14 million or 25.9% of total revenues in Q4 of fiscal 2026, as compared to $9.1 million or 27% of total revenues in the same year-ago quarter.
Speaker #7: Thank you. Adam, moving to the financial results, revenue for the fourth quarter of fiscal '26 increased 60.7% to $54 million, as compared to $33.6 million in the same year-ago quarter.
Speaker #7: Revenue for fiscal year '26 increased 39.2% to $171.7 million, as compared to $123.3 million in the prior year. The increase was primarily due to item expansion at existing customers.
Speaker #7: Successful high ROI promotional activities that accelerated velocities , initial placements at new customers , and the acquisition of Crown one gross profit increased 53.8% to 14 million , or 25.9% of total revenues , in the fourth quarter of fiscal 26 .
Speaker #7: As compared to 9.1 million , or 27% of total revenues in the same year ago quarter . Gross profit increased 41% to 43 million , or 25.1% of total revenues in fiscal 26 .
Anthony Gruber: Gross profit increased 41% to $43 million or 25.1% of total revenues in fiscal 2026, as compared to $30.5 million or 24.8% of total revenues in the prior year. The Q4 gross margin was impacted by the continued ramp of the Crown I facility, while the improvement in full-year gross margin reflects the operational efficiencies, procurement optimization, and stabilized commodity costs across the platform. Operating expenses totaled $10.9 million in Q4 of fiscal 2026 as compared to $7.2 million in the same year-ago quarter. As a percentage of revenue, operating expenses declined to 20.2% from 21.4% in the prior-year quarter. For the full-year, operating expenses totaled $35.9 million as compared to $25.7 million in the prior year. As a percentage of revenue, operating expenses were 20.9% in fiscal 2026 as compared to 20.8% in the prior year.
Anthony Gruber: Gross profit increased 41% to $43 million or 25.1% of total revenues in fiscal 2026, as compared to $30.5 million or 24.8% of total revenues in the prior year. The Q4 gross margin was impacted by the continued ramp of the Crown I facility, while the improvement in full-year gross margin reflects the operational efficiencies, procurement optimization, and stabilized commodity costs across the platform. Operating expenses totaled $10.9 million in Q4 of fiscal 2026 as compared to $7.2 million in the same year-ago quarter. As a percentage of revenue, operating expenses declined to 20.2% from 21.4% in the prior-year quarter. For the full-year, operating expenses totaled $35.9 million as compared to $25.7 million in the prior year. As a percentage of revenue, operating expenses were 20.9% in fiscal 2026 as compared to 20.8% in the prior year.
Speaker #7: As compared to $30.5 million, or 24.8% of total revenues in the prior year. The fourth quarter gross margin was impacted by the continued ramp of the Crown.
Speaker #7: One facility . While the improvement in full year gross margin reflects the operational efficiencies , procurement optimization and stabilized commodity costs across the platform , operating expenses totaled 10.9 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 26 .
Speaker #7: As compared to $7.2 million in the same year-ago quarter as a percentage of revenue. Operating expenses declined to 20.2% from 21.4% in the prior year quarter.
Speaker #7: For the full year, operating expenses totaled $35.9 million as compared to $25.7 million in the prior year. As a percentage of revenue.
Speaker #7: Operating expenses were 20.9% in fiscal '26 as compared to 20.8% in the prior year. The change was partially due to the Bayshore acquisition.
Anthony Gruber: The change was partially due to the Bayshore acquisition, new digital strategies, and enhanced product marketing, new management hires, and further technology upgrades to drive actionable insights faster and deeper into the organization. Net income for Q4 of fiscal 2026 increased 37.5% to $2.2 million, or $0.05 per diluted share, as compared to net income of $1.6 million, or $0.04 per diluted share, in that same year-ago quarter. Net income for fiscal 2026 increased 43.2% to $5.3 million, or $0.13 per diluted share, as compared to net income of $3.7 million, or $0.09 per diluted share, in the prior year. Q4 net income totaled 4.1% of revenue as compared to 4.8% in the same year-ago quarter.
Anthony Gruber: The change was partially due to the Bayshore acquisition, new digital strategies, and enhanced product marketing, new management hires, and further technology upgrades to drive actionable insights faster and deeper into the organization. Net income for Q4 of fiscal 2026 increased 37.5% to $2.2 million, or $0.05 per diluted share, as compared to net income of $1.6 million, or $0.04 per diluted share, in that same year-ago quarter. Net income for fiscal 2026 increased 43.2% to $5.3 million, or $0.13 per diluted share, as compared to net income of $3.7 million, or $0.09 per diluted share, in the prior year. Q4 net income totaled 4.1% of revenue as compared to 4.8% in the same year-ago quarter.
Speaker #7: New digital strategies and enhanced product marketing. New management hires and further technology upgrades to drive actionable insights, faster and deeper into the organization. Net income for the fourth quarter of fiscal '26.
Speaker #7: Increased 37.5% to 2.2 million , or $0.05 per diluted share , as compared to net income of 1.6 million , or $0.04 per diluted share , in the same year ago quarter .
Speaker #7: Net income for fiscal 26 increased 43.2% to 5.3 million , or $0.13 per diluted share , as compared to net income of 3.7 million , or $0.09 per diluted share , in the prior year .
Speaker #7: Fourth quarter net income totaled 4.1% of revenue as compared to 4.8% in the same year ago quarter . Adjusted EBITDA , a non-GAAP measure , increased 77.4% to 5.5 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 26 .
Anthony Gruber: Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP measure, increased 77.4% to $5.5 million for Q4 of fiscal 2026 as compared to $3.1 million in the same year-ago quarter. Adjusted EBITDA increased 52.5% to $15.4 million in fiscal 2026 as compared to $10.1 million in the prior year. Cash and cash equivalents as of 31 January 2026 totaled $20 million as compared to $7.2 million as of 31 January 2025. The significant increase was primarily driven by improved profitability, strong operating cash flow generation, and ongoing working capital optimization. As of 31 January 2026, total debt stood at $5.4 million. A robust balance sheet combined with our credit facilities and strong cash flow generation positions us extremely well to pursue the organic and inorganic growth opportunities that Adam described. This completes my prepared comments.
Anthony Gruber: Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP measure, increased 77.4% to $5.5 million for Q4 of fiscal 2026 as compared to $3.1 million in the same year-ago quarter. Adjusted EBITDA increased 52.5% to $15.4 million in fiscal 2026 as compared to $10.1 million in the prior year. Cash and cash equivalents as of 31 January 2026 totaled $20 million as compared to $7.2 million as of 31 January 2025. The significant increase was primarily driven by improved profitability, strong operating cash flow generation, and ongoing working capital optimization. As of 31 January 2026, total debt stood at $5.4 million. A robust balance sheet combined with our credit facilities and strong cash flow generation positions us extremely well to pursue the organic and inorganic growth opportunities that Adam described. This completes my prepared comments.
Speaker #7: As compared to $3.1 million in the same year-ago quarter. Adjusted EBITDA increased 52.5% to $15.4 million in fiscal 2026, as compared to $10.1 million in the prior year.
Speaker #7: Cash and cash equivalents as of January 31, 2026 totaled $20 million, as compared to $7.2 million as of January 31, 2025.
Speaker #7: The significant increase was primarily driven by improved profitability , strong operating cash flow generation , and ongoing working capital optimization . As of January 31st , 26 , total debt stood at 5.4 million .
Speaker #7: A robust balance sheet, combined with our credit facilities and strong cash flow generation, positions us extremely well to pursue the organic and inorganic growth opportunities that Adam described.
Speaker #7: This completes my prepared comments . Now , before we begin our question and answer session , I'd like to turn the call back to Adam for some closing remarks .
Anthony Gruber: Now, before we begin our question and answer session, I'd like to turn the call back to Adam for some closing remarks. Adam?
Anthony Gruber: Now, before we begin our question and answer session, I'd like to turn the call back to Adam for some closing remarks. Adam?
Speaker #7: Adam .
Adam L. Michaels: Thank you, Anthony. As I reflect on fiscal 2026, I'm incredibly proud of what our team of nearly 600 associates across all three facilities has accomplished. We have taken every step deliberately and strategically, guided by our four Cs framework, cost, controls, culture, and catapult. From strengthening our cost structures and controls in the early days, to building a world-class culture founded on operational excellence and continuous improvements, to now catapulting this company towards its next phase of growth through our disciplined financial management and strengthened balance sheet. We have built a platform for sustained success. Looking ahead to fiscal 2027, our strategic priorities are clear and focused. First, we'll continue to optimize our integrated three-facility network, maximizing efficiency, driving margin expansion, and increasing capacity utilization. Our operations team have shown they can scale flawlessly, and this is our core competitive advantage we will continue to leverage.
Adam L. Michaels: Thank you, Anthony. As I reflect on fiscal 2026, I'm incredibly proud of what our team of nearly 600 associates across all three facilities has accomplished. We have taken every step deliberately and strategically, guided by our four Cs framework, cost, controls, culture, and catapult. From strengthening our cost structures and controls in the early days, to building a world-class culture founded on operational excellence and continuous improvements, to now catapulting this company towards its next phase of growth through our disciplined financial management and strengthened balance sheet. We have built a platform for sustained success. Looking ahead to fiscal 2027, our strategic priorities are clear and focused. First, we'll continue to optimize our integrated three-facility network, maximizing efficiency, driving margin expansion, and increasing capacity utilization. Our operations team have shown they can scale flawlessly, and this is our core competitive advantage we will continue to leverage.
Speaker #5: Thank you, Anthony. As I reflect on fiscal '26, I'm incredibly proud of what our team of nearly 600 associates across all three facilities has accomplished.
Speaker #5: We have taken every step deliberately and strategically, guided by our four C's framework: cost, controls, culture, and catapult. From strengthening our cost structures and controls in the early days, to building a world-class culture founded on operational excellence and continuous improvements, to now catapulting this company towards its next phase of growth.
Speaker #5: Through our disciplined financial management and strengthened balance sheet, we have built a platform for sustained success. Looking ahead to fiscal '27, our strategic priorities are clear and focused.
Speaker #5: First , we will continue to optimize our integrated three facility network , maximizing efficiency , driving margin expansion , and increasing capacity utilization .
Speaker #5: Our operations team have shown they can scale flawlessly , and this is our core competitive advantage . We will continue to leverage . Second , we will deepen and expand our retail distribution through the aggressive ramp of our major new wins at target , Food Lion and Walmart .
Adam L. Michaels: Second, we will deepen and expand our retail distribution through the aggressive ramp of our major new wins at Target, Food Lion, and Walmart, while simultaneously expanding our club channel partnerships with Costco, Sam's Club, and BJ's. Third, we will deploy our strong financial position and balance sheet to pursue accretive acquisitions that add capacity, capabilities, categories, and customer access to our platform. The $40 billion deli prepared foods market is large, growing, and fragmented. Consumer preferences are moving decisively in our direction. Retailers need partners who could simplify their deli operations and deliver quality, variety, and reliability at a national scale. That is exactly what Mama's Creations does, and our vision is to become the leading national one-stop shop deli solutions provider.
Adam L. Michaels: Second, we will deepen and expand our retail distribution through the aggressive ramp of our major new wins at Target, Food Lion, and Walmart, while simultaneously expanding our club channel partnerships with Costco, Sam's Club, and BJ's. Third, we will deploy our strong financial position and balance sheet to pursue accretive acquisitions that add capacity, capabilities, categories, and customer access to our platform. The $40 billion deli prepared foods market is large, growing, and fragmented. Consumer preferences are moving decisively in our direction. Retailers need partners who could simplify their deli operations and deliver quality, variety, and reliability at a national scale. That is exactly what Mama's Creations does, and our vision is to become the leading national one-stop shop deli solutions provider.
Speaker #5: While simultaneously expanding our club channel partnerships with Costco , Sam's Club and BJ's Third , we will deploy our strong financial position and balance sheet to pursue accretive acquisitions that add capacity , capabilities , categories , and customer access to our platform .
Speaker #5: The $40 billion Deli Prepared Foods market is large , growing and fragmented . Consumer preferences are moving decisively in our direction . Retailers need partners who can simplify their deli operations and deliver quality , variety and reliability at a national scale .
Speaker #5: That is exactly , exactly what Mama's Creations does , and our vision is to become the leading national one stop shop , deli solutions provider with our strengthened platform .
Adam L. Michaels: With our strengthened platform, balance sheet, and track record of execution, we are better positioned than ever to capture this generational opportunity and deliver sustained value for our shareholders. I want to thank our team for their extraordinary dedication and execution. To our shareholders, thank you for your continued support and confidence. The best is truly yet to come. With that, operator, let's open the line for questions.
Adam L. Michaels: With our strengthened platform, balance sheet, and track record of execution, we are better positioned than ever to capture this generational opportunity and deliver sustained value for our shareholders. I want to thank our team for their extraordinary dedication and execution. To our shareholders, thank you for your continued support and confidence. The best is truly yet to come. With that, operator, let's open the line for questions.
Speaker #5: With our balance sheet and track record of execution, we are better positioned than ever to capture this generational opportunity and deliver sustained value for our shareholders.
Speaker #5: I want to thank our team for their extraordinary dedication and execution, and to our shareholders. Thank you for your continued support and confidence.
Speaker #5: The best is truly yet to come. With that, operator, let's open the line for questions.
Operator: Thank you. We will now be conducting a question and answer session. If you would like to ask a question, please press star one on your telephone keypad. A confirmation tone will indicate your line is in the question queue. You may press star two to remove yourself from the queue. For participants using speaker equipment, it may be necessary to pick up the handset before pressing the star keys. One moment, please, while we poll for questions. Our first question comes from the line of Brian Holland with D.A. Davidson. Please proceed with your question.
Operator: Thank you. We will now be conducting a question and answer session. If you would like to ask a question, please press star one on your telephone keypad. A confirmation tone will indicate your line is in the question queue. You may press star two to remove yourself from the queue. For participants using speaker equipment, it may be necessary to pick up the handset before pressing the star keys. One moment, please, while we poll for questions. Our first question comes from the line of Brian Holland with D.A. Davidson. Please proceed with your question.
Speaker #3: Thank you . We will now be conducting a question and answer session . If you would like to ask a question , please press star one on your telephone keypad A confirmation tone will indicate your line is in the question queue .
Speaker #3: You may press star two to remove yourself from the queue. For participants using speaker equipment, it may be necessary to pick up the handset before pressing the star keys. One moment, please, while we pull for questions. And our first question comes from the line of Brian Holland with D.A.
Speaker #3: Davidson, please proceed with your question.
Brian Holland: Yeah, thanks. Good afternoon. Maybe the boring stuff first. Looking ahead to fiscal 2027, can I assume that the double-digit growth outlook holds?
Brian Holland: Yeah, thanks. Good afternoon. Maybe the boring stuff first. Looking ahead to fiscal 2027, can I assume that the double-digit growth outlook holds?
Speaker #8: Yeah , thanks . Good afternoon . Maybe the boring stuff first . Looking ahead to fiscal 27 , can I assume that the double digit growth outlook holds ?
Adam L. Michaels: Yeah, thanks, Brian. Yeah, look, I'm proud of the team. The team is just getting started. Hopefully you're seeing, like I am, opening new doors. You're seeing getting more average items carried into each of those doors, and the work that Lauren and team are doing on the marketing continues to accelerate the velocities. Yeah, we feel comfortable that double-digit growth will continue to gain meaningful share for the year ahead. Absolutely.
Adam L. Michaels: Yeah, thanks, Brian. Yeah, look, I'm proud of the team. The team is just getting started. Hopefully you're seeing, like I am, opening new doors. You're seeing getting more average items carried into each of those doors, and the work that Lauren and team are doing on the marketing continues to accelerate the velocities. Yeah, we feel comfortable that double-digit growth will continue to gain meaningful share for the year ahead. Absolutely.
Speaker #5: Yeah . Thanks , Brian . Yeah . Look , I'm proud of the team . The team is just getting started . Hopefully you're seeing like I am opening new doors .
Speaker #5: You're seeing getting more average items carried into each of those doors. And the work that Lauren and team are doing on the marketing continues to accelerate the velocities.
Speaker #5: So yeah , I feel we feel comfortable that , you know , double digit growth will continue to gain meaningful share for the year ahead .
Brian Holland: Just clicking on that, obviously, as you get bigger and you amass these bigger wins, you create tough compares for yourself, obviously with Costco. Just as we think about modeling sensitivities here, would any of these quarters in 2027 potentially be less than double digits just because of what you have to lap? Obviously, I'm thinking specifically about Q1 or Q4.
Brian Holland: Just clicking on that, obviously, as you get bigger and you amass these bigger wins, you create tough compares for yourself, obviously with Costco. Just as we think about modeling sensitivities here, would any of these quarters in 2027 potentially be less than double digits just because of what you have to lap? Obviously, I'm thinking specifically about Q1 or Q4.
Speaker #5: Absolutely
Speaker #8: Looking on that , obviously as you get bigger and you amass these bigger wins , you you create tough compares for yourself . Obviously with Costco .
Speaker #8: So just as we think about modeling sensitivities here, would any of these quarters in 2027 potentially be less than double digits, just because of what you have to lap?
Speaker #8: Obviously, I'm thinking specifically about Q1 or Q4.
Adam L. Michaels: Oh, where's the love, Brian? Come on. Where's that positive mental attitude that I'm looking for? Look, Chris is doing a job. The entire sales team is doing a job. Like I've shared with many of you, we have these lapping charts. Chris absolutely understands that there was programming last year that we have to replicate and accelerate. I will continue to tell you that, first of all, we will continue to gain meaningful share, right? The category is growing in the mid-single digits right now. I think that we could continue to grow that. Yeah, it's on Chris and team, and it's on Skip and operations to keep up with Chris to ensure that when we see programming ahead from last year, we have to again meet that and accelerate it. I'm going to keep to our double-digit growth aspiration.
Adam L. Michaels: Oh, where's the love, Brian? Come on. Where's that positive mental attitude that I'm looking for? Look, Chris is doing a job. The entire sales team is doing a job. Like I've shared with many of you, we have these lapping charts. Chris absolutely understands that there was programming last year that we have to replicate and accelerate. I will continue to tell you that, first of all, we will continue to gain meaningful share, right? The category is growing in the mid-single digits right now. I think that we could continue to grow that. Yeah, it's on Chris and team, and it's on Skip and operations to keep up with Chris to ensure that when we see programming ahead from last year, we have to again meet that and accelerate it. I'm going to keep to our double-digit growth aspiration.
Speaker #5: You know , where's the love , Brian ? Come on . Where's that positive mental attitude that I'm looking for ? Look , Chris is Chris is doing a job .
Speaker #5: The entire sales team is doing a job, and like I've shared with many of you, you know, we have these lapping charts.
Speaker #5: Chris . Absolutely understands that there are , you know , some there was programming last year that we have to replicate and accelerate .
Speaker #5: So I will continue to tell you that , first of all , we will continue to gain meaningful share , right ? The category is growing in the the mid-single digits right now .
Speaker #5: I think that we could continue to , to grow that . And yeah , it's on Chris and team and it's on skip and operations to , you know , keep up with Chris to to ensure that when we see programming ahead from last year , we have to again meet that and accelerate it .
Speaker #5: So I'm going to I'm going to keep . Keep , keep to our double digit growth aspiration
Brian Holland: On M&A, I believe Skip has final say on when you can pull the trigger on the next acquisition. I think that's tied to Crown I. What's the latest there as far as M&A readiness?
Brian Holland: On M&A, I believe Skip has final say on when you can pull the trigger on the next acquisition. I think that's tied to Crown I. What's the latest there as far as M&A readiness?
Speaker #8: On M&A, I believe Skip has final say on when you can pull the trigger on the next acquisition. I think that's tied to Crown One.
Speaker #8: What's the latest there as far as M&A readiness?
Adam L. Michaels: Yeah, I am super proud of the Bayshore team, Andy and Roger, Tony, everybody, Mario. We're ahead of the plan. Obviously, there's still more to do. We're not fully integrated, right? We have to get the technology in. I feel like we're in good shape. You know me, if I'm not on the road with you guys, I am on the road visiting other facilities, which I've been doing in the past month. I think we're in good shape. Look, let me repeat. This is really important. We want to do acquisitions. We don't need to do acquisitions. The internal team is doing an awesome job. There is so much to invest in to accelerate growth.
Adam L. Michaels: Yeah, I am super proud of the Bayshore team, Andy and Roger, Tony, everybody, Mario. We're ahead of the plan. Obviously, there's still more to do. We're not fully integrated, right? We have to get the technology in. I feel like we're in good shape. You know me, if I'm not on the road with you guys, I am on the road visiting other facilities, which I've been doing in the past month. I think we're in good shape. Look, let me repeat. This is really important. We want to do acquisitions. We don't need to do acquisitions. The internal team is doing an awesome job. There is so much to invest in to accelerate growth.
Speaker #5: Yeah no I'm I am super proud of the Bayshore team . Andy . And Roger . Tony everybody . Mario we're ahead of the plan .
Speaker #5: Obviously there's still more to do . We're not fully integrated right there . We have to get the technology in . But you know , I feel like we're in good shape .
Speaker #5: You know me , if I'm not on the road with with you guys , I am on the road visiting other facilities , which I've been doing in the past month .
Speaker #5: I think we're in good shape . Look , let me repeat , this is really important . We want to do acquisitions . We don't need to do acquisitions .
Speaker #5: The internal team is doing an awesome job . There is so much to invest in to accelerate growth . But you know , with with the team doing such a good job here means I got I don't got much to do .
Adam L. Michaels: With the team doing such a good job here means I don't got much to do and allows me to go out and look at other opportunities. If we could find something that is accretive to our business, both in the sense of getting new customers, getting new capacity, accretive in the sense that while it might be dilutive in the gross margin space, because we're good at improving things, we're not looking for a turnaround, it has to be accretive to our EPS. If we find something great at the right price, and Skip tells me he's ready, then we're ready to go.
Adam L. Michaels: With the team doing such a good job here means I don't got much to do and allows me to go out and look at other opportunities. If we could find something that is accretive to our business, both in the sense of getting new customers, getting new capacity, accretive in the sense that while it might be dilutive in the gross margin space, because we're good at improving things, we're not looking for a turnaround, it has to be accretive to our EPS. If we find something great at the right price, and Skip tells me he's ready, then we're ready to go.
Speaker #5: I and allows me to go out and look at other opportunities . And if we could find something that is accretive to our business , both in the sense of getting new customers , getting new capacity accretive in the sense that , you know , while it might be dilutive in the gross margin space , because we're good at improving things , we're not looking for a turnaround .
Speaker #5: So they have to it has to be accretive to our EPS . And if we find something great at the right price , and Skip tells me he's ready , then we're we're ready to go
Brian Holland: The last one for me. It strikes me the more that I study this category. You referenced it's a $40 billion category. I'm sort of surprised by how immature it is, right? It's kind of interesting, I think your success sort of proves that out, the merits of having a branded presence in this category, which historically it didn't have. As we think about all these wins that you attack, it's great to tack on the wins and more stores and more items per store. Sort of like the next wave after that is kind of category advisor to some of these retailers. It seems crazy for me to think a company with less than $200 million could take on a role such as that.
Brian Holland: The last one for me. It strikes me the more that I study this category. You referenced it's a $40 billion category. I'm sort of surprised by how immature it is, right? It's kind of interesting, I think your success sort of proves that out, the merits of having a branded presence in this category, which historically it didn't have. As we think about all these wins that you attack, it's great to tack on the wins and more stores and more items per store. Sort of like the next wave after that is kind of category advisor to some of these retailers. It seems crazy for me to think a company with less than $200 million could take on a role such as that.
Speaker #8: That's one for me . It strikes me the more that I study this category , you reference is a $40 billion category . I'm sort of surprised by how immature it is .
Speaker #8: Right . And it kind of interesting . I think your success sort of proves that out . You know , the merits of having a branded presence in this category , which historically it didn't have since we think about all these wins that you're , you know , it's great to tack on the wins and more stores and more items per store , but sort of like the next wave after that is kind of category advisor to some of these retailers .
Speaker #8: And it seems crazy for me to think a company with less than $200 million could take on a role such as that , but I'm just wondering how your success is manifesting as far as relationship building with these types of large retailers who might be looking at your success and asking you to help them think about their story , because that's really kind of the last bastion , I think , to retail customer connectivity and relationship solidification .
Brian Holland: I'm just wondering how your success is manifesting as far as relationship building with these types of large retailers who might be looking at your success and asking you to help them think about the category, because that's really kind of the last bastion, I think, to retail customer connectivity and relationship solidification. How's that faring?
Brian Holland: I'm just wondering how your success is manifesting as far as relationship building with these types of large retailers who might be looking at your success and asking you to help them think about the category, because that's really kind of the last bastion, I think, to retail customer connectivity and relationship solidification. How's that faring?
Speaker #8: I'll stop there .
Adam L. Michaels: Yeah, no, I think I agree with what you're saying. Obviously, the deli category is not as mature as center aisle. The category captaincy is not as clear. Look, I will tell you the amount of time that our sales team is on the road, not selling per se, but a major customer. The biggest grocers or retailers in the country are calling us to say, hey, I'd love for you guys just to come and speak to my leadership team and tell them what you're seeing in the category. I think that's pretty amazing. What happens is great quality, great service, and when a customer wants a new item, the first call is they're giving us a call. That's what I think. I talk about this flywheel effect. That's what continues to accelerate our growth more and more.
Adam L. Michaels: Yeah, no, I think I agree with what you're saying. Obviously, the deli category is not as mature as center aisle. The category captaincy is not as clear. Look, I will tell you the amount of time that our sales team is on the road, not selling per se, but a major customer. The biggest grocers or retailers in the country are calling us to say, hey, I'd love for you guys just to come and speak to my leadership team and tell them what you're seeing in the category. I think that's pretty amazing. What happens is great quality, great service, and when a customer wants a new item, the first call is they're giving us a call. That's what I think. I talk about this flywheel effect. That's what continues to accelerate our growth more and more.
Speaker #5: Yeah , no , I think I agree with what you're saying . You know , obviously the deli category is not as mature as center aisle .
Speaker #5: The category captaincy is , is not as clear , but look , I will tell you the amount of time that our sales team is on the road not selling per se , but a major customer , a major .
Speaker #5: The biggest grocers and retailers in the country are calling us and saying, hey, I'd love for you guys just to come and speak to my leadership team and tell them what you're seeing in the category.
Speaker #5: I think that's pretty amazing . And what happens is great quality , great service . And when a customer wants a new item , the first call is they're giving us a call .
Speaker #5: And that's what I think. You know, I talk about this flywheel effect. That's what continues to accelerate our growth more and more.
Adam L. Michaels: I love what Chris and the sales team are doing to be that category advisor. That doesn't mean we're going to have a billion dollars of sales tomorrow. However, it makes it much more likely that we're going to have that billion dollars of sales a couple of years from now, and that's what we're building towards. We are in this for the long game, without a doubt.
Adam L. Michaels: I love what Chris and the sales team are doing to be that category advisor. That doesn't mean we're going to have a billion dollars of sales tomorrow. However, it makes it much more likely that we're going to have that billion dollars of sales a couple of years from now, and that's what we're building towards. We are in this for the long game, without a doubt.
Speaker #5: So, I love what Chris and the sales team are doing to be that category advisor. And that doesn't mean we're going to have $1 billion of sales tomorrow.
Speaker #5: However, it makes it much more likely that we're going to have that billion dollars of sales a couple of years from now.
Speaker #5: And that's what we're building towards. We are in this for the long game, without a doubt.
Brian Holland: Great. I'll leave it there. Congrats. Keep up the great work.
Brian Holland: Great. I'll leave it there. Congrats. Keep up the great work.
Speaker #8: Great. I'll leave it there. Congrats. Keep up the great work.
Adam L. Michaels: Thanks, Brian.
Adam L. Michaels: Thanks, Brian.
Speaker #5: Thanks , Ryan
Operator: Thank you. Our next question comes from the line of Eric Des Lauriers with Craig-Hallum. Please proceed with your question.
Operator: Thank you. Our next question comes from the line of Eric Des Lauriers with Craig-Hallum. Please proceed with your question.
Speaker #3: Thank you. Our next question comes from the line of Eric with Craig-Hallum. Please proceed with your question.
Eric Des Lauriers: Great. Thank you for taking my questions. Congrats on another strong quarter and a really exceptional year here. My first question, I noticed a big step up in trade promotion spend in Q4. It's great to see. I know it's been sort of an area of focus. You commented on all the success you had on Instacart around the Costco MVM, and I'm just wondering how much we should sort of attribute that nice step up in Q4, kind of specifically to that Instacart Costco commentary. How much of it was kind of more broad-based, result of your improved profitability and cash flow? I guess ultimately wondering, is this sort of a seasonal kind of one-time Costco MVM thing, or does this represent a bit of a step up or a new normal going forward? Thank you.
Eric Des Lauriers: Great. Thank you for taking my questions. Congrats on another strong quarter and a really exceptional year here. My first question, I noticed a big step up in trade promotion spend in Q4. It's great to see. I know it's been sort of an area of focus. You commented on all the success you had on Instacart around the Costco MVM, and I'm just wondering how much we should sort of attribute that nice step up in Q4, kind of specifically to that Instacart Costco commentary. How much of it was kind of more broad-based, result of your improved profitability and cash flow? I guess ultimately wondering, is this sort of a seasonal kind of one-time Costco MVM thing, or does this represent a bit of a step up or a new normal going forward? Thank you.
Speaker #9: Great . Thank you for taking my questions . Congrats on another strong quarter and a really exceptional year here . My first question I noticed a big step up in trade promotion spend in Q4 .
Speaker #9: It's great to see . I know it's been sort of an area of focus You commented on the all the success you had on Instacart around the Costco , Mvvm , and I'm just wondering how much we should sort of attribute that , that nice step up in Q4 kind of specifically to that Instacart , Costco commentary and how much of it was kind of more broad based , you know , a result of your improved profitability and cash flow , I guess ultimately wondering , you know , is this sort of a seasonal kind of one time Costco MVM thing , or does this represent , you know , a bit of a step up or a new normal going forward ?
Adam L. Michaels: Yeah. Thanks, Eric. Again, the credit goes to the team. Everyone is just doing an incredible job. Actually, I love. I'm glad you called that out. It's pretty amazing. What are we hit at, 26% gross margin with nearly 10 points of trade? I'll let you guys do the math yourself. You know how that works with gross to net. That puts into perspective what the true gross margin could have been if we're not investing in the future. One thing that I've been looking at is overall, just the amount of investments that we've been making between more marketing. I think we're up like 70% on marketing for the year, literally crazy amount of, what are we like, 4x trade. This is huge. Even stuff like, I know you can't add the two numbers together, but depreciation, right?
Adam L. Michaels: Yeah. Thanks, Eric. Again, the credit goes to the team. Everyone is just doing an incredible job. Actually, I love. I'm glad you called that out. It's pretty amazing. What are we hit at, 26% gross margin with nearly 10 points of trade? I'll let you guys do the math yourself. You know how that works with gross to net. That puts into perspective what the true gross margin could have been if we're not investing in the future. One thing that I've been looking at is overall, just the amount of investments that we've been making between more marketing. I think we're up like 70% on marketing for the year, literally crazy amount of, what are we like, 4x trade. This is huge. Even stuff like, I know you can't add the two numbers together, but depreciation, right?
Speaker #9: Thank you .
Speaker #5: Yeah . Thanks , Eric . And again , the credit goes to the team . Everyone is just doing an incredible job . Actually .
Speaker #5: I love I'm glad you called that out . It's pretty amazing . So if we're at what have we hit a 26% gross margin with nearly ten points of trade ?
Speaker #5: I'll let you guys do the math yourselves. You know how that works with gross to net. That puts into perspective what the true gross margin could have been if we were not investing in the future.
Speaker #5: You know, one thing that I've been looking at is overall, just the amount of investments that we've been making between more marketing, right?
Speaker #5: I think we're up like 70% on marketing for the year . Literally , you know , a crazy amount of what are we like for X trade ?
Speaker #5: This is huge . Even stuff like , I know you can't add the two numbers together , but depreciation , right ? Because we're investing in equipment and everything .
Adam L. Michaels: Because we're investing in equipment and everything. It is amazing what we've accomplished from a profitability standpoint while making these massive investments. I'm super proud of the team. Directly to your point, you've heard me say it before, we will continue to invest the trade as long as our gross margins are in the mid to high 20s. You saw us being in the mid to high 20s this time around. We're able to substantially invest in our trade. What did we get for that trade? Crazy success at Costco. Already got an everyday item in the Northeast. Clearly the ROI is there. Also to your point, we look at it every quarter, right? Peter, Chris, myself, Anthony, we look at trade every single day, and if we have the gross margin, we'll lean into the trade.
Adam L. Michaels: Because we're investing in equipment and everything. It is amazing what we've accomplished from a profitability standpoint while making these massive investments. I'm super proud of the team. Directly to your point, you've heard me say it before, we will continue to invest the trade as long as our gross margins are in the mid to high 20s. You saw us being in the mid to high 20s this time around. We're able to substantially invest in our trade. What did we get for that trade? Crazy success at Costco. Already got an everyday item in the Northeast. Clearly the ROI is there. Also to your point, we look at it every quarter, right? Peter, Chris, myself, Anthony, we look at trade every single day, and if we have the gross margin, we'll lean into the trade.
Speaker #5: It is amazing what we've accomplished from a profitability standpoint . While making these massive investments . I'm super proud of the team . You know , directly to your point , you've heard me say before , we will continue to invest the trade as long as our gross margins are in the mid to high 20s .
Speaker #5: And you saw us being in the mid, mid to high 20s this time around, we're able to substantially invest in our trade.
Speaker #5: What did we get for that trade? Crazy success at Costco—already got an everyday item in the Northeast. So clearly the ROI is there.
Speaker #5: Also to your point , we look at it every quarter , right ? Peter Criss , myself , Anthony , we look at trade every single day .
Speaker #5: And if we have the gross margin, we'll lean into the trade. And equally, the good news is, trade isn't set.
Adam L. Michaels: Equally, the good news is trade isn't set quarters ahead, even months ahead, necessarily. If things are getting softer, meaning we know chicken is accelerating now, obviously, freight is a bit more of a challenge now. That means that we have to pull it back. Again, we look at it week-to-week, month-to-month to decide what the right trade rate is for the quarter.
Adam L. Michaels: Equally, the good news is trade isn't set quarters ahead, even months ahead, necessarily. If things are getting softer, meaning we know chicken is accelerating now, obviously, freight is a bit more of a challenge now. That means that we have to pull it back. Again, we look at it week-to-week, month-to-month to decide what the right trade rate is for the quarter.
Speaker #5: You know , quarters ahead , even months ahead necessarily . If things are getting softer , meaning , you know , we know chicken is accelerating .
Speaker #5: Now , obviously , you know , freight is a is a bit more of a challenge . Now that means that we have to pull it back .
Speaker #5: So again, we look at it week to week, month to month, to decide what the right trade rate is for the quarter.
Eric Des Lauriers: Very helpful. I appreciate that color. Just a follow-up from me. You mentioned some new technology that you're bringing into Bayshore. Could you just kind of remind us overall how to think about CapEx for 2027? What kind of equipment technologies are you guys looking at, and how to think about dollar amounts and timing here as we update our models? Thank you.
Eric Des Lauriers: Very helpful. I appreciate that color. Just a follow-up from me. You mentioned some new technology that you're bringing into Bayshore. Could you just kind of remind us overall how to think about CapEx for 2027? What kind of equipment technologies are you guys looking at, and how to think about dollar amounts and timing here as we update our models? Thank you.
Speaker #9: So very helpful . I appreciate that color . And then just follow up from me . You mentioned some new technology that you're bringing into Bayshore .
Speaker #9: Could you just kind of remind us overall how to think about CapEx for 2027? What kind of new equipment or technologies are you guys looking at, and how should we think about dollar amounts and timing here as we update our models?
Adam L. Michaels: Yeah. This is where Anthony is so helpful to us, right? You know our rule, right? You don't get to spend CapEx if you're not making it from cash flow from operations. The plan is to spend mid to high single-digit $ millions a year. Again, only if we have the cash flow from operations. We are very structured in that manner. Yeah, there's always more equipment. We're doing exceptionally well now. Remember I spoke to you guys about this MAP technology that extends shelf life naturally? We just bought two more of those. Again, we're talking about $ hundreds of thousands, a couple $100 thousand pieces of machinery. This is not like the grills, if you remember, a year or two back where the grills are a million and a half dollars each.
Adam L. Michaels: Yeah. This is where Anthony is so helpful to us, right? You know our rule, right? You don't get to spend CapEx if you're not making it from cash flow from operations. The plan is to spend mid to high single-digit $ millions a year. Again, only if we have the cash flow from operations. We are very structured in that manner. Yeah, there's always more equipment. We're doing exceptionally well now. Remember I spoke to you guys about this MAP technology that extends shelf life naturally? We just bought two more of those. Again, we're talking about $ hundreds of thousands, a couple $100 thousand pieces of machinery. This is not like the grills, if you remember, a year or two back where the grills are a million and a half dollars each.
Speaker #9: Thank you .
Speaker #5: Yeah , I mean , this is this is where Anthony is so helpful to us , right ? So , you know , our rule , right ?
Speaker #5: You don't get to spend CapEx if you're not making it from cash flow from operations . You know , we spend the plan is to spend mid to high single digit millions of dollars a year .
Speaker #5: Again , only if we have the cash flow from operations . We are very structured in that manner . But yeah , there's there's always more equipment .
Speaker #5: You know, we're doing exceptionally well now with these. Remember I spoke to you guys about this MAP technology that extends shelf life naturally.
Speaker #5: We just bought two more of those , but again , we're talking about hundreds of thousands of dollars , you know , a couple hundred thousand dollar pieces of machinery .
Speaker #5: This is not like the grills. If you remember, a year or two back where the grills are, a million and a half dollars each.
Adam L. Michaels: These are smaller things. Again, we want to keep investing. Eric, you've toured our plants before. You know that I love buying more stuff that reduces complexity, that accelerates things, that reduces the need for the manual labor, that I can now put the people in other places. The more I can do that, obviously, the happier I am, the happier Anthony is, and obviously, that's going to improve our gross margins.
Adam L. Michaels: These are smaller things. Again, we want to keep investing. Eric, you've toured our plants before. You know that I love buying more stuff that reduces complexity, that accelerates things, that reduces the need for the manual labor, that I can now put the people in other places. The more I can do that, obviously, the happier I am, the happier Anthony is, and obviously, that's going to improve our gross margins.
Speaker #5: So these are still these are smaller things . Again , we want to keep investing . Eric , you've toured our plants before .
Speaker #5: You know that I love buying more stuff that reduces complexity, that accelerates things, that reduces the need for the manual labor, that I can now put the people in other places.
Speaker #5: So the more I can do that , obviously , the happier I am . Happier . Anthony is , and obviously that's going to improve our gross margins
Eric Des Lauriers: I appreciate the color. Congrats again, and thanks for taking my questions.
Eric Des Lauriers: I appreciate the color. Congrats again, and thanks for taking my questions.
Speaker #9: I appreciate the color. Congrats again, and thanks for taking my questions.
Adam L. Michaels: Thanks, Eric.
Adam L. Michaels: Thanks, Eric.
Speaker #5: Thanks , Eric
Operator: Thank you. Our next question comes from the line of George Kelly with ROTH Capital Partners. Please proceed with your question.
Operator: Thank you. Our next question comes from the line of George Kelly with ROTH Capital Partners. Please proceed with your question.
Speaker #3: Thank you. Our next question comes from the line of George Kelly with Roth Capital Partners. Please proceed with your question.
George Kelly: Hey, everybody. Thanks for taking my questions. First from me is on input pricing, just around chicken and beef. Wondering if you can update us just on what you've seen recently. I think especially beef continues to be pressured. Adam, I think you just mentioned that chicken's been a little pressured here recently, too. Wondering how you're planning to kind of adjust pricing or what you're planning to do to respond to what you're seeing.
George Kelly: Hey, everybody. Thanks for taking my questions. First from me is on input pricing, just around chicken and beef. Wondering if you can update us just on what you've seen recently. I think especially beef continues to be pressured. Adam, I think you just mentioned that chicken's been a little pressured here recently, too. Wondering how you're planning to kind of adjust pricing or what you're planning to do to respond to what you're seeing.
Speaker #9: Hey, everybody. Thanks for taking.
Speaker #10: My question, first from me, is on input pricing just around chicken and beef. I'm wondering if you can update us just on what you've seen recently, and I think especially beef continues to be pressured.
Speaker #10: Adam , I think you just mentioned that chicken's been been a little pressured here recently too . Wondering how you're planning to kind of adjust pricing or what you're planning to do to to respond to what you're seeing ?
Adam L. Michaels: Yeah. Thanks, George. You guys definitely get your money's worth out of us, in the sense that there is no dull day. As you mentioned, beef, it's funny. Beef, I'm a little happier about because beef has gone up, as you guys all seen, and it's in the paper, but it's been relatively stable. Now, relatively stable high, but still, I'm all about stability. Chris and team have done a great job. Again, we're very transparent with our partners, our retail partners. The goal is not for us to get more margin, but we can't lose money because then we can't help you if we're out of business. We have been successful in getting the price increases in to maintain our margins. There is some delay, a little bit. It could be anywhere from 30 days to 60 days.
Adam L. Michaels: Yeah. Thanks, George. You guys definitely get your money's worth out of us, in the sense that there is no dull day. As you mentioned, beef, it's funny. Beef, I'm a little happier about because beef has gone up, as you guys all seen, and it's in the paper, but it's been relatively stable. Now, relatively stable high, but still, I'm all about stability. Chris and team have done a great job. Again, we're very transparent with our partners, our retail partners. The goal is not for us to get more margin, but we can't lose money because then we can't help you if we're out of business. We have been successful in getting the price increases in to maintain our margins. There is some delay, a little bit. It could be anywhere from 30 days to 60 days.
Speaker #5: Yeah . Thanks , George . You know , you guys definitely get your , your money's worth out of us in the sense that , you know , there is no dull day .
Speaker #5: As you mentioned , beef . It's funny beef . I'm a little happier about because beef has gone up , as you guys have all seen .
Speaker #5: And it's in the paper . But it's been relatively stable now , relatively stable , high , but still I I'm all about stability .
Speaker #5: Chris and team have done a great job . Again , we're very transparent with our partners , our retail partners . The goal is not for us to get more margin , but we can't lose money because then we can't help you if we're out of business .
Speaker #5: So we have been successful in getting the price increases in to maintain our margins. You know, there is some delay—a little bit.
Speaker #5: It could be anywhere from 30 days , 60 days , but beef , I do like the stability , but I'm telling you , I don't think it's going to go down .
Adam L. Michaels: Beef, I do like the stability, but I'm telling you, I don't think it's going to go down, and Alberto is the boss here. I don't think it's going to go down anytime soon, certainly not before the end of summer. Again, we have the pricing. We're still working on more pricing. I think we're in good shape there. Chicken, again, I'll always find the positive. Chicken's just a bell curve, right? Chicken always goes up around this time of year. It has gone up. We were very lucky that Q4 tended to be a little bit lower. The great news about this is we're contracted, right, for close to 70% of our chicken sales. Now, that doesn't mean we're immune to it, right? There's also the 30%. There's also some things we have that have a floor and ceiling, so it moves up.
Adam L. Michaels: Beef, I do like the stability, but I'm telling you, I don't think it's going to go down, and Alberto is the boss here. I don't think it's going to go down anytime soon, certainly not before the end of summer. Again, we have the pricing. We're still working on more pricing. I think we're in good shape there. Chicken, again, I'll always find the positive. Chicken's just a bell curve, right? Chicken always goes up around this time of year. It has gone up. We were very lucky that Q4 tended to be a little bit lower. The great news about this is we're contracted, right, for close to 70% of our chicken sales. Now, that doesn't mean we're immune to it, right? There's also the 30%. There's also some things we have that have a floor and ceiling, so it moves up.
Speaker #5: And Alberto is the boss here . I don't think it's going to go down anytime soon . Certainly not before the end of summer , but again , we have the pricing .
Speaker #5: We're still working on more pricing , and I we're in a good a shape there . Chicken again , I'll always find the positive chickens just a bell curve , right ?
Speaker #5: Chicken always goes up around this time of year. It has gone up. We were very lucky that Q4 tended to be a little bit lower.
Speaker #5: The great news about this is we're contracted , right ? For close to 70% of our chicken sales . Now , that doesn't mean we're immune to it , right ?
Speaker #5: There's also the 30% . There's also some things we have that are , you know , have a floor and ceiling . So it moves up .
Adam L. Michaels: Again, the sales team has done a great job. We're so much more proactive now. We actually show, I've told you guys about Expana. Best money we spent. It's a forecasting system, it's a global forecasting system on commodities. You could see what's going to happen. They're pretty accurate. We share that with retailers in advance. The answer is, hey, guys, we think it's going to go up. I'm putting my price increase in now. If it doesn't go up, I'm happy to pull it back. I'd be remiss, though. Pricing is just one piece of it, right? Skip and his team are doing an incredible job. Again, trimming is a big lever. We have to do more of that. We have to sell more of the bottoms.
Adam L. Michaels: Again, the sales team has done a great job. We're so much more proactive now. We actually show, I've told you guys about Expana. Best money we spent. It's a forecasting system, it's a global forecasting system on commodities. You could see what's going to happen. They're pretty accurate. We share that with retailers in advance. The answer is, hey, guys, we think it's going to go up. I'm putting my price increase in now. If it doesn't go up, I'm happy to pull it back. I'd be remiss, though. Pricing is just one piece of it, right? Skip and his team are doing an incredible job. Again, trimming is a big lever. We have to do more of that. We have to sell more of the bottoms.
Speaker #5: But again , the sales team has done a great job at looking . We're so much more proactive now . We actually show , you know , I've told you guys about the best money we spent .
Speaker #5: It's a forecasting system . You know , that's , you know , all over the it's a global forecasting system on commodities . You could see what's going to happen there .
Speaker #5: Pretty accurate . And we share that with retailers in advance . And the answer is , hey guys , we think it's going to go up .
Speaker #5: I'm putting my price increase in now . And if it doesn't go up I'm happy to pull it up . Pull it back up .
Speaker #5: I I'd be remiss though , pricing is just one piece of it right ? Skip and his team are doing an incredible job .
Speaker #5: You know , again , trimming is a big lever . We have to do more of that . We have to sell more of the bottoms .
Adam L. Michaels: There's work that Alberto and procurement are doing. I look at this positively. There's still so much more for us to do. Right? We've been in Bayshore seven months. There continues to be efficiencies from a procurement perspective, from a process perspective. I mentioned earlier that one plant, three locations. You've heard me say that before. We're moving stuff around all the time. We had excess capacity in Bayshore. That's great. That means we got to do the new Walmart stuff there, the new Food Lion stuff there. With Skip helping us by lowering our costs, with Chris helping us by raising our prices, again, I certainly can't sit back with my hands up, but we are very intentional and very proactive in everything that's happening with beef, with chicken.
Adam L. Michaels: There's work that Alberto and procurement are doing. I look at this positively. There's still so much more for us to do. Right? We've been in Bayshore seven months. There continues to be efficiencies from a procurement perspective, from a process perspective. I mentioned earlier that one plant, three locations. You've heard me say that before. We're moving stuff around all the time. We had excess capacity in Bayshore. That's great. That means we got to do the new Walmart stuff there, the new Food Lion stuff there. With Skip helping us by lowering our costs, with Chris helping us by raising our prices, again, I certainly can't sit back with my hands up, but we are very intentional and very proactive in everything that's happening with beef, with chicken.
Speaker #5: But there's work that Alberto and Procurement are doing too. And I look at this positively, there's still so much more for us to do.
Speaker #5: Right. We've been in Bay Shore seven months. So there continues to be efficiencies from our procurement perspective, from a process perspective.
Speaker #5: I mentioned earlier that , you know , one plant , three locations . You've heard me say that before . We're moving stuff around all the time .
Speaker #5: And we had excess capacity in Bayshore . So that's great . That means we got to do the Walmart , the new Walmart stuff there , the new Food Lion stuff there .
Speaker #5: So with Skip helping us by lowering our costs , with Chris helping us by raising our prices up again . I certainly can't sit back with my hands up , but we are very intentional and very proactive in everything that's happening with beef , with chicken .
Adam L. Michaels: Obviously, you guys know about what's going on in freight, a little pressure on freight. We're way ahead of it. Freight's another good example where we're increasing our MOQs, Minimum Order Quantities. Right? Maybe we don't get all of the pricing we need passed on freight, but if I could make the process more efficient, if I get more in the truck, guess what happens? My costs go down, and then I could offset that increase, all these things we're thinking of well ahead of them actually happening.
Adam L. Michaels: Obviously, you guys know about what's going on in freight, a little pressure on freight. We're way ahead of it. Freight's another good example where we're increasing our MOQs, Minimum Order Quantities. Right? Maybe we don't get all of the pricing we need passed on freight, but if I could make the process more efficient, if I get more in the truck, guess what happens? My costs go down, and then I could offset that increase, all these things we're thinking of well ahead of them actually happening.
Speaker #5: Obviously , you guys know about what's going on and freight . A little pressure on freight . So we're we're way ahead of it .
Speaker #5: Freights are another good example where we're increasing our moqs minimum order quantities , right . So maybe we don't get all of the pricing we need passed on freight .
Speaker #5: But if I could make the process more efficient, if I get more in the truck, guess what happens? My costs go down, and then I could offset that increase.
Speaker #5: So all these things we're thinking of well ahead of them actually happening.
George Kelly: Okay. Thank you. That's helpful. And then second question from me is on Crown. So I believe you were, with respect to the legacy product portfolio there and some of the legacy customer base, you were managing that, potentially taking pricing, potentially sort of exiting some of their less productive SKUs. And that was a process that was maybe starting a few months ago, early this calendar year, I think. Just curious how that's gone.And when we think about the sequential growth at Crown, should we anticipate that sequential revenue number to perhaps dip a little bit before stabilizing and growing? Or now that you've had it longer, how should we think about this sequential build on Crown's revenue?
George Kelly: Okay. Thank you. That's helpful. And then second question from me is on Crown. So I believe you were, with respect to the legacy product portfolio there and some of the legacy customer base, you were managing that, potentially taking pricing, potentially sort of exiting some of their less productive SKUs. And that was a process that was maybe starting a few months ago, early this calendar year, I think. Just curious how that's gone.And when we think about the sequential growth at Crown, should we anticipate that sequential revenue number to perhaps dip a little bit before stabilizing and growing? Or now that you've had it longer, how should we think about this sequential build on Crown's revenue?
Speaker #10: Okay , okay . Thank you . That's helpful . And then second question for me is on Crown . So I believe you were with respect to the the legacy product portfolio there and some of the legacy customer base you were managing that , potentially taking pricing , potentially sort of exiting some of their less productive SKUs .
Speaker #10: And that was a process that was maybe starting a few months ago, early this calendar year, I think. Just curious how that's gone.
Speaker #10: And when we think about the sequential growth at Crown , should we anticipate that sequential revenue number to perhaps dip a little bit before stabilizing and growing , or like now that you've you've had it longer , how should we think about this sequential build on Crown's revenue ?
Adam L. Michaels: Yeah. Look, we're right on track. I think I told everybody that just like we did in Creative Salads and like we did with Olive Branch, the first year of Crown is about getting the economics right. That means getting price increases, changing up the products to improve the margins. We might have to exit some items, and we're doing just that. The expectation again, that I believe I've shared pretty consistently, is my hope is that Crown's actually flat for the year. Right? We're going to lose some stuff but then add some stuff, and if we could be flat for the year on Crown, that would be a great success because our gross margin's going to be significantly higher on that flat growth. I think it's amazing, again, what Chris is doing. We have one sales team. It doesn't matter what facility it's being produced out of.
Adam L. Michaels: Yeah. Look, we're right on track. I think I told everybody that just like we did in Creative Salads and like we did with Olive Branch, the first year of Crown is about getting the economics right. That means getting price increases, changing up the products to improve the margins. We might have to exit some items, and we're doing just that. The expectation again, that I believe I've shared pretty consistently, is my hope is that Crown's actually flat for the year. Right? We're going to lose some stuff but then add some stuff, and if we could be flat for the year on Crown, that would be a great success because our gross margin's going to be significantly higher on that flat growth. I think it's amazing, again, what Chris is doing. We have one sales team. It doesn't matter what facility it's being produced out of.
Speaker #5: Yeah . Look , we're right on track . I think I told . I told everybody that just like we did in creative salads and like we did with Olive branch , the first year of Bayshore is about getting the economics right and that means getting price increases , changing up the products to improve the margins .
Speaker #5: There might we might have to exit some items and we're doing just that . The expectation , again , that I believe I've shared pretty consistently is my hope is that crowns actually flat for the year , right ?
Speaker #5: We're going to lose some stuff, but then add some stuff, and if we can be flat for the year on crown, that would be a great success because our gross margin is going to be significantly higher on that flat growth.
Speaker #5: I think it's amazing. Again, what Chris is doing is right. We have one sales team. It doesn't matter what facility it's being produced out of.
Adam L. Michaels: Chris and his team have had great partnerships with our new customers that we're really excited about. Actually, I haven't even shared yet, but I guess I could share now. We actually have gotten wins already using our Bayshore facilities and equipment. We have the shredded chicken, which is awesome, which is a big Bayshore item. We actually sold that into one of our legacy Mama's Albertsons accounts in Shaw's. I mean, the team's amazing. The team's already sold some of our Cheese Stuffed Chicken Meatballs, a legacy Mama's products into a Bayshore customer with Wakefern. No, I love what the team is doing and I'm as bullish, if not more bullish than I was, oh, my goodness. I don't know. When I started this process last February, I think it's been like a year and a half. It's been crazy. No, the team's doing a great job.
Adam L. Michaels: Chris and his team have had great partnerships with our new customers that we're really excited about. Actually, I haven't even shared yet, but I guess I could share now. We actually have gotten wins already using our Bayshore facilities and equipment. We have the shredded chicken, which is awesome, which is a big Bayshore item. We actually sold that into one of our legacy Mama's Albertsons accounts in Shaw's. I mean, the team's amazing. The team's already sold some of our Cheese Stuffed Chicken Meatballs, a legacy Mama's products into a Bayshore customer with Wakefern. No, I love what the team is doing and I'm as bullish, if not more bullish than I was, oh, my goodness. I don't know. When I started this process last February, I think it's been like a year and a half. It's been crazy. No, the team's doing a great job.
Speaker #5: We , Chris and his team have had great partnerships with our new customers that were really excited about . Actually , I haven't shared yet , but I guess I could share it now .
Speaker #5: Like, where we actually have gotten wins already using our Bayshore facilities and equipment. We have this shredded chicken, which is awesome, which is a big Bayshore item.
Speaker #5: We actually sold that into to one of our , the legacy Mamas Albertsons accounts and Shaw's . We're able to , I mean , the team's amazing .
Speaker #5: The team's already sold some of our cheese-stuffed chicken meatballs, a Mama legacy. Mama's products into a Bayshore customer with Wakefern.
Speaker #5: So no , I love what the team is doing and you know , I'm as bullish , if not more bullish than I was .
Speaker #5: Oh my goodness. I don't know when I started this process last February. I think it's been like a year and a half.
Speaker #5: It's been crazy. But no, the team's doing a great job. Really great job.
Adam L. Michaels: Really great job.
Adam L. Michaels: Really great job.
George Kelly: Okay. Excellent. Thanks.
George Kelly: Okay. Excellent. Thanks.
Speaker #10: Okay . Excellent . Thanks
Operator: Thank you. Our next question comes from the line of Ryan Meyers with Lake Street Capital Markets. Please proceed with your question.
Operator: Thank you. Our next question comes from the line of Ryan Meyers with Lake Street Capital Markets. Please proceed with your question.
Speaker #3: Thank you. Our next question comes from the line of Ryan Myers with Lake Street Capital Markets. Please proceed with your question.
Ryan Meyers: Hey, guys. Thanks for taking my questions. Congrats on another quarter of great progress. Just kind of following up on the last question, thinking about gross margins. Q4 actually came in ahead of what I was looking for and expecting, but should we be using what you guys reported here in Q4 and gross margin as a new baseline, and as we progress through 2027, you guys will continue to trend towards the target you gave in the analyst day of the mid to high 20s? Is there anything gross margin-wise that we should be aware of in 2027?
Ryan Meyers: Hey, guys. Thanks for taking my questions. Congrats on another quarter of great progress. Just kind of following up on the last question, thinking about gross margins. Q4 actually came in ahead of what I was looking for and expecting, but should we be using what you guys reported here in Q4 and gross margin as a new baseline, and as we progress through 2027, you guys will continue to trend towards the target you gave in the analyst day of the mid to high 20s? Is there anything gross margin-wise that we should be aware of in 2027?
Speaker #11: Hey , guys . Thanks for taking my questions . Congrats on another quarter . A great progress . And just kind of following up on the last question , thinking about gross margins for Q4 .
Speaker #11: I actually came in ahead of what I was looking for and expecting, but should we be using what you guys reported here in the fourth quarter and gross margin as a new baseline?
Speaker #11: And as we progress through 2027, you guys will continue to trend towards the target you gave in the Analyst Day of the mid to high 20s.
Speaker #11: Or is there anything, gross margin-wise, that we should be aware of in 2027?
Adam L. Michaels: Look, overall, I try as hard as I can not to run the business quarter-to-quarter. Brian asked the question earlier around gross margin, and no, I certainly don't think, God forbid, we're negative or even below double-digit growth. There might be some quarters that were much higher, some quarters that were closer to that because, just timing of promotions. Gross margin is similar, right? We know, hopefully I've been clear with everybody ever since, I think, I don't know, I think this is my 14th conference call, if you could believe that. We're in the commodity business, so that means that there's ups and downs, throughout the year, right? It's always harder in the summer. I think we had some tailwinds, in Q4 with the lower chicken prices, and we had really good absorption with the Costco rotation. We will continue.
Adam L. Michaels: Look, overall, I try as hard as I can not to run the business quarter-to-quarter. Brian asked the question earlier around gross margin, and no, I certainly don't think, God forbid, we're negative or even below double-digit growth. There might be some quarters that were much higher, some quarters that were closer to that because, just timing of promotions. Gross margin is similar, right? We know, hopefully I've been clear with everybody ever since, I think, I don't know, I think this is my 14th conference call, if you could believe that. We're in the commodity business, so that means that there's ups and downs, throughout the year, right? It's always harder in the summer. I think we had some tailwinds, in Q4 with the lower chicken prices, and we had really good absorption with the Costco rotation. We will continue.
Speaker #5: Look , overall , I try as hard as I can not to run the business quarter to quarter . You know , Brian asked the question earlier around gross margin .
Speaker #5: And no , I certainly don't think we're going to God forbid , you know , we're negative or even below double digit growth .
Speaker #5: But there might be some quarters that we're much higher , some quarters that were closer to that because , you know , just timing of promotions , gross margin is similar , right ?
Speaker #5: So we know , hopefully I've been clear with everybody over since I think , I don't know , I think this is my 14th conference call .
Speaker #5: If you could believe that , you know , we're in the commodity business . So that means that there's ups and downs throughout the year , right ?
Speaker #5: It's always harder in the summer . I think we were we had some tailwinds in Q4 with the lower chicken prices . And we had really good absorption with the Costco rotation We will continue again .
Adam L. Michaels: Again, I feel confident that we will be higher four quarters from now than we were this quarter. I feel really good with that. From quarter to quarter, depending on what season we're in, we might have a point or two dip up or down. I wouldn't expect it just to keep going up because, again, we have to take into account the seasonality of chicken and beef prices, depending on particular promotions and rotations. Hopefully that's helpful. I will tell you, and I feel confident that our gross margins will be higher a year from now than they are today.
Adam L. Michaels: Again, I feel confident that we will be higher four quarters from now than we were this quarter. I feel really good with that. From quarter to quarter, depending on what season we're in, we might have a point or two dip up or down. I wouldn't expect it just to keep going up because, again, we have to take into account the seasonality of chicken and beef prices, depending on particular promotions and rotations. Hopefully that's helpful. I will tell you, and I feel confident that our gross margins will be higher a year from now than they are today.
Speaker #5: I , I , we are we're planning for , I feel confident that we will be higher for quarters from now than we were this quarter .
Speaker #5: I feel really good with that . But from quarter to quarter , depending on what season we're in , you know , we might have , you know , a point or two dip up or down .
Speaker #5: So I wouldn't expect it just to keep going up, because again, we have to take into account the seasonality of chicken and beef prices depending on particular promotions and rotations.
Speaker #5: So hopefully that's helpful . But I will tell you , and I feel confident that we will have our gross margins will be higher a year from now than they are today .
Ryan Meyers: Okay, fair enough. No, that makes sense. Thinking back to some of your prepared remarks, and we had talked about on the call, the emphasis on the branded side of the business and the branded products. Can you remind us what the mix between branded and private label is right now? Maybe are you seeing more demand for your guys' private label products or more demand right now for the branded side of the business?
Ryan Meyers: Okay, fair enough. No, that makes sense. Thinking back to some of your prepared remarks, and we had talked about on the call, the emphasis on the branded side of the business and the branded products. Can you remind us what the mix between branded and private label is right now? Maybe are you seeing more demand for your guys' private label products or more demand right now for the branded side of the business?
Speaker #11: Okay . Fair enough . No , that makes sense . And then thinking back to some of your prepared remarks , what we had talked about on the call , the emphasis on the branded side of the business and the branded products , you know , can you remind us what the mix between branded and private label is right now ?
Speaker #11: And then maybe, are you seeing more demand for your guys' private label products, or more demand right now for the branded side of the business?
Adam L. Michaels: Actually, I don't know if it's just the magic of Chris and his team, but I'm seeing a lot more branded. I mean, think about it, the last three wins. First with Food Lion, five out of five were branded. Walmart, seven out of seven were branded. Target, the two items that they're pulling are both branded. It seems that it's accelerating. I think I've given you guys examples of stuff that was historically private label, like Publix or BJ's. They're now asking it to be branded. I think that there's more momentum. Look, remember I spoke to you guys about this flywheel effect. I think, what did I say? 65% of people that were on the Instacart that bought in Q4 were new to brand. That means that they had never heard of Mama Mancini's before, or Mama's Creations, and they bought.
Adam L. Michaels: Actually, I don't know if it's just the magic of Chris and his team, but I'm seeing a lot more branded. I mean, think about it, the last three wins. First with Food Lion, five out of five were branded. Walmart, seven out of seven were branded. Target, the two items that they're pulling are both branded. It seems that it's accelerating. I think I've given you guys examples of stuff that was historically private label, like Publix or BJ's. They're now asking it to be branded. I think that there's more momentum. Look, remember I spoke to you guys about this flywheel effect. I think, what did I say? 65% of people that were on the Instacart that bought in Q4 were new to brand. That means that they had never heard of Mama Mancini's before, or Mama's Creations, and they bought.
Speaker #5: Actually, I don't know if it's just the magic of Chris and his team, but I'm seeing a lot more branded.
Speaker #5: I mean , so think about it . The last three wins first with Food Lion , five out of five or branded Walmart , seven out of seven were branded target .
Speaker #5: The two items that they pulled, that they're pulling, are both branded. So it seems that it's accelerating. I think I've given you guys examples of stuff that was historically private label, like Publix or BJ's.
Speaker #5: They're now asking it to be branded . So I think that there's more momentum . Look , we've remember I spoke to you guys about this flywheel effect .
Speaker #5: I think what I say . 65% of people that were on the Instacart that that bought in Q4 were new to brand . That means that they had never heard of Mama Mancini's before .
Speaker #5: Mama's Creations. And they bought, now they're a loyal customer, and now they're going to look out for more Mama Mancini products or Mama's Creations products.
Adam L. Michaels: Now they're a loyal customer, and now they're going to look out for more Mama Mancini's products or Mama's Creations products. I would expect that we're going to accelerate the percentage of branded because, just quite honestly, it sells better. We've shown, we've proven the velocities are higher when you call it Mama Mancini's. Why wouldn't the retailer want that? That said, if a retailer is absolutely adamant that I am only a private label customer, why would I not sell them a private label item? You don't get a penny discount, right? Same. That's why Anthony allows me to stay here. The price is the same price, doesn't matter whether it's branded or private label.
Adam L. Michaels: Now they're a loyal customer, and now they're going to look out for more Mama Mancini's products or Mama's Creations products. I would expect that we're going to accelerate the percentage of branded because, just quite honestly, it sells better. We've shown, we've proven the velocities are higher when you call it Mama Mancini's. Why wouldn't the retailer want that? That said, if a retailer is absolutely adamant that I am only a private label customer, why would I not sell them a private label item? You don't get a penny discount, right? Same. That's why Anthony allows me to stay here. The price is the same price, doesn't matter whether it's branded or private label.
Speaker #5: So I would expect that we're going to accelerate the percentage of branded because just quite honestly , it sells better . The . We've shown we've proven the velocities are higher when you call it Mama Mancini's .
Speaker #5: Why wouldn't the retailer want that? But that said, if a retailer is absolutely adamant that I am only a private label customer, why would—
Speaker #5: Why would I not sell them a private label item? But you don't get a penny discount, right? It's the same.
Speaker #5: That's why Anthony allows me to stay here . Margin . The price is the same . Price . Doesn't matter whether it's branded or private label .
Ryan Meyers: Okay, got it. That's helpful. Thanks for taking my questions.
Ryan Meyers: Okay, got it. That's helpful. Thanks for taking my questions.
Speaker #11: Okay. Got it. That's helpful. Thanks for taking my questions.
Adam L. Michaels: Nope. Thank you, Ryan.
Adam L. Michaels: Nope. Thank you, Ryan.
Speaker #5: No, thank you, Ryan.
Operator: Thank you. Our next question comes from the line of Anthony Vendetti with Maxim Group. Please proceed with your question.
Operator: Thank you. Our next question comes from the line of Anthony Vendetti with Maxim Group. Please proceed with your question.
Speaker #3: Thank you. Our next question comes from the line of Anthony Vendetti with Maxim Group. Please proceed with your question.
Anthony Vendetti: Okay, yeah, just a couple quick questions. I was just wondering if you can give us an update on the progress of transitioning all your chicken products to antibiotic-free, and what's the expectation for that being completed?
Anthony Vendetti: Okay, yeah, just a couple quick questions. I was just wondering if you can give us an update on the progress of transitioning all your chicken products to antibiotic-free, and what's the expectation for that being completed?
Speaker #12: Okay . Yeah . Just a couple quick questions . I was just wondering the if you could give us an update on the progress of transitioning your all your chicken products to antibiotic free and what's the expectation for that being completed ?
Adam L. Michaels: Yeah. It's pretty cool. So many people wanted us to do the NAE chicken, particularly Chris's wife, Rachel. She's all into fitness, so she likes the NAE. We're all there. 100% of what we're purchasing now is NAE chicken. It's going really well. Anthony Morello, remember the guy that started Creative Salads? He's been doing a great job helping us. He's our chicken czar. He got amazing pricing for us. I think I told you another reason why Crown was such a great acquisition is it more than doubled our chicken needs and made us a legitimate player in the marketplace. That allowed us to have some pricing power. We got great pricing. Again, when you're up, right, from a sales perspective, when you're head-to-head with somebody and one is conventional and the other one's NAE.
Adam L. Michaels: Yeah. It's pretty cool. So many people wanted us to do the NAE chicken, particularly Chris's wife, Rachel. She's all into fitness, so she likes the NAE. We're all there. 100% of what we're purchasing now is NAE chicken. It's going really well. Anthony Morello, remember the guy that started Creative Salads? He's been doing a great job helping us. He's our chicken czar. He got amazing pricing for us. I think I told you another reason why Crown was such a great acquisition is it more than doubled our chicken needs and made us a legitimate player in the marketplace. That allowed us to have some pricing power. We got great pricing. Again, when you're up, right, from a sales perspective, when you're head-to-head with somebody and one is conventional and the other one's NAE.
Speaker #5: Yeah , it's pretty cool . So , so many people want us to do the chicken , particularly Chris's wife , Rachel . She's all into fitness .
Speaker #5: So, she likes the knee up. We're all there. So, 100% of what we're purchasing now is NA chicken. It's going really well.
Speaker #5: Anthony Morello Remember the the guy that started creative salads . He's been doing a great job helping us . He's he's our chicken czar .
Speaker #5: He got amazing pricing for us. You know, I think I told you another reason why Crown was such a great acquisition.
Speaker #5: It more than doubled our chicken needs and made us a legitimate player in the marketplace. That allowed us to have some pricing power.
Speaker #5: So we got great pricing . And again , when you're up right , from a sales perspective , when you're head to head with somebody and one is conventional and the other one's knee , and I'll make it even harder for us or harder for Chris if we're a penny more , would you pay a penny more to be able to have a knee product , to be able to , to , to claim knee , that's a pretty good selling point .
Adam L. Michaels: I'll make it even harder for us or harder for Chris. If we're a penny more, would you pay a penny more to be able to have a NAE product, to be able to claim NAE? That's a pretty good selling point. I love what we're doing. It's just one more piece that differentiates us in the marketplace and holds us in place. Again, I gave you the example of two head-to-head. We're in there with NAE chicken, and someone else comes in with conventional chicken. Wow. Yeah, they're gonna try to save a penny, but it's way worth keeping the NAE chicken. It's another moat that we've created for ourselves, which is great.
Adam L. Michaels: I'll make it even harder for us or harder for Chris. If we're a penny more, would you pay a penny more to be able to have a NAE product, to be able to claim NAE? That's a pretty good selling point. I love what we're doing. It's just one more piece that differentiates us in the marketplace and holds us in place. Again, I gave you the example of two head-to-head. We're in there with NAE chicken, and someone else comes in with conventional chicken. Wow. Yeah, they're gonna try to save a penny, but it's way worth keeping the NAE chicken. It's another moat that we've created for ourselves, which is great.
Speaker #5: So I love what we're doing . It just one more piece that differentiates us in the marketplace and holds us in place again , you know , I gave you the example of two head to head , you know , we're in there with a chicken and someone else comes in with conventional chicken .
Speaker #5: Wow . You know ? Yeah , they're going to try to save a penny , but it's way worth keeping the chicken . So it's another moat that we've created for ourselves , which is great .
Anthony Vendetti: No, that's excellent. Adam, you mentioned average items carried has gone up. I'm sure you do, but any specific metrics you can share with us, whether it's across the entire portfolio or in particular stores, let's say Costco, where the number of items carried in those stores have gone up, either on a numbers basis or percentage basis over the last 12 months?
Anthony Vendetti: No, that's excellent. Adam, you mentioned average items carried has gone up. I'm sure you do, but any specific metrics you can share with us, whether it's across the entire portfolio or in particular stores, let's say Costco, where the number of items carried in those stores have gone up, either on a numbers basis or percentage basis over the last 12 months?
Speaker #12: No , that's excellent . And in terms of Average . Adam , you mentioned average items carried has gone up . Do you have specific or .
Speaker #12: I'm sure you do . But any specific metrics you can share with us , whether it's across the entire portfolio or in particular stores , let's say Costco , where the number of items carried in those stores have gone up either on a numbers basis or percentage basis over the last , 12 months .
Adam L. Michaels: Yeah, I've shared with you it's harder because we've been concentrating a lot of our sales, which in the club channel, which is where I think consumers are going, and they tend to have fewer items. I'll tell you that in Q4 for last year, I did look. Nine of our top 10 customers were either the same, if not more items than they were a year ago. The other one that wasn't at the time already just got another item back in. It was just bad timing. I know that every customer, and you heard Chris say at the Investor Day, that his goal, and actually his bonus, he has to get two new items into each customer. Just the Walmart, the seven items at Walmart has gotten him on a good start, right? The five items at Food Lion.
Adam L. Michaels: Yeah, I've shared with you it's harder because we've been concentrating a lot of our sales, which in the club channel, which is where I think consumers are going, and they tend to have fewer items. I'll tell you that in Q4 for last year, I did look. Nine of our top 10 customers were either the same, if not more items than they were a year ago. The other one that wasn't at the time already just got another item back in. It was just bad timing. I know that every customer, and you heard Chris say at the Investor Day, that his goal, and actually his bonus, he has to get two new items into each customer. Just the Walmart, the seven items at Walmart has gotten him on a good start, right? The five items at Food Lion.
Speaker #5: Yeah , I think it's like I've shared with you , it's harder because we've been concentrating a lot of our sales , which , you know , in the club channel , which is where I think consumers are going and they tend to have fewer items .
Speaker #5: I'll tell you that in Q4 , you know , for last year , I did look so nine of our top ten customers were either , you know , the same , if not more items than they were a year ago .
Speaker #5: And the other one that that wasn't at the time already just got another item back in . So it's just bad timing , but all I know that every customer and you heard Chris say at the Investor Day that his goal and actually his bonus , he has to get two new items into each customer .
Speaker #5: Just the , the Walmart , the seven items at Walmart has gotten him on a good start , right ? And the five items at Food Lion .
Adam L. Michaels: I feel great. Everything that we said we wanted to do, we are getting more items in on every major customer. Yeah, hopefully that's helpful.
Adam L. Michaels: I feel great. Everything that we said we wanted to do, we are getting more items in on every major customer. Yeah, hopefully that's helpful.
Speaker #5: So I feel great. Everything that we said we wanted to do, we are getting more items in on every major customer.
Anthony Vendetti: Okay. Yeah, that's helpful. Lastly on Costco, there's eight regions. How many regions are you currently in? Are you in all eight regions? If you're not, what is it gonna take to get into the rest? Can you talk about just the opportunity to expand the Costco relationship in fiscal 2027?
Anthony Vendetti: Okay. Yeah, that's helpful. Lastly on Costco, there's eight regions. How many regions are you currently in? Are you in all eight regions? If you're not, what is it gonna take to get into the rest? Can you talk about just the opportunity to expand the Costco relationship in fiscal 2027?
Speaker #5: So, yeah, hopefully that's helpful.
Speaker #12: Okay . That's helpful . And then lastly on Costco So there's eight regions . How many regions are you currently in ? Are you in all eight regions ?
Speaker #12: And if , if you're not , what is it going to take to get into the rest ? Or can you talk about just the , the opportunity to expand the Costco relationship in fiscal 27 ?
Adam L. Michaels: Yeah. Remember, with Costco, we're always in somewhere. We're doing lots of different things. I think, if you put a gun to my head right now, I think we're in three or four regions right this minute. Literally every month, every quarter, it changes. I honestly don't even share with you guys just because I'd bore you to death on every time we get another meatball rotation, right? Just because it's happening all the time. Scott and team are talking to Costco. Actually, they had a meeting today. Actually, couldn't even fake that. Scott and Chris had a meeting with Costco today on another opportunity. We're constantly speaking to them. We are top of mind to them, all eight regions.
Adam L. Michaels: Yeah. Remember, with Costco, we're always in somewhere. We're doing lots of different things. I think, if you put a gun to my head right now, I think we're in three or four regions right this minute. Literally every month, every quarter, it changes. I honestly don't even share with you guys just because I'd bore you to death on every time we get another meatball rotation, right? Just because it's happening all the time. Scott and team are talking to Costco. Actually, they had a meeting today. Actually, couldn't even fake that. Scott and Chris had a meeting with Costco today on another opportunity. We're constantly speaking to them. We are top of mind to them, all eight regions.
Speaker #5: Yeah . So remember , so with Costco , we're , we're always in somewhere . We're doing lots of different things . I think , you know , if you put a gun to my head right now , I think we're in 3 or 4 regions right this minute .
Speaker #5: But , you know , literally every month , every quarter , it changes . I honestly don't even share with you guys just because I'd bore you to death on .
Speaker #5: Every time we get another , you know , meatball rotation , right ? Just because it's happening all the time . Scott and team are talking to Costco .
Speaker #5: Actually , they had a meeting today . Actually , I couldn't have been faked that Scott and Chris had a meeting with Costco today on another opportunity .
Speaker #5: So we're constantly speaking to them . We are top of mind to them all . Eight regions and again , I think what I'm looking for from Chris and Scott and where the three of us are aligned is we're looking for some set of it's a combination of a couple of things .
Adam L. Michaels: Again, I think what I'm looking for from Chris and Scott, and where the three of us are aligned, is we're looking for some set of. It's a combination of a couple things. Permanency, I don't know if that's a real word, and an example of that, like we're an everyday item in the Northeast. There are more opportunities to get that, rotations of our existing products, and I very much hope and expect to be able to share with you guys new items that we're getting in. The only thing that I can't tell you guys is we're going to get into a new region, because, I apologize, we're in all eight regions. I definitely want to be telling you guys we're getting new items in that we haven't done in the past.
Adam L. Michaels: Again, I think what I'm looking for from Chris and Scott, and where the three of us are aligned, is we're looking for some set of. It's a combination of a couple things. Permanency, I don't know if that's a real word, and an example of that, like we're an everyday item in the Northeast. There are more opportunities to get that, rotations of our existing products, and I very much hope and expect to be able to share with you guys new items that we're getting in. The only thing that I can't tell you guys is we're going to get into a new region, because, I apologize, we're in all eight regions. I definitely want to be telling you guys we're getting new items in that we haven't done in the past.
Speaker #5: Permanency . I don't know if that's a real word . And an example of that . Like we're in everyday item in the northeast .
Speaker #5: There are more opportunities to get that rotation of our existing products. And I very much hope and expect to be able to share with you guys new items that we're getting in.
Speaker #5: So the only thing that I can't tell you guys is we're going to get into a new region because I apologize , we're in all eight regions , but I definitely want to be telling you guys , we're getting in getting new items in that we haven't done in the past .
Adam L. Michaels: Just as a reminder, last year or the year before, I don't know, five or six items, we had a meatloaf, sausage and peppers, three different types of sauces, beef meatballs, and Cheese Stuffed Chicken Meatballs. Those are just items we've had in Costco recently. I love Costco as a partner. Yep. I expect we're always going to be somewhere, and I'd love it, at some point this year, just like we did last year, I would hope to share with you guys that for some point in time, we're in all eight regions at once.
Adam L. Michaels: Just as a reminder, last year or the year before, I don't know, five or six items, we had a meatloaf, sausage and peppers, three different types of sauces, beef meatballs, and Cheese Stuffed Chicken Meatballs. Those are just items we've had in Costco recently. I love Costco as a partner. Yep. I expect we're always going to be somewhere, and I'd love it, at some point this year, just like we did last year, I would hope to share with you guys that for some point in time, we're in all eight regions at once.
Speaker #5: You know , just as a reminder , you know , last year or the year before , you know , I don't know , 5 or 6 items , we had a meatloaf , sausage and peppers , three different types of sauces Beef meatballs , chicken cheese , stuffed chicken , meatballs .
Speaker #5: Those are just items that we've had in Costco recently . So I love Costco as a , as a partner . Yeah , I just , you know , and I , I expect we're always going to be somewhere .
Speaker #5: And I love it at some point this year , just like we did last year , I would hope to , to share with you guys that for some point in time , we're in all eight regions at once .
Anthony Vendetti: Okay, great. Thanks so much for the call. I appreciate it. I'll hop back in the queue.
Anthony Vendetti: Okay, great. Thanks so much for the call. I appreciate it. I'll hop back in the queue.
Speaker #12: Okay , great . Thanks so much for the call . I appreciate it . I'll hop back in the queue .
Adam L. Michaels: Thank you.
Adam L. Michaels: Thank you.
Operator: Thank you. We have reached the end of the question and answer session, and therefore, I would like to turn the call back over to CEO Adam Michaels for closing remarks.
Operator: Thank you. We have reached the end of the question and answer session, and therefore, I would like to turn the call back over to CEO Adam Michaels for closing remarks.
Speaker #5: Thank you .
Speaker #3: Thank you . And we have reached the end of the question and answer session . And therefore , I would like to turn the call back over to CEO Adam Michaels for closing remarks .
Adam L. Michaels: Thank you, operator. Thank you again to each of you for joining us today. Fiscal 2026 showed what this organization is capable of when every element of the strategy is aligned and executing. Our revenue growth, margin expansion, successful integration, and strengthened financial position have prepared us for what I believe will be an even more exciting fiscal 2027. We have the platform, the people, and the products to execute on our vision of becoming the leading national one-stop shop deli solution provider. We are riding a wave that is only getting stronger, with a ship that has been reinforced with capital and capacity and an emboldened crew who are harnessing these new capabilities. Our strategy has charted a course for deli leadership, and we are unwavering in our commitment.
Adam L. Michaels: Thank you, operator. Thank you again to each of you for joining us today. Fiscal 2026 showed what this organization is capable of when every element of the strategy is aligned and executing. Our revenue growth, margin expansion, successful integration, and strengthened financial position have prepared us for what I believe will be an even more exciting fiscal 2027. We have the platform, the people, and the products to execute on our vision of becoming the leading national one-stop shop deli solution provider. We are riding a wave that is only getting stronger, with a ship that has been reinforced with capital and capacity and an emboldened crew who are harnessing these new capabilities. Our strategy has charted a course for deli leadership, and we are unwavering in our commitment.
Speaker #5: Thank you . Operator and thank you again to each of you for joining us today . Fiscal 26 showed what this organization is capable of when every element of the strategy is aligned and executing our revenue growth , margin expansion , successful integration , and strengthened financial position , have prepared us for what I believe will be an even more exciting fiscal 27 .
Speaker #5: We have the platform , the people , and the products to execute on our vision of becoming the leading national one stop shop , deli solution provider .
Speaker #5: We are riding a wave that is only getting stronger, with a shift that has been reinforced with capital and capacity, and an emboldened crew who are harnessing these new capabilities.
Speaker #5: Our strategy has charted a course for deli leadership , and we are unwavering in our commitment . As always , we appreciate our shareholders , continued support and look forward to updating you on our progress in the quarters ahead .
Adam L. Michaels: As always, we appreciate our shareholders' continued support and look forward to updating you on our progress in the quarters ahead. Thank you.
Adam L. Michaels: As always, we appreciate our shareholders' continued support and look forward to updating you on our progress in the quarters ahead. Thank you.
Operator: Thank you. This concludes today's conference, and you may disconnect your line at this time. We thank you for your participation.
Operator: Thank you. This concludes today's conference, and you may disconnect your line at this time. We thank you for your participation.
Speaker #5: Thank you .