Q1 2026 Flowers Foods Inc Earnings Call

May 22, 2026

Speaker #1: Good day, and thank you for standing by. Welcome to the Flowers Foods Q4 2026 Results Conference Call. At this time, all participants are in listen-only mode.

Operator: Good day, and thank you for standing by. Welcome to the Flowers Foods Q1 2026 Results Conference Call. At this time, all participants are in listen-only mode. After the speakers' presentation, there'll be a question and answer session. To ask a question during the session, you will need to press star 1 1 on your telephone. You'll then hear an automated message advising your hand is raised. To withdraw your question, please press star 1 1 again. Please be advised that today's conference is being recorded. I'd like to hand the conference over to your first speaker today, J.T. Rieck, the Corporate Vice President of Investor Relations. Please go ahead.

Operator: Good day, and thank you for standing by. Welcome to the Flowers Foods Q1 2026 Results Conference Call. At this time, all participants are in listen-only mode. After the speakers' presentation, there'll be a question and answer session. To ask a question during the session, you will need to press *11 on your telephone. You'll then hear an automated message advising your hand is raised. To withdraw your question, please press *11 again. Please be advised that today's conference is being recorded. I'd like to hand the conference over to your first speaker today, JT Rieck, the Executive Vice President of Finance and Investor Relations. Please go ahead.

Speaker #1: After the speaker's presentation, there will be a question-and-answer session. To ask a question during the session, you'll need to press *11 on your telephone. You'll then hear an automated message advising your hand is raised.

Speaker #1: To withdraw your question, please press *11 again. Please note that today’s conference is being recorded. I’ll now turn the conference over to your first speaker today, JT Rieck, second vice president of investor relations.

Speaker #1: Please go ahead.

Speaker #2: Good morning. I hope everyone had the opportunity to review our earnings release, listen to our prepared remarks, and view the slide presentation that were all posted earlier on our investor relations website.

J.T. Rieck: Good morning. I hope everyone had the opportunity to review our earnings release, listen to our prepared remarks, and view the slide presentation that were all posted earlier on our investor relations website. After today's Q&A session, we will also post an audio replay of this call. Please note that in this Q&A session, we may make forward-looking statements about the company's performance. Although we believe these statements to be reasonable, they are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. In addition to what you hear in these remarks, important factors relating to Flowers Foods business are fully detailed in our SEC filings. We also provide non-GAAP financial measures for which disclosure and reconciliations are provided in the earnings release and at the end of the slide presentation on our website.

JT Rieck: Good morning. I hope everyone had the opportunity to review our earnings release, listen to our prepared remarks, and view the slide presentation that were all posted earlier on our Investor relations website. After today's Q&A session, we will also post an audio replay of this call. Please note that in this Q&A session, we may make forward-looking statements about the company's performance. Although we believe these statements to be reasonable, they are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. In addition to what you hear in these remarks, important factors relating to Flowers Foods business are fully detailed in our SEC filings. We also provide non-GAAP financial measures for which disclosure and reconciliations are provided in the earnings release and at the end of the slide presentation on our website.

Speaker #2: After today's Q&A session, we will also post an audio replay of this call. Please note that in this Q&A session, we may make forward-looking statements about the company's performance.

Speaker #2: Although we believe these statements to be reasonable, they are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. In addition to what you hear in these remarks, important factors relating to Flowers Foods' business are fully detailed in our SEC filings.

Speaker #2: We also provide non-GAAP financial measures, for which disclosure and reconciliations are provided in the earnings release and at the end of the slide presentation on our website.

Speaker #2: Joining me today are Riles McMullin, chairman and CEO, and Anthony Scaglione, our CFO. Riles, I'll turn it over to you.

J.T. Rieck: Joining me today are A. Ryals McMullian, Chairman and CEO, and D. Anthony Scaglione, our CFO. A. Ryals, I'll turn it over to you.

JT Rieck: Joining me today are Ryals McMullian, Chairman and CEO, and Anthony Scaglione, our CFO. Ryals, I'll turn it over to you.

Speaker #3: Okay, thanks, JT. Good morning, everybody. Our team continued to execute against a challenging backdrop and softer top-line trends in the quarter, delivering bottom-line results ahead of our expectations.

A. Ryals McMullian: Okay, thanks, JT. Good morning, everybody. Our team continued to execute against a challenging backdrop and softer top-line trends in the quarter, delivering bottom-line results ahead of expectations.

Ryals McMullian: Okay, thanks, JT. Good morning, everybody. Our team continued to execute against a challenging backdrop and softer top-line trends in the quarter, delivering bottom-line results ahead of expectations.

Speaker #3: We advanced the comprehensive review of our brand portfolio, supply chain, and financial strategy, and I'm very encouraged by the progress we're making there. We sharpened our focus on our core brands, including our nationwide relaunch of Nature's Own.

A. Ryals McMullian: We advanced the comprehensive review of our brand portfolio, supply chain, and financial strategy, and I'm very encouraged by the progress we're making there. We sharpened our focus on our core brands, including our nationwide relaunch of Nature's Own, while continuing to strengthen our position in better-for-you segments. We also saw positive trends in premium bread and cake categories, helping us offset some of the ongoing softness in the traditional loaf category, where we underperformed in the quarter. In addition, we took initiatives to drive efficiencies across our supply chain while further strengthening our balance sheet and our financial flexibility. Together, these efforts are positioning us to deliver more consistent and sustainable growth and profitability over the long term. Looking ahead, we'll remain focused on executing this strategy and positioning the business to drive value for shareholders. I want to thank our team for their continued focus and commitment.

Ryals McMullian: We advanced the comprehensive review of our brand portfolio, supply chain, and financial strategy, and I'm very encouraged by the progress we're making there. We sharpened our focus on our core brands, including our nationwide relaunch of Nature's Own, while continuing to strengthen our position in better-for-you segments. We also saw positive trends in premium bread and cake categories, helping us offset some of the ongoing softness in the traditional loaf category, where we underperformed in the quarter. In addition, we took initiatives to drive efficiencies across our supply chain while further strengthening our balance sheet and our financial flexibility. Together, these efforts are positioning us to deliver more consistent and sustainable growth and profitability over the long term. Looking ahead, we'll remain focused on executing this strategy and positioning the business to drive value for shareholders. I want to thank our team for their continued focus and commitment.

Speaker #3: While continuing to strengthen our position in better-for-you segments, we also saw positive trends in premium bread and cake categories, helping us offset some of the ongoing softness in the traditional loaf category, where we underperformed in the quarter.

Speaker #3: In addition, we took initiatives to drive efficiencies across our supply chain, while further strengthening our balance sheet and our financial flexibility. Together, these efforts are positioning us to deliver more consistent and sustainable growth and profitability over the long term.

Speaker #3: Looking ahead, we'll remain focused on executing this strategy and positioning the business to drive value for shareholders. I want to thank our team for their continued focus and commitment.

Speaker #3: And so, with that, Marvin, we can open it up for questions.

A. Ryals McMullian: With that, Marvin, we can open it up for questions.

Ryals McMullian: With that, Marvin, we can open it up for questions.

Speaker #1: Thank you. At this time, we'll conduct the question-and-answer session. As a reminder, to ask a question, you'll need to press *11 on your telephone and wait for your name to be announced.

Operator: Thank you. At this time, we'll conduct a question and answer session. As a reminder to ask a question, you'll need to press star one one on your telephone and wait for your name to be announced. To withdraw your question, please press star one one again. Please stand by while we compile the Q&A roster. Our first question comes from the line of Jim Salera of Stephens. Your line is now open.

Speaker #1: To withdraw your question, please press *11 again. Please stand by while we compile the Q&A roster. And our first question comes on the line of Jim Solera at Stevens; your line is now open.

Speaker #4: Hey, Riles. Anthony. Good morning. Thanks for taking our question. What is, to start off, your view on inflation given how much commodities have moved since the start of the Iran conflict?

Jim Salera: Hey, Ryals, Anthony. Good morning. Thanks for taking our question.

A. Ryals McMullian: Morning.

Ryals McMullian: Morning.

A. Ryals McMullian: I wanted to start off with your view on inflation, given how much commodities have moved since the start of the Iran conflict. Can you just walk us through your outlook on inflation, how that's changed since the beginning of the year, and any details you can share around your hedging program and maybe internal inflation expectations for the remainder of the year?

Jim Salera: I wanted to start off with your view on inflation, given how much commodities have moved since the start of the Iran conflict. Can you just walk us through your outlook on inflation, how that's changed since the beginning of the year, and any details you can share around your hedging program and maybe internal inflation expectations for the remainder of the year?

Speaker #4: Could you just walk us through your outlook on inflation, how that's changed since the beginning of the year? And any details you can share around your hedging program and maybe internal inflation expectations for the remainder of the year?

Speaker #2: Sure, I'll take that. You know, first off, recall, our hedging program really builds the cadence as we progress through the year. So we're virtually fully hedged for the balance of the year on the commodities in the program.

D. Anthony Scaglione: Sure. I'll take that. First off, recall, our hedging program really builds the cadence as we progress through the year. We're virtually fully hedged for the balance of the year on the commodities in the program. As we look forward, we see pressure primarily in other commodities and the impact that the price of oil has had on our distribution in resin, which has significantly impacted our packaging costs, and that's an area we didn't see as a cost concern when we started the year. That being said, the teams are looking at ways to mitigate that increase, including packaging configurations, alternatives, along with other productivity measures. Overall, I would say we're assuming a level of increase stays elevated, and that's built into our outlook. If they should further increase, we'll probably look at other productivity measures to counter that.

Anthony Scaglione: Sure. I'll take that. First off, recall, our hedging program really builds the cadence as we progress through the year. We're virtually fully hedged for the balance of the year on the commodities in the program. As we look forward, we see pressure primarily in other commodities and the impact that the price of oil has had on our distribution in resin, which has significantly impacted our packaging costs, and that's an area we didn't see as a cost concern when we started the year. That being said, the teams are looking at ways to mitigate that increase, including packaging configurations, alternatives, along with other productivity measures. Overall, I would say we're assuming a level of increase stays elevated, and that's built into our outlook. If they should further increase, we'll probably look at other productivity measures to counter that.

Speaker #2: So, as we look forward, we see pressure primarily in other commodities and the impact that the price of oil has had on our distribution and resin, which has significantly impacted our packaging costs.

Speaker #2: And that's an area we didn't see as a cost concern when we started the year. That being said, the teams are looking at ways to mitigate that increase, including packaging configurations, alternatives, along with other productivity measures.

Speaker #2: So overall, I would say we're assuming a level of increase stays elevated, and that's built into our outlook. But if they should further increase, we'll probably look at other productivity measures to counter that.

Speaker #4: Particularly if we think about, on the productivity side, are you talking about costs that can come out of SG&A? Is that pulling back on, you know, promotional spend, or maybe some other efficiencies you can find in the gross margin line?

Jim Salera: Particularly if we think about on the productivity side, are you talking about costs that can come out of SG&A? Is that pulling back on promotional spend or maybe some other efficiencies you can find in the gross margin line? Can you just walk us through how you think the offsets, where they would come in the model?

Speaker #4: Could you kind of walk us through how you think the offsets would—where they would come in the model?

Speaker #2: I think it would mostly come out of SCNA. And to the extent that we make progress on some of the packaging, as I mentioned, you know, clearly that would be productivity, as it relates to the cost going into COGS.

D. Anthony Scaglione: I think it would mostly come out of SG&A. To the extent that we make progress on some of the packaging, as I mentioned, clearly that would be productivity as it relates to the cost going into COGS.

Anthony Scaglione: I think it would mostly come out of SG&A. To the extent that we make progress on some of the packaging, as I mentioned, clearly that would be productivity as it relates to the cost going into COGS.

Speaker #4: Great, I'll pass it on. Thanks.

Jim Salera: Great. I'll pass it on. Thanks.

Speaker #1: Thank you. One moment for our next question. Our next question comes from the line of Steve Powers of Deutsche Bank. Your line is now open.

Operator: Thank you. One moment for our next question. Our next question comes from the line of Steve Powers of Deutsche Bank.

Speaker #4: Great, thank you very much. Maybe just to follow up, is there a way to, you know, size or dimension the higher diesel and packaging costs that you're now seeing for the balance of '26 versus before?

Steve Powers: Great. Thank you very much. Maybe just to follow up on Jim's question. Is there a way to size or dimension the higher diesel and packaging costs that you're now seeing for the balance of 2026 versus before? I guess, also, should costs remain high, is there a way to think about how much carryover inflation we're now accruing into 2027 versus before?

Speaker #4: And I guess, you know, also, you know, you know, should costs remain high? Is there a way to think about, you know, how much, you know, how much carryover inflation we're now accruing into into '27?

Speaker #4: Versus before.

Speaker #2: Yeah, so we haven't started our planning process. We're just in the process of kicking that off for '27, so I can't provide further color on that.

D. Anthony Scaglione: Yeah. We haven't started our planning process. We're just in the process of kicking that off for 2027, so I can't provide further color on that in isolation. Clearly, there's a lot of puts and takes as it relates to what we would address as we look into 2027. For 2026, as I mentioned, most of our core commodities that could have the highest impact are fully hedged. We feel pretty good about the outlook as it relates to our position going into the H2. As I mentioned, as it relates to oil, it's really a tale of two cities. There's the impact of oil on the consumer, and that will have from a consumer sentiment, which we are obviously looking at providing value at price points and making sure that we're meeting the consumer demand.

Anthony Scaglione: Yeah. We haven't started our planning process. We're just in the process of kicking that off for 2027, so I can't provide further color on that in isolation. Clearly, there's a lot of puts and takes as it relates to what we would address as we look into 2027. For 2026, as I mentioned, most of our core commodities that could have the highest impact are fully hedged. We feel pretty good about the outlook as it relates to our position going into the H2. As I mentioned, as it relates to oil, it's really a tale of two cities. There's the impact of oil on the consumer, and that will have from a consumer sentiment, which we are obviously looking at providing value at price points and making sure that we're meeting the consumer demand.

Speaker #2: And isolation, you know, clearly there’s a lot of puts and takes as it relates to what we would address as we look into ’27.

Speaker #2: For '26, as I mentioned, most of our, you know, core commodities that have—could have the highest impact—are fully hedged. So we feel pretty good about the outlook as it relates to our position going into the back half. But as I mentioned, as it relates to oil, it's really a tale of two cities.

Speaker #2: There's the impact of oil on the consumer, and that will have, from a consumer sentiment—which we are obviously looking at—providing value at price points and making sure that we're meeting the consumer demand.

Speaker #2: On the input side, it's primarily impacting resin, which is not a direct corollary to oil. It's—it's, you know, it's—it's a downstream impact.

D. Anthony Scaglione: On the input side, it's primarily impacting resin, which is not a direct corollary to oil. It's a downstream impact. In that, as I mentioned earlier, we're looking at ways through productivity to drive some of that headwind out in the back half. That's all baked into our reaffirmation of guidance.

Anthony Scaglione: On the input side, it's primarily impacting resin, which is not a direct corollary to oil. It's a downstream impact. In that, as I mentioned earlier, we're looking at ways through productivity to drive some of that headwind out in the back half. That's all baked into our reaffirmation of guidance.

Speaker #2: And then, as I mentioned earlier, we're looking at ways, through productivity, to drive some of that headwind out in the back half. And that's all baked into our reaffirmation of guidance.

Speaker #4: Okay. Okay. Thank you. And then, Anthony, while you I have you. On the dividend reset, you're freeing up, you know, around about $100 million of of cash, which which I think could reduce leverage by about 0.2 turns, if fully directed.

Steve Powers: Okay. Thank you. Then Anthony, while I have you, on the dividend reset, you're freeing up around about $100 million of cash, which I think could reduce leverage by about 0.2 turns if fully directed there. Is that the right way to frame it? Or how should we think about the split between deleveraging versus other reinvestment priorities of that incremental cash?

Speaker #4: There. Is that the right way to frame it? Or, how should we think about the split between de-leveraging versus other reinvestment priorities of that incremental cash?

Speaker #2: I think you nailed it in terms of the split. I mean, clearly our first priority is to de-leverage, and the goal is to be below three times by the end of fiscal '27.

D. Anthony Scaglione: I think you nailed it in terms of the split. Clearly, our first priority is to deleverage, and the goal is to be below 3x by the end of fiscal 2027. We're looking at that as the primary lever with the reset of the dividend, but continuing to invest in the brands similar to what we did with the relaunch of our Nature's Own this quarter.

Anthony Scaglione: I think you nailed it in terms of the split. Clearly, our first priority is to deleverage, and the goal is to be below 3x by the end of fiscal 2027. We're looking at that as the primary lever with the reset of the dividend, but continuing to invest in the brands similar to what we did with the relaunch of our Nature's Own this quarter.

Speaker #2: So we're looking at that as the primary lever with the reset of the dividend, but continuing to invest in the brands, similar to what we did with the relaunch of our Nature's Own this quarter.

Speaker #4: Yeah. Yeah. And actually, if I could squeeze one more in on that on that relaunch, you know, Riles, it, you know, very much makes sense relative to your strategy, you know, broadly speaking, you know, in terms of where the consumer is, simpler ingredients, non-GMO, big marketing push behind all that.

Steve Powers: Yeah. Actually, if I could squeeze one more in on that relaunch. Ryals, it very much makes sense relative to your strategy, broadly speaking, in terms of where the consumer is, simpler ingredients, non-GMO, big marketing push behind all that. I guess. What are your expectations? What would success look like over the next 2 to 3 quarters, whether in terms of velocity or household penetration? Just how you're thinking about the impact of this relaunch and how it may help bend the organic growth trajectory at all.

Speaker #4: I guess how how what what are your expectations, and what what would success look like over the next two to three quarters? you know, whether in terms of velocity or household penetration, just the the how you're thinking about the impact of of this relaunch and how it may, you know, help bend the organic growth trajectory at all.

Speaker #2: Yeah, sure. Good, good question. Well, first of all, I just want to say we're tremendously excited about this. You know, this was a huge pivot that the team made.

A. Ryals McMullian: Yeah, sure. Good question. Well, first of all, I just want to say we're tremendously excited about this. This was a huge pivot that the team made. Took a lot of work to get this done. Reformulating, taking out another third of the ingredients, essentially being the cleanest label traditional loaf bread at scale in the country and non-GMO verified. It's a big deal for us. Took a lot of investment. Of course, as we said, we've got the 360-degree marketing campaign behind it, leveraging John Cena's celebrity. We just actually launched that yesterday. Some of you may have seen it. In terms of what success looks like, obviously, the traditional loaf category has been the soft spot for us. We've been talking about this for a number of quarters now. The rest of the business essentially is doing quite well on the premium and the value end.

Ryals McMullian: Yeah, sure. Good question. Well, first of all, I just want to say we're tremendously excited about this. This was a huge pivot that the team made. Took a lot of work to get this done. Reformulating, taking out another third of the ingredients, essentially being the cleanest label traditional loaf bread at scale in the country and non-GMO verified. It's a big deal for us. Took a lot of investment. Of course, as we said, we've got the 360-degree marketing campaign behind it, leveraging John Cena's celebrity. We just actually launched that yesterday. Some of you may have seen it. In terms of what success looks like, obviously, the traditional loaf category has been the soft spot for us. We've been talking about this for a number of quarters now. The rest of the business essentially is doing quite well on the premium and the value end.

Speaker #2: Took a lot of work to get this done, you know, reformulating, taking out, you know, another third of the ingredients. You know, essentially being the, you know, the cleanest label, traditional oat bread at scale in the country and non-GMO verified.

Speaker #2: So it is—it’s a big deal for us. You know, it took a lot of investment in the course, as we said. We’ve got the 360-degree marketing campaign behind it, you know, leveraging, you know, John Cena’s celebrity.

Speaker #2: We just actually launched that yesterday. Some of you may have seen it. In terms of what success looks like, I mean, obviously, the traditional loaf category has been the soft spot for us.

Speaker #2: We've been talking about this for a number of quarters now. You know, the rest of the business, essentially, is doing quite well. You know, on the premium and the value end.

Speaker #2: But traditional loaf is approximately 38% of our branded retail, so it's a big segment for us. And, you know, getting that part of the category stabilized, Steve, is how I would describe success.

A. Ryals McMullian: Traditional loaf is approximately 38% of our branded retail, so it's a big segment for us. Getting that part of the category stabilized, Steve, is how I would describe success. At a minimum, getting our volume stabilized in traditional loaf will do more for the business than any other lever that we can pull. Now, there is a lag. I don't necessarily expect this to have an immediate impact. When you start a marketing campaign like this, you've got to get 6 months, 1 year down the road before you can then look back and see how effective it was. I do think between the increased marketing spend, so higher visibility, remembering that Nature's Own has the highest loyalty rate in the category, and it's the number 1 brand, and we have the number 1 SKU.

Ryals McMullian: Traditional loaf is approximately 38% of our branded retail, so it's a big segment for us. Getting that part of the category stabilized, Steve, is how I would describe success. At a minimum, getting our volume stabilized in traditional loaf will do more for the business than any other lever that we can pull. Now, there is a lag. I don't necessarily expect this to have an immediate impact. When you start a marketing campaign like this, you've got to get 6 months, 1 year down the road before you can then look back and see how effective it was. I do think between the increased marketing spend, so higher visibility, remembering that Nature's Own has the highest loyalty rate in the category, and it's the number 1 brand, and we have the number 1 SKU.

Speaker #2: So, at a minimum, you know, getting our volume stabilized in traditional loaf will do more for the business than any other lever that we can pull.

Speaker #2: now, there there is a lag. I don't I don't necessarily expect this to to have an immediate impact. You know, when you start a marketing campaign like this, you know, you've got to get, you know, six months, a year, you know, down the road before you can then look back and see how effective it was.

Speaker #2: But I do think, between the increased marketing spend—so, you know, higher visibility—and remembering that Nature's Own has the highest loyalty rate in the category.

Speaker #2: And it's the number one brand, and we have the number one SKU. You know, getting getting consumers' attention and and bringing them back to that segment by by delivering value in the sense of attributes that resonate with consumers, to me, that that that's what will drive ultimately our success.

A. Ryals McMullian: Getting consumers' attention and bringing them back to that segment by delivering value in the sense of attributes that resonate with consumers, to me, that's what will drive, ultimately, our success. To directly answer your question, success to me is stabilizing volumes in traditional loaf.

Ryals McMullian: Getting consumers' attention and bringing them back to that segment by delivering value in the sense of attributes that resonate with consumers, to me, that's what will drive, ultimately, our success. To directly answer your question, success to me is stabilizing volumes in traditional loaf.

Speaker #2: But to directly answer your question, success to me is stabilizing volumes in traditional loaf.

Speaker #4: Yeah, perfect. Thanks for that perspective—very helpful. Appreciate it.

Steve Powers: Yeah. Perfect. Thanks for the perspective. Very helpful. Appreciate it.

Speaker #1: Thank you. One moment for our next question. And our next question comes from the line of Scott Marks of Jeffries. Your line is now open.

Operator: Thank you. One moment for our next question. Our next question comes from the line of Scott Marks of Jefferies. Your line is now open.

Speaker #5: Hey, good morning, guys. Thanks very much for taking our questions. First thing I wanted to ask about—in the prepared remarks, you noted a number of times about some of the consumer pressures and expectations for kind of headwinds to the top line to persist a bit.

Scott Marks: Hey, good morning, guys. Thanks very much for taking our questions. First thing I wanted to ask about, in the prepared remarks, you noted a number of times about some of the consumer pressures and expectations for kind of headwinds to the top line to persist a bit. Just wondering if you can help us understand within your guidance for the year, what are you embedding in terms of assumptions for volume versus pricing? How should we be thinking about maybe cadence as we move through the year?

Speaker #5: So just wondering if you can help us understand, within your guidance for the year, what you’re embedding in terms of assumptions for volume versus pricing, and how should we be thinking about maybe cadence as we move through the year?

Speaker #2: So, we don't—great question. We don't guide to volume, but our guidance assumes, you know, easier volume comps as we progress through the year.

D. Anthony Scaglione: Great question. We don't guide to volume. Our guidance assumes easier volume comps as we progress through the year. We do see some H2 increased costs related to some of the input costs I mentioned in both of my prepared remarks and on the last call, I mean the last question. We expect to continue to have good overhead and other cost management to help mitigate some of that risk, which is not hedged on the input side. I would look at it as, we don't expect a recovery necessarily from a volume perspective. We do have easier comps as we progress throughout the year.

Anthony Scaglione: Great question. We don't guide to volume. Our guidance assumes easier volume comps as we progress through the year. We do see some H2 increased costs related to some of the input costs I mentioned in both of my prepared remarks and on the last call, I mean the last question. We expect to continue to have good overhead and other cost management to help mitigate some of that risk, which is not hedged on the input side. I would look at it as, we don't expect a recovery necessarily from a volume perspective. We do have easier comps as we progress throughout the year.

Speaker #2: We do see some back-half increased costs related to some of the input costs I mentioned in both my prepared remarks and on the last call—I mean, the last question.

Speaker #2: But we expect to continue to have, you know, good overhead and other cost management to help mitigate some of that risk, which is not hedged on the input side.

Speaker #2: So I would look at it as, you know, we don't expect a recovery necessarily from a volume perspective, but we do have easier comps as we progress throughout the year.

Speaker #4: Understood. Appreciate that. And then, another question would be just on the promotional environment. You made a number of references in the prepared remarks, talked about a little bit more of an intense promotional environment that you believe is unsustainable.

Scott Marks: Understood. Appreciate that. Another question would be just on the promotional environment. You've made a number of references in the prepared remarks, talked about a little bit more of an intense promotional environment that you believe is unsustainable. I think you called out some improving trends in certain markets where that has eased a bit. Just wondering if you can dive a little bit deeper into that and help us understand maybe what supports your view that competitors will pull back on promotions and how long should we be thinking about this irrational environment to persist?

Speaker #4: and I think you called out some some improving trends in in certain markets where that has eased a bit. just wondering if you can dive a little bit deeper into that and help us understand, you know, maybe what supports your view that that competitors will pull back on promotions and and how long should we be thinking about this irrational environment to persist.

Speaker #2: Right. Well, first of all, I would say this. I mean, we've been through periods like this before. I mean, this is—it's not our first rodeo, as they say.

A. Ryals McMullian: Well, first of all, I would say this. We've been through periods like this before. It's not our first rodeo, as they say. We've seen this happen before. It typically has not been sustainable in the past. I think we're all familiar with the affordability issues that the country seems to be going through right now, particularly with the recent spike in gas prices. There was some commentary yesterday from a large retailer on softening consumer sentiment. We saw the Michigan's Consumer Sentiment Report come out at a record low. It is a concern, and it's something that we're just going to have to navigate our way through. Having said that, we're taking a long-term view. This company is about building strong brands that deliver significant value to consumers. When I say value, I don't mean heavily leaning into price.

Ryals McMullian: Well, first of all, I would say this. We've been through periods like this before. It's not our first rodeo, as they say. We've seen this happen before. It typically has not been sustainable in the past. I think we're all familiar with the affordability issues that the country seems to be going through right now, particularly with the recent spike in gas prices. There was some commentary yesterday from a large retailer on softening consumer sentiment. We saw the Michigan's Consumer Sentiment Report come out at a record low. It is a concern, and it's something that we're just going to have to navigate our way through. Having said that, we're taking a long-term view. This company is about building strong brands that deliver significant value to consumers. When I say value, I don't mean heavily leaning into price.

Speaker #2: You know, we've seen this happen before. It typically has not been sustainable in the past. I think we're all familiar with the affordability issues that the country seems to be going through right now, particularly with the recent spike in gas prices.

Speaker #2: You know, there's some commentary yesterday from a large retailer on, you know, softening consumer sentiment. We saw the Michigan—the Michigan's consumer sentiment report come out at a record low.

Speaker #2: And so, so it is a concern. And it's, you know, it's, it's something that we're just going to have to navigate our way through.

Speaker #2: Having said that, we're taking a long-term view. This company is about building strong brands that deliver significant value to consumers. And when I say value, I don't mean heavily leaning into price.

Speaker #2: I mean delivering quality, great service, innovation, and differentiation to the consumer. That's our play. We'll continue to run it. Having said that, I know you all have been watching the share and volume dynamics in the syndicated data.

A. Ryals McMullian: I mean delivering quality, great service, innovation, and differentiation to the consumer. That's our play. We'll continue to run it. Having said that, I know you all have been watching the share and volume dynamics in the syndicated data. I would just remind everyone, we did take pricing late last year, the pricing gaps have remained a bit wider than we would like in the short term, that has somewhat affected our volume performance, particularly as you look in the traditional loaf category. However, we did pull back some on promotions and marketing spend in Q1 because we were saving our dry powder for this big relaunch of Nature's Own. Our calendar will start to heat up to a more normal level as we move through the remainder of the year. I would expect some of those share trends to begin to improve.

Ryals McMullian: I mean delivering quality, great service, innovation, and differentiation to the consumer. That's our play. We'll continue to run it. Having said that, I know you all have been watching the share and volume dynamics in the syndicated data. I would just remind everyone, we did take pricing late last year, the pricing gaps have remained a bit wider than we would like in the short term, that has somewhat affected our volume performance, particularly as you look in the traditional loaf category. However, we did pull back some on promotions and marketing spend in Q1 because we were saving our dry powder for this big relaunch of Nature's Own. Our calendar will start to heat up to a more normal level as we move through the remainder of the year. I would expect some of those share trends to begin to improve.

Speaker #2: I would just remind everyone, we did take pricing late last year. And the pricing gaps have remained a bit wider than we would like in the short term.

Speaker #2: And that has somewhat affected our volume performance, particularly as you look in the traditional loaf category. However, we did pull back some.

Speaker #2: On promotions and marketing spend in the first quarter, we were saving our dry powder for this big relaunch of Nature Zone. So our calendar will start to heat up to a more normal level as we move through the remainder of the year.

Speaker #2: And I would expect, I would expect some of those share trends to begin to improve. And in fact, where we have seen, in a in a in a few channels where we have seen, the price gap start to to narrow to a more normalized level, we're already beginning to see those share improvements.

A. Ryals McMullian: In fact, where we have seen, in a few channels, where we have seen the price gap start to narrow to a more normalized level, we are already beginning to see those share improvements.

Ryals McMullian: In fact, where we have seen, in a few channels, where we have seen the price gap start to narrow to a more normalized level, we are already beginning to see those share improvements.

Speaker #4: Appreciate the caller. I'll pass it on.

Scott Marks: Appreciate the color. I'll pass it on.

Speaker #1: Thank you. One moment for our next question. Our next question comes from the line of Maximum, part of BMV Peru, with your line now open.

Operator: Thank you. One moment for our next question. Our next question comes to the line of Max Gumport of B. Riley.

Operator: Thank you. One moment for our next question. Our next question comes to the line of Max Gumport of BNP Paribas.

Speaker #2: Thanks, appreciate the question. So you mentioned you're largely covered for quantities that you hedge for in '26. I'm not sure that would include diesel fuel.

Max Gumport: Thanks. Appreciate the question. You mentioned you're largely covered for commodities that you hedged for in 2026. I'm not sure that would include diesel fuel, and I don't think it would include transportation. Could you talk about the impact there of those rising costs on your P&L and what's embedded in your outlook for 2026 on that front?

Speaker #2: I don't think it would include transportation. So could you talk about the the rising the the impact there of of those rising costs on your P&L and what's embedded in your outlook for for '26 on that front?

Speaker #3: So it's fully embedded in in our outlook. a-and as I mentioned, you're you're correct. The diesel does have an impact, primarily for our fleet, but recall from a DSD network, that cost has actually in our, partners, not that we don't that we ignore it, but it's not something that's going to show up necessarily on our P&L.

D. Anthony Scaglione: It's fully embedded in our outlook. As I mentioned, you're correct. The diesel does have an impact primarily for our fleet. Recall from a DSD network, that cost is actually in our partners. Not that we ignore it, but it's not something that's going to show up necessarily on our P&L. As it relates to the hedging programs, we are looking at potentially hedging that on a go-forward basis, is not included in our guide. Everything right now as it relates to the oil impact, and again, it's twofold, it's both on the distribution side as well as on the resin side, fully captured in the guide that we provided.

Anthony Scaglione: It's fully embedded in our outlook. As I mentioned, you're correct. The diesel does have an impact primarily for our fleet. Recall from a DSD network, that cost is actually in our partners. Not that we ignore it, but it's not something that's going to show up necessarily on our P&L. As it relates to the hedging programs, we are looking at potentially hedging that on a go-forward basis, is not included in our guide. Everything right now as it relates to the oil impact, and again, it's twofold, it's both on the distribution side as well as on the resin side, fully captured in the guide that we provided.

Speaker #3: As it relates to the hedging programs, we are looking at, you know, potentially hedging that on a go-forward basis. That is not included in our guide.

Speaker #3: So everything right now, as it relates to the oil impact—and again, it's twofold—it's both on the distribution side as well as on the resin side.

Speaker #3: fully captured in the guide that we provided.

Speaker #2: Okay. And any way to just help provide investors with some context in terms of the magnitude we're talking about, in terms of how much incremental costs you are now working to mitigate given everything that's changed since your fourth quarter results—when you first gave us the 2026 outlook?

Max Gumport: Okay. Any way to just help provide investors with some context in terms of the magnitude we're talking about in terms of how much incremental cost you are now working to mitigate, given everything that's changed since your Q4 results where you first gave us 2026 outlook?

Speaker #3: I would say, I mean, there's a lot of puts and takes. And as I mentioned, we have productivity measures. As it relates to the packaging, which is an area that, entering the year, we didn't expect cost increases.

D. Anthony Scaglione: I would say, there's a lot of puts and takes. As mentioned, we have productivity measures as it relates to the packaging, which is an area that entering the year, we didn't expect cost increases. As you can imagine, we have inventory that we're burning through at a much lower cost. I would say it's roughly about $0.02 or $0.03 of headwind in the H2 of the year associated with, generally speaking, oil and derivatives of oil.

Anthony Scaglione: I would say, there's a lot of puts and takes. As mentioned, we have productivity measures as it relates to the packaging, which is an area that entering the year, we didn't expect cost increases. As you can imagine, we have inventory that we're burning through at a much lower cost. I would say it's roughly about $0.02 or $0.03 of headwind in the H2 of the year associated with, generally speaking, oil and derivatives of oil.

Speaker #3: And as you can imagine, we have inventory that we're burning through at a much lower cost. I would say it's roughly about $0.02 or $0.03 of headwind in the back half of the year associated with, generally speaking, oil.

Speaker #3: And it and derivatives of oil.

Speaker #2: Okay, got it. And then, similar line of thinking, but I just want to finish out this line of thinking, which would be—since you gave guidance—the top line environment has gotten much more challenging, as you've noted.

Max Gumport: Okay. Got it. Similar line of thinking, but just want to finish out this line of thinking, which would be, since you gave guidance, the top-line environment has gotten much more challenging, as you've noted. We just talked about how these key commodity costs are rising. It feels like you're saying you're covered for a lot of it. There's some incremental costs coming in the back half, but that you are reaffirming the outlook. I'm just trying to get a sense for what's allowing you to. It sounds like it's maybe a little bit more visibility on productivity, but anything else I'm missing there?

Speaker #2: You know, we just talked about how these key commodity costs are rising. It feels like you're saying you're covered for a lot of it.

Speaker #2: There are some incremental costs coming in the back half, but you are reaffirming the outlook. I'm just trying to get a sense for what's allowing you to do that.

Speaker #2: It sounds like it's maybe a little bit more visibility on productivity, but anything else I'm missing there?

Speaker #3: Yeah. I would, and I'll pass it to Ralph. I think our confidence in reaffirming is anchored on a couple of things: the Nature's Own relaunch, expansion of Half Loafs with varieties that are being introduced in the back half of the year, which is an area where we've seen good growth.

D. Anthony Scaglione: Yeah. I'll pass it to Ryals McMullian. I think our confidence in reaffirming is anchored on a couple things. The Nature's Own relaunch expansion of half loaves with varieties that are going to be coming out in the back H2 of the year, which is an area that we've seen good growth. Continued growth in our snack and Better for You options. To Ryals McMullian's point, the pricing promotional environment stabilizing too. There's a lot of things that we have in the back H2 assumed within our guidance, but we are also looking at the margin pressure as it relates to the commodity increase. We also recognize there's going to be near-term margin pressure, and we were very clear at ERN with our marketing investments.

Anthony Scaglione: Yeah. I'll pass it to Ryals McMullian. I think our confidence in reaffirming is anchored on a couple things. The Nature's Own relaunch expansion of half loaves with varieties that are going to be coming out in the back H2 of the year, which is an area that we've seen good growth. Continued growth in our snack and Better for You options. To Ryals McMullian's point, the pricing promotional environment stabilizing too. There's a lot of things that we have in the back H2 assumed within our guidance, but we are also looking at the margin pressure as it relates to the commodity increase. We also recognize there's going to be near-term margin pressure, and we were very clear at ERN with our marketing investments.

Speaker #3: Continued growth in our snack and better-for-you options. The pricing that Ralph pointed out, the pricing promotional environment stabilizing. So there are a lot of things that we have in the back half, assumed within our guidance.

Speaker #3: But we are also looking at the margin pressure as it relates to the commodity increase. We also recognize there's going to be near-term margin pressure.

Speaker #3: And we were very clear on our ERN with our marketing investments. So we have captured what we feel are all the relevant inputs, as well as the relevant tailwinds, as it relates to the balance of the year.

D. Anthony Scaglione: We have captured what we feel are all the relevant inputs as well as the relevant tailwinds as it relates to the balance of the year.

Anthony Scaglione: We have captured what we feel are all the relevant inputs as well as the relevant tailwinds as it relates to the balance of the year.

Speaker #2: Okay, thanks very much. I can leave it there.

Max Gumport: Okay. Thanks very much. I can leave it there.

Speaker #1: Thank you. One moment for our next question. Again, as a reminder for this question, you will need to press star 11 on your telephone.

Operator: Thank you. One moment for our next question. Again, as a reminder, to ask a question, you will need to press star one on your telephone. Our next question comes from the line of Mitchell Pinheiro of Stifel Nicolaus. Your line is now open.

Speaker #1: And our next question comes from the line of Mitchell Panera of Serban and Co. Your line is now open.

Speaker #2: Yeah. Hey, good morning.

Mitchell Pinheiro: Yeah. Good morning.

A. Ryals McMullian: Morning.

Ryals McMullian: Morning.

Speaker #4: Good morning.

Mitchell Pinheiro: Hey, on the cost management side and your supply chain savings, is that the extent of your cost efforts? Are there also maybe some fixed asset or capacity changes that you're looking at? If so, anything more substantial to your baking platform?

Speaker #2: Hey, on on on the cost management side, you know, and and, you know, your supply chain savings, is that the extent of your cost efforts or, you know, are are there also you know, maybe some fixed asset, you know, or capacity, changes that are are you're looking at?

Speaker #2: And you know, so anything more substantial, sort of, to your sort of baking platform?

Speaker #3: Yeah, Mitchell for Ralph. Good morning. You know, I think Anthony covered it well. You know, there’s cost opportunities in SDNA. Obviously, there’s productivity—product productivity gains that we expect to deliver this year.

A. Ryals McMullian: Yeah. Mitchell, it's Ryals. Good morning. I think D. Anthony Scaglione covered it well. There's cost opportunities in SG&A. Obviously, there's productivity gains that we expect to deliver this year. I would just, first of all, like to commend the team for their cost management efforts, frankly, over the last two or three years. I think they've done a remarkable job of managing our costs in a difficult environment. In terms of the overall supply chain optimization work, not anticipating anything major this year, Mitchell, but that is, as we've discussed in the past, that is in our longer-term plans.

Ryals McMullian: Yeah. Mitchell, it's Ryals. Good morning. I think D. Anthony Scaglione covered it well. There's cost opportunities in SG&A. Obviously, there's productivity gains that we expect to deliver this year. I would just, first of all, like to commend the team for their cost management efforts, frankly, over the last two or three years. I think they've done a remarkable job of managing our costs in a difficult environment. In terms of the overall supply chain optimization work, not anticipating anything major this year, Mitchell, but that is, as we've discussed in the past, that is in our longer-term plans.

Speaker #3: And, you know, I would just— I would just, first of all, like to commend the team for their cost management efforts, frankly, over the last, you know, two or three years.

Speaker #3: I think they've done a remarkable job of, managing our costs and and in a difficult environment. In terms of the overall, supply chain optimization work, not anticipating anything major of this year, Mitch, but that that is, as we've discussed in the past, that is in our in our longer-term plans.

Speaker #2: Okay. And then, on the CapEx, you know, 115 to 125 million, what are what are the, could you break that down in in the buckets of of, how that's going to be, used this year?

Mitchell Pinheiro: Okay. On the CapEx, $115 to 125 million. Could you break that down in the buckets of?

Mitchell Pinheiro: How that's going to be used this year?

Speaker #3: Sure, I think I mentioned it on the last call. So the way to think about it is, roughly, you know, plus or minus around $2 million per bakery on maintenance.

D. Anthony Scaglione: Sure. I think I mentioned it on the last call. The way to think about it is roughly, plus or minus around $2 million per bakery on maintenance. That should be viewed on a consistent basis as we continue to provide productivity measures within our bakery, maintenance measures, around $2 million. The remaining CapEx is going to be dedicated to growth, and we see opportunities around product line extensions where we can drive additional value to the customer, as well as productivity measures. That's the way I would break out the bucket of the guide as it relates to CapEx.

Anthony Scaglione: Sure. I think I mentioned it on the last call. The way to think about it is roughly, plus or minus around $2 million per bakery on maintenance. That should be viewed on a consistent basis as we continue to provide productivity measures within our bakery, maintenance measures, around $2 million. The remaining CapEx is going to be dedicated to growth, and we see opportunities around product line extensions where we can drive additional value to the customer, as well as productivity measures. That's the way I would break out the bucket of the guide as it relates to CapEx.

Speaker #3: So that should be viewed on a consistent basis as we continue to provide productivity measures within our bakery, maintenance measures, around $2 million. The remaining CapEx is going to be dedicated to growth.

Speaker #3: And we see opportunities around, you know, product line extensions where we can drive additional value to the customer, as well as productivity measures.

Speaker #3: So that's the way I would, you know, break out the bucket of the guide as it relates to CapEx.

Speaker #2: Okay. And then, I guess, just a final question on food service. Can you just talk about what's going on in your food service business?

Mitchell Pinheiro: Okay. I guess just final question on food service. Can you just talk about what's going on in your food service business?

Speaker #3: Sure. you know, I I think, just like everything else, Mitch, you know, the consumer's pressured. And so there's, you know, there's there's certainly some some traffic pressure.

A. Ryals McMullian: Sure. I think just like everything else, Mitch, the consumer's pressured, there's certainly some traffic pressure. As you know, we've done a lot of work over the last several years to improve the profitability of our food service business, and that continues. It continues to do well. I would say, more recently, it has done a bit better from an overall top-line standpoint. We believe, as you know, it's a scaled business for us. We think we've got a very solid food service/away from home business, and we'll continue to work to grow it.

Ryals McMullian: Sure. I think just like everything else, Mitch, the consumer's pressured, there's certainly some traffic pressure. As you know, we've done a lot of work over the last several years to improve the profitability of our food service business, and that continues. It continues to do well. I would say, more recently, it has done a bit better from an overall top-line standpoint. We believe, as you know, it's a scaled business for us. We think we've got a very solid food service/away from home business, and we'll continue to work to grow it.

Speaker #3: As you know, we've done a lot of work over the last several years to improve the profitability of our food service business, and that continues.

Speaker #3: So it continues to do well. I would say, you know, more recently, it has done a bit better from an overall top-line standpoint.

Speaker #3: So, you know, we we believe we've got a a very solid it's, as you know, it's a it's a scaled business for us. We think we've got a very solid, food service, slash away-from-home business.

Speaker #3: And we'll continue to work to grow it.

Mitchell Pinheiro: Are you seeing any improvement there, or is it just sort of same pressure and maybe would you anticipate potential improvement sort of coinciding with what you see on the branded retail side?

Speaker #2: Are you seeing any—so, are you seeing any improvement there? Or is it just sort of the same pressure? And maybe, would you anticipate potential improvement sort of coinciding with what you see on the branded retail side?

Speaker #3: Yeah, I mean, like I said, I think—I think, you know, more recently, you know, from a top-line standpoint, it has improved a little bit.

A. Ryals McMullian: Yeah, like I said, I think more recently, from a top-line standpoint, it has improved a little bit. Again, the profitability work that we've done over the last several years has definitely paid some dividends because profitability is quite a bit better than it was. I think what we'll be watching overall is overall restaurant traffic and where the trends are headed that way, just given the overall inflationary pressures that the consumer is feeling today.

Ryals McMullian: Yeah, like I said, I think more recently, from a top-line standpoint, it has improved a little bit. Again, the profitability work that we've done over the last several years has definitely paid some dividends because profitability is quite a bit better than it was. I think what we'll be watching overall is overall restaurant traffic and where the trends are headed that way, just given the overall inflationary pressures that the consumer is feeling today.

Speaker #3: And again, the profitability work that we've done over the last several years has definitely paid some dividends, because profitability is quite a bit better than it was.

Speaker #3: You know, I think what we what we'll be watching, you know, overall is is, you know, overall restaurant traffic and, you know, where the where the trends are headed that way, just given the overall, inflationary pressures that that the consumer is is feeling today.

Speaker #2: Okay, all right. Well, that's all from me. Thank you very much.

Mitchell Pinheiro: Okay. All right. Well, that's all for me. Thank you very much.

Speaker #3: Thanks, Mitch.

D. Anthony Scaglione: Thanks, Mitch.

Anthony Scaglione: Thanks, Mitch.

Speaker #4: Thank you.

A. Ryals McMullian: Thank you.

Ryals McMullian: Thank you.

Speaker #1: Thank you. I'm showing no further questions at this time. I will now turn it back to A. McMullian, Chairman and CEO, for closing remarks.

Operator: Thank you. I'm showing no further questions at this time. I'll now turn it back to Ryals McMullian, Chairman, CEO, for closing remarks.

Speaker #2: Okay, great. Thanks, everybody, for taking time today and joining us for questions. We very much appreciate your interest in our company, and as always, we'll look forward to talking to you again next quarter.

A. Ryals McMullian: Okay, great. Thanks, everybody, for taking time today and joining us for questions. We very much appreciate your interest in our company. As always, we'll look forward to talking to you again next quarter. Take care.

Ryals McMullian: Okay, great. Thanks, everybody, for taking time today and joining us for questions. We very much appreciate your interest in our company. As always, we'll look forward to talking to you again next quarter. Take care.

Speaker #2: Take care.

Operator: Thank you for your participation in today's conference. This does conclude the program. You may now disconnect.