Weis Markets Inc: Form 10-K for the period ended Dec 27, 2025

The Company strives to be good stewards of the environment and makes this an important part of its overall mission. Its sustainability strategy operates under four key pillars: natural resource conservation, green design, community impact, and food and agricultural impact. The goal of the sustainability strategy is to reduce the Company’s overall carbon footprint by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and reducing the impact on the environment, which also serves to increase the Company’s efficiency and benefit the communities in which it operates. The Company adheres to comprehensive refrigerant management (or strict refrigeration maintenance) standards to proactively reduce refrigerant gas leak rates and continues to refine its food donation and diversion practices. More information can be found in the Company’s most recently published sustainability report, linked below in Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

The Company operates in a highly competitive marketplace. The number and the variety of competitors vary by market. The Company’s principal competition consists of international, national, regional and local food chains, as well as independent food stores. The Company also faces substantial competition from convenience stores, membership warehouse clubs, specialty retailers, supercenters and large-scale drug and pharmacy chains. This competition is augmented by the food retail industry’s expansion into the online market in recent years. The Company continues to effectively compete by offering a strong combination of value, quality and service. The Company has provided additional product offerings and customer conveniences such as “Weis 2 Go Online,” currently offered at 195 store locations. “Weis 2 Go Online” allows the customer to order on-line and have their order delivered or picked up at an expedient store drive-thru. The Company also currently offers home delivery to customers at all 202 of its locations via multiple grocery delivery partners.

Human Capital. The Company believes that talent is a business differentiator and is committed to creating a sustainable competitive advantage through the selection, development and promotion of talented, highly motivated people. The Company believes that establishing a learning culture supports its commitment to be an employer of choice and helps drive customer engagement with its employees. Improvements in the Company’s talent management and development will help drive business impact while providing internal career opportunities. The Company continues to grow leaders at every level throughout the organization by creating a culture of mentoring, coaching and leveraging on-the-job assignments for continued development. The Company believes that a strong employment brand is necessary to attract and retain top talent and affects its ability to compete and execute strategic plans. The Company will continue to assess and upgrade underlying technologies to support human capital development as a strategic imperative for future growth.

The Company currently employs over 22,000 full-time and part-time employees. Approximately 94% of Weis Markets employees are paid an hourly wage.

Trade Names and Trademarks. The Company has invested significantly in the development and protection of “Weis Markets” both as a trade name and a trademark and considers it to be an important asset. The Company is the exclusive licensee of nearly 100 trademarks registered and/or pending in the United States Patent and Trademark Office from WMK Holdings, Inc., including trademarks for its product lines and promotions such as Weis, Weis 2 Go, Weis Great Meals Start Here, Weis Gas-n-Go and Weis Nutri-Facts. Each trademark registration is for an initial period of 10 years and may be renewed so long as it is in continued use in commerce.

The Company considers its trademarks to be of material importance to its business and actively defends and enforces its rights.

The Company maintains a corporate web site at www.weismarkets.com/investor-relations (http://www.weismarkets.com/investor-relations). The Company makes available, free of charge, on the “Investor Relations” page of its web site, its Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, as soon as reasonably practicable after the Company electronically files such material or furnishes it to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) by clicking on the SEC information link.

uncertainties, including, without limitation, the possibility of imprecise assumptions underlying expectations regarding potential synergies and the integration process, unforeseen expenses and delays diverting Management’s time and attention and competitive factors in the marketplace.

The Company’s investment portfolio may suffer losses from changes in market interest rates and changes in market conditions which could adversely affect results of operations and liquidity.

The Company’s marketable securities consist of corporate and municipal bonds and commercial paper. These investments are subject to general credit, liquidity, market and interest rate risks. As a result, the Company may experience a reduction in value or loss of liquidity from investments, which may have a negative impact on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.

Unexpected factors affecting self-insurance claims and reserve estimates could adversely affect the Company.

The Company uses a combination of insurance and self-insurance to provide for potential liabilities for workers’ compensation, general liability, vehicle accident, property and employee medical benefit claims. Management estimates the liabilities associated with the risks retained by the Company, in part, by considering historical claims experience, demographic and severity factors and other actuarial assumptions which, by their nature, are subject to a high degree of variability. Any projection of losses concerning workers’ compensation and general liability is subject to a high degree of variability. Among the causes of this variability are unpredictable external factors affecting future inflation rates, litigation trends, legal interpretations, benefit level changes and claim settlement patterns.

Information Security, Cybersecurity and Data Privacy Risks

Disruptions or cybersecurity breaches in the Company’s information technology systems could adversely affect results of operations.

The Company’s business is highly dependent on complex information technology systems that are vital to its continuing operations. If the Company was to experience difficulties maintaining existing systems or implementing new systems, significant losses could be incurred due to disruptions in its operations. Additionally, these systems contain valuable proprietary data as well as receipt and storage of personal information about its employees and customers, in particular electronic payment data and personal health information that, if breached, would have an adverse effect on the Company. Such an occurrence could adversely affect the Company’s reputation with its customers, employees, and vendors, as well as the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, and liquidity with potential litigation against the Company or the imposition of penalties. The techniques and sophistication used in breach information technology systems and the rapid evolution and increased adoption of artificial intelligence technologies may intensify the Company’s cybersecurity risks.

Supply Chain and Third-Party Risks

The Company is affected by certain operating costs which could increase or fluctuate considerably, and other potential disruptions.

Employee expenses contribute to the majority of the Company’s operating costs. The Company’s financial performance is potentially affected by increasing wage and benefit costs, a competitive labor market, regulatory wage increases and the risk of unionized labor disruptions of its non-union workforce. The Company’s profit is particularly sensitive to the cost of oil. Oil prices directly affect the Company’s product transportation costs, as well as its utility and petroleum-based supply costs. It also affects the costs of its suppliers, which impacts its cost of goods. Additionally, disruptions to the Company’s distribution of food products pose significant risks to the Company's operations. Various factors such as extreme weather conditions, food and drug safety, health epidemics or pandemics, and civil unrest could all contribute to such disruptions.

Risk Management and Strategy

The Company utilizes information systems to support a variety of business processes and activities in its operations. These systems may be subject to cyber-based attacks or breaches. Some examples of the cybersecurity threats that could negatively impact the Company are credit card skimmers, denial of service attacks, excessive port scans, firewall breach and computer virus outbreak.

Cybersecurity risk management is part of Management’s annual risk assessment program. In order to manage the risks associated with cybersecurity threats, the Company maintains a risk-based cybersecurity program consisting of processes, technologies, and controls to assess, identify and manage material risks from cybersecurity threats.

While the Company's information systems are exposed to cybersecurity threats and risks, the Company has not experienced any material cybersecurity incidents affecting its business strategy, results of operations, or financial

condition, and any costs or operational impacts related to cybersecurity incidents were immaterial during the period presented.

For additional information related to the risks associated with cybersecurity threats, refer to the Information Security, Cybersecurity and Data Privacy Risks section of Item 1a. Risk Factors.

Governance

Board of Directors Oversight

The Company’s Board of Directors is responsible for providing oversight and strategic guidance to management to support the long-term interests of the Company's shareholders. The Audit Committee is the lead committee of the Board of Directors responsible for oversight of the Company’s risk-based cybersecurity program and bears the primary responsibility for this aspect of the business. As part of this responsibility, the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors annually reviews the Company's Information Security Incident Response Plan.

On a quarterly basis cybersecurity incidents are summarized and reported to the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors which cover any identified cybersecurity incidents, results of third-party vulnerability testing, and key developments in policies.

Management’s Role in Managing Risk

The Company’s cybersecurity risk management is part of the Company's Information Security Office, led by the Chief Information Officer. In order to manage the risks associated with cybersecurity threats, the Company has implemented an Information Security Incident Response Plan.

The Company engages with a range of third-party experts, including cybersecurity assessors, consultants, and auditors in evaluating and testing its risk management systems. These relationships enable Management to leverage specialized knowledge and insights with respect to the Company’s cybersecurity strategies and processes.

The Company's Information Security Incident Response Plan includes detailed processes and controls related to cybersecurity awareness training for employees, phishing simulations, backup and recovery, response planning, vulnerability management and endpoint protection as well as ongoing cybersecurity requirements for third-party service

providers. The framework is regularly reviewed, assessed, and updated. This framework is designed to mitigate risks related to data breaches or other security incidents originating from third parties.

As of December 27, 2025, the Company owned and operated 108 of its retail food stores and leased and operated 94 stores under operating leases that expire at various dates through 2038. The Company owns all trade fixtures and equipment in its stores and several parcels of vacant land, which are available as locations for possible future stores or other expansion.

The Company owns and operates one distribution center in Milton, Pennsylvania of approximately 1.3 million square feet, and one in Northumberland, Pennsylvania totaling approximately 76 thousand square feet. The Company also owns one warehouse complex in Sunbury, Pennsylvania totaling approximately 535 thousand square feet. The Company utilizes 258 thousand square feet of its Sunbury location to operate its three manufacturing facilities which process milk, water, ice, ice cream and fresh meat products.

The Company estimates any exposure to routine litigation to the business and establishes accruals for the estimated liabilities, where it is reasonably possible to estimate and where an adverse outcome is probable.

Kurt Schertle, the former Chief Operating Officer and Secretary of the Company, filed the claim, Kurt Schertle vs. Weis Markets Inc. and the Weis Markets Inc. Retirement Committee, on November 4, 2025 in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. The case relates to certain benefit plan amounts that Mr. Schertle claims he is entitled to as a result of his former employment with the Company. The Company asserts that termination of Mr. Schertle’s employment on October 16, 2024 was for cause and that no obligation to Mr. Schertle remains. The Company does not believe the demand received on November 4, 2025 has any merit and will vigorously dispute any claim for payment.

Results of Operations (continued)

(amounts in thousands)

Operating, general, and administrative expenses as a percent of sales increased by 0.3% for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2024, compared with 2023. The increase was driven primarily by higher employee-related expense; higher employee insurance benefits expense; higher third party expense, including technology, consulting, and financial services costs; and higher supplies expense. These increases were partially offset by a net gain on the disposition of fixed assets related to real estate property sales and a one-time deferred compensation plan liability credit in 2024 in comparison to 2023.

Provision for Income Taxes

The effective income tax rate was 24.4%, 26.9% and 29.3% in 2025, 2024, and 2023, respectively. The effective income tax rate differs from the federal statutory rate of 21% primarily due to state taxes, federal and state tax credits, and nondeductible employee-related expenses. Pennsylvania House Bill 1342 made significant changes to the Commonwealth’s corporate income tax laws which included lowering the tax rate gradually from 9.99% in 2022 to 4.99% in 2031, offset by taxable income changes, inclusive of, updating market sourcing rules, and codifying the economic nexus standard. On July 4, 2025, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (“OBBBA”) was signed into law. This legislation includes provisions that permanently extend the expiring elements of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, including 100% bonus depreciation on qualifying property placed in service after January 19, 2025, and full expensing of domestic research and development expenditures. In accordance with Accounting Standards Codification ASC 740, “Income Taxes”, the Company recognized the enacted legislation effective September 27, 2025. The legislation has multiple effective dates with some provisions taking effect in 2025 and others phased in through 2027. As a result of the Company’s elections, the 2025 cash taxes decreased with no material impact to its effective tax rate.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The primary source of cash is cash flows generated from operations. In addition, the Company has access to a revolving credit agreement entered into on September 1, 2016, and amended on September 29, 2023, with Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. (the “Credit Agreement”). The Credit Agreement matures on October 1, 2027, and provides for an unsecured revolving credit facility with an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $30.0 million with an additional discretionary amount available of $70.0 million. As of December 27, 2025, the availability under the revolving credit agreement was $19.9 million with $10.1 million of letters of credit outstanding. The letters of credit are maintained primarily to support performance, payment, deposit or surety obligations of the Company.

On October 1, 2025, the Company divested a portion of its marketable securities portfolio to increase cash and cash equivalents liquidity to satisfy working capital obligations, selling $7.2 million in equity securities and $24.4 million in corporate and municipal bonds. As of December 27, 2025, the Company’s marketable securities portfolio totaled $97.1 million consisting of high-grade corporate and municipal bonds with maturity dates between one and 30 years, commercial paper, and no equity securities. Management anticipates maintaining the investment portfolio but has the ability to liquidate if needed. See “Item 7a. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk” for more details regarding the Company’s market risk.

(dollars in thousands)

Other Relevant Market Risks

On October 1, 2025, the Company divested a portion of its marketable securities portfolio to increase cash and cash equivalents liquidity to satisfy working capital obligations, selling $7.2 million in equity securities and $24.4 million in corporate and municipal bonds. As of December 27, 2025, the Company held no equity securities and the marketable securities portfolio consisting of high-grade corporate and municipal bonds and commercial paper totaled $97.1 million. Prior to the sale, the dividend yield realized on the equity investments was 3.2% in 2025. By their nature, both the fixed interest rate securities and the equity investments inherently expose the holders to market risk. The extent of the Company’s interest rate and other market risk is not quantifiable or predictable with precision due to the variability of future interest rates and other changes in market conditions. However, the Company believes that its exposure in this area is not material.

The Company’s revolving credit agreement is exposed to interest rate fluctuations to the extent of changes in the SOFR rate. The Company believes this exposure is not material due to availability of liquid assets to eliminate the outstanding credit facility.

Management’s Report on Disclosure Controls and Procedures

The Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the Company (its principal executive officer and principal financial officer, respectively) have concluded, based on their evaluation as of the end of the period covered by this Report, that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were not effective. This conclusion results from the identification of a material weakness in internal control over financial reporting, which indicates that the Company’s controls did not operate effectively to ensure that information required to be disclosed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, was recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified by SEC rules and forms, or that such information was appropriately accumulated and communicated to management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to support timely decisions regarding required disclosures.

Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

The management of the Company is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act). Under the supervision and with the participation of management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, the Company conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting based on the framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013 framework). The Company’s internal control system was designed to provide reasonable assurance to the Company’s management and Board of Directors regarding the preparation and fair presentation of published financial statements. All internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation.

A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the Company’s annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Management concluded that there was a material weakness in internal controls due to the incorrect recording of certain overstated inventory amounts and that our internal controls over financial reporting were not designed to prevent or detect a material error as of December 27, 2025. The material weakness resulted in an overstatement of inventory in our previously issued financial statements. The impact of those errors has been corrected and presented in Note 12. Subsequent to the year ended December 27, 2025, the Company engaged outside legal counsel to conduct a separate investigation and report findings to the Audit Committee. A detailed analysis was completed by management to determine the impact of the overstated inventory. The Company also implemented management review controls over the completeness, accuracy and reasonableness of the inventory results and remedial actions are currently being taken in our testing and evaluation of the design and operating effectiveness of these internal controls. Planned actions include strengthened documentation and record retention controls, enhanced supervisory and accounting review procedures, revised inventory count and reconciliation protocols, improved monitoring and exception reporting mechanisms, and reinforced segregation of duties.

RSM US LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, has audited the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and, as part of their audit, has issued their attestation report on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 27, 2025. The report can be found in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Except as noted in the preceding paragraphs, there were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the fiscal year ended December 27, 2025, that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.