J&J Snack Foods Corp: Form 10-K for the period ended Sep 28, 2024

General

J & J Snack Foods Corp. (the “Company” or “J & J”) manufactures snack foods and distributes frozen beverages which it markets nationally to the foodservice and retail supermarket industries. The Company’s principal snack food products are soft pretzels marketed primarily under the brand names SUPERPRETZEL, BRAUHAUS and BAVARIAN BAKERY, frozen novelties marketed primarily under the DIPPIN’ DOTS, LUIGI’S, WHOLE FRUIT, ICEE, DOGSTERS, PHILLY SWIRL and MINUTE MAID* brand names, churros marketed primarily under the ¡HOLA! and CALIFORNIA CHURROS brand names and bakery products sold primarily under the READI-BAKE, COUNTRY HOME, MARY B’S, DADDY RAY’S and HILL & VALLEY brand names as well as for private label and contract packing. We believe we are the largest manufacturer of soft pretzels in the United States. Other snack food products include funnel cake sold under THE FUNNEL CAKE FACTORY brand and handheld products sold under smaller brands. The Company’s principal frozen beverage products are the ICEE brand frozen carbonated beverage and the SLUSH PUPPIE brand frozen non-carbonated beverage.

The Company’s Food Service and Frozen Beverages sales are made primarily to foodservice customers including snack bar and food stand locations in leading chain, department, discount, warehouse club and convenience stores; malls and shopping centers; fast food and casual dining restaurants; stadiums and sports arenas; leisure and theme parks; movie theatres; independent retailers; and schools, colleges, and other institutions. The Company’s retail supermarket customers are primarily supermarket chains.

* Minute Maid is a registered trademark of the Coca-Cola Company

The Company was incorporated in 1971 under the laws of the State of New Jersey.

The Company operates in three business segments: Food Service, Retail Supermarkets and Frozen Beverages. These segments are described below.

The Chief Operating Decision Maker for Food Service, Retail Supermarkets and Frozen Beverages reviews detailed operating income statements and sales reports in order to assess performance and allocate resources to each individual segment. Sales and operating income are key variables monitored by the Chief Operating Decision Maker and management when determining each segment’s and the Company’s financial condition and operating performance. In addition, the Chief Operating Decision Maker reviews and evaluates depreciation, capital spending and assets of each segment on a quarterly basis to monitor cash flow and asset needs of each segment (see Item 7 – Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and Item 8 – Financial Statements and Supplementary Data for financial information about segments).

Food Service

The primary products sold by the Food Service segment are soft pretzels, frozen novelties, churros, handheld products, and baked goods. Our customers in the Food Service segment include snack bars and food stands in chain, department, and discount stores; malls and shopping centers; fast food and casual dining restaurants; stadiums and sports arenas; leisure and theme parks; convenience stores; movie theatres; warehouse club stores; schools, colleges and other institutions. Within the food service industry, our products are purchased by the consumer primarily for consumption at the point-of-sale or for take-away.

Retail Supermarkets

The primary products sold to the retail supermarket channel are soft pretzel products – including SUPERPRETZEL, frozen novelties including LUIGI’S Real Italian Ice, MINUTE MAID Juice Bars and Soft Frozen Lemonade, WHOLE FRUIT frozen fruit bars and sorbet, DOGSTERS ice cream style treats for dogs, PHILLY SWIRL cups and sticks, ICEE Squeeze-Up Tubes and handheld products. Within the retail supermarket channel, our frozen and prepackaged products are purchased by the consumer for consumption at home.

Frozen Beverages

We sell frozen beverages to the foodservice industry primarily under the names ICEE, SLUSH PUPPIE and PARROT ICE in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. We also provide repair and maintenance services to customers for customer-owned equipment.

Products

Soft Pretzels

The Company’s soft pretzels are sold under many brand names; some of which are: SUPERPRETZEL, SUPERPRETZEL BAVARIAN, NEW YORK PRETZEL, FEDERAL PRETZEL, AND BRAUHAUS; and, to a lesser extent, under private labels.

Soft pretzels are sold in the Food Service and Retail Supermarket segments. Soft pretzel sales amounted to 18% of the Company’s revenue in fiscal year 2024, 19% in fiscal year 2023, and 19% in fiscal year 2022.

Certain of the Company’s soft pretzels qualify under USDA regulations as the nutritional equivalent of grains for purposes of the USDA school nutrition program, thereby enabling a participating school to obtain partial reimbursement for the cost of the Company’s soft pretzels from the USDA.

The Company’s soft pretzels are manufactured according to a proprietary formula. Soft pretzels, ranging in size from one to twenty-four ounces in weight, are shaped and formed by the Company’s twister machines. These soft pretzel tying machines are automated, high-speed machines for twisting dough into the traditional pretzel shape. Additionally, we make soft pretzels which are extruded or shaped by hand. Soft pretzels, after baking, are quick-frozen and packaged for delivery.

The Company’s principal marketing program in the Food Service segment includes supplying ovens, mobile merchandisers, display cases, warmers, and similar merchandising equipment to the retailer to prepare and promote the sale of soft pretzels. Some of this equipment is proprietary, including combination warmer and display cases that rebake frozen soft pretzels while displaying them, thus eliminating the need for an oven. The Company retains ownership of the equipment placed in customer locations, and as a result, customers are not required to make an investment in equipment.

Frozen Novelties

The Company’s frozen novelties are marketed primarily under the DIPPIN’DOTS, LUIGI’S, WHOLE FRUIT, DOGSTERS, PHILLY SWIRL, ICEE and MINUTE MAID brand names. Frozen novelties are sold in the Food Service and Retail Supermarkets segments. Frozen novelties sales were 17% of the Company’s revenue in fiscal year 2024, 17% in fiscal year 2023, and 14% in fiscal year 2022.

The Company’s school foodservice LUIGI’S and WHOLE FRUIT frozen juice cups are produced in various flavors and contain one half of a cup of fruit equivalent made of 100% juice with no added sugar and in accordance with USDA guidelines.

The Company’s DIPPIN’ DOTS’ frozen novelty products are cryogenically frozen beads of ice cream, created using liquid nitrogen at -320 degrees Fahrenheit. Product variations include ice cream (milk and cream based), flavored ice (water based) and frozen yogurt branded YoDots. The product is served to consumers by the cup, or via individual serving packages.

The balance of the Company’s frozen novelties products are manufactured from water, sweeteners and fruit juice concentrates in various flavors and packaging including cups, tubes, and sticks. Several of the products contain ice cream and WHOLE FRUIT bars contains pieces of fruit.

Churros

The Company’s churros are sold primarily under the ¡HOLA! and CALIFORNIA CHURROS brand names. Churros are sold to the Food Service and Retail Supermarkets segments. Churro sales were 7% of the Company’s sales in fiscal year 2024, 7% in fiscal year 2023, and 6% in fiscal year 2022. Churros are pastries in stick form which the Company produces in several sizes according to a proprietary formula. The churros are deep fried, frozen, and packaged. At food service point-of-sale they are reheated and topped with a cinnamon sugar mixture. The Company also sells chocolate-filled, fruit-filled, and crème-filled churros. The Company supplies churro merchandising equipment similar to that used for its soft pretzels.

Handheld Products

The Company's handheld products are sold primarily under private label names. Handheld products are sold to the Food Service and Retail Supermarket segments. Handheld product sales amounted to 7% of the Company’s sales in fiscal year 2024, 6% in fiscal year 2023, and 7% in fiscal year 2022.

Bakery Products

The Company’s bakery products are marketed under the MRS. GOODCOOKIE, READI-BAKE, COUNTRY HOME, MARY B’S, DADDY RAY’S and HILL & VALLEY brand names, and under private labels. Bakery products include primarily fig and fruit bars, cookies, breads, rolls, crumb, muffins, and donuts. Bakery products are sold to the Food Service segment. Bakery products sales amounted to 26% of the Company’s sales in fiscal year 2024, 26% in fiscal year 2023, and 29% in fiscal year 2022.

Frozen Beverages

The Company markets frozen beverages primarily under the names ICEE, SLUSH PUPPIE and PARROT ICE which are sold primarily in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Frozen beverages are reported in the Frozen Beverages segment.

Frozen beverage sales amounted to 15% of the Company’s revenue in fiscal year 2024, 14% in fiscal year 2023, and 13% in fiscal year 2022.

Under the Company’s principal marketing program for frozen carbonated beverages, it installs frozen beverage dispensers for its ICEE brand at customer locations and thereafter services the machines, arranges to supply customers with ingredients required for production of the frozen beverages, and supports customer retail sales efforts with in-store promotions and point-of-sale materials. The Company sells frozen non-carbonated beverages under the SLUSH PUPPIE and PARROT ICE brands through a distributor network and through its own distribution network. The Company also provides repair and maintenance service to customers for customer-owned equipment and sells equipment in its Frozen Beverages segment. Revenue from equipment sales and repair and maintenance services totaled 9% of the Company’s sales in each of the fiscal years 2024, 2023, and 2022.

Each new frozen carbonated customer location requires a frozen beverage dispenser supplied by the Company or by the customer. Company-supplied frozen carbonated dispensers are purchased from outside vendors or rebuilt by the Company.

The Company provides managed service and/or products to approximately 132,000 Company-owned and customer-owned dispensers.

The Company has the rights to market and distribute frozen beverages under the name ICEE and Slush Puppie to the entire continental United States as well as internationally.

Other Products

Other products sold by the Company include funnel cakes sold under the FUNNEL CAKE FACTORY brand name and smaller amounts of various other food products. These products are sold in the Food Service and Frozen Beverages segments.

Customers

The Company sells its products to two principal channels: foodservice and retail supermarkets. The primary products sold to the foodservice channel are soft pretzels, frozen beverages, frozen novelties, churros, handheld products and baked goods. The primary products sold to the retail supermarket channel are soft pretzels, frozen novelties and handheld products.

We have several large customers that account for a significant portion of our sales. Our top ten customers accounted for 45%, 43% and 43% of our sales during fiscal years 2024, 2023, and 2022, respectively, with our largest customer accounting for 9% of our sales in fiscal 2024, 9% of our sales in fiscal 2023, and 8% of our sales in fiscal 2022. Five of the ten customers in 2024 are food distributors who sell our product to many end users. The loss of one or more of our large customers could adversely affect our results of operations. These customers typically do not enter into long-term contracts and make purchase decisions based on a combination of price, product quality, consumer demand and customer service performance. If our sales to one or more of these customers are reduced, this reduction may adversely affect our business. If receivables from one or more of these customers become uncollectible, our operating income would be adversely impacted.

The Food Service and the Frozen Beverages segments sell primarily to foodservice channels. The Retail Supermarkets segment sells primarily to the retail supermarket channel.

The Company’s customers in the Food Service segment include snack bars and food stands in chain, department and mass merchandising stores, malls and shopping centers, fast food and casual dining restaurants, stadiums and sports arenas, leisure and theme parks, convenience stores, movie theatres, warehouse club stores, schools, colleges and other institutions, and independent retailers. Machines and machine parts are sold to other food and beverage companies. Within the food service industry, the Company’s products are purchased by the consumer primarily for consumption at the point-of-sale.

The Company sells its products to an estimated 85-90% of supermarkets in the United States. Products sold to retail supermarket customers are primarily soft pretzel products, including SUPERPRETZEL, frozen novelties including LUIGI’S Real Italian Ice, MINUTE MAID Juice Bars and Soft Frozen Lemonade, WHOLE FRUIT frozen fruit bars, WHOLE FRUIT Sorbet, PHILLY SWIRL cups and sticks, MARY B’S biscuits and dumplings, DADDY RAY’S fig and fruit bars, HILL & VALLEY baked goods, and ICEE Squeeze-Up Tubes. Within the retail supermarket industry, the Company’s frozen and prepackaged products are purchased by the consumer for consumption at home.

Marketing and Distribution

The Company supports its portfolio of brands with national and regional marketing programs. For the Food Service and Frozen Beverages segments’ customers, these marketing programs includes providing ovens, mobile merchandisers, display cases, freezers, kiosks, warmers, frozen beverage dispensers and other merchandising equipment for the individual customer’s requirements and point-of-sale materials as well as participating in trade shows and in-store demonstrations. The Company’s ongoing advertising and promotional campaigns for its Retail Supermarket segment’s products include consumer advertising campaigns across traditional and digital channels, and print/digital media with value added shopper offers and promotions.

The Company develops and introduces new products on a routine basis. The Company evaluates the success of new product introductions on the basis of sales and profit levels.

The Company’s products are sold through a network of food brokers, independent sales distributors, and the Company’s own direct sales force. For its snack food products, the Company maintains warehouse and distribution facilities in Pennsauken, Bellmawr, Bridgeport, and Woolwich, New Jersey; Vernon (Los Angeles), Colton and Lancaster, California; Brooklyn, New York; Scranton and Hatfield, Pennsylvania; Carrollton (Dallas) and Terrell, Texas; Atlanta, Georgia; Moscow Mills (St. Louis), Missouri; Pensacola and Tampa, Florida; Solon, Ohio; Weston, Oregon; Holly Ridge, North Carolina; Rock Island, Illinois; Glendale, Arizona; and Paducah, Kentucky. Frozen beverages and machine parts are distributed from 172 Company managed warehouse and distribution facilities located in 45 states, Mexico, and Canada, which allow the Company to directly service its customers in the surrounding areas. The Company’s products are shipped in frozen and other vehicles from the Company’s manufacturing and warehouse facilities on a fleet of Company operated tractor-trailers, trucks, and vans, as well as by independent carriers.

Seasonality

The Company’s sales are seasonal because frozen beverage sales and frozen novelties sales are generally higher during the warmer months.

Trademarks and Patents

The Company has a significant trademark portfolio, the most important of which are SUPERPRETZEL, TEXAS TWIST, NEW YORK PRETZEL, BAVARIAN BAKERY, SOFTSTIX, and BRAUHAUS for its pretzel products; DIPPIN’ DOTS, SHAPE-UPS, WHOLE FRUIT, PHILLY SWIRL, and LUIGI’S for its frozen novelties; ¡HOLA!, and CALIFORNIA CHURROS for its churros; ICEE, ARCTIC BLAST, SLUSH PUPPIE, and PARROT ICE for its frozen beverages; FUNNEL CAKE FACTORY for its funnel cake products; and MRS. GOODCOOKIE, READI-BAKE, COUNTRY HOME, CAMDEN CREEK, MARY B’S, DADDY RAY’S, and HILL & VALLEY for its bakery products.

The Company markets frozen beverages under the trademark ICEE in all of the United States and in Mexico and Canada. Additionally, the Company has the international rights to the trademark ICEE.

The trademarks, when renewed and continuously used, have an indefinite term and are considered important to the Company as a means of identifying its products. The Company considers its trademarks important to the success of its business.

The Company has numerous patents related to the manufacturing and marketing of its products.

Suppliers

The Company’s manufactured products are produced from raw materials which are readily available from numerous sources. With the exception of the Company’s churro production equipment, funnel cake production equipment and soft pretzel twisting equipment, all of which are made for the Company by independent third parties, and certain specialized packaging equipment, the Company’s manufacturing equipment is readily available from various sources. Syrup for frozen beverages is purchased primarily from The Coca-Cola Company, Keurig Dr. Pepper, Inc., the Pepsi Cola Company, and Jogue, Inc. Cups. Straws and lids are readily available from various suppliers. Parts for frozen beverage dispensing machines are purchased from several sources.

Competition

Snack food and bakery products markets are highly competitive. The Company’s principal products compete against similar and different food products manufactured and sold by numerous other companies, some of which are substantially larger and have greater resources than the Company. As the soft pretzel, frozen novelties, bakery products and related markets evolve, additional competitors and new competing products may enter the markets. Competitive factors in these markets include product quality, innovation, customer service, taste, price, identity and brand name awareness, method of distribution and sales promotions.

The Company believes it is the only national distributor of soft pretzels. However, there are numerous regional and local manufacturers of food service and retail supermarket soft pretzels as well as several chains of retail pretzel stores.

In Frozen Beverages, the Company competes directly with other frozen beverage companies. There are many other regional frozen beverage competitors throughout the country and one large retail chain which uses its own frozen beverage brand.

The Company competes with large soft drink manufacturers for counter and floor space for its frozen beverage dispensing machines at retail locations and with products which are more widely known than the ICEE, SLUSH PUPPIE and PARROT ICE frozen beverages.

The Company competes with several other companies in the frozen novelties and bakery products markets.

Risks Associated with Foreign Operations

Foreign operations can involve greater risk than doing business in the United States. Foreign economies differ favorably or unfavorably from the United States’ economy in such respects as the level of inflation and debt, which may result in fluctuations in the value of the country’s currency and real property. Sales from our foreign operations were $73.4 million, $70.2 million and $45.2 million in fiscal years 2024, 2023, and 2022, respectively. At September 28, 2024, the total assets in our foreign operations were $67.6 million or 5.0% of total assets. At September 30, 2023, the total assets in our foreign operations were $61.5 million or 4.8% of total assets.

Government Regulation and Food Safety

Our business operations are subject to regulation by various federal, state and local government entities and agencies. As a producer of food products for human consumption, our operations are subject to stringent production, packaging, quality, labeling and distribution standards, including regulations promulgated under the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act and the Food Safety Modernization Act. We are also subject to various federal, state, and local environmental protection laws. Based upon available information, the cost of compliance with these laws and regulations did not have a material effect upon the level of capital expenditures, earnings, or competitive position in fiscal 2024 and is not expected to have a material impact in fiscal 2025.

Our Food Safety & Quality (FSQA) personnel within our Compliance Department have broad, diverse academic and experience credentials and oversee all aspects of product safety & quality assurance across the Company. Our facilities are Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) certified and are audited annually by third-party certification bodies. Our “Food Safety & Quality Plans” are validated and verified to ensure product safety and quality. We have implemented Corporate Standards which are aligned with GFSI and Regulatory standards and routinely conduct audits to ensure compliance. We provide bi-weekly support calls for FSQA and Plant Leadership and annual Food Safety Summit Meetings to develop and strengthen our facility teams. As part of the onboarding process, and throughout their careers, employees are engaged in food safety discussions and trainings to provide safe, high-quality products to customers and consumers.

Human Capital Management

Employees and Labor Relations

The Company has approximately 5,000 full and part-time employees and approximately 700 workers employed by staffing agencies as of September 28, 2024. About 1,500 production and distribution employees throughout the Company are covered by collective bargaining agreements. The Company considers its culture and employee relations to be positive.

Employee Safety

We maintain a safety culture grounded on the premise of eliminating workplace incidents, risks and hazards. We have a team of dedicated Employee Health & Safety professionals within our Compliance Department who oversee all aspects of employee safety across the company. We keep our employees safe by ensuring all employees receive ongoing support and training. We have developed and implemented processes to identify and eliminate safety incidents by reducing their frequency and severity. We also closely review and monitor our safety performance. According to data from the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Company’s Total Recordable Incident Rate (“TRIR”) and Days Away, Restricted or Transferred (“DART”) incident rates were lower than food manufacturing averages. Our goal is to reduce Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”) recordable incidents year-over-year.

Professional Development

We deploy a variety of training programs throughout the organization and go to great lengths to make learning and knowledge available to our employees. Programs such as tuition reimbursement, mentorships, internships, and internal trainings are some of the ways in which we invest in our people and their knowledge. We know that these investments are not only beneficial for our employees, but they are also important for the future success of our business. We continue to see increases in internal promotions across all levels of the organization.

Diversity and Inclusion

We believe that having an inclusive and diverse culture strengthens our ability to recruit and develop talent and allows our employees to thrive and succeed. Diversity of input and perspectives is an essential part of our strategic plan to build a winning team and culture. We believe that one key to success is attracting and retaining a diverse workforce that reflects our consumers of today and tomorrow, and we strive to do so. We also strive to foster an inclusive and diverse workplace culture where colleagues feel a sense of belonging and are included in discussions and valued for their contributions.

Compensation

We believe in equal pay for equal work and that compensation should match talent, experience and skill set of a person.

Available Information

The Company’s internet address is www.jjsnack.com (http://www.jjsnack.com). On the investor relations section of its website, the Company provides free access to its annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and any amendments to these reports, as soon as reasonably practicable after such materials are electronically filed with, or furnished to, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The information on the website listed above is not and should not be considered part of this annual report on Form 10-K and is not incorporated by reference in this document.

Our business is subject to numerous risks and uncertainties. You should carefully consider the risks described below, together with all the other information included in this report, in considering our business and prospects. The risks and uncertainties described below are not the only ones facing us. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently deem insignificant or immaterial may also materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations or prospects. The following is a discussion of known potentially significant risks which could result in harm to our business, financial condition, or results of operations.

General Economic Risk

The willingness of our customers and consumers to purchase our products may depend in part on economic conditions. Worsening economic conditions or future challenges to economic growth could have a negative impact on consumer demand, which could adversely affect our business. Deterioration of national and global economic conditions could cause consumers to forego certain purchases during economic downturns that could result in decreased demand for our business. The economic uncertainty may limit our ability to increase or maintain prices and reduce sales of higher margin products. In addition, changes in tax or interest rates, whether due to recession, efforts to combat inflation, financial and credit market disruptions or other reasons, could negatively impact us.

Risks of Shortages or Increased Cost of Raw Materials

We are exposed to market risks arising from adverse changes in commodity prices, affecting the cost of our raw materials and energy. The raw materials and energy which we use for the production and distribution of our products are largely commodities that are subject to price volatility and fluctuations in availability caused by changes in global supply and demand, weather conditions, agricultural uncertainty, or governmental controls. We purchase these materials and energy mainly in the open market. Our procurement practices are intended to reduce the risk of future price increases, but also may potentially limit the ability to benefit from possible price decreases. If commodity price changes result in increases in raw materials and energy costs, we may not be able to increase our prices to offset these increased costs without suffering reduced revenue and operating income. These increased costs, if not offset, may have a significant impact on our profits.

Risks Relating to Pandemics, Epidemics, or Other Disease Outbreaks

Pandemics, epidemics, or other disease outbreaks could significantly change consumption patterns for our products. These changes could force us to rapidly adapt to those new patterns, and, if we do not, our business could be materially and adversely affected. Additionally, pandemics, epidemics or other disease outbreaks may depress or otherwise impact demand for our products because quarantines may inhibit consumption or as the result of other factors. Restrictions on public gatherings or interactions may also limit the opportunity for our customers and consumers to purchase our products, especially in certain of our sales channels, such as food service. Any economic downturn caused by any pandemic, epidemic, or other disease outbreak may also cause substantial changes in consumer behavior and our supply chain operations, some of which may materially affect our operations and results of operations.

General Risks of the Food Industry

We are subject to the risks of adverse changes in general economic conditions; evolving consumer preferences and nutritional and health-related concerns; changes in food distribution channels; federal, state and local food processing controls or other mandates; changes in federal, state, local and international laws and regulations, or in the application of such laws and regulations; consumer product labeling and liability claims; risks of product tampering and contamination; and negative publicity surrounding actual or perceived product safety deficiencies. The increased buying power of large supermarket chains, other retail outlets and wholesale food vendors could result in greater resistance to price increases and could alter customer inventory levels and access to shelf space.

Risks of Shortages or Increased Costs of Labor

Our businesses operate in highly competitive markets. The labor market in the United States is very competitive. We depend on the skills, working relationships, and continued services of employees, including our experienced management team. We must hire, train, and develop effective employees. We compete with other companies both within and outside of our industry for talented employees, and we may lose key personnel or fail to attract, train, and retain other talented personnel. In addition, our ability to achieve our operating goals depends on our ability to identify, hire, train, and retain qualified individuals. Any such loss or failure could adversely affect our product sales, financial condition, and operating results. Additionally, a shortage in the labor pool and other general inflationary pressures or changes, and applicable laws and regulations could increase labor costs, which could have a material adverse effect on our consolidated operating results or financial condition.

In addition, some of our associates are covered by collective bargaining agreements, and other associates may seek to be covered by collective bargaining agreements. Strikes or work stoppages or other business interruptions could occur if we are unable to renew these agreements on satisfactory terms or enter into new agreements on satisfactory terms or if we are unable to otherwise manage changes in, or that affect, our workforce, which could impair manufacturing or distribution of our products or result in a loss of sales, which could adversely impact our business, financial condition, or results of operations. The terms and conditions of existing, renegotiated, or new collective bargaining agreements could also increase our costs or otherwise affect our ability to fully implement future operational changes to enhance our efficiency or adapt to changing business needs or strategy.

Environmental Risks

The disposal of solid and liquid waste material and the discharge of airborne pollutants resulting from the preparation and processing of foods is subject to various federal, state, and local laws and regulations relating to the protection of the environment. Such laws and regulations have a substantial effect on the food processing industry as a whole, requiring substantially all firms in the industry to incur material expenditures for modification of existing processing facilities and for construction of upgraded or new waste treatment facilities.

We cannot predict what environmental legislation or regulations will be enacted in the future, how existing or future laws or regulations will be administered or interpreted or what environmental conditions may be found to exist. Enactment of more stringent laws or regulations or more strict interpretation of existing laws and regulations may require additional expenditure by us, some of which could have a negative impact on our operations and financial condition. Additionally, the failure by any one or more of our suppliers to comply with applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations relating to the protection of the environment, or allegations of non-compliance, may disrupt their operations and could result in accompanying disruptions to our operations.

Risks Resulting from Customer Concentration

We have several large customers that account for a significant portion of our sales. Our top ten customers accounted for 45% of our sales during fiscal year 2024 and 43% of our sales during fiscal years 2023 and 2022, with our largest customer accounting for 9% of our sales in 2024, 9% of our sales in 2023, and 8% of our sales in 2022.

Five of the ten customers are food distributors who sell our product to many end users. The loss of one or more of our large customers could adversely affect our results of operations. These customers typically do not enter into long-term contracts and make purchase decisions based on a combination of price, product quality, consumer demand and customer service performance. If our sales to one or more of these customers are reduced, this reduction may adversely affect our business. If receivables from one or more of these customers become uncollectible, our operating income would be adversely impacted.

Risks Relating to Competition

Our businesses operate in highly competitive markets. We compete against national and regional manufacturers and distributors on the basis of price, quality, product variety, brand recognition and loyalty, and effective distribution. Many of our major competitors in the market are larger and have greater financial and marketing resources than we do. Increased competition from our competitors could lead to downward pressure on prices and/or a decline in our market share, either of which could adversely affect our results. See “Competition” in Item 1 for more information about our competitors.

Risks Relating to Manufacturing and Distribution

Our ability to purchase, manufacture and distribute products is critical to our success. Because we source certain products from single manufacturing sites, it is possible that we could experience a production disruption that results in a reduction or elimination of the availability of some of our products. If we are not able to obtain alternate production capability in a timely manner, or on favorable terms, it could have a negative impact on our business, results of operations, financial condition, and cash flows, including the potential for long-term loss of product placement with various customers. We are also subject to risks of other business disruptions associated with our dependence on production facilities and distribution systems. Natural disasters, terrorist activity, cyberattacks or other unforeseen events could interrupt production or distribution and have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition, and cash flows, including the potential for long-term loss of product placement with our customers. For example, on August 19, 2024, we experienced a fire at our Holly Ridge plant in North Carolina. The building was damaged as a result of the fire, and plant operations were interrupted.

Risks Relating to the Availability and Costs of Transportation

Our ability to obtain adequate and reasonably priced methods of transportation to distribute our products, including refrigerated trailers for many of our products, is a key factor to our success. Delays in transportation, including weather-related delays, and carrier capacity limitations, could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations. Further, higher fuel costs and increased line haul costs due to industry capacity constraints, customer delivery requirements and a more restrictive regulatory environment could also negatively impact our financial results. We pay fuel surcharges that fluctuate with the price of diesel fuel to third-party transporters of our products, and such surcharges can be substantial. Any sudden or dramatic increases in the price of diesel fuel would serve to increase our fuel surcharges and our cost of goods sold. These higher costs could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition, and cash flows.

Risks Relating to Manufacturing Capacity Constraints

Our current manufacturing resources may be inadequate to meet significantly increased demand for some of our products. Our ability to increase our manufacturing capacity depends on many factors, including the costs and availability of equipment, the equipment delivery and construction lead-times, installation, qualification, regulatory permitting, and regulatory requirements. A lack of sufficient manufacturing capacity to meet demand could cause our customer service levels to decrease, which may negatively affect customer demand for our products and customer relations generally, which in turn could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition, and cash flows. In addition, operating facilities at or near capacity may also increase production and distribution costs and negatively affect relations with our employees or contractors, which could result in disruptions in our operations.

Risks Relating to Acquisition Integration

From time to time, the Company undertakes acquisitions or divestitures. The success of any acquisition or divestiture depends on the Company’s ability to identify opportunities that help the Company meet its strategic objectives, consummate a transaction on favorable contractual terms, and achieve expected returns and other financial benefits.

Acquisitions, including future acquisitions, require us to efficiently integrate the acquired business or businesses, which involves a significant degree of difficulty, including the following:

-- integrating the operations and business cultures of the acquired businesses;

-- the possibility of faulty assumptions underlying our expectations regarding the prospects of the acquired businesses;

-- attracting and retaining the necessary personnel associated with the acquisitions;

-- creating uniform standards, controls, procedures, policies, and information systems and controlling the costs associated with such matters; and

-- expectations about the performance of acquired trademarks and brands and the fair value of such trademarks and brands.

Divestitures have operational risks that may include impairment charges. Divestitures also present unique financial and operational risks, including diverting management attention from the existing core business, separating personnel and financial data and other systems, and adversely affecting existing business relationships with suppliers and customers.

In situations where acquisitions and divestitures are not successfully implemented or completed, or the expected benefits of such acquisitions or divestitures are not otherwise realized, the Company’s business or financial results could be negatively impacted.

New Jersey Law and Provisions of Our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws May Inhibit a Change In Control

The New Jersey Shareholders' Protection Act, N.J.S.A. 14A:10A-1, et seq., may delay, deter or prevent a change in control by prohibiting the Company from engaging in a business combination transaction with an interested shareholder for a period of five years after the person becomes an interested stockholder, even if a majority of our shareholders believe a change in control would be in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders. In addition, our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws contain provisions that may delay, deter or prevent a future acquisition of J & J Snack Foods Corp. not approved by our Board of Directors. This could occur even if our shareholders are offered an attractive value for their shares or if a substantial number or even a majority of our shareholders believe the takeover is in their best interest. These provisions are intended to encourage any person interested in acquiring us to negotiate with and obtain the approval of our Board of Directors in connection with the transaction. Provisions of our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws that could delay, deter or prevent a future acquisition include the following:

-- a classified Board of Directors;

-- the requirement that our shareholders may only remove Directors for cause;

-- limitations on share holdings and voting of certain persons who exceed the “Voting Threshold” specified in the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation;

-- special Director voting rights are granted to certain “Experienced Directors” only in the event of a “hostile change of Board control,” as such terms are defined in the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation;

-- the ability of the Board of Directors to consider the interests of various constituencies, including our employees, customers, suppliers, creditors and the local communities in which we operate;

-- shareholders do not generally have the right to call special meetings or to act by written consent;

-- our Bylaws contain advance notice procedures for nominations of Directors or submission of shareholder proposals at an annual meeting; and

-- our Bylaws contain a forum selection clause providing that certain litigation against the Company can only be brought in New Jersey state or federal courts.

Risks Relating to Gerald B. Shreiber

Gerald B. Shreiber is the founder and a Director of the Company. He is currently beneficial owner of approximately 20% of its outstanding common stock, held in a trust for his benefit. Our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides Mr. Shreiber with certain special voting rights with respect to any matters to be voted on by the Board of Directors. As a result, as of the date of this Report, Mr. Shreiber is entitled to cast six (6) votes on all matters upon which the Board of Directors is entitled to vote.

Risk Related to Increases in our Health Insurance Costs

The costs of employee health care insurance have been increasing in recent years due to rising health care costs, legislative changes, and general economic conditions. Because of the breadth and complexity of health care regulations as well as other health care reform legislation considered by Congress and state legislatures, we cannot predict with certainty the future effect of these laws on us. A continued increase in health care costs or additional costs incurred as a result of new or existing health care reform laws or changes in enforcement policies could have a negative impact on our financial position and results of operations.

Risk Related to Product Changes

There are risks in the marketplace related to trade and consumer acceptance of product improvements, packaging initiatives and new product introductions. We cannot be sure if our new products, product improvements, or packaging initiatives will be accepted by customers.

Risks Associated with Foreign Operations

Foreign economies may differ favorably or unfavorably from the United States’ economy in such respects as the level of inflation and debt, which may result in fluctuations in the value of the country’s currency. Further, there may be less government regulation in various countries, and we may face difficulty in enforcing our legal rights outside the United States. Additionally, in some foreign countries, there is the possibility of expropriation or confiscatory taxation limitations on the removal of property or other assets, political or social instability or diplomatic developments which could affect the operations and assets of U.S. companies doing business in that country. Any such difficulties noted above could affect our business. Sales of our foreign operations were $73.4 million, $70.2 million, and $45.2 million in fiscal years 2024, 2023, and 2022, respectively. At September 28, 2024, the total assets of our foreign operations were approximately $67.6 million or 5.0% of total assets. At September 30, 2023, the total assets of our foreign operations were $61.5 million or 4.8% of total assets.

Risks Associated with our Information Technology Systems

The efficient operation of our business depends on our information technology systems. We rely on our information technology systems to effectively manage our business data, communications, supply chain, manufacturing, order entry and fulfillment, and other business processes. The failure of our information technology systems (including those provided to us by third parties) to perform as we anticipate could disrupt our business and could result in production, billing, collecting, and ordering errors, processing inefficiencies, and the loss of sales and customers, causing our business and results of operations to suffer.

Our information technology systems may be vulnerable to damage or interruption from circumstances beyond our control, including fire, natural disasters, systems failures, security breaches or intrusions (including those against our third-party providers and theft of customer, consumer, or other confidential data), and viruses. Although we continue to monitor our information technology networks, if we are unable to prevent physical and electronic break-ins, cyber-attacks, and other information security breaches, we may suffer material financial and reputational damage, be subject to litigation or incur significant remediation costs or penalties.

Risks Associated with Real or Perceived Safety Issues Regarding our Food Products

We sell food products for human consumption, which involves risks such as product contamination or spoilage, product tampering, other adulteration of food products, mislabeling, and misbranding. We can be impacted by both real and unfounded claims regarding the safety of our operations, or concerns regarding mislabeled, adulterated, contaminated, or spoiled food products. Any of these circumstances could necessitate a voluntary or mandatory recall, a need to change a product’s labeling or other consumer safety concerns. A pervasive product recall may result in significant loss due to the costs of a recall, related legal claims, including claims arising from bodily injury or illness caused by our products, the destruction of product inventory, or lost sales due to product unavailability or negative publicity. A highly publicized product recall, whether involving us or any related products made by third parties, also could result in a loss of customers or an unfavorable change in consumer sentiment regarding our products or any category in which we operate. In addition, an allegation of noncompliance with federal or state food laws and regulations could force us to cease production, stop selling our products or create significant adverse publicity that could harm our credibility and decrease market demand for our products. Any of these events could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition, and cash flows.

Risks Associated with our Intellectual Property Rights

We consider our intellectual property rights, particularly our trademarks, to be a significant and valuable aspect of our business. We protect our intellectual property rights through a combination of trademark, patent, copyright and trade secret protection, contractual agreements, and policing of third-party misuses of our intellectual property in traditional retail and digital environments. Our failure to obtain or adequately protect our intellectual property or any change in law that lessens or removes the current legal protections of our intellectual property may diminish our competitiveness and adversely affect our business and financial results.

Competing intellectual property claims that impact our brands or products may arise unexpectedly. Any litigation or disputes regarding intellectual property may be costly and time consuming and may divert the attention of our management and key personnel from our business operations. We may also be subject to significant damages or injunctions against development, launch and sale of certain products. Any of these occurrences may harm our business and financial results.

Risks Associated with the Favorable Perception of our Brands

We have a number of iconic brands with significant value. Maintaining and continually enhancing the value of these brands is critical to the success of our business. Brand value is primarily based on consumer perceptions. Success in promoting and enhancing brand value depends in large part on our ability to provide high-quality products. Brand value could diminish significantly due to a number of factors, including consumer perception that we have acted in an irresponsible manner, adverse publicity about our products, packaging, ingredients, our environmental, social, human capital or governance practices, our failure to maintain the quality of our products, the failure of our products to deliver consistently positive consumer experiences, or the products becoming unavailable to consumers. The growing use of social and digital media by consumers increases the speed and extent that information and opinions can be shared. Negative posts or comments about us, our brands, products, or packaging on social or digital media could seriously damage our brands and reputation. In addition, we might fail to appropriately target our marketing efforts, anticipate consumer preferences, or invest sufficiently in maintaining our brand image. If we do not maintain the favorable perception of our brands, our financial results could be adversely impacted.

Risk Associated with Generating Anticipated Cost Savings and/or Operating Efficiencies Associated with our Strategic Initiatives

Our future success and earnings growth depend in part on our ability to achieve the appropriate cost structure and operate efficiently in the highly competitive food industry, particularly in an environment of volatile cost inputs. We continuously pursue initiatives to reduce costs and increase effectiveness. We also regularly pursue cost productivity initiatives in procurement, manufacturing, and logistics. Any failure or delay in implementing our initiatives in accordance with our plans could adversely affect our ability to meet our long-term growth and profitability expectations and could adversely affect our business. If we do not continue to effectively manage costs and achieve additional efficiencies, our competitiveness and profitability could decrease.

Risks Associated with our Identified Material Weakness in our Internal Control over Financial Reporting

As described in Part II, Item 9A – Controls and Procedures, of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, we identified a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting related to ineffective information technology general controls (ITGCs), including certain controls over logical access and change management. As a result, certain business process controls that are dependent on the ineffective ITGCs, or rely on the data produced from systems impacted by the ineffective ITGCs, were also deemed ineffective. 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 our annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected in a timely manner.

We are in the process of developing and implementing a remediation plan to address the material weakness. If our remediation efforts are insufficient or if additional material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting are discovered or occur in the future, our consolidated financial statements may contain material misstatements and we could be required to revise or restate our financial results, which could materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition, restrict our ability to access the capital markets, require us to expend significant resources to correct the material weakness, subject us to fines, penalties or judgments, harm our reputation, adversely affect the trading price of our common stock, or otherwise cause a decline in investor confidence.

Seasonality and Quarterly Fluctuations

Our sales are affected by the seasonal demand for our products. Demand is greater during the summer months primarily as a result of the warm weather demand for our ICEE and frozen novelties products. Because of seasonal fluctuations, there can be no assurance that the results of any particular quarter will be indicative of results for the full year or for future years.

Cybersecurity Risk Management and Strategy

Our enterprise risk management process includes an evaluation of cybersecurity risk together with other company risks. The Company has established a cybersecurity risk management program (the “program”) designed to assess, identify, and manage material cybersecurity risks. Our program is designed based on industry best practices and is aligned with the core components of frameworks established by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Center for Internet Security (CIS) and International Organization for Standardization (ISO).

An annual risk assessment is performed to identify internal and external cybersecurity threats and vulnerabilities, assess the likelihood and potential impact of such threats and vulnerabilities, and prioritize the risks from such threats and vulnerabilities. The results of the risk assessment, along with professional judgment, are used to develop and implement cybersecurity risk mitigation strategies and controls.

Our program includes:

• A cybersecurity incident response plan that outlines a structured approach to investigating, containing, documenting, and mitigating cybersecurity incidents, including reporting findings and keeping senior management, the Audit Committee, and other key stakeholders informed and involved as appropriate;
• Annual external penetration testing to identify vulnerabilities, assess perimeter security, improve incident response, and strengthen security policies and procedures;
• Regular phishing, social engineering, and cybersecurity awareness training for employees with access to the Company’s information technology environment;
• Annual tabletop exercises to test incident response plans, improve communication and coordination between relevant employees, and identify gaps to inform needed adjustments to plans;
• Ongoing risk assessments of third-party service providers designed to ensure they meet the Company’s standards for reliability, security, compliance, and performance.

Third-party service providers are used in various capacities as part of our cybersecurity risk management program, including performing risk mitigation controls and providing cloud-based, cybersecurity services and platforms. For example, third-party service providers are used to conduct our external penetration testing, as well as assist the Company in detecting, responding, and mitigating cybersecurity incidents. The Company uses a variety of processes to oversee and identify material risks from cybersecurity threats associated with the use of third-party service providers. Third-party service providers are required to complete a detailed questionnaire, which is used to identify and assess material cybersecurity risks. In addition, the Company performs an annual review of independent attestation reports of the third-party service providers’ control environments designed to ensure that the controls meet Company security requirements and that any identified issues in the independent attestation reports do not present material cybersecurity risks to the Company.

To date, we have not identified any cybersecurity threats or incidents which have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company, including its business strategy, results of operations or financial condition; however, there is no guarantee that we will not be the subject of future successful cybersecurity threats or incidents that may materially and adversely affect the Company, including its business strategy, financial condition, results of operations or prospects. Additional information on cybersecurity-related risks is discussed under the heading “Risks Associated with our Information Technology Systems” under Item 1A, which should be read in conjunction with Item 1C.

Cybersecurity Governance

Our Board of Directors has delegated oversight responsibilities for enterprise risk, including cybersecurity risk, to the Audit Committee. The Chief Information Officer (“CIO”) and Chief Information Security Officer (“CISO”) provide periodic updates to the Audit Committee regarding the Company's cybersecurity risk management program. The Company has a cybersecurity incident response plan that includes a process to evaluate cybersecurity incidents for materiality. The escalation protocol includes reporting potentially material cybersecurity incidents to senior members of management for further evaluation. Any cybersecurity incident determined to have a material impact on the Company is timely reported to the Audit Committee.

The CISO has primary responsibility for the development, operation, and maintenance of our cybersecurity risk management program. Our CISO has 25 years of experience in information technology and cybersecurity generally, which has been gained from a combination of education, including relevant degrees, and prior work experience.

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The Company also leases approximately 172 smaller warehouse and distribution facilities in 45 states, Mexico, Canada, Australia, and China.

The Company has no material pending legal proceedings, other than ordinary routine litigation incidental to the business, to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or of which any of their property is subject.

Objective

This Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”) is intended to provide a reader of our financial statements with a narrative from the perspective of our management regarding our financial condition and results of operations, liquidity and certain other factors that may affect our future results. The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K. Refer to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023 for additional information related to the discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023 compared to the fiscal year ended September 24, 2022.

Business Overview

The Company manufactures snack foods and distributes frozen beverages which it markets nationally to the foodservice and retail supermarket industries. The Company’s principal snack food products are soft pretzels, frozen novelties, churros and bakery products. We are the largest manufacturer of soft pretzels in the United States. Other snack food products include funnel cake and handheld products. The Company’s principal frozen beverage products are the ICEE brand frozen carbonated beverage and the SLUSH PUPPIE brand frozen non-carbonated beverage.

The Company’s Food Service and Frozen Beverages sales are made primarily to foodservice customers including snack bar and food stand locations in leading chain, department, discount, warehouse club and convenience stores; malls and shopping centers; fast food and casual dining restaurants; stadiums and sports arenas; leisure and theme parks; movie theatres; independent retailers; and schools, colleges and other institutions. The Company’s retail supermarket customers are primarily supermarket chains.

Business Trends and Strategy

Our results are impacted by macroeconomic and demographic trends and changes in consumer behavior. The U.S. economy has experienced economic volatility and uncertainty in recent years, which has had, and we expect might continue to have, an impact on consumer behavior. Consumer spending may continue to be impacted by levels of discretionary income and the impact of that on the consumer’s decision making around their purchases. In addition, inflation continues to impact our business, and fluctuating raw material input costs may continue to impact the costs of our products.

To help combat these potential headwinds, we strategically look to improve our operational efficiencies and margins, as well expand our growth opportunities across our various channels and customers. Some recent examples of implementing these strategies include:

• Our recently completed strategic supply chain transformation in which we opened three regional distribution centers which is projected to drive significant cost reductions around warehousing and distribution costs.
• The recent addition of six new production lines which has significantly expanded upon our capacity and allowed us to meet growth opportunities across our core products such as pretzels, churros and frozen novelties.
• Implementation of a new ERP system in fiscal 2022 which has helped to create efficiencies and streamline internal processes.
• Many examples of successful cross-selling and leveraging our brands across customer channels, including our recent expansion of the breadth and depth of our Dippin’ Dots brand across the theater channel, as well as looking to penetrate that brand into the retail market.
• Further expansion of our SuperPretzel brand across the retail market through the launch of Bavarian Sticks.
• Our fiscal year 2023 rollout of our new Hola! Churros brand.
• Our recent fiscal year 2024 acquisition of Thinsters

Fiscal Period

The Company’s fiscal year is the 52- or 53- week period that ends on the last Saturday of September. An additional week is included in the last fiscal quarter every five or six years to realign the Company’s fiscal quarters with calendar quarters, which occurred in the Company’s fourth quarter of fiscal 2023. The Company’s fiscal years 2024 and 2022 spanned 52 weeks each, whereas fiscal year 2023 spanned 53 weeks.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS:

Fiscal Year 2024 (52 weeks) Compared to Fiscal Year 2023 (53 weeks)

Results of Consolidated Operations

The following discussion provides a review of results for the fiscal year ended September 28, 2024 as compared with the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023.

(in thousands)

NET SALES

Net sales increased by $15.9 million, or 1%, to $1,574.8 million in fiscal 2024. Despite the headwind of the comparative extra week in fiscal 2023, organic sales growth was driven by growth across all three of the Company’s business segments. The organic sales growth was largely driven by improved marketing, new customers, and additional product placement.

GROSS PROFIT

Gross profit increased by $16.3 million, or 4%, to $486.1 million in fiscal 2024. Gross profit as a percentage of sales increased to 30.9% in fiscal 2024 from 30.1% in fiscal 2023. The increase in gross profit as a percentage of sales was driven by enhanced production efficiencies and a better product mix, along with the continued stabilization of inflationary pressures. The cost of key ingredients including flour, oils, cheese and dairy, mixes and eggs either declined, or remained materially flat, though some increases were seen in certain ingredients, with the largest being cocoa, and to a lesser extent, sugar/sweeteners, and meats. The increases in cocoa negatively impact margins on certain products, the largest being baked goods.

OPERATING EXPENSES

Total operating expenses increased by $8.2 million, or 2%, to $368.6 million in fiscal 2024 and increased as a percentage of sales to 23.4% in fiscal 2024 compared with 23.1% in fiscal 2023. The slight increase was primarily related to the higher marketing expenses to support our new product launches, along with incremental licensing fees on new churro business during the fiscal year.

Operating expenses included intangible asset impairment charges of $1.7 million in fiscal 2023, with no such charges incurred in fiscal 2024. As a percentage of sales, marketing and selling expenses as a percentage of sales increased from 7.1% in fiscal 2023 to 7.5% in fiscal 2024, with the increase driven by the additional investment in marketing spend associated with new product launches and the promotion of our core brands, along with the incremental licensing fees on new churro business during the fiscal year. Distribution expenses as a percentage of sales increased slightly to 11.2% in fiscal 2024 from 11.1% in fiscal 2023. Some decreases in distribution expenses driven by the benefits of our strategic initiatives to improve logistics management and increase efficiency across our distribution network and supply chain were more than offset by approximately $5 million of non-recurring start-up costs related to the opening of two additional regional distribution centers in fiscal 2024. Administrative expenses as a percentage of sales decreased slightly from 4.8% in fiscal 2023 to 4.7% in fiscal 2024, with the decrease largely attributable to improved management of expenses, and leverage from higher sales.

OTHER INCOME AND EXPENSE

Investment income increased by $0.5 million, or 18%, to $3.2 million in fiscal 2024 due to higher average cash balances and higher interest rates on foreign cash balances.

Interest expense decreased by $2.9 million, or 62%, to $1.8 million in fiscal 2024 due to the reduction in the Company’s average outstanding borrowings under the Amended Credit Agreement throughout the fiscal year.

INCOME TAX EXPENSE

Our effective tax rate in fiscal 2024 was 27.2%. Our effective tax rate in fiscal 2023 was 26.6%. The slight increase between periods was primarily attributable to a slightly higher blended state tax rate.

NET EARNINGS

Net earnings increased $7.6 million, or 10%, in fiscal 2024 to $86.6 million, or $4.45 per diluted share, from $78.9 million or $4.08 per diluted share, in fiscal 2023 as a result of the aforementioned items.

There are many factors which can impact our net earnings from year to year, among which are the supply and cost of raw materials and labor, insurance costs, factors impacting sales as noted above, the continuing consolidation of our customers, our ability to manage our manufacturing, marketing and distribution activities, our ability to make and integrate acquisitions and changes in tax laws and interest rates.

Results of Operations – Segments

We have three reportable segments, as disclosed in the accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements: Food Service, Retail Supermarkets and Frozen Beverages.

The Chief Operating Decision Maker for Food Service, Retail Supermarkets and Frozen Beverages reviews monthly detailed operating income statements and sales reports in order to assess performance and allocate resources to each individual segment. Sales and operating income are the key variables monitored by the Chief Operating Decision Maker and management when determining each segment’s and the Company’s financial condition and operating performance. In addition, the Chief Operating Decision Maker reviews and evaluates depreciation, capital spending and assets of each segment on a quarterly basis to monitor cash flow and asset needs of each segment.

The following table is a summary of sales and operating income, which is how we measure segment profit.

(in thousands)

(in thousands)

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FOOD SERVICE SEGMENT RESULTS

(in thousands)

Sales to food service customers increased $3.4 million, or 0.3%, to $985.2 million in fiscal 2024. Soft pretzel sales to the food service market decreased 6% to $222.2 million for the year, with the decrease attributable to soft consumer spending in key channels, as well as the impact of the additional week in fiscal 2023. Frozen novelties sales increased $2.6 million, or 2%, to $148.0 million for the year, with a strong fiscal year performance seen across multiple brands within our frozen novelties portfolio despite the soft channel performance in amusement and convenience, which are key sales venues for Dippin’ Dots. Churro sales to food service customers were up 5% to $114.3 million for the year led by customer expansion and growing menu penetration. Sales of bakery products increased $9.0 million, or 2%, to $387.1 million for the year, with the increase attributable to contractual pricing true-up on costing on certain raw material ingredients, as well as, some volume increases amongst certain customers in the product category. Handheld sales to food service customers increased 5% to $86.1 million in fiscal 2024, with the increase largely attributable to pricing increases related to the contractual pricing true-up of costing on certain raw material ingredients, as well as some volume increases amongst certain customers in the product category.

Sales of new products in the first twelve months since their introduction were approximately $24.7 million for the fiscal year, driven primarily by the addition of churros to the menu of a major QSR customer. The benefit of the wrap of prior year price increases, as well as some current year contractual pricing true-up of costing on certain raw material ingredients had a slight favorable impact on sales in the fiscal year, and more than offset some very slight volume declines that were primarily attributable to the additional week in fiscal 2023.

Operating income in our Food Service segment remained relatively flat, with a slight decrease from $49.8 million in fiscal 2023 to $49.5 million in fiscal 2024, driven by the impact of the additional week in fiscal 2023 offsetting some slight improved gross margin performance.

RETAIL SUPERMARKETS SEGMENT RESULTS

(in thousands)

Sales of products to retail supermarkets increased $5.9 million, or 3%, to $221.3 million in fiscal year 2024. Soft pretzel sales to retail supermarkets were $61.7 million, an increase of $1.5 million, or 2%, from sales in fiscal 2023, with the increase largely attributable to the incremental distribution of our core soft pretzel brands. Sales of frozen novelties decreased $3.6 million, or 3%, to $112.2 million in fiscal 2024, with the decrease mostly attributable to the impact of the additional week in fiscal 2023. The favorable impact of very strong fiscal second and fiscal third quarters was mostly offset by a weaker fiscal fourth quarter for a majority of our frozen novelty brands. Sales of biscuits and dumplings decreased 3% to $24.2 million in fiscal 2024. Handheld sales to retail supermarket customers increased 58% to $26.3 million in fiscal 2024, with the increase largely driven by expanded placements of product with a major retailer.

Sales of new products in retail supermarkets were minimal in fiscal 2024. Sales in fiscal 2024 benefitted minimally from the impact of prior fiscal year’s price increases, and more than offset slight decreases in volume that were primarily attributable to the additional week in fiscal 2023.

Operating income in our Retail Supermarkets segment increased $7.3 million in fiscal 2024 to $16.6 million with the increase primarily driven by sales growth as well as improved gross margin performance in most of our retail product categories.

FROZEN BEVERAGES SEGMENT RESULTS

(in thousands)

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Total frozen beverage segment sales increased $6.7 million or 2% to $368.3 million in fiscal 2024. Beverage-related sales increased 2%, or $5.4 million, in fiscal 2024. Gallon sales decreased 3% from the prior fiscal year, primarily reflecting a weaker theater performance as the prior year’s actors’ strike impacted the volume and quality of movie releases, although the weakness began to soften in Q4 as some stronger releases began to hit the market. Service revenue increased 1% to $96.6 million in fiscal 2024 and machines revenue, primarily sales of frozen beverage machines, increased 1% to $38.2 million in fiscal 2024.

The estimated number of Company-owned frozen beverage dispensers was 24,000 and 23,000 at September 28, 2024 and September 30, 2023, respectively. Operating income in our Frozen Beverage segment increased 2%, or $1.1 million, in fiscal 2024.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS:

Fiscal Year 2023 (53 weeks) Compared to Fiscal Year 2022 (52 weeks)

The discussion of our results of operations for Fiscal Year 2023 (53 weeks) compared to Fiscal Year 2022 (52 weeks) can be found in Part II, Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2023 and such discussion is incorporated by reference herein.

ACQUISITIONS

Dippin’ Dots Acquisition

On June 21, 2022, J & J Snack Foods Corp. and its wholly-owned subsidiary, DD Acquisition Holdings, LLC, completed the acquisition of one hundred percent (100%) of the equity interests of Dippin’ Dots Holding, L.L.C. (“Dippin’ Dots”) which, through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, owns and operates the Dippin’ Dots and Doc Popcorn businesses. The purchase price was approximately $223.6 million, consisting entirely of cash.

Dippin’ Dots is a leading producer of flash-frozen beaded ice cream treats, and the acquisition will leverage synergies in entertainment and amusement locations, theaters, and convenience to continue to expand our business. The acquisition also includes the Doc Popcorn business operated by Dippin’ Dots.

The acquisition was accounted for under the purchase method of accounting, and its operations are included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements from their respective acquisition dates.

Thinsters Acquisition

On April 8, 2024, J & J Snack Foods Corp. completed the acquisition of the Thinsters cookie business from Hain Celestial Group. The purchase price was approximately $7.0 million, consisting entirely of cash.

The acquisition was accounted for under the purchase method of accounting, and its operations are included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements from their respective acquisition dates.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Although there are many factors that could impact our operating cash flow, most notably net earnings, we believe that our future operating cash flow, along with our borrowing capacity, our current cash and cash equivalent balances and our investment securities is sufficient to satisfy our cash requirements over the next twelve months and beyond, as well as fund future growth and expansion.

Fiscal 2024 Compared to Fiscal 2023

(in thousands)

• The increase in depreciation of fixed assets was largely due to prior year purchases of property, plant and equipment.
• The decrease in deferred income taxes was primarily related to higher increased deferred tax liabilities in the prior year which arose in connection with overall depreciation related temporary differences in fiscal year 2023.
• Cash flows associated with changes in assets and liabilities, net effects from purchase of companies, generated approximately $3.4 million of cash in fiscal 2024 compared with $12.4 million of cash in fiscal 2023. The higher generation of cash in fiscal 2023 was largely the result of an improved collections environment in fiscal 2023 as compared with fiscal 2022, as well as a strategic push to lower our investment in inventory related working capital balances. In fiscal 2024, $7.9 million of cash was generated through a decrease in accounts receivable, and a continued improving collections environment, with the cash generation partially offset by a $3.0 million increase in prepaid expenses, a $1.0 million increase in inventory and a $0.5 million decrease in accounts payable and accrued liabilities.
• Proceeds from insurance for fixed assets related to proceeds received in connection with losses incurred related to the fire at our Holly Ridge plant.

(in thousands)

• The payments for purchases of companies, net of cash acquired, in fiscal 2024 related to the Thinsters acquisition.
• Purchases of property, plant and equipment include spending for production growth, in addition to acquiring new equipment, infrastructure replacements, and upgrades to maintain competitive standing and position us for future opportunities. The decrease in fiscal 2024 was primarily due to increased spend for new lines at various plants aimed at increasing capacity that had occurred in fiscal 2023.
• Proceeds from redemption and sales of marketable securities decreased in fiscal 2024 as in prior years, we strategically chose to no longer re-invest redeemed proceeds into marketable securities given the low interest rate environment.

(in thousands)

• Borrowings under credit facility and repayment of borrowings under credit facility relate to the Company’s cash draws and repayments made to primarily fund working capital needs and represent the continued net pay-down of borrowings outstanding across both fiscal periods.
• Dividends paid during fiscal 2024 increased as our quarterly dividend was raised during fiscal 2024.

Liquidity

As of September 28, 2024, we had $73.4 million of cash and cash equivalents.

In December 2021, the Company entered into an amended and restated loan agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) with our existing banks which provided for up to a $50 million revolving credit facility repayable in December 2026.

On June 21, 2022, the Company entered into an amendment to the Credit Agreement, the “Amended Credit Agreement” which provided for an incremental increase of $175 million in available borrowings. The Amended Credit Agreement also includes an option to increase the size of the revolving credit facility by up to an amount not to exceed in the aggregate the greater of $225 million or, $50 million plus the Consolidated EBITDA of the Borrowers, subject to the satisfaction of certain terms and conditions.

Interest accrues, at the Company’s election at (i) the BSBY Rate (as defined in the Credit Agreement), plus an applicable margin, based upon the Consolidated Net Leverage Ratio, as defined in the Credit Agreement, or (ii) the Alternate Base Rate (a rate based on the higher of (a) the prime rate announced from time-to-time by the Administrative Agent, (b) the Federal Reserve System’s federal funds rate, plus 0.50% or (c) the Daily BSBY Rate, plus an applicable margin). The Alternate Base Rate is defined in the Credit Agreement.

The Credit Agreement requires the Company to comply with various affirmative and negative covenants, including without limitation (i) covenants to maintain a minimum specified interest coverage ratio and maximum specified net leverage ratio, and (ii) subject to certain exceptions, covenants that prevent or restrict the Company’s ability to pay dividends, engage in certain mergers or acquisitions, make certain investments or loans, incur future indebtedness, alter its capital structure or line of business, prepay subordinated indebtedness, engage in certain transactions with affiliates, or amend its organizational documents. As of September 28, 2024, the Company is in compliance with all financial covenants of the Credit Agreement.

As of September 28, 2024, we had no outstanding borrowings drawn on the Amended Credit Agreement. As of September 28, 2024, we had $212.7 million of additional borrowing capacity, after giving effect to the $12.3 million of letters of credit outstanding.

The Company’s material cash requirements include the following contractual and other obligations:

Purchase Commitments

Our most significant raw material requirements include flour, packaging, shortening, corn syrup, sugar, juice, cheese, chocolate, and a variety of nuts. We attempt to minimize the effect of future price fluctuations related to the purchase of raw materials primarily through forward purchasing to cover future manufacturing requirements, generally for periods from 1 to 12 months. As of September 28, 2024, we have approximately $122 million of such commitments. The purchase commitments do not exceed our projected requirements over the related terms and are in the normal course of business.

Leases

We have operating leases with initial noncancelable lease terms in excess of one year covering the rental of various facilities and equipment. Our operating leases include leases for real estate from some of our office, distribution and manufacturing facilities as well as manufacturing and non-manufacturing equipment used in our business. As of September 28, 2024, we have operating lease payment obligations of $159.8 million, with $19.1 million payable within 12 months.

Off –Balance Sheet Arrangements

The Company has off-balance sheet arrangements for purchase commitments as of September 28, 2024.

Critical Accounting Policies, Judgments and Estimates

We prepare our financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of such financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of those financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

The Company discloses its significant accounting policies in the accompanying notes to its audited consolidated financial statements.

Judgments and estimates of uncertainties are required in applying the Company’s accounting policies in certain areas. Following are some of the areas requiring significant judgments and estimates: revenue recognition, allowance for estimated credit losses, valuation of goodwill and long-lived and intangible assets, insurance reserves, and income taxes and business combinations.

Revenue Recognition

The singular performance obligation of our customer contracts for product and machine sales is determined by each individual purchase order and the respective products ordered, with revenue being recognized at a point-in-time when the obligation under the terms of the agreement is satisfied and product control is transferred to our customer. Specifically, control transfers to our customers when the product is delivered to, installed, or picked up by our customers based upon applicable shipping terms, as our customers can direct the use and obtain substantially all of the remaining benefits from the product at this point in time. The performance obligations in our customer contracts for product are generally satisfied within 30 days.

The singular performance obligation of our customer contracts for time and material repair and maintenance equipment service is the performance of the repair and maintenance with revenue being recognized at a point-in-time when the repair and maintenance is completed.

The singular performance obligation of our customer repair and maintenance equipment service contracts is the performance of the repair and maintenance with revenue being recognized over the time the service is expected to be performed. Our customers are billed for service contracts in advance of performance and therefore we have contract liability on our balance sheet.

Revenue is measured by the transaction price, which is defined as the amount of consideration we expect to receive in exchange for satisfying the performance obligations noted above. The transaction price is adjusted for estimates of known or expected variable consideration which includes sales discounts, trade promotions and certain other sales and customer incentives, including rebates and coupon redemptions. Variable consideration related to these programs is recorded as a reduction to revenue when the related revenue is recognized, and is recorded using the most likely amount method, with updates to estimates and related accruals of variable consideration occurring each period based on historical experience, changes in circumstances and other factors, including review of contractual pricing and rebate arrangements with customers.

We do not believe that there is a reasonable likelihood that there will be material change in the estimates or assumptions used to recognize revenue. As noted above, estimates are made based on historical experience and other factors. However, if the level of redemption rates or performance was to vary significantly from estimates, we may be exposed to gains or losses that could be material. We have not made any material changes in the accounting methodology used to recognize revenue during the past three fiscal years.

Allowance for Estimated Credit Losses

We provide an allowance for estimated credit losses after taking into consideration historical experience and other factors. On September 27, 2020, the Company adopted guidance issued by the FASB in ASU 2016-13 Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, which requires companies to recognize an allowance that reflects a current estimate of credit losses expected to be incurred over the life of the asset. The Company continuously monitors collections and payments from its customers and maintains a provision for estimated credit losses. The allowance for estimated credit losses considers a number of factors including the age of receivable balances, the history of losses, expectations of future credit losses and the customers’ ability to pay off obligations.

We do not believe that there is a reasonable likelihood that there will be a material change in the estimates or assumptions used to value our accounts receivable. Since adoption of the new guidance on September 27, 2020, we have not made any material changes in the accounting methodology used to value accounts receivable.

Valuation of Goodwill

We have three reporting units with goodwill. Goodwill is evaluated annually by the Company for impairment. We perform impairment tests at year end for our reporting units, which are also the operating segment levels with recorded goodwill utilizing primarily the discounted cash flow method. This methodology used to estimate the fair value of the total Company and its reporting units requires inputs and assumptions (i.e. revenue growth, operating profit margins, capital spending requirements and discount rates) that reflect current market conditions. The estimated fair value of each reporting unit is compared to the carrying value of the reporting unit. If the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the goodwill of the reporting unit is potentially impaired, and the Company then determines the implied fair value of goodwill, which is compared to the carrying value of goodwill to determine if impairment exists. Our tests at September 28, 2024 show that the fair value of each of our reporting units with goodwill exceeded its carrying value by at least 50%. Therefore, no further analysis was required.

The inputs and assumptions used involve considerable management judgment and are based upon assumptions about expected future operating performance. Assumptions used in these forecasts are consistent with internal planning. The actual performance of the reporting units could differ from management’s estimates due to changes in business conditions, operating performance, economic conditions, competition, and consumer preferences. We have not made any material changes in the accounting methodology used to value goodwill during the past three fiscal years.

Valuation of Long-Lived Assets and Other Intangible Assets

We record an impairment charge to property, plant and equipment and amortizing intangible assets in accordance with the applicable accounting standards, when, based on certain indicators of impairment, we believe such assets have experienced a decline in value that is other than temporary. Future adverse changes in market conditions or poor operating results of these underlying assets could result in losses or an inability to recover the carrying value of the asset that may not be reflected in the asset’s current carrying value, thereby possibly requiring impairment charges in the future.

Indefinite lived intangibles are reviewed annually for impairment. The fair value of our indefinite lived intangible assets is calculated using either a relief from royalty valuation approach, or the excess earnings method. We are required to make estimates and assumptions about sales growth, royalty rates, and discount rates based on budgets, business plans, economic projections, and marketplace data. Our impairment analysis contains uncertainties due to uncontrollable events that could positively or negatively impact the future economic and operating conditions.

We have not made any material changes in the accounting methodology used to evaluate impairment of long-lived assets and other intangibles during the last three fiscal years. While we believe we have made reasonable estimates and assumptions to calculate fair value of these assets, it is possible a material change could occur. If our actual results are not consistent with our estimates and assumptions used to calculate fair value, it could result in a material impairment of our long-lived assets and other intangibles.

Insurance Reserves

We have a self-insured medical plan which covers approximately 1,800 of our employees. We record a liability for incurred but not yet reported or paid claims based on our historical experience of claims payments and a calculated lag time period. Considering that we have stop loss coverage of $225,000 for each individual plan subscriber, the general consistency of claims payments and the short time lag, we believe that there is not a material exposure for this liability.

We self-insure, up to loss limits, workers’ compensation, automobile and general liability claims. Insurance reserves are calculated on a combination of an undiscounted basis based on actual claims data and estimates of incurred but not reported claims developed utilizing historical claims trends. Projected settlements of incurred but not reported claims are estimated based on pending claims, historical trends, industry trends related to expected losses and actual reported losses, and key assumptions, including loss development factors and expected loss rates.

We have not made any material changes in the accounting methodology used to establish our self-insurance liability during the past three fiscal years. We do not believe that there is a reasonable likelihood that there will be a material change in the estimate or assumptions used to calculate our self-insurance liability. However, if actual results are not consistent with our estimates or assumptions, we may be exposed to gains or losses that could be material.

Income Taxes

The annual tax rate is based on our income and statutory tax rates. Changes in statutory rates and tax laws in jurisdictions in which we operate may have a material effect on our annual tax rate. The effect of these changes, if any, would be recognized as a discrete item upon enactment.

Deferred income taxes arise from temporary differences between the tax and financial statement recognition of revenues and expenses. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured based on the enacted tax rates that will apply in the years in which the temporary differences are expected to be recovered or paid.

We have not made any material changes in the accounting methodology used to account for income taxes during the past three fiscal years. Changes in tax laws and rates could affect recorded deferred tax assets and liabilities in the future. Other than those potential impacts, we do not believe there is a reasonable likelihood that there will be a material change in tax related balances.

Business Combinations

We use assumptions and estimates in determining the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination. We use various models to value assets acquired and liabilities assumed, such as the net realizable value method to value inventory, and the cost method and market approach to value property, plant and equipment. The determination of the fair value of intangible assets, which can represent a significant portion of the purchase price of our acquisitions, requires the use of significant judgement with regard to the fair value, and whether such intangibles are amortizable or non-amortizable and, if the former, the period and method by which the intangible will be amortized. We estimate the fair value of acquisition-related intangibles either through the relief of royalty method or multi-period excess earnings method, or based on projections of cash flows that will arise from identifiable intangible assets of acquired businesses, which includes estimate of customer attrition. The projected cash flows are discounted to determine the present value of the assets at the date of acquisition. For significant acquisitions, we may use independent third-party valuation specialists to assist us in determining the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed.

We have not made any material changes in the accounting methodology used to account for business combinations during the past three fiscal years. We do not believe that there is a reasonable likelihood that there will be a material change in the estimate or assumptions used to determine the fair value of assets acquired or liabilities assumed in a business combination. However, if actual results are not consistent with our estimates or assumptions, we may be exposed to impairment charges that could be material.

The following is the Company’s quantitative and qualitative analysis of its financial market risk:

Interest Rate Sensitivity

The Company has in the past entered into interest rate swaps to limit its exposure to interest rate risk and may do so in the future if the Board of Directors feels that such non-trading hedging is in the best interest of the Company and its shareholders. As of September 28, 2024, the Company had no interest rate swap contracts.

Interest Rate Risk

At September 28, 2024, the Company had no debt outstanding.

Purchasing Risk

The Company’s most significant raw material requirements include flour, shortening, corn syrup, sugar, juice, cheese, chocolate, and a variety of nuts. The Company attempts to minimize the effect of future price fluctuations related to the purchase of raw materials primarily through forward purchasing to cover future manufacturing requirements, generally for periods from 1 to 12 months. Future contracts are not used in combination with forward purchasing of these raw materials. The Company’s procurement practices are intended to reduce the risk of future price increases, but also may potentially limit the ability to benefit from possible price decreases.

Foreign Exchange Rate Risk

The Company has not entered into any forward exchange contracts to hedge its foreign currency rate risk as of September 28, 2024, because it does not believe its foreign exchange exposure is significant.

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

We carried out an evaluation under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined under Rule 13a-15(e) promulgated under the Exchange Act for financial reporting, as of September 28, 2024. Based on that evaluation, our chief executive officer and chief financial officer have concluded that as of such date, our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective as a result of a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting as described below.

Our disclosure controls and procedures are designed to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported, within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC. These disclosure controls and procedures include, among other things, controls and procedures designed to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Internal control over financial reporting is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act as a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the chief executive officer and chief financial officer and effected by the board of directors and management to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and includes those policies and procedures that:

• Pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of our assets;
• Provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of our management and board of directors;
• Provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risks that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Our management assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of September 28, 2024. In making this assessment, our management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in the 2013 Internal Control-Integrated Framework.

Based on our assessment, our management identified a material weakness related to ineffective information technology general controls (ITGCs), including certain controls over logical access and change management. As a result, certain business process controls that are dependent on the ineffective ITGCs, or rely on the data produced from systems impacted by the ineffective ITGCs, were also deemed ineffective. Management has therefore concluded that, as of September 28, 2024, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was not effective.

The material weakness did not result in any material misstatements to our previously issued financial statements, nor in the financial statements included in this Form 10-K.

Our independent registered public accounting firm, Grant Thornton LLP, audited our internal control over financial reporting as of September 28, 2024. Their report, dated November 26, 2024, expressed an adverse opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. That report appears in Item 15 of Part IV of this Annual Report on Form 10-K and is incorporated by reference to this Item 9A.

Management’s Remediation Plans and Status

Our management is committed to maintaining a strong internal control environment. In response to the identified material weakness above, management has already taken steps to substantially remediate this material weakness and will continue to take further steps until such remediation is complete. Remediation efforts include ensuring that change management and user access controls are performed timely. Our remediation plan also includes: (i) enhancing processes around reviewing privileged access to key financial systems, (ii) strengthening change management procedures, (iii) expanding the management and governance over ITGCs, (iv) enhancing existing access management procedures and ownership.

As management continues to evaluate and work to improve our disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting, we may take additional measures to address these control deficiencies or modify certain remediation measures described above. We anticipate that the foregoing efforts, when implemented and tested for a sufficient period of time, will remediate the material weakness described above.