BranchOut Food Inc.: Form 10-Q for the period ended Mar 31, 2024

You should read the following discussion of our financial condition and results of operations in conjunction with the condensed financial statements and the notes thereto included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and with our audited financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023. In addition to historical condensed financial information, the following discussion contains forward-looking statements that reflect our plans, estimates, and beliefs. Our actual results could differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements.

Overview

We were incorporated as Avochips Inc., an Oregon corporation, on February 21, 2017, and on November 2, 2017, we converted into Avochips, LLC, an Oregon limited liability company. On November 19, 2021, we converted from an Oregon limited liability company into BranchOut Food Inc., a Nevada corporation.

We are engaged in the development, marketing, sale, and distribution of plant-based, dehydrated fruit and vegetable snacks and powders. Our products have historically been manufactured for us by two contract manufacturers, one based in the Republic of Chile, and the other in the Republic of Peru. The manufacturing facility in Peru houses our new large-scale continuous through-put dehydration machine that completed its first production run in the first quarter of 2023, and which substantially increased our production capacity. Our dehydrated fruit and vegetable products are produced using a new proprietary dehydration technology licensed by us from a third party. Our customers are primarily located throughout the United States.

Using our licensed technology platform, we believe our lines of both branded and private-labeled food products positively address current consumer trends. In our experience, conventional dehydration methods, such as freeze-drying and air drying, tend to degrade most fruit and vegetables through oxidation, browning/color degradation, nutritional content reduction and/or flavor loss. As a result, certain highly sensitive fruits, such as avocados and bananas, have not previously been successfully offered as a dehydrated base for consumer products. We believe that our licensed technology platform and process is the only way to produce quality avocado and banana-based snack and powdered products. Additionally, we believe our licensed technology platform produces superior products when using other fruits and vegetables when compared to conventional drying and dehydration technologies. We license technology, consisting of a portfolio of patents, and purchased production machines, from Enwave, and we have been granted the exclusive rights to use the licensed technology platform as applied to avocados. In addition, BranchOut has the nonexclusive rights to use the licensed technology platform for other products.

We entered into a private labeling contract with one of the world’s largest retailers in late 2022 to supply the retailer with two products for placement in half of their domestic stores. In April 2023, the same retailer agreed to carry two additional products of ours in certain of their stores. In April 2024, we announced that we had entered into an additional contract with this retailer that is expected to result in our products being placed in a total of 1,400 of its stores in September, 2024, and increase the total annualized revenues that we may generate from this retailer to $8 million.

Our Products

We plan to grow revenues strategically by penetrating the multi-billion dollar grocery market opportunity presented by our current product lines, as well as expanding our platform to include additional products that meet our strict plant-based ingredient criteria. Our current primary branded products are:

• BranchOut Snacks: dehydrated fruit and vegetable-based snacks, including Avocado Chips, Chewy Banana Bites, Pineapple Chips, Brussels Sprout Crisps and Bell Pepper Crisps.
• BranchOut Powders: Avocado Powder, Banana Powder and Blueberry Powder.
• BranchOut Industrial Ingredients: Bulk Avocado Powder, dried avocado pieces and other fruit powders/pieces.

We are currently developing additional products, including chocolate covered fruit items and private label products for large retailers.

Going Concern Uncertainty

As of March 31, 2024, the Company has incurred recurring losses from operations resulting in an accumulated deficit of $13,861,508, with working capital of only $399,444. We are too early in our development stage to project revenue with a necessary level of certainty; therefore, we may not have sufficient funds to sustain our operations for the next twelve months and we may need to raise additional cash to fund our operations. These factors raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. The Company continues to develop its operations. In the event sales do not materialize at the expected rates, management would seek additional financing or would attempt to conserve cash by further reducing expenses. There can be no assurance that we will be successful in achieving these objectives.

The condensed financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of any uncertainty as to the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. The condensed financial statements also do not include any adjustments relating to the recoverability and classification of recorded asset amounts, or amounts and classifications of liabilities that might be necessary should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern. Our ability to scale production and distribution capabilities and further increase the value of our brands, is largely dependent on our success in raising additional capital.

Access to our Equipment in Peru; NXTDried Superfoods

During the fourth quarter of 2023, NXTDried Superfoods, our contract manufacturer located in Peru, became involved in a legal dispute with its landlord and another third party, which resulted in that manufacturer suspending operations. As a result of such dispute, we currently do not have access to the dehydration machine that was previously operated by this manufacturer. Although we have been able to continue to fulfill orders by shifting fulfillment to other manufacturing sources, our costs of goods are expected to increase as a result. In addition, if we are unable to regain access to our dehydration machine and utilize it for the production of our products, our operating results may be materially and adversely affected. In addition, during 2023, we recognized $761,085 of impairment expense, consisting of $485,265, $243,305 and $32,515 on the collectability of a note receivable, VAT taxes receivable and prepaid inventory, respectively, owed to us by NXTDried Superfoods.

Peru Facility Lease

Given the situation with NXTDried Superfoods, we were required to shift fulfillment of orders to alternative manufacturing sources. On May 10, 2024 we entered into a ten-year lease for a 50,000 square-foot food processing plant located in Peru. We expect to relocate our dehydration machine to the Peru Facility along with a new large-scale machine we recently ordered form Enwave, and resume our Peruvian manufacturing operations there in the third quarter of 2024. The lease of the Peru Facility requires us to make monthly lease payments of $8,000 in the first two years of the lease, $20,000 in the third year of the lease, $22,000 in the fourth year of the lease, $24,000 in the fourth year of the lease, and $25,000 thereafter. The lease also has a 10-year renewal option, and a buy-out option under which we may purchase the Peru Facility for $1,865,456.

In connection with our lease of the Peru Facility, we purchased a first position mortgage receivable in the amount of $1,267,000, which is secured by the Peru Facility and was owed by the landlord of the Peru Facility to its former tenant, for a purchase price of $1,267,000, of which $275,000 was paid by us on May 10, 2024. The remaining $992,000 will be due and payable by us on August 10, 2024.

Results of Operations for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 and 2023

The following table summarizes selected items from the statement of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

Net Revenue

Our net revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2024 was $1,467,016, compared to $97,340 for the three months ended March 31, 2023, an increase of $1,056,446, or 1,407%. The increase in revenue was primarily due to increased sales to our largest customer during the three months ended March 31, 2024.

Cost of Goods Sold and Gross Profit

Our cost of goods sold for the three months ended March 31, 2024 was $1,183,428, compared to $126,982 for the three months ended March 31, 2023, an increase of $1,056,446, or 832%. Cost of goods sold increased primarily due to increased sales during the three months ended March 31, 2024. As a result of the foregoing, we had gross profit of $283,588, representing gross margins of 19%, for the three months ended March 31, 2024 as compared to a gross loss of $29,642, or negative gross margins of 30%, for the three months ended March 31, 2023. Our gross profit margin increased primarily due to cost savings realized as a result of our transition to bulk shipping arrangements during the current period. Cost of goods sold included depreciation expense for the three months ended March 31, 2024 of $56,336, compared to $55,823 for the three months ended March 31, 2023, an increase of $513, or 1%.

General and Administrative

Our general and administrative expense for the three months ended March 31, 2024 was $319,736, compared to $180,900 for the three months ended March 31, 2023, an increase of $138,836, or 77%. The largest components of our general and administrative expenses are advertising and marketing, travel, commissions, and storage, shipping and handling expense, as shown below.

Advertising and marketing expenses increased for the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to the corresponding period in 2023, as we focused our resources on our IPO in the prior period. Our travel expenses increased for the same reason, as we resumed our international travel after the IPO that was completed in the prior year. Storage, shipping and handling expenses increased primarily due to increased international shipping rates and increased production that was driven by our increased sales. Likewise, commissions increased due to our increased sales.

Salaries and Wages

Salaries and wages for the three months ended March 31, 2024 was $598,286, compared to $251,810 for the three months ended March 31, 2023, an increase of $346,476, or 138%. This increase was primarily attributable to $376,384 of non-cash, stock-based compensation related to stock options awarded during the current period.

Professional Fees

Professional fees for the three months ended March 31, 2024 was $390,666, compared to $144,141 for the three months ended March 31, 2023, an increase of $246,525, or 171%. This increase was primarily attributable to increased legal and consulting fees in the current period, as a portion of these fees were capitalized as offering costs on our IPO in the comparative period. Professional fees included $149,594 and $50,446 of non-cash, stock-based compensation for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

Other Income (Expense)

In the three months ended March 31, 2024, other expense was $25,867 on a net basis, consisting of $28,744 of interest expense, as partially offset by $2,877 of interest income. For the three months ended March 31, 2023, other expense was $170,600 on a net basis, consisting of $173,445 of interest expense, as partially offset by $2,845 of interest income. Other expense decreased by $144,733, or 85%, primarily due to the decreased interest on debt which was mostly settled in June of 2023.

Net loss

Net loss for the three months ended March 31, 2024 was $1,050,967, compared to $777,093 for the three months ended March 31, 2023, an increase of $273,874, or 35%. The increased net loss was primarily due to increased non-cash, stock-based compensation costs, and compliance costs related to reporting as a public company, as partially offset by decreased interest on debt which was mostly settled in the prior year.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The following table summarizes our total current assets, liabilities and working capital as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023.

As of March 31, 2024, we had working capital of $399,444. We have incurred net losses since our inception and we anticipate net losses and negative operating cash flows for the near future, and we may not be profitable or realize growth in the value of our assets. To date, our primary sources of capital have been cash generated from the sales of our products, common stock sales, and debt financing. As of March 31, 2024, we had cash of $251,700, total liabilities of $997,069, and an accumulated deficit of $13,861,508. As of December 31, 2023, we had cash of $657,789, total liabilities of $914,622, and an accumulated deficit of $12,810,541.

Cash Flow

Comparison of the Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 and the Three Months Ended March 31, 2023

The following table sets forth the primary sources and uses of cash for the periods presented below:

22

Net Cash Used in Operating Activities

Net cash used in operating activities was $503,578 for the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to $656,593 for the three months ended March 31, 2023, a decrease of $153,015, or 23%. The decrease was primarily due to our increased gross profit.

Net Cash Used in Investing Activities

Net cash used in investing activities was $40,100 for the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to $-0- for the three months ended March 31, 2023, an increase of $40,100. This increase was primarily attributable to $50,000 of property and equipment purchases, as partially offset by $9,900 of advances received on notes receivable in the current period.

Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities

Net cash provided by financing activities was $137,589 for the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to $544,105 for the three months ended March 31, 2023, a decrease of $406,516, or 75%. Our decreased cash provided by financing activities was primarily from $322,500 of decreased net proceeds received on debt financing and $200,000 of debt repayments in the current period, as partially offset by $98,298 of deferred offering cost payments in the prior period.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

Our financial results are affected by the selection and application of accounting policies and methods. In the three-month period ended March 31, 2024 there were no changes to the application of critical accounting policies disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.

CAUTIONARY NOTICE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This report includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). All statements in this report, other than statements of historical fact, are “forward-looking statements” for purposes of these provisions, including any projections of earnings, revenues or other financial items, any statements of the plans and objectives of our management for future operations, any statements concerning proposed new products or services, any statements regarding the integration, development or commercialization of the business or any assets acquired from other parties, any statements regarding future economic conditions or performance, and any statements of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of terminology such as “may,” “will,” “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “seeks,” “believes,” “estimates,” “potential,” “forecasts,” “continue,” or other forms of these words or similar words or expressions, or the negative thereof or other comparable terminology. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements contained herein are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations or any of the forward-looking statements will prove to be correct, and actual results will likely differ, and could differ materially, from those projected or assumed in the forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned not to unduly rely on any such forward-looking statements.

All subsequent forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. Our actual results will likely differ, and may differ materially, from anticipated results. Financial estimates are subject to change and are not intended to be relied upon as predictions of future operating results. All forward-looking statements included in this report are made as of the date hereof and are based on information available to us as of such date. We assume no obligation to update any forward-looking statement. If we do update or correct one or more forward-looking statements, investors and others should not conclude that we will make additional updates or corrections.

NOTICE REGARDING TRADEMARKS

This report includes trademarks, tradenames and service marks that are our property or the property of others. Solely for convenience, such trademarks and tradenames sometimes appear without any “™” or “®” symbol. However, failure to include such symbols is not intended to suggest, in any way, that we will not assert our rights or the rights of any applicable licensor, to these trademarks and tradenames.

The Company is not required to provide the information required by this Item as it is a “smaller reporting company,” as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate disclosure controls and procedures for our company. Consequently, our management, with the participation of our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rule 13a-15 under the Exchange Act as of March 31, 2024. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognized that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives. In addition, the design of disclosure controls and procedures must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and that management is required to apply its judgment in evaluating the benefits of possible controls and procedures relative to their costs. Based on that evaluation, our chief executive officer and chief financial officer concluded that, as of such date, our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

During the three-month period ended March 31, 2024, there were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934).

The Company is not required to provide the information required by this Item as it is a “smaller reporting company,” as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.