Lifeway Foods, Inc.: Form 10-Q for the period ended Mar 31, 2025

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”) in this Form 10-Q is provided as a supplement to, and should be read in conjunction with, our audited consolidated financial statements, the accompanying notes, and the MD&A included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 (the “Form 10-K”). Unless otherwise specified, any description of “our”, “we”, and “us” in this MD&A refer to Lifeway Foods, Inc. (“Lifeway”) and our wholly-owned subsidiaries.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

In addition to historical information, this quarterly report contains “forward-looking” statements within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements may be identified by the use of words such as “anticipate,” “from time to time,” “intend,” “plan,” “ongoing,” “realize,” “should,” “may,” “could,” “believe,” “future,” “depend,” “expect,” “will,” “result,” “can,” “remain,” “assurance,” “subject to,” “require,” “limit,” “impose,” “guarantee,” “restrict,” “continue,” “become,” “predict,” “likely,” “opportunities,” “effect,” “change,” “predict,” and “estimate,” and similar terms or terminology, or the negative of such terms or other comparable terminology. Examples of forward-looking statements include, among others, statements we make regarding:

• Expectations of the effect on our financial condition of claims, litigation, environmental costs, contingent liabilities and governmental and regulatory investigations and proceedings, if any;
• Strategy for acquisitions, customer retention, growth, product development, market position, financial results and reserves;
• Estimates of the amounts of sales allowances and discounts to our customers and consumers;
• Our belief that we will maintain compliance with our loan agreements and have sufficient liquidity to fund our business operations.

Forward looking statements are based on management’s beliefs, assumptions, estimates and observations of future events based on information available to our management at the time the statements are made and include any statements that do not relate to any historical or current fact. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and they involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed, implied or forecast by our forward-looking statements due in part to the risks, uncertainties, and assumptions that include:

• Changes in the pricing of commodities;
• The actions and decisions of our competitors and customers, including those related to price competition;
• Our ability to successfully implement our business strategy;
• The effects of government regulation;
• Disruptions to our supply chain, or our manufacturing and distribution capabilities, including those due to cybersecurity threats;
• Adverse economic conditions in the United States, our primary market, or any of the other jurisdictions in which we conduct significant business in the future, and resultant changes in consumer spending; and
• Such other factors as discussed throughout Part I, Item 1 “Business”; Part I, Item 1A “Risk Factors”; and Part II, Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 , Part II, Item 1A of this Form 10-Q and that are described from time to time in our other periodic reports filed with the SEC.

These factors are not necessarily all of the important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any of our forward-looking statements. Other unknown or unpredictable factors could also have material adverse effects on future results. The Company intends these forward-looking statements to speak only at the date made. Except as otherwise required to be disclosed in periodic reports required to be filed by public companies with the SEC pursuant to the SEC’s rules, Lifeway has no duty to update these statements, and it undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Business Overview

Lifeway was founded in 1986 by Michael Smolyansky, ten years after he and his family emigrated from Eastern Europe to the United States. Lifeway was the first to successfully introduce kefir to the U.S. consumer on a commercial scale, initially catering to ethnic consumers in the Chicago, Illinois metropolitan area. Lifeway has grown to become the largest producer and marketer of kefir in the U.S. and an important player in the broader market spaces of probiotic-based products and natural, “better for you” foods.

Our primary product is drinkable kefir, a cultured dairy product. Lifeway Kefir is tart and tangy, high in protein, calcium and vitamin D. The Company manufactures (directly or through a co-manufacturer) and markets products under the Lifeway, Fresh Made, and GlenOaks Farms brand names, as well as under private labels on behalf of certain customers.

The Company’s product categories are:

• Drinkable Kefir, a cultured dairy product sold in a variety of organic and non-organic sizes, flavors, and types.
• European-style soft cheeses, including farmer cheese, white cheese, and Sweet Kiss.
• Cream and other, which primarily consists of cream, a byproduct of raw milk processing.
• Drinkable Yogurt, sold in a variety of sizes and flavors.
• ProBugs, a line of kefir products designed for children.
• Other Dairy, which primarily consists of Fresh Made butter and sour cream.

Recent Developments and Trends

Debt Refinancing

On February 5, 2025, the Company entered into the Fifth Modification to the Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement (the “Fifth Modification”) with its current lender. The Fifth Modification, among other things, (i) increased the commitment for revolving loans under the Credit Agreement from $5,000 to $25,000, with interest payable at either the lender Base Rate (the Prime Rate minus 1.00%) or the SOFR plus 1.75%, (ii) extended the termination date of the Credit Agreement to February 5, 2028 and (iii) replaced the quarterly minimum working capital financial covenant with a financial covenant to maintain a maximum cash flow leverage ratio of no greater than 2.00 to 1.00 for each fiscal quarter commencing with the fiscal quarter ending March 31, 2025. The remaining material terms and conditions of the Credit Agreement remain substantially unchanged. The Company had no outstanding borrowings at the time of entry into the Fifth Modification.

Current Macroeconomic Environment

We continue to monitor macroeconomic conditions and global trade developments, including inflation in key input costs, recently implemented tariffs, and the potential for additional or modified tariffs or export controls. These evolving global trade policies may contribute to increased supply chain complexity, commodity cost volatility, and broader economic uncertainty. We do not currently expect these conditions to have a material adverse impact on our operations or financial results. We are primarily a United States based manufacturer sourcing a vast majority of our inputs domestically. In addition, all our domestically produced products are sold to customers in the United States. We expect the accelerating consumer focus on health and wellness to drive increased demand for our products.

Results of Operations

Three Months Ended March 31, 2025 Compared to Three Months Ended March 31, 2024

The following table presents certain information concerning our financial results, including information presented as a percentage of consolidated net sales:

Net Sales

Net sales were at $46,091 for the three-month period ended March 31, 2025, an increase of $1,457 or 3.3% versus prior year. The net sales increase was primarily driven by higher volumes of our branded drinkable kefir, partially offset by the planned trade promotion investment to support incremental distribution of farmers cheese and kefir. The first quarter 2024 benefited from a customer relationship we strategically exited in the third quarter of 2024, and a significant distributor shifting from Lifeway delivered to customer pick-up in late 2024, which results in lower net sales and lower freight out expense. On a comparable basis adjusting for these two factors, the Company’s net sales increased approximately 11% in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024.

Gross Profit

Gross profit as a percentage of net sales was 24.0% and 25.8% in the three-month period ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. The decrease versus the prior year was driven by the unfavorable impact of milk pricing and increased trade promotions.

Selling Expenses

Selling expenses increased by $998 to $4,698 during the three-month period ended March 31, 2025 from $3,700 during the same period in 2024. Selling expenses as a percentage of net sales increased to 10.2% in the three-month period ended March 31, 2025 from 8.3% during the same period in 2024. The increase is primarily a result of our continued investments in marketing activities to drive brand awareness and sales volumes.

General and Administrative Expenses

General and administrative expenses increased $492 to $4,628 during the three-month period ended March 31, 2025 from $4,136 during the same period in 2024. The increase is primarily driven by professional fees associated with non-routine stockholder action and the Danone unsolicited purchase proposal.

Provision for Income Taxes

Income taxes were recognized at effective rates of 28.7% and 30.8% for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. The change in the Company’s effective tax rate is primarily driven by changes in the amount of non-deductible officer compensation and non-deductible stock-based compensation expense.

The Company’s effective tax rate may change from period to period based on recurring and non-recurring factors including the relative mix of pre-tax earnings (or losses), the jurisdictional mix of earnings, enacted tax legislation, state income taxes, the impact of non-deductible items, changes in valuation allowances, settlement of tax audits, and the expiration of the statute of limitations in relation to unrecognized tax benefits.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Management assesses the Company’s liquidity in terms of its ability to generate cash to fund its operating, investing, and financing activities. The Company remains in a strong financial position, and believes that its cash flow from operations, revolving credit facility, and cash and cash equivalents will continue to provide sufficient liquidity for its working capital needs, capital resource requirements, and growth initiatives and to ensure the continuation of the Company as a going concern.

If additional borrowings are needed, $25,000 was available under the Revolving Credit Facility as of March 31, 2025 (see Note 7, Debt). We are in compliance with the terms of the Credit Agreement and expect to meet foreseeable financial requirements. The success of our business and financing strategies will continue to provide us with the financial flexibility to take advantage of various opportunities as they arise. To date, we have been successful in generating cash and obtaining financing as needed. However, if a serious economic or credit market crisis ensues, it could have a negative effect on our liquidity, results of operations and financial condition.

The Company’s most significant ongoing short-term cash requirements relate primarily to funding operations (including expenditures for raw materials, labor, manufacturing and distribution, trade and promotions, advertising and marketing, and tax liabilities) as well as expenditures for property, plant and equipment.

Long-term cash requirements primarily relate to funding long-term debt repayments (see Note 7, Debt) and deferred income taxes (see Note 10, Income Taxes, in our Annual Report on Form 10-K).

Cash Flow

The following table is derived from our Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows:

Operating Activities

Net cash used in operating activities was $150 during the three-month period ended March 31, 2025 compared to net cash provided by operating activities of $1,546 in the same period in 2024. The decrease was primarily due lower cash earnings and the change in working capital.

Investing Activities

Net cash provided by investing activities was $2,933 during the three-month period ended March 31, 2025 compared to net cash used in investing activities of $2,469 in the same period in 2024. The decrease in cash used reflects cash proceeds of $5,152 received in the first quarter of 2025 from the sale of our Simple Mills investment. Our capital spending is focused in three core areas: growth, cost reduction, and facility improvements. Growth capital spending supports capacity expansion and new product innovation and enhancements. Cost reduction and facility improvements support manufacturing efficiency, safety, and productivity.

Financing Activities

Net cash used in financing activities was $65 and $250 during the three-month period ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. The cash used in 2025 represents credit agreement amendment expenses incurred during the first quarter. The cash used in 2024 represented the quarterly principal payments under the term loan, which was paid in full during the second quarter of 2024.

Debt Obligations

As of March 31, 2025, the Company had $0 outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility. The Company had $25,000 available for future borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility as of March 31, 2025.

The Credit Agreement includes customary representations, warranties, and covenants, including financial covenants requiring the Company to maintain a fixed charge coverage ratio of no less than 1.25 to 1.00, and a maximum cash flow leverage ratio of no greater than 2.00 to 1.00 for each fiscal quarter commencing with the fiscal quarter ending March 31, 2025.

The Company is in compliance with all applicable financial debt covenants as of March 31, 2025. See Note 7 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding our indebtedness and related agreements.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Information regarding recent accounting pronouncements is provided in Note 2 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

A description of the Company’s critical accounting policies and estimates is contained in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024. There were no material changes to the Company’s critical accounting policies and estimates in the three months ended March 31, 2025.

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

The Company has established disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”)) that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), and such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Management, together with our CEO and CFO, evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of March 31, 2025. Based on this evaluation, our CEO and CFO concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of March 31, 2025.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There have been no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the Exchange Act) that occurred during the quarter ended March 31, 2025 that has materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

There have been no material changes from the risk factors disclosed in Part I, Item 1A of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024.