SpartanNash Announces First Quarter Fiscal 2020 Financial Results

SpartanNash Company (the “Company”) (Nasdaq:SPTN) today reported financial results for its 16-week first quarter ended April 18, 2020.

First Quarter Fiscal 2020 Highlights

  • Net sales growth of 12.4%, to $2.86 billion from $2.54 billion in the prior year quarter, representing the sixteenth consecutive quarter of growth.
  • Retail comparable store sales of 15.6% were positive for the third consecutive quarter, representing a significant acceleration from recent trends driven by the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • EPS of $0.43 per share, an increase of 105% over the prior year quarter; adjusted EPS of $0.67 per share, an increase of 179% over the prior year quarter.
  • Adjusted EBITDA increase of 35%, to $74.0 million from $54.7 million in the prior year quarter.
  • Cash generated from operating activities of $129.3 million, leading to an over $90 million pay down of long-term debt.
  • Raised full year outlook to reflect actual year-to-date results as well as for increased sales and earnings trends the Company began to realize prior to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. First quarter results include an estimated $0.38 of additional EPS from increased consumer demand related to COVID-19.

“I am incredibly proud of our family of associates, from those within our retail stores to our supply chain team and all of those supporting their efforts to serve our local customers and communities during this significant time of need for food, pharmacy, household and personal care products,” said Dennis Eidson, Interim President and Chief Executive Officer. “Our number one priority continues to be the wellbeing and safety of our entire team, particularly those on the frontlines, who have been driving our business forward every day. Our ability to respond to unprecedented consumer demand during the quarter enabled us to significantly exceed our expectations for the quarter and we are raising our annual outlook to reflect our strong first quarter execution in a challenging and evolving environment. Going forward, we remain committed to enhancing our long-term strategy as we build upon SpartanNash’s existing foundation and increasingly position the Company to sustain profitable growth.”

COVID-19 Response

The following are key actions the Company has taken in response to the COVID-19 pandemic during the first quarter of 2020. A COVID-19 task force was created to focus on two priorities: the well-being and safety of the Company’s family of associates, customers and communities; and supporting health officials and government leaders to contain the virus:

Increased safety and sanitation efforts implemented during the pandemic include:

  • Installed sneeze guards at key points of customer interaction within retail stores as well as within distribution center receiving areas.
  • Purchased facemasks and gloves for all frontline associates working in retail stores and distribution centers.
  • Required all associates and guests to wear facemasks at Company sites.
  • Promoted social distancing through signs and floor markings throughout retail stores and distribution centers to remind guests and associates to remain six feet apart.
  • Set aside time twice per week for store and pharmacy guests most at risk of contracting coronavirus, including seniors, pregnant women and immunocompromised individuals.
  • Increased Fast Lane staffing levels to best accommodate significant increase in the number of customers shopping online as well as offered free, same-day home delivery of prescription medications.
  • On-site health screenings, including temperature checks, for all associates upon arrival at work.
  • Suspended certain services within retail stores, including self-serve areas, bottle returns, and product returns due to the increased risk of contamination.
  • Increased procedures for sanitizing high-touch surfaces within retail stores, such as shopping carts and baskets, food service counters, checkout lanes, conveyor belts, fuel pump handles, pin pads and touch screens at least every 30 minutes as well as installed sanitation stations. In distribution centers, implemented fogging as well as sanitizing high-touch areas including time clocks, headsets and equipment controls at least every 30 minutes.
  • Provided robust communications and resources for independent customers to help them navigate the COVID-19 operational and legislative landscape.

Additional resources to help associates during various times of the pandemic include:

  • Provided its more than 16,000 part- and full-time frontline associates with weekly appreciation bonuses, as well as an additional $2 per hour for hours worked during times of significantly increased demand.
  • Increased the associate discount in its company-owned retail stores to 20 percent off.
  • Extended emergency leave benefits to ensure associates who are sick or are displaying symptoms of COVID-19 are able to remain off work until they have fully recovered. SpartanNash's expanded emergency pay now provides up to 80 hours of paid leave.
  • The Company continues to provide telemedicine visits, employee assistance programs for mental and physical wellbeing as well as assistance managing childcare and prescription drug coverage. Telemedicine visit and COVID-19 testing fees have been waived since the onset of the pandemic.
  • Recruited and onboarded more than 3,000 new hires since the beginning of the pandemic to support current associates and provide career opportunities to displaced workers.
  • Provide daily and weekly robust communication updates to inform associates of the changing protocols and procedures implemented as a result of COVID-19.

COVID-19 Financial Impacts

The Company experienced a significant increase in demand across all three business segments, beginning in mid-March, the eleventh week of the fiscal quarter. These increases reflected a meaningful change in customer behavior in response to the pandemic as volumes increased due to retail consumers stocking up. This was followed by a shift to food-at-home in connection with state mandated business shutdowns, including restaurants, as well as stay-at-home orders.

  • Within the Food Distribution segment, sales comparisons to the prior year increased 9.5% for the first ten weeks of the quarter. In the last six weeks of the quarter, sales trended higher than the prior year by 29.7% and ended the quarter ahead of the prior year by 17.1%.
  • Within the Retail segment through the first ten weeks of the quarter, the Company’s comparable store sales, which exclude fuel, were on track to achieve its guidance of approximately flat and accelerated to an increase of 42.0% for the last six weeks of the quarter, ending the quarter at 15.6%.
  • Within the Military segment, sales comparisons to the prior year decreased 3.2% for the first ten weeks of the quarter. In the last six weeks of the quarter, sales trended higher than the prior year by 18.1% and ended the quarter ahead of the prior year by 4.9%.

The Company incurred direct costs associated with its efforts to support frontline associates as well as to increase cleaning and sanitation frequency within all operating locations. Incremental direct labor costs include weekly appreciation bonuses and an additional $2 per hour for frontline workers. Sanitation costs include additional cleaning of high-touch surfaces, fogging of distribution locations, installation of sneeze guards and providing masks and gloves to all associates.

Consolidated Financial Results

Consolidated net sales for the first quarter increased $314.1 million, or 12.4%, to $2.86 billion from $2.54 billion in the prior year quarter. The increase in net sales was generated through higher sales attributable to COVID-19 impacts across all segments, as well as growth with existing customers in the Food Distribution segment.

Gross profit for the first quarter of fiscal 2020 was $423.6 million, or 14.8% of net sales, compared to $377.7 million, or 14.9% of net sales, in the prior year quarter. The growth in gross profit was primarily driven by the increased sales volume.

Reported operating expenses for the first quarter were $401.5 million, or 14.1% of net sales, compared to $355.5 million, or 14.0% of net sales, in the prior year quarter. The increase in expenses as a rate of sales compared to the prior year quarter was due to higher restructuring and asset impairment charges of $15.9 million, including charges related to the closure of the Caito Fresh Cut business compared to gains on the sale of a closed distribution center in the prior year, which are discussed further within the segment financial results below. During the first half of the quarter, the Company executed a voluntary early retirement program, along with a reduction-in-force, which will result in longer-term cost savings, however these initiatives resulted in $5.2 million in incremental expense in the quarter. The Company also recognized significant increases in incentive compensation due to improved overall company performance, as well as incremental pay and bonuses for frontline associates, as noted above. These incremental costs were mostly offset by improved operating leverage related to store labor and other operating expenses, as well as significantly lower healthcare costs and lower stock compensation expense due, in part, to the timing of a portion of the fiscal 2020 stock award, which will occur in the second quarter. First quarter operating expenses would have been $385.7 million, or 13.5% of net sales, compared to $354.6 million, or 13.9% of net sales, in the prior year quarter, excluding the restructuring and asset impairment charges and other adjustments detailed in Table 3.

The Company reported operating earnings of $22.0 million compared to $22.2 million in the prior year quarter. The decline was primarily attributable to the changes in operating expenses mentioned above, mostly offset by increased volume. Adjusted operating earnings(1) were $40.2 million compared to $23.2 million in the prior year quarter and exclude the adjustments detailed in Table 3.

Interest expense decreased $4.2 million from the prior year quarter primarily due to significant rate cuts executed by the federal reserve during 2019 and in the first quarter of 2020, as well as due to the Company’s pay down of the debt balance resulting from higher earnings and lower working capital requirements.

The Company reported earnings from continuing operations of $15.4 million, or $0.43 per share, compared to $7.5 million, or $0.21 per diluted share, in the prior year quarter. The improvement reflects the operating earnings changes noted above, as well as tax benefits associated with the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act and lower interest expense.

Adjusted earnings from continuing operations(3) for the first quarter were $24.1 million, or $0.67 per diluted share. Adjusted earnings from continuing operations for the prior year quarter were $8.5 million, or $0.24 per diluted share. In addition to the adjusted items noted above, adjusted earnings from continuing operations exclude tax benefits associated with the CARES Act. A reconciliation of reported earnings from continuing operations to adjusted earnings from continuing operations is included at Table 4.

Adjusted EBITDA(2) increased $19.3 million, or 35.3%, to $74.0 million compared to $54.7 million in the prior year quarter due to factors mentioned above.

Please see the financial tables at the end of this press release for a reconciliation of each non-GAAP financial measure to the most directly comparable measure, prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP.

Segment Financial Results

Food Distribution

Net sales for Food Distribution increased $200.3 million, or 17.1%, to $1.37 billion from $1.17 billion in the prior year quarter. The increase was due to incremental volume associated with COVID-19 impacts as well as sales growth with existing customers.

Reported operating earnings for Food Distribution were $11.4 million compared $24.6 million in the prior year quarter. During the quarter, as a result of the loss of a significant customer of the Fresh Cut business, the Company made the decision to exit these operations. Wind down of the operations began in March 2020 and was complete as of the end of the first quarter. The Company incurred $11.1 million in asset impairment charges, severance costs, operating losses and other charges during the wind down period. Profitability was also impacted by the increase in sales volume, the compensation related items mentioned above and by the closure of Fresh Kitchen operations during 2019, which previously generated operating losses.

First quarter adjusted operating earnings(1) were $26.3 million compared to $21.3 million in the prior year quarter. Adjusted operating earnings exclude charges associated with the Fresh Cut operations and severance in the current year, and gains related to the sale of real property, the allocation of one-time costs associated with Project One Team and severance in the prior year quarter.

Retail

Net sales for Retail increased $80.8 million, or 11.5%, to $782.6 million from $701.8 million in the prior year quarter primarily due to incremental volume associated with COVID-19, as discussed above. Comparable store sales of 15.6% were partially offset by the impact of lower fuel prices and store closures, with e-commerce sales volume increasing by more than 300% during the last six weeks of the quarter.

Reported operating earnings for Retail were $12.6 million compared to an operating loss of $0.8 million in the prior year quarter. The increase in reported operating earnings was due to the increase in sales volume, improvements in labor rates as a rate of sales and lower health insurance costs, partially offset by the compensation related items mentioned above. Adjusted operating earnings(1) were $15.3 million compared to $2.7 million in the prior year quarter and exclude restructuring costs and severance in the current year, and one-time costs associated with Project One Team, merger/acquisition and integration expenses, and store closing expenses in the prior year quarter.

Military Distribution

Net sales for Military Distribution increased $33.0 million, or 4.9%, to $704.4 million from $671.4 million in the prior year quarter. The increase was due to incremental volume associated with COVID-19, partially offset by lower comparable sales at Defense Commissary Agency (“DeCA”) operated locations prior to the onset of the pandemic.

The reported operating loss for Military Distribution was $2.0 million compared to $1.6 million in the prior year quarter. The change was primarily attributable to higher incentive compensation costs, partially offset by the impact of the increase in sales volume. Adjusted operating loss(1) was $1.4 million compared to $0.8 million in the prior year quarter. Adjusted operating loss in the current year excludes severance, and excludes the allocation of one-time costs associated with Project One Team in the prior year quarter.

Balance Sheet and Cash Flow

Cash flows provided by operating activities for the first quarter were $129.3 million compared to $13.5 million in the prior year quarter. The increase was due to changes in working capital and improved profitability. The Company generated $111.4 million in free cash flow(5) in the first quarter compared to a use of cash of $2.5 million in the prior year quarter. The Company reduced net long-term debt(6) levels by $88.4 million during the first quarter of 2020, and net long-term debt to adjusted EBITDA improved from 3.7x to 2.9x.

Capital expenditures and IT capital(7) totaled $19.5 million in the first quarter compared to $16.0 million in the prior year quarter.

During the first quarter, the Company declared $7.0 million in cash dividends equal to $0.1925 per common share. The Company also repurchased 860,752 shares for a total of $10.0 million in the quarter, an average price of $11.62 per share.

Revised Outlook

For the 53-week fiscal year ending January 2, 2021, the Company expects to continue to benefit from higher consumer food-at-home consumption related to COVID-19, however, the duration and magnitude of the impact are uncertain. As a result, although the Company believes that its sales for fiscal 2020 will materially exceed its initial 2020 guidance, the Company is unable to fully estimate the impact COVID-19 will have on the remainder of 2020. The Company is updating its annual outlook, originally provided on February 19, 2020, to reflect actual financial results experienced to-date, as well as expectations for the remainder of the fiscal year related to earnings trends. Specifically, these updates include incremental adjusted earnings per share from continuing operations for the COVID-19 impact experienced to-date, other first quarter earnings in excess of management’s initial guidance expectations as well as the benefits associated with cost reduction initiatives and increased sales and earnings trends the Company was experiencing prior to the onset of the pandemic. The Company’s updated outlook for the second half of the year does not include any adjustment for future impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the Company currently anticipates any incremental costs related to COVID-19 will be more than offset by the improved food-at-home sales trend.

For fiscal year 2020, the Company now anticipates adjusted earnings per share from continuing operations(4) of approximately $1.85 to $2.00 compared to its prior projection of $1.12 to $1.20. Reported earnings per share from continuing operations are expected to range from $1.48 to $1.81 compared to its prior projection of $0.93 to $1.04. For the second quarter of fiscal 2020, adjusted earnings per share are expected to increase 70-100% over fiscal 2019 second quarter adjusted earnings per share of $0.33.

The Company now expects fiscal 2020 adjusted EBITDA of $205 million to $215 million compared to its prior guidance of $180 million to $190 million, consistent with the Company’s projected increases in operating earnings.

The Company's guidance continues to reflect capital expenditures and IT capital in the range of $80.0 million to $90.0 million for fiscal year 2020. Depreciation and amortization are now expected to be $88.0 million to $92.0 million for the fiscal year. Interest expense is now expected to range from $19.5 million to $21.0 million in fiscal 2020. The Company’s guidance reflects an adjusted effective tax rate of 23.5% to 24.5% and a reported effective tax rate of 14.0% to 18.0%.

The Board of Directors is engaged in a comprehensive process to identify the Company’s next Chief Executive Officer and has continued to make progress in the search over the last quarter.

Conference Call

A telephone conference call to discuss the Company’s first quarter 2020 financial results is scheduled for Thursday, May 28, 2020 at 8:00 a.m. ET. A live webcast of this conference call will be available on the Company’s website, www.spartannash.com/webcasts. Simply click on “For Investors” and follow the links to the live webcast. The webcast will remain available for replay on the Company’s website for approximately ten days.

About SpartanNash

SpartanNash (Nasdaq:SPTN) is a Fortune 400 company whose core businesses include distributing grocery products to a diverse group of independent and chain retailers, its corporate-owned retail stores and U.S. military commissaries and exchanges; as well as operating a premier fresh produce distribution network. SpartanNash serves customer locations in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, Europe, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Honduras, Bahrain, Djibouti and Egypt. SpartanNash currently operates 155 supermarkets, primarily under the banners of Family Fare, Martin's Super Markets, D&W Fresh Market, VG's Grocery and Dan's Supermarket. Through its MDV military division, SpartanNash is a leading distributor of grocery products to U.S. military commissaries.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains “forward-looking” statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These include statements preceded by, followed by or that otherwise include the words “outlook,” “believe,” “anticipates,” “continue,” “expects,” “guidance,” “trend,” “on track,” “encouraged” or “plan” or similar expressions. The statements in the “Outlook” section of this press release are inherently forward looking. Forward-looking statements relating to expectations about future results or events are based upon information available to SpartanNash as of today's date, and are not guarantees of the future performance of the Company, and actual results may vary materially from the results and expectations discussed. Additional risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, disruption associated with the COVID-19 pandemic and the Company's ability to compete in the highly competitive grocery distribution, retail grocery, and military distribution industries. Additional information concerning these and other risks is contained in SpartanNash’s most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K, recent Current Reports on Form 8-K and other SEC filings. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements concerning SpartanNash, or other matters and attributable to SpartanNash or any person acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements above. SpartanNash does not undertake any obligation to publicly update any of these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date hereof.

(1) A reconciliation of operating earnings to adjusted operating earnings, a non-GAAP financial measure, is provided below.

(2) A reconciliation of net earnings to Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure, is provided below.

(3) A reconciliation of earnings from continuing operations to adjusted earnings from continuing operations, a non-GAAP financial measure, is provided below.

(4) A reconciliation of projected earnings per share from continuing operations to adjusted earnings per share from continuing operations, a non-GAAP financial measure, is provided below.

(5) A reconciliation of net cash provided by operating activities to free cash flow, a non-GAAP financial measure, is provided below.

(6) A reconciliation of long-term debt and finance lease obligations to net long-term debt, a non-GAAP financial measure, is provided below.

(7) A reconciliation of purchases of property and equipment to capital expenditures and IT capital, a non-GAAP financial measure, is provided below.

SPARTANNASH COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

16 Weeks Ended

 

 

 

April 18,

 

 

April 20,

 

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

Net sales

 

$

2,856,456

 

 

$

2,542,375

 

Cost of sales

 

 

2,432,889

 

 

 

2,164,646

 

Gross profit

 

 

423,567

 

 

 

377,729

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selling, general and administrative

 

 

391,300

 

 

 

360,400

 

Merger/acquisition and integration

 

 

 

 

 

782

 

Restructuring charges (gains) and asset impairment

 

 

10,237

 

 

 

(5,662

)

Total operating expenses

 

 

401,537

 

 

 

355,520

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating earnings

 

 

22,030

 

 

 

22,209

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other expenses and (income)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

 

7,638

 

 

 

11,881

 

Postretirement benefit (income) expense

 

 

(799

)

 

 

635

 

Other, net

 

 

(242

)

 

 

(452

)

Total other expenses, net

 

 

6,597

 

 

 

12,064

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings before income taxes and discontinued operations

 

 

15,433

 

 

 

10,145

 

Income tax expense

 

 

31

 

 

 

2,624

 

Earnings from continuing operations

 

 

15,402

 

 

 

7,521

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes

 

 

 

 

 

(52

)

Net earnings

 

$

15,402

 

 

$

7,469

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic and diluted earnings per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings from continuing operations

 

$

0.43

 

 

$

0.21

 

Loss from discontinued operations

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings

 

$

0.43

 

 

$

0.21

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average shares outstanding:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic and diluted

 

 

36,172

 

 

 

36,121

 

SPARTANNASH COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)

     

 

 

April 18,

 

 

December 28,

 

(In thousands)

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

21,255

 

 

$

24,172

 

Accounts and notes receivable, net

 

 

417,684

 

 

 

345,320

 

Inventories, net

 

 

516,517

 

 

 

537,212

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

 

68,094

 

 

 

58,775

 

Property and equipment held for sale

 

 

24,706

 

 

 

31,203

 

Total current assets

 

 

1,048,256

 

 

 

996,682

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property and equipment, net

 

 

585,185

 

 

 

615,816

 

Goodwill

 

 

181,035

 

 

 

181,035

 

Intangible assets, net

 

 

128,654

 

 

 

130,434

 

Operating lease assets

 

 

268,370

 

 

 

268,982

 

Other assets, net

 

 

102,715

 

 

 

82,660

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets

 

$

2,314,215

 

 

$

2,275,609

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

509,164

 

 

$

405,370

 

Accrued payroll and benefits

 

 

71,655

 

 

 

59,680

 

Other accrued expenses

 

 

49,574

 

 

 

51,295

 

Current portion of operating lease liabilities

 

 

42,832

 

 

 

42,440

 

Current portion of long-term debt and finance lease liabilities

 

 

6,157

 

 

 

6,349

 

Total current liabilities

 

 

679,382

 

 

 

565,134

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

62,849

 

 

 

43,111

 

Operating lease liabilities

 

 

264,738

 

 

 

267,350

 

Other long-term liabilities

 

 

30,457

 

 

 

30,272

 

Long-term debt and finance lease liabilities

 

 

591,097

 

 

 

682,204

 

Total long-term liabilities

 

 

949,141

 

 

 

1,022,937

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shareholders’ equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock, voting, no par value; 100,000 shares authorized; 35,682 and 36,351 shares outstanding

 

 

481,514

 

 

 

490,233

 

Preferred stock, no par value, 10,000 shares authorized; no shares outstanding

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

 

(1,520

)

 

 

(1,600

)

Retained earnings

 

 

205,698

 

 

 

198,905

 

Total shareholders’ equity

 

 

685,692

 

 

 

687,538

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

 

$

2,314,215

 

 

$

2,275,609

 

SPARTANNASH COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

   

 

 

16 Weeks Ended

 

(In thousands)

 

April 18, 2020

 

 

April 20, 2019

 

Cash flow activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

$

129,296

 

 

$

13,519

 

Net cash used in investing activities

 

 

(13,951

)

 

 

(87,225

)

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

 

 

(118,262

)

 

 

76,567

 

Net cash used in discontinued operations

 

 

 

 

 

(86

)

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

 

 

(2,917

)

 

 

2,775

 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period

 

 

24,172

 

 

 

18,585

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period

 

$

21,255

 

 

$

21,360

 

SPARTANNASH COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL DATA

Table 1: Sales and Operating Earnings (Loss) by Segment

(Unaudited)

   

 

 

16 Weeks Ended

 

(In thousands)

 

April 18, 2020

 

 

April 20, 2019

 

Food Distribution Segment:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales

 

$

1,369,495

 

 

47.9

%

 

$

1,169,238

 

 

46.0

%

Operating earnings

 

 

11,390

 

 

 

 

 

 

24,592

 

 

 

 

Retail Segment:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales

 

 

782,568

 

 

27.4

%

 

 

701,767

 

 

27.6

%

Operating earnings (loss)

 

 

12,645

 

 

 

 

 

 

(826

)

 

 

 

Military Segment:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales

 

 

704,393

 

 

24.7

%

 

 

671,370

 

 

26.4

%

Operating loss

 

 

(2,005

)

 

 

 

 

 

(1,557

)

 

 

 

Total:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales

 

$

2,856,456

 

 

100.0

%

 

$

2,542,375

 

 

100.0

%

Operating earnings

 

 

22,030

 

 

 

 

 

 

22,209

 

 

 

 

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In addition to reporting financial results in accordance with GAAP, the Company also provides information regarding Adjusted Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization (“adjusted EBITDA”), adjusted operating earnings, adjusted earnings from continuing operations, total net long-term debt, free cash flow and projected adjusted earnings per diluted share from continuing operations. These are non-GAAP financial measures, as defined below, and are used by management to allocate resources, assess performance against its peers and evaluate overall performance. The Company believes these measures provide useful information for both management and its investors. The Company believes these non-GAAP measures are useful to investors because they provide additional understanding of the trends and special circumstances that affect its business. These measures provide useful supplemental information that helps investors to establish a basis for expected performance and the ability to evaluate actual results against that expectation. The measures, when considered in connection with GAAP results, can be used to assess the overall performance of the Company as well as assess the Company’s performance against its peers. These measures are also used as a basis for certain compensation programs sponsored by the Company. In addition, securities analysts, fund managers and other shareholders and stakeholders that communicate with the Company request its financial results in these adjusted formats.

Current year adjusted operating earnings, adjusted earnings from continuing operations, and adjusted EBITDA exclude “Fresh Cut operating losses” subsequent to the decision to exit these operations during the first quarter, severance associated with cost reduction initiatives , and fees paid to a third-party advisory firm associated with Project One Team, the Company’s initiative to drive growth while increasing efficiency and reducing costs. Pension termination related to a refund from the annuity provider associated with the final reconciliation of participant data is excluded from adjusted earnings from continuing operations. These items are considered “non-operational” or “non-core” in nature. Prior year adjusted operating earnings, adjusted earnings from continuing operations, and adjusted EBITDA exclude costs associated with the organizational realignment, which include significant changes to the Company’s management team. Also excluded are the fees paid to a third-party advisory firm associated with Project One Team, the Company’s initiative to drive growth while increasing efficiency and reducing costs. Pension termination costs, primarily related to non-operating settlement expense associated with the distribution of pension assets, are excluded from adjusted earnings from continuing operations, and to a lesser extent adjusted operating earnings.

Table 2: Reconciliation of Net Earnings to Adjusted Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization

(Adjusted EBITDA)

(A Non-GAAP Financial Measure)

(Unaudited)

   

 

 

16 Weeks Ended

 

(In thousands)

 

April 18, 2020

 

 

April 20, 2019

 

Net earnings

 

$

15,402

 

 

$

7,469

 

Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax

 

 

 

 

 

52

 

Income tax expense

 

 

31

 

 

 

2,624

 

Other expenses, net

 

 

6,597

 

 

 

12,064

 

Operating earnings

 

 

22,030

 

 

 

22,209

 

Adjustments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIFO expense

 

 

1,583

 

 

 

1,425

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

27,656

 

 

 

26,632

 

Merger/acquisition and integration

 

 

 

 

 

782

 

Restructuring, asset impairment and other charges (gains)

 

 

10,237

 

 

 

(5,662

)

Fresh Cut operating losses

 

 

2,262

 

 

 

 

Stock-based compensation

 

 

2,243

 

 

 

5,383

 

Non-cash rent

 

 

(1,594

)

 

 

(1,918

)

Costs associated with Project One Team

 

 

493

 

 

 

4,618

 

Organizational realignment costs

 

 

 

 

 

858

 

Severance associated with cost reduction initiatives

 

 

5,156

 

 

 

362

 

Loss (gain) on disposal of assets

 

 

3,911

 

 

 

(3

)

Other non-cash charges (gains)

 

 

1

 

 

 

(17

)

Adjusted EBITDA

 

$

73,978

 

 

$

54,669

 

Table 2: Reconciliation of Net Earnings to Adjusted Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation

and Amortization, continued

(Adjusted EBITDA)

(A Non-GAAP Financial Measure)

(Unaudited)

   

 

 

16 Weeks Ended

 

(In thousands)

 

April 18, 2020

 

 

April 20, 2019

 

Food Distribution:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating earnings

 

$

11,390

 

 

$

24,592

 

Adjustments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIFO expense

 

 

794

 

 

 

703

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

10,183

 

 

 

10,233

 

Merger/acquisition and integration

 

 

 

 

 

(130

)

Restructuring, asset impairment and other charges (gains)

 

 

9,222

 

 

 

(6,343

)

Fresh Cut operating losses

 

 

2,262

 

 

 

 

Stock-based compensation

 

 

1,005

 

 

 

2,676

 

Non-cash rent

 

 

58

 

 

 

57

 

Costs associated with Project One Team

 

 

265

 

 

 

2,448

 

Organizational realignment costs

 

 

 

 

 

455

 

Severance associated with cost reduction initiatives

 

 

3,180

 

 

 

324

 

Loss (gain) on disposal of assets

 

 

2,140

 

 

 

(5

)

Other non-cash gains

 

 

(1

)

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

 

$

40,498

 

 

$

35,010

 

Retail:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating earnings (loss)

 

$

12,645

 

 

$

(826

)

Adjustments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIFO expense

 

 

343

 

 

 

344

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

13,756

 

 

 

12,802

 

Merger/acquisition and integration

 

 

 

 

 

912

 

Restructuring charges and asset impairment

 

 

1,015

 

 

 

681

 

Stock-based compensation

 

 

750

 

 

 

1,853

 

Non-cash rent

 

 

(1,534

)

 

 

(1,853

)

Costs associated with Project One Team

 

 

164

 

 

 

1,570

 

Organizational realignment costs

 

 

 

 

 

292

 

Severance associated with cost reduction initiatives

 

 

1,451

 

 

 

29

 

Loss on disposal of assets

 

 

1,805

 

 

 

36

 

Other non-cash gains

 

 

 

 

 

(22

)

Adjusted EBITDA

 

$

30,395

 

 

$

15,818

 

Military:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating loss

 

$

(2,005

)

 

$

(1,557

)

Adjustments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIFO expense

 

 

446

 

 

 

378

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

3,717

 

 

 

3,597

 

Stock-based compensation

 

 

488

 

 

 

854

 

Non-cash rent

 

 

(118

)

 

 

(122

)

Costs associated with Project One Team

 

 

64

 

 

 

600

 

Organizational realignment costs

 

 

 

 

 

111

 

Severance associated with cost reduction initiatives

 

 

525

 

 

 

9

 

Gain on disposal of assets

 

 

(34

)

 

 

(34

)

Other non-cash charges

 

 

2

 

 

 

5

 

Adjusted EBITDA

 

$

3,085

 

 

$

3,841

 

Notes: Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP operating financial measure that the Company defines as net earnings plus interest, discontinued operations, depreciation and amortization, and other non-cash items including deferred (stock) compensation, the LIFO provision, as well as adjustments for items that do not reflect the ongoing operating activities of the Company and costs associated with the closing of operational locations.

Adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA by segment are not measures of performance under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and should not be considered as a substitute for net earnings, cash flows from operating activities and other income or cash flow statement data. The Company’s definitions of adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA by segment may not be identical to similarly titled measures reported by other companies.

Table 3: Reconciliation of Operating Earnings to Adjusted Operating Earnings

(A Non-GAAP Financial Measure)

(Unaudited)

   

 

 

16 Weeks Ended

 

(In thousands)

 

April 18, 2020

 

 

April 20, 2019

 

Operating earnings

 

$

22,030

 

 

$

22,209

 

Adjustments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Merger/acquisition and integration

 

 

 

 

 

782

 

Restructuring, asset impairment and other charges (gains)

 

 

10,237

 

 

 

(5,662

)

Fresh Cut operating losses

 

 

2,262

 

 

 

 

Costs associated with Project One Team

 

 

493

 

 

 

4,618

 

Organizational realignment costs

 

 

 

 

 

858

 

Severance associated with cost reduction initiatives

 

 

5,156

 

 

 

362

 

Adjusted operating earnings

 

$

40,178

 

 

$

23,167

 

Reconciliation of operating earnings (loss) to adjusted operating earnings (loss) by segment:

 

Food Distribution:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating earnings

 

$

11,390

 

 

$

24,592

 

Adjustments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Merger/acquisition and integration

 

 

 

 

 

(130

)

Restructuring, asset impairment and other charges (gains)

 

 

9,222

 

 

 

(6,343

)

Fresh Cut operating losses

 

 

2,262

 

 

 

 

Costs associated with Project One Team

 

 

265

 

 

 

2,448

 

Organizational realignment costs

 

 

 

 

 

455

 

Severance associated with cost reduction initiatives

 

 

3,180

 

 

 

324

 

Adjusted operating earnings

 

$

26,319

 

 

$

21,346

 

Retail:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating earnings (loss)

 

$

12,645

 

 

$

(826

)

Adjustments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Merger/acquisition and integration

 

 

 

 

 

912

 

Restructuring charges and asset impairment

 

 

1,015

 

 

 

681

 

Costs associated with Project One Team

 

 

164

 

 

 

1,570

 

Organizational realignment costs

 

 

 

 

 

292

 

Severance associated with cost reduction initiatives

 

 

1,451

 

 

 

29

 

Adjusted operating earnings

 

$

15,275

 

 

$

2,658

 

Military:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating loss

 

$

(2,005

)

 

$

(1,557

)

Adjustments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Costs associated with Project One Team

 

 

64

 

 

 

600

 

Organizational realignment costs

 

 

 

 

 

111

 

Severance associated with cost reduction initiatives

 

 

525

 

 

 

9

 

Adjusted operating loss

 

$

(1,416

)

 

$

(837

)

Notes: Adjusted operating earnings is a non-GAAP operating financial measure that the Company defines as operating earnings plus or minus adjustments for items that do not reflect the ongoing operating activities of the Company and costs associated with the closing of operational locations.

Adjusted operating earnings is not a measure of performance under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and should not be considered as a substitute for operating earnings, cash flows from operating activities and other income or cash flow statement data. The Company’s definition of adjusted operating earnings may not be identical to similarly titled measures reported by other companies.

Table 4: Reconciliation of Earnings from Continuing Operations to

Adjusted Earnings from Continuing Operations

(A Non-GAAP Financial Measure)

(Unaudited)

   

 

 

16 Weeks Ended

 

 

April 18, 2020

 

April 20, 2019

 

 

 

 

 

per diluted

 

 

 

 

per diluted

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

 

Earnings

 

 

share

 

Earnings

 

 

share

Earnings from continuing operations

 

$

15,402

 

 

$

0.43

 

$

7,521

 

 

$

0.21

Adjustments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Merger/acquisition and integration

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

782

 

 

 

 

Restructuring, asset impairment and other charges (gains)

 

 

10,237

 

 

 

 

 

 

(5,662

)

 

 

 

Fresh Cut operating losses

 

 

2,262

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Costs associated with Project One Team

 

 

493

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,618

 

 

 

 

Organizational realignment costs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

858

 

 

 

 

Severance associated with cost reduction initiatives

 

 

5,156

 

 

 

 

 

 

362

 

 

 

 

Pension termination

 

 

(1,004

)

 

 

 

 

 

353

 

 

 

 

Total adjustments

 

 

17,144

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,311

 

 

 

 

Income tax effect on adjustments (a)

 

 

(4,095

)

 

 

 

 

 

(304

)

 

 

 

Impact of CARES Act (b)

 

 

(4,345

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total adjustments, net of taxes

 

 

8,704

 

 

 

0.24

 

 

1,007

 

 

 

0.03

Adjusted earnings from continuing operations

 

$

24,106

 

 

$

0.67

 

$

8,528

 

 

$

0.24

(a)

 

The income tax effect on adjustments is computed by applying the applicable tax rate to the adjustments.

(b)

 

Represents tax impacts attributable to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act, primarily related to additional deductions and the utilization of net operating loss carrybacks.

Notes: Adjusted earnings from continuing operations is a non-GAAP operating financial measure that the Company defines as earnings from continuing operations plus or minus adjustments for items that do not reflect the ongoing operating activities of the Company and costs associated with the closing of operational locations.

Adjusted earnings from continuing operations is not a measure of performance under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and should not be considered as a substitute for net earnings, cash flows from operating activities and other income or cash flow statement data. The Company’s definition of adjusted earnings from continuing operations may not be identical to similarly titled measures reported by other companies.

Table 5: Reconciliation of Long-Term Debt and Finance Lease Obligations to Net Long-Term Debt

(A Non-GAAP Financial Measure)

(Unaudited)

     

 

 

April 18,

 

 

December 28,

 

(In thousands)

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

Current portion of long-term debt and finance lease liabilities

 

$

6,157

 

 

$

6,349

 

Long-term debt and finance lease liabilities

 

 

591,097

 

 

 

682,204

 

Total debt

 

 

597,254

 

 

 

688,553

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

 

(21,255

)

 

 

(24,172

)

Net long-term debt

 

$

575,999

 

 

$

664,381

 

Notes: Net long-term debt is a non-GAAP financial measure that is defined as long-term debt and finance lease obligations plus current maturities of long-term debt and finance lease obligations less cash and cash equivalents. The Company believes both management and its investors find the information useful because it reflects the amount of long-term debt obligations that are not covered by available cash and temporary investments. Net long-term debt is not a substitute for GAAP financial measures and may differ from similarly titled measures of other companies.

Table 6: Reconciliation of Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities to Free Cash Flow

(A Non-GAAP Financial Measure)

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

16 Weeks Ended

 

(In thousands)

 

April 18, 2020

 

April 20, 2019

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

$

129,296

 

$

13,519

 

Less:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchases of property and equipment

 

 

17,893

 

 

16,006

 

Free cash flow

 

$

111,403

 

$

(2,487

)

Notes: Free cash flow is a non-GAAP financial measure calculated by subtracting capital expenditures from cash flows provided by operating activities, the most directly comparable GAAP measure. The Company believes it is a useful indicator of liquidity that provides information to both management and investors about the amount of cash generated from operations that, after capital expenditures, can be used for strategic business objectives, including the repayment of long-term debt. Free cash flow is not a substitute for GAAP financial measures and may differ from similarly titled measures of other companies.

Table 7: Reconciliation of Purchases of Property and Equipment to Capital Expenditures and IT Capital

(A Non-GAAP Financial Measure)

(Unaudited)

   

 

 

16 Weeks Ended

(In thousands)

 

April 18, 2020

 

April 20, 2019

Purchases of property and equipment

 

$

17,893

 

$

16,006

Plus:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cloud computing spend

 

 

1,579

 

 

Capital expenditures and IT capital

 

$

19,472

 

$

16,006

Notes: Capital expenditures and IT capital is a non-GAAP financial measure calculated by adding spending related to the development of cloud computing applications spend to capital expenditures, the most directly comparable GAAP measure. Cloud computing spend only includes costs incurred during the application development phase and does not include ongoing costs of hosting or maintenance associated with these applications, which are expensed as incurred. The Company believes it is a useful indicator of the Company’s investment in its facilities and systems as it transitions to more cloud-based IT systems. Capital expenditures and IT capital is not a substitute for GAAP financial measures and may differ from similarly titled measures of other companies.

Table 8: Reconciliation of Projected Earnings per Diluted Share from Continuing Operations to

Projected Adjusted Earnings per Diluted Share from Continuing Operations

(A Non-GAAP Financial Measure)

(Unaudited)

   

 

 

53 Weeks Ending

January 2, 2021

 

 

 

Low

 

 

High

 

Earnings from continuing operations

 

$

1.48

 

 

$

1.81

 

Adjustments, net of taxes:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Merger/acquisition and integration expenses

 

 

0.03

 

 

 

0.02

 

Costs associated with Project One Team

 

 

0.01

 

 

 

0.01

 

Pension termination

 

 

(0.01

)

 

 

(0.02

)

Restructuring and asset impairment

 

 

0.30

 

 

 

0.28

 

Severance associated with cost reduction initiatives

 

 

0.11

 

 

 

0.11

 

Fresh Cut operating losses

 

 

0.05

 

 

 

0.05

 

Impact of CARES Act

 

 

(0.12

)

 

 

(0.26

)

Adjusted earnings from continuing operations

 

$

1.85

 

 

$

2.00