Exhibit 99.1

 

 

Whole Earth Brands Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2023 Results

 

Chicago, Illinois – March 12, 2024 – Whole Earth Brands, Inc. (the “Company” or “we” or “our”) (Nasdaq: FREE), a global food company enabling healthier lifestyles through premium plant-based sweeteners, flavor enhancers and other foods, today announced its financial results for its fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2023.

 

Full Year Highlights

 

·Consolidated revenue of $550.9 million, an increase of 2.3% on a reported basis and 2.4% on a constant currency basis compared to the prior year period.

 

·Branded CPG revenue growth of 0.9% on a reported basis and 1.0% on a constant currency basis, driven primarily by pricing, partially offset by lower volume.

 

·Flavors & Ingredients revenue growth of 7.8% compared to 2022 on both a reported and constant currency basis, driven by a combination of strong volume growth and increased pricing.

 

·Operating income of $15.4 million and Adjusted EBITDA of $78.3 million.

 

·Cash provided by operating activities was $25.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to cash usage of $5.8 million in the prior year, resulting in an improvement of $31.1 million.

 

Fourth Quarter Highlights

 

·Consolidated revenue of $151.2 million, an increase of 8.8% on a reported basis and 8.3% on a constant currency basis compared to the prior year period.

 

·Branded CPG revenue increased 8.5% on a reported basis and 7.9% on a constant currency basis as compared to 2022 due to price and volume growth.

 

·Flavors & Ingredients revenue grew 10.2% on a reported basis and 9.6% on a constant currency basis compared to the prior year period, to a record $32.5 million, driven by strong volume growth.

 

·Operating income of $2.7 million and Adjusted EBITDA of $22.5 million.

 

   Full Year Net Segment Revenue Growth Overview
   Reported  Foreign Currency Exchange  Constant Currency
Branded CPG  0.9%  (0.1)%  1.0%
Flavors & Ingredients  7.8%  0.0%  7.8%
Total  2.3%  (0.1)%  2.4%

 

 

 

 

   Fourth Quarter Net Segment Revenue Growth Overview
   Reported  Foreign Currency Exchange  Constant Currency
Branded CPG  8.5%  0.6%  7.9%
Flavors & Ingredients  10.2%  0.6%  9.6%
Total  8.8%  0.6%  8.3%

 

“We ended 2023 on a high note, demonstrating continued operational improvement across both segments that drove a significant lift in our free cash flow generation and resulted in reduced balance sheet leverage,” said Irwin D. Simon, Executive Chairman. “On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank our entire team for their focus this year – we overcame challenges and seized on several opportunities to improve the business. Together we have created a strong foundation for future growth and we look forward to completing the pending go-private transaction with Ozark Holdings, LLC expected later in the second quarter of 2024.”

 

FOURTH QUARTER 2023 RESULTS

 

·Consolidated product revenues were $151.2 million, an increase of 8.8% on a reported basis and 8.3% on a constant currency basis, as compared to the prior year fourth quarter.

 

·Reported gross profit was $40.4 million, compared to $28.3 million in the prior year fourth quarter. The increase was largely driven by volume and pricing, lower freight costs and a decline in costs associated with the supply chain reinvention project. Adjusted gross profit was $44.9 million, compared to $40.1 million in the prior year fourth quarter.

 

·Reported gross profit margin increased to 26.7% in the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to 20.4% in the prior year period. Adjusted gross profit margin increased to 29.7%, compared to 28.9% in the prior year fourth quarter.

 

·Consolidated operating income was $2.7 million compared to an operating loss of $46.2 million in the prior year fourth quarter, which included non-cash goodwill impairment charges of $7.2 million and $46.5 million, respectively. The increase excluding the impairment charges was driven by the increase in revenues, lower supply chain reinvention costs, bonus expense and import duties, partially offset by strategic review costs.

 

·Consolidated net loss was $7.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to a net loss of $60.3 million in the prior year period primarily as a result of the improvement in operating income, partially offset by higher interest expense due to higher interest rates.

 

·Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA was $22.5 million compared to $20.2 million in the prior year quarter, representing an increase of 11.6%.

 

SEGMENT RESULTS

 

Branded CPG Segment

 

Branded CPG segment product revenues were $118.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to $109.4 million for the same period in the prior year, an increase of $9.3 million, or 8.5%, primarily driven by a one-time sale of bulk sugar that was a strategic decision to take advantage of high sugar prices and exit warehousing in Buffalo, NY which will drive future warehouse cost savings. On a constant currency basis, segment product revenues were up 7.9% compared to the prior year driven by 5.9% growth from volumes and 2.0% growth from pricing actions.

 

Operating income was $0.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to operating loss of $47.7 million for the same period in the prior year, which included non-cash goodwill impairment charges of $7.2 million in 2023 and $46.5 million in 2022. The remaining increase in operating income was primarily due to a decline in costs associated with the supply chain reinvention project and lower sugar import tariffs.

 

 

 

 

Flavors & Ingredients Segment

 

Flavors & Ingredients segment product revenues increased 10.2% to a record $32.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to $29.5 million for the same period in the prior year. On a constant currency basis, segment product revenues increased 9.6%.

 

Operating income of $8.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to operating income of $8.4 million for the same period in the prior year.

 

Corporate

 

Corporate expenses for the fourth quarter of 2023 were $6.4 million, compared to $6.9 million of expenses in the prior year period. The decrease was primarily attributed to lower bonus and stock-based compensation expenses, partially offset by costs associated with the Company’s strategic review and other professional fees.

 

FULL YEAR 2023 HIGHLIGHTS

 

·Consolidated product revenues were $550.9 million, representing an increase of 2.3% on a reported basis, as compared to the full year 2022. On a constant currency basis, product revenues increased 2.4% compared to the prior year period.

 

·Consolidated operating income was $15.4 million compared to a loss of $24.6 million in the prior year period, which included non-cash goodwill impairment charges of $7.2 million and $46.5 million, respectively.

 

·Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA decreased $0.8 million, or 1.1%, to $78.3 million.

 

Balance Sheet

 

As of December 31, 2023, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $30.5 million and $417.9 million of long-term debt, net of unamortized debt issuance costs. At December 31, 2023, there was $64 million drawn on its $125 million revolving credit facility.

 

Cash provided by operating activities was $25.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to a cash use of $5.8 million in the prior year period, resulting in an improvement of $31.1 million. Free cash flow, defined as operating cash flow minus capital expenditures, was $19.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2023.

 

DEFINITIVE AGREEMENT TO BE ACQUIRED

 

As previously announced, on February 12, 2024, the Company entered into a definitive agreement pursuant to which Ozark Holdings, LLC (which, going forward, intends to do business as Sweet Oak Parent) (“Sweet Oak”), an affiliate of Sababa Holdings FREE, LLC (“Sababa”), will acquire all of the outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock that it does not already own in an all-cash transaction for $4.875 per share (the “Transaction”). This represents a 56% premium over the Company’s share price at market close on June 23, 2023 prior to receiving Sababa’s initial $4.00 per share bid and a 37% premium over the Company’s 60-day volume-weighted average price (“VWAP”) as of February 12, 2024.

 

A special committee of the Company’s board of directors (the “Board”), consisting solely of disinterested members of the Board (the “Special Committee”), in consultation with its independent financial and legal advisors, unanimously recommended the Transaction and the disinterested members of the Board unanimously approved the Transaction.

 

 

 

 

The Transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2024. Consummation of the Transaction is conditioned on, among other things, the approval at a special meeting of the Company’s stockholders (i) of the holders of a majority in voting power of the Company’s outstanding stock and (ii) of the holders of 66 2/3% of the Company’s outstanding stock not owned by Sababa, and is subject to other customary closing conditions, including the expiration of the applicable waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended. The Transaction is not subject to any financing conditions.

 

About Whole Earth Brands

 

Whole Earth Brands is a global food company enabling healthier lifestyles and providing access to high quality plant-based sweeteners, flavor enhancers and other foods through our diverse portfolio of trusted brands and delicious products, including Whole Earth®, Pure Via®, Wholesome®, Swerve®, Canderel® and Equal®. With food playing a central role in people’s health and wellness, Whole Earth Brands’ innovative product pipeline addresses the growing consumer demand for more dietary options, baking ingredients and taste profiles. Our world-class global distribution network is the largest provider of plant-based sweeteners in more than 100 countries with a vision to expand our portfolio to responsibly meet local preferences. We are committed to helping people enjoy life’s everyday moments and the celebrations that bring us together. For more information on how we “Open a World of Goodness®,” please visit www.WholeEarthBrands.com.

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

Certain of the matters discussed in this communication constitute forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements regarding the intent, belief or expectations of the Company and can be identified by the use of words such as “achieve,” “aim,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “can,” “continue,” “could,” “drive,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “future,” “guidance,” “grow,” “improve,” “increase,” “intend,” “maintain,” “may,” “opportunities,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “strategy,” “will,” “will be,” “will continue,” “will likely result,” “would,” or the negative version of these words and other comparable terms. Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the statements made by Mr. Simon.

 

All of our forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those that we are expecting. There are a number of factors that could have material adverse effects on our future results, performance or achievements and cause our actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, the ability of the parties to satisfy the conditions precedent and consummate the proposed Transaction, the timing of consummation of the proposed Transaction, the ability of the parties to secure any required stockholder approval in a timely manner or on the terms desired or anticipated, failure of Sweet Oak to obtain the financing required to consummate the Transaction, the ability to achieve anticipated benefits and savings of the proposed Transaction, risks related to the potential disruption of management’s attention due to the pending Transaction, operating results and businesses generally, the outcome of any legal proceedings related to the proposed Transaction and the general risks associated with the respective businesses of the Company and Sweet Oak, including the general volatility of the capital markets, terms and employment of capital, the volatility of the Company’s share price, interest rates or general economy, potential adverse effects or changes to the relationships with the parties’ customers, competitors, suppliers or employees or other parties resulting from the announcement or completion of the proposed Transaction, unpredictability and severity of catastrophic events, including but not limited to the risks related to the effects of pandemics and global outbreaks of contagious diseases (such as the COVID-19 pandemic) and domestic or geopolitical crises, such as terrorism, military conflict (including the outbreak of hostilities between Russia and Ukraine and Israel and Hamas), war or the perception that hostilities may be imminent, political instability or civil unrest, or other conflict. Discussions of some of these other important factors and assumptions are contained in the Company’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and are available at the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov, including Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this communication, unless noted otherwise. Except as required under the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations of the SEC, the Company does not undertake any obligation to release publicly any revisions to the forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this communication or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

 

 

 

 

Contacts:

 

Investor Relations Contact:

Whole Earth Brands

312-840-5001

investor@wholeearthbrands.com

 

ICR

Jeff Sonnek

646-277-1263

jeff.sonnek@icrinc.com

 

 

 

 

Whole Earth Brands, Inc.

Reconciliation of GAAP and Non-GAAP Financial Measures

(Unaudited)

 

The Company reports its financial results in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”). However, management believes that also presenting certain non-GAAP financial measures provides additional information to facilitate the comparison of the Company’s historical operating results and trends in its underlying operating results, and provides additional transparency on how the Company evaluates its business. Management uses these non-GAAP financial measures in making financial, operating and planning decisions and in evaluating the Company’s performance. The Company also believes that presenting these measures allows investors to view its performance using the same measures that the Company uses in evaluating its financial and business performance and trends. The Company considers quantitative and qualitative factors in assessing whether to adjust for the impact of items that may be significant or that could affect an understanding of its ongoing financial and business performance and trends. The adjustments generally fall within the following categories: constant currency adjustments, intangible asset non-cash impairments, purchase accounting charges, transaction-related costs, long-term incentive expense, non-cash pension expenses, severance and related expenses associated with productivity initiatives, public company readiness, M&A transaction expenses, supply chain reinvention costs and other one-time items affecting comparability of operating results. See below for a description of adjustments to the Company’s U.S. GAAP financial measures included herein. Non-GAAP information should be considered as supplemental in nature and is not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the related financial information prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. In addition, the Company’s non-GAAP financial measures may not be the same as or comparable to similar non-GAAP measures presented by other companies.

 

DEFINITIONS OF THE COMPANY’S NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

 

The Company’s non-GAAP financial measures and corresponding metrics reflect how the Company evaluates its operating results currently and provide improved comparability of operating results. As new events or circumstances arise, these definitions could change. When these definitions change, the Company provides the updated definitions and presents the related non-GAAP historical results on a comparable basis. When items no longer impact the Company’s current or future presentation of non-GAAP operating results, the Company removes these items from its non-GAAP definitions.

 

The following is a list of non-GAAP financial measures which the Company has discussed or expects to discuss in the future:

 

·Constant Currency Presentation: We evaluate our product revenue results on both a reported and a constant currency basis. The constant currency presentation, which is a non-GAAP measure, excludes the impact of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. We believe providing constant currency information provides valuable supplemental information regarding our product revenue results, thereby facilitating period-to-period comparisons of our business performance and is consistent with how management evaluates the Company’s performance. We calculate constant currency percentages by converting our current period local currency product revenue results using the prior period exchange rates and comparing these adjusted amounts to our prior period reported product revenues.

 

·Adjusted EBITDA: We define Adjusted EBITDA as net income or loss from our consolidated statements of operations before interest income and expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, as well as certain other items that arise outside of the ordinary course of our continuing operations specifically described below:

 

oGoodwill impairment charges: We exclude the impact of charges related to the impairment of goodwill. We believe that the exclusion of these impairments, which are non-cash, allows for more meaningful comparisons of operating results to peer companies. We believe that this increases period-to-period comparability and is useful to evaluate the performance of the company.

 

 

 

 

oPurchase accounting adjustments: We exclude the impact of purchase accounting adjustments, including the revaluation of inventory at the time of the business combination. These adjustments are non-cash and we believe that the adjustments of these items allows for more meaningful comparison of our operating results.

 

oLong-term incentive plan: We exclude the impact of costs relating to the long-term incentive plan. We believe that the adjustments of these items allow for more meaningful comparison of our operating results.

 

oNon-cash pension expenses: We exclude non-cash pension expenses/credits related to closed, defined pension programs of the Company. We believe that the adjustments of these items allow for more meaningful comparison of our operating results.

 

oSeverance and related expenses: We exclude employee severance and associated expenses related to roles that have been eliminated or reduced in scope as a productivity measure taken by the Company. We believe that the adjustments of these items allow for more meaningful comparison of our operating results.

 

oM&A transaction/strategic review: We exclude expenses directly related to the acquisition of businesses and the Company’s strategic review. We believe that the adjustments of these items allow for more meaningful comparison of our operating results.

 

oSupply chain reinvention: To measure operating performance, we exclude certain one-time and other costs associated with reorganizing our North America Branded CPG operations and facilities in connection with our supply chain reinvention program, which will drive long-term productivity and cost savings. These costs include incremental expenses such as hiring, training, startup, exit and other temporary costs. We believe that the adjustments of these items allow for more meaningful comparison of our operating results.

 

oOther items: To measure operating performance, we exclude certain expenses and include certain gains that we believe are not operational in nature. We believe the exclusion or inclusion of such amounts allows management and the users of the financial statements to better understand our financial results.

 

Adjusted EBITDA is not a presentation made in accordance with GAAP, and our use of the term Adjusted EBITDA may vary from the use of similarly titled measures by others in our industry due to the potential inconsistencies in the method of calculation and differences due to items subject to interpretation. Adjusted EBITDA margin is Adjusted EBITDA for a particular period expressed as a percentage of product revenues for that period.

 

We use Adjusted EBITDA to measure our performance from period to period both at the consolidated level as well as within our operating segments, to evaluate and fund incentive compensation programs and to compare our results to those of our competitors. In addition to Adjusted EBITDA being a significant measure of performance for management purposes, we also believe that this presentation provides useful information to investors regarding financial and business trends related to our results of operations and that when non-GAAP financial information is viewed with GAAP financial information, investors are provided with a more meaningful understanding of our ongoing operating performance.

 

Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered as an alternative to net income or loss, operating income, cash flows from operating activities or any other performance measures derived in accordance with GAAP as measures of operating performance or cash flows as measures of liquidity. Adjusted EBITDA has important limitations as an analytical tool and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP.

 

The Company cannot reconcile its expected Adjusted EBITDA to Net Income under “Outlook” without unreasonable effort because certain items that impact net income and other reconciling metrics are out of the Company’s control and/or cannot be reasonably predicted. These items include, but are not limited to, stock-based compensation expense and acquisition-related charges. These items are uncertain, depend on various factors, and could have a material impact on GAAP reported results for the guidance period.

 

Adjusted Gross Profit Margin: We define Adjusted Gross Profit Margin as Gross Profit excluding all cash and non-cash adjustments impacting Cost of Goods Sold, included in the Adjusted EBITDA reconciliation, as a percentage of Product Revenues, net. Such adjustments include: depreciation, purchase accounting adjustments, long-term incentives and other items adjusted by management to better understand our financial results.

 

 

 

 

Whole Earth Brands, Inc.

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In thousands of dollars, except for share and per share data)

(Unaudited)

 

   December 31,
2023		   December 31,
2022		 
Assets          
Current Assets          
Cash and cash equivalents  $30,513   $28,676 
Accounts receivable (net of allowances of $1,460 and $1,614, respectively)   74,012    66,653 
Inventories   209,271    218,975 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets   6,429    10,530 
Total current assets   320,225    324,834 
           
Property, Plant and Equipment, net   54,937    58,092 
           
Other Assets          
Operating lease right-of-use assets   19,223    18,238 
Goodwill   193,610    193,139 
Other intangible assets, net   229,936    245,376 
Deferred tax assets, net   500    539 
Other assets   7,266    8,785 
Total Assets  $825,697   $849,003 
           
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity          
Current Liabilities          
Accounts payable  $55,662   $47,002 
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities   32,173    27,488 
Current portion of operating lease liabilities   7,370    8,804 
Current portion of long-term debt   3,750    3,750 
Total current liabilities   98,955    87,044 
Non-Current Liabilities          
Long-term debt   417,929    432,172 
Deferred tax liabilities, net   31,579    32,585 
Operating lease liabilities, less current portion   14,336    12,664 
Other liabilities   11,208    9,987 
Total Liabilities   574,007    574,452 
Commitments and Contingencies   —    — 
Stockholders’ Equity          
Preferred shares, $0.0001 par value; 1,000,000 shares authorized; none issued and outstanding   —    — 
Common stock, $0.0001 par value; 220,000,000 shares authorized; 42,853,468 and 41,994,355 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively   4    4 
Additional paid-in capital   365,721    360,777 
Accumulated deficit   (123,284)   (85,188)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)   9,249    (1,042)
Total stockholders’ equity   251,690    274,551 
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity  $825,697   $849,003 

 

 

 

Whole Earth Brands, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Operations

(In thousands of dollars, except for per share data)

(Unaudited)

 

   Three Months Ended   Year Ended 
   December 31,
2023		   December 31,
2022		   December 31,
2023		   December 31,
2022		 
Product revenues, net  $151,164   $138,897   $550,913   $538,272 
Cost of goods sold   110,736    110,574    407,236    398,060 
Gross profit   40,428    28,323    143,677    140,212 
                     
Selling, general and administrative expenses   25,805    23,421    102,354    99,735 
Amortization of intangible assets   4,709    4,625    18,698    18,623 
Goodwill impairment charges   7,230    46,500    7,230    46,500 
                     
Operating income (loss)   2,684    (46,223)   15,395    (24,646)
                     
Interest expense, net   (11,090)   (9,926)   (43,974)   (30,600)
Other (expense) income, net   (1,855)   (1,702)   (3,188)   2,283 
Loss before income taxes   (10,261)   (57,851)   (31,767)   (52,963)
(Benefit) provision for income taxes   (2,909)   2,432    6,329    5,789 
Net loss  $(7,352)  $(60,283)  $(38,096)  $(58,752)
                     
Net loss per share:                    
Basic  $(0.17)  $(1.44)  $(0.90)  $(1.42)
Diluted  $(0.17)  $(1.44)  $(0.90)  $(1.42)

 

 

 

Whole Earth Brands, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(In thousands of dollars)

(Unaudited)

 

   Year Ended 
   December 31,
2023		   December 31,
2022		   December 31,
2021		 
Operating activities               
Net (loss) income  $(38,096)  $(58,752)  $83 
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities:               
Stock-based compensation   7,029    4,933    8,715 
Depreciation   6,638    6,001    4,727 
Amortization of intangible assets   18,698    18,623    18,295 
Deferred income taxes   (1,054)   (456)   (12,300)
Goodwill impairment charges   7,230    46,500    — 
Amortization of inventory fair value adjustments   —    (2,537)   (3,396)
Non-cash loss on extinguishment of debt   —    —    4,435 
Amortization of debt issuance costs and original issue discount   2,252    1,982    1,783 
Change in fair value of warrant liabilities   (78)   (1,232)   (29)
Changes in current assets and liabilities:               
Accounts receivable   (5,455)   1,222    964 
Inventories   10,282    (7,684)   (22,957)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets   1,572    201    (1,030)
Accounts payable, accrued liabilities and income taxes   14,266    (11,574)   12,050 
Other, net   2,034    (3,037)   (1,858)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities   25,318    (5,810)   9,482 
                
Investing activities               
Capital expenditures   (5,661)   (8,887)   (12,198)
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired   —    —    (190,231)
Proceeds from sale of fixed assets   18    468    4,516 
Net cash used in investing activities   (5,643)   (8,419)   (197,913)
                
Financing activities               
Proceeds from revolving credit facility   —    54,000    25,000 
Repayments of revolving credit facility   (12,000)   (3,000)   (47,855)
Long-term borrowings   —    —    375,000 
Repayments of long-term borrowings   (3,750)   (3,750)   (139,314)
Debt issuance costs   (461)   (719)   (11,589)
Payment of contingent consideration   —    (29,108)   — 
Proceeds from sale of common stock and warrants   —    —    1 
Tax withholdings related to net share settlements of stock-based awards   (1,468)   (898)   (1,913)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities   (17,679)   16,525    199,330 

 

 

 

Whole Earth Brands, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Continued)

(In thousands of dollars)

(Unaudited)

 

   Year Ended 
   December 31,
2023		   December 31,
2022		   December 31,
2021		 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents   (159)   (1,916)   499 
Net change in cash and cash equivalents   1,837    380    11,398 
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period   28,676    28,296    16,898 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period  $30,513   $28,676   $28,296 
                
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information               
Interest paid  $41,770   $28,386   $21,203 
Taxes paid, net of refunds  $4,815   $9,113   $4,523 
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing               
Non-cash capital expenditures  $—   $—   $3,796 

 

 

 

Whole Earth Brands, Inc.

Adjusted EBITDA Reconciliation

(In thousands of dollars)

(Unaudited)

 

   Three Months Ended
December 31, 2023		   Three Months Ended
December 31, 2022		   Twelve Months Ended
December 31, 2023		   Twelve Months Ended
December 31, 2022		 
Product revenues, net  $151,164   $138,897   $550,913   $538,272 
Net loss  $(7,352)  $(60,283)  $(38,096)  $(58,752)
(Benefit) provision for income taxes   (2,909)   2,432    6,329    5,789 
Other expense (income), net   1,855    1,702    3,188    (2,283)
Interest expense, net   11,090    9,926    43,974    30,600 
Operating income (loss)   2,684    (46,223)   15,395    (24,646)
Depreciation   1,600    1,677    6,638    6,001 
Amortization of intangible assets   4,709    4,625    18,698    18,623 
Goodwill impairment charges   7,230    46,500    7,230    46,500 
Purchase accounting adjustments   -    -    -    (2,537)
Long term incentive plan   (320)   2,806    4,214    7,763 
Severance and related expenses   981    334    2,179    1,381 
Non-cash pension expense   108    198    108    228 
M&A transaction/strategic review   906    -    1,898    723 
Supply chain reinvention   2,353    9,508    14,995    22,842 
Other items   2,277    762    6,978    2,289 
Adjusted EBITDA  $22,528   $20,187   $78,332   $79,167 

 

 

 

Whole Earth Brands, Inc.

Constant Currency Product Revenues, Net Reconciliation

(In thousands of dollars)

(Unaudited)

 

   Three Months Ended December 31, 
           $ change   % change 
Product revenues, net  2023   2022   Reported   Constant
 Dollar		   Foreign Exchange (1)   Reported   Constant Dollar   Foreign Exchange 
Branded CPG  $118,707   $109,431   $9,276   $8,668   $607    8.5%   7.9%   0.6%
Flavors & Ingredients   32,458    29,466    2,992    2,826    165    10.2%   9.6%   0.6%
Combined  $151,164   $138,897   $12,267   $11,494   $773    8.8%   8.3%   0.6%

 

 

   Twelve Months Ended December 31, 
           $ change   % change 
Product revenues, net  2023   2022   Reported   Constant
 Dollar		   Foreign Exchange (1)   Reported   Constant Dollar   Foreign Exchange 
Branded CPG  $426,287   $422,638   $3,649   $4,121   $(472)   0.9%   1.0%   -0.1%
Flavors & Ingredients   124,626    115,634    8,992    8,975    17    7.8%   7.8%   0.0%
Combined  $550,913   $538,272   $12,641   $13,096   $(455)   2.3%   2.4%   -0.1%

 

(1)The "foreign exchange" amounts presented, reflect the estimated impact from fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates on product revenues.

 

 

 

Whole Earth Brands, Inc.

GAAP to Adjusted EBITDA Reconciliation

(In thousands of dollars)

(Unaudited)

 

  Three Months Ended December 31, 2023   Three Months Ended December 30, 2022      
  GAAP Non-cash adj. Cash adj. Adjusted
EBITDA		   GAAP Non-cash adj. Cash adj. Adjusted
EBITDA		   $
Change		 %
 Change
Product revenues, net $ 151,164 $ -  $ -  $ 151,164   $ 138,897 $ -  $ -  $ 138,897   $ 12,267  8.8%
Cost of goods sold 110,736 (3,106) (1,345) 106,286   110,574 (4,712) (7,114) 98,748   7,538  7.6%
Gross profit 40,428 3,106  1,345  44,878   28,323 4,712  7,114  40,149   4,730  11.8%
Gross profit margin % 26.7%     29.7%   20.4%      28.9%     0.8%
Selling, general and administrative expenses 25,805 (693) (2,762) 22,350   23,421 (2,934) (525) 19,962   2,388  12.0%
Amortization of intangible assets 4,709 (4,709) -  -   4,625 (4,625) -  -   -  -
Goodwill impairment charges 7,230 (7,230) -  -   46,500 (46,500) -  -   -  -
Operating income $ 2,684 $ 15,738  $ 4,107  $ 22,528   $ (46,223) $ 58,771  $ 7,639  $ 20,187   $ 2,341  11.6%
Operating margin % 1.8%     14.9%   (33.3%)     14.5%     0.4%
                         
                         
  Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2023   Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2022      
  GAAP Non-cash adj. Cash adj. Adjusted
EBITDA		   GAAP Non-cash adj. Cash adj. Adjusted
EBITDA		   $
Change		 %
 Change
Product revenues, net $ 550,913 $ -  $ -  $ 550,913   $ 538,272 $ -  $ -  $ 538,272   $ 12,641  2.3%
Cost of goods sold 407,236 (11,467) (12,253) 383,516   398,060 (7,845) (19,303) 370,912   12,604  3.4%
Gross profit 143,677 11,467  12,253  167,397   140,212 7,845  19,303  167,360   37  0.0%
Gross profit margin % 26.1%     30.4%   26.0%      31.1%     (0.7%)
Selling, general and administrative expenses 102,354 (8,009) (5,280) 89,065   99,735 (8,826) (2,717) 88,193   872  1.0%
Amortization of intangible assets 18,698 (18,698) -  -   18,623 (18,623) -  -   -  -
Goodwill impairment charges 7,230 (7,230) -  -   46,500 (46,500) -  -   -  -
Operating income $ 15,395 $ 45,404  $ 17,533  $ 78,332   $ (24,646) $ 81,793  $ 22,020  $ 79,167   $ (835) (1.1%)
Operating margin % 2.8%     14.2%   (4.6%)     14.7%     (0.5%)

 

 

 

Whole Earth Brands, Inc.

Adjustments to Operating Income by Income Statement Line and Nature

(In thousands of dollars)

(Unaudited)

 

  Three Months Ended December 31, 2023   Three Months Ended December 31, 2022
Non-Cash adjustments Cost of
Goods Sold		 SG&A Amort. Of
Intangibles		 Goodwill
impairment
charges		 Operating
Income		   Cost of
Goods Sold		 SG&A Amort. Of
Intangibles		 Goodwill
impairment
charges		 Operating
Income
Depreciation $ 1,412 $ 188  $ - $ - $ 1,600    $ 1,364  $ 313 $ - $ - $ 1,677 
Amortization of intangible assets - -  4,709 - 4,709    -  - 4,625 - 4,625 
Goodwill impairment charges - -  - 7,230 7,230    -  - - 46,500 46,500 
Non-cash pension expense - 108  - - 108    -  198 - - 198 
Long term incentive plan 120 (439) - - (320)   441  2,364 - - 2,806 
Supply chain reinvention 1,000 -  - - 1,000    2,251  - - - 2,251 
Other items 573 837  - - 1,410    656  58 - - 714 
Total non-cash adjustments $ 3,106 $ 693  $ 4,709 $ 7,230 $ 15,737    $ 4,712  $ 2,934 $ 4,625 $ 46,500 $ 58,771 
Cash adjustments                      
Severance and related expenses - 981  - - 981    -  334 - - 334 
M&A transaction/strategic review - 906  - - 906    -  - - - - 
Supply chain reinvention 1,345 8  - - 1,353    7,114  144 - - 7,257 
Other items - 867  - - 867    -  48 - - 48 
Total cash adjustments $ 1,345 $ 2,762  $ - $ - $ 4,107    $ 7,114  $ 525 $ - $ - $ 7,639 
Total adjustments $ 4,450 $ 3,455  $ 4,709 $ 7,230 $ 19,844    $ 11,826  $ 3,459 $ 4,625 $ 46,500 $ 66,410 
                       
                       
                       
  Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2023   Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2022
Non-Cash adjustments Cost of
Goods Sold		 SG&A Amort. Of
Intangibles		 Goodwill
impairment
charges		 Operating
Income		   Cost of
Goods Sold		 SG&A Amort. Of
Intangibles		 Goodwill
impairment
charges		 Operating
Income
Depreciation $ 5,879 $ 759  $ - $ - $ 6,638    $ 5,075  $ 927 $ - $ - $ 6,001 
Amortization of intangible assets - -  18,698 - 18,698    -  - 18,623 - 18,623 
Goodwill impairment charges - -  - 7,230 7,230    -  - - 46,500 46,500 
Non-cash pension expense - 108  - - 108    -  228 - - 228 
Long term incentive plan 417 3,798  - - 4,214    604  7,159 - - 7,763 
Purchase accounting costs - -  - - -    (2,537) - - - (2,537)
Supply chain reinvention 2,798 -  - - 2,798    3,023  - - - 3,023 
Other items 2,373 3,345  - - 5,718    1,680  512 - - 2,192 
Total non-cash adjustments $ 11,467 $ 8,009  $ 18,698 $ 7,230 $ 45,404    $ 7,845  $ 8,826 $ 18,623 $ 46,500 $ 81,793 
Cash adjustments                      
Severance and related expenses 54 2,125  - - 2,179    102  1,279 - - 1,381 
M&A transaction/strategic review - 1,898  - - 1,898    -  723 - - 723 
Supply chain reinvention 12,199 (3) - - 12,196    19,202  617 - - 19,819 
Other items - 1,261  - - 1,261    -  98 - - 98 
Total cash adjustments $ 12,253 $ 5,280  $ - $ - $ 17,533    $ 19,303  $ 2,717 $ - $ - $ 22,020 
Total adjustments $ 23,720 $ 13,289  $ 18,698 $ 7,230 $ 62,937    $ 27,148  $ 11,542 $ 18,623 $ 46,500 $ 103,813