• Revenue Growth: Increase in dollars and units in fresh packaged breads.
• Category Share Gains: Largest share gains in the fresh packaged breads category.
• Sales Growth: Achieved through strong pricing initiatives despite volume losses.

Release Date: November 08, 2024

For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.

Positive Points

• Flowers Foods Inc (NYSE:FLO) achieved growth in dollars and units in the fresh packaged breads category, leading to the largest share gains in the market.
• The company successfully executed strong pricing initiatives that offset volume losses, contributing to sales growth.
• Flowers Foods Inc (NYSE:FLO) is expanding its product lines, including Dave's Snack Bites and Wonder, with positive early feedback from retailers.
• The company is focused on enhancing shareholder value and delivering results consistent with long-term financial targets.
• Operational efficiency has improved, with Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) increasing to around 70-71%, contributing to better gross margin performance.

Negative Points

• The sweet baked goods category has faced pressure, with Flowers Foods Inc (NYSE:FLO) performing in line with the category but not showing growth.
• The away-from-home and QSR segments have been weaker than anticipated, impacting overall business performance.
• Private label volume was down, and private label is losing share in the market.
• The company has increased promotional activity, although it remains below pre-pandemic levels, indicating a competitive market environment.
• Capacity constraints could become a challenge as the company continues to grow in new geographic markets.

Q & A Highlights

• Warning! GuruFocus has detected 4 Warning Sign with FLO.

Q: Can you provide details on the expansion plans for Dave's Snack Bites and Wonder, and your confidence in the sweet baked goods category? A: Ryals McMullian, CEO, explained that the Wonder line is in early rollout stages with positive retailer feedback. The sweet baked goods category has been challenging, but they are taking proactive steps to inject growth. For Dave's Killer Bread (DKB) snack line, they are expanding SKUs and remain confident in the brand's growth potential, emphasizing that these initiatives take time to build consumer bases.

Q: What drove the reduction in CapEx for the year, and should this be considered in capital planning for 2025? A: Steve Kinsey, CFO, stated that the reduction was due to the pace of spending, particularly in bakery projects, which were delayed and will roll over to 2025. This should be considered in next year's capital planning.

Q: Are you seeing any impact from Smucker's acquisition of Hostess in the sweet baked goods category? A: Ryals McMullian, CEO, noted that the declines are more due to consumer pullback on discretionary spending rather than competitive pressures from Smucker's. He expects the category to normalize next year as it was strong before the inflationary cycle.

Q: Can you discuss the promotional activity in the bread, bun, and roll business? A: Ryals McMullian, CEO, mentioned that promotional activity is broad-based, including from Flowers Foods. However, their differentiated brands are seeing good lift from promotions, which may differ from competitors.

Q: How did the hurricanes impact Q3 results, and what are the trends post-hurricane? A: Ryals McMullian, CEO, stated that hurricanes had a positive but not material impact on Q3. Despite a soft category, Flowers Foods outperformed with gains in fresh packaged breads, driven by innovation and brand differentiation.

For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.