Freshpet, Inc. Reports First Quarter 2016 Results


First Quarter Net Sales Increased Approximately 16%

Company Reiterates 2016 Guidance

SECAUCUS, N.J., May 04, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Freshpet, Inc. (“Freshpet” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ:FRPT) today reported financial results for its first quarter ended March 31, 2016.

First Quarter 2016 Financial Highlights Compared to Prior Year Period

  • Net sales were $31.5 million, up 16.3%
  • Adjusted EBITDA was $2.5 million, up 23.7%
  • Freshpet Fridges increased 10.1% to 15,429 from 14,019

“We are pleased with our start to 2016 and the significant progress we made across key operational and financial business metrics,” said Richard Thompson, Freshpet’s Chief Executive Officer. “In the first quarter we generated solid net sales and adjusted EBITDA growth as we continued to benefit from increased velocity per fridge and increased store count. We expect our efforts to drive greater leverage across our business model, improve profitability and enhance long-term shareholder value as we progress through 2016.”

First Quarter 2016

Net sales increased 16.3% to $31.5 million for the first quarter of 2016.  Net sales for the quarter were driven by velocity gains across all retail sales channels and the increase of Freshpet Fridge store locations, which grew to 15,429 as of March 31, 2016, an increase of 10.1% as compared to the prior year period.

Gross profit was $14.9 million, or 47.3% of net sales, compared to $13.3 million, or 49.0% of net sales, in the same period last year. Non-capitalizable start-up costs associated with the expansion of our Freshpet Kitchens reduced gross margin by approximately 80 basis points in the first quarter of 2016.

Selling, general and administrative expenses (“SG&A”) were $16.5 million compared to $15.7 million in the same period in the prior year. As a percentage of net sales, SG&A decreased from 57.9% for the three months ended March 31, 2015 to 52.4% in the current year period. After adjusting $1.0 million and $1.8 million for non-cash items related to share-based compensation in the first quarter of 2016 and 2015, respectively, SG&A decreased as a percentage of net sales to 49.4% in the first quarter of 2016 compared to 51.3% of net sales in the first quarter of 2015.

Net loss was $1.8 million compared to a net loss of $2.6 million for the same period in 2015.

Adjusted EBITDA was $2.5 million for the first quarter of 2016, compared to $2.0 million in the same period in 2015. 

Cash and Net Debt

During the first quarter of 2016, the Company generated cash of $2.0 million from operations compared to $1.1 million during the same period in 2015.  As of March 31, 2016, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $0.3 million and a line of credit for $40 million.  The Company expects to draw $8 to $10 million by the third quarter of 2016, which is expected to be repaid in the first quarter of 2017. The $11.0 million decrease in cash, cash equivalents and short term investments from December 31, 2015 is primarily due to the capital expenditures related to the expansion of the Company’s Freshpet Kitchens in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. The Company expects to invest up to $7.0 million during the remainder of 2016 to complete that project on time and on budget.

Outlook

The Company reiterated its guidance for 2016.  For full year 2016, the Company expects the following results compared to the prior year:

  • To exceed net sales of $137 million, an increase of approximately 18%
  • To exceed Adjusted EBITDA of $18.5 million, an increase of approximately 67%
  • To exceed Freshpet fridges of 16,600, an increase of approximately 10%

Conference Call and Webcast

The Company will host a conference call with members of the executive management team to discuss these results with additional comments and details. The conference call is scheduled to begin at 4:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, May 4, 2016. To participate on the live call listeners in North America may dial (844) 452-6821 and international listeners may dial (724) 924-4985; the passcode is 94168308.

In addition, the call will be broadcast live over the Internet hosted at the "Investor" section of the Company's website at www.freshpet.com and will be archived online through May 18, 2016. A telephonic playback will be available from 7:30 p.m. ET, May 4, 2016, through May 18, 2016. North American listeners may dial (855) 859-2056 and international listeners may dial (404) 537-3406; the passcode is 94168308.

About Freshpet

Freshpet has a single-minded mission – to improve the lives of dogs and cats everywhere through the power of fresh, natural food. Packed with vitamins and proteins, Freshpet foods offer fresh meats, poultry, and vegetables farmed locally. At our Freshpet Kitchens, we thoughtfully prepare these natural ingredients and everyday essentials, cooking them in small batches at lower temperatures to preserve key nutrients. That way, your pet gets the best. Freshpet refrigerated foods and treats are kept cool from the moment they are made until they arrive at Freshpet Fridges in your local market.

Freshpet foods are available in select mass, grocery, natural food, club, and pet specialty retailers across the United States and Canada. From the care Freshpet takes to source their ingredients and make their food, to the moment it reaches your home, Freshpet’s integrity, transparency and social responsibility are the way they like to run their business. To learn more, visit www.freshpet.com

Connect with Freshpet:

Freshpet Facebook

https://twitter.com/Freshpet 

http://instagram.com/Freshpet 

http://pinterest.com/Freshpet 

https://plus.google.com/+Freshpet 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freshpet 

https://www.youtube.com/user/freshpet400 

Forward Looking Statements

Certain statements in this release may constitute “forward-looking” statements. These statements are based on management's current opinions, expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions or projections regarding future events or future results. These forward-looking statements are only predictions, not historical fact, and involve certain risks and uncertainties, as well as assumptions. Actual results, levels of activity, performance, achievements and events could differ materially from those stated, anticipated or implied by such forward-looking statements. While Freshpet believes that its assumptions are reasonable, it is very difficult to predict the impact of known factors, and, of course, it is impossible to anticipate all factors that could affect actual results. There are a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from forward-looking statements made herein including, most prominently, the risks discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Company's latest annual report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Such forward-looking statements are made only as of the date of this release. Freshpet undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as otherwise required by law. If we do update one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be made that we will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements.

Non-GAAP Measures

Management believes that Adjusted EBITDA, which is a non-GAAP measure, is meaningful to investors because it provides a view of the Company with respect to ongoing operating results. EBITDA represents net loss plus depreciation and amortization, interest expense, and income tax expense, and Adjusted EBITDA represents EBITDA plus loss on disposal of equipment, plant startup expense, share based compensation, warrant fair valuation and launch expenses.  Adjusted EBITDA is shown as a supplemental disclosure in this release because it is widely used by the investment community for analysis and comparative evaluation and provides an additional metric to evaluate the Company’s operations and, when considered with both the Company’s GAAP results and the reconciliation to net income (loss), provides a more complete understanding of the Company’s business than could be obtained absent this disclosure. Adjusted EBITDA is not and should not be considered an alternative to net income (loss) or any other figure calculated in accordance with GAAP, or as an indicator of operating performance. The Company’s calculation of Adjusted EBITDA may differ from methods used by other companies. Management believes that this non-GAAP measure is important to an understanding of the Company's overall operating results in the periods presented. Adjusted EBITDA is not recognized in accordance with GAAP and should not be viewed as an alternative to GAAP measures of performance. We have not reconciled our expected Adjusted EBITDA to net income under “Outlook” because we have not finalized our calculations of several factors necessary to provide the reconciliation, including net income, interest expense and income tax expense. In addition, certain items that impact net income and other reconciling metrics are out of our control and/or cannot be reasonably predicted at this time.

FRESHPET INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
 
 March 31,
2016
  December 31,
2015
 
ASSETS       
CURRENT ASSETS:       
Cash and cash equivalents$266,129  $8,029,413 
Short-term investments    3,250,000 
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts 7,133,456   7,030,719 
Inventories, net 8,183,496   6,853,447 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 1,204,530   229,631 
Total Current Assets 16,787,611   25,393,210 
Property, plant and equipment, net 92,671,432   82,793,007 
Deposits on equipment 3,020,939   3,243,519 
Other assets 1,800,692   1,667,838 
Total Assets$114,280,674  $113,097,574 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY       
CURRENT LIABILITIES:       
Accounts payable 7,245,531   6,668,643 
Accrued expenses 3,681,036   2,274,557 
Accrued warrants 146,192   204,314 
Total Current Liabilities$11,072,759  $9,147,514 
Total Liabilities$11,072,759  $9,147,514 
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:       
Common stock 33,538   33,537 
Additional paid-in capital 293,514,642   292,484,986 
Accumulated deficit (190,340,265)  (188,568,463
Total Stockholders'  Equity 103,207,915   103,950,060 
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity$114,280,674  $113,097,574 


FRESHPET INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
(Unaudited)
 
  For the Three Months Ended 
  March 31, 
  2016  2015 
NET SALES $31,453,700  $27,054,674 
COST OF GOODS SOLD  16,565,813   13,801,655 
GROSS PROFIT  14,887,887   13,253,019 
SELLING, GENERAL, AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES  16,487,082   15,677,598 
LOSS FROM OPERATIONS  (1,599,195)  (2,424,579)
OTHER EXPENSES:        
Other Expenses, net  (40,869)  (109,957)
Interest Expense  (116,738)  (37,538)
   (157,607)  (147,495)
LOSS BEFORE INCOME TAXES  (1,756,802)  (2,572,074)
INCOME TAX EXPENSE  15,000   15,000 
NET LOSS  (1,771,802)  (2,587,074)
NET LOSS ATTRIBUTABLE TO COMMON STOCKHOLDERS $(1,771,802) $(2,587,074)
NET LOSS PER SHARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO COMMON STOCKHOLDERS        
-BASIC $(0.05) $(0.08)
-DILUTED $(0.05) $(0.08)
WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OF COMMON STOCK OUTSTANDING USED IN COMPUTING NET LOSS PER SHARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO COMMON STOCKHOLDERS        
-BASIC  33,537,280   33,469,749 
-DILUTED  33,537,280   33,469,749 


FRESHPET INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
 
 For the Three Months Ended 
 March 31, 
  2016   2015 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:       
Net loss$(1,771,802) $(2,587,074)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash flows provided by operating activities:       
Provision for losses (gains) on accounts receivable 7,805   (918)
Loss on disposal of equipment and deposits on equipment 143,407   8,723 
Share based compensation 1,006,046   1,860,112 
Fair value adjustment for outstanding warrants (58,122)  114,106 
Change in reserve for inventory obsolescence 133,174   6,006 
Depreciation and amortization 2,071,272   1,754,905 
Amortization of deferred financing costs and loan discount 35,901   35,294 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities       
Accounts receivable (110,542)  (1,172,276)
Inventories (1,463,223)  (118,939)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets (974,899)  572,122 
Other assets (184,987)  (130,025)
Accounts payable 1,774,682   1,477,326 
Accrued expenses 1,406,479   (711,334)
Net cash flows provided by operating activities 2,015,191   1,108,028 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:       
Purchases of short-term investments    (7,499,205)
Proceeds from maturities of short-term investments 3,250,000    
Acquisitions of property, plant and equipment, software and deposits on equipment (13,045,117)  (4,964,527)
Proceeds from sale of equipment 5,672    
Net cash flows used in investing activities (9,789,445)  (12,463,732)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:       
Exercise of options to purchase common stock 10,970   14,960 
Net cash flows provided by financing activities 10,970   14,960 
NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS (7,763,284)  (11,340,744)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF YEAR 8,029,413   36,259,252 
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD$266,129  $24,918,508 


FRESHPET INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
   RECONCILIATON BETWEEN NET (LOSS) AND ADJUSTED EBITDA  
 
Certain totals may not sum due to rounding
 
  Three Months Ended 
  March 31, 
  2016  2015 
  (Dollars in thousands) 
Net (loss) $(1,772) $(2,587)
Depreciation and amortization  2,071   1,755 
Interest expense  117   38 
Income tax expense  15   15 
EBITDA $431  $(779)
Loss on disposal of equipment  143   9 
Launch expense  722   804 
Plant startup expenses  238    
Noncash stock based compensation  1,006   1,860 
Warrant fair valuation  (58)  114 
Adjusted EBITDA $2,483  $2,008 

 


            

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