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ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

IN GENERAL

You should carefully consider the risks described below before making an investment decision concerning our securities.

If any of the following risks actually materialize, our business, financial condition or results of operations could be materially adversely affected. In that case, the trading price of our common stock could decline substantially. This Annual Report also contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including the risks described below and elsewhere in this Annual Report. See “Forward-Looking Statements” under Item 7 of this report for a discussion of forward-looking statements.

RISK FACTORS RELATED TO THE WHOLESALE BUSINESS

In 2009, the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act was signed into law, which granted the FDA the authority to regulate the production, distribution, and marketing of tobacco products in the United States. Specifically, the legislation established an FDA office to regulate changes to nicotine yields, chemicals, flavors, ingredients, and the labeling used to produce and market tobacco products. The FDA office is financed through user fees paid by tobacco companies, which is passed on to wholesale distributors and end consumers in the form of higher costs.

To date, most of the regulatory and compliance burden related to this legislation has fallen upon product manufacturers. However, if the FDA were to impose new regulations impacting wholesale distributors that we are not able to comply with, we could face remedial actions such as fines, suspension of product distribution rights, and/or termination of operations. Further, if the FDA were to issue product bans or product restrictions on cigarettes, tobacco or other nicotine delivery devices, our future revenue stream could materially decrease. If any of these items were to occur, our results from operations, cash flow, business, and overall financial condition could be negatively impacted.

The regulation of vaping product categories by federal, state, and local governmental agencies, as well as potential litigation against product manufacturers and/or entities which distribute or sell such products, may negatively impact our sales, costs, results of operations, and cash flows should the current regulatory environment persist or expand, or if related litigation should arise.

The distribution of cigarettes represents a significant portion of our business. During fiscal 2024, approximately 62% of our consolidated revenues came from the distribution of cigarettes, which generated approximately 18% of our consolidated gross profit. Due to manufacturer price increases, restrictions on advertising and promotions, regulation, higher excise and other taxes, health concerns, smoking bans, and other factors, the demand for cigarettes may continue to decline. If this occurs, our results from operations, cash flow, business, and overall financial condition could be negatively impacted.

Cigarette and tobacco products (including vaping products) are subject to substantial excise taxes and future legislation could significantly increase such taxes. Significant increases in cigarette and tobacco-related taxes and fees have been proposed and enacted by city, state, and federal governments in recent years. Further, the evolving regulatory

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responsibilities of the FDA are being funded by fees imposed on tobacco companies. These fees have been passed on to wholesale distributors and end consumers in the form of higher prices for cigarette and tobacco products.

Increases in excise taxes and other tobacco-related taxes and fees imposed by the FDA and other governmental authorities may reduce the long-term demand for cigarette and tobacco products and/or result in a sales shift from higher margin premium cigarette and tobacco products to lower margin deep-discount brands, while at the same time increasing the Company’s accounts receivable risk and inventory carrying costs. If any of these events were to occur, our results from operations, cash flow, liquidity position, and overall financial condition could be negatively impacted.

Divestitures and consolidations within the convenience store industry reflect trends that may result in customer attrition if the acquiring entity is served by another wholesale distributor and we are unable to retain the business. If we were to lose a substantial volume of business because of these trends, our results from operations, cash flow, business, and overall financial condition could be negatively impacted.

Increases or decreases in fuel prices impact our profit margins. Inflation can also impact fuel prices. If we are not able to meaningfully pass on these costs to customers, it could adversely impact our business, results of operations, cash flow, and financial condition.

We are subject to changes in pricing strategies utilized by manufacturers of the products we distribute. We also receive payments from these manufacturers including allowances, discounts, volume rebates, and other merchandising incentives in connection with various incentive programs. In addition, we receive discounts from states in connection with the purchase of excise stamps for cigarettes. If the pricing strategies of the manufacturers change or the manufacturers or states change or discontinue these promotional programs or we are unable to maintain the volume of our sales, our results of operations, business, cash flow, and financial condition could be negatively affected. There are no assurances that the manufacturers or states will maintain these promotional programs.

The wholesale distribution industry is highly competitive. There are many distribution companies operating in the same geographical regions as our Company. Our Company’s principal competitors are national and regional wholesalers, along with a host of smaller grocery and tobacco wholesalers. We also face competition from Whole Foods Market and/or its parent company AmazonTM, which pose a threat to the supply chains of food and grocery retailers as well as convenience stores served by wholesale distribution companies as they continue to pursue a vertical, multi-channel sales strategy targeting both retail consumers and business level customers. Most of our wholesale distribution competitors generally offer a wide range of products at prices comparable to those we offer. Some of our competitors have substantial financial resources and long-standing customer relationships. This competition may reduce our margins and/or cause a loss in market share, adversely impacting our results of operations, cash flow, and financial condition.

In 1994, the Mississippi attorney general brought an action against various tobacco industry members on behalf of the state to recover state funds paid for health-care costs related to tobacco use. Subsequently, most other states sued the major U.S. cigarette manufacturers based on similar theories. The cigarette manufacturer defendants settled the first four of these cases with Mississippi, Florida, Texas and Minnesota by separate agreements. These states are referred to as non-MSA states. In November 1998, the major U.S. tobacco product manufacturers entered into the MSA with the remaining 46 states, the

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District of Columbia and certain U.S. territories. The MSA and the other state settlement agreements settled health-care cost recovery actions and monetary claims relating to future conduct arising out of the use of, or exposure to, tobacco products, imposed a stream of future payment obligations on major U.S. cigarette manufacturers and placed significant restrictions on the ability to market and sell cigarettes. The payments required under the MSA resulted in the products sold by the participating manufacturers being priced at higher levels than the products sold by non-MSA manufacturers.

In order to limit our potential tobacco-related liabilities, we try to limit our purchases of cigarettes from non-MSA manufacturers for sale in MSA states. The benefits of liability limitations and indemnities we are entitled to under the MSA do not apply to sales of cigarettes manufactured by non-MSA manufacturers. From time-to-time, however, we find it necessary to purchase a limited amount of cigarettes from non-MSA manufacturers. For example, during a transition period while integrating distribution operations from an acquisition we may need to purchase and distribute cigarettes manufactured by non-MSA manufacturers to satisfy the demands of customers of the acquired business. With respect to sales of such non-MSA cigarettes, we could be subject to litigation that could expose us to liabilities for which we would not be indemnified.

In connection with the MSA, we are indemnified by many of the tobacco product manufacturers from whom we purchase cigarettes and other tobacco products for liabilities arising from the sale of the tobacco products that they supply to us. However, if litigation challenging the validity of the MSA were to be successful and all or part of the MSA is invalidated, we could be subject to substantial litigation due to the sales of cigarettes and other tobacco products, and we may not be indemnified for such costs by the tobacco product manufacturers in the future. In addition, even if we continue to be indemnified by cigarette manufacturers that are parties to the MSA, future litigation awards against such cigarette manufacturers could be so large as to eliminate the ability of the manufacturers to satisfy their indemnification obligations. Our results of operations, business, cash flow, and overall financial condition could be negatively impacted due to increased litigation costs and potential adverse rulings against us.

Increased selling prices for cigarettes and higher cigarette taxes have resulted in the growth of deep-discount cigarette brands, which may be sold by our competitors or other retailers. Deep-discount cigarette brands are brands generally manufactured by companies that are not original participants to the MSA, and accordingly, do not have cost structures burdened by the MSA. Since the MSA was signed, the category of deep-discount brands manufactured by smaller manufacturers or supplied by importers has grown substantially. If this growth continues, our business, results of operations, cash flows, and overall financial condition would be negatively impacted.

RISK FACTORS RELATED TO THE RETAIL BUSINESS

In our retail health food business, we compete with a wide range of well-financed regional and national competitors such as Whole Foods Markets, Trader Joe’s, Sprouts Farmers Market, Natural Grocers, General Nutrition Centers, Vitamin Shoppe, and other online competitors such as AmazonTM who all have embarked on aggressive expansion strategies. Additionally, we compete with specialty supermarkets, other independent natural foods store chains, small specialty stores, and restaurants. Conventional supermarkets and mass market outlets such as Kroger, Albertsons, Walmart, and Costco have also significantly increased their offerings of organic and natural products providing another layer of competition. Finally, if online shopping, direct-to-consumer, and home delivery models continue to grow in popularity thereby further disrupting traditional sales channels, it may present a significant direct risk to brick and mortar retailers like the Company. We also face competition from Whole Foods Market and/or its parent company AmazonTM, which pose a threat to the supply chains of the grocery and natural foods business as they continue to pursue a vertical, multi-channel sales strategy targeting both retail consumers and business level customers. Most of these competitors may have greater financial and marketing resources than the Company and may be able to devote greater resources to sourcing, promoting, and selling their products. In response to heightened competition, the Company is continuing to implement a repositioning strategy

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for its retail business. This repositioning strategy calls for a wide range of initiatives including the possible addition of one or more of our new retail store prototypes per year into the foreseeable future. The opening of new retail stores inherently brings additional risk to the business. Further, if our repositioning strategy in response to this increase in competition is not successful, it may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, business, cash flow, and financial condition, and could potentially result in the impairment of assets within this business segment.

There is no assurance that quality natural and organic products including dietary supplements, fresh and processed foods and vitamins will be available to meet our stores’ future needs. If conventional supermarkets increase their natural and organic product offerings or if new laws require the reformulation of certain products to meet tougher standards, the supply of these products may be constrained. Any significant disruption in the supply of quality natural and organic products could have a material adverse impact on our overall sales and product costs.

● Perishable Food Product Losses Could Materially Impact Our Results.

Our retail stores carry many perishable products which may result in significant product inventory losses in the event of extended power outages, natural disasters, or other catastrophic occurrences.

Many of our stores are located in close proximity to shopping areas that also accommodate other well-known anchor stores. Sales at our stores are derived, in part, from the volume of traffic generated by the other anchor stores in these shopping areas. Customer traffic may be adversely affected by local and regional economic downturns in the areas where our stores are located, long-term nearby road construction projects, the closing of nearby anchor stores or other nearby stores or the decline of the shopping environment in a particular shopping area. Any of these events could reduce our sales and leave us with excess inventory, which could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition, and results of operations. In response to such events, we may be required to increase markdowns or initiate marketing promotions to reduce excess inventory, which would further decrease our gross profits and net income.

We believe our success depends, in substantial part, on our ability to:

If we are unable to anticipate and satisfy consumer merchandise preferences in the regions where we operate, our sales may decrease, and we may be forced to increase markdowns of slow-moving merchandise, either of which could negatively impact our business, results of operations, cash flow, and financial condition.

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If we or our third-party suppliers, including suppliers of our private label products, fail to comply with applicable regulatory requirements or to meet our specifications for quality, we could be required to take costly corrective action and our reputation could be negatively impacted. We do not own or operate any manufacturing facilities, and therefore depend upon independent third-party vendors to produce our private label branded products, such as vitamins, minerals, dietary supplements, body care products, food products and bottled water. Third-party suppliers of our private label products may not maintain adequate controls with respect to product specifications and quality. Such suppliers may be unable to produce products on a timely basis or in a manner consistent with regulatory requirements. Additionally, there are no assurances that we would be successful in finding new third-party suppliers that meet our quality guidelines if needed. If any of these events were to occur, our results from operations, cash flow, liquidity position, and overall financial condition could be negatively impacted.

RISK FACTORS RELATED TO ALL OF OUR BUSINESSES

Interest rates have a direct impact on our business based on the amount of variable debt the Company utilizes in its operations. Prolonged periods of high interest rates may have a negative impact on the Company’s results of operations, balance sheet, and cash flows.

● We May Be Impacted by Acts of Civil Unrest or Violence.

Our business operations could be negatively impacted by acts of civil unrest or violence, which are beyond our control. Such acts could threaten our supply chain, may result in property damage and/or insurance claims to the facilities of the Company or our customers, impact the safety of our workforce or the workforces of our customers, and may also have indirect impacts on customer demand for the products we sell, or our ability to collect on accounts receivable or finance our operations.

The emergence and spread of a major epidemic or pandemic (such as COVID-19) or other widespread public health issue could affect our employees, suppliers and/or customers and cause disruption in our operations including, but not limited to, travel restrictions, temporary closing of one or more of our distribution warehouses or retail stores, labor shortages, supply chain interruptions, business shutdowns, or regional quarantines. These disruptions could negatively affect our ability to service our customers, could contribute to adverse economic conditions including decreases in demand for the products we distribute, resulting in lower sales and profitability, or could present increased credit risk to the Company from customer credit defaults resulting from an economic downturn. In addition to the potential operational risks described above, disruptions caused by a widespread public health issue could present increased reputational risk to the Company or result in legal claims or costly response measures.

From time to time, one or both of the Company’s business segments may acquire assets from other businesses, all or a portion of the ownership of another business, or make an equity investment in another business through the purchase of equity or other means. The purchase of assets, of all or a portion of a business, or an equity investment in another business can bring significant risks to the Company in a number of areas including purchase price, amount of equity investment, business valuation and recording risks, customer retention risks, risks associated with the assumption of liabilities or obligations, integration risks, technology risks, risks associated with the addition of new employees such as health care costs, and a wide range of other risks and considerations. While the Company strives to minimize the risks associated with

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its acquisition or equity investment activities, issues may arise which could have a material negative impact on the Company’s results of operations, balance sheet, and cash flows.

● We May Be Subject to Risks Associated with Trade Tariffs.

The Company purchases products from a wide range of vendors in both of its businesses. Some of our vendors may import certain products as part of their manufacturing processes and could be impacted by higher costs resulting from trade tariffs. Further, the impact of higher costs at the retail level may negatively impact consumer discretionary spending and demand. In the event that our product purchase costs from our vendors increase and we cannot pass on those price increases to our customers, or if the retail level demand for the products we sell decreases, the Company’s results of operations, balance sheet, and cash flows could be negatively impacted.

Healthcare represents a significant expense item for our Company and there is a general upward trend in healthcare costs nationwide. While we strive to control these costs through modifications to insurance coverage, including co-pays and deductibles, there can be no assurance that we will be able to successfully control such costs in the future. Continued increases in healthcare costs, as well as changes in laws, regulations, and assumptions used to calculate health and benefit expenses, may adversely affect our business, financial position and results of operations.

We may face exposure to product liability claims if the use of any product we sell is alleged to cause injury or illness. However, product liability insurance may not continue to be available at a reasonable cost, or, if available, may not be adequate to cover all of our liabilities. We generally seek contractual indemnification and insurance coverage from parties supplying the products we sell, but this indemnification or insurance coverage is limited, as a practical matter, to the creditworthiness of the indemnifying party and the insurance limits of any insurance provided by suppliers. If we do not have adequate insurance or if contractual indemnification is not available or if the counterparty cannot fulfill its indemnification obligation, product liability relating to allegedly defective products could have a material adverse impact on our results of operations, cash flow, business, and overall financial condition.

● We May Be Subject to Risks Associated with Insurance Plans Claims.

The Company uses a combination of insurance and self-insurance plans to provide for the potential liabilities for workers’ compensation, general liability, property insurance, director and officers’ liability insurance, vehicle liability, and employee health care benefits. Liabilities associated with these risks are estimated by the Company, in part, by considering historical claims experience, demographic factors, severity factors, and other assumptions. Our results could be materially impacted by claims and other expenses related to such insurance plans if future occurrences and claims differ from these assumptions and historical trends.

● We May Be Subject to Risks Associated with Insurance Renewals.

The Company uses a combination of insurance and self-insurance plans to provide for the potential liabilities for workers’ compensation, general liability, property insurance, director and officers’ liability insurance, vehicle liability, and employee health care benefits. The Company may not be able to renew various forms of insurance with adequate levels of coverage, at favorable rates, or obtain insurance at all based upon market conditions within the insurance industry and/or because of the industry in which the Company operates.

Our results of operations and financial condition are particularly sensitive to changes in the overall economy, including the level of consumer discretionary spending. Consumer discretionary spending may be negatively impacted by inflation,

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rising interest rates, recessions or other general economic uncertainties or downturns. Changes in discretionary spending patterns may decrease demand from our convenience store customers and/or impact the demand for natural food products in our retail health food stores as customers purchase less expensive product alternatives.

Additionally, many of our Wholesale Segment customers are thinly capitalized and their access to credit may be impacted by changes in economic conditions, systemic pressures in the banking system, including disruptions in the credit markets, rising interest rates or other factors, which may affect their ability to operate as a going concern, presenting additional credit risk for the Company. A period of economic downturn or economic deterioration could result in lower sales and profitability as well as customer credit defaults.

Volatile product costs have a direct impact on our business. Prolonged periods of product cost inflation may have a negative impact on our profit margins and earnings to the extent that we are unable to pass on all or a portion of such product cost increases to our customers, which may have a negative impact on our business and our profitability. In addition, product cost inflation may negatively impact consumer discretionary spending, which could adversely impact our sales. Conversely, our business may be adversely impacted by periods of prolonged product cost deflation because we make a significant portion of our sales at prices that are based on the cost of products we sell plus a percentage markup. As a result, our profit levels may be negatively impacted during periods of product cost deflation, even though our gross profit percentage may remain relatively constant.

We rely extensively on our information technology systems and those of third parties to operate our business. We have had and may have disruptions to our information technology systems due to a number of factors including but not limited to electricity outages, equipment failure, telecommunications failures, security breaches, cyber-attacks, computer viruses, malware or other methods and causes. Although we make efforts to maintain the security, integrity and redundancy of our systems and have implemented various measures to manage the risk of system disruptions or failures, there can be no assurance that our efforts and measures will be effective. If any of our information technology systems or those of third parties on which we rely are damaged or made unavailable to us, it could have a material negative impact on our operations and profits.

Maintaining a good reputation and public confidence in the products we distribute is critical to our business. Anything that damages that reputation or the public’s confidence in the products we carry, whether or not justified, including adverse publicity about the quality, safety or integrity of our products, could quickly and adversely affect our revenues and profits. In addition, such adverse publicity may result in product liability claims, a loss of reputation, and product recalls which could have a material adverse effect on our sales and operations.

We annually test goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite useful lives to determine if impairment has occurred. Additionally, we perform interim reviews whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that impairment may have occurred. If our testing indicates that impairment has occurred, we are required to record a non-cash impairment charge for the difference between the carrying value of the goodwill or other intangible assets and the implied fair value of the goodwill or other intangible assets in the period the determination is made.

The testing of goodwill and other intangible assets for impairment requires management to make significant estimates about our future performance and cash flows, as well as other assumptions. These estimates can be affected by numerous factors, including potential changes in economic, industry or market conditions, changes in business operations, changes

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in competition or changes in our stock price and market capitalization. Changes in these factors, or changes in actual performance compared with estimates of our future performance, may affect the fair value of goodwill or other intangible assets, which may result in impairment charges. Additionally, we may not be able to accurately predict the amount and timing of any impairment of assets. Should the value of goodwill or other intangible assets become impaired, our financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected.

● Capital Needed for Expansion May Not Be Available.

Acquiring other distributors or existing retail stores, developing and opening new retail stores and distribution facilities, and expanding existing distribution facilities requires significant amounts of capital. Historically, our growth has been funded primarily through proceeds from bank debt, private placements of equity and debt and internally generated cash flow. These and other sources of capital may not be available to us on satisfactory terms, or at all, in the future, particularly in light of current economic conditions, including systemic pressures in the banking system, disruptions in the credit markets and rising interest rates, which could impair our ability to further expand our business.

Our revolving credit facilities and other debt agreements impose certain restrictions on us that could increase our vulnerability to general adverse economic and industry conditions by limiting our flexibility in planning for and reacting to changes in our business and industry. Specifically, these restrictions limit our ability, among other things, to incur additional indebtedness, make distributions, pay dividends, issue stock of subsidiaries, make investments, repurchase stock, create liens, enter into transactions with affiliates, merge or consolidate, or transfer and sell our assets.

Under our credit facilities, we are required to maintain a minimum debt service ratio if our excess availability falls below 10% of the maximum loan limit as defined in our revolving credit agreements. Our ability to comply with this covenant may be affected by factors beyond our control. If we breach, or if our lender contends that we have breached this covenant or any other restrictions, it could result in an event of default under our revolving credit facilities, which would permit our lenders to declare all amounts outstanding thereunder to be immediately due and payable, and our lenders under our revolving credit facilities could terminate their commitments to make further extensions of credit under our revolving credit facilities and foreclose on collateral securing those loans. In such an event, there can be no assurances that we would be able to obtain waivers for any such breach or default, refinance such indebtedness or obtain alternative financing on satisfactory terms or at all.

We expect that our principal sources of funds will be cash generated from our operations and, if necessary, borrowings under our revolving credit facilities or other debt financing arrangements. However, the current and future conditions in the credit markets, including systemic pressures in the banking system, disruptions in the credit markets and rising interest rates may impact the availability of capital resources required to meet our future financial obligations, or to provide funds for our working capital, capital expenditures and other needs for the foreseeable future. We may require additional equity or debt financing to meet our working capital requirements or to fund our capital expenditures. We may not be able to obtain financing on terms satisfactory to us, or at all.

We do not have any significant long-term contracts with suppliers in our wholesale business committing them to provide products to us. Although our purchasing volume can provide leverage when dealing with suppliers, suppliers may not provide the products we sell in the quantities we request or on favorable terms. Because we do not control the actual

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production of the products we sell, we are also subject to delays caused by interruption in production based on conditions beyond our control. These conditions include but are not limited to labor disputes (strikes), labor shortages, supply chain and transportation disruptions, inclement weather, drought, natural disasters, epidemics, pandemics or other widespread public health issues, or other catastrophic events and the adverse effects of climate change. Our inability to obtain adequate supplies of the products we sell, as a result of any of the foregoing factors or otherwise, could cause us to fail to meet our obligations to our customers.

Historically, some large manufacturers of the products we carry have decided to engage in direct distribution of their products and eliminate distributors such as the Company. If other manufacturers make similar product distribution decisions in the future, our revenues and profits could be adversely affected and there can be no assurance that we will be able to take action to compensate for such losses.

● We Depend on Our Senior Management and Key Personnel.

We depend on the continued services and performance of our senior management and other key personnel. While we have employment agreements with certain key personnel, the loss of service from any of our executive officers or key employees could harm our business.

We compete with other businesses in each of our markets with respect to attracting and retaining qualified employees, particularly in the area of truck drivers and warehouse workers. A shortage of qualified employees could require us to enhance our wage and benefits packages to compete effectively in the hiring and retention of qualified employees or to hire more expensive temporary employees.

In addition, at September 2024, approximately thirty of our delivery drivers in our Wholesale Segment are covered by a collective bargaining agreement with a labor organization, which expires in November 2026. Strikes, work stoppages, or other business interruptions could occur if we are unable to renew these agreements on satisfactory terms or enter into new agreements on satisfactory terms, which could impair distribution of our products or result in a loss of sales, which could adversely affect our business, financial position and results of operations. The terms and conditions of existing, renegotiated or new collective bargaining agreements could also increase our costs or otherwise affect our ability to fully implement future operational changes to enhance our efficiency or to adapt to changing business needs or strategy.

As a distributor and retailer of food products, we are subject to regulation by the FDA. Our operations are also subject to regulation by the USDA, OSHA, ATF, DOT and other federal, state and local agencies. Each of these regulatory authorities has broad administrative powers with respect to our operations. If we fail to adequately comply with government regulations or regulations become more stringent, we could experience increased inspections, regulatory authorities could take remedial action including imposing fines or shutting down our operations or we could be subject to increased audit and compliance costs. If any of these events were to occur, our results of operations, business, cash flow, and financial condition would be adversely affected.

The Company operates and plans based on the current structure of government and other regulatory agencies and their related framework of oversight and standards setting. We cannot predict how any changes to any of these governmental or regulatory frameworks, or changes in laws, regulations, administrative orders or the interpretation or application of such items, may impact our business. Any changes in the current regulatory environment may change, restrict, or discontinue which products the Company is allowed to sell. Additionally, certain products we sell may require reformulation to meet new standards or comply with new regulations or administrative orders. As such, any related product recalls or product reformulations could result in additional record keeping costs, expanded documentation and tracking costs, and expanded

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or changed product labeling and/or scientific substantiation. Any such changes in our regulatory schemes could disrupt our supply chain and sales and have an adverse impact on our results of operations, business, cash flow, and financial condition.

RISK FACTORS RELATED TO OUR COMMON STOCK

If the number of owners of record (including direct participants in the Depository Trust Company) of our common stock remains below 300, as was true as of September 30, 2024, our obligation to file reports under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 could be suspended. If we take advantage of this right we will likely reduce administrative costs of complying with public company rules, but periodic and current information updates about the Company would not be available to investors. In addition, the common stock of the Company would be removed from listing on NYSE American. This would likely impact investors’ ability to trade in our common stock.

Various provisions of our bylaws and of corporate law may discourage, delay or prevent a change in control or takeover attempt of the Company by a third party that is opposed by our management and Board of Directors. These anti-takeover provisions could substantially impede the ability of public stockholders to benefit from a change of control or change in our management and Board of Directors. These provisions include:

● non-cumulative voting for directors;

● control by our Board of Directors of the size of our Board of Directors;

ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

Not applicable.

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ITEM 1C. CYBERSECURITY

Risk Management and Strategy

In the ordinary course of our business, the Company is subject to cybersecurity threats and risks which it manages as an important component of its overall enterprise risk management strategy. To identify, assess, and manage cybersecurity threats and risks to our business, the Company has made significant investments in its processes, control environment, and technology solutions to help prevent and mitigate the impact of any such threats and risks. These processes include the use of sophisticated third-party software for continuous monitoring, the use of expert outside consultants, ongoing training and educational programs, regular and periodic updates on new cybersecurity threats and risks, incident response procedures, and the implementation of other cybersecurity best practices wherever possible. These processes also cover risks from cybersecurity threats associated with our use of information technology systems of third-parties upon which we rely.

The day-to-day management of the Company’s cybersecurity framework is managed by the Company’s information technology team while operational oversight of its design and function are managed by the Company’s management team including, but not limited to, its Chief Operating Officer (COO), Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Director of Industrial Engineering, and Director of Information Technology, all of whom have substantial experience managing enterprise risk, including cybersecurity risks. Our management team is informed about and monitors the prevention, detection, mitigation and remediation of cybersecurity incidents in accordance with our incident response procedures.

Governance

The Company’s Board of Directors, working in conjunction with its Audit and Corporate Governance Committees, oversees the Company’s overall enterprise risk management program, including the evaluation of cybersecurity related risks. Our Board receives periodic updates from the Company’s management team regarding technology matters including its cybersecurity framework, and the notification of any material cybersecurity events and/or risks.

While the Company believes it has adequate processes and technology in place to detect and respond to cybersecurity threats, the Company is continually at risk given an ever-changing cybersecurity landscape. Accordingly, the Company can provide no assurances that a future cyber-attack would not impact the Company's business in a material manner. At the effective date of this report filing, however, the Company is not aware of any current or past cybersecurity incidents that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect the Company, including its business strategy, results of operations, or financial condition. For more information on risks related to the Company's information technology systems, including cybersecurity threats that may materially affect the Company's business, see the risk factors included under Item 1A of this Annual Report on Form 10-K (“We Rely Heavily on Information Technology Systems to Operate Our Business. Any Disruptions to These Technology Systems or if These Systems were Made Unavailable for Use, May Have a Material Adverse Effect on Our Business”).

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

The location and approximate square footage of the Company’s 13 distribution centers and 15 retail stores at September 2024 are set forth below:

Location Square Feet

Distribution—CO, IL, IN, MN, MO, ND, NE, SD, TN & WV 1,705,000

The Company leases certain distribution facilities, retail stores, offices, and certain equipment under operating leases. As further described in Note 7 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, certain of our distribution facilities in Quincy, Illinois, Springfield, Missouri, Bismarck, North Dakota, Rapid City, South Dakota, Colorado City, Colorado, East Peoria, Illinois and Fairview Heights, Illinois are owned by the Company and are included as collateral under AMCON’s credit facility (“the AMCON Facility”). Henry’s distribution center in Alexandria, Minnesota is owned by the Company and is included as collateral under Henry’s credit facility (“the Henry’s Facility”). Team Sledd’s principal office and warehouse in

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Wheeling, West Virginia are collateral against two separate notes payable and Team Sledd’s credit facility (the “Team Sledd Facility”). Management believes that its existing facilities are adequate for the Company’s current level of operations, however, larger facilities and additional cross-dock facilities and retail stores may be required if the Company experiences growth in certain market areas.

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

None.

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

Executive officers of our Company are appointed by the Board of Directors and serve at the discretion of the Board. The following table sets forth certain information with respect to all executive officers of our Company.

Name Age Position

Andrew C. Plummer 50 President, Chief Operating Officer, Director

Charles J. Schmaderer 55 Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Secretary

CHRISTOPHER H. ATAYAN has served in various senior executive positions with the Company since 2006, including his service as Chairman of the Board since 2008 and Chief Executive Officer since 2006, and has been a director of the Company since 2004. Mr. Atayan served as Senior Managing Director of Slusser Associates, Inc., a private equity and investment banking firm, from 1988 to 2020, and had been engaged in private equity and investment banking since 1982. He also serves on the Board of Eastek Holdings, LLC, a contract manufacturing company.

ANDREW C. PLUMMER has served as our President and Chief Operating Officer since October 2018, as our Chief Financial Officer from January 2007 to October 2020, and as our Secretary from January 2007 to October 2018. From 2004 to 2007, Mr. Plummer served our company in various roles including Acting Chief Financial Officer, Corporate Controller, and Manager of SEC Compliance. Prior to joining our company in 2004, Mr. Plummer practiced public accounting, primarily with the accounting firm Deloitte and Touche, LLP (now Deloitte).

CHARLES J. SCHMADERER has served as the Company’s Chief Financial Officer since October 2020, as Vice President since April 2018, as Secretary since October 2018 and as Corporate Controller from April 2018 to October 2020. From 2006 to 2018, Mr. Schmaderer served the Company in various roles including as the Vice President of Financial Reporting and Assistant Secretary, and as the Director of Financial and SEC Reporting. Prior to joining AMCON in 2006, Mr. Schmaderer held financial management roles with Hewlett Packard (HP) and before that practiced public accounting, primarily with the accounting firm Grant Thornton, LLP. Mr. Schmaderer also holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Nebraska-Omaha.

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PART II

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

MARKET FOR COMMON STOCK

The Company’s common stock trades on NYSE American under the trading symbol “DIT”. As of November 6, 2024, the closing price of our common stock on NYSE American was $132.00 and there were 645,462 common shares outstanding. As of that date, the Company had approximately 795 persons holding common shares beneficially of which approximately 140 are shareholders of record (including direct participants in the Depository Trust Company).

DIVIDEND POLICY

On a quarterly basis, the Company’s Board of Directors evaluates the potential declaration of dividend payments on the Company’s common stock. Our dividend policy is intended to return capital to shareholders when it is most appropriate. The AMCON Facility described in Note 7 of Part II, Item 8 provides that the Company may not pay dividends on its common shares in excess of $5.0 million on an annual basis. There is no limit on dividend payments provided that certain excess availability measurements have been maintained for the 30-day period immediately prior to the payment of any such dividends or distributions, and immediately after giving effect to any such dividend or distribution payments, the Company has a fixed charge coverage ratio of at least 1.0 to 1.0 as defined in the AMCON Facility agreement.

Our Board of Directors could decide to alter our dividend policy or not pay quarterly dividends at any time in the future. Such an action by the Board of Directors could result from, among other reasons, changes in the marketplace, changes in our performance or capital needs, changes in federal income tax laws, disruptions in the capital markets, or other events affecting our business, liquidity or financial position. The Company paid cash dividends of approximately $0.6 million, or $1.00 per common share, and $3.5 million, or $5.72 per common share, during fiscal 2024 and fiscal 2023, respectively.

During the fiscal years ended September 30, 2024 and September 30, 2023, the Company did not sell any unregistered securities. The Company issued unregistered securities to certain members of the Company’s management team in relation to the vesting of restricted stock units as described in Note 12 of Part II, Item 8. These issuances were exempt from registration under Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933.

REPURCHASE OF COMPANY SHARES

The Company did not repurchase any shares of its common stock during fiscal 2024. During fiscal 2023, the Company repurchased a total of 2,363 shares of its common stock for cash totaling approximately $0.4 million. All repurchased shares were recorded in treasury stock at cost. At September 2024, 75,000 shares of the Company’s common shares remained authorized for repurchase in either the open market or privately negotiated transactions, as previously approved by the Company’s Board of Directors in October 2023. Management has discretion to determine the timing of any repurchases, as well as the number and pricing of any shares to be repurchased.

EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION

We refer you to Item 12 of this report for the information required by Item 201(d) of SEC Regulation S-K.

ITEM 6. [RESERVED]

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ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Overview

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 8 and other information in this report, including Critical Accounting Estimates and Cautionary Information included at the end of this Item 7. The following discussion and analysis includes the results of operations for the twelve month periods ended September 2024 and September 2023. For more information regarding our business segments, see Item 1 “Business” of this Annual Report.

Business Update

Our business continues to be impacted by macroeconomic factors and certain manufacturer supply chain limitations. The cumulative effect of sustained inflation across various consumer product categories has impacted discretionary spending and the related retail level demand for the convenience store customers we serve. These same inflationary pressures have also increased our operating costs, particularly as it relates to labor, equipment, insurance, interest, and the cost of the products we sell.

We continue to closely monitor regulatory actions and proposals from federal and state governmental and regulatory bodies, including the United States Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”), which is evaluating the possible prohibition and/or limitations on the sale of certain cigarette, e-cigarette, tobacco, and vaping products, including menthol cigarettes. If such further regulations or further product sale limitations were to be implemented, they may limit the range of products we are able to sell in related product categories and decrease overall consumer demand. Any such changes may negatively impact our revenues, gross margins, and financial results.

During fiscal year 2024, the Company continued to make targeted investments in conjunction with its long-term growth strategy.

The Company purchased and is currently building out a 250,000 square foot distribution facility in Colorado City, Colorado, which will play a central role in the Company’s long-term geographic expansion initiatives. In addition, the Company’s new 175,000 square foot distribution facility located in Springfield, Missouri became fully operational at the end of the fiscal period. This new facility will enhance our foodservice capabilities in that region.

The Company also acquired Burklund Distributors, Inc. (“Burklund”), a wholesale distributor based in East Peoria, Illinois and Richmond Master Distributors, Inc. (“Richmond Master”), a wholesale distributor based in South Bend, Indiana. These acquisitions will expand the Company’s regional footprint and provide customers with an enhanced range of products and services over time.

Lastly, the Company opened a new retail store under the Chamberlin’s Natural Foods banner in Lakewood Ranch, Florida.

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Results of Operations

The following table sets forth an analysis of various components of the Company’s Statement of Operations as a percentage of sales for fiscal years 2024 and 2023:

Fiscal Years

Gross profit 6.7 6.7

Selling, general and administrative expenses 5.7 5.4

Depreciation and amortization 0.3 0.3

Operating income 0.7 1.0

Interest expense 0.4 0.3

Other (income), net — (0.1)

Income from operations before income taxes 0.3 0.7

Income tax expense 0.1 0.2

Net income available to common shareholders 0.2 % 0.5 %

The following table presents selected statement of operations data for fiscal years 2024 and 2023:

CONSOLIDATED:

Gross profit percentage 6.7 % 6.7 %

Operating income 18.0 26.0 (8.0)

Interest expense 10.4 8.5 1.9

Income tax expense 3.1 5.7 (2.6)

Net income available to common shareholders 4.3 11.6 (7.3)

BUSINESS SEGMENTS:

Wholesale

Gross profit percentage 6.3 % 6.2 %

Retail

Gross profit percentage 36.7 % 36.0 %

(2) Calculated based on rounded numbers as presented in the table.

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SALES

Changes in sales are primarily driven by:

(iii) acquisitions

SALES—Fiscal 2024 vs. Fiscal 2023

Sales in our Wholesale Segment increased $171.6 million during fiscal 2024 as compared to fiscal 2023. Significant items impacting sales during fiscal 2024 included a $103.1 million increase in comparative sales related to the acquisition of Henry’s Foods, Inc. (“Henry’s") during Q2 2023, a $98.6 million increase in sales related to the combined acquisitions of Burklund and Richmond Master during fiscal 2024, a $116.6 million increase in sales related to price increases implemented by cigarette manufacturers, and a $2.9 million increase in sales related to higher sales volumes in our tobacco, confectionary, foodservice, and other categories (“Other Products”), partially offset by a $149.6 million decrease in sales related to the volume and mix of cigarette cartons sold.

Sales in our Retail Segment decreased $0.6 million in fiscal 2024 as compared to fiscal 2023. This change was primarily due to a $5.5 million decrease related to the closure of five stores between the comparative periods, partially offset by a $2.4 million increase related to higher sales volumes in our existing stores, a $2.0 million increase related to the re-opening of our Port Charlotte store that was damaged during Hurricane Ian, and a $0.5 million increase related to the opening of our new Lakewood Ranch store.

GROSS PROFIT—Fiscal 2024 vs. Fiscal 2023

Our gross profit does not include fulfillment costs and costs related to the distribution network which are included in selling, general and administrative costs, and may not be comparable to those of other entities. Some entities may classify such costs as a component of cost of sales. Cost of sales, a component used in determining gross profit, for the Wholesale and Retail Segments includes the cost of products purchased from manufacturers, less incentives we receive which are netted against such costs.

Gross profit in our Wholesale Segment increased $11.5 million during fiscal 2024 as compared to fiscal 2023. Significant items impacting gross profit during fiscal 2024 included an $11.9 million increase in comparative gross profit related to the acquisition of Henry’s in Q2 2023, a $5.1 million increase in gross profit related to the combined acquisitions of Burklund and Richmond Master during fiscal 2024, and a $0.1 million increase in gross profit due to the timing and related benefits of cigarette manufacturer price increases between the comparative periods, partially offset by a $5.3 million decrease in gross profit related to the mix of volumes and promotions in our Other Products category and a $0.3 million decrease in gross profit related to the volume and mix of cigarette cartons sold between the comparative periods. Gross profit in our Retail Segment increased $0.1 million in fiscal 2024 as compared to fiscal 2023. This change was primarily related to a $1.0 million increase in realized margins in our existing stores, a $0.7 million increase related to the re-opening of our Port Charlotte store that was damaged during Hurricane Ian, and a $0.3 million increase related to the opening of our new Lakewood Ranch store, partially offset by a $1.9 million decrease related to the closure of five stores between the comparative periods.

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OPERATING EXPENSE—Fiscal 2024 vs. Fiscal 2023

Operating expense includes selling, general and administrative expenses and depreciation and amortization. Selling, general, and administrative expenses primarily consist of costs related to our sales, warehouse, delivery and administrative departments, including purchasing and receiving costs, warehousing costs and costs of picking and loading customer orders. Our most significant expenses relate to costs associated with employees, facility and equipment leases, transportation, fuel, and insurance.

Our fiscal 2024 consolidated operating expenses increased $19.5 million as compared to fiscal 2023. Significant items impacting operating expenses during fiscal 2024 included a $10.6 million increase in operating expenses related to the acquisition of Henry’s during Q2 2023, a $4.5 million increase related to the combined acquisitions of Burklund and Richmond Master during fiscal 2024, a $3.2 million increase related to employee compensation and benefit costs, a $1.3 million increase in insurance costs and a $0.6 million increase in other Wholesale Segment operating expenses, partially offset by a $0.7 million decrease in our Retail Segment operating expenses. The decrease in our Retail Segment was primarily due to a $2.8 million decrease related to the closure of five stores between the comparative periods, partially offset by an increase of $1.1 million in our existing stores, a $0.5 million increase related to the re-opening of our Port Charlotte store that was damaged during Hurricane Ian and a $0.5 million increase related to the opening of our new Lakewood Ranch store.

INTEREST EXPENSE — Fiscal 2024 vs. Fiscal 2023

Interest expense increased $1.9 million during fiscal 2024 as compared to fiscal 2023, primarily related to higher interest rates, increased capital expenditures, and higher outstanding debt balances in the current year period related to the acquisitions of Burklund and Richmond Master in fiscal 2024 and the acquisition of Henry’s in Q2 2023.

OTHER INCOME — Fiscal 2024 vs. Fiscal 2023

The change in other income was primarily related to differences in the amounts of insurance recoveries between the comparative periods.

INCOME TAX EXPENSE — Fiscal 2024 vs. Fiscal 2023

The change in the Company’s effective tax rate during fiscal 2024 as compared to fiscal 2023 was primarily related to non-deductible compensation expense in relation to the amount of income from operations before income tax expense and variances in the average effective state income tax rates between the comparative periods.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The Company’s variability in cash flows from operating activities is dependent on the timing of inventory purchases and seasonal fluctuations. For example, periodically we have inventory “buy-in” opportunities which offer more favorable pricing terms. As a result, we may have to hold inventory for a period longer than the payment terms. This generates a cash outflow from operating activities that we expect to reverse in later periods. Additionally, during our peak time of operations in the warm weather months, we generally carry higher amounts of inventory to ensure high fill rates and customer satisfaction.

The Company primarily finances its operations through three credit facility agreements (a) a facility that is an obligation of AMCON Distributing Company (the “AMCON Facility”), (b) a facility that is an obligation of Team Sledd (the “Team Sledd Facility”) and (c) a facility that is the obligation of Henry’s (the “Henry’s Facility”), and collectively together (the “Facilities”) and long-term debt agreements with banks. The Team Sledd Facility and The Henry’s Facility are non- recourse to AMCON Distributing Company, are not guaranteed by AMCON Distributing Company and have no cross default provisions applicable to AMCON Distributing Company.

At September 2024, the Facilities have a total combined borrowing capacity of $300.0 million, which includes provisions for up to $30.0 million in credit advances for certain inventory purchases, which are limited by accounts receivable and

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inventory qualifications, and the value of certain real estate collateral. The Henry’s Facility matures in February 2026, the AMCON Facility matures in June 2027, and the Team Sledd Facility matures in March 2028, each without a penalty for prepayment. Obligations under the Facilities are collateralized by substantially all of the Company’s respective equipment, intangibles, inventories, accounts receivable, and certain real estate. The Facilities each feature an unused commitment fee and springing financial covenants. Borrowings under the Facilities bear interest at either the bank’s prime rate or the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”), plus any applicable spreads.

The amount available for use from the Facilities at any given time is subject to a number of factors, including eligible accounts receivable and inventory balances that fluctuate day-to-day, as well as the value of certain real estate collateral. Based on the collateral and loan limits as defined in the Facility agreements, the credit limit of the combined Facilities at September 2024 was $212.4 million, of which $121.3 million was outstanding, leaving $91.1 million available.

The average interest rate of the Facilities was 6.82% at September 2024. During fiscal 2024, the peak borrowings under the Facilities was $181.8 million, and the average borrowings and average availability under the Facilities was $134.5 million and $81.0 million, respectively.

Cross Default and Co-Terminus Provisions

Team Sledd’s two notes payable and the Team Sledd Facility contain cross default provisions. The Henry’s note payable and the Henry’s Facility contain cross default provisions. There were no such cross defaults for either Team Sledd or Henry’s at September 2024. Additionally, the Team Sledd Facility and the Henry’s Facility are non-recourse to AMCON Distributing Company, are not guaranteed by AMCON Distributing Company and have no cross default provisions applicable to AMCON Distributing Company. The Company and its subsidiaries, including Team Sledd and Henry’s, were in compliance with all of the financial covenants under the Facilities at September 2024.

Dividend Payments

The Company paid cash dividends of $0.6 million, or $1.00 per common share, and $3.5 million, or $5.72 per common share, during fiscal 2024 and fiscal 2023, respectively.

Other

The Company has issued letters of credit to its workers’ compensation insurance carriers as part of its self-insured loss control program totaling $2.4 million and $0.5 million as of September 2024 and September 2023, respectively.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

The Company does not have any off-balance sheet arrangements.

Liquidity Risk

The Company’s liquidity position is significantly influenced by its ability to maintain sufficient levels of working capital. For our Company and our industry in general, customer credit risk and ongoing access to bank credit heavily influence liquidity positions.

The Company does not currently hedge its exposure to interest rate risk or fuel costs. Accordingly, significant price movements in these areas can and do impact the Company’s profitability.

While the Company believes its liquidity position going forward will be adequate to sustain operations in both the short- and long-term, a precipitous change in the operating environment could materially impact the Company’s future revenue streams as well as its ability to collect on customer accounts receivable or secure bank credit.

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OTHER MATTERS—Critical Accounting Estimates

GENERAL

The Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company are prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, which require the Company to make estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, net revenue and expenses, and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that it believes to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The Company believes that the accounting estimates employed and the resulting balances are reasonable; however, actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

The Company believes the following critical accounting policies reflect the significant estimates and assumptions used in the preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements. Our critical accounting estimates are set forth below.

ALLOWANCE FOR EXPECTED CREDIT LOSSES

NATURE OF ESTIMATES REQUIRED. The allowance for expected credit losses represents our estimate of uncollectible accounts receivable at the balance sheet date. We monitor our credit exposure on a daily basis and regularly assess the adequacy of our allowance for expected credit losses. Because credit losses can vary significantly over time, estimating the required allowance requires a number of assumptions that are uncertain.

ASSUMPTIONS AND APPROACH USED. We estimate our required allowance for expected credit losses using the following key assumptions:

INVENTORIES

NATURE OF ESTIMATES REQUIRED. In our businesses, we carry large quantities and dollar amounts of inventory. Inventories primarily consist of finished products purchased in bulk quantities to be sold to our customers. Given the large quantities and broad range of products we carry, there is a risk that inventory may become impaired because it has become unsaleable or unrefundable, slow moving, obsolete, or because it has been discontinued. The use of estimates is required in determining either the net realizable value (for our wholesale business) or the lower of cost or market (“LCM”) under the retail method (for our retail business) of this inventory.

ASSUMPTIONS AND APPROACH USED. We estimate our inventory obsolescence reserve at each balance sheet date based on the following criteria:

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DEPRECIATION, AMORTIZATION AND IMPAIRMENT OF LONG-LIVED ASSETS, INCLUDING GOODWILL AND LEASED RIGHT-OF-USE ASSETS

Long-lived assets consist primarily of property and equipment, leased right-of-use (“ROU”) assets, intangible assets, and goodwill acquired in business combinations. Property and equipment, ROU assets and amortizable identified intangible assets are assigned useful lives ranging from one to 40 years. Indefinite-lived intangible assets and goodwill are not amortized. Impairment of the Company’s long-lived assets is assessed during the Company’s fourth fiscal quarter using both qualitative and quantitative analysis, or whenever events or circumstances change that indicate the carrying value of such long-lived assets may not be recoverable.

NATURE OF ESTIMATES REQUIRED. Management has to estimate the useful lives of the Company’s long-lived assets. In regard to the Company’s impairment analysis, the most significant assumptions include management’s estimate of the annual growth rate used to project future sales and expenses.

ASSUMPTIONS AND APPROACH USED. For property and equipment, depreciable lives are based on our accounting policy which is intended to mirror the expected useful life of the asset. In determining the estimated useful life of ROU assets and amortizable intangible assets such as customer lists, we rely on our historical experience in addition to estimates of how long certain assets will generate cash flows. If impairment indicators arise, we then evaluate the potential impairment of property and equipment, ROU assets and amortizable identifiable intangible assets using an undiscounted future cash flow approach.

When evaluating the potential impairment of non-amortizable indefinite-lived assets and goodwill, the Company first assesses a range of qualitative factors, including but not limited to, macroeconomic conditions, industry conditions, the competitive environment, changes in the market for the Company’s products and services, market prices, regulatory and political developments, entity specific factors such as strategy and changes in key personnel, and the overall financial performance for each of the Company’s reporting units. If after completing this assessment, the Company determines that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value, a quantitative evaluation is performed using the income approach (discounted cash flow method).

A discounted cash flow methodology requires the estimation of a wide range of factors including but not limited to: (i) forecasting future earnings and cash flows (ii) determining the discount rate applicable to the earnings stream being discounted, and (iii) computing a terminal value at some point in the future. These estimations require significant judgment and include making assumptions such as sales growth rates including the addition of new retail stores, future store profitability, planned capital expenditures, our ability to control costs, the successful implementation of initiatives designed to enhance sales and improve inventory management, gross profit estimates, macroeconomic conditions, industry conditions, the competitive environment, changes in the market for the Company’s products and services, regulatory and political developments, entity specific factors such as strategy and changes in key personnel, working capital requirements, weighted average cost of capital, and current and anticipated operating conditions. The use of different assumptions or estimates for future cash flows could produce different results.

Goodwill recorded on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet represents amounts allocated to its wholesale reporting unit which totaled $5.8 million at both September 2024 and September 2023. The Company determined that the estimated fair value of its wholesale reporting unit exceeded its carrying value at both September 2024 and September 2023.

INSURANCE

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reporting period. Due to the uncertainty involved with claims activity and the realization of claims incurred but unreported, management is required to make estimates of these claims.

ASSUMPTIONS AND APPROACH USED. In order to estimate our reserve for incurred but unreported employee health care claims we consider the following key factors:

INCOME TAXES

The Company accounts for its income taxes by recording taxes payable or refundable for the current year and deferred tax assets and liabilities for the future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in our financial statements or tax returns. These expected future tax consequences are measured based on provisions of tax law as currently enacted; the effects of future changes in tax laws are not anticipated. Future tax law changes, such as a change in the corporate tax rate, could have a material impact on our financial condition or results of operations.

On a periodic basis, we assess the likelihood that our deferred tax assets will be recovered from future taxable income and establish a related valuation allowance as appropriate. In performing our evaluation, we consider all available evidence, both positive and negative, to determine whether, based on the weight of the evidence, a valuation allowance is needed. Evidence used includes information about our current financial position and our results of operations for the current and preceding years, as well as all currently available information about future years, including our anticipated future performance, the reversal of deferred tax liabilities and tax planning strategies. When appropriate, we record a valuation allowance against deferred tax assets to offset future tax benefits that may not be realized.

ASSUMPTIONS AND APPROACH USED. In determining whether a valuation allowance is appropriate, we consider whether it is more likely than not that all or some portion of our deferred tax assets will not be realized, based in part upon management’s judgments regarding future events.

In making that estimate we consider the following key factors:

● our current financial position;

● historical financial information;

● future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences;

● taxable income in prior carryback years; and

● tax planning strategies.

REVENUE RECOGNITION

We recognize revenue in both our Wholesale Segment and our Retail Segment when the performance obligation is satisfied, which is the point at which control of the promised goods or services are transferred to our customers, in an amount that reflects the consideration we expect to be entitled to receive in exchange for those goods and services. For the majority of our customer arrangements, control transfers to customers at a point-in-time when goods have been

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delivered, as that is generally when legal title, physical possession and risks and rewards of goods and services transfers to the customer. Sales are shown net of returns, discounts, and sales incentives to customers.

NATURE OF ESTIMATES REQUIRED. We estimate and reserve for anticipated sales discounts. We also estimate and provide a reserve for anticipated sales incentives to customers when earned under established program requirements.

ASSUMPTIONS AND APPROACH USED. We estimate the sales reserves using the following criteria:

Our estimates and assumptions for each of the aforementioned critical accounting estimates have not changed materially during the periods presented, nor are we aware of any reasons that they would be reasonably likely to change in the future.

BUSINESS COMBINATIONS

Assets acquired and liabilities assumed as part of a business acquisition are generally recorded at their fair value at the date of acquisition. Determining fair value of identifiable assets acquired, particularly intangibles, and liabilities assumed also requires management to make estimates, which are based on all available information and in some cases assumptions with respect to the timing and amount of future revenues and expenses associated with an asset.

NATURE OF ESTIMATES REQUIRED. We allocate the purchase price of acquired companies to the tangible assets acquired, liabilities assumed, and intangible assets acquired, based on their estimated fair values. The excess of the purchase price over these fair values is recorded as goodwill. Such valuations require management to make significant estimates and assumptions, especially with respect to intangible assets.

ASSUMPTIONS AND APPROACH USED. Critical estimates in valuing certain intangible assets include but are not limited to the projected growth factors, future expected cash flows, discount rates, potential competitive and regulatory environment developments, and changes in the market for the Company’s products and services. Management’s estimates of fair value are based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable, but which are inherently uncertain and unpredictable and, as a result, actual results may differ from estimates. Additionally, estimates associated with the accounting for acquisitions may change as new information becomes available regarding the assets acquired and liabilities assumed.

MANDATORILY REDEEMABLE NON-CONTROLLING INTEREST

Mandatorily redeemable non-controlling interest represents the non-controlling interest in the Company’s strategic investment in Team Sledd.

NATURE OF ESTIMATES REQUIRED. We record the mandatorily redeemable non-controlling interest at fair value. This valuation requires management to make significant estimates and assumptions, especially with respect to the timing of future redemptions and discount rates.

ASSUMPTIONS AND APPROACH USED. Critical estimates in valuing the mandatorily redeemable non-controlling interest include but are not limited to the projected growth factors, future expected cash flows, discount rates, potential competitive and regulatory environment developments, and changes in the market for the Company’s products and services. Management’s estimates of fair value are based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable, but which are inherently uncertain and unpredictable and, as a result, actual results may differ from estimates.

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ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-13, “Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments”, which introduces a forward-looking approach, based on expected losses, to estimate credit losses on certain types of financial instruments, including trade receivables. The estimate of expected credit losses requires entities to incorporate considerations of historical information, current information and reasonable and supportable forecasts. This ASU also expands the disclosure requirements to enable users of financial statements to understand the entity’s assumptions, models and methods for estimating expected credit losses. The Company adopted ASU 2016-13 on October 1, 2023. The adoption of ASU 2016-13 did not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Recently Announced Accounting Pronouncements

In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-07, “Segment Reporting (Topic 280) – Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures”, which improves reportable segment disclosure requirements, primarily through enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses. This ASU also expands disclosure requirements to enable users of financial statements to better understand the entity’s measurement and assessment of segment performance and resource allocation. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023 (fiscal 2025 for the Company), and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024 (fiscal 2026 for the Company), with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently reviewing this ASU and its potential impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-09, “Income Taxes (Topic 740) – Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures”, which enhances the transparency, effectiveness and comparability of income tax disclosures by requiring consistent categories and greater disaggregation of information related to income tax rate reconciliations and the jurisdictions in which income taxes are paid. This guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024 (fiscal 2026 for the Company), with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently reviewing this ASU and its potential impact on our consolidated financial statements.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Annual Report on Form 10-K, including Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and other sections, contains forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties and which reflect management’s current beliefs and estimates of future economic circumstances, industry conditions, Company performance and financial results. Forward-looking statements include information concerning the possible or assumed future results of operations of the Company and those statements preceded by, followed by or that include the words “future,” “position,” “anticipate(s),” “expect(s),” “believe(s),” “see,” “plan,” “further improve,” “outlook,” “should” or similar expressions. For these statements, we claim the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance or results. They involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions.

It should be understood that the following important factors, in addition to those discussed elsewhere in this document, could affect the future results of the Company and could cause those results to differ materially from those expressed in our forward-looking statements:

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● risks associated with opening new retail stores,

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● increases in inventory carrying costs and customer credit risks,

● decreased availability of capital resources,

● domestic regulatory and legislative risks,

● poor weather conditions, and the adverse effects of climate change,

Changes in these factors could result in significantly different results. Consequently, future results may differ from management’s expectations. Moreover, past financial performance should not be considered a reliable indicator of future performance. Any forward-looking statement contained herein is made as of the date of this document. Except as required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or correct any of these forward-looking statements in the future to reflect changed assumptions, the occurrence of material events or changes in future operating results, financial conditions or business over time.

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Not applicable.

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ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

Index to 2024 and 2023 Consolidated Financial Statements

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB ID# 49) 33

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 2024 and September 2023 35

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 39

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors of AMCON Distributing Company

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of AMCON Distributing Company and its subsidiaries (the Company) as of September 30, 2024 and 2023, the related consolidated statements of operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for the years then ended, and the related notes to the consolidated financial statements (collectively, the financial statements). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of September 30, 2024 and 2023, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the years then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Critical Audit Matter

The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.

Revenue Recognition

As reported on the consolidated statements of operations, the Company reported sales of approximately $2.7 billion for the year ended September 30, 2024. Also as disclosed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company recognizes revenues when the performance obligation is satisfied, which is the point where control of the promised goods or services is transferred to its customers, in an amount that reflects the consideration the Company expects to be entitled to receive in exchange for those goods or services.

We identified the occurrence and cutoff of revenue transactions as a critical audit matter due to the significant audit effort required in performing procedures related to testing these assertions given the significance of net sales and the large volume of transactions.

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Our audit procedures related to evaluating the occurrence and cutoff of revenue transactions included the following, among others:

/s/ RSM US LLP

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2006.

Omaha, Nebraska

November 8, 2024

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AMCON Distributing Company and Subsidiaries

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

September September

ASSETS

Current assets:

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Current liabilities:

Shareholders’ equity:

Preferred stock, $.01 par value, 1,000,000 shares authorized — —

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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AMCON Distributing Company and Subsidiaries

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

Fiscal Years Ended September

Other expense (income):

Basic earnings per share available to common shareholders $ 7.24 $ 19.85

Diluted earnings per share available to common shareholders $ 7.15 $ 19.46

Basic weighted average shares outstanding 599,020 584,148

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding 606,782 595,850

Dividends paid per common share $ 1.00 $ 5.72

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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AMCON Distributing Company and Subsidiaries

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Additional

Common Stock Treasury Stock Paid-in Retained

Shares Amount Shares Amount Capital Earnings Total

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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AMCON Distributing Company and Subsidiaries

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

September September

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

(Gain) loss on sales of property and equipment (177,467) (133,659)

Change in fair value of contingent consideration (124,992) —

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

Proceeds from sales of property and equipment 416,546 151,808

Acquisition of Burklund (See Note 2) (15,464,397) —

Acquisition of Richmond Master (See Note 2) (6,631,039) —

Acquisition of Henry's (See Note 2) — (54,865,303)

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

Proceeds from borrowings on long-term debt — 7,000,000

Repurchase of common stock — (404,876)

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:

Supplemental disclosure of non-cash information:

Purchase of property financed with promissory note 8,000,000 —

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES:

(a) Company Operations:

AMCON Distributing Company and Subsidiaries (“AMCON” or “the Company”) serves customers in 33 states and is primarily engaged in the wholesale distribution of consumer products in the Central, Rocky Mountain, Great Lakes, Mid-South and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States.

AMCON’s wholesale distribution business which includes our Team Sledd, LLC (“Team Sledd”) and Henry’s Foods, Inc. (“Henry’s) subsidiaries (“Wholesale Segment”), operates 13 distribution centers that sell over 20,000 different consumer products, including cigarettes and tobacco products, candy and other confectionery, beverages, groceries, paper products, health and beauty care products, frozen and refrigerated products and institutional foodservice products. The Company distributes products primarily to retailers such as convenience stores, discount and general merchandise stores, grocery stores, drug stores, and gas stations. In addition, the Company services institutional customers, including restaurants and bars, schools, sports complexes, as well as other wholesalers.

AMCON, through its Healthy Edge Inc. subsidiary, operates 15 retail health food stores as Chamberlin’s Natural Foods, Akin’s Natural Foods, and Earth Origins Market (“Retail Segment”). These stores carry natural supplements, organic and natural groceries, health and beauty care products, and other food items.

The Company’s operations are subject to a number of factors which are beyond the control of management, such as changes in manufacturers’ cigarette pricing, state excise tax increases, or the opening of competing retail stores in close proximity to the Company’s retail stores. While the Company sells a diversified product line, it remains dependent upon the sale of cigarettes which accounted for approximately 62% of the Company’s consolidated revenue during both fiscal 2024 and fiscal 2023, and 18% and 19% of the Company’s consolidated gross profit during fiscal 2024 and fiscal 2023, respectively.

(b) Accounting Period:

The Company’s fiscal year ends on September 30th, except for one non-wholly owned subsidiary whose fiscal year ends on the last Friday of September, and the fiscal years ended September 30, 2024 and September 30, 2023 have been included herein.

The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of AMCON and its wholly-owned subsidiaries including Henry’s since February 2023 and its non-wholly-owned equity investment in Team Sledd. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

(d) Cash and Accounts Payable:

AMCON utilizes a cash management system under which an overdraft is the normal book balance in the primary disbursing accounts. Overdrafts included in accounts payable at September 2024 and September 2023 totaled approximately $3.9 million and $3.3 million, respectively, and reflect checks drawn on the disbursing accounts that have been issued but have not yet cleared through the banking system. The Company’s policy has been to fund these outstanding checks as they clear with borrowings under its revolving credit facilities (see Note 7). These outstanding checks (book overdrafts) are classified as cash flows from operating activities in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

(e) Accounts Receivable:

Accounts receivable primarily consists of customer trade receivables arising in the ordinary course of business and other receivables primarily related to various rebate and promotional incentives with the Company’s suppliers. These receivables are recorded net of an allowance for expected credit losses. The Company evaluates the expected uncollectibility of

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accounts receivable based on a combination of factors, including but not limited to, past collection history, customer credit terms, industry, regulatory and economic conditions, and any customer specific risks, including credit concentration risks. The Company determines the past due status of trade receivables based on our payment terms with each customer. If the Company becomes aware of a specific customer’s inability to meet its financial obligations, such as bankruptcy filings or deterioration in the customer’s operating results or financial position, the Company may record a specific reserve for expected credit losses to reduce the related receivable to the amount it reasonably believes is collectible. Account balances are charged off against the allowance for credit losses when collection efforts have been exhausted and the account receivable is deemed worthless. Any subsequent recoveries of charged off account balances are recorded as income in the period received. As of September 2024 and September 2023, receivables from transactions with customers, less allowance for expected credit losses were $68.1 million and $69.4 million, respectively.

(f) Inventories:

At September 2024 and September 2023, inventories in our Wholesale Segment consisted of finished goods and are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value, utilizing FIFO and average cost methods. Inventories in our Retail Segment consisted of finished goods and are stated at the lower of cost or market using the retail method. The wholesale distribution and retail health food segment inventories consist of finished products purchased in bulk quantities to be redistributed to the Company’s customers or sold at retail. Finished goods included total reserves of approximately $1.2 million at both September 2024 and September 2023. These reserves include the Company’s obsolescence allowance, which reflects estimated unsaleable or non-refundable inventory based upon an evaluation of slow moving and discontinued products.

(g) Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets:

A summary of prepaid expenses and other current assets is as follows (in millions):

Prepaid expenses $ 5.5 $ 4.3

Prepaid inventory 7.3 9.3

Prepaid inventory represents inventory in-transit that has been paid for but not received.

(h) Property and Equipment:

Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation or amortization. Major renewals and improvements are capitalized and charged to expense over their useful lives through depreciation or amortization charges. Repairs and maintenance are charged to expense in the period incurred. The straight-line method of depreciation is used to depreciate assets over the estimated useful lives as follows:

Years

Land improvements 9 - 15

Buildings and improvements 5 - 40

Warehouse equipment 2 - 20

Furniture, fixtures and leasehold improvements 1 - 12

Vehicles 1 - 10

Costs and accumulated depreciation applicable to assets retired or sold are eliminated from the accounts, and the resulting gains or losses are reported as a component of operating income.

The Company reviews property and equipment for indicators of impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. Cash flows expected to be generated by the asset group are estimated over the asset’s useful life of the primary asset and based on updated projections on an undiscounted basis. If the evaluation indicates that the carrying value of the asset group may not be recoverable, the potential impairment is determined based on the amount by which the carrying value of the asset group exceeds the fair value of the asset group. There was no impairment of any property and equipment during either fiscal 2024 or fiscal 2023.

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(i) Leases:

Lease liabilities are equal to the present value of the remaining fixed lease payments. Right-of-use (“ROU”) assets are determined based on the amount of the lease liability, plus initial direct costs incurred less lease incentives. The Company determines its incremental borrowing rates based on information available at the lease commencement date in calculating the present value of its lease payments. The Company does not recognize assets or liabilities for leases with an initial term of twelve months or less and these short-term lease payments are recognized in the consolidated statements of operations on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The Company elected the practical expedient to account for non-lease components as part of the lease for all asset classes. The Company reviews its ROU lease assets for indicators of impairment in the same manner as its other property and equipment as described above in (h) Property and Equipment.

(j) Goodwill and Intangible Assets:

Goodwill consists of the excess purchase price paid in certain business combinations over the fair value of assets acquired and generally represents synergies and economies of scale generated through reductions in selling, general, and administrative expenses. Intangible assets consist of trademarks, tradenames, and customer relationships acquired as part of acquisitions in addition to certain non-competition agreements. Goodwill and the trademarks and tradenames for our Retail Segment are considered to have indefinite lives.

Goodwill and intangible assets having indefinite useful lives are not amortized into the results of operations, but instead are reviewed annually or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the assets might be impaired, to assess whether their fair value exceeds their carrying value. The Company performs its annual goodwill and intangible asset impairment assessment during the fourth fiscal quarter of each year.

When evaluating the potential impairment of non-amortizable indefinite lived assets and goodwill, the Company first assesses a range of qualitative factors, including but not limited to, macroeconomic conditions, industry conditions, the competitive environment, changes in the market for the Company’s products and services, market prices, regulatory and political developments, entity specific factors such as strategy and changes in key personnel, and the overall financial performance for each of the Company’s reporting units. If after completing this assessment, the Company determines that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value, a quantitative evaluation is performed using the income approach (discounted cash flow method).

A discounted cash flow methodology requires the estimation of a wide range of factors including but not limited to: (i) forecasting future earnings and cash flows, (ii) determining the discount rate applicable to the earnings stream being discounted, and (iii) computing a terminal value at some point in the future. These estimations require significant judgment and include making assumptions such as sales growth rates including the addition of new retail stores, future store profitability, planned capital expenditures, our ability to control costs, the successful implementation of initiatives designed to enhance sales and improve inventory management, gross profit estimates, macroeconomic conditions, industry conditions, the competitive environment, changes in the market for the Company’s products and services, regulatory and political developments, entity specific factors such as strategy and changes in key personnel, working capital requirements, weighted average cost of capital, and current and anticipated operating conditions. The use of different assumptions or estimates for future cash flows could produce different results.

For goodwill impairment testing, the Company utilizes the guidance in Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 350 - Intangibles - Goodwill and Other whereby a reporting unit’s carrying value is compared to its fair value and impairment charges are recognized for an amount by which a reporting unit’s carrying amount exceeds its fair value.

The Company’s identifiable intangible assets with finite lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives and are assessed for impairment whenever events or circumstances change which may indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable. Identifiable intangible assets which are subject to amortization are evaluated for impairment using a process similar to that used in evaluating the elements of property and equipment. If impaired, the related assets are written down to their estimated fair value.

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(k) Equity Method Investment:

The Company uses the equity method to account for its investment in an investee if the investment provides the ability to exercise significant influence, but not control, over operating and financial policies of the investee. The Company’s proportionate share of the net income or loss (net of income taxes) of the investee is included in consolidated net earnings.

Judgment regarding the level of influence over its equity method investment includes considering key factors such as the Company’s ownership interest, representation on the board of directors, participation in policy-making decisions and material intercompany transactions. The Company evaluates its equity method investment for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the investment might not be recoverable. Factors considered by the Company when reviewing its equity method investment for impairment include the length of time (duration) and the extent (severity) to which the fair value of the equity method investment has been less than cost, the investee’s financial condition and future prospects, and the intent and ability to hold the investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for anticipated recovery. An impairment that is other-than-temporary is recognized in the period identified.

(l) Revenue Recognition:

The Company recognizes revenues when the performance obligation is satisfied, which is the point where control of the promised goods or services is transferred to its customers, in an amount that reflects the consideration the Company expects to be entitled to receive in exchange for those goods or services. For the majority of the Company’s customer arrangements, control transfers to customers at a point-in-time when goods have been delivered, as that is generally when legal title, physical possession and risks and rewards of goods/services transfers to the customer. The timing of satisfaction of the performance obligation is not subject to significant judgment due to the simultaneous nature of the Company’s customer arrangements (same day creation and fulfillment). After the completion of its performance obligations, the Company has an unconditional right of payment from customers with varying collection and payment terms based on region, credit risk, and other situational factors. Customer receivables are included on the consolidated balance sheets less an allowance for doubtful accounts. The Company has elected the practical expedient permitting it to disregard financing components which may be deemed to be part of its transaction price as its customary payments terms are less than one year. See Note 13 “Business Segments” for the disaggregation of net sales for each of our business segments.

(m) Insurance:

The Company’s insurance for employee-related health care benefits, workers’ compensation, and general liability is provided through high-deductible or self-insured programs. The Company accrues for employee-related health care costs utilizing a claims reserve methodology and prepays insurance carriers for all workers’ compensation and general liability coverage as part of its insurance program. The Company accrues for employee-related health care claims based upon a reserve analysis for claims incurred, but not reported, utilizing the Company’s historical claims experience rate, plus specific reserves for large claims. The reserves associated with the exposure to these liabilities are reviewed by management for adequacy at the end of each reporting period. The Company has issued letters of credit to insurance carriers as part of its loss control program totaling $2.4 million and $0.5 million as of September 2024 and September 2023, respectively.

(n) Income Taxes:

The Company uses the asset and liability method to calculate deferred income taxes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized on temporary differences between financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates. The effect of tax rate changes on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in income during the period that includes the enactment date. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when we do not consider it more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will be realized.

(o) Share-Based Compensation:

The Company recognizes expense for its share-based compensation based on the fair value of the awards that are granted. The fair value of stock options are estimated at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. Option

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pricing methods require the input of highly subjective assumptions, including the expected stock price volatility. The fair value of restricted stock units and restricted stock awards is based on the period ending closing price of the Company’s common stock. Measured compensation cost is recognized ratably over the vesting period of the related share-based compensation award and is reflected in our Consolidated Statement of Operations under “Selling, general and administrative expenses.”

(p) Customer Sales Incentives:

The Company provides consideration to customers, such as sales allowances or discounts on a regular basis. In accordance with ASC 606, the Company estimates customer sales incentives due as sales are made and records them as a reduction of net sales.

(q) Excise Taxes:

Under ASC 606, the Company is primarily responsible for excise taxes levied on cigarette and other tobacco products and presents excise taxes as a component of revenue.

(r) Contract Costs:

Under ASC 606, the Company expenses as incurred any incremental costs to obtain and fulfill customer contracts as the related amortization period would be one year or less.

(s) Per-share Results:

Basic earnings or loss per share data are based on the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during each period. Diluted earnings or loss per share data are based on the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding and the effect of all dilutive potential common shares including stock options, restricted stock units and restricted stock awards.

(t) Use of Estimates:

The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

(u) Fair Value Measurements:

The Company’s financial assets and liabilities are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis. The carrying amount of trade accounts receivable, other receivables, accounts payable and other accrued liabilities approximates fair value because of the short maturity of these financial instruments. The carrying amount of the Company’s variable and fixed rate debt also approximates fair value.

(v) Mandatorily Redeemable Non-Controlling Interest:

Mandatorily redeemable non-controlling interest (“MRNCI”) recorded on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets represents the fair value of the non-controlling interest in the Company’s strategic investment in Team Sledd. The Company has elected to present the MRNCI liability at fair value under ASC 825 – Financial Instruments (“ASC 825”) as it believes this best represents the potential future liability and cash flows. The Company calculates the estimated fair value of the MRNCI based on a discounted cash flow valuation technique using the best information available at the reporting date, and records changes in the fair value of the MRNCI as a component of other expense (income) in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The Company estimates the probability and timing of future redemptions and earnings of Team Sledd based on management’s knowledge and assumptions of certain events as of each reporting date,

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including the timing of any future redemptions and an appropriate discount rate. The MRNCI is classified as Level 3 because of the Company’s reliance on unobservable assumptions.

(w) Contingent Consideration:

Contingent consideration recorded on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets represents the fair value of a portion of the consideration paid in the acquisition of Burklund Distributors, Inc. (“Burklund”) (see Note 2). In accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) ASC 805 – Business Combinations (“ASC 805”), the Company recorded the contingent consideration at fair value as of the acquisition date and re-measures the liability at each reporting period. The Company calculates the estimated fair value of the contingent consideration based on a discounted cash flow valuation technique using the best information available at the reporting date, and records changes in the fair value of the contingent consideration in selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations. The short-term and long-term portions of the contingent consideration are recorded in accrued expenses and other long-term liabilities, respectively, on the consolidated balance sheets. At each reporting date, the Company reviews certain inputs, including sales thresholds and an appropriate discount rate, based on management’s knowledge and assumptions of certain events. The contingent consideration liability is classified as Level 3 because of the Company’s reliance on unobservable assumptions.

(x) Business Combinations:

The acquisition method of accounting for business combinations under ASC 805 requires management to use significant estimates and assumptions, including fair value estimates, as of the business combination date and to refine those estimates as necessary during the measurement period (defined as the period, not to exceed one year, in which the Company is allowed to adjust the provisional amounts recognized for a business combination).

(y) Accounting Pronouncements:

Accounting Pronouncements Adopted

In June 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-13, “Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments”, which introduces a forward-looking approach, based on expected losses, to estimate credit losses on certain types of financial instruments, including trade receivables. The estimate of expected credit losses requires entities to incorporate considerations of historical information, current information and reasonable and supportable forecasts. This ASU also expands the disclosure requirements to enable users of financial statements to understand the entity’s assumptions, models and methods for estimating expected credit losses. The Company adopted ASU 2016-13 on October 1, 2023. The adoption of ASU 2016-13 did not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Amcon Distributing Co DIT US Equity

DIT · 10-K · period ended 2024-09-30

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

ITEM 1C. CYBERSECURITY

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

ITEM 6. [RESERVED]

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

Amcon Distributing Co DIT US Equity☆

DIT · 10-K · period ended 2024-09-30

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

ITEM 1C. CYBERSECURITY

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

ITEM 6. [RESERVED]

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

Amcon Distributing Co DIT US Equity