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.
20
Table of Contents
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.
21
Table of Contents
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.
22
Table of Contents
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
23
Table of Contents
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.
24
Table of Contents
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:
25
Table of Contents
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
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. All claims activity and any related reserves are evaluated at the end of each
26
Table of Contents
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
27
Table of Contents
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.
28
Table of Contents
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:
29
Table of Contents
● risks associated with opening new retail stores,
30
Table of Contents
● 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.
31
Table of Contents
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
32
Table of Contents
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.
33
Table of Contents
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
34
Table of Contents
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.
35
Table of Contents
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.
36
Table of Contents
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.
37
Table of Contents
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.
38
Table of Contents
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.
(c) Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation:
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
39
Table of Contents
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.
40
Table of Contents
(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.
41
Table of Contents
(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
42
Table of Contents
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,
43
Table of Contents
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
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,
44
Table of Contents
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.
2. ACQUISITIONS
Burklund Distributors, Inc.
On April 5, 2024, the Company acquired substantially all of the net operating assets of Burklund, a wholesale distributor to convenience stores operating in Illinois, Missouri, Indiana and Iowa, for approximately $20.9 million, consisting of $15.4 million in cash, a $3.9 million promissory note payable in quarterly installments over five years at an annual rate of 5.75%, and additional contingent consideration with an acquisition date fair value of $1.6 million. Pursuant to the transaction, contingent consideration of up to $3.0 million in cash could be payable in two installments on the one-year and two-year anniversaries of the acquisition date based on certain sales thresholds. The short-term and long-term portions of the contingent consideration are recorded in accrued expenses and other long-term liabilities, respectively, on the condensed consolidated balance sheets and are re-measured to fair value at each reporting period. The periodic change in fair value is recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses on the condensed consolidated statements of operations. In addition, the Company also assumed certain operating liabilities totaling approximately $0.3 million. The cash portion of the transaction was funded with borrowings from the Company’s existing bank group. Costs to effectuate the acquisition were not significant and were expensed as incurred. The acquisition of Burklund aligns with the Company’s long-term growth strategy by expanding its regional footprint and will provide customers with an enhanced range of products and services over time.
Richmond Master Distributors, Inc.
On June 21, 2024, the Company acquired substantially all of the net operating assets of Richmond Master, a wholesale distributor to convenience stores operating in Illinois, Indiana and Michigan, for approximately $6.6 million in cash. In connection with the transaction, the Company assumed certain operating liabilities totaling approximately $0.6 million, including approximately $0.5 million of operating leases. The transaction was funded with borrowings from the Company’s existing bank group. Costs to effectuate the acquisition were not significant and were expensed as incurred. The acquisition of Richmond Master provides access to new markets and improved service capability for accounts in our existing service area.
For the two transactions described above, the Company paid consideration in the forms of cash, debt and contingent consideration for the net acquired assets and their related values as of the respective acquisition dates, measured in accordance with ASC 805. In valuing any potential identifiable intangible assets, the Company estimated the fair value using a discounted cash flows methodology with the assistance of an independent valuation advisor. Inputs and projections used to measure the fair value as of the acquisition dates included, but were not limited to, sales growth, gross profit estimates, economic and industry conditions, working capital requirements and various other operational considerations. As a result of the valuation process, no value was assigned to any identifiable intangible assets and no value was assigned to goodwill in either transaction. Burklund and Richmond Master will both be reported as part of the Company’s Wholesale Segment.
The consideration paid for each transaction is as follows:
Richmond
Burklund Master Total
Contingent consideration at fair value 1,578,444 — 1,578,444
45
Table of Contents
The following purchase price allocations reflect the amounts of identifiable assets and liabilities assumed for each transaction:
Richmond
Burklund Master Total
Operating lease right-of use assets — 506,356 506,356
Goodwill — — —
Accounts receivable were recorded at their fair values representing the amounts we expect to collect, which also approximated the gross contractual values of such receivables at the respective acquisition dates. The transactions did not result in the acquisition of any identifiable intangible assets, nor did they result in any goodwill.
The following table sets forth the unaudited supplemental financial data for Burklund and Richmond Master from the respective acquisition dates through September 2024, which are included in the Company’s consolidated results for fiscal 2024.
Richmond
Burklund Master Total
Henry’s Foods, Inc.
On February 3, 2023, the Company, through its wholly owned subsidiary, LOL Foods, Inc., paid approximately $54.9 million in cash to acquire substantially all of the operating assets of Henry’s, a wholesale distributor to convenience stores and other retail formats operating in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, and Wisconsin. In connection with the transaction, the Company also assumed certain operating liabilities totaling approximately $1.2 million, including approximately $0.2 million of operating leases. The transaction was funded with borrowings from the Company’s existing bank group. Costs to effectuate the acquisition were not significant and were expensed as incurred. Strategically, the acquisition expands the Company’s footprint in the North Central portion of the United States and enhances the product and service offerings available to its customer base.
The Company paid cash consideration for the net acquired assets and their related values as of the acquisition date, measured in accordance with FASB ASC 805. In valuing identifiable intangible assets, the Company has estimated the fair value using the discounted cash flows methodology with the assistance of an independent valuation advisor. Inputs and projections used to measure the fair value as of the acquisition date included, but were not limited to, sales growth, gross profit estimates, royalty and customer retention rates, economic and industry conditions, working capital requirements and various other operational considerations. Henry’s is being reported as a component of the Company’s Wholesale Segment.
46
Table of Contents
The following purchase price allocation reflects the amounts of identifiable assets and liabilities assumed:
Prepaid and other assets 400,964
Other intangible assets 3,607,000
Total identifiable net assets $ 54,364,928
Total identifiable net assets $ 54,364,928
Accounts receivable were recorded at their fair value representing the amount we expect to collect, which also approximated the gross contractual values of such receivables at the acquisition date. Goodwill totaling approximately $0.5 million arose from the acquisition and primarily represents synergies and economies of scale generated through reductions in selling, general, and administrative expenses. This goodwill has been assigned to the Company’s Wholesale Segment and is expected to be deductible for tax purposes.
Other intangible assets acquired consisted of the following:
Acquisition-Date Useful Life
Other Intangible Asset Fair Value (Years)
Non-competition agreement 95,000 5
The following table sets forth the unaudited supplemental financial data for Henry’s from the acquisition date through September 2023, which is included in the Company’s consolidated results for fiscal 2023.
Net income available to common shareholders $ 2,448,853
The following table presents unaudited supplemental pro forma financial information assuming the Company acquired Burklund, Richmond Master and Henry’s on October 1, 2022, in addition to holding a 76% interest in Team Sledd on October 1, 2022. These pro forma amounts do not purport to be indicative of the actual results that would have been obtained had the acquisitions occurred at that time.
For the year endedSeptember 2024 For the year ended September 2023
47
Table of Contents
3. EARNINGS PER SHARE:
Basic earnings per share available to common shareholders is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for each period. Diluted earnings per share available to common shareholders is calculated by dividing income from operations by the sum of the weighted average number of common shares outstanding and the weighted average dilutive equity awards.
For Fiscal Years
Basic Basic
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding 599,020 584,148
Net earnings per share available to common shareholders $ 7.24 $ 19.85
For Fiscal Years
Diluted Diluted
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding 599,020 584,148
Weighted average number of shares outstanding 606,782 595,850
Net earnings per share available to common shareholders $ 7.15 $ 19.46
4. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET:
Property and equipment at September 2024 and September 2023 consisted of the following:
During fiscal 2024 and fiscal 2023, respectively, the Company capitalized approximately $0.9 million and $0.8 million of interest on funds borrowed to finance certain capital expenditures. Capitalized interest is recorded as part of an asset’s cost and will be depreciated over the asset’s useful life.
48
Table of Contents
5. LEASES:
The Company’s Wholesale Segment leases certain warehouse facilities, office space, vehicles and office equipment. The Company’s Retail Segment leases store space in various shopping center complexes and certain office space. Certain of the warehouse and retail store leases include one or more options to renew or terminate the applicable lease agreement, with the exercise of such options at the Company’s discretion. The Company’s leases do not contain any significant residual value guarantees nor do they impose any significant restrictions or covenants other than those customarily found in similar types of leases.
The operating ROU lease assets and liabilities recorded on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets consist of fixed lease payments. Leases with an initial term of twelve months or less are not recorded on the consolidated balance sheets and are expensed on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Additionally, certain leases contain variable payments such as vehicle leases with per-mile charges or retail leases with an additional rent payment based on store performance. These variable payments are expensed as incurred. The Company combines lease components and non-lease components for all asset classes for purposes of recognizing lease assets and liabilities. The Company determines its incremental borrowing rates based on information available at the lease commencement date in calculating the present value of lease payments. The Company reviews its ROU lease assets for indicators of impairment in the same manner as its other property and equipment as described in Note 1.
Leases consist of the following:
Assets Classification September 2024 September 2023
Liabilities
Current:
Non-current:
The components of lease costs were as follows:
Maturities of lease liabilities as of September 2024 were as follows:
Operating Leases
Total lease payments 29,887,746
Less: interest (4,080,994)
Present value of lease liabilities $ 25,806,752
49
Table of Contents
Weighted-average remaining lease term and weighted-average discount rate information regarding the Company’s leases were as follows:
Weighted-average remaining lease term (years):
Operating 5.0 5.2
Discount Rate
Weighted-average discount rate:
Other information regarding the Company’s leases were as follows:
Operating cash flows used by operating leases $ 7,997,795 $ 7,642,556
Lease liabilities arising from obtaining new ROU assets:
6. GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS:
Goodwill at September 2024 and September 2023 was as follows: