GRDN · Read the filing

Item 1A. Risk Factors.

Investing in our Class A common stock involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described below, together with all of the other information in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and the other documents that we file with the SEC from time to time, including our consolidated financial statements and related notes, before deciding whether to invest in our Class A common stock. Any of the following risks could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects. In that event, the market price of our Class A common stock could decline, and you could lose part or all of your investment.

Risks Related to Our Business

Intense competition may erode our profit margins.

The business of providing pharmacy services to LTCF residents is highly competitive, and we face competition from multiple sources. There are national, regional and local institutional pharmacies, as well as numerous local retail pharmacies, that provide pharmaceutical dispensing services comparable to those that we offer. Many of these pharmacies have strong relationships with the LTCFs they serve and their residents. In addition, some of our competitors have greater financial resources than we do and may be more established in the markets they serve than we are, making our ability to compete more difficult. Some of our larger competitors have indicated that they plan to focus more on the ALF market, which could further increase the competition we face. Consolidation within the long-term care pharmacy industry may also lead to increased competition. We compete on the basis of the services we offer as well as price. To attract new and retain existing LTCFs and residents, we must continually meet service expectations of LTCFs and residents. There can be no assurance that we will continue to remain competitive, which would cause our business and operating results to suffer. Competitive pricing pressures may adversely affect our earnings and cash flow. If we cannot compete effectively, our business and operating results would be materially and adversely affected.

In addition, LTCF residents have the ability to choose among pharmacy providers. Certain states have a “freedom of choice” requirement as part of their state Medicaid programs or in separate legislation that enable a resident to select his/her provider. These laws may prevent LTCFs from requiring their residents to purchase pharmacy services or pharmaceuticals from particular providers that have a supplier relationship with the LTCF. Such “freedom of choice” requirements increase the competition we face in providing services to LTCF residents. The ability of a resident to select the pharmacy that supplies him or her with prescription drugs could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations because there can be no assurance that such resident will select us as a provider.

Our prescription volumes may decline, and our operating results may be negatively impacted, if products are withdrawn from the market or if increased safety risk profiles of specific drugs result in utilization decreases.

If the volumes of dispensed pharmaceuticals from our pharmacies decline, our business and operating results would suffer. When increased safety risk profiles of specific drugs or classes of drugs result in utilization decreases, physicians may cease writing or reduce the numbers of prescriptions written for these drugs. Additionally, negative press regarding drugs with higher safety risk profiles may result in reduced resident demand for such drugs.

Unexpected safety or efficacy concerns with respect to pharmaceuticals can also lead to product recalls or withdrawals. In cases where there are no acceptable prescription drug equivalents or alternatives for these recalled or withdrawn pharmaceuticals, our volumes of dispensed pharmaceuticals and our operating results may decline.

Table of Contents

If we lose relationships with one or more pharmaceutical wholesalers or key manufacturers, or if such wholesalers or manufacturers refuse to extend our relationships on the same or similar terms, our business and financial results could be materially and adversely affected.

We maintain contractual relationships with pharmaceutical wholesalers and manufacturers that provide us with, among other things, discounts for drugs we purchase to be dispensed from our pharmacies. Our contracts with pharmaceutical wholesalers and manufacturers often provide us with, among other things, discounts on drugs we purchase and rebates and service fees. Our contracts with pharmaceutical wholesalers and manufacturers generally are terminable on relatively short notice by either party and we have limited contractual protections with them. If any of these contractual relationships are terminated, materially altered, or renewed on terms that are less favorable to us, our business and operating results could be materially adversely affected.

Our operating results may suffer if we fail to maintain certain relationships and contracts with LTCFs we serve.

We have a number of contracts with companies that own or operate numerous LTCFs. If we are not able to maintain these relationships and contracts or are only able to maintain them on less favorable terms than those currently in place, our ability to provide our services to residents of those LTCFs would be materially impacted and our operating results could suffer. Our agreements with SNFs generally range from one to three years in duration and typically renew automatically for subsequent renewal terms. The SNF contracts can be terminated by either party generally upon 60 days’ notice. Our relationships with ALFs and BHFs are generally memorialized in written agreements between Guardian and the owner of the respective community that designate Guardian as the “preferred provider” of that community owner. Unlike a SNF contract where virtually all of the residents in the skilled facility would be served by us, the ALF and BHF contract does not automatically grant us the right to serve those residents. Instead, our sales team must market our pharmacy services to the individual residents in that community, each of whom has the right to choose their pharmacy provider. These contracts generally range from one to three years in duration and typically renew automatically for subsequent renewal terms. These contracts can be terminated by either party generally upon 30 days’ notice. There can be no assurance that these parties will not terminate all or a portion of their contracts with us.

We also provide direct and indirect services to LTCFs, and our failure to provide services at optimal quality may impair our relationship with these LTCFs and could result in losing access to residents in these LTCFs.

The COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacted LTCFs and harmed our business. Another similar public health crisis, outbreak of infectious disease or national emergency could also have a negative impact on our business.

The COVID-19 pandemic caused disruptions to our business and operational plans. Among other effects, the pandemic impacted our labor supply and marketing efforts. In addition, due to the older average age of LTCF residents and prevalence of chronic medical conditions affecting their demographics, LTCFs and their residents were disproportionately impacted by COVID-19, all of which resulted in a significant disruption in demand for senior living communities and a corresponding decrease in demand for our pharmacy services. We recognize that our business may continue to be susceptible to the impact of another public health crisis, outbreak of infectious disease or national emergency including, without limitation, a global pandemic on the scale of COVID-19, which adversely affected economies and financial markets worldwide, and adversely affected our business and financial condition. We could experience disruptions to our operations as a result of any such public health crisis, outbreak of infectious disease or national emergency, and our business and operations may be negatively impacted.

Table of Contents

The impact of ongoing healthcare reform efforts on our business cannot accurately be predicted, and continuing government and private efforts to lower pharmaceutical costs, including by capping the prices for certain drugs and by limiting reimbursements, may adversely impact our profitability, results of operations and financial condition.

The healthcare industry in the United States is subject to fundamental changes due to ongoing federal and state healthcare reform efforts and related political, economic, and regulatory influences, including those from the recent change in presidential administration. Notably, the Affordable Care Act resulted in expanded healthcare coverage and has resulted in significant changes to the United States healthcare system. The Affordable Care Act outlines certain reductions for Medicare reimbursed services, which may affect skilled nursing, home health, hospice, and outpatient therapy services, as well as certain other changes to Medicare payment methodologies. In addition, there have been legislative initiatives with respect to pharmaceutical pricing practices, and we could be adversely affected by the impact of such legislation and the continuing efforts of government and private health plan payors to lower pharmaceutical costs. For example, the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 contains several provisions that could have the effect of reducing the prices we can charge and the reimbursement we receive for the drugs we dispense, thereby reducing our profitability, and could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations. These provisions include the establishment of a Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program, which requires the government to negotiate and set a “maximum fair price” for select high-expenditure drugs covered under Medicare Part D (starting in 2026) and Part B (starting in 2028), and the implementation of changes to Medicare Part D benefits designed to limit patient out-of-pocket drug costs and shift program liabilities from patients to other stakeholders, including health plans, manufacturers and the government. These comprehensive healthcare reform efforts have resulted and will likely continue to result in extensive rulemaking and policy decisions by regulatory authorities, and applicable legislation and regulations may be altered, amended, repealed, or replaced. Moreover, there have been legal and political challenges to the Affordable Care Act and the Inflation Reduction Act since their passage and there may be future challenges. Additionally, the new presidential administration has signed numerous executive orders, including some overturning those of the prior administration aimed at researching alternative payment and delivery models to lower prescription drug costs. Therefore, it is difficult to predict the full impact of the Affordable Care Act, the Inflation Reduction Act, or other healthcare reform efforts, including new executive orders, due to the complexity of the law and implementing regulations, as well our inability to foresee how CMS and other participants in the healthcare industry will respond to the choices available to them under the law. The provisions of the legislation and other regulations implementing the Affordable Care Act, the Inflation Reduction Act, any amended or replacement legislation, or other healthcare reform efforts may increase our costs, materially and adversely affect our revenues and profitability, expose us to expanded liability, or require us to significantly alter the ways in which we conduct our business.

In addition, to reduce pharmaceutical costs, health plan payors may seek to lower reimbursement rates, limit the scope of covered services and negotiate reduced or capped pricing arrangements. Given the significant competition in the industry, we have limited bargaining power to counter health plan payor demands for reduced reimbursement rates. If we, or other entities acting on our behalf, are unable to negotiate for acceptable reimbursement rates, our profitability, results of operations and financial condition could be adversely affected.

In response to rising prescription drug prices, health plan payors may also demand that we satisfy certain quality metrics, enhanced service levels or cost efficiencies to help mitigate the increase in pharmaceutical costs. Our inability or failure to meet health plan payor imposed quality metrics, service requirements or cost efficiencies could adversely impact a health plan payor’s willingness to engage us or could result in payor-specific audits and recoupments.

We cannot assure you that reimbursement payments under governmental and private health plan payor programs will remain at levels comparable to present levels or will be sufficient to cover the costs allocable to LTCF residents eligible for reimbursement under these programs. Any changes that lower reimbursement rates under Medicare, Medicaid or private payor programs could result in a substantial reduction in our revenues. Our

Table of Contents

operating results may be adversely affected due to deterioration in reimbursement, changes in payor mix and growth in operating expenses in excess of increases, if any, in payments by health plan payors. We also anticipate that federal and state governments will continue to review and assess alternate pharmaceutical delivery systems, payment methodologies and operational requirements for pharmaceutical providers, including LTCFs and pharmacies.

In addition, CMS and other governmental agencies have advocated for the creation of a national average acquisition cost benchmark, which states may use to set pharmacy payment rates. Formulary fee programs have been the subject of debate in federal and state legislatures and various other public and governmental forums. If these benchmarks and programs were adopted, our operating results could be materially adversely affected.

Over the long term, funding for federal and state healthcare programs may be impacted by the aging of the population, the growth in enrollees as eligibility is potentially expanded, the escalation in drug costs owing to higher drug utilization among seniors, the impact of the Medicare Part D benefit for seniors, the introduction of new, more efficacious but also more expensive medications and the long-term financing of the Medicare program. We are unable to predict the impact on our business of any changes in healthcare policy relating to the future funding of the Medicare and Medicaid programs, including any stance the new presidential administration may take on such funding. Further, Medicare, Medicaid and private health plan payor rates for pharmaceutical products and supplies may change from current methodologies and present levels. Any future healthcare legislation or regulation impacting these reimbursement rates may materially and adversely affect our business.

If we fail to comply with Medicare and Medicaid regulations, we may be subjected to reduction in reimbursement, overpayment demands, or loss of eligibility to participate in these programs.

The Medicare and Medicaid programs are highly regulated. These programs are also subject to changes in regulations and guidance. If we fail to comply with applicable reimbursement laws and regulations, reimbursement under these programs and participation in these programs could be adversely affected. Federal or state governments may also impose other sanctions on us for failure to comply with the applicable reimbursement regulations, including but not limited to recovering an overpayment. Failure to comply with these or future laws and regulations could result in our inability to provide pharmacy services to LTCF residents or to participate in these payor programs. In addition, CMS mandates certain rules and service capabilities to qualify for participation as a Part D NLTCP provider. If we were to lose our right to participate as a NLTCP, our business and operating results could be materially adversely affected.

Further modifications to the Medicare Part D program may reduce revenue and impose additional costs to the industry.

The Medicare Prescription Drug Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003, included a major expansion of the Medicare program with the addition of a prescription drug benefit under the Medicare Part D program. The continued impact of these regulations depends upon a variety of factors, including our ongoing relationships with the Part D Plans (as defined below) and the resident mix of the LTCFs we serve.

We cannot predict how future modifications to the Medicare Part D program, including through new legislation, may reduce revenue and impose additional costs to the industry, which could materially adversely affect our operating results. We cannot assure you that any changes to Medicare Part D and the regulations promulgated under Medicare Part D will not have a material adverse effect on our business.

Further consolidation of managed care organizations and other health plan payors, and changes in the terms of our agreements with these parties, may adversely affect our profits.

Managed care organizations and other health plan payors have seemingly continued to consolidate in order to enhance their ability to influence the delivery and cost structure of healthcare services. Consequently, the

Table of Contents

healthcare needs of a large percentage of the U.S. population are increasingly served by a smaller number of managed care organizations. If this consolidation continues, we could face additional pricing and service pressures from these organizations, which are increasingly demanding discounted fee structures. To the extent these organizations engage our competitors as a preferred or exclusive provider, demand discounted fee structures or limit the residents eligible for our services, our liquidity and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.

In addition, a portion of our health plan payor reimbursements derive from our participation in the MHA Managed Care Network (“MHA”). In the event that we were to have a contractual dispute with MHA or fail to renew our agreement upon acceptable terms, our reimbursements may decrease. We also participate in the MHA group purchasing organization (“GPO”), for purposes of drug purchasing. In the event that our relationship were to suffer with MHA under either the network participation agreement or the MHA GPO agreement, our reimbursements could be further impacted and our business and operating results could be adversely affected.

We are highly dependent on our senior management team, our local pharmacy management teams and our pharmacy professionals and the loss of such persons could cause our business to suffer and materially adversely affect our operating results.

Our business is managed by a small number of senior management personnel, the loss of which could cause our business to suffer and materially adversely affect our operating results. There is a limited pool of senior management personnel with significant experience in our industry. Accordingly, if we are unable to retain members of our current management team, we could experience significant difficulty in replacing key management personnel and our business could be materially and adversely affected. Moreover, any newly-hired members of our senior management team would need time to fully assess and understand our business and operations. We can offer no assurance as to how long our senior management will choose to remain with us.

In addition, our business model of empowering our local pharmacy management teams with significant autonomy makes us highly dependent on the local pharmacy’s ability to effectively manage and develop relationships with the LTCFs that they serve. If we experience substantial turnover in our local pharmacy management teams and these persons are not replaced by individuals with comparable skills, experience and industry knowledge, our business and operating results could be materially adversely impacted.

Further, our success depends on our ability to attract and retain pharmacists and other pharmacy professionals. Competition for qualified pharmacists and other pharmacy professionals is intense. The loss of pharmacy personnel or the inability to attract or retain sufficient numbers of qualified pharmacy professionals could materially adversely affect our business. Our inability to meet our staffing requirements for pharmacists and other pharmacy professionals in the future could have a material adverse effect on our business and operating results.

Continued inflation and increases in labor costs may reduce our profitability.

We are currently experiencing inflationary pressures on our operating costs. Among other things, competition for labor is becoming more acute and we expect our labor costs to increase as a result. We expect that as we rebound from labor shortages and our staffing levels increase, we will also experience a corresponding increase to our labor costs. Because labor costs are and will continue to be a major component of our operating expenses, higher labor costs, whether as a result of increased wages or increased staffing levels, could reduce our profitability and gross margins.

In addition, we have experienced increased costs for supplies, and rising fuel costs have resulted in increased costs for the transportation of drugs. We generally are not able to sufficiently raise our pricing to offset these increased costs. Continuing increased costs and prolonged inflation could materially and adversely affect our business, operating results and profitability.

Table of Contents

Government efforts to combat inflation, along with other interest rate pressures arising from an inflationary economic environment, could lead to us to incur even higher interest rates and financing costs and may reduce our profitability.

Inflation has risen on a global basis, the United States has been experiencing historically high levels of inflation, and government entities have taken various actions to combat inflation, such as raising interest rate benchmarks. Government entities may continue their efforts, or implement additional efforts, to combat inflation, which could include among other things continuing to raise interest rate benchmarks and/or maintaining interest rate benchmarks at elevated levels. Such government efforts, along with other interest rate pressures arising from an inflationary economic environment, could lead to us to incur even higher interest rates and financing costs and have material adverse effect on our business, operating results and profitability.

Labor shortages could harm our ability to implement our growth strategy.

Our success and our ability to grow our business depends in large part on our ability to attract and retain employees. We have experienced labor shortages in the past, including as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic which negatively affected the labor market for employers. During the ongoing recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, labor shortages have also impaired our ability to attract, hire and re-hire employees. To the extent we are unable to hire and retain a sufficient number of employees, our business and growth could be adversely affected. Additionally, labor shortages or labor disruptions experienced by our third-party contractors and subcontractors could disrupt our operations, increase our costs and adversely affect our profitability.

If we or the LTCFs we serve fail to comply with state licensure requirements, we could be prevented from providing pharmacy services or be required to make significant changes to our operations.

Our pharmacies must be licensed by the state boards of pharmacy in the states in which they operate. States also regulate out-of-state pharmacies that fill prescriptions for residents in their states. The failure to obtain or renew any required regulatory approvals or licenses could adversely impact the operation of our business. In addition, the LTCFs we service are also subject to extensive federal, state and local regulations, including a requirement to be licensed in the states in which they operate. A negative action on our licenses or the failure by the LTCFs we service to obtain or renew any required licenses could result in our inability to provide pharmacy services to these LTCFs and their residents and could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and liquidity.

Complex and rapidly evolving laws and regulations could cause us to make significant changes to our operations or incur substantial costs or penalties.

As a participant in the healthcare industry in the United States, we are subject to numerous federal and state regulations. Further, there are various political, economic and regulatory influences that are placing our industry under intense scrutiny and which seek to implement fundamental changes. We cannot predict which reform proposals, if any, will be adopted, when they may be adopted, or what impact they may have on us. Any changes to the current regulatory and legal paradigm, including as may be advanced by the new presidential administration, could increase the overall regulatory burden and costs associated with our business and materially adversely affect our business and operating results. If we fail to comply with existing or future applicable laws and regulations, we could suffer civil or criminal penalties, including the loss of our licenses to operate our pharmacies and our ability to participate in federal and state healthcare programs. The DEA, FDA and various state regulatory authorities have broad enforcement powers, including the ability to seize or recall products and impose significant criminal, civil and administrative sanctions for violations of these laws and regulations. As a consequence of the severe penalties we could face, we must devote significant operational and managerial resources to complying with these laws and regulations. Different legal interpretations and enforcement policies could subject our current practices to allegations of noncompliance or illegality, or could require us to make significant changes to our operations. In addition, we cannot predict the impact of future legislation and

Table of Contents

regulatory changes on our business or assure that we will be able to obtain or maintain the regulatory approvals required to operate our business. The costs associated with complying with federal and state laws and regulations could be significant and the failure to comply with any such legal requirements could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and liquidity.

If we fail to comply with fraud and abuse laws, false claims provisions or other applicable laws, we may need to curtail operations, and could be subject to significant penalties.

We are subject to federal and state fraud and abuse laws that prohibit payments intended to induce or encourage the referral of patients to, or the recommendation of, a particular provider of items or services. Violation of these laws can result in loss of licensure, civil and criminal penalties, damages and exclusion from the Medicaid, Medicare and other federal healthcare programs. The OIG and U.S. Department of Justice (“DOJ”) have, from time to time, established national enforcement initiatives, targeting all providers of a particular type, that focus on specific billing practices or other suspected areas of abuse. Under the qui tam or “whistleblower” provisions of the federal and various state false claims acts, private citizens may bring lawsuits alleging that a violation of the AKS or similar laws has resulted in the submission of “false” claims to federal and/or state healthcare programs, including Medicare and Medicaid. Since the private plaintiff in this type of proceeding is generally entitled to share in any damages a court orders the defendant to pay to federal and state governments under these laws, financial incentives exist for individuals to allege that particular practices or activities constitute a violation of these statutes. A determination that we have violated these laws, or the initiation of lawsuits alleging violations of these laws, could adversely affect our business and financial condition.

As part of our ongoing operations, we are subject to various inspections, audits, inquiries, investigations and similar actions by third parties, as well as governmental/regulatory authorities responsible for enforcing the laws and regulations to which we are subject. From time to time we are subject to whistleblower complaints. Federal and state government agencies have increased their focus on and coordination of civil and criminal efforts in the healthcare area, and the ACA and other legislation has expanded federal healthcare fraud enforcement authority. There can be no assurance that the ultimate resolution of any such claims, inquiries or investigations, individually or in the aggregate, will not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flows. Moreover, we cannot predict our future costs associated with compliance with such laws.

Federal and state privacy and security regulations may increase our cost of operations and expose us to civil and criminal sanctions, damages, and penalties.

In the ordinary course of our business, we process, store and transmit data, which may include sensitive personal information of the residents we serve. We must comply with extensive federal and state requirements regarding the use, transmission and maintenance of PHI under HIPAA and HITECH, which expanded certain sections of HIPAA, including imposing certain liability on business associates, for example, with respect to impermissible uses and disclosures of PHI and Security Rule obligations, strengthening enforcement activities, and increasing penalties for violations. The requirements of federal and state privacy and security laws such as HIPAA and HITECH are complicated and are subject to interpretation and modification. In addition to HIPAA and HITECH, we must adhere to state privacy laws, including those that provide greater privacy protection for individuals than HIPAA. Failure to comply with HIPAA and HITECH or similar state equivalent laws could subject us to loss of customers, denial of the right to conduct business, civil damages, fines, criminal penalties, class action or other litigation, and other enforcement actions.

In addition, there are numerous federal and state laws and regulations addressing patient and consumer privacy concerns, including unauthorized access or theft of personal information. State statutes and regulations vary from state to state and could impose additional penalties. Violations of these, or other applicable federal or state laws or regulations could subject us to significant criminal or civil penalties, including significant monetary penalties, and class action or other litigation. There are costs and administrative burdens associated with ongoing compliance with HIPAA’s Privacy and Security Rules, as well as HITECH and state equivalents, and other

Table of Contents

applicable federal and state regulations. Failure to comply carries with it the risk of significant penalties, damages, and sanctions. We cannot predict at this time the costs associated with compliance, or the impact of such laws and regulations on our results of operations, cash flows or financial condition. There can be no assurance that the cost of compliance with such laws and regulations will not increase significantly in the future, which could result in an adverse effect on our operations or profitability.

The increasing enforcement environment in the U.S. healthcare industry may negatively impact our business.

Federal and state government agencies have seemingly increased their focus on and coordination of civil and criminal enforcement efforts in the healthcare industry, and legislation has expanded federal healthcare enforcement authority. Both federal and state government agencies have appeared to increase their focus on and coordination of enforcement efforts in the healthcare industry, including under the AKS, the False Claims Act (“FCA”), the CMP Law, and corollary state enforcement schemes. The OIG and the DOJ have, from time to time, established national enforcement initiatives, targeting all providers of a particular type, that focus on specific billing practices or other suspected areas of abuse.

Our pharmacies are registered with the appropriate state and federal authorities pursuant to statutes governing the regulation of pharmaceuticals and controlled substances. The DEA increased scrutiny and enforcement of long-term care pharmacy practices under the federal Controlled Substances Act. We believe that this increased scrutiny and, in some cases, stringent interpretation of existing regulations, effectively changed long-standing practices for dispensing controlled substances in the long-term care facility setting. Heightened enforcement of controlled substances regulations could increase the overall regulatory burden and costs associated with our pharmacy services, and there can be no assurance that this heightened level of enforcement and DEA or other investigations, or any fines or other penalties resulting therefrom, will not materially adversely affect our results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.

Courts across the United States have provided interpretations, sometimes conflicting, of these laws. In the future, different interpretations or enforcement of these laws and regulations could subject our current or past practices to allegations of impropriety or illegality, or could require us to make changes in our facilities, equipment, personnel, services, capital expenditure programs and operating expenses. A determination that we have violated these laws, or the public announcement that we are being investigated for possible violations of these laws, could have a material adverse effect on our business, operations and financial condition and our reputation could suffer significantly. If we fail to comply with applicable laws and regulations, we could be subjected to liabilities, including criminal penalties, civil penalties (including the loss of our licenses to operate one or more of our pharmacies), damages, and exclusion of one or more of our pharmacies from participation in the Medicare, Medicaid and other federal healthcare programs. In addition, we are unable to predict future legislation or regulations at the federal or state level and what impact they may have.

Furthermore, the OIG and the U.S. Department of Justice have established national enforcement initiatives that may focus on specific billing practices or other suspected areas of fraud, waste, and abuse. In addition, under the federal FCA and state equivalents, the government and private parties, by qui tam complaints, continue to pursue enforcement activities, resulting in potentially increasing awards of damages and penalties. If we are unable to adjust to an increasingly enforcement-focused environment, it could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and liquidity.

Adverse results in material litigation matters or governmental inquiries could have a material adverse effect upon our business.

We may from time to time become subject in the ordinary course of business to material legal action related to, among other things, intellectual property disputes, professional liability and employee-related matters, as well as inquiries from governmental agencies and Medicare or Medicaid carriers requesting comment and information on allegations of billing irregularities and other matters that are brought to their attention through billing audits,

Table of Contents

third parties or other sources. The pharmaceutical industry is subject to substantial federal and state government regulation and audit. Legal actions could result in substantial monetary damages, including civil or criminal penalties, as well as damage to our reputation with customers, which could have a material adverse effect upon our financial condition and operating results.

Interruptions to our information systems may materially and adversely affect our operating results.

We rely on information systems to obtain, rapidly process, analyze, and manage data to facilitate the dispensing of prescription and non-prescription pharmaceuticals in accordance with physician orders and to deliver those medications to LTCF residents on a timely basis. We also use information systems to manage the accuracy of our billings and collections for thousands of LTCF residents and to process payments to suppliers.

In addition, we rely on computer and software systems owned and operated by third parties that we do not control. We depend on these third-party systems to be functioning and available to operate our business. It is possible that a third party that we rely on could experience interruptions, including as a result of a cybersecurity attack, data security breach or otherwise. These third-party providers also may decide to discontinue operating these systems.

Our business and operating results may be materially and adversely affected if any of these systems are interrupted for any reason (including cybersecurity threats or third-party provider failures), damaged or if they fail for an extended period of time. Significant disruptions to our infrastructure or any of our facilities due to failure of technology could adversely impact our business.

Our business success and results of operations depend in part on our ability to use technology effectively in our dispensing of prescriptions, and if we cannot keep pace with technological developments or continue to innovate and provide new programs, products and services, the use of our services and our revenue could decline.

To remain competitive, we must continually maintain and upgrade our technologies to meet the evolving preferences, needs and expectations of LTCFs and residents and to improve our productivity and reduce our operating expenses. We cannot predict the effect of technological changes on our business, and new services and technologies in the future could be superior to, or render obsolete, the technologies we currently use in our business. Incorporating new technologies into our products and services may require substantial expenditures and take considerable time, and ultimately may not be successful. In addition, our ability to adopt and develop new technologies may be inhibited by industry-wide standards, new laws and regulations and other factors. Our success will depend on our ability to develop new technologies and adapt to technological changes and evolving industry standards. We rely in part on third parties for the development of and access to new technologies, which may adversely impact our ability to integrate new technologies into our business. If we fail to effectively maintain and upgrade our technology, our ability to sustain and grow our business and our results of operations may be materially adversely affected.

Cybersecurity attacks or other data security incidents could disrupt our operations and expose us to regulatory fines or penalties, liability or reputational harm.

In the ordinary course of our business, we process, store and transmit data, which may include sensitive personal information as well as proprietary or confidential information relating to our business or third parties. We have been subject to a ransomware attack, and may in the future be subject to various cyber or ransomware attacks or data breaches. Although the ransomware attack we experienced did not have a material impact to our business, such future incidents could disrupt and materially adversely affect our business. A cybersecurity attack or other data security incident could result in the misappropriation of confidential or personal information, create system interruptions or deploy malicious software that attacks our information technology security systems. Such an attack or incident could result in business interruptions from the disruption of our information technology

Table of Contents

systems or those of our third-party information systems providers, or negative publicity resulting in reputational harm with our customers, stockholders and other stakeholders. In addition, the unauthorized dissemination of sensitive personal information or proprietary or confidential information could expose us to regulatory fines or penalties, litigation and potential liability or otherwise harm our business.

We could be adversely affected by product liability, product recall, personal injury or other health and safety issues, and our insurance coverage may not be adequate to protect us against all potential risks and claims against us.

Pharmacies are exposed to risks inherent in the packaging and distribution of pharmaceuticals. We could be adversely impacted by the supply of defective or expired pharmaceuticals, including the infiltration of counterfeit products into the supply chain, errors in labeling of products, product tampering, product recall and contamination or product mishandling issues. Through our pharmacies and compliance packaging services, we are also exposed to potential risk of errors in the dispensing and packaging of pharmaceuticals, including related counseling, and in the provision of other healthcare services could lead to serious injury or death. Product liability or personal injury claims may be asserted against us with respect to any of the products or pharmaceuticals we dispense or services we provide.

Although we maintain various forms and levels of insurance to protect us against potential loss exposures, our available insurance coverage, and indemnification amounts available to us, may not be adequate to protect us against all potential risks, allegations and claims against us. We cannot assure you that the scope of our insurance coverage, or limitations or exclusions on availability thereunder that may exist now or in the future, will protect us against all potential future claims, or that we will be able to maintain our existing insurance on acceptable terms in the future.

We could suffer significant reputational harm and financial liability if we experience any of the foregoing health and safety issues or incidents or if our insurance coverage proves to be inadequate, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business operations, financial condition and operating results.

Supply chain and other manufacturing disruptions or trade policies related to the pharmaceuticals we dispense could adversely impact our business.

We may be exposed to risks related to disruptions in the pharmaceutical supply chain, such as shortages of medications, recall events, or disruptions caused by manufacturing issues or regulatory actions. In addition, some of the pharmaceuticals that we dispense, or their sourced ingredients, are imported by others and then sold to us. As a result, significant changes in trade policies, tariffs or trade relations between the U.S. and other countries, such as the imposition of unilateral tariffs on imported products, could result in supply chain disruptions, significant increases in our costs, and have an adverse effect on our operating results and cash flows. Any of these events may impact our ability to procure and deliver medications to our residents, cause us to incur increased costs, and in turn, adversely impact our business and financial results.

Acquisitions and strategic alliances that we have made or may make in the future could require significant resources, may be unsuccessful and could expose us to unforeseen liabilities.

We have made and anticipate that we may continue to make acquisitions of and strategic alliances with complementary businesses to expand our business. At any particular time, we may be in various stages of assessment, discussion and negotiation with regard to one or more potential acquisitions or strategic alliances, which may or may not be completed. Our growth plans rely, in part, on the successful completion of future acquisitions. If we are unsuccessful, our business would suffer.

Acquisitions may involve significant cash expenditures, debt incurrence, operating losses, amortization of certain intangible assets of acquired companies, and expenses that could have a material adverse effect on our

Table of Contents

financial condition, results of operations and liquidity. Acquisitions involve numerous risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation:

• diversion of management’s time from existing operations;

• potential loss of key employees or customers of acquired companies;

• increases in our indebtedness.

Some of the pharmaceuticals we dispense are warehoused with a single logistics provider for warehouse and distribution services to our pharmacies, and our business could be harmed if our logistics provider performs poorly, fails to comply with its licensing requirements or is unavailable and we are unable to replace it.

Some of the pharmaceuticals we dispense are warehoused with one third-party logistics provider prior to receipt by the pharmacy. We depend on this provider’s warehousing services for efficient and cost effective delivery of a portion of our products to our pharmacies. Our logistics provider must hold appropriate licenses issued by state and federal regulators, especially due to its warehousing and distribution services of pharmaceuticals. If our logistics provider is not compliant with these licensing requirements, we could be subject to fines and penalties from governmental agencies, which could have a material adverse effect on our business and operating results. Additional risks associated with our relationship with our logistics provider include service interruptions or errors. In the event we lose these services or their services are ineffective and we are unable to transition efficiently and effectively to a new logistics provider, we could incur increased costs or experience a material disruption in our operations.

We may be exposed to potential liability and reputational harm if LTCF caregivers fail to properly administer the pharmaceuticals we dispense.

While we offer training sessions to inform LTCF caregivers about the proper administration of the pharmaceutical products we dispense, we cannot guarantee that the LTCFs and caregivers will utilize these training opportunities, or that the pharmaceuticals we dispense will be administered properly. The lack of required training for administration of the pharmaceutical products we dispense may result in product misuse, adverse treatment outcomes or errors in administration, which we might not anticipate and which could harm our reputation and expose us to potential liability and consequently harm our business and operating results.

The misuse or off-label use of the pharmaceuticals we dispense may harm our image in the marketplace, result in injuries that lead to product liability suits or result in costly investigations and sanctions by regulatory bodies if we are deemed to have engaged in the promotion of these uses, any of which could be costly to our business.

The pharmaceuticals we dispense have been approved by the FDA for specific indications. We cannot however, prevent a physician from prescribing pharmaceuticals for uses outside of the FDA-approved indications for use, known as “off-label uses,” when in the physician’s independent professional medical judgment he or she deems it appropriate. There may be increased risk of injury to LTCF residents if physicians attempt to use the pharmaceuticals off-label.

LTCF caregivers may also misuse pharmaceuticals that we dispense, ignore or disregard information provided in training or fail to obtain adequate training, potentially leading to injury and an increased risk of

Table of Contents

product liability. If pharmaceuticals that we dispense are misused, we may become subject to liability and costly litigation. It is also possible that federal or state enforcement authorities might take action if they consider our business activities to constitute promotion of an off-label use, which could result in significant penalties, including, but not limited to, criminal, civil and administrative penalties, damages, fines, disgorgement, exclusion from participation in government healthcare programs and the curtailment of our operations. Any of these events could significantly harm our business and operating results.

We may be exposed to potential liability and reputational harm if we make errors in the course of providing medication reconciliation, duplicate therapy resolution, clinical issue resolution and related services.

We provide full medication reconciliation, duplicate therapy resolution, clinical issue resolution and other services designed to help improve resident outcomes and reduce costs. In the course of these services, we review residents’ medication regimens, check for instances where multiple medications of the same therapeutic class have been prescribed to a single resident, which can result from a resident’s treatment by multiple physicians, and recommend corrective action where appropriate. These and other related services we offer are complex, and if and to the extent we make errors in the provision of these services, we may be subject to claims and potential liability, any of which could harm our reputation, operating results and financial condition.

Our future success depends upon our ability to maintain and manage our growth. If we are unable to manage our growth effectively, we may incur unexpected expenses and be unable to meet the demands of our customers and other constituents.

We aim to continue to expand the scope of our operations, both organically and through strategic acquisitions. Growth in our operations will place significant demands on our management, financial and other resources. We cannot be certain that our current systems, procedures, controls, and space will adequately support expansion of our operations, and we may be unable to expand or upgrade our systems or infrastructure to accommodate future growth. Our future operating results will depend on the ability of our management and key employees to successfully maintain our independence and corporate culture, preserve the effectiveness of our high-touch resident care model, manage changing business conditions and to implement and improve our technical, administrative, financial control and reporting systems. Our inability to finance future growth, manage future expansion or hire and retain the personnel needed to manage our business successfully could have a material adverse effect on our business and prospects.

Our revenues and volume trends may be adversely affected by certain factors relevant to the markets in which we have pharmacies, including weather conditions and other natural disasters, some of which may not be covered by insurance.

Our revenues and volume trends will be predicated on many factors, including physicians’ pharmaceutical decisions on patients (residents), health plan payor programs, seasonal and severe weather conditions including the effects of extreme low temperatures, hurricanes and tornadoes, earthquakes, current local economic and demographic changes, some of which may not be covered by insurance. Any of these factors could have a material adverse effect on our revenues and volume trends, and many of these factors will not be within the control of our management. These factors may also have an effect on the LTCFs we serve and their ability to continue to operate.

Risks Related to Ownership of Our Class A Common Stock

The Guardian Founders are able to exercise significant control over us, including through the election of all of our directors.

A group of our stockholders, consisting of Bindley Capital Partners I, LLC (“Bindley Capital”), Pharmacy Investors, LLC (“Pharmacy Investors”), Cardinal Equity Fund LP (“Cardinal” and, together with Pharmacy

Table of Contents

Investors, the “Cardinal Stockholders”), Fred Burke, David Morris and Kendall Forbes (collectively, the “Guardian Founders”) beneficially own shares of our common stock representing a majority of our combined voting power. Pursuant to the terms of the Stockholders’ Agreement, the Guardian Founders have the ability to elect all of the members of our board of directors and thereby control our management and affairs. In addition, the Guardian Founders are able to determine the outcome of substantially all matters requiring action by our stockholders, including amendments to our certificate of incorporation and bylaws, any proposed merger, consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of our assets and other corporate transactions even if such actions are not favored by our other stockholders. This concentration of ownership may also prevent a change in the composition of our board of directors or a change in control of our company that could deprive our stockholders of an opportunity to receive a premium for their Class A common stock as part of a sale of our company and might ultimately affect the market price of our Class A common stock.

We are a “controlled company” within the meaning of the corporate governance standards of NYSE. As a result, we qualify for exemptions from certain corporate governance standards and you do not have the same protections afforded to stockholders of companies that are subject to such requirements.

The Guardian Founders own more than 50% of the total voting power of our outstanding common stock and we are a “controlled company” under NYSE corporate governance standards. As a controlled company, we are not required by NYSE, for continued listing of our Class A common stock, to (i) have a majority of our board of directors consist of independent directors, (ii) maintain a nominating and governance committee that is composed entirely of independent directors with a written charter addressing the committee’s purpose and responsibilities or (iii) maintain a compensation committee that is composed entirely of independent directors with a written charter addressing the committee’s purpose and responsibilities. For so long as we qualify as a “controlled company,” we may rely on some or all of these exemptions from NYSE listing requirements. Accordingly, our stockholders do not have the same protections afforded to stockholders of companies that are subject to all of the NYSE corporate governance requirements and the ability of our independent directors to influence our business policies and affairs may be reduced. As a result, our status as a “controlled company” could make our Class A common stock less attractive to some investors or could otherwise harm our Class A common stock price.

Our future issuance of Class A common stock, Class B common stock, preferred stock or debt securities could dilute our common stockholders and adversely affect the market value of our Class A common stock.

The future issuance of shares of Class A common stock, Class B common stock, preferred stock or debt securities may dilute the economic and voting rights of our stockholders and reduce the market price of the Class A common stock. Preferred stock, if issued, could have a preference with respect to liquidating distributions or a preference with respect to dividend payments that could limit our ability to pay dividends to the holders of our Class A common stock and adversely affect the market price of the Class A common stock.

From time to time in the future, we may also issue additional shares of our Class A common stock or securities convertible into Class A common stock pursuant to a variety of transactions, including acquisitions. We also anticipate that we may issue shares of our Class B common stock as consideration in the buyout of minority owners in our future greenfield start-up pharmacies and future acquired pharmacies. The issuance by us of additional shares of our Class A common stock, Class B common stock or securities convertible into our Class A common stock would dilute your ownership of us and the sale of a significant amount of such shares in the public market could adversely affect prevailing market prices of our Class A common stock.

The market price of shares of our Class A common stock has experienced, and may in the future experience, substantial volatility.

As of March 15, 2025, we had outstanding 9,200,000 shares of our Class A common stock. As a company with a relatively limited public float, shares of our Class A common stock may experience greater stock price volatility, price run-ups, lower trading volumes, large spreads in bid and ask prices and less liquidity than companies with larger capitalizations. Such volatility, including any stock run-ups, may be unrelated to our

Table of Contents

actual or expected operating performance, results of operations, financial condition or prospects, making it difficult for prospective investors to assess the rapidly changing value of our Class A common stock.

In addition, if the trading volumes of our Class A common stock are low, persons buying or selling in relatively small quantities may easily influence the price of our Class A common stock. This low volume of trades could also cause the price of our Class A common stock to fluctuate greatly, with large percentage changes in price occurring in any particular trading day session. Holders of our Class A common stock may also not be able to readily liquidate their investment or may be forced to sell at depressed prices due to low volume trading. Broad market fluctuations and general economic and political conditions may also adversely affect the market price of our Class A common stock. As a result of this volatility, investors may experience losses on their investment in our Class A common stock. A decline in the market price of our Class A common stock could also adversely affect our ability to issue additional shares of Class A common stock or other of our securities and our ability to obtain additional financing in the future. No assurance can be given that an active market in our Class A common stock will develop or be sustained. If an active market does not develop, holders of our common stock may be unable to readily sell the shares they hold or may not be able to sell their shares at all.

The requirements of being a public company may strain our resources, divert management’s attention and affect our ability to attract and retain qualified board members.

As a public company, we are subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”) and NYSE rules, including those promulgated in response to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. These requirements have increased our legal and financial compliance costs, made some activities more difficult, time-consuming or costly and increased demand on our systems and resources. The Exchange Act requires, among other things, that we file annual, quarterly and current reports with respect to our business and financial condition. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires, among other things, that we maintain effective disclosure controls and procedures and internal controls for financial reporting. To maintain and improve the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures, we will need to commit significant resources, hire additional staff and provide additional management oversight. We have implemented additional procedures and processes for the purpose of addressing the standards and requirements applicable to public companies. In addition, sustaining our growth also will require us to commit additional management, operational and financial resources to identify new professionals to join our organization and to maintain appropriate operational and financial systems to adequately support expansion. These activities may divert management’s attention from other business concerns, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. We cannot assure you that management’s past experience will be sufficient to successfully develop and implement these systems, policies and procedures and to operate our company. Failure to do so could jeopardize our status as a public company, and the loss of such status could materially and adversely affect us and our stockholders.

We expect to incur significant additional annual expenses related to these steps associated with, among other things, director fees, reporting requirements, transfer agent fees, additional accounting, legal and administrative personnel, increased auditing and legal fees and similar expenses. We also expect that the new rules and regulations that we will be subject to as a result of being a public company will make it more expensive for us to obtain director and officer liability insurance, and we may be required to accept reduced coverage for such directors and officers. Any of these factors could make it more difficult for us to attract and retain qualified members of our board of directors.

Future sales, or the perception of future sales of Class A common stock, by us or our existing stockholders in the public market could cause the market price for our common stock to decline.

The sale of substantial amounts of shares of our Class A common stock in the public market, or the perception that such sales could occur, could harm the prevailing market price of shares of our Class A common stock. These sales, or the possibility that these sales may occur, also might make it more difficult for us to sell equity securities in the future at a time and at a price that we deem appropriate. As of December 31, 2024, we

Table of Contents

have outstanding approximately 54 million shares of Class B common stock, which shares are convertible into shares of Class A common stock on a one-to-one basis. The shares of Class B common stock are subject to certain transfer restrictions and conversion terms, including with respect to sales. These transfer restrictions will cease to apply as shares of Class B common stock automatically convert into shares of Class A common stock over the two year period following the IPO. In addition, our board of directors may accelerate the conversion of Class B common stock into Class A common stock at their discretion.

If we are unable to implement and maintain effective internal control over financial reporting in the future, investors may lose confidence in the accuracy and completeness of our financial reports and the market price of our Class A common stock may decline.

As a public company, we are required to maintain internal control over financial reporting and to report any material weaknesses in such internal controls. In addition, beginning with our second Annual Report on Form 10-K, we will be required to furnish a report by management on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting, pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. The process of designing, implementing, and testing the internal control over financial reporting required to comply with this obligation is time consuming, costly, and complicated. If we identify material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting, if we are unable to comply with the requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act in a timely manner, or if we are unable to assert that our internal control over financial reporting is effective, investors may lose confidence in the accuracy and completeness of our financial reports and the market price of our Class A common stock could decline, and we could also become subject to investigations by the stock exchange on which our Class A common stock is listed, the SEC, or other regulatory authorities, which could require additional financial and management resources.

Our limited operating history as a publicly-traded company, and our inexperience could materially and adversely affect us and our stockholders.

We completed our IPO in September 2024 and became a publicly-traded company. Our senior management team lacks experience in operating a public company. As a publicly-traded company, we are required to develop and implement substantial control systems, policies and procedures in order to satisfy our periodic SEC reporting and NYSE obligations. We cannot guarantee that management’s past experience will be sufficient to successfully develop and implement these systems, policies and procedures and to operate our company. Failure to do so could jeopardize our status as a public company, and the loss of such status may materially and adversely affect us and our stockholders.

While we currently qualify as an “emerging growth company” under the JOBS Act, taking advantage of the reduced disclosure requirements applicable to emerging growth companies could make our Class A common stock less attractive to investors. Once we lose emerging growth company status, the costs and demands placed upon our management are expected to increase.

The Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the “JOBS Act”) permits “emerging growth companies” like us to take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies. As long as we qualify as an emerging growth company, we would be permitted, and we intend to, omit the auditor’s attestation on internal control over financial reporting that would otherwise be required by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, as described above. We intend to take advantage of the extended transition period to comply with new or revised accounting standards applicable to public companies. We also intend to take advantage of the exemption provided under the JOBS Act from the requirements to submit say-on-pay,say-on-frequency and say-on-golden parachute votes to our stockholders and we will avail ourselves of reduced executive compensation disclosure that is already available to smaller reporting companies.

Table of Contents

“large accelerated filer” as defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act, which would occur on the last day of the relevant fiscal year if the market value of our common equity that is held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of the last business day of our most recently completed second fiscal quarter or (c) the date on which we have issued more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt securities during any three-year period.

Until such time that we lose “emerging growth company” status, it is unclear if investors will find our Class A common stock less attractive because we may rely on these exemptions. If some investors find our Class A common stock less attractive as a result, there may be a less active trading market for our Class A common stock and our stock price may be more volatile and could cause our stock price to decline.

We may lose emerging growth status within a relatively short period of time and as early as December 31, 2025, on account of our public float exceeding $700 million or our annual gross revenues exceeding $1.235 billion. Once we lose emerging growth company status, we expect the costs and demands placed upon our management to increase, as we would have to comply with additional disclosure and accounting requirements.

We do not intend to pay any cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future.

We do not expect to pay any dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future. Payments of future dividends, if any, will be at the discretion of our board of directors after taking into account various factors, including our business, operating results and financial condition, current and anticipated cash needs, plans for expansion and any legal or contractual limitations on our ability to pay dividends. As a result, capital appreciation in the price of our Class A common stock, if any, may be your only source of gain on an investment in our Class A common stock.

We are a holding company with no operations of its own and, accordingly, we depend on our subsidiaries for cash to fund our operations and expenses, including future dividend payments, if any.

We are a holding company and have no material assets other than our ownership of equity interests in our subsidiaries, including Guardian Pharmacy, LLC. As a holding company, we have no independent means of generating revenue, and our principal source of cash flow will be distributions from our direct and indirect subsidiaries. Therefore, our ability to fund and conduct our business, service our debt, and pay dividends, if any, in the future will depend on the ability of our subsidiaries to generate sufficient cash flow to make upstream cash distributions to us. Our subsidiaries are separate legal entities, and although they are wholly owned or majority owned and controlled by us, they have no obligation to make any funds available to us, whether in the form of loans, dividends, or otherwise. The ability of our subsidiaries to distribute cash to us will also be subject to, among other things, restrictions that may be contained in our subsidiary agreements (as entered into from time to time), availability of sufficient funds in such subsidiaries and applicable laws and regulatory restrictions. Claims of any creditors of our subsidiaries generally will have priority as to the assets of such subsidiaries over our claims and claims of our creditors and stockholders. To the extent the ability of our subsidiaries to distribute dividends or other payments to us is limited in any way, our ability to fund and conduct our business, pay our expenses, service our debt, and pay dividends, if any, could be harmed.

Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws and provisions of Delaware law may discourage or prevent certain strategic transactions, including a takeover of our company, even if such a transaction would be beneficial to our stockholders.

Provisions contained in our certificate of incorporation and bylaws and provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”), could delay or prevent a third party from entering into a strategic transaction with us, even if such a transaction would benefit our stockholders. For example, our certificate of incorporation and bylaws:

Table of Contents

• restrict the forum for certain litigation against us to Delaware; and

In addition, we are subject to the provisions of Section 203 of the DGCL which limits, subject to certain exceptions, the right of a corporation to engage in a business combination with a holder of 15% or more of the corporation’s outstanding voting securities, or certain affiliated persons.

These restrictions and provisions could keep us from pursuing relationships with strategic partners and from raising additional capital, which could impede our ability to expand our business and strengthen our competitive position.

Our certificate of incorporation designates the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware as the exclusive forum for certain litigation that may be initiated by our stockholders and the federal district courts of the United States as the exclusive forum for litigation arising under the Securities Act, which could limit our stockholders’ ability to obtain a favorable judicial forum for disputes with us or our directors, officers or employees.

Our certificate of incorporation provides that, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (or, if the Court of Chancery does not have jurisdiction, the federal district court for the District of Delaware) will be the sole and exclusive forum for (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on our behalf, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any of our directors, officers or other employees to us or our stockholders, (iii) any action asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL or our certificate of incorporation or bylaws (as either may be amended from time to time), or (iv) any action asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine.

Furthermore, our certificate of incorporation also provides that, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the federal district courts of the United States will be, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the sole and exclusive forum for any action asserting a claim arising under the Securities Act. However, Section 22 of the Securities Act creates concurrent jurisdiction for federal and state courts over all suits brought to enforce a duty or liability created by the Securities Act or the rules and regulations thereunder and accordingly, we cannot be certain that a court would enforce such provision. We believe this provision would not apply to any action or proceeding asserting a claim under the Exchange Act.

Our certificate of incorporation further provides that, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in shares of our capital stock will be deemed to have notice of, and consented to, the provisions of our certificate of incorporation described above. However, our stockholders will not be deemed to have waived our compliance with the federal securities laws and the rules and

Table of Contents

regulations thereunder. The forum selection provisions in our certificate of incorporation may have the effect of discouraging lawsuits against us or our directors, officers or employees and may limit our stockholders’ ability to obtain a favorable judicial forum for disputes with us or our directors, officers or employees, and may increase the costs associated with bringing a claim, which may disadvantage a stockholder in any such lawsuit. If the enforceability of our forum selection provision were to be challenged, we may incur additional costs associated with resolving such a challenge. While we currently have no basis to expect any such challenge would be successful, if a court were to find our forum selection provision to be inapplicable or unenforceable, we may incur additional costs associated with having to litigate in other jurisdictions, which could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations and result in a diversion of the time, resources and attention of our management.

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments.

None.

Table of Contents

Item 1C. Cybersecurity.

Risk Management and Strategy

We recognize the importance of identifying, assessing, and managing material risks associated with cybersecurity threats, which include, among other things, operational risks, intellectual property theft, fraud, extortion, harm to employees or patients, and violation of data privacy or security laws. We employ multiple levels of protection designed to minimize the risks associated with cybersecurity, ransomware and data breaches, including firewalls, data loss prevention, email filtering for ransomware, proactive threat-hunting, cloud-based backups, multifactor authentication, encryption software, intrusion testing and SIEM networking monitoring to ensure the integrity of our data and systems. In addition, we maintain recovery and other business continuity procedures.

Our cybersecurity risk management program is informed by prevailing security standards and is designed to provide a framework for evaluating and responding to cybersecurity risks. This includes processes for assessing the severity of a cybersecurity threat, identifying the source of a cybersecurity threat, implementing cybersecurity countermeasures and mitigation strategies, and informing and updating management and, as needed, the audit committee and our board of directors of cybersecurity incidents that may pose a significant risk for the business. Security events and data incidents are evaluated, ranked by severity, and prioritized for response and remediation. Incidents are evaluated to determine materiality, as well as operational and business impact, and reviewed for privacy impact.

We deploy technical safeguards that are designed to protect our information systems, products, operations and sensitive information from cybersecurity threats. These include including firewalls, data loss prevention, email filtering for ransomware, proactive thread-hunting, cloud-based backups, multifactor authentication, encryption software, intrusion testing and SIEM networking monitoring to ensure the integrity of our data and systems. In addition, we maintain recovery and other business continuity procedures, including cloud-based backups, electrical generators, critical systems housed at hardened data centers and geographic redundancy, intended to minimize disruptions to our operations in the event of disaster or other interruptions to our information systems. Our security events are logged to a central source and monitored by a third party security operations management provider.

We provide periodic training for all personnel regarding cybersecurity threats, with such training appropriate to the roles, responsibilities and access of the relevant Company personnel.

Recognizing the complexity and evolving nature of cybersecurity threats, incidents and risks, we engage third-party experts, including cybersecurity consultants, to evaluate and support our risk management systems. We also rely on software support from third-party vendors to assist with evaluating, monitoring, and testing our information technology systems. These relationships enable us to leverage specialized knowledge and insights, to help ensure our cybersecurity strategies and processes remain effective. Our collaboration with these third parties includes regular audits, routine system monitoring, threat assessments, incident response, and consultation on potential security enhancements. We require third-party service providers with access to personal, confidential, or proprietary information to implement and maintain comprehensive cybersecurity practices consistent with applicable legal standards and industry best practices.

As of the date of this Annual Report on Form

10-K,

we are not aware of any cybersecurity incidents that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect the Company, including our business strategy, results of operations, or financial condition. For further discussion of the risks associated with cybersecurity incidents, see “

Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business—Interruptions to our information systems may materially and adversely affect our operating results

” as well as “—

Cybersecurity attacks or other data security incidents could disrupt our operations and expose us to regulatory fines or penalties, liability or reputational harm.

”

Table of Contents

Governance

Our board of directors has overall oversight responsibility for our risk management, and delegates data protection and cybersecurity risk oversight to the audit committee. The audit committee receives regular briefings on cybersecurity risks and risk management practices, including, for example, recent developments in the external cybersecurity threat landscape, evolving standards, vulnerability assessments, third-party and independent reviews, technological trends, as well as how management is addressing or mitigating those risks. The audit committee may also promptly receive information regarding any material cybersecurity incident that may occur, including any ongoing updates regarding the same. The audit committee periodically discusses our approach to cybersecurity risk management with our VP of Technology & Senior Security Officer.

Our VP of Technology & Senior Security Officer is responsible for overseeing our cybersecurity risk management program. Our VP of Technology & Senior Security Officer has over 20 years of extensive experience in information technology and security, and works in coordination with other members of the management team.

Our VP of Technology & Senior Security Officer, along with leaders from our privacy and corporate compliance functions, collaborate to implement a program designed to manage our exposure to cybersecurity risks and to promptly respond to cybersecurity incidents. Response to incidents is delivered by multi-disciplinary teams in accordance with our incident response plan. Through ongoing communications with these teams during incidents, the VP of Technology & Senior Security Officer monitors the triage, mitigation and remediation of cybersecurity incidents, and reports such incidents to executive management, the audit committee and other colleagues in accordance with our cybersecurity policies and procedures, as appropriate.

Table of Contents

Item 2. Properties.

Our corporate headquarters occupy approximately 25,000 square feet in Atlanta, Georgia, under a lease that expires on October 31, 2030. We use this space for administration, sales, marketing, data analytics, and customer support. We have 59 additional leases in place for our local pharmacies, totaling approximately 700,000 square feet.

We also lease approximately 8,100 square feet at a third-party logistics provider’s warehouse in Vonore, Tennessee. We warehouse pharmaceuticals that we purchase from certain manufacturers at the leased space and contract with the third-party logistics provider for its distribution services.

Item 3. Legal Proceedings.

From time to time, we and our pharmacies are involved and will continue to be involved in various claims relating to, and arising out of, our business and our operations. We are not currently aware of any such proceedings or claims that we believe will have, individually or in the aggregate, a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.

Not applicable.

Information About Our Executive Officers.

Set forth below is certain information with respect to our executive officers as of March 15, 2025.

Fred Burke, age 75, has served as our President and Chief Executive Officer since our founding in 2004 and as a member of our board of directors since our incorporation in 2021. Prior to co-founding Guardian, Mr. Burke was a co-founder and president of two start-up companies in Atlanta, Georgia: Central Pharmacy Services, Inc. (“Central Pharmacy”), which was founded in 1992 and ultimately acquired by Cardinal Health, Inc. in 2001, and Sales Technologies, Inc., which was founded in 1983 and acquired by Dun & Bradstreet Corporation in 1989. Mr. Burke also previously served as a brand manager at Procter & Gamble, a consultant and engagement manager at McKinsey & Company, and as an officer in the United States Air Force, leading a combat communications unit. Mr. Burke received a B.S., Engineering from Mississippi State University, and an M.S., Industrial Management from the Krannert School of Management at Purdue University.

David Morris, age 61, has served as our Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since our founding in 2004 and as a member of our board of directors since our incorporation in 2021. Prior to co-founding Guardian, Mr. Morris served as Chief Financial Officer at Central Pharmacy from 1993 to 2001. Mr. Morris previously served as President of the PBM Division at Complete Health from 1991 to 1993 and served as a Certified Public Accountant at Ernst & Young LLP from 1985 to 1991. Mr. Morris received a B.S., Accounting from the University of Alabama.

Kendall Forbes, age 68, has served as our Executive Vice President of Sales & Operations since our founding in 2004. Prior to co-founding Guardian, Mr. Forbes was a co-founder and the Executive Vice President of Operations of Central Pharmacy from 1993 to July 2004. Mr. Forbes previously owned the Baton Rouge Central Pharmacy from 1985 to 1993 and served as a Pharmacy Manager at Nuclear Pharmacy, Inc., a predecessor of Syncor Nuclear Pharmacy, from 1982 to 1985. Mr. Forbes received a B.S. from the University of Louisiana Monroe School of Pharmacy and completed his graduate fellowship in Radiopharmacy at the University of New Mexico.

Table of Contents

PART II

Market Information

Our Class A common stock began trading on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) on September 26, 2024 under the ticker symbol “GRDN”. Prior to that, there was no public market for our common stock. Our Class B common stock is not publicly traded, but each outstanding share of our Class B common stock will automatically convert into one share of our Class A common stock over a two-year period commencing on September 27, 2024 pursuant to the terms of our certificate of incorporation. See Note 1 to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Stockholders

As of March 15, 2025, there were approximately 95 record holders of our Class A common stock and approximately 240 record holders of our Class B common stock. The actual number of stockholders of common stock is greater than this number of record holders and includes stockholders who are beneficial owners but whose shares are held in street name by brokers and other nominees. This number of holders of record also does not include stockholders whose shares may be held in trust by other entities.

Dividends

We do not currently intend to pay any cash dividends on our common stock. Any determination to declare dividends to holders of our common stock will be at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend on many factors, including our financial condition, results of operations, legal requirements, restrictions in the agreements governing any indebtedness we may enter into and other factors that our board of directors deems relevant.

Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities

None.

Use of Proceeds

On September 27, 2024, we completed our IPO in which we issued and sold 8,000,000 shares of Class A common stock at a public offering price of $14.00 per share. Also on September 27, 2024, the underwriters for the IPO exercised in full their overallotment option to purchase 1,200,000 additional shares of Class A common stock. Following such sales, we received net proceeds of $119.8 million after deducting underwriter discounts of $9.0 million. All shares sold were registered pursuant to the Company’s registration statement on Form S-1, as amended (Registration No. 333 274847) (the “Initial Registration Statement”) and the related registration statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-282344) filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act (the “462(b) Registration Statement” and, together with the Initial Registration Statement, the “Registration Statement”). The Initial Registration Statement was declared effective by the SEC on September 25, 2024, and the 462(b) Registration Statement became effective on September 26, 2024 upon filing with the SEC pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act. We used $55.2 million of the net proceeds from the IPO to fund the aggregate cash portion of the merger consideration payable in connection with the Corporate Reorganization and $20.0 million to repay certain borrowings on the line of credit under our existing credit facility. We intend to use the balance of the net proceeds for general corporate purposes and working capital. The representative of the underwriters for the IPO was Raymond James & Associates, Inc.

Table of Contents

Performance Graph

This performance graph shall not be deemed “soliciting material” or “filed” with the SEC for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act, and shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any of our filings under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act.

The graph below shows the cumulative total stockholder return on our Class A common stock between September 26, 2024 (the date that our Class A common stock commenced trading on the NYSE) through December 31, 2024 in comparison to the Russell 2000 Index and the S&P 500 Healthcare Index. The graph assumes that $100 was invested in each of our Class A common stock, the Russell 2000 Index and the S&P 500 Healthcare Index at their respective closing prices on September 26, 2024. The graph uses the closing market price on September 26, 2024 of $16.00 per share as the initial value of our Class A common stock. Data for the Russell 2000 Index and S&P 500 Healthcare Index assume reinvestment of dividends. The comparisons shown in the graph are not intended to forecast or be indicative of the future performance of our common stock.

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

None.

Item 6. Reserved.

Table of Contents

The following discussion analyzes our financial condition and results of operations and should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. This discussion contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. See “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements and Risk Factor Summary.” When reviewing the discussion below, you should keep in mind the substantial risks and uncertainties that characterize our business. Known material factors that could affect our financial performance and actual results, and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements included in this discussion or otherwise made by our management, are described in “Risk Factors.” Factors that could cause or contribute to such difference are not limited to those identified in “Risk Factors.”

A discussion regarding our financial condition and results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to the year ended December 31, 2023 is presented below. Our historical results are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for any future period.

Overview

We are a leading, highly differentiated pharmacy services company that provides an extensive suite of technology-enabled services designed to help residents of LTCFs adhere to their appropriate drug regimen, which in turn helps reduce the cost of care and improve clinical outcomes. We enter into contracts directly with LTCFs to serve as the principal pharmacy provider for their residents. In this capacity, we offer high-touch, individualized clinical, drug dispensing and administration capabilities that are tailored to serve the needs of residents in historically lower acuity LTCFs, such as ALFs and BHFs. Additionally, our robust capabilities enable us to serve residents in all types of LTCFs. Our services include prescription intake and adjudication management, packaging drugs into unit dose and/or multi-dose compliance packaging that are organized by date and time of administration, and electronically tracking each drug from delivery through administration to LTCF residents. We also offer training to caregivers and conduct mock audits to ensure compliance with pharmacy administration requirements, billing claims processing, government regulation and other matters. As of December 31, 2024, our 51 pharmacies served approximately 186,000 residents in approximately 7,000 LTCFs across 38 states.

While our national competitors have primarily focused on SNFs, we believe we enjoy a strong competitive position as a large and purpose-built provider of pharmacy services to ALFs and BHFs. More than two-thirds of our annual revenue for each of the past three years has been generated from residents of ALFs and BHFs, while the remainder has been generated primarily from residents of SNFs. LTCF industry trends, including aging demographics, increases in the number of assisted living residents, improving life expectancies and enhanced quality of care, have resulted in ALF and BHF resident populations that require assistance with their increasingly acute and complex healthcare needs. Through our value-added capabilities and local management model, we have been able to pass on to residents, LTCFs and health plan payors the benefits of our scale without compromising on the high-touch, localized customer service traditionally associated with an independent pharmacy. For this reason, we are well positioned to continue to serve ALFs and BHFs, which we believe to be the most attractive and highest growth sector of the LTCF market.

Our core growth strategy focuses on increasing the number of residents we serve through a combination of organic and acquired growth. Acquired growth represents growth in the number of residents served resulting from acquiring an operating pharmacy, which we measure using the number of residents served by the acquired pharmacy as of the acquisition date. Organic growth represents the increase in the number of residents served at existing pharmacies, our greenfield pharmacies, and acquired pharmacies subsequent to the acquisition date. We have generated organic growth through new and expanded LTCF relationships as well as increased resident adoption of our services in the facilities we already serve.

Table of Contents

Recent Developments

Corporate Reorganization

Prior to the IPO, we conducted our business through Guardian Pharmacy, LLC, and its majority-owned and wholly-owned limited liability company subsidiaries, which were treated for income tax purposes as partnerships and disregarded entities, respectively. Immediately prior to the IPO, we completed a series of corporate reorganization transactions (the “Corporate Reorganization”), pursuant to which:

As a result of the Corporate Reorganization, Guardian Pharmacy Services, Inc. became a holding company with no material assets other than its 100% interest in Guardian Pharmacy, LLC, and the Converted Subsidiaries became wholly-owned subsidiaries of Guardian Pharmacy, LLC. In addition, Guardian Pharmacy, LLC remained the majority owner of each of the Non-Converted Subsidiaries.

The Non-Converted Subsidiaries collectively own ten pharmacies that are (i) greenfield start-up pharmacies in various stages of development and integration with Guardian and do not currently have material operations or (ii) pharmacies that we recently acquired. After a period of time that would typically be sufficient to allow such pharmacies to adopt our operating practices and experience meaningful growth in residents served and earnings, we expect to acquire the minority membership interests of such Non-Converted Subsidiaries.

Initial Public Offering

On September 27, 2024, we consummated the IPO of 8,000,000 shares of our Class A common stock, as described in our final prospectus dated September 25, 2024, filed with the SEC on September 26, 2024 pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Prospectus”). Also on September 27, 2024, the underwriters for the IPO exercised in full their option to purchase an additional 1,200,000 shares of Class A common stock. The 9,200,000 shares were issued at a public offering price of $14.00 per share, resulting in net proceeds to us of $119.8 million, after deducting underwriting discounts of $9.0 million. In addition to the underwriting discounts, we incurred $13.0 million of offering costs, which were recorded to additional paid-in capital.

Factors Affecting the Comparability of Our Results of Operations

Our results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2024 and the year ended December 31, 2023 have been affected by the following, among other factors, which must be understood to assess the comparability of our period-to-period financial performance and condition.

Table of Contents

Acquisitions

Our growth strategy involves periodically acquiring institutional pharmacies servicing LTCFs and their residents as well as residents in other care settings. Our strategy includes the acquisition of freestanding institutional pharmacy businesses as well as other assets, generally less significant in size, which are combined with existing pharmacy operations to augment internal organic growth.

During the year ended December 31, 2024, we completed acquisitions of various pharmacy operations (the “Acquisitions”). The operating results of the Acquisitions were a contributing factor in certain changes in the results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to the year ended December 31, 2023. For comparative purposes, acquisition impacts are only considered for the 12 months following the acquisition date.

Share-Based Compensation (in connection with the Corporate Reorganization and IPO)

In connection with the Corporate Reorganization and IPO, Restricted Interest Unit awards associated with the Converted Subsidiaries and Guardian Pharmacy, LLC were converted into Common Units of Guardian Pharmacy, LLC, and the Common Units in Guardian Pharmacy, LLC were then converted into Class B common stock of the Company. This conversion of Restricted Interest Units was treated as a modification, requiring the units to be marked to fair value on the modification date, resulting in us recognizing $125.7 million of incremental share-based compensation expense during the year ended December 31, 2024. In addition, certain Restricted Interest Unit awards which converted into Class B common stock are subject to a one-year service period ending one year subsequent to the IPO closing date. The unamortized share-based compensation expense associated with these awards is $10.1 million as of December 31, 2024. Refer to Note 11 to our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further detail surrounding the Restricted Interest Units conversion.

Components of Results of Operations

Revenues. We recognize revenue at the time of delivery of prescriptions and other pharmacy services to the LTCF, at which time control has been transferred. Revenue recognized reflects the consideration we expect to receive in exchange for these goods and services.

Cost of goods sold. Cost of goods sold consists primarily of expenses associated with the fulfillment and delivery of the prescription. Cost of goods sold also includes associated pharmacy personnel-related expenses, including salaries and benefits, delivery charges and other supporting overhead costs (such as rent and depreciation and amortization of assets used in the fulfillment and delivery of the prescription).

Selling, general, and administrative expenses. Selling, general, and administrative expenses consist primarily of personnel-related expenses, including share-based compensation, salaries and benefits, for our employees at the pharmacies and support services engaged in other pharmacy related activities including sales and marketing, finance, legal, human resources, purchasing and other administrative functions. Selling, general, and administrative expenses also include facilities-related expenses, software expenses, sales and marketing expenses, insurance premiums, professional services expenses, including for outside legal and accounting services, other overhead costs, changes in the fair value of contingent payments related to acquisitions, depreciation related to long lived assets, and amortization of intangible assets.

Prior to the Corporate Reorganization and IPO, share-based compensation expense primarily represented non-cash recognition of changes in the value of Restricted Interest Unit awards. These awards contained a cash settlement feature and were accounted for as a liability in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). These units remained in place until they were (a) forfeited (which occurs when the employee leaves before the units are fully vested), (b) paid out (we purchase the units at a calculated value upon termination of employment) or (c) converted into shares as a result of a major capital event such as a sale or public offering. These units vest in their entirety on the third anniversary of their grant date. The value of the

Table of Contents

units is recognized ratably over the vesting period and is remeasured and reported at the end of each quarter based on the change in calculated value pursuant to our Restricted Interest Purchase Agreements. The primary inputs used to value the units include the accumulated vesting status of the issued units, the trailing four quarters of our adjusted earnings, inclusive of share-based compensation expense (income), and our outstanding capital and debt obligations as of the quarterly measurement date. The liability and corresponding expense are adjusted on a quarterly basis. Based on the number of participants and units outstanding, trailing earnings, forfeitures and other factors, we have experienced volatility in our share-based compensation liability. This calculation has in turn had a significant impact on our net income for the periods presented.

In connection with the Corporate Reorganization and IPO, all outstanding Restricted Interest Unit awards, other than those issued by Non-Converted Subsidiaries, were converted into shares of Class B common stock and are no longer considered a liability. As discussed above in the “—Factors Affecting the Comparability of Our Results of Operations—Share-Based Compensation (in connection with the Corporate Reorganization and IPO)”, this conversion resulted in significant incremental share-based compensation expense upon the IPO and additional expense related to the conversion will continue during the one-year period subsequent to the IPO.

Interest expense. Interest expense consists of interest on our long-term debt and line of credit under our Credit Facility and finance leases.

Other expense, net. Other expense, net consists primarily of gain (loss) on asset disposals.

Provision for income taxes. Provision for income taxes consists primarily of income taxes in certain jurisdictions in which we conduct business.

Results of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2023 and 2024

The following table sets forth our consolidated statements of operations data for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2024, respectively. The year-over-year comparison of results of operations is not necessarily indicative of results for future periods.

Year Ended December 31,

Other expenses:

Provision for income taxes — 4,556

Table of Contents

Year Ended December 31,

Less net income attributable to non-controlling interests (2) 13,818 16,254

Revenue

Year Ended December 31,

(in thousands)

Revenue for the year ended December 31, 2024 increased by $182.2 million or 17.4% compared to the year ended December 31, 2023. $55.1 million of the increase was attributable to revenue from the Acquisitions, with the remaining $127.1 million of the increase attributable to the organic growth of our business. Further, the increase was attributable to increases in the number of residents served from 163,000 residents during December 2023 to 186,000 residents during December 2024 and prescriptions dispensed from 22.2 million during the year ended December 31, 2023 to 25.1 million during the year ended December 31, 2024, as well as annual drug price inflation.

Cost of goods sold

Year Ended December 31, % Change

(in thousands)

Percentage of revenue 80.1 % 80.1 %

Cost of goods sold for the year ended December 31, 2024 increased by $146.2 million or 17.4% compared to the year ended December 31, 2023. $48.1 million of the increase was attributable to the Acquisitions, with the remaining $98.1 million of the increase attributable to the organic growth of our business. Cost of goods sold as a percentage of revenue was flat at 80.1% year over year.

Table of Contents

Selling, general, and administrative expenses

Year Ended December 31, % Change

(in thousands)

Percentage of revenue 16.0 % 25.0 %

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $139.9 million or 83.6% for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to the year ended December 31, 2023. The increase was primarily due to share-based compensation expense (income), which was $131.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to $(6.1) million for year ended December 31, 2023. Additionally, $21.8 million of the increase in selling, general, and administrative expenses was driven by an increase in average employee headcount, with $15.4 million resulting from organic growth and $6.4 million resulting from the Acquisitions. These increases were offset by recognition in 2023 of $23.5 million in non-recurring attorneys’ fees, settlements costs and other expenses associated with certain legal proceedings compared to $4.0 million in 2024. Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of revenue increased from 16.0% to 25.0% primarily as a result of the increases in share-based compensation expense described above.

Interest expense

Year Ended December 31, % Change

(in thousands)

Interest expense increased $0.4 million or 14.7% for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to the year ended December 31, 2023. The increase was primarily due to increased utilization of the Credit Facility (see “—Liquidity and Capital Resources” below), coupled with higher interest rates on the Company’s outstanding indebtedness.

Provision for income taxes

Year Ended December 31, % Change

(in thousands)

Provision for income taxes $ — $ 4,556 N/A

Income tax expense increased by $4.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to the year ended December 31, 2023. Prior to the IPO, we conducted our business through Guardian Pharmacy, LLC, and its majority-owned and wholly-owned limited liability company subsidiaries, which were treated for income tax purposes as partnerships and disregarded entities, respectively. As such, no income tax expense was recorded during the year ended December 31, 2023.

Adjusted EBITDA and Other Non-GAAP Financial Measures

To supplement the results presented in our consolidated financial statements in accordance with GAAP, we also present Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted SG&A, which are financial measures not based on any standardized methodology prescribed by GAAP.

Table of Contents

We define Adjusted EBITDA as net income (loss) before interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, as adjusted to exclude the impact of items and amounts that we view as not indicative of our core operating performance, including share-based compensation, acquisition accounting adjustments, certain legal and regulatory items, and IPO-related costs. We define Adjusted SG&A as GAAP selling, general, and administrative expenses adjusted to exclude the impact of share-based compensation, expenses relating to certain legal and regulatory items, and IPO-related costs. Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted SG&A do not have a definition under GAAP, and our definition of Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted SG&A may not be the same as, or comparable to, similarly titled measures used by other companies.

We use Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted SG&A to better understand and evaluate our core operating performance and trends. We believe that presenting Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted SG&A provides useful information to investors in understanding and evaluating our operating results, as it permits investors to view our core business performance using the same metrics that management uses to evaluate our performance.

There are a number of limitations related to the use of Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted SG&A rather than the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, including:

Because of these limitations, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted SG&A should not be considered in isolation from, or as a substitute for, financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP. You should consider Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted SG&A alongside other financial measures, including net income, GAAP selling, general, and administrative expense and our other financial results presented in accordance with GAAP.

A reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net income, and a reconciliation of Adjusted SG&A to GAAP selling, general, and administrative expense, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures, are set forth below.

Year Ended December 31,

Add:

Provision for income taxes — 4,556

Certain legal & other regulatory matters (2) 23,452 3,988

IPO-related costs (3) — 453

Table of Contents

Year Ended December 31,

Net income (loss) as a percentage of revenue 3.6 % (5.8 )%

Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of revenue 7.3 % 7.4 %

GAAP selling, general, and administrative expenses $ 167,364 $ 307,291

Subtract:

Certain legal & other regulatory matters (2) 23,452 3,988

IPO-related costs (3) — 453

Adjusted SG&A as a percentage of revenue 14.3 % 13.9 %

(3) Represents non-recurring costs associated with our IPO.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

We have historically financed our business and acquisitions primarily through cash from operations and borrowings under our Credit Facility and, more recently, sales of our Class A common stock in our IPO. We use cash in the ordinary course of our operations primarily for prescription drug acquisition costs, capital expenditures, and personnel costs. As of December 31, 2024, we had $4.7 million in cash and cash equivalents. Our cash primarily consists of demand deposits held with a large regional financial institution.

On May 13, 2024, we entered into the Sixth Amendment to the Third Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement (the “2024 Amendment”) to the existing credit facility with Regions Bank (the “Credit Facility”). The Credit Facility provides for term loans (the “Term Loan”) and a line of credit. The 2024 Amendment extended the maturity date of the Credit Facility from April 23, 2025 to April 23, 2027. The line of credit under the Credit Facility bears an interest rate equal to the one-month Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) plus an additional rate of 1.80% to 2.80% based on certain financial ratios maintained by the Company. Additionally, the 2024 Amendment added a new Term Loan of $15.0 million to the Credit Facility. The interest rate of the Term Loan bears an interest rate equal to the one-month SOFR plus an additional rate of 1.80% to 2.80% based on certain financial ratios maintained by the Company. The Term Loan is payable in quarterly installments of $1.4 million through March 31, 2027, with the remaining balance of the Term Loan due in a final lump sum payment at maturity on April 23, 2027. On December 9, 2024, the Term Loan was paid down in full. The total amount available under the line of credit as of December 31, 2024 is $40 million and we have the ability to increase our overall Credit Facility up to $75 million.

Table of Contents

As of December 31, 2024, we had no amounts of principal outstanding under the Term Loan and no amounts of borrowings outstanding under the line of credit.

In connection with the Corporate Reorganization and the IPO, Guardian Pharmacy, LLC and the Converted Subsidiaries made certain final distributions to their respective members relating to time periods ending before or upon the closing of the Corporate Reorganization. The total amount of such final distributions by Guardian Pharmacy, LLC and the Converted Subsidiaries to its members was $18.6 million. All of such distributions were made in ordinary course related to operating and tax distributions from cash available prior to the IPO.

We believe our existing cash and cash equivalents, expected cash from operations, and the amounts available under our Credit Facility will be sufficient to meet our working capital and capital expenditure needs over at least the next 12 months and for the foreseeable future, though we may require additional capital resources in the future.

Net Cash Flows

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2024, respectively, our net cash flows provided by / (used in) were as follows:

(in thousands) Year EndedDecember 31,

Operating Activities

Cash flows provided by operating activities consist of our net income (loss) principally adjusted for certain non-cash items, such as depreciation and amortization, provision for losses on accounts receivable, and share-based compensation expense (income). Cash flows used in operating activities consist primarily of changes in our operating assets and liabilities.

Net cash provided by operating activities for the years ended December 31, 2024 decreased by $12.9 million compared to the corresponding period in 2023. The decrease was primarily due to increases in receivables and inventories, and decreases to operating liabilities. primarily due to certain legal and regulatory matters accrued for in 2023 and paid for in 2024, offset by increases in accounts payable when compared to the corresponding period in 2023.

Investing Activities

Cash flows provided by investing activities consist primarily of proceeds from disposition of property and equipment. Cash flows used in investing activities consist primarily of capital expenditures relating to our new and existing pharmacy locations and payments related to acquisitions.

Net cash used in investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2024 increased by $17.0 million compared to the corresponding period in 2023. The increase was primarily due to increases in cash paid for the Acquisitions of $13.7 million and increases in purchases of property and equipment of $1.8 million compared to the corresponding period in 2023.

Table of Contents

Financing Activities

Cash flows provided by financing activities consist primarily of borrowings from the Term Loan (recorded as borrowings from notes payable) and the line of credit, and proceeds from the issuance and sale of shares of Class A common stock in connection with the IPO. Cash flows used in financing activities consist primarily of repayment of the Term Loan (recorded as repayment of notes payable) and the line of credit, and Merger Consideration payments to holders of Class B common stock. Prior to the Corporate Reorganization and IPO, cash flows used in financing activities included significant distributions to equity holders (inclusive of non-controlling interests) of Guardian Pharmacy, LLC, mostly consisting of distributions to fund tax liabilities and operational distributions, as well as return of capital.

Net cash used in financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2024 decreased by $33.6 million compared to the corresponding period in 2023. The decrease is primarily due to the net proceeds received from the IPO of $119.8 million and the 2024 Amendment resulting in $15.0 million being added to the Credit Facility, offset by the Merger Consideration payment to holders of Class B common stock of $55.2 million in connection with the Corporate Reorganization and IPO, a $14.0 million increase in net payments made on the line of credit, and $34.0 million increase in payments made on the Term loan when compared to the corresponding period in 2023.

Critical Accounting Estimates

We prepare our consolidated financial statements in accordance with GAAP. Preparing our consolidated financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses as well as related disclosures. Because these estimates and judgments may change from period to period, actual results could differ materially, which may negatively affect our financial condition or results of operations. We base our estimates and judgments on historical experience and various other assumptions that we consider reasonable, and we evaluate these estimates and judgments on an ongoing basis. We refer to such estimates and judgments, discussed further below, as critical accounting estimates.

Allowance for Credit Losses

We adopted Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 326, effective as of January 1, 2023, utilizing the modified retrospective method of adoption.

Collection of trade accounts receivable from customers is our primary source of operating cash flow and is critical to our operating performance and financial condition. The primary collection risk relates to facility and private pay customers, as billings to these customers can be complex and may lead to payment disputes or delays. We establish an allowance for trade accounts receivable considered to be at increased risk of becoming uncollectible to reduce the carrying value of such receivables to their estimated net realizable value.

When establishing this allowance for credit losses, we consider such factors as historical collection experience (i.e., payment history and credit losses) and creditworthiness, specifically identified credit risks, aging of accounts receivable, current and expected economic conditions, and other relevant factors. Using this information, the Company estimates future expected credit losses. The allowance for credit losses is regularly reviewed for appropriateness. Judgment is used to assess the collectability of account balances and the economic ability of customers to pay. At such time when a balance is definitively deemed to be uncollectible, the balance is written off against the allowance for credit losses.

Goodwill

Goodwill is the excess of the consideration transferred over the fair value of identifiable net assets acquired in business combinations accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting. We test our goodwill

Table of Contents

annually during the fourth quarter of the fiscal year or when events and circumstances indicate that impairment may have occurred and requires an impairment charge to be recognized based on the difference between the carrying amount of the reporting unit and its fair value up to the amount of goodwill assigned to the reporting unit. Impairment testing of goodwill is required at the reporting unit level (operating segment or one level below operating segment). Prior to performing the quantitative impairment test, we may make a qualitative assessment of the likelihood of goodwill impairment in order to determine whether a detailed quantitative analysis is required. Our annual impairment testing date is October 1.

Income Taxes

We account for income taxes under the asset and liability approach. Deferred tax assets or liabilities are determined based on the differences between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities as measured by the enacted tax rates as well as net operating losses and credit carryforwards, which will be in effect when these differences reverse. We provide a valuation allowance against net deferred tax assets when, based upon the available evidence, it is more likely than not that the deferred tax assets will not be realized.

We prepare and file tax returns based on interpretations of tax laws and regulations. Our tax returns are subject to examination by various taxing authorities in the normal course of business. Such examinations may result in future tax, interest and penalty assessments by these taxing authorities.

In determining our tax expense for financial reporting purposes, we establish a reserve when there are transactions, calculations, and tax filing positions for which the tax determination is uncertain, and it is more likely than not that such positions would not be sustained upon examinations.

We evaluate the need for tax reserve estimates periodically based on the changes in facts and circumstances, including any examinations by, and settlements with, varying taxing authorities, as well as changes in tax laws, regulations and interpretations. The consolidated tax expense of any given year is expected to include adjustments or other changes to the reserve and related estimated interest charges that are considered appropriate. Our policy is to recognize, when applicable, interest and penalties on uncertain income tax positions as part of income tax expense.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Refer to Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for accounting pronouncements adopted and recent accounting pronouncements not yet adopted as of the date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

JOBS Act Accounting Election

The JOBS Act permits emerging growth companies to take advantage of an extended transition period to comply with new or revised accounting standards applicable to public companies. We have elected to use the extended transition period for complying with certain new or revised accounting standards pursuant to Section 107(b) of the JOBS Act.

We could remain an “emerging growth company” for up to five years, or until the earliest of (a) the last day of the first fiscal year in which our annual gross revenues exceed $1.235 billion, (b) the date that we become a “large accelerated filer” as defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act, which would occur on the last day of the relevant fiscal year if the market value of our common equity that is held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of the last business day of our most recently completed second fiscal quarter or (c) the date on which we have issued more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt securities during any three-year period.

Table of Contents

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Interest Rate Risk

We are exposed to market risks in the ordinary course of our business. These risks primarily include interest rate sensitivities. We held cash and cash equivalents of $4.7 million as of December 31, 2024, which primarily consist of demand deposits held with financial institutions. Changes in interest rates affect the interest income we earn on our cash and cash equivalents and the fair value of our cash equivalents. Historical fluctuations in interest rates have not had a significant impact on our financial condition or results of operations, and a hypothetical 100 basis point increase or decrease in interest rates would not have a material impact on the value of our cash and cash equivalents or on our future financial condition or results of operations.

Table of Contents

Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB ID: 42) 69

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 75

Table of Contents

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Stockholders and the Board of Directors of Guardian Pharmacy Services, Inc.

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Guardian Pharmacy Services, Inc. and subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31, 2023 and 2024, the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in members’ equity and stockholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2024, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company at December 31, 2023 and 2024, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2024, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

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 the 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.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2016.

Atlanta

, Georgia

March 26, 2025

Table of Contents

GUARDIAN PHARMACY SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

December 31,

(In thousands, except share amounts) 2023 2024

Assets

Current assets:

Cash and cash equivalents $ 752 $ 4,660

Deferred tax assets — 5,272

Liabilities and equity

Current liabilities:

Line of credit 9,000 —

Notes payable, current portion 3,977 —

Operating leases, current portion 6,229 6,836

Notes payable, net of current portion 18,992 —

Operating leases, net of current portion 22,803 23,297

Commitments and contingencies (see Note 9)

Equity:

Additional paid-in capital — 125,484

Retained earnings — 17,124

See accompanying notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Table of Contents

GUARDIAN PHARMACY SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

Year Ended December 31,

(In thousands, except share and per share amounts) 2023 2024

Selling, general, and administrative expenses 167,364 307,291

Other expenses:

Provision for income taxes — 4,556

Less net income attributable to non-controlling interests 13,818 16,254

Net income (loss) per share of Class A and Class B common stock 1

Basic N/A $ (1.77 )

Diluted N/A $ (1.77 )

Weighted-average Class A and Class B common shares outstanding

See accompanying notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Table of Contents

GUARDIAN PHARMACY SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN MEMBERS’ EQUITY AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Net income prior to Corporate Reorganization 22,760 — — — — — — 16,350 39,110

Contributions prior to Corporate Reorganization — — — — — — — 2,107 2,107

Impacts of Corporate Reorganization and IPO

Share-based compensation forfeitures — — (7,074 ) — — (1 ) — — (1 )

Contributions subsequent to Corporate Reorganization — — — — — — — 651 651

Distributions subsequent to Corporate Reorganization — — — — — — — (184 ) (184 )

Table of Contents

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN MEMBERS’ EQUITY

Non-cash equity contribution — 225 225

See accompanying notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Table of Contents

GUARDIAN PHARMACY SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED

STATEMENTS

OF CASH FLOWS

Year Ended December 31,

Operating activities

Share-based compensation expense (income) (6,090 ) 131,490

Provision for losses on accounts receivable 5,070 6,370

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

Net cash provided by operating activities 70,819 57,960

Investing activities

Purchases of property and equipment (14,556 ) (16,368 )

Payment for acquisitions (985 ) (14,710 )

Net cash used in investing activities (13,441 ) (30,407 )

Financing activities

Proceeds from equity offering, net of underwriter fees — 119,784

Payments of equity offering costs — (4,157 )

Payments to Class B common stock stockholders — (55,176 )

Borrowings from notes payable — 15,000

Principal payments on finance lease obligations (3,893 ) (4,481 )

Deferred payments related to acquisitions (325 ) —

Contributions from non-controlling interests 889 2,758

Distributions to non-controlling interests (16,482 ) (14,463 )

Net cash used in financing activities (57,233 ) (23,645 )

Net change in cash and cash equivalents 145 3,908

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 607 752

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $ 752 $ 4,660

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information

Cash paid during the year for interest $ 2,783 $ 3,121

Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities

Purchases of property and equipment through finance leases $ 5,873 $ 3,529

Non-cash equity contributions from non-controlling members $ — $ 5,604

See accompanying notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Table of Contents

Guardian Pharmacy Services, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(In thousands, except for share and per share amounts)

1. Organization and Background

Business

Guardian Pharmacy Services, Inc. (the “Company”) is a leading, highly differentiated pharmacy services company that provides an extensive suite of technology-enabled services designed to help residents of long-term health care facilities (“LTCFs”) adhere to their appropriate drug regimen, which in turn helps reduce the cost of care and improve clinical outcomes. We emphasize high-touch, individualized clinical, drug dispensing and administration capabilities that are tailored to serve the needs of residents in historically lower acuity LTCFs, such as assisted living facilities, and behavioral health facilities and group homes. Additionally, our robust suite of capabilities enables us to serve residents in all types of LTCFs. We are a trusted partner to residents, LTCFs and health plan payors because we help reduce errors in drug administration, manage and ensure adherence to drug regimens, and lower overall healthcare costs.

All long-lived assets were held in the United States as of December 31, 2023 and 2024. All revenues were generated in the United States during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2024.

Organization

The Company was incorporated in the state of Delaware on November 16, 2021. The Company was formed for the purpose of completing an initial public offering (“IPO”) of its common stock and related corporate reorganization transactions in order to carry on, as a publicly traded entity, the business of Guardian Pharmacy, LLC, which was formed on July 21, 2003 as an Indiana limited liability company, as a publicly-traded entity.

Corporate Reorganization

Table of Contents

Guardian Pharmacy Services, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(In thousands, except for share and per share amounts)

As a result of the Corporate Reorganization, the Company became a holding company with no material assets other than its 100% interest in Guardian Pharmacy, LLC, and the Converted Subsidiaries became wholly-owned subsidiaries of Guardian Pharmacy, LLC. In addition, Guardian Pharmacy, LLC remained the majority owner of each of the

Non-Converted

Subsidiaries.

The

Non-Converted

Subsidiaries collectively own ten pharmacies that are (i) greenfield

start-up

pharmacies in various stages of development and integration with Guardian and do not currently have material operations or (ii) pharmacies that we recently acquired. After a period of time that would typically be sufficient to allow such pharmacies to adopt our operating practices and experience meaningful growth in residents served and earnings, we expect to acquire the minority membership interests of such

Non-Converted

Subsidiaries.

As a result of the Corporate Reorganization, the Company recorded deferred tax assets and liabilities attributable to the business of Guardian Pharmacy, LLC. In addition, the Company received tax basis for the $55,176 in cash payments related to the Merger Consideration, which are amortizable for tax purposes. To reflect this new taxability at the corporate level and the tax

step-up,

the Company recorded an incremental net deferred tax asset through additional

paid-in

capital of $5,973. See Note 14

Income Taxes

for further discussion.

Initial Public Offering

On September 27, 2024, the Company consummated its IPO of 8,000,000 shares of its Class A common stock, as described in the Company’s final prospectus dated September 25, 2024, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on September 26, 2024, pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Prospectus”). Also on September 27, 2024, the underwriters for the IPO exercised in full their option to purchase an additional 1,200,000 shares of Class A common stock. The 9,200,000 shares were issued at a public offering price of $14.00 per share, resulting in net proceeds to the Company of $119,784, after deducting underwriting discounts of $9,016. In addition to the underwriting discounts, the Company incurred $13,023 of offering costs, which were recorded to additional

paid-in

capital.

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Principles of consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and all controlled subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”). All intercompany transactions and accounts have been eliminated. Results of operations of the Company’s controlled subsidiaries have been included from the date of acquisition.

Basis of Presentation

The Consolidated Financial Statements are prepared in conformity with the generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”).

The Corporate Reorganization was accounted for as a combination of entities under common control. As a result, the financial reports filed with the SEC by the Company subsequent to the Corporate Reorganization are prepared “as if” Guardian Pharmacy, LLC is the accounting predecessor of the Company. The historical operations of Guardian Pharmacy, LLC are deemed to be those of the Company. Thus, the financial statements

Table of Contents

Guardian Pharmacy Services, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(In thousands, except for share and per share amounts)

included in this report reflect (i) the historical operating results of Guardian Pharmacy, LLC prior to the Corporate Reorganization; (ii) the consolidated results of the Company and Guardian Pharmacy, LLC following the Corporate Reorganization; (iii) the assets and liabilities of the Company and Guardian Pharmacy, LLC at their historical cost; and (iv) the Company’s equity structure for all periods presented. No

step-up

basis of intangible assets or goodwill was recorded.

Guardian Pharmacy, LLC has been determined to be our predecessor for accounting purposes and, accordingly, the consolidated financial statements for periods prior to the Corporate Reorganization have been adjusted to combine the previously separate entities for presentation purposes. The Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows effectively represent those of Guardian Pharmacy, LLC as of and for all periods presented.

Segment Reporting

During 2023, the Company modified its internal management reporting including the information regularly used by the chief operating decision maker (“CODM”) to assess performance and allocate resources. As a result, the Company

re-evaluated

its operating segment conclusions and determined that it has a single operating segment. Changes to the Company’s operating segment conclusions have no impact on historical consolidated results of operations, financial position, or cash flows. The Company will not be required to provide recast financial information as the Company previously aggregated operating segments into one reportable segment. See Note 12

Segments

for further information.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect amounts reported in the Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Fair Value

The Company utilizes the three-level valuation hierarchy for the recognition and disclosure of fair value measurements. The categorization of assets and liabilities within this hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the measurement of fair value. The three levels of the hierarchy consist of the following:

Financial instruments consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, accrued expenses, line of credit and notes payable. The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and accrued expenses approximate fair value due to the short maturity of these instruments. The Company estimates that the carrying amount of the line of credit and notes payable approximates fair value due to the fluctuation of their variable interest rates with market movement.

Table of Contents

Guardian Pharmacy Services, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(In thousands, except for share and per share amounts)

The following table summarizes the valuation of liabilities measured at

ir value on a recurring basis on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets:

Level 1 Level 2 Level 3

Liabilities:

Contingent consideration obligations(1) $ — $ — $ —

Fair value of financial instruments $ — $ — $ —

Liabilities:

Contingent consideration obligations(1) $ — $ — $ 2,700

Fair value of financial instruments $ — $ — $ 2,700

The following table provides a reconciliation of the activity for the Level 3 contingent consideration fair value measurements during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2024:

Current year acquisitions 2,700

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash consists primarily of demand deposits held with financial institutions. The Company considers all highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents for financial statement presentation.

Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivable consists primarily of amounts due from third

parti

es (e.g., pharmacy benefit managers, insurance companies, governmental agencies, and long-term care facilities) and private pay customers. Accounts receivable are stated at cost less an allowance for credit losses, the net of which approximates fair value.

Table of Contents

Guardian Pharmacy Services, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(In thousands, except for share and per share amounts)

Allowance for Credit Losses

Collection of accounts receivable from customers is the Company’s primary source of operating cash flow and is critical to the operating performance and the financial condition of the Company. The primary collection risk relates to amounts due from long-term care facilities and private pay customers, as billings to these customers can be complex and may lead to payment disputes or delays. The Company establishes an allowance for accounts receivable considered to be at increased risk of becoming uncollectible to reduce the carrying value of such receivables to their estimated net realizable value.

When establishing this allowance for credit losses, the Company considers such factors as historical collection experience (i.e., payment history and credit losses) and creditworthiness, specifically identified credit risks, aging of accounts receivable, current and expected economic conditions, and other relevant factors. The allowance for credit losses is regularly reviewed for appropriateness. Judgment is used to assess the collectability of account balances and the economic ability of customers to pay. At the time a balance is definitively deemed to be uncollectible, the balance is written off against the allowance for credit losses. The charges recorded for credit losses is reported within Selling, general and administrative expenses on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. As of December 31, 2023 and 2024, the allowance for credit losses was $6,171 and $8,868,

respectively.

The

table below outlines the activity for the allowance for credit losses for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2024:

Rebates

The Company receives rebates, discounts, and other price concessions relating to purchases from its suppliers and vendors. The Company estimates rebates earned and the associated receivable from pharmaceutical wholesalers and manufacturers, group purchasing organizations (“GPOs”) and vendors, based on estimates of the qualifying prescriptions dispensed or the key products purchased and sold. The receivables are recognized at the end of the period in the Consolidated Financial Statements within Accounts receivable and as a reduction to Cost of goods sold and Inventories as appropriate.

Inventories

Inventories consist primarily of purchased pharmaceuticals held for sale to customers. Inventories are recorded at the lower of cost

(first-in,

first-out

method) or net realizable value.

Physical inventory counts are taken quarterly and used to record the inventory balances on hand to ensure the amounts reflected in the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements are properly stated. Costs include the purchase price of pharmaceuticals, which is reduced for rebates earned associated with inventory remaining at the end of each period, and overhead. There is no significant obsolescence reserve recorded since the Company

GRDN US Equity

GRDN · 10-K · period ended 2024-12-31

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 6. Reserved.

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

GRDN US Equity☆

GRDN · 10-K · period ended 2024-12-31

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 6. Reserved.

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

GRDN US Equity