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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

(Mark One)

For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2020

or

For the transition period from to

Commission file number 000-04065

Lancaster Colony Corporation

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class Trading Symbol Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Stock, without par value LANC NASDAQ Global Select Market

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

None

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes ☐No☒

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes☒ No ☐

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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer ☒ Accelerated filer ☐

Non-accelerated filer ☐ Smaller reporting company ☐

Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. ☒

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined by Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes ☐ No ☒

The aggregate market value of Common Stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant computed by reference to the price at which such Common Stock was last sold as of December 31, 2019 was $3,003.0 million.

As of August 3, 2020, there were approximately 27,524,000 shares of Common Stock, without par value, outstanding.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the registrant’s definitive proxy statement to be filed for its November 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders are incorporated by reference into Part II and Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

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LANCASTER COLONY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

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PART I

Item 1. Business 3

Item 1A. Risk Factors 6

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments 13

Item 2. Properties 14

Item 3. Legal Proceedings 14

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures 14

PART II

Item 6. Selected Financial Data 17

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk 27

Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data 27

Item 9A. Controls and Procedures 59

Item 9B. Other Information 61

PART III

Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance 61

Item 11. Executive Compensation 61

Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services 61

PART IV

Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules 62

Signatures 63

Index to Exhibits 64

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PART I

Item 1. Business

GENERAL

Lancaster Colony Corporation, an Ohio corporation, is a manufacturer and marketer of specialty food products for the retail and foodservice channels. We began our operations in 1961 as a Delaware corporation. In 1992, we reincorporated as an Ohio corporation. Our principal executive offices are located at 380 Polaris Parkway, Suite 400, Westerville, Ohio 43082 and our telephone number is 614-224-7141.

As used in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and except as the context otherwise may require, the terms “we,” “us,” “our,” “registrant,” or “the Company” mean Lancaster Colony Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries, except where it is clear that the term only means the parent company. Unless otherwise noted, references to “year” pertain to our fiscal year which ends on June 30; for example, 2020 refers to fiscal 2020, which is the period from July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020.

Available Information

Our Internet website address is http://www.lancastercolony.com. Our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 are available free of charge through our website as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is electronically filed with, or furnished to, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). The information contained on our website or connected to it is not incorporated into this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

The SEC also maintains a website, http://www.sec.gov, that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC.

DESCRIPTION OF AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION ABOUT BUSINESS SEGMENTS

Our financial results are presented as two reportable segments: Retail and Foodservice. Costs that are directly attributable to either Retail or Foodservice are charged directly to the appropriate segment. Costs that are deemed to be indirect, excluding corporate expenses and other unusual significant transactions, are allocated to the two reportable segments using a reasonable methodology that is consistently applied. The financial information relating to our business segments for the three years ended June 30, 2020, 2019 and 2018 is included in Note 10 to the consolidated financial statements, and located in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Further description of each business segment within which we operate is provided below.

Retail Segment

The following table presents the primary Retail products we manufacture and sell under our brand names:

Products Brand Names

Frozen Breads

Frozen garlic breads New York BRAND Bakery

Frozen Parkerhouse style yeast rolls and dinner rolls Sister Schubert’s

Frozen mini stuffed bagels Bantam Bagels

Refrigerated Dressings, Dips and Other

Salad dressings Marzetti, Simply Dressed, Simply 60

Vegetable dips and fruit dips Marzetti

Flatbread wraps and pizza crusts Flatout

Sprouted grain bakery products Angelic Bakehouse

Shelf-Stable Dressings and Croutons

Salad dressings Marzetti, Tastefully Dressed, Cardini’s, Girard’s

Croutons and salad toppings New York BRAND Bakery, Chatham Village, Marzetti

We also manufacture and sell other shelf-stable products pursuant to brand license agreements including Olive Garden® dressings, Buffalo Wild Wings® sauces and Chick-fil-A® sauces. Additionally, a small portion of our Retail sales are products sold under private label to retailers.

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The vast majority of the products we sell in the Retail segment are sold through sales personnel, food brokers and distributors in the United States. We have placement of products in grocery produce departments through our refrigerated salad dressings, vegetable dips and fruit dips. Our flatbread products and sprouted grain bakery products are generally placed in the specialty bakery/deli section of the grocery store. We also have products typically marketed in the shelf-stable section of the grocery store, which include salad dressing, slaw dressing and croutons. Within the frozen food section of the grocery store, we sell yeast rolls, garlic breads and mini stuffed bagels.

Our top five Retail customers accounted for 56%, 56% and 55% of this segment’s total net sales in 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

We continue to rely upon our strong retail brands, innovation expertise, geographic and channel expansion and customer relationships for future growth. Our category-leading retail brands and commitment to new product development help drive increased consumer demand in our Retail segment. Strategic acquisitions are also part of our future growth plans, with a focus on fit and value.

Our quarterly Retail sales are affected by seasonal fluctuations, primarily in the fiscal second quarter and the Easter holiday season when sales of certain frozen retail products tend to be most pronounced. Our quarterly Retail sales can also be affected by the timing of seasonal shipments of certain fruit dips between the first and second quarters. The resulting impacts on working capital are not significant. We do not utilize any franchises or concessions. In addition to the owned and licensed trademarked brands discussed above, we also own and operate under innumerable other intellectual property rights, including patents, copyrights, formulas, proprietary trade secrets, technologies, know-how processes and other unregistered rights. We consider our owned and licensed intellectual property rights to be essential to our Retail business.

Foodservice Segment

The majority of our Foodservice sales are products sold under private label to restaurants. We also manufacture and sell various branded Foodservice products to distributors.

The following table presents the primary Foodservice products we manufacture and sell under our brand names:

Products Brand Names

Dressings and Sauces

Salad dressings Marzetti, Simply Dressed

Frozen Breads and Other

Frozen garlic breads New York BRAND Bakery

Frozen Parkerhouse style yeast rolls and dinner rolls Sister Schubert’s

Frozen pasta Marzetti Frozen Pasta

The vast majority of the products we sell in the Foodservice segment are sold through sales personnel, food brokers and distributors in the United States. Most of the products we sell in the Foodservice segment are custom-formulated and include salad dressings, sandwich and dipping sauces, frozen breads and yeast rolls. Finally, within this segment, we sell other roll products under a transitional co-packing arrangement resulting from the November 2018 acquisition of Omni Baking Company LLC.

Our top five Foodservice direct customers accounted for 59%, 59% and 64% of this segment’s total net sales in 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Within our Foodservice segment, typically our largest direct customers are distributors that distribute our products primarily to foodservice national chain restaurant accounts.

In the Foodservice segment, sales growth results from general volume gains or geographic expansion of our established customer base, and we also grow our business with existing and new customers by leveraging our culinary skills and experience to support the development of new products and menu offerings.

The operations of this segment are not affected to any material extent by seasonal fluctuations. We do not utilize any franchises or concessions. We own and operate under innumerable intellectual property rights, including patents, copyrights, formulas, proprietary trade secrets, technologies, know-how processes and other unregistered rights. We consider our owned intellectual property rights to be essential to our Foodservice business.

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NET SALES BY CLASS OF PRODUCTS

The following table sets forth business segment information with respect to the percentage of net sales contributed by each class of similar products that account for at least 10% of our consolidated net sales in any year from 2018 through 2020:

Retail Segment:

Refrigerated dressings, dips and other 16% 17% 18%

Shelf-stable dressings and croutons 16% 13% 14%

Foodservice Segment:

Dressings and sauces 33% 36% 35%

Frozen breads and other 12% 13% 12%

Net sales attributable to Walmart Inc. (“Walmart”) totaled 18%, 17% and 17% of consolidated net sales for 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Net sales attributable to McLane Company, Inc. (“McLane”), a wholesale distribution subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., totaled 13%, 15% and 15% of consolidated net sales for 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. McLane is a large, national distributor that sells and distributes our products to several of our foodservice national chain restaurant accounts, principally in the quick service, fast casual and casual dining channels. In general, these national chain restaurants have direct relationships with us for culinary research and development, menu development and production needs, but choose to buy our products through McLane, who acts as their distributor. McLane orders our products on behalf of these national chain restaurants, and we invoice McLane for these sales. No other direct customer accounted for more than 10% of consolidated net sales during these years.

MANUFACTURING

As of June 30, 2020, the majority of our products were manufactured and packaged at our 16 food plants located throughout the United States. Most of these plants produce products for both the Retail and Foodservice segments. Efficient and cost-effective production remains a key focus as evidenced by our lean six sigma initiative. Certain items are also manufactured and packaged by third parties located in the United States, Canada and Europe.

BACKLOG

Orders are generally filled in five to ten days. We do not view the amount of backlog at any particular point in time as a meaningful indicator of longer-term shipments.

COMPETITION

All of the markets in which we sell food products are highly competitive in the areas of price, quality and customer service. We face competition from a number of manufacturers of various sizes and capabilities. Our ability to compete depends upon a variety of factors, including the position of our branded goods within various categories, product quality, product innovation, promotional and marketing activity, pricing and our ability to service customers.

ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS

Our operations are subject to various federal, state and local environmental protection laws. Based upon available information, compliance with these laws and regulations did not have a material effect upon the level of capital expenditures, earnings or our competitive position in 2020 and is not expected to have a material impact in 2021.

EMPLOYEES AND LABOR RELATIONS

As of June 30, 2020 we had 3,200 employees, 25% of which are represented under various collective bargaining contracts. 6% of our employees are represented under a collective bargaining contract that will expire within one year. While we believe that labor relations with all our employees are satisfactory, a prolonged labor dispute or an organizing attempt could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

RAW MATERIALS

During 2020, we obtained adequate supplies of raw materials and packaging. We rely on a variety of raw materials and packaging for the day-to-day production of our products, including soybean oil, various sweeteners, eggs, dairy-related products, flour, various films and plastic and paper packaging materials.

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We purchase the majority of these materials on the open market to meet current requirements, but we also have some fixed-price contracts with terms generally one year or less. See further discussion in our “Risk Factors” section below and our contractual obligations disclosure in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”). Although the availability and price of certain of these materials are influenced by weather, disease and the level of global demand, we anticipate that future sources of supply for 2021 will generally be available and adequate for our needs.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

An investment in our common stock is subject to certain risks inherent in our business. Before making an investment decision, investors should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described below, together with all of the other information included or incorporated by reference in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

If any of the following risks occur, our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows could be materially and adversely affected. These described risks are not the only risks facing us. Additional risks and uncertainties not known to us or that we deem to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows. If any of these risks were to materialize, the value of our common stock could decline significantly.

Epidemics, pandemics or similar widespread public health concerns and disease outbreaks, such as the novel coronavirus (“COVID-19”), have disrupted and may cause future disruptions to consumption, supply chains, management, operations and production processes, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

Epidemics, pandemics or similar widespread health concerns and disease outbreaks, such as COVID-19, as well as related government mandates, including the avoidance of gatherings, self-quarantine and the closure of a variety of businesses and restaurants have negatively affected and may in the future negatively affect our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows. These effects may include, but are not limited to:

• other increased administrative costs, including insurance costs.

We have recently canceled or delayed certain capital and innovation projects due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Continued disruptions and uncertainties related to the COVID-19 pandemic for a sustained period could result in additional delays or modifications to these projects and other productivity, capital and innovation projects and hinder our ability to achieve the project objectives.

Our management has been forced to divert a portion of its attention from execution of core strategies to focus on mitigating the impact of COVID-19 on our operations, which has required, and will continue to require, a large investment of time and resources across our business and may delay other strategic initiatives that are important to the business. Additionally,

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some of our employees are working remotely. An extended period of remote work arrangements could strain our business continuity plans and introduce operational risk, such as but not limited to cyber security risks.

Despite our efforts to manage and remedy these impacts, their ultimate significance depends on factors beyond our knowledge or control, including the duration and severity of any such outbreak as well as third-party actions taken to contain the spread and mitigate public health effects. If we are perceived as having responded improperly to the pandemic, we could suffer damage to our reputation and our brands. The items above and other impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic could have the effect of heightening many of the other risks described in this “Risk Factors” section of our Annual Report on Form 10-K, such as those relating to our reputation, product sales, results of operations or financial condition. The severity, magnitude and duration of the current COVID-19 pandemic are uncertain, rapidly changing and depend on events beyond our knowledge or control. We might not be able to anticipate or respond to all impacts on a timely basis to prevent near- or long-term adverse impacts to our results. As a result, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

We may be subject to business disruptions, product recalls or other claims for real or perceived safety issues regarding our food products.

We can be impacted by both real and unfounded claims regarding the safety of our operations, or concerns regarding mislabeled, adulterated, contaminated or spoiled food products. Any of these circumstances could necessitate a voluntary or mandatory recall due to a substantial product hazard, a need to change a product’s labeling or other consumer safety concerns. A pervasive product recall may result in significant loss due to the costs of a recall, related legal claims, including claims arising from bodily injury or illness caused by our products, the destruction of product inventory, or lost sales due to product unavailability. A highly publicized product recall, whether involving us or any related products made by third parties, also could result in a loss of customers or an unfavorable change in consumer sentiment regarding our products or any category in which we operate. In addition, an allegation of noncompliance with federal or state food laws and regulations could force us to cease production, stop selling our products or create significant adverse publicity that could harm our credibility and decrease market acceptance of our products. Any of these events could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows. Any potential claim under our insurance policies may exceed our insurance coverage, may be subject to certain exceptions or may not be honored fully, in a timely manner, or at all.

We may be subject to a loss of sales or increased costs due to adverse publicity or consumer concern regarding the safety, quality or healthfulness of food products, whether with our products, competing products or other related food products.

We are highly dependent upon consumers’ perception of the safety, quality and possible dietary attributes of our products. As a result, substantial negative publicity concerning one or more of our products, or other foods similar to or in the same food group as our products, could lead to lower demand for our products and/or reduced prices and lost sales. Substantial negative publicity, even when false or unfounded, could also hurt the image of our brands or cause consumers to choose other products or avoid categories in which we operate. Any of these events could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

Certain negative publicity regarding the food industry or our products could also increase our cost of operations. The food industry has been subject to negative publicity concerning the health implications of genetically modified organisms, added sugars, trans fat, salt, artificial growth hormones, ingredients sourced from foreign suppliers and other supply chain concerns. Consumers may increasingly require that our products and processes meet stricter standards than are required by applicable governmental agencies, thereby increasing the cost of manufacturing our products. If we fail to adequately respond to any such consumer concerns, we could suffer lost sales and damage our brand image or our reputation. Any of these events could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

A disruption of production at certain manufacturing facilities could result in an inability to meet our customers’ demands for certain products, which could also negatively impact our ability to maintain adequate levels of product placement with our customers on a long-term basis.

Because we source certain products from single manufacturing sites and use third-party manufacturers for significant portions of our production needs for certain products, it is possible that we could experience a production disruption that results in a reduction or elimination of the availability of some of our products. If we are not able to obtain alternate production capability in a timely manner, or on favorable terms, it could have a negative impact on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows, including the potential for long-term loss of product placement with various customers.

We are also subject to risks of other business disruptions associated with our dependence on production facilities and distribution systems. Pandemics, including COVID-19, natural disasters, terrorist activity, cyber attacks or other unforeseen events could interrupt production or distribution and have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows, including the potential for long-term loss of product placement with our customers.

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Competitive conditions within our Retail and Foodservice markets could impact our sales volumes and operating profits.

Competition within all of our markets is expected to remain intense. Numerous competitors exist, many of which are larger than us in size. These competitive conditions could lead to significant downward pressure on the prices of our products, which could have a material adverse effect on our sales and profitability.

Competitive considerations in the various product categories in which we sell are numerous and include price, product innovation, product quality, brand recognition and loyalty, effectiveness of marketing, promotional activity and the ability to remain relevant to consumer preferences and trends. In order to maintain our existing market share or capture increased market share among our retail and foodservice channels, we may decide to increase our spending on marketing and promotional costs, advertising and new product innovation. The success of marketing, advertising and new product innovation is subject to risks, including uncertainties about trade and consumer acceptance. As a result, any such increased expenditures may not maintain or enhance our market share and could result in lower profitability.

Walmart is our largest Retail customer. The loss of, or a significant reduction in, Walmart’s business, or an adverse change in the financial condition of Walmart, could result in a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

Our net sales to Walmart represented 18% of consolidated net sales for the year ended June 30, 2020. Our accounts receivable balance from Walmart as of June 30, 2020 was $26.1 million. We may not be able to maintain our relationship with Walmart, and Walmart is not contractually obligated to purchase from us. In addition, changes in Walmart’s general business model, such as reducing the shelf space devoted to the branded products we market, or devoting more shelf space to competing products, could adversely affect the profitability of our business with Walmart, even if we maintain a good relationship. The loss of, or a significant reduction in, this business could have a material adverse effect on our sales and profitability. Unfavorable changes in Walmart’s financial condition or other disruptions to Walmart’s business, such as decreased consumer demand or stronger competition, could also have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

McLane is our largest Foodservice customer. An adverse change in the financial condition of McLane could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

Our net sales to McLane represented 13% of consolidated net sales for the year ended June 30, 2020. Our accounts receivable balance from McLane as of June 30, 2020 was $8.5 million. McLane is a large, national distributor that sells and distributes our products to several of our foodservice national chain restaurant accounts, principally in the quick service, fast casual and casual dining channels. In general, these national chain restaurants have direct relationships with us for culinary research and development, menu development and production needs, but choose to buy our products through McLane, who acts as their distributor. McLane orders our products on behalf of these national chain restaurants, and we invoice McLane for these sales. Thus, unfavorable changes in the financial condition of McLane could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows. In addition, the loss of, or a significant reduction in, our business with the underlying national chain restaurants, or other disruptions, such as decreased consumer demand or stronger competition, could also have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows. We cannot ensure that we will be able to maintain good relationships with McLane and the underlying national chain restaurants. McLane and the underlying national chain restaurants are not typically committed to long-term contractual obligations with us, and they may switch to other suppliers that offer lower prices, differentiated products or customer service that McLane and/or the underlying national chain restaurants perceive to be more favorable. In addition, changes in the general business model of McLane, or the underlying national chain restaurants, including changes resulting from social distancing measures and closures stemming from COVID-19, could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

A single indirect national chain restaurant account represents a significant portion of our Foodservice segment sales. The loss of, or a significant reduction in, this national chain restaurant’s business, or an adverse change in the financial condition of this national chain restaurant, could result in a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

Our net sales to a single national chain restaurant account, which are made indirectly through several foodservice distributors, represented 15% of consolidated net sales for the year ended June 30, 2020. We cannot ensure that we will be able to maintain good relationships with key national chain restaurant accounts in the future. We do not have any long-term purchase commitments, and we may be unable to continue to sell our products in the same quantities or on the same terms as in the past. The loss of, or a significant reduction in, this business could have a material adverse effect on our sales and profitability. Further, unfavorable changes in this national chain restaurant’s financial condition or other disruptions to its business, such as decreased consumer demand or stronger competition, or worsening results due to social distancing measures

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and closures stemming from COVID-19, could also have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

We rely on the performance of major retailers, mass merchants, wholesalers, food brokers, distributors and foodservice customers for the success of our business and, should they perform poorly or give higher priority to other brands or products, our business could be adversely affected.

Within our Retail and Foodservice segments, we sell our products principally to retail and foodservice channels, including traditional supermarkets, mass merchants, warehouse clubs, specialty food distributors, foodservice distributors and national chain restaurants. Many participants in the foodservice channel have been negatively impacted by COVID-19 and the related social distancing measures and closures. Poor performance by our customers, or our inability to collect accounts receivable from our customers, could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

In addition, our future growth and profitability may be unfavorably impacted by recent changes in the competitive landscape for our Retail segment customers. As consolidation in the retail grocery industry continues and our retail customers also grow larger and become more sophisticated, they may demand improved efficiency, lower pricing, increased promotional programs, or specifically tailored products. Further, these customers are reducing their inventories and increasing their emphasis on private label products and other products holding top market positions. Traditional retail grocers are also being pressured by the growing presence of deep discount retailers that emphasize private label product offerings and lower price points. If we fail to use our sales and marketing expertise to maintain our category leadership positions to respond to these trends, or if we lower our prices or increase promotional support of our products and are unable to increase the volume of our products sold, our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows could be adversely affected.

Furthermore, within our Retail segment, many of our customers offer competitor branded products and their own store branded products that compete directly with our products for shelf space and consumer purchases. Accordingly, there is a risk that these customers give higher priority or promotional support to their store branded products or to our competitors’ products or discontinue the use of our products in favor of their store branded products or other competing products. Likewise, our foodservice distributors often offer their own branded products that compete directly with our products. Failure to maintain our retail shelf space or priority with these customers and foodservice distributors could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

Emerging channels such as online retailers and home meal kit delivery services also continue to evolve and impact both the retail and foodservice industries. Our presence in these emerging channels is currently underdeveloped, and our ultimate success and the resulting impacts to our financial results are uncertain.

Manufacturing capacity constraints may have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

Our current manufacturing resources may be inadequate to meet significantly increased demand for some of our food products. Our ability to increase our manufacturing capacity to satisfy demand depends on many factors, including the availability of capital, construction lead-times and delays, equipment availability and delivery lead-times, successful installation and start up, qualification, the availability of adequate skilled and unskilled labor, regulatory permitting and regulatory requirements. Increasing capacity through the use of third-party manufacturers depends on our ability to develop and maintain such relationships and the ability of such third parties to devote additional capacity to fill our orders.

A lack of sufficient manufacturing capacity to meet demand could cause our customer service levels to decrease, which may negatively affect customer demand for our products and customer relations generally, which in turn could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows. In addition, operating facilities at or near capacity may also increase production and distribution costs and negatively affect relations with our employees or contractors, which could result in disruptions in our operations.

We rely on the value of the brands we sell, and the failure to maintain and enhance these brands could adversely affect our business.

We rely on the success of our well-recognized brand names. Maintaining and enhancing our brand image and recognition is essential to our long-term success, and maintaining license agreements under which we market and sell certain brands is important to our business. The failure to do either could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. We seek to maintain and enhance our brands through a variety of efforts, including the delivery of quality products, extending our brands into new markets and new products and investing in marketing and advertising. The costs of maintaining and enhancing our brands, including maintaining our rights to brands under license agreements, may increase. These increased costs could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

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We manufacture and sell numerous products pursuant to brand license agreements including Olive Garden® dressings, Buffalo Wild Wings® sauces and Chick-fil-A® sauces. We cannot ensure that we will maintain good relationships with our brand licensors. Many of our brand license agreements can be terminated or not renewed at the option of the licensor upon short notice to us. The termination of our brand license agreements, the failure to renew our brand license agreements on terms favorable to us, the economic health of our brand licensors, or the impairment of our relationships with our brand licensors could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

In addition, we increasingly rely on electronic marketing, such as social media platforms and the use of online marketing strategies, to support and enhance our brands. This “e-commerce” marketplace is growing and evolving quickly and allows for the rapid dissemination of information regarding our brands by us and consumers. We may not be able to successfully adapt our marketing efforts to this rapidly changing marketplace, which could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Further, negative opinions or commentary posted online regarding our brands, regardless of their underlying merits or accuracy, could diminish the value of our brands and have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

Increases in the costs or limitations to the availability of raw materials we use to produce and package our products could adversely affect our business by increasing our costs to produce goods.

Our principal raw-material needs include soybean oil, various sweeteners, eggs, dairy-related products, flour, water and various films, plastic and paper packaging materials. Our ability to manufacture and/or sell our products may be impaired by damage or disruption to our manufacturing or distribution capabilities, or to the capabilities of our suppliers or contract manufacturers, due to factors that are hard to predict or beyond our control, such as adverse weather conditions, natural disasters, fire, terrorism, pandemics, including COVID-19, strikes or other events. Production of the agricultural commodities used in our business may also be adversely affected by drought, water scarcity, temperature extremes, scarcity of suitable agricultural land, worldwide demand, changes in international trade arrangements, livestock disease (for example, avian influenza), crop disease and/or crop pests.

We purchase a majority of our key raw materials on the open market. Our ability to avoid the adverse effects of a pronounced, sustained price increase in our raw materials is limited. We have observed increased volatility in the costs of many of these raw materials, including eggs, in recent years. Similarly, fluctuating petroleum prices and transportation capacity have, from time to time, impacted our costs of resin-based packaging and our costs of inbound freight on all purchased materials.

We try to limit our exposure to price fluctuations for raw materials by periodically entering into longer-term, fixed-price contracts for certain raw materials, but we cannot ensure success in limiting our exposure. We may experience further increases in the costs of raw materials, and we may try to offset such cost increases with higher prices or other measures. However, we may be unable to successfully implement offsetting measures or unable to do so in a timely manner. Such cost increases, as well as an inability to effectively implement additional measures to offset higher costs, could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

The availability and cost of transportation for our products is vital to our success, and the loss of availability or increase in the cost of transportation could have an unfavorable impact on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

Our ability to obtain adequate and reasonably priced methods of transportation to distribute our products, including refrigerated trailers for many of our products, is a key factor to our success. Delays in transportation, including weather-related delays, could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations. Further, higher fuel costs and increased line haul costs due to industry capacity constraints, customer delivery requirements and a more restrictive regulatory environment could also negatively impact our financial results. We are often required to pay fuel surcharges that fluctuate with the price of diesel fuel to third-party transporters of our products, and such surcharges can be substantial. Any sudden or dramatic increases in the price of diesel fuel would serve to increase our fuel surcharges and our cost of goods sold. If we were unable to pass higher freight costs to our customers in the form of price increases, those higher costs could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

We are subject to federal, state and local government regulations that could adversely affect our business and results of operations.

Our business operations are subject to regulation by various federal, state and local government entities and agencies. As a producer of food products for human consumption, our operations are subject to stringent production, packaging, quality, labeling and distribution standards, including regulations promulgated under the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act and the Food Safety Modernization Act. We cannot predict whether future regulation by various federal, state and local government entities and agencies would adversely affect our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

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In addition, our business operations and the past and present ownership and operation of our properties, including idle properties, are subject to extensive and changing federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations pertaining to the discharge of materials into the environment, the handling and disposition of wastes (including solid and hazardous wastes) or otherwise relating to protection of the environment. Although most of our properties have been subjected to periodic environmental assessments, these assessments may be limited in scope and may not include or identify all potential environmental liabilities or risks associated with any particular property. We cannot be certain that our environmental assessments have identified all potential environmental liabilities or that we will not incur material environmental liabilities in the future.

We cannot be certain that environmental issues relating to presently known matters or identified sites, or to other unknown matters or sites, will not require additional, currently unanticipated investigation, assessment or expenditures. If we do incur or discover any material environmental liabilities or potential environmental liabilities in the future, we may face significant remediation costs and find it difficult to sell or lease any affected properties.

We may require significant capital expenditures to maintain, improve or replace aging infrastructure and facilities, which could adversely affect our cash flows.

Much of our infrastructure and facilities have been in service for many years, which may result in a higher level of future maintenance costs and unscheduled repairs. Further, our infrastructure and facilities may need to be improved or replaced to maintain or increase operational efficiency, sustain production capacity, or meet changing regulatory requirements. A significant increase in maintenance costs and capital expenditures could adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. In addition, a failure to operate our facilities optimally could result in declining customer service capabilities, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

We may experience difficulties in designing and implementing our new enterprise resource planning system.

We are in the midst of a multi-year implementation of a new enterprise resource planning system (“ERP”), which will replace our existing financial and operating systems. The ERP will be designed to accurately maintain our financial records, enhance our operational functionality and provide timely information to our management team related to the operations of the business. The design and implementation of this new ERP requires an investment of significant personnel and financial resources, including substantial expenditures for outside consultants, system hardware and software in addition to other expenses in connection with the transformation of our organizational structure and financial and operating processes. We have experienced ERP delays and complications as a result of the remote work environment necessitated by COVID-19, and we may not be able to implement the ERP successfully without experiencing additional delays, increased costs and other difficulties, including potential design defects, miscalculations, testing requirements, re-work due to changes in business plans or reporting standards, and the diversion of management’s attention from day-to-day business operations. An extended period of remote work arrangements could also introduce operational risk, including cyber security risks, and strain our ability to test the ERP fully. If we are unable to design and implement the new ERP as planned, the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting could be adversely affected, our ability to assess those controls adequately could be delayed, and our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows could be negatively impacted.

Technology failures could disrupt our operations and negatively impact our business.

We increasingly rely on information technology systems to conduct and manage our business operations, including the processing, transmitting, and storing of electronic information. For example, our sales group and our production and distribution facilities utilize information technology to increase efficiencies and limit costs. Furthermore, a significant portion of the communications between our personnel, customers, and suppliers depends on information technology and an uninterrupted and functioning infrastructure, including telecommunications. Our information technology systems may be vulnerable to a variety of interruptions due to events beyond our control, including, but not limited to, natural disasters, terrorist attacks, telecommunications failures, cyber attacks and other security issues. Our information technology systems could also be adversely affected by changes that result from COVID-19, including for example, a significant increase in remote work arrangements for our employees. If we are unable to adequately protect against these vulnerabilities, our operations could be disrupted, or we may suffer financial damage or loss because of lost or misappropriated information.

Cyber attacks, data breaches or other breaches of our information security systems could have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

Cyber attacks, data breaches or other breaches of our information security systems may cause equipment failures or disruptions to our operations. Our inability to operate our networks and information security systems as a result of such events, even for a limited period of time, may result in significant expenses. Cyber attacks, which include the use of malware, computer viruses and other means for disruption or unauthorized access, have increased in frequency, scope and potential harm in recent years. While we have been subject to cyber attacks, none of these events has been material to our operations or

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financial condition. Our efforts to protect the security of our information relative to our perceived risks may be insufficient to defend against a significant cyber attack in the future. The costs associated with a significant cyber attack could include increased expenditures on cyber security measures, lost revenues from business interruption, litigation, regulatory fines and penalties and substantial damage to our reputation. The cost and effort involved with attempting to prevent cyber security attacks and data breaches could also be significant, and our efforts to prevent these attacks may not be successful. If we fail to prevent the theft of valuable information such as financial data, sensitive information about the Company and intellectual property, or if we fail to protect the privacy of customers’, consumers’ and employees’ confidential data against breaches of network or information technology security, it could result in substantial damage to our reputation and an impairment of business partner confidences and brand image, which could adversely impact our employee, customer and investor relations. Any of these occurrences could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows. Any potential claim under our insurance policies relating to cyber events may be subject to certain exceptions; may not be honored fully, in a timely manner, or at all; and we may not have purchased sufficient insurance to cover all material losses.

We may not be able to successfully consummate proposed acquisitions or divestitures, and integrating acquired businesses may present financial, managerial and operational challenges.

We continually evaluate the acquisition of other businesses that would strategically fit within our operations. If we are unable to consummate, successfully integrate and grow these acquisitions or realize contemplated revenue growth, synergies and cost savings, our financial results could be adversely affected. In addition, we may, from time to time, divest businesses, product lines or other operations that are less of a strategic fit within our portfolio or do not meet our growth or profitability targets. As a result, our profitability may be adversely affected by losses on the sales of divested assets or lost operating income or cash flows from those businesses.

We may incur asset impairment or restructuring charges related to acquired or divested assets, which may reduce our profitability and cash flows. These potential acquisitions or divestitures present financial, managerial and operational challenges, including diversion of management attention from ongoing businesses, difficulty with integrating or separating personnel and financial and other systems, increased expenses, assumption of unknown liabilities, indemnities and potential disputes with the buyers or sellers.

Our inability to successfully renegotiate collective bargaining contracts and any prolonged work stoppages could have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

We believe that our labor relations with employees under collective bargaining contracts are satisfactory, but our inability to negotiate the renewal of any collective bargaining agreements, including the agreement at our Bedford Heights, Ohio facility, which is currently scheduled to expire in October 2020, or any prolonged work stoppages could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

We may incur liabilities related to a multiemployer pension plan which could adversely affect our financial results.

We make periodic contributions to a multiemployer pension plan related to our facility in Milpitas, California under a collective bargaining contract. The multiemployer pension plan provides pension benefits to employees and retired employees participating in the plan. Our required contributions to this plan could increase; however, any increase would be dependent upon a number of factors, including our ability to renegotiate the collective bargaining contract successfully, current and future regulatory requirements, the performance of the pension plan’s investments, the number of participants who are entitled to receive benefits from the plan, the contribution base as a result of the insolvency or withdrawal of other companies that currently contribute to this plan, the inability or failure of withdrawing companies to pay their withdrawal liability, low interest rates and other funding deficiencies. We may also be required to pay a withdrawal liability if we exit from this plan. While we cannot determine whether and to what extent our contributions may increase or what our withdrawal liability may be, payments related to this plan could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Increases in energy-related costs could negatively affect our business by increasing our costs to produce goods.

We are subject to volatility in energy-related costs that affect the cost of producing and distributing our products, including our petroleum-derived packaging materials. Furthermore, any sudden and dramatic increases in electricity or natural gas costs could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

We limit our exposure to price fluctuations in energy-related costs by periodically entering into longer-term, fixed-price contracts for natural gas and electricity supply to some of our manufacturing facilities. However, due to the inherent variability of contractual terms and end dates, in addition to the extent to which the energy markets in which we operate have been deregulated to allow for contracted supply, we will retain some level of exposure to future price fluctuations for our energy-related costs.

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The loss of the services of one or more members of our senior management team could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

Our operations and prospects depend in large part on the performance of our senior management team, several of which are long-serving employees with significant knowledge of our business model and operations. Should we not be able to find qualified replacements or successors for any of these individuals if their services were no longer available due to retirement, resignation or otherwise, our ability to manage our operations or successfully execute our business strategy may be materially and adversely affected.

Mr. Gerlach, Executive Chairman of our Board of Directors, has a significant ownership interest in our Company.

As of June 30, 2020, Mr. Gerlach owned or controlled approximately 30% of the outstanding shares of our common stock. Accordingly, Mr. Gerlach has significant influence on all matters submitted to a vote of the holders of our common stock, including the election of directors. Mr. Gerlach’s voting power may also have the effect of discouraging transactions involving an actual or a potential change of control of our Company, regardless of whether a premium is offered over then-current market prices.

The interests of Mr. Gerlach may conflict with the interests of other holders of our common stock. This conflict of interest may have an adverse effect on the price of our common stock.

Anti-takeover provisions could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire us.

Certain provisions of our charter documents, including provisions limiting the ability of shareholders to raise matters at a meeting of shareholders without giving advance notice and provisions classifying our Board of Directors, may make it more difficult for a third party to acquire us or influence our Board of Directors. This may have the effect of delaying or preventing changes of control or management, which could have an adverse effect on the market price of our stock.

Additionally, Ohio corporate law contains certain provisions that could have the effect of delaying or preventing a change of control. The Ohio Control Share Acquisition Act found in Chapter 1701 of the Ohio Revised Code provides that certain notice and informational filings and a special shareholder meeting and voting procedures must be followed prior to consummation of a proposed “control share acquisition,” as defined in the Ohio Revised Code. Assuming compliance with the prescribed notice and information filings, a proposed control share acquisition may be accomplished only if, at a special meeting of shareholders, the acquisition is approved by both a majority of the voting power represented at the meeting and a majority of the voting power remaining after excluding the combined voting power of the “interested shares,” as defined in the Ohio Revised Code. The Interested Shareholder Transactions Act found in Chapter 1704 of the Ohio Revised Code generally prohibits certain transactions, including mergers, majority share acquisitions and certain other control transactions, with an “interested shareholder,” as defined in the Ohio Revised Code, for a three-year period after becoming an interested shareholder, unless our Board of Directors approved the initial acquisition. After the three-year waiting period, such a transaction may require additional approvals under this Act, including approval by two-thirds of our voting shares and a majority of our voting shares not owned by the interested shareholder. The application of these provisions of the Ohio Revised Code, or any similar anti-takeover law adopted in Ohio, could have the effect of delaying or preventing a change of control, which could have an adverse effect on the market price of our stock.

Also, our Board of Directors has the authority to issue up to 1,150,000 shares of Class B Voting Preferred Stock and 1,150,000 shares of Class C Nonvoting Preferred Stock and to determine the price, rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions of those shares without any further vote or action by the shareholders. The rights of the holders of our common stock may be subject to, and may be adversely affected by, the rights of the holders of any Class B Voting Preferred Stock and Class C Nonvoting Preferred Stock that may be issued in the future. The Company could use these rights to put in place a shareholder rights plan, or “poison pill,” that could be used in connection with a bid or proposal of acquisition for an inadequate price.

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments

None.

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Item 2. Properties

We use 2.3 million square feet of space for our operations. Of this space, 0.7 million square feet are leased. These amounts exclude facilities operated by third-party service providers.

The following table summarizes our principal manufacturing locations (including aggregation of multiple facilities):

Location Principal Products Produced Business Segment(s) Terms of Occupancy

Altoona, IA Frozen pasta Retail and Foodservice Owned

Bedford Heights, OH Frozen breads Retail and Foodservice Owned

Columbus, OH Sauces, dressings, dips Retail and Foodservice Owned

Cudahy, WI Sprouted grain bakery products Retail Owned

Horse Cave, KY Sauces, dressings, frozen rolls Retail and Foodservice Owned

Luverne, AL Frozen rolls Retail and Foodservice Owned

Milpitas, CA Sauces and dressings Retail and Foodservice Owned

Saline, MI Flatbread products Retail and Foodservice Owned

Vineland, NJ Frozen breads Retail and Foodservice Owned

Wareham, MA (1) Croutons Retail and Foodservice Leased

(1) Fully leased for term expiring in fiscal 2024.

The following table summarizes our principal warehouses (including aggregation of multiple facilities), which are used to distribute products to our customers:

Location Business Segment(s) Terms of Occupancy

Attalla, AL Retail and Foodservice Third-party service

Columbus, OH (1) Retail and Foodservice Leased

Grove City, OH Retail and Foodservice Owned

Horse Cave, KY Retail and Foodservice Owned

Milpitas, CA (2) Retail and Foodservice Leased

Tracy, CA Retail and Foodservice Third-party service

(1) Fully leased for term expiring in fiscal 2022.

(2) Fully leased for term expiring in fiscal 2021.

Item 3. Legal Proceedings

From time to time we are a party to various legal proceedings. While we believe that the ultimate outcome of these various proceedings, individually and in the aggregate, will not have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements, litigation is always subject to inherent uncertainties, and unfavorable rulings could occur. An unfavorable ruling could include monetary damages or an injunction prohibiting us from manufacturing or selling one or more products or could lead to us altering the manner in which we manufacture or sell one or more products, which could have a material impact on net income for the period in which the ruling occurs and future periods.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.

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PART II

Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

Our common stock trades on The NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol LANC.

The number of shareholders of record as of August 3, 2020 was approximately 740. This is not the actual number of beneficial owners of our common stock, as shares are held in “street name” by brokers and others on behalf of individual owners.

We have increased our regular cash dividends for 57 consecutive years. Future dividends will depend on our earnings, financial condition and other factors.

The information regarding compensation plans under which equity securities are authorized for issuance is incorporated by reference to the information contained in our definitive proxy statement for our November 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be filed with the SEC pursuant to Regulation 14A promulgated under the Exchange Act.

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

In November 2010, our Board of Directors approved a share repurchase authorization of 2,000,000 common shares, of which 1,315,911 common shares remained authorized for future repurchases at June 30, 2020. This share repurchase authorization does not have a stated expiration date. In the fourth quarter, we made the following repurchases of our common stock:

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PERFORMANCE GRAPH

COMPARISON OF FIVE-YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL SHAREHOLDER RETURN

OF LANCASTER COLONY CORPORATION, THE S&P MIDCAP 400 INDEX

AND THE DOW JONES U.S. FOOD PRODUCERS INDEX

The graph set forth below compares the five-year cumulative total return from investing $100 on June 30, 2015 in each of our Common Stock, the S&P Midcap 400 Index and the Dow Jones U.S. Food Producers Index. The total return calculation assumes that all dividends are reinvested, including any special dividends.

Cumulative Total Return (Dollars)

There can be no assurance that our stock performance will continue into the future with the same or similar trends depicted in the above graph.

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Item 6. Selected Financial Data

LANCASTER COLONY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

FIVE YEAR FINANCIAL SUMMARY

Years Ended June 30,

Operations

Multiemployer Pension Settlement and Related Costs $ — $ — $ — $ 17,635 $ —

Cash Dividends Per Common Share - Regular $ 2.75 $ 2.55 $ 2.35 $ 2.15 $ 1.96

Cash Dividends Per Common Share - Special $ — $ — $ — $ — $ 5.00

Financial Position

Long-Term Debt $ — $ — $ — $ — $ —

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Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Our fiscal year begins on July 1 and ends on June 30. Unless otherwise noted, references to “year” pertain to our fiscal year; for example, 2020 refers to fiscal 2020, which is the period from July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020.

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The forward-looking statements in this section and other parts of this report involve risks, uncertainties and other factors, including statements regarding our plans, objectives, goals, strategies, and financial performance. Our actual results could differ materially from the results anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of factors set forth under the caption “Forward-Looking Statements” and those set forth in Item 1A of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Our discussion of results for 2020 compared to 2019 is included herein. For discussion of results for 2019 compared to 2018, see our 2019 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

OVERVIEW

Business Overview

Lancaster Colony Corporation is a manufacturer and marketer of specialty food products for the retail and foodservice channels.

Our financial results are presented as two reportable segments: Retail and Foodservice. Costs that are directly attributable to either Retail or Foodservice are charged directly to the appropriate segment. Costs that are deemed to be indirect, excluding corporate expenses and other unusual significant transactions, are allocated to the two reportable segments using a reasonable methodology that is consistently applied.

Over 95% of our products are sold in the United States. Foreign operations and export sales have not been significant in the past and are not expected to be significant in the future based upon existing operations. We do not have any fixed assets located outside of the United States.

Our business has the potential to achieve future growth in sales and profitability due to attributes such as:

• recognized innovation in Retail products;

• a broad customer base in both Retail and Foodservice accounts;

• well-regarded culinary expertise among Foodservice customers;

• recognized leadership in Foodservice product development;

• experience in integrating complementary business acquisitions; and

• historically strong cash flow generation that supports growth opportunities.

Our goal is to grow both Retail and Foodservice segment sales over time by:

• introducing new products and expanding distribution;

• expanding Retail growth through strategic licensing agreements;

• acquiring complementary businesses.

With respect to long-term growth, we continually evaluate the future opportunities and needs for our business specific to our plant infrastructure, IT platforms and other initiatives to support and strengthen our operations. Recent examples of resulting investments include a significant capacity expansion project for our Sister Schubert’s frozen dinner roll facility in Horse Cave, Kentucky that was completed in January 2020; a new R&D center that was completed near the end of 2019; and the establishment of a Transformation Program Office in 2019 that will serve to coordinate our various capital and integration efforts, including our enterprise resource planning system (“ERP”) project and related initiatives, Project Ascent, that is now underway. The ERP implementation commenced in late 2019 and entails the replacement of our primary customer and manufacturing transactional systems, warehousing systems, and financial systems with an integrated SAP S/4HANA system. Post implementation, Project Ascent will evolve into an on-going Center of Excellence (“COE”) that will provide oversight for all future upgrades of the S/4HANA environment, evaluation of future software needs to support the business, acquisition integration support and master data standards. Most of the on-going COE costs are expected to consist of annual software maintenance and support, consulting and professional fees and wages and benefits.

We also continue to review potential acquisitions that we believe will complement our existing product lines, enhance our profitability and/or offer good expansion opportunities in a manner that fits our overall strategic goals. Consistent with this acquisition strategy, on November 16, 2018, we acquired, using available cash on hand, substantially all of the assets of Omni Baking Company LLC (“Omni”), a long-time supplier of products to our frozen garlic bread operations. On October 19, 2018, we acquired, using available cash on hand, all the assets of Bantam Bagels, LLC (“Bantam”), a producer and marketer of

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frozen mini stuffed bagels and other frozen bread products sold to both the retail and foodservice channels. See further discussion of these acquisitions in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements.

RECENT EVENTS

A novel strain of coronavirus (“COVID-19”) was first identified in Wuhan, China in December 2019. On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization designated COVID-19 as a global pandemic. To date, COVID-19 has surfaced in nearly all regions around the world and resulted in business slowdowns or shutdowns in affected areas. In the U.S., state and local governments recommended or mandated actions to slow the transmission of COVID-19. These measures included limitations on public gatherings, social distancing requirements, travel restrictions, closures of bars and dine-in restaurants, stay-at-home orders, quarantines and restrictions that prohibited many non-essential employees from going to work.

We have two major priorities while navigating through this period of volatility and uncertainty:

1. to ensure the health, safety and welfare of our employees; and

With respect to our efforts to ensure the health, safety and welfare of our employees, we are complying with all guidelines issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as well as state and local health departments. We have also engaged a pulmonology and critical care physician to advise us on our employee safety protocols. Based on the advice of these experts, we have put in place a range of safety modifications and guidelines in our factories, distribution centers and offices to ensure that we can operate safely, including but not limited to:

• staggering between shift changes and breaks;

• relaxing attendance requirements and enhancing our paid leave policy;

• establishing business travel restrictions; and

With respect to our second priority, as of the date of this filing, there has been no material adverse change in our ability to manufacture and distribute our products. We have not experienced any significant disruptions to our shipping or warehousing operations or sourcing of raw materials. We have also secured additional second-sourcing options as needed to help limit the risk of supply disruptions.

We continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation and related guidance from authorities, including federal, state and local public health departments, and may take additional actions based on their recommendations. In these circumstances, there may be developments outside our control requiring us to adjust our plans. As such, given the dynamic nature of this situation, we cannot reasonably estimate the impact of COVID-19 on our results of operations, financial condition, or cash flows in the future. However, COVID-19 could have a material adverse impact on our future revenue growth as well as our overall profitability and may lead to higher-than-normal inventory levels, revised payment terms with certain of our customers, additional reserves for inventory and receivables, and higher plant operating costs.

During the three months ended June 30, 2020, the effects of COVID-19 and the related actions undertaken in the U.S. to attempt to control its spread, specifically the restriction of restaurant dine-in purchases and imposition of stay-at-home orders, negatively impacted the operating results of our Foodservice segment. Our Foodservice segment net sales for the fourth quarter declined 24% to $128.4 million while segment operating income fell 45% to $10.1 million. After a very slow start in April, consumer demand at quick-service restaurants made a strong recovery in May and June, and sales for other restaurants also improved notably throughout the quarter.

With respect to our Retail segment, the impact of COVID-19 resulted in higher sales during the three months ended June 30, 2020 as consumer demand in the retail channel remained elevated.

We continue to operate from a position of financial strength and believe that cash provided by operating activities and our existing balances in cash and equivalents, in addition to our access to capital under our unsecured revolving credit facility, should be adequate to meet our liquidity needs over the next 12 months. We have placed a greater emphasis on tracking the financial strength of our customers and suppliers and taking actions, where determined necessary, to limit our financial exposure and operational risks. Additional details regarding our financial strength are provided in the “Financial Condition” section below.

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RESULTS OF CONSOLIDATED OPERATIONS

(Dollars in thousands,except per share data) Years Ended June 30, Change

Net Sales

Consolidated net sales for the year ended June 30, 2020increased2% to a new record of $1,334 million from the prior-year record total of $1,308 million. This growth was driven by an increase in Retail net sales, particularly in the second half of the year, partially offset by a decline in Foodservice net sales.

The relative proportion of sales contributed by each of our business segments can impact a year-to-year comparison of the consolidated statements of income. The following table summarizes the sales mix over each of the last three years:

Segment Sales Mix:

See discussion of net sales by segment following the discussion of “Earnings Per Share” below.

Gross Profit

Consolidated gross profit increased10% to $358.0 million in 2020 compared to $326.2 million in 2019 driven by the higher sales volumes in Retail, our cost savings programs, including continued contributions from our strategic procurement and transportation management initiatives, improved net price realization and lower commodity costs. Offsets to gross profit growth included higher manufacturing costs and other expenses resulting from the impacts of COVID-19.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses increased21% to $180.9 million in 2020 as expenditures for Project Ascent increased $16.3 million to $18.0 million. Investments in technology and IT infrastructure, a write-off of engineering costs for a dressing plant expansion project and other expenses attributed to the impacts of COVID-19, and a higher level of consumer promotional spending also contributed to the rise in SG&A expenses. Shifts in demand between our Retail and Foodservice segments led us to cancel the plant expansion project. Project Ascent expenses are included within Corporate Expenses. A portion of the costs classified as Project Ascent expenses represent ongoing costs that will continue subsequent to ERP implementation.

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Year Ended June 30, Change

Change in Contingent Consideration

The change in contingent consideration resulted in expense of $0.3 million in 2020 compared to a net benefit of $16.2 million in 2019, which included a $17.1 million reduction in the fair value of the contingent consideration liability for Angelic Bakehouse, Inc. (“Angelic”) as a result of our 2019 fair value measurements. See further discussion in Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements. Given the nature of Angelic’s sales and historical accounting treatment, the entire adjustment related to Angelic’s contingent consideration was recorded within the Retail segment.

Restructuring and Impairment Charges

In the fourth quarter of 2019, we committed to a plan to close our frozen bread manufacturing plant located in Saraland, Alabama. This decision was intended to provide greater production efficiency by consolidating most of this facility’s operations into other existing plants, outsourcing certain requirements and discontinuing less profitable frozen bread products. Production at the plant ceased in July 2019. The operations of this plant have not been classified as discontinued operations as the closure did not represent a strategic shift that would have a major effect on our operations or financial results.

During 2020 and 2019, we recorded restructuring and impairment charges of $0.9 million and $1.6 million, respectively. Therestructuring and impairment charges, which consisted of one-time termination benefits, fixed asset impairment charges and other closing costs, were not allocated to our two reportable segments due to their unusual nature. We do not expect any additional charges attributed to this plant closure.

Operating Income

Operating income decreased8% to $175.9 million in 2020 driven by the impact of the prior-year’s favorable adjustment related to Angelic’s contingent consideration, increased expenditures for Project Ascent, higher costs attributed to the impacts of COVID-19 and increased investments in technology and IT infrastructure. These unfavorable factors were partially offset by the more favorable sales mix, our cost savings programs, improved net price realization and lower commodity costs. See discussion of operating results by segment following the discussion of “Earnings Per Share” below.

Taxes Based on Income

Our effective tax rate was 23.5% and 23.0% in 2020 and 2019, respectively. See Note 9 to the consolidated financial statements for a reconciliation of the statutory rate to the effective rate.

We include the tax consequences related to stock-based compensation within the computation of income tax expense. We may experience increased volatility to our income tax expense and resulting net income dependent upon, among other variables, the price of our common stock and the timing and volume of share-based payment award activity such as employee exercises of stock-settled stock appreciation rights and vesting of restricted stock awards. For 2020 and 2019, the impact of net windfall tax benefits from stock-based compensation reduced our effective tax rate by 0.8%.

Earnings Per Share

As influenced by the factors discussed above, particularly the increased expenditures for Project Ascent and costs attributed to the impacts of COVID-19 in 2020 and the reduction in fair value of Angelic’s contingent consideration in 2019, diluted net income per share totaled $4.97 in 2020, a decrease from the 2019 total of $5.46 per diluted share. Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding for each of the years ended June 30, 2020 and 2019 have remained relatively stable.

In 2020, expenditures for Project Ascent reduced diluted earnings per share by $0.50. Certain costs attributed to the impacts of COVID-19, including the temporary increase in pay for our front-line employees, the write-off of engineering costs for a canceled dressing plant expansion project and an increase in the Foodservice inventory reserve, had an unfavorable impact of $0.28 per diluted share in 2020. The restructuring and impairment charge also reduced diluted earnings per share in 2020 by $0.02. In 2019, the after-tax benefit from the reduction in the fair value of Angelic’s contingent consideration liability was $0.48 per diluted share while Project Ascent expenditures reduced diluted earnings per share by $0.05 and the restructuring and impairment charge had an unfavorable impact of $0.05 per diluted share.

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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - SEGMENTS

Retail Segment

Year Ended June 30, Change

In 2020, net sales for the Retail segment reached a record $714.1 million, a 9%increase from the prior-year total of $656.6 million as higher retail channel demand attributed to the impacts of COVID-19 and contributions from shelf-stable dressings and sauces sold under license agreements, including new product introductions, drove Retail sales gains. Higher sales volumes for frozen garlic bread and frozen dinner rolls, along with some beneficial net price realization, also added to the growth in Retail net sales.

In 2020, Retail segment operating income increased$7.7 million, or 6%, to $142.8 million. Retail segment operating income benefited from the increase in sales, our ongoing cost savings programs, improved net price realization and lower commodity costs as partially offset by higher trade and consumer promotional spending. The prior-year results were favorably impacted by the $17.1 million reduction in the fair value of Angelic’s contingent consideration liability.

Foodservice Segment

Year Ended June 30, Change

In 2020, Foodservice net sales decreased5% to $620.3 million from the 2019 total of $651.2 million. After growth of 7% in the first half of the fiscal year, Foodservice net sales declined 16% in the second half as consumer demand shifted away from the foodservice channel due to the impacts of COVID-19. Excluding all sales resulting from the November 2018 acquisition of Omni, total Foodservice net sales declined 5%. Omni sales attributed to a temporary supply agreement totaled $22.3 million in the current fiscal year compared to $19.4 million last year.

In 2020, the $7.3 milliondecline in Foodservice segment operating income and decrease in operating margin was primarily due to the sales decline, reduced absorption of fixed production costs resulting from the lower sales volumes and other costs attributed to the impacts of COVID-19, including the cancelation of the dressing plant expansion project, an inventory write-down and the temporary increase in hourly wages for our front-line employees.

Corporate Expenses

The 2020 corporate expenses totaled $32.5 million as compared to $16.4 million in 2019. The increase was driven by expenditures for Project Ascent, which totaled $18.0 million in 2020 as compared to $1.8 million in 2019. In 2020, we also capitalized an additional $8.9 million of ERP-related expenditures for application development stage activities.

LOOKING FORWARD

For 2021, we expect Retail segment sales will continue to benefit from the growth in shelf-stable dressings and sauces sold under license agreements, including sales gains for Chick-fil-A® sauces following a successful pilot test that was launched in March 2020, expanded geographic distribution of Buffalo Wild Wings® sauces in single bottles and growth in the dollar and value channels for Olive Garden® dressings. We also anticipate both our Retail and Foodservice segment sales will continue to be impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has caused shifts in consumer demand between the retail and foodservice channels. The extent of this impact on our 2021 results is very difficult to predict due to ongoing regional ebbs and flows of COVID-19 cases and the associated loosening and tightening of stay-at-home orders and other restrictions and guidelines that create uncertainty for the restaurant industry and consumer behavior over an unpredictable timeline.

Based on current market conditions, following a year in which commodity costs were notably favorable, we expect commodity costs to increase in 2021. Our cost savings programs and pricing initiatives will help to offset these increased costs. Our 2021 SG&A expenses will continue to include Project Ascent expenses.

We will continue to consider acquisition opportunities that represent good value and are consistent with our growth strategy or otherwise provide significant strategic benefits.

Our exposure to volatile swings in food commodity costs will continue to be managed and mitigated through a strategic forward purchasing program for certain key materials such as soybean oil and flour. For a more-detailed discussion of the effect

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of commodity costs, see the “Impact of Inflation” section of this MD&A below. Changes in other notable recurring costs, such as marketing, transportation, production costs and introductory costs for new products, may also impact our overall results.

We will continue to periodically reassess our allocation of capital to ensure that we maintain adequate operating flexibility while providing appropriate levels of cash returns to our shareholders.

FINANCIAL CONDITION

Liquidity and Capital Resources

We maintain sufficient flexibility in our capital structure to ensure our capitalization is adequate to support our future internal growth prospects, acquire food businesses consistent with our strategic goals, and maintain cash returns to our shareholders through cash dividends and opportunistic share repurchases. Our balance sheet maintained fundamental financial strength during 2020 as we ended the year with $198 million in cash and equivalents, along with shareholders’ equity of $783 million and no debt.

Under our unsecured revolving credit facility (“Facility”), we may borrow up to a maximum of $150 million at any one time. We had no borrowings outstanding under the Facility at June 30, 2020. At June 30, 2020, we had $2.8 million of standby letters of credit outstanding, which reduced the amount available for borrowing under the Facility. The Facility expires in March 2025, and all outstanding amounts are then due and payable. Interest is variable based upon formulas tied to LIBOR or an alternate base rate defined in the Facility. We must also pay facility fees that are tied to our then-applicable consolidated leverage ratio. Loans may be used for general corporate purposes. Due to the nature of its terms, when we have outstanding borrowings under the Facility, they will be classified as long-term debt.

The Facility contains certain restrictive covenants, including limitations on indebtedness, asset sales and acquisitions, and financial covenants relating to interest coverage and leverage. At June 30, 2020, we were in compliance with all applicable provisions and covenants of this facility, and we exceeded the requirements of the financial covenants by substantial margins. At June 30, 2020, there were no events that would constitute a default under this facility.

We currently expect to remain in compliance with the Facility’s covenants for the foreseeable future. However, a default under the Facility could accelerate the repayment of any then outstanding indebtedness and limit our access to $75 million of additional credit available under the Facility. Such an event could require a reduction in or curtailment of cash dividends or share repurchases, reduce or delay beneficial expansion or investment plans, or otherwise impact our ability to meet our obligations when due.

We believe that cash provided by operating activities and our existing balances in cash and equivalents, in addition to that available under the Facility, should be adequate to meet our liquidity needs over the next 12 months, including the projected levels of capital expenditures and dividend payments. Based on our current plans and expectations, we believe our capital expenditures for 2021 could total between $65 and $85 million. In addition, we will also continue to evaluate other potentially significant investments, such as a plant expansion, new plant construction or brownfield investment, to meet increasing demand for our dressing and sauce products. If we were to borrow outside of the Facility under current market terms, our average interest rate may increase and have an adverse effect on our results of operations.

Cash Flows

Year Ended June 30, Change

Cash provided by operating activities remains the primary source for funding our investing and financing activities, as well as financing our organic growth initiatives.

Cash provided by operating activities in 2020 totaled $170.8 million, a decrease of 14% as compared with the 2019 total of $197.6 million. The 2020decrease was due to the year-over-year change in net working capital and lower net income, as partially offset by the impact of the prior-year reduction in the fair value of Angelic’s contingent consideration.

Cash used in investing activities totaled $83.3 million in 2020 as compared to $126.9 million in 2019. The 2020decrease primarily reflects the impact of the prior-year second quarter acquisitions of Bantam and Omni as partially offset by a higher level of payments for property additions in the current year. The year-over-year increase in our capital expenditures includes spending on a capacity expansion project at our frozen dinner roll facility in Horse Cave, Kentucky that was completed in January 2020 and the purchase of the Omni manufacturing facility that was previously leased. Payments for property additions totaled $82.6 million in 2020 compared to $70.9 million in 2019.

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Financing activities used net cash totaling $85.5 million and $80.2 million in 2020 and 2019, respectively. In general, cash used in financing activities reflects the payment of dividends and share repurchases. The 2020increase was primarily due to higher dividend payments. The regular dividend payout rate for 2020 was $2.75 per share, as compared to $2.55 per share in 2019. This past fiscal year marked the 57th consecutive year in which our dividend rate was increased.

The future levels of share repurchases and declared dividends are subject to the periodic review of our Board of Directors and are generally determined after an assessment is made of various factors, such as anticipated earnings levels, cash flow requirements and general business conditions.

Our ongoing business activities continue to be subject to compliance with various laws, rules and regulations as may be issued and enforced by various federal, state and local agencies. With respect to environmental matters, costs are incurred pertaining to regulatory compliance and, upon occasion, remediation. Such costs have not been, and are not anticipated to become, material.

We are contingently liable with respect to lawsuits, taxes and various other matters that routinely arise in the normal course of business. We do not have any related party transactions that materially affect our results of operations, cash flows or financial condition.

OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS, CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS AND COMMITMENTS

We do not have off-balance sheet arrangements, financings, or other relationships with unconsolidated entities or other persons, also known as “Variable Interest Entities,” that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future material effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity or capital expenditures.

We have various contractual obligations that are appropriately recorded as liabilities in our consolidated financial statements. Certain other contractual obligations are not recognized as liabilities in our consolidated financial statements. Examples of such items are commitments to purchase raw materials or packaging inventory that has not yet been received as of June 30, 2020.

The following table summarizes our contractual obligations as of June 30, 2020 (dollars in thousands):

Payment Due by Period

IMPACT OF INFLATION

Our business results can be influenced by significant changes in the costs of our raw materials, packaging and freight. We attempt to mitigate the impact of inflation on our raw materials by entering into longer-term fixed-price contracts for a portion of our most significant commodities, soybean oil and flour. We have also implemented a procurement strategy for a portion of our egg needs through the use of grain-based pricing contracts to reduce our exposure to egg market spot prices. With regard to freight costs, during 2019 we added more dedicated carriers to our overall transportation network to help reduce our exposure to spot freight rates. In 2019 we also implemented a transportation management system which improved the efficiency of our internal freight management processes and also allowed us to secure more competitive freight rates. Nonetheless, we remain

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exposed to events and trends in the marketplace for our other raw-material, packaging and freight costs. While we attempt to pass through sustained increases in raw-material costs, any such price adjustments will often lag the changes in the related input costs.

In 2020, commodity costs were modestly favorable driven by lower costs for eggs, soybean oil and flour. Packaging materials and freight costs were also favorable in 2020. Our strategic procurement programs, transportation management system and other cost savings initiatives also helped to reduce our expenditures on commodities, packaging materials and freight in 2020. In 2019, commodity cost inflation moderated to nearly flat compared to 2018 while packaging and freight costs were modestly inflationary.

Looking ahead to 2021, under current market conditions we foresee inflation in commodities. Our ongoing cost savings programs and pricing initiatives will help to offset these higher commodity costs.

Although typically less notable, we are also exposed to the unfavorable effects of general inflation beyond material and freight costs, especially in the areas of annual wage adjustments and benefit costs. Over time, we attempt to minimize the exposure to such cost increases through ongoing improvements and greater efficiencies throughout our manufacturing operations, including benefits gained through our lean six sigma program and strategic investments in plant equipment.

With regard to the impact of commodity and freight costs on Foodservice segment operating income, most of our supply contracts with national chain restaurant accounts incorporate pricing adjustments to account for changes in ingredient and freight costs. These supply contracts may vary by account with regard to the time lapse between the actual change in ingredient and freight costs we incur and the effective date of the associated price increase or decrease. As a result, the reported operating margins of the Foodservice segment are subject to increased volatility during periods of rapidly rising or falling ingredient and/or freight costs because at least some portion of the change in ingredient and/or freight costs is reflected in the segment’s results prior to the impact of any associated change in pricing. In addition, the Foodservice segment has an inherently higher degree of margin volatility from changes in ingredient costs when compared to the Retail segment due to its overall lower margin profile and higher ratio of ingredient pounds to net sales.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

This MD&A discusses our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. The preparation of these consolidated financial statements requires that we make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates and judgments, including, but not limited to, those related to accounts receivable allowances, distribution costs, asset impairments and self-insurance reserves. We base our estimates and judgments on historical experience and on various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. Historically, the aggregate differences, if any, between our estimates and actual amounts in any year have not had a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements. While a summary of our significant accounting policies can be found in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, we believe the following critical accounting policies reflect those areas in which more significant judgments and estimates are used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements.

Receivables and Related Allowances

We evaluate the adequacy of our allowances for customer deductions considering several factors including historical experience, specific trade programs and existing customer relationships.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill is not amortized. It is evaluated annually at April 30 by applying impairment testing procedures. Other intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives to Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. We evaluate the future economic benefit of the recorded goodwill and other intangible assets when events or circumstances indicate potential recoverability concerns. Carrying amounts are adjusted appropriately when determined to have been impaired.

RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

Recent accounting pronouncements and their impact on our consolidated financial statements are disclosed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements.

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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

We desire to take advantage of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the “PSLRA”). This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains various “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the PSLRA and other applicable securities laws. Such statements can be identified by the use of the forward-looking words “anticipate,” “estimate,” “project,” “believe,” “intend,” “plan,” “expect,” “hope” or similar words. These statements discuss future expectations; contain projections regarding future developments, operations or financial conditions; or state other forward-looking information. Such statements are based upon assumptions and assessments made by us in light of our experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors we believe to be appropriate. These forward-looking statements involve various important risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ as a result of factors over which we have no, or limited, control including, without limitation, the specific influences outlined below, many of which could be amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic. Management believes these forward-looking statements to be reasonable; however, one should not place undue reliance on such statements that are based on current expectations. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update such forward-looking statements, except as required by law.

Items which could impact these forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, those risk factors identified in Item 1A and:

• efficiencies in plant operations;

• fluctuations in the cost and availability of ingredients and packaging;

• the potential for loss of larger programs or key customer relationships;

• ability to successfully grow recently acquired businesses;

• price and product competition;

• the lack of market acceptance of new products;

• the success and cost of new product development efforts;

• the impact of customer store brands on our branded retail volumes;

• the reaction of customers or consumers to price increases we may implement;

• stability of labor relations;

• dependence on key personnel and changes in key personnel;

• the effect of consolidation of customers within key market channels;

• maintenance of competitive position with respect to other manufacturers;

• changes in estimates in critical accounting judgments;

• the outcome of any litigation or arbitration;

• adequate supply of skilled labor; and

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Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

We have exposure to market risks primarily from changes in raw material prices. In recent years, due to the absence of any borrowings, we have not had exposure to changes in interest rates. We also have not had exposure to market risk associated with derivative financial instruments or derivative commodity instruments as we do not utilize any such instruments.

RAW MATERIAL PRICE RISK

We purchase a variety of commodities and other raw materials, such as soybean oil, flour, eggs and dairy-based materials, which we use to manufacture our products. The market prices for these commodities are subject to fluctuation based upon a number of economic factors and may become volatile at times. While we do not use any derivative commodity instruments to hedge against commodity price risk, we do actively manage a portion of the risk through a structured forward purchasing program for certain key materials such as soybean oil and flour. In addition, we have implemented a procurement strategy for a portion of our egg needs through the use of grain-based pricing contracts to reduce our exposure to egg market spot prices. These programs, coupled with short-term fixed price arrangements on other significant raw materials, provide us more predictable input costs, which, in addition to the supply contracts with our foodservice customers that allow us to pass along price increases for commodities, help to stabilize our margins during periods of significant volatility in the commodity markets.

Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the shareholders and the Board of Directors of Lancaster Colony Corporation

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Lancaster Colony Corporation and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of June 30, 2020 and 2019, the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, shareholders’ equity, and cash flows, for each of the three years in the period ended June 30, 2020, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of June 30, 2020 and 2019 and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended June 30, 2020, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of June 30, 2020, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated August 27, 2020, expressed an unqualified opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

Change in Accounting Principle

As discussed in Note 1 to the financial statements, the Company has changed its method of accounting for leases effective July 1, 2019, due to the adoption of Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842).

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

Critical Audit Matter

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

Fair Value - Contingent Consideration (Level 3 Liabilities) - Refer to Note 3 in the Financial Statements

Critical Audit Matter Description

The Company has contingent consideration liabilities whose fair values are based on complex models and unobservable inputs. The contingent consideration liabilities resulted from the earn-out provisions associated with the Company’s October 19, 2018 acquisition of Bantam Bagels and November 17, 2016 acquisition of Angelic Bakehouse. The terms of these acquisitions specify that the sellers may receive an earn-out payment as part of the overall consideration in the transactions based upon a pre-determined contractual formula at a specified future date. Under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, these liabilities are generally classified as Level 3 liabilities and are marked to fair value on a recurring basis.

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Unlike the fair value of other assets and liabilities that are readily observable, and therefore, more easily independently corroborated, the valuation of Level 3 liabilities is inherently subjective, and often involves the use of complex models and unobservable inputs. The contingent consideration of Bantam Bagels is valued using a Monte Carlo simulation that randomly changes revenue growth, forecasted adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (“EBITDA”), as defined in the related acquisition agreement, and other uncertain variables to estimate fair value using a discount rate. The contingent consideration of Angelic Bakehouse is valued using a present value approach that incorporates factors such as a revenue growth rate, discount rate, and forecasted adjusted EBITDA, as defined in the related acquisition agreement, to estimate fair value.

We identified these Level 3 liabilities as a critical audit matter because of the complex models and unobservable inputs management uses to estimate fair value. This required a high degree of auditor judgment and an increased extent of effort, including the need to involve our fair value specialists who possess significant quantitative and modeling expertise, to audit and evaluate the appropriateness of the models and inputs.

How the Critical Audit Matter Was Addressed in the Audit

Our audit procedures related to the complex models and unobservable inputs used by management to estimate the fair value of the Level 3 liabilities included the following, among others:

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

Deloitte & Touche LLP

Columbus, Ohio

August 27, 2020

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 1961.

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LANCASTER COLONY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Amounts in thousands, except share data) 2020 2019

ASSETS

Current Assets:

Inventories:

Property, Plant and Equipment:

Other Assets:

Operating lease right-of-use assets 22,977 —

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Current Liabilities:

Noncurrent Operating Lease Liabilities 17,893 —

Commitments and Contingencies

Shareholders’ Equity:

Preferred stock-authorized 3,050,000 shares; outstanding-none

Accumulated other comprehensive loss (12,070 ) (10,308 )

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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LANCASTER COLONY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

Years Ended June 30,

Restructuring and Impairment Charges 886 1,643 —

Net Income Per Common Share:

Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding:

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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LANCASTER COLONY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

Years Ended June 30,

Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income:

Defined Benefit Pension and Postretirement Benefit Plans:

Net (loss) gain arising during the period, before tax (2,662 ) (2,902 ) 3,041

Amortization of prior service credit, before tax (182 ) (182 ) (182 )

Total Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income, Before Tax (2,298 ) (2,674 ) 3,395

Tax Attributes of Items in Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income:

Net (loss) gain arising during the period, tax 622 678 (710 )

Amortization of loss, tax (128 ) (96 ) (180 )

Amortization of prior service credit, tax 42 43 61

Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income, Net of Tax (1,762 ) (2,049 ) 2,566

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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LANCASTER COLONY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

Years Ended June 30,

Cash Flows From Operating Activities:

Impacts of noncash items:

Restructuring and impairment charges (268 ) 1,643 —

Loss (gain) on sale of property 315 (13 ) (10 )

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

Cash Flows From Investing Activities:

Cash paid for acquisitions, net of cash acquired — (55,364 ) (318 )

Proceeds from sale of property 129 169 38

Cash Flows From Financing Activities:

Tax withholdings for stock-based compensation (3,806 ) (2,360 ) (981 )

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Shares Amount

Net pension and postretirement benefit gains, net of $829 tax effect 2,566 2,566

Cash dividends - common stock ($2.35 per share) (64,531 ) (64,531 )

Purchase of treasury stock (9 ) (1,102 ) (1,102 )

Stock-based compensation expense 5,039 5,039

Cash dividends - common stock ($2.55 per share) (70,110 ) (70,110 )

Stock-based compensation expense 5,972 5,972

Cash dividends - common stock ($2.75 per share) (75,644 ) (75,644 )

Stock-based compensation expense 6,115 6,115

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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LANCASTER COLONY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Tabular amounts in thousands, except per share data)

Note 1 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Lancaster Colony Corporation and our wholly-owned subsidiaries, collectively referred to as “we,” “us,” “our,” “registrant,” or the “Company.” Intercompany transactions and accounts have been eliminated in consolidation. Our fiscal year begins on July 1 and ends on June 30. Unless otherwise noted, references to “year” pertain to our fiscal year; for example, 2020 refers to fiscal 2020, which is the period from July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) requires that we make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Estimates included in these consolidated financial statements include allowances for customer deductions, net realizable value of inventories, useful lives for the calculation of depreciation and amortization, distribution accruals, pension and postretirement assumptions and self-insurance accruals. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

Cash and Equivalents

We consider all highly liquid investments purchased with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents. The carrying amounts of our cash and equivalents approximate fair value due to their short maturities and are considered level 1 investments, which have quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets. As a result of our cash management system, checks issued but not presented to the banks for payment may create negative book cash balances. When such negative balances exist, they are included in Accrued Liabilities.

Receivables and Related Allowances

We evaluate the adequacy of our allowances for customer deductions considering several factors including historical experience, specific trade programs and existing customer relationships. We also provide an allowance for doubtful accounts based on the aging of accounts receivable balances, historical write-off experience and on-going reviews of our trade receivables. Measurement of potential losses requires credit review of existing customer relationships, consideration of historical loss experience, including the need to adjust for current conditions, and judgments about the probable effects of relevant observable data, including present economic conditions such as delinquency rates and the economic health of customers. Our allowance for doubtful accounts was immaterial for all periods presented.

Credit Risk

Financial instruments that potentially subject us to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash and equivalents and trade accounts receivable. By policy, we limit the amount of credit exposure to any one institution or issuer. Our concentration of credit risk with respect to trade accounts receivable is mitigated by our credit evaluation process and by having a large and diverse customer base. However, see Note 10 with respect to our accounts receivable with Walmart Inc. and McLane Company, Inc., a wholesale distribution subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, Inc.

Inventories

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value and are costed by various methods that approximate actual cost on a first-in, first-out basis. Due to the nature of our business, work in process inventory is not a material component of inventory. When necessary, we provide allowances to adjust the carrying value of our inventory to the lower of cost or net realizable value, including any costs to sell or dispose. The determination of whether inventory items are slow moving, obsolete or in excess of needs requires estimates about the future demand for our products. The estimates as to future demand used in the valuation of inventory are subject to the ongoing success of our products and may differ from actual due to factors such as changes in customer and consumer demand.

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost, except for those acquired as part of a business combination, which are recorded at fair value at the time of purchase. We use the straight-line method of computing depreciation for financial reporting purposes based on the estimated useful lives of the corresponding assets. Estimated useful lives for buildings and improvements range generally from 10 to 40 years, machinery and equipment, excluding technology-related equipment, range generally from 3 to 15 years and technology-related equipment range generally from 3 to 5 years. For tax purposes, we generally compute depreciation using accelerated methods.

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Tabular amounts in thousands, except per share data)

Purchases of property, plant and equipment included in Accounts Payable and excluded from the property additions and the change in accounts payable in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows at June 30 were as follows:

Construction in progress in Accounts Payable $ 2,909 $ 7,852 $ 2,070

The following table sets forth depreciation expense, including finance lease amortization, in each of the years ended June 30:

Deferred Software Costs

We capitalize certain costs related to hosting arrangements that are service contracts (cloud computing arrangements). Capitalized costs are included in Other Current Assets or Other Noncurrent Assets and are amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life. In 2020 and 2019, we capitalized $10.3 million and $1.7 million, respectively, of deferred software costs related to cloud computing arrangements.

Long-Lived Assets

We monitor the recoverability of the carrying value of our long-lived assets by periodically considering whether indicators of impairment are present. If such indicators are present, we determine if the assets are recoverable by comparing the sum of the undiscounted future cash flows to the assets’ carrying amounts. Our cash flows are based on historical results adjusted to reflect our best estimate of future market and operating conditions. If the carrying amounts are greater, then the assets are not recoverable. In that instance, we compare the carrying amounts to the fair value to determine the amount of the impairment to be recorded.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill is not amortized. It is evaluated annually at April 30 by applying impairment testing procedures. Other intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives to Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. We evaluate the future economic benefit of the recorded goodwill and other intangible assets when events or circumstances indicate potential recoverability concerns. Carrying amounts are adjusted appropriately when determined to have been impaired. See further discussion regarding goodwill and other intangible assets in Note 7.

Accrued Distribution

We incur various freight and other related costs associated with shipping products to our customers and warehouses. We provide accruals for unbilled shipments from carriers utilizing historical or projected freight rates and other relevant information.

Accruals for Self-Insurance

Self-insurance accruals are made for certain claims associated with employee health care, workers’ compensation and general liability insurance. These accruals include estimates that are primarily based on historical loss development factors.

Shareholders’ Equity

We are authorized to issue 3,050,000 shares of preferred stock consisting of 750,000 shares of Class A Participating Preferred Stock with $1.00 par value, 1,150,000 shares of Class B Voting Preferred Stock without par value and 1,150,000 shares of Class C Nonvoting Preferred Stock without par value. Our Board of Directors approved a share repurchase authorization of 2,000,000 common shares in November 2010. At June 30, 2020, 1,315,911 common shares remained authorized for future purchase.

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Tabular amounts in thousands, except per share data)

Revenue Recognition

When Performance Obligations Are Satisfied

A performance obligation is a promise in a contract to transfer a distinct good or service to the customer and is the unit of account for revenue recognition. A contract’s transaction price is allocated to each distinct performance obligation and recognized as revenue when, or as, the performance obligation is satisfied. The singular performance obligation of our customer contracts is determined by each individual purchase order and the respective food products ordered, with revenue being recognized at a point-in-time when the obligation under the terms of the agreement is satisfied and product control is transferred to our customer. Specifically, control transfers to our customers when the product is delivered to or picked up by our customers based upon applicable shipping terms, as our customers can direct the use and obtain substantially all of the remaining benefits from the asset at this point in time. The performance obligations in our customer contracts are generally satisfied within 30 days. As such, we have not disclosed the transaction price allocated to remaining performance obligations as of June 30, 2020.

Significant Payment Terms

In general, within our customer contracts, the purchase order identifies the product, quantity, price, pick-up allowances, payment terms and final delivery terms. Payment terms usually include early pay discounts. We grant payment terms consistent with industry standards. Although some payment terms may be more extended, presently the majority of our payment terms are less than 60 days. As a result, we have used the available practical expedient and, consequently, do not adjust our revenues for the effects of a significant financing component.