UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10‑Q
10-Q
(Mark One)
xQUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the three months ended
September 30, 20172020
OR
oTRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from to
Commission file number 001‑37540001-37540
twnk-20200930_g1.jpg
HOSTESS BRANDS, INC.

(f/k/a GORES HOLDINGS, INC.)
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware47-4168492
Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)

47‑4168492
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
1 East Armour Boulevard
Kansas City, MO
7905 Quivira Road
66215
Lenexa,KS(Zip Code)
(Address of principal executive offices)
64111
(Zip Code)
(816) 701‑4600701-4600
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code



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

Title of each ClassTicker SymbolName of each exchange on which registered
Class A Common Stock, Par Value of $0.0001 per shareTWNKThe Nasdaq Stock Market LLC
Warrants, each exercisable for a half share of Class A Common StockTWNKWThe Nasdaq Stock Market LLC



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 x No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically, and posted on its corporate Website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S‑TS-T (§229.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes x No o

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

Large accelerated filero
Accelerated

filer 
x
Non‑accelerated  filer o
(Do not check if a
smaller reporting company)
Smaller reporting company o
Emerging growth company x


☐ 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 is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b‑2 of the Act). Yes oNo x


Shares of Class A common stock outstanding - 99,632,183126,211,761 shares at November 3, 20175, 2020
Shares of Class B common stock outstanding - 30,398,7774,568,497 shares at November 3, 20175, 2020






HOSTESS BRANDS, INC.
FORM 10-Q
FOR THE QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBERFor the Quarter Ended September 30, 20172020


INDEX
Page
Item 1.
Item 2.
Item 3.
Item 4.
Item 1.
Item 1A.
Item 2.
Item 3.
Item 4.
Item 5.
Item 6.













Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (“Quarterly Report”) contains statements reflecting our views about our future performance that constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. All statements contained in this Quarterly Report other than statements of historical fact, including statements regarding our future results of operations and financial position, our business strategy and plans, and our objectives for future operations, are forward-looking statements. Statements that constitute forward-looking statements are generally identified through the inclusion of words such as “believes,” “expects,” “intends,” “estimates,” “projects,” “anticipates,” “will,” “plan,” “may,” “should,” or similar language. Statements addressing our future operating performance and statements addressing events and developments that we expect or anticipate will occur are also considered as forward-looking statements. All forward‑lookingforward-looking statements included herein are made only as of the date hereof. It is routine for our internal projections and expectations to change throughout the year, and any forward-looking statements based upon these projections or expectations may change prior to the end of the next quarter or year. Readers of this Quarterly Report are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. As a result of a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties, our actual results or performance may be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Risks and uncertainties are identified and under “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016,2019 and herein, as updated by subsequent filings. The impact of COVID-19 may also exacerbate these risks, any of which could have a material effect on us. This situation is changing rapidly and additional impacts may arise that the Company is not aware of currently.All subsequent written or oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these risk factors. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. The discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations included in Item 2- Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations should be read in conjunction with our Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes included in Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.










3



HOSTESS BRANDS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited, amounts in thousands, except shares and per share data)


September 30,December 31,

September 30, December 31,20202019
ASSETS2017 2016ASSETS

(Successor) (Successor)
Current assets:
 
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents$101,171
 $26,855
Cash and cash equivalents$152,297 $285,087 
Accounts receivable, net100,733
 89,237
Accounts receivable, net136,930 104,892 
Inventories33,812
 30,444
Inventories47,710 47,608 
Prepaids and other current assets6,791
 4,827
Prepaids and other current assets20,116 15,569 
Total current assets242,507
 151,363
Total current assets357,053 453,156 
Property and equipment, net166,931
 153,224
Property and equipment, net284,118 242,384 
Intangible assets, net1,929,082
 1,946,943
Intangible assets, net1,974,081 1,853,315 
Goodwill580,349
 588,460
Goodwill707,132 535,853 
Other assets, net7,804
 7,902
Other assets, net17,459 12,993 
Total assets$2,926,673
 $2,847,892
Total assets$3,339,843 $3,097,701 
   
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY   LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
   
Current liabilities:   Current liabilities:
Long-term debt and capital lease obligation payable within one year$11,357
 $11,496
Long-term debt and lease obligations payable within one yearLong-term debt and lease obligations payable within one year$13,097 $11,883 
Tax receivable agreement payments payable within one yearTax receivable agreement payments payable within one year9,100 12,100 
Accounts payable53,451
 34,083
Accounts payable60,096 68,566 
Customer trade allowances35,150
 36,691
Customer trade allowances57,059 45,715 
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities11,051
 21,656
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities57,020 21,661 
Total current liabilities111,009
 103,926
Total current liabilities196,372 159,925 
Long-term debt and capital lease obligation988,476
 993,374
Tax receivable agreement175,487
 165,384
Long-term debt and lease obligationsLong-term debt and lease obligations1,106,374 975,405 
Tax receivable agreement obligationsTax receivable agreement obligations128,355 126,096 
Deferred tax liability366,457
 353,797
Deferred tax liability298,387 256,051 
Other long-term liabilitiesOther long-term liabilities1,340 
Total liabilities1,641,429
 1,616,481
Total liabilities1,730,828 1,517,477 
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 14)
 
Class A common stock, $0.0001 par value, 200,000,000 shares authorized, 99,992,183 and 98,250,917 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively10
 10
Class B common stock, $0.0001 par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized, 30,398,777 and 31,704,988 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively3
 3
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 13)Commitments and Contingencies (Note 13)
Class A common stock, $0.0001 par value, 200,000,000 shares authorized, 125,149,257 and 122,108,086 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectivelyClass A common stock, $0.0001 par value, 200,000,000 shares authorized, 125,149,257 and 122,108,086 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively12 12 
Class B common stock, $0.0001 par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized, 5,622,149 and 8,409,834 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectivelyClass B common stock, $0.0001 par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized, 5,622,149 and 8,409,834 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively
Additional paid in capital923,739
 912,824
Additional paid in capital1,185,003 1,152,055 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss(43) 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss(11,004)(756)
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)28,593
 (15,618)
Retained earningsRetained earnings375,603 334,480 
Stockholders’ equity952,302
 897,219
Stockholders’ equity1,549,615 1,485,792 
Non-controlling interest332,942
 334,192
Non-controlling interest59,400 94,432 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity$2,926,673
 $2,847,892
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity$3,339,843 $3,097,701 
See accompanying notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements.

4


HOSTESS BRANDS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited, amounts in thousands, except shares and per share data)
Three Months EndedNine Months Ended
September 30, 2020September 30, 2019September 30, 2020September 30, 2019
Net revenue$260,855 $227,211 $760,566 $691,009 
Cost of goods sold169,700 156,791 500,700 461,951 
Gross profit91,155 70,420 259,866 229,058 
Operating costs and expenses:
Advertising and marketing11,762 10,627 32,983 30,186 
Selling expense8,675 6,992 39,173 23,822 
General and administrative21,913 17,736 71,261 54,483 
Amortization of customer relationships6,739 5,755 20,333 17,749 
Business combination transaction costs4,282 
Other operating expense729 5,739 756 6,256 
Total operating costs and expenses49,818 46,849 168,788 132,496 
Operating income41,337 23,571 91,078 96,562 
Other expense:
Interest expense, net10,265 9,813 32,570 30,351 
Other expense818 2,503 1,286 
Total other expense11,083 9,813 35,073 31,637 
Income before income taxes30,254 13,758 56,005 64,925 
Income tax expense6,281 3,029 12,022 10,915 
Net income23,973 10,729 43,983 54,010 
Less: Net income attributable to the non-controlling interest1,368 1,944 2,860 12,615 
Net income attributable to Class A stockholders$22,605 $8,785 $41,123 $41,395 
Earnings per Class A share:
Basic$0.18 $0.08 $0.33 $0.39 
Diluted$0.18 $0.07 $0.33 $0.37 
Weighted-average shares outstanding:
Basic124,905,538 115,196,195 123,901,333 106,904,733 
Diluted127,586,881 121,122,895 126,090,645 110,804,367 
 Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
 September 30,
2017

 September 30,
2016
 September 30,
2017
  September 30,
2016

(Successor)
 (Predecessor) (Successor)  (Predecessor)
Net revenue$192,250
  $196,197
 $579,967
  $548,757
Cost of goods sold113,885
  113,618
 333,861
  309,427
Gross profit78,365
  82,579
 246,106
  239,330
Operating costs and expenses:     

  

Advertising and marketing8,871
  10,381
 24,304
  27,529
Selling expense7,606
  8,271
 24,418
  23,175
General and administrative14,494
  10,784
 43,416
  32,015
Amortization of customer relationships5,994
  156
 17,860
  468
Business combination transaction costs
  4,049
 
  7,065
Impairment of property and equipment1,003
  
 1,003
  7,267
Related party expenses92
  1,058
 284
  3,431
Tax receivable agreement liability remeasurement1,589
  
 1,589
  
Recall and other costs (recoveries)
  (3,787) 
  473
Total operating costs and expenses39,649
  30,912
 112,874
  101,423
Operating income38,716
  51,667
 133,232
  137,907
Other expense:         
Interest expense, net9,966
  18,004
 29,831
  53,746
Loss on modification of debt2,122
  
 1,948
  
Other expense182
  173
 1,309
  2,344
Total other expense12,270
  18,177
 33,088
  56,090
Income before income taxes26,446
  33,490
 100,144
  81,817
Income tax expense (benefit)10,316
  (23) 31,608
  294
Net income16,130
  33,513
 68,536
  81,523
Less: Net income attributable to the non-controlling interest6,581
  2,329
 24,325
  4,110
Net income attributable to Class A shareholders/partners$9,549
  $31,184
 $44,211
  $77,413
          
Earnings per Class A share:

 
 
   
Basic$0.10

 
 $0.45
   
Diluted$0.09

 
 $0.42
   
Weighted-average shares outstanding:         
Basic99,557,183

 
 98,920,808
  
Diluted105,418,566

 
 105,840,673
  



See accompanying notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements.

5



HOSTESS BRANDS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Unaudited, amounts in thousands)



Three Months EndedNine Months Ended
September 30, 2020September 30, 2019September 30, 2020September 30, 2019
Net income$23,973 $10,729 $43,983 $54,010 
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized gain (loss) on interest rate swap contracts designated as cash flow hedges155 (741)(14,462)(5,912)
Tax benefit (expense)(39)172 3,611 1,255 
Comprehensive income24,089 10,160 33,132 49,353 
Less: Comprehensive income attributed to non-controlling interest1,375 1,858 2,034 11,447 
Comprehensive income attributed to Class A stockholders$22,714 $8,302 $31,098 $37,906 

 Three Months Ended  Nine Months Ended

September 30,
2017
  September 30,
2016
  September 30,
2017
  September 30,
2016
 (Successor)  (Predecessor)  (Successor)  (Predecessor)
Net income$16,130
  $33,513
  $68,536
  $81,523
Other comprehensive loss:          
Unrealized income (loss) on interest rate swap contract designated as a cash flow hedge565
  
  (100)  
Income tax (expense) benefit(172)  
  31
  
Comprehensive income16,523
  33,513
  68,467
  81,523
Less: Comprehensive income attributed to non-controlling interest6,712
  2,329
  24,299
  4,110
Comprehensive income attributed to class A shareholders/partners$9,811
  $31,184
  $44,168
  $77,413



See accompanying notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements.




6


HOSTESS BRANDS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)
(Unaudited, amounts in thousands except sharesshare data)

Class A Voting
Common Stock
Class B Voting
Common Stock
Additional
Paid-in Capital
Accumulated
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Retained
Earnings
Total
Stockholders’
Equity
Non-controlling
Interest
SharesAmountSharesAmount
Balance–December 31, 2019122,108,086 $12 8,409,834 $$1,152,055 $(756)$334,480 $1,485,792 $94,432 
Comprehensive income (loss)— — — — — (8,810)2,348 (6,462)(437)
Share-based compensation, including income taxes of $103106,770 — — — 2,180 — — 2,180 — 
Exchanges969,247 — (969.247)— 11,819 (17)— 11,802 (11,802)
Distributions— — — — — — — — (1,613)
Exercise of employee stock options and warrants2,205 — — — 155 — — 155 — 
Payment of taxes for employee stock awards— — — — (1,004)— — (1,004)— 
Tax receivable agreement arising from exchanges, net of income taxes of $1,341— — — — (1,942)— — (1,942)— 
Balance–March 31, 2020123,186,308 12 7,440,587 1,163,263 (9,583)336,828 1,490,521 80,580 
Comprehensive income (loss)— — — — — (1,324)16,170 14,846 1,096 
Share-based compensation, net of income taxes of $49646,304 — — — 1,929 — — 1,929 — 
Exchanges1,139,302 — (1,139,302)— 13,803 (127)— 13,676 (13,676)
Distributions— — — — — — — — (365)
Exercise of employee stock options and warrants36,700 — — — 408 — — 408 — 
Payment of taxes for employee stock awards— — — — (32)— — (32)— 
Tax receivable agreement arising from exchanges, net of income taxes of $952— — — (2,556)— — (2,556)— 
Balance–June 30, 2020124,408,614 12 6,301,285 1,176,815 (11,034)352,998 1,518,792 67,635 
Comprehensive income (loss)— — — — — 109 22,605 22,714 1,375 
Share-based compensation, net of income taxes of $36160,781 — — — 1,720 — — 1,720 — 
Exchanges679,136 — (679,136)— 8,244 (79)— 8,165 (8,165)
Distributions— — — — — — — — (1,445)
Exercise of employee stock options and warrants726 — — — — — — 
Payment of taxes for employee stock awards— — — — (347)— — (347)— 
Tax receivable agreement arising from exchanges, net of income taxes of $754— — — — (1,431)— — (1,431)— 
Balance–September 30, 2020125,149,257 $12 5,622,149 $$1,185,003 $(11,004)$375,603 $1,549,615 $59,400 














7


Partners’ Equity (Deficit)
Hostess Holdings, LP
(Predecessor)


Class A
Class C
Total Partners’
Equity (Deficit)

Non-controlling
Interest
Balance – December 31, 2015
$(276,084)
$(346,046)
$(622,130)
$(37,991)
Distributions to partners
(2,439)
(8,134)
(10,573)
(555)
Unit based compensation
345 
344 
689


Net income
38,707 
38,706 
77,413

4,110
Balance – September 30, 2016
$(239,471)
$(315,130)
$(554,601)
$(34,436)


Stockholders’ Equity
Hostess Brands, Inc.
(Successor)
 Class A Voting
Common Stock
 Class B Voting
Common Stock
 Additional
Paid-in Capital
 
Accumulated
Other Comprehensive Loss
 Accumulated
Losses / Retained Earnings
 Total
Stockholders’
Equity
 Non-controlling
Interest

Shares Amount Shares Amount          
Balance–December 31, 201698,250,917
 $10
 31,704,988
 $3
 $912,824
 $
 $(15,618) $897,219
 $334,192
Comprehensive income
 
 
 
 
 (43) 44,211
 44,168
 24,299
Share-based compensation435,000
 
 
 
 7,990
 
 
 7,990
 
Exchanges1,306,211
 
 (1,306,211) 
 12,609
 
 
 12,609
 (12,609)
Distributions
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 (12,940)
Exercise of public warrants55
 
 
 
 1
 
 
 1
 
Tax receivable agreement arising from exchanges, net of income taxes of $1,845
 
 
 
 (9,685) 
 
 (9,685) 
Balance–September 30, 201799,992,183
 $10
 30,398,777
 $3
 $923,739
 $(43) $28,593
 $952,302
 $332,942
HOSTESS BRANDS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(Unaudited, amounts in thousands except share data)
Class A Voting
Common Stock
Class B Voting
Common Stock
Additional
Paid-in Capital
Accumulated
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Retained
Earnings
Total
Stockholders’
Equity
Non-controlling
Interest
SharesAmountSharesAmount
Balance–December 31, 2018100,046,392 $10 30,255,184 $$925,902 $2,523 $271,365 $1,199,803 $350,454 
Comprehensive income (loss)— — — — — (1,216)21,126 19,910 4,984 
Share-based compensation, net of income taxes of $613— — — — 1,668 — — 1,668 — 
Distributions— — — — — — — — (457)
Exercise of public warrants50 — — — — — — — — 
Balance–March 31, 2019100,046,442 10 30,255,184 927,570 1,307 292,491 1,221,381 354,981 
Comprehensive income (loss)— — — — — (1,789)11,483 9,694 4,605 
Share-based compensation, net of income taxes of $56320,241 — — — 1,936 — — 1,936 — 
Distributions— — — — — — — — (4,459)
Exercise of employee stock options1,788 — — — 23 — — 23 — 
Payment of taxes for employee stock awards— — — — (124)— — (124)— 
Exchanges9,255,400 (9,255,400)(1)110,734 292 — 111,026 (111,026)
Tax receivable agreement arising from exchanges, net of income taxes of $10,109— — — — (17,610)— — (17,610)— 
Balance-June 30, 2019109,323,871 11 20,999,784 1,022,529 (190)303,974 1,326,326 244,101 
Comprehensive income (loss)— — — — — (483)8,785 8,302 1,858 
Share-based compensation, net of income taxes of $22878,610 — — — 2,149 — — 2,149 — 
Distributions— — — — — — — — (1,743)
Payment of taxes for employee stock awards— — — — (483)— — (483)— 
Exchanges11,544,600 (11,544,600)(1)139,169 (14)— 139,155 (139,155)
Tax receivable agreement arising from exchanges, net of income taxes of $17,185— — — — (23,238)— — (23,238)— 
Balance–September 30, 2019120,947,081 $12 9,455,184 $$1,140,126 $(687)$312,759 $1,452,211 $105,061 
See accompanying notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements.

8



HOSTESS BRANDS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited, amounts in thousands)
Nine Months Ended
Operating activitiesSeptember 30, 2020September 30, 2019
Net income43,983 $54,010 
Depreciation and amortization40,999 32,678 
Impairment of property, goodwill and intangibles1,005 
Debt discount (premium) amortization977 (803)
Tax receivable agreement remeasurement610 1,296 
Non-cash fees on disposal of assets1,414 
Unrealized foreign exchange losses1,392 
Non-cash lease expense358 
Share-based compensation6,583 7,157 
Deferred taxes8,575 9,519 
Loss on sale of assets317 471 
Change in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions and dispositions:
Accounts receivable(7,106)(13,536)
Inventories7,462 (3,451)
Prepaids and other current assets(4,334)(3,793)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses2,186 18,305 
Customer trade allowances5,989 3,080 
Net cash provided by operating activities107,991 107,352 
Investing activities
Purchases of property and equipment(33,382)(28,421)
Acquisition of business, net of cash acquired(316,013)
Proceeds from sale of business, net of cash63,353 
Acquisition and development of software assets(4,994)(4,298)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities(354,389)30,634 
Financing activities
Repayments of long-term debt and lease obligations(8,375)(7,470)
Proceeds from long-term debt origination, net of fees paid136,888 
Distributions to non-controlling interest(3,423)(6,659)
Tax payments related to issuance of shares to employees(1,383)(607)
Cash received from exercise of options and warrants565 23 
Payments on tax receivable agreement(10,327)(2,779)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities113,945 (17,492)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents(337)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents(132,790)120,494 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period285,087 146,377 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period$152,297 $266,871 
   Nine Months Ended
   September 30,
2017
  September 30,
2016
   (Successor)  (Predecessor)
Operating activities    
 Net income$68,536
  $81,523
 Depreciation and amortization28,576
  9,054
 Impairment of property and equipment1,003
  7,267
 Debt discount (premium) amortization(647)  2,486
 Non-cash loss on debt modification1,729
  
 Non-cash change in tax receivable agreement liability1,589
  
 Gain on sale of property and equipment(10)  (153)
 Share-based compensation7,990
  689
 Deferred taxes19,993
  237
 Change in operating assets and liabilities    
  Accounts receivable(11,496)  (13,555)
  Inventories(3,368)  (1,850)
  Prepaids and other current assets(1,950)  (9,397)
  Accounts payable and accrued expenses7,369
  17,098
  Customer trade allowances(1,541)  (4,316)
  Other
  430
 Net cash provided by operating activities117,773
  89,513
         
Investing activities    
 Purchases of property and equipment(22,755)  (23,995)
 Acquisition of Superior
  (50,091)
 Proceeds from sale of assets85
  4,350
 Acquisition of software assets(1,728)  (1,917)
 Net cash used in investing activities(24,398)  (71,653)
       
Financing activities    
 Repayments of long-term debt and capital lease obligation(5,103)  (6,985)
 Debt fees(1,017)  
 Distributions to partners
  (10,573)
 Distributions to non-controlling interest(12,940)  (555)
 Proceeds from the exercise of warrants1
  
 Net cash used in financing activities(19,059)  (18,113)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents74,316
  (253)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period26,855
  64,473
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period$101,171
  $64,220

Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information:Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information:


 


Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information:
Cash paid during the period for:Cash paid during the period for:


 


Cash paid during the period for:
Interest$35,085

 $50,799

Interest$31,883 $33,602 

Taxes paid$12,902

 $

Net taxes paid$5,403 $2,416 
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing:Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing:


 


Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing:

Purchases of property and equipment funded by accounts payable$932

 $2,072

Accrued capital expenditures$3,124 $1,468 
See accompanying notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements.

9



HOSTESS BRANDS, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS




1.Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Description of Business

Hostess Brands, Inc. is a Delaware corporation headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri.Lenexa, Kansas. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Hostess Brands, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”). The Company is a leading packaged food company focused on developing, manufacturing, marketing, selling and distributing freshsnack products, including sweet baked goods, cookies and wafers in the United States. North America.
The Hostess brand dates to 1919 when the Hostess CupCake was introduced to the public, followedCompany’s operations are conducted through indirect operating subsidiaries that are wholly-owned by Twinkies® in 1930. In 2013, the Legacy Hostess Equityholders (as defined below) acquired the Hostess brand out of the bankruptcy liquidation proceedings of its prior owners, free and clear of all past liabilities. After a brief hiatus in production, the Company began providing Hostess products to consumers and retailers across the nation in July 2013. Today, the Company produces a variety of new and classic treats primarily under the Hostess® and Dolly Madison® group of brands, including Twinkies®, CupCakes, Ding Dongs®, HoHos®, Donettes® and Fruit Pies.
On November 4, 2016 (the “Closing Date”), in a transaction referred to as the “Business Combination,” the Company, then known as Gores Holdings, Inc. acquired a controlling interest in Hostess Holdings, L.P. (“Hostess Holdings”), an entity owned indirectly by C. Dean Metropoulos and certain equity funds managed by affiliatesa direct subsidiary of Apollo Global Management, LLC (the “Apollo Funds”, and together with entities controlled by Mr. Metropoulos, the “Legacy Hostess Equityholders”). Our “Sponsor” refers to Gores Sponsor, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and the principal stockholder of Gores Holdings, Inc. prior to the Business Combination, and the “The Gores Group” refers to The Gores Group LLC, an affiliate of our Sponsor. In connection with the closing of the Business Combination, Gores Holdings, Inc. changed its name to “Hostess Brands, Inc.” and its trading symbols on NASDAQ from “GRSH” and “GRSHW,” to “TWNK” and “TWNKW”.
As a result of the Business Combination, for accounting purposes, Hostess Brands, Inc. isHostess Brands, Inc. holds 100% of the acquirer and Hostess Holdings is the acquired party and accounting predecessor. Our financial statement presentation includes the financial statements ofgeneral partnership interest in Hostess Holdings and its subsidiaries as “Predecessor” for periods prior to the completiona majority of the Business Combinationlimited partnership interests therein and consolidates Hostess Holdings in the Company’s consolidated financial statements. The remaining limited partnership interests in Hostess Holdings are held by the holders of the outstanding shares of Class B common stock of Hostess Brands, Inc., including the consolidation of These limited partnership interests in Hostess Holdings and its subsidiaries, for periods from and after the Closing Date (referred to as the “Successor”). Unless the context requires otherwise, the “Company” refers to the Predecessor for periods prior to the Business Combination and to the Successor for periods after the Business Combination.
On May 10, 2016, the Company purchased the stock of Superior Cake Products, Inc. (“Superior”) located in Southbridge, Massachusetts. Superior manufactures and distributes eclairs, madeleines, brownies, and iced cookies soldare reflected in the “In-Store Bakery” section of retailers.
In the consolidated statements of operations, amortization of customer relationships (previously reported in the Predecessor’s unaudited quarterly financial statements within general and administrative) has been presented separately from general and administrative in the current period presentation, with conforming reclassifications made for the prior period presentation; recall and other costs (recoveries) (previously reported in the Predecessor‘s unaudited quarterly financial statements as a reduction of gross profit) have been presented as recall and other expenses along with amounts previously reported as loss on sale of property and equipment and bakery shutdown costs.

non-controlling interest. In the consolidated balance sheets, customer trade allowances (previously netted as an allowance against trade accounts receivable) are presented in current liabilities, with conforming reclassifications made for the prior period presentation.

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017,January 2020, the Company recorded adjustments to previously reported gains on debt modifications, resulting inacquired Voortman Cookies Limited (“Voortman”), a pre-tax chargemanufacturer of $2.1 millionpremium, branded wafers as well as sugar-free and $1.6 million, respectively. The Company has determined that these corrections of errors are immaterial to the current and prior reported periods.specialty cookies.



The Company has two reportable segments: Sweet Baked Goods and Other.
Basis of Presentation
The consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). In the opinion of management, the unaudited consolidated financial statements include all adjustments necessary for the fair presentation of the Company’s financial position and of the results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented, and all such adjustments were of a normal and recurring nature. The results of operations are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full fiscal year. The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016.2019.


For the periods presented, the Company had 2 reportable segments: Snacking and In-Store Bakery. The Company sold its In-Store Bakery operations on August 30, 2019. Subsequent to the sale, Snacking remains as the Company’s single reportable segment.
Adoption of New Accounting Standards
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses: Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (“Topic 326”). This ASU requires entities to measure the impairment of certain financial instruments, including trade receivables, based on expected losses rather than incurred losses. ASU 2016-13 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company adopted the standard effective January 1, 2020. Adoption of Topic 326 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Principles of Consolidation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its majority-owned or controlled subsidiaries (including those for which the Company is the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity), collectively referred to as the Company.. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.    
10


HOSTESS BRANDS, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Use of Estimates
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and for the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Management utilizes estimates, including, but not limited to, valuation and useful lives of tangible and intangible assets, valuation of expected future payments under the tax receivable agreement, and reserves for trade and promotional allowances, workers’ compensation and self-insured medical claims.allowances. Actual results could differ from these estimates. Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform with current year presentation.
Accounts Receivable
Accounts receivable represents amounts invoiced to customers for goods thatperformance obligations which have been received by the customer.satisfied. As of September 30, 20172020 and December 31, 2016,2019, the Company’s accounts receivable were $100.7$136.9 million and $89.2$104.9 million, respectively, which have been reduced by allowancesan allowance for damages occurring during shipment, quality claims and doubtful accounts in the amount of $2.5$5.1 million and $1.9$2.7 million, respectively. In addition, there are customer trade allowances of $35.2 million and $36.7 million as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively, in current liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets.
Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or marketnet-realizable value on a first-in first-out basis.
Abnormal amounts of idle facility expense, freight, handling costs, and wasted material (spoilage) are expensed in the period they are incurred.
The components of inventories are as follows:
(In thousands)September 30,
2017
 
December 31,
2016
 (Successor) (Successor)
Ingredients and packaging$14,474
 $12,712
Finished goods16,441
 14,229
Inventory in transit to customers2,897
 3,503
 $33,812
 $30,444



Impairment of Property and Equipment
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 (Successor), the Company recorded an impairment loss of $1.0 million related to a production line that was idled when the related production was transitioned to a third party. During the first quarter of 2016 (Predecessor), the Company recorded an impairment loss of $7.3 million when it closed multiple production lines at the Indianapolis, Indiana bakery and transitioned production to other facilities. The measurement of this loss was based on Level 3 inputs within the fair value measurement hierarchy.
(In thousands)September 30,
2020
December 31,
2019
Ingredients and packaging$23,937 $21,439 
Finished goods21,043 22,513 
Inventory in transit to customers2,730 3,656 
$47,710 $47,608 
Software Costs
Included
Capitalized software is included in the caption “Other assets”assets, net” in the consolidated balance sheets is capitalized software in the amount of $7.3$14.7 million and $7.4$10.9 million at September 30, 20172020 and December 31, 2016,2019, respectively. Capitalized software costs are amortized over their estimated useful life of five years commencing when such assets are ready for their intended use. Software amortization expense included in general and administrative operating expense was $0.6$1.4 million and $1.8 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 (Successor), respectively, compared to $0.5 million and $1.4$4.0 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 (Predecessor)2020, respectively, compared to $0.7 million and $2.1 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, respectively.
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net revenue consists of sales of packaged food products in the United States primarily within the Sweet Baked Goods category. Beginning with the acquisition of Voortman on January 3, 2020 (see Note 2. Business Combinations), respectively.the Company also sells products in the United States and Canada within the Cookies category.
The following tables disaggregate revenue by geographical market and category.
Three Months Ended September 30, 2020
(In thousands)
Sweet Baked GoodsIn-Store BakeryCookiesTotal
United States$234,103 $$22,328 $256,431 
Canada4,424 4,424 
$234,103 $$26,752 $260,855 
11


HOSTESS BRANDS, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Three Months Ended September 30, 2019
(In thousands)
Sweet Baked GoodsIn-Store BakeryCookiesTotal
United States$220,156 $7,055 $$227,211 
Canada
$220,156 $7,055 $$227,211 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020
(In thousands)
Sweet Baked GoodsIn-Store BakeryCookiesTotal
United States$693,085 $$56,094 $749,179 
Canada11,387 11,387 
$693,085 $$67,481 $760,566 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019
(In thousands)
Sweet Baked GoodsIn-Store BakeryCookiesTotal
United States$662,307 $28,702 $$691,009 
Canada
$662,307 $28,702 $$691,009 

Concentrations
The Company has one customer (together with its affiliates) that accounted for 10% or more of the Company’s total net revenue. The percentage of total net revenues for this customer is presented below by segment:
Three Months EndedNine Months Ended
(% of Consolidated Net Revenues)September 30, 2020September 30, 2019September 30, 2020September 30, 2019
Snacking19.7 %22.3 %21.0 %23.0 %
In-Store Bakery0.0 %0.3 %0.0 %0.5 %
Total19.7 %22.6 %21.0 %23.5 %
 Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended 
(% of Consolidated Net Revenues) 
September 30,
2017
  September 30,
2016
 September 30,
2017
  September 30,
2016
 
 (Successor)  (Predecessor) (Successor)  (Predecessor) 
Sweet Baked Goods18.8%  18.1% 18.9%  20.3% 
Other0.9%  3.1% 0.8%  1.5% 
Total19.7%  21.2% 19.7%  21.8% 


Foreign Currency Remeasurement
Advertising Costs
AdvertisingCertain Voortman sales and costs through both national and regional media, are expenseddenominated in the periodCanadian dollar (“CAD”). CAD transactions have been remeasured into U.S. dollars (“USD”) on the consolidated statement of operations using the average exchange rate for the reporting period. Balances expected to be settled in whichCAD have been remeasured into USD on the advertisements are run. These costs totaled $0.3 million and $0.6 million forconsolidated balance sheet using the exchange rate at the end of the period. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 (Successor), and2020, the Company recognized losses on remeasurement of $0.4 million and $1.5$1.1 million, respectively, reported within other expense on the consolidated statement of operations.

12


HOSTESS BRANDS, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
2. Business Combinations

On January 3, 2020, the Company completed the acquisition of all of the shares of the parent company of Voortman, a manufacturer of premium, branded wafers as well as sugar-free and specialty cookies for approximately $328.7 million ($427.0 million CAD), reflecting final working capital and other closing statement adjustments finalized in the three months ended September 30, 2020. Net cash outflow related to the purchase price through September 30, 2020 was $316.0 million. This net cash outflow reflects a net gain on a related foreign currency contract of $6.9 million, cash acquired of $1.6 million and a liability outstanding as of September 30, 2020 for certain purchase price adjustments of $4.2 million.

The acquisition of Voortman diversifies and expands the Company’s product offerings and manufacturing capabilities in the adjacent cookie category. The acquisition also leverages the Company’s customer reach and lean and agile business model. The combined Company expects to realize additional benefits of scale via sharing established, efficient infrastructure and strengthening collaborative retail partnerships in the United States and Canada.

An aggregate of $10.8 million CAD was deposited into an escrow account to satisfy amounts in respect of post-closing adjustments and to provide for payment to the Company of indemnity claims, if any. During the three months ended September 30, 2020, the post-closing working capital adjustment was finalized and in connection therewith, $3.1 million CAD was released from escrow. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 (Predecessor),2020, working capital and other adjustments of $4.2 million and $5.2 million were made to goodwill, respectively. These costs are recorded within advertising and marketing expense onThe Company continues to evaluate contractual rights it has under the consolidated statement of operations.transaction documents.
Derivatives
In April 2017, the Company entered into an interest rate swap contract to mitigate its exposure to changesIncluded in other non-current liabilities in the variable interest rate on its long-term debt. This contract was designated astable below is a cash flow hedge. Changes in the fair value$1.3 million liability for pre-acquisition uncertain tax positions. It is offset by a non-current receivable balance of this instrument are recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss in the consolidated balance sheets and reclassified into earnings in the period in which the hedged transaction affects earnings. Hedging ineffectiveness, if any, is recognized in earnings in the consolidated statements of operations. Payments made under this contract are included in the supplemental disclosure of interest in the consolidated statement of cash flows.$1.3 million representing expected recovery through seller or insurance policy indemnification.


New Accounting Pronouncements
In August 2017, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2017-12 (“ASU 2017-12”), Derivatives and Hedging: Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities, which improves the financial reporting of hedging relationships to better portray the economic results of an entity's risk management activities in its financial statements and make certain targeted improvements to simplify the applicationThe Company recorded a preliminary allocation of the hedge accounting guidance in current GAAP. The amendments in this update better align an entity's risk management activities and financial reporting for hedging relationships through changes to both the designation and measurement guidance for qualifying hedging relationships and presentation of hedge results. The effective date for the standard is for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018. The Company does not expect the adoption of this standard to have a material impact on its consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.


In May 2017, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2017-9 (“ASU 2017-9”), Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope of Modification Accounting, which provides guidance about what changes to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award require an entity to apply modification accounting in Topic 718. Per ASU 2017-9, an entity should account for the effects of a modification unless all the following are met: (1) the fair value (or calculated value or intrinsic value, if such an alternative measurement method is used) of the modified award is the same as the fair value (or calculated value or intrinsic value, if such an alternative measurement method is used) of the original award immediately before the original award is modified. If the modification does not affect any of the inputs to the valuation technique that the entity uses to value the award, the entity is not required to estimate the value immediately before and after the modification, (2) the vesting conditions of the modified award are the same as the vesting conditions of the original award immediately before the original award is modified, and (3) the classification of the modified award as an equity instrument or a liability instrument is the same as the classification of the original award immediately before the original award is modified. The current disclosure requirements in Topic 718 apply regardless of whether an entity is required to apply modification accounting under the amendments in ASU 2017-9. The Company has early adopted ASU 2017-9 for the three months ended September 30, 2017. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.
In January 2017, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2017-4 (“ASU 2017-4”), Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment. ASU 2017-4 eliminates Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. Step 2 required an entity to determine the fair value at the impairment testing date of its assets and liabilities following the procedure that would be required in a business combination. Instead, an entity should perform its goodwill impairment test and recognize an impairment charge by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. ASU 2017-4 will become effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The Company early adopted ASU 2017-4 and does not expect adoption to have a material impact on its consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows. Our goodwill impairment tests have not proceeded to Step 2 in any measurement period.
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (“ASU 2016-02”), which is intended to improve financial reporting about leasing transactions. This standard requires a lessee to record on the balance sheet the assets and liabilities for the rights and obligations created by lease terms of more than 12 months. This standard will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years, and early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact the adoption of ASU 2016-02 will have on its consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), (“ASU 2014-09”), which requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. The ASU will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP when it becomes effective. The new standard is effective for the Company on January 1, 2018. The standard permits adoption retrospectively to each prior report period presented, retrospectively to each prior report period presented utilizing practical expedient(s), or retrospectively with the cumulative effect of initially applying the standard at the date of initial application. In March 2016 and April 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-08 and ASU No. 2016-10, respectively, which clarifies the implementation guidance on principal versus agent considerations and also identifies performance obligations and the licensing implementation guidance, while retaining the related principles for those areas. The Company is in the process of completing its review of customer contracts to determine the impact that Topic 606 will have on the Company's consolidated financial statements. The Company plans to adopt the standard in the first quarter of 2018 retrospectively with the cumulative effect of initially applying the standard as of January 1, 2018.
The planned adoption dates for all standards not yet implemented are based on the Company’s assessment that it will lose its status as an Emerging Growth Company, as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act (JOBS Act), as of December 31, 2017.
2. Business Combination

The purchase price for the Business Combination was allocated to the fair value of thetangible and identified intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed, based on the preliminary valuations performed by the Companytheir fair values as of the Closing Date. During the nine months ended September 30, 2017 the Company revised its estimateclosing date. The final allocation of the future cash tax savings underpurchase price is pending the tax receivable agreement. This resulted in a $8.1 million decrease in goodwill, a decreasefinal valuation of certain assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The Company expects to finalize the tax receivable agreement liability of $3.0 million, a $5.5 million decrease to deferred tax liabilities, and an increase to accrued expenses and other liabilities of $0.4 million.



3. Stock-Based Compensation

Hostess Brands, Inc. 2016 Equity Incentive Plan (Successor)

The Hostess Brands, Inc. 2016 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2016 Plan”) provides for the grant of various equity-based incentive awards to directorsallocation of the Company, certain members of Company management, and service providerspurchase consideration as soon as practicable. The preliminary purchase price allocation is as follows:

(In thousands)
Cash$1,639 
Accounts receivable24,848 
Inventory7,564 
Income tax receivable7,522 
Other current assets420 
Property and equipment32,028 
Customer relationships11,100 
Trade names130,000 
Goodwill171,279 
Other non-current assets1,320 
Accounts payable and accrued expenses(6,173)
Customer trade allowances(5,428)
Lease liabilities(6,420)
Deferred taxes(39,665)
Other non-current liabilities(1,320)
Assets acquired and liabilities assumed$328,714 


13


HOSTESS BRANDS, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Goodwill is attributed to the Company. The types of equity-based awards that may be granted under the 2016 Plan include: stock options, stock appreciation rights (SARs), restricted stock, restricted stock units (RSUs), and other stock-based awards. There are 7,150,000 registered shares of Class A common stock reservedintangible assets which do not qualify for issuance under the 2016 Plan. All awards issued under the 2016 Plan may only be settled in shares of Class A common stock.separate recognition.

Restricted Stock Units


During the nine months ended September 30, 2017,2020, the Company incurred $4.3 million of expenses related to this acquisition. These expenses are classified as business combination transaction costs on the consolidated statement of operations.

The following RSUsunaudited pro forma combined financial information presents the Company’s results as though the acquisition of Voortman had occurred at January 1, 2019. The unaudited pro forma consolidated financial information has been prepared using the acquisition method of accounting in accordance with U.S. GAAP:

Three Months EndedNine Months Ended
(In thousands)September 30, 2020September 30, 2019September 30, 2020September 30, 2019
(unaudited, pro forma)(unaudited, pro forma)
Net revenue$260,855 $259,040 $760,566 $771,182 
Net income$23,973 $12,476 $43,983 $54,535 

3. Exit Costs
Subsequent to the Company’s acquisition of Voortman, activities were granted underinitiated to transition Voortman’s distribution model to the 2016 Plan:

22,732 RSUsCompany’s direct-to-warehouse distribution model. The Company has incurred costs to directorsexit Voortman’s direct-store-delivery model, including severance and contract termination costs related to third-party distributor and leasing relationships. Total costs are expected to be approximately $13.0 million through completion of the Company. The units vesttransition in 2020. During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, contract termination costs of $8.3 million were recognized in selling expense on November 4, 2017. These awards only contain service conditions.
297,500 RSUs to certain membersthe consolidated statement of management. One-third ofoperations. No contract termination costs were recognized during the units vest at each of the following dates: January 1, 2018, November 4, 2018, and November 4, 2019. Vesting is dependent upon positive earnings per share for the fiscal year ending immediately prior to the vesting date. Management has determined it is probable that these performance conditions will be met.
18,116 RSUs to certain members of management. One-third of the units vest at each of the following dates: June 1 of each of 2018, 2019, and 2020.These awards only contain service conditions.
372,036 RSUs to certain members of management. One-third of the units vest at each of the following dates; November 4 of each of 2017, 2018 and 2019. These awards only contain service conditions.
715,406 RSUs to certain members of management. The units vest on December 31, 2019. At the end of each of three annual performance periods ending December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019, a portion of the units will be banked if the Company achieves certain EBITDA targets. Banked shares continue to be subject to continued service through the December 31, 2019 vesting date. Management has determined it is probable that a portion of the EBITDA target will be met for the 2017 annual performance period. Depending on actual performance during each performance period, award recipients have the opportunity to receive up to 225% of the granted units.

Formonths ended September 30, 2020. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 (Successor), $1.82020, severance costs of $0.1 million and $4.1$4.3 million, of compensation expense related to the RSUs wasrespectively, were recognized within general and administrative expenses on the consolidated statement of operations, respectively.operations.


TheReserves for these activities are reported within accrued expenses on the consolidated balance sheet and had the following table summarizes the activity of the Company’s unvested RSUs forduring the nine months ended September 30, 2017:2020:
(In thousands)SeveranceContract TerminationTotal
Charges recorded$4,290 $8,278 $12,568 
Payments made(3,560)(7,617)(11,177)
Impact of change in exchange rates on CAD denominated liability(89)(365)(454)
Reserve balance as of September 30, 2020$641 $296 $937 

14


HOSTESS BRANDS, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 Restricted Stock
Units
 Weighted Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
Unvested units as of December 31, 2016 (Successor)
 $
Total Granted1,425,790
 15.77
Forfeited(79,543) 15.78
Vested
 
Unvested as of September 30, 2017 (Successor)1,346,247
 $15.77
4. Property and Equipment
As of September 30, 2017, there was $17.1 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested RSUs granted under the 2016 Plan; that cost is expected to be recognized over the vesting periods as described above.


Restricted Stock Awards
On March 23, 2017, the Company granted 435,000 shares of restricted stock to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer under the 2016 Plan. One-thirdProperty and equipment consists of the shares vest on each of the following dates: January 1, 2018 and November 4 of each of 2018 and 2019. Vesting at each date is also dependent upon positive earnings per share for the fiscal year ending immediately prior to the vesting date. Each restricted stock award had a grant date fair value based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the grant date and management’s assumption that there will be no forfeitures.following:
Management has determined that the shares of restricted stock are unvested stock awards as defined by accounting standards. If the vesting requirements of a restricted stock award are not satisfied, or the performance conditions not attained, the award will be forfeited and the shares of Class A common stock subject to the award shall be returned to the Company.
(In thousands)September 30,
2020
December 31,
2019
Land and buildings$58,778 $53,683 
Right of use assets, operating21,711 23,771 
Machinery and equipment245,941 209,382 
Construction in progress18,754 5,878 
345,184 292,714 
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization(61,066)(50,330)
$284,118 $242,384 
As of September 30, 2017, there
Depreciation expense was $4.1 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to the non-vested restricted stock; that cost is expected to be recognized over the vesting periods described above. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 (Successor), the Company recognized expense of $1.3$6.3 million and $2.8 million related to the restricted stock awards within general and administrative expenses on the consolidated statement of operations, respectively.
The following table summarizes the activity of the Company’s restricted stock awards for the nine months ended September 30, 2017:


Shares of
Restricted Stock
 Weighted Average
Grant Date Fair Value
Unvested units as of December 31, 2016 (Successor)

 $
Granted
435,000
 15.78
Forfeited

 
Vested

 
Unvested as of September 30, 2017 (Successor)
435,000
 $15.78
Stock Options
During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, the Company granted 1,155,788 stock options to certain members of management under the Plan. The weighted average grant date fair value of $5.03 per option was estimated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model (level 3) with the following assumptions:
Nine Months
Ended
September 30, 2017
Expected volatility (1)
27.53%
Expected dividend yield (2)
—%
Expected option term (3)
6.25 years
Risk-free rate (4)
2.1%
(1)The expected volatility assumption was calculated based on a peer group analysis of stock price volatility with a look back period based on the expected term and ending on the grant date.
(2)As of September 30, 2017, we have not paid any dividends on our common stock. As of the stock option grant date, we did not anticipate paying any dividends on our common stock over the term of the stock options. Option holders have no right to dividends prior to the exercise of the options.
(3)We utilized the simplified method to determine the expected term of the stock options since we do not have sufficient historical exercise data to provide a reasonable basis upon which to estimate expected term.
(4)The risk-free interest rate was based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant which corresponds to the expected term of the stock options.


The stock options vest in four equal annual installments on varying dates through June 2021. As of September 30, 2017, there was $4.5 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested stock options outstanding under the 2016 Plan; that cost is expected to be recognized over the vesting periods. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 (Successor), there was $0.6 million and $1.1 million, respectively, of expense related to the stock options recognized within general and administrative costs on the consolidated statement of operations.
The following table summarizes the activity of the Company’s unvested stock options for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 (Successor):


Number
of
Options
 Weighted Average
Remaining
Contractual Life
(years)
 Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
 Weighted
Average Grant
Date Fair Value
Outstanding as of December 31, 2016 (Successor)
 
 $
 $
Granted1,155,788
 5.77
 15.85
 5.03
Exercised
 
 
 
Forfeited(44,371) 5.75
 15.78
 5.03
Outstanding as of September 30, 2017 (Successor)1,111,417
 5.77
 $15.85
 $5.03
Exercisable as of September 30, 2017 (Successor)
 
 
 

Hostess Management, LLC Equity Interest Plan (Predecessor)

The Company established a profits interest plan under the 2013 Hostess Management, LLC (“Hostess Management”) Equity Incentive Plan (“2013 Plan”) to allow members of the management team to participate in the success of the Company. The 2013 Plan consisted of an approximate 9% ownership interest in the Company’s subsidiary, New Hostess Holdco, LLC. Hostess Management had three classes of units and required certain returns to ranking classes before other classes participated in subsequent returns of Hostess Management.
The Company recognized unit-based compensation expense of $0.3 million and $0.7$16.6 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 (Predecessor), within general and administrative expense on the consolidated statement of operations, respectively. All outstanding units under the 2013 Plan were redeemed and the 2013 Plan was terminated on November 4, 2016. As of December 31, 2016, there were no outstanding units.

Related Party Stock Awards

See note 15 for information regarding additional equity awards not issued under the 2016 or 2013 Plans.

4.    Property and Equipment
Property and equipment consists of the following:
(In thousands)
September 30,
2017
  
December 31,
2016
 (Successor)  (Successor)
Land and buildings$31,296
  $30,275
Machinery and equipment130,778
  112,221
Construction in progress15,363
  12,334
 177,437
  154,830
Less accumulated depreciation(10,506)  (1,606)
 $166,931
  $153,224



Depreciation expense was $3.12020, compared to $4.3 million and $8.9$12.9 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 (Successor), and $2.5 million and $6.7 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 (Predecessor), respectively.2019.

5. Segment Reporting
TheFor the periods presented, the Company has twohad 2 reportable segments: Snacking and In-Store Bakery. As of January 3, 2020, the Company added the newly acquired Voortman operations into the reportable segment previously known as Sweet Baked Goods and Other.renamed the segment as “Snacking”. The Company’s Sweet Baked GoodsSnacking segment consists of sweet baked goods, cookies, wafers and bread products that are sold under the Hostess®, Dolly Madison®, Cloverhill®, Big Texas®, and Dolly Madison®Voortman® brands. Other consistsThe In-Store Bakery segment consisted primarily of Hostess®Superior on Main® branded bread and buns, frozen retail (which consistsprivate label products sold through the in-store bakery section of deep-fried Twinkies®, launched ingrocery and club stores. The Company divested its In-Store Bakery operations on August 2016), “In-Store Bakery,” or “ISB” (which includes Superior) and licensing.30, 2019. Subsequent to the sale, Snacking is the Company’s single reportable segment.
15


HOSTESS BRANDS, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The Company evaluates performance and allocates resources based on net revenue and gross profit. Information regarding the operations of these reportable segments is as follows:
Three Months EndedNine Months Ended
(In thousands)September 30, 2020September 30, 2019September 30, 2020September 30, 2019
  Net revenue:
Snacking$260,855 $220,156 $760,566 $662,307 
In-Store Bakery7,055 28,702 
Net revenue$260,855 $227,211 $760,566 $691,009 
Depreciation and amortization:
Snacking$14,522 $10,514 $40,999 $31,076 
In-Store Bakery224 1,602 
Depreciation and amortization$14,522 $10,738 $40,999 $32,678 
Gross profit:
Snacking$91,155 $68,804 $259,866 $222,872 
In-Store Bakery1,616 6,186 
Gross profit$91,155 $70,420 $259,866 $229,058 
  Capital expenditures (1):
Snacking$12,072 $14,284 $37,460 $26,062 
In-Store Bakery182 
Capital expenditures$12,072 $14,286 $37,460 $26,244 
(In thousands)Three Months Ended
September 30,
2017
  Three Months Ended
September 30,
2016
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
2017
  
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
2016
 (Successor)  (Predecessor) (Successor)  (Predecessor)
  Net revenue:         
Sweet Baked Goods$173,552
  $174,473
 $524,731
  $508,288
Other18,698
  21,724
 55,236
  40,469
Net revenue$192,250
  $196,197
 $579,967
  $548,757
          
Depreciation and amortization:         
Sweet Baked Goods$8,703
  $2,585
 $25,587
  $8,119
Other1,019
  583
 2,989
  935
Depreciation and amortization$9,722
  $3,168
 $28,576
  $9,054
          
Gross profit:         
Sweet Baked Goods$72,965
  $76,777
 $230,217
  $227,322
Other5,400
  5,802
 15,889
  12,008
Gross profit$78,365
  $82,579
 $246,106
  $239,330
          
  Capital expenditures (1):         
Sweet Baked Goods$9,109
  $9,312
 $24,772
  $25,701
Other205
  161
 643
  211
Capital expenditures$9,314
  $9,473
 $25,415
  $25,912


(1)(1)Capital expenditures consists of purchases of property and equipment and acquisition and development of software assets paid in cash or acquired through accounts payable during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 (Successor) and 2016 (Predecessor).

Total assets by reportable segment are as follows:
(In thousands)September 30,
2017
  December 31,
2016

(Successor)  (Successor)
Total segment assets:

  

Sweet Baked Goods$2,719,743
  $2,633,758
Other206,930
  214,134
Total segment assets$2,926,673
  $2,847,892


6.    Goodwill and Intangible Assets
Goodwill and intangible assets as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 were recognized as part of the purchase price allocation of the Business Combination as of the Closing Date. The amount allocated to goodwill and other intangible assets is subject to final valuation adjustments. These adjustments could have a material impact on goodwill and other intangible assets. Duringpaid in cash or acquired through accounts payable. For the nine months ended September 30, 2017,2020 and 2019, capital expenditures in accounts payable decreased by $0.9 million and $6.4 million, respectively.

After the purchase price allocation forAugust 30, 2019 divestiture of the Business CombinationIn-Store Bakery operations, the Company retained 0 assets related to the In-Store Bakery segment. All assets at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 were attributed to the Snacking segment.

16


HOSTESS BRANDS, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
6. Goodwill and Intangible Assets
The Company recognized goodwill in January of 2020 related to its acquisition of Voortman based on a preliminary valuation performed to determine the fair value of the acquired assets. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, the preliminary valuation was adjusted, resulting in a $8.1an increase to goodwill of $4.2 million decrease to goodwill.
Activity ofand $5.2 million, respectively. The Voortman-related goodwill was incorporated into the Company’s Snacking reporting segment. At September 30, 2020, there is 0 goodwill associated with the In-Store Bakery reporting segment, which the Company divested in August 2019. Goodwill activity is presented below by reportable segment:below.

(In thousands)Sweet Baked Goods Other Total
Balance as of December 31, 2016 (Successor)$518,759
 $69,701
 $588,460
Measurement period adjustment of the Business Combination(8,111) 
 (8,111)
Balance as of September 30, 2017 (Successor)$510,648
 $69,701
 $580,349
(In thousands)Snacking
Balance as of December 31, 2019$535,853 
Acquisition of Voortman171,279 
Balance as of September 30, 2020$707,132 

Intangible assets consist of the following:
(In thousands)September 30,
2020
December 31,
2019
Intangible assets with indefinite lives (Trademarks and Trade names)$1,538,631 $1,408,630 
Intangible assets with definite lives (Customer Relationships)526,812 515,713 
Less accumulated amortization (Customer Relationships)(91,362)(71,028)
Intangible assets, net$1,974,081 $1,853,315 
(In thousands)
September 30,
2017
 
December 31,
2016
 (Successor) (Successor)
Intangible assets with indefinite lives (Trademarks and Trade Names)$1,408,848
 $1,408,848
Intangible assets with definite lives (Customer Relationships)542,011
 542,011
Less accumulated amortization (Customer Relationships)(21,777) (3,916)
Intangible assets, net$1,929,082
 $1,946,943


The Company recognized additional trade names and customer relationships intangible assets during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 related to the acquisition of Voortman. See Note 2. Business Combinations for additional details.
Amortization expense was $6.0$6.7 million and $17.9$20.3 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 (Successor)2020, respectively, and $0.2$5.8 million and $0.5$17.7 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 (Predecessor),2019, respectively. The unamortized portion of customer relationships will be expensed over their remaining useful life,lives, from 181 to 2319 years. The weighted-average amortization period as of September 30, 20172020 for customer relationships was 21.819.0 years. Future expected amortization expense is as follows:

(In thousands) 
Remainder of 2017$5,994
201823,977
201923,977
202023,977
202123,977
2022 and thereafter418,332

7. Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities
Included in accrued expenses and other current liabilities are the following:
(In thousands)September 30,
2020
December 31,
2019
Interest rate swap contract$15,164 $704 
Incentive compensation12,788 6,840 
Payroll, vacation and other compensation9,994 3,389 
Other19,074 10,728 
$57,020 $21,661 

17


HOSTESS BRANDS, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In thousands)
September 30,
2017
  
December 31,
2016
 (Successor)  (Successor)
Annual incentive bonuses$4,141
  $5,997
Payroll, vacation and other compensation3,496
  5,121
Self-insurance reserves1,310
  2,091
Accrued interest224
  4,885
Current income taxes payable113
  2
Workers compensation reserve1,650
  1,321
Interest rate swap contract99
  
Litigation (Note 14)
  1,100
Other18
  1,139
 $11,051
  $21,656
8. Debt and Lease Obligations

8.Debt
On May 19, 2017,In January 2020, the Company’s subsidiary, Hostess Brands, LLC, andCompany originated a $140.0 million incremental term loan through an amendment to its lenders amendedexisting credit agreement. The Company received proceeds of $136.9 million, net of fees incurred of $3.1 million. The proceeds, together with cash on hand, financed the New First Lien Term Loan (Second Amended First Lien Term Loan)purchase of Voortman (see Note 2. Business Combinations). The Second Amended First Lien Term Loanterms, conditions and covenants applicable to the incremental term loan are the same as the terms, conditions and covenants applicable to the existing term loans. The term loan requires quarterly payments of interest at a rate of the greater of the applicable LIBOR or 0.75% per annum (LIBOR Floor) plus an applicablea margin of 2.50%2.25% per annum or the base rate plus an applicable margin of 1.50% per annum. Theand principal is paid quarterlypayments at a rate of 0.25% of the aggregate principal balance per quarter with the remaining principal amount due upon maturity on August 3, 2022. The Second Amended First Lien Term Loan is secured by substantially all the Company’s present and future assets through a guarantor agreement. The interest rate charged to the Company on the New First Lien Term Loan from January 1, 2017 through May 18, 2017 was 4.00%. From May 19, 2017 through September 30, 2017, the interest rate charged to the Company on the Second Amended First Lien Term Loan was 3.73%.2025.
A summary of the carrying value of the debt and the capital lease obligationobligations is as follows:
(In thousands)September 30,
2020
December 31,
2019
Term Loan (3.0% as of September 30, 2020)
Principal$1,105,555 $973,930 
Unamortized debt premium and issuance costs(5,230)(3,094)
1,100,325 970,836 
Lease obligations19,146 16,452 
Total debt and lease obligations1,119,471 987,288 
Less: Current portion of long term debt and lease obligations(13,097)(11,883)
Long-term portion$1,106,374 $975,405 
(In thousands)September 30, 2017  December 31,
2016
 (Successor)  (Successor)
Second Amended First Lien Term Loan (3.7% as of September 30, 2017)    
Principal$993,763
  $
Unamortized debt premium and issuance costs5,462
  
 999,225
  
New First Lien Term Loan (4.0%)    
Principal
  998,750
Unamortized debt premium and issuance costs
  5,396


  1,004,146
Capital lease obligation (6.8%)608
  724
Total debt and capital lease obligation999,833
  1,004,870
Less: Amounts due within one year(11,357)  (11,496)
Long-term portion$988,476
  $993,374


At September 30, 2017,2020, minimum debt repayments under the Second Amended First Lien Term Loanterm loan are due as follows:

(In thousands)
2020$2,792 
202111,167 
202211,167 
202311,167 
202411,167 
20251,058,095 

9. Derivative Contracts
(In thousands) 
Remainder of 2017$2,491
20189,963
20199,963
20209,963
20219,963
2022 and thereafter951,420


Revolving Credit Facility
The Company had no outstanding borrowings under its Revolving Credit Agreement (the “Revolver”) as of September 30, 2017. See Note 14. Commitments and Contingencies for information regarding the letters of credits, whichTo reduce the amount available for borrowing under the Revolver. Interest expense from the Revolver debt fee amortization was $0.1 million and $0.3 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 (predecessor), respectively.
9.Interest Rate Swap

In Aprileffect of interest rate fluctuations on its variable-rate Term Loan, in 2017 the Company entered into an interest rate swap contract with a counter party to make a series of payments based on a fixed interest rate of 1.78% and receive a series of payments based on the greater of LIBOR or 0.75%. Both the fixed and floating payment streams are based on a notional amount of $500 million at the inception of the contract and will beare reduced by $100 million each year of the five-year contract. As of September 30, 2020 and September 30, 2019, the notional amount was $200 million and $300 million, respectively. At September 30, 2020, the effective interest rate on the long-term debt hedged by this contract was 4.03%.
In February 2020, the Company entered into additional five-year interest rate swap contracts to further reduce the effect of interest rate fluctuations on its variable-rate Term Loan. The notional value of these contracts was $500 million. Under the terms of the contracts, the Company will make quarterly payments based on fixed interest rates ranging from 1.11% to 1.64% and receive quarterly payments based on the greater of LIBOR or 0.75%. These contracts became effective as of April 30, 2020. At September 30, 2020, the effective interest rate on the long-term debt hedged by these interest rate swap contracts was 3.76%.
18


HOSTESS BRANDS, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The Company entered into this transactionthese transactions to reduce its exposure to changes in cash flows associated with its variable rate debt and has designated this derivativethese derivatives as a cash flow hedge. At September 30, 2017, the effective fixed interest rate on the long-term debt hedged by this contract was 4.28%.hedges.
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, no amounts were recorded in the consolidated statements of operations for ineffectiveness and there were no reclassifications from accumulated other comprehensive loss into earnings. As of September 30, 2017,2020 and December 31, 2019, the fair valuevalues of the interest rate swap contractcontracts of $0.1$15.2 million wasand $0.7 million, respectively, were reported within accrued expenses and other current liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet. $1.5 million of unrealized losses recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income as of September 30, 2017 are expected to be reclassified into interest expense through September 30, 2018. The fair value of the interest rate swap contract iscontracts are measured on a recurring basis by netting the discounted future fixed cash payments and the discounted expected variable cash receipts. The variable cash receipts are based on the expectation of future interest rates (forward curves) derived from observedobservable market interest rate curves (Level 2).

10.Equity
The Company’s authorized common shares consistIn connection with the agreement to purchase Voortman as described in Note 2. Business Combinations, the Company entered into a foreign currency contract to hedge $440 million CAD to be used for the forecasted purchase price and a portion of three classes: 200,000,000 shares of Class A common stock, 50,000,000 shares of Class B common stock, and 10,000,000 shares of Class F common stock (none of which were issued and outstanding at September 30, 2017 orthe subsequent expected conversion costs. At December 31, 2016). As2019, the contract had a value of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, there were 99,992,183 and 98,250,917 shares of Class A common stock issued and outstanding, respectively. At September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 there were 30,398,777 and 31,704,988 shares of Class B common stock issued and outstanding, respectively.

Shares of Class A common stock and Class B common stock have identical voting rights. However, shares of Class B common stock do not participate in earnings or dividends$7.1 million recognized within other current assets on the consolidated balance sheet based on available market information on similar contracts (Level 2).Through settlement of the Company. Ownershipcontracts in January of shares2020, a loss of Class B common stock is restricted to owners$0.2 million was recognized within other expense on the consolidated statement of Class B units in Hostess Holdings. Class B units in Hostess Holdings may be exchanged (together with the cancellation of an equivalent number of shares of Class B common stock) by the holders thereofoperations for at the election of the Company, shares of Class A common stock or the cash equivalent of such shares. During the three months ended September 30, 2017, there was no activity. During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, 1,306,211 Class B shares were exchanged for Class A common shares.2020.
As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, there were 37,499,890 and 37,500,000 public warrants, respectively, and 19,000,000 private placement warrants outstanding. Each warrant entitles its holder to purchase one-half of one share of our Class A common stock at an exercise price of $5.75 per half share, to be exercised only for a whole number of shares of our Class A common stock. The warrants became exercisable on December 4, 2016 (30 days after the completion of the Business Combination on November 4, 2016) and expire on December 4, 2021, or earlier upon redemption or liquidation. The Company may call the outstanding warrants for redemption at a price of $0.01 per warrant, if the last sale price of the Company’s common stock equals or exceeds $24.00 per share for any 20 trading days within a 30 trading day period ending on the third business day before the Company sends the notice of redemption to the warrant holders. The private placement warrants, however, are nonredeemable so long as they are held by the Company’s Sponsor or its permitted transferees. During the three months ended September 30, 2017, the private placement warrants were registered with the SEC for future potential sales to the public. When sold to the public, the private placement warrants will become public warrants.

11.10. Earnings per Share


Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing net income attributable to the Company’s Class A shareholdersstockholders for the period by the weighted average number of shares of Class A common sharesstock outstanding for the period excluding non-vested restricted stockshare-based awards. In computing dilutivediluted earnings per share, basic earnings per share is adjusted for the assumed issuance of all applicable potentially dilutive share-based awards including:including public and private placement warrants, RSUs, restricted stock awards and stock options.


Below are basic and diluted net income per share:
Three Months EndedNine Months Ended
September 30, 2020September 30, 2019September 30, 2020September 30, 2019
Numerator:
Net income attributable to Class A stockholders (in thousands)$22,605 $8,785 $41,123 $41,395 
Denominator:
Weighted-average Class A shares outstanding - basic124,905,538 115,196,195 123,901,333 106,904,733 
Dilutive effect of warrants2,394,619 5,327,319 1,967,741 3,454,899 
Dilutive effect of RSUs286,724 599,381 221,571 444,735 
Weighted-average shares outstanding - diluted127,586,881 121,122,895 126,090,645 110,804,367 
Net income per Class A share - basic$0.18 $0.08 $0.33 $0.39 
Net income per Class A share - diluted$0.18 $0.07 $0.33 $0.37 

 Three Months Ended
September 30, 2017
 Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2017
  (Successor) (Successor)
Numerator:    
Net income attributable to Class A shareholders (in thousands) $9,549
 $44,211
Denominator:    
Weighted-average Class A shares outstanding - basic (excluding non-vested restricted stock awards) 99,557,183
 98,920,808
Dilutive effect of warrants 5,717,416
 6,844,613
Dilutive effect of restricted stock awards and RSUs 143,967
 75,252
Weighted-average shares outstanding - diluted 105,418,566
 105,840,673
     
Net income per Class A share - basic $0.10
 $0.45
     
Net income per Class A share - dilutive $0.09
 $0.42


For both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017,2020 and 2019, the dilutive effect of stock options werewas excluded from the computation of diluted net incomeearnings per share because the assumed proceeds from the awards’ exercise waswere greater than the average market price of the common shares.



12.Weighted average Class A shares outstanding reflect the weighted impact of exchanges of Class B shares for Class A shares.

19


HOSTESS BRANDS, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
11. Income Taxes

The Company is subject to U.S. federal, state and local taxes on its allocable portion of the income of Hostess Holdings, a partnership for U.S. federal and most applicable state and local taxes. As a partnership, Hostess Holdings is itself not subject to U.S. federal and certain state and local income taxes. The operations of Hostess Holdings include those of its C Corporationcontrolled foreign corporation subsidiaries. The Company intends to indefinitely reinvest earnings outside the United States and, thus, is not recording deferred taxes on its investment in foreign subsidiaries.
The income tax expense in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations is based on an estimate of the Company’s annual effective income tax rate and adjusted for discrete items, if any.  The Company’s estimated annual effective tax rate based on annual projected earningsis 24.1% prior to taking into account any discrete items. The effective tax rate was 20.8% and 22.0% for the year ending December 31, 2017 is projected to be 29.6% prior to adjusting for discrete items.three months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. During the three months ended September 30, 2017,2020, the Company recordedeffective tax rate was impacted by a nonrecurringtax law change which resulted in a discrete chargetax benefit of approximately $2.2$1.2 million. During the three months ended September 30, 2019, the effective tax rate was impacted by a discrete tax benefit of $0.5 million related to a change in state tax law. the divestiture of the In-Store Bakery operations.
The Company’s effective tax rate differs fromfor the statutorynine months ended September 30, 2020 was 21.5% compared to 16.8% for the nine months ended September 30, 2019. The current year effective tax rate was impacted by an adjustment to deferred taxes related to Voortman and a tax law change, which collectively resulted in a discrete tax benefit of $1.7 million. The prior year effective tax rate was impacted by a net discrete tax benefit of $3.7 million primarily duerelated to the portion of net income attributed to the non-controlling interest which represents an ownership interest in a partnership for income tax purposes.

Deferred income taxes are provided for the effects of temporary differences between the tax basis of an asset or liability and its reported amount in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The recognitionremeasurement of deferred tax assets is based on management’s belief that it is more likely than not that the tax benefits associated with temporary differences, net operating loss carryforwardsbalances arising from changes in estimated state apportionment factors and tax credits will be utilized. The Company is in an overall net deferred tax liability position of $366.5 million and $353.8 million as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively, primarilyrates due to temporary differences in the book basis as compared to the tax basis of its investment in Hostess Holdings.business operation changes.
The Company does not believe it has any significant uncertain tax positions and therefore has no unrecognized tax benefits at September 30, 2017, that if recognized, would affect the annual effective tax rate. Interest and penalties related to income tax liabilities, if incurred, are included in income tax expense in the consolidated statement of operations.



13.    Tax Receivable Agreement

The tax receivable agreement was entered into by the Company in connection with the Business Combination (the “Tax Receivable Agreement”) and generally provides for the payment by the Company to the Legacy Hostess Equityholders of 85% of the net cash savings, if any, in U.S. federal, state and local income tax that the Company actually realizes (or is deemed to realize in certain circumstances) in periods after the closing of the Business Combination (which periods may extend, unless the12. Tax Receivable Agreement is terminated early in accordance with its terms, for more than 15 years following any exchange of Class B Units of Hostess Holdings for shares of the Company’s Class A common stock or the cash equivalent thereof) as a result of (i) certain increases in tax basis resulting from the Business Combination; (ii) certain tax attributes of Hostess Holdings and its subsidiaries existing prior to the Business Combination and prior to subsequent exchanges of Class B Units; (iii) certain increases in tax basis resulting from exchanges of Class B Units; (iv) imputed interest deemed to be paid by the Company as a result of payments it makes under the Tax Receivable Agreement; and (v) certain increases in tax basis resulting from payments the Company makes under the Tax Receivable Agreement. The Company will retain the benefit of the remaining 15% of these cash savings. Certain payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement will be made to Legacy Hostess Equityholders in accordance with specified percentages, regardless of the source of the applicable tax attribute. Significant inputs used to preliminarily estimate the future expected payments include a tax savings rate of approximately 37%.Obligations


The following table summarizes activity related to the tax receivable agreementTax Receivable Agreement for the nine months ended September 30, 2017:2020:

(In thousands)
Balance December 31, 2019$138,196 
Exchange of Class B units for Class A shares8,976 
Remeasurement due to tax law change610 
Payments(10,327)
Balance September 30, 2020$137,455 
(In thousands)  
Balance December 31, 2016 (Successor) $165,384
Measurement period adjustment of the Business Combination (3,016)
Balance arising from exchanges of Class B units for Class A shares 11,530
Remeasurement due to change in state tax rate 1,589
Balance September 30, 2017 (Successor) $175,487

During the three months ended September 30, 2017, the Company remeasured the Tax Receivable Agreement due to a change in a state tax law. This resulted in $1.6 million of expense on the consolidated statement of operations.



As of September 30, 20172020 the future expected payments under the Tax Receivable Agreementtax receivable agreement are as follows:

(In thousands)
2020$1,800 
20218,600 
20227,800 
20237,800 
20247,900 
Thereafter103,555 

20


HOSTESS BRANDS, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In thousands) 
Remainder of 2017$
201814,165
201910,375
202010,097
20219,845
Thereafter131,005



14.13.     Commitments and Contingencies
Accruals and the Potential Effect of Litigation
Liabilities related to legal proceedings are recorded when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the associated amount can be reasonably estimated. Where the estimated amount of loss is within a range of amounts and no amount within the range is a better estimate than any other amount, the minimum amount is accrued.
As additional information becomes available, the potential liabilities related to these matters are reassessed and the estimates revised, if necessary. TheseAny accrued liabilities are subject to change in the future based on new developments in each matter, or changes in circumstances, which could have a material effect on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.
During the three months ended September 30, 2017, the Company paid an award in the National Frozen Distribution Consultants, Inc. (NFDC) arbitration of approximately $2.0 million.
From time to time, the Company is subject to various other legal actions, lawsuits, claims and proceedings related to products, employment, environmental regulations, and other matters incidental to its businesses.
Based upon information presently known, the Company does not believe that the ultimate resolution of such matters will have a material effect on the Company’s financial position, although the final resolution of such matters could have a material effect on its results of operations or cash flows in the period of resolution.
Contractual CommitmentsLeases
The Company entered into operating leases for the buildings in which it operates that expire at various times through 2026, including those entered by Voortman. The Company determines if an arrangement is a partylease at inception.
At September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, right of use assets related to various long-term arrangements through advance purchase contracts to lockoperating leases are included in pricesproperty and equipment, net on the consolidated balance sheet (see Note 4. Property and Equipment). As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Company has no outstanding financing leases. Lease liabilities for certain high-volume raw materials, packaging components and fuel for normal product production requirements. These advance purchase arrangementsoperating leases are contractual agreements and can only be canceled with a termination penalty that is based uponincluded in the current market priceand non-current portions of long-term debt and lease obligations on the commodity at the time of cancellation. These agreements qualify for the “normal purchase” exception under accounting standards; therefore, the purchases under these contracts are included as a component of cost of goods sold.
Contractual commitments were as follows:
(In millions)Total CommittedCommitments within 1 yearCommitments beyond 1 year
Ingredients$82.4
$69.2
$13.2
Packaging$44.3
$39.1
$5.2
Letters of Creditconsolidated balance sheet (see Note 8. Debt and Lease Obligations).
The Company istable below shows the composition of lease expenses:
Three Months EndedNine Months Ended
(In thousands)September 30, 2020September 30, 2019September 30, 2020September 30, 2019
Amortization of right of use asset, financing lease$$33 $$133 
Interest, financing lease16 
Operating lease expense1,209 752 4,273 2,009 
Short-term lease expense456 202 2,014 884 
Variable lease expense445 188 1,466 565 
$2,110 $1,179 $7,753 $3,607 

14. Subsequent Events

In November 2020 the Company’s Board of Directors approved a partystock repurchase authorization of up to Letter of Credit arrangements to provide for the issuance of standby letters of credit$100 million in the amount of $2.2 million and $1.7 million, respectively. The arrangements support the collateral requirements for insurance. The Letters of Credit are 100% secured through our Revolver.


15.    Related Party Transactions
Prior to the Business Combination, the Company was party to an agreement to employ Mr. Metropoulos as the Executive Chairman. The agreement, dated April 2013, included payment of an annual salary, a performance bonus at the discretion of the board of directors, and expenses related to the use of his personal aircraft. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 (Predecessor), $1.1 million and $3.4 million was expensed by the Company for this compensation agreement. The agreement with Mr. Metropoulos was terminated in connection with the Business Combination.
For periods prior to the Business Combination, related party expenses consisted of the normal annual cash payments associated with our employment arrangements with Mr. Metropoulos as Chief Executive Officer and/or Executive Chairman. In connection with the Business Combination, Mr. Metropoulos became party to new employment arrangements with the Company and its subsidiaries. Following the consummation of the Business Combination, the expense associated with Mr. Metropoulos’s employment arrangements is estimated to be approximately $0.3 million annually.

As part of the Business Combination, the Company agreed to grant shares of Class A common stock or Class B unitsstock. As of Hostess Holdings and equivalentNovember, 5, 2020, no shares of Class B common stock of the Company to an entity owned by Mr. Metropoulos if certain EBITDA thresholds are met for the year ended December 31, 2017.   The potential grantshave been repurchased under this arrangement are between zero and 5.5 million shares.  Based on the nature of the arrangement, for U.S. GAAP purposes the potential grants are considered to be compensation for future services to be provided by Mr. Metropoulos. In order to receive 2.75 million shares under this agreement, adjusted EBITDA, as calculated pursuant to the terms of the Master Transaction Agreement entered into in connection with the Business Combination, (“MTA EBITDA”), for the year ended December 31, 2017 must be greater than $240.5 million. If MTA EBITDA is greater than $245.5 million, an additional 2.75 million shares will be awarded. As of September 30, 2017, management determined it was not probable that the Company would meet the 2017 MTA EBITDA thresholds.authorization.
Under the terms of Mr. Metropoulos’ employment agreement, the Company is obligated to grant additional equity (in the form of either shares of Class A common stock of the Company, or Class B units of Hostess Holdings and equivalent shares of Class B common stock of the Company) to Mr. Metropoulos if MTA EBITDA thresholds are met for the year ended December 31, 2018. The potential grants range from zero to 2.75 million shares. In order to receive 1.375 million shares under this agreement, MTA EBITDA for the year ended December 31, 2018 must be greater than $257.8 million. If MTA EBITDA is greater than $262.8 million, an additional 1.375 million shares will be awarded. As of September 30, 2017, management determined it was not probable that the Company would meet the 2018 MTA EBITDA thresholds.
21






Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations


The following discussion summarizes the significant factors affecting the consolidated operating results, financial condition, liquidity and capital resources of Hostess Brands, Inc. This discussion should be read in conjunction with our unaudited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included herein, and our audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019. The terms “our”, “we,” “us,” and “Company” as used herein refer to Hostess Brands, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries.

Overview


We are a leading United StatesNorth America packaged food company, focused on developing, manufacturing, marketing, selling and distributing freshcurrently operating in one reportable segment: Snacking, which includes sweet baked goods coast-to-coast, providing a wide range of snack cakes, donuts, sweet rolls, snack pies(“SBG”) as well as our cookie and relatedwafer products. We acquired the Hostess® brand and certain strategic assets out of the bankruptcy liquidation proceedings of Old Hostess Inc., its prior owner, free and clear of all past liabilities, in April 2013, and relaunched the brand later that year.

We operate five bakeries and three centralized distribution centers. Our direct-to-warehouse (“DTW”) product distribution system allows us to deliver to our customers’ warehouses. Our customers in turn distribute to theirthe retail stores and/or distributors.stores.

We have two reportable segments: “Sweet Baked Goods” and “Other”. Sweet Baked Goods consists of sweet baked goods that are sold under the Hostess® and Dolly Madison® brands. Other consists of Hostess® branded bread and buns, frozen retail (which includes deep-fried Twinkies®, launched in August 2016), “In-Store Bakery,” or “ISB” (which includes Superior Cake Products, Inc. (“Superior”), which we purchased in May 2016, and which manufactures and distributes eclairs, madeleines, brownies, and iced cookies in the ISB section of retailers) and licensing.

Hostess® is the second leading brand by market share within the Sweet Baked Goods (“SBG”)SBG category, according to Nielsen U.S. total universe. For the 52-week13-week period ended October 7, 2017September 26, 2020, our branded SBG products (which include Hostess®, Dolly Madison®, Cloverhill® and Big Texas®) market share was 17.0%19.7% per Nielsen’s U.S. SBG category data.
Historically, we operated in two reportable segments: SBG and In-Store Bakery (“ISB”), which we sold in August of 2019.

Factors Impacting Recent Results
Acquisition
On January 3, 2020, we completed the acquisition of all of the shares of the parent company of Voortman Cookies Limited (“Voortman”), a manufacturer of premium, branded wafers as well as sugar-free and specialty cookies. By adding the Voortman® brand, we expect to have greater growth opportunities provided by a more diverse portfolio of brands and products. Our consolidated statement of operations includes the operation of these assets from January 3, 2020 through September 30, 2020. During the year, we transitioned Voortman from its legacy direct-store-delivery distribution model into our centralized DTW model.
Divestiture
On August 30, 2019, the Company sold the ISB operations, including relevant trademarks and licensing agreements, to an unrelated party. The ISB operations provided products that were primarily sold in the in-store bakery section of U.S. retail channels. The Company divested the operations to focus on areas of our business that better leverage our core competencies.
COVID-19
The acute and far-reaching impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and actions taken by governments to contain the spread of the virus have impacted our operations during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020. As consumers prepared for extended stays at home, we experienced an increase in consumption in the last few weeks of the first quarter, particularly in our multi-pack products sold through grocery and mass retailer channels. Conversely, we experienced lower consumption of single-serve products, often consumed away from home. This trend has moderated during the second and third quarters, however, we cannot predict if these trends will sustain or reverse in future periods.
We have established a #1 leading market position withintask force to monitor the two largest SBG Segments; Donut Segmentrapidly evolving situation and Snack Cake Segment,recommend risk mitigation actions as deemed necessary. To date, we have experienced minimal disruption to our supply chain or distribution network, including the supply of our ingredients, packaging or other sourced materials, though it is possible that more significant disruptions could occur if the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact markets around the world. We are also working closely with all of our contract manufacturers, distributors and other external business partners. As a food producer, we are an essential service and our production and distribution facilities continue to operate. To protect our employees and ensure continuity of operations, we have implemented additional security and sanitation
22


measures in all of our facilities. We are monitoring our employees’ health and providing additional resources and protocols to enable effective social distancing and adherence to our stringent internal food safety guidelines, industry best practices and evolving CDC guidelines. Many non-production team members, including sales, marketing and corporate employees, are adhering to social distancing guidelines by working from home and reducing person-to-person contact while supporting our ability to bring products to consumers.
We have adequate liquidity to pay for the costs associated with these additional measures while servicing our on-going operating and capital needs. However, we continue to actively monitor and will take action, as necessary, to preserve adequate liquidity and ensure that our business can continue to operate in this dynamic environment.
On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act was signed into law. The Donut CARES Act provides a substantial stimulus and Snack Cake Segments together account for 49.6%assistance package intended to address the impact of the Sweet Baked Goods category’s total dollar sales.

Explanatory Note
Hostess Brands, Inc. (f/k/a Gores Holdings, Inc.) was originally incorporated in Delaware on June 1, 2015 as a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC), formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization, or other similar business combination with one or more target businesses. On August 19, 2015, Gores Holdings, Inc. consummated its initial public offering (the “IPO”), following which its shares began tradingCOVID-19 pandemic, including tax relief and government loans, grants and investments. Apart from their impact on the Nasdaq Capital Market (“NASDAQ”).
On November 4, 2016 (the “Closing Date”), in a transaction referred to as the “Business Combination,” Gores Holdings, Inc. acquired a controlling interest in Hostess Holdings, L.P. (“Hostess Holdings”), an entity owned indirectly by C. Dean Metropoulos and certain equity funds managed by affiliates of Apollo Global Management, LLC (the “Apollo Funds”). Hostess Holdings had acquired the Hostess brand and certain strategic assets out of the bankruptcy liquidation proceedings of its prior owner (“Old Hostess”), free and clear of all past liabilities, in April 2013, and relaunched the Hostess brand later that year.
In connection with the closing of the Business Combination, Gores Holdings, Inc. changed its name to “Hostess Brands, Inc.” and its trading symbols on NASDAQ from “GRSH” and “GRSHW,” to “TWNK” and “TWNKW”.
Following the Business Combination, Mr. Metropoulos and the Apollo Funds continued as stockholders and Mr. Metropoulos became Executive Chairman of Hostess Brands, Inc. On April 19, 2017, the Apollo Funds completed the public sale of substantially all of their holdings of Class A common stock. Other equityholders also sold shares of Class A common stock through the public sale.
As a result of the Business Combination, for accounting purposes, Hostess Brands, Inc. is the acquirer and Hostess Holdings is the acquired party and accounting predecessor. Our financial statement presentation includes the financial statements of Hostess Holdings and its subsidiaries as “Predecessor” for periods prior to the completion of the Business Combination and of Hostess Brands, Inc.,general economy, including the consolidation of Hostess Holdingslabor market and its subsidiaries, for periods from and afterconsumer demand, neither the Closing Date. For convenience, we have also included supplemental pro forma informationCARES Act nor any other government program intended to address COVID-19 had any material impact on our consolidated financial statements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 that gives effect to the Business Combination as if such transaction had been consummated on January 1, 2016. References in this Quarterly Report to information provided for 2016 on a pro forma basis refer to such supplemental pro forma financial information.

Unless the context otherwise requires, “we,” “us,” “our” and the “Company” refer, for periods prior to the completion of the Business Combination, to Hostess Holdings and its subsidiaries and, for periods upon or after the completion of the Business Combination, to Hostess Brands, Inc. and its subsidiaries, including Hostess Holdings and its subsidiaries. Our “Sponsor” refers to Gores Sponsor, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and the principal stockholder of Gores Holdings, Inc. prior to the Business Combination, and the “The Gores Group” refers to The Gores Group LLC, an affiliate of our Sponsor. “Metropoulos Entities” refer to Mr. Metropoulos and entities controlled by him that2020. We continue to hold an equity stake in us. “Legacy Hostess Equityholders” refer tomonitor any effects that may result from the Apollo FundsCARES Act and the Metropoulos Entities, collectively.other stimulus programs.
Principal Components of
Operating Results
Three Months EndedNine Months Ended
(In thousands, except per share data)
September 30, 2020September 30, 2019September 30, 2020September 30, 2019
Net revenue$260,855 $227,211 $760,566 $691,009 
Gross profit91,155 70,420 259,866 229,058 
As a % of net revenue35.0 %31.0 %34.2 %33.2 %
Operating costs and expenses49,818 46,849 168,788 132,496 
Operating income41,337 23,571 91,078 96,562 
Other expense11,083 9,813 35,073 31,637 
Income tax expense6,281 3,029 12,022 10,915 
Net income23,973 10,729 43,983 54,010 
Net income attributable to Class A stockholders$22,605 $8,785 $41,123 $41,395 
Earnings per Class A share:
Basic$0.18 $0.08 $0.33 $0.39 
Diluted$0.18 $0.07 $0.33 $0.37 

Results of Operations
Net Revenue
We generateNet revenue primarily through selling sweet baked goods and other products under the Hostess® group of brands, which includes iconic products such as Twinkies®, CupCakes, Ding Dongs®, Zingers®, HoHo’s® and Donettes® and the Dolly Madison® brand and the group of products under the Superior on Main® brand (e.g., eclairs, madeleines, brownies and iced cookies). Our product assortment, which includes snack cakes, muffins, donuts and pies, is sold to customers’ warehouses and distribution centers by the case or in display ready corrugate units. Retailers display and sell our products to the end consumer in single-serve, multi-pack or club-pack formats. We sell our products primarily to supermarket chains, national mass merchandisers and convenience stores, along with a smaller portion of our product sales going to dollar stores, vending, club, and other retail outlets.

Our revenues are driven by average net price and total volume of products sold. Factors that impact unit pricing and sales volume include product mix, the cost of ingredients, the promotional activities implemented by our Company and our competitors, industry capacity, new product initiatives and quality and consumer preferences. We do not keep a significant backlog of finished goods inventory, as our fresh baked products are promptly shipped to our distribution centers after being produced and then distributed to customers.
Cost of Goods Sold

Cost of goods sold consists of ingredients, packaging, labor, energy, other production costs, warehousing and transportation costs for the distribution of our products to our customers. The cost of ingredients and packaging represent the majority of our total costs of goods sold. All costs that are incurred at the bakeries are included in cost of goods sold. We do not allocate any corporate functions into cost of goods sold.

Our cost of ingredients consists principally of flour, sweeteners, edible oils and cocoa, which are subject to substantial price fluctuations, as is the cost of paper, corrugate, films and plastics used to package our products. The prices for raw materials are influenced by a number of factors, including the weather, crop production, transportation and processing costs, government regulation and policies and worldwide market supply and demand. We also rely on fuel products, such as natural gas, diesel, propane and electricity, to operate our bakeries and produce our products. Fluctuations in the prices of the raw materials or fuel products used in the production, packaging or transportation of our products affect the cost of products sold and our product pricing strategy. We utilize forward buying strategies through short-term and long-term advance purchase contracts to lock in prices for certain high-volume raw materials, packaged components and certain fuel inputs. Through these initiatives, we believe we are able to obtain competitive pricing.

Advertising and Marketing

Our advertising and marketing expenses primarily relate to our advertising campaigns, which include social media, print, online advertising, local promotional events and monthly agency fees. We also invest in wire and corrugate displays delivered to customers to display our products off shelf, field marketing and merchandising to reset and check the store inventory on a regular basis and marketing employment costs.

Selling Expense

Selling expenses primarily include sales management, employment, travel, and related expenses, as well as broker fees. We utilize brokers for sales support, including merchandising and order processing.


General and Administrative

General and administrative expenses primarily include employee and related expenses for the accounting, planning, customer service, legal, human resources, corporate operations, research and development, purchasing, logistics and executive functions. Also included are professional service fees related to audit and tax, legal, outsourced information technology functions, transportation planning, and corporate site and insurance costs.

The majority of our research and development spend is dedicated to enhancing and expanding our product lines responding to changing consumer preferences and trends and continuing to enhance the taste of our products. In addition, our research and development organization provides technical support to ensure that our core products are consistently produced in accordance with our high quality standards and specifications. Finally, this department is charged with developing processes to reduce our costs without adversely affecting the quality of our products.

Related Party Expenses

For periods prior to the Business Combination, related party expenses consisted of the normal annual cash payments associated with our employment arrangements with Mr. Metropoulos as Chief Executive Officer and/or Executive Chairman. Following the consummation of the Business Combination, the cash expenses associated with Mr. Metropoulos’s employment arrangements are approximately $0.3 million annually.

Non-Controlling Interest

Subsequent to the Business Combination, Hostess Brands, Inc. consolidated the financial position and results of operations of Hostess Holdings. Mr. Metropoulos and the Metropoulos Entities hold their equity investment in us primarily through Class B limited partnership units in the Company’s subsidiary, Hostess Holdings, (“Class B Units”) and an equal number of shares of the Company’s Class B common stock (“Class B Stock”). Our Class B Stock has voting, but no economic rights, while Hostess Holdings’ Class B Units have economic, but no voting rights. Each Class B Unit, together with a share of Class B Stock held by the Metropoulos Entities, is exchangeable for a share of the Company’s Class A common stock (or at the option of the Company, the cash equivalent thereof). The Company holds 100% of the general partnership interest in Hostess Holdings and a majority of the limited partnership interests, and consolidates Hostess Holdings in the Company’s consolidated financial statements. The interest of the Metropoulos Entities in Hostess Holdings’ Class B Units is reflected in our consolidated financial statements as a non-controlling interest.

For periods prior to the Business Combination, Hostess Holdings consolidated the financial position and results of operations of New Hostess Holdco, LLC. The portion of New Hostess Holdco, LLC not owned by Hostess Holdings (which constituted a profits interest plan for management) was recognized as a non-controlling interest in its consolidated financial statements.

Factors Impacting Recent Results

Long-term Debt Refinancing and Interest Rate Risk Management

On November 18, 2016, we refinanced our first and second lien term loans (the “Former First and Second Lien Term Loans”) into one new first lien term loan in the aggregate principal amount of $998.8 million and with a maturity date of August 3, 2022 (the “New First Lien Term Loan”).
To manage the risk related to our variable rate debt, on April 7, 2017, we entered into an interest rate swap contract with a counter party to make a series of payments based on a fixed interest rate of 1.78% and receive a series of payments based on the greater of LIBOR or 0.75%. Both the fixed and floating payment streams are based on a notional amount of $500 million at the inception of the contract and will be reduced by $100 million each year of the five year contract.
On May 19, 2017, the New First Lien Term Loan was amended resulting in a 0.5% decrease to the margin applied to our variable rate (the “Second Amended First Lien Term Loan”). The maturity date of August 3, 2022 remained unchanged.
Acquisition of Superior
On May 10, 2016, we acquired the stock of Superior for $51.0 million, including cash. The purchase price was subject to working capital and other purchase price adjustments as described in the stock purchase agreement. Superior is located in Southbridge, Massachusetts and manufactures eclairs, madeleines, brownies, and iced cookies. We acquired Superior to expand our market and product offerings in the “In-Store Bakery” section of retailers.

Seasonality
Sweet baked goods revenues tend to be moderately seasonal, with declines during the early winter period, which we believe are attributable to altered consumption patterns during the holiday season. We expect this trend to continue and continue to be applicable to our business. We strive to mitigate the seasonality by running certain targeted promotional campaigns.
































Unaudited Statement of Operations
Historical and Pro Forma*
 (Successor)    
Historical i (Predecessor)
    Pro Forma  
(In thousands, except per share data)
Three Months
Ended September 30, 2017
 %
of Net Revenues
  
Three Months
Ended September 30, 2016
  
Pro Forma
Adjustments

Three Months
Ended September 30, 2016
 %
of Net Revenues
Net revenue$192,250
 100.0%  $196,197
  $

$196,197
 100.0 %
Cost of goods sold113,885
 59.2
  113,618
  (185)ii113,433
 57.8
Gross profit78,365
 40.8
  82,579
  185

82,764
 42.2

            
Operating costs and expenses:            
Advertising and marketing8,871
 4.6
  10,381
  

10,381
 5.3
Selling expense7,606
 4.0
  8,271
  

8,271
 4.2
General and administrative14,494
 7.5
  10,784
  (346)ii10,438
 5.3
Amortization of customer relationships5,994
 3.1
  156
  5,938
iii6,094
 3.1
Impairment of property and equipment1,003
 0.5
  
  


 
Business combination transaction costs
 
  4,049
  (4,049)iv
 
Related party expenses92
 
  1,058
  

1,058
 0.5
Tax receivable agreement liability remeasurement1,589
 0.8
  
  
 
 
Recall and other costs (recoveries)
 
  (3,787)  
 (3,787) (1.9)
Total operating costs and expenses39,649
 20.5
  30,912
  1,543
 32,455
 16.5
Operating income38,716
 20.1
  51,667
  (1,358) 50,309
 25.7
Other expense:             
Interest expense, net9,966
 5.2
  18,004
  (4,623)v13,381
 6.8
Loss on modification of debt2,122
 1.1
  
 

 


Other expense182
 0.1
  173
  

173
 0.1
Total other expense12,270
 6.4
  18,177
  (4,623) 13,554
 6.9
Income before income taxes26,446
 13.7
  33,490
  3,265
 36,755
 18.7
Income tax expense (benefit)10,316
 5.4
  (23)  10,496
vi10,473
 5.3
Net income16,130
 8.3
  33,513
  (7,231) 26,282
 13.4
Less: Net income attributable to the non-controlling interest6,581
 3.4
  2,329
  6,852
vii9,181
 4.7
Net income attributable to Class A shareholders$9,549
 4.9%  $31,184
  $(14,083) $17,101
 8.7 %
              
Earnings per Class A share:             
Basic$0.10
         $0.18
  
Diluted$0.09
         $0.18
  
              
Weighted-average shares outstanding:         

  
Basic99,557,183
       97,589,217
viii97,589,217
  
Diluted105,418,566
       97,589,217
viii97,589,217
  
*For convenience, we have included this supplemental pro forma information for the three months ended September 30, 2016 that gives effect to the Business Combination as if such information had been consummated on January 1, 2016.
The unaudited pro forma statements2020 was $260.9 million, an increase of operations for the three months ended September 30, 2016 presents our consolidated results of operations giving pro forma effect to the Business Combination as if it had occurred as of January 1, 2016. The pro forma adjustments are based on available information and upon assumptions that our management believes are reasonable in order to reflect, on a pro forma basis, the impact of these transactions on the historical financial information of our Predecessor and Successor entities, as applicable.

The Business Combination was accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting. The estimated fair values of the acquired assets and assumed liabilities as of the Closing Date, which are based on the consideration paid and our estimates and assumptions, are reflected herein. The total purchase price to acquire Hostess Holdings has been allocated to the assets acquired and assumed liabilities of Hostess Holdings, based upon preliminary estimated fair values at the Closing Date. We utilized third-party valuation specialists to assist our management in determining the fair values of the acquired assets and liabilities assumed.
The unaudited pro forma financial information contains a variety of adjustments, assumptions and estimates, is subject to numerous other uncertainties and the assumptions and adjustments as described in the accompanying notes hereto and should not be relied upon as being indicative of our results of operations had the Business Combination occurred on January 1, 2016. The unaudited pro forma financial information also does not project our results of operations for any future period or date. The acquisition of Superior Cake Products, Inc. (“Superior”) occurred in May 2016. The unaudited pro forma consolidated financial information for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 does not include the results of the Superior acquisition and its related operations prior to the acquisition. We evaluated the impact of the Superior acquisition on the Company’s financial statements and concluded that the impact was not significant and did not separately warrant the inclusion of pro forma financial results assuming the acquisition of Superior on January 1, 2016 under SEC rules and regulations or under GAAP. The pro forma adjustments give effect to the items identified in the pro forma table above in connection with the Business Combination.

i.The amounts in these columns represent our Hostess Holdings historical results of operations for the period reflected. Certain amounts previously reported within the 2016 Hostess Holdings quarterly financial statements have been reclassified to conform with the current financial statement presentation.
ii.Represents the adjustment to depreciation expense associated with the allocation of purchase price to property and equipment.
iii.Represents additional amortization expense associated with the fair value recognized for customer relationships in connection with the Business Combination.
iv.This adjustment consists primarily of legal and professional fees and other costs associated with the Business Combination.
v.Represents the reduction in interest expense due to the repayment of Hostess Holdings debt pursuant to the terms of the Business Combination.
vi.Represents the effective income tax rate of 28.5%, giving effect to the non-controlling interest, a partnership for income tax purposes.
vii.Represents the elimination of historical income attributable to the non-controlling interest and attributes a portion of the pro forma income to the non-controlling interest created in the Business Combination. Income is allocated to the non-controlling interest based on its pro rata share of the total equity of Hostess Holdings.
viii.Represents the basic and diluted weighted average number of Class A shares that would have been outstanding had the Business Combination occurred on January 1, 2016. The outstanding warrants were determined not to be dilutive.




















Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure commonly used in our industry and should not be construed as an alternative to net income as an indicator of operating performance or as an alternative to cash flow provided by operating activities as a measure of liquidity (each as determined in accordance with GAAP). This measure may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies. We have included these measures because we believe they provide management and investors with additional information to measure our performance and liquidity, estimate our value and evaluate our ability to service debt.
We define adjusted EBITDA as net income adjusted to exclude (i) interest expense, net, (ii) depreciation and amortization, (iii) income taxes and (iv) as further adjusted to eliminate the impact of certain items that we do not consider indicative of our ongoing operating performance. These further adjustments are itemized below. You are encouraged to evaluate these adjustments and the reasons we consider them appropriate for supplemental analysis. In evaluating adjusted EBITDA, you should be aware that in the future we may incur expenses that are the same as or similar to some of the adjustments set forth below. Our presentation of adjusted EBITDA should not be construed as an inference that our future results will be unaffected by unusual or non-recurring items.
Adjusted EBITDA has important limitations as an analytical tool, and you should not consider it in isolation, or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. For example, adjusted EBITDA:
does not reflect our capital expenditures, future requirements for capital expenditures or contractual commitments;
does not reflect changes in, or cash requirements for, our working capital needs;
does not reflect the significant interest expenses, or the cash requirements necessary to service interest or principal payments, on our debt;
does not reflect any cash requirements for the assets being depreciated and amortized that may have to be replaced in the future; and
does not reflect payments related to income taxes, the tax receivable agreement or distributions to the non-controlling interest to reimburse its tax liability.
Our presentation of adjusted EBITDA does not exclude the normal annual cash payments associated with our employment arrangements with Mr. Metropoulos as the Chief Executive Officer and/or Executive Chairman. These payments were $0.1 million and $0.2 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, and $1.1 million and $3.4 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively. Following completion of the Business Combination, these cash expenses will be approximately $0.3 million annually.















Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA
(Unaudited)

     
(In thousands) Three Months
Ended September 30,
2017
  Pro Forma
Three Months
Ended September 30,
2016

 
   
Net income $16,130
  $26,282
Plus non-GAAP adjustments:     
Income tax provision 10,316
  10,473
Interest expense, net 9,966
  13,381
Depreciation and amortization 9,722
  9,103
Share-based compensationi.3,630
  
Tax receivable agreement liability remeasurementii.1,589
  
Recall and otheriii.
  (3,787)
Other expenseiv.182
  173
Loss on debt modificationv.2,122
  
Impairment of property and equipmentvi.1,003
  
Adjusted EBITDA $54,660
  $55,625





i.For the three months ended September 30, 2017, the Company recognized expense related to stock compensation awarded under the Hostess Brands, Inc. 2016 Equity Incentive Plan.
ii.For the three months ended September 30, 2017, the Company incurred a loss on the remeasurement of the tax receivable agreement due to a change in a state tax law.
iii.For the pro forma three months ended September 30, 2016, the Company recovered costs previously incurred in the second quarter of 2016 related to the voluntary recall of product containing undeclared peanut residue attributed to one of the Company’s suppliers.
iv.During the three months ended September 30, 2017, the Company incurred professional fees related to the registration of certain privately held securities. During the pro forma three months ended September 30, 2016, the Company incurred professional fees attributable to the pursuit of a potential acquisition that has since been abandoned, and other special projects.
v.During the three months ended September 30, 2017, previously capitalized debt issuance costs were expensed.
vi.During the three months ended September 30, 2017, the Company transitioned the production of one of its products to a third party and recognized an impairment loss resulting from the idling of the related production equipment.






Net Revenue
Net revenue of $192.3 million decreased 2.0%14.8%, or $3.9$33.7 million, compared to historical and pro forma net revenue of $196.2 million for the third quarter of 2016. The third quarter 2017 growth in net revenue from current year new product initiatives of $17.0 million, particularly Chocolate Cake Twinkies®, White Fudge Ding Dongs® and Golden Cupcakes was offset primarily by a decrease in net revenue from 2016 product innovations of $14.0 million, the impact of a co-manufacturer's production challenges of approximately $3.2 million and a decrease of revenue from discontinued items of $2.2 million. Net revenue for the quarter was also impacted by point of sale and shipment disruptions from hurricanes Harvey and Irma.
Cost of Goods Sold and Gross Profit
Cost of goods sold for the three months ended September 30, 2017 of $113.9 million represents an increase of$0.3 million or 0.2% from the historical costs of goods sold of $113.6$227.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 20162019. Excluding ISB, net revenue increased $40.8 million or 18.5%. The increase was driven primarily by the acquisition of Voortman which contributed $26.8 million of net revenue. Sweet baked goods net revenue increased $13.9 million, primarily driven by higher volume of core Hostess® branded products partially offset by lower sales of private label and non-Hostess branded products. Additionally during the current year period, we increased the reserve for customer credits related to the recall of certain Raspberry Zinger® products, which was established in the previous quarter. Net revenue was negatively impacted in the prior-year period by the temporary shutdown of certain production lines to perform maintenance and operating enhancements.

23


Net revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 was $760.6 million, an increase of $0.510.1%, or $69.6 million, compared to $691.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019. Excluding ISB, net revenue increased $98.3 million or 0.4% from14.8%. The acquisition of Voortman contributed $67.5 million of net revenue. The remaining increase was attributed to higher volume of Hostess® branded multi-pack products due to strong demand, particularly in the pro forma costsgrocery and dollar channels, partially offset by lower sales of goods soldprivate label and non-Hostess branded products and lower sales of $113.4 millionHostess® branded single-serve products.
Gross Profit
Gross profit for the three months ended September 30, 2016. The increase in thethree months ended September 30, 2017 from both historical and pro forma three months ended September 30, 2016 is primarily attributed to additional cost of transportation due to the tightening of shipping capacity and an increase in the percentage of orders on a refrigerated class of transportation.
Gross profit2020 was $78.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017, a decrease of $4.2$91.2 million, or 5.1%, compared to historical gross profit of $82.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and a decrease of $4.4 million, or 5.3% compared to pro forma gross profit of $82.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016. The decrease in the three months ended September 30, 2017 from both historical and pro forma three months ended September 30, 2016 was primarily attributed to the tightening of shipping capacity and an increase in the percentage of orders on a refrigerated class of transportation, which caused a 120 basis point increase in the cost of transportation as a percentage of revenue. In addition, there was a shift in product mix due to growth in multi-pack and club-pack sales.
Gross margin was 40.8% for the three months ended September 30, 2017, compared to historical gross margin of 42.1% for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and pro forma gross margin of 42.2% for the three months ended September 30, 2016. The decrease in margin for the three months ended September 30, 2017 from both historical and pro forma gross margin for the three months ended September 30, 2016 is primarily due to additional transportation costs and a shift in product mix.
Gross profit for the Sweet Baked Goods segment for the three months ended September 30, 2017 was $73.0 million, or 42.0%35.0% of net revenue, compared to gross profit of $76.8$70.4 million, or 44.0% of net revenue for the historical three months ended September 30, 2016. Gross margin decreased due to the tightening of shipping capacity and an increase in the percentage of orders on a refrigerated class of transportation, which caused a 120 basis point increase in the cost of transportation as a percentage of revenue. In addition, there was a shift in product mix due to growth in multi-pack and club-pack sales.
Gross profit for the Other segment for the three months ended September 30, 2017 was $5.4 million, or 28.9% of net revenue, compared to historical gross profit of $5.8 million, or 26.7%31.0% of net revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2016.2019. Excluding ISB, gross profit increased 32.6% resulting from the accretion from Voortman supported by achievement of synergies, lower promotional activity and and higher pro+ductivity efficiencies, partially offset by higher operating costs due to COVID-19.
Gross profit for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 was $259.9 million, or 34.2% of net revenue, compared to $229.1 million, or 33.2% of net revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2019. Excluding ISB, gross profit increased 16.6%. The increase in margin was attributedresulted primarily from the accretion from Voortman and efficiencies from higher sales volume, partially offset by transition costs related to efficiencies in In-Store Bakery operations.Voortman operations and higher operating costs due to COVID-19.

Operating Costs and Expenses
AdvertisingOperating costs and Marketing
Advertising and marketing expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2017 of $8.92020 were $49.8 million, represents a decrease of 14.5% over the historical and pro forma advertising and marketing expenses of $10.4compared to $46.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 as a result2019. The increase was primarily attributed to the addition of lower packaging designVoortman's on-going operating costs, partially offset by prior-year charges related to the sale of the In-Store Bakery business, debt refinancing costs, remeasurement of the tax receivable agreement and costs related to the transition of the Company's primary distribution center.
Operating costs and reduced permanent wire display deployment duringexpenses for the quarter.nine months ended September 30, 2020 were $168.8 million, compared to $132.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019. The increase was attributed to costs related to the transition of Voortman's operations as well as Voortman's on-going operating costs, partially offset by prior-year charges related to the transition of the Company’s distribution center, a prior-year nonrecurring payment under the Company's long-term incentive plan, costs related to the sale of the In-Store Bakery business and debt refinancing costs.
SellingOther Expense
SellingOther expense of $7.6 million, or 4.0% of revenue for the three months ended September 30, 20172020 was comparable$11.1 million compared to $8.3$9.8 million or 4.2% of revenue on a historical and pro forma basis for the three months ended September 30, 2016.

General2019, in each case consisting primarily of interest expense. Interest expense on our term loans was $10.0 million and Administrative
General and administrative expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2017 of $14.5 million represent an increase of $3.7 million or 34.4% over historical general and administrative expenses of $10.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 20162020 and an increase2019, respectively.

Other expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 was $35.1 million compared to $31.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019, in each case consisting primarily of $4.1interest expense. Interest expense on our term loans was $31.9 million or 38.9% overand $32.8 million for the pro forma generalnine months ended September 30, 2020 and administrative expenses of $10.4 million2019, respectively.

Income Taxes
Our effective tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2016. The increase of the third quarter 2017 expenses over both the historical and pro forma third quarter 2016 expenses is attributed2020 was 20.8% compared to increased non-cash share-based compensation of $3.6 million.
Amortization of Customer Relationships
Amortization of customer relationships was $6.0 million22.0% for the three months ended September 30, 2017, compared2019. Our current year effective tax rate was impacted by a discrete tax benefit of $1.2 million related to historical customer relationships amortization of $0.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and pro forma customer relationships amortization of $6.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016. For the third quarter 2016 on a historical basis, amortization expense was based on the valuation of customer relationships acquired from Old Hostess in 2013. The amortization expense for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and the three months ended September 30, 2016 on a pro forma basis reflects the new valuation of the customer relationships acquired through the Business Combination.
Impairment of Property and Equipment
tax law change. During the three months ended September 30, 2017, we idled2019, the effective tax rate benefited by a production line in our Columbus, Georgia facility and transitioneddiscrete tax benefit of $0.5 million related to the production to a third party. We recognized an impairment lossdivestiture of $1.0 million.the In-Store Bakery operations.
Related Party Expenses
Related party expenses were $0.1 million
24


Our effective tax rate for the threenine months ended September 30, 20172020 was 21.5% compared to historical and pro forma expenses of $1.1 million16.8% for the threenine months ended September 30, 2016. These expenses represent payments made2019. The current year effective tax rate was impacted by an adjustment to Mr. Metropoulos underdeferred taxes related to Voortman and a tax law change, which collectively resulted in a discrete tax benefit of $1.7 million. Our prior year effective tax rate was impacted by a discrete tax benefit of $3.7 million primarily related to the termsremeasurement of his employment arrangements. Following the Business Combination, the expenses associated with Mr. Metropoulos’s employment arrangement aredeferred tax balances arising from changes in estimated state apportionment factors and rates due to be $0.3 million annually.business operation changes.
Tax Receivable Agreement Liability Remeasurement
Segments
For the three months ended September 30, 2017,reporting periods presented, we recorded a loss of $1.6 million due to an adjustment to the tax receivable agreement resulting from a change in a state tax law.
Recall and Other Costs
During the three months ended September 30, 2016, we recovered approximately $4.0 million of previously recognized costs when it was determined that expenses incurred to recall 710,000 cases of snack cakes and donuts for undeclared peanut residue in certain lots of flour would be reimbursed by our flour supplier, Graincraft.
Operating Income
The 25.1% decrease in operating income from a historical basis of $51.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 to $38.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017 is primarily from the increase in additional customer relationship amortization as well as share-based compensation, which is included within general and administrative expenses. The decrease was also attributed to lower gross profit due to a change in product mix and lower overall revenues.
Interest Expense, net
Our interest expense decreased 44.6% from $18.0 million for the historical three months ended September 30, 2016 to $10.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017 primarily from the refinancing of our Second Lien Term Loan in November 2016 and amendment of our First Lien Term Loan in May 2017. In both cases, the effective interest rate on our outstanding debt was decreased. Additionally, $217 million of principal was repaid as part of the Business Combination. This was offset by the additional interest expense related to our interest rate swap contract, which was effective in May 2017. Excluding expense associated with the principal repayment, interest expense for the three months ended September 30, 2017 decreased 25.5% from pro forma interest expense of $13.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016, as a result of the lower effective interest rate offset by the interest rate swap settlement.

Loss on Modification of debt
During the three months ended September 30, 2017, we expensed $2.1 million of previously capitalized debt financing charges, which are offset by a slight gain in the prior period. See Note 1-Summary of Significant Accounting Policies to the consolidated financial statements included in Part 1, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
Other Expense
For the three months ended September 30, 2017, we recorded other expenses of $0.2 million which primarily consisted of professional fees related to the registration of certain privately held securities.
Income Taxes
The income tax expense of $10.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017 includes an adjustment to our deferred tax liability of approximately $2.2 million caused by a change to a state tax rate. The remaining tax expense of $8.1 million represents an effective tax rate of 30.7%, giving effect to the non-controlling interest, a partnership for income tax purposes. Historical income tax benefit for the three months ended September 30, 2016 was less than $0.1 million as the Company was a partnership for income taxes prior to the Business Combination, with the exception of the loss attributed to Superior, which is taxed as a corporation. The increase from pro forma tax expense of $10.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 is due to a change in state tax law offset by a decrease in pretax income before income taxes.
Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA for the three months ended September 30, 2017, was $54.7 million, a decrease of $1.0 million, or (1.7)%, compared to pro forma adjusted EBITDA of $55.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016. As a percentage of net revenue, adjusted EBITDA was 28.4% for the three months ended September 30, 2017, compared to pro forma adjusted EBITDA of 28.4% of net revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2016.
Segments

We havehad two reportable segments: “Sweet Baked Goods”Snacking and “Other.”In-Store Bakery. In January of 2020, we added the newly acquired Voortman operations into the reportable segment previously known as Sweet Baked Goods and renamed the segment as “Snacking”. Our Snacking segment consists of sweet baked goods, cookies, wafers and bread products that are sold under the Hostess®, Dolly Madison®, Cloverhill®, Big Texas® and Dolly Madison®Voortman® brands. Other consists of Hostess® branded bread and buns, which we launched in April 2015, frozen retail (which consists of deep-fried Twinkies®, launched in August 2016) and “In-StoreThe In-Store Bakery” or “ISB” (which consists segment consisted primarily of Superior which we purchased in May 2016,on Main® branded and manufactures and distributes eclairs, madeleines, brownies, and iced cookies inprivate label products sold through the ISBin-store bakery section of retailers),grocery and licensing.club stores. We divested our In-Store Bakery operations on August 30, 2019.

We evaluate performance and allocate resources based on net revenue and gross profit. Information regarding the operations of these reportable segments is as follows:
Unaudited Segment Financial DataThree Months EndedNine Months Ended
(In thousands)September 30, 2020September 30, 2019September 30, 2020September 30, 2019

  Net revenue:
Snacking$260,855 $220,156 $760,566 $662,307 
In-Store Bakery— 7,055 — 28,702 
Net revenue$260,855 $227,211 $760,566 $691,009 
Gross profit:
Snacking$91,155 $68,804 $259,866 $222,872 
In-Store Bakery— 1,616 — 6,186 
Gross profit$91,155 $70,420 $259,866 $229,058 

Unaudited Segment Financial Data 
(In thousands)Three Months
Ended September 30,
2017
  Three Months
Ended September 30,
2016
 

(Successor)  (Predecessor) 
  Net revenue:
     
Sweet Baked Goods$173,552
  $174,473
 
Other18,698
  21,724
 
Net revenue$192,250
  $196,197
 



  

 
Gross profit:     
Sweet Baked Goods$72,965
  $76,777
 
Other5,400
  5,802
 
Gross profit$78,365
  $82,579
 



  

 
  Capital expenditures (1):
     
Sweet Baked Goods$9,109
  $9,312
 
Other
205
  161
 
Capital expenditures$9,314
  $9,473
 


(1)Capital expenditures consists of purchases of property and equipment and acquisition and development of software assets paid in cash or acquired through accounts payable during the three months ended September 30, 2017 (Successor) and 2016 (Predecessor).

We have one customer that accounted for 10% or more of our net revenues. The percentage of net revenue from this customer is presented below by segment:
 Unaudited Segment Data 
 Three Months Ended 
(% of Consolidated Net Revenues) 
September 30, 2017
 September 30, 2016 
Sweet Baked Goods18.8%
 18.1%
Other0.9%
 3.1%
Total19.7%
 21.2%


Unaudited Statement of Operations
Historical and Pro Forma*
 (Successor)    
Historical i (Predecessor)
    Pro forma  
(In thousands, except per share data)
Nine Months
Ended September 30, 2017
 %
of Net Revenues
  
Nine Months
Ended September 30, 2016
  
Pro Forma
Adjustments
 
Nine Months
Ended September 30, 2016
 %
of Net Revenues
Net revenue$579,967
 100.0%  $548,757
  
 $548,757
 100.0%
Cost of goods sold333,861
 57.6
  309,427
  315
ii309,742
 56.4
Gross profit246,106
 42.4
  239,330
  (315) 239,015
 43.6
              
Operating costs and expenses:             
Advertising and marketing24,304
 4.2
  27,529
  
 27,529
 5.0
Selling expense24,418
 4.2
  23,175
  
 23,175
 4.2
General and administrative43,416
 7.5
  32,015
  (653)ii31,362
 5.7
Amortization of customer relationships17,860
 3.1
  468
  17,950
iii18,418
 3.4
Impairment of property and equipment1,003
 0.2
  7,267
  
 7,267
 1.3
Business combination transaction costs
 
  7,065
  (6,490)iv575
 0.1
Related party expenses284
 
  3,431
  
 3,431
 0.6
Tax receivable agreement liability remeasurement1,589
 0.3
  
  
 
 
Recall and other costs (recoveries)
 
  473
  
 473
 0.1
Total operating costs and expenses112,874
 19.5
  101,423
  10,807
 112,230
 20.4
Operating income133,232
 22.9
  137,907
  (11,122) 126,785
 23.1
Other expense:             
Interest expense, net29,831
 5.1
  53,746
  (13,871)v39,875
 7.3
Loss on debt modification1,948
 0.3
  
  
 
 
Other expense1,309
 0.2
  2,344
  
 2,344
 0.4
Total other expense33,088
 5.6
  56,090
  (13,871) 42,219
 7.7
Income before income taxes100,144
 17.3
  81,817
  2,749
 84,566
 15.4
Income tax expense31,608
 5.4
  294
  23,804
vi24,098
 4.4
Net income68,536
 11.8
  81,523
  (21,055) 60,468
 11.0
Less: Net income attributable to the non-controlling interest24,325
 4.2
  4,110
  16,954
vii21,064
 3.8
Net income attributable to Class A shareholders$44,211
 7.6%  $77,413
  (38,009) $39,404
 7.2%
              
Earnings per Class A share:             
Basic$0.45
         $0.40
  
Diluted$0.42
         $0.40
  
              
Weighted-average shares outstanding:             
Basic98,920,808
       97,589,217
viii97,589,217
  
Diluted105,840,673
       97,589,217
viii97,589,217
  
* For convenience, we have included this supplemental pro forma information for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 that gives effect to the Business Combination as if such information had been consummated on January 1, 2016.
The unaudited pro forma statements of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 presents our consolidated results of operations giving pro forma effect to the Business Combination as if it had occurred as of January 1, 2016. The pro forma adjustments are based on available information and upon assumptions that our management believes are reasonable in order to reflect, on a pro forma basis, the impact of these transactions on the historical financial information of our Predecessor and Successor entities, as applicable.
The Business Combination was accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting. The estimated fair values of the acquired assets and assumed liabilities as of the Closing Date, which are based on the consideration paid and our estimates and assumptions, are reflected herein. The total purchase price to acquire Hostess Holdings has been allocated to the assets acquired and assumed liabilities of Hostess Holdings, based upon preliminary estimated fair values at the Closing Date. We utilized third-party valuation specialists to assist our management in determining the fair values of the acquired assets and liabilities assumed.

The unaudited pro forma financial information contains a variety of adjustments, assumptions and estimates, is subject to numerous other uncertainties and the assumptions and adjustments as described in the accompanying notes hereto and should not be relied upon as being indicative of our results of operations had the Business Combination occurred on January 1, 2016. The unaudited pro forma financial information also does not project our results of operations for any future period or date. The acquisition of Superior occurred in May 2016. The unaudited pro forma consolidated financial information for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 does not include the results of the Superior acquisition and its related operations prior to the acquisition. We evaluated the impact of the Superior acquisition on the Company’s financial statements and concluded that the impact was not significant and did not separately warrant the inclusion of pro forma financial results assuming the acquisition of Superior on January 1, 2016 under SEC rules and regulations or under GAAP. The pro forma adjustments give effect to the items identified in the pro forma table above in connection with the Business Combination.


i.The amounts in these columns represent our Hostess Holdings historical results of operations for the period reflected. Certain amounts previously reported within the 2016 Hostess Holdings quarterly financial statements have been reclassified to conform with the current financial statement presentation.
ii.Represents the adjustment to depreciation expense associated with the allocation of purchase price to property and equipment.
iii.Represents additional amortization expense associated with the fair value recognized for customer relationships in connection with the Business Combination.
iv.This adjustment consists primarily of legal and professional fees and other costs associated with the Business Combination.
v.Represents the reduction in interest expense due to the repayment of Hostess Holdings debt pursuant to the terms of the Business Combination.
vi.Represents the effective income tax rate of 28.5%, giving effect to the non-controlling interest, a partnership for income tax purposes.
vii.Represents the elimination of historical income attributable to the non-controlling interest and attributes a portion of the pro forma income to the non-controlling interest created in the Business Combination. Income is allocated to the non-controlling interest based on its pro rata share of the total equity of Hostess Holdings.
viii.Represents the basic and diluted weighted average number of Class A shares that would have been outstanding had the Business Combination occurred on January 1, 2016. The outstanding warrants were determined not to be dilutive.


















Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure commonly used in our industry and should not be construed as an alternative to net income as an indicator of operating performance or as an alternative to cash flow provided by operating activities as a measure of liquidity (each as determined in accordance with GAAP). This measure may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies. We have included these measures because we believe they provide management and investors with additional information to measure our performance and liquidity, estimate our value and evaluate our ability to service debt.
We define adjusted EBITDA as net income adjusted to exclude (i) interest expense, net, (ii) depreciation and amortization, (iii) income taxes and (iv) as further adjusted to eliminate the impact of certain items that we do not consider indicative of our ongoing operating performance. These further adjustments are itemized below. You are encouraged to evaluate these adjustments and the reasons we consider them appropriate for supplemental analysis. In evaluating adjusted EBITDA, you should be aware that in the future we may incur expenses that are the same as or similar to some of the adjustments set forth below. Our presentation of adjusted EBITDA should not be construed as an inference that our future results will be unaffected by unusual or non-recurring items.
Adjusted EBITDA has important limitations as an analytical tool, and you should not consider it in isolation, or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. For example, adjusted EBITDA:
does not reflect our capital expenditures, future requirements for capital expenditures or contractual commitments;
does not reflect changes in, or cash requirements for, our working capital needs;
does not reflect the significant interest expenses, or the cash requirements necessary to service interest or principal payments, on our debt;
does not reflect any cash requirements for the assets being depreciated and amortized that may have to be replaced in the future; and
does not reflect payments related to income taxes, the tax receivable agreement or distributions to the non-controlling interest to reimburse its tax liability.
Our presentation of adjusted EBITDA does not exclude the normal annual cash payments associated with our employment arrangements with Mr. Metropoulos as the Chief Executive Officer and/or Executive Chairman. These payments were $0.1 million and $0.2 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, and $1.1 million and $3.4 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively. Following completion of the Business Combination, these cash expenses will be approximately $0.3 million annually.










Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA
(Unaudited)
      
(In thousands) Nine Months
Ended September 30,
2017
  Pro Forma
Nine Months
Ended September 30,
2016
      
Net income $68,536
  $60,468
Plus non-GAAP adjustments:     
Income tax provision 31,608
  24,098
Interest expense, net 29,831
  39,875
Depreciation and amortization 28,576
  27,352
Share-based compensationi.7,990
  
Tax receivable agreement liability remeasurementii.1,589
  
Recall and otheriii.
  473
Other expenseiv.1,309
  2,342
Loss on debt modificationv.1,948
  
Impairment of property and equipmentvi.1,003
  7,267
Business combination transaction costsvii.
  575
Adjusted EBITDA $172,390
  $162,450


i.For the nine months ended September 30, 2017, the Company recognized expense related to stock compensation awarded under the Hostess Brands, Inc. 2016 Equity Incentive Plan.
ii.For the nine months ended September 30, 2017, the Company incurred a loss on the remeasurement of the tax receivable agreement due to a change in state tax law.
iii.For the nine months ended September 30, 2016, we incurred a loss on a sale/abandonment of property and bakery shutdown costs, primarily due to utilities, insurance, taxes and maintenance expenses related to the Schiller Park, Illinois bakery.
iv.For the nine months ended September 30, 2017, other expense primarily included professional fees incurred related to the secondary public offering of common stock and the registration of certain privately held warrants. For the pro forma nine months ended September 30, 2016, other expense primarily consisted of professional fees attributed to the pursuit of a potential acquisition that has since been abandoned, and other special projects.
v.During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, previously capitalized debt issuance costs were expensed.
vi.During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, the Company transitioned the production of one of its products to a third party and recognized an impairment loss resulting from the idling of the related production equipment. During the pro forma nine months ended September 30, 2016, the Company closed multiple production lines in Indianapolis, Indiana bakery and transitioned production to other facilities resulting in an impairment loss.
vii.For the pro forma nine months ended September 30, 2016, business combination transaction costs consisted of professional and legal costs for the acquisition of Superior.





Net Revenue
Net revenue was $580.0 million, an increase of $31.2 million, or 5.7%, compared to historical and pro forma net revenue of $548.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016. The increase was primarily due to 2017 new product initiatives along with white space opportunities growth led by In-Store Bakery (which contributed $15.0 million due to the acquisition of Superior and In-Store Bakery product innovation), and other developing sales channels. These amounts were partially offset by lower prior year innovation revenue and discontinued items.
Cost of Goods Sold and Gross Profit
Cost of goods sold for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 of $333.9 million represents an increase of $24.4 million or 7.9% from the historical costs of goods sold of $309.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and an increase of $24.1 million or 7.8% from the pro forma costs of goods sold of $309.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016. The increase in the nine months ended September 30, 2017 from both historical and pro forma nine months ended September 30, 2016 is primarily attributed to the increase in revenue.
Gross profit was $246.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, an increase of $6.8 million, or 2.8%, compared to historical gross profit of $239.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and an increase of $7.1 million, or 3.0% compared to pro forma gross profit of $239.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016. The increase in the nine months ended September 30, 2017 from both historical and pro forma nine months ended September 30, 2016 is primarily attributed to the increase in revenue.
Gross margin was 42.4% for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, compared to historical gross margin of 43.6% for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and pro forma gross margin of 43.6% for the nine months ended September 30, 2016. The decrease in margin for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 from both historical and pro forma gross margin for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 is primarily due to a shift in product mix to include the Company’s In-Store Bakery operations and growth in multi-pack and club-pack product sales as a percentage of total revenue. In addition, the cost of transportation as a percentage of net revenue increased 60 basis points due to tightening of shipping capacity and an increase in the percentage of orders on a refrigerated class of transportation.
Gross profit for the Sweet Baked Goods segment for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 was $230.2 million, or 43.9% of net revenue, compared to gross profit of $227.3 million or 44.7% of net revenue for the historical nine months ended September 30, 2016. Gross margin decreased due to larger growth in our multi-pack and club-pack product sales as a percentage of total sales growth. In addition, the cost of transportation as a percentage of revenue increased by approximately 60 basis points due to tightening of shipping capacity and an increase in the percentage of orders on a refrigerated class of transportation.
Gross profit for the Other segment for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 was $15.9 million, or 28.8% of net revenue, compared to historical gross profit of $12.0 million, or 29.7% of net revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2016. The decrease in margin was attributed to In-Store Bakery sales.
Operating Costs and Expenses
Advertising and Marketing
Advertising and marketing expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 of $24.3 million represents a decrease of 11.7% over the historical and pro forma advertising and marketing expenses of $27.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016, as a result of lower packaging design costs and reduced permanent display deployment during the year.
Selling Expense
Selling expense of $24.4 million, or 4.2% of revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 was comparable to $23.2 million, or 4.2% of revenue on a historical and pro forma basis for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 due to the addition of In-Store Bakery operations and an adjustment to our bad debt expense.
General and Administrative
General and administrative expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 of $43.4 million represents an increase of $11.4 million or 35.6% over historical general and administrative expense of $32.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and an increase of$12.1 million or 38.6% over the pro forma general and administrative expenses of $31.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016. The increase of the 2017 expenses over both the historical and pro forma 2016 expenses is attributed to increased non-cash share-based compensation of $8.0 million and increased professional fees related to public company compliance of $2.6 million.

Amortization of Customer Relationships
Amortization of customer relationships was $17.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, compared to historical customer relationships amortization of $0.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and pro forma customer relationships amortization of $18.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016. For the third quarter 2016 on a historical basis, amortization expense was based on the valuation of customer relationships acquired from Old Hostess in 2013. The amortization expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and the nine months ended September 30, 2016 on a pro forma basis reflects the new valuation of the customer relationships acquired through the Business Combination.
Impairment of Property and Equipment
During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, we idled a production line in our Columbus, Georgia facility and transitioned the production to a third party. We recognized an impairment loss of $1.0 million.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2016 on a historical and pro forma basis, we recorded an impairment loss of $7.3 million resulting from the closure of multiple production lines at the Indianapolis, Indiana bakery and the transition of those production lines to other facilities. There was no such activity for the the nine months ended September 30, 2017.
Tax Receivable Agreement Liability Remeasurement
For the nine months ended September 30, 2017, we recognized a loss of $1.6 million related to a remeasurement of the tax receivable agreement due to a change in state tax law.
Recall and Other Costs
For the nine months ended September 30, 2016, other costs, on both a historical and pro forma basis, are attributed to utilities, insurance, taxes, and maintenance expenses related to the closure of our Schiller Park, Illinois bakery.
Related Party Expenses
Related party expenses were $0.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to historical and pro forma expenses of $3.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016. These expenses represent payments made to Mr. Metropoulos under the terms of his employment arrangements. Following the Business Combination, the expenses associated with Mr. Metropoulos’s employment arrangement are estimated to be $0.3 million annually.
Operating Income
The 3.4% decrease in operating income from historical operating income of $137.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 to $133.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 attributed to additional depreciation and amortization and stock-based compensation in 2017 offset by an increase in sales. When considering the additional depreciation and amortization expense resulting from the Business Combination, operating income for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 increased$6.4 million or 5.0% compared to pro forma operating income for the nine months ended September 30, 2016.
Interest Expense, net
Our interest expense decreased 44.5% from $53.7 million for the historical nine months ended September 30, 2016 to $29.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 primarily from the refinancing of our Second Lien Term Loan in November 2016 and the amendment of our First Lien Term Loan in May 2017. In both cases, our effective interest rate on outstanding debt was decreased. Additionally, $217 million of principal was repaid as part of the Business Combination. This was offset by the additional interest expense related to our interest rate swap, which was effective in May 2017. Excluding expense associated with the principal repayment, interest expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 decreased 25.1% from pro forma interest expense of $39.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016, as a result of the lower effective interest rate offset by the interest rate swap settlement.
Loss on Modification of Debt
During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, we expensed $2.1 million of previously capitalized debt financing charges. See Note 1-“Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” to the consolidated financial statements included in Part 1, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Other Expense
For the nine months ended September 30, 2017, we recorded other expenses of $1.3 million which primarily consisted of legal and professional fees related to a secondary public offering of common stock which was completed in April 2017 and the registration of certain privately held warrants which was completed in June 2017. For the nine months ended September 30, 2016, historical and pro forma other expense of $2.3 million was attributed to professional fees incurred in the pursuit of a potential acquisition that was subsequently abandoned, and other special projects.
Income Taxes
The income tax expense of $31.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 includes an adjustment to our deferred tax liability of approximately $2.2 million caused by a change to a state tax rate. The remaining tax expense of $29.4 million represents an effective tax rate of 29.4% giving effect to the non-controlling interest, a partnership for income tax purposes. There was no historical income tax expense until the acquisition of Superior in May 2016, as the Company was a partnership for income tax purposes prior to the Business Combination.
Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA was $172.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, an increase of $9.9 million, or 6.1%, compared to pro forma adjusted EBITDA of $162.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016. As a percentage of net revenue, adjusted EBITDA was 29.7% for the first nine months of 2017, which was comparable to pro forma adjusted EBITDA of 29.6% of net revenues in the same period last year.
Segments

We have two reportable segments: “Sweet Baked Goods” and “Other”. Sweet Baked Goods consists of sweet baked goods that are sold under the Hostess® and Dolly Madison® brands. Other consists of Hostess® branded bread and buns, which we launched in April 2015, frozen retail (which consists of deep-fried Twinkies®, launched in August 2016) and “In-Store Bakery,” or “ISB” (which consists of Superior, which we purchased in May 2016, and manufactures and distributes eclairs, madeleines, brownies, and iced cookies in the ISB section of retailers), and licensing.
We evaluate performance and allocate resources based on net revenue and gross profit. Information regarding the operations of these reportable segments is as follows:

Unaudited Segment Financial Data 
(In thousands)Nine Months
Ended September 30,
2017
  Nine Months
Ended September 30,
2016
 

(Successor)  (Predecessor) 
  Net revenue:
     
Sweet Baked Goods$524,731
  $508,288
 
Other55,236
  40,469
 
Net revenue$579,967
  $548,757
 



  

 
Gross profit:     
Sweet Baked Goods$230,217
  $227,322
 
Other15,889
  12,008
 
Gross profit$246,106
  $239,330
 



  

 
  Capital expenditures (1):
     
Sweet Baked Goods$24,772
  $25,701
 
Other
643
  211
 
Capital expenditures$25,415
  $25,912
 

(1)Capital expenditures consists of purchases of property and equipment and acquisition and development of software assets paid in cash or acquired through accounts payable during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 (Successor) and 2016 (Predecessor).



The Company has one customer that accounted for 10% or more of the Company’s total net revenue. The percentage of total net revenues for this customer is presented below by segment:
 Unaudited Segment Data 
 Nine Months Ended 
(% of Consolidated Net Revenues) 
September 30, 2017  September 30, 2016 
 (Successor)  (Predecessor) 
Sweet Baked Goods18.9%  20.3%
Other0.8%  1.5%
Total19.7%  21.8%


Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our primary sources of liquidity are from the cash on the balance sheet,hand, future cash flow generated from operations, and availability under our revolving credit agreement (“Revolver”). We believe that cash flows from operations and the current cash and cash equivalents on the balance sheet will be sufficient to satisfy the anticipated cash requirements associated with our existing operations for at least the next 12 months. Our ability to generate sufficient cash from our operating activities depends on our future performance, which is subject to general economic, political, financial, competitive and other factors beyond our control. In addition, our future capital expendituresacquisitions and other cash requirements could be higher than we currently expect as a result of various factors, including any expansion of our business that we undertake, including acquisitions. We consider all highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.
We had working capital, excluding cash, as of September 30, 20172020 and December 31, 20162019 of $30.3$8.4 million and $20.6$8.1 million, respectively. We have the ability to borrow under ourthe Revolver to meet obligations as they come due. As of September 30, 2017,2020, we had approximately $96.1$94.5 million available for borrowing, net of letters of credit, under ourthe Revolver.
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Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Cash flows provided by operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 (Successor)2020 and 2019 were $117.8$108.0 million and for$107.4 million, respectively. Operating cash flow benefited from the nine months ended September 30, 2016 (Predecessor) were $89.5 million.incremental profits generated by Voortman as well as higher sales volume and profits from core Hostess® branded products. The increase in cash flows providedwas also driven by operating activities between the two periods isa reduction of net working capital due to an increase in income before taxes and the timingtransition of vendor payments processed through accounts payableVoortman to our warehouse distribution model. This was offset by higher inventorycash used to fund Voortman’s transaction expenses and prepaid expense balances.non-capitalizable warehouse transition costs.
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Cash flows used in investing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 (Successor)2020 and 2016 (Predecessor)2019 were $24.4$354.4 million and $71.7$30.6 million, respectively. During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, we funded the CAD $423 million purchase price of Voortman with cash on hand and the proceeds from an incremental term loan on our existing credit facility. Cash outflows from investing activities decreased from 2016 due to the acquisitionused for purchase of Superior in 2016.
Our property and equipment capital expenditures primarily consisted of strategic growth initiatives, maintenancereflects planned investments in our bakeries, including Voortman, and productivity improvements. We expect that our cash outflows for capital expenditures will be approximately $5.0 million to $15.0 million during the remainder of 2017.

centralized distribution center.
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Cash flows used infrom financing activities were $19.1an inflow of $113.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 (Successor)2020 and $18.1an outflow of $17.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 (Predecessor). In both periods, financing activities2019. During 2020, cash proceeds of $140.0 million from the incremental term loan used to finance the purchase of Voortman were primarily attributedoffset by related charges of $3.1 million. Tax receivable agreement payments increased in the current-year period due to timing of the scheduled principal payments on long term debt and distributions to partners/non-controlling interest in respect of their tax liability.annual payment.
Long-Term Debt
We had no outstanding borrowings under our Revolver as of September 30, 2017.2020.
In January 2020, we entered into $140.0 million of incremental term loans through an amendment to our existing credit agreement. The proceeds, together with cash on hand were used to settle a forward purchase contract for Canadian Dollars utilized to finance the CAD $425 million purchase of Voortman.
As of September 30, 2017, $993.82020, $1,105.6 million aggregate principal amount of the Second Amended First Lien Term Loan was outstanding and $3.9letters of credit worth up to $5.5 million aggregate principal amount of letters of credit,were available, reducing the amount available under the Revolver. We had no outstanding borrowings under our Revolver were outstanding. See Note 14 -- “Commitments and Contingencies” to the consolidated financial statements in Part 1, Item 1as of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for information regarding the letters of credits.
September 30, 2020. As of September 30, 2017, the Company was2020, we were in compliance with the covenants under the Second Amended First Lien Term Loan and the Revolver.
CommitmentsShare Repurchase Program
In November 2020 our Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase authorization of up to $100 million in shares of our Class A common stock. The actual timing, number and Contingenciesvalue of shares to be purchased under the program will be determined at our discretion and will depend on a number of factors, including the performance of the Company's stock price, general market and other conditions, applicable legal requirements, and compliance with the terms of our outstanding indebtedness.
AsContractual Obligations and Commitments
There were no material changes, outside the ordinary course of September 30, 2017, the Company has commitmentsbusiness, in our outstanding contractual obligations from those disclosed within “Management’s Discussion and contingencies for tax receivable arrangements, debt, operating leases,Analysis of Financial Condition and advance purchase commitments. Refer to Note 14--“Commitments and Contingencies” to the consolidated financial statements includedResults of Operations” in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterlyour Annual Report on Form 10-Q.
Contractual Commitments as of September 30, 2017Total Committed Commitments within 1 year Commitments beyond 1 year
(In thousands)     
Tax receivable agreement$175,487
 $
 $175,487
Second Amended First Term Loan993,763
 9,963
 983,800
Interest payments on Term Loan180,924
 36,928
 143,996
Distribution Center (Shorewood, IL)2,656
 1,763
 893
Corporate office lease (Kansas City, MO)426
 243
 183
Corporate office lease (Dallas, TX)6
 6
 
Superior capital lease683
 200
 483
Ingredient procurement82,400
 69,200
 13,200
Packaging procurement44,300
 39,100
 5,200
 $1,480,645
 $157,403
 $1,323,242
Tax receivable agreement
The tax receivable agreement entered into in connection with the Business Combination (the “Tax Receivable Agreement”) generally provides10-K for the payment by the Company to the Legacy Hostess Equityholders of 85% of the net cash savings, if any, in U.S. federal, state and local income tax that the Company actually realizes (or is deemed to realize in certain circumstances) in periods after the closing of the Business Combination (which periods may extend, unless the Tax Receivable Agreement is terminated early in accordance with its terms, for more than 15 years following any exchange of Class B units of Hostess Holdings for shares of the Company’s Class A common stock or the cash equivalent thereof) as a result of (i) certain increases in tax basis resulting from the Business Combination; (ii) certain tax attributes of Hostess Holdings and its subsidiaries existing prior to the Business Combination and prior to subsequent exchanges of Class B units; (iii) certain increases in tax basis resulting from exchanges of Class B units; (iv) imputed interest deemed to be paid by the Company as a result of payments it makes under the Tax Receivable Agreement; and (v) certain increases in tax basis resulting from payments the Company makes under the Tax Receivable Agreement. The Company will retain the benefit of the remaining 15% of these cash savings. Certain payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement will be made to Legacy Hostess Equityholders in accordance with specified percentages, regardless of the source of the applicable tax attribute. The most significant estimate utilized by management to calculate the corresponding liability is the Company’s future cash tax savings rates, which are projected based on current tax laws and the Company’s historical and projected future tax profile.year ended December 31, 2019.


During the three months ended September 30, 2017, we recognized approximately $1.6 million of expense to adjust the tax receivable agreement to reflect an increase to the estimated future cash tax savings rate attributed to a state tax law change. We recognized a corresponding loss on the consolidated statement of operations.
26




Item 3.    Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
We are exposed to interest rateFor quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk.
risk, see Item 7A “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market riskRisk” of our Annual Report on variable-rate financial instruments
Our Second Amended First Lien Term Loan and Revolver each bear interest on outstanding borrowings thereunder at variable interest rates. The rate in effect at September 30, 2017Form 10-K for the outstanding Second Amended First Lien Term Loan was a LIBOR-based rate of 3.74% per annum. At September 30, 2017, the subsidiary borrower had an aggregate principal balance of $993.8 million outstanding under the Second Amended First Lien Term Loan.At September 30, 2017, the subsidiary borrower had $96.1 million available for borrowing, net of letters of credit of $3.9 million, under its Revolver. Increases inyear ended December 31, 2019. Our exposures to market interest rates would cause interest expense to increase and earnings before income taxes to decrease.risk have not changed materially since December 31, 2019.
To manage the risk related to our variable rate debt, we have entered into an interest rate swap contract with a counter party to make a series of payments based on a fixed interest rate of 1.78% and receive a series of payments based on the greater of LIBOR or 0.75%. Both the fixed and floating payment streams are based on a notional amount of $500 million at the inception of the contract and will be reduced by $100 million each year of the five year contract.
The change in interest expense and earnings before income taxes resulting from a change in market interest rates would be dependent upon the weighted average outstanding borrowings and the portion of those borrowings that are hedged by our swap contract during the reporting period following an increase in market interest rates. An increase or decrease in applicable interest rates of 1% would result in an increase or decrease in interest payable of approximately $1.3 million and $3.3 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, after accounting for the impact of our swap contract.
Item 4.Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
As required by Rule 13a-15(b) under the Exchange Act, we have evaluated, underUnder the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive officerChief Executive Officer and principal financial officer,our Chief Financial Officer, we evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act)) as of September 30, 2020, the end of the three monthsperiod covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.report. Based on suchthat evaluation, our principal executive officerthe Chief Executive Officer and principal financial officer haveChief Financial Officer concluded that as of such date, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective. Our disclosure controls and procedures are designedeffective as of September 30, 2020 to provide reasonable assuranceensure that the information required to be disclosed by us in our reports that we filefiled or submitted under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure and is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC.Securities and Exchange Commission, and that information relating to the Company is accumulated and communicated to management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.


Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
As ofDuring the nine months ended September 30, 2017 we continue to engage2020, there was no change in the process of the design and implementation of our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in a manner commensurate withRule 13a-15(f) under the scale of our operations subsequent to the November 4, 2016 Business Combination. We have hired a third-party consultant to assist us with this effort.
Except as disclosed above related to design and implementation, there were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the nine months ended September 30, 2017Exchange Act) that havehas materially affected, or areis reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’sour internal control over financial reporting.







PART II
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
We are involved from time to time in lawsuits, claims and proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. These matters typically involve personnel and employment issues, personal injury, contract and other proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business, which have not resulted in any material losses to date.business. Although we do not expect the outcome of these proceedingsmatters to have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations, litigation is inherently unpredictable. Therefore, we could incur judgments, or enter into settlements or be subject to claims that could materially impact our results.


The information required to be furnished by us under this Part II, Item 1 (Legal Proceedings) is incorporated by reference to the information contained in Note 14.--Commitments and Contingencies to the consolidated financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Item 1A. Risk Factors
Our risk factors are set forth in the “Risk Factors” section of our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 14, 2017. ThereFebruary 26, 2020. Other than as noted below, there have been no material changes to our risk factors since the filing of the Form 10-K.

The current COVID-19 pandemic, or the future outbreak of other highly infectious or contagious diseases, could adversely impact or cause disruption to our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. Further, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused severe disruptions in the U.S. and global economy, may further disrupt financial markets and could potentially create widespread business continuity issues.

With novel coronavirus (“COVID-19”) infections reported throughout the world, certain governmental authorities have issued stay-at-home orders, proclamations and/or directives aimed at minimizing the spread of the pandemic. Additional, more restrictive proclamations and/or directives may be issued in the future. As a food producer, we are an essential service and the majority of our employees continue to work within our production and distribution facilities. However, we have had increased labor costs resulting from the payment of overtime to certain of our employees while other employees have been on paid sick leave or unpaid leaves of absence. We have also incurred expenses related to additional sanitization and safety measures we have instituted throughout our facilities. Although the temporary reductions in production at our facilities to enable sanitization and implementation of our other safety and employee welfare programs have not materially affected our operations, other food producers have experienced
27


significant shutdowns of production. We cannot assure you that our health and safety measures will prevent a widespread outbreak of COVID-19 at our facilities. Such an outbreak could lead to a suspension of production or increased labor and other costs, each of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We are also actively monitoring the potential impact of the pandemic on our supply chain, operations and distribution. Our products are manufactured in North America and we source the significant majority of our ingredients, raw materials and packaging within North America. However, global supply may become constrained, which may cause the price of certain ingredients, raw materials and packaging used in our products to increase, such ingredients may become unavailable and/or we may experience disruptions to our operations. While we do not expect that the virus will have a material adverse effect on our business or financial results at this time, we are unable to accurately predict the impact that the coronavirus will have due to various uncertainties, including the severity of the disease, the duration of the outbreak, the economic impact on our customers, and actions that may be taken by governmental authorities. We also cannot predict the effects of another wave of COVID-19 or any future outbreak of other highly infectious or contagious diseases.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
Not applicable.



Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities
None.


Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.

Item 5. Other Information
None.

28




Item 6. Exhibits
Exhibit No.Description
Exhibit No.Description
31.1
10.1
31.1
31.2
32.1
32.2
101.INSXBRL Instance Document - the instance document does not appear in the interactive data file because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document
101.SCHXBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CALXBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEFXBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LABXBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PREXBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
104The cover page from the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2020, formatted in Inline XBRL






Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Lenexa, Kansas City, Missouri on November 8, 2017.5, 2020.


HOSTESS BRANDS, INC.
HOSTESS BRANDS, INC.By/s/ Brian T. Purcell
By/s/ Thomas Peterson
Thomas PetersonBrian T. Purcell
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer