| Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies) | 12 Months Ended |
| Dec. 28, 2024 |
| Accounting Policies [Abstract] | |
| Basis of Consolidation | Basis of Consolidation . The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of the company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. Intercompany transactions and balances are eliminated in consolidation. |
| Use of Estimates | Use of Estimates . The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. |
| Fiscal Year End | Fiscal Year End . Our fiscal year ends on the Saturday nearest December 31, resulting in a 53rd reporting week every five or six years. The last 53-week year was our Fiscal 2020. The next 53-week year will be Fiscal 2025. Our internal financial results and key performance indicators are reported on a weekly calendar basis to ensure the same numbers of Saturdays and Sundays in comparable months and to allow for a consistent four-week progression analysis. The company has elected the first quarter to report the extra four-week period. As such, our quarters are divided as follows:
Quarter Number of Weeks
First Quarter Sixteen
Second Quarter Twelve
Third Quarter Twelve
Fourth Quarter Twelve (or Thirteen in fiscal years with an extra week) Accordingly, interim results may not be indicative of subsequent interim period results, or comparable to prior or subsequent interim period results, due to differences in the lengths of the interim periods. |
| Revenue Recognition | Revenue Recognition . Revenue is recognized when obligations under the terms of a contract with our customers are satisfied. Revenue is measured as the amount of consideration we expect to receive in exchange for transferring goods. A performance obligation is a promise in a contract to transfer a distinct product to a customer. A contract’s transaction price is allocated to each distinct performance obligation and recognized as revenue when, or as, the performance obligation is satisfied, which typically occurs when products are delivered. Amounts billed and due from our customers are recognized as accounts receivable in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and require payment on a short-term basis. |
| Variable Consideration | Variable Consideration Revenues are recognized net of variable consideration provisions such as for returns, volume discounts and sales promotion expenses that result in uncertainty about the company’s ability to collect the amount. The company estimates the amount of variable consideration to be included in the transaction price at contract inception based on one of two approaches: the expected value (the “EV”) approach or the most-likely amount (the “MLA”) approach. The EV approach identifies possible outcomes of the contract and the probabilities of those outcomes. The MLA approach is used in cases when the company expects to be entitled to only one of the two possible outcomes. The company applies the approach consistently for similar types of contracts and updates the estimated transaction price at each reporting date. Contracts that contain different types of variable consideration may require the use of one, or both, of the approaches to estimate the variable consideration for a single contract. After estimating the variable consideration, the company includes the estimated variable consideration in the transaction price to the extent that it is probable that a significant reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur. The company assesses the likelihood of a future reversal of revenue and how significant the reversal is to total consideration. |
| Consideration Payable to Customers | Consideration Payable to Customers Consideration payable to a customer is recognized at the later of either when the company recognizes revenue for the transfer of the related good or when the company pays or promises to pay the consideration. A reduction to revenue is recognized at the time control transfers to the customer since the payment to the customer is made before the contract is recognized and the performance obligation is satisfied. The company accounts for consideration payable to a customer as a reduction of the transaction price. Payments when the company does receive a distinct good is allocated to the fair value of the good or service. The amount not allocated to the fair value is recorded as a reduction to revenue. The fair value of a good or service is recorded the same as any other purchases from suppliers. |
| Revenue Streams | Revenue Streams The company’s production facilities deliver products to IDPs, who sell and deliver those products to outlets of retail accounts that are within the IDPs’ defined geographic territory. The IDPs sell products using either scan-based trading ("SBT") technology, authorized charge tickets, or cash sales. SBT technology allows the retailer to take ownership of our products when the consumer purchases the products rather than at the time they are delivered to the retailer. Control of the inventory does not transfer upon delivery to the retailer because the company controls the risks and rights until the product is scanned at the reseller’s register. Each of the company’s products is considered distinct because the resellers expect each item to be a performance obligation. The company’s performance obligations are satisfied at the point in time when the end consumer purchases the product because each product is considered a separate performance obligation. Consequently, revenue is recognized at a point in time for each scanned item. The company has concluded that we are the principal for SBT sales. In Fiscal 2024, 2023, and 2022, the company recorded $ 2.6 billion, $ 2.5 billion, and $ 2.4 billion, respectively, in sales through SBT. SBT is utilized primarily in certain national and regional retail accounts (“SBT Outlet”). Generally, revenue is not recognized by the company upon delivery of our products by the company to the IDP or upon delivery of our products by the IDP to an SBT Outlet, but when our products are purchased by the end consumer. Product inventory in the SBT Outlet is reflected as inventory on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The IDP performs a physical inventory of products at each SBT Outlet weekly and reports the results to the company. The inventory data submitted by the IDP for each SBT Outlet is compared with the product delivery data. Product delivered to a SBT Outlet that is not recorded as inventory in the product delivery data has been purchased by the consumer/customer of the SBT Outlet and is recorded as sales revenue by the company. Non-SBT sales are classified as either authorized charge sales or cash sales. The company provides marketing support to the IDP for authorized charge sales but does not provide marketing support to the IDP for cash sales. Marketing support includes providing a dedicated account representative, resolving complaints, and accepting responsibility for product quality which collectively define how to manage the relationship. Revenue is recognized at a point in time for non-SBT sales. The company retains inventory risk, establishes negotiated special pricing, and fulfills the contractual obligations for authorized charge sales. The company is the principal, the IDP is the agent, and the reseller is the customer. Revenue is recognized for authorized charge sales when the product is delivered to the customer because the company has satisfied its performance obligations. Cash sales occur when the IDP is the end customer. The IDP maintains accounts receivable, inventory and fulfillment risk for cash sales. The IDP also controls pricing for the resale of cash sale products. The company is the principal and the IDP is the customer, and an agent relationship does not exist. The discount paid to the IDP for cash sales is recorded as a reduction to revenue. Revenue is recognized for cash sales when the company’s products are delivered to the IDP because the company has satisfied its performance obligations. Certain sales are under contracts and include a formal ordering system. Orders are placed primarily using purchase orders (“PO”) or electronic data interchange information. Each PO, together with the applicable master supply agreement, is determined to be a separate contract. Product is delivered via contract carriers engaged by either the company or the customer with shipping terms provided in the PO. Each unit sold, for all product categories, is a separate performance obligation. Each unit is considered distinct because the customer can benefit from each unit by selling each one separately to the end consumer. Additionally, each unit is separately identifiable in the PO. Products are delivered either freight-on-board (“FOB”) shipping or destination. The company’s right to payment is at the time our products are obtained from our warehouse for FOB shipping deliveries. The right to payment for FOB destination deliveries occurs after the products are delivered to the customer. Revenue is recognized at a point in time when control transfers. The company pays commissions to brokers who obtain contracts with customers. Commissions are paid on the total value of the contract, which is determined at contract inception and is based on expected future activity. Broker commissions will not extend beyond a one-year term because each product is considered a separate order in the PO. |
| Other Revenue Components | Other Revenue Components Shipping and handling costs associated with outbound freight after control over a product has transferred to a customer are accounted for as a fulfillment cost and are included in our selling, distribution, and administrative expenses line item on the Consolidated Statements of Income. The company recognizes the incremental costs of obtaining contracts as an expense when incurred if the amortization period of the assets that the company otherwise would have recognized is one year or less. These costs are included in our selling, distribution, and administrative expenses line item on the Consolidated Statements of Income. Our sales channels are Branded Retail and Other. The Other channel includes store branded retail, foodservice, restaurants, institutional, vending, thrift stores, and contract manufacturing. The company does not disaggregate revenue by geographic region, customer type, or contract type. All revenues are recognized at a point in time. Net sales by sales channel category are as follows for Fiscal 2024, 2023, and 2022 (amounts in thousands):
Fiscal 2024 Fiscal 2023 Fiscal 2022
Branded Retail $ 3,262,044 $ 3,264,742 $ 3,139,306
Other 1,841,443 1,826,088 1,666,516
Total $ 5,103,487 $ 5,090,830 $ 4,805,822 (The table above presents certain sales by category that have been reclassified from amounts previously reported to conform to the current period presentation.) |
| Cash and Cash Equivalents | Cash and Cash Equivalents . The company considers deposits in banks, certificates of deposits, and short-term investments with original maturities of three months or less, and highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to known amounts of cash to be cash and cash equivalents. |
| Accounts and Notes Receivable | Accounts and Notes Receivable . Accounts and notes receivable consist of trade receivables, current portions of distributor notes receivable, and miscellaneous receivables. The company recognizes an allowance for credit losses related to its accounts and notes receivable to present the net amount expected to be collected as of the balance sheet date. The company estimates this allowance based on historical data such as days sales outstanding trends, previous write-offs of balances, and weekly reviews of aged trial balances, among others. Accounts and notes receivable balances are written off when deemed uncollectible and are recognized as a deduction from the allowance for credit losses. Expected recoveries, not to exceed the amount previously written off, are considered in determining the reserve balance at the balance sheet date. Activity in the allowance for doubtful accounts is as follows (amounts in thousands):
Beginning Charged to Write-Offs Ending
Fiscal 2024 $ 33,386 $ 8,304 $ ( 23,768 ) $ 17,922
Fiscal 2023 $ 18,764 $ 8,412 $ 6,210 $ 33,386
Fiscal 2022 $ 15,398 $ 8,518 $ ( 5,152 ) $ 18,764 The company recorded a reserve of $ 14.9 million during the third quarter of Fiscal 2023 for the distributor notes receivable as part of a legal settlement. Changes in the write-offs and other column reflect the company's application of the reserve during Fiscal 2024. The charge for this allowance was recorded as a legal expense and is recognized as 'Other' in the column of the table above. The expense column is specific to bad debt expense. The amount of reserve for the distributor notes receivable as of December 28, 2024 and December 30, 2023 was $ 2.4 million and $ 14.8 million, respectively. See Note 24, Commitments and Contingencies, for additional information. Activity in the allowance for trade accounts receivable credit losses for Fiscal 2024, 2023 and 2022 was as follows (amounts in thousands):
Beginning Charged to Write-Offs Recoveries and other Ending
Fiscal 2024 $ 2,070 $ 2,095 $ ( 1,035 ) $ ( 667 ) $ 2,463
Fiscal 2023 $ 2,188 $ 3,089 $ ( 2,635 ) $ ( 572 ) $ 2,070
Fiscal 2022 $ 2,552 $ 2,270 $ ( 2,721 ) $ 87 $ 2,188 The amounts charged to expense for bad debts in the table above, inclusive of other non-trade accounts receivable amounts, are reported as adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. The write-offs represent the amounts that are used to reduce the gross accounts and notes receivable at the time the balance due from the customer is written-off. Walmart/Sam’s Club is our only customer with a balance greater than 10% of outstanding trade receivables. Their percentage of trade receivables was 18.4 % and 20.3 % , on a consolidated basis, as of December 28, 2024, and December 30, 2023 , respectively. No other customer accounted for greater than 10% of the company’s outstanding receivables. |
| Concentration of Credit Risk | Concentration of Credit Risk . The company performs periodic credit evaluations and grants credit to customers, who are primarily in the grocery and foodservice markets, and generally does not require collateral. Our top 10 customers in Fiscal 2024, 2023, and 2022 accounted for 56.7 %, 55.5 % and 54.5 % of net sales, respectively. Our largest customer’s, Walmart/Sam’s Club, weighted percent of net sales for Fiscal 2024, 2023, and 2022 was as follows:
Percent of Net Sales
Fiscal 2024 22.4 %
Fiscal 2023 22.3 %
Fiscal 2022 21.7 % Walmart/Sam’s Club is the only customer to account for greater than 10% of the company’s net sales. |
| Inventories | Inventories . Inventories at December 28, 2024 and December 30, 2023 are valued at net realizable value. Costs for raw materials and packaging are recorded at moving average cost. Finished goods inventories cost is determined using standard cost, which approximates the first-in, first-out method. The company will write down inventory to net realizable value for estimated unmarketable inventory equal to the difference between the cost of the inventory and the estimated net realizable value for situations when the inventory is impaired by damage, deterioration, or obsolescence. Activity in the inventory reserve allowance is as follows (amounts in thousands):
Beginning Charged to Write-Offs Ending
Fiscal 2024 $ 696 $ 4,367 $ ( 5,005 ) $ 58
Fiscal 2023 $ 1,036 $ 2,376 $ ( 2,716 ) $ 696
Fiscal 2022 $ 284 $ 3,679 $ ( 2,927 ) $ 1,036 The amounts charged to expense for inventory loss in the table above are reported as adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. The write-offs and other column represents the amounts that are used to reduce gross inventories. |
| Shipping Costs | Shipping Costs . Shipping costs are included in the selling, distribution, and administrative expenses line item of the Consolidated Statements of Income. For Fiscal 2024, 2023, and 2022, shipping costs were $ 1,181.0 million, $ 1,215.4 million, and $ 1,169.0 million, respectively, including the costs paid to IDPs. |
| Spare Parts and Supplies | Spare Parts and Supplies . The company maintains inventories of spare parts and supplies, which are used for repairs and maintenance of its machinery and equipment. These spare parts and supplies allow the company to react quickly in the event of a mechanical breakdown. These parts are valued using the moving average method and are expensed as the part is used. Periodic physical inventories of the parts are performed, and the value of the parts is adjusted for any obsolescence or difference from the physical inventory count. |
| Assets Held for Sale | Assets Held for Sale . Assets to be sold are classified as held for sale in the period all the required criteria are met. The company generally has three types of assets classified as held for sale. These include distribution rights, plants and depots/warehouses, and other equipment. See Note 10, Assets Held for Sale , for these amounts by classification. The company voluntarily repurchases distribution rights from and sells distribution rights to IDPs from time to time. At the time the company purchases distribution rights from an IDP, the fair value purchase price of the distribution right is recorded as “Assets Held for Sale”. Upon the sale of the distribution rights to a new IDP, the new distributor franchisee/owner may choose how he/she desires to finance the purchase of the business. If the new distributor chooses to use optional financing via a company-related entity, a note receivable of up to ten years is recorded for the financed amount with a corresponding credit to assets held for sale to relieve the carrying amount of the territory. Any difference between the selling price of the business and the distribution rights’ carrying value, if any, is recorded as a gain or a loss in selling, distribution, and administrative expenses because the company considers the IDP activity a cost of distribution. This gain is recognized over the term of the outstanding notes receivable as payments are received from the IDP. In instances where a distribution right is sold for less than its carrying value, a loss is recorded at the date of sale and any impairment of a distribution right held for sale is recorded at such time when the impairment occurs. The deferred gains were $ 7.8 million and $ 10.4 million at December 28, 2024 and December 30, 2023, respectively, and are recorded in other short and long-term liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The company recorded net (losses) gains of $( 0.6 ) million during Fiscal 2024, $ 2.5 million (exclusive of $ 65.3 million of repurchase obligations of distribution rights related to a legal settlement) during Fiscal 2023 and $ 3.8 million during Fiscal 2022 related to the sale of distribution rights as a component of selling, distribution, and administrative expenses. See Note 24, Commitments and Contingencies , for details on the settlement. |
| Property, Plant and Equipment and Depreciation | Property, Plant and Equipment and Depreciation . Property, plant and equipment is recognized at cost. Depreciation expense is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the depreciable assets. The table below presents the range of estimated useful lives by property, plant and equipment class.
Useful life term (years)
Asset Class Low High
Buildings 10 40
Machinery and equipment 3 15
Furniture, fixtures and transportation equipment 3 12 Property recorded as leasehold improvements is amortized over the shorter of the lease term or the estimated useful life of the leased property. Depreciation expense, excluding amortization of right-of-use financing leases, for Fiscal 2024, 2023, and 2022 was as follows (amounts in thousands):
Depreciation
Fiscal 2024 $ 127,577
Fiscal 2023 $ 117,788
Fiscal 2022 $ 108,500 The company had no capitalized interest during Fiscal 2024, 2023 , and 2022. The cost of maintenance and repairs is charged to expense as incurred. Upon disposal or retirement, the cost and accumulated depreciation of assets are eliminated from the respective accounts. Any gain or loss is reflected in the company’s Consolidated Statements of Income and is included in adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities on the other line item in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. |
| Leases | Leases. The company’s leases consist of the following types of assets: bakeries, corporate office space, warehouses, bakery equipment, transportation equipment, and IT equipment (debt is discussed separately in Note 16, Debt and Other Commitments ). Real estate and equipment contracts occasionally contain multiple lease and non-lease components. Generally, non-lease components represent maintenance and utility related charges, and are primarily minor to the overall value of applicable contracts. These contracts also contain fixed payments with stated rent escalation clauses or fixed payments based on an index such as consumer price index ("CPI"). Additionally, some contracts contain tenant improvement allowances, rent holidays, lease premiums, and contingent rent provisions (which are treated as variable lease payments). Building and/or office space leases generally require the company to pay for common area maintenance (CAM), insurance, and taxes that are not included in the base rental payments, with the majority of these leases treated as net leases, and the remainder treated as gross or modified gross leases. The lease term for real estate leases primarily ranges from one to 22 years , with a few leases that are month to month, and accounted for as short-term leases. See discussion on short-term leases below. The term of bakery equipment leases primarily ranges from less than a year up to five years . Transportation equipment generally has terms of less than one year up to seven years . Certain equipment (i.e., equipment subject to management contracts) and IT equipment leases have terms shorter than a year and are accounted for as short-term leases. See discussion on short-term leases below. These contracts may contain renewal options for periods of one month up to 10 years at fixed percentages of market pricing, with some that are reasonably certain of exercise. For those contracts that contain leases, the company recognizes renewal options as part of right-of-use assets and lease liabilities. All other renewal and termination options are not reasonably certain of exercise or occurrence as of December 28, 2024. These contracts may also contain right of first offer purchase options, along with expansion options that are not reasonably certain of exercise. Additionally, these contracts do not contain residual value guarantees, and there are no other restrictions or covenants in the contracts. For these real estate contracts, the company’s exclusive use of specified real estate for a specific term and for consideration resulted in the company treating these contracts as leases. For those contracts that contain leases of buildings and land, the company has elected to not separate land components from leases of specified property, plant, and equipment, as it was determined to have no effect on lease classification for any lease component, and the amounts recognized for the land lease components would have been immaterial. These contracts may also contain end-term purchase options, whereby the company may purchase the assets for stated pricing at the lesser of fair market value or a percentage of original asset cost. Yet, these purchase options were determined to not be reasonably certain of exercise or occurrence as of December 28, 2024 . Additionally, these contracts do not contain residual value guarantees, and there are no other restrictions or covenants in the contracts. The company’s ability to make those decisions that most effect the economic benefits derived from the use of the equipment, accompanied by receiving substantially all outputs and utility from the use of the equipment resulted in the company accounting for these contracts as leases. These leases are classified as operating leases because real estate leases do not transfer ownership at the end of the lease term, assets are not of such a specialized nature that real estate would not have alternative uses to lessors at the end of the lease term, lease terms do not represent a major part of the total useful life of real estate, and the present value of lease payments do not represent substantially all the fair value of leased assets at commencement. Short-term leases The company has also entered into short-term leases of certain real estate assets, along with IT equipment, and various equipment used for short-term bakery needs through equipment placement or service contracts that require purchase of consumables. These leases extend for periods of one to 12 months . Lease term and amounts of payments are generally fixed. There are no purchase options present, however, there generally are renewals that could extend lease terms for additional periods. Generally, renewal options, as they cannot be unilaterally exercised, are not reasonably certain of exercise, do not contain residual value guarantees, and there are no other restrictions or covenants in the leases. Therefore, the company recognizes lease payments from these short-term leases and variable payments on the Consolidated Statements of Income in the period in which obligation for those payments have been incurred. Modifications and reassessments During Fiscal 2024 and 2023, the company elected certain renewal options that were not previously certain of exercise. Election of these renewal options resulted in reassessment of lease terms for the applicable leases. The company included the renewal periods in measurement of lease terms for the applicable leases. Given that rental payments in the renewal periods were fixed, the company also remeasured the lease payments, and reallocated remaining contract consideration to the lease components within the applicable real estate leases. Although the triggering events did not result in changes to lease classification (i.e., all remained operating leases), they did affect the measurement of lease liabilities, right-of-use assets (“ROU assets”), and amounts recognized as lease expense for the applicable real estate leases. Other significant judgments and assumptions For all classes of assets, the company primarily used our incremental borrowing rates (“IBR”) to perform lease classification tests and measure lease liabilities because discount rates implicit in the company’s leases were not readily determinable. See Note 15, Leases , for our lease quantitative disclosures. |
| Segments | Segment . The company has one operating segment based on the nature of products the company sells, intertwined production and distribution model, the internal management structure and information that is regularly reviewed by the CEO, who is the chief operating decision maker ("CODM"), for the purpose of assessing performance and allocating resources. |
| Impairment of Long-Lived Held and Used Assets | Impairment of Long-Lived Held and Used Assets . The company determines whether there has been an impairment of long-lived held and used assets when indicators of potential impairment are present. We consider historical performance and future estimated results in our evaluation of impairment. If facts and circumstances indicate that the cost of any long-lived held and used assets may be impaired, an evaluation of recoverability would be performed. If an estimate of the asset’s fair value is required in order to determine if an impairment should be recorded, the estimated future gross, undiscounted cash flows associated with the asset would be compared to the asset’s carrying amount and if lower than the carrying value, a write-down to market value is required. On July 18, 2024, the company announced the closure of its Baton Rouge, Louisiana bakery. The bakery produced bun products and ceased production on September 19, 2024. This bakery closure was part of our strategy to optimize capacity within our supply chain. The facility continues to be used as a distribution center. Additionally, in Fiscal 2024, the company recorded charges to fully impair certain ERP-related software and other equipment. These costs are reported in the Plant closure costs and impairment of assets line item of the Consolidated Statements of Income and are discussed below. There were no impairment charges related to long-lived held and used assets recorded during Fiscal 2023. On July 19, 2022, the company announced the closure of the Holsum Bakery in Phoenix, Arizona. The bakery produced bread and bun products and ceased production on October 31, 2022. This closure was part of our strategy to optimize our sales portfolio and improve supply chain and manufacturing efficiency. The company recognized asset impairment charges for bakery equipment as discussed below. Plant Closure Costs and Impairment of Assets. The closure costs for the Baton Rouge, Louisiana bakery included severance costs of $ 1.1 million and asset impairment and equipment relocation charges of $ 2.4 million in Fiscal 2024. In Fiscal 2024, the company also recorded charges of $ 2.7 million to fully impair certain ERP-related software and other equipment and recognized a recovery of $ 1.3 million related to the sale of equipment that had been previously written off in Fiscal 2022 as part of the Phoenix, Arizona bakery closure. In Fiscal 2024, the company also recorded an asset impairment charge of $ 1.4 million to write-off certain cake distribution territories classified as held for sale that the company no longer intends to sell. During the third and fourth quarters of Fiscal 2023, the company entered into agreements to sell a warehouse and a closed bakery, respectively, both of which were classified as held for sale and recorded impairment charges of $ 1.8 million. The company completed the sale of the impaired warehouse for proceeds of $ 1.3 million at the end of the third quarter of Fiscal 2023 and completed the sale of the bakery in Fiscal 2024. The Holsum Bakery closure costs included severance costs of $ 1.7 million, multi-employer pension plan withdrawal costs of $ 1.3 million, and asset impairment and equipment relocation charges for bakery equipment of $ 3.8 million and were recognized in the third quarter of Fiscal 2022. See Note 22, Postretirement Plans , for details on the multi-employer pension plan withdrawal costs. During the first quarter of Fiscal 2022, the company decided to sell two warehouses acquired at the end of Fiscal 2021 and recorded an impairment charge of $ 1.0 million. The company completed the sale of the impaired warehouse at the end of the first quarter of Fiscal 2022. |
| Impairment of Other Intangible Assets | Impairment of Other Intangible Assets . The company accounts for other intangible assets at fair value. These intangible assets can be either finite or indefinite-lived depending on the facts and circumstances at acquisition. Finite-lived intangible assets are reviewed for impairment when facts and circumstances indicate that the cost of any finite-lived intangible asset may be impaired. This recoverability test is based on an undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the company’s use and eventual disposition of the asset. If these cash flows are sufficient to recover the carrying value over the useful life there is no impairment. Amortization of finite-lived intangible assets occurs over their estimated useful lives. The amortization periods, at origination, range from two years to forty years for these assets. The attribution methods we primarily use are the sum-of-the-year digits for customer relationships and straight-line for other intangible assets. These finite-lived intangible assets generally include trademarks, customer relationships, non-compete agreements, distributor relationships (for instances when not held for sale), and supply agreements. The company fully impaired the California held and used distribution rights classified as intangible assets and recorded a charge of $ 2.3 million in the selling, distribution, and administrative expenses line item of the Consolidated Statements of Income during Fiscal 2023. Identifiable intangible assets that are determined to have an indefinite useful economic life are not amortized. Indefinite-lived intangible assets are tested for impairment, at least annually, using a one-step fair value-based approach or when certain indicators of potential impairment are present. We have elected not to perform the qualitative approach. We also reassess the indefinite-lived classification to determine if it is appropriate to reclassify these assets as finite-lived assets that will require amortization. We consider historical performance and future estimated results in our evaluation of impairment. If facts and circumstances indicate that the cost of any indefinite-lived intangible assets may be impaired, an evaluation of the fair value of the asset is compared to its carrying amount. If the carrying amount exceeds the fair value, an impairment charge is recorded for the difference. We use the multi-period excess earnings and relief from royalty methods to value these indefinite-lived intangible assets. Fair value is estimated using the future gross, discounted cash flows associated with the asset using the following five material assumptions: (a) discount rate; (b) long-term sales growth rates; (c) forecasted operating margins (not applicable to the relief from royalty method), (d) assumed royalty rate; and (e) market multiples. The method used for impairment testing purposes is consistent with the valuation method employed at acquisition of the intangible asset. These indefinite-lived intangible assets are trademarks acquired in a purchase business combination. The company evaluates useful lives for finite-lived intangible assets to determine if facts or circumstances arise that may impact the estimates of useful lives assigned and the remaining amortization duration. Indefinite-lived intangible assets that are determined to have a finite useful life are tested for impairment as an indefinite-lived intangible asset prior to commencing amortization. Future adverse changes in market conditions or poor operating results of underlying intangible assets could result in losses or an inability to recover the carrying value of the intangible assets that may not be reflected in the assets’ current carrying values, thereby possibly requiring an impairment charge in the future. See Note 11, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets , for additional disclosure. |
| Goodwill | Goodwill . The company accounts for goodwill in a purchase business combination as the excess of the cost over the fair value of net assets acquired. The company tests goodwill for impairment on an annual basis (or an interim basis if a triggering event occurs that indicates the fair value of our single reporting unit may be below its carrying value) using a one-step method. We have elected not to perform the qualitative approach. The company conducts this review during the fourth quarter of each fiscal year absent any triggering events. We use the following four material assumptions in our fair value analysis: (a) weighted average cost of capital; (b) long-term sales growth rates; (c) forecasted operating margins; and (d) market multiples. No impairment resulted from the annual review performed in Fiscal 2024, 2023, or 2022. See Note 11, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets , for additional disclosure. |
| Derivative Financial Instruments | Derivative Financial Instruments . The disclosure requirements for derivatives and hedging provide investors with an enhanced understanding of: (a) how and why an entity uses derivative instruments and related hedged items, (b) how the entity accounts for derivative instruments and related hedged items, and (c) how derivative instruments and related hedged items affect an entity’s financial position, financial performance, and cash flows. Further, qualitative disclosures are required that explain the company’s objectives and strategies for using derivative instruments and related hedged items, as well as quantitative disclosures about the fair value of and gains and losses on derivative instruments and related hedged items, and disclosures about credit-risk-related contingent features in derivative instruments and related hedged items. The company’s objectives in using commodity derivatives are to add stability to materials, supplies, labor, and other production costs and to manage its exposure to certain commodity price movements. To accomplish this objective, the company uses commodity futures as part of its commodity risk management strategy. The company’s commodity risk management programs include hedging price risk for wheat, soybean oil, corn, and natural gas primarily using futures contracts, and to a lesser extent, options. Commodity futures designated as cash flow hedges involve fixing the price on a fixed volume of a commodity on a specified date. The commodity futures are given up to third parties near maturity to price the physical goods (e.g. flour, sweetener, corn, etc.) required as part of the company’s production. The company enters into interest rate derivatives designated as cash-flow hedges of existing or future exposure to changes in interest rates. The company's risk management objective and strategy with respect to interest rate derivatives is to protect the company against adverse fluctuations in interest rates by reducing its exposure to variability in cash flows relating to interest payments on a forecasted issuance of long-term debt. As required, the company records all derivatives on the Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value. The accounting for changes in the fair value of derivatives depends on the intended use of the derivative, whether the company has elected to designate a derivative in a hedging relationship and apply hedge accounting and whether the hedging relationship has satisfied the criteria necessary to apply hedge accounting. Derivatives designated and qualifying as a hedge of the exposure to variability in expected future cash flows, or other types of forecasted transactions, are considered cash flow hedges. Hedge accounting generally provides for the matching of the timing of gain or loss recognition on the hedged item with the earnings effect of the hedged forecasted transactions in a cash flow hedge. The company may enter into derivative contracts that are intended to economically hedge certain of its risks, even though hedge accounting does not apply, or the company elects not to apply hedge accounting. For derivatives designated and that qualify as cash flow hedges of commodity price risk, the gain or loss on the derivative is recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (“AOCI”) and subsequently reclassified in the period during which the hedged transaction affects earnings within the same income statement line item as the earnings effect of the hedged transaction. All our commodity derivatives at December 28, 2024 and December 30, 2023 qualified for hedge accounting. See Note 12, Derivative Financial Instruments , for additional disclosure. The company routinely transfers amounts from AOCI to earnings as transactions for which cash flow hedges were held occur and impact earnings. Amounts reclassified out of AOCI to net income that relate to commodity contracts are presented as an adjustment to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Significant situations which do not routinely occur that could cause transfers from AOCI to earnings are the cancellation of a forecasted transaction for which a derivative was held as a hedge or a significant and material reduction in volume used of a hedged ingredient such that the company is over hedged and must discontinue hedge accounting. During Fiscal 2024, 2023, and 2022 there were no discontinued hedge positions. The impact to earnings is included in our materials, supplies, labor and other production costs (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately) line item. Changes in the fair value of the asset or liability are recorded as either a current or long-term asset or liability depending on the underlying fair value. Amounts reclassified to earnings for the commodity cash flow hedges are presented as an adjustment to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. See Note 12, Derivative Financial Instruments , for additional disclosure. |
| Treasury Stock | Treasury Stock . The company records acquisitions of its common stock for treasury at cost. Differences between the proceeds for reissuances of treasury stock and average cost are credited or charged to capital in excess of par value to the extent of prior credits and thereafter to retained earnings. See Note 19, Stockholders’ Equity , for additional disclosure. During Fiscal 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 ("IRA of 2022") was signed into law. Among other things, it imposes a 1% excise tax on net share repurchases in a tax year that are made by certain publicly traded corporations. Under the requirements of the IRA of 2022, the company accounts for the excise tax as a direct cost of the share repurchase transaction. |
| Advertising and Marketing Costs | Advertising and Marketing Costs . Advertising and marketing costs are expensed the first time the advertising takes place. Advertising and marketing costs were $ 89.1 million, $ 99.3 million, and $ 74.6 million for Fiscal 2024, 2023 , and 2022, respectively. Advertising and marketing costs are recorded in the selling, distribution, and administrative expense line item in our Consolidated Statements of Income. |
| Stock-Based Compensation | Stock-Based Compensation . Stock-based compensation expense for all share-based payment awards granted is determined based on the grant date fair value. The company recognizes compensation costs only for those shares expected to vest on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the award, which is generally the vesting term of the share-based payment award. The shares issued for exercises and at vesting of the awards are issued from treasury stock. Forfeitures are recognized as they occur. Shares issued at vesting are recorded as reissuances of treasury stock. See Note 20, Stock-Based Compensation , for additional disclosure. Stock-based compensation expense is primarily included in selling, distribution, and administrative expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income. |
| Cloud Computing Arrangements | Cloud computing arrangements (“CCA”) . If a CCA includes a software license, the arrangement is within the scope of the internal-use software guidance. If the CCA does not include a software license (i.e. is hosted), the arrangement is a service contract and the fees for the CCA are recorded as an operating expense. Capitalized implementation costs are amortized over the term of the associated hosted CCA service on a straight-line basis. Amortization over the contract term begins at the time any component of the hosted CCA service is ready for use. Capitalized implementation costs are presented on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as an other asset. Amortization charges are presented in the selling, distribution, and administrative expenses line on the Consolidated Statements of Income. |
| Software Development Costs | Software Development Costs . The company expenses internal and external software development costs incurred in the preliminary project stage, and, thereafter, capitalizes costs incurred in developing or obtaining internally used software. Certain costs, such as maintenance and training, are expensed as incurred. Capitalized costs are amortized over a period of three to eight years and are subject to impairment evaluation. An impairment could be triggered if the company determines that the underlying software under review will no longer be used. The net balance of capitalized software development costs included in plant, property and equipment was $ 99.1 million and $ 106.5 million at December 28, 2024 and December 30, 2023 , respectively. Amortization expense of capitalized software development costs, which is included in depreciation and amortization expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income, was $ 18.1 million, $ 14.2 million, and $ 10.2 million in Fiscal 2024, 2023 , and 2022, respectively. |
| Income Taxes | Income Taxes . The company accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability method and recognizes deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the temporary differences between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in income as a discrete item in the period that includes the enactment date. The company records a valuation allowance to reduce its deferred tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized. The company has considered carryback, future taxable income, and prudent and feasible tax planning strategies in assessing the need for the valuation allowance. In the event the company was to determine that it would be more likely than not able to realize its deferred tax assets in the future in excess of its net recorded amount, an adjustment to the valuation allowance would increase income in the period such a determination was made. Likewise, should the company determine that it would not more likely than not be able to realize all or part of its net deferred tax assets in the future, an adjustment to the valuation allowance would decrease income in the period such determination was made. The company recognizes a tax benefit from an uncertain tax position when it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation process. Interest related to unrecognized tax benefits is recorded within the interest expense line in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Income. See Note 23, Income Taxes , for additional disclosure. The deductions column in the table below presents the amounts reduced in the deferred tax asset valuation allowance that were recorded to, and included as part of, deferred tax expense. The additions column represents amounts that increased the allowance. Activity in the deferred tax asset valuation allowance is as follows (amounts in thousands):
Beginning Deductions Additions Ending
Fiscal 2024 $ 1,586 $ — $ 1,801 $ 3,387
Fiscal 2023 $ 1,030 $ — $ 556 $ 1,586
Fiscal 2022 $ 1,030 $ — $ — $ 1,030 |
| Self-Insurance Reserves | Self-Insurance Reserves . The company is self-insured for various levels of general liability, auto liability, workers’ compensation, and employee medical and dental coverage. Insurance reserves are calculated based on a combination of an undiscounted basis based on actual claim data and estimates of incurred but not reported claims developed utilizing historical claim trends. Projected settlements of incurred but not reported claims are estimated based on pending claims, historical trends and industry trends related to expected losses and actual reported losses, and key assumptions, including loss development factors and expected loss rates. |
| Loss Contingencies | Loss Contingencies . Loss contingencies are recorded at the time it is probable an asset is impaired, or a liability has been incurred and the amount can be reasonably estimated. For litigation claims the company considers the degree of probability of an unfavorable outcome and the ability to make a reasonable estimate of the loss. Losses are recorded in selling, distribution, and administrative expense in our Consolidated Statements of Income. |
| Net Income Per Common Share | Net Income Per Common Share . Basic net income per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted net income per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average common and common equivalent shares outstanding for the period. Common stock equivalents consist of the incremental shares associated with the company’s stock compensation plans, as determined under the treasury stock method. The performance contingent restricted stock awards do not contain a non-forfeitable right to dividend equivalents and are included in the computation for diluted net income per share. Fully vested shares which have a deferral period extending beyond the vesting date are included in the computation for basic net income per share. See Note 21, Earnings Per Share , for additional disclosure. |
| Variable Interest Entities | Variable Interest Entities . The incorporated IDPs are not voting interest entities since the company has no direct interest in each entity; however, they qualify as variable interest entities (“VIEs”). The IDPs who are formed as sole proprietorships are excluded from the VIE accounting analysis because sole proprietorships are not within scope for determination of VIE status. The company typically finances the incorporated IDP and enters into a contract with the incorporated IDP to supply product at a discount for distribution in the IDP’s territory. The combination of the company’s loans to the incorporated IDP and the ongoing supply arrangements with the incorporated IDP provides a level of protection to the equity owners of the various distributorships that would not otherwise be available. However, the company is not considered to be the primary beneficiary of the VIEs. See Note 17, Variable Interest Entities , for additional disclosure of these VIEs. |
| Postretirement Plans | Postretirement Plans . The company records pension costs and benefit obligations related to its defined benefit plans based on actuarial valuations. These valuations reflect key assumptions determined by management, including the discount rate, expected long-term rate of return on plan assets and mortality. Material changes in pension costs and in benefit obligations may occur in the future due to experience that is different than assumed and changes in these assumptions. See Note 22, Postretirement Plans , for additional disclosure. |
| Pension Plan Assets | Pension Plan Assets . The finance committee of the Board of Directors delegated its fiduciary and other responsibilities with respect to the Company’s retirement plans’ investment strategies to the employee benefits investment committee ("EBIC"). The EBIC, which consists of certain members of management, establishes investment guidelines and strategies and regularly monitors the performance of the plans’ assets. The EBIC is responsible for executing these strategies and investing the pension assets in accordance with ERISA and fiduciary standards. The investment objective of the pension plans is to preserve the plans’ capital and maximize investment earnings within acceptable levels of risk and volatility. The EBIC meets on a regular basis with its investment advisors to review the performance of the plans’ assets. Based upon performance and other measures and recommendations from its investment advisors, the EBIC rebalances the plans’ assets to the targeted allocation when considered appropriate. |
| Fair Value of Financial Instruments | Fair Value of Financial Instruments . On March 9, 2021 and September 28, 2016, the company issued $ 500.0 million of senior notes (the “2031 notes”) and $ 400.0 million of senior notes (the “2026 notes”), respectively. These notes are recorded in our financial statements at carrying value, net of debt discount and issuance costs. The debt discount and issuance costs are being amortized over the ten-year term of the note to interest expense. In addition, and for disclosure purposes, the fair value of the notes is estimated using yields obtained from independent pricing sources for similar types of borrowing arrangements and is considered a Level 2 valuation. Additional details are included in Note 18, Fair Value of Financial Instruments . |
| Research and Development Costs | Research and Development Costs . The company recorded research and development costs of $ 5.1 million, $ 5.9 million, and $ 6.1 million for Fiscal 2024, 2023, and 2022, respectively. These costs are recorded as selling, distribution, and administrative expenses in our Consolidated Statements of Income. |
| Other Comprehensive Income | Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)(“OCI”) . The company reports comprehensive income in two separate but consecutive financial statements. See Note 8, Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) , for additional required disclosures. |
| Business Process Improvement Costs Related to The Transformation Strategy Initiatives | Business Process Improvement Costs Related to the Transformation Strategy Initiatives. In the second half of Fiscal 2020, we launched initiatives to transform our business operations, which include an upgrade of our information system, as well as investments in e-commerce, autonomous planning, and our “bakery of the future” initiatives. These costs may be expensed as incurred, capitalized, recognized as a CCA, or recognized as a prepaid service contract. The expensed portion of costs incurred related to these initiatives was $ 4.5 million, $ 21.5 million and $ 33.2 million in Fiscal 2024, 2023, and 2022, respectively, and is reflected in the selling, distribution, and administrative expenses line item of the Consolidated Statements of Income. |
| Acquisition-related Costs | Acquisition-related Costs. In Fiscal 2024, we incurred acquisition-related costs of $ 2.0 million. These costs and the acquisition costs discussed below are recorded in the selling, distribution, and administrative expenses line item of the Consolidated Statements of Income. On December 13, 2022, the company announced it had entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the Papa Pita bakery business ("Papa Pita") and, on February 17, 2023, completed the acquisition for total consideration of $ 274.8 million, inclusive of a net working capital purchase price adjustment. We funded the purchase price with cash on-hand and from our existing credit facilities. Papa Pita is a manufacturer and distributor of bagels, tortillas, breads, buns, English muffins, and flat breads with one production facility in West Jordan, Utah and, prior to the acquisition, Papa Pita co-manufactured certain products for us. Papa Pita has direct-store-delivery distribution in the western United States ("U.S."), expanding our geographic reach. We incurred acquisition-related costs of $ 3.7 million and $ 0.9 million in Fiscal 2023 and 2022, respectively. In the third quarter of Fiscal 2022, we incurred $ 11.6 million in costs from the pursuit of an acquisition that failed to materialize. In addition to customary acquisition costs, we incurred $ 8.4 million related to realized foreign currency exchange losses. Although the majority of the target company's sales were made in the U.S., the target company's foreign domicile required us to convert funds from U.S. dollars to complete the transaction. Following that conversion, a significant strengthening of the U.S. dollar relative to the target company's currency resulted in the foreign currency exchange loss upon conversion back into U.S. dollars following the failure of the deal. |
| Investment in Unconsolidated Affiliate | Investment in Unconsolidated Affiliate. In the second quarter of Fiscal 2022, we invested $ 9.0 million in Base Culture, a Clearwater, Florida-based company with one manufacturing facility. We made an additional investment of $ 2.0 million in Base Culture during the second quarter of Fiscal 2023. Base Culture's product offerings include better-for-you, gluten-free, and grain-free sliced breads and baked goods that are all-natural, 100% Paleo-certified, kosher-certified, dairy-free, soy-free, and non-GMO verified. The investment is being accounted for at cost, less any impairment, adjusted for changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions involving the affiliate, as we do not control nor do we have the ability to significantly influence the affiliate, nor is there a readily determinable fair value. Should circumstances indicate a change in the fair value, a fair value adjustment may be necessary. During the first quarter of Fiscal 2024, the company's qualitative assessment of the fair value of Base Culture indicated the investment may be impaired. Additional quantitative analysis of Base Culture indicated a fair value of approximately $ 1.5 million of the company’s interest. The company recognized an impairment loss of $ 4.0 million during the first quarter of Fiscal 2024 which is reported in the plant closure costs and impairment of assets line item of the Consolidated Statements of Income. The company previously recognized an impairment loss of $ 5.5 million during the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2023. The losses recognized represent the difference between the estimated fair value and the company’s carrying value. The current carrying value is approximately $ 1.5 million. |
| Gain on sale, severance costs, and lease termination (gain) loss | Gain on sale, severance costs, and lease termination (gain) loss. In the second quarter of Fiscal 2022, the company committed to a plan to outsource its aviation services and recorded severance and lease termination charges totaling $ 1.7 million. In the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2022, the company completed the lease buyouts and subsequent sale of two aircraft and recorded gains on these sales totaling $ 6.1 million. These amounts are reflected in the selling, distribution, and administrative expenses line item of the Consolidated Statements of Income. Lease termination costs were paid in the second quarter of Fiscal 2022 and the severance payments were completed in January 2023. |
