Performance Share Units
During the thirteen weeks ended June 29, 2024 and July 1, 2023, the Company granted 61,530 and 112,740 performance share units, respectively, to various employees under the 2020 Plan with grant date fair values of $6.9 million and $7.3 million, respectively. Performance share units are stock-based awards in which the number of shares ultimately received depends on the Company’s performance against its cumulative earnings per share target over a three-year performance period. The performance period for the awards granted during the thirteen weeks ended June 29, 2024 began March 31, 2024 and ends March 27, 2027, and the performance period for the awards granted during the thirteen weeks ended July 1, 2023 began April 2, 2023 and ends March 28, 2026.
The performance metrics for these awards were established at the beginning of the performance periods. At the end of the performance periods, the number of performance share units to be issued is fixed based upon the degree of achievement of the performance goals. If the cumulative three-year performance goals are below the threshold level, the number of performance share units to vest will be 0%, if the performance goals are at the threshold level, the number of performance share units to vest will be 50% of the target amounts, if the performance goals are at the target level, the number of performance share units to vest will be 100% of the target amounts, and if the performance goals are at the maximum level, the number of performance share units to vest will be 200% of the target amounts, each subject to continued service by the applicable award recipients through the last day of the performance periods (subject to certain exceptions). If performance is between threshold and target goals or between target and maximum goals, the number of performance share units to vest will be determined by linear interpolation. The number of shares ultimately issued can range from 0% to 200% of the participant’s target award.
The grant date fair value of the performance share units granted during both the thirteen weeks ended June 29, 2024 and July 1, 2023, respectively, was initially measured using the Company's closing stock price on the dates of grant with the resulting stock compensation expense recognized on a straight-line basis over the three-year vesting periods (subject to certain exceptions). The expense recognized over the vesting periods is adjusted up or down on a quarterly basis based on the anticipated performance level during the performance periods. If the performance metrics are not probable of achievement during the performance periods, any previously recognized stock compensation expense is reversed. The awards are forfeited if the threshold performance goals are not achieved as of the end of the performance periods.
Stock-Based Compensation Expense
Stock-based compensation expense was $5.8 million and $5.0 million for the thirteen weeks ended June 29, 2024 and July 1, 2023, respectively. Stock-based compensation expense of $1.8 million and $1.4 million was recorded in cost of goods sold in the consolidated statements of operations for the thirteen weeks ended June 29, 2024 and July 1, 2023, respectively. All other stock-based compensation expense is included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations.
As of June 29, 2024, there was $1.2 million of total unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to unvested stock options, with a weighted-average remaining recognition period of 0.87 years. As of June 29, 2024, there was $15.0 million of total unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to restricted stock units, with a weighted-average remaining recognition period of 2.17 years. As of June 29, 2024, there was $8.7 million of total unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to performance share units, with a weighted-average remaining recognition period of 2.49 years.
6. Commitments and Contingencies
The Company is involved, from time to time, in litigation that is incidental to its business. The Company has reviewed these matters to determine if reserves are required for losses that are probable and reasonable to estimate in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 450, Contingencies. The Company evaluates such reserves, if any, based upon several criteria, including the merits of each claim, settlement discussions and advice from outside legal counsel, as well as indemnification of amounts expended by the Company’s insurers or others pursuant to indemnification policies or agreements, if any.