Quarterly Report for Quarter Ending August 2, 2025 (Form 10-Q)

MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

OVERVIEW

National Beverage Corp. innovatively refreshes America with a distinctive portfolio of sparkling waters, juices, energy drinks (Power+ Brands) and, to a lesser extent, carbonated soft drinks. We believe our creative product designs, innovative packaging and imaginative flavors, along with our corporate culture and philosophy, make National Beverage unique as a stand-alone entity in the beverage industry.

The majority of our brands are geared to the active and health-conscious consumer including sparkling waters, energy drinks and juices. Our portfolio of Power+ Brands includes LaCroix® sparkling water; Clear Fruit® non-carbonated water beverages enhanced with fruit flavor; Rip It® energy drinks and shots; and Everfresh®, Everfresh Premier Varietals™ and Mr. Pure® 100% juice and juice-based products. Additionally, we produce and distribute carbonated soft drinks including Shasta® and Faygo®, iconic brands whose consumer loyalty spans more than 135 years.

Our strategy seeks the profitable growth of our products by (i) developing healthier beverages in response to the global shift in consumer buying habits and tailoring our beverage portfolio to the preferences of a diverse mix of 'crossover consumers' - a growing group desiring a healthier alternative to artificially sweetened and high-caloric beverages; (ii) emphasizing unique flavor development and variety throughout our brands that appeal to multiple demographic groups; (iii) maintaining points of difference through innovative marketing, packaging and consumer engagement and (iv) responding faster and more creatively to changing consumer trends than larger competitors who are burdened by legacy production and distribution complexity and costs.

Presently, our primary market focus is the United States. Certain of our beverages are also distributed on a limited basis in other countries and options to expand distribution to other regions are being pursued. To service a diverse customer base that includes numerous national retailers, as well as thousands of smaller "up-and-down-the-street" accounts, we utilize a hybrid distribution system consisting of warehouse and direct-store delivery. The warehouse delivery system allows our retail partners to further maximize their assets by utilizing their ability to pick up beverages at our warehouses, further lowering their/our product costs.

Our operating results are affected by numerous factors, including fluctuations in the costs of raw materials, supply chain disruptions, holiday and seasonal programming and weather conditions. Beverage sales are seasonal with higher sales volume realized during the summer months when outdoor activities are more prevalent.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Three Fiscal Months Ended August 2, 2025 (first quarter of fiscal 2026) compared to Three Fiscal Months Ended July 27, 2024 (first quarter of fiscal 2025)

Net sales for the first quarter of fiscal 2026 increased $1.0 million to $330.5 million compared to $329.5 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2025. The increase in sales resulted primarily from a 4.4% increase average selling price per case, partially offset by a 3.9% decrease in case volume. The decrease in case volume impacted both carbonated soft drink brands and Power+ Brands.

Gross profit for the first quarter of fiscal 2026 increased to $125.5 million compared to $122.4 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2025. The increase in gross profit was primarily due to an increase in average selling price per case, partially offset by an increase in packaging and ingredients costs and the decline in case volume. The cost of sales per case increased 2.9%. Gross margin increased to 38.0% compared to 37.2% for the first quarter of fiscal 2025.

Selling, general and administrative expenses for the first quarter of fiscal 2026 increased $1.8 million to $54.7 million from $52.9 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2025. The increase was primarily due to an increase in marketing costs. As a percentage of net sales, selling, general and administrative expenses increased to 16.5% for the first quarter of fiscal 2026 compared to 16.1% for the first quarter of fiscal 2025.

Other income, net includes interest income of $2.2 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2026 and $4.3 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2025. The decrease in interest income is due primarily to decreased average invested balances.

The Company's effective income tax rate, based upon estimated annual income tax rates, was 23.6% for the first quarter of fiscal 2026 and 23.1% for the first quarter of fiscal 2025. The difference between the effective rate and the federal statutory rate of 21% was primarily due to the effects of state income taxes.

LIQUIDITY AND FINANCIAL CONDITION

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The Company's principal sources of liquidity are its existing cash and cash-equivalents, cash generated from operating activities and borrowing capacity. At August 2, 2025, we maintained the unsecured revolving Credit Facilities and the Loan Facility totaling $150 million, under which no borrowings were outstanding and $2.7 million was reserved for standby letters of credit. We believe existing capital resources will be sufficient to meet our liquidity and capital requirements for the next twelve months.

Cash Flows

The Company's cash position increased $56.0 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2026 compared to a decrease of $250.0 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2025 primarily due to the special cash dividend of $304.1 million paid on July 24, 2024.

Net cash provided by operating activities for the first quarter of fiscal 2026 was $59.1 million compared to $57.5 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2025. For the first quarter of fiscal 2026, cash flow provided by operating activities increased primarily due to a net decrease in working capital, excluding cash, and other items, partially offset by the decrease in net income.

Net cash used in investing activities for the first quarter of fiscal 2026 reflects capital expenditures of $3.1 million, compared to capital expenditures of $3.7 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2025. Certain production capacity and efficiency improvement projects are in progress and we anticipate fiscal 2026 capital expenditures will not exceed fiscal 2025 capital spending.

Financial Position

At August 2, 2025, working capital increased to $329.2 million from $266.4 million at May 3, 2025. The current ratio was 3.2 to 1 at August 2, 2025 compared to 2.9 to 1 at May 3, 2025. The increase in working capital and current ratio was due primarily to an increase in cash and cash equivalents of $56.0 million and other net working capital increases of $6.8 million. Trade receivables increased $2.3 million and days sales outstanding decreased to 29.3 days from 32.5 days. Inventories increased $8.8 million and inventory turns decreased to 8.2 times from 8.7 times.