10-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

(Mark One)

þ ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended January 3, 2015

OR

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from                      to                     

Commission file number 1-16247

FLOWERS FOODS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Georgia	58-2582379
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)
1919 Flowers Circle Thomasville, Georgia	31757
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:

(229) 226-9110

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

Title of Each Class	Name of Each Exchange     on Which Registered
Common Stock, $0.01 par value	New York Stock Exchange

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

None

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

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

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  þ    No  ¨

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-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  þ    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.    ¨

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

Large accelerated filer  þ	Accelerated filer  ¨	Non-accelerated filer  ¨	Smaller reporting company  ¨
	(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

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

Based on the closing sales price on the New York Stock Exchange on July 12, 2014 the aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant was $4,141,558,899.

On February 19, 2015, the number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s Common Stock, $0.01 par value, was 209,404,412.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the registrant’s Proxy Statement for the 2015 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held June 5, 2015, which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or about April 23, 2015, have been incorporated by reference into Part III, Items 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

FORM 10-K REPORT

TABLE OF CONTENTS

		Page
	PART I
Item 1.	Business		1
Item 1A.	Risk Factors		9
Item 1B.	Unresolved Staff Comments		19
Item 2.	Properties		19
Item 3.	Legal Proceedings		19
Item 4.	Mine Safety Disclosures		20
	PART II
Item 5.	Market for the Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities		20
Item 6.	Selected Financial Data		24
Item 7.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations		24
Item 7A.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk		60
Item 8.	Financial Statements and Supplementary Data		61
Item 9.	Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure		61
Item 9A.	Controls and Procedures		61
Item 9B.	Other Information		61
	PART III
Item 10.	Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance		62
Item 11.	Executive Compensation		62
Item 12.	Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters		62
Item 13.	Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence		62
Item 14.	Principal Accounting Fees and Services		62
	PART IV
Item 15.	Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules		63
	Signatures		67

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Forward-Looking Statements

Statements contained in this filing and certain other written or oral statements made from time to time by the company and its representatives that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements relate to current expectations regarding our future financial condition and results of operations and are often identified by the use of words and phrases such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “will,” “would,” “is likely to,” “is expected to” or “will continue,” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. These forward-looking statements are based upon assumptions we believe are reasonable.

Forward-looking statements are based on current information and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those projected. Certain factors that may cause actual results, performance, liquidity, and achievements to differ materially from those projected are discussed in this report and may include, but are not limited to:

• unexpected changes in any of the following: (i) general economic and business conditions; (ii) the competitive setting in which we operate, including advertising or promotional strategies by us or our competitors, as well as changes in consumer demand; (iii) interest rates and other terms available to us on our borrowings; (iv) energy and raw materials costs and availability and hedging counter-party risks; (v) relationships with or increased costs related to our employees, independent distributors and third party service providers; and (vi) laws and regulations (including environmental and health-related issues), accounting standards or tax rates in the markets in which we operate;

• the loss or financial instability of any significant customer(s);

• changes in consumer behavior, trends and preferences, including health and whole grain trends, and the movement toward more inexpensive store-branded products;

• the level of success we achieve in developing and introducing new products and entering new markets;

• our ability to implement new technology and customer requirements as required;

• our ability to operate existing, and any new, manufacturing lines according to schedule;

• our ability to execute our business strategy, which may involve integration of recent acquisitions or the acquisition or disposition of assets at presently targeted values;

• consolidation within the baking industry and related industries;

• changes in pricing, customer and consumer reaction to pricing actions, and the pricing environment among competitors within the industry;

• increases in employee and employee-related costs, including funding of pension plans;

• the credit and business risks associated with independent distributors and our customers, which operate in the highly competitive retail food and foodservice industries;

• any business disruptions due to political instability, armed hostilities, incidents of terrorism, natural disasters, technological breakdowns, product contamination or the responses to or repercussions from any of these or similar events or conditions and our ability to insure against such events;

• the failure of our information technology systems to perform adequately, including any interruptions, intrusions or security breaches of such systems; and

• regulation and legislation related to climate change that could affect our ability to procure our commodity needs or that necessitate additional unplanned capital expenditures.

The foregoing list of important factors does not include all such factors, nor necessarily present them in order of importance. In addition, you should consult other disclosures made by the company (such as in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) or in company press releases) for other factors

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that may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected by the company. Refer to Part I, Item 1A., Risk Factors, of this Form 10-K for additional information regarding factors that could affect the company’s results of operations, financial condition and liquidity.

We caution you not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, as they speak only as of the date made and are inherently uncertain. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly revise or update such statements, except as required by law. You are advised, however, to consult any further public disclosures by the company (such as in our filings with the SEC or in company press releases) on related subjects.

We own or have rights to trademarks or trade names that we use in connection with the operation of our business, including our corporate names, logos and website names. In addition, we own or have the rights to copyrights, trade secrets and other proprietary rights that protect the content of our products and the formulations for such products. Solely for convenience, some of the trademarks, trade names and copyrights referred to in this Form 10-K are listed without the ^©, ^® and ™ symbols, but we will assert, to the fullest extent under applicable law, our rights to our trademarks, trade names and copyrights.

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PART I

Item 1. Business

Historical Information

Flowers Foods’ beginning dates back to 1919 when two brothers, William Howard and Joseph Hampton Flowers, opened Flowers Baking Company in Thomasville, GA. In 1968, Flowers Baking Company went public, became Flowers Industries, and began trading over-the-counter stock. Less than a year later, the company listed on the American Stock Exchange. In 1982, Flowers listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol FLO. In the mid-1990s, following the acquisitions of Keebler Foods Company, one of the largest cookie and cracker companies in the U.S., and the top-selling Mrs. Smith’s frozen pie brand, Flowers Industries transformed from a strong regional baker into a national baked foods company. By 1999, the company had $4.2 billion in annual sales and three business units — Flowers Bakeries, a super-regional fresh baked foods company; Mrs. Smith’s Bakeries, a national frozen baked foods company; and Keebler Foods, a national cookie and cracker company. In March 2001, Flowers sold its investment in Keebler to the Kellogg Company. The remaining business units — Flowers Bakeries and Mrs. Smith’s Bakeries — were spun off into a new company, Flowers Foods, which was incorporated in Georgia in 2000. In April 2003, Flowers Foods sold its Mrs. Smith’s frozen dessert business to The Schwan Food Company, retaining its core fresh bakery and frozen bread and roll businesses.

From 2003 through 2014, Flowers Foods executed its growth strategy to reach more of the U.S. population with fresh breads, buns, rolls, and snack cakes through its Direct-Store-Delivery segment. During this time frame, the company’s geographic market for its fresh bakery products and brands grew from about 38% of the U.S. population to approximately 81%. The company’s market capitalization increased from $418.9 million at the end of fiscal 2003 to $4,006.9 million at the end of fiscal 2014.

As used herein, references to “we,” “our,” “us,” the “company,” “Flowers” or “Flowers Foods” include the historical operating results and activities of the business operations that comprised Flowers Foods, Inc., as of January 3, 2015.

The Company

Flowers Foods currently operates two business segments: a direct-store-delivery segment (“DSD Segment”) and a warehouse delivery segment (“Warehouse Segment”). The DSD Segment (84% of total sales) operates 38 bakeries that market a wide variety of fresh bakery foods, including fresh breads, buns, rolls, tortillas, and snack cakes. These products are sold through a DSD route delivery system to retail and foodservice customers throughout the Northeast, South, Southern Midwest, Southwest, and California. The Warehouse Segment (16% of total sales) operates eight bakeries that produce snack cakes, breads and rolls for national retail, foodservice, vending, and co-pack customers, which are delivered through customers’ warehouse channels and one bakery mix plant.

At the end of fiscal 2014, the DSD Segment’s fresh bakery foods were available to approximately 81% of the U.S. population. Our DSD Segment is comprised of approximately 5,200 independent distributors who own the rights to distribute certain brands of our fresh packaged bakery foods in their geographic territories. In addition, the company has approximately 560 company-owned territories available for sale.

The Warehouse Segment’s fresh snack cakes and frozen breads and rolls are sold nationally direct to customers’ warehouses and delivered through frozen and non-frozen contract carriers.

See Note 22, Segment Reporting, of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements of this Form 10-K for financial information about our segments.

Our brands are among the best known in the baking industry. Many of our DSD Segment brands have a major presence in the product categories in which they compete. They have a leading share of fresh packaged

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branded sales measured in both dollars and units in the major metropolitan areas we serve in Southern markets. A listing of our leading brands, by sales and classification, include the following:

DSD Segment Brands/ Company Owned	DSD Segment Brands/Franchised/Licensed	Warehouse Segment Brands/ Company Owned
Nature’s Own	Sunbeam	Mrs. Freshley’s
Wonder	Roman Meal	European Bakers
Whitewheat	Bunny	Broad Street Bakery
Cobblestone Bread Company	Holsum
Tastykake	Country Kitchen
Home Pride
Merita

Strategies

Flowers Foods has focused on developing and refining operating strategies to create competitive advantages in the marketplace. We believe these strategies help us achieve our long-term objectives and work to build value for shareholders. Put simply, our strategies are to:

• Grow Sales.    We develop new and core markets through new customers, new products, strong brands, and acquisitions. We have a three-pronged strategy for growing sales through acquisitions, market expansions, and core markets.

• Invest Wisely.    We use technology and efficiencies to be the low-cost producer of delicious bakery foods. We invest to improve the effectiveness of our bakeries, distribution networks, and information systems.

• Bake Smart.    We innovate to improve processes, enhance quality, reduce costs, and conserve resources.

• Give Extraordinary Service.    We go beyond the expected to meet our customers’ needs.

• Appreciate the Team.    We respect every individual, embrace diversity, and promote the career growth of team members.

Grow Sales

As a leading U.S. baker, our products are available to consumers through traditional supermarkets, foodservice distributors, convenience stores, mass merchandisers, club stores, wholesalers, casual dining and quick-serve restaurants, schools, hospitals, dollar stores, and vending machines. To enhance our ability to grow sales, we develop bakery products that are responsive to changing consumer needs and preferences using market research and the strength of our well-established brands. We establish and strengthen our brands in existing and new markets by focusing on product quality, offering a broad and diverse product line, and providing exceptional customer service. We expand our geographic reach by making strategic acquisitions and expanding from our existing bakeries into new markets. Our growth strategy has proven successful, evidenced by our sales and net income compound average annual growth rate of 7.7% and 7.3%, respectively, over the last five years. Our strategy encompasses specific efforts for growth through acquisitions, market expansions, and core markets.

Acquisitions

Growth through acquisitions has been an important component of our strategy. Since our initial public offering in 1968, we have made over 100 acquisitions. Since our spinoff in 2001, Flowers Foods has completed 12 acquisitions that, at the time of each acquisition, added approximately $1.7 billion in annual revenue. Other than the Sara Lee California and the Acquired Hostess Bread Assets acquisitions discussed below, our primary acquisition targets have historically been independent/regional baking companies in areas of the country where we have not previously had access to market our fresh baked foods. See Note 8, Acquisitions, of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements of this Form 10-K for more details of each of the acquisitions described below.

Modesto, California acquisition (2013)

On July 27, 2013, the company completed the acquisition of certain assets related to a bun line in Modesto, California that now serves the California market.

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Hostess specified assets acquisition (2013)

On July 19, 2013, the company completed the acquisition of certain assets of Hostess Brands, Inc. (“Hostess”), which included the Wonder, Nature’s Pride, Merita, Home Pride, and Butternut bread brands, 20 closed bakeries and 36 depots (the “Acquired Hostess Bread Assets”). We did not begin introducing the brands associated with the Acquired Hostess Bread Assets to the marketplace until near the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2013 on September 23, 2013. The re-introduction of the brands continued in fiscal 2014 and will continue in fiscal 2015.

Sara Lee California acquisition (2013)

On February 23, 2013, the company completed its acquisition of certain assets and trademark licenses from BBU, Inc., a subsidiary of Grupo Bimbo S.A.B. de C.V. (“BBU”). The company acquired from BBU in the acquisition: (1) perpetual, exclusive, and royalty-free licenses to the Sara Lee and Earthgrains brands for sliced breads, buns, and rolls in the state of California and (2) a closed bakery in Stockton, California. In addition, we received a perpetual, exclusive, and royalty-free license to the Earthgrains brand for a broad range of fresh bakery products in the Oklahoma City, Oklahoma market area.

Lepage acquisition (2012)

In July 2012, we completed the acquisition of Lepage Bakeries and certain of its affiliated companies (“Lepage”), a strong regional baker that serves New England and New York. Lepage operates two bakeries in Maine and one in Vermont with fresh breads, buns, rolls, croissants, English muffins, and donuts. The acquisition extends Flowers Foods’ reach into New England and brings new brands (Country Kitchen and Barowsky’s), products, and customers to strengthen our DSD Segment.

Expansion Markets

In 2011, we announced a specific market expansion goal: to serve a geographical area that includes at least 75% of the U.S. population by 2016 with our Nature’s Own brand and other fresh DSD Segment brands. At the end of 2014, we had expanded our population reach to approximately 81%, adding an additional twelve states for a total of 37, and adding $186.7 million in annual sales in these expansion markets. Expansion markets are defined as new markets entered into within the last five years. We exceeded our goal by expanding the reach of our existing bakeries into new territories and merging with or acquiring independent bakers in strategic locations.

Our market expansion efforts are driven by our individual bakeries as they extend their service boundaries by serving new customers in territories adjacent to their current service areas. They accomplish this by partnering with retail and foodservice customers to serve new locations, adding our direct-store-distribution structure, and working to reach new customers in the targeted growth area.

Core Markets

Our strategy for growth in core markets includes introducing new products to serve both retail and foodservice customers. We have been successful in developing innovative products that gained consumer acceptance. A list of new products introduced in fiscal 2014 can be found below in the Brands & Products discussion.

In core markets, we also strive to enhance our customer base by reaching out to retailers or foodservice customers to offer additional products to those we currently serve and develop relationships with those who are potential customers.

Invest Wisely and Bake Smart

Throughout our history, we have devoted significant resources to automate our production facilities and improve our distribution capabilities. We believe these investments have made us one of the most efficient producers of packaged bakery products in the United States. We believe our capital investments yield valuable long-term benefits, such as more consistent product quality, highly sanitary processes, and greater production volume at a lower cost per unit.

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From 2009 through 2014, we invested $427.8 million in capital projects. We believe this consistent, yearly investment in our bakeries has given us a competitive edge in the industry and we are committed to maintaining that advantage by continuing our investments in new technology and improved processes.

During the second quarter of fiscal 2014, we opened our Knoxville, Tennessee plant that was acquired as a part of the Acquired Hostess Bread Assets. This plant operates a single bread line and increases our capacity in Tennessee, Kentucky, and Ohio.

On July 27, 2013, we completed the acquisition of certain assets related to a bun line in Modesto, California that now serves the California market. Also in 2013, we announced that we began production at our Henderson, Nevada bakery, which was acquired as a part of the Acquired Hostess Bread Assets and had been closed since November 2012 when Hostess began liquidation. This bakery produces products for markets in southern Nevada and parts of California.

Through several decades, we have established a reciprocal baking system that allows us to move or shift production among our DSD Segment bakeries to ensure that we are able to meet current market needs, respond to extraordinary events (such as hurricanes or other natural disasters), and remain a low-cost producer and marketer of a full line of bakery products on a national and super-regional basis. We also use company-owned and leased warehouses and distribution centers located in geographic areas that allow for efficient movement of our products from bakery to market.

We believe our company also invests wisely and bakes smart by:

• Engaging in research and development activities that involve developing new products, improving the quality of existing products, and improving and automating production processes.

• Developing and evaluating new processing techniques for both current and proposed product lines.

• Improving our shipping and logistics. In 2009, we began to roll out a paperless, user-directed automated shipping system at our bakeries that uses barcode labels, displays, and door scanners. The system streamlines the finished goods product flow, provides for greater accountability of finished goods received and shipped, improves order fulfillment, and minimizes shortage costs. At the end of 2014, we had installed this automated shipping system in 31 of our bakeries. We intend to install this system in five additional locations during 2015.

Give Extraordinary Service

When it comes to our customers, our strategy is to go beyond the expected. We know that great service helps build strong relationships with our retail and foodservice customers. Our reputation for excellent service supports our sales growth in core markets and helps us as we move into new markets.

Our national accounts team for key customers supports bakery teams to build trade relationships at the corporate and local level. They are assisted by our business analysis and insights team that provides our trade partners with objective statistical data and creative ideas aimed at enhancing the overall bakery category. We also work with trade customers in other ways — from web-based ordering to scan-based trading or pay-by-scan (“PBS”). In foodservice, we partner with national chains to develop customized bakery items that meet their specific needs.

Appreciate the Team

We strive to maintain good relationships and ongoing communications with all of our team members. We are committed to equal employment opportunities, meeting all federal and state employment laws, and striving to respect the dignity of all of our team members and associates. In addition, our subsidiaries provide:

• Fair and equitable compensation and a balanced program of benefits;

• Working conditions that promote employees’ health and safety;

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• Training opportunities that encourage professional development; and

• Ways for team members to discuss concerns through our open door policy and peer review program.

We employ approximately 10,380 people. Approximately 1,060 of these employees are covered by collective bargaining agreements. We believe that we have good relations with our employees.

Brands & Products

Nature’s Own is the bestselling loaf bread in the U.S. in pounds and dollars, and its compound annual growth rate in retail sales since 2000 has been 11.0%. The Nature’s Own sales, at retail, were $1,117.1 million for fiscal 2014.

Our DSD Segment brand activities during fiscal 2014 include the following:

• Nature’s Own Honey Wheat is the number one selling Fresh Packaged Bread uniform parcel code (“UPC”) in the U.S. Nature’s Own had three of the top five UPC’s in the Fresh Packaged Bread category during the fourth quarter of 2014;

• Wonder brand Classic White Loaf returned to the market in 2013, and is continuing to be introduced into new markets in 2015, gaining the #1 selling branded White Loaf in six U.S. markets: Boston, MA, Hartford, CT/Springfield, MA, Kansas City, KS, Memphis, TN, New York, NY, and Providence, RI;

• Home Pride brand Wheat Loaf returned to the market in 2013, and is continuing to be introduced into new markets in 2015, to become the #1 selling branded Soft Variety Loaf in four U.S. markets: Las Vegas, NV, Los Angeles, CA, Sacramento, CA and San Francisco/Oakland, CA;

• We launched Cobblestone Bread Co. (“CBC”) brand of premium specialty bread, buns and rolls. CBC gets its inspiration from the restaurant and sandwich shop industry. CBC grew to $73.6 million in sales, at retail, for fiscal 2014;

• Tastykake brought a variety of new products to the market, including Tastykake Crème filled Butterscotch Krimpets, Strawberry Cupcakes, Banana Pudding Cupcakes, Boston Crème honey buns, Lemon Juniors, and Seasonal Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes;

• The Tastykake brand celebrated its centennial year. The 100^th Anniversary highlights included a special limited edition birthday cake cupcake, a national “100 Birthday Moments” partnership with the United Service Organization (“USO”), as well as an appearance on a national news segment. The brand presence on television continued with a special Tastykake Birthday Cake featured on a national morning talk show, as well as two dedicated episodes on Food Network’s new series REWRAPPED. Tastykake advertising also included radio and digital ads to gain maximum exposure among all consumer groups; and

• Fresh packaged bakery products under store brands for retailers. While store branded products carry lower margins than our branded products, they allow us to effectively use available production and distribution capacity. Store branded product also helps the company expand our total retail shelf space.

Our Warehouse Segment markets a line of specialty breads and rolls under the European Bakers brand and proprietary breads, buns, and rolls for specific foodservice customers. This segment’s snack cakes are sold under the Mrs. Freshley’s, Broad Street Bakery, and store brands. Our Warehouse Segment products are distributed nationally through retail, foodservice and vending customer warehouses.

In 2014, we had the following initiatives for the Mrs. Freshley’s brand:

• Introduction of the new Cinnamon Coffee Cakes; and

• Introduction of a new line of Hershey’s cobranded items including: Peanut Butter Swiss Rolls featuring Reese’s Peanut Butter and Double Chocolate donuts featuring Hershey’s Cocoa generated additional interest in the market for Mrs. Freshley’s.

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During 2014, the Mrs. Freshley’s brand was focused on consumer and customer relations. Marketing and PR events in focus markets included radio and several nationally syndicated broadcast features. An in book promotion with a leading women’s magazine, as well as continued trade promotion, provided great print and online exposure.

Marketing

We support our key brands with a multi-million dollar advertising and marketing effort that reaches out to consumers through electronic and in-store coupons, social media (such as Facebook and Twitter), digital media (including e-newsletters to consumers), websites (our brand sites and third-party sites), event and sports marketing, on-package promotional offers and sweepstakes, and print advertising. When appropriate, we may join other sponsors with promotional tie-ins. We often focus our marketing efforts on specific products and holidays, such as hamburger and hot dog bun sales during Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, and Labor Day.

Customers

Our top 10 customers in fiscal 2014 accounted for 43.9% of sales. During 2014, our largest customer, Walmart/Sam’s Club, represented 19.5% of the company’s sales. The loss of, or a material negative change in our relationship with, Walmart/Sam’s Club or any other major customer could have a material adverse effect on our business. Walmart was the only customer to account for 10.0% or more of our sales during fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012.

Our fresh baked foods customers include mass merchandisers, supermarkets and other retailers, restaurants, quick-serve chains, food wholesalers, institutions, dollar stores, and vending companies. We also sell returned and surplus product through a system of discount bakery stores. The company currently operates 277 such stores, and reported sales of $78.8 million during fiscal 2014 related to these outlets.

Our Warehouse Segment supplies national and regional restaurants, institutions and foodservice distributors, and retail in-store bakeries with frozen bakery products. It also sells packaged bakery products to wholesale distributors for ultimate sale to a wide variety of food outlets. It sells packaged bakery snack cakes primarily to customers who distribute the product nationwide through multiple channels of distribution, including mass merchandisers, supermarkets, vending outlets and convenience stores. In certain circumstances, we enter into co-packing arrangements with retail customers or other food companies, some of which are competitors.

Distribution

Distributing fresh bakery foods through a DSD system is a complex process. It involves determining appropriate order levels and delivering products from bakeries to independent distributors for sale and direct delivery to customer stores. Distributors are responsible for ordering products, stocking shelves, maintaining special displays, and visiting customers daily to ensure adequate inventory and removing unsold goods.

To get fresh bakery foods to market, we use a network of approximately 5,760 routes (or territories) to distribute certain Flowers DSD Segment brands in specified geographic territories. The company has sold the majority of these territories to independent distributors under long-term financing arrangements. The independent distributor program is designed to provide retail and foodservice customers with superior service. Independent distributors, highly motivated by financial incentives from their territory ownership, strive to increase sales by offering outstanding service and merchandising. Independent distributors have the opportunity to benefit directly from the enhanced value of their territories resulting from higher branded sales volume.

The company has developed proprietary software on the hand-held computers that independent distributors use for daily ordering, transactions, and to manage their businesses. The company provides these hand-held computers to the independent distributors and charges them an administrative fee for their use. This fee reduces the company’s selling, distribution and administrative expenses, and totaled $6.6 million in 2014, $5.2 million in 2013, and $4.9 million in 2012. Our proprietary software permits distributors to track and communicate inventory data to bakeries and to calculate recommended order levels based on historical sales data and recent

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trends. These orders are electronically transmitted to the appropriate bakery on a nightly basis. This system ensures that distributors have an adequate supply of the right mix of products to meet retail and foodservice customers’ immediate needs. We believe this system assists us in minimizing returns of unsold goods.

In addition to hand-held computers, we maintain an information technology (“IT”) platform that allows us to accurately track sales, product returns, and profitability by selling location, bakery, day, and other criteria. The system provides us with daily real-time, on-line access to sales and gross margin reports, allowing us to make prompt operational adjustments when appropriate. It also permits us to forecast sales and improve our in-store product ordering by customer. This IT platform is integral to our hand-held computers.

We also use PBS to track and monitor sales and inventories more effectively. PBS allows the independent distributors to bypass the often lengthy product check-in at retail stores, which gives them more time to service customers and merchandise products. PBS also benefits retailers, who only pay suppliers for what they actually sell, or what is scanned at checkout. During fiscal 2014 approximately $1,206.6 million of our DSD Segment sales came through our PBS system.

Our Warehouse Segment distributes a portion of our packaged bakery snack products from a central distribution facility located near our Crossville, Tennessee snack cake bakery. We believe this centralized distribution method allows us to achieve both production and distribution efficiencies. Our snack cake bakeries operate what we believe are long, efficient production runs of a single product, which are then shipped to the central distribution facility. Products coming from different bakeries are then cross-docked and shipped directly to customers’ warehouses nationwide. Our frozen bread and roll products are shipped to various outside freezer facilities for distribution to our customers.

Intellectual Property

We own a number of trademarks, trade names, patents, and licenses. The company also sells products under franchised and licensed trademarks and trade names that it does not own. We consider all of our trademarks and trade names important to our business since we use them to build strong brand awareness and consumer loyalty.

Raw Materials

Our primary baking ingredients are flour, sweeteners, and shortening. We also use paper products, such as corrugated cardboard, films and plastics to package our bakery foods. We strive to maintain diversified sources for all of our baking ingredients and packaging products.

In addition, we are dependent on natural gas or propane as fuel for firing our ovens. Our independent distributors and third-party shipping companies use gasoline and diesel as fuel for their trucks.

Commodities, such as our baking ingredients, periodically experience price fluctuations. The cost of these inputs may fluctuate widely due to government policy and regulation, weather conditions, domestic and international demand, or other unforeseen circumstances. We enter into forward purchase agreements and other derivative financial instruments in an effort to manage the impact of such volatility in raw material prices. Any decrease in the availability of these agreements and instruments could increase the effective price of these raw materials to us and significantly affect our earnings.

Regulations

As a producer and marketer of food items, our operations are subject to regulation by various federal governmental agencies, including the Food and Drug Administration, the Department of Agriculture, the Federal Trade Commission, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Department of Commerce. We also are subject to the regulations of various state agencies, with respect to production processes, product quality, packaging, labeling, storage, distribution and local regulations regarding the licensing of plants and the enforcement of state standards and facility inspections. Under various statutes and regulations, these federal and state agencies prescribe requirements and establish standards for quality, purity, and labeling. Failure to comply with one or more regulatory requirements could result in a variety of sanctions, including monetary fines or compulsory withdrawal of products from store shelves.

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Advertising of our businesses is subject to regulation by the Federal Trade Commission, and we are subject to certain health and safety regulations, including those issued under the Occupational Safety and Health Act.

The cost of compliance with such laws and regulations has not had a material adverse effect on the company’s business. We believe that we are currently in material compliance with applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations.

Our operations, like those of similar businesses, are subject to various federal, state and local laws and regulations with respect to environmental matters, including air and water quality and underground fuel storage tanks, as well as other regulations intended to protect public health and the environment. The company is not a party to any material proceedings arising under these regulations. We believe compliance with existing environmental laws and regulations will not materially affect the Consolidated Financial Statements or the competitive position of the company. The company is currently in substantial compliance with all material environmental regulations affecting the company and its properties.

Competitive Overview

The U.S. market for fresh and frozen bakery products is estimated at $34 billion at retail. This category is intensely competitive and underwent significant change in 2013. From a national standpoint, Flowers Foods is currently the number two company in the U.S. fresh baking industry based on market share.

In January 2012, Hostess filed for bankruptcy. By the end of 2012, Hostess, which had been in bankruptcy for six of the last nine years, ceased production and announced it would liquidate. At that time, Hostess immediately stopped production and sold their remaining inventory. Hostess discontinued serving their customers by late November 2012. These events impacted the industry as Hostess sales shifted to other providers to meet marketplace needs. These providers included Flowers, BBU (with Sara Lee, Arnolds, Thomas, and Entenmann’s brands), Campbell Soup Company (with the Pepperidge Farm brand), McKee Foods Corporation (Little Debbie) and smaller regional bakeries, retailer-owned bakeries, and store brands. The Hostess cake products were re-introduced into the market in July 2013 by a new and separate company formed by the outside investment group of Apollo Global Management and C. Dean Metropoulous & Co. that purchased the Hostess cake brands.

The current competitive landscape for breads and rolls in the U.S. baking industry now comprises BBU, Flowers Foods, and Campbell Soup Company on a national or super-regional scale, together with independent regional bakers, local bakeries, and retailer-owned bakeries. The company faces significant competition from store brands (also known as “private label”) and products produced by independent bakers. While store brand breads and rolls have been offered by food retailers for decades, food retailers have put more emphasis on store brand products with the entry of mass merchandisers like Walmart and the ongoing consolidation of traditional supermarkets into much larger regional operations. In general, the store brand share of the fresh bread aisle accounts for approximately 27% of the dollar sales and approximately 37% of unit sales.

There are a number of smaller regional bakers in the U.S. Some of these do not enjoy the competitive advantages of larger operations, including greater brand awareness and economies of scale in purchasing, distribution, production, information technology, advertising and marketing. However, size alone is not sufficient to ensure success in our industry.

Competition in the baking industry continues to be driven by a number of factors. These include the ability to serve consolidated retail and foodservice customers, generational changes in family-owned businesses, and competitors’ promotional efforts on branded bread and store brands. Competition typically is based on product availability, product quality, brand loyalty, price, effective promotions, and the ability to target changing consumer preferences. Customer service, including frequent delivery to keep store shelves well-stocked, is an increasingly important competitive factor.

Competition for fresh packaged bakery snack products is based upon the ability to meet production and distribution demands of retail and vending customers at a competitive price. Primary national competitors for

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fresh packaged bakery snack products include Hostess cake products (a new and separate company formed by the outside investment group that purchased the Hostess cake brands), McKee Foods Corporation (Little Debbie and Drake’s), Cloverhill Bakery, and BBU.

Competitors for frozen bakery products include Alpha Baking Co., Inc., Rotella’s Italian Bakery, United States Bakery, Turano Baking Company, and All Round Foods, Inc. Competition for frozen bakery products is based primarily on product quality and consistency, product variety and the ability to consistently meet production and distribution demands at a competitive price.

The company also faces competition from store brands that are produced both by us and our competitors. For several decades, store brand breads and rolls have been offered by food retail customers. Recently, food retailers have put more emphasis on store brand products, initiating a store brand push in such categories as chips and cereals. In general, the store brand share of the fresh bread aisle has remained relatively consistent.

Other Available Information

Throughout this Form 10-K, we incorporate by reference information from parts of other documents filed with the SEC. The SEC allows us to disclose important information by referring to it in this manner, and you should review this information in addition to the information contained in this report.

Our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and proxy statement for the annual shareholders’ meeting, as well as any amendments to those reports, are available free of charge through our website as soon as reasonably practicable after we file them with the SEC. You can learn more about us by reviewing our SEC filings in the Investor Center on our website at www.flowersfoods.com.

The SEC also maintains a website at www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy statements and other information about SEC registrants, including the company. You may also obtain these materials at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You can obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330.

The following corporate governance documents may be obtained free of charge through our website in the “Corporate Governance” section of the “Investor Center” tab or by sending a written request to Flowers Foods, Inc., 1919 Flowers Circle, Thomasville, GA 31757, Attention: Investor Relations.

• Board Committees

• Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

• Flowers Foods Employee Code of Conduct

• Disclosure Policy

• Corporate Governance Guidelines

• Stock Ownership Guidelines

• Audit Committee Charter

• Compensation Committee Charter

• Finance Committee Charter

• Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee Charter

• Flowers Foods Supplier Code of Conduct (This document is on our website in the “Company Info” tab)

Item 1A. Risk Factors

You should carefully consider the risks described below, together with all of the other information included in this report, in considering our business and prospects. The risks and uncertainties described below are not the only ones facing us. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us, or that we currently deem insignificant, may also impair our business operations. The occurrence of any of the following risks could harm our business, financial condition, liquidity or results of operations.

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Economic conditions may negatively impact demand for our products, which could adversely impact our sales and operating profit.

The willingness of our customers and consumers to purchase our products depends in part on economic conditions. In recent years, economic conditions were significantly strained in the United States. Continuing or worsening economic challenges could have a negative impact on our business. Economic uncertainty may result in increased pressure to reduce the prices of some of our products, limit our ability to increase or maintain prices, and reduce sales of higher margin products or shift our product mix to low-margin products. In addition, changes in tax or interest rates, whether due to recession, financial and credit market disruptions or other reasons, could negatively impact us. If any of these events occurs, or if unfavorable economic conditions continue or worsen, our sales and profitability could be adversely affected.

Increases in costs and/or shortages of raw materials, fuels and utilities could adversely impact our profitability.

Commodities, such as flour, sweeteners, and shortening, which are used in our bakery products, are subject to price fluctuations. The cost of these inputs may fluctuate widely due to government policies and regulations, weather conditions, domestic and international demand, or other unforeseen circumstances. Any substantial change in the prices of raw materials may have an adverse impact on our profitability. We enter into forward purchase agreements and other derivative financial instruments from time to time to manage the impact of such volatility in raw materials prices; however, these strategies may not be adequate to overcome increases in market prices. Our failure to enter into effective hedging arrangements or any decrease in the availability or increase in the cost of these agreements and instruments could increase the price of these raw materials and significantly affect our earnings.

In addition, we are dependent upon natural gas or propane for firing ovens. Our independent distributors and third-party shipping companies are dependent upon gasoline and diesel for their vehicles. The cost of fuel may fluctuate widely due to economic and political conditions, government policy and regulation, war, or other unforeseen circumstances. Substantial future increases in prices for, or shortages of, these fuels could have a material adverse effect on our profitability, financial condition or results of operations. There can be no assurance that we can cover these cost increases through future pricing actions. Also, as a result of these pricing actions, consumers could purchase less or move from purchasing high-margin products to lower-margin products.

Competition could adversely impact revenues and profitability.

The United States bakery industry is highly competitive. Our principal competitors in these categories all have substantial financial, marketing, and other resources. In most product categories, we compete not only with other widely advertised branded products, but also with store branded products that are generally sold at lower prices. Competition is based on product availability, product quality, price, effective promotions, and the ability to target changing consumer preferences. We experience price pressure from time to time due to competitors’ promotional activity and other pricing efforts. This pricing pressure is particularly strong during adverse economic periods. Increased competition could result in reduced sales, margins, profits and market share.

The costs of maintaining and enhancing the value and awareness of our brands are increasing, which could have an adverse impact on our revenues and profitability.

We rely on the success of our well-recognized brand names and we intend to maintain our strong brand recognition by continuing to devote resources to advertising, marketing and other brand building efforts. Brand value could diminish significantly due to a number of factors, including consumer perception that we have acted in an irresponsible manner, adverse publicity about our products (whether or not valid), our failure to maintain the quality of our products, the failure of our products to deliver consistently positive consumer experiences, or the products becoming unavailable to consumers. Our marketing investments may not prove successful in maintaining or increasing our market share. If we are not able to successfully maintain our brand recognition, our revenues and profitability could be adversely affected.

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We rely on several large customers for a significant portion of our sales and the loss of one of our large customers could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

We have several large customers that account for a significant portion of our sales, and the loss of one of our large customers could adversely affect our results of operations. Our top ten customers accounted for 43.9% of our sales during fiscal 2014. Our largest customer, Walmart/Sam’s Club, accounted for 19.5% of our sales during this period. These customers do not typically enter into long-term sales contracts, and instead make purchase decisions based on a combination of price, product quality, consumer demand, and customer service performance. At any time, they may use more of their shelf space, including space currently used for our products, for store branded products or for products from other suppliers. Additionally, our customers may face financial or other difficulties that may impact their operations and their purchases from us. Disputes with significant suppliers could also adversely affect our ability to supply products to our customers. If our sales to one or more of these customers are reduced, this reduction may adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations.

Inability to anticipate or respond to changes in consumer preferences may result in decreased demand for our products, which could have an adverse impact on our future growth and operating results.

Our success depends, in part, on our ability to respond to current market trends and to anticipate the tastes and dietary habits of consumers, including concerns of consumers regarding health and wellness, obesity, product attributes, and ingredients. Introduction of new products and product extensions requires significant development and marketing investment. If our products fail to meet consumer preferences, or we fail to introduce new and improved products on a timely basis, then the return on that investment will be less than anticipated and our strategy to grow sales and profits with investments in marketing and innovation will be less successful. If we fail to anticipate, identify, or react to changes in consumer preferences, or we fail to introduce new or improved products on a timely basis we could experience reduced demand for our products, which could in turn cause our operating results to suffer.

We may be adversely impacted by the failure to successfully execute acquisitions and divestitures and integrate acquired operations.

From time to time, the company undertakes acquisitions or divestitures. In fiscal 2013, we acquired the Acquired Hostess Bread Assets, certain assets and the Sara Lee trademark licenses from BBU in California, and certain assets related to a bun line in Modesto, California. The success of these acquisitions, or any other acquisition or divestiture depends on the company’s ability to identify opportunities that help us meet our strategic objectives, consummate a transaction on favorable contractual terms, and achieve expected returns and other financial benefits.

Acquisitions, including our recent acquisitions, require us to efficiently integrate the acquired business or businesses, which involves a significant degree of difficulty, including the following:

• integrating the operations of the acquired businesses while carrying on the ongoing operations of the businesses we operated prior to the acquisitions;

• managing a significantly larger company than before consummation of the acquisitions;

• the possibility of faulty assumptions underlying our expectations regarding the integration process;

• coordinating a greater number of diverse businesses and businesses located in a greater number of geographic locations;

• integrating different business cultures;

• attracting and retaining the necessary personnel associated with the acquisitions;

• creating uniform standards, controls, procedures, policies and information systems and controlling the costs associated with such matters; and

• integrating information, purchasing, accounting, finance, sales, billing, payroll and regulatory compliance systems.

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Divestitures have operational risks that may include impairment charges. Divestitures also present unique financial and operational risks, including diversion of management attention from the existing core business, separating personnel and financial data and other systems, and adverse effects on existing business relationships with suppliers and customers.

In situations where acquisitions or divestitures are not successfully implemented or completed, the company’s business or financial results could be negatively impacted.

This risk includes our expectations about the performance of acquired trademarks and brands. If we are unable to implement our growth strategies for these acquired intangible assets as expected, it could adversely impact the carrying value of the acquired brands. The fair value of the trademarks could be less than our carrying value if any of our 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 do not meet our expectations, thereby requiring us to record an asset impairment.

Consolidation in the retail and foodservice industries could affect our sales and profitability.

If our retail and foodservice customers continue to grow larger due to consolidation in their respective industries, they may demand lower pricing and increased promotional programs. Meeting these demands could adversely affect our sales and profitability.

Our large customers may impose requirements on us that may adversely affect our results of operations.

From time to time, our large customers may re-evaluate or refine their business practices and impose new or revised requirements on us and their other suppliers. The growth of large mass merchandisers, supercenters and dollar stores, together with changes in consumer shopping patterns, have produced large, sophisticated customers with increased buying power and negotiating strength. Current trends among retailers and foodservice customers include fostering high levels of competition among suppliers, demanding new products or increased promotional programs, requiring suppliers to maintain or reduce product prices, and requiring product delivery with shorter lead times. These business changes may involve inventory practices, logistics, or other aspects of the customer- supplier relationship. Compliance with requirements imposed by major customers may be costly and may have an adverse effect on our margins and profitability. However, if we fail to meet a significant customer’s demands, we could lose that customer’s business, which also could adversely affect our results of operations.

Our inability to execute our business strategy could adversely affect our business.

We employ various operating strategies to maintain our position as one of the nation’s leading producers and marketers of bakery products available to customers through multiple channels of distribution. If we are unsuccessful in implementing or executing one or more of these strategies, our business could be adversely affected.

Increases in employee and employee-related costs could have adverse effects on our profitability.

Pension, health care, and workers’ compensation costs are increasing and will likely continue to do so. Any substantial increase in pension, health care or workers’ compensation costs may have an adverse impact on our profitability. The company records pension costs and the liabilities related to its benefit plans based on actuarial valuations, which include key assumptions determined by management. Material changes in pension costs may occur in the future due to changes in these assumptions. Future annual amounts could be impacted by various factors, such as changes in the number of plan participants, changes in the discount rate, changes in the expected long-term rate of return, changes in the level of contributions to the plan, and other factors. In addition, legislation or regulations involving labor and employment and employee benefit plans (including employee health care benefits and costs) may impact our operational results.

We have risks related to our pension plans, which could impact the company’s liquidity.

The company has trusteed, noncontributory defined benefit pension plans covering certain employees maintained under the U.S. Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”). The funding

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obligations for our pension plans are impacted by the performance of the financial markets, including the performance of our common stock, which comprises approximately 10.3% of all the pension plan assets as of January 3, 2015.

If the financial markets do not provide the long-term returns that are expected, the likelihood of the company being required to make larger contributions will increase which could impact our liquidity. The equity markets can be, and recently have been, very volatile, and therefore our estimate of future contribution requirements can change dramatically in relatively short periods of time. Similarly, changes in interest rates can impact our contribution requirements. In a low interest rate environment, the likelihood of larger required contributions increases. Adverse developments in any of these areas could adversely affect our financial condition, liquidity or results of operations.

A disruption in the operation of our DSD distribution system could negatively affect our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

We believe that our DSD distribution system is a significant competitive advantage. A material negative change in our relationship with the independent distributors, an adverse ruling by regulatory or governmental bodies regarding our independent distributorship program or an adverse judgment against the company for actions taken by the independent distributors could materially affect our financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.

Disruption in our supply chain or distribution capabilities from political instability, armed hostilities, incidents of terrorism, natural disasters, weather or labor strikes could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our ability to make, move and sell products is critical to our success. Damage or disruption to our manufacturing or distribution capabilities, or the manufacturing or distribution capabilities of our suppliers due to weather, natural disaster, fire or explosion, terrorism, pandemics or labor strikes, could impair our ability to manufacture or sell our products. Moreover, terrorist activity, armed conflict, political instability or natural disasters that may occur within or outside the U.S. may disrupt manufacturing, labor, and other business operations. Failure to take adequate steps to mitigate the likelihood or potential impact of such events, or to effectively manage such events if they occur, could adversely affect our business, financial conditions and results of operations.

Future product recalls or safety concerns could adversely impact our results of operations.

We may be required to recall certain of our products should they be mislabeled, contaminated, spoiled, tampered with or damaged. We also may become involved in lawsuits and legal proceedings if it is alleged that the consumption of any of our products causes injury, illness or death. A product recall or an adverse result in any such litigation could have a material adverse effect on our operating and financial results, depending on the costs of the recall, the destruction of product inventory, competitive reaction and consumer attitudes. Even if a product liability or consumer fraud claim is unsuccessful or without merit, the negative publicity surrounding such assertions regarding our products could adversely affect our reputation and brand image. We also could be adversely affected if consumers in our principal markets lose confidence in the safety and quality of our products.

We may be adversely impacted if our information technology systems fail to perform adequately, including with respect to cybersecurity issues.

The efficient operation of our business depends on our information technology systems. We rely on our information technology systems to effectively manage our business data, communications, supply chain, order entry and fulfillment, and other business processes. The failure of our information technology systems (including those provided to us by third parties) to perform as we anticipate could disrupt our business and could result in billing, collecting, and ordering errors, processing inefficiencies, and the loss of sales and customers, causing our business and results of operations to suffer. In addition, our information technology systems may be vulnerable to damage or interruption from circumstances beyond our control, including fire, natural disasters, systems failures,

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security breaches or intrusions (including theft of customer, consumer or other confidential data), and viruses. Any such damage or interruption could have a material adverse effect on our business or financial results.

Government regulation could adversely impact our results of operations and financial condition.

As a producer and marketer of food items, our production processes, product quality, packaging, labeling, storage, and distribution are subject to regulation by various federal, state and local government entities and agencies. Failure to comply with, or violations of, the regulatory requirements of one or more of these agencies can result in a variety of sanctions, including monetary fines or compulsory withdrawal of products from store shelves, any of which could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition. In addition, the marketing of food products has come under increased scrutiny in recent years, and the food industry has been subject to an increasing number of legal proceedings and claims relating to alleged false or deceptive marketing under federal, state or local laws or regulations. Legal proceedings or claims related to our marketing could damage our reputation and/or adversely affect our business or financial results.

Climate change or changes in or new interpretations of applicable laws or regulations involving government regulations to limit carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions may result in increased compliance costs, capital expenditures, and other financial obligations that could affect our profitability or impede the production or distribution of our products and have an adverse effect on our results of operations, liquidity and financial condition.

There is growing concern that carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere may have an adverse impact on global temperatures, weather patterns, and the frequency and severity of extreme weather and natural disasters. In the event that such climate change has a negative effect on agricultural productivity, we may be subject to decreased availability or less favorable pricing for certain commodities that are necessary for our products, such as corn, wheat, and soybeans. We may also be subjected to decreased availability or less favorable pricing for water as a result of such change, which could impact our manufacturing and distribution operations. In addition, natural disasters and extreme weather conditions may disrupt the productivity of our facilities or the operation of our supply chain.

The increasing concern over climate change also may result in more regional, federal, and/or global legal and regulatory requirements to reduce or mitigate the effects of greenhouse gases. We use natural gas, diesel fuel, and electricity in the manufacturing and distribution of our products. Legislation or regulation affecting these inputs could materially affect our results of operations, liquidity and financial condition since they could affect our ability to procure our commodity needs at costs we currently experience and may require additional unplanned capital expenditures. In the event that such regulation is enacted and is more aggressive than the sustainability measures that we are currently undertaking to monitor our emissions and improve our energy efficiency, we may experience significant increases in our costs of operation and delivery.

Failure to maximize or to successfully assert our intellectual property rights could impact our competitiveness.

We rely on trademark, trade secret, patent and copyright laws to protect our intellectual property rights. We cannot be sure that these intellectual property rights will be maximized or that they can be successfully asserted. There is a risk that we will not be able to obtain and perfect our own or, where appropriate, license intellectual property rights necessary to support new product introductions. We cannot be sure that these rights, if obtained, will not be invalidated, circumvented or challenged in the future. Our failure to perfect or successfully assert our intellectual property rights could make us less competitive and could have an adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition.

Our articles of incorporation and bylaws, and Georgia law may inhibit a change in control that you may favor.

Our articles of incorporation and bylaws, and Georgia law contain provisions that may delay, deter or inhibit any possible future acquisition of our company if not approved by our Board of Directors. This could occur even if our shareholders are offered an attractive value for their shares or if a substantial number or even a majority of

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our shareholders believe the takeover is in their best interest. These provisions are intended to encourage any person interested in acquiring us to negotiate with and obtain the approval of our Board of Directors in connection with the transaction. Provisions in our organizational documents that could delay, deter or inhibit a future acquisition include the following:

• A classified Board of Directors, subject to the Board of Directors determination, on November 21, 2014, to seek shareholder approval of a proposal to declassify its board of directors at the 2015 Annual Meeting of Shareholders;

• The requirement that our shareholders may only remove directors for cause;

• Specified requirements for calling special meetings of shareholders;

• The ability to issue preferred stock, which would be issued with voting, liquidation, dividend and other rights superior to our common stock; and

• The ability of the Board of Directors to consider the interests of various constituencies, including our employees, customers, creditors, and the local community.

* On November 21, 2014, the Board of Directors determined that the company will seek shareholder approval of a proposal to declassify its board of directors at the 2015 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

Our articles of incorporation also permit the Board of Directors to issue shares of preferred stock with such designations, powers, preferences and rights as it determines, without any further vote or action by our shareholders.

Executive Offices

The address and telephone number of our principal executive offices are 1919 Flowers Circle, Thomasville, Georgia 31757, (229) 226-9110.

Executive Officers of Flowers Foods

The following table sets forth certain information regarding the persons who currently serve as the executive officers of Flowers Foods. Our Board of Directors elects our Executive Chairman of the Board for a one-year term. The Board of Directors has granted the Executive Chairman of the Board the authority to appoint the executive officers to hold office until they resign or are removed.

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EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

Name, Age and Office	Business Experience
Allen L. Shiver Age 59 President and Chief Executive Officer	Mr. Shiver has been President and Chief Executive Officer of Flowers Foods since May 2013. Mr. Shiver was President of Flowers Foods from January 2010 to May 2013. Mr. Shiver previously served as Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of Flowers Foods from May 2008 to December 2009. Prior to that he served as President and Chief Operating Officer of the Warehouse Segment from April 2003 until May 2008. Prior to that, he served as President and Chief Operating Officer of Flowers Snack from July 2002 until April 2003. Prior to that time Mr. Shiver served as Executive Vice President of Flowers Bakeries from 1998 until 2002, as a Regional Vice President of Flowers Bakeries in 1998, and as President of Flowers Baking Company of Villa Rica from 1995 until 1998. Prior to that time, Mr. Shiver served in various sales and marketing positions at Flowers Bakeries.
R. Steve Kinsey Age 54 Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer	Mr. Kinsey has been Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Flowers Foods since May 2008. Mr. Kinsey previously served as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Flowers Foods from September 2007 to May 2008. Prior to that he served as Vice President and Corporate Controller of Flowers Foods from June 2003 to September 2007. Prior to that he served as Corporate Controller from March 2002 to June 2003. Prior to that he served as Director of Tax of Flowers Foods from 2001 to March 2002 and at Flowers Industries from June 1998 to 2001. Mr. Kinsey served as Tax Manager of Flowers Industries from July 1994 to June 1998. Mr. Kinsey joined the company in July1989 as a Tax Associate.
Stephen R. Avera Age 58 Executive Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel	Mr. Avera has been Executive Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel of Flowers Foods since May 2008. Mr. Avera previously served as Senior Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel of Flowers Foods from September 2004 to May 2008. Prior to that, he served as Secretary and General Counsel from February 2002 until September 2004. He also served as Vice President and General Counsel of Flowers Bakeries from July 1998 to February 2002. Mr. Avera also previously served as an Associate and Assistant General Counsel of Flowers Industries from February 1986 to July 1998.
Bradley K. Alexander Age 56 Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer	Mr. Alexander has been Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer since July 2014. Mr. Alexander previously served as President of Flowers Bakeries from May 2008 to July 2014. Prior to that time Mr. Alexander served as a Regional Vice President of Flowers Bakeries from 2003 until May 2008. Prior to that, he served in various sales, marketing and operational positions since joining the company in 1981, including bakery president and Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing.
D. Keith Wheeler Age 51 President, Flowers Bakeries	Mr. Wheeler, 51, was named President of Flowers Bakeries in July 2014. Mr. Wheeler previously served as a Senior Vice President of Flowers Foods’ West Coast Region from 2012 until July 2014. Prior to that time Mr. Wheeler served in various operational positions within the company, including bakery president, region controller, and director of both business systems and strategic planning.

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Name, Age and Office	Business Experience
Robert B. Hysell Age 56 President, Flowers Foodservice Group	Mr. Hysell has been President of Flowers Foodservice Group since January 2012. He previously served as Senior Vice President of Flowers Bakeries from 2011 to 2012, and prior to that served as Senior Vice President of Flowers Foods’ Specialty Group from 2003 through 2010. He joined the company in 2001, initially serving as Vice President of Sales for the company’s frozen pie business.
Joseph G. Tashie Age 60 President, Flowers Cake Group	Mr. Tashie has been President of Flowers Cake Group since January 2012. Mr. Tashie previously served as a Senior Vice President of Flowers Bakeries from 2002 to 2011. Prior to that time, he served in various sales, marketing, and operations positions since joining the company in 1978, including president at two Flowers bakeries.
Michael A. Beaty Age 64 Executive Vice President	Mr. Beaty has been Executive Vice President of Flowers Foods since January 2015. Mr. Beaty previously served as Executive Vice President of Supply Chain of Flowers Foods from May 2008 to January 2015. Prior to that, Mr. Beaty served as Senior Vice President-Supply Chain of Flowers Foods from September 2002 to May 2008. Prior to that time he served as Senior Vice President of Bakery Operations of Flowers Bakeries from September 1994 until September 2002. He also served as Vice President of Manufacturing of Flowers Bakeries from February 1987 until September 1994. Prior to that time Mr. Beaty served in management positions at various Flowers Bakeries operations.
Gene D. Lord Age 67 Executive Vice President	Mr. Lord has been Executive Vice President of Flowers Foods since July 2014. Mr. Lord previously served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Flowers Foods from May 2008 to July 2014. Prior to that time, Mr. Lord served as President and Chief Operating Officer of the DSD Segment from July 2002 to May 2008. Prior to that, he served as a Regional Vice President of Flowers Bakeries from January 1997 until July 2002. Prior to that time he served as Regional Vice President, Baked Products Group of Flowers Industries from May 1987 until January 1997 and as President of Atlanta Baking Company from February 1981 until May 1987. Prior to that time Mr. Lord served in various sales positions at Flowers Bakeries.
Marta Jones Turner Age 61 Executive Vice President of Corporate Relations	Ms. Jones Turner has been Executive Vice President of Corporate Relations of Flowers Foods since May 2008. Ms. Jones Turner previously served as Senior Vice President of Corporate Relations of Flowers Foods from July 2004 to May 2008. Prior to that time she served as Vice President of Communications and Investor Relations from November 2002 until July 2004. She also served as Vice President of Public Affairs of Flowers Industries from September 1997 until November 2002 and Director of Public Relations of Flowers Industries from 1985 until 1997. Ms. Jones Turner joined the company in 1978.
H. Mark Courtney Age 54 Senior Vice President of Sales	Mr. Courtney has been Senior Vice President of Sales of Flowers Bakeries since April of 2008. Prior to that time Mr. Courtney served in various sales, marketing, and operations positions, including Executive Vice President of Flowers Snack Group. Mr. Courtney joined the company in 1983.

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Name, Age and Office	Business Experience
David A. Hubbard Age 45 Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer	Mr. Hubbard has been Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer of Flowers Foods since December 2012. Prior to that he served as Vice President and Chief Information Officer from October 2011 to December of 2012. He previously served as Vice President, IT Technology and Development in 2011. Prior to that Mr. Hubbard was the IT Director, SAP Technology and eBusiness from 2003 through early 2011.
Karyl H. Lauder Age 58 Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer	Ms. Lauder has been Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer of Flowers Foods since May 2008. Ms. Lauder previously served as Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer of Flowers Foods from September 2007 to May 2008. Ms. Lauder previously served as Vice President and Operations Controller of Flowers Foods from 2003 to 2007. Prior to that she served as Division Controller for Flowers Bakeries Group from 1997 to 2003. Prior to that time Ms. Lauder served as a Regional Controller for Flowers Bakeries after serving as Controller and in other accounting supervisory positions at various plant locations since 1978.
Dan W. Stone Age 58 Senior Vice President of Logistics and Chief Integration Officer	Mr. Stone has been Senior Vice President of Logistics and Chief Integration Officer for Flowers Foods since January 2014. Mr. Stone previously served as Vice President of Logistics and Supply Chain Services from 2005 to 2014 and as Vice President of Purchasing from 2001 to 2005. Prior to that time Mr. Stone served as Director of Purchasing from 1997 to 2001. From 1995 to mid 1997, Mr. Stone served as Division Controller for Flowers Bakeries after serving as Regional Controller from 1990 to 1995. Prior to that he served in several management positions including Executive Vice President of Operations and Controller at various plant locations since joining the company in 1979.
Tonja Taylor Age 55 Senior Vice President of Human Resources	Ms. Taylor has been Senior Vice President of Human Resources for Flowers Foods since September 2013. Prior to that time she served as Vice President of Human Resources from 2008 until September 2013. Ms. Taylor began her career with Flowers in 1999 as Change Management Coordinator for a key information technology initiative. She joined the corporate Human Resources team in 2000 and served in various positions including Manager of Organizational Development, Director of Organizational Development, and Managing Director of Human Resources.
Craig Parr Age 45 Senior Vice President of Finance and Chief Risk Officer	Mr. Parr has been Senior Vice President of Finance and Chief Risk Officer since October 2012. Prior to joining Flowers Foods, Inc., Mr. Parr was with The Andersons, Inc. for 20 years, where he served as vice president of risk management and food ingredient supply, and in various leadership positions in accounting, treasury, quantitative analysis and purchasing.
Robert L. Benton, Jr. Age 57 Senior Vice President and Chief Manufacturing Officer	Mr. Benton has been Senior Vice President and Chief Manufacturing Officer of Flowers Foods, Inc. since January 2015. Mr. Benton previously served as Senior Vice President of Manufacturing and Operations Support from January 2011 until January 2015, Vice President of Manufacturing from July 2001 until January 2011, and Director of Manufacturing from August 1993 until July 2001. Prior to that time Mr. Benton served in several manufacturing and operational management positions including regional manufacturing coordinator, bakery vice president of operations, director of manufacturing, and manufacturing manager at various locations throughout the company since 1980.

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Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments.

None

Item 2. Properties

The company currently operates 46 bakeries, of which 44 are owned and two are leased, and one mix plant. We believe our properties are in good condition, well maintained, and sufficient for our present operations. During fiscal 2014, DSD Segment facilities taken as a whole, operated moderately above capacity and Warehouse Segment facilities operated moderately below capacity. Our production plant locations are:

DSD Segment
Birmingham, Alabama	New Orleans, Louisiana
Opelika, Alabama	Lewiston, Maine(2 locations)
Tuscaloosa, Alabama	Henderson, Nevada
Phoenix, Arizona	Goldsboro, North Carolina
Tolleson, Arizona	Jamestown, North Carolina
Batesville, Arkansas	Newton, North Carolina
Modesto, California (Leased)	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (Leased)
Bradenton, Florida	Oxford, Pennsylvania
Jacksonville, Florida	Knoxville, Tennessee
Lakeland, Florida	Morristown, Tennessee
Miami, Florida	Denton, Texas
Atlanta, Georgia	El Paso, Texas
Savannah, Georgia	Houston, Texas(2 locations)
Thomasville, Georgia	San Antonio, Texas
Villa Rica, Georgia	Tyler, Texas
Bardstown, Kentucky	Brattleboro, Vermont
Baton Rouge, Louisiana	Lynchburg, Virginia
Lafayette, Louisiana	Norfolk, Virginia
Warehouse Segment
Montgomery, Alabama	London, Kentucky
Texarkana, Arkansas	Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Suwanee, Georgia	Cleveland, Tennessee
Tucker, Georgia	Crossville, Tennessee
Cedar Rapids, Iowa (mix plant)

In Thomasville, Georgia, the company leases properties that house its shared services center and information technology group, and owns its corporate headquarters facility.

Item 3. Legal Proceedings

The company and its subsidiaries from time to time are parties to, or targets of, lawsuits, claims, investigations and proceedings, which are being handled and defended in the ordinary course of business. While the company is unable to predict the outcome of these matters, it believes, based upon currently available facts, that it is remote that the ultimate resolution of any such pending matters will have a material adverse effect on its overall financial condition, results of operations or cash flows in the future. However, adverse developments could negatively impact earnings in a particular future fiscal period.

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The company’s facilities are subject to various federal, state and local laws and regulations regarding the discharge of material into the environment and the protection of the environment in other ways. The company is not a party to any material proceedings arising under these regulations. The company believes that compliance with existing environmental laws and regulations will not materially affect the consolidated financial condition, results of operations, cash flows or the competitive position of the company. The company is currently in substantial compliance with all material environmental regulations affecting the company and its properties.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

Not Applicable

PART II

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

Market Information

Shares of Flowers Foods common stock are quoted on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “FLO.” The following table sets forth quarterly dividend information and the high and low sale prices of the company’s common stock on the New York Stock Exchange as reported in published sources.

	FY 2014						FY 2013
	Market Price				Dividend		Market Price				Dividend
Quarter	High		Low				High		Low
First	$	22.22	$	18.70	$	0.1125	$	22.11	$	15.18	$	0.1067
Second	$	21.42	$	19.71	$	0.1200	$	23.55	$	21.60	$	0.1125
Third	$	21.28	$	17.83	$	0.1200	$	24.50	$	20.10	$	0.1125
Fourth	$	20.25	$	17.46	$	0.1325	$	25.67	$	20.58	$	0.1125

Holders

As of February 19, 2015, there were approximately 3,759 holders of record of our common stock.

Dividends

The payment of dividends is subject to the discretion of our Board of Directors. The Board of Directors bases its decisions regarding dividends on, among other things, general business conditions, our financial results, contractual, legal and regulatory restrictions regarding dividend payments and any other factors the Board may consider relevant.

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Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans

The following chart sets forth the amounts of securities authorized for issuance under the company’s compensation plans as of January 3, 2015.

Plan Category	Number of Securities to be Issued Upon Exercise of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights		Weighted Average Exercise Price of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights		Number of Securities Remaining Available for Future Issuance  Under Equity Compensation Plans (Excluding Securities Reflected in Column(a))
	(a)		(b)		(c)
	(Amounts in thousands, except per share data)
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders		6,191	$	10.88		7,923
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders		—		—		—
Total		6,191	$	10.88		7,923

Under the company’s compensation plans, the Board of Directors is authorized to grant a variety of stock-based awards, including stock options, restricted stock awards and deferred stock, to its directors and certain of its employees. The number of securities set forth in column (c) above reflects securities available for issuance as stock options, restricted stock and deferred stock under the company’s compensation plans. The number of shares originally available under the 2014 Omnibus Equity and Incentive Compensation Plan (the “Omnibus Plan”) is 8,000,000 shares. The Omnibus Plan replaced the Flowers Foods’ 2001 Equity and Performance Incentive Plan, as amended and restated as of April 1, 2009 (“EPIP”), the stock appreciation rights plan, and the bonus plan. As a result, no additional shares will be issued under the EPIP as of the approval date of the Omnibus Plan. See Note 16, Stock-Based Compensation, of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements of this Form 10-K for additional information on equity compensation plans.

Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer

Our Board of Directors has approved a plan that authorizes share repurchases of up to 67.5 million shares of the company’s common stock. At the Board of Directors meeting in November 2014, the Board increased the company’s share repurchase authorization by 7.1 million shares to a total of 74.6 million shares. At the close of the company’s fourth quarter on January 3, 2015, 14.0 million shares remained available for repurchase under the existing authorization. Under the plan, the company may repurchase its common stock in open market or privately negotiated transactions at such times and at such prices as determined to be in the company’s best interest. These purchases may be commenced or suspended without prior notice depending on then-existing business or market conditions and other factors. The table below provides the shares and cost of the shares acquired during fiscal 2014 by quarter under the plan.

Fiscal Quarter	Total Number of Shares Purchased		Total Dollars of Shares Purchased (amounts in thousands)
During the quarter ended April 19, 2014		464,610	$	9,460
During the quarter ended July 12, 2014		—	$	—
During the quarter ended October 4, 2014		550,000	$	10,332
During the quarter ended January 3, 2015		1,000,000	$	19,124
Total		2,014,610	$	38,916

From the inception of the plan through January 3, 2015, 60.6 million shares, at a cost of $497.3 million, have been purchased.

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The following chart sets forth the amounts of our common stock purchased by the company during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014 under the stock repurchase plan and includes the increased authorized shares effective on November 21, 2014.

Period	Total Number of Shares Purchased		Weighted Average Price Per Share		Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plan or Programs		Maximum Number of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plan or Programs
	(Amounts in thousands, except price data)
October 5, 2014 — November 1, 2014		—		—		—		7,944
November 2, 2014 — November 29, 2014		—		—		—		15,000
November 30, 2014 — January 3, 2015		1,000	$	19.09		1,000		14,000
Total		1,000	$	19.09		1,000

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Stock Performance Graph

The chart below is a comparison of the cumulative total return (assuming the reinvestment of all dividends paid) of our common stock, Standard & Poor’s 500 Index, Standard & Poor’s 500 Packaged Foods and Meats Index, and Standard & Poor’s MidCap 400 Index for the period January 2, 2010 through January 2, 2015, the last trading day of our 2014 fiscal year.

	January 2, 2010		January 1, 2011		December 31, 2011		December 29, 2012		December 28, 2013		January 3, 2015
FLOWERS FOODS INC		100.00		116.72		127.25		158.34		225.60		207.42
S&P 500 INDEX		100.00		115.06		117.49		134.03		179.76		205.13
S&P 500 PACKAGED FOODS & MEAT INDEX		100.00		116.36		136.36		148.77		195.80		219.68
S&P MIDCAP 400 INDEX		100.00		126.64		124.45		144.38		194.92		214.85

Companies in the S&P 500 Index, the S&P 500 Packaged Foods and Meats Index, and the S&P MidCap 400 Index are weighted by market capitalization and indexed to $100 at January 2, 2010. Flowers Foods’ share price is also indexed to $100 at January 2, 2010. These prices have been adjusted for stock splits.

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Item 6. Selected Financial Data

The selected consolidated historical financial data presented below as of and for the fiscal years 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, and 2010 have been derived from the audited Consolidated Financial Statements of the company. Fiscal 2014 is a 53 week year while the other fiscal years were all 52 week years. The results of operations presented below are not necessarily indicative of results that may be expected for any future period and should be read in conjunction with Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, and our Consolidated Financial Statements and the accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Form 10-K.

	For Fiscal Year
	Fiscal 2014		Fiscal 2013		Fiscal 2012		Fiscal 2011		Fiscal 2010
	53 weeks		52 weeks		52 weeks		52 weeks		52 weeks
	(Amounts in thousands, except per share data)
Statement of Income Data:
Sales	$	3,748,973	$	3,732,616	$	3,031,124	$	2,759,367	$	2,560,787
Net income	$	175,739	$	230,894	$	136,121	$	123,428	$	137,047
Net income attributable to Flowers Foods, Inc. common shareholders per diluted share	$	0.82	$	1.09	$	0.66	$	0.60	$	0.66
Cash dividends per common share	$	0.485	$	0.444	$	0.420	$	0.389	$	0.345
Balance Sheet Data:
Total assets	$	2,408,974	$	2,504,014	$	1,995,849	$	1,553,998	$	1,325,489
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations	$	728,940	$	892,478	$	535,016	$	283,406	$	98,870

Notes to the Selected Financial Data table for additional context

1. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014, we revised net sales. Historically, certain immaterial discounts had been recorded as an expense to selling, distribution and administrative costs. These discounts are now recorded as contra revenue. These revisions have been made for all periods presented in this Form 10-K.

2. Fiscal 2014 includes the impact of a $15.4 million pension settlement loss.

3. Fiscal 2013 includes the recording of a bargain purchase gain of $50.1 million at the time of the Sara Lee California acquisition.

4. Fiscal 2013 includes the Modesto, Sara Lee California, and the Acquired Hostess Bread Assets acquisitions.

5. Fiscal 2012 includes the Lepage acquisition.

6. Fiscal 2012 includes the issuance of our $400.0 million senior notes.

7. Fiscal 2011 includes the Tasty Baking Company acquisition.

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

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the Selected Financial Data included herein and the Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Form 10-K. The following information contains forward-looking statements which involve certain risks and uncertainties. See Forward-Looking Statements at the beginning of this Form 10-K.

Overview:

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”) is segregated into four sections, including:

• Business — discussion of our long-term strategic objectives, acquisitions, and the competitive environment.

• Critical Accounting Estimates — describes the accounting areas where management makes critical estimates to report our financial condition and results of operations.

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• Results of Operations — an analysis of the company’s consolidated results of operations for the two comparative periods presented in our consolidated financial statements.

• Liquidity and Capital Resources — an analysis of cash flow, contractual obligations, and certain other matters affecting the company’s financial position.

There were several events that will provide additional context while reading this discussion. These events include:

• Revision of Prior Period Sales — During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014, we revised net sales. Historically, certain immaterial discounts had been recorded as an expense to selling, distribution and administrative costs. These discounts are now recorded as contra revenue. These revisions have been made for all periods presented in this Form 10-K. See Note 3, Financial Statement Revisions, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements of this Form 10-K for more details.

• Hostess Asset Purchases — On July 19, 2013, we completed the acquisition of certain assets of Hostess Brands, Inc. (“Hostess”), which included the Wonder, Nature’s Pride, Merita, Home Pride and Butternut bread brands, 20 closed bakeries and 36 depots (the “Acquired Hostess Bread Assets”). We began the re-introduction of certain of the Acquired Hostess Bread brands in our third quarter of fiscal 2013. We have not completed our assessment of the plants and depots acquired from Hostess, but we have sold certain properties and determined that we intend to sell additional properties that do not fit into our long-term operating strategy. During fiscal 2014, the company received $24.2 million on the sale of Acquired Hostess Bread Asset plants and depots with additional plants and depots classified as held for sale in our Consolidated Balance Sheets included in this Form 10-K. We expect these sales to continue throughout fiscal 2015. Also, we recorded carrying costs associated with all of the Acquired Hostess Bread Asset plants and depots of approximately $19.5 million, excluding asset impairments, during fiscal 2014 in our Consolidated Statements of Income. The carrying costs were $10.6 million after the acquisition of the Acquired Hostess Bread Assets in fiscal 2013. Carrying costs include workforce-related costs, property taxes, utilities, and depreciation, among other costs, and these costs were primarily included in the “Materials, supplies, labor, and other production costs (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately)” line item in our Consolidated Statements of Income.

• Opening of the Henderson, Nevada Plant — During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013, we opened the bread line at a plant that was acquired as a part of the Acquired Hostess Bread Assets. We also opened the bun line during the second quarter of fiscal 2014. This plant increased our capacity for the California and Nevada markets.

• Opening of the Modesto, California Bread Line — During the first quarter of fiscal 2014, we added a bread line at a plant we acquired in fiscal 2013 that originally produced only buns. This new line increases our capacity for the California market.

• Opening of the Knoxville, Tennessee Plant — During the second quarter of fiscal 2014, we opened another plant that was acquired as a part of the Acquired Hostess Bread Assets. This plant operates a single bread line and increases our capacity in Tennessee, Kentucky, and Ohio.

• Amendment to the Credit Facility and Term Loan — On February 14, 2014, we announced that we amended our existing senior unsecured revolving loan facility previously amended and restated on May 20, 2011 and the term loan agreement dated April 5, 2013. The amendment to the senior unsecured revolving loan facility reduced the applicable interest rate and extended the maturity date to February 14, 2019. The amendment to the term loan agreement reduced the applicable interest rate.

• Plant Sale — During the second quarter of fiscal 2014, we decided to sell certain assets at our Ft. Worth, Texas, tortilla facility (the “disposal group”). We relocated our flour tortilla equipment to an existing manufacturing facility and continue to sell these products through our DSD Segment. The disposal group sale closed August 13, 2014 for a sale price of $8.4 million in cash. The carrying value of the assets sold was $7.6 million and was presented in “Assets Held for Sale” as of July 12, 2014 because the disposal

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group met the requirements for held for sale classification on that balance sheet date. Assets not included in the disposal group were either transferred to other plants or were scrapped shortly after closing. We recognized an impairment loss on goodwill of $2.6 million and an additional impairment loss of $1.9 million for the scrapped assets during our second quarter of fiscal 2014. These impairments are recorded on the Consolidated Statements of Income in the line item “Impairment of assets.” The total gain on the divestiture was $1.8 million, of which $0.8 million related to property, plant and equipment recorded as held for sale in our second quarter of fiscal 2014, and is recorded on the Consolidated Statements of Income in the line item “Selling, distribution and administrative expenses.” We also incurred costs of $0.8 million included in the Consolidated Statements of Income line item “Materials, supplies, labor, and other production costs (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately)” relating to severance and inventory. The total costs for fiscal 2014 relating to the divestiture were $3.5 million.

• Amendments to the Accounts Receivable Securitization facility — On August 7, 2014, the company amended the accounts receivable securitization facility. The amendment (i) increased the revolving commitments under the facility to $200.0 million from $150.0 million, (ii) extended the term one year to August 7, 2016, and (iii) made certain other conforming changes. On December 17, 2014, the company entered into a second amendment under the facility to add a lender to the lending group. The second amendment did not change the terms of the facility.

• Pension Risk Mitigation Plan — In September 2014, the company announced a one-time voluntary lump sum offer to approximately 2,500 former employees in Plan No. 1 and 2 who had not yet started receiving monthly payments of their vested benefits. The offer supports the company’s pension risk management strategy and reduced plan obligations by 10%. Distribution of $50.4 million in lump sums from existing plan assets in December 2014 resulted in a settlement charge of $15.4 million during fiscal 2014.

• Impairment of Assets — As described in the Plant Sale discussion above, we recognized an impairment loss on goodwill of $2.6 million and an addition impairment loss of $1.9 million for the scrapped assets associated with the disposal group during our second quarter of fiscal 2014. During the fourth quarter of our fiscal 2014, we recognized an impairment loss of $5.8 million related to the amount expected to be realized for the fair value of certain Acquired Hostess Bread Assets classified as held for sale.

Business

Flowers is focused on opportunities for growth within the baked foods category and seeks to have its products available wherever baked foods are consumed — whether in homes, restaurants, fast food outlets, institutions, or vending machines. The company has 46 bakery subsidiaries in 16 states that produce a wide range of breads, buns, rolls, snack cakes, and tortillas. These products are marketed fresh to approximately 81% of the U.S. population or are sold fresh and frozen nationally.

Segments and Delivery Methods

The company has two business segments that reflect its two distinct methods of delivering products to market. DSD Segment products are delivered fresh to customers through a network of independent distributors who are incentivized to grow sales and to build equity in their distributorships. The DSD Segment reaches approximately 81% of the U.S. population with fresh bakery foods. The Warehouse Segment ships fresh and frozen products to customers’ warehouses nationwide. Customers then distribute these products to their depots, stores, or restaurants. Flowers’ bakeries fall into either the DSD Segment or Warehouse Segment depending on the primary method of delivery used to sell their products.

The DSD Segment operates a highly involved system of reciprocal baking whereby each bakery has an assigned production mission to produce certain items for its own market as well as for other DSD Segment bakeries’ markets and the Warehouse Segment. This system allows for long and efficient production runs that help the company maintain its position as a low-cost producer. Bakeries within regional networks exchange products overnight through a third-party transportation system so that at the beginning of each sales day every DSD Segment bakery has a full complement of fresh products for its independent distributors to provide to their retail and foodservice customers.

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The company has invested significant capital in its bakeries for several decades to ensure its production is as efficient as possible, uses technology effectively, provides consistently excellent quality, and offers a good working environment for team members. In fiscal years 2014, 2013, and 2012, the company had capital expenditures of $83.8 million, $99.2 million, and $67.3 million, respectively.

Consumers and our product portfolio

The company recognizes the need to stay in touch with changing consumer trends regarding baked foods. As a result, ongoing research on consumer preferences is conducted and outside resources are engaged to stay current on changing taste, flavor, texture, and shape trends in bakery products and food in general. Our marketing, quality assurance, and research and development teams collaborate regularly as new products are considered, developed, tested, and introduced.

Brands are important in the bakery category and the company has invested over several decades in its brand portfolio through advertising, promotion, and packaging. Nature’s Own, introduced in 1977, was developed to address the developing trend of consumers demanding baked foods with a healthier profile. Nature’s Own, from inception, offered baked foods with no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives.

On February 23, 2013, the company completed its acquisition of certain assets and trademark licenses from BBU, Inc., a subsidiary of Grupo Bimbo, S.A.B. de C.V. (“BBU”). The company acquired from BBU in the acquisition (1) perpetual, exclusive, and royalty-free licenses to the Sara Lee and Earthgrains brands for sliced breads, buns, and rolls in the state of California and (2) a closed bakery in Stockton, California. In addition, we received a perpetual, exclusive, and royalty-free license to the Earthgrains brand for a broad range of fresh bakery products in the Oklahoma City, Oklahoma market area.

On July 19, 2013, the company completed the acquisition of the Acquired Hostess Bread Assets. In September 2013, the company began to reintroduce the Wonder, Merita, Home Pride, and Butternut brands, which had been off the market since Hostess ceased operations in November 2012, into certain markets. The brands were returned to markets where they were available before the company acquired the brands within our DSD Segment. The acquired Nature’s Pride brand has not been re-introduced to the market and we are still considering the future of this brand.

Snack cakes have been part of the company’s product offerings since at least the early 1920s. In more recent years, snack cakes have been developed and introduced under several brands, such as Blue Bird and Mrs. Freshley’s. On May 20, 2011, the company acquired Tasty Baking Co. (“Tasty”) and its extensive line of Tastykake branded snack cakes. The Tastykake brand added an iconic snack cake brand to our brand portfolio. Since the acquisition of Tasty, we have expanded the distribution of the Tastykake products into our core markets. We expect to continue to expand the Tastykake brand into any additional markets we enter over the next several years.

In 2014, we re-branded the Cobblestone Mill brand to the Cobblestone Bread Company brand. There were twelve core products and other regional favorites at introduction. This brand includes restaurant and sandwich shop inspired breads and rolls. We completed the roll-out to the full market in July 2014.

Strengths and core competencies

We aim to achieve consistent and sustainable growth in sales and earnings by focusing on improvements in the operating results of our existing bakeries and, after detailed analysis, acquiring companies and properties that add value to the company. We believe this strategy has resulted in consistent and sustainable growth that will continue to build value for our shareholders.

The company is also committed to maintaining a collaborative, in-house information technology team, as well as certain outsourced services, that meets all of our bakeries’ needs and maximizes efficiencies. The consumer packaged goods industry has used scan-based trading technology (referred to as “pay by scan” or “PBS”) over several years to share information between the supplier and retailer. An extension of this technology allows the retailer to pay the supplier when the consumer purchases the goods rather than at the time they are

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delivered to the retailer. In addition, PBS permits the manufacturer to more accurately track trends in product sales and manage inventory. In fiscal years 2014, 2013, and 2012, the company recorded $1,206.6 million, $1,116.4 million, and $863.4 million, respectively, in sales through PBS.

We regularly articulate our core business strategies to the investment community and internally to our team members, including long-term (five-year) goals. Compensation and bonus programs are linked to the company’s long-term goals. The majority of our employees participate in an annual formula-driven, performance-based cash bonus program. In addition, certain employees participate in a long-term incentive program that provides performance-contingent common stock awards that generally vest over a two-year period. We believe these incentive programs provide both a short and long-term goal for our most senior management team and aligns their interests with those of our shareholders.

We believe our highly automated bakeries, with teams that focus on quality, bake products that meet consumers’ needs. We strive to maintain and exceed service levels for our customers, consumers, and suppliers. The design of our delivery systems and segments permits us to allocate management time and resources to meet marketplace expectations.

Competition and risks

Hostess’ liquidation in late November 2012 impacted the industry as Hostess sales shifted to other providers to meet marketplace needs. These providers included Flowers, Grupo Bimbo (with Sara Lee, Arnolds, Thomas, and Entenmann’s brands), Campbell Soup Company (with the Pepperidge Farm brand), McKee Foods Corporation (Little Debbie) and smaller regional bakeries, retailer-owned bakeries, and store brands. Certain Hostess cake products were re-introduced into the market in July 2013 by a new and separate company formed by the outside investment group of Apollo Global Management and C. Dean Metropoulous & Co. that purchased the Hostess cake brands.

Sales are principally affected by pricing, quality, brand recognition, new product introductions, product line extensions, marketing, and service. Sales for fiscal 2014 increased 0.4% from fiscal 2013. This increase was due to the additional week in fiscal 2014, a favorable price/mix shift, and the Sara Lee California acquisition until cycled, partially offset by volume decreases.

The current economic environment and competitive landscape in the baking industry is currently experiencing volatility. The baking industry will continue to see market fluctuations in the near-term as companies compete for market position in the wake of the Hostess liquidation.

Commodities, such as our baking ingredients, periodically experience price fluctuations. The cost of these inputs may fluctuate widely due to government policy and regulation, weather conditions, domestic and international demand, or other unforeseen circumstances. We enter into forward purchase agreements and other derivative financial instruments in an effort to manage the impact of such volatility in raw material prices. Any decrease in the availability of these agreements and instruments could increase the effective price of these raw materials to us and significantly affect our earnings.

Critical Accounting Estimates

Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements of this Form 10-K includes a summary of the significant accounting policies and methods used in the preparation of the company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

The company’s discussion and analysis of its results of operations and financial condition are based upon the Consolidated Financial Statements of the company, which have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”). The preparation of these financial statements requires the company to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of the revenues, expenses, and cash flows during the reporting period. On an ongoing basis, the company evaluates its estimates, including those related to customer programs and incentives,

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bad debts, raw materials, inventories, long-lived assets, intangible assets, income taxes, restructuring, pensions and other post-retirement benefits, and contingencies and litigation. The company bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

The selection and disclosure of the company’s critical accounting estimates have been discussed with the company’s audit committee. The following is a review of the critical assumptions and estimates, and the accounting policies and methods listed below, which are used in the preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements:

• revenue recognition;

• derivative instruments;

• valuation of long-lived assets, goodwill, and other intangible assets;

• self-insurance reserves;

• income tax expense and accruals;

• pension obligations; and

• share-based payments.

Revenue Recognition.    The company recognizes revenue from the sale of its products at the time of delivery when title and risk of loss pass to the customer. The company records both direct and estimated reductions to gross revenue for customer programs and incentive offerings at the time the incentive is offered or at the time of revenue recognition for the underlying transaction that results in progress by the customer towards earning the incentive. These allowances include price promotion discounts, coupons, customer rebates, cooperative advertising, and product returns. Price promotion discount expense is recorded as a reduction to gross sales when the discounted product is sold to the customer. If market conditions were to decline, the company may take actions to increase incentive offerings, possibly resulting in an incremental reduction of revenue.

The consumer packaged goods industry has used scan-based trading technology over several years to share information between the supplier and retailer. An extension of this technology allows the retailer to pay the supplier when the consumer purchases the goods rather than at the time they are delivered to the retailer. Consequently, revenue on these sales is not recognized until the product is purchased by the consumer. This technology is referred to as PBS. The company began a pilot program in fiscal 1999, working with certain retailers to develop the technology to execute PBS, and there has been a sharp increase in its use since that time. In fiscal 2014, the company recorded $1,206.6 million in sales through PBS. The company will continue to implement PBS technology for current PBS customers as they open new retail stores during 2015. In addition, new PBS customers will begin implementation during 2015. Revenue on PBS sales is recognized when the product is purchased by the end consumer because that is when title and risk of loss is transferred. Non-PBS sales are recognized when the product is delivered to the customer since that is when title and risk of loss is transferred.

Derivative Instruments.    The company’s cost of primary raw materials is highly correlated to certain commodities markets. Commodities, such as our baking ingredients, experience price fluctuations. If actual market conditions become significantly different than those anticipated, raw material prices could increase significantly, adversely affecting our results of operations. We enter into forward purchase agreements and other derivative financial instruments qualifying for hedge accounting to manage the impact of volatility in raw material prices. The company measures the fair value of its derivative portfolio using fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in the principal market for that asset or liability. When quoted market prices for identical assets or liabilities are not available, the company bases fair value on internally developed models that use current market observable inputs, such as exchange-quoted futures prices and yield curves.

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Valuation of Long-Lived Assets, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.    The company records an impairment charge to property, plant and equipment, goodwill and intangible assets in accordance with applicable accounting standards when, based on certain indicators of impairment, it believes such assets have experienced a decline in value that is other than temporary. Future adverse changes in market conditions or poor operating results of these underlying assets could result in losses or an inability to recover the carrying value of the asset that may not be reflected in the asset’s current carrying value, thereby possibly requiring impairment charges in the future. Based on management’s evaluation, no impairment charges relating to long-lived held and used assets were recorded for fiscal years 2014, 2013 or 2012.

The company evaluates the recoverability of the carrying value of its goodwill on an annual basis or at a time when events occur that indicate the carrying value of the goodwill may be impaired using a two step process. We have elected not to perform the qualitative approach. The first step of this evaluation is performed by calculating the fair value of the business segment, or reporting unit, with which the goodwill is associated. Our reporting units are at the segment level. Each segment consists of several components. These components are aggregated by their respective delivery method into the Warehouse Segment and DSD Segment. These segments rely on reciprocal baking among their components, cross-sells their products/brands within the segment, and utilize the same delivery method. Marketing, research and development and capital projects are measured at the segment level. We believe these factors support our reporting unit classifications. This fair value is compared to the carrying value of the reporting unit, and if less than the carrying value, the goodwill is evaluated for potential impairment under step two. Under step two of this calculation, goodwill is measured for potential impairment by comparing the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill, determined in the same manner as a business combination, with the carrying amount of the goodwill.

Our annual evaluation of goodwill impairment requires management judgment and the use of estimates and assumptions to determine the fair value of our reporting units. Fair value is estimated using standard valuation methodologies incorporating market participant considerations and management’s assumptions on revenue, revenue growth rates, operating margins, discount rates, and EBITDA (defined as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization). Our estimates can significantly affect the outcome of the test. We perform the fair value assessment using the income and market approach. We use this data to complete a separate fair value analysis for each reporting unit. Changes in our forecasted operating results and other assumptions could materially affect these estimates. This test is performed in our fourth quarter unless circumstances require this analysis to be completed sooner. The income approach is tested using a sensitivity analysis to changes in the discount rate and yield a sufficient buffer to significant variances in our estimates. The estimated fair values of our reporting units exceeded our carrying values by at least $606 million in each reporting unit in fiscal 2014. Based on management’s evaluation, no impairment charges relating to goodwill were recorded for the fiscal years 2014, 2013, or 2012.

In connection with acquisitions, the company has acquired trademarks, customer lists, and non-compete agreements, a portion of which are amortizable. The company evaluates these assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable. The undiscounted future cash flows of each intangible asset is compared to the carrying amount, and if less than the carrying value, the intangible asset is written down to the extent the carrying amount exceeds the fair value. The fair value is computed using the same approach described above for goodwill and includes the same risks and estimates. The fair value of the trademarks could be less than our carrying value if any of our 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 do not meet our expectations, thereby requiring us to record an asset impairment. We use the multi-period excess earnings and relief from royalty methods to value these intangibles. The method used for impairment testing purposes is consistent with the valuation method employed at acquisition of the intangible asset. Based on management’s evaluation, no impairment charges relating to amortizable intangible assets were recorded for the fiscal years 2014, 2013, or 2012.

The company also owns $455.0 million of trademarks acquired in acquisitions that are indefinite-lived intangible assets not subject to amortization. A total of $185.0 million of the trademarks were from the Lepage acquisition that occurred in July 2012. A total of $79.5 million and $189.0 million of the trademarks were from the Sara Lee California and the Acquired Hostess Bread Assets acquisitions, respectively, both completed in fiscal 2013. The company evaluates the recoverability by comparing the fair value to the carrying value of these

30

intangible assets on an annual basis or at a time when events occur that indicate the carrying value may be impaired. In addition, the assets are evaluated to determine whether events and circumstances continue to support an indefinite-life. The fair value is compared to the carrying value of the intangible asset, and if less than the carrying value, the intangible asset is written down to fair value.

There are certain inherent risks included in our expectations about the performance of acquired trademarks and brands. If we are unable to implement our growth strategies for these acquired intangible assets as expected, it could adversely impact the carrying value of the brands. The fair value of the trademarks could be less than our carrying value if any of our 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 do not meet our expectations, thereby requiring us to record an asset impairment. Based on management’s evaluation, no impairment charges relating to intangible assets not subject to amortization were recorded for the fiscal years 2014, 2013, or 2012.

The impairment analysis on the indefinite-lived intangible assets not subject to amortization is very sensitive to the long-term growth rates of the brand. The brands acquired in the Acquired Hostess Bread Assets have been valued based on our expectation of the timing reintroducing the brands. The company is also continually analyzing these brands to determine the expansion markets in which they will be introduced. If the timing of our expansion does not proceed as we currently anticipate, these brands could become impaired.

Self-Insurance Reserves.    We are self-insured for various levels of general liability, auto liability, workers’ compensation, and employee medical and dental coverage. Insurance reserves are calculated on an undiscounted basis and are based on actual claim data and estimates of incurred but not reported claims developed utilizing historical claim trends. Projected settlements and incurred but not reported claims are estimated based on pending claims and historical trends and data. Though the company does not expect them to do so, actual settlements and claims could differ materially from those estimated. Material differences in actual settlements and claims could have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

Income Tax Expense and Accruals.    The annual tax rate is based on our income, statutory tax rates, and tax planning opportunities available to us in the various jurisdictions in which we operate. Changes in statutory rates and tax laws in jurisdictions in which we operate may have a material effect on the annual tax rate. The effect of these changes, if any, would be recognized when the change takes place.

Deferred income taxes arise from temporary differences between the tax and financial statement recognition of revenues and expenses. Our income tax expense, deferred tax assets and liabilities, and reserve for uncertain tax benefits reflect our best assessment of future taxes to be paid in the jurisdictions in which we operate. The company records a valuation allowance to reduce its deferred tax assets if we believe it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred assets will not be realized. While the company considers future taxable income and ongoing prudent and feasible tax strategies in assessing the need for valuation allowance, if these estimates and assumptions change in the future, the company may be required to adjust its valuation allowance, which could result in a charge to, or an increase in, income in the period such determination is made.

Periodically, we face audits from federal and state tax authorities, which can result in challenges regarding the timing and amount of income or deductions. We provide reserves for potential exposures when we consider it more likely than not that a taxing authority may take a sustainable position on a matter contrary to our position. We evaluate these reserves on a quarterly basis to ensure that they have been appropriately adjusted for events, including audit settlements that may impact the ultimate payment of such potential exposures. While the ultimate outcome of audits cannot be predicted with certainty, we do not currently believe that future audits will have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial condition or results of operations. The company is no longer subject to federal examination for years prior to 2011.

Pension Obligations.    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.

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Effective January 1, 2006, the company curtailed its largest defined benefit plan (Plan No. 1) that covered the majority of its workforce. Benefits under this plan are frozen, and no future benefits will accrue under this plan. The company assumed sponsorship of two defined benefit plans as part of the ButterKrust acquisition (2008) and a qualified defined benefit plan as part of the Tasty acquisition (2011); benefits under these plans are frozen, and no future benefits will accrue under these plans. The ButterKrust plans and the Tasty plan were merged into Plan No. 1 effective December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2012, respectively. In addition to Plan No. 1, the company sponsors an ongoing defined benefit pension plan for union employees (Plan No. 2) and a frozen nonqualified plan covering former Tasty executives.

The company recorded pension cost of $5.6 million for fiscal 2014 (inclusive of a $15.4 million settlement charge for lump sums paid in the fourth quarter of 2014). We expect pension income of approximately $6.0 million on our qualified defined benefit plans for fiscal 2015.

In September 2014, the company announced a one-time voluntary lump sum offer to approximately 2,500 former employees in Plan No. 1 and 2 who had not yet started receiving monthly payments of their vested benefits. The offer supports the company’s pension risk management strategy and reduced plan obligations by 10%. Distributions of $50.4 million in lump sums from existing plan assets for Plan 1 and Plan 2 in December 2014 resulted in a settlement charge of $15.4 million for Plan No. 1 only. No settlement charge was required for Plan No. 2 as the distributions were not in excess of service costs and interest costs for fiscal 2014.

The discount rate used by the company reflects rates at which pension benefits could be effectively settled. The company looks to rates of return on high-quality fixed income investments to determine its discount rate. The company uses a cash flow matching technique to select the discount rate. The expected cash flows of each pension plan are matched to a yield curve based on Aa-graded bonds available in the marketplace at the measurement date. A present value is developed, which is then used to develop a single equivalent discount rate.

In developing the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets at each measurement date, the company considers the plan assets’ historical actual returns, targeted asset allocations, and the anticipated future economic environment and long-term performance of individual asset classes, based on the company’s investment strategy. While appropriate consideration is given to recent and historical investment performance, the assumption represents management’s best estimate of the long-term prospective return. Based on these factors, the long-term rate of return assumption for the plans was set at 8.0% for fiscal 2014, as compared with the average annual return on the plans’ assets over the past 15 years of approximately 7.1% (net of expenses). The plan has an average annual rate of return since inception in 1987 of 9.4% (net of expenses). The expected long-term rate of return assumption is based on a target asset allocation of 40-60% equity securities, 10-40% fixed income securities, 0-25% real estate, 0-40% other diversifying strategies (including, absolute return funds, hedged equity funds, and guaranteed insurance contracts), and 0-25% short-term investments and cash. The company regularly reviews such allocations and periodically rebalances the plan assets to the targeted allocation when considered appropriate. Pension costs do not include an explicit expense assumption and the return on assets rate reflects the long-term expected return, net of expenses. For the details of our pension plan assets, see Note 19, Postretirement Plans, of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements of this Form 10-K.

The company utilizes the Society of Actuaries’ (“SOA”) published mortality tables and improvement scales in developing their best estimates of mortality. On October 27, 2014, the SOA published updated mortality tables and an updated improvement scale, both of which reflect longer anticipated lifetimes. Based on an evaluation of these new tables and recent retiree experience, the Company updated the mortality assumptions for purposes of measuring pension benefit obligations at year-end 2014. The base mortality assumption selected is the RP-2014 healthy mortality table with an adjustment of 116% for all participants except for participants in Plan No. 2. For Plan No. 2, the base mortality selected is the RP-2014 healthy mortality table with blue collar adjustment. In addition, the SOA’s mortality improvement projection scale, MP-2014 was selected without modification. The change to the mortality assumption increased the year-end pension benefit obligations by $21 million.

The company determines the fair value of substantially all of its plans’ assets utilizing market quotes rather than developing “smoothed” values, “market related” values, or other modeling techniques. Plan asset gains or losses in a given year are included with other actuarial gains and losses due to remeasurement of the plans’

32

projected benefit obligations (“PBO”). If the total unrecognized gain or loss exceeds 10% of the larger of (i) the PBO or (ii) the market value of plan assets, the excess of the total unrecognized gain or loss is amortized over the expected average future lifetime of participants in the frozen pension plans. The total unrecognized loss as of December 31, 2014 for the pension plans the company sponsors is $144.8 million. The company uses a calendar year end for the measurement date since the plans are based on a calendar year and because it approximates the company’s fiscal year end. Amortization of this unrecognized loss during fiscal 2015 is expected to be approximately $5.0 million. To the extent that this unrecognized loss is subsequently recognized, the loss will increase the company’s pension costs in the future.

A sensitivity analysis of fiscal 2014 pension costs on a pre-tax basis and year-end benefit obligations for our qualified plans is presented in the table below (amounts in thousands) to changes in the discount rate and expected long-term rate of return on plan assets (“EROA”):

Percentage increase (decrease)	0.25% Discount Rate			(0.25%) Discount Rate		0.25% EROA			(0.25%) EROA
Estimated change in FY 2014 pension costs	$	(142	)	$	132	$	(1,057	)	$	1,057
Estimated change in FY 2014 year-end benefit obligations	$	(13,514	)	$	14,219		N/A			N/A

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 these compensation costs net of an estimated forfeiture rate, and recognizes compensation cost 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.

Employee grants issued before fiscal 2012 included non-qualified stock options (“NQSOs”) and performance-contingent stock awards (“PSAs”). The NQSOs were valued using a Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The inputs for the model include an expected life, risk-free rate, expected volatility, and dividend yield. The PSAs incorporated a market and performance condition component. However, because of the market condition the expense amount would only change if we determined the performance condition was triggered. The performance condition was always satisfied and adjustments were never made. The market condition was dependent on certain market benchmarks but the expense for these awards never changed.

In fiscal 2012, 2013, and 2014, we granted PSAs that separately have a market and performance condition. The expense computed for the total shareholder return shares (“TSR”) is fixed and recognized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. The expense computed for the return on invested capital (“ROIC”) shares can change depending on the attainment of performance condition goals. The expense for the ROIC shares can be within a range of 0% to 125% of the target. There is a possibility that this expense component will change in subsequent quarters depending on how the company performs relative to the ROIC target.

Our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) received a time-based restricted stock award of approximately $1.3 million in 2013, which will vest 100% on the fourth anniversary of the date of grant provided the CEO remains employed by the company during this time. This award is being expensed on a straight line basis over the four year vesting period.

Results of Operations

Matters Affecting Analysis

Reporting Periods.    The company operates on a 52-53 week fiscal year ending the Saturday nearest December 31. Fiscal 2014 consisted of 53 weeks. Fiscal 2013 and 2012 consisted of 52 weeks.

Revision of Prior Period Sales, Impairment of Assets, and the Pension Risk Mitigation Plan.    Refer to the “Overview” section above for a description of each of these items. Acquisitions are described below.

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Modesto, California acquisition (2013)

On July 27, 2013, the company completed the acquisition of certain assets related to a bun line in Modesto, California that now serves the California market for a total cash payment of $10.3 million. This acquisition is included in our DSD Segment and the total goodwill for this acquisition was $4.2 million.

Hostess specified assets acquisition (2013)

On July 19, 2013, the company completed the Acquired Hostess Assets acquisition for a total cash payment of $355.3 million For fiscal 2013, we incurred carrying costs of $10.6 million related to these acquired facilities, such as workforce-related costs, property taxes, utilities, and depreciation, and these costs were primarily included in the materials, supplies, labor, and other production costs (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately) line item in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. We did not begin introducing the brands associated with the Acquired Hostess Bread Assets to the marketplace until near the end of the third quarter on September 23, 2013. The re-introduction of the brands continued in fiscal 2014 and will continue in fiscal 2015.

Sara Lee California acquisition (2013)

On February 23, 2013, the company completed its acquisition of certain assets and trademark licenses from BBU, Inc., a subsidiary of Grupo Bimbo, SAB de CV (“BBU”), for a total cash payment of $50.0 million. The company acquired from BBU in the acquisition (1) perpetual, exclusive, and royalty-free licenses to the Sara Lee and Earthgrains brands for sliced breads, buns, and rolls in the state of California and (2) a closed bakery in Stockton, California. In addition, we received a perpetual, exclusive, and royalty-free license to the Earthgrains brand for a broad range of fresh bakery products in the Oklahoma City, Oklahoma market area. We financed this acquisition with cash on hand and debt. We believe the California acquisition resulted in a bargain purchase because the Department of Justice (the “DOJ”) required BBU to divest these assets, which resulted in a more favorable price to us than would have normally resulted from a typical arms-length negotiation. Accordingly, the fair value of the assets acquired exceeded the consideration paid by approximately $50.1 million after tax. The company agreed to a $10.0 million escrow holdback provision as a part of the Sara Lee California acquisition of which the company received $7.5 million during the first quarter of fiscal 2014. The escrow holdback is described in more detail in Note 8, Acquisitions, of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements of this Form 10-K.

Lepage acquisition (2012)

In July 2012, we completed the acquisition of Lepage Bakeries and certain of its affiliated companies (“Lepage”), a strong regional baker that serves New England and New York. Lepage operates two bakeries in Maine and one in Vermont with fresh breads, buns, rolls, croissants, English muffins, and donuts. The acquisition extends Flowers Foods’ reach into New England and brings new brands (Country Kitchen and Barowsky’s), products, and customers to strengthen our DSD Segment. This acquisition provides a DSD platform to accelerate penetration of Nature’s Own and Tastykake brands in the Northeast.

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The company’s results of operations, expressed as a percentage of sales, are set forth below for fiscal 2014 and 2013 (by segment):

							Percentage of Sales				Increase (Decrease)
	Fiscal 2014			Fiscal 2013			Fiscal 2014		Fiscal 2013		Dollars			%
	(Amounts in thousands)										(Amounts in thousands)
Sales
DSD Segment	$	3,155,607		$	3,080,255			84.2		82.5	$	75,352			2.4
Warehouse Segment		593,366			652,361			15.8		17.5		(58,995	)		(9.0	)
Total	$	3,748,973		$	3,732,616			100.0		100.0	$	16,357			0.4
Materials, supplies, labor and other production costs (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)
DSD Segment(1)	$	1,515,536		$	1,482,765			48.0		48.1	$	32,771			2.2
Warehouse Segment(1)		435,097			489,456			73.3		75.0		(54,359	)		(11.1	)
Total	$	1,950,633		$	1,972,221			52.0		52.8	$	(21,588	)		(1.1	)
Selling, distribution and administrative expenses
DSD Segment(1)	$	1,231,651		$	1,198,106			39.0		38.9	$	33,545			2.8
Warehouse Segment(1)		91,652			95,488			15.4		14.6		(3,836	)		(4.0	)
Corporate(2)		44,986			63,148			—		—		(18,162	)		(28.8	)
Total	$	1,368,289		$	1,356,742			36.5		36.3	$	11,547			0.9
Depreciation and amortization
DSD Segment(1)	$	113,881		$	102,341			3.6		3.3	$	11,540			11.3
Warehouse Segment(1)		15,166			15,483			2.6		2.4		(317	)		(2.0	)
Corporate(2)		(86	)		667			—		—		(753	)		NM
Total	$	128,961		$	118,491			3.4		3.2	$	10,470			8.8
Pension Plan Settlement Loss
DSD Segment(1)	$	—		$	—			—		—	$	—			—
Warehouse Segment(1)		—			—			—		—		—			—
Corporate(2)		15,387			—			—		—		15,387			NM
Total	$	15,387		$	—			0.4		—	$	15,387			NM
Impairment of Assets
DSD Segment(1)	$	10,308		$	—			0.3		—	$	10,308			NM
Warehouse Segment(1)		—			—			—		—		—			—
Corporate(2)		—			—			—		—		—			—
Total	$	10,308		$	—			0.3		—	$	10,308			NM
Gain on acquisition
DSD Segment(1)	$	—		$	50,071			—		1.6	$	(50,071	)		NM
Warehouse Segment(1)		—			—			—		—		—			—
Corporate(2)		—			—			—		—		—			—
Total	$	—		$	50,071			—		1.3	$	(50,071	)		NM
Income from operations
DSD Segment(1)	$	284,231		$	347,114			9.0		11.3	$	(62,883	)		(18.1	)
Warehouse Segment(1)		51,451			51,934			8.7		8.0		(483	)		(0.9	)
Corporate(2)		(60,287	)		(63,815	)		—		—		3,528			5.5
Total	$	275,395		$	335,233			7.3		9.0	$	(59,838	)		(17.8	)
Interest expense, net	$	7,341		$	12,860			0.2		0.3	$	(5,519	)		(42.9	)
Income taxes	$	92,315		$	91,479			2.5		2.5	$	836			0.9
Net income	$	175,739		$	230,894			4.7		6.2	$	(55,155	)		(23.9	)

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1. As a percentage of revenue within the reporting segment.

2. The corporate segment has no revenues.

NM – the computation is not meaningful

The company’s results of operations, expressed as a percentage of sales, are set forth below for fiscal 2013 and 2012 (by segment):

							Percentage of Sales				Increase (Decrease)
	Fiscal 2013			Fiscal 2012			Fiscal 2013		Fiscal 2012		Dollars			%
	(Amounts in thousands)										(Amounts in thousands)
Sales
DSD Segment	$	3,080,255		$	2,494,927			82.5		82.3	$	585,328			23.5
Warehouse Segment		652,361			536,197			17.5		17.7		116,164			21.7
Total	$	3,732,616		$	3,031,124			100.0		100.0	$	701,492			23.1
Materials, supplies, labor and other production costs (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)
DSD Segment(1)	$	1,482,765		$	1,217,896			48.1		48.8	$	264,869			21.7
Warehouse Segment(1)		489,456			399,914			75.0		74.6		89,542			22.4
Total	$	1,972,221		$	1,617,810			52.8		53.4	$	354,411			21.9
Selling, distribution and administrative expenses
DSD Segment(1)	$	1,198,106		$	960,221			38.9		38.5	$	237,885			24.8
Warehouse Segment(1)		95,488			81,110			14.6		15.1		14,378			17.7
Corporate(2)		63,148			50,782			—		—		12,366			24.4
Total	$	1,356,742		$	1,092,113			36.3		36.0	$	264,629			24.2
Depreciation and amortization
DSD Segment(1)	$	102,341		$	85,725			3.3		3.4	$	16,616			19.4
Warehouse Segment(1)		15,483			16,832			2.4		3.1		(1,349	)		(8.0	)
Corporate(2)		667			133			—		—		534			NM
Total	$	118,491		$	102,690			3.2		3.4	$	15,801			15.4
Gain on acquisition
DSD Segment(1)	$	50,071		$	—			1.6		—	$	50,071			NM
Warehouse Segment(1)		—			—			—		—		—			—
Corporate(2)		—			—			—		—		—			—
Total	$	50,071		$	—			1.3		—	$	50,071			NM
Income from operations
DSD Segment(1)	$	347,114		$	231,087			11.3		9.3	$	116,027			50.2
Warehouse Segment(1)		51,934			38,339			8.0		7.2		13,595			35.5
Corporate(2)		(63,815	)		(50,915	)		—		—		(12,900	)		(25.3	)
Total	$	335,233		$	218,511			9.0		7.2	$	116,722			53.4
Interest expense, net	$	12,860		$	9,739			0.3		0.3	$	3,121			32.0
Income taxes	$	91,479		$	72,651			2.5		2.4	$	18,828			25.9
Net income	$	230,894		$	136,121			6.2		4.5	$	94,773			69.6

1. As a percentage of revenue within the reporting segment.

2. The corporate segment has no revenues.

NM – the computation is not meaningful

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Fiscal 2014 compared to Fiscal 2013

Consolidated Sales

	Fiscal 2014					Fiscal 2013
	53 weeks					52 weeks					% Increase (Decrease)
	$		%			$		%
	(Amounts in thousands)					(Amounts in thousands)
Branded Retail	$	2,102,131		56.1	%	$	2,038,726		54.6	%		3.1	%
Store Branded Retail		610,899		16.3			645,858		17.3			(5.4	)%
Non-retail and Other		1,035,943		27.6			1,048,032		28.1			(1.2	)%
Total	$	3,748,973		100.0	%	$	3,732,616		100.0	%		0.4	%

The 0.4% increase in sales was attributable to the following:

Percentage Point Change in Sales Attributed to:	Favorable (Unfavorable)
Pricing/Mix		1.1	%
Volume		(2.8	)%
Acquisition (Sara Lee California until cycled)		0.4	%
Week 53		1.7	%
Total Percentage Change in Sales		0.4	%

Sales category discussion

Overall, sales increased due to the additional week in fiscal 2014 which affected all categories, as well as favorable pricing/mix due to a shift from lower margin cake items and store branded bread, buns, and rolls to higher margin branded bread, buns and rolls, and the Sara Lee California acquisition contribution. These increases were partially offset by volume declines in our cake business, store branded breads, buns and rolls and foodservice business, and increased promotional activity. The re-introduction of the Hostess cake brands by a competitor negatively impacted our cake sales and certain store branded and foodservice business was exited during the fiscal year. The increase in branded retail sales was due primarily to volume increases from the re-introduction of the brands we acquired as part of the Acquired Hostess Bread Assets, growth in our expansion markets and the Sara Lee California acquisition, partially offset by significant volume declines in branded cake. The decrease in store branded retail sales was due primarily to volume decreases in branded cake and certain exited business. The decrease in non-retail and other sales, which include contract manufacturing, vending and foodservice, was largely due to volume decreases in foodservice, institutional and vending sales, partially offset by positive pricing/mix. Sales from the Acquired Hostess Bread Assets are not included in the acquisition contribution because Hostess filed for bankruptcy and ceased operations in November 2012. As a result, there were no sales from the Acquired Hostess Bread Asset brands between November 2012 and our reintroduction of the Acquired Hostess Bread Asset brands in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013.

DSD Segment Sales

	Fiscal 2014					Fiscal 2013
	53 weeks					52 weeks					% Increase (Decrease)
	$		%			$		%
	(Amounts in thousands)					(Amounts in thousands)
Branded Retail	$	1,971,931		62.5	%	$	1,898,016		61.6	%		3.9	%
Store Branded Retail		486,845		15.4			504,707		16.4			(3.5	)%
Non-retail and Other		696,831		22.1			677,532		22.0			2.8	%
Total	$	3,155,607		100.0	%	$	3,080,255		100.0	%		2.4	%

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The 2.4% increase in sales was attributable to the following:

Percentage Point Change in Sales Attributed to:	Favorable
Pricing/Mix		0.2	%
Volume		—	%
Acquisition (Sara Lee California until cycled)		0.5	%
Week 53		1.7	%
Total Percentage Change in Sales		2.4	%

Sales category discussion

Sales increased due to the additional week in fiscal 2014 which impacted all categories, as well as volume increases resulting from the re-introduction of the Acquired Hostess Bread Assets, growth in our expansion markets and to a lesser extent, the Sara Lee California acquisition. Declines in cake volumes and store branded products partially offset these increases. The re-introduction of the Hostess cake brands by a competitor negatively impacted our sales. We also experienced declines in certain store branded business. The increase in branded retail sales was due primarily to volume increases and the Sara Lee California acquisition, partially offset by declines in branded cake and pricing/mix. We continue to experience heavy promotional activity within the category. The decrease in store branded retail was mainly due to volume declines related to certain exited business. The increase in non-retail and other sales was due to positive pricing/mix, partially offset by volume decreases in institutional sales.

Warehouse Segment Sales

	Fiscal 2014					Fiscal 2013
	53 weeks					52 weeks					% Increase (Decrease)
	$		%			$		%
	(Amounts in thousands)					(Amounts in thousands)
Branded Retail	$	130,200		21.9	%	$	140,710		21.6	%		(7.5	)%
Store Branded Retail		124,054		20.9			141,151		21.6			(12.1	)%
Non-retail and Other		339,112		57.2			370,500		56.8			(8.5	)%
Total	$	593,366		100.0	%	$	652,361		100.0	%		(9.0	)%

The 9.0% decrease in sales was attributable to the following:

Percentage Point Change in Sales Attributed to:	Favorable (Unfavorable)
Pricing/Mix		(0.1	)%
Volume		(10.4	)%
Week 53 Contribution		1.5	%
Total Percentage Change in Sales		(9.0	)%

Sales category discussion

Volume declined in all categories due to decreases in our cake business associated with the re-introduction of the Hostess cake brands by a competitor in the second half of fiscal 2013 as well as declines in our foodservice business, partially offset by the additional week in fiscal 2014 which affected all categories. Branded and store branded retail decreased due to significant volume declines in cake, partially offset by positive pricing/mix. The decrease in non-retail and other sales, which include contract manufacturing, vending and foodservice (including tortillas), was due primarily to certain exited foodservice business and to a lesser extent lower vending and contract manufacturing volume.

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Materials, Supplies, Labor, and Other Production Costs (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately).    The table below presents the significant components of materials, supplies, labor, and other production costs (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately):

Line item component	FY 2014 % of sales			FY 2013 % of sales			Increase (Decrease) as a % of sales
Ingredients		25.9	%		26.9	%		(1.0	)%
Workforce-related costs		13.7			13.1			0.6
Packaging		4.6			4.5			0.1
Utilities		1.7			1.5			0.2
Other		6.1			6.8			(0.7	)
Total		52.0	%		52.8	%		(0.8	)%

Overall, the decrease was attributable to lower ingredient costs as a percent of sales and improved manufacturing efficiencies, partially offset by the carrying costs, excluding depreciation, associated with the acquired Hostess facilities increasing $5.4 million and higher workforce-related costs. Ingredient costs decreased as a percent of sales largely due to lower prices for sweeteners, oils and flour, partially offset by higher gluten costs and decreases in outside purchases of product (sales with no associated ingredient costs). This outside purchased product is included in the other line item above and largely relates to purchases from BBU in the prior year for the Sara Lee product. Increases in workforce-related costs as a percent of sales primarily resulted from lower sales for the Warehouse Segment and decreases in outside purchases of product (sales with no associated workforce-related costs).

Commodities, such as our baking ingredients, periodically experience price fluctuations. The cost of these inputs may fluctuate widely due to government policy and regulation, weather conditions, domestic and international demand, or other unforeseen circumstances. We enter into forward purchase agreements and other derivative financial instruments in an effort to manage the impact of such volatility in raw material prices. Any decrease in the availability of these agreements and instruments could increase the effective price of these raw materials to us and significantly affect our earnings.

The table below presents the significant components of materials, supplies, labor, and other production costs for the DSD Segment (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately):

Line item component	FY 2014 % of sales			FY 2013 % of sales			Increase (Decrease) as a % of sales
Ingredients		23.4	%		24.2	%		(0.8	)%
Workforce-related costs		12.0			11.6			0.4
Packaging		3.4			3.4			—
Utilities		1.6			1.5			0.1
Other		7.6			7.4			0.2
Total		48.0	%		48.1	%		(0.1	)%

The DSD Segment’s decrease in ingredient costs as a percent of sales was attributable to lower pricing on sweeteners, oils and flour, partially offset by decreases in sales of outside purchased products (sales with no associated ingredient costs) and higher gluten prices. Workforce-related costs increased as a percent of sales primarily due to decreased outside purchased product (sales with no associated workforce-related costs). This outside purchased product is included in the other line item above and largely relates to purchases from BBU in the prior year for the Sara Lee product. The increase in the other line item is due to decreases in sales of product to and increases in purchases from the Warehouse Segment and increases in other carrying costs associated with the acquired Hostess facilities, mostly offset by decreases in outside purchases of product.

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The table below presents the significant components of materials, supplies, labor and other production costs for the Warehouse Segment (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately):

Line item component	FY 2014 % of sales			FY 2013 % of sales			Increase (Decrease) as a % of sales
Ingredients		39.0	%		39.6	%		(0.6	)%
Workforce-related costs		22.8			20.4			2.4
Packaging		11.0			9.9			1.1
Utilities		1.9			1.7			0.2
Other		(1.4	)		3.4			(4.8	)
Total		73.3	%		75.0	%		(1.7	)%

The Warehouse Segment’s decrease in ingredient costs as a percent of sales was primarily attributed to lower ingredient pricing, partially offset by increased sales to the DSD Segment (ingredient costs with no associated sales). The decreases in sales volume and increased sales to the DSD Segment increased workforce-related costs as a percent of sales (workforce-related costs with no associated sales). The increase in packaging was due primarily to price increases and increased sales to the DSD Segment (packaging costs with no associated sales). The decrease in the other line item is primarily due to decreased purchases of product from the DSD Segment and, to a lesser extent, increased sales of product to the DSD Segment.

Selling, Distribution and Administrative Expenses. The table below presents the significant components of selling, distribution and administrative expenses as a percent of sales:

Line item component	FY 2014 % of sales			FY 2013 % of sales			Increase (Decrease) as a % of sales
Workforce-related costs		17.4	%		17.7	%		(0.3	)%
Distributor distribution fees		13.4			12.3			1.1
Other		5.7			6.3			(0.6	)
Total		36.5	%		36.3	%		0.2	%

The distributor distribution fees increased due to converting the DSD Segment’s Lepage and California territories to independent distributors, as well as the DSD Segment comprising a larger percentage of consolidated sales. Workforce-related costs decreased due to the conversion to independent distributors, partially offset by costs associated with the Lepage integration and lower sales for the Warehouse Segment. Prior year acquisition-related costs of $17.8 million caused the majority of the decline in the other line item component.

The table below presents the significant components of our DSD Segment selling, distribution and administrative expenses as a percent of sales:

Line item component	FY 2014 % of sales			FY 2013 % of sales			Increase (Decrease) as a % of sales
Workforce-related costs		17.5	%		18.2	%		(0.7	)%
Distributor distribution fees		15.9			14.9			1.0
Other		5.6			5.8			(0.2	)
Total		39.0	%		38.9	%		0.1	%

The decrease in workforce-related costs was attributable to the conversion to independent distributors discussed above which corresponds to the increase in distributor distribution fees. These decreases were partially offset by higher costs associated with the Lepage integration. The decrease in the other line item is mainly attributable to lower marketing costs in the current year as compared to the prior year.

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The table below presents the significant components of our Warehouse Segment selling, distribution and administrative expenses as a percent of sales:

Line item component	FY 2014 % of sales			FY 2013 % of sales			Increase (Decrease) as a % of sales
Workforce-related costs		7.7	%		7.4	%		0.3	%
Freezer/storage rent		2.0			1.8			0.2
Distribution costs		0.8			0.8			—
Other		4.9			4.6			0.3
Total		15.4	%		14.6	%		0.8	%

The overall increase in selling, distribution and administrative expenses was primarily driven by significantly lower sales which spread the costs over a smaller sales base.

Depreciation and Amortization.    Depreciation and amortization expense increased in dollars and as a percent of sales due primarily to the Acquired Hostess Bread Assets, the Henderson, Nevada bakery placed into operation, the acquisition of certain assets related to a bun line in Modesto, California and their bread line added earlier this year, and certain capital leases entered into during the year.

The DSD Segment’s depreciation and amortization expense increased in dollars and as a percent of sales primarily due to the Acquired Hostess Bread Assets, the acquisition of certain assets related to a bun line in Modesto, California and their bread line added earlier this year, and certain capital leases entered into during the year.

The Warehouse Segment’s depreciation and amortization expense increase as a percent of sales was the result of significantly lower sales in the current year as compared to the prior year.

Pension Plan Settlement Loss.    We recorded a settlement charge of $15.4 million during the fourth quarter of our fiscal 2014 related to our pension risk mitigation plan. Refer to the Pension Risk Mitigation Plan discussion in the “Overview” section above for additional details.

Impairment of Assets.    We recorded impairments of assets of $10.3 million during fiscal 2014. Refer to the Impairment of Assets discussion in the “Overview” section above for additional details.

Income from Operations.    The table below summarizes the change in operating income by segment as a percent of sales:

Operating income (loss)	Favorable (Unfavorable) Percentage
DSD Segment		(18.1	)%
Warehouse Segment		(0.9	)
Unallocated corporate		5.5
Consolidated		(17.8	)%

The unfavorable decrease in the DSD Segment income from operations was largely attributable to the gain on acquisition recorded for the Sara Lee California acquisition in fiscal 2013 as discussed above. The gain on acquisition accounted for 13.8% of the DSD Segment decrease in operating income. Excluding the gain on acquisition, the decrease was 4.3% which was driven by the impairment of assets discussed in the “Overview” section above, higher costs for the acquired Hostess facilities, and the Lepage integration costs, partially offset by lower ingredient costs. The unfavorable decrease in the Warehouse Segment income from operations was primarily due to sales decreases which were driven by volume declines as discussed above, partially offset by lower ingredient costs. The favorable decrease in unallocated corporate expenses was primarily due to the prior year acquisition costs associated with the Acquired Hostess Assets and the Sara Lee California acquisition in fiscal 2013 and higher pension income in fiscal 2014 as compared to the prior year, partially offset by the pension plan settlement loss discussed in the “Overview” above.

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Net Interest Expense.    The decrease resulted from higher interest income in fiscal 2014 due to an increase in distributor notes receivables outstanding during the current year.

Income Taxes.    The effective tax rate for fiscal 2014 and fiscal 2013 was 34.4% and 28.4%, respectively. The fiscal 2013 rate was driven by the gain on acquisition, which was recorded net of deferred taxes as a component of income before income taxes. The fiscal 2013 gain was treated as a permanent item in the tax provision, and favorably impacted the rate by approximately 5.2%. The other significant differences in the effective rate and the statutory rate are additions for state income taxes, offset by reductions for the Section 199 qualifying production activities deduction, and discrete tax benefits.

Fiscal 2013 compared to Fiscal 2012

Consolidated Sales

	Fiscal 2013					Fiscal 2012
	52 weeks					52 weeks					% Increase
	$		%			$		%
	(Amounts in thousands)					(Amounts in thousands)
Branded Retail	$	2,038,726		54.6	%	$	1,583,887		52.2	%		28.7	%
Store Branded Retail		645,858		17.3			544,479		18.0			18.6	%
Non-retail and Other		1,048,032		28.1			902,758		29.8			16.1	%
Total	$	3,732,616		100.0	%	$	3,031,124		100.0	%		23.1	%

The 23.1% increase in sales was attributable to the following:

Percentage Point Change in Sales Attributed to:	Favorable
Pricing/Mix		0.1	%
Volume		16.8	%
Acquisitions (Sara Lee California and Lepage until cycled)		6.2	%
Total Percentage Change in Sales		23.1	%

Sales category discussion

Overall, sales increased due to significant volume increases, primarily associated with the Hostess liquidation, and the Lepage and Sara Lee California acquisitions. The increase in branded retail sales was due primarily to significant volume increases and the Lepage and Sara Lee California acquisitions. Significant increases in branded soft variety, snack cake, and white bread drove the increase and were primarily attributable to volume growth. The increase in store branded retail sales was due primarily to large volume increases and the Lepage acquisition contribution. Increases in the white bread, buns and rolls, and variety bread categories primarily drove these volume increases. The increase in non-retail and other sales was due to volume increases, largely foodservice and vending, and, to a lesser extent, the Lepage acquisition contribution, partially offset by price/mix declines. Sales from the Acquired Hostess Bread Assets are not included in the acquisition contribution.

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DSD Segment Sales

	Fiscal 2013					Fiscal 2012
	52 weeks					52 weeks					% Increase
	$		%			$		%
	(Amounts in thousands)					(Amounts in thousands)
Branded Retail	$	1,898,016		61.6	%	$	1,480,048		59.3	%		28.2	%
Store Branded Retail		504,707		16.4			426,580		17.1			18.3	%
Non-retail and Other		677,532		22.0			588,299		23.6			15.2	%
Total	$	3,080,255		100.0	%	$	2,494,927		100.0	%		23.5	%

The 23.5% increase in sales was attributable to the following:

Percentage Point Change in Sales Attributed to:	Favorable
Pricing/Mix		2.6	%
Volume		13.4	%
Acquisitions (Sara Lee California and Lepage until cycled)		7.5	%
Total Percentage Change in Sales		23.5	%

Sales category discussion

Overall, sales increased due to significant volume increases, primarily associated with the Hostess liquidation, and the Lepage and Sara Lee California acquisitions. The increase in branded retail sales was due primarily to significant volume increases and the Lepage and Sara Lee California acquisitions. Increases in brand soft variety, brand white bread, and brand cake contributed the most growth and were attributable mainly to volume increases. The increase in store branded retail sales was due to volume increases and the Lepage acquisition. Increases in the white bread and buns and rolls categories primarily drove the volume increase. These increases were partially offset by certain store branded snack cake items that are now sold through our Warehouse Segment. This operational change negatively affected DSD Segment sales by approximately 1%. The increase in non-retail and other sales was due to volume increases and, to a lesser extent, the Lepage acquisition. Sales from the Acquired Hostess Bread Assets are not included in the acquisition contribution.

Warehouse Segment Sales

	Fiscal 2013					Fiscal 2012
	52 weeks					52 weeks					% Increase
	$		%			$		%
	(Amounts in thousands)					(Amounts in thousands)
Branded Retail	$	140,710		21.6	%	$	103,839		19.4	%		35.5	%
Store Branded Retail		141,151		21.6			117,899		22.0			19.7	%
Non-retail and Other		370,500		56.8			314,459		58.6			17.8	%
Total	$	652,361		100.0	%	$	536,197		100.0	%		21.7	%

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The 21.7% increase in sales was attributable to the following:

Percentage Point Change in Sales Attributed to:	Favorable (Unfavorable)
Pricing/Mix		(7.2	)%
Volume		28.9	%
Total Percentage Change in Sales		21.7	%

Sales category discussion

The overall increase in sales was driven by significant volume increases, primarily associated with the Hostess liquidation, partially offset by price/mix decreases in foodservice. The increase in branded retail sales was primarily the result of significant increases in branded snack cake volume, partially offset by unfavorable price/mix. The increase in store branded retail sales was due to volume and price/mix increases. These increases were a result of approximately $27.2 million of store branded snack cake that were previously sold through our DSD Segment as discussed above. This operational change positively impacted Warehouse Segment sales by approximately 5%, increasing volume, but negatively impacting pricing/mix overall. The increase in non-retail and other sales, which include contract manufacturing, vending and foodservice was due to volume increases in vending and foodservice, partially offset by price/mix decreases in foodservice.

Materials, Supplies, Labor and Other Production Costs (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately).    The table below presents the significant components of materials, supplies, labor and other production costs (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately):

Line item component	FY 2013 % of sales			FY 2012 % of sales			Increase (Decrease) as a % of sales
Ingredients		26.9	%		27.7	%		(0.8	)%
Workforce-related costs		13.1			13.9			(0.8	)
Packaging		4.5			4.8			(0.3	)
Utilities		1.5			1.7			(0.2	)
Other		6.8			5.3			1.5
Total		52.8	%		53.4	%		(0.6	)%

The overall decrease was attributed to significant volume increases, partially offset by higher ingredient prices, increased outside purchases of product, carrying costs associated with the Acquired Hostess Bread Asset’s facilities, and decreased manufacturing efficiencies. Although ingredient prices rose, ingredient costs decreased as a percent of sales primarily due to increases in outside purchases of product (sales with no associated ingredient costs). The cost of these outside purchases is included in the other line item component. Workforce-related costs decreased as a percent of sales due to significant volume increases and higher sales of outside purchased products (sales with no associated workforce-related costs). Packaging decreased as a percent of sales mainly due to increases in outside purchases of product (sales with no associated packaging costs).

Commodities, such as our baking ingredients, periodically experience price fluctuations, and, for that reason, we continually monitor the market for these commodities. The commodities market continues to be volatile. Commodity prices increased in the second half of 2010. Since this time commodity prices have been very volatile. The cost of these inputs may fluctuate widely due to government policy and regulation, weather conditions, domestic and international demand, or other unforeseen circumstances. We enter into forward purchase agreements and other derivative financial instruments qualifying for hedge accounting to manage the impact of such volatility in raw materials prices. Any decrease in the availability of these agreements and instruments could increase the price of these raw materials and significantly affect our earnings.

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The table below presents the significant components of materials, supplies, labor and other production costs for the DSD Segment (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately):

Line item component	FY 2013 % of sales			FY 2012 % of sales			Increase (Decrease) as a % of sales
Ingredients		24.2	%		24.6	%		(0.4	)%
Workforce-related costs		11.6			12.1			(0.5	)
Packaging		3.4			3.6			(0.2	)
Utilities		1.5			1.6			(0.1	)
Other		7.4			6.9			0.5
Total		48.1	%		48.8	%		(0.7	)%

The overall DSD Segment improvement was due primarily to significant volume increases partially offset by increased outside purchases of product, carrying costs associated with the Acquired Hostess Bread Assets’ facilities, and decreased manufacturing efficiencies. The cost of the outside purchases is included in the other line item component. Increases in ingredient prices, primarily flour, were more than offset by increases in outside purchases of product (sales with no associated ingredient costs). Workforce-related costs decreased as a percent of sales due to significant volume increases and higher sales from outside purchased products (sales with no associated workforce-related costs).

The table below presents the significant components of materials, supplies, labor and other production costs for the Warehouse Segment (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately):

Line item component	FY 2013 % of sales			FY 2012 % of sales			Increase (Decrease) as a % of sales
Ingredients		39.6	%		42.0	%		(2.4	)%
Workforce-related costs		20.4			22.3			(1.9	)
Packaging		9.9			10.6			(0.7	)
Utilities		1.7			2.0			(0.3	)
Other		3.4			(2.3	)		5.7
Total		75.0	%		74.6	%		0.4	%

The Warehouse Segment decrease in ingredient and packaging costs as a percent of sales was from the sales transferred from our DSD Segment described above (sales with no associated ingredient or packaging costs). The effect of this transfer was a 220 basis point benefit to ingredient and packaging costs as a percent of sales. Excluding the effect of this sales transfer, the decrease in ingredients was primarily attributed to increases in outside purchases of product (sales with no associated ingredient costs) that are included in the other line item component in the above table. Although ingredient costs declined as a percent of sales, ingredient pricing increased. Significant increases in volume and the increase in sales of outside purchased product reduced workforce-related costs as a percent of sales (sales with no associated workforce-related costs). The increase in other costs was due primarily to increased outside purchases and the sales transfer from the DSD Segment to the Warehouse Segment discussed above.

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Selling, Distribution and Administrative Expenses.    The table below presents the significant components of selling, distribution and administrative expenses as a percent of sales:

Line item component	FY 2013 % of sales			FY 2012 % of sales			Increase (Decrease) as a % of sales
Workforce-related costs		17.7	%		17.3	%		0.4	%
Distributor distribution fees		12.3			12.7			(0.4	)
Other		6.3			6.0			0.3
Total		36.3	%		36.0	%		0.3	%

The increase in workforce-related costs was primarily attributable to the Lepage and Sara Lee California acquisitions as they generally did not use independent distributors to deliver product for the majority of 2013. We transitioned the Sara Lee California and are transitioning the Lepage operations to the independent distributor model which will, over time, decrease the workforce-related costs and increase the distributor distribution fees. Acquisition-related costs were $17.8 million for fiscal 2013 compared to $9.6 million for fiscal 2012. These costs are included in the other line item component and were primarily for costs associated with the Sara Lee California acquisition and the acquisition of the Acquired Hostess Bread Assets, partially offset by costs incurred for the Lepage acquisition in the prior year.

The table below presents the significant components of our DSD Segment selling, distribution and administrative expenses as a percent of sales:

Line item component	FY 2013 % of sales			FY 2012 % of sales			Increase (Decrease) as a % of sales
Workforce-related costs		18.2	%		17.5	%		0.7	%
Distributor distribution fees		14.9			15.5			(0.6	)
Other		5.8			5.5			0.3
Total		38.9	%		38.5	%		0.4	%

The increase in workforce-related costs was primarily attributable to the Lepage and Sara Lee California acquisitions as they generally did not use independent distributors to deliver product for the majority of 2013. We transitioned the Sara Lee California and are transitioning the Lepage operations to the independent distributor model which will, over time, decrease the workforce-related costs and increase the distributor distribution fees. We incurred higher marketing expenses as a percent of sales for the Hostess Bread Brands reintroduction, new markets, and Tastykake and these costs are included in the other line item.

The table below presents the significant components of our Warehouse Segment selling, distribution and administrative expenses as a percent of sales:

Line item component	FY 2013 % of sales			FY 2012 % of sales			Increase (Decrease) as a % of sales
Workforce-related costs		7.4	%		7.3	%		0.1	%
Freezer/storage rent		1.8			1.8			—
Distribution costs		0.8			1.1			(0.3	)
Other		4.6			4.9			(0.3	)
Total		14.6	%		15.1	%		(0.5	)%

The Warehouse Segment selling, distribution and administrative expenses decreased as a percent of sales primarily due to decreases in distribution costs. These costs were lower because of higher sales volume which spread costs over a larger base.

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Depreciation and Amortization.    Depreciation and amortization expense increased due primarily to the Lepage and Sara Lee California acquisitions, the Acquired Hostess Assets as well as other property, plant and equipment being placed in service.

The DSD Segment’s depreciation and amortization expense increased primarily due to the Lepage acquisition, the Acquired Hostess Bread Assets as well as other property, plant and equipment being placed in service.

The Warehouse Segment depreciation and amortization expense decrease was the result of assets fully depreciated at the beginning of the year that did not impact the current year.

Gain on acquisition.    On February 23, 2013, the company completed its acquisition of certain assets and trademark licenses from BBU for a cash purchase price of $50.0 million. The company acquired from BBU in the acquisition: (1) perpetual, exclusive, and royalty-free licenses to the Sara Lee and Earthgrains brands for sliced breads, buns, and rolls in the state of California and (2) a closed bakery in Stockton, California. In addition, we received a perpetual, exclusive, and royalty-free license to the Earthgrains brand for a broad range of fresh bakery products in the Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, market area. The Oklahoma license purchase was completed during fiscal 2012 for an immaterial cost. We financed this transaction with cash on hand and available borrowings. We believe the California acquisition resulted in a bargain purchase because the DOJ required BBU to divest these assets, which resulted in a more favorable price to us than may have resulted from a typical arms-length negotiation. Accordingly, the fair value of the assets acquired exceeded the consideration paid by approximately $50.1 million after tax.

Income from operations.    The table below summarizes the change in operating income by segment as a percent of sales:

Operating income (loss)	Favorable (Unfavorable) Percentage
DSD Segment		50.2	%
Warehouse Segment		35.5
Unallocated corporate		(25.3	)
Consolidated		53.4	%

The increase in the DSD Segment income from operations was largely attributable to the gain on acquisition recorded for the Sara Lee California acquisition as discussed above. The gain on acquisition accounted for 21.7% of the DSD Segment increase in operating income. Excluding the gain on acquisition, the increase was 28.5% which was driven by significantly higher sales volumes and the Lepage acquisition, partially offset by the carrying costs associated with the Acquired Hostess Bread Assets’ facilities. The increase in the Warehouse Segment income from operations was primarily due to sales increases which were driven by higher volume as discussed above. The increase in unallocated corporate expenses was primarily due to $17.8 million of acquisition costs associated with the Acquired Hostess Bread Assets and Sara Lee California acquisitions partially offset by the prior year acquisition costs of $9.6 million.

Net Interest Expense.    The increase resulted from higher interest expense on the securitization facility, new term loan, and credit facility due to borrowings made by the company during fiscal 2012 and fiscal 2013 primarily for the Sara Lee California and Acquired Hostess Bread Assets acquisitions.

Income Taxes.    The effective tax rate for fiscal 2013 and fiscal 2012 was 28.4% and 34.8%, respectively. This decrease was driven by the gain on acquisition, which was recorded net of deferred taxes as a component of income before income taxes. The gain was treated as a permanent item in the tax provision, and favorably impacts the rate by approximately 5.2%. Discrete benefits recognized in the current period also contributed to the lower rate. The other significant differences in the effective rate and the statutory rate are state income taxes and the Section 199 qualifying production activities deduction.

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Liquidity and Capital Resources

Liquidity represents our ability to generate sufficient cash flows from operating activities to meet our obligations and commitments as well as our ability to obtain appropriate financing and to convert into cash those assets that are no longer required to meet existing strategic and financing objectives. Therefore, liquidity cannot be considered separately from capital resources that consist primarily of current and potentially available funds for use in achieving long-range business objectives. Currently, the company’s liquidity needs arise primarily from working capital requirements and capital expenditures. The company’s strategy for use of its cash flow includes paying dividends to shareholders, making acquisitions, growing internally, and repurchasing shares of its common stock, when appropriate.

The company leases certain property and equipment under various operating and capital lease arrangements. Most of the operating leases provide the company with the option, after the initial lease term, either to purchase the property at the then fair value or renew its lease at the then fair value. The capital leases provide the company with the option to purchase the property at a fixed price at the end of the lease term. The company believes the use of leases as a financing alternative places the company in a more favorable position to fulfill its long-term strategy for the use of its cash flow. See Note 12, Debt, Lease and Other Commitments, of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements of this Form 10-K for detailed financial information regarding the company’s lease arrangements.

Liquidity discussion Fiscal 2014 compared to Fiscal 2013

Flowers Foods’ cash and cash equivalents were $7.5 million at January 3, 2015 as compared to $8.5 million at December 28, 2013. The cash and cash equivalents were derived from the activities presented in the table below (amounts in thousands):

Cash flow component	Fiscal 2014			Fiscal 2013			Change
Cash flows provided by operating activities	$	313,970		$	270,484		$	43,486
Cash disbursed for investing activities		(33,313	)		(502,885	)		469,572
Cash (disbursed for) provided by financing activities		(281,664	)		227,656			(509,320	)
Total change in cash	$	(1,007	)	$	(4,745	)	$	3,738

Cash Flows Provided by Operating Activities.    Net cash provided by operating activities included the following items for non-cash adjustments to net income (amounts in thousands):

	Fiscal 2014			Fiscal 2013			Change
Depreciation and amortization	$	128,961		$	118,491		$	10,470
Stock-based compensation		18,662			15,943			2,719
Impairment of assets		10,308			—			10,308
Gain on acquisition		—			(50,071	)		50,071
Loss (gain) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income to net income		5,218			27,055			(21,837	)
Deferred income taxes		9,241			6,485			2,756
Provision for inventory obsolescence		1,074			1,210			(136	)
Allowances for accounts receivable		4,956			4,110			846
Pension and postretirement plans expense (includes settlement loss in fiscal 2014)		5,341			(2,041	)		7,382
Other non-cash		(6,215	)		(5,701	)		(514	)
Net non-cash adjustment to net income	$	177,546		$	115,481		$	62,065

48

Net cash used for working capital requirements and pension contributions included the following items (amounts in thousands):

	Fiscal 2014			Fiscal 2013			Change
Changes in accounts receivable, net	$	7,181		$	1,114		$	6,067
Changes in inventories, net		6,977			(10,708	)		17,685
Changes in hedging activities, net		22			(39,325	)		39,347
Changes in other assets, net		(23,993	)		(22,151	)		(1,842	)
Changes in accounts payable, net		(9,951	)		(702	)		(9,249	)
Changes in other accrued liabilities, net		(6,552	)		10,699			(17,251	)
Qualified pension plan contributions		(12,999	)		(14,818	)		1,819
Net changes in working capital and pension contributions	$	(39,315	)	$	(75,891	)	$	36,576

The change in depreciation and amortization was primarily due to the acquisition of the Acquired Hostess Bread Assets, the Henderson, Nevada plant placed into operation, the Modesto, California bread line placed into service, and certain capital leases entered into during the year. Depreciation and amortization increased $10.0 million primarily as a result of these activities. The change in stock-based compensation was primarily because the awards granted in fiscal 2014 and fiscal 2013 were full awards compared to a partial award granted in fiscal 2012. This caused an increase in the expense in fiscal 2014. See Note 16, Stock-Based Compensation, of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements of this Form 10-K for a more detailed description on our award types. The pension and postretirement plan expense increased because of the settlement loss of $15.4 million. Other non-cash items include non-cash interest expense for the amortization of debt discounts and deferred financing costs and gains or losses on the sale of assets.

The changes in accounts receivable and inventories are described above and are due to sales increases. Hedging activities change from market movements that affect the fair value and required collateral of positions and the timing and recognition of deferred gains or losses. These changes will occur as part of our hedging program. The other assets and accrued liabilities changes are from changes in income tax receivable balances, deferred tax liabilities, accrued interest and accrued employee costs (including accrued compensation for our formula driven, performance-based cash bonus program). Note 10, Other Current and Noncurrent Assets, Note 11, Other Accrued Liabilities, and Note 20, Income Taxes, of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements of this Form 10-K list material items in each respective category for additional context to changes in working capital.

In fiscal 2014, there were required pension contributions under the minimum funding requirements of ERISA and the Pension Protection Act of 2006 (“PPA”) to our qualified plans of $4.6 million and discretionary contributions of $8.4 million. In addition, there were $0.4 million in nonqualified pension benefits paid from corporate assets during fiscal 2014. During 2015, the company expects to contribute $10.0 million to our qualified pension plans and expects to pay $0.4 million in nonqualified pension benefits from corporate assets. The expected contributions to qualified pension plans represent the estimated minimum pension contributions required under ERISA and the PPA as well as discretionary contributions to avoid benefit restrictions. The company believes its cash flow and balance sheet will allow it to fund future pension needs without adversely affecting the business strategy of the company.

During fiscal 2014, the company paid $24.7 million, including our share of employment taxes, in performance-based cash awards under the company’s bonus plan. During fiscal 2013, the company paid $23.7 million, including our share of employment taxes and deferred compensation contributions, relating to its formula-driven, performance-based cash bonus program.

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Cash Flows Disbursed for Investing Activities.    The table below presents net cash disbursed for investing activities for fiscal 2014 and fiscal 2013 (amounts in thousands):

	Fiscal 2014			Fiscal 2013			Change
Purchase of property, plant, and equipment	$	(83,778	)	$	(99,181	)	$	15,403
Repurchase of independent distributor territories		(17,056	)		(26,418	)		9,362
Principal payments from notes receivable		23,718			21,596			2,122
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired		—			(415,813	)		415,813
Contingently refundable consideration		7,500			—			7,500
Proceeds from sale of new distribution territories		—			13,965			(13,965	)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment		36,303			2,966			33,337
Net cash disbursed for investing activities	$	(33,313	)	$	(502,885	)	$	469,572

Net cash disbursed for investing activities included the Sara Lee California asset acquisition of $49.5 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2013. There was an additional $0.2 million paid for the final working capital adjustment for the Lepage acquisition during the second quarter of fiscal 2013. The Acquired Hostess Assets acquisition required approximately $337.0 million in cash when the acquisition closed on July 19, 2013. We previously paid $18.0 million as a deposit during the first quarter of fiscal 2013 that was applied to the purchase price of the Acquired Hostess Bread Assets acquisition at closing. An additional $0.3 million was paid for the Acquired Hostess Bread Assets shortly after closing. The acquisition was funded from cash on hand and drawings under the new term loan and the securitization facility. There were no acquisitions during fiscal 2014. In fiscal 2014 the company did receive $7.5 million for the cancelation of a co-pack agreement associated with the Sara Lee California acquisition. See Note 8, Acquisitions, of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements of this Form 10-K for more details on the acquisitions that occurred during the reporting periods.

Capital expenditures for the DSD Segment and Warehouse Segment were $73.5 million and $6.5 million, respectively. The company currently estimates capital expenditures of approximately $85.0 million to $95.0 million on a consolidated basis during fiscal 2015. The change in the distributor territories repurchased and the principal payments on notes receivable are due to the Sara Lee California acquisition distributor territory during fiscal 2013 and for the implementation of the independent distributor model at Lepage. We expect the implementation to cause changes to the amount outstanding under the distributor notes in fiscal 2015 and affect the principal payments received by us in the future. The $14.0 million in proceeds from the sale of new distribution territories was specifically for certain territories in California that were acquired outright from the company during fiscal 2013 and which were not financed at the time of acquisition. There were none of these in that market during fiscal 2014.

Cash Flows (Disbursed for) Provided by Financing Activities.    The table below presents net cash provided by financing activities for fiscal 2014 and fiscal 2013 (amounts in thousands):

	Fiscal 2014			Fiscal 2013			Change
Dividends paid, including dividends on share-based payment awards	$	(102,302	)	$	(92,840	)	$	(9,462	)
Exercise of stock options, including windfall tax benefit		28,893			21,466			7,427
Payment of debt issuance costs and financing fees		(773	)		(2,456	)		1,683
Stock repurchases		(38,916	)		(8,819	)		(30,097	)
Change in bank overdrafts		(679	)		(499	)		(180	)
Net debt and capital lease obligations payments		(167,887	)		310,856			(478,743	)
Other		—			(52	)		52
Net cash (disbursed for) provided by financing activities	$	(281,664	)	$	227,656		$	(509,320	)

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Our annual dividend payout rate increased 9.2% from fiscal 2013 to fiscal 2014. The ten-year compound annual growth rate for our dividend payout rate was 17.7%. While there are no requirements to increase the dividend payout we have shown a recent historical trend to do so. Should this continue in the future we will have additional working capital needs to meet these expected payouts. Stock option exercises and the associated tax windfall benefit increased as a result of more exercises occurring during fiscal 2014 when compared to fiscal 2013. As of January 3, 2015, there were nonqualified stock option grants of 6,190,461 shares that were exercisable. These have a remaining contractual life of approximately 2.27 years and a weighted average exercise price of $10.88 per share. At this time, it is expected that these shares will be exercised before the contractual term expires and such exercises may provide an increase to the cash provided by financing activities.

Stock repurchase decisions are made based on our stock price, our belief of relative value, and our cash projections at any given time. Payments for debt issuance costs and financing fees changed because we incurred fees for the securitization facility and the new term loan, described in liquidity below, that were secured in fiscal 2013. The change in bank overdraft was a function of our cash receipts since the end of our fiscal 2013. Our cash objective is to minimize cash on hand by using the credit facility described below. The net debt obligations decreased primarily from the payments used to decrease our debt obligations.

The credit facility and the securitization facility are variable rate debt, as described below. In periods of rising interest rates the cost of using the credit facility will become more expensive and increase our interest expense. The stated interest rate of the senior notes will not change and the term loan was paid off during the third quarter of fiscal 2013. Therefore, borrowings under the credit facility provide us the greatest direct exposure to rising rates. In addition, if interest rates do increase it will make the cost of raising funds more expensive. Considering our current debt obligations, an environment of rising rates could materially affect our Consolidated Statements of Income.

Liquidity discussion Fiscal 2013 compared to Fiscal 2012

Flowers Foods’ cash and cash equivalents were $8.5 million at December 28, 2013 as compared to $13.3 million at December 29, 2012. The cash and cash equivalents were derived from the activities presented in the table below (amounts in thousands):

Cash flow component	Fiscal 2013			Fiscal 2012			Change
Cash flows provided by operating activities	$	270,484		$	216,880		$	53,604
Cash disbursed for investing activities		(502,885	)		(385,437	)		(117,448	)
Cash provided by financing activities		227,656			174,049			53,607
Total change in cash	$	(4,745	)	$	5,492		$	(10,237	)

Cash Flows Provided by Operating Activities.    Net cash provided by operating activities included the following items for non-cash adjustments to net income (amounts in thousands):

	Fiscal 2013			Fiscal 2012			Change
Depreciation and amortization	$	118,491		$	102,690		$	15,801
Stock-based compensation		15,943			10,116			5,827
Gain on acquisition		(50,071	)		—			(50,071	)
Loss (gain) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income to net income		27,055			17,272			9,783
Deferred income taxes		6,485			11,450			(4,965	)
Provision for inventory obsolescence		1,210			947			263
Allowances for accounts receivable		4,110			1,991			2,119
Pension and postretirement plans expense		(2,041	)		1,570			(3,611	)
Other non-cash		(5,701	)		(1,182	)		(4,519	)
Net non-cash adjustment to net income	$	115,481		$	144,854		$	(29,373	)

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Net cash used for working capital requirements and pension contributions included the following items (amounts in thousands):

	Fiscal 2013			Fiscal 2012			Change
Changes in accounts receivable, net	$	1,114		$	(64,182	)	$	65,296
Changes in inventories, net		(10,708	)		(13,366	)		2,658
Changes in hedging activities, net		(39,325	)		(1,850	)		(37,475	)
Changes in other assets, net		(22,151	)		1,431			(23,582	)
Changes in accounts payable, net		(702	)		28,529			(29,231	)
Changes in other accrued liabilities, net		10,699			3,486			7,213
Qualified pension plan contributions		(14,818	)		(18,143	)		3,325
Net changes in working capital and pension contributions	$	(75,891	)	$	(64,095	)	$	(11,796	)

The change in depreciation and amortization was primarily due to the Lepage acquisition (fiscal 2012), Acquired Hostess Bread Assets (fiscal 2013), and the Sara Lee California (fiscal 2013) acquisitions. Depreciation and amortization increased $11.3 million for these acquisitions. The change in stock-based compensation was primarily because the 2012 long term incentive grant occurred in July 2012 and, therefore, was included in all of 2013, as opposed to only two quarters in 2012, and the significant increase of our stock price in fiscal 2013. The stock-based compensation award in 2013 was on January 1, 2013 and was, therefore, included in the entire fiscal 2013. The provision of allowance for accounts receivable increased because sales increased by 12.6% in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013. The sales increase affected the accounts receivable balance for sales that occurred in the quarter but which were not collected until 2014. The increase in inventory was because the company increased materials on hand to keep up with sales demand. The pension and postretirement plan expense decreased because the unfunded liability of the plans decreased from the prior year (requiring a smaller contribution in 2013 versus 2012). Other non-cash items include non-cash interest expense for the amortization of debt discounts and deferred financing costs and gains or losses on the sale of assets.

Hedging activities change from market movements that affect the fair value and required collateral of positions and the timing and recognition of deferred gains or losses. The other assets and accrued liabilities changes are from changes in income tax receivable balances, deferred tax liabilities, accrued interest and accrued employee costs (including accrued compensation for our formula driven, performance-based cash bonus program). Note 10, Other Current and Noncurrent Assets, Note 11, Other Accrued Liabilities, and Note 20, Income Taxes, of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements of this Form 10-K list material items in each respective category for additional context to changes in working capital.

In fiscal 2013, there were required pension contributions under the minimum funding requirements of ERISA and the Pension Protection Act of 2006 (“PPA”) to our qualified plans of $5.0 million and discretionary contributions of $9.8 million. In addition, there were $0.4 million in nonqualified pension benefits paid from corporate assets during fiscal 2013. Despite an average annual return on plan assets of 7.4% (net of expenses) over the last fifteen years, contributions in future years are expected to increase because of the significantly lower than expected asset returns during 2008 which have not fully recovered. During 2014, the company paid $13.0 million to our qualified pension plans and paid $0.4 million in nonqualified pension benefits from corporate assets. The expected contributions to qualified pension plans represent the estimated minimum pension contributions required under ERISA and the PPA as well as discretionary contributions to avoid benefit restrictions. The company believes its cash flow and balance sheet will allow it to fund future pension needs without adversely affecting the business strategy of the company.

During the fiscal 2013, the company paid $23.7 million, including our share of employment taxes and deferred compensation contributions, relating to its formula-driven, performance-based cash bonus program earned during fiscal 2012. We paid $13.4 million during fiscal 2012 for the performance-based cash bonus program earned during fiscal 2011.

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Cash Flows Disbursed for Investing Activities.    The table below presents net cash disbursed for investing activities for fiscal 2013 and fiscal 2012 (amounts in thousands):

	Fiscal 2013			Fiscal 2012			Change
Purchase of property, plant, and equipment	$	(99,181	)	$	(67,259	)	$	(31,922	)
Repurchase of independent distributor territories		(26,418	)		(17,849	)		(8,569	)
Principal payments from notes receivable		21,596			16,498			5,098
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired		(415,813	)		(318,476	)		(97,337	)
Proceeds from sale of new distribution territories		13,965			—			13,965
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment		2,966			1,301			1,665
Other investing activities		—			348			(348	)
Net cash disbursed for investing activities	$	(502,885	)	$	(385,437	)	$	(117,448	)

Net cash disbursed for investing activities included the Sara Lee California asset acquisition of $49.5 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2013. There was an additional $0.2 million paid for the final working capital adjustment for the Lepage acquisition during the second quarter of fiscal 2013. The Acquired Hostess Assets acquisition required approximately $337.0 million in cash when the acquisition closed on July 19, 2013. We previously paid $18.0 million as a deposit during the first quarter of fiscal 2013 that was applied to the purchase price of the Acquired Hostess Bread Assets acquisition at closing. An additional $0.3 million was paid for the Acquired Hostess Bread Assets shortly after closing. The acquisition was funded from cash on hand and drawings under the new term loan and the securitization facility. Capital expenditures for the DSD Segment and Warehouse Segment were $80.5 million and $8.2 million, respectively. The change in the distributor territories repurchased and the principal payments on notes receivable are due to the Sara Lee California acquisition distributor territory during fiscal 2013. Prior to the acquisition, Lepage generally did not use the independent distributor model to deliver their products. During the third quarter of fiscal 2013 we began to implement the independent distributor model at Lepage.

Cash Flows Provided by Financing Activities.    The table below presents net cash provided by financing activities for fiscal 2013 and fiscal 2012 (amounts in thousands):

	Fiscal 2013			Fiscal 2012			Change
Dividends paid, including dividends on share-based payment awards	$	(92,840	)	$	(86,489	)	$	(6,351	)
Exercise of stock options, including windfall tax benefit		21,466			16,199			5,267
Payment of debt issuance costs and financing fees		(2,456	)		(4,440	)		1,984
Stock repurchases		(8,819	)		(18,726	)		9,907
Change in bank overdrafts		(499	)		6,684			(7,183	)
Net debt and capital lease obligations payments		310,856			260,821			50,035
Other		(52	)		—			(52	)
Net cash provided by financing activities	$	227,656		$	174,049		$	53,607

Our annual dividend payout rate increased 5.4% from fiscal 2012 to fiscal 2013. Stock option exercises and the associated tax windfall benefit increased slightly. As of December 28, 2013, there were nonqualified stock option grants of 4,977,704 shares that were exercisable. These had a remaining contractual life of approximately 2.28 years and a weighted average exercise price of $10.91 per share.

Stock repurchase decisions are made based on our stock price, our belief of relative value, and our cash projections at any given time. Payments for debt issuance costs and financing fees decreased because we incurred fees for the senior notes issued in April 2012 and the amendment to the credit facility in November 2012. The change in bank overdraft was a function of our cash receipts since the end of our fiscal 2012. The net debt obligations increased primarily from the new term loan and the securitization facility issued for the Acquired Hostess Bread Assets.

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At December 29, 2012, there was $67.5 million due under our term loan by August 2013 in four equal payments. The first of these payments was made on December 31, 2012 with additional payments made on March 28, 2013 and on June 28, 2013. The final payment was made on August 5, 2013.

The credit facility and the securitization facility are variable rate debt, as described below. In periods of rising interest rates the cost of using the credit facility will become more expensive and increase our interest expense. The stated interest rate of the senior notes will not change and the term loan was paid off during the third quarter of fiscal 2013.

Additional liquidity items are discussed below for context.

Accounts Receivable Securitization Facility, New Term Loan, Senior Notes, Credit Facility, and Term Loan

Accounts Receivable Securitization Facility.    On July 17, 2013, the company entered into an accounts receivable securitization facility (the “facility”). On August 7, 2014, the company entered into the first amendment under the facility. The amendment (i) increased the revolving commitments under the facility to $200.0 million from $150.0 million (ii) extended the term one year to July 17, 2016 and (iii) made certain other conforming changes. On December 17, 2014, the company executed the second amendment under the facility to add a bank to the lending group. The original commitment amount was split between the original lender and the new lender in the proportion of 62.5% for the original lender and 37.5% for the new lender. This modification, which was accounted for as an extinguishment of the debt, resulted in a charge of $0.1 million, or 37.5%, of the unamortized financing costs. Under the facility, a wholly-owned, bankruptcy-remote subsidiary purchases, on an ongoing basis, substantially all trade receivables. As borrowings are made under the facility, the subsidiary pledges the receivables as collateral. In the event of liquidation of the subsidiary, its creditors would be entitled to satisfy their claims from the subsidiary’s pledged receivables prior to distributions of collections to the company. We include the subsidiary in our Consolidated Financial Statements. The facility contains certain customary representations and warranties, affirmative and negative covenants, and events of default. As of January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013, the company had $0.0 million and $150.0 million, respectively, outstanding under the facility. As of January 3, 2015, the company was in compliance with all restrictive financial covenants under the facility. On January 3, 2015, the company had $200.0 million available under its facility for working capital and general corporate purposes.

Optional principal repayments may be made at anytime without premium or penalty. Interest is due two days after our reporting periods end in arrears on the outstanding borrowings and is computed as the cost of funds rate plus an applicable margin of 70 basis points. An unused fee of 25 basis points is applicable on the unused commitment at each reporting period. The company paid financing costs of $0.8 million in connection with the facility at the time we entered into the facility, which are being amortized over the life of the facility. During fiscal 2014, we incurred $0.2 million in financing costs with the first and second amendments.

New Term Loan.    We entered into a senior unsecured delayed-draw term facility (the “new term loan”) on April 5, 2013 with a commitment of up to $300.0 million to partially finance the then pending acquisition of the Acquired Hostess Bread Assets and pay acquisition-related costs and expenses. The company drew down the full amount of the new term loan on July 18, 2013 (the borrowing date) to complete the Acquired Hostess Bread Assets acquisition as disclosed in Note 8, Acquisitions, of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements of this Form 10-K. On February 14, 2014, we entered into the first amendment to the credit agreement for the new term loan.

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The new term loan amortizes in quarterly installments based on an increasing annual percentage. The first payment was due and payable on June 30, 2013 (the last business day of the first calendar quarter ending after the borrowing date), quarterly payments are due on the last business day of each successive calendar quarter and all remaining outstanding principal is due and payable on the fifth anniversary of the borrowing date. The table below presents the principal payment amounts due under the new term loan until the balance is paid in full (amounts in thousands):

Fiscal Year	Payments
2015	$	30,000
2016	$	67,500
2017	$	112,500
2018	$	60,000

The February 14, 2014 amendment, which was accounted for as a modification of the debt, favorably reduced the interest rates described below from those entered into originally on April 5, 2013. Voluntary prepayments on the new term loan may be made without premium or penalty. Interest is due quarterly in arrears on any outstanding borrowings at a customary Eurodollar rate or the base rate plus applicable margin. The applicable margin ranges from 0.00% to 1.25% for base rate loans and from 1.00% to 2.25% for Eurodollar loans, and is based on the company’s leverage ratio. Interest on base rate loans is payable quarterly in arrears on the last business day of each calendar quarter. Interest on Eurodollar loans is payable in arrears at the end of the interest period and every three months in the case of interest periods in excess of three months. The company paid financing costs of $1.7 million in connection with the new term loan, which are being amortized over the life of the new term loan. A commitment fee of 20 basis points on the daily undrawn portion of the lenders’ commitments commenced on May 1, 2013 and continued until the borrowing date, when the company borrowed the available $300.0 million for the Acquired Hostess Bread Assets acquisition. The new term loan is subject to customary restrictive covenants, including certain limitations on liens and significant acquisitions and financial covenants regarding minimum interest coverage ratio and maximum leverage ratio. The February 14, 2014 amendment cost $0.3 million and will be amortized over the remaining term. As of January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013, the company was in compliance with all restrictive covenants under the new term loan.

Senior Notes.    On April 3, 2012, the company issued $400.0 million of senior notes. The company pays semiannual interest on the notes on each April 1 and October 1, beginning on October 1, 2012, and the notes will mature on April 1, 2022. The notes bear interest at 4.375% per annum. On any date prior to January 1, 2022, the company may redeem some or all of the notes at a price equal to the greater of (1) 100% of the principal amount of the notes redeemed and (2) a “make-whole” amount plus, in each case, accrued and unpaid interest. The make-whole amount is equal to the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal thereof (not including any interest accrued thereon to, but not including, the date of redemption), discounted to the date of redemption on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the treasury rate (as defined in the agreement), plus 35 basis points, plus in each case, unpaid interest accrued thereon to, but not including, the date of redemption. At any time on or after January 1, 2022, the company may redeem some or all of the notes at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest. If the company experiences a “change of control triggering event” (which involves a change of control of the company and related rating of the notes below investment grade), it is required to offer to purchase the notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon unless the company exercised its option to redeem the notes in whole. The notes are also subject to customary restrictive covenants, including certain limitations on liens and sale and leaseback transactions.

The face value of the notes is $400.0 million and the current discount on the notes is $0.7 million. The company paid $3.9 million issuance costs (including underwriting fees and legal fees) for issuing the notes. The issuance costs and the debt discount are being amortized to interest expense over the term of the notes. As of January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013 the company was in compliance with the restrictive covenants under the notes and the indenture governing the notes.

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Credit Facility.    On February 14, 2014, the company amended its senior unsecured credit facility (the “credit facility”) to provide for a less restrictive leverage ratio and certain more favorable covenant terms, to extend the term to February 14, 2019, to update the existing agreement to address changes in law, and to include applicable conforming changes in light of the new term loan. The amendment was accounted for as a modification of the debt. The credit facility is a five-year, $500.0 million senior unsecured revolving loan facility. The credit facility contains a provision that permits Flowers to request up to $200.0 million in additional revolving commitments, for a total of up to $700.0 million, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions. Proceeds from the credit facility may be used for working capital and general corporate purposes, including capital expenditures, acquisition financing, refinancing of indebtedness, dividends and share repurchases. The credit facility includes certain customary restrictions, which, among other things, require maintenance of financial covenants and limit encumbrance of assets and creation of indebtedness. Restrictive financial covenants include such ratios as a minimum interest coverage ratio and a maximum leverage ratio. The company believes that, given its current cash position, its cash flow from operating activities and its available credit capacity, it can comply with the current terms of the amended credit facility and can meet presently foreseeable financial requirements. As of January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013, the company was in compliance with all restrictive financial covenants under the credit facility.

Interest is due quarterly in arrears on any outstanding borrowings at a customary Eurodollar rate or the base rate plus applicable margin. The underlying rate is defined as rates offered in the interbank Eurodollar market, or the higher of the prime lending rate or the federal funds rate plus 0.40%, with a floor rate defined by the one-month interbank Eurodollar market rate plus 1.00%. The applicable margin ranges from 0.0% to 0.95% for base rate loans and from 0.95% to 1.95% for Eurodollar loans. In addition, a facility fee ranging from 0.05% to 0.30% is due quarterly on all commitments under the credit facility. Both the interest margin and the facility fee are based on the company’s leverage ratio. The company paid additional financing costs of $0.3 million in connection with the February 14, 2014 amendment of the credit facility, which, in addition to the remaining balance of the original $1.6 million in financing costs, is being amortized over the life of the credit facility.

There were $53.0 million and $44.2 million in outstanding borrowings under the credit facility at January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013, respectively. The highest outstanding daily balance during fiscal 2014 was $62.1 million and the lowest outstanding balance was zero. Amounts outstanding under the credit facility vary daily. Changes in the gross borrowings and repayments can be caused by cash flow activity from operations, capital expenditures, acquisitions, dividends, share repurchases, and tax payments, as well as derivative transactions which are part of the company’s overall risk management strategy as discussed in Note 9, Derivative Financial Instruments, of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements of this Form 10-K. During fiscal 2014, the company borrowed $1,116.4 million in revolving borrowings under the credit facility and repaid $1,125.2 million in revolving borrowings. The amount available under the credit facility is reduced by $16.4 million for letters of credit. On January 3, 2015, the company had $430.6 million available under its credit facility for working capital and general corporate purposes.

Credit Ratings.    Currently, the company’s credit ratings by Fitch Ratings, Moody’s Investors Service, and Standard & Poor’s are BBB, Baa2, and BBB-, respectively. Changes in the company’s credit ratings do not trigger a change in the company’s available borrowings or costs under the facility, new term loan, senior notes, and credit facility, but could affect future credit availability and cost.

Aggregate Maturities of Debt.

Assets recorded under capital lease agreements included in property, plant and equipment consist of machinery and equipment and transportation equipment.

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Aggregate maturities of debt outstanding, including capital leases and the associated interest, as of January 3, 2015, are as follows (excluding unamortized debt discount and issuance costs) (amounts in thousands):

2015	$	35,060
2016		74,880
2017		122,249
2018		122,881
2019		8,067
2020 and thereafter		404,094
Total	$	767,231

Stock Repurchase Plan.    Our Board of Directors has approved a plan that authorizes share repurchases of up to 67.5 million shares of the company’s common stock. At the Board of Directors meeting in November 2014, the board increased the company’s share repurchase authorization by 7.1 million shares to a total of 74.6 million shares. At the close of the company’s fourth quarter on January 3, 2015, 14.0 million shares remained under the existing authorization. Under the plan, the company may repurchase its common stock in open market or privately negotiated transactions at such times and at such prices as determined to be in the company’s best interest. These purchases may be commenced or suspended without prior notice depending on then-existing business or market conditions and other factors. As of January 3, 2015, 60.6 million shares at a cost of $497.3 million have been purchased under this plan. Included in these amounts are 2,014,610 shares at a cost of $38.9 million purchased during fiscal 2014.

Income Taxes.    Federal and state tax payments totaled $82.8 million, $83.8 million, and $63.6 million during fiscal years 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively, and were funded with cash flows from operations.

Distributor Arrangements.    The company offers long-term financing to independent distributors for the purchase of their territories, and a vast majority of the independent distributors elect to use this financing alternative. The distributor notes generally have terms of up to ten years, and the distributors pay principal and interest weekly. A majority of the independent distributors have the right to require the company to repurchase the territories and trucks, if applicable, at the original price paid by the distributor on the long-term financing arrangement in the six-month period following the sale of a territory to the independent distributor. If the truck is leased, the company will assume the lease payment if the territory is repurchased during the first six-month period. After the six-month period expires, the company retains a right of first refusal to repurchase these territories. Additionally, in the event the company exits a territory or ceases to utilize the independent distribution form of doing business, the company is contractually required to purchase the territory from the independent distributor. If the company acquires a territory from an independent distributor that is to be resold, the company operates the territory until it can be resold. If the territory is not to be resold, the value of the territory is charged to earnings. The company held an aggregate of $182.2 million and $161.6 million as of January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013, respectively, of distributor notes. The company does not view this aggregate amount as a concentrated credit risk, as each note relates to an individual distributor. The company has approximately $20.5 million and $26.6 million as of January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013, respectively, of territories held for sale.

In the ordinary course of business, when an independent distributor terminates their relationship with the company, the company, although not legally obligated, generally purchases and operates that territory utilizing the leased truck of the former distributor. To accomplish this, the company operates the leased truck for the distributor, who generally remains solely liable under the original truck lease to the third party lessor, and continues the payments on behalf of the former distributor. Once the territory is resold to an independent distributor, the truck lease is assumed by the new independent distributor. At January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013, the company operated approximately 420 and 370 trucks as held for sale distributorships, respectively. Assuming the company does not resell these territories to new independent distributors, at January 3, 2015 and

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December 28, 2013, the maximum obligation associated with these truck leases was approximately $8.1 million and $3.9 million, respectively. There is no liability recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheet with respect to such leases, as the obligation for each lease generally remains an obligation of the former distributor until the territory is sold to a new distributor. The company does not anticipate operating these territories over the life of the lease as it intends to resell these territories to new independent distributors.

Special Purpose Entities.    At January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013, the company did not have any relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, such as entities often referred to as structured finance or special purpose entities, which are established to facilitate off-balance sheet arrangements or other contractually narrow or limited purposes.

Deferred Compensation.    The Executive Deferred Compensation Plan (“EDCP”) consists of unsecured general obligations of the company to pay the deferred compensation of, and our contributions to, participants in the EDCP. The obligations will rank equally with our other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness payable from the company’s general assets.

The company’s directors and certain key members of management are eligible to participate in the EDCP. Directors may elect to defer all or any portion of their annual retainer fee and meeting fees. Deferral elections by directors must be made prior to the beginning of each year and are thereafter irrevocable. Eligible employees may elect to defer up to 75% of their base salaries, and up to 100% of any cash bonuses and other compensation. Deferral elections by eligible executives must be made prior to the beginning of each year and are thereafter irrevocable during that year. The portion of the participant’s compensation that is deferred depends on the participant’s election in effect with respect to his or her elective contributions under the EDCP. The amount outstanding at January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013 was $14.5 million and $13.1 million, respectively.

Contractual Obligations and Commitments.    The following table summarizes the company’s contractual obligations and commitments at January 3, 2015 and the effect such obligations are expected to have on its liquidity and cash flow in the indicated future periods:

	Payments Due by Fiscal Year
	(Amounts in thousands)
	Total		2015		2016-2017		2018-2019		2020 and Beyond
Contractual Obligations:
Long-term debt	$	743,000	$	30,000	$	187,500	$	123,000	$	402,500
Interest payments(1)		137,021		21,759		40,386		35,501		39,375
Capital leases		22,526		4,496		8,871		7,666		1,493
Interest on capital leases		1,705		564		758		282		101
Non-cancelable operating lease obligations(2)		499,903		65,583		104,274		70,239		259,807
Pension and postretirement contributions and payments(3)		18,542		10,691		1,726		1,922		4,203
Deferred compensation plan obligations(4)		14,515		1,861		2,204		790		9,660
Purchase obligations(5)		296,233		296,233		—		—		—
Total contractual cash obligations	$	1,733,445	$	431,187	$	345,719	$	239,400	$	717,139
	Amounts Expiring by Fiscal Year
	(Amounts in thousands)
	Total		Less than 1 Year		1-3 Years		4-5 Years		More than 5 Years
Commitments:
Standby letters of credit(6)	$	16,412	$	16,412	$	—	$	—	$	—
Truck lease guarantees		8,078		124		433		1,687		5,834
Total commitments	$	24,490	$	16,536	$	433	$	1,687	$	5,834

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(1) The $53.0 million outstanding under our credit facility at January 3, 2015 is not included since payments into and out of the credit facility change daily. Interest on the senior notes is based on the stated rate and excludes the amortization of debt discount of $0.7 million. Also excluded from interest payments are the non-cash amortization charges of the discount for the fair value of the Lepage deferred payments. The facility and new term loan interest rates are based on the actual rates as of January 3, 2015.

(2) Does not include lease payments expected to be incurred in fiscal year 2015 related to distributor vehicles and other short-term operating leases. These are not recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheet but will be recorded as lease payments obligations are incurred in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

(3) Includes the estimated company contributions to the pension plans during fiscal 2015 and the expected benefit payments for postretirement plans from fiscal 2015 through fiscal 2024. These future postretirement plan payments are not recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheet but will be recorded as these payments are incurred in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

(4) These are unsecured general obligations to pay the deferred compensation of, and our contributions to, participants in the EDCP. This liability is recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

(5) Represents the company’s various ingredient and packaging purchasing commitments. This item is not recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

(6) These letters of credit are for the benefit of certain insurance companies related to workers’ compensation liabilities recorded by the company as of January 3, 2015 and certain lessors and energy vendors. Such amounts are not recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheet, but reduce availability of funds under the credit facility.

Because we are uncertain as to if or when settlements may occur, these tables do not reflect the company’s net liability of $1.4 million related to uncertain tax positions. Details regarding this liability are presented in Note 20, Income Taxes, of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements of this Form 10-K. We expect to sell repurchased distributor territories that we currently operate. If we determined that these territories would not be sold, an additional $8.1 million of future lease payments would become our responsibility. These lease payments are not included in the table and will only be incurred if the territories are not sold.

Guarantees and Indemnification Obligations.    Our company has provided various representations, warranties, and other standard indemnifications in various agreements with customers, suppliers and other parties, as well as in agreements to sell business assets or lease facilities. In general, these provisions indemnify the counterparty for matters such as breaches of representations and warranties, certain environmental conditions and tax matters, and, in the context of sales of business assets, any liabilities arising prior to the closing of the transactions. Non-performance under a contract could trigger an obligation of the company. The ultimate effect on future financial results is not subject to reasonable estimation because considerable uncertainty exists as to the final outcome of any potential claims. We do not believe that any of these commitments will have a material effect on our results of operations or financial condition.

New Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

In May 2014, the FASB issued guidance for recognizing revenue in contracts with customers. This guidance requires entities to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. There are five steps outlined in the guidance to achieve this core principle. The company is still analyzing the potential impact of this guidance on the company’s Consolidated Financial Statements. This guidance will be effective for our fiscal 2017 which begins on January 1, 2017.

In June 2014, the FASB issued guidance that requires performance targets for a share-based payment award that affects vesting and that could be achieved after the requisite service period is treated as a performance condition. The performance condition should not be reflected in the grant date fair value of the award. Compensation cost should be recognized in the period in which it becomes probable that the performance target will be achieved and should represent the compensation cost attributable to the period for which the requisite service has already been rendered. The company already applies the standards proscribed in this guidance therefore it will not have an impact on the Consolidated Financial Statements. This guidance is effective for annual periods and interim periods within those annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015, which is our fiscal 2016.

In August 2014, the FASB issued guidance related to management’s responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern by incorporating and expanding upon

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certain principles that are currently in U.S. auditing standards and to provide related footnote disclosures. This guidance is effective for the annual period ending after December 15, 2016, and for annual periods and interim periods thereafter. The requirements of this guidance are not expected to have a significant impact on the Consolidated Financial Statements.

In January 2015, the FASB issued guidance that eliminates the concept of extraordinary items from generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”). This guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015. A reporting entity may apply the amendments prospectively. A reporting entity also may apply the amendments retrospectively to all prior periods presented in the financial statements. Early adoption is permitted provided that the guidance is applied from the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. The requirements of this guidance are not expected to have a significant impact on the Consolidated Financial Statements.

In February 2015, the FASB issued guidance that focuses on the consolidation evaluation for reporting organizations that are required to evaluate whether they should consolidate certain legal entities. This guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015. A reporting entity may apply the amendments using a modified retrospective approach by recording a cumulative-effect adjustment to equity as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. A reporting entity also may apply the amendments retrospectively. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. If an entity early adopts the amendments in an interim period, any adjustments should be reflected as of the beginning of the fiscal year that includes that interim period. The company is still analyzing the potential impact of this guidance on the company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

We have reviewed other recently issued accounting pronouncements and concluded that they are either not applicable to our business or that no material effect is expected as a result of future adoption.

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

The company uses derivative financial instruments as part of an overall strategy to manage market risk. The company uses forwards, futures, swaps, and option contracts to hedge existing or future exposure to changes in interest rates and commodity prices. The company does not enter into these derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes. If actual market conditions are less favorable than those anticipated, interest rates and commodity prices could increase significantly, adversely affecting our interest costs and the margins from the sale of our products.

Commodity Price Risk

The company enters into commodity forward, futures, option, and swap contracts for wheat and, to a lesser extent, other commodities in an effort to provide a predictable and consistent commodity price and thereby reduce the impact of market volatility in its raw material and packaging prices. As of January 3, 2015, the company’s hedge portfolio contained commodity derivatives with a fair value of $(16.3) million. Of this fair value, $(13.0) million is based on quoted market prices and $(3.3) million is based on models and other valuation methods; $(13.8) million, and $(2.5) million of this fair value relates to instruments that will be utilized in each of fiscal 2015 and 2016, respectively.

A sensitivity analysis has been prepared to quantify the company’s potential exposure to commodity price risk with respect to its derivative portfolio. Based on the company’s derivative portfolio as of January 3, 2015, a hypothetical ten percent change in commodity prices would increase or decrease the fair value of the derivative portfolio by $12.7 million and $(12.7) million, respectively. The analysis disregards changes in the exposures inherent in the underlying hedged items; however, the company expects that any increase or decrease in the fair value of the portfolio would be substantially offset by increases or decreases in raw material and packaging prices.

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Interest Rate Risk

The company entered into a treasury rate lock on March 28, 2012 to fix the interest rate for the notes issued on April 3, 2012. The derivative position was closed when the debt was priced on March 29, 2012, with a cash settlement that offset changes in the benchmark treasury rate between the execution of the treasury rate lock and the debt pricing date. This treasury rate lock was designated as a cash flow hedge. Because the treasury rate lock was exited on March 29, 2012, there was no fair value as of January 3, 2015 or December 28, 2013.

Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

Refer to the Index to Consolidated Financial Statements and the Financial Statement Schedule for the required information.

Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

None.

Item 9A. Controls and Procedures

Management’s Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures:

We have established and maintain a system of disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that material information relating to the company, which is required to be timely disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Exchange Act”), is accumulated and communicated to management in a timely fashion and is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified by the SEC’s rules and forms. An evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act) was performed as of the end of the period covered by this annual report. This evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of management, including our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”), Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), and Chief Accounting Officer (“CAO”).

Based upon that evaluation, our CEO, CFO, and CAO have concluded that these disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this annual report.

Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting:

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f). Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our CEO, CFO, and CAO, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the framework in “Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013)” issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on our evaluation our management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of January 3, 2015.

The effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of January 3, 2015 has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report which is included herein.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting:

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during our last fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Item 9B. Other Information

None.

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PART III

Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

The information required by this item with respect to directors of the company is incorporated herein by reference to the information set forth under the captions “Proposal I — Election of Directors”, “Directors and Corporate Governance”, “Corporate Governance — The Board of Directors and Committees of the Board of Directors”, “Corporate Governance — Relationships Among Certain Directors”, “Audit Committee Report” and “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” in the company’s definitive proxy statement for the 2015 Annual Meeting of Shareholders expected to be filed with the SEC in April (the “proxy”). The information required by this item with respect to executive officers of the company is set forth in Part I of this Form 10-K.

We have adopted the Flowers Foods, Inc. Code of Business Conduct and Ethics for Officers and Members of the Board of Directors, which applies to all of our directors and executive officers. The Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is publicly available on our website at www.flowersfoods.com in the “Corporate Governance” section of the “Investor Center” tab. If we make any substantive amendments to our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics or we grant any waiver, including any implicit waiver, from a provision of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, that applies to any of our directors or executive officers, including our principal executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer, we intend to disclose the nature of the amendment or waiver on our website at the same location. Alternatively, we may elect to disclose the amendment or waiver in a report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC.

Our President and Chief Executive Officer certified to the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) on June 18, 2014 pursuant to Section 303A.12 of the NYSE’s listing standards, that he was not aware of any violation by Flowers Foods of the NYSE’s corporate governance listing standards as of that date.

Item 11. Executive Compensation

The information required by this item is incorporated herein by reference to the information set forth under the caption “Executive Compensation” in the proxy.

Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

See Item 5 of this Form 10-K for information regarding Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans. The remaining information required by this item is incorporated herein by reference to the information set forth under the caption “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” in the proxy.

Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

The information required by this item is incorporated herein by reference to the information set forth under the caption “Corporate Governance — Determination of Independence” and “Transactions with Management and Others” in the proxy.

Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services

The information required by this item is incorporated herein by reference to the information set forth under the caption “Fiscal 2014 and Fiscal 2013 Audit Firm Fee Summary” in the proxy.

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PART IV

Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

(a) List of documents filed as part of this report.

1. Financial Statements of the Registrant

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

Consolidated Balance Sheets at January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013.

Consolidated Statements of Income for Fiscal 2014, Fiscal 2013, and Fiscal 2012.

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for Fiscal 2014, Fiscal 2013, and Fiscal 2012.

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for Fiscal 2014, Fiscal 2013, and Fiscal 2012.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for Fiscal 2014, Fiscal 2013, and Fiscal 2012.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

2. Exhibits. The following documents are filed as exhibits hereto:

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No		Name of Exhibit
2.1	—	Distribution Agreement, dated as of October 26, 2000, by and between Flowers Industries, Inc. and Flowers Foods, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to Flowers Foods’ Registration Statement on Form 10, dated December 1, 2000, File No. 1-16247).
2.2	—	Amendment No. 1 to Distribution Agreement, dated as of March 12, 2001, by and between Flowers Industries, Inc. and Flowers Foods, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.2 to Flowers Foods’ Annual Report on Form 10-K, dated March 30, 2001, File No. 1-16247).
2.3	—	Acquisition Agreement, dated as of May 31, 2012, by and among Flowers Foods, Inc., Lobsterco I, LLC, Lepage Bakeries, Inc., RAL, Inc., Bakeast Company, Bakeast Holdings, Inc., and the equity holders named therein (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to Flowers Foods’ Current Report on Form 8-K, dated June 1, 2012, File No. 1-16247).
2.4	—	Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of May 31, 2012, by and among Flowers Foods, Inc., Lobsterco II, LLC, Aarow Leasing, Inc., The Everest Company, Incorporated and the shareholders named therein (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.2 to Flowers Foods’ Current Report on Form 8-K, dated June 1, 2012, File No. 1-16247).
2.5	—	Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of January 11, 2013, by and among Hostess Brands, Inc., Interstate Brands Corporation, IBC Sales Corporation, Flowers Foods, Inc. and FBC Georgia, LLC (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to Flowers Foods’ Current Report on Form 8-K, dated January 14, 2013, File No. 1-16247).
3.1	—	Restated Articles of Incorporation of Flowers Foods, Inc., as amended through May 21, 2014 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Flowers Foods’ Current Report on Form 8-K, dated May 27, 2014, File No. 1-16247).
3.2	—	Amended and Restated Bylaws of Flowers Foods, Inc., as amended through May 21, 2014 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to Flowers Foods’ Current Report on Form 8-K, dated May 27, 2014, File No. 1-16247).
4.1	—	Form of Share Certificate of Common Stock of Flowers Foods, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Flowers Foods’ Annual Report on Form 10-K, dated February 29, 2012, File No. 1-16247).

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Exhibit No		Name of Exhibit
4.2	—	Form of Indenture (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.6 to Flowers Foods’ Registration Statement on Form S-3, dated February 8, 2011, File No. 1-16247).
4.3	—	Form of Indenture (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Flowers Foods’ Current Report on Form 8-K, dated March 29, 2012, File No. 1-16247).
4.4	—	Indenture, dated as of April 3, 2012, by and between Flowers Foods, Inc. and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Flowers Foods’ Current Report on Form 8-K, dated April 3, 2012, File No. 1-16247).
4.5	—	Officers’ Certificate pursuant to Section 2.02 of the Indenture (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Flowers Foods’ Current Report on Form 8-K, dated April 3, 2012, File No. 1-16247).
4.6	—	Form of 4.375% Senior Notes due 2022 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to Flowers Foods’ Current Report on Form 8-K, dated April 3, 2012, File No. 1-16247).
4.7	—	Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of July 21, 2012, by and among Flowers Foods, Inc. and the holders named therein (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Flowers Foods’ Current Report on Form 8-K, dated July 23, 2012, File No. 1-16247).
4.8	—	Flowers Foods, Inc. 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan, as amended through December 17, 2013 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Flowers Foods’ Registration Statement on Form S-8, dated May 21, 2014).
10.1	—	Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of May 20, 2011, by and among, Flowers Foods, Inc., the Lenders party thereto from time to time, Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch, as administrative agent, Bank of America, N.A., as syndication agent, and Coöperatieve Centrale Raiffeisen-Boerenleenbank, B.A., “Rabobank International,” New York Branch, Branch Banking & Trust Company and Regions Bank, as co-documentation agents (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Flowers Foods’ Current Report on Form 8-K, dated May 26, 2011, File No. 1-16247).
10.2	—	First Amendment to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of November 16, 2012, by and among Flowers Foods, Inc., the Lenders party thereto and Deutsche Bank AG, New York Branch, as administrative agent (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Flowers Foods’ Current Report on Form 8-K, dated November 21, 2012, File No. 1-16247).
10.3	—	Second Amendment to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of April 5, 2013, by and among Flowers Foods, Inc., the Lenders party thereto and Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch, as administrative agent, swingline lender and issuing lender (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to Flowers Foods’ Current Report on Form 8-K, dated April 10, 2013, File No. 1-16247).
10.4	—	Third Amendment to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of February 14, 2014, by and among Flowers Foods, Inc., the Lenders party thereto and Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch, as administrative agent, swingline lender and issuing lender (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Flowers Foods’ Current Report on Form 8-K, dated February 18, 2014, File No. 1-16247).
10.5	—	Credit Agreement, dated as of April 5, 2013, by and among Flowers Foods, Inc., the lenders party thereto, Branch Banking and Trust Company, Coöperatieve Centrale Raiffeisen-Boerenleenbank B.A., “Rabobank Nederland,” New York Branch, and Regions Bank, as co-documentation agents, Bank of America, N.A., as syndication agent, and Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch, as administrative agent (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Flowers Foods’ Current Report on Form 8-K, dated April 10, 2013, File No. 1-16247).
10.6	—	First Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of February 14, 2014, by and among Flowers Foods, Inc., the lenders party thereto and Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch, as administrative agent (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Flowers Foods’ Current Report on Form 8-K, dated February 18, 2014, File No. 1-16247).

64

Exhibit No		Name of Exhibit
10.7	—	Receivables Loan, Security and Servicing Agreement, dated as of July 17, 2013, by and among Flowers Finance II, LLC, Flowers Foods, Inc., as servicer, Coöperatieve Centrale Raiffeisen-Boerenleenbank B.A., “Rabobank Nederland,” New York Branch, as administrative agent and facility agent, and certain financial institutions party thereto (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Flowers Foods’ Current Report on Form 8-K, dated July 22, 2013, File No. 1-16247).
10.8	—	First Amendment to Receivables Loan, Security and Servicing Agreement, dated as of August 7, 2014, by and among Flowers Finance II, LLC, Flowers Foods, Inc., as servicer, Nieuw Amsterdam Receivables Corporation and Coöperatieve Centrale Raiffeisen-Boerenleenbank B.A., “Rabobank Nederland,” New York Branch, as administrative agent and facility agent (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Flowers Foods’ Current Report on Form 8-K, dated August 12, 2014, File No. 1-16247).
*10.9	—	Second Amendment to Receivables Loan, Security and Servicing Agreement, dated as of December 17, 2014, by and among Flowers Finance II, LLC, Flowers Foods, Inc., as servicer, Nieuw Amsterdam Receivables Corporation and Coöperatieve Centrale Raiffeisen-Boerenleenbank B.A., “Rabobank,” New York Branch, as administrative agent and facility agent.
10.10+	—	Flowers Foods, Inc. Retirement Plan No. 1, as amended and restated effective as of March 26, 2001 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to Flowers Foods’ Annual Report on Form 10-K, dated March 30, 2001, File No. 1-16247).
10.11+	—	Flowers Foods, Inc. 2001 Equity and Performance Incentive Plan, as amended and restated effective as of April 1, 2009 (Incorporated by reference to Annex A to Flowers Foods’ Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, dated April 24, 2009, File No. 1-16247).
10.12+	—	Flowers Foods, Inc. Stock Appreciation Rights Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to Flowers Foods’ Annual Report on Form 10-K, dated March 29, 2002, File No. 1-16247).
10.13+	—	Flowers Foods, Inc. Annual Executive Bonus Plan (Incorporated by reference to Annex B to Flowers Foods’ Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, dated April 24, 2009, File No. 1-16247).
10.14+	—	Flowers Foods, Inc. 2014 Omnibus Equity and Incentive Compensation Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Flowers Foods’ Current Report on Form 8-K, dated May 27, 2014, File No. 1-16247).
10.15+	—	Flowers Foods, Inc. Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to Flowers Foods’ Annual Report on Form 10-K, dated March 29, 2002, File No. 1-16247).
10.16+	—	Form of Indemnification Agreement, by and between Flowers Foods, Inc., certain executive officers and the directors of Flowers Foods, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 to Flowers Foods’ Annual Report on Form 10-K, dated March 28, 2003, File No. 1-16247).
10.17+	—	Ninth Amendment to the Flowers Foods, Inc. Retirement Plan No. 1, dated as of November 7, 2005 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15 to Flowers Foods’ Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, dated November 17, 2005, File No. 1-16247).
10.18+	—	Form of 2011 Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement by and between Flowers Foods, Inc. and certain executive officers of Flowers Foods, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.17 to Flowers Foods’ Annual Report on Form 10-K, dated February 23, 2011, File No. 1-16247).
10.19+	—	Flowers Foods, Inc. Change of Control Plan, dated as of February 23, 2012 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Flowers Foods’ Current Report on Form 8-K, dated February 29, 2012, File No. 1-16247).
10.20+	—	Form of 2012 Restricted Stock Agreement by and between Flowers Foods, Inc. and certain executive officers of Flowers Foods, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16 to Flowers Foods’ Annual Report on Form 10-K, dated February 20, 2013, File No. 1-16247).

65

Exhibit No		Name of Exhibit
10.21+	—	Form of 2013 Restricted Stock Agreement by and between Flowers Foods, Inc. and certain executive officers of Flowers Foods, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.17 to Flowers Foods’ Annual Report on Form 10-K, dated February 20, 2013, File No. 1-16247).
10.22+	—	Form of 2014 Restricted Stock Agreement by and between Flowers Foods, Inc. and certain executive officers of Flowers Foods, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.19 to Flowers Foods’ Annual Report on Form 10-K, dated February 19, 2014, File No. 1-16247).
10.23+	—	Form of 2014 Restricted Stock Agreement by and between Flowers Foods, Inc. and a certain executive officer of Flowers Foods, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.20 to Flowers Foods’ Annual Report on Form 10-K, dated February 19, 2014, File No. 1-16247).
*10.24+	—	Form of 2015 Restricted Stock Agreement by and between Flowers Foods, Inc. and certain executive officers of Flowers Foods, Inc.
*12.1	—	Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.
*21	—	Subsidiaries of Flowers Foods, Inc.
*23	—	Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.
*31.1	—	Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
*31.2	—	Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
*31.3	—	Certification of Chief Accounting Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
*32	—	Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, by Allen L. Shiver, Chief Executive Officer, R. Steve Kinsey, Chief Financial Officer and Karyl H. Lauder, Chief Accounting Officer for the Year Ended January 3, 2015.
*101.INS	—	XBRL Instance Document.
*101.SCH	—	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Linkbase.
*101.CAL	—	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase.
*101.DEF	—	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase.
*101.LAB	—	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase.
*101.PRE	—	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase.

* Filed herewith

+ Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement

66

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Flowers Foods, Inc. has duly caused this Form 10-K to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized on this 25th day of February, 2015.

FLOWERS FOODS, INC.

/s/    ALLEN L. SHIVER

Allen L. Shiver

President and

Chief Executive Officer

/s/    R. STEVE KINSEY

R. Steve Kinsey

Executive Vice President and

Chief Financial Officer

/s/    KARYL H. LAUDER

Karyl H. Lauder

Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer

67

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this Form 10-K has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of Flowers Foods, Inc. and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

Signature	Title	Date
/s/    ALLEN L. SHIVER Allen L. Shiver	President and Chief Executive Officer and Director	February 25, 2015
/s/    R. STEVE KINSEY R. Steve Kinsey	Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer	February 25, 2015
/s/    KARYL H. LAUDER Karyl H. Lauder	Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer	February 25, 2015
/s/    GEORGE E. DEESE George E. Deese	Chairman	February 25, 2015
/s/    JOE E. BEVERLY Joe E. Beverly	Director	February 25, 2015
/s/    FRANKLIN L. BURKE Franklin L. Burke	Director	February 25, 2015
/s/    BENJAMIN H. GRISWOLD, IV Benjamin H. Griswold, IV	Director	February 25, 2015
/s/    MARGARET G. LEWIS Margaret G. Lewis	Director	February 25, 2015
/s/    AMOS R. MCMULLIAN Amos R. McMullian	Director	February 25, 2015
/s/    J.V. SHIELDS, JR. J.V. Shields, Jr.	Director	February 25, 2015
/s/    DAVID V. SINGER David V. Singer	Director	February 25, 2015
/s/    JAMES T. SPEAR James T. Spear	Director	February 25, 2015
/s/    MELVIN T. STITH, PH.D. Melvin T. Stith, Ph.D.	Director	February 25, 2015
/s/    C. MARTIN WOOD III C. Martin Wood III	Director	February 25, 2015

68

FLOWERS FOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

	Page
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm		F-2
Consolidated Balance Sheets at January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013		F-3
Consolidated Statements of Income for Fiscal 2014, Fiscal 2013, and Fiscal 2012		F-4
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for Fiscal 2014, Fiscal 2013, and Fiscal 2012		F-5
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for Fiscal 2014, Fiscal 2013, and Fiscal 2012		F-6
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for Fiscal 2014, Fiscal 2013, and Fiscal 2012		F-7
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements		F-8

F-1

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of Flowers Foods, Inc.:

In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, changes in stockholders’ equity and of cash flows present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Flowers Foods Inc. and its subsidiaries at January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended January 3, 2015 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of January 3, 2015, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). The Company’s management is responsible for these financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting appearing under Item 9A. Our responsibility is to express opinions on these financial statements and on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our integrated audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audits of the financial statements included examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Atlanta, Georgia

February 25, 2015

F-2

FLOWERS FOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

	January 3, 2015			December 28, 2013
	(Amounts in thousands, except share data)
ASSETS
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	7,523		$	8,530
Accounts and notes receivable, net of allowances of $2,723 and $1,598, respectively		235,911			253,967
Inventories:
Raw materials		33,579			37,071
Packaging materials		19,591			21,188
Finished goods		39,930			42,592
		93,100			100,851
Spare parts and supplies		54,058			47,956
Deferred taxes		26,823			31,790
Other		43,148			44,311
Total current assets		460,563			487,405
Property, Plant and Equipment:
Land		93,314			99,201
Buildings		441,444			444,357
Machinery and equipment		1,115,129			1,075,467
Furniture, fixtures and transportation equipment		124,173			107,866
Construction in progress		18,566			41,117
		1,792,626			1,768,008
Less: accumulated depreciation		(985,168	)		(901,004	)
		807,458			867,004
Notes Receivable		161,905			142,845
Assets Held for Sale		39,108			54,752
Other Assets		12,011			12,894
Goodwill		282,960			282,404
Other Intangible Assets, net		644,969			656,710
Total assets	$	2,408,974		$	2,504,014
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current Liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt and capital lease obligations	$	34,496		$	31,272
Accounts payable		142,643			151,935
Other accrued liabilities		138,414			144,575
Total current liabilities		315,553			327,782
Long-term debt:
Total long-term debt and capital lease obligations		728,940			892,478
Other Liabilities:
Post-retirement/post-employment obligations		93,589			44,226
Deferred taxes		94,153			112,140
Other long-term liabilities		53,695			51,199
Total other long-term liabilities		241,437			207,565
Stockholders’ Equity:
Preferred stock — $100 stated par value, 200,000 authorized and none issued		—			—
Preferred stock — $.01 stated par value, 800,000 authorized and none issued		—			—
Common stock — $.01 stated par value and $.001 current par value, 500,000,000 authorized shares, 228,729,585 shares and 228,729,585 shares issued, respectively		199			199
Treasury stock — 19,382,272 shares and 20,166,635 shares, respectively		(202,062	)		(190,481	)
Capital in excess of par value		613,859			593,355
Retained earnings		809,068			735,631
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(98,020	)		(62,515	)
Total stockholders’ equity		1,123,044			1,076,189
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	2,408,974		$	2,504,014

See Accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

F-3

FLOWERS FOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

	Fiscal 2014			Fiscal 2013			Fiscal 2012
	53 weeks			52 weeks			52 weeks
	(Amounts in thousands, except per share data)
Sales	$	3,748,973		$	3,732,616		$	3,031,124
Materials, supplies, labor and other production costs (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)		1,950,633			1,972,221			1,617,810
Selling, distribution and administrative expenses		1,368,289			1,356,742			1,092,113
Depreciation and amortization		128,961			118,491			102,690
Pension plan settlement loss		15,387			—			—
Impairment of assets		10,308			—			—
Gain on acquisition		—			(50,071	)		—
Income from operations		275,395			335,233			218,511
Interest expense		28,288			28,875			23,411
Interest income		(20,947	)		(16,015	)		(13,672	)
Income before income taxes		268,054			322,373			208,772
Income tax expense		92,315			91,479			72,651
Net income	$	175,739		$	230,894		$	136,121
Net Income Per Common Share:
Basic:
Net income per common share	$	0.84		$	1.11		$	0.66
Weighted average shares outstanding		209,683			207,935			205,005
Diluted:
Net income per common share	$	0.82		$	1.09		$	0.66
Weighted average shares outstanding		213,092			211,927			207,674

See Accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

F-4

FLOWERS FOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

	Fiscal 2014			Fiscal 2013			Fiscal 2012
	53 weeks			52 weeks			52 weeks
	(Amounts in thousands, except per share data)
Net income.	$	175,739		$	230,894		$	136,121
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Pension and postretirement plans:
Prior service credit for the period		—			682			—
Settlement loss		9,463			—			—
Net gain (loss) for the period		(45,516	)		55,637			(16,214	)
Amortization of prior service credit included in net income		(289	)		(158	)		(158	)
Amortization of actuarial loss included in net income		829			3,307			2,944
Pension and postretirement plans, net of tax		(35,513	)		59,468			(13,428	)
Derivative instruments:
Net change in fair value of derivatives		(3,201	)		(24,457	)		(1,546	)
Loss (gain) reclassified to net income		3,209			17,141			12,354
Derivative instruments, net of tax		8			(7,316	)		10,808
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax		(35,505	)		52,152			(2,620	)
Comprehensive income	$	140,234		$	283,046		$	133,501

See Accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

F-5

FLOWERS FOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

	Common Stock				Capital in Excess of Par Value			Retained Earnings			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss			Treasury Stock						Total
	Number of Shares Issued		Par Value											Number of Shares			Cost
	(Amounts in thousands, except share data)
Balances at December 31, 2011		152,488,008	$	199	$	544,065		$	547,997		$	(112,047	)		(16,506,822	)	$	(221,246	)	$	758,968
Net income									136,121												136,121
Derivative instruments, net of tax												10,808									10,808
Pension and postretirement plans, net of tax												(13,428	)								(13,428	)
Shares issued for acquisition						16,628									2,178,648			29,259			45,887
Stock repurchases															(935,742	)		(18,726	)		(18,726	)
Exercise of stock options						(329	)								1,047,297			14,210			13,881
Issuance of deferred stock awards						(610	)								45,405			610			—
Amortization of share-based compensation awards						9,373															9,373
Income tax benefits related to share-based payments						2,225															2,225
Performance-contingent restricted stock awards forfeitures and cancellations						606									(45,252	)		(606	)		—
Issuance of deferred compensation						(34	)								1,647			34			—
Dividends paid on vested performance-contingent restricted stock and deferred share awards									(255	)											(255	)
Dividends paid — $0.420 per common share									(86,234	)											(86,234	)
Balances at December 29, 2012		152,488,008	$	199	$	571,924		$	597,629		$	(114,667	)		(14,214,819	)	$	(196,465	)	$	858,620
Net income									230,894												230,894
Derivative instruments, net of tax												(7,316	)								(7,316	)
Pension and postretirement plans, net of tax												59,468									59,468
Adjustment for 3 for 2 stock split		76,241,577							(52	)					(6,860,135	)					(52	)
Stock repurchases															(367,623	)		(8,819	)		(8,819	)
Exercise of stock options						508									1,158,590			13,177			13,685
Issuance of deferred stock awards						(752	)								54,120			752			—
Amortization of share-based compensation awards						14,725															14,725
Income tax benefits related to share-based payments						7,824															7,824
Performance-contingent restricted stock awards supplemental grant for exceeding TSR (Note 16)						(874	)								63,232			874			—
Dividends paid on vested performance-contingent restricted stock and deferred share awards									(386	)											(386	)
Dividends paid — $0.444 per common share									(92,454	)											(92,454	)
Balances at December 28, 2013		228,729,585	$	199	$	593,355		$	735,631		$	(62,515	)		(20,166,635	)	$	(190,481	)	$	1,076,189
Net income									175,739												175,739
Derivative instruments, net of tax												8									8
Pension and postretirement plans, net of tax												(35,513	)								(35,513	)
Stock repurchases															(2,014,610	)		(38,916	)		(38,916	)
Exercise of stock options						2,206									1,921,397			18,808			21,014
Issuance of deferred stock awards						(2,095	)								211,850			2,095			—
Amortization of share-based compensation awards						18,917															18,917
Income tax benefits related to share-based payments						7,908															7,908
Performance-contingent restricted stock awards issued (Note 16)						(6,168	)								652,719			6,168			—
Issuance of deferred compensation						(264	)								13,007			264			—
Dividends paid on vested performance-contingent restricted stock and deferred share awards									(608	)											(608	)
Dividends paid — $0.485 per common share									(101,694	)											(101,694	)
Balances at January 3, 2015		228,729,585	$	199	$	613,859		$	809,068		$	(98,020	)		(19,382,272	)	$	(202,062	)	$	1,123,044

See Accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

F-6

FLOWERS FOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

	Fiscal 2014			Fiscal 2013			Fiscal 2012
	53 weeks			52 weeks			52 weeks
	(Amounts in thousands)
Cash flows provided by (disbursed for) operating activities:
Net income	$	175,739		$	230,894		$	136,121
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Gain on acquisition		—			(50,071	)		—
Depreciation and amortization		128,961			118,491			102,690
Impairment of assets		10,308			—			—
Stock-based compensation		18,662			15,943			10,116
Loss (gain) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income to net income		5,218			27,055			17,272
Deferred income taxes		9,241			6,485			11,450
Provision for inventory obsolescence		1,074			1,210			947
Allowances for accounts receivable		4,956			4,110			1,991
Pension and postretirement plans (benefit) expense		5,341			(2,041	)		1,570
Other		(6,215	)		(5,701	)		(1,182	)
Qualified pension plan contributions		(12,999	)		(14,818	)		(18,143	)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions and disposals:
Accounts and notes receivable, net		7,181			1,114			(64,182	)
Inventories, net		6,977			(10,708	)		(13,366	)
Hedging activities, net		22			(39,325	)		(1,850	)
Other assets		(23,993	)		(22,151	)		1,431
Accounts payable		(9,951	)		(702	)		28,529
Other accrued liabilities		(6,552	)		10,699			3,486
Net cash provided by operating activities		313,970			270,484			216,880
Cash flows provided by (disbursed for) investing activities:
Purchase of property, plant and equipment		(83,778	)		(99,181	)		(67,259	)
Repurchase of independent distributor territories		(17,056	)		(26,418	)		(17,849	)
Principal payments from notes receivable		23,718			21,596			16,498
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired		—			(415,813	)		(318,476	)
Contingently refundable consideration		7,500			—			—
Proceeds from sale of new distribution territories		—			13,965			—
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment		36,303			2,966			1,301
Other		—			—			348
Net cash disbursed for investing activities		(33,313	)		(502,885	)		(385,437	)
Cash flows provided by (disbursed for) financing activities:
Dividends paid, including dividends on share-based payment awards		(102,302	)		(92,840	)		(86,489	)
Exercise of stock options		21,014			13,685			13,881
Excess windfall tax benefit related to share-based payment awards		7,879			7,781			2,318
Payments for debt issuance costs		—			—			(3,882	)
Payment of financing fees		(773	)		(2,456	)		(558	)
Stock repurchases		(38,916	)		(8,819	)		(18,726	)
Change in bank overdrafts		(679	)		(499	)		6,684
Proceeds from debt borrowings		1,175,200			2,169,950			1,482,481
Debt and capital lease obligation payments		(1,343,087	)		(1,859,094	)		(1,221,660	)
Other		—			(52	)		—
Net cash (disbursed for) provided by financing activities		(281,664	)		227,656			174,049
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents		(1,007	)		(4,745	)		5,492
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period		8,530			13,275			7,783
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	7,523		$	8,530		$	13,275
Schedule of non cash investing and financing activities:
Issuance of executive deferred compensation plan common stock	$	264		$	—		$	34
Capital and right-to-use lease obligations	$	12,399		$	8,971		$	4,867
Issuance of notes receivable on new distribution territories	$	44,346		$	22,611		$	1,891
Shares issued for the Lepage acquisition	$	—		$	—		$	45,887
Deferred obligations issued for acquisition	$	—		$	—		$	17,663
Purchase of property, plant and equipment included in accounts payable	$	1,094		$	435		$	3,310
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Cash paid during the period for:
Interest	$	26,065		$	25,996		$	16,106
Income taxes paid, net of refunds of $4,240, $323 and $7,194, respectively	$	78,587		$	83,525		$	56,377

See Accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

F-7

FLOWERS FOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 1. Basis of Presentation

General.    Flowers Foods, Inc. (the “company”) is one of the largest producers and marketers of bakery products in the United States. The company consists of two business segments: direct-store-delivery (“DSD Segment”) and warehouse delivery segment (“Warehouse Segment”). The DSD Segment focuses on the production and marketing of bakery products throughout the Northeast, South, Southern Midwest, Southwest, and California. The Warehouse Segment produces snack cakes, breads and rolls that are shipped both fresh and frozen to national retail, foodservice, vending, and co-pack customers through their warehouse channels.

Note 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

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.

Variable Interest Entities.    The incorporated independent distributors (“IDs”) who deliver our products qualify as variable interest entities (“VIEs”). The company typically finances the ID and also enters into a contract with the ID to sell product at a fixed discount for distribution in the ID’s territory. The combination of the company’s loans to the IDs and the ongoing supply arrangements with the IDs provides a level of protection to the equity owners of the various IDs that would not otherwise be available. However, the company is not considered to be the primary beneficiary of the VIEs because the company does not (i) have the ability to direct the significant activities of the VIEs that would affect their ability to operate their respective distributor territories or (ii) provide any implicit or explicit guarantees or other financial support to the VIEs, other than the financing described above, for specific return or performance benchmarks. The company’s maximum exposure related to the distributor route notes receivable of these VIEs is less than 10% of the total distributor route notes receivable for the consolidated company.

The company also maintains a transportation agreement with an entity that transports a significant portion of the company’s fresh bakery products from the company’s production facilities to outlying distribution centers. The company represents a significant portion of the entity’s revenue. This entity qualifies as a VIE, but the company has determined it is not the primary beneficiary of the VIE. See Note 13, Variable Interest Entities, for additional disclosure of this VIE entity.

Fiscal Year End.    The company operates on a 52-53 week fiscal year ending the Saturday nearest December 31. Fiscal 2014 consisted of 53 weeks. Fiscal 2013 and fiscal 2012 consisted of 52 weeks. Fiscal 2015 will consist of 52 weeks.

Revenue Recognition.    The company recognizes revenue from the sale of product at the time of delivery when title and risk of loss pass to the customer. The company records both direct and estimated reductions to gross revenue for customer programs and incentive offerings at the time the incentive is offered or at the time of revenue recognition for the underlying transaction that results in progress by the customer towards earning the incentive. These allowances include price promotion discounts, coupons, customer rebates, cooperative advertising, and product returns. Price promotion discount expense is recorded as a reduction to gross sales when the discounted product is sold to the customer. See Note 3, Financial Statement Revisions, for documentation of the revisions associated with the revenues reported in prior periods.

The consumer packaged goods industry has used scan-based trading technology over several years to share information between the supplier and retailer. An extension of this technology allows the retailer to take ownership of our goods when the consumer purchases the goods rather than at the time they are delivered to the retailer. Consequently, revenue on these sales is not recognized until the product is purchased by the consumer. This technology is referred to as pay-by-scan (“PBS”). In fiscal years 2014, 2013, and 2012, the company recorded $1,206.6 million, $1,116.4 million, and $863.4 million, respectively, in sales through PBS.

F-8

FLOWERS FOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Revenue on PBS sales is recognized when the product is purchased by the end consumer because that is when title and risk of loss is transferred. Non-PBS sales are recognized when the product is delivered to the customer since that is when title and risk of loss is transferred.

The company’s production facilities deliver our products to independent distributors, who deliver our products to outlets of retail accounts that are within the distributors’ geographic territory. PBS is utilized primarily in certain national and regional retail accounts (“PBS Outlet”). Generally, no revenue is recognized by the company upon delivery of our products by the company to the distributor or upon delivery of our products by the distributor to a PBS Outlet. It is recognized when our products are purchased by the end consumer. Product inventory in the PBS Outlet is reflected as inventory on the company’s balance sheet. The balance of PBS inventory at January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013 was $6.1 million and $6.4 million, respectively.

A distributor performs a physical inventory of our products at each PBS Outlet weekly and reports the results to the company. The inventory data submitted by the distributor for each PBS Outlet is compared with the product delivery data. Product delivered to a PBS Outlet that is not recorded in the inventory data has been purchased by the consumer/customer of the PBS Outlet and is recorded as sales revenue by the company.

The company repurchases territories from and sells territories to independent distributors from time to time. At the time the company purchases a territory from an independent distributor, the fair value purchase price of the territory is recorded as “Assets Held for Sale”. Upon the sale of that territory to a new independent distributor, generally a note receivable of up to ten years is recorded for the sales price of the territory (for those situations when the company provides direct financing to the distributor) with a corresponding credit to assets held for sale to relieve the carrying amount of the territory. Any difference between the amount of the note receivable (i.e., the sales price) and the territory’s carrying value is recorded as a gain or a loss in selling, distribution and administrative expenses because the company considers its distributor activity a cost of distribution. Since the distributor has the right to require the company to repurchase the territory at the original purchase price within the first six-month period following the date of sale, no gain is recorded on the sale of the territory until after the six-month period is completed (except that gains of $5,000 or less are recognized immediately upon the sale). Upon expiration of the six-month period, the amount deferred during this period is recorded and the remaining gain on the sale is recorded over the remaining term of the note. In instances where a territory is sold for less than its carrying value, a loss is recorded at the date of sale and any impairment of a territory held for sale is recorded at such time when the impairment occurs. The deferred gains were $25.7 million and $22.4 million at January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013, respectively, and are recorded in other short and long-term liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. The company recorded net gains of $3.8 million during fiscal 2014, $5.5 million during fiscal 2013, and $2.6 million during fiscal 2012 related to the sale of territories as a component of selling, distribution and administrative expenses.

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 as cash and cash equivalents.

F-9

FLOWERS FOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Accounts and Notes Receivable.    Accounts receivable consists of trade receivables, current portions of distributor notes receivable, and miscellaneous receivables. The company maintains allowances for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of its customers to make required payments for trade receivables, distributor notes receivable, and miscellaneous receivables. Bad debts are charged to this reserve after all attempts to collect the balance are exhausted. If the financial condition of the company’s customers were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, additional allowances may be required. In determining past due or delinquent status of a customer, the aged trial balance is reviewed on a weekly basis by sales management and generally any accounts older than seven weeks are considered delinquent. Activity in the allowance for doubtful accounts is as follows (amounts in thousands):

	Beginning Balance		Charged to Expense		Write-Offs and Other		Ending Balance
Fiscal 2014	$	1,598	$	4,956	$	3,831	$	2,723
Fiscal 2013	$	386	$	4,110	$	2,898	$	1,598
Fiscal 2012	$	171	$	1,991	$	1,776	$	386

The increase from fiscal 2012 to fiscal 2013 for the amount charged to the allowance for accounts receivable was from a significant increase in the number of new customers added during the year. These new customers contributed to the volume increases recognized in our overall sales increases. The amounts charged to expense for bad debts 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 actually used to reduce the gross accounts and notes receivable at the time the balance due from the customer is written-off.

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 years 2014, 2013 and 2012 accounted for 43.9%, 44.7% and 45.3% of sales, respectively. Our largest customer, Walmart/Sam’s Club, percent of sales for fiscal years 2014, 2013 and 2012 was as follows:

	Percent of Sales
	DSD Segment			Warehouse Segment			Total
Fiscal 2014		16.8	%		2.6	%		19.5	%
Fiscal 2013		17.1	%		3.1	%		20.2	%
Fiscal 2012		16.9	%		3.9	%		20.8	%

Inventories.    Inventories at January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013 are valued at lower of cost or market. Costs for raw materials and packaging are recorded at moving average cost. Finished goods inventories are at average costs.

The company will write down inventory to market for estimated unmarketable inventory equal to the difference between the cost of inventory and the estimated market 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 Balance		Charged to Expense		Write-Offs and Other		Ending Balance
Fiscal 2014	$	93	$	1,074	$	1,008	$	159
Fiscal 2013	$	38	$	1,210	$	1,155	$	93
Fiscal 2012	$	58	$	947	$	967	$	38

F-10

FLOWERS FOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

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 actually used to reduce gross inventories.

Shipping Costs.    Shipping costs are included in the selling, distribution and administrative line item of the Consolidated Statements of Income. For fiscal years 2014, 2013, and 2012, shipping costs were $847.6 million, $797.4 million, and $675.6 million, respectively, including delivery fees paid to independent distributors.

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.

Property, Plant and Equipment and Depreciation.    Property, plant and equipment is stated at cost. Depreciation expense is computed using the straight-line method based on the estimated useful lives of the depreciable assets. Certain equipment held under capital leases of $28.9 million and $22.5 million at January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013, respectively, is classified as property, plant and equipment and the related obligations are recorded as liabilities. Depreciation of assets held under capital leases is included in depreciation and amortization expense. Total accumulated depreciation for assets held under capital leases was $6.3 million and $7.0 million at January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013, respectively.

Buildings are depreciated over ten to forty years, machinery and equipment over three to twenty-five years, and furniture, fixtures, and transportation equipment over three to fifteen years. Property under capital leases and leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the lease term or the estimated useful life of the property. Depreciation expense for fiscal years 2014, 2013, and 2012 was $117.2 million, $106.7 million and $93.4 million, respectively. The company had no capitalized interest during fiscal 2014, 2013, and 2012. 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 income from operations and is included in adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash for operating activities in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

Segments.    The company’s segments are separated primarily by the different delivery methods each segment uses for their respective product deliveries. DSD Segment products are delivered fresh to customers through a network of independent distributors who are incentivized to grow sales and to build equity in their distributorships. The Warehouse Segment ships fresh and frozen products to customers’ warehouses nationwide. Our bakeries fall into either the DSD Segment or Warehouse Segment depending on the primary method of delivery used to sell that bakery’s products. The bakeries within each segment produce products that are sold externally to their customers and internally to bakeries within the segment and to the other segment. Sales between bakeries are transferred at standard cost.

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. In the event that 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 evaluation is required, the estimated future gross, undiscounted cash flows associated with the asset would be compared to the asset’s carrying amount to determine if a write-down to market value is required.

Future adverse changes in market conditions or poor operating results of underlying long-lived held and used assets could result in losses or an inability to recover the carrying value of the long-lived held and used assets that may not be reflected in the assets’ current carrying values, thereby possibly requiring an impairment

F-11

FLOWERS FOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

charge in the future. There were no impairment charges for long-lived held and used assets during fiscal years 2014, 2013, or 2012.

Impairment of Other Intangible Assets.    The company accounts for other intangible assets recognized in a purchase business combination 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. Amortization of finite-lived intangible assets occurs over their estimated useful lives. The amortization periods, at origination, range from three years to forty years for these assets. These finite-lived intangible assets generally include trademarks, customer relationships, non-compete agreements, distributor relationships, and supply agreements.

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 as finite-lived assets that will require amortization. We consider historical performance and future estimated results in our evaluation of impairment. In the event that 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. Fair value is estimated using the future gross, discounted cash flows associated with the asset using the following four material assumptions: (a) discount rate; (b) long-term sales growth rates; (c) forecasted operating margins; and (d) market multiples. We use the multi-period excess earnings and relief from royalty methods to value these indefinite-lived intangible assets. 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.

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. There were no impairment charges during fiscal years 2014, 2013, or 2012. See Note 7, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, for additional disclosure.

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 an event occurs that indicates the fair value of a reporting unit may be below its carrying value) using a two-step method. This analysis is performed for both of our segments. Goodwill is recorded at the segment level primarily because of reciprocal baking arrangements for plants within each segment. 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 years 2014, 2013, or 2012. During the second quarter of fiscal 2014, we recorded an impairment of $2.6 million related to the disposition of certain assets as described in Note 6, Assets Held For Sale. This goodwill impairment represented the share of goodwill for the disposed assets. See Note 7, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, for additional disclosure.

Derivative Financial Instruments.    The company enters into commodity derivatives, designated as cash flow hedges of existing or future exposure to changes in commodity prices. The company’s primary raw materials are flour, sweeteners, and shortening, along with pulp, paper, and petroleum-based packaging products. The company uses natural gas as fuel for firing ovens. The company also periodically enters into interest rate

F-12

FLOWERS FOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

derivatives to hedge exposure to changes in interest rates. The company measures the fair value of its derivative portfolio using the fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in the principal market for that asset or liability. When quoted market prices for identical assets or liabilities are not available, the company bases fair value upon internally developed models that use current market observable inputs, such as exchange-quoted futures prices and yield curves.

The effective portion of changes in fair value for these derivatives is recorded each period in other comprehensive income (loss), and any ineffective portion of the change in fair value is recorded to current period earnings in selling, distribution and administrative expenses. All of our commodity derivatives at January 3, 2015 qualified for hedge accounting. During fiscal years 2014, 2013, and 2012 there was no material income or expense recorded due to ineffectiveness in current earnings due to changes in the fair value of these instruments.

The company routinely transfers amounts from other comprehensive income (“OCI”) to earnings as transactions for which cash flow hedges were held occur and impact earnings. Significant situations which do not routinely occur that could cause transfers from OCI to earnings are as follows: (i) an event that causes a hedge to be suddenly ineffective and significant enough that hedge accounting must be discontinued or (ii) 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 overhedged and must discontinue hedge accounting. During fiscal 2014, 2013, and 2012 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 9, Derivative Financial Instruments, for additional disclosure.

Treasury Stock.    The company records acquisitions of its common stock for treasury at cost. Differences between 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 15, Stockholders’ Equity, for additional disclosure.

Advertising and Marketing Costs.    Advertising and marketing costs are expensed the first time the advertising takes place. Advertising and marketing costs were $22.9 million, $28.1 million, and $19.1 million for fiscal years 2014, 2013, and 2012, 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 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. See Note 16, Stock-Based Compensation, for additional disclosure.

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. The net balance of capitalized software development costs included in plant, property and equipment was $13.0 million and $14.8 million at January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013, respectively. Amortization expense of capitalized software development costs, which is included in depreciation and amortization expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income, was $2.4 million, $3.2 million, and $1.6 million in fiscal years 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively.

F-13

FLOWERS FOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

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 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 were 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 asset 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 20, Income Taxes, for additional disclosure.

Activity in the deferred tax asset valuation allowance is as follows (amounts in thousands):

	Beginning Balance		Deductions		Additions		Ending Balance
Fiscal 2014	$	2,895	$	361	$	—	$	2,534
Fiscal 2013	$	4,545	$	1,650	$	—	$	2,895
Fiscal 2012	$	4,874	$	782	$	453	$	4,545

The deductions column in the table above 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.

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 on 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 and historical trends and data. Though the company does not expect them to do so, actual settlements and claims could differ materially from those estimated. Material differences in actual settlements and claims could have an adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

Net Income Per Common Share.    Basic net income per share is computed by dividing net income by 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. See Note 18, Earnings Per Share, for additional disclosure.

Pension/OPEB Obligations.    The company records net periodic benefit costs and obligations related to its three defined benefit pension and two other post employment benefit (“OPEB”) plans based on actuarial valuations. These valuations reflect key assumptions determined by management, including the discount rate and

F-14

FLOWERS FOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

expected long-term rate of return on plan assets. The expected long-term rate of return assumption considers the asset mix of the plans’ portfolios, past performance of these assets, the anticipated future economic environment, and long-term performance of individual asset classes, and other factors. Material changes in benefit costs and obligations may occur in the future due to experience different than assumed and changes in these assumptions. Future benefit obligations and annual benefit costs could be impacted by changes in the discount rate, changes in the expected long-term rate of return, changes in the level of contributions to the plans’, and other factors. Effective January 1, 2006, the company curtailed its largest defined benefit pension plan that covered the majority of its workforce. Benefits under this plan were frozen, and no future benefits will accrue under this plan. The company still maintains a smaller unfrozen pension plan for certain eligible unionized employees.

The company determines the fair value of substantially all its plans’ assets utilizing market quotes rather than developing “smoothed” values, “market related” values, or other modeling techniques. Plan asset gains or losses in a given year are included with other actuarial gains and losses due to remeasurement of the plans’ projected benefit obligations (“PBO”). If the total unrecognized gain or loss exceeds 10% of the larger of (i) the PBO or (ii) the market value of plan assets, the excess of the total unrecognized gain, or loss is amortized over the expected average future lifetime of participants in the frozen pension plans. The company uses a calendar year end for the measurement date since the plans are based on a calendar year and because it approximates the company’s fiscal year end. See Note 19, Postretirement Plans, for additional disclosure.

Pension Plan assets.    Effective January 1, 2014, the Finance Committee (“committee”) of the Board of Directors delegated its fiduciary and other responsibilities with respect to the plans to the newly established Investment Committee. The Investment Committee, which consists of certain members of management, establishes investment guidelines and strategies and regularly monitors the performance of the plans’ assets. The Investment Committee 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 Investment Committee 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 Investment Committee rebalances the plans’ assets to the targeted allocation when considered appropriate.

Use of Estimates.    The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America 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.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments.    On April 3, 2012, the company issued $400.0 million of senior notes. The notes are recorded in our financial statements at carrying value, net of issuance costs. The 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 14, Fair Value of Financial Instruments.

Other Comprehensive Income.    The company reports comprehensive income in two separate but consecutive financial statements. In December 2011, the FASB issued guidance to present reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income. See Note 17, Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), for these additional required disclosures.

Note 3. Financial Statement Revisions

During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014, we revised net sales. Historically, certain immaterial discounts had been recorded as an expense to selling, distribution and administrative costs. These discounts are now recorded

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

as contra revenue. These revisions have been made for all periods presented in this Form 10-K. The impact of these cash sales was 0.5% and 0.5% to our previously reported consolidated sales in our fiscal 2013 and fiscal 2012 financial statements, respectively. In addition, since these types of sales are only applicable to our DSD Segment, the impact was 0.6% and 0.6% to our previously reported DSD Segment sales in our fiscal 2013 and fiscal 2012 financial statements, respectively. We have concluded that these revisions are immaterial to our fiscal 2013 and 2012 financial statements and each of the quarterly periods in fiscal years 2014, 2013 and 2012.

Our financial statements have been revised to correctly report the discounts by decreasing sales and decreasing selling, distribution and administrative expenses by the amount of the discounts in the respective periods presented. There are no impacts to our Consolidated Balance Sheets, Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity, or Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for any prior periods. Additionally, the correction did not impact our previously reported income from operations, net income or earnings per share.

The tables below present the revisions to the applicable financial statement line items for all periods presented and for the quarterly information for fiscal years 2014 and 2013 (amounts in thousands).

	Fiscal 2013
Impacted Financial Statement line item	As Previously Reported		Revisions			As Revised
Sales	$	3,751,005	$	(18,389	)	$	3,732,616
Selling, distribution and administrative expense	$	1,375,131	$	(18,389	)	$	1,356,742

	Fiscal 2012
Impacted Financial Statement line item	As Previously Reported		Revisions			As Revised
Sales	$	3,046,491	$	(15,367	)	$	3,031,124
Selling, distribution and administrative expense	$	1,107,480	$	(15,367	)	$	1,092,113

	Quarter 1 of Fiscal 2014
Impacted Financial Statement line item	As Previously Reported		Revisions			As Revised
Sales	$	1,159,760	$	(5,843	)	$	1,153,917
Selling, distribution and administrative expense	$	426,390	$	(5,843	)	$	420,547

	Quarter 2 of Fiscal 2014
Impacted Financial Statement line item	As Previously Reported		Revisions			As Revised
Sales	$	877,378	$	(4,587	)	$	872,791
Selling, distribution and administrative expense	$	319,582	$	(4,587	)	$	314,995

	Quarter 3 of Fiscal 2014
Impacted Financial Statement line item	As Previously Reported		Revisions			As Revised
Sales	$	849,360	$	(4,428	)	$	844,932
Selling, distribution and administrative expense	$	306,514	$	(4,428	)	$	302,086

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

	Quarter 1 of Fiscal 2013
Impacted Financial Statement line item	As Previously Reported		Revisions			As Revised
Sales	$	1,130,810	$	(5,888	)	$	1,124,922
Selling, distribution and administrative expense	$	411,439	$	(5,888	)	$	405,551

	Quarter 2 of Fiscal 2013
Impacted Financial Statement line item	As Previously Reported		Revisions			As Revised
Sales	$	898,153	$	(4,577	)	$	893,576
Selling, distribution and administrative expense	$	325,946	$	(4,577	)	$	321,369

	Quarter 3 of Fiscal 2013
Impacted Financial Statement line item	As Previously Reported		Revisions			As Revised
Sales	$	878,492	$	(4,363	)	$	874,129
Selling, distribution and administrative expense	$	327,529	$	(4,363	)	$	323,166

	Quarter 4 of Fiscal 2013
Impacted Financial Statement line item	As Previously Reported		Revisions			As Revised
Sales	$	843,550	$	(3,561	)	$	839,989
Selling, distribution and administrative expense	$	310,217	$	(3,561	)	$	306,656

Note 4. New Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

In May 2014, the FASB issued guidance for recognizing revenue in contracts with customers. This guidance requires entities to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. There are five steps outlined in the guidance to achieve this core principle. The company is still analyzing the potential impact of this guidance on the company’s Consolidated Financial Statements. This guidance will be effective for our fiscal 2017 which begins on January 1, 2017.

In June 2014, the FASB issued guidance that requires performance targets for a share-based payment award that affects vesting and that could be achieved after the requisite service period is treated as a performance condition. The performance condition should not be reflected in the grant date fair value of the award. Compensation cost should be recognized in the period in which it becomes probable that the performance target will be achieved and should represent the compensation cost attributable to the period for which the requisite service has already been rendered. The company already applies the standards proscribed in this guidance therefore it will not have an impact on the Consolidated Financial Statements. This guidance is effective for annual periods and interim periods within those annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015, which is our fiscal 2016.

In August 2014, the FASB issued guidance related to management’s responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern by incorporating and expanding upon certain principles that are currently in U.S. auditing standards and to provide related footnote disclosures. This guidance is effective for the annual period ending after December 15, 2016, and for annual periods and interim periods thereafter. The requirements of this guidance are not expected to have a significant impact on the Consolidated Financial Statements.

In January 2015, the FASB issued guidance that eliminates the concept of extraordinary items from generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”). This guidance is effective

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015. A reporting entity may apply the amendments prospectively. A reporting entity also may apply the amendments retrospectively to all prior periods presented in the financial statements. Early adoption is permitted provided that the guidance is applied from the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. The requirements of this guidance are not expected to have a significant impact on the Consolidated Financial Statements.

In February 2015, the FASB issued guidance that focuses on the consolidation evaluation for reporting organizations that are required to evaluate whether they should consolidate certain legal entities. This guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015. A reporting entity may apply the amendments using a modified retrospective approach by recording a cumulative-effect adjustment to equity as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. A reporting entity also may apply the amendments retrospectively. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. If an entity early adopts the amendments in an interim period, any adjustments should be reflected as of the beginning of the fiscal year that includes that interim period. The company is still analyzing the potential impact of this guidance on the company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

We have reviewed other recently issued accounting pronouncements and concluded that they are either not applicable to our business or that no material effect is expected as a result of future adoption.

Note 5. Notes Receivable

The company provides direct financing to certain independent distributors for the purchase of the distributors’ territories and records the notes receivable on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The territories are financed for up to ten years. During fiscal years 2014, 2013, and 2012, $20.9 million, $16.0 million, and $13.7 million, respectively, was recorded as interest income relating to the distributor notes. The distributor notes are collateralized by the independent distributors’ territories. Additional details are included in Note 14, Fair Value of Financial Instruments.

Note 6. Assets Held for Sale

The company purchases territories from and sells territories to independent distributors from time to time. The company repurchases territories from independent distributors in circumstances when the company decides to exit a territory or when the distributor elects to terminate their relationship with the company. In the event the company decides to exit a territory or ceases to utilize the independent distribution form of doing business, the company is contractually required to purchase the territory from the independent distributor. In the event an independent distributor terminates their relationship with the company, the company, although not legally obligated, normally repurchases and operates that territory as a company-owned territory. The independent distributors may also sell their territories to another person or entity. Territories purchased from independent distributors and operated as company-owned territories are recorded on the company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet in the line item “Assets Held for Sale “ while the company actively seeks another distributor to purchase the territory.

Territories held for sale and operated by the company are sold to independent distributors at the fair market value of the territory. Subsequent to the purchase of a territory by the distributor, in accordance with the terms of the distributor arrangement, the independent distributor has the right to require the company to repurchase the territory and truck, if applicable, at the original purchase price paid by the distributor within the six-month period following the date of sale. The company is not required to repay interest paid by the distributor during such six-month period. If the truck is leased, the company will assume the lease payment if the territory is repurchased during the six-month period. Should the independent distributor wish to sell the territory after the six-month period has expired, the company has the right of first refusal.

The company is also selling certain manufacturing facilities and depots from the Acquired Hostess Bread Assets purchased in July 2013. These assets were originally recorded as held and used in the purchase price

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

allocation in Note 8, Acquisitions. Subsequent to the acquisition, we determined that some of the acquired manufacturing facilities and depots do not meet our long-term strategy. As a result, we are in the process of selling them. There are certain other properties not associated with the Acquired Hostess Bread Assets that are also in the process of being sold. These assets are recorded on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet in the line item “Assets Held for Sale” and are included in the “Other” line item in the summary table below. During fiscal 2014, the company received $24.2 million on the sale of 22 Acquired Hostess Bread Asset depots and manufacturing facilities.

During the second quarter of fiscal 2014, we decided to sell certain assets at our Ft. Worth, Texas, tortilla facility (the “disposal group”). The company relocated our flour tortilla equipment to an existing manufacturing facility and continues to sell these products through our DSD Segment. The disposal group sale closed on August 13, 2014 for a sale price of $8.4 million in cash. The carrying value of the assets sold was $7.6 million. Assets not included in the disposal group were either transferred to other plants or were scrapped shortly after closing. We recognized an impairment loss on goodwill of $2.6 million and an additional impairment loss of $1.9 million for the scrapped assets during the second quarter of fiscal 2014. These impairments are recorded on the Consolidated Statements of Income in the line item “Impairment of assets”. The total gain on the divestiture was $1.8 million, of which $0.8 million related to property, plant and equipment recorded as held for sale in our second quarter of fiscal 2014, and is recorded on the Consolidated Statements of Income in the line item “Selling, distribution and administrative expenses”. We also incurred costs of $0.8 million included in the Consolidated Statements of Income line item “Materials, supplies, labor, and other production costs, excluding depreciation” relating to severance and inventory. The total costs for fiscal 2014 relating to the divestiture were $3.5 million.

In addition to the impairments described above, during the fourth quarter of our fiscal 2014, we recognized an impairment loss of $5.8 million for the difference between the carrying value and the fair value of certain Acquired Hostess Bread Assets classified as held for sale.

Additional assets recorded in assets held for sale are for property, plant and equipment exclusive of the amounts disclosed as part of the Acquired Hostess Bread Assets and the disposal group discussed above. The carrying values of assets held for sale are not amortized and are evaluated for impairment as required. The table below presents the assets held for sale as of January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013, respectively (amounts in thousands):

	January 3, 2015		December 28, 2013
Distributor territories	$	20,491	$	26,564
Acquired Hostess Bread Assets plants and depots		13,406		22,743
Other		5,211		5,445
Total assets held for sale	$	39,108	$	54,752

Note 7. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

The table below summarizes our goodwill and other intangible assets at January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013, respectively, each of which is explained in additional detail below (amounts in thousands):

	January 3, 2015		December 28, 2013
Goodwill	$	282,960	$	282,404
Amortizable intangible assets, net of amortization		189,969		201,710
Indefinite-lived intangible assets		455,000		455,000
Total goodwill and other intangible assets	$	927,929	$	939,114

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill, by segment, during fiscal 2013 and fiscal 2014, are as follows (amounts in thousands):

	DSD Segment			Warehouse Segment		Total
Balance as of December 29, 2012	$	265,420		$	4,477	$	269,897
Change in goodwill related to acquisitions		12,507			—		12,507
Balance as of December 28, 2013	$	277,927		$	4,477	$	282,404
Goodwill impairment		(2,624	)		—		(2,624	)
Change in goodwill related to an acquisition		3,180			—		3,180
Balance as of January 3, 2015	$	278,483		$	4,477	$	282,960

The segment goodwill balances as of December 28, 2013 and December 29, 2012 have been recast by $2.6 million for a plant that was changed from the Warehouse Segment to the DSD Segment during the first quarter of fiscal 2014. The $2.6 million goodwill impairment is discussed in Note 6, Assets Held For Sale, and relates to a portion of the DSD Segment’s goodwill allocated to the disposal group.

The table below presents the changes to goodwill by acquisition from December 29, 2012 to December 28, 2013 (amounts in thousands):

	Modesto		Acquired Hostess Assets		Lepage			Other		Total
Working capital adjustments	$	—	$	—	$	315		$	—	$	315
Acquisition-related tax adjustments		—		—		(1,016	)		—		(1,016	)
Adjustment to assets held for sale		—		—		63			—		63
Adjustment for accrued liabilities		—		—		2,394			—		2,394
Adjustment to property, plant and equipment		—		—		—			1,123		1,123
Acquisitions during fiscal 2013		4,209		5,419		—			—		9,628
Change in goodwill during fiscal 2013	$	4,209	$	5,419	$	1,756		$	1,123	$	12,507

The table below presents the changes to goodwill by acquisition from December 28, 2013 to January 3, 2015 (amounts in thousands):

	Acquired Hostess Assets
Adjustment for spare parts and final fair value assessment	$	(3,503	)
Adjustment to property, plant and equipment		6,683
Change in goodwill during fiscal 2014	$	3,180

The Modesto bun line, Acquired Hostess Bread Assets, and Lepage acquisitions are discussed in Note 8, Acquisitions, below. Changes were made to goodwill during fiscal 2013 to correct errors for certain prior period acquisitions that are past their measurement periods. Lepage goodwill increased by $0.9 million for an adjustment to accrued liabilities and was corrected during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013. Other goodwill increased by $1.1 million for an adjustment to property, plant and equipment and was corrected during the second quarter of fiscal year 2013. We evaluated the impact of these adjustments on our previously issued financial statements for each of the periods affected and concluded that the impact was not material.

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As of January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013, the company had the following amounts related to amortizable intangible assets (amounts in thousands):

	January 3, 2015						December 28, 2013
Asset	Cost		Accumulated Amortization		Net Value		Cost		Accumulated Amortization		Net Value
Trademarks	$	71,727	$	14,152	$	57,575	$	71,727	$	11,697	$	60,030
Customer relationships		169,921		41,099		128,822		169,921		32,688		137,233
Non-compete agreements		4,274		3,351		923		4,274		2,751		1,523
Distributor relationships		4,123		1,474		2,649		4,123		1,199		2,924
Supplier agreements		1,050		1,050		—		1,050		1,050		—
Total	$	251,095	$	61,126	$	189,969	$	251,095	$	49,385	$	201,710

As of January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013, there was $455.0 million of indefinite-lived intangible trademark assets separately identified from goodwill. These trademarks are classified as indefinite-lived because they are well established brands, many older than forty years old with a long history and well defined markets. In addition, we are continuing to use these brands both in their original markets and throughout our expansion territories. We believe these factors support an indefinite-life assignment with an annual impairment analysis to determine if the trademarks are realizing the expected economic benefits.

Net amortization expense for fiscal 2014, 2013, and 2012 was as follows (amounts in thousands):

	Fiscal 2014		Fiscal 2013		Fiscal 2012
Total	$	11,741	$	11,741	$	9,253

Estimated amortization of intangibles for 2015 and the next four years thereafter is as follows (amounts in thousands):

	Amortization of Intangibles
2015	$	11,495
2016	$	11,052
2017	$	10,580
2018	$	10,432
2019	$	10,283

Note 8. Acquisitions

Modesto acquisition

On July 27, 2013, the company completed the acquisition of certain assets related to a bun line in Modesto, California that serves the California market for a total cash payment of $10.3 million. This acquisition is included in our DSD Segment and the total goodwill recorded for this acquisition was $4.2 million.

Acquired Hostess Bread Assets

On July 19, 2013, the company completed its acquisition of Hostess’ Wonder, Nature’s Pride, Merita, Home Pride, and Butternut bread brands, 20 closed bakeries, and 36 depots (the “Acquired Hostess Bread Assets”) for a total cash payment of $355.3 million.

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

The company had filed a complaint in July 2008 alleging that Hostess infringed upon Flowers Foods’ Nature’s Own trademark by using or intending to use the Nature’s Pride trademark. This lawsuit was settled at the closing of the Acquired Hostess Bread Assets acquisition and we recorded a $1.4 million gain during the third quarter of our fiscal 2013 to reflect our estimate of the settlement fair value, determined as the saved future legal expenses as a result of the settlement, at closing. The gain was recorded in selling, distribution and administrative expense in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.

We believe the acquisition of the Acquired Hostess Bread Assets strengthens the company’s position as the second-largest baker in the U.S. by adding brands and bakeries that are expected to enhance our ability to steadily expand the geographic reach of our fresh breads, buns, rolls and snack cakes into new markets. The Acquired Hostess Bread Assets are included in our DSD Segment. Late in the third quarter of fiscal 2013, we began to re-introduce the newly acquired brands into markets we currently serve through our DSD Segment and new markets as we expand into new regions of the country. The re-introduction of the brands continued throughout fiscal 2014 and will continue in fiscal 2015.

During fiscal 2013, the company incurred $16.0 million of acquisition-related costs for the Acquired Hostess Bread Assets. There were no acquisition-related costs during fiscal 2014. A second proposed Hostess asset purchase agreement provided for the purchase of the Beefsteak brand for $30.0 million. This second agreement was topped by another bidder and the agreement terminated. In connection with this termination we received a break-up fee of $0.9 million during the first quarter of fiscal 2013. The acquisition-related costs for the Acquired Hostess Assets and the break-up fee related to the second proposed Hostess acquisition are recorded in the selling, distribution and administrative expense line item in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.

The following table summarizes the consideration paid for the Acquired Hostess Bread Assets and liabilities assumed based on the fair value at the acquisition date (amounts in thousands):

Fair value of consideration transferred:
Cash consideration transferred	$	355,342
Recognized amounts of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed:
Property, plant, and equipment	$	153,990
Identifiable intangible asset — trademarks		189,000
Financial assets		5,153
Net recognized amounts of identifiable assets acquired	$	348,143
Gain on legal settlement		(1,400	)
Net recognized amounts of identifiable assets acquired and gain on settlement	$	346,743
Goodwill	$	8,599

The goodwill is expected to be deductible for tax purposes and is included in our DSD Segment. Sales were $180.1 million during fiscal 2014 and $26.6 million during fiscal 2013, when the brands were reintroduced, for the brands acquired as part of the Acquired Hostess Bread Assets. The identified intangible assets in the table above were assigned indefinite lives and are discussed in Note 7, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

The table below presents the changes to goodwill from December 28, 2013 to January 3, 2015 for the Acquired Hostess Bread Assets (amounts in thousands):

Goodwill reported on December 28, 2013 for the Acquired Hostess Bread Assets	$	5,419
Changes in goodwill for spare parts and final fair value adjustments		(3,503	)
Changes in goodwill for property, plant and equipment final fair value adjustments		6,683
Net changes to goodwill	$	3,180
Final Acquired Hostess Bread Assets goodwill	$	8,599

Sara Lee California and Earthgrains acquisition of trademark licenses

On February 23, 2013, the company completed its acquisition from BBU, Inc., a subsidiary of Grupo Bimbo (“BBU”), of (1) perpetual, exclusive, and royalty-free licenses to the Sara Lee and Earthgrains brands for sliced breads, buns, and rolls in the state of California and (2) a closed bakery in Stockton, California for a total cash payment of $50.0 million. In addition, we received a perpetual, exclusive, and royalty-free license to the Earthgrains brand for a broad range of fresh bakery products in the Oklahoma City, Oklahoma market area. The acquisition of the Oklahoma license was completed during fiscal 2012 for immaterial consideration. The results of operations of these acquisitions are included in our DSD Segment.

The following table summarizes the consideration paid to acquire these licenses and the amounts of identified assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on the fair value at the acquisition date (amounts in thousands):

Fair value of consideration transferred:
Cash consideration transferred	$	49,950
Contingently refundable consideration (the “holdback”)		(7,600	)
Total consideration, net	$	42,350
Recognized amounts of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed:
Property, plant, and equipment	$	6,476
Identifiable intangible asset — distribution rights		25,790
Identifiable intangible asset — trademarks		79,500
Identifiable intangible asset — customer relationships		12,000
Deferred income taxes, net		(31,345	)
Net recognized amounts of identifiable assets acquired	$	92,421
Bargain purchase gain	$	50,071

The primary reason for this acquisition was to expand the company’s footprint into the California markets. The trademarks are non-amortizable assets and the customer relationships are being amortized over 21 years. We believe the acquisition resulted in a bargain purchase because the U.S. Department of Justice (the “DOJ”) required BBU to divest these assets, which resulted in a more favorable price to us than may have resulted from an arms-length negotiation. The bargain purchase gain is recognized in the line item “Gain on Acquisition”.

During the third quarter of fiscal 2013 we recorded a measurement period adjustment related to the distribution rights. The fair value of the distribution rights was reduced by $2.0 million as additional information

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FLOWERS FOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

became available. This reduction decreased the amount of the bargain purchase gain by $1.2 million, which is net of deferred taxes of $0.8 million. The measurement period adjustment was recorded as a revision to our first quarter 2013 Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet and the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.

The asset purchase agreement included a holdback provision (the “holdback”) in the amount of $10.0 million of the cash consideration paid at closing that remained in escrow until disbursed based on the possible occurrence of one of two triggering events. The purpose of the holdback was to encourage the company to increase production capacity serving the California market. The first triggering event related to the co-pack arrangement and the second triggering event related to the possible opening of the acquired Stockton Bakery. We entered into a co-pack arrangement with BBU at the acquisition date under which BBU was required to supply the company with Sara Lee branded product in California and Earthgrains branded product for a period of up to 18 months ending August 17, 2014. If we terminated the co-pack agreement (“co-pack decision”) or reopened the Stockton Bakery (“bakery decision”) potential payments from the holdback would be made to us. The amount of such payments was determined based on the company making the co-pack decision and/or the bakery decision by certain specified dates. The total amount available under the holdback was capped at $10.0 million. The table below reflects the potential payments to us under each scenario (amounts in thousands):

	February 23, 2013 – November 20, 2013		November 21, 2013 – February 18, 2014		February 19, 2014 – May 19, 2014		May 20, 2014 – August 17, 2014
Co-pack decision	$	10,000	$	7,500	$	5,000	$	—
Bakery decision	$	10,000	$	10,000	$	7,500	$	5,000

If we did not make the co-pack decision by May 19, 2014 or did not make the bakery decision by August 17, 2014, any remaining amount of the holdback would be distributed to BBU. The holdback fair value of $7.6 million represented our assessment, at the time of acquisition for inclusion into the purchase price allocation, of the probability that we would terminate the co-pack arrangement and/or open the Stockton bakery. This probability was assessed at each reporting period and changes in the fair value of the holdback were recorded through earnings in the period of change. There were no changes as a result of the probability assessment in the second or third quarter of fiscal 2013. We initially notified BBU of our intent to terminate the co-pack agreement during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013 and, upon completion of these notifications, we received $7.5 million during the first quarter of fiscal 2014. This holdback amount was recorded as a current receivable at December 28, 2013 on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. As a result of our initial notification, during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013, we recorded a $0.1 million reduction to the fair value of the holdback (recorded in selling, distribution and administrative expense). The final delivery date under the supply agreement was February 14, 2014.

Sales from the Sara Lee California and Earthgrains acquisitions during fiscal 2013 were $79.7 million. We incurred $1.5 million in acquisition-related costs during fiscal 2013. These expenses were included in the selling, distribution and administrative line item in the company’s Consolidated Statement of Income for the fifty-two weeks ended December 28, 2013. Since the acquisition date, we developed distribution territories to sell to independent distributors who serve California. The territory development took place in several phases in fiscal 2013. Amounts received upon sale of these new distributor territories are shown in our Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows as an investing activity.

Lepage acquisition

On July 21, 2012, we completed the acquisition of Lepage Bakeries, Inc. (“Lepage”) in two separate but concurrent transactions. Pursuant to the Acquisition Agreement dated May 31, 2012 (the “Acquisition Agreement”), by and among Flowers, Lobsterco I, LLC, a Maine single-member limited liability company and direct wholly owned subsidiary of Flowers (“Lobsterco I”), Lepage, RAL, Inc., a Maine corporation (“RAL”),

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

Bakeast Company, a Maine general partnership (“Bakeast Partnership”), Bakeast Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Bakeast Holdings,” and collectively with Lepage, RAL and Bakeast Partnership, the “Acquired Entities”), and the equityholders of the Acquired Entities named in the Acquisition Agreement (collectively, the “Equityholders”), Lobsterco I purchased from the Equityholders all of the issued and outstanding shares of the Acquired Entities in exchange for approximately $318.6 million in cash and $17.7 million in deferred obligations, which is the fair value of gross payments of $20.0 million.

Pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger dated May 31, 2012 (the “Merger Agreement”), by and among Flowers, Lobsterco II, LLC, a Maine single-member limited liability company and direct wholly owned subsidiary of Flowers (“Lobsterco II”), Aarow Leasing, Inc., a Maine corporation (“Aarow”), The Everest Company, Incorporated, a Maine corporation (“Everest,” and together with Aarow, the “Acquired Companies”), and certain equityholders of Lepage, the Acquired Companies merged with and into Lobsterco II (the “Merger”) and all of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock of the Acquired Companies were exchanged for 3,267,972 shares of Flowers common stock.

The Lepage acquisition has been accounted for as a business combination. The results of Lepage’s operations are included in the company’s Consolidated Financial Statements beginning on July 21, 2012 and are included in the company’s DSD Segment.

The aggregate purchase price was $382.2 million as described in the table below. We incurred $7.1 million in acquisition-related costs during fiscal 2012 for Lepage. These expenses are included in the selling, distribution and administrative line item in the company’s Consolidated Statement of Income for the fifty-two weeks ending on December 29, 2012.

The following table summarizes the consideration transferred to acquire Lepage and the amounts of identified assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on the fair value at the acquisition date (amounts in thousands):

Fair value of consideration transferred:
Cash	$	318,605
Deferred payment obligations		17,663
Flowers Foods, Inc. common stock		45,887
Total fair value of consideration transferred	$	382,155
Recognized amounts of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed:
Financial assets	$	11,658
Inventories		4,537
Property, plant, and equipment		59,970
Assets held for sale — Distributor routes		16,098
Identifiable intangible assets		256,400
Deferred income taxes, net		(1,137	)
Financial liabilities		(17,076	)
Net recognized amounts of identifiable assets acquired	$	330,450
Goodwill	$	51,705

Approximately $18.4 million of the cash consideration was for a tax adjustment paid to the Equityholders at the closing of the acquisition in connection with certain incremental tax liabilities incurred by those

F-25

FLOWERS FOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

Equityholders due to the joint election made by the parties under Section 338(h)(10) of the Internal Revenue Code. Total goodwill increased $0.9 million since the end of fiscal 2012, consisting of an increase of $0.3 million for the final working capital adjustment payment, a decrease of $1.0 million for a tax adjustment (recorded in financial liabilities in the table above), an increase of $0.1 million for assets held for sale, and an increase of $1.5 million for accrued liabilities (recorded in financial liabilities in the table above). The payment for the working capital adjustment was $0.2 million and was made during our second quarter of fiscal 2013. Lepage contributed revenues of $80.7 million and income from operations of $12.4 million for fiscal 2012.

The deferred payment obligations represent the fair value of the fixed payments of $1,250,000 beginning on the first business day of each of the sixteen calendar quarters following the fourth anniversary of the closing of the acquisition (total of $20.0 million in gross payments). The first payment will be made by Flowers on October 1, 2016 and the final payment will be made on July 1, 2020. The difference between the fair value ($17.7 million) and the gross payments ($20.0 million) of $2.3 million was recorded as a reduction to the liability and is being amortized to interest expense over eight years.

We issued 3,267,972 shares of Flowers common stock with a fair value of $45.9 million to certain equityholders of Lepage. The number of shares issued was calculated by dividing $50.0 million by the average closing price of Flowers common stock for the twenty consecutive trading day period ending five trading days prior to the closing. The shares issued to the equityholders were separated into five categories with each category having a different holding period requirement. As a result, each holding period had a fair value assignment based on an implied fair value which was determined using the Black-Scholes call option formula for an option expiring on each restriction lapse date. The estimated exercise price is equal to the stock price on the last trading day before the closing on July 21, 2012 of $13.65. The table below outlines the determination of fair value and provides the assumptions used in the calculation:

Restriction lapse fiscal year	2012			2013			2014			2015			2016			Total
Value of Flowers shares issued (thousands)	$	25,000		$	10,000		$	5,000		$	5,000		$	5,000		$	50,000
Implied fair value of restricted shares (thousands)	$	23,626		$	9,154		$	4,447		$	4,363		$	4,297		$	45,887
Exercise price (per share)	$	13.65		$	13.65		$	13.65		$	13.65		$	13.65
Expected term (yrs)		0.37			1.00			2.00			3.00			4.00
Volatility (%)		25.0	%		25.0	%		25.0	%		25.0	%		25.0	%
Risk-free rate (%)		0.1	%		0.2	%		0.2	%		0.3	%		0.4	%
Dividend yield (%)		3.0	%		3.0	%		3.0	%		3.0	%		3.0	%

The following table presents the intangible assets subject to amortization (amounts in thousands, except amortization periods):

	Amount		Weighted average amortization years
Customer relationships	$	69,000		25.0
Non-compete agreements		2,400		4.0
	$	71,400		24.3

Lepage operates three bakeries, two in Lewiston, Maine, and one in Brattleboro, Vermont. Lepage serves customers in the New England and New York markets with fresh bakery products sold under the Country Kitchen and Barowsky’s brands. This acquisition provides a DSD platform to more effectively market the Nature’s Own and Tastykake brands in the Northeast.

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FLOWERS FOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

The primary reasons for the acquisition were to expand the company’s footprint into the northeastern United States and to distribute Nature’s Own and Tastykake products throughout the Lepage territories. In addition to the amortizable intangible assets, there is an additional $185.0 million in indefinite-lived trademark intangible assets. Goodwill of $51.7 million is allocated to the DSD Segment. Approximately $11.9 million of goodwill is deductible for income tax purposes over fifteen years.

The fair value of trade receivables is $7.4 million. The gross amount of the receivable is $7.5 million of which $0.1 million is determined to be uncollectible. We did not acquire any other class of receivables as a result of the acquisition.

Acquisition pro formas

The following unaudited pro forma consolidated results of operations have been prepared as if the acquisition of Lepage and of the Acquired Hostess Bread Assets occurred at the beginning of fiscal 2012. Unaudited pro forma consolidated results of operations for the Sara Lee California and Earthgrains asset acquisitions are not included because the company determined that they are immaterial. Hostess filed for bankruptcy and ceased operations in November 2012 (the “Hostess Shutdown”). As a result, there were no sales related to the Acquired Hostess Assets for fiscal 2013 because of the Hostess Shutdown and there is no data to include in the pro forma presentation below. The acquisitions’ results from operations were included in our Consolidated Statements of Income during fiscal 2014 and, as a result, no pro forma data is presented (amounts in thousands, except per share data):

	Fiscal 2013		Fiscal 2012
	52 weeks		52 weeks
Sales:
As reported	$	3,732,616	$	3,031,124
Pro forma	$	3,732,616	$	3,887,498
Net income:
As reported	$	230,894	$	136,121
Pro forma	$	227,076	$	128,464
Basic net income per common share:
As reported	$	1.11	$	0.66
Pro forma	$	1.09	$	0.62
Diluted net income per common share:
As reported	$	1.09	$	0.66
Pro forma	$	1.07	$	0.61

These amounts have been calculated after applying the company’s accounting policies and adjusting the results to reflect additional depreciation and amortization that would have been charged assuming the fair value adjustments to property, plant, and equipment, and amortizable intangible assets had been applied. In addition, pro forma adjustments have been made for the interest incurred for financing the acquisitions with either the credit facility or the senior notes. Lepage’s revenue recognition policy was consistent with ours and adjustments are not required. Taxes have also been adjusted for the effect of the items discussed. These pro forma results of operations have been prepared for comparative purposes only, and they do not purport to be indicative of the results of operations that actually would have resulted had the acquisition occurred on the date indicated or that may result in the future.

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FLOWERS FOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

Note 9. Derivative Financial Instruments

The company measures the fair value of its derivative portfolio using the fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in the principal market for that asset or liability. These measurements are classified into a hierarchy by the inputs used to perform the fair value calculation as follows:

Level 1:    Fair value based on unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets

Level 2:    Modeled fair value with model inputs that are all observable market values

Level 3:    Modeled fair value with at least one model input that is not an observable market value

Commodity Price Risk

The company enters into commodity derivatives, designated as cash-flow hedges of existing or future exposure to changes in commodity prices. The company’s primary raw materials are flour, sweeteners, and shortening, along with pulp, paper, and petroleum-based packaging products. Natural gas, which is used as oven fuel, is also an important commodity used for production.

As of January 3, 2015, the company’s commodity hedge portfolio contained derivatives with a fair value of $(16.3) million, which is recorded in the following accounts with fair values measured as indicated (amounts in millions):

	Level 1			Level 2			Level 3		Total
Liabilities:
Other current		(10.9	)		(2.0	)		—		(12.9	)
Other long-term		(2.0	)		(1.4	)		—		(3.4	)
Net Fair Value	$	(12.9	)	$	(3.4	)	$	—	$	(16.3	)

As of December 28, 2013, the company’s commodity hedge portfolio contained derivatives with a fair value of $(11.5) million, which is recorded in the following accounts with fair values measured as indicated (amounts in millions):

	Level 1			Level 2			Level 3		Total
Assets:
Other current	$	—		$	0.2		$	—	$	0.2
Total		—			0.2			—		0.2
Liabilities:
Other current		(10.4	)		(0.2	)		—		(10.6	)
Other long-term		(0.7	)		(0.4	)		—		(1.1	)
Total		(11.1	)		(0.6	)		—		(11.7	)
Net Fair Value	$	(11.1	)	$	(0.4	)	$	—	$	(11.5	)

The positions held in the portfolio are used to hedge economic exposure to changes in various raw materials and production input prices and effectively fixes the price, or limits increases in prices, for a period of time extending into fiscal 2015. These instruments are designated as cash-flow hedges. See Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, for the accounting treatment of these hedged transactions.

Interest Rate Risk

The company entered into a treasury rate lock on March 28, 2012 to fix the interest rate for the ten-year 4.375% Senior Notes issued on April 3, 2012. The derivative position was closed when the debt was priced on

F-28

FLOWERS FOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

March 29, 2012 with a cash settlement that offset changes in the benchmark treasury rate between the execution of the treasury rate lock and the debt pricing date. This treasury rate lock was designated as a cash flow hedge and the cash settlement was $3.1 million and is being amortized to interest expense over the term of the notes.

During 2014, 2013 and 2012, interest expense of $0.3 million, $0.8 million, and $2.8 million, respectively, was recognized due to periodic settlements of the interest rate swaps.

Derivative Assets and Liabilities

The company had the following derivative instruments recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheet, all of which are utilized for the risk management purposes detailed above (amounts in thousands):

Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments	Derivative Assets								Derivative Liabilities
	January 3, 2015				December 28, 2013				January 3, 2015				December 28, 2013
	Balance Sheet Location		Fair Value		Balance Sheet Location		Fair Value		Balance Sheet Location		Fair Value		Balance Sheet Location		Fair Value
Commodity contracts		Other current assets		$—		Other current assets	$	162		Other current liabilities	$	12,898		Other current liabilities	$	10,626
Commodity contracts		Other long term assets		—		Other long term assets		—		Other long term liabilities		3,355		Other long term liabilities		1,094
Total				$—			$	162			$	16,253			$	11,720

Derivative Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (“AOCI”) transactions

The company had the following derivative instruments for deferred gains and (losses) on closed contracts and the effective portion for changes in fair value recorded in AOCI, all of which are utilized for the risk management purposes detailed above (amounts in thousands and net of tax):

Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships	Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in OCI on Derivatives (Effective Portion)(Net of tax)
	Fiscal 2014			Fiscal 2013			Fiscal 2012
Interest rate contracts	$	157		$	(205	)	$	(1,221	)
Commodity contracts		(3,358	)		(24,252	)		(325	)
Total	$	(3,201	)	$	(24,457	)	$	(1,546	)

Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships	Amount of (Gain) or Loss Reclassified from Accumulated OCI  into Income (Effective Portion)(Net of tax)						Location of (Gain) or Loss Reclassified from AOCI into Income (Effective Portion)
	Fiscal 2014		Fiscal 2013		Fiscal 2012
Interest rate contracts	$	—	$	502	$	1,732	Interest expense (income)
Commodity contracts		—		—		—	Selling, distribution and
Commodity contracts		3,209		16,639		10,622	administrative expenses Production costs(1)
Total	$	3,209	$	17,141	$	12,354

1. Included in Materials, supplies, labor and other production costs (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately).

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FLOWERS FOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

The balance in accumulated other comprehensive loss (income) related to commodity price risk and interest rate risk derivative transactions that are closed or will expire over the next three years are as follows (amounts in millions and net of tax) at January 3, 2015:

	Commodity Price Risk Derivatives		Interest Rate Risk Derivatives		Totals
Closed contracts	$	0.3	$	1.1	$	1.4
Expiring in 2015		8.5		—		8.5
Expiring in 2016 and beyond		1.5		—		1.5
Total	$	10.3	$	1.1	$	11.4

See Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, for the accounting treatment of other comprehensive income for these hedged transactions.

Derivative transactions notional amounts

As of January 3, 2015, the company had entered into the following financial contracts to hedge commodity and interest rate risks:

Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships	Notional amount
	(Millions)
Wheat contracts	$	96.3
Soybean oil contracts		32.1
Natural gas contracts		14.6
Total	$	143.0

The company’s derivative instruments contained no credit-risk-related contingent features at January 3, 2015. As of January 3, 2015, the company had $16.1 million recorded in other current assets, and on December 28, 2013, the company had $16.9 million recorded in other current assets representing collateral from or with counterparties for hedged positions.

Note 10. Other Current and Non-Current Assets

Other current assets consist of:

	January 3, 2015		December 28, 2013
	(Amounts in thousands)
Prepaid assets	$	17,430	$	17,176
Collateral to counterparties for derivative positions		16,077		16,876
Income taxes receivable		8,932		9,050
Other		709		1,209
Total	$	43,148	$	44,311

Other non-current assets consist of:

	January 3, 2015		December 28, 2013
	(Amounts in thousands)
Unamortized debt issuance costs	$	2,812	$	3,207
Unamortized financing fees		3,492		3,814
Other		5,707		5,873
Total	$	12,011	$	12,894

F-30

FLOWERS FOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Note 11. Other Accrued Liabilities

Other accrued liabilities consist of:

	January 3, 2015		December 28, 2013
	(Amounts in thousands)
Employee compensation	$	58,900	$	69,599
Fair value of derivative instruments		12,898		10,626
Insurance		24,403		24,908
Bank overdraft		15,668		16,347
Accrued interest		4,660		5,062
Other		21,885		18,033
Total	$	138,414	$	144,575

Note 12. Debt, Lease and Other Commitments

Long-term debt, including capital lease obligations, consisted of the following at January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013:

	Interest Rate at January 3, 2015			Final Maturity		January 3, 2015		December 28, 2013
						(Amounts in thousands)
Unsecured credit facility		3.70	%		2019	$	53,000	$	44,200
Unsecured new term loan		1.79	%		2018		270,000		296,250
4.375% senior notes due April 1, 2022		4.38	%		2022		399,304		399,207
Accounts receivable securitization		0.91	%		2016		—		150,000
Capital lease obligations		3.44	%		2020		22,526		15,649
Other notes payable		2.13	%		2020		18,606		18,444
							763,436		923,750
Current maturities of long-term debt and capital lease obligations							34,496		31,272
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations						$	728,940	$	892,478

Bank overdrafts occur when checks have been issued but have not been presented to the bank for payment. Certain of our banks allow us to delay funding of issued checks until the checks are presented for payment. The delay in funding results in a temporary source of financing from the bank. The activity related to bank overdrafts is shown as a financing activity in our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Bank overdrafts are included in other current liabilities on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013, the bank overdraft balance was $15.7 million and $16.3 million, respectively.

The company also had standby letters of credit (“LOCs”) outstanding of $16.4 million and $15.5 million at January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013, respectively, which reduce the availability of funds under the credit facility. The outstanding LOCs are for the benefit of certain insurance companies and lessors. None of the LOCs are recorded as a liability on the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

Accounts Receivable Securitization Facility, New Term Loan, Senior Notes, Credit Facility, and Term Loan

Accounts Receivable Securitization Facility.    On July 17, 2013, the company entered into an accounts receivable securitization facility (the “facility”). On August 7, 2014, the company entered into the first

F-31

FLOWERS FOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

amendment under the facility. The amendment (i) increased the revolving commitments under the facility to $200.0 million from $150.0 million (ii) extended the term one year to July 17, 2016 and (iii) made certain other conforming changes. On December 17, 2014, the company executed the second amendment under the facility to add a bank to the lending group. The original commitment amount was split between the original lender and the new lender in the proportion of 62.5% for the original lender and 37.5% for the new lender. This modification, which was accounted for as an extinguishment of the debt, resulted in a charge of $0.1 million, or 37.5%, of the unamortized financing costs. Under the facility, a wholly-owned, bankruptcy-remote subsidiary purchases, on an ongoing basis, substantially all trade receivables. As borrowings are made under the facility, the subsidiary pledges the receivables as collateral. In the event of liquidation of the subsidiary, its creditors would be entitled to satisfy their claims from the subsidiary’s pledged receivables prior to distributions of collections to the company. We include the subsidiary in our Consolidated Financial Statements. The facility contains certain customary representations and warranties, affirmative and negative covenants, and events of default. As of January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013, the company had $0.0 million and $150.0 million, respectively, outstanding under the facility. As of January 3, 2015, the company was in compliance with all restrictive financial covenants under the facility. On January 3, 2015, the company had $200.0 million available under its facility for working capital and general corporate purposes.

Optional principal repayments may be made at anytime without premium or penalty. Interest is due two days after our reporting periods end in arrears on the outstanding borrowings and is computed as the cost of funds rate plus an applicable margin of 70 basis points. An unused fee of 25 basis points is applicable on the unused commitment at each reporting period. The company paid financing costs of $0.8 million in connection with the facility at the time we entered into the facility, which are being amortized over the life of the facility. During fiscal 2014, we incurred $0.2 million in financing costs with the first and second amendments.

New Term Loan.    We entered into a senior unsecured delayed-draw term facility (the “new term loan”) on April 5, 2013 with a commitment of up to $300.0 million to partially finance the then pending acquisition of the Acquired Hostess Bread Assets and pay acquisition-related costs and expenses. The company drew down the full amount of the new term loan on July 18, 2013 (the borrowing date) to complete the Acquired Hostess Bread Assets acquisition as disclosed in Note 8, Acquisitions. On February 14, 2014, we entered into the first amendment to the credit agreement for the new term loan.

The new term loan amortizes in quarterly installments based on an increasing annual percentage. The first payment was due and payable on June 30, 2013 (the last business day of the first calendar quarter ending after the borrowing date), quarterly payments are due on the last business day of each successive calendar quarter and all remaining outstanding principal is due and payable on the fifth anniversary of the borrowing date. The table below presents the principal payment amounts due under the new term loan until the balance is paid in full (amounts in thousands):

Fiscal Year	Payments
2015	$	30,000
2016	$	67,500
2017	$	112,500
2018	$	60,000

The February 14, 2014 amendment, which was accounted for as a modification of the debt, favorably reduced the interest rates described below from those entered into originally on April 5, 2013. Voluntary prepayments on the new term loan may be made without premium or penalty. Interest is due quarterly in arrears on any outstanding borrowings at a customary Eurodollar rate or the base rate plus applicable margin. The applicable margin ranges from 0.00% to 1.25% for base rate loans and from 1.00% to 2.25% for Eurodollar loans, and is based on the company’s leverage ratio. Interest on base rate loans is payable quarterly in arrears on the last business day of each calendar quarter. Interest on Eurodollar loans is payable in arrears at the end of the

F-32

FLOWERS FOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

interest period and every three months in the case of interest periods in excess of three months. The company paid financing costs of $1.7 million in connection with the new term loan, which are being amortized over the life of the new term loan. A commitment fee of 20 basis points on the daily undrawn portion of the lenders’ commitments commenced on May 1, 2013 and continued until the borrowing date, when the company borrowed the available $300.0 million for the Acquired Hostess Bread Assets acquisition. The new term loan is subject to customary restrictive covenants, including certain limitations on liens and significant acquisitions and financial covenants regarding minimum interest coverage ratio and maximum leverage ratio. The February 14, 2014 amendment cost $0.3 million and is being amortized over the remaining term. As of January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013, the company was in compliance with all restrictive covenants under the new term loan.

Senior Notes.    On April 3, 2012, the company issued $400.0 million of senior notes. The company pays semiannual interest on the notes on each April 1 and October 1, beginning on October 1, 2012, and the notes will mature on April 1, 2022. The notes bear interest at 4.375% per annum. On any date prior to January 1, 2022, the company may redeem some or all of the notes at a price equal to the greater of (1) 100% of the principal amount of the notes redeemed and (2) a “make-whole” amount plus, in each case, accrued and unpaid interest. The make-whole amount is equal to the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal thereof (not including any interest accrued thereon to, but not including, the date of redemption), discounted to the date of redemption on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the treasury rate (as defined in the agreement), plus 35 basis points, plus in each case, unpaid interest accrued thereon to, but not including, the date of redemption. At any time on or after January 1, 2022, the company may redeem some or all of the notes at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest. If the company experiences a “change of control triggering event” (which involves a change of control of the company and related rating of the notes below investment grade), it is required to offer to purchase the notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon unless the company exercised its option to redeem the notes in whole. The notes are also subject to customary restrictive covenants, including certain limitations on liens and sale and leaseback transactions.

The face value of the notes is $400.0 million and the current discount on the notes is $0.7 million. The company paid $3.9 million of issuance costs (including underwriting fees and legal fees) for issuing the notes. The issuance costs and the debt discount are being amortized to interest expense over the term of the notes. As of January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013 the company was in compliance with the restrictive covenants under the notes and the indenture governing the notes.

Credit Facility.    On February 14, 2014, the company amended its senior unsecured credit facility (the “credit facility”) to provide for a less restrictive leverage ratio and certain more favorable covenant terms, to extend the term to February 14, 2019, to update the existing agreement to address changes in law, and to include applicable conforming changes in light of the new term loan. The amendment was accounted for as a modification of the debt. The credit facility is a five-year, $500.0 million senior unsecured revolving loan facility. The credit facility contains a provision that permits Flowers to request up to $200.0 million in additional revolving commitments, for a total of up to $700.0 million, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions. Proceeds from the credit facility may be used for working capital and general corporate purposes, including capital expenditures, acquisition financing, refinancing of indebtedness, dividends and share repurchases. The credit facility includes certain customary restrictions, which, among other things, require maintenance of financial covenants and limit encumbrance of assets and creation of indebtedness. Restrictive financial covenants include such ratios as a minimum interest coverage ratio and a maximum leverage ratio. The company believes that, given its current cash position, its cash flow from operating activities and its available credit capacity, it can comply with the current terms of the amended credit facility and can meet presently foreseeable financial requirements. As of January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013, the company was in compliance with all restrictive financial covenants under the credit facility.

F-33

FLOWERS FOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Interest is due quarterly in arrears on any outstanding borrowings at a customary Eurodollar rate or the base rate plus applicable margin. The underlying rate is defined as rates offered in the interbank Eurodollar market, or the higher of the prime lending rate or the federal funds rate plus 0.40%, with a floor rate defined by the one-month interbank Eurodollar market rate plus 1.00%. The applicable margin ranges from 0.0% to 0.95% for base rate loans and from 0.95% to 1.95% for Eurodollar loans. In addition, a facility fee ranging from 0.05% to 0.30% is due quarterly on all commitments under the credit facility. Both the interest margin and the facility fee are based on the company’s leverage ratio. The company paid additional financing costs of $0.3 million in connection with the February 14, 2014 amendment of the credit facility, which, in addition to the remaining balance of the original $1.6 million in financing costs, is being amortized over the life of the credit facility.

There were $53.0 million and $44.2 million in outstanding borrowings under the credit facility at January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013, respectively. The highest outstanding daily balance during fiscal 2014 was $62.1 million and the lowest outstanding balance was zero. Amounts outstanding under the credit facility vary daily. Changes in the gross borrowings and repayments can be caused by cash flow activity from operations, capital expenditures, acquisitions, dividends, share repurchases, and tax payments, as well as derivative transactions which are part of the company’s overall risk management strategy as discussed in Note 9, Derivative Financial Instruments. During fiscal 2014, the company borrowed $1,125.2 million in revolving borrowings under the credit facility and repaid $1,116.4 million in revolving borrowings. The amount available under the credit facility is reduced by $16.4 million for letters of credit. On January 3, 2015, the company had $430.6 million available under its credit facility for working capital and general corporate purposes.

Credit Ratings.    Currently, the company’s credit ratings by Fitch Ratings, Moody’s Investors Service, and Standard & Poor’s are BBB, Baa2, and BBB-, respectively. Changes in the company’s credit ratings do not trigger a change in the company’s available borrowings or costs under the facility, new term loan, senior notes, and credit facility, but could affect future credit availability and cost.

Assets recorded under capital lease agreements included in property, plant and equipment consist of machinery and equipment and transportation equipment.

Aggregate maturities of debt outstanding, including capital leases and the associated interest, as of January 3, 2015, are as follows (excluding unamortized debt discount and issuance costs) (amounts in thousands):

2015	$	35,060
2016		74,880
2017		122,249
2018		122,881
2019		8,067
2020 and thereafter		404,094
Total	$	767,231

Leases

The company leases certain property and equipment under various operating and capital lease arrangements that expire over the next 21 years. The property leases include distribution facilities, thrift store locations, and two manufacturing facilities. The equipment leases include production, sales, distribution, and office equipment. Initial lease terms range from two to 26 years. Many of the operating leases provide the company with the option, after the initial lease term, either to purchase the property at the then fair value or renew its lease at fair value rents for periods from one month to ten years. Rent escalations vary in these leases, from no escalation over the initial lease term, to escalations linked to changes in economic variables such as the Consumer Price Index.

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Rental expense is recognized on a straight-line basis. The capital leases are primarily used for distribution vehicle financing and are discussed in Note 13, Variable Interest Entities, below. Future minimum lease payments under scheduled capital leases that have initial or remaining non-cancelable terms in excess of one year are as follows:

	Capital Leases
	(Amounts in thousands)
2015	$	5,060
2016		4,880
2017		4,749
2018		4,881
2019		3,067
2020 and thereafter		1,594
Total minimum payments		24,231
Amount representing interest		1,705
Obligations under capital leases		22,526
Obligations due within one year		4,496
Long-term obligations under capital leases	$	18,030

The table below presents the total future minimum lease payments under scheduled operating leases that have initial or remaining non-cancelable terms in excess of one year (amounts in thousands):

	Operating Leases
	(Amounts in thousands)
2015	$	65,583
2016		57,448
2017		46,826
2018		37,757
2019		32,482
2020 and thereafter		259,807
Total minimum payments	$	499,903

Rent expense for all operating leases amounted to $88.7 million, $90.3 million, and $76.8 million for fiscal years 2014, 2013, and 2012.

Deferred Compensation

The Executive Deferred Compensation Plan (“EDCP”) consists of unsecured general obligations of the company to pay the deferred compensation of, and our contributions to, participants in the EDCP. The obligations will rank equally with our other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness payable from the company’s general assets.

The company’s directors and certain key members of management are eligible to participate in the EDCP. Directors may elect to defer all or any portion of their annual retainer fee and meeting fees. Deferral elections by directors must be made prior to the beginning of each year and are thereafter irrevocable. Eligible employees may elect to defer up to 75% of their base salaries, and up to 100% of any cash bonuses and other compensation. Deferral elections by eligible executives must be made prior to the beginning of each year and are thereafter

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

irrevocable during that year. The portion of the participant’s compensation that is deferred depends on the participant’s election in effect with respect to his or her elective contributions under the EDCP. The amount outstanding at January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013 was $14.5 million and $13.1 million, respectively.

Guarantees and Indemnification Obligations

The company has provided various representations, warranties, and other standard indemnifications in various agreements with customers, suppliers, and other parties as well as in agreements to sell business assets or lease facilities. In general, these provisions indemnify the counterparty for matters such as breaches of representations and warranties, certain environmental conditions and tax matters, and, in the context of sales of business assets, any liabilities arising prior to the closing of the transactions. Non-performance under a contract could trigger an obligation of the company. The ultimate effect on future financial results is not subject to reasonable estimation because considerable uncertainty exists as to the final outcome of any potential claims.

No material guarantees or indemnifications have been entered into by the company through January 3, 2015.

Note 13. Variable Interest Entities

The company maintains a transportation agreement with an entity that transports a significant portion of the company’s fresh bakery products from the company’s production facilities to outlying distribution centers. The company represents a significant portion of the entity’s revenue. This entity qualifies as a VIE, but the company has determined it is not the primary beneficiary of the VIE.

The company has concluded that certain of the trucks and trailers the VIE uses for distributing our products from the manufacturing facilities to the distribution centers qualify as right to use leases. As of January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013, there was $22.5 million and $15.4 million, respectively, in net property, plant and equipment and capital lease obligations associated with the right to use leases.

The incorporated independent distributors (“IDs”) who deliver our products qualify as VIEs. The company typically finances the ID’s route acquisition and also enters into a contract with the ID to sell product at a fixed discount for distribution in the ID’s territory. The combination of the company’s loans to the IDs and the ongoing supply arrangements with the IDs provide a level of protection and funding to the equity owners of the various IDs that would not otherwise be available.

However, the company is not considered to be the primary beneficiary of the VIEs because the company does not (i) have the ability to direct the significant activities of the VIEs that would affect their ability to operate their respective distributor territories and (ii) provide any implicit or explicit guarantees or other financial support to the VIEs, other than the financing described above, for specific return or performance benchmarks. The activities controlled by the IDs that are deemed to most significantly impact the ultimate success of the ID entities relate to those decisions inherent in operating the distribution business in the territory, including acquiring trucks and trailers, managing fuel costs, employee matters and other strategic decisions. In addition, we do not provide, nor do we intend to provide, financial or other support to the IDs. The IDs are responsible for the operations of their respective territories.

The company’s maximum exposure to loss for the IDs relates to the distributor route note receivable for the portion of the territory the IDs financed at the time they acquired the route. The IDs remit payment on their route note receivable each week during the settlement process of their weekly activity. If the IDs discontinued making payment on the note receivable we are permitted under the agreement to withhold settlement funds to cover the IDs note balance. In the event the IDs abandon their territory and have a remaining balance outstanding on the route note receivable, we will take the territory back from the IDs (recording the territory as held for sale) and subsequently sell the territory to another ID. The company’s collateral from the route insures that any potential losses are mitigated. The independent distributors who deliver our products that are formed as sole proprietorships are excluded from this analysis.

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Note 14. Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, and short-term debt approximates fair value because of the short-term maturity of the instruments. Notes receivable are entered into in connection with the purchase of distributors’ territories by independent distributors. These notes receivable are recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheet at carrying value, which represents the closest approximation of fair value. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. As a result, the appropriate interest rate that should be used to estimate the fair value of the distributor notes is the prevailing market rate at which similar loans would be made to distributors with similar credit ratings and for the same maturities. However, the company financed approximately 3,700 and 3,400 independent distributors as of January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013, respectively, all with varied financial histories and credit risks. Considering the diversity of credit risks among the independent distributors, the company has no method to accurately determine a market interest rate to apply to the notes. The territories are generally financed for up to ten years and the distributor notes are collateralized by the independent distributors’ territories. The company maintains a wholly-owned subsidiary to assist in financing route purchase activities if requested by new independent sales distributors, using the route and certain associated assets as collateral. These notes receivable earn interest at a fixed rate.

The fair value of the company’s variable rate debt at January 3, 2015 approximates the recorded value. The fair value of the notes issued on April 3, 2012, as discussed in Note 12, Debt, Lease and Other Commitments, is approximately $426.3 million while the carrying value is $399.3 million on January 3, 2015. 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.

For fair value disclosure information about our derivative assets and liabilities see Note 9, Derivative Financial Instruments. For fair value disclosure information about our pension plan net assets see Note 19, Postretirement Plans.

At January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013, respectively, the carrying value of the distributor notes was as follows (amounts in thousands):

	January 3, 2015		December 28, 2013
Distributor notes receivable	$	182,188	$	161,560
Current portion of distributor notes receivable recorded in accounts and notes receivable, net		20,283		18,715
Long-term portion of distributor notes receivable	$	161,905	$	142,845

Interest income for the distributor notes receivable was as follows (amounts in thousands):

	Interest Income
Fiscal 2014	$	20,947
Fiscal 2013	$	16,015
Fiscal 2012	$	13,672

At January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013, the company has evaluated the collectability of the distributor notes and determined that a reserve is not necessary. Payments on these distributor notes are collected by the company weekly in conjunction with the distributor settlement process.

Note 15. Stockholders’ Equity

Flowers Foods’ articles of incorporation provide that its authorized capital consist of 500,000,000 shares of common stock having a par value of $0.01 per share and 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock. The preferred stock

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of which (a) 200,000 shares have been designated by the Board of Directors as Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, having a par value per share of $100 and (b) 800,000 shares of preferred stock, having a par value per share of $0.01, have not been designated by the Board of Directors. No shares of preferred stock have been issued by Flowers Foods.

Common Stock

The holders of Flowers Foods common stock are entitled to one vote for each share held of record on all matters submitted to a vote of shareholders. Subject to preferential rights of any issued and outstanding preferred stock, including the Series A Preferred Stock, holders of common stock are entitled to receive ratably such dividends, if any, as may be declared by the Board of Directors of the company out of funds legally available. In the event of a liquidation, dissolution, or winding-up of the company, holders of common stock are entitled to share ratably in all assets of the company, if any, remaining after payment of liabilities and the liquidation preferences of any issued and outstanding preferred stock, including the Series A Preferred Stock. Holders of common stock have no preemptive rights, no cumulative voting rights, and no rights to convert their shares of common stock into any other securities of the company or any other person.

Preferred Stock

The Board of Directors has the authority to issue up to 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock in one or more series and to fix the designations, relative powers, preferences, rights, qualifications, limitations, and restrictions of all shares of each such series, including without limitation, dividend rates, conversion rights, voting rights, redemption and sinking fund provisions, liquidation preferences, and the number of shares constituting each such series, without any further vote or action by the holders of our common stock. Although the Board of Directors does not presently intend to do so, it could issue shares of preferred stock, with rights that could adversely affect the voting power and other rights of holders of our common stock without obtaining the approval of our shareholders. In addition, the issuance of preferred shares could delay or prevent a change in control of the company without further action by our shareholders.

Stock Repurchase Plan

Our Board of Directors has approved a plan that authorizes share repurchases of up to 67.5 million shares of the company’s common stock. At the Board of Directors meeting in November 2014, the Board increased the company’s share repurchase authorization by 7.1 million shares to a total of 74.6 million shares. At the close of the company’s fourth quarter on January 3, 2015, 14.0 million shares remained available for repurchase under the existing authorization. Under the plan, the company may repurchase its common stock in open market or privately negotiated transactions at such times and at such prices as determined to be in the company’s best interest.

The table below presents the shares repurchased under the Stock Repurchase Plan during our fiscal 2014 (amounts in thousands except shares purchased):

Fiscal 2014 Quarter	Total Number of Shares Purchased		Total Cost of Shares Purchased
For the quarter ended April 19, 2014		464,610	$	9,460
For the quarter ended July 12, 2014		—	$	—
For the quarter ended October 4, 2014		550,000	$	10,332
For the quarter ended January 3, 2015		1,000,000	$	19,124
Total		2,014,610	$	38,916

As of January 3, 2015, 60,555,714 shares at a cost of $497.3 million have been purchased under this plan.

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Dividends

During fiscal years 2014, 2013, and 2012, the company paid dividends of $101.7 million, or $0.485 per share, $92.5 million, or $0.444 per share, and $86.2 million, or $0.420 per share, respectively.

Note 16. Stock-Based Compensation

On March 5, 2014, our Board of Directors approved and adopted the 2014 Omnibus Equity and Incentive Compensation Plan (“Omnibus Plan”). The Omnibus Plan was approved by our shareholders on May 21, 2014. The Omnibus Plan authorizes the compensation committee of the Board of Directors to provide equity-based compensation in the form of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance shares, performance units, dividend equivalents and other awards for the purpose of providing our officers, key employees, and non-employee directors’ incentives and rewards for performance. The Omnibus Plan replaced the Flowers Foods’ 2001 Equity and Performance Incentive Plan, as amended and restated as of April 1, 2009 (“EPIP”), the stock appreciation right plan, and the bonus plan. All outstanding equity awards that were made under the EPIP will continue to be governed by the EPIP; however, all equity awards granted after May 21, 2014 are governed by the Omnibus Plan. No additional awards will be issued under the EPIP. Awards granted under the Omnibus Plan are limited to the authorized amount of 8,000,000 shares.

The EPIP authorized the compensation committee of the Board of Directors to make awards of options to purchase our common stock, restricted stock, performance stock and units and deferred stock. The company’s officers, key employees and non-employee directors (whose grants are generally approved by the full Board of Directors) were eligible to receive awards under the EPIP. Over the life of the EPIP, the company issued options, restricted stock and deferred stock.

The following is a summary of stock options, restricted stock, and deferred stock outstanding under the plans described above. Information relating to the company’s stock appreciation rights, which were issued under a separate stock appreciation right plan, is also described below.

Stock Options

The company issued non-qualified stock options (“NQSOs”) during fiscal years 2011 and prior that have no additional service period remaining. All outstanding NQSOs have vested and are exercisable on January 3, 2015.

The stock option activity for fiscal years 2014, 2013, and 2012 pursuant to the EPIP is set forth below:

	Fiscal 2014					Fiscal 2013					Fiscal 2012
	Options			Weighted Average Exercise Price		Options			Weighted Average Exercise Price		Options			Weighted Average Exercise Price
	(Amounts in thousands, except price data)
Outstanding at beginning of year		8,112		$	10.89		9,541		$	10.71		11,135		$	10.45
Exercised		(1,921	)	$	10.94		(1,415	)	$	9.67		(1,570	)	$	8.84
Forfeitures		—		$	—		(14	)	$	10.99		(24	)	$	10.88
Outstanding at end of year		6,191		$	10.88		8,112		$	10.89		9,541		$	10.71
Exercisable at end of year		6,191					4,978					3,973

As of January 3, 2015, options outstanding under the EPIP had an average exercise price of $10.88, a weighted average remaining contractual life of 2.27 years, and an aggregate intrinsic value of $51.1 million.

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

The cash received, the windfall tax benefits, and intrinsic value from stock option exercises for fiscal years 2014, 2013, and 2012 are set forth below (amounts in thousands):

	Fiscal 2014		Fiscal 2013		Fiscal 2012
Cash received from option exercises	$	21,014	$	13,685	$	13,881
Cash tax windfall benefit, net	$	4,572	$	5,622	$	2,343
Intrinsic value of stock options exercised	$	16,725	$	18,132	$	9,965

Performance-Contingent Restricted Stock Awards

Performance-Contingent Total Shareholder Return Shares (“TSR Shares”)

Since 2012, certain key employees have been granted performance-contingent restricted stock under the EPIP in the form of TSR Shares. The awards generally vest approximately two years from the date of grant (after the filing of the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K), and the shares become non-forfeitable if, and to the extent that, on that date the vesting conditions are satisfied. As a result of the delay (July as opposed to January) in the grant of the 2012 awards, the 2012 awards vested during the first quarter of 2014, 18 months from the grant date. The 2013 and 2014 awards (granted during the first quarters of their respective years) vest two years from the date of grant. The total shareholder return (“TSR”) is the percent change in the company’s stock price over the measurement period plus the dividends paid to shareholders. The performance payout is calculated at the end of each of the last four quarters (averaged) in the measurement period. Once the TSR is determined for the company (“Company TSR”), it is compared to the TSR of our food company peers (“Peer Group TSR”). The Company TSR compared to the Peer Group TSR will determine the payout as set forth below:

Percentile	Payout as % of Target
90th		200	%
70th		150	%
50th		100	%
30th		50	%
Below 30th		0	%

For performance between the levels described above, the degree of vesting is interpolated on a linear basis. The 2012 award actual attainment was 195% of target.

The TSR shares vest immediately if the grantee dies or becomes disabled. However, if the grantee retires at age 65 (or age 55 with at least 10 years of service with the company) or later, on the normal vesting date the grantee will receive a pro-rated number of shares based upon the retirement date and measured at the actual performance for the entire performance period. In addition, if the company undergoes a change in control, the TSR shares will immediately vest at the target level, provided that if 12 months of the performance period have been completed, vesting will be determined based on Company TSR as of the date of the change in control without application of four-quarter averaging. During the vesting period, the grantee has none of the rights of a shareholder. Dividends declared during the vesting period will accrue and will be paid at vesting on the shares that ultimately vest. The fair value estimate was determined using a Monte Carlo simulation model, which utilizes multiple input variables to estimate the probability of the company achieving the market condition discussed above. Inputs into the model included the following for the company and comparator companies: (i) TSR from the beginning of the performance cycle through the measurement date; (ii) volatility; (iii) risk-free interest rates; and (iv) the correlation of the comparator companies’ TSR. The inputs are based on historical capital market data.

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The following performance-contingent TSR Shares have been granted under the EPIP and have service period remaining (amounts in thousands, except price data):

Grant date	January 1, 2014		January 1, 2013
Shares granted		366		414
Assumed vesting date		3/1/2016		3/1/2015
Fair value per share	$	23.97	$	17.22

As of January 3, 2015, there was $4.3 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested TSR Shares granted under the EPIP. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of one year.

Performance-Contingent Return on Invested Capital Shares (“ROIC Shares”)

Since 2012, certain key employees have been granted performance-contingent restricted stock under the EPIP in the form of ROIC Shares. The awards generally vest approximately two years from the date of grant (after the filing of the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K), and the shares become non-forfeitable if, and to the extent that, on that date, the vesting conditions are satisfied. As a result of the delay (July as opposed to January) in the grant of the 2012 awards, the 2012 awards vested during the first quarter of 2014, 18 months from the grant date. The 2013 and 2014 awards (granted during the first quarters of their respective years) vest two years from the date of grant. Return on Invested Capital is calculated by dividing our profit, as defined, by the invested capital (“ROIC”). Generally, the performance condition requires the company’s average ROIC to exceed its average weighted cost of capital (“WACC”) by between 1.75 to 4.75 percentage points (the “ROI Target”) over the two fiscal year performance period. If the lowest ROI Target is not met the awards are forfeited. The shares can be earned based on a range from 0% to 125% of target as defined below:

• 0% payout if ROIC exceeds WACC by less than 1.75 percentage points;

• ROIC above WACC by 1.75 percentage points pays 50% of Target; or

• ROIC above WACC by 3.75 percentage points pays 100% of Target; or

• ROIC above WACC by 4.75 percentage points pays 125% of Target.

For performance between the levels described above, the degree of vesting is interpolated on a linear basis. The 2012 award actual attainment was 125% of Target.

The ROIC Shares vest immediately if the grantee dies or becomes disabled. However, if the grantee retires at age 65 (or age 55 with at least 10 years of service with the company) or later, on the normal vesting date the grantee will receive a pro-rated number of shares based upon the retirement date and actual performance for the entire performance period. In addition, if the company undergoes a change in control, the ROIC Shares will immediately vest at the target level. During the vesting period, the grantee has none of the rights of a shareholder. Dividends declared during the vesting period will accrue and will be paid at vesting on the shares that ultimately vest. The fair value of this type of award is equal to the stock price on the grant date. Since these awards have a performance condition feature the expense associated with these awards may change depending on the expected ROI Target attained at each reporting period. The following performance-contingent ROIC Shares have been granted under the EPIP and have service period remaining (amounts in thousands, except price data):

Grant date	January 1, 2014		January 1, 2013
Shares granted		366		414
Assumed vesting date		3/1/2016		3/1/2015
Fair value per share	$	21.47	$	15.51

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

As of January 3, 2015, there was $4.0 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested ROIC Shares granted under the EPIP. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of one year.

Performance-Contingent Restricted Stock

In connection with the vesting of the performance-contingent restricted stock granted in July 2012, during fiscal 2014, an additional 193,756 common shares were issued because the company exceeded the median TSR of its peer group and payout was 195% of the target grant (“TSR modifier”) and an additional 50,939 common shares were issued because the company’s ROIC exceeded its WACC by the maximum amount and payout was 125% of the target grant (“ROIC modifier”). At vesting the company paid accumulated dividends of $0.4 million.

A summary of the status of all of the company’s nonvested shares for performance-contingent restricted stock (including the TSR Shares and the ROIC Shares) for fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012 is set forth below:

	Fiscal 2014					Fiscal 2013					Fiscal 2012
	Number of Shares			Weighted Average Fair Value		Number of Shares			Weighted Average Fair Value		Number of Shares			Weighted Average Fair Value
	(Amounts in thousands, except price data)
Balance at beginning of year		1,229		$	15.88		888		$	12.61		864		$	11.11
Initial grant		732		$	22.72		828		$	16.37		412		$	14.91
Supplemental grant for exceeding ROIC modifier		51		$	14.37		—		$	—		—			—
Supplemental grant for exceeding the TSR modifier		194		$	15.45		95		$	10.62		—			—
Vested		(759	)	$	16.11		(571	)	$	10.62		(320	)	$	11.72
Grant reduction for not achieving the TSR modifier		—		$	—		—		$	—		(65	)	$	11.72
Forfeitures		(43	)	$	19.73		(11	)	$	15.88		(3	)	$	11.44
Balance at end of year		1,404		$	19.09		1,229		$	15.88		888		$	12.61

As of January 3, 2015, there was $8.3 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested restricted stock granted under the EPIP. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of one year. The fair value of performance-contingent restricted share awards that vested during fiscal 2014 was $13.6 million. There was a tax windfall of $2.7 million on the vesting (issuance) of performance-contingent awards during fiscal 2014.

Deferred and Restricted Stock

Pursuant to the EPIP, the company allowed non-employee directors to convert their annual board retainers into deferred stock equal in value to 130% of the cash payments these directors would have otherwise received. The deferred stock had a minimum two year vesting period and will be distributed to the individual (along with accumulated dividends) at a time designated by the individual at the date of conversion. In January 2014, cash pay was converted into an aggregate of 36,425 shares. The company recorded compensation expense for this deferred stock over the two-year minimum vesting period. During fiscal 2014, a total of 18,330 previously deferred shares were distributed under the EPIP. Following the May 2014 Board of Directors meeting and the adoption of the Omnibus plan, annual board retainers converted into deferred stock and issued under the Omnibus plan are equal in value to 100% of the cash payments directors would otherwise receive and the vesting period is a one-year period to match the period of time that cash would have been received if no conversion

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

existed. On January 2, 2015, during our fiscal 2014, annual board retainers for certain directors were converted into an aggregate of 19,852 shares that will be amortized over one year under the Omnibus plan. Going forward, under the Omnibus Plan, non-employee directors may elect to convert their annual board retainers into deferred stock equal to 100% of the cash payments they otherwise would have received. The deferred stock so converted will have a one-year pro-rated vesting period. Accumulated dividends are paid upon delivery of the shares.

Pursuant to the Omnibus Plan and the EPIP, non-employee directors also receive annual grants of deferred stock. This deferred stock vests over one year from the grant date. During the second quarter of fiscal 2014, non-employee directors were granted an aggregate of 60,300 shares of deferred stock pursuant to the Omnibus Plan. The deferred stock will be distributed to the grantee at a time designated by the grantee at the date of grant. Compensation expense is recorded on this deferred stock over the one year minimum vesting period. During fiscal 2014, a total of 27,075 previously deferred shares were distributed.

A total of 105,621 shares of previously vested and deferred awards were also distributed during fiscal 2014 for a director who retired on May 21, 2014 and the cumulative deferred shares (including retainer conversions and annual grants) were issued at that time. An additional 46,364 shares of previously vested and deferred awards were also distributed during fiscal 2014 for a director who retired on December 31, 2014 and the cumulative deferred shares (including retainer conversions and annual grants) were issued at that time.

On May 31, 2013, the company’s Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) received a time-based restricted stock award of approximately $1.3 million of restricted stock pursuant to the EPIP. This award will vest 100% on the fourth anniversary of the date of grant provided the CEO remains employed by the company during this period and the award value does not exceed 0.5% of our cumulative EBITDA over the vesting period. Vesting will also occur in the event of the CEO’s death or disability, but not his retirement. Dividends will accrue on the award and will be paid to the CEO on the vesting date for all shares that vest. There were 58,500 shares issued for this award at a fair value of $22.25 per share.

The deferred and restricted stock activity for fiscal years 2014, 2013, and 2012 is set forth below:

	Fiscal 2014					Fiscal 2013					Fiscal 2012
	Number of Shares			Weighted Average Fair Value		Number of Shares			Weighted Average Fair Value		Number of Shares			Weighted Average Fair Value
	(Amounts in thousands, except price data)
Nonvested shares at beginning of year		177		$	18.92		138		$	13.04		155		$	12.05
Granted		117		$	20.24		149		$	20.32		99		$	13.85
Vested		(123	)	$	17.81		(110	)	$	13.41		(116	)	$	12.42
Forfeited		(20	)	$	18.93		—		$	—		—		$	—
Nonvested shares at end of year		151		$	21.06		177		$	18.92		138		$	13.04
Vested and deferred shares at end of year		169					92					102

As of January 3, 2015, there was $1.8 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to deferred and restricted stock awards granted under the EPIP. This cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.46 years. The intrinsic value of deferred stock awards that vested during fiscal 2014 was $2.5 million. There was a tax windfall of $0.7 million on the exercise of deferred share awards during fiscal 2014.

F-43

FLOWERS FOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Stock Appreciation Rights

Prior to 2007, the company allowed non-employee directors to convert their retainers and committee chair fees into rights. These rights vested after one year and can be exercised over nine years. The company records compensation expense for these rights at a measurement date based on changes between the grant price and an estimated fair value of the rights using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The liability for these rights at January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013 was $0.3 million and $2.0 million, respectively, and is recorded in other long-term liabilities. The company paid $1.4 million at the exercise of 112,215 shares during fiscal 2014.

The fair value of the rights at January 3, 2015 ranged from $10.61 to $10.97. The following assumptions were used to determine the fair value of the rights discussed above using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model at January 3, 2015: dividend yield 2.4%; expected volatility 22.00%; risk-free interest rate 0.25% and expected life of 0.50 years to 0.70 years.

The rights activity for fiscal years 2014, 2013, and 2012 is set forth below:

	Fiscal 2014			Fiscal 2013			Fiscal 2012
	(Amounts in thousands, except price data)
Balance at beginning of year		141			195			281
Rights exercised		(112	)		(54	)		(86	)
Balance at end of year		29			141			195
Weighted average — grant date fair value	$	8.47		$	7.20		$	7.01

The following table summarizes the company’s stock based compensation expense, all of which was recognized in selling, distribution, and administration expense, for fiscal years 2014, 2013 and 2012:

	Fiscal 2014			Fiscal 2013		Fiscal 2012
	(Amounts in thousands)
Stock options	$	197		$	1,776	$	3,374
Performance — contingent restricted stock awards		16,544			11,180		4,615
Deferred stock awards		2,176			1,769		1,384
Stock appreciation rights (income) expense		(255	)		1,218		743
Total stock based compensation expense	$	18,662		$	15,943	$	10,116

Note 17. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

The company’s total comprehensive income presently consists of net income, adjustments for our derivative financial instruments accounted for as cash flow hedges, and various pension and other postretirement benefit related items.

F-44

FLOWERS FOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

During fiscal 2014, reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive loss were as follows (amounts in thousands):

Details about Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Components (Note 2)	Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss									Affected Line Item in the Statement Where Net Income is Presented
	Fiscal 2014			Fiscal 2013			Fiscal 2012
Gains and losses on cash flow hedges:
Interest rate contracts	$	—		$	(816	)	$	(2,816	)	Interest income (expense)
Commodity contracts		(5,218	)		(27,055	)		(17,272	)	Cost of sales, Note 3, below
Total before tax	$	(5,218	)	$	(27,871	)	$	(20,088	)	Total before tax
Tax (expense) or benefit		2,009			10,730			7,734		Tax (expense) or benefit
Total net of tax	$	(3,209	)	$	(17,141	)	$	(12,354	)	Net of tax
Pension and postretirement benefit items:
Prior-service credits	$	469		$	257		$	257		Note 1, below
Settlement loss		(15,387	)		—			—		Note 1, below
Actuarial losses		(1,348	)		(5,378	)		(4,786	)	Note 1, below
Total before tax	$	(16,266	)	$	(5,121	)	$	(4,529	)	Total before tax
Tax (expense) or benefit		6,263			1,972			1,743		Tax (expense) or benefit
Total net of tax	$	(10,003	)	$	(3,149	)	$	(2,786	)	Net of tax benefit
Total reclassifications	$	(13,212	)	$	(20,290	)	$	(15,140	)	Net of tax benefit

Note 1:	These items are included in the computation of net periodic pension cost. See Note 19, Postretirement Plans, for additional information.
Note 2:	Amounts in parentheses indicate debits to determine net income.
Note 3:	Amounts are presented as an adjustment to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

During fiscal 2013, changes to accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of income tax, by component were as follows (amounts in thousands):

	Gains/Losses on Cash Flow Hedges			Defined Benefit Pension Plan Items			Total
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, December 29, 2012	$	(4,100	)	$	(110,567	)	$	(114,667	)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications		(24,457	)		56,319			31,862
Reclassified to earnings from accumulated other comprehensive income		17,141			3,149			20,290
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, December 28, 2013	$	(11,416	)	$	(51,099	)	$	(62,515	)

F-45

FLOWERS FOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

During fiscal 2014, changes to accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of income tax, by component were as follows (amounts in thousands):

	Gains/Losses on Cash Flow Hedges			Defined Benefit Pension Plan Items			Total
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, December 28, 2013	$	(11,416	)	$	(51,099	)	$	(62,515	)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications		(3,201	)		(45,516	)		(48,717	)
Reclassified to earnings from accumulated other comprehensive loss		3,209			10,003			13,212
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, January 3, 2015	$	(11,408	)	$	(86,612	)	$	(98,020	)

Amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive loss 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 Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. The following table presents the net of tax amount of the gain or loss reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) for our commodity contracts (amounts in thousands):

	Fiscal 2014			Fiscal 2013			Fiscal 2012
	(Amounts in thousands)
Gross (gain) loss reclassified from AOCI into income	$	5,218		$	27,055		$	17,272
Tax (benefit) expense		(2,009	)		(10,416	)		(6,650	)
Net of tax	$	3,209		$	16,639		$	10,622

Note 18. Earnings Per Share

The following is a reconciliation of net income and weighted average shares for calculating basic and diluted earnings per common share for fiscal years 2014, 2013, and 2012 (amounts in thousands, except per share data):

	Fiscal 2014		Fiscal 2013		Fiscal 2012
Net income	$	175,739	$	230,894	$	136,121
Basic Earnings Per Common Share:
Basic weighted average shares outstanding per common share		209,683		207,935		205,005
Basic earnings per common share	$	0.84	$	1.11	$	0.66
Diluted Earnings Per Common Share:
Basic weighted average shares outstanding per common share		209,683		207,935		205,005
Add: Shares of common stock assumed issued upon exercise of stock options, vesting of performance-contingent restricted stock and deferred stock		3,409		3,992		2,669
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding per common share		213,092		211,927		207,674
Diluted earnings per common share	$	0.82	$	1.09	$	0.66

There were no anti-dilutive shares for fiscal years 2014, 2013 or 2012.

F-46

FLOWERS FOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Note 19. Postretirement Plans

The following summarizes the company’s balance sheet related pension and other postretirement benefit plan accounts at January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013:

	As of
	January 3, 2015		December 28, 2013
	(Amounts in thousands)
Current benefit liability	$	1,089	$	1,301
Noncurrent benefit liability	$	93,589	$	44,226
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax	$	86,612	$	51,099

In September 2014, the company announced a one-time voluntary lump sum offer to approximately 2,500 former employees in Plan No. 1 and 2 who had not yet started monthly payment of their vested benefits. The offer supports the company’s pension risk management strategy and reduced plan obligations by 10%. Distributions of $48.4 million in lump sums from existing plan assets in December 2014 resulted in a settlement charge of $15.4 million for Plan No. 1 only. No settlement charge was required for Plan No. 2 as distributions of $2.0 million were not in excess of service costs and interest costs for 2014.

The company used a measurement date of December 31, 2014 for the defined benefit and postretirement benefit plans described below. We believe that the difference in the fair value of plan assets between the measurement date of December 31, 2014 and our fiscal year end date of January 3, 2015 was not material and that for practical purposes the measurement date of December 31, 2014 was used throughout for preparation of our financial statements.

Pension Plans

The company has trusteed, noncontributory defined benefit pension plans covering certain current and former employees. Benefits under the company’s largest pension plan are frozen. The company continues to maintain an ongoing plan that covers a small number of certain union employees. The benefits in this plan are based on years of service and the employee’s career earnings. The qualified plans are funded at amounts deductible for income tax purposes but not less than the minimum funding required by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”) and the Pension Protection Act of 2006 (“PPA”). The company uses a calendar year end for the measurement date since the plans are based on a calendar year end and because it approximates the company’s fiscal year end. As of December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the assets of the qualified plans included certificates of deposit, marketable equity securities, mutual funds, corporate and government debt securities, private and public real estate partnerships, other diversifying strategies and annuity contracts. The company expects pension income of approximately $5.8 million for fiscal 2015.

F-47

FLOWERS FOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

The net periodic pension cost (income) for the company’s pension plans includes the following components for fiscal years 2014, 2013 and 2012:

	Fiscal 2014			Fiscal 2013			Fiscal 2012
	(Amounts in thousands)
Service cost	$	640		$	708		$	610
Interest cost		21,427			20,089			21,670
Expected return on plan assets		(33,817	)		(28,680	)		(26,301	)
Settlement loss		15,387			—			—
Amortization of actuarial loss		1,925			6,177			5,085
Net periodic pension cost (income)		5,562			(1,706	)		1,064
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive income:
Current year actuarial loss (gain)		74,510			(90,706	)		28,857
Settlement loss		(15,387	)		—			—
Amortization of actuarial (loss)		(1,925	)		(6,177	)		(5,085	)
Total recognized in other comprehensive (loss) income		57,198			(96,883	)		23,772
Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other comprehensive loss	$	62,760		$	(98,589	)	$	24,836

Actual return on plan assets for fiscal years 2014, 2013, and 2012 was $11.6 million, $73.2 million, and $41.9 million, respectively.

F-48

FLOWERS FOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Approximately $5.0 million will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income into net periodic benefit cost in fiscal 2015 relating to the company’s pension plans. The funded status and the amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets for the company’s pension plans are as follows:

	January 3, 2015			December 28, 2013
	(Amounts in thousands)
Change in benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	463,726		$	514,636
Service cost		640			708
Interest cost		21,427			20,089
Actuarial loss (gain)		52,305			(46,213	)
Benefits paid		(27,046	)		(25,494	)
Settlements		(48,413	)		—
Benefit obligation at end of year	$	462,639		$	463,726
Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	$	428,605		$	365,671
Actual return on plan assets		11,613			73,174
Employer contribution		13,435			15,254
Benefits paid		(27,046	)		(25,494	)
Settlements		(48,413	)		—
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	$	378,194		$	428,605
Funded status, end of year:
Fair value of plan assets	$	378,194		$	428,605
Benefit obligations		462,639			463,726
Unfunded status and amount recognized at end of year	$	(84,445	)	$	(35,121	)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet:
Current liability		(409	)		(418	)
Noncurrent liability		(84,036	)		(34,703	)
Amount recognized at end of year	$	(84,445	)	$	(35,121	)
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income:
Net actuarial loss before taxes	$	144,842		$	87,645
Accumulated benefit obligation at end of year	$	460,931		$	462,754

The projected benefit obligation, accumulated benefit obligation and fair value of plan assets for pension plans with an accumulated benefit obligation and projected benefit obligation in excess of plan assets were $462.6 million, $460.9 million, and $378.2 million, respectively, at January 3, 2015. The projected benefit obligation, accumulated benefit obligation and fair value of plan assets for pension plans with an accumulated benefit obligation and projected benefit obligation in excess of plan assets at December 28, 2013 were $463.7 million, $462.8 million, and $428.6 million, respectively.

F-49

FLOWERS FOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Assumptions used in accounting for the company’s pension plans at each of the respective fiscal years ending are as follows:

	Fiscal 2014			Fiscal 2013			Fiscal 2012
Weighted average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations:
Measurement date		12/31/2014			12/31/2013			12/31/2012
Discount rate		4.00	%		4.75	%		4.00	%
Rate of compensation increase		4.00	%		4.00	%		4.00	%
Weighted average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit (income)/cost:
Measurement date		1/1/2014			1/1/2013			1/1/2012
Discount rate		4.75	%		4.00	%		4.70	%
Expected return on plan assets		8.00	%		8.00	%		8.00	%
Rate of compensation increase		4.00	%		4.00	%		4.00	%

In developing the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets at each measurement date, the company considers the plan assets’ historical actual returns, targeted asset allocations, and the anticipated future economic environment and long-term performance of individual asset classes, based on the company’s investment strategy. While appropriate consideration is given to recent and historical investment performance, the assumption represents management’s best estimate of the long-term prospective return. Based on these factors the expected long-term rate of return assumption for the plans was set at 8.0% for fiscal 2014, as compared with the average annual return on the plan assets over the last 15 years of approximately 7.1% (net of expenses).

F-50

FLOWERS FOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Plan Assets

Effective January 1, 2014, the Finance Committee (“committee”) of the Board of Directors delegated its fiduciary and other responsibilities with respect to the plans to the newly established Investment Committee. The Investment Committee, which consists of certain members of management, establishes investment guidelines and strategies and regularly monitors the performance of the plans’ assets. The Investment Committee 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 Investment Committee 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 Investment Committee rebalances the plans’ assets to the targeted allocation when considered appropriate. The fair values of all of the company pension plan assets at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, by asset class are as follows (amounts in thousands):

	Fair value of Pension Plan Assets as of December 31, 2014
Asset Class	Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1)		Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)			Total
Short term investments and cash	$	—	$	6,701	$	—		$	6,701
Equity securities:
U.S. companies		94,739		—		—			94,739
International companies		2,700		—		—			2,700
Domestic equity funds(h)		63,551		—		—			63,551
International equity funds(a)		—		45,851		—			45,851
Fixed income securities:
U.S. government bonds		—		4,664		—			4,664
U.S. government agency bonds		—		874		—			874
U.S. mortgage backed securities		—		2,333		—			2,333
U.S. corporate bonds		—		2,452		—			2,452
Private equity funds(c)		—		14,427		—			14,427
Real estate funds(d)		—		—		14,651			14,651
Other types of investments:
Guaranteed insurance contracts(e)		—		—		9,450			9,450
Hedged equity funds(f)(i)		—		—		52,420			52,420
Absolute return funds(c)(j)		—		—		63,667			63,667
Other assets and (liabilities)(g)		—		—		184			184
Accrued (expenses) income(g)		—		—		(470	)		(470	)
Total	$	160,990	$	77,302	$	139,902		$	378,194

F-51

FLOWERS FOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

	Fair value of Pension Plan Assets as of December 31, 2013
Asset Class	Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)			Total
Short term investments and cash	$	—	$	5,668	$	—		$	5,668
Equity securities:
U.S. companies		109,017		—		—			109,017
International companies		1,525		—		—			1,525
Domestic equity funds(h)		62,705		—		—			62,705
International equity funds(a)(h)		—		67,925		—			67,925
Fixed income securities:
Domestic mutual funds(b)(h)		20,187		—		—			20,187
Private equity funds(c)		—		20,889		—			20,889
Real estate(d)		—		—		13,298			13,298
Other types of investments:
Guaranteed insurance contracts(e)		—		—		9,594			9,594
Hedged equity funds(f)		—		—		58,176			58,176
Absolute return funds(c)		—		—		59,727			59,727
Other assets and liabilities(g)		—		—		484			484
Accrued income(g)		—		—		(590	)		(590	)
Total	$	193,434	$	94,482	$	140,689		$	428,605

(a) This class includes funds with the principal strategy to invest primarily in long positions in international equity securities.

(b) This class invests primarily in U.S. government issued securities.

(c) This class invests primarily in absolute return strategy funds.

(d) This class includes funds that invest primarily in U.S. commercial real estate.

(e) This class invests primarily guaranteed insurance contracts through various U.S. insurance companies.

(f) This class invests primarily in hedged equity funds.

(g) This class includes accrued interest, dividends, and amounts receivable from asset sales and amounts payable for asset purchases.

(h) There is a pending sale for an asset in this classification.

(i) Pending sale requests of $14.3 million apply to assets reported in this classification.

(j) Pending sale requests of $8.0 million apply to assets reported in this classification.

The following tables provide information on the pension plan assets that are reported using significant unobservable inputs in the estimation of fair value (amounts in thousands):

	2014 Changes in Fair Value Measurements Using Significant  Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
	Real Estate     Funds			Guaranteed Insurance     Contracts			Hedged Equity Funds			Absolute     Return Funds		Other Assets and Liabilities and Accrued (Expenses) Income			Totals
Balance at December 31, 2013	$	13,298		$	9,594		$	58,176		$	59,727	$	(106	)	$	140,689
Actual return on plan assets:
Total gains or losses (realized and unrealized)		954			(5	)		4,280			3,940		—			9,169
Purchases		—			440			—			—		—			440
Issues		636			5			—			—		—			641
Sales		(237	)		(584	)		(10,036	)		—		—			(10,857	)
Settlements		—			—			—			—		(180	)		(180	)
Transfers out of Level 3		—			—			—			—		—			—
Ending balance at December 31, 2014	$	14,651		$	9,450		$	52,420		$	63,667	$	(286	)	$	139,902

F-52

FLOWERS FOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

	2013 Changes in Fair Value Measurements Using Significant  Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
	Real Estate     Funds			Guaranteed Insurance     Contracts			Hedged Equity Funds			Absolute     Return Funds		Other Assets and Liabilities and Accrued (Expenses) Income			Totals
Balance at December 31, 2012	$	11,564		$	9,534		$	34,646		$	41,936	$	(438	)	$	97,242
Actual return on plan assets:
Total gains or losses (realized and unrealized)		1,336			—			4,652			4,791		—			10,779
Purchases		—			443			26,500			13,000		—			39,943
Issues		558			—			—			—		—			558
Sales		(160	)		(383	)		(7,622	)		—		—			(8,165	)
Settlements		—			—			—			—		332			332
Transfers out of Level 3		—			—			—			—		—			—
Ending balance at December 31, 2013	$	13,298		$	9,594		$	58,176		$	59,727	$	(106	)	$	140,689

The company’s investment policy includes various guidelines and procedures designed to ensure the plan’s assets are invested in a manner necessary to meet expected future benefits earned by participants. The investment guidelines consider a broad range of economic conditions. The plan asset allocation as of the measurement dates December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, and target asset allocations for fiscal year 2015 are as follows:

				Percentage of Plan Assets at the Measurement Date
Asset Category	Target Allocation 2015
				2014			2013
Equity securities		40-60	%		55.0			56.6
Fixed income securities		10-40	%		7.1			9.6
Real estate		0-25	%		3.9			3.1
Other diversifying strategies(1)		0-40	%		33.2			29.8
Short term investments and cash		0-25	%		0.8			0.9
Total					100.0	%		100.0	%

(1) Includes absolute return funds, hedged equity funds, and guaranteed insurance contracts.

Equity securities include 2,030,363 shares and 3,030,363 shares of the company’s common stock in the amount of $39.0 million and $65.1 million (10.2% and 15.1% of total plan assets) as of December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. The plan sold on the open market 1,000,000 shares of the company’s stock during fiscal 2014 for proceeds of $19.1 million. This sale was specifically from plan assets and did not directly impact the company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

The objectives of the target allocations are to maintain investment portfolios that diversify risk through prudent asset allocation parameters, achieve asset returns that meet or exceed the plans’ actuarial assumptions, and achieve asset returns that are competitive with like institutions employing similar investment strategies.

F-53

FLOWERS FOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Cash Flows

Company contributions to qualified and nonqualified plans are as follows:

Year	Required		Discretionary		Total
	(Amounts in thousands)
2012	$	9,430	$	9,149	$	18,579
2013	$	5,416	$	9,838	$	15,254
2014	$	5,070	$	8,365	$	13,435

All contributions are made in cash. The required contributions made during fiscal 2014 include $4.6 million to qualified plans and $0.4 million in nonqualified pension benefits paid from corporate assets. The discretionary contributions of $8.4 million made to qualified plans during fiscal 2014 were not required to be made by the minimum funding requirements of ERISA, but the company believed, due to its strong cash flow and financial position, this was an appropriate time at which to make the contribution in order to reduce the impact of future contributions. During 2015, the company expects to contribute $10.0 million to our qualified pension plans and expects to pay $0.4 million in nonqualified pension benefits from corporate assets. The expected contributions to qualified pension plans represent the estimated minimum pension contributions required under ERISA and the PPA as well as discretionary contributions. This amount represents estimates that are based on assumptions that are subject to change. In July 2012, the Moving Ahead for Progress Act for the 21^st Century (“MAP-21”) was signed into law allowing pension plan sponsors to use higher interest rates to value plan liabilities and determine funding requirements. This legislation was extended in 2014 via the Highway and Transportation Funding Act (“HATFA”). As a result of both MAP-21 and HATFA, the company is not subject to required contributions for the 2014 or 2015 plan years.

Benefit Payments

The following are benefits paid under the plans (including settlements) during fiscal years 2014, 2013 and 2012 and expected to be paid from fiscal 2015 through fiscal 2024. Estimated future payments include qualified pension benefits that will be paid from the plans’ assets and nonqualified pension benefits that will be paid from corporate assets.

	Pension Benefits
	(Amounts in thousands)
2012	$	24,884
2013	$	25,494
2014	$	75,459	*
Estimated Future Payments:
2015	$	26,055
2016	$	26,310
2017	$	26,465
2018	$	26,667
2019	$	26,729
2020 – 2024	$	136,232

* Includes $48.4 million and $2.0 million from Plan No. 1 and Plan No. 2, respectively, associated with the one-time voluntary lump sum offer discussed above.

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

Postretirement Benefit Plans

The company sponsors postretirement benefit plans that provide health care and life insurance benefits to retirees who meet certain eligibility requirements. Generally, this includes employees with at least 10 years of service who have reached age 55 and participate in a Flowers retirement plan. Retiree medical coverage is provided for a period of three to five years, depending on the participant’s age and service at retirement. Participant premiums are determined using COBRA premium levels. Retiree life insurance benefits are offered to a closed group of retirees.

On August 4, 2008, the company assumed sponsorship of a medical, dental, and life insurance benefits plan for eligible retired employees from the acquisition of ButterKrust. The ButterKrust plan provides coverage to a limited and closed group of participants.

Effective January 1, 2014, the company delivers retiree medical and dental benefits for Medicare eligible retirees through a health-care reimbursement account. The company will no longer sponsor a medical plan for Medicare eligible retirees and will no longer file for a Medicare Part D subsidy. These changes were recognized at year-end 2013.

The net periodic benefit (income) cost for the company’s postretirement benefit plans includes the following components for fiscal years 2014, 2013 and 2012:

	Fiscal 2014			Fiscal 2013			Fiscal 2012
	(Amounts in thousands)
Service cost	$	377		$	341		$	458
Interest cost		445			380			605
Amortization:
Prior service credit		(469	)		(257	)		(257	)
Actuarial gain		(577	)		(799	)		(299	)
Total net periodic benefit (income) cost		(224	)		(335	)		507
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive income:
Current year actuarial (gain) loss*		(497	)		240			(2,492	)
Current year prior service credit		—			(1,110	)		—
Amortization of actuarial gain		577			799			299
Amortization of prior service credit		469			257			257
Total recognized in other comprehensive loss		549			186			(1,936	)
Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other comprehensive (income) loss	$	325		$	(149	)	$	(1,429	)

* Includes (gain) loss related to (higher) lower than expected Medicare Part D subsidy receipts.

Approximately $(1.1) million will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income into net periodic benefit cost in fiscal year 2015 relating to the company’s postretirement benefit plans.

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FLOWERS FOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

The unfunded status and the amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets for the company’s postretirement benefit plans are as follows:

	January 3, 2015			December 28, 2013
	(Amounts in thousands)
Change in benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	10,406		$	11,481
Service cost		377			341
Interest cost		445			380
Participant contributions		192			364
Actuarial loss (gain)		(521	)		214
Benefits paid		(670	)		(1,316	)
Less federal subsidy on benefits paid		—			52
Plan amendments		—			(1,110	)
Benefit obligation at end of year	$	10,229		$	10,406
Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	$	—		$	—
Employer contributions		478			952
Participant contributions		192			364
Benefits paid		(670	)		(1,316	)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	$	—		$	—
Funded status, end of year:
Fair value of plan assets	$	—		$	—
Benefit obligations		10,229			10,406
Unfunded status and amount recognized at end of year	$	(10,229	)	$	(10,406	)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet:
Current liability	$	(680	)	$	(883	)
Noncurrent liability		(9,549	)		(9,523	)
Amount recognized at end of year	$	(10,229	)	$	(10,406	)
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income:
Net actuarial (gain) loss before taxes	$	(3,056	)	$	(3,135	)
Prior service (credit) cost before taxes		(953	)		(1,422	)
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income	$	(4,009	)	$	(4,557	)

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Assumptions used in accounting for the company’s postretirement benefit plans at each of the respective fiscal years ending are as follows:

	Fiscal 2014			Fiscal 2013			Fiscal 2012
Weighted average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations:
Measurement date		12/31/2014			12/31/2013			12/31/2012
Discount rate		3.50	%		4.31	%		3.34	%
Health care cost trend rate used to determine benefit obligations:
Initial rate		8.00	%		8.50	%		8.00	%
Ultimate rate		5.00	%		5.00	%		5.00	%
Year trend reaches the ultimate rate		2021			2021			2019
Weighted average assumptions used to determine net periodic cost:
Measurement date		1/1/2014			1/1/2013			1/1/2012
Discount rate		4.31	%		3.34	%		4.35	%
Health care cost trend rate used to determine net periodic cost:
Initial rate		8.50	%		8.00	%		8.50	%
Ultimate rate		5.00	%		5.00	%		5.00	%
Year trend reaches the ultimate rate		2021			2019			2019

Assumed health care cost trend rates have a significant effect on the amounts reported for the health care plans. A one-percentage-point change in assumed health care cost trend rates would have the following effects for fiscal years 2014, 2013, and 2012:

	One-Percentage-Point  Decrease									One-Percentage-Point  Increase
	For the Year Ended									For the Year Ended
	Fiscal 2014			Fiscal 2013			Fiscal 2012			Fiscal 2014		Fiscal 2013		Fiscal 2012
	(Amounts in thousands)
Effect on total of service and interest cost	$	(60	)	$	(64	)	$	(100	)	$	68	$	73	$	115
Effect on postretirement benefit obligation	$	(558	)	$	(485	)	$	(667	)	$	629	$	542	$	744

Cash Flows

Company contributions to postretirement plans are as follows (amounts in thousands):

Year	Employer Net Contribution
2012	$	958
2013	$	900
2014	$	478
2015(Expected)	$	691

The table above reflects only the company’s share of the benefit cost. The company contributions shown are net of income from federal subsidy payments received pursuant to the MMA. MMA subsidy payments, which reduce the company’s cost for the plans, are shown separately in the benefits table below. Of the $0.7 million

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FLOWERS FOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

expected funding for postretirement benefit plans during 2015, the entire amount will be required to pay for benefits. Contributions by participants to postretirement benefits were $0.2 million, $0.4 million, and $0.4 million for fiscal years 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively.

Benefit Payments

The following are benefits paid by the company during fiscal years 2014, 2013 and 2012 and expected to be paid from fiscal 2015 through fiscal 2024. All benefits are expected to be paid from the company’s assets. The expected benefits show the company’s cost without regard to income from federal subsidy payments received pursuant to the MMA. Expected MMA subsidy payments, which reduce the company’s cost for the plans, are shown separately.

	Postretirement Benefits
	(Amounts in thousands)
	Employer Gross Contribution		MMA Subsidy (Income)
2012	$	1,010	$	(52	)
2013	$	952	$	(52	)
2014	$	478	$	—
Estimated Future Payments:
2015	$	691	$	—
2016	$	795	$	—
2017	$	931	$	—
2018	$	978	$	—
2019	$	944	$	—
2020 – 2024	$	4,203	$	—

Multiemployer Plans

In September 2011, the FASB issued guidance for disclosures of multiemployer pension and other postretirement benefit plans. The guidance requires an employer to provide additional quantitative and qualitative disclosures for these plans. The disclosures provide users with more detailed information about an employer’s participation in multiemployer pension plans. We adopted this guidance during 2011 and applied the requirements retrospectively for all periods presented. The required disclosures are presented in the table below.

The company contributes to various multiemployer pension plans. Benefits provided under the multiemployer pension plans are generally based on years of service and employee age. Expense under these plans was $2.1 million for fiscal 2014, $1.9 million for fiscal 2013, and $1.7 million for fiscal 2012.

The company contributes to several multiemployer defined benefit pension plans under the terms of collective-bargaining agreements that cover various union-represented employees. The risks of participating in these multiemployer plans are different from single-employer plans. Assets contributed to the multiemployer plan by one employer may be used to provide benefits to employees of other participating employers. If a participating employer stops contributing to the plan, the unfunded obligations of the plan may be borne by the remaining participating employers. If we choose to stop participating in some of these multiemployer plans, we may be required to pay those plans an amount based on the underfunded status of the plan, referred to as a withdrawal liability. None of the contributions to the pension funds was in excess of 5% or more of the total contributions for plan years 2014, 2013, and 2012. There are no contractually required minimum contributions to the plans as of January 3, 2015.

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

The company’s participation in these multiemployer plans for fiscal 2014 is outlined in the table below. The EIN/Pension Plan Number column provides the Employer Identification Number (“EIN”) and the three-digit plan number, if applicable. Unless otherwise noted, the most recent PPA zone status available in 2014 and 2013 is for the plan’s year-end at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The zone status is based on information that the company received from the plan and is certified by the plan’s actuary. Among other factors, plans in the red zone are generally less than 65 percent funded, plans in the yellow zone are less than 80 percent funded, and plans in the green zone are at least 80 percent funded. The FIP/RP Status Pending/Implemented column indicates plans for which a financial improvement plan (“FIP”) or a rehabilitation plan (“RP”) is either pending or has been implemented. The last column lists the expiration date(s) of the collective-bargaining agreements to which the plans are subject. Finally, there have been no significant changes that affect the comparability of contributions.

In December 2014, the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act of 2015 (the “2015 Appropriations Act”) was signed into law and materially amended the PPA funding rules. In general, the PPA funding rules were made more flexible in order to make more manageable the steps necessary for multi-employer plans to become or remain economically viable in the future. While in previous years we have been informed that several of the multi-employer pension plans to which our subsidiaries contribute have been labeled with a “critical” or “endangered” status as defined by the PPA, the changes made by the 2015 Appropriations Act will materially impact, on a going forward basis, these prior funding status assessments. In any event, it is unclear at this time what impact, if any, the 2015 Appropriations Act will have on our future obligations to the multi-employer pension plans in which we participate.

Pension Fund	EIN				Pension Protection Act Zone Status				FIP/RP Status Pending/Implemented		Contributions (Amounts in thousands)						Surcharge Imposed		Expiration Date of Collective Bargaining Agreement
			Pension Plan No.		2014		2013				2014 ($)		2013 ($)		2012 ($)
IAM National Pension Fund		51-6031295		002		Green		Green		No		99		104		101		No		5/1/2016
Retail, Wholesale and Department Store International Union and Industry Pension Fund		63-0708442		001		Green		Green		No		132		130		115		No		8/12/2017
Western Conference of Teamsters Pension Trust		91-6145047		001		Green		Green		No		260		252		283		No		2/4/2017
BC&T International Pension Fund		52-6118572		001		Red		Red		Yes		1,077		939		797		Yes		10/31/2015

401(k) Retirement Savings Plans

The Flowers Foods 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan covers substantially all of the company’s employees who have completed certain service requirements. During fiscal years 2014, 2013, and 2012, the total cost and employer contributions were $26.2 million, $23.0 million, and $20.3 million, respectively.

The company acquired Lepage in fiscal 2012, at which time we assumed sponsorship of the Lepage 401(k) Plan. This plan was merged into the Flowers Foods 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan on January 1, 2014. During fiscal 2013 and fiscal 2012, the total cost and employer contributions were $0.5 million for the Lepage 401(k) Plan.

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Note 20. Income Taxes

The company’s provision for income tax expense consists of the following for fiscal years 2014, 2013 and 2012:

	Fiscal 2014		Fiscal 2013			Fiscal 2012
	(Amounts in thousands)
Current Taxes:
Federal	$	72,780	$	73,669		$	54,599
State		10,294		11,325			6,602
		83,074		84,994			61,201
Deferred Taxes:
Federal		7,691		7,970			9,703
State		1,550		(1,485	)		1,747
		9,241		6,485			11,450
Income tax expense	$	92,315	$	91,479		$	72,651

Income tax expense differs from the amount computed by applying the U.S. federal income tax rate (35%) because of the effect of the following items for fiscal years 2014, 2013, and 2012:

	Fiscal 2014			Fiscal 2013			Fiscal 2012
	(Amounts in thousands)
Tax at U.S. federal income tax rate	$	93,819		$	112,831		$	73,070
State income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit		7,698			6,396			5,427
Section 199 qualifying production activities benefit		(6,892	)		(7,022	)		(5,407	)
Bargain purchase		—			(17,524	)		—
Other		(2,310	)		(3,202	)		(439	)
Income tax expense	$	92,315		$	91,479		$	72,651

The company’s effective tax rate for fiscal 2013 was impacted by the bargain purchase gain on acquisition, which was recorded net of deferred taxes as a component of income before income taxes. The gain was treated as a permanent item which had a favorable impact on the fiscal 2013 tax rate by approximately 5.2%. On September 13, 2013, the IRS and Treasury released final regulations regarding the deduction and capitalization of expenditures related to tangible property. These regulations apply to the company at the beginning of fiscal 2015 and will not have a material impact to the financial statements. Tax legislation signed into law on December 19, 2014 had an immaterial impact on the rate during fiscal 2014.

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FLOWERS FOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Deferred tax assets (liabilities) are comprised of the following:

	January 3, 2015			December 28, 2013
	(Amounts in thousands)
Self-insurance	$	6,294		$	7,227
Compensation and employee benefits		12,898			13,558
Deferred income		9,896			7,397
Loss and credit carryforwards		21,421			27,055
Equity-based compensation		15,597			14,402
Hedging		7,153			7,158
Pension		30,160			10,822
Postretirement benefits		6,796			7,595
Other		15,437			16,084
Deferred tax assets valuation allowance		(2,534	)		(2,895	)
Deferred tax assets		123,118			108,403
Depreciation		(79,480	)		(86,235	)
Intangible assets		(107,188	)		(99,268	)
Other		(3,780	)		(3,250	)
Deferred tax liabilities		(190,448	)		(188,753	)
Net deferred tax liability	$	(67,330	)	$	(80,350	)

The company has a deferred tax asset of $11.3 million related to a federal net operating loss carryforward which we expect to fully utilize. Additionally, the company and various subsidiaries have a net deferred tax asset of $9.2 million related to state net operating loss carryforwards with expiration dates through fiscal 2034, and various state credit carryforwards of $0.9 million. The utilization of a portion of these state net operating loss carryforwards could be limited in the future; therefore, a valuation allowance of $2.5 million has been recorded. Should the company determine at a later date that certain of these losses which have been reserved for may be utilized, a benefit may be recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Income. Likewise, should the company determine at a later date that certain of these net operating losses for which a deferred tax asset has been recorded may not be utilized, a charge to the Consolidated Statements of Income may be necessary.

The gross amount of unrecognized tax benefits was $2.1 million and $4.8 million as of January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013, respectively. This change is primarily due to the expiration of the statute of limitations on several previously unrecognized tax benefits. These amounts are exclusive of interest accrued and are recorded in other long-term liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. If recognized, the $2.1 million (less $0.7 million related to tax imposed in other jurisdictions) would impact the effective rate.

The company accrues interest expense and penalties related to income tax liabilities as a component of income before taxes. No accrual of penalties is reflected on the company’s balance sheet as the company believes the accrual of penalties is not necessary based upon the merits of its income tax positions. The company had an accrued interest balance of approximately $0.3 million and $0.7 million at January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013, respectively.

The company defines the federal jurisdiction as well as various state jurisdictions as “major” jurisdictions. With limited exceptions, the company is no longer subject to federal or state examinations for years prior to 2011.

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

At this time, we do not anticipate material changes to the amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits over the next twelve months.

The following is a reconciliation of the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits for fiscal years 2014, 2013 and 2012:

	Fiscal 2014			Fiscal 2013			Fiscal 2012
	(Amounts in thousands)
Unrecognized tax benefit at beginning of fiscal year	$	4,809		$	7,304		$	8,709
Gross increases — tax positions in a current period		—			—			331
Gross increases — acquisitions		—			500			—
Lapses of statutes of limitations		(2,702	)		(2,995	)		(1,736	)
Unrecognized tax benefit at end of fiscal year	$	2,107		$	4,809		$	7,304

Note 21. Commitments and Contingencies

The company and its subsidiaries from time to time are parties to, or targets of, lawsuits, claims, investigations and proceedings, including personal injury, commercial, contract, environmental, antitrust, product liability, health and safety and employment matters, which are being handled and defended in the ordinary course of business. While the company is unable to predict the outcome of these matters, it believes, based upon currently available facts, that it is remote that the ultimate resolution of any such pending matters will have a material adverse effect on its overall financial condition, results of operations or cash flows in the future. However, adverse developments could negatively impact earnings in a particular future fiscal period.

The company has recorded current liabilities of $24.4 million and $24.9 million related to self-insurance reserves at January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013, respectively. The reserves include an estimate of expected settlements on pending claims, defense costs and a provision for claims incurred but not reported. These estimates are based on the company’s assessment of potential liability using an analysis of available information with respect to pending claims, historical experience and current cost trends. The amount of the company’s ultimate liability in respect of these matters may differ materially from these estimates.

In the event the company ceases to utilize the independent distribution form of doing business or exits a territory, the company is contractually required to purchase the territory from the independent distributor.

See Note 12, Debt, Lease and Other Commitments, for additional information.

Note 22. Segment Reporting

The company’s DSD Segment primarily produces fresh packaged bread, rolls, tortillas, and snack products and the Warehouse Segment produces fresh and frozen bread and rolls and snack products. Effective the first day of fiscal 2014, we reclassified our tortilla operation from a Warehouse Segment bakery to the DSD Segment. This reclassification was made to better align their sales with the delivery method primarily used to serve their customers. All prior period information has been recasted to reflect this change.

During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014, we revised net sales. Historically, certain immaterial discounts had been recorded as an expense to selling, distribution and administrative costs. These discounts are now recorded as contra revenue. See Note 3, Financial Statement Revisions, for more detailed disclosure of this revision. All prior period information has been revised to reflect this change.

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

The company evaluates each segment’s performance based on income or loss before interest and income taxes, excluding unallocated expenses and charges which the company’s management deems to be an overall corporate cost or a cost not reflective of the segments’ core operating businesses. Information regarding the operations of these segments is as follows for fiscal years 2014, 2013, and 2012:

	Fiscal 2014			Fiscal 2013			Fiscal 2012
	(Amounts in thousands)
Sales:
DSD Segment	$	3,227,689		$	3,171,241		$	2,527,207
Warehouse Segment		723,540			774,443			647,450
Eliminations:
Sales from Warehouse Segment to DSD Segment		(130,174	)		(122,082	)		(111,253	)
Sales from DSD Segment to Warehouse Segment		(72,082	)		(90,986	)		(32,280	)
	$	3,748,973		$	3,732,616		$	3,031,124
Depreciation and amortization:
DSD Segment	$	113,881		$	102,341		$	85,725
Warehouse Segment		15,166			15,483			16,832
Other(1)		(86	)		667			133
	$	128,961		$	118,491		$	102,690
Income from operations:
DSD Segment(2)	$	284,231		$	347,114		$	231,087
Warehouse Segment		51,451			51,934			38,339
Other(1)		(60,287	)		(63,815	)		(50,915	)
	$	275,395		$	335,233		$	218,511
Interest expense	$	28,288		$	28,875		$	23,411
Interest income	$	(20,947	)	$	(16,015	)	$	(13,672	)
Income before income taxes	$	268,054		$	322,373		$	208,772
Capital expenditures:
DSD Segment	$	73,454		$	81,664		$	53,492
Warehouse Segment		6,468			7,051			9,692
Other(1)		3,856			10,466			4,075
	$	83,778		$	99,181		$	67,259

	As of
	January 3, 2015		December 28, 2013
Assets:
DSD Segment	$	2,094,047	$	2,163,606
Warehouse Segment		201,240		216,194
Other(3)		113,687		124,214
	$	2,408,974	$	2,504,014

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

(1) Represents the company’s corporate head office amounts, acquisition costs, and the fiscal 2014 pension settlement loss.

(2) Includes the gain on acquisition of $50.1 million in fiscal 2013.

(3) Represents the company’s corporate head office assets including primarily cash and cash equivalents, deferred taxes and deferred financing costs.

Sales by product category in each reportable segment are as follows for fiscal years 2014, 2013, and 2012 (amounts in thousands):

	Fiscal 2014						Fiscal 2013						Fiscal 2012
	Total		DSD Segment		Warehouse Segment		Total		DSD Segment		Warehouse Segment		Total		DSD Segment		Warehouse Segment
Branded Retail	$	2,102,131	$	1,971,931	$	130,200	$	2,038,726	$	1,898,016	$	140,710	$	1,583,887	$	1,480,048	$	103,839
Store Branded Retail		610,899		486,845		124,054		645,858		504,707		141,151		544,479		426,580		117,899
Non-retail and Other		1,035,943		696,831		339,112		1,048,032		677,532		370,500		902,758		588,299		314,459
Total	$	3,748,973	$	3,155,607	$	593,366	$	3,732,616	$	3,080,255	$	652,361	$	3,031,124	$	2,494,927	$	536,197

Note 23. Unaudited Quarterly Financial Information

Results of operations for each of the four quarters in the respective fiscal years are as follows. The first quarter of fiscal 2014 represents sixteen weeks, the second and third quarter of fiscal 2014 represents twelve weeks, and the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014 represents thirteen weeks. Each quarter during fiscal 2013 represents a period of twelve weeks, except the first quarter, which includes sixteen weeks.

During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014, we revised net sales. Historically, certain immaterial discounts had been recorded as an expense to selling, distribution and administrative costs. These discounts are now recorded as contra revenue. See Note 3, Financial Statement Revisions, for more detailed disclosure. All prior period information has been revised to reflect this change.

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FLOWERS FOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013, we identified and recorded an out-of-period adjustment of $4.4 million ($2.7 million, net of tax) for an environmental liability recorded in an acquisition to reduce selling, distribution and administrative expenses and reduce accrued liabilities. This entry should have been recorded in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012 when the company was contractually relieved of the liability. As described in Note 7, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, during fiscal 2013 we also recorded two out-of-period adjustments to goodwill and other balance sheet accounts totaling $2.0 million ($1.1 million in second quarter 2013 and $0.9 million in fourth quarter 2013) to correct the opening balance sheets of prior acquisitions. We evaluated the impact of these adjustments on our previously issued financial statements for each of the periods affected and concluded that the impact was not material.

			First Quarter		Second Quarter		Third Quarter		Fourth Quarter
	(Amounts in thousands, except per share data)
Sales		2014	$	1,153,917	$	872,791	$	844,932	$	877,333
		2013	$	1,124,922	$	893,576	$	874,129	$	839,989
Materials, supplies, labor and other production costs (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately)		2014	$	595,877	$	458,019	$	442,978	$	453,759
		2013	$	585,298	$	471,614	$	467,798	$	447,511
Net income.		2014	$	61,066	$	42,064	$	44,599	$	28,010
		2013	$	112,026	$	46,460	$	33,888	$	38,520	*
Basic net income per share		2014	$	0.29	$	0.20	$	0.21	$	0.13
		2013	$	0.54	$	0.22	$	0.16	$	0.18	*
Diluted net income per share		2014	$	0.29	$	0.20	$	0.21	$	0.13
		2013	$	0.53	$	0.22	$	0.16	$	0.18	*

* Includes an out-of-period adjustment of $4.4 million ($2.7 million, net of tax) described above.

Note 24. Subsequent Events

Dividend.    On February 20, 2015, the Board of Directors declared a dividend of $0.1325 per share on the company’s common stock to be paid on March 20, 2015 to shareholders of record on March 6, 2015.

F-65

EX-10.9

Exhibit 10.9

EXECUTION COPY

SECOND AMENDMENT TO

RECEIVABLES LOAN, SECURITY AND SERVICING AGREEMENT

THIS SECOND AMENDMENT TO RECEIVABLES LOAN, SECURITY AND SERVICING AGREEMENT dated as of December 17, 2014 (this “Amendment”) is entered into among FLOWERS FINANCE II, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Borrower”), FLOWERS FOODS, INC., a Georgia corporation (the “Servicer”), NIEUW AMSTERDAM RECEIVABLES CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation, COÖPERATIEVE CENTRALE RAIFFEISEN-BOERENLEENBANK B.A., “RABOBANK”, NEW YORK BRANCH, as facility agent for the Nieuw Amsterdam Lender Group and as a Committed Lender, and COÖPERATIEVE CENTRALE RAIFFEISEN-BOERENLEENBANK B.A., “RABOBANK”, NEW YORK BRANCH, as administrative agent (the “Administrative Agent”) for each of the Lenders (as defined below).

RECITALS

WHEREAS, the parties refer to that certain Receivables Loan, Security and Servicing Agreement dated as of July 17, 2013, as amended by First Amendment to Receivables Loan, Security and Servicing Agreement dated as of August 7, 2014 (as so amended, the “Existing Loan Agreement” and, as amended by this Amendment and as otherwise amended, supplemented or modified from time to time, the “Loan Agreement”) among the parties to this Amendment. Unless otherwise provided elsewhere herein, capitalized terms used herein shall have the respective meanings assigned thereto in the Loan Agreement; and

WHEREAS, the parties to this Amendment have agreed to amend the Existing Loan Agreement on the terms and conditions set forth in this Amendment;

NOW, THEREFORE, the parties to this Amendment hereby agree as follows:

SECTION 1. Amendments to Existing Loan Agreement. Effective as of the Effective Date (as defined below), subject to the satisfaction of the conditions precedent set forth in Section 2 below, the Existing Loan Agreement is hereby amended as follows:

(a) The first sentence of Section 2.06(b) of the Existing Loan Agreement is hereby amended and restated as follows:

On each Settlement Date, the Borrower shall pay to the Facility Agent for each Lender Group, for the account of the Lenders in such Lender Group, an unused fee (the “Unused Fee”) for each day during the related Accrual Period equal to the product of (x) Unused Fee Rate times (y) the excess, if any, of (i) (A) 102% with respect to Lender Groups that include a Conduit Lender, or 100% with respect to other Lender Groups, of (B) the daily average aggregate Commitments of the Committed Lenders in such Lender Group during the related Accrual Period over (ii) the daily average Advances of the Lenders in such Lender Group outstanding during such Accrual Period.

(b) The last sentence of Section 10.05 of the Existing Loan Agreement is hereby amended and restated as follows:

Notwithstanding the foregoing, without the written consent of each Lender that would be affected thereby, no amendment, waiver or consent shall be effective if the effect thereof would extend the scheduled final maturity of any Advance, waive, reduce or postpone any scheduled repayment; reduce the rate of interest on any Advance or any fee payable hereunder; extend the time for payment of any such interest or fees; reduce the principal amount of any Advance; amend the definition of “Majority Facility Agents”; increase the Commitment or Maximum Conduit Lender Advance Amount of a Lender; extend the scheduled Facility Termination Date; release all or any material portion of the Collateral (except as expressly provided herein) from the Lien created under this Agreement; change the pro rata sharing of payments for the account of the Lenders required hereby; change the Priority of Payments; or amend the definition of “Net Receivables Balance”, “Required Reserve Percentage”; “Dilution Reserve Percentage”, “Loss Reserve Percentage”, “Yield and Fee Reserve Percentage”, “Floor Reserve Percentage” or “Eligible Receivable” or any defined term used directly or indirectly in such defined terms.

SECTION 2. Conditions Precedent. The amendments set forth in Section 1 above shall become effective as of the date hereof (the “Effective Date”) upon the receipt by the Administrative Agent of counterpart signature pages to this Amendment executed by each of the parties to this Amendment.

SECTION 3. Representations and Warranties of the Borrower. Each of the Borrower and the Servicer hereby represents and warrants to each Lender, each Facility Agent and the Administrative Agent that, on and as of the date hereof:

(a) This Amendment has been duly executed and delivered by it, and this Amendment and the Existing Loan Agreement as amended hereby constitute, the legal, valid and binding obligations of it enforceable against it in accordance with their respective terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting the rights of creditors generally and to general equitable principles (regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law); and

(b) the representations and warranties of it contained in the Loan Agreement or in the other Transaction Documents to which it is a party are true and correct in all material respects as of the date hereof, with the same effect as though made on such date (after giving effect to this Amendment), except to the extent such representation or warranty expressly relates only to a prior date.

SECTION 4. Miscellaneous.

(a) This Amendment may be amended, modified, terminated or waived only as provided in Section 10.05 of the Loan Agreement.

(b) Except as expressly modified as contemplated hereby, the Loan Agreement is hereby confirmed to be in full force and effect in accordance with its terms and is hereby ratified and confirmed. This Amendment is intended by the parties to constitute an

- 2 -

amendment and modification to, and otherwise to constitute a continuation of, the Loan Agreement, and is not intended by any party and shall not be construed to constitute a novation thereof or of any obligation of any party thereunder. This Amendment shall constitute a Transaction Document.

(c) This Amendment shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns under the Loan Agreement.

(d) This Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which when taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement. Delivery of an executed signature page to this Amendment by facsimile transmission or other electronic image scan transmission shall be effective as delivery of a manually signed counterpart of this Amendment.

(e) The provisions of this Amendment are intended to be severable. If any provision of this Amendment shall be held invalid or unenforceable in whole or in part in any jurisdiction, such provision shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity or unenforceability without in any manner affecting the validity or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction or the remaining provisions hereof in any jurisdiction.

(f) THIS AMENDMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. Each party hereto hereby irrevocably submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of any New York State or Federal court sitting in New York City in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Amendment, and each party hereto hereby irrevocably agrees that all claims in respect of such action or proceeding may be heard and determined in such New York State court or, to the extent permitted by law, in such Federal court. The parties hereto hereby irrevocably waive, to the fullest extent they may effectively do so, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action or proceeding. The parties hereto agree that a final judgment in any such action or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law.

(g) EACH OF THE BORROWER, THE SERVICER, THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, THE FACILITY AGENTS AND THE LENDERS HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE) ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AMENDMENT OR ANY OF THE OTHER TRANSACTION DOCUMENTS OR THE ACTIONS OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT OR ANY LENDER IN THE NEGOTIATION, ADMINISTRATION, PERFORMANCE OR ENFORCEMENT HEREOF OR THEREOF.

[Signature pages follow]

- 3 -

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Amendment to be executed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized, as of the date first above written.

COÖPERATIEVE CENTRALE RAIFFEISEN-BOERENLEENBANK B.A., “RABOBANK”,
NEW YORK BRANCH, as Administrative Agent, Committed Lender and Nieuw Amsterdam Facility Agent

By:	/s/ Raymond Dizon
	Name: Raymond Dizon
	Title: Executive Director
By:	/s/ Stephen G. Adams
	Name: Stephen G. Adams
	Title: Managing Director

NIEUW AMSTERDAM RECEIVABLES CORPORATION
By:	/s/ Damian Perez
	Name: Damian Perez
	Title: Vice President

[Signature Page to Second Amendment to Receivables Loan, Security and Servicing Agreement]

PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
By:	/s/ Robin Reeher
	Name: Robin Reeher
	Title: Vice President

[Signature Page to Second Amendment to Receivables Loan, Security and Servicing Agreement]

FLOWERS FINANCE II, LLC,
as Borrower
By:	/s/ Kirk L. Tolbert
	Name: Kirk L. Tolbert
	Title: President
FLOWERS FOODS, INC.,
as Servicer
By:	/s/ Kirk L. Tolbert
	Name: Kirk L. Tolbert
	Title: Vice President and Treasurer

[Signature Page to Second Amendment to Receivables Loan, Security and Servicing Agreement]

EX-10.24

Exhibit 10.24

FLOWERS FOODS, INC.

2014 OMNIBUS EQUITY AND INCENTIVE COMPENSATION PLAN

2015 Performance Stock Agreement

WHEREAS,                     (the “Grantee”) is a Participant in the Flowers Foods, Inc. 2014 Omnibus Equity and Incentive Compensation Plan (the “Plan”) and is an employee of Flowers Foods, Inc. (the “Company”) or a Subsidiary; and

WHEREAS, a Target grant of Performance Stock (“Performance Stock”) to the Grantee has been duly authorized by a resolution of the Committee as effective on January 4, 2015 (the “Date of Grant”).

NOW, THEREFORE, pursuant to the Plan, the Company hereby grants to the Grantee as of the Date of Grant             Performance Stock at Target pursuant to this 2015 Performance Stock Agreement (this “Agreement”) whereby one-half ( ¹⁄₂) or             of such Performance Stock shall be designated “ROIC Shares” and one-half ( ¹⁄₂) or             shall be designated “TSR Shares,” as both terms are defined in Section 1(b) and (c), respectively.

1. Vesting of Performance Stock. a) On the Vesting Date, the Performance Stock shall become nonforfeitable, subject to the Grantee having remained in the continuous employ of the Company and/or Subsidiary until said date and only to the extent that the Performance Criteria listed in sub-sections (b) and/or (c) below have been met as of said date. For purposes of this Agreement, Grantee’s employment with the Company or Subsidiary will be deemed to have ceased as of the last day worked. In the case of a Grantee having received short term disability benefits, employment will be deemed to have ceased on the last day for which such short term benefits are paid, unless the Grantee immediately returns to active employment. For the purposes of this Agreement, the continuous employment of the Grantee with the Company or a Subsidiary will not be deemed to have been interrupted, and the Grantee will not be deemed to have ceased to be an employee of the Company or a Subsidiary, by reason of (i) the termination of his employment by the Company or a Subsidiary and immediate rehire by the Company (if the Company was not the original employer) or by another Subsidiary or (ii) an approved leave of absence.

(b) (i) In order for any portion of the “ROIC Shares” to become nonforfeitable as of the Vesting Date, the following Performance Criteria must be achieved during the period commencing January 1, 2015 and ending December 31, 2016: the Company’s average return on invested capital (“ROIC”) calculated on continuing operations must exceed its weighted average cost of capital (“WACC”) by 175 basis points for said period.

(ii) In the event that the requirements of subparagraph (b)(i) above are satisfied, the grant of Target ROIC Shares shall be earned as indicated below. For this purpose, the performance period is the eight fiscal quarters from January 2015 through December 2016.

Difference (or “Spread”) ROIC minus WACC	Payment Percentage (% of Target)
Less than 175 basis points		0	%
175 basis points		50	%
375 basis points		100	%
475 basis points or above		125	%
Straight-line interpolation between points

(c) (i) In order for any portion of Target “TSR Shares” to become nonforfeitable as of the Vesting Date, the following Performance Criteria must be achieved: the relative performance of the Company’s “total return to shareholders” (“Flowers TSR”) determined for the period commencing January 1, 2015 and ending December 31, 2016 compared to the “total return to shareholders” of Flowers peer group companies (“Peer Group TSRs”) for the same period equals or exceeds the thirtieth percentile (30%) as follows:

(ii) The final four hypothetical payouts relating to Flowers TSR, based on the table below, from January 1, 2015 through the quarter ending prices for March 31, 2016, June 30, 2016, September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2016 will be averaged to determine the final percent of Target TSR Shares earned.

Percentile Flowers TSR vs. Peer Group TSRs	Payment Percentage (% of Target)
Less than 30th		0	%
30th		50	%
50th		100	%
70th		150	%
90th or above		200	%
Straight-line interpolation between points

(d) ROIC Shares and TSR Shares that become nonforfeitable under Sections 1(b) and (c) shall be distributed within ten (10) business days after the Vesting Date.

(e) In the event that Grantee’s employment with the Company shall terminate prior to December 31, 2016 because of Retirement, a pro rata portion of Performance Stock shall become nonforfeitable on the Vesting Date based on the actual performance achieved under Section 1(b) and (c) whereby the pro rata portion shall be determined by dividing the number of complete fiscal quarters from the Date of Grant until Retirement compared with eight (8). The distribution of the nonforfeitable Performance Stock under this subsection (e) shall be made at the same time as Performance Stock under Section 1(d).

(f) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 1(a)-(e), in the event of an occurrence described below, all or a portion of the Grant of Performance Stock under this Agreement shall immediately become nonforfeitable as described below in subsections (i) and (ii) and such vested Performance Stock shall be distributed within ten (10) business days of the applicable occurrence:

(i) in the event of a Change in Control where either (A) the Grantee is involuntarily terminated from employment prior to December 31, 2016 and such involuntary termination is for reasons other than for Cause or Grantee terminates his or her employment for Good Reason or (B) such Grant of Performance Stock is not assumed or converted into replacement awards after the Change in Control, (1) ROIC Shares shall pay out at Target, and (2) TSR Shares shall pay out as follows: (x) if twelve (12) months of the performance period have been completed, payout is based on TSR as of the Change in Control date without application of 4-quarter averaging, or (y) if twelve (12) months of the performance period have not been completed, payout is at Target; or

(ii) in the event that Grantee’s employment with the Company shall terminate prior to December 31, 2016 because of Disability or death, the payout of ROIC Shares and TSR Shares shall be at Target, respectively.

(g) Section 1 Definitions.

(i) “Retirement” means termination of employment after either (A) attainment of age sixty-five (65), or (B) attainment of age fifty-five (55) provided Grantee has accrued ten (10) years of service.

(ii) “Vesting Date” means the date that the Company files its Annual Report on Form 10-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission reflecting the certification of the Performance Criteria set forth in this Section 1.

(iii) “Flowers TSR” means (A) the Company’s common stock price change plus dividends (which are assumed to be reinvested as paid out to shareholders) compared to (B) the price of Company common stock determined on the trading day immediately preceding the commencement of the performance period.

(iv) “ROIC” means (A) GAAP net income as reported by the Company with the following adjustments: (1) after-tax interest will be added back and (2) the Committee may adjust for extraordinary, infrequent or unusual items as defined by GAAP and as agreed to by the external auditors of the Company divided by (B) the average of the beginning and ending Company debt plus shareholder equity with the average calculated using the eight (8) full calendar quarters of financial data commencing January 1, 2015 and ending December 31, 2016.

(v) “Peer Group TSRs” mean the total shareholder returns calculated as described in the definition of Flowers TSR but determined for each of the following nineteen (19) peer group companies: Mondelez International, Inc., Snyders-Lance, Inc., Hain Celestial Group, Inc., Hershey Company, Treehouse Foods, Inc., Smucker

(J.M.) Company, McCormick & Company, Inc., B&G Foods, Inc., J and J Snack Foods Corp., Lancaster Colony Corp., Hormel Foods Corp., General Mills, Inc., Kellogg Company, Campbell Soup Company, ConAgra Foods, Inc., Dean Foods Company, Kraft Foods Group, Inc., Whitewave Foods Company and Post Holdings, Inc. The Peer Group TSRs shall be adjusted as follows for the following events: (x) peer group companies filing for bankruptcy during the performance period will be considered to have negative one hundred percent (-100%) TSR and (y) peer group companies that are acquired during the performance period shall (1) be excluded from all calculations if acquired during the first year of the performance period and (2) if acquired on or after such one-year period, the peer group company will be positioned relative to the Company’s TSR based on the acquired company’s TSR through the trading day which is twenty (20) trading days before the acquired company announces the transaction.

(vi) “Percentile” means the rank order from the bottom of Flowers’ TSR vs. the Peer Group TSRs on a scale of 100, as calculated by Microsoft Excel^®, with Flowers Foods included in the group for this purpose.

(vii) “Performance Criteria” means the Management Objectives approved by the Committee which set forth the performance standards applicable to each of the ROIC Shares and the TSR Shares.

(viii) “Target” means the payment percentage equaling 100% relative to a designated level of achievement of the applicable Performance Criteria set forth in the table providing the range of potential payment opportunities for each of the ROIC Shares and the TSR Shares.

(ix) “WACC” means the sum of the after-tax cost of each Company capital component times its weight.

(x) “Cause” means:

(A) any willful or negligent material violation of any applicable securities laws (including the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002);

(B) any act of fraud, intentional misrepresentation, embezzlement, acts of dishonesty, misappropriation or conversion of any asset or business opportunity of the Company;

(C) conviction of, or entering into a plea of nolo contendere to, a felony;

(D) an intentional, repeated or continuing violation of any of the Company’s policies or procedures that occurs or continues after the Company has given notice to the Participant that he or she has materially violated a Company policy or procedure;

(E) any breach of a written covenant or agreement with the Company, including the terms of this Plan (other than a failure to perform Participant’s

duties with the Company resulting from the Participant’s incapacity due to physical or mental illness or from the assignment to the Participant of duties that would constitute Good Reason), which is material and which is not cured within thirty (30) days after written notice thereof from the Company to the Participant;

(F) abuse of alcohol or drugs; or

(G) failure to reasonably cooperate in a governmental or Board investigation.

(xi) “Good Reason” means a timely termination of employment for any of the reasons set forth in (A) through (H) below but only if (I) is satisfied:

(A) a material diminution in the participant’s duties, responsibilities or authority from that which exists on the Change in Control date (For the avoidance of doubt, a change in title or reporting alone does not constitute “Good Reason” under this Section (A).);

(B) a material reduction by the Company of a participant’s base salary;

(C) a material reduction by the Company of a participant’s target bonus opportunity;

(D) a material reduction in long-term incentives from the year prior to the Change in Control, as measured by grant date economic values determined by a third-party compensation firm chosen by the Company and using generally accepted methodologies, which may include annualizing prior year long-term incentive grants over more than one year and ignoring prior special retention or sign-on grants;

(E) a material failure of the successor entity to cover the participant under the savings and retirement plans provided to similarly situated executives;

(F) the relocation of the Company’s principal executive offices more than fifty (50) miles from their current location, if at the time of a Change in Control the participant is based at the Company’s principal executive offices, or the requirement of the participant to be based at a location more than fifty (50) miles from the participant’s location as of the Change of Control;

(G) any purported termination by the Company of the participant’s employment upon the occurrence of a Change in Control except for cause; or

(H) any failure by a successor company to assume on behalf of its participants the Flowers Foods Inc, Change of Control Severance Plan (the “COC Severance Plan”) or to amend such COC Severance Plan in violation of its terms; but only if

(I) the participant gives the Company timely notice of the “good reason” event and a reasonable amount of time to cure such “good reason” event.

For purposes of subsection (I) above, before a termination by a Grantee will constitute termination for Good Reason, the Grantee must give the Company a notice of termination of employment within thirty (30) calendar days following the occurrence of the event that constitutes Good Reason. For a Grantee terminated prior to and in anticipation of a Change in Control during the period that is six (6) months preceding the Change in Control date, the event that constitutes Good Reason is the consummation of the transaction. Failure to provide such notice of termination of employment within such 30-day period shall be conclusive proof that the Grantee shall not have Good Reason to terminate employment.

Good Reason shall exist only if (i) the Company fails to remedy the event or events constituting Good Reason within thirty (30) calendar days after receipt of the notice of termination of employment from the Grantee and (ii) the Grantee terminates his or her employment within ninety (90) days of the Grantee receiving notice of the existence of any event or condition described in clauses (A) through (H) above.

2. Forfeiture of Performance Stock. (a) If the Grantee ceases to be continuously employed by the Company and/or Subsidiary at any time prior to the Vesting Date, any Performance Stock that have not theretofore become nonforfeitable in accordance with the terms of Section 1 shall be forfeited.

(b) In any event, if prior to the Performance Stock becoming nonforfeitable the Grantee is demoted from the position of employment held by the Grantee on the Date of Grant to a position which would not have been eligible for a Grant pursuant to the Committee’s guidelines as of the Date of Grant, then the Grantee shall forfeit a fraction of the initial Grant, but shall be entitled to retain the remaining fraction of the initial Grant, subject to the provisions of this Agreement, which fraction is equal to the number of the Company’s complete fiscal quarters in which the Grantee is employed in the position held by the Grantee on the Date of Grant (beginning with the Date of Grant and terminating with the quarter in which or with which demotion occurs) divided by eight (8). Notwithstanding the foregoing, solely for purposes of this Agreement, the Committee may determine in its sole discretion that an apparent demotion (as opposed to an actual demotion) shall not cause a forfeiture.

3. Dividend, Voting and Other Rights. Except as otherwise provided in this Section 3, the Grantee shall have none of the rights of a stockholder with respect to the Performance Stock. A notional cash account for the Grantee shall be credited with an amount equal to any cash dividends paid by the Company on its common stock during the full or partial performance period as determined under Section 1. Such notional cash dividends shall become non-forfeitable only with respect to the corresponding Performance Stock that ultimately vest in accordance with Section 1. Non-forfeitable notional cash dividends will be distributed in cash, without interest, when the corresponding vested Performance Stock are paid out as set forth in

Sections 1(d) or (e), unless there is an occurrence described in Section 1(f), in which case such nonforfeitable notional dividends shall be paid in cash, without interest, at the same time as the corresponding vested Performance Stock described in Section 1(f).

4. Retention of Stock Certificate(s) by the Company. The certificate(s) representing the Performance Stock ultimately earned and vested shall not be issued until payout.

5. Restrictions on Transfer of Performance Stock. Performance Stock may not be transferred, sold, pledged, exchanged, assigned or otherwise encumbered or disposed of by the Grantee, except to the Company, until such shares have been paid out. Any purported transfer, encumbrance or other disposition of the Performance Stock that is in violation of this Section 5 shall be null and void, and the other party to any such purported transaction shall not obtain any rights to or interest in the Performance Stock.

6. Compliance with Law. The Company will make reasonable efforts to comply with all applicable federal and state securities laws; provided, however, notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Company will not be obligated to issue any restricted or nonrestricted shares of Common Stock or other securities pursuant to this Agreement if the issuance thereof would result in a violation of any such law.

7. Adjustments. The Committee may make any adjustments in the number and kind of shares of stock or other securities covered by this Agreement that the Committee may determine to be equitably required to prevent dilution or enlargement of the Grantee’s rights under this Agreement that would otherwise result from any (a) stock dividend, stock split, combination of shares, recapitalization or other change in the capital structure of the Company, (b) merger, consolidation, spin-off, spin-out, split-off, split-up, reorganization, partial or complete liquidation or other distribution of assets, issuance of rights or warrants to purchase securities or (c) other corporate transaction or event having an effect similar to any of the foregoing. Furthermore, in the event of any transaction or event described or referred to in the immediately preceding sentence, the Committee may provide in substitution for any or all of the Grantee’s rights under this Agreement such alternative consideration as it may in good faith determine to be equitable under the circumstances and may require in connection therewith the surrender of all grants so replaced.

8. Taxes and Withholding. To the extent that the Company or Subsidiary is required to withhold any federal, state, local or foreign tax in connection with the issuance or vesting of any Performance Stock or other amounts pursuant to this Agreement, and the amounts available to the Company for such withholding are insufficient, it shall be a condition to the delivery of the shares to the Grantee that the Grantee shall pay the tax in cash or make provisions that are satisfactory to the Company for the payment thereof.

9. No Employment Rights. The Plan and this Agreement will not confer upon the Grantee any right with respect to the continuance of employment or other service with the Company or any Subsidiary and will not interfere in any way with any right that the Company or any Subsidiary would otherwise have to terminate any employment or other service of the Grantee at any time.

10. Relation to Other Benefits. Any economic or other benefit to the Grantee under this Agreement will not be taken into account in determining any benefits to which the Grantee may be entitled under any profit-sharing, retirement or other benefit or compensation plan maintained by the Company or a Subsidiary and will not affect the amount of any life insurance coverage available to any beneficiary under any life insurance plan covering employees of the Company or any Subsidiary, unless provided otherwise in any such plan.

11. Agreement Subject to the Plan. The Performance Stock granted under this Agreement and all of the terms and conditions hereof are subject to all of the terms and conditions of the Plan. Capitalized terms in this Agreement may be defined herein, defined in the Plan or in both places. In the event of any inconsistency between this Agreement and the Plan, the terms of the Plan will govern. The Committee acting pursuant to the Plan, as constituted from time to time, shall, except as expressly provided otherwise herein, have the right to determine any questions which arise in connection with the Performance Stock or its vesting.

12. Recoupment. In the event the Board has reliable evidence of knowing misconduct by a Participant that resulted in the incorrect overstatement of the Company’s earnings or other financial measurements which were taken into consideration with respect to Management Objectives, and the Participant either received an award of Option Rights, Restricted Stock, Performance Shares, Performance Units or any other award granted under the Plan, or such awards vested or became nonforfeitable as a result of such overstatement, the Board shall require that the Participant reimburse the Company or forfeit, as applicable, the full amount of any awards granted pursuant to this Plan that resulted from such overstatement. The remedy specified in this Section 12 shall not be exclusive, and shall be in addition to every other right or remedy at law or in equity that may be available to the Company.

13. Amendments. Subject to the terms of Section 17 of the Plan, any amendment to the Plan shall be deemed to be an amendment to this Agreement to the extent that the amendment is applicable hereto; provided, however, that no amendment will adversely affect the rights of the Grantee under this Agreement without the Grantee’s consent.

14. Severability. In the event that one or more of the provisions of this Agreement is invalidated for any reason by a court of competent jurisdiction, any provision so invalidated will be deemed to be separable from the other provisions hereof, and the remaining provisions hereof will continue to be valid and fully enforceable.

15. Successors and Assigns. Without limiting Section 5 hereof, the provisions of this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, and be binding upon, the successors, administrators, heirs, legal representatives and assigns of the Grantee, and the successors and assigns of the Company.

16. Governing Law. This Agreement will be construed and governed in accordance with the laws of the State of Georgia.

17. Notices. Any notice to the Company provided for herein shall be in writing to the Company at the principal executive office of the Company, marked Attention: Corporate Secretary, and any notice to the Grantee shall be addressed to said Grantee at his or her address

currently on file with the Company. Except as otherwise provided herein, any written notice shall be deemed to be duly given if and when delivered personally or deposited in the United States mail, first class registered mail, postage and fees prepaid, and addressed as aforesaid. Any party may change the address to which notices are to be given hereunder by written notice to the other party as herein specified (provided that for this purpose any mailed notice shall be deemed given on the third business day following deposit of the same in the United States mail).

18. Certain Additional Defined Terms. In addition to the following defined terms and terms defined elsewhere herein, when used in the Agreement, terms with initial capital letters have the meaning given such term under the Plan, as in effect from time to time.

(a) “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

(b) “Change in Control” shall mean the the consummation of any Change in Control of the Company of a nature that would be required to be reported in response to Item 6(e) of Schedule 14A of Regulation 14A promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), as determined by the Board, in its sole discretion; provided that, without limitation, such a Change in Control shall be deemed to have occurred if:

(i) any “Person” (as such term is defined in Sections 13(d) or 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act; hereafter, a “Person”) is on the date hereof or becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 35% or more of the Voting Power; provided, however, that for purposes of this Section 18(b), the following acquisitions shall not constitute a Change in Control:

A. (1) any acquisition of Voting Power directly from the Company that is approved by a majority of those persons serving as directors of the Company on the date of this Plan (the “Original Directors”) or their Successors (as defined below), (2) any acquisition of Voting Power by the Company, or any Subsidiary, and (3) any acquisition of Voting Power by the trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company, or any Subsidiary (the term “Successors” shall mean those directors whose election or nomination for election by stockholders has been approved by the vote of at least two-thirds of the Original Directors and previously qualified Successors serving as directors of the Company as the case may be, at the time of such election or nomination for election);

B. if any Person is or becomes the beneficial owner of 35% or more of the Voting Power as a result of a transaction described in clause (A) of this Section 18(b)(i) above and such Person thereafter becomes the beneficial owner of any additional shares of Voting Power representing 1% or more of the then-outstanding Voting Power other than in an acquisition directly from the Company that is approved by a majority of the Original Directors or their

Successors or other than as a result of a stock dividend, stock split or similar transaction effected by the Company in which all holders of Voting Power are treated equally, such subsequent acquisition shall be treated as a Change in Control;

C. a Change in Control will not be deemed to have occurred if a Person is or becomes the beneficial owner of 35% or more of the Voting Power as a result of a reduction in the number of shares of Voting Power outstanding pursuant to a transaction or series of transactions that is approved by a majority of the Original Directors or their Successors unless and until such Person thereafter becomes the beneficial owner of any additional shares of Voting Power representing 1% or more of the then-outstanding Voting Power other than as a result of a stock dividend, stock split or similar transaction effected by the Company in which all holders of Voting Power are treated equally; or

D. if at least a majority of the Original Directors or their Successors determine in good faith that a Person has acquired beneficial ownership of 35% or more of the Voting Power inadvertently, and such Person divests as promptly as practicable but no later than the date, if any, set by the Original Directors or their Successors a sufficient number of shares so that such Person beneficially owns less than 35% of the Voting Power then no Change in Control shall have occurred as a result of such Person’s acquisition.

(ii) The Company consummates a merger or consolidation in which stockholders of the Company immediately prior to entering into such agreement will beneficially own immediately after the effective time of the merger or consolidation securities of the Company or any surviving or new corporation, as the case may be, having less than 60% of the Voting Power or any surviving or new corporation, as the case may be, including Voting Power exercisable on a contingent or deferred basis as well as immediately exercisable Voting Power, excluding any merger or combination of a wholly owned Subsidiary into the Company, or the Company into a wholly owned Subsidiary; or

(iii) The Company consummates a sale, lease, exchange or other transfer or disposition of all or substantially all of its assets to any Person other than to a wholly owned Subsidiary, but not including (A) a mortgage or pledge of assets granted in connection with a financing or (B) a spin-off or sale of assets if the Company continues in existence and its common shares are listed on a national securities exchange, quoted on the automated quotation system of a national securities association or traded in the over-the-counter market; or

(iv) the Original Directors and/or their Successors as defined above in Section 18(b)(i)(A) of this definition do not constitute a majority of the whole Board as the case may be; or

(v) approval by the stockholders of the Company of a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company as the case may be.

(c) “Subsidiary” means a corporation, company or other entity (i) more than fifty percent (50%) of whose outstanding shares or securities (representing the right to vote for the election of directors or other managing authority) are, or (ii) which does not have outstanding shares or securities (as may be the case in a partnership, joint venture or unincorporated association), but more than fifty percent (50%) of whose ownership interest representing the right generally to make decisions for such other entity is, now or hereafter, owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by the Company.

(d) “Voting Power” means at any time, the combined voting power of the then outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the election of Directors in the case of the Company, or the members of the board of directors or similar body in the case of another entity.

19. Compliance with Section 409A of the Code. To the extent applicable, it is intended that this Agreement and the Plan comply with the provisions of Section 409A of the Code, so that the income inclusion provisions of Section 409A(a)(1) do not apply to the Grantee. This Agreement in conjunction with the terms of the Plan shall be administered in a manner consistent with this intent.

20. Data Protection. By signing below, the Grantee consents that the Company may process the Grantee’s personal data, including name, Social Security number, address and number of shares of Performance Stock (“Data”) exclusively for the purpose of performing this Agreement, in particular in connection with the Performance Stock awarded to the Grantee. For this purpose the Data may also be disclosed to and processed by companies outside the Company, e.g., banks involved.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Agreement to be executed on its behalf by its duly authorized officer and Grantee has also executed this Agreement in duplicate, as of the day and year first above written.

(Signatures follow on the next page)

FLOWERS FOODS, INC.
By:
	R. Steve Kinsey
Signature of Grantee
Name of Grantee
Address
Address

EX-12.1

Exhibit 12.1

Flowers Foods, Inc.

Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

Fiscal 2010 - 2014

(000’s Omitted, Except Ratio Amounts)

	Fiscal Year
	2014		2013		2012		2011		2010
Fixed Charges:
Interest expense	$	28,288	$	28,875	$	23,411	$	10,172	$	8,164
Interest portion of rent expense(1)	$	29,564	$	30,100	$	25,600	$	23,399	$	20,953
Total Fixed Charges	$	57,852	$	58,975	$	49,011	$	33,571	$	29,117
Earnings:
Income before income taxes	$	268,054	$	322,373	$	208,772	$	191,966	$	210,380
Plus: Fixed charges(2)	$	57,852	$	58,975	$	49,011	$	33,571	$	29,117
Earnings Available to Cover Fixed Charges	$	325,906	$	381,348	$	257,783	$	225,537	$	239,497
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges		5.6		6.5		5.3		6.7		8.2

(1) One-third of total rent expense is the portion deemed representative of the interest factor.

(2) Fixed charges represent gross interest expense plus the interest portion of rent expense.

EX-21

EXHIBIT 21

SUBSIDIARIES OF FLOWERS FOODS, INC.

Name of Subsidiary	Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization
14th Street Baking Co. of Birmingham, LLC	Alabama
Bailey Street Bakery, LLC	Alabama
Flowers Bakery of Montgomery, LLC	Alabama
Flowers Baking Co. of Birmingham, LLC	Alabama
Flowers Baking Co. of Opelika, LLC	Alabama
Flowers Baking Co. of Tuscaloosa, LLC	Alabama
Fast Food Services, Inc.	Arizona
Holsum Bakery of Tolleson, LLC	Arizona
Holsum Bakery, Inc.	Arizona
Holsum Holdings, LLC.	Arizona
Flowers Bakery of Texarkana, LLC	Arkansas
Flowers Baking Co. of Batesville, LLC	Arkansas
Flowers Baking Co. of Pine Bluff, LLC	Arkansas
Fort Smith Baking Co., LLC	Arkansas
Flowers Baking Co. of California, LLC	California
Flowers Baking Co. of Modesto, LLC	California
Flowers Baking Co. of Sacramento, LLC	California
Flowers Baking Co. of Stockton, LLC	California
Flowers Baking Co. of Denver, LLC	Colorado
C&G Holdings, Inc.	Delaware
CK Sales Co., LLC	Delaware
Flowers Bakeries Brands, LLC	Delaware
Flowers Finance II, LLC	Delaware
Flowers Finance, LLC	Delaware
Southern Bakeries, Inc.	Delaware
Busch Drive Baking Co. of Jacksonville, LLC	Florida
Flowers Baking Co. of Bradenton, LLC	Florida
Flowers Baking Co. of Florida, LLC	Florida
Flowers Baking Co. of Jacksonville, LLC	Florida
Flowers Baking Co. of Miami, LLC	Florida
Flowers Baking Co. of Orlando, LLC	Florida
Derst Baking Company, LLC	Georgia
FBC Georgia, LLC	Georgia
Flowers Bakeries, LLC	Georgia
Flowers Bakery of Suwannee, LLC	Georgia
Flowers Baking Co. of Thomasville, LLC	Georgia
Flowers Baking Co. of Tucker, LLC	Georgia
Flowers Baking Co. of Tyler, LLC	Georgia
Flowers Baking Co. of Villa Rica, LLC	Georgia
Flowers Foods Specialty Group, LLC	Georgia
Flowers Specialty Foodservice Sales, LLC	Georgia

Flowers Baking Co. of Hodgkins, LLC	Illinois
Flowers Baking Co. of Peoria, LLC	Illinois
Flowers Baking Co. of Columbus, LLC	Indiana
Flowers Baking Co. of Waterloo, LLC	Iowa
Specialty Blending Co., LLC	Iowa
Flowers Baking Co. of Kansas City, LLC	Kansas
Flowers Baking Co. of Lenexa, LLC	Kansas
Flowers Bakery of London, LLC	Kentucky
Flowers Baking Co. of Bardstown, LLC	Kentucky
Flowers Baking Co. of Alexandria, LLC	Louisiana
Flowers Baking Co. of Baton Rouge, LLC	Louisiana
Flowers Baking Co. of Lafayette, LLC	Louisiana
Flowers Baking Co. of New Orleans, LLC	Louisiana
Flowers Baking Co. of Biddeford, LLC	Maine
Lepage Bakeries Cedar Street, LLC	Maine
Lepage Bakeries Park Street, LLC	Maine
Lepage Leasing, LLC	Maine
Key Mix, LLC	Maryland
El Paso Baking Co. de Mexico, S.A. de C.V.	Mexico
Flowers Baking Co. of Booneville, LLC	Missouri
Flowers Baking Co. of Henderson, LLC	Nevada
Flowers Bakery of Winston-Salem, LLC	North Carolina
Flowers Baking Co. of Jamestown, LLC	North Carolina
Flowers Baking Co. of Newton, LLC	North Carolina
Flowers Baking Co. of Rocky Mount, LLC	North Carolina
Franklin Baking Company, LLC	North Carolina
Flowers Baking Co. of Northwood, LLC	Ohio
Flowers Baking Co. of Tulsa, LLC	Oklahoma
Flowers Baking Co. of Oxford, Inc.	Pennsylvania
Tasty Baking Company	Pennsylvania
TBC Financial Services, Inc.	Pennsylvania
Flowers Specialty Brands, LLC	South Carolina
Flowers Bakery of Cleveland, LLC	Tennessee
Flowers Bakery of Crossville, LLC	Tennessee
Flowers Baking Co. of Knoxville, LLC	Tennessee
Flowers Baking Co. of Memphis, LLC	Tennessee
Flowers Baking Co. of Morristown, LLC	Tennessee
Flowers Baking Co. of Nashville, LLC	Tennessee
Flowers Specialty Snack Sales, Inc.	Tennessee
Monroe Avenue Baking Co. of Memphis, LLC	Tennessee
Austin Baking Co., LLC	Texas

Corpus Christi Baking Co., LLC	Texas
Flowers Baking Co. of Denton, LLC	Texas
Flowers Baking Co. of El Paso, LLC	Texas
Flowers Baking Co. of Houston, LLC	Texas
Flowers Baking Co. of San Antonio, LLC	Texas
Flowers Baking Co. of Texas, LLC	Texas
Leeland Baking Co., LLC	Texas
Leo’s Foods, Inc.	Texas
San Antonio Baking Co., LLC	Texas
Flowers Baking Co. of Ogden, LLC	Utah
Lepage Bakeries Brattleboro, LLC	Vermont
Flowers Baking Co. of Lynchburg, LLC	Virginia
Flowers Baking Co. of Norfolk, LLC	Virginia
Flowers Baking Co. of West Virginia, LLC	West Virginia

EX-23

Exhibit 23

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements on Form S-8 (Nos. 333-132293, 333-58320, 333-59354, 333-156471, 333-151746, 333-159814, 333-196124 and 333-196125) of Flowers Foods, Inc. of our report dated February 25, 2015 relating to the financial statements, financial statement schedule and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, which appears in this Form 10-K.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Atlanta, GA

February 25, 2015

EX-31.1

Exhibit 31.1

I, Allen L. Shiver, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Flowers Foods, Inc.;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

(a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b) designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d) disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant’s other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

/s/     ALLEN L. SHIVER        

Allen L. Shiver

President and Chief Executive Officer

Date: February 25, 2015

EX-31.2

Exhibit 31.2

I, R. Steve Kinsey, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Flowers Foods, Inc.;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

(a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b) designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d) disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant’s other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

/s/     R. STEVE KINSEY        

R. Steve Kinsey

Executive Vice President and

Chief Financial Officer

Date: February 25, 2015

EX-31.3

Exhibit 31.3

I, Karyl H. Lauder, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Flowers Foods, Inc.;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

(a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b) designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d) disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant’s other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

/s/     KARYL H. LAUDER        

Karyl H. Lauder

Senior Vice President and

Chief Accounting Officer

Date: February 25, 2015

EX-32

Exhibit 32

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Annual Report of Flowers Foods, Inc. (the “company”) on Form 10-K for the period ended January 3, 2015, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), each of the undersigned officers of the company certifies, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, to such officer’s knowledge:

1. The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

2. The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the company as of the dates and for the periods expressed in the Report.

/s/     ALLEN L. SHIVER        

Allen L. Shiver

President and

Chief Executive Officer

/s/     R. STEVE KINSEY        

R. Steve Kinsey

Executive Vice President and

Chief Financial Officer

/s/     KARYL H. LAUDER        

Karyl H. Lauder

Senior Vice President and

Chief Accounting Officer

Date: February 25, 2015

The foregoing certification is being furnished solely pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 and is not being filed as part of the Report or as a separate disclosure document.

XML

Acquisitions (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Jan. 03, 2015

Changes to Goodwill by Acquisition

The table below presents the changes to goodwill by acquisition from December 29, 2012 to December 28, 2013 (amounts in thousands):

	Modesto		Acquired Hostess Assets		Lepage			Other		Total
Working capital adjustments	$	—	$	—	$	315		$	—	$	315
Acquisition-related tax adjustments		—		—		(1,016	)		—		(1,016	)
Adjustment to assets held for sale		—		—		63			—		63
Adjustment for accrued liabilities		—		—		2,394			—		2,394
Adjustment to property, plant and equipment		—		—		—			1,123		1,123
Acquisitions during fiscal 2013		4,209		5,419		—			—		9,628
Change in goodwill during fiscal 2013	$	4,209	$	5,419	$	1,756		$	1,123	$	12,507

The table below presents the changes to goodwill by acquisition from December 28, 2013 to January 3, 2015 (amounts in thousands):

	Acquired Hostess Assets
Adjustment for spare parts and final fair value assessment	$	(3,503	)
Adjustment to property, plant and equipment		6,683
Change in goodwill during fiscal 2014	$	3,180

Summary of Potential Payment of Holdback Amount

The table below reflects the potential payments to us under each scenario (amounts in thousands):

	February 23, 2013 – November 20, 2013		November 21, 2013 – February 18, 2014		February 19, 2014 – May 19, 2014		May 20, 2014 – August 17, 2014
Co-pack decision	$	10,000	$	7,500	$	5,000	$	—
Bakery decision	$	10,000	$	10,000	$	7,500	$	5,000

Fair Value of Stock Consideration

The table below outlines the determination of fair value and provides the assumptions used in the calculation:

Restriction lapse fiscal year	2012			2013			2014			2015			2016			Total
Value of Flowers shares issued (thousands)	$	25,000		$	10,000		$	5,000		$	5,000		$	5,000		$	50,000
Implied fair value of restricted shares (thousands)	$	23,626		$	9,154		$	4,447		$	4,363		$	4,297		$	45,887
Exercise price (per share)	$	13.65		$	13.65		$	13.65		$	13.65		$	13.65
Expected term (yrs)		0.37			1.00			2.00			3.00			4.00
Volatility (%)		25.0	%		25.0	%		25.0	%		25.0	%		25.0	%
Risk-free rate (%)		0.1	%		0.2	%		0.2	%		0.3	%		0.4	%
Dividend yield (%)		3.0	%		3.0	%		3.0	%		3.0	%		3.0	%

Pro Forma Consolidated Results of Operations

Unaudited pro forma consolidated results of operations for the Sara Lee California and Earthgrains asset acquisitions are not included because the company determined that they are immaterial. Hostess filed for bankruptcy and ceased operations in November 2012 (the “Hostess Shutdown”). As a result, there were no sales related to the Acquired Hostess Assets for fiscal 2013 because of the Hostess Shutdown and there is no data to include in the pro forma presentation below. The acquisitions’ results from operations were included in our Consolidated Statements of Income during fiscal 2014 and, as a result, no pro forma data is presented (amounts in thousands, except per share data):

	Fiscal 2013		Fiscal 2012
	52 weeks		52 weeks
Sales:
As reported	$	3,732,616	$	3,031,124
Pro forma	$	3,732,616	$	3,887,498
Net income:
As reported	$	230,894	$	136,121
Pro forma	$	227,076	$	128,464
Basic net income per common share:
As reported	$	1.11	$	0.66
Pro forma	$	1.09	$	0.62
Diluted net income per common share:
As reported	$	1.09	$	0.66
Pro forma	$	1.07	$	0.61

Sara Lee and Earthgrains acquisition of trademark licenses

Schedule of Identified Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed

The following table summarizes the consideration paid to acquire these licenses and the amounts of identified assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on the fair value at the acquisition date (amounts in thousands):

Fair value of consideration transferred:
Cash consideration transferred	$	49,950
Contingently refundable consideration (the “holdback”)		(7,600	)
Total consideration, net	$	42,350
Recognized amounts of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed:
Property, plant, and equipment	$	6,476
Identifiable intangible asset — distribution rights		25,790
Identifiable intangible asset — trademarks		79,500
Identifiable intangible asset — customer relationships		12,000
Deferred income taxes, net		(31,345	)
Net recognized amounts of identifiable assets acquired	$	92,421
Bargain purchase gain	$	50,071

Lepage Bakeries Inc

Schedule of Identified Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed

The following table summarizes the consideration transferred to acquire Lepage and the amounts of identified assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on the fair value at the acquisition date (amounts in thousands):

Fair value of consideration transferred:
Cash	$	318,605
Deferred payment obligations		17,663
Flowers Foods, Inc. common stock		45,887
Total fair value of consideration transferred	$	382,155
Recognized amounts of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed:
Financial assets	$	11,658
Inventories		4,537
Property, plant, and equipment		59,970
Assets held for sale — Distributor routes		16,098
Identifiable intangible assets		256,400
Deferred income taxes, net		(1,137	)
Financial liabilities		(17,076	)
Net recognized amounts of identifiable assets acquired	$	330,450
Goodwill	$	51,705

Schedule of Intangible Assets Subject to Amortization

The following table presents the intangible assets subject to amortization (amounts in thousands, except amortization periods):

	Amount		Weighted average amortization years
Customer relationships	$	69,000		25.0
Non-compete agreements		2,400		4.0
	$	71,400		24.3

Acquired Hostess Bread Asset

Changes to Goodwill by Acquisition

The table below presents the changes to goodwill from December 28, 2013 to January 3, 2015 for the Acquired Hostess Bread Assets (amounts in thousands):

Goodwill reported on December 28, 2013 for the Acquired Hostess Bread Assets	$	5,419
Changes in goodwill for spare parts and final fair value adjustments		(3,503	)
Changes in goodwill for property, plant and equipment final fair value adjustments		6,683
Net changes to goodwill	$	3,180
Final Acquired Hostess Bread Assets goodwill	$	8,599

Schedule of Identified Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed

The following table summarizes the consideration paid for the Acquired Hostess Bread Assets and liabilities assumed based on the fair value at the acquisition date (amounts in thousands):

Fair value of consideration transferred:
Cash consideration transferred	$	355,342
Recognized amounts of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed:
Property, plant, and equipment	$	153,990
Identifiable intangible asset — trademarks		189,000
Financial assets		5,153
Net recognized amounts of identifiable assets acquired	$	348,143
Gain on legal settlement		(1,400	)
Net recognized amounts of identifiable assets acquired and gain on settlement	$	346,743
Goodwill	$	8,599

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Information Regarding Operations in Reportable Segments (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended						4 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015	Oct. 04, 2014	Jul. 12, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013	Oct. 05, 2013	Jul. 13, 2013	Apr. 19, 2014	Apr. 20, 2013	Jan. 03, 2015		Dec. 28, 2013		Dec. 29, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales	$ 877,333	$ 844,932	$ 872,791	$ 839,989	$ 874,129	$ 893,576	$ 1,153,917	$ 1,124,922	$ 3,748,973		$ 3,732,616		$ 3,031,124
Depreciation and amortization									128,961		118,491		102,690
Income from operations									275,395		335,233		218,511
Interest expense									28,288		28,875		23,411
Capital expenditures									83,778		99,181		67,259
Interest income									(20,947)		(16,015)		(13,672)
Income before income taxes									268,054		322,373		208,772
Intersegment Eliminations | Sales From Warehouse Segment To DSD Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales									(130,174)		(122,082)		(111,253)
Intersegment Eliminations | Sales From DSD Segment To Warehouse Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales									(72,082)		(90,986)		(32,280)
Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Depreciation and amortization									(86)	[1]	667	[1]	133	[1]
Income from operations									(60,287)	[1]	(63,815)	[1]	(50,915)	[1]
Capital expenditures									3,856	[1]	10,466	[1]	4,075	[1]
DSD Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales									3,155,607		3,080,255		2,494,927
DSD Segment | Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales									3,227,689		3,171,241		2,527,207
Depreciation and amortization									113,881		102,341		85,725
Income from operations									284,231	[2]	347,114	[2]	231,087	[2]
Capital expenditures									73,454		81,664		53,492
Warehouse Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales									593,366		652,361		536,197
Warehouse Segment | Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales									723,540		774,443		647,450
Depreciation and amortization									15,166		15,483		16,832
Income from operations									51,451		51,934		38,339
Capital expenditures									$ 6,468		$ 7,051		$ 9,692

[1] Represents the company's corporate head office amounts, acquisition costs, and the fiscal 2014 pension settlement loss.

[2] Includes the gain on acquisition of $50.1 million in fiscal 2013.

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Stock-Based Compensation (Deferred and Restricted Stock) - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	0 Months Ended	1 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015	May 31, 2013	Jul. 12, 2014	Jan. 02, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested restricted stock granted by the EPIP	$ 4.3
Expected weighted-average period to recognize compensation cost (years)	1 year
Chief Executive Officer
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Restricted stock award		1.3
Restricted shares issued		58,500
Deferred Stock | Distributed to director who retired on May 21, 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Deferred shares distributed	105,621
Deferred Stock | Distributed to director who retired on December 31, 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Deferred shares distributed	46,364
Deferred Stock | Annual Grant Awards | Non Employee Directors
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Aggregate shares converted			60,300
Deferred shares distributed	27,075
Deferred Stock | Annual Grant Awards | Non Employee Directors | Minimum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period	1 year
Deferred Stock | Omnibus Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Retainers conversion into deferred shares	100.00%
Vesting period	1 year
Aggregate shares converted				19,852
Aggregate shares converted, amortization period				1 year
Deferred Stock | Retainer Conversion
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Deferred shares distributed	18,330
Retainers conversion into deferred shares	130.00%
Aggregate shares converted					36,425
Deferred Stock | Retainer Conversion | Minimum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period	2 years
Restricted Stock Award | Chief Executive Officer
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Restricted shares per share		$ 22.25
Deferred Stock Activity
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested restricted stock granted by the EPIP	1.8
Expected weighted-average period to recognize compensation cost (years)	1 year 5 months 16 days
Total fair value of shares vested	2.5
Award vesting tax windfall	$ 0.7

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Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended						4 Months Ended		12 Months Ended			0 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015	Oct. 04, 2014	Jul. 12, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013	Oct. 05, 2013	Jul. 13, 2013	Apr. 19, 2014	Apr. 20, 2013	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012	Apr. 03, 2012
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Sales	$ 877,333,000	$ 844,932,000	$ 872,791,000	$ 839,989,000	$ 874,129,000	$ 893,576,000	$ 1,153,917,000	$ 1,124,922,000	$ 3,748,973,000	$ 3,732,616,000	$ 3,031,124,000
Inventory	93,100,000			100,851,000					93,100,000	100,851,000
Deferred gain on sale of assets held for sale	25,700,000			22,400,000					25,700,000	22,400,000
Net gain on sale of territories									3,800,000	5,500,000	2,600,000
Shipping costs									847,600,000	797,400,000	675,600,000
Equipment held under capital leases	28,900,000			22,500,000					28,900,000	22,500,000
Total accumulated depreciation for assets held under capital leases	6,300,000			7,000,000					6,300,000	7,000,000
Depreciation expense									117,200,000	106,700,000	93,400,000
Impairment of long-lived assets held and used									0	0	0
Impairment of Intangible Assets excluding goodwill									0	0	0
Goodwill impairment loss			2,600,000						2,624,000
Advertising and marketing costs									22,900,000	28,100,000	19,100,000
Amortization expense of capitalized software development costs									2,400,000	3,200,000	1,600,000
Capitalized software development costs	13,000,000			14,800,000					13,000,000	14,800,000
Plan asset amortization conditional percentage									10.00%
Pay By Scan
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Sales									1,206,600,000	1,116,400,000	863,400,000
Inventory	6,100,000			6,400,000					6,100,000	6,400,000
Senior Notes Issued
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Debt instrument face amount												400,000,000
Debt issuance cost, amortization period												10 years
Maximum
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Percentage of distributor route notes receivables									10.00%
Gain on sale of territories recognized immediately									$ 5,000
Finite-lived intangible asset amortization periods									40 years
Maximum | Building
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Estimated useful life, years									40 years
Maximum | Machinery and Equipment
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Estimated useful life, years									25 years
Maximum | Furniture Fixtures And Transportation Equipment
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Estimated useful life, years									15 years
Maximum | Capitalized Software Development Costs
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Estimated useful life, years									8 years
Maximum | Sale of Territory
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Notes receivable maturity period									10 years
Minimum
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible asset amortization periods									3 years
Minimum | Building
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Estimated useful life, years									10 years
Minimum | Machinery and Equipment
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Estimated useful life, years									3 years
Minimum | Furniture Fixtures And Transportation Equipment
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Estimated useful life, years									3 years
Minimum | Capitalized Software Development Costs
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Estimated useful life, years									3 years
Top 10 Customers | Sales Revenue, Net
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Percentage of sales									43.90%	44.70%	45.30%

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Earnings Per Share (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Jan. 03, 2015

Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Common Share

The following is a reconciliation of net income and weighted average shares for calculating basic and diluted earnings per common share for fiscal years 2014, 2013, and 2012 (amounts in thousands, except per share data):

	Fiscal 2014		Fiscal 2013		Fiscal 2012
Net income	$	175,739	$	230,894	$	136,121
Basic Earnings Per Common Share:
Basic weighted average shares outstanding per common share		209,683		207,935		205,005
Basic earnings per common share	$	0.84	$	1.11	$	0.66
Diluted Earnings Per Common Share:
Basic weighted average shares outstanding per common share		209,683		207,935		205,005
Add: Shares of common stock assumed issued upon exercise of stock options, vesting of performance-contingent restricted stock and deferred stock		3,409		3,992		2,669
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding per common share		213,092		211,927		207,674
Diluted earnings per common share	$	0.82	$	1.09	$	0.66

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Earnings Per Share - Additional Information (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive Shares excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share	0	0	0

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Estimated Net Amortization of Intangibles (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 03, 2015
Schedule Of Estimated Future Amortization Expense [Line Items]
2015	$ 11,495
2016	11,052
2017	10,580
2018	10,432
2019	$ 10,283

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Components of Net Periodic Benefit (Income) Cost (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015		Dec. 28, 2013		Dec. 29, 2012
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Settlement loss	$ 15,387
Net Periodic Pension Cost
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	640		708		610
Interest cost	21,427		20,089		21,670
Expected return on plan assets	(33,817)		(28,680)		(26,301)
Settlement loss	15,387
Actuarial gain	1,925		6,177		5,085
Net periodic pension cost (income)	5,562		(1,706)		1,064
Current year actuarial (gain) loss	74,510		(90,706)		28,857
Settlement loss	(15,387)
Amortization of actuarial gain (loss)	(1,925)		(6,177)		(5,085)
Total recognized in other comprehensive (loss) income	57,198		(96,883)		23,772
Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other comprehensive (income) loss	62,760		(98,589)		24,836
Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	377		341		458
Interest cost	445		380		605
Prior service credit	(469)		(257)		(257)
Actuarial gain	(577)		(799)		(299)
Net periodic pension cost (income)	(224)		(335)		507
Current year actuarial (gain) loss	(497)	[1]	240	[1]	(2,492)	[1]
Current year prior service credit			(1,110)
Amortization of actuarial gain (loss)	577		799		299
Amortization of prior service credit	469		257		257
Total recognized in other comprehensive (loss) income	549		186		(1,936)
Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other comprehensive (income) loss	$ 325		$ (149)		$ (1,429)

[1] Includes (gain) loss related to (higher) lower than expected Medicare Part D subsidy receipts.

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Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Activity (Detail) (Allowance for Doubtful Accounts, Current, USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts, Current
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	$ 1,598	$ 386	$ 171
Charged to Expense	4,956	4,110	1,991
Write-Offs and Other	3,831	2,898	1,776
Ending Balance	$ 2,723	$ 1,598	$ 386

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Fair Value of Stock Consideration (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
Fair Value Measurements [Line Items]
Value of Flowers shares issued	$ 50,000
Implied fair value of restricted shares	45,887
Fiscal Years 2012
Fair Value Measurements [Line Items]
Value of Flowers shares issued	25,000
Implied fair value of restricted shares	23,626
Exercise price (per share)	$ 13.65
Expected term (yrs)	4 months 13 days
Volatility	25.00%
Risk-free rate	0.10%
Dividend yield	3.00%
Fiscal Year 2013
Fair Value Measurements [Line Items]
Value of Flowers shares issued	10,000
Implied fair value of restricted shares	9,154
Exercise price (per share)	$ 13.65
Expected term (yrs)	1 year
Volatility	25.00%
Risk-free rate	0.20%
Dividend yield	3.00%
Fiscal Year 2014
Fair Value Measurements [Line Items]
Value of Flowers shares issued	5,000
Implied fair value of restricted shares	4,447
Exercise price (per share)	$ 13.65
Expected term (yrs)	2 years
Volatility	25.00%
Risk-free rate	0.20%
Dividend yield	3.00%
Fiscal Year 2015
Fair Value Measurements [Line Items]
Value of Flowers shares issued	5,000
Implied fair value of restricted shares	4,363
Exercise price (per share)	$ 13.65
Expected term (yrs)	3 years
Volatility	25.00%
Risk-free rate	0.30%
Dividend yield	3.00%
Fiscal Year 2016
Fair Value Measurements [Line Items]
Value of Flowers shares issued	5,000
Implied fair value of restricted shares	$ 4,297
Exercise price (per share)	$ 13.65
Expected term (yrs)	4 years
Volatility	25.00%
Risk-free rate	0.40%
Dividend yield	3.00%

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Cash Received, Windfall Tax Benefit, and Intrinsic Value from Stock Option Exercises (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Stock Based Compensation [Abstract]
Cash received from option exercises	$ 21,014	$ 13,685	$ 13,881
Cash tax windfall benefit, net	4,572	5,622	2,343
Intrinsic value of stock options exercised	$ 16,725	$ 18,132	$ 9,965

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Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Jan. 03, 2015

Cash Received, Windfall Tax Benefits, and Intrinsic Value from Stock Option Exercises

The cash received, the windfall tax benefits, and intrinsic value from stock option exercises for fiscal years 2014, 2013, and 2012 are set forth below (amounts in thousands):

	Fiscal 2014		Fiscal 2013		Fiscal 2012
Cash received from option exercises	$	21,014	$	13,685	$	13,881
Cash tax windfall benefit, net	$	4,572	$	5,622	$	2,343
Intrinsic value of stock options exercised	$	16,725	$	18,132	$	9,965

Payout Determined from Total Shareholder Return Shares

The Company TSR compared to the Peer Group TSR will determine the payout as set forth below:

Percentile	Payout as % of Target
90th		200	%
70th		150	%
50th		100	%
30th		50	%
Below 30th		0	%

Deferred and Restricted Stock Activity

The deferred and restricted stock activity for fiscal years 2014, 2013, and 2012 is set forth below:

	Fiscal 2014					Fiscal 2013					Fiscal 2012
	Number of Shares			Weighted Average Fair Value		Number of Shares			Weighted Average Fair Value		Number of Shares			Weighted Average Fair Value
	(Amounts in thousands, except price data)
Nonvested shares at beginning of year		177		$	18.92		138		$	13.04		155		$	12.05
Granted		117		$	20.24		149		$	20.32		99		$	13.85
Vested		(123	)	$	17.81		(110	)	$	13.41		(116	)	$	12.42
Forfeited		(20	)	$	18.93		—		$	—		—		$	—
Nonvested shares at end of year		151		$	21.06		177		$	18.92		138		$	13.04
Vested and deferred shares at end of year		169					92					102

Stock Appreciation Rights Activity

The rights activity for fiscal years 2014, 2013, and 2012 is set forth below:

	Fiscal 2014			Fiscal 2013			Fiscal 2012
	(Amounts in thousands, except price data)
Balance at beginning of year		141			195			281
Rights exercised		(112	)		(54	)		(86	)
Balance at end of year		29			141			195
Weighted average — grant date fair value	$	8.47		$	7.20		$	7.01

Summary of Company's Stock Based Compensation Expense

The following table summarizes the company’s stock based compensation expense, all of which was recognized in selling, distribution, and administration expense, for fiscal years 2014, 2013 and 2012:

	Fiscal 2014			Fiscal 2013		Fiscal 2012
	(Amounts in thousands)
Stock options	$	197		$	1,776	$	3,374
Performance — contingent restricted stock awards		16,544			11,180		4,615
Deferred stock awards		2,176			1,769		1,384
Stock appreciation rights (income) expense		(255	)		1,218		743
Total stock based compensation expense	$	18,662		$	15,943	$	10,116

Stock Option

Stock Option Activity

The stock option activity for fiscal years 2014, 2013, and 2012 pursuant to the EPIP is set forth below:

	Fiscal 2014					Fiscal 2013					Fiscal 2012
	Options			Weighted Average Exercise Price		Options			Weighted Average Exercise Price		Options			Weighted Average Exercise Price
	(Amounts in thousands, except price data)
Outstanding at beginning of year		8,112		$	10.89		9,541		$	10.71		11,135		$	10.45
Exercised		(1,921	)	$	10.94		(1,415	)	$	9.67		(1,570	)	$	8.84
Forfeitures		—		$	—		(14	)	$	10.99		(24	)	$	10.88
Outstanding at end of year		6,191		$	10.88		8,112		$	10.89		9,541		$	10.71
Exercisable at end of year		6,191					4,978					3,973

Performance-Contingent Total Shareholder Return Shares

Performance Contingent TSR Shares, ROIC Shares and Restricted Stock Awards

The following performance-contingent TSR Shares have been granted under the EPIP and have service period remaining (amounts in thousands, except price data):

Grant date	January 1, 2014		January 1, 2013
Shares granted		366		414
Assumed vesting date		3/1/2016		3/1/2015
Fair value per share	$	23.97	$	17.22

Performance-Contingent Restricted Stock Activity

A summary of the status of all of the company’s nonvested shares for performance-contingent restricted stock (including the TSR Shares and the ROIC Shares) for fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012 is set forth below:

	Fiscal 2014					Fiscal 2013					Fiscal 2012
	Number of Shares			Weighted Average Fair Value		Number of Shares			Weighted Average Fair Value		Number of Shares			Weighted Average Fair Value
	(Amounts in thousands, except price data)
Balance at beginning of year		1,229		$	15.88		888		$	12.61		864		$	11.11
Initial grant		732		$	22.72		828		$	16.37		412		$	14.91
Supplemental grant for exceeding ROIC modifier		51		$	14.37		—		$	—		—			—
Supplemental grant for exceeding the TSR modifier		194		$	15.45		95		$	10.62		—			—
Vested		(759	)	$	16.11		(571	)	$	10.62		(320	)	$	11.72
Grant reduction for not achieving the TSR modifier		—		$	—		—		$	—		(65	)	$	11.72
Forfeitures		(43	)	$	19.73		(11	)	$	15.88		(3	)	$	11.44
Balance at end of year		1,404		$	19.09		1,229		$	15.88		888		$	12.61

Return On Invested Capital

Performance Contingent TSR Shares, ROIC Shares and Restricted Stock Awards

The following performance-contingent ROIC Shares have been granted under the EPIP and have service period remaining (amounts in thousands, except price data):

Grant date	January 1, 2014		January 1, 2013
Shares granted		366		414
Assumed vesting date		3/1/2016		3/1/2015
Fair value per share	$	21.47	$	15.51

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Subsequent Events

12 Months Ended

Jan. 03, 2015

Subsequent Events

Note 24. Subsequent Events

Dividend.    On February 20, 2015, the Board of Directors declared a dividend of $0.1325 per share on the company’s common stock to be paid on March 20, 2015 to shareholders of record on March 6, 2015.

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Schedule of Intangible Assets Subject to Amortization (Detail) (Lepage Bakeries Inc, USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
Finite And Infinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amount	$ 71,400
Weighted average amortization years	24 years 3 months 18 days
Customer Relationships
Finite And Infinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amount	69,000
Weighted average amortization years	25 years
Noncompete Agreements
Finite And Infinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amount	$ 2,400
Weighted average amortization years	4 years

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Changes to Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Net of Income Tax, By Component (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, beginning balance	$ (62,515)	$ (114,667)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	(48,717)	31,862
Reclassified to earnings from accumulated other comprehensive income	13,212	20,290
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, ending balance	(98,020)	(62,515)
Gains/Losses on Cash Flow Hedges
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, beginning balance	(11,416)	(4,100)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	(3,201)	(24,457)
Reclassified to earnings from accumulated other comprehensive income	3,209	17,141
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, ending balance	(11,408)	(11,416)
Defined Benefit Pension Plan Items
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, beginning balance	(51,099)	(110,567)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	(45,516)	56,319
Reclassified to earnings from accumulated other comprehensive income	10,003	3,149
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, ending balance	$ (86,612)	$ (51,099)

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Plans Fair Value of Plan Assets by Asset Class (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Schedule of Pension Plan Assets by Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	$ 378,194		$ 428,605
Hedge Funds, Equity
Schedule of Pension Plan Assets by Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	14,300
Absolute Return Funds
Schedule of Pension Plan Assets by Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	8,000
Short Term Investments And Cash
Schedule of Pension Plan Assets by Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	6,701		5,668
Equity Securities | Domestic Equity Funds
Schedule of Pension Plan Assets by Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	63,551	[1]	62,705	[1]
Equity Securities | Us Companies
Schedule of Pension Plan Assets by Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	94,739		109,017
Equity Securities | International Companies
Schedule of Pension Plan Assets by Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	2,700		1,525
Equity Securities | International Equity Funds
Schedule of Pension Plan Assets by Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	45,851	[2]	67,925	[1],[2]
Fixed Income Securities | Domestic Mutual Funds
Schedule of Pension Plan Assets by Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets			20,187	[1],[3]
Fixed Income Securities | US Treasury Securities
Schedule of Pension Plan Assets by Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	4,664
Fixed Income Securities | US Government Agencies Debt Securities
Schedule of Pension Plan Assets by Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	874
Fixed Income Securities | Mortgage-backed Securities, Issued by US Government Sponsored Enterprises
Schedule of Pension Plan Assets by Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	2,333
Fixed Income Securities | Domestic Corporate Debt Securities
Schedule of Pension Plan Assets by Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	2,452
Fixed Income Securities | Private Equity Funds
Schedule of Pension Plan Assets by Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	14,427	[4]	20,889	[4]
Real Estate Funds
Schedule of Pension Plan Assets by Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	14,651	[5]	13,298	[5]
Other Investments | Guaranteed Insurance Contracts
Schedule of Pension Plan Assets by Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	9,450	[6]	9,594	[6]
Other Investments | Hedge Funds, Equity
Schedule of Pension Plan Assets by Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	52,420	[7],[8]	58,176	[7]
Other Investments | Absolute Return Funds
Schedule of Pension Plan Assets by Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	63,667	[4],[9]	59,727	[4]
Other Assets And Liabilities
Schedule of Pension Plan Assets by Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	184	[10]	484	[10]
Accrued (Expenses) Income
Schedule of Pension Plan Assets by Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	(470)	[10]	(590)	[10]
Level 1
Schedule of Pension Plan Assets by Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	160,990		193,434
Level 1 | Equity Securities | Domestic Equity Funds
Schedule of Pension Plan Assets by Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	63,551	[1]	62,705	[1]
Level 1 | Equity Securities | Us Companies
Schedule of Pension Plan Assets by Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	94,739		109,017
Level 1 | Equity Securities | International Companies
Schedule of Pension Plan Assets by Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	2,700		1,525
Level 1 | Fixed Income Securities | Domestic Mutual Funds
Schedule of Pension Plan Assets by Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets			20,187	[1],[3]
Level 2
Schedule of Pension Plan Assets by Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	77,302		94,482
Level 2 | Short Term Investments And Cash
Schedule of Pension Plan Assets by Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	6,701		5,668
Level 2 | Equity Securities | International Equity Funds
Schedule of Pension Plan Assets by Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	45,851	[2]	67,925	[1],[2]
Level 2 | Fixed Income Securities | US Treasury Securities
Schedule of Pension Plan Assets by Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	4,664
Level 2 | Fixed Income Securities | US Government Agencies Debt Securities
Schedule of Pension Plan Assets by Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	874
Level 2 | Fixed Income Securities | Mortgage-backed Securities, Issued by US Government Sponsored Enterprises
Schedule of Pension Plan Assets by Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	2,333
Level 2 | Fixed Income Securities | Domestic Corporate Debt Securities
Schedule of Pension Plan Assets by Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	2,452
Level 2 | Fixed Income Securities | Private Equity Funds
Schedule of Pension Plan Assets by Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	14,427	[4]	20,889	[4]
Level 3
Schedule of Pension Plan Assets by Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	139,902		140,689		140,689	97,242
Level 3 | Guaranteed Insurance Contracts
Schedule of Pension Plan Assets by Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	9,450		9,594		9,594	9,534
Level 3 | Hedge Funds, Equity
Schedule of Pension Plan Assets by Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	52,420		58,176		58,176	34,646
Level 3 | Absolute Return Funds
Schedule of Pension Plan Assets by Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	63,667		59,727		59,727	41,936
Level 3 | Real Estate Funds
Schedule of Pension Plan Assets by Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	14,651	[5]	13,298	[5]
Level 3 | Other Investments | Guaranteed Insurance Contracts
Schedule of Pension Plan Assets by Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	9,450	[6]	9,594	[6]
Level 3 | Other Investments | Hedge Funds, Equity
Schedule of Pension Plan Assets by Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	52,420	[7],[8]	58,176	[7]
Level 3 | Other Investments | Absolute Return Funds
Schedule of Pension Plan Assets by Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	63,667	[4],[9]	59,727	[4]
Level 3 | Other Assets And Liabilities
Schedule of Pension Plan Assets by Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	184	[10]	484	[10]
Level 3 | Accrued (Expenses) Income
Schedule of Pension Plan Assets by Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	$ (470)	[10]	$ (590)	[10]

[1] There is a pending sale for an asset in this classification.

[2] This class includes funds with the principal strategy to invest primarily in long positions in international equity securities.

[3] This class invests primarily in U.S. government issued securities.

[4] This class invests primarily in absolute return strategy funds.

[5] This class includes funds that invest primarily in U.S. commercial real estate.

[6] This class invests primarily guaranteed insurance contracts through various U.S. insurance companies.

[7] This class invests primarily in hedged equity funds.

[8] Pending sale requests of $14.3 million apply to assets reported in this classification.

[9] Pending sale requests of $8.0 million apply to assets reported in this classification.

[10] This class includes accrued interest, dividends, and amounts receivable from asset sales and amounts payable for asset purchases.

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Benefits Expected to be Paid from Plans Assets (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	1 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Plan No. 1
Schedule of Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Expected Benefit Payments [Line Items]
Distributions from existing plan assets	$ 48,400
Plan No. 2
Schedule of Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Expected Benefit Payments [Line Items]
Distributions from existing plan assets	$ 2,000

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Schedule of Identified Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended			0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	0 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012	Feb. 23, 2013	Oct. 05, 2013	Jul. 19, 2013	Jul. 21, 2012	Aug. 17, 2014
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash		$ 415,813	$ 318,476
Contingently refundable consideration (the "holdback")				(10,000)
Flowers Foods, Inc. common stock	45,887
Goodwill	282,960	282,404	269,897
Bargain purchase gain		50,071
Sara Lee and Earthgrains acquisition of trademark licenses
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash consideration transferred				49,950
Contingently refundable consideration (the "holdback")				(7,600)				(7,600)
Total consideration, net				42,350
Property, plant, and equipment				6,476
Deferred income taxes, net				(31,345)	(800)
Net recognized amounts of identifiable assets acquired				92,421
Bargain purchase gain				50,071	1,200
Sara Lee and Earthgrains acquisition of trademark licenses | Distribution Rights
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Identifiable intangible assets				25,790
Sara Lee and Earthgrains acquisition of trademark licenses | Trademarks
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Identifiable intangible assets				79,500
Sara Lee and Earthgrains acquisition of trademark licenses | Customer Relationships
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Identifiable intangible assets				12,000
Acquired Hostess Bread Asset
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash consideration transferred						355,342
Financial assets						5,153
Property, plant, and equipment						153,990
Net recognized amounts of identifiable assets acquired						348,143
Goodwill	8,599	5,419				8,599
Gain on legal settlement					(1,400)	(1,400)
Net recognized amounts of identifiable assets acquired						346,743
Acquired Hostess Bread Asset | Trademarks
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Identifiable intangible assets						189,000
Lepage Bakeries Inc
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash							318,605
Cash consideration transferred							318,600
Deferred payment obligations							17,663
Flowers Foods, Inc. common stock							45,887
Total consideration, net							382,155
Financial assets							11,658
Inventories							4,537
Property, plant, and equipment							59,970
Assets held for sale - Distributor routes							16,098
Identifiable intangible assets							256,400
Deferred income taxes, net							(1,137)
Financial liabilities							(17,076)
Net recognized amounts of identifiable assets acquired							330,450
Goodwill							$ 51,705

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Components of Other Accrued Liabilities (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013
Schedule of Other Current Liabilities [Line Items]
Employee compensation	$ 58,900	$ 69,599
Fair value of derivative instruments	12,898	10,626
Insurance	24,403	24,908
Bank overdraft	15,668	16,347
Accrued interest	4,660	5,062
Other	21,885	18,033
Total	$ 138,414	$ 144,575

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Activity in Inventory Reserve Allowance (Detail) (Inventory Valuation Reserve, USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Inventory Valuation Reserve
Inventory [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	$ 93	$ 38	$ 58
Charged to Expense	1,074	1,210	947
Write-Offs and Other	1,008	1,155	967
Ending Balance	$ 159	$ 93	$ 38

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Performance Contingent ROIC Shares (Detail) (Return On Invested Capital, USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
Grant Date January First Twenty Fourteen
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares granted	366
Assumed vesting date	Mar. 01, 2016
Fair value per share	$ 21.47
Grant Date January First Twenty Thirteen
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares granted	414
Assumed vesting date	Mar. 01, 2015
Fair value per share	$ 15.51

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Summary of Effect of One Percent Point Change in Assumed Health Care Cost (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rates, Effect of One Percentage Point Change [Line Items]
One-Percentage Point Decrease, Effect on total of service and interest cost	$ (60)	$ (64)	$ (100)
One-Percentage Point Decrease, Effect on postretirement benefit obligation	(558)	(485)	(667)
One-Percentage Point Increase, Effect on total of service and interest cost	68	73	115
One-Percentage Point Increase, Effect on postretirement benefit obligation	$ 629	$ 542	$ 744

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Summary of Potential Payment of Holdback Amount (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 23, 2013	May 19, 2014	Feb. 18, 2014	Nov. 20, 2013	Aug. 17, 2014
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Potential payment holdback amount	$ 10,000
Co-pack decision
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Potential payment holdback amount		5,000	7,500	10,000
Bakery decision
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Potential payment holdback amount		$ 7,500	$ 10,000	$ 10,000	$ 5,000

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Quarterly Financial Information (Parenthetical) (Detail) (Selling, General and Administrative Expenses, USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2013
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Schedule Of Quarterly Financial Information [Line Items]
Out-of-period adjustments	$ 4.4
Out-of-period adjustments, net of tax	$ 2.7

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Financial Contracts Hedging Commodity and Interest Rate Risk (Detail) (Cash Flow Hedging, USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 03, 2015
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Notional amount of interest rate swap	$ 143.0
Wheat Contracts
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Notional amount of interest rate swap	96.3
Soybean Oil Contracts
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Notional amount of interest rate swap	32.1
Natural Gas Contracts
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Notional amount of interest rate swap	$ 14.6

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Sales by Product Category in Each Reportable Segment (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended						4 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015	Oct. 04, 2014	Jul. 12, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013	Oct. 05, 2013	Jul. 13, 2013	Apr. 19, 2014	Apr. 20, 2013	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales	$ 877,333	$ 844,932	$ 872,791	$ 839,989	$ 874,129	$ 893,576	$ 1,153,917	$ 1,124,922	$ 3,748,973	$ 3,732,616	$ 3,031,124
DSD Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales									3,155,607	3,080,255	2,494,927
Warehouse Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales									593,366	652,361	536,197
Branded Retail
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales									2,102,131	2,038,726	1,583,887
Branded Retail | DSD Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales									1,971,931	1,898,016	1,480,048
Branded Retail | Warehouse Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales									130,200	140,710	103,839
Store Branded Retail
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales									610,899	645,858	544,479
Store Branded Retail | DSD Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales									486,845	504,707	426,580
Store Branded Retail | Warehouse Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales									124,054	141,151	117,899
Non-Retail and Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales									1,035,943	1,048,032	902,758
Non-Retail and Other | DSD Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales									696,831	677,532	588,299
Non-Retail and Other | Warehouse Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales									$ 339,112	$ 370,500	$ 314,459

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Subsequent Events - Additional Information (Detail) (Subsequent Event, Dividend Declared, USD $)	0 Months Ended
	Feb. 20, 2015	Feb. 20, 2015
Subsequent Event | Dividend Declared
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Dividend declaration date	Feb. 20, 2015
Dividend per share on common stock	$ 0.1325	$ 0.1325
Dividend to be paid date	Mar. 20, 2015
Dividend record date	Mar. 06, 2015

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Derivative Financial Instruments - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended			0 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012	Mar. 28, 2012
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Commodity derivatives fair value, net	$ (16,300,000)	$ (11,500,000)
Cash settlement on hedge	3,100,000
Interest expense	28,288,000	28,875,000	23,411,000
4.375% Senior Notes
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Notes bearing interest rate	4.375%			4.375%
Debt instrument term				10 years
Other Current Assets
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative instrument, asset	16,100,000	16,900,000
Interest rate risk derivatives
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Interest expense	$ 300,000	$ 800,000	$ 2,800,000

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Components of Other Current Assets (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013
Other Assets, Current [Line Items]
Prepaid assets	$ 17,430	$ 17,176
Collateral to counterparties for derivative positions	16,077	16,876
Income taxes receivable	8,932	9,050
Other	709	1,209
Total	$ 43,148	$ 44,311

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Acquisitions (Lepage acquisition) - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended		0 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	0 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013	Jul. 21, 2012	Dec. 29, 2012	Jul. 13, 2013	Jul. 13, 2013
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquisition-related tax adjustments		$ 1,016,000
Adjustment to assets held for sale		63,000
Working capital adjustments		315,000
Implied fair value of restricted shares	45,887,000
Value of Flowers shares issued	50,000,000
Goodwill	282,960,000	282,404,000		269,897,000
Fair value of trade receivable	7,400,000
Gross amount receivable	7,500,000
Bad debt	100,000
Lepage Bakeries Inc
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business acquisition			318,600,000
Deferred cash payment			17,663,000
Fair value of gross payments of deferred obligation			20,000,000
Shares issued during acquisition			3,267,972
Preliminary aggregate purchase price			382,200,000
Acquisition-related costs				7,100,000
Goodwill purchase accounting adjustments	900,000
Acquisition-related tax adjustments	1,016,000	1,016,000
Adjustment to assets held for sale	63,000	63,000
Adjustment for accrued liabilities	1,500,000
Working capital adjustments	315,000	315,000
Sales related to acquisition				80,700,000
Income from operation				12,400,000
Business acquisition deferred payment terms	The deferred payment obligations represent the fair value of the fixed payments of $1,250,000 beginning on the first business day of each of the sixteen calendar quarters following the fourth anniversary of the closing of the acquisition (total of $20.0 million in gross payments). The first payment will be made by Flowers on October 1, 2016 and the final payment will be made on July 1, 2020. The difference between the fair value and the gross payments of $2.3 million is recorded as a reduction to the liability and is being amortized to interest expense over eight years.
Business acquisition deferred payments fixed periodic payments			1,250,000
Business acquisition deferred payments, frequency of periodic payment	Sixteen calendar quarters following the fourth anniversary of the closing of the acquisition
Business acquisition gross deferred payment			20,000,000
Business acquisition deferred payment unamortized discount			2,300,000
Deferred payment unamortized discount amortization period			8 years
Implied fair value of restricted shares			45,887,000
Value of Flowers shares issued			50,000,000
Stock price, last trading day before closing			$ 13.65
Indefinite lived trademark	185,000,000
Goodwill			51,705,000
Goodwill deductible for income tax purposes	11,900,000
Lepage Bakeries Inc | DSD Segment
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill	51,700,000
Lepage Bakeries Inc | Pennsylvania
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of Bakeries operated	3
Lepage Bakeries Inc | Maine
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of Bakeries operated	2
Lepage Bakeries Inc | Vermont
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of Bakeries operated	1
Lepage Bakeries Inc | 338(h)(10) Election Payment
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business acquisition					18,400,000
Lepage Bakeries Inc | Working Capital Payment
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business acquisition						$ 200,000

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Acquisitions (Modesto acquisition) - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	0 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 27, 2013	Dec. 28, 2013
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill acquired		$ 9,628
Modesto
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business acquisition	10,300
Goodwill acquired		4,209
Modesto | DSD Segment
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill acquired	$ 4,200

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Stock-Based Compensation

12 Months Ended

Jan. 03, 2015

Stock-Based Compensation

Note 16. Stock-Based Compensation

On March 5, 2014, our Board of Directors approved and adopted the 2014 Omnibus Equity and Incentive Compensation Plan (“Omnibus Plan”). The Omnibus Plan was approved by our shareholders on May 21, 2014. The Omnibus Plan authorizes the compensation committee of the Board of Directors to provide equity-based compensation in the form of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance shares, performance units, dividend equivalents and other awards for the purpose of providing our officers, key employees, and non-employee directors’ incentives and rewards for performance. The Omnibus Plan replaced the Flowers Foods’ 2001 Equity and Performance Incentive Plan, as amended and restated as of April 1, 2009 (“EPIP”), the stock appreciation right plan, and the bonus plan. All outstanding equity awards that were made under the EPIP will continue to be governed by the EPIP; however, all equity awards granted after May 21, 2014 are governed by the Omnibus Plan. No additional awards will be issued under the EPIP. Awards granted under the Omnibus Plan are limited to the authorized amount of 8,000,000 shares.

The EPIP authorized the compensation committee of the Board of Directors to make awards of options to purchase our common stock, restricted stock, performance stock and units and deferred stock. The company’s officers, key employees and non-employee directors (whose grants are generally approved by the full Board of Directors) were eligible to receive awards under the EPIP. Over the life of the EPIP, the company issued options, restricted stock and deferred stock.

The following is a summary of stock options, restricted stock, and deferred stock outstanding under the plans described above. Information relating to the company’s stock appreciation rights, which were issued under a separate stock appreciation right plan, is also described below.

Stock Options

The company issued non-qualified stock options (“NQSOs”) during fiscal years 2011 and prior that have no additional service period remaining. All outstanding NQSOs have vested and are exercisable on January 3, 2015.

The stock option activity for fiscal years 2014, 2013, and 2012 pursuant to the EPIP is set forth below:

	Fiscal 2014					Fiscal 2013					Fiscal 2012
	Options			Weighted Average Exercise Price		Options			Weighted Average Exercise Price		Options			Weighted Average Exercise Price
	(Amounts in thousands, except price data)
Outstanding at beginning of year		8,112		$	10.89		9,541		$	10.71		11,135		$	10.45
Exercised		(1,921	)	$	10.94		(1,415	)	$	9.67		(1,570	)	$	8.84
Forfeitures		—		$	—		(14	)	$	10.99		(24	)	$	10.88
Outstanding at end of year		6,191		$	10.88		8,112		$	10.89		9,541		$	10.71
Exercisable at end of year		6,191					4,978					3,973

As of January 3, 2015, options outstanding under the EPIP had an average exercise price of $10.88, a weighted average remaining contractual life of 2.27 years, and an aggregate intrinsic value of $51.1 million.

The cash received, the windfall tax benefits, and intrinsic value from stock option exercises for fiscal years 2014, 2013, and 2012 are set forth below (amounts in thousands):

	Fiscal 2014		Fiscal 2013		Fiscal 2012
Cash received from option exercises	$	21,014	$	13,685	$	13,881
Cash tax windfall benefit, net	$	4,572	$	5,622	$	2,343
Intrinsic value of stock options exercised	$	16,725	$	18,132	$	9,965

Performance-Contingent Restricted Stock Awards

Performance-Contingent Total Shareholder Return Shares (“TSR Shares”)

Since 2012, certain key employees have been granted performance-contingent restricted stock under the EPIP in the form of TSR Shares. The awards generally vest approximately two years from the date of grant (after the filing of the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K), and the shares become non-forfeitable if, and to the extent that, on that date the vesting conditions are satisfied. As a result of the delay (July as opposed to January) in the grant of the 2012 awards, the 2012 awards vested during the first quarter of 2014, 18 months from the grant date. The 2013 and 2014 awards (granted during the first quarters of their respective years) vest two years from the date of grant. The total shareholder return (“TSR”) is the percent change in the company’s stock price over the measurement period plus the dividends paid to shareholders. The performance payout is calculated at the end of each of the last four quarters (averaged) in the measurement period. Once the TSR is determined for the company (“Company TSR”), it is compared to the TSR of our food company peers (“Peer Group TSR”). The Company TSR compared to the Peer Group TSR will determine the payout as set forth below:

Percentile	Payout as % of Target
90th		200	%
70th		150	%
50th		100	%
30th		50	%
Below 30th		0	%

For performance between the levels described above, the degree of vesting is interpolated on a linear basis. The 2012 award actual attainment was 195% of target.

The TSR shares vest immediately if the grantee dies or becomes disabled. However, if the grantee retires at age 65 (or age 55 with at least 10 years of service with the company) or later, on the normal vesting date the grantee will receive a pro-rated number of shares based upon the retirement date and measured at the actual performance for the entire performance period. In addition, if the company undergoes a change in control, the TSR shares will immediately vest at the target level, provided that if 12 months of the performance period have been completed, vesting will be determined based on Company TSR as of the date of the change in control without application of four-quarter averaging. During the vesting period, the grantee has none of the rights of a shareholder. Dividends declared during the vesting period will accrue and will be paid at vesting on the shares that ultimately vest. The fair value estimate was determined using a Monte Carlo simulation model, which utilizes multiple input variables to estimate the probability of the company achieving the market condition discussed above. Inputs into the model included the following for the company and comparator companies: (i) TSR from the beginning of the performance cycle through the measurement date; (ii) volatility; (iii) risk-free interest rates; and (iv) the correlation of the comparator companies’ TSR. The inputs are based on historical capital market data.

The following performance-contingent TSR Shares have been granted under the EPIP and have service period remaining (amounts in thousands, except price data):

Grant date	January 1, 2014		January 1, 2013
Shares granted		366		414
Assumed vesting date		3/1/2016		3/1/2015
Fair value per share	$	23.97	$	17.22

As of January 3, 2015, there was $4.3 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested TSR Shares granted under the EPIP. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of one year.

Performance-Contingent Return on Invested Capital Shares (“ROIC Shares”)

Since 2012, certain key employees have been granted performance-contingent restricted stock under the EPIP in the form of ROIC Shares. The awards generally vest approximately two years from the date of grant (after the filing of the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K), and the shares become non-forfeitable if, and to the extent that, on that date, the vesting conditions are satisfied. As a result of the delay (July as opposed to January) in the grant of the 2012 awards, the 2012 awards vested during the first quarter of 2014, 18 months from the grant date. The 2013 and 2014 awards (granted during the first quarters of their respective years) vest two years from the date of grant. Return on Invested Capital is calculated by dividing our profit, as defined, by the invested capital (“ROIC”). Generally, the performance condition requires the company’s average ROIC to exceed its average weighted cost of capital (“WACC”) by between 1.75 to 4.75 percentage points (the “ROI Target”) over the two fiscal year performance period. If the lowest ROI Target is not met the awards are forfeited. The shares can be earned based on a range from 0% to 125% of target as defined below:

• 0% payout if ROIC exceeds WACC by less than 1.75 percentage points;

• ROIC above WACC by 1.75 percentage points pays 50% of Target; or

• ROIC above WACC by 3.75 percentage points pays 100% of Target; or

• ROIC above WACC by 4.75 percentage points pays 125% of Target.

For performance between the levels described above, the degree of vesting is interpolated on a linear basis. The 2012 award actual attainment was 125% of Target.

The ROIC Shares vest immediately if the grantee dies or becomes disabled. However, if the grantee retires at age 65 (or age 55 with at least 10 years of service with the company) or later, on the normal vesting date the grantee will receive a pro-rated number of shares based upon the retirement date and actual performance for the entire performance period. In addition, if the company undergoes a change in control, the ROIC Shares will immediately vest at the target level. During the vesting period, the grantee has none of the rights of a shareholder. Dividends declared during the vesting period will accrue and will be paid at vesting on the shares that ultimately vest. The fair value of this type of award is equal to the stock price on the grant date. Since these awards have a performance condition feature the expense associated with these awards may change depending on the expected ROI Target attained at each reporting period. The following performance-contingent ROIC Shares have been granted under the EPIP and have service period remaining (amounts in thousands, except price data):

Grant date	January 1, 2014		January 1, 2013
Shares granted		366		414
Assumed vesting date		3/1/2016		3/1/2015
Fair value per share	$	21.47	$	15.51

As of January 3, 2015, there was $4.0 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested ROIC Shares granted under the EPIP. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of one year.

Performance-Contingent Restricted Stock

In connection with the vesting of the performance-contingent restricted stock granted in July 2012, during fiscal 2014, an additional 193,756 common shares were issued because the company exceeded the median TSR of its peer group and payout was 195% of the target grant (“TSR modifier”) and an additional 50,939 common shares were issued because the company’s ROIC exceeded its WACC by the maximum amount and payout was 125% of the target grant (“ROIC modifier”). At vesting the company paid accumulated dividends of $0.4 million.

A summary of the status of all of the company’s nonvested shares for performance-contingent restricted stock (including the TSR Shares and the ROIC Shares) for fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012 is set forth below:

	Fiscal 2014					Fiscal 2013					Fiscal 2012
	Number of Shares			Weighted Average Fair Value		Number of Shares			Weighted Average Fair Value		Number of Shares			Weighted Average Fair Value
	(Amounts in thousands, except price data)
Balance at beginning of year		1,229		$	15.88		888		$	12.61		864		$	11.11
Initial grant		732		$	22.72		828		$	16.37		412		$	14.91
Supplemental grant for exceeding ROIC modifier		51		$	14.37		—		$	—		—			—
Supplemental grant for exceeding the TSR modifier		194		$	15.45		95		$	10.62		—			—
Vested		(759	)	$	16.11		(571	)	$	10.62		(320	)	$	11.72
Grant reduction for not achieving the TSR modifier		—		$	—		—		$	—		(65	)	$	11.72
Forfeitures		(43	)	$	19.73		(11	)	$	15.88		(3	)	$	11.44
Balance at end of year		1,404		$	19.09		1,229		$	15.88		888		$	12.61

As of January 3, 2015, there was $8.3 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested restricted stock granted under the EPIP. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of one year. The fair value of performance-contingent restricted share awards that vested during fiscal 2014 was $13.6 million. There was a tax windfall of $2.7 million on the vesting (issuance) of performance-contingent awards during fiscal 2014.

Deferred and Restricted Stock

Pursuant to the EPIP, the company allowed non-employee directors to convert their annual board retainers into deferred stock equal in value to 130% of the cash payments these directors would have otherwise received. The deferred stock had a minimum two year vesting period and will be distributed to the individual (along with accumulated dividends) at a time designated by the individual at the date of conversion. In January 2014, cash pay was converted into an aggregate of 36,425 shares. The company recorded compensation expense for this deferred stock over the two-year minimum vesting period. During fiscal 2014, a total of 18,330 previously deferred shares were distributed under the EPIP. Following the May 2014 Board of Directors meeting and the adoption of the Omnibus plan, annual board retainers converted into deferred stock and issued under the Omnibus plan are equal in value to 100% of the cash payments directors would otherwise receive and the vesting period is a one-year period to match the period of time that cash would have been received if no conversion existed. On January 2, 2015, during our fiscal 2014, annual board retainers for certain directors were converted into an aggregate of 19,852 shares that will be amortized over one year under the Omnibus plan. Going forward, under the Omnibus Plan, non-employee directors may elect to convert their annual board retainers into deferred stock equal to 100% of the cash payments they otherwise would have received. The deferred stock so converted will have a one-year pro-rated vesting period. Accumulated dividends are paid upon delivery of the shares.

Pursuant to the Omnibus Plan and the EPIP, non-employee directors also receive annual grants of deferred stock. This deferred stock vests over one year from the grant date. During the second quarter of fiscal 2014, non-employee directors were granted an aggregate of 60,300 shares of deferred stock pursuant to the Omnibus Plan. The deferred stock will be distributed to the grantee at a time designated by the grantee at the date of grant. Compensation expense is recorded on this deferred stock over the one year minimum vesting period. During fiscal 2014, a total of 27,075 previously deferred shares were distributed.

A total of 105,621 shares of previously vested and deferred awards were also distributed during fiscal 2014 for a director who retired on May 21, 2014 and the cumulative deferred shares (including retainer conversions and annual grants) were issued at that time. An additional 46,364 shares of previously vested and deferred awards were also distributed during fiscal 2014 for a director who retired on December 31, 2014 and the cumulative deferred shares (including retainer conversions and annual grants) were issued at that time.

On May 31, 2013, the company’s Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) received a time-based restricted stock award of approximately $1.3 million of restricted stock pursuant to the EPIP. This award will vest 100% on the fourth anniversary of the date of grant provided the CEO remains employed by the company during this period and the award value does not exceed 0.5% of our cumulative EBITDA over the vesting period. Vesting will also occur in the event of the CEO’s death or disability, but not his retirement. Dividends will accrue on the award and will be paid to the CEO on the vesting date for all shares that vest. There were 58,500 shares issued for this award at a fair value of $22.25 per share.

The deferred and restricted stock activity for fiscal years 2014, 2013, and 2012 is set forth below:

	Fiscal 2014					Fiscal 2013					Fiscal 2012
	Number of Shares			Weighted Average Fair Value		Number of Shares			Weighted Average Fair Value		Number of Shares			Weighted Average Fair Value
	(Amounts in thousands, except price data)
Nonvested shares at beginning of year		177		$	18.92		138		$	13.04		155		$	12.05
Granted		117		$	20.24		149		$	20.32		99		$	13.85
Vested		(123	)	$	17.81		(110	)	$	13.41		(116	)	$	12.42
Forfeited		(20	)	$	18.93		—		$	—		—		$	—
Nonvested shares at end of year		151		$	21.06		177		$	18.92		138		$	13.04
Vested and deferred shares at end of year		169					92					102

As of January 3, 2015, there was $1.8 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to deferred and restricted stock awards granted under the EPIP. This cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.46 years. The intrinsic value of deferred stock awards that vested during fiscal 2014 was $2.5 million. There was a tax windfall of $0.7 million on the exercise of deferred share awards during fiscal 2014.

Stock Appreciation Rights

Prior to 2007, the company allowed non-employee directors to convert their retainers and committee chair fees into rights. These rights vested after one year and can be exercised over nine years. The company records compensation expense for these rights at a measurement date based on changes between the grant price and an estimated fair value of the rights using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The liability for these rights at January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013 was $0.3 million and $2.0 million, respectively, and is recorded in other long-term liabilities. The company paid $1.4 million at the exercise of 112,215 shares during fiscal 2014.

The fair value of the rights at January 3, 2015 ranged from $10.61 to $10.97. The following assumptions were used to determine the fair value of the rights discussed above using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model at January 3, 2015: dividend yield 2.4%; expected volatility 22.00%; risk-free interest rate 0.25% and expected life of 0.50 years to 0.70 years.

The rights activity for fiscal years 2014, 2013, and 2012 is set forth below:

	Fiscal 2014			Fiscal 2013			Fiscal 2012
	(Amounts in thousands, except price data)
Balance at beginning of year		141			195			281
Rights exercised		(112	)		(54	)		(86	)
Balance at end of year		29			141			195
Weighted average — grant date fair value	$	8.47		$	7.20		$	7.01

The following table summarizes the company’s stock based compensation expense, all of which was recognized in selling, distribution, and administration expense, for fiscal years 2014, 2013 and 2012:

	Fiscal 2014			Fiscal 2013		Fiscal 2012
	(Amounts in thousands)
Stock options	$	197		$	1,776	$	3,374
Performance — contingent restricted stock awards		16,544			11,180		4,615
Deferred stock awards		2,176			1,769		1,384
Stock appreciation rights (income) expense		(255	)		1,218		743
Total stock based compensation expense	$	18,662		$	15,943	$	10,116

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Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013
Commitment And Contingencies [Line Items]
Self-insurance reserves, current liabilities	$ 24.4	$ 24.9

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Income Taxes (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Jan. 03, 2015

Components of Income Tax Expense

The company’s provision for income tax expense consists of the following for fiscal years 2014, 2013 and 2012:

	Fiscal 2014		Fiscal 2013			Fiscal 2012
	(Amounts in thousands)
Current Taxes:
Federal	$	72,780	$	73,669		$	54,599
State		10,294		11,325			6,602
		83,074		84,994			61,201
Deferred Taxes:
Federal		7,691		7,970			9,703
State		1,550		(1,485	)		1,747
		9,241		6,485			11,450
Income tax expense	$	92,315	$	91,479		$	72,651

Reconciliation of Effective Tax Amount

Income tax expense differs from the amount computed by applying the U.S. federal income tax rate (35%) because of the effect of the following items for fiscal years 2014, 2013, and 2012:

	Fiscal 2014			Fiscal 2013			Fiscal 2012
	(Amounts in thousands)
Tax at U.S. federal income tax rate	$	93,819		$	112,831		$	73,070
State income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit		7,698			6,396			5,427
Section 199 qualifying production activities benefit		(6,892	)		(7,022	)		(5,407	)
Bargain purchase		—			(17,524	)		—
Other		(2,310	)		(3,202	)		(439	)
Income tax expense	$	92,315		$	91,479		$	72,651

Components of Deferred Tax Assets and (Liabilities)

Deferred tax assets (liabilities) are comprised of the following:

	January 3, 2015			December 28, 2013
	(Amounts in thousands)
Self-insurance	$	6,294		$	7,227
Compensation and employee benefits		12,898			13,558
Deferred income		9,896			7,397
Loss and credit carryforwards		21,421			27,055
Equity-based compensation		15,597			14,402
Hedging		7,153			7,158
Pension		30,160			10,822
Postretirement benefits		6,796			7,595
Other		15,437			16,084
Deferred tax assets valuation allowance		(2,534	)		(2,895	)
Deferred tax assets		123,118			108,403
Depreciation		(79,480	)		(86,235	)
Intangible assets		(107,188	)		(99,268	)
Other		(3,780	)		(3,250	)
Deferred tax liabilities		(190,448	)		(188,753	)
Net deferred tax liability	$	(67,330	)	$	(80,350	)

Reconciliation of Total Amounts of Unrecognized Tax Benefits

The following is a reconciliation of the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits for fiscal years 2014, 2013 and 2012:

	Fiscal 2014			Fiscal 2013			Fiscal 2012
	(Amounts in thousands)
Unrecognized tax benefit at beginning of fiscal year	$	4,809		$	7,304		$	8,709
Gross increases — tax positions in a current period		—			—			331
Gross increases — acquisitions		—			500			—
Lapses of statutes of limitations		(2,702	)		(2,995	)		(1,736	)
Unrecognized tax benefit at end of fiscal year	$	2,107		$	4,809		$	7,304

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Other Accrued Liabilities (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Jan. 03, 2015

Components of Other Accrued Liabilities

Other accrued liabilities consist of:

	January 3, 2015		December 28, 2013
	(Amounts in thousands)
Employee compensation	$	58,900	$	69,599
Fair value of derivative instruments		12,898		10,626
Insurance		24,403		24,908
Bank overdraft		15,668		16,347
Accrued interest		4,660		5,062
Other		21,885		18,033
Total	$	138,414	$	144,575

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Acquisitions (Sara Lee California and Earthgrains acquisition of trademark licenses) - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended			4 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 23, 2013	Dec. 28, 2013	Oct. 05, 2013	Jul. 13, 2013	Apr. 19, 2014	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013	Aug. 17, 2014	Feb. 23, 2013
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Intangible assets amortization period	21 years
Bargain purchase gain							$ 50,071,000
Holdback	10,000,000								10,000,000
Holdback amount available	10,000,000
Maximum
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Co-pack arrangement period	18 months
Sara Lee and Earthgrains acquisition of trademark licenses
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business acquisition	49,950,000
Bargain purchase gain	50,071,000		1,200,000
Deferred income taxes, net	31,345,000		800,000						31,345,000
Holdback	7,600,000							7,600,000	7,600,000
Receipt from holdback					7,500,000
Reduction in holdback		100,000	0	0
Final delivery date						Feb. 14, 2014
Acquisition-related costs							1,500,000
Sales related to acquisition							79,700,000
Sara Lee and Earthgrains acquisition of trademark licenses | Distribution Rights
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Change in fair value of spare parts			$ 2,000,000

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Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015 Distributor	Dec. 28, 2013 Distributor
Fair Value Disclosures [Line Items]
Number of independent distributors	3,700	3,400
Long term debt carrying value	$ 399,304,000	$ 399,207,000
4.375% Senior Notes
Fair Value Disclosures [Line Items]
Debt Obligations	$ 426,300,000
Maximum
Fair Value Disclosures [Line Items]
Financing period of territories, years	10 years

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Assets Held for Sale (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Jan. 03, 2015

Assets Held for Sale

The table below presents the assets held for sale as of January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013, respectively (amounts in thousands):

	January 3, 2015		December 28, 2013
Distributor territories	$	20,491	$	26,564
Acquired Hostess Bread Assets plants and depots		13,406		22,743
Other		5,211		5,445
Total assets held for sale	$	39,108	$	54,752

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Unaudited Quarterly Financial Information (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Jan. 03, 2015

Results of Operations for Each Quarter

Results of operations for each of the four quarters in the respective fiscal years are as follows. The first quarter of fiscal 2014 represents sixteen weeks, the second and third quarter of fiscal 2014 represents twelve weeks, and the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014 represents thirteen weeks. Each quarter during fiscal 2013 represents a period of twelve weeks, except the first quarter, which includes sixteen weeks.

			First Quarter		Second Quarter		Third Quarter		Fourth Quarter
	(Amounts in thousands, except per share data)
Sales		2014	$	1,153,917	$	872,791	$	844,932	$	877,333
		2013	$	1,124,922	$	893,576	$	874,129	$	839,989
Materials, supplies, labor and other production costs (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately)		2014	$	595,877	$	458,019	$	442,978	$	453,759
		2013	$	585,298	$	471,614	$	467,798	$	447,511
Net income.		2014	$	61,066	$	42,064	$	44,599	$	28,010
		2013	$	112,026	$	46,460	$	33,888	$	38,520	*
Basic net income per share		2014	$	0.29	$	0.20	$	0.21	$	0.13
		2013	$	0.54	$	0.22	$	0.16	$	0.18	*
Diluted net income per share		2014	$	0.29	$	0.20	$	0.21	$	0.13
		2013	$	0.53	$	0.22	$	0.16	$	0.18	*

* Includes an out-of-period adjustment of $4.4 million ($2.7 million, net of tax) described above.

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Changes to Goodwill by Acquisition (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013
Goodwill [Line Items]
Working capital adjustments		$ 315
Acquisition-related tax adjustments		(1,016)
Adjustment to assets held for sale		63
Adjustment for accrued liabilities		2,394
Adjustment to property, plant and equipment		1,123
Acquisitions during fiscal year		9,628
Change in goodwill during fiscal year	3,180	12,507
Modesto
Goodwill [Line Items]
Acquisitions during fiscal year		4,209
Change in goodwill during fiscal year		4,209
Acquired Hostess Bread Asset
Goodwill [Line Items]
Acquisitions during fiscal year		5,419
Change in goodwill during fiscal year		5,419
Net changes to goodwill	3,180
Acquired Hostess Bread Asset | Spare parts and final fair value adjustments
Goodwill [Line Items]
Net changes to goodwill	(3,503)
Acquired Hostess Bread Asset | Property, plant and equipment final fair value adjustments
Goodwill [Line Items]
Net changes to goodwill	6,683
Lepage Bakeries Inc
Goodwill [Line Items]
Working capital adjustments	315	315
Acquisition-related tax adjustments	(1,016)	(1,016)
Adjustment to assets held for sale	63	63
Adjustment for accrued liabilities		2,394
Change in goodwill during fiscal year		1,756
Net changes to goodwill	900
Other
Goodwill [Line Items]
Adjustment to property, plant and equipment		1,123
Change in goodwill during fiscal year		$ 1,123

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Performance-Contingent Restricted Stock Activity (Detail) (Performance Contingent Restricted Stock, USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Number of Shares
Number of Shares, Balance at beginning of period	1,229	888	864
Number of Shares, Initial grant	732	828	412
Number of Shares, Vested	(759)	(571)	(320)
Number of Shares, Forfeitures	(43)	(11)	(3)
Number of shares, Balance at end of period	1,404	1,229	888
Weighted Average Fair Value
Weighted Average Fair Value, Balance at beginning of period	$ 15.88	$ 12.61	$ 11.11
Weighted Average Fair Value, Initial grant	$ 22.72	$ 16.37	$ 14.91
Weighted Average Fair Value, Vested	$ 16.11	$ 10.62	$ 11.72
Weighted Average Fair Value, Forfeitures	$ 19.73	$ 15.88	$ 11.44
Weighted Average Fair Value, Balance at end of period	$ 19.09	$ 15.88	$ 12.61
Performance Contingent Return On Invested Capital Shares
Number of Shares
Number of Shares, Supplemental grant for exceeding ROIC modifier	51
Weighted Average Fair Value
Weighted Average Fair Value, Supplemental grant for exceeding ROIC modifier	$ 14.37
Performance Contingent Total Shareholder Return Shares
Number of Shares
Number of Shares, Supplemental grant for exceeding ROIC modifier	194	95
Number of Shares, Grant reduction for not achieving the TSR modifier			(65)
Weighted Average Fair Value
Weighted Average Fair Value, Supplemental grant for exceeding ROIC modifier	$ 15.45	$ 10.62
Weighted Average Fair Value, Grant reduction for not achieving the TSR modifier			$ 11.72

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Notes Receivable - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Interest income from distributor notes	$ 20,947	$ 16,015	$ 13,672
Maximum
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Financing period of territories, years	10 years

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Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Jan. 03, 2015

Summary of Reclassifications Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

During fiscal 2014, reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive loss were as follows (amounts in thousands):

Details about Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Components (Note 2)	Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss									Affected Line Item in the Statement Where Net Income is Presented
	Fiscal 2014			Fiscal 2013			Fiscal 2012
Gains and losses on cash flow hedges:
Interest rate contracts	$	—		$	(816	)	$	(2,816	)	Interest income (expense)
Commodity contracts		(5,218	)		(27,055	)		(17,272	)	Cost of sales, Note 3, below
Total before tax	$	(5,218	)	$	(27,871	)	$	(20,088	)	Total before tax
Tax (expense) or benefit		2,009			10,730			7,734		Tax (expense) or benefit
Total net of tax	$	(3,209	)	$	(17,141	)	$	(12,354	)	Net of tax
Pension and postretirement benefit items:
Prior-service credits	$	469		$	257		$	257		Note 1, below
Settlement loss		(15,387	)		—			—		Note 1, below
Actuarial losses		(1,348	)		(5,378	)		(4,786	)	Note 1, below
Total before tax	$	(16,266	)	$	(5,121	)	$	(4,529	)	Total before tax
Tax (expense) or benefit		6,263			1,972			1,743		Tax (expense) or benefit
Total net of tax	$	(10,003	)	$	(3,149	)	$	(2,786	)	Net of tax benefit
Total reclassifications	$	(13,212	)	$	(20,290	)	$	(15,140	)	Net of tax benefit

Note 1:	These items are included in the computation of net periodic pension cost. See Note 19, Postretirement Plans, for additional information.
Note 2:	Amounts in parentheses indicate debits to determine net income.
Note 3:	Amounts are presented as an adjustment to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

Changes to Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Net of Income Tax

During fiscal 2013, changes to accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of income tax, by component were as follows (amounts in thousands):

	Gains/Losses on Cash Flow Hedges			Defined Benefit Pension Plan Items			Total
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, December 29, 2012	$	(4,100	)	$	(110,567	)	$	(114,667	)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications		(24,457	)		56,319			31,862
Reclassified to earnings from accumulated other comprehensive income		17,141			3,149			20,290
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, December 28, 2013	$	(11,416	)	$	(51,099	)	$	(62,515	)

During fiscal 2014, changes to accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of income tax, by component were as follows (amounts in thousands):

	Gains/Losses on Cash Flow Hedges			Defined Benefit Pension Plan Items			Total
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, December 28, 2013	$	(11,416	)	$	(51,099	)	$	(62,515	)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications		(3,201	)		(45,516	)		(48,717	)
Reclassified to earnings from accumulated other comprehensive loss		3,209			10,003			13,212
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, January 3, 2015	$	(11,408	)	$	(86,612	)	$	(98,020	)

Gain or Loss Reclassified From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income for Commodity Contracts

The following table presents the net of tax amount of the gain or loss reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) for our commodity contracts (amounts in thousands):

	Fiscal 2014			Fiscal 2013			Fiscal 2012
	(Amounts in thousands)
Gross (gain) loss reclassified from AOCI into income	$	5,218		$	27,055		$	17,272
Tax (benefit) expense		(2,009	)		(10,416	)		(6,650	)
Net of tax	$	3,209		$	16,639		$	10,622

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Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Income tax refunds	$ 4,240	$ 323	$ 7,194

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Components of Deferred Tax Assets and (Liabilities) (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013
Deferred Tax Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]
Self-insurance	$ 6,294	$ 7,227
Compensation and employee benefits	12,898	13,558
Deferred income	9,896	7,397
Loss and credit carryforwards	21,421	27,055
Equity-based compensation	15,597	14,402
Hedging	7,153	7,158
Pension	30,160	10,822
Postretirement benefits	6,796	7,595
Other	15,437	16,084
Deferred tax assets valuation allowance	(2,534)	(2,895)
Deferred tax assets	123,118	108,403
Depreciation	(79,480)	(86,235)
Intangible assets	(107,188)	(99,268)
Other	(3,780)	(3,250)
Deferred tax liabilities	(190,448)	(188,753)
Net deferred tax liability	$ (67,330)	$ (80,350)

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Summary of Company's Stock Based Compensation Expense (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]
Total stock based compensation	$ 18,662	$ 15,943	$ 10,116
Stock Option
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]
Total stock based compensation	197	1,776	3,374
Performance Contingent Restricted Stock
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]
Total stock based compensation	16,544	11,180	4,615
Deferred Stock
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]
Total stock based compensation	2,176	1,769	1,384
Stock Appreciation Rights
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]
Total stock based compensation	$ (255)	$ 1,218	$ 743

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Assets Held for Sale - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	Jul. 12, 2014	Jan. 03, 2015	Jan. 03, 2015	Aug. 13, 2014
Long Lived Assets Held-for-sale [Line Items]
Cash consideration of discontinued operation				$ 8,400,000
Carrying value of the assets held for sale				7,600,000
Goodwill impairment loss	2,600,000	2,624,000
Impairment loss of scrapped assets		1,900,000
Gain on divestiture of discontinued operation		1,800,000
Gain on property plan and equipment		800,000
Cost incurred in severance and inventory		800,000
Total cost of divestiture		3,500,000
Acquired Hostess Bread Assets Classified as Held for Sale
Long Lived Assets Held-for-sale [Line Items]
Impairment loss of scrapped assets			5,800,000
Acquired Hostess Bread Assets Plants and Depots
Long Lived Assets Held-for-sale [Line Items]
Cash consideration of discontinued operation		$ 24,200,000	$ 24,200,000
Number of Acquired Hostess Bread Asset depots sold		22

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Plans Fair Value of Plan Assets by Asset Class (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Schedule of Pension Plan Assets by Fair Value [Line Items]
Pending sale requests	$ 378,194	$ 428,605
Hedge Funds, Equity
Schedule of Pension Plan Assets by Fair Value [Line Items]
Pending sale requests	14,300
Absolute Return Funds
Schedule of Pension Plan Assets by Fair Value [Line Items]
Pending sale requests	$ 8,000

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Components of Income Tax Expense (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Components Of Income Tax Expense Benefit [Line Items]
Current Taxes: Federal	$ 72,780	$ 73,669	$ 54,599
Current Taxes: State	10,294	11,325	6,602
Current Taxes: Total	83,074	84,994	61,201
Deferred Taxes: Federal	7,691	7,970	9,703
Deferred Taxes: State	1,550	(1,485)	1,747
Deferred Income Taxes, Total	9,241	6,485	11,450
Income tax expense	$ 92,315	$ 91,479	$ 72,651

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Debt, Lease and Other Commitments (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Jan. 03, 2015

Long-Term Debt and Capital Leases

Long-term debt, including capital lease obligations, consisted of the following at January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013:

	Interest Rate at January 3, 2015			Final Maturity		January 3, 2015		December 28, 2013
						(Amounts in thousands)
Unsecured credit facility		3.70	%		2019	$	53,000	$	44,200
Unsecured new term loan		1.79	%		2018		270,000		296,250
4.375% senior notes due April 1, 2022		4.38	%		2022		399,304		399,207
Accounts receivable securitization		0.91	%		2016		—		150,000
Capital lease obligations		3.44	%		2020		22,526		15,649
Other notes payable		2.13	%		2020		18,606		18,444
							763,436		923,750
Current maturities of long-term debt and capital lease obligations							34,496		31,272
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations						$	728,940	$	892,478

Outstanding Principal of New Term Loan is Due and Payable on Fifth Anniversary of Draw Date

The new term loan amortizes in quarterly installments based on an increasing annual percentage. The first payment was due and payable on June 30, 2013 (the last business day of the first calendar quarter ending after the borrowing date), quarterly payments are due on the last business day of each successive calendar quarter and all remaining outstanding principal is due and payable on the fifth anniversary of the borrowing date. The table below presents the principal payment amounts due under the new term loan until the balance is paid in full (amounts in thousands):

Fiscal Year	Payments
2015	$	30,000
2016	$	67,500
2017	$	112,500
2018	$	60,000

Aggregate Maturities of Debt Outstanding (Including Capital Leases)

Aggregate maturities of debt outstanding, including capital leases and the associated interest, as of January 3, 2015, are as follows (excluding unamortized debt discount and issuance costs) (amounts in thousands):

2015	$	35,060
2016		74,880
2017		122,249
2018		122,881
2019		8,067
2020 and thereafter		404,094
Total	$	767,231

Future Minimum Lease Payments under Scheduled Capital Leases

discussed in Note 13, Variable Interest Entities, below. Future minimum lease payments under scheduled capital leases that have initial or remaining non-cancelable terms in excess of one year are as follows:

	Capital Leases
	(Amounts in thousands)
2015	$	5,060
2016		4,880
2017		4,749
2018		4,881
2019		3,067
2020 and thereafter		1,594
Total minimum payments		24,231
Amount representing interest		1,705
Obligations under capital leases		22,526
Obligations due within one year		4,496
Long-term obligations under capital leases	$	18,030

Future Minimum Lease Payments under Scheduled Operating Leases

The table below presents the total future minimum lease payments under scheduled operating leases that have initial or remaining non-cancelable terms in excess of one year (amounts in thousands):

	Operating Leases
	(Amounts in thousands)
2015	$	65,583
2016		57,448
2017		46,826
2018		37,757
2019		32,482
2020 and thereafter		259,807
Total minimum payments	$	499,903

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Income Taxes

12 Months Ended

Jan. 03, 2015

Income Taxes

Note 20. Income Taxes

The company’s provision for income tax expense consists of the following for fiscal years 2014, 2013 and 2012:

	Fiscal 2014		Fiscal 2013			Fiscal 2012
	(Amounts in thousands)
Current Taxes:
Federal	$	72,780	$	73,669		$	54,599
State		10,294		11,325			6,602
		83,074		84,994			61,201
Deferred Taxes:
Federal		7,691		7,970			9,703
State		1,550		(1,485	)		1,747
		9,241		6,485			11,450
Income tax expense	$	92,315	$	91,479		$	72,651

Income tax expense differs from the amount computed by applying the U.S. federal income tax rate (35%) because of the effect of the following items for fiscal years 2014, 2013, and 2012:

	Fiscal 2014			Fiscal 2013			Fiscal 2012
	(Amounts in thousands)
Tax at U.S. federal income tax rate	$	93,819		$	112,831		$	73,070
State income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit		7,698			6,396			5,427
Section 199 qualifying production activities benefit		(6,892	)		(7,022	)		(5,407	)
Bargain purchase		—			(17,524	)		—
Other		(2,310	)		(3,202	)		(439	)
Income tax expense	$	92,315		$	91,479		$	72,651

The company’s effective tax rate for fiscal 2013 was impacted by the bargain purchase gain on acquisition, which was recorded net of deferred taxes as a component of income before income taxes. The gain was treated as a permanent item which had a favorable impact on the fiscal 2013 tax rate by approximately 5.2%. On September 13, 2013, the IRS and Treasury released final regulations regarding the deduction and capitalization of expenditures related to tangible property. These regulations apply to the company at the beginning of fiscal 2015 and will not have a material impact to the financial statements. Tax legislation signed into law on December 19, 2014 had an immaterial impact on the rate during fiscal 2014.

Deferred tax assets (liabilities) are comprised of the following:

	January 3, 2015			December 28, 2013
	(Amounts in thousands)
Self-insurance	$	6,294		$	7,227
Compensation and employee benefits		12,898			13,558
Deferred income		9,896			7,397
Loss and credit carryforwards		21,421			27,055
Equity-based compensation		15,597			14,402
Hedging		7,153			7,158
Pension		30,160			10,822
Postretirement benefits		6,796			7,595
Other		15,437			16,084
Deferred tax assets valuation allowance		(2,534	)		(2,895	)
Deferred tax assets		123,118			108,403
Depreciation		(79,480	)		(86,235	)
Intangible assets		(107,188	)		(99,268	)
Other		(3,780	)		(3,250	)
Deferred tax liabilities		(190,448	)		(188,753	)
Net deferred tax liability	$	(67,330	)	$	(80,350	)

The company has a deferred tax asset of $11.3 million related to a federal net operating loss carryforward which we expect to fully utilize. Additionally, the company and various subsidiaries have a net deferred tax asset of $9.2 million related to state net operating loss carryforwards with expiration dates through fiscal 2034, and various state credit carryforwards of $0.9 million. The utilization of a portion of these state net operating loss carryforwards could be limited in the future; therefore, a valuation allowance of $2.5 million has been recorded. Should the company determine at a later date that certain of these losses which have been reserved for may be utilized, a benefit may be recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Income. Likewise, should the company determine at a later date that certain of these net operating losses for which a deferred tax asset has been recorded may not be utilized, a charge to the Consolidated Statements of Income may be necessary.

The gross amount of unrecognized tax benefits was $2.1 million and $4.8 million as of January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013, respectively. This change is primarily due to the expiration of the statute of limitations on several previously unrecognized tax benefits. These amounts are exclusive of interest accrued and are recorded in other long-term liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. If recognized, the $2.1 million (less $0.7 million related to tax imposed in other jurisdictions) would impact the effective rate.

The company accrues interest expense and penalties related to income tax liabilities as a component of income before taxes. No accrual of penalties is reflected on the company’s balance sheet as the company believes the accrual of penalties is not necessary based upon the merits of its income tax positions. The company had an accrued interest balance of approximately $0.3 million and $0.7 million at January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013, respectively.

The company defines the federal jurisdiction as well as various state jurisdictions as “major” jurisdictions. With limited exceptions, the company is no longer subject to federal or state examinations for years prior to 2011.

At this time, we do not anticipate material changes to the amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits over the next twelve months.

The following is a reconciliation of the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits for fiscal years 2014, 2013 and 2012:

	Fiscal 2014			Fiscal 2013			Fiscal 2012
	(Amounts in thousands)
Unrecognized tax benefit at beginning of fiscal year	$	4,809		$	7,304		$	8,709
Gross increases — tax positions in a current period		—			—			331
Gross increases — acquisitions		—			500			—
Lapses of statutes of limitations		(2,702	)		(2,995	)		(1,736	)
Unrecognized tax benefit at end of fiscal year	$	2,107		$	4,809		$	7,304

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Postretirement Plans

12 Months Ended

Jan. 03, 2015

Postretirement Plans

Note 19. Postretirement Plans

The following summarizes the company’s balance sheet related pension and other postretirement benefit plan accounts at January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013:

	As of
	January 3, 2015		December 28, 2013
	(Amounts in thousands)
Current benefit liability	$	1,089	$	1,301
Noncurrent benefit liability	$	93,589	$	44,226
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax	$	86,612	$	51,099

In September 2014, the company announced a one-time voluntary lump sum offer to approximately 2,500 former employees in Plan No. 1 and 2 who had not yet started monthly payment of their vested benefits. The offer supports the company’s pension risk management strategy and reduced plan obligations by 10%. Distributions of $48.4 million in lump sums from existing plan assets in December 2014 resulted in a settlement charge of $15.4 million for Plan No. 1 only. No settlement charge was required for Plan No. 2 as distributions of $2.0 million were not in excess of service costs and interest costs for 2014.

The company used a measurement date of December 31, 2014 for the defined benefit and postretirement benefit plans described below. We believe that the difference in the fair value of plan assets between the measurement date of December 31, 2014 and our fiscal year end date of January 3, 2015 was not material and that for practical purposes the measurement date of December 31, 2014 was used throughout for preparation of our financial statements.

Pension Plans

The company has trusteed, noncontributory defined benefit pension plans covering certain current and former employees. Benefits under the company’s largest pension plan are frozen. The company continues to maintain an ongoing plan that covers a small number of certain union employees. The benefits in this plan are based on years of service and the employee’s career earnings. The qualified plans are funded at amounts deductible for income tax purposes but not less than the minimum funding required by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”) and the Pension Protection Act of 2006 (“PPA”). The company uses a calendar year end for the measurement date since the plans are based on a calendar year end and because it approximates the company’s fiscal year end. As of December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the assets of the qualified plans included certificates of deposit, marketable equity securities, mutual funds, corporate and government debt securities, private and public real estate partnerships, other diversifying strategies and annuity contracts. The company expects pension income of approximately $5.8 million for fiscal 2015.

The net periodic pension cost (income) for the company’s pension plans includes the following components for fiscal years 2014, 2013 and 2012:

	Fiscal 2014			Fiscal 2013			Fiscal 2012
	(Amounts in thousands)
Service cost	$	640		$	708		$	610
Interest cost		21,427			20,089			21,670
Expected return on plan assets		(33,817	)		(28,680	)		(26,301	)
Settlement loss		15,387			—			—
Amortization of actuarial loss		1,925			6,177			5,085
Net periodic pension cost (income)		5,562			(1,706	)		1,064
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive income:
Current year actuarial loss (gain)		74,510			(90,706	)		28,857
Settlement loss		(15,387	)		—			—
Amortization of actuarial (loss)		(1,925	)		(6,177	)		(5,085	)
Total recognized in other comprehensive (loss) income		57,198			(96,883	)		23,772
Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other comprehensive loss	$	62,760		$	(98,589	)	$	24,836

Actual return on plan assets for fiscal years 2014, 2013, and 2012 was $11.6 million, $73.2 million, and $41.9 million, respectively.

Approximately $5.0 million will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income into net periodic benefit cost in fiscal 2015 relating to the company’s pension plans. The funded status and the amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets for the company’s pension plans are as follows:

	January 3, 2015			December 28, 2013
	(Amounts in thousands)
Change in benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	463,726		$	514,636
Service cost		640			708
Interest cost		21,427			20,089
Actuarial loss (gain)		52,305			(46,213	)
Benefits paid		(27,046	)		(25,494	)
Settlements		(48,413	)		—
Benefit obligation at end of year	$	462,639		$	463,726
Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	$	428,605		$	365,671
Actual return on plan assets		11,613			73,174
Employer contribution		13,435			15,254
Benefits paid		(27,046	)		(25,494	)
Settlements		(48,413	)		—
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	$	378,194		$	428,605
Funded status, end of year:
Fair value of plan assets	$	378,194		$	428,605
Benefit obligations		462,639			463,726
Unfunded status and amount recognized at end of year	$	(84,445	)	$	(35,121	)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet:
Current liability		(409	)		(418	)
Noncurrent liability		(84,036	)		(34,703	)
Amount recognized at end of year	$	(84,445	)	$	(35,121	)
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income:
Net actuarial loss before taxes	$	144,842		$	87,645
Accumulated benefit obligation at end of year	$	460,931		$	462,754

The projected benefit obligation, accumulated benefit obligation and fair value of plan assets for pension plans with an accumulated benefit obligation and projected benefit obligation in excess of plan assets were $462.6 million, $460.9 million, and $378.2 million, respectively, at January 3, 2015. The projected benefit obligation, accumulated benefit obligation and fair value of plan assets for pension plans with an accumulated benefit obligation and projected benefit obligation in excess of plan assets at December 28, 2013 were $463.7 million, $462.8 million, and $428.6 million, respectively.

Assumptions used in accounting for the company’s pension plans at each of the respective fiscal years ending are as follows:

	Fiscal 2014			Fiscal 2013			Fiscal 2012
Weighted average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations:
Measurement date		12/31/2014			12/31/2013			12/31/2012
Discount rate		4.00	%		4.75	%		4.00	%
Rate of compensation increase		4.00	%		4.00	%		4.00	%
Weighted average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit (income)/cost:
Measurement date		1/1/2014			1/1/2013			1/1/2012
Discount rate		4.75	%		4.00	%		4.70	%
Expected return on plan assets		8.00	%		8.00	%		8.00	%
Rate of compensation increase		4.00	%		4.00	%		4.00	%

In developing the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets at each measurement date, the company considers the plan assets’ historical actual returns, targeted asset allocations, and the anticipated future economic environment and long-term performance of individual asset classes, based on the company’s investment strategy. While appropriate consideration is given to recent and historical investment performance, the assumption represents management’s best estimate of the long-term prospective return. Based on these factors the expected long-term rate of return assumption for the plans was set at 8.0% for fiscal 2014, as compared with the average annual return on the plan assets over the last 15 years of approximately 7.1% (net of expenses).

Plan Assets

Effective January 1, 2014, the Finance Committee (“committee”) of the Board of Directors delegated its fiduciary and other responsibilities with respect to the plans to the newly established Investment Committee. The Investment Committee, which consists of certain members of management, establishes investment guidelines and strategies and regularly monitors the performance of the plans’ assets. The Investment Committee 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 Investment Committee 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 Investment Committee rebalances the plans’ assets to the targeted allocation when considered appropriate. The fair values of all of the company pension plan assets at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, by asset class are as follows (amounts in thousands):

	Fair value of Pension Plan Assets as of December 31, 2014
Asset Class	Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1)		Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)			Total
Short term investments and cash	$	—	$	6,701	$	—		$	6,701
Equity securities:
U.S. companies		94,739		—		—			94,739
International companies		2,700		—		—			2,700
Domestic equity funds(h)		63,551		—		—			63,551
International equity funds(a)		—		45,851		—			45,851
Fixed income securities:
U.S. government bonds		—		4,664		—			4,664
U.S. government agency bonds		—		874		—			874
U.S. mortgage backed securities		—		2,333		—			2,333
U.S. corporate bonds		—		2,452		—			2,452
Private equity funds(c)		—		14,427		—			14,427
Real estate funds(d)		—		—		14,651			14,651
Other types of investments:
Guaranteed insurance contracts(e)		—		—		9,450			9,450
Hedged equity funds(f)(i)		—		—		52,420			52,420
Absolute return funds(c)(j)		—		—		63,667			63,667
Other assets and (liabilities)(g)		—		—		184			184
Accrued (expenses) income(g)		—		—		(470	)		(470	)
Total	$	160,990	$	77,302	$	139,902		$	378,194

	Fair value of Pension Plan Assets as of December 31, 2013
Asset Class	Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)			Total
Short term investments and cash	$	—	$	5,668	$	—		$	5,668
Equity securities:
U.S. companies		109,017		—		—			109,017
International companies		1,525		—		—			1,525
Domestic equity funds(h)		62,705		—		—			62,705
International equity funds(a)(h)		—		67,925		—			67,925
Fixed income securities:
Domestic mutual funds(b)(h)		20,187		—		—			20,187
Private equity funds(c)		—		20,889		—			20,889
Real estate(d)		—		—		13,298			13,298
Other types of investments:
Guaranteed insurance contracts(e)		—		—		9,594			9,594
Hedged equity funds(f)		—		—		58,176			58,176
Absolute return funds(c)		—		—		59,727			59,727
Other assets and liabilities(g)		—		—		484			484
Accrued income(g)		—		—		(590	)		(590	)
Total	$	193,434	$	94,482	$	140,689		$	428,605

(a) This class includes funds with the principal strategy to invest primarily in long positions in international equity securities.

(b) This class invests primarily in U.S. government issued securities.

(c) This class invests primarily in absolute return strategy funds.

(d) This class includes funds that invest primarily in U.S. commercial real estate.

(e) This class invests primarily guaranteed insurance contracts through various U.S. insurance companies.

(f) This class invests primarily in hedged equity funds.

(g) This class includes accrued interest, dividends, and amounts receivable from asset sales and amounts payable for asset purchases.

(h) There is a pending sale for an asset in this classification.

(i) Pending sale requests of $14.3 million apply to assets reported in this classification.

(j) Pending sale requests of $8.0 million apply to assets reported in this classification.

The following tables provide information on the pension plan assets that are reported using significant unobservable inputs in the estimation of fair value (amounts in thousands):

	2014 Changes in Fair Value Measurements Using Significant  Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
	Real Estate     Funds			Guaranteed Insurance     Contracts			Hedged Equity Funds			Absolute     Return Funds		Other Assets and Liabilities and Accrued (Expenses) Income			Totals
Balance at December 31, 2013	$	13,298		$	9,594		$	58,176		$	59,727	$	(106	)	$	140,689
Actual return on plan assets:
Total gains or losses (realized and unrealized)		954			(5	)		4,280			3,940		—			9,169
Purchases		—			440			—			—		—			440
Issues		636			5			—			—		—			641
Sales		(237	)		(584	)		(10,036	)		—		—			(10,857	)
Settlements		—			—			—			—		(180	)		(180	)
Transfers out of Level 3		—			—			—			—		—			—
Ending balance at December 31, 2014	$	14,651		$	9,450		$	52,420		$	63,667	$	(286	)	$	139,902

	2013 Changes in Fair Value Measurements Using Significant  Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
	Real Estate     Funds			Guaranteed Insurance     Contracts			Hedged Equity Funds			Absolute     Return Funds		Other Assets and Liabilities and Accrued (Expenses) Income			Totals
Balance at December 31, 2012	$	11,564		$	9,534		$	34,646		$	41,936	$	(438	)	$	97,242
Actual return on plan assets:
Total gains or losses (realized and unrealized)		1,336			—			4,652			4,791		—			10,779
Purchases		—			443			26,500			13,000		—			39,943
Issues		558			—			—			—		—			558
Sales		(160	)		(383	)		(7,622	)		—		—			(8,165	)
Settlements		—			—			—			—		332			332
Transfers out of Level 3		—			—			—			—		—			—
Ending balance at December 31, 2013	$	13,298		$	9,594		$	58,176		$	59,727	$	(106	)	$	140,689

The company’s investment policy includes various guidelines and procedures designed to ensure the plan’s assets are invested in a manner necessary to meet expected future benefits earned by participants. The investment guidelines consider a broad range of economic conditions. The plan asset allocation as of the measurement dates December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, and target asset allocations for fiscal year 2015 are as follows:

				Percentage of Plan Assets at the Measurement Date
Asset Category	Target Allocation 2015
				2014			2013
Equity securities		40-60	%		55.0			56.6
Fixed income securities		10-40	%		7.1			9.6
Real estate		0-25	%		3.9			3.1
Other diversifying strategies(1)		0-40	%		33.2			29.8
Short term investments and cash		0-25	%		0.8			0.9
Total					100.0	%		100.0	%

(1) Includes absolute return funds, hedged equity funds, and guaranteed insurance contracts.

Equity securities include 2,030,363 shares and 3,030,363 shares of the company’s common stock in the amount of $39.0 million and $65.1 million (10.2% and 15.1% of total plan assets) as of December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. The plan sold on the open market 1,000,000 shares of the company’s stock during fiscal 2014 for proceeds of $19.1 million. This sale was specifically from plan assets and did not directly impact the company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

The objectives of the target allocations are to maintain investment portfolios that diversify risk through prudent asset allocation parameters, achieve asset returns that meet or exceed the plans’ actuarial assumptions, and achieve asset returns that are competitive with like institutions employing similar investment strategies.

Cash Flows

Company contributions to qualified and nonqualified plans are as follows:

Year	Required		Discretionary		Total
	(Amounts in thousands)
2012	$	9,430	$	9,149	$	18,579
2013	$	5,416	$	9,838	$	15,254
2014	$	5,070	$	8,365	$	13,435

All contributions are made in cash. The required contributions made during fiscal 2014 include $4.6 million to qualified plans and $0.4 million in nonqualified pension benefits paid from corporate assets. The discretionary contributions of $8.4 million made to qualified plans during fiscal 2014 were not required to be made by the minimum funding requirements of ERISA, but the company believed, due to its strong cash flow and financial position, this was an appropriate time at which to make the contribution in order to reduce the impact of future contributions. During 2015, the company expects to contribute $10.0 million to our qualified pension plans and expects to pay $0.4 million in nonqualified pension benefits from corporate assets. The expected contributions to qualified pension plans represent the estimated minimum pension contributions required under ERISA and the PPA as well as discretionary contributions. This amount represents estimates that are based on assumptions that are subject to change. In July 2012, the Moving Ahead for Progress Act for the 21^st Century (“MAP-21”) was signed into law allowing pension plan sponsors to use higher interest rates to value plan liabilities and determine funding requirements. This legislation was extended in 2014 via the Highway and Transportation Funding Act (“HATFA”). As a result of both MAP-21 and HATFA, the company is not subject to required contributions for the 2014 or 2015 plan years.

Benefit Payments

The following are benefits paid under the plans (including settlements) during fiscal years 2014, 2013 and 2012 and expected to be paid from fiscal 2015 through fiscal 2024. Estimated future payments include qualified pension benefits that will be paid from the plans’ assets and nonqualified pension benefits that will be paid from corporate assets.

	Pension Benefits
	(Amounts in thousands)
2012	$	24,884
2013	$	25,494
2014	$	75,459	*
Estimated Future Payments:
2015	$	26,055
2016	$	26,310
2017	$	26,465
2018	$	26,667
2019	$	26,729
2020 – 2024	$	136,232

* Includes $48.4 million and $2.0 million from Plan No. 1 and Plan No. 2, respectively, associated with the one-time voluntary lump sum offer discussed above.

Postretirement Benefit Plans

The company sponsors postretirement benefit plans that provide health care and life insurance benefits to retirees who meet certain eligibility requirements. Generally, this includes employees with at least 10 years of service who have reached age 55 and participate in a Flowers retirement plan. Retiree medical coverage is provided for a period of three to five years, depending on the participant’s age and service at retirement. Participant premiums are determined using COBRA premium levels. Retiree life insurance benefits are offered to a closed group of retirees.

On August 4, 2008, the company assumed sponsorship of a medical, dental, and life insurance benefits plan for eligible retired employees from the acquisition of ButterKrust. The ButterKrust plan provides coverage to a limited and closed group of participants.

Effective January 1, 2014, the company delivers retiree medical and dental benefits for Medicare eligible retirees through a health-care reimbursement account. The company will no longer sponsor a medical plan for Medicare eligible retirees and will no longer file for a Medicare Part D subsidy. These changes were recognized at year-end 2013.

The net periodic benefit (income) cost for the company’s postretirement benefit plans includes the following components for fiscal years 2014, 2013 and 2012:

	Fiscal 2014			Fiscal 2013			Fiscal 2012
	(Amounts in thousands)
Service cost	$	377		$	341		$	458
Interest cost		445			380			605
Amortization:
Prior service credit		(469	)		(257	)		(257	)
Actuarial gain		(577	)		(799	)		(299	)
Total net periodic benefit (income) cost		(224	)		(335	)		507
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive income:
Current year actuarial (gain) loss*		(497	)		240			(2,492	)
Current year prior service credit		—			(1,110	)		—
Amortization of actuarial gain		577			799			299
Amortization of prior service credit		469			257			257
Total recognized in other comprehensive loss		549			186			(1,936	)
Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other comprehensive (income) loss	$	325		$	(149	)	$	(1,429	)

* Includes (gain) loss related to (higher) lower than expected Medicare Part D subsidy receipts.

Approximately $(1.1) million will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income into net periodic benefit cost in fiscal year 2015 relating to the company’s postretirement benefit plans.

The unfunded status and the amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets for the company’s postretirement benefit plans are as follows:

	January 3, 2015			December 28, 2013
	(Amounts in thousands)
Change in benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	10,406		$	11,481
Service cost		377			341
Interest cost		445			380
Participant contributions		192			364
Actuarial loss (gain)		(521	)		214
Benefits paid		(670	)		(1,316	)
Less federal subsidy on benefits paid		—			52
Plan amendments		—			(1,110	)
Benefit obligation at end of year	$	10,229		$	10,406
Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	$	—		$	—
Employer contributions		478			952
Participant contributions		192			364
Benefits paid		(670	)		(1,316	)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	$	—		$	—
Funded status, end of year:
Fair value of plan assets	$	—		$	—
Benefit obligations		10,229			10,406
Unfunded status and amount recognized at end of year	$	(10,229	)	$	(10,406	)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet:
Current liability	$	(680	)	$	(883	)
Noncurrent liability		(9,549	)		(9,523	)
Amount recognized at end of year	$	(10,229	)	$	(10,406	)
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income:
Net actuarial (gain) loss before taxes	$	(3,056	)	$	(3,135	)
Prior service (credit) cost before taxes		(953	)		(1,422	)
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income	$	(4,009	)	$	(4,557	)

Assumptions used in accounting for the company’s postretirement benefit plans at each of the respective fiscal years ending are as follows:

	Fiscal 2014			Fiscal 2013			Fiscal 2012
Weighted average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations:
Measurement date		12/31/2014			12/31/2013			12/31/2012
Discount rate		3.50	%		4.31	%		3.34	%
Health care cost trend rate used to determine benefit obligations:
Initial rate		8.00	%		8.50	%		8.00	%
Ultimate rate		5.00	%		5.00	%		5.00	%
Year trend reaches the ultimate rate		2021			2021			2019
Weighted average assumptions used to determine net periodic cost:
Measurement date		1/1/2014			1/1/2013			1/1/2012
Discount rate		4.31	%		3.34	%		4.35	%
Health care cost trend rate used to determine net periodic cost:
Initial rate		8.50	%		8.00	%		8.50	%
Ultimate rate		5.00	%		5.00	%		5.00	%
Year trend reaches the ultimate rate		2021			2019			2019

Assumed health care cost trend rates have a significant effect on the amounts reported for the health care plans. A one-percentage-point change in assumed health care cost trend rates would have the following effects for fiscal years 2014, 2013, and 2012:

	One-Percentage-Point  Decrease									One-Percentage-Point  Increase
	For the Year Ended									For the Year Ended
	Fiscal 2014			Fiscal 2013			Fiscal 2012			Fiscal 2014		Fiscal 2013		Fiscal 2012
	(Amounts in thousands)
Effect on total of service and interest cost	$	(60	)	$	(64	)	$	(100	)	$	68	$	73	$	115
Effect on postretirement benefit obligation	$	(558	)	$	(485	)	$	(667	)	$	629	$	542	$	744

Cash Flows

Company contributions to postretirement plans are as follows (amounts in thousands):

Year	Employer Net Contribution
2012	$	958
2013	$	900
2014	$	478
2015(Expected)	$	691

The table above reflects only the company’s share of the benefit cost. The company contributions shown are net of income from federal subsidy payments received pursuant to the MMA. MMA subsidy payments, which reduce the company’s cost for the plans, are shown separately in the benefits table below. Of the $0.7 million expected funding for postretirement benefit plans during 2015, the entire amount will be required to pay for benefits. Contributions by participants to postretirement benefits were $0.2 million, $0.4 million, and $0.4 million for fiscal years 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively.

Benefit Payments

The following are benefits paid by the company during fiscal years 2014, 2013 and 2012 and expected to be paid from fiscal 2015 through fiscal 2024. All benefits are expected to be paid from the company’s assets. The expected benefits show the company’s cost without regard to income from federal subsidy payments received pursuant to the MMA. Expected MMA subsidy payments, which reduce the company’s cost for the plans, are shown separately.

	Postretirement Benefits
	(Amounts in thousands)
	Employer Gross Contribution		MMA Subsidy (Income)
2012	$	1,010	$	(52	)
2013	$	952	$	(52	)
2014	$	478	$	—
Estimated Future Payments:
2015	$	691	$	—
2016	$	795	$	—
2017	$	931	$	—
2018	$	978	$	—
2019	$	944	$	—
2020 – 2024	$	4,203	$	—

Multiemployer Plans

In September 2011, the FASB issued guidance for disclosures of multiemployer pension and other postretirement benefit plans. The guidance requires an employer to provide additional quantitative and qualitative disclosures for these plans. The disclosures provide users with more detailed information about an employer’s participation in multiemployer pension plans. We adopted this guidance during 2011 and applied the requirements retrospectively for all periods presented. The required disclosures are presented in the table below.

The company contributes to various multiemployer pension plans. Benefits provided under the multiemployer pension plans are generally based on years of service and employee age. Expense under these plans was $2.1 million for fiscal 2014, $1.9 million for fiscal 2013, and $1.7 million for fiscal 2012.

The company contributes to several multiemployer defined benefit pension plans under the terms of collective-bargaining agreements that cover various union-represented employees. The risks of participating in these multiemployer plans are different from single-employer plans. Assets contributed to the multiemployer plan by one employer may be used to provide benefits to employees of other participating employers. If a participating employer stops contributing to the plan, the unfunded obligations of the plan may be borne by the remaining participating employers. If we choose to stop participating in some of these multiemployer plans, we may be required to pay those plans an amount based on the underfunded status of the plan, referred to as a withdrawal liability. None of the contributions to the pension funds was in excess of 5% or more of the total contributions for plan years 2014, 2013, and 2012. There are no contractually required minimum contributions to the plans as of January 3, 2015.

The company’s participation in these multiemployer plans for fiscal 2014 is outlined in the table below. The EIN/Pension Plan Number column provides the Employer Identification Number (“EIN”) and the three-digit plan number, if applicable. Unless otherwise noted, the most recent PPA zone status available in 2014 and 2013 is for the plan’s year-end at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The zone status is based on information that the company received from the plan and is certified by the plan’s actuary. Among other factors, plans in the red zone are generally less than 65 percent funded, plans in the yellow zone are less than 80 percent funded, and plans in the green zone are at least 80 percent funded. The FIP/RP Status Pending/Implemented column indicates plans for which a financial improvement plan (“FIP”) or a rehabilitation plan (“RP”) is either pending or has been implemented. The last column lists the expiration date(s) of the collective-bargaining agreements to which the plans are subject. Finally, there have been no significant changes that affect the comparability of contributions.

In December 2014, the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act of 2015 (the “2015 Appropriations Act”) was signed into law and materially amended the PPA funding rules. In general, the PPA funding rules were made more flexible in order to make more manageable the steps necessary for multi-employer plans to become or remain economically viable in the future. While in previous years we have been informed that several of the multi-employer pension plans to which our subsidiaries contribute have been labeled with a “critical” or “endangered” status as defined by the PPA, the changes made by the 2015 Appropriations Act will materially impact, on a going forward basis, these prior funding status assessments. In any event, it is unclear at this time what impact, if any, the 2015 Appropriations Act will have on our future obligations to the multi-employer pension plans in which we participate.

Pension Fund	EIN				Pension Protection Act Zone Status				FIP/RP Status Pending/Implemented		Contributions (Amounts in thousands)						Surcharge Imposed		Expiration Date of Collective Bargaining Agreement
			Pension Plan No.		2014		2013				2014 ($)		2013 ($)		2012 ($)
IAM National Pension Fund		51-6031295		002		Green		Green		No		99		104		101		No		5/1/2016
Retail, Wholesale and Department Store International Union and Industry Pension Fund		63-0708442		001		Green		Green		No		132		130		115		No		8/12/2017
Western Conference of Teamsters Pension Trust		91-6145047		001		Green		Green		No		260		252		283		No		2/4/2017
BC&T International Pension Fund		52-6118572		001		Red		Red		Yes		1,077		939		797		Yes		10/31/2015

401(k) Retirement Savings Plans

The Flowers Foods 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan covers substantially all of the company’s employees who have completed certain service requirements. During fiscal years 2014, 2013, and 2012, the total cost and employer contributions were $26.2 million, $23.0 million, and $20.3 million, respectively.

The company acquired Lepage in fiscal 2012, at which time we assumed sponsorship of the Lepage 401(k) Plan. This plan was merged into the Flowers Foods 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan on January 1, 2014. During fiscal 2013 and fiscal 2012, the total cost and employer contributions were $0.5 million for the Lepage 401(k) Plan.

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Stockholders' Equity - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012	Nov. 21, 2014
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Common stock, shares authorized	500,000,000	500,000,000
Common stock, par value	$ 0.010	$ 0.001
Preferred stock, shares authorized	1,000,000
Stock repurchase plan, shares authorized	67,500,000			74,600,000
Stock repurchase plan, increase in shares authorized				7,100,000
Current shares available for repurchase	14,000,000
Treasury stock total shares acquired	60,555,714
Treasury stock total shares acquired, value	$ 497,300,000
Dividends paid, amount	$ 101,694,000	$ 92,454,000	$ 86,234,000
Dividends paid, per common share	$ 0.485	$ 0.444	$ 0.420
Series A Preferred Stock
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Preferred stock, shares authorized	200,000	200,000
Preferred stock, par value	$ 100	$ 100
Additional Series Of Preferred Stock
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Preferred stock, shares authorized	800,000	800,000
Preferred stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01

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Percentage of Sales from Largest Customers (Detail) (Sales Revenue, Net, Wal-Mart/Sam's Club)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Revenue, Major Customer [Line Items]
Percentage of sales, Total	19.50%	20.20%	20.80%
DSD Segment
Revenue, Major Customer [Line Items]
Percentage of sales, Total	16.80%	17.10%	16.90%
Warehouse Segment
Revenue, Major Customer [Line Items]
Percentage of sales, Total	2.60%	3.10%	3.90%

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Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Jan. 03, 2015

Carrying Value of Distributor Notes

At January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013, respectively, the carrying value of the distributor notes was as follows (amounts in thousands):

	January 3, 2015		December 28, 2013
Distributor notes receivable	$	182,188	$	161,560
Current portion of distributor notes receivable recorded in accounts and notes receivable, net		20,283		18,715
Long-term portion of distributor notes receivable	$	161,905	$	142,845

Interest Income for Distributor Notes Receivable

Interest income for the distributor notes receivable was as follows (amounts in thousands):

	Interest Income
Fiscal 2014	$	20,947
Fiscal 2013	$	16,015
Fiscal 2012	$	13,672

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Commitments and Contingencies

12 Months Ended

Jan. 03, 2015

Commitments and Contingencies

Note 21. Commitments and Contingencies

The company and its subsidiaries from time to time are parties to, or targets of, lawsuits, claims, investigations and proceedings, including personal injury, commercial, contract, environmental, antitrust, product liability, health and safety and employment matters, which are being handled and defended in the ordinary course of business. While the company is unable to predict the outcome of these matters, it believes, based upon currently available facts, that it is remote that the ultimate resolution of any such pending matters will have a material adverse effect on its overall financial condition, results of operations or cash flows in the future. However, adverse developments could negatively impact earnings in a particular future fiscal period.

The company has recorded current liabilities of $24.4 million and $24.9 million related to self-insurance reserves at January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013, respectively. The reserves include an estimate of expected settlements on pending claims, defense costs and a provision for claims incurred but not reported. These estimates are based on the company’s assessment of potential liability using an analysis of available information with respect to pending claims, historical experience and current cost trends. The amount of the company’s ultimate liability in respect of these matters may differ materially from these estimates.

In the event the company ceases to utilize the independent distribution form of doing business or exits a territory, the company is contractually required to purchase the territory from the independent distributor.

See Note 12, Debt, Lease and Other Commitments, for additional information.

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Segment Reporting

12 Months Ended

Jan. 03, 2015

Segment Reporting

Note 22. Segment Reporting

The company’s DSD Segment primarily produces fresh packaged bread, rolls, tortillas, and snack products and the Warehouse Segment produces fresh and frozen bread and rolls and snack products. Effective the first day of fiscal 2014, we reclassified our tortilla operation from a Warehouse Segment bakery to the DSD Segment. This reclassification was made to better align their sales with the delivery method primarily used to serve their customers. All prior period information has been recasted to reflect this change.

During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014, we revised net sales. Historically, certain immaterial discounts had been recorded as an expense to selling, distribution and administrative costs. These discounts are now recorded as contra revenue. See Note 3, Financial Statement Revisions, for more detailed disclosure of this revision. All prior period information has been revised to reflect this change.

The company evaluates each segment’s performance based on income or loss before interest and income taxes, excluding unallocated expenses and charges which the company’s management deems to be an overall corporate cost or a cost not reflective of the segments’ core operating businesses. Information regarding the operations of these segments is as follows for fiscal years 2014, 2013, and 2012:

	Fiscal 2014			Fiscal 2013			Fiscal 2012
	(Amounts in thousands)
Sales:
DSD Segment	$	3,227,689		$	3,171,241		$	2,527,207
Warehouse Segment		723,540			774,443			647,450
Eliminations:
Sales from Warehouse Segment to DSD Segment		(130,174	)		(122,082	)		(111,253	)
Sales from DSD Segment to Warehouse Segment		(72,082	)		(90,986	)		(32,280	)
	$	3,748,973		$	3,732,616		$	3,031,124
Depreciation and amortization:
DSD Segment	$	113,881		$	102,341		$	85,725
Warehouse Segment		15,166			15,483			16,832
Other(1)		(86	)		667			133
	$	128,961		$	118,491		$	102,690
Income from operations:
DSD Segment(2)	$	284,231		$	347,114		$	231,087
Warehouse Segment		51,451			51,934			38,339
Other(1)		(60,287	)		(63,815	)		(50,915	)
	$	275,395		$	335,233		$	218,511
Interest expense	$	28,288		$	28,875		$	23,411
Interest income	$	(20,947	)	$	(16,015	)	$	(13,672	)
Income before income taxes	$	268,054		$	322,373		$	208,772
Capital expenditures:
DSD Segment	$	73,454		$	81,664		$	53,492
Warehouse Segment		6,468			7,051			9,692
Other(1)		3,856			10,466			4,075
	$	83,778		$	99,181		$	67,259

	As of
	January 3, 2015		December 28, 2013
Assets:
DSD Segment	$	2,094,047	$	2,163,606
Warehouse Segment		201,240		216,194
Other(3)		113,687		124,214
	$	2,408,974	$	2,504,014

(1) Represents the company’s corporate head office amounts, acquisition costs, and the fiscal 2014 pension settlement loss.

(2) Includes the gain on acquisition of $50.1 million in fiscal 2013.

(3) Represents the company’s corporate head office assets including primarily cash and cash equivalents, deferred taxes and deferred financing costs.

Sales by product category in each reportable segment are as follows for fiscal years 2014, 2013, and 2012 (amounts in thousands):

	Fiscal 2014						Fiscal 2013						Fiscal 2012
	Total		DSD Segment		Warehouse Segment		Total		DSD Segment		Warehouse Segment		Total		DSD Segment		Warehouse Segment
Branded Retail	$	2,102,131	$	1,971,931	$	130,200	$	2,038,726	$	1,898,016	$	140,710	$	1,583,887	$	1,480,048	$	103,839
Store Branded Retail		610,899		486,845		124,054		645,858		504,707		141,151		544,479		426,580		117,899
Non-retail and Other		1,035,943		696,831		339,112		1,048,032		677,532		370,500		902,758		588,299		314,459
Total	$	3,748,973	$	3,155,607	$	593,366	$	3,732,616	$	3,080,255	$	652,361	$	3,031,124	$	2,494,927	$	536,197

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Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Cash flows provided by (disbursed for) operating activities:
Net income	$ 175,739	$ 230,894	$ 136,121
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Gain on acquisition		(50,071)
Depreciation and amortization	128,961	118,491	102,690
Impairment of assets	10,308
Stock-based compensation	18,662	15,943	10,116
Loss (gain) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income to net income	5,218	27,055	17,272
Deferred income taxes	9,241	6,485	11,450
Provision for inventory obsolescence	1,074	1,210	947
Allowances for accounts receivable	4,956	4,110	1,991
Pension and postretirement plans (benefit) expense	5,341	(2,041)	1,570
Other	(6,215)	(5,701)	(1,182)
Qualified pension plan contributions	(12,999)	(14,818)	(18,143)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions and disposals:
Accounts and notes receivable, net	7,181	1,114	(64,182)
Inventories, net	6,977	(10,708)	(13,366)
Hedging activities, net	22	(39,325)	(1,850)
Other assets	(23,993)	(22,151)	1,431
Accounts payable	(9,951)	(702)	28,529
Other accrued liabilities	(6,552)	10,699	3,486
Net cash provided by operating activities	313,970	270,484	216,880
Cash flows provided by (disbursed for) investing activities:
Purchase of property, plant and equipment	(83,778)	(99,181)	(67,259)
Repurchase of independent distributor territories	(17,056)	(26,418)	(17,849)
Principal payments from notes receivable	23,718	21,596	16,498
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired		(415,813)	(318,476)
Contingently refundable consideration	7,500
Proceeds from sale of new distribution territories		13,965
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	36,303	2,966	1,301
Other			348
Net cash disbursed for investing activities	(33,313)	(502,885)	(385,437)
Cash flows provided by (disbursed for) financing activities:
Dividends paid, including dividends on share-based payment awards	(102,302)	(92,840)	(86,489)
Exercise of stock options	21,014	13,685	13,881
Excess windfall tax benefit related to share-based payment awards	7,879	7,781	2,318
Payments for debt issuance costs			(3,882)
Payment of financing fees	(773)	(2,456)	(558)
Stock repurchases	(38,916)	(8,819)	(18,726)
Change in bank overdrafts	(679)	(499)	6,684
Proceeds from debt borrowings	1,175,200	2,169,950	1,482,481
Debt and capital lease obligation payments	(1,343,087)	(1,859,094)	(1,221,660)
Other		(52)
Net cash (disbursed for) provided by financing activities	(281,664)	227,656	174,049
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(1,007)	(4,745)	5,492
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	8,530	13,275	7,783
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	7,523	8,530	13,275
Schedule of non cash investing and financing activities:
Capital and right-to-use lease obligations	12,399	8,971	4,867
Purchase of property, plant and equipment included in accounts payable	1,094	435	3,310
Cash paid during the period for:
Interest	26,065	25,996	16,106
Income taxes paid, net of refunds of $4,240, $323 and $7,194, respectively	78,587	83,525	56,377
Lepage Bakeries Inc
Schedule of non cash investing and financing activities:
Shares issued for the Lepage acquisition			45,887
Notes issued			17,663
Executive Deferred Compensation Plan
Schedule of non cash investing and financing activities:
Issuance of executive deferred compensation plan common stock	264		34
Distributor Notes Receivable
Schedule of non cash investing and financing activities:
Notes issued	$ 44,346	$ 22,611	$ 1,891

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Unaudited Quarterly Financial Information

12 Months Ended

Jan. 03, 2015

Unaudited Quarterly Financial Information

Note 23. Unaudited Quarterly Financial Information

Results of operations for each of the four quarters in the respective fiscal years are as follows. The first quarter of fiscal 2014 represents sixteen weeks, the second and third quarter of fiscal 2014 represents twelve weeks, and the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014 represents thirteen weeks. Each quarter during fiscal 2013 represents a period of twelve weeks, except the first quarter, which includes sixteen weeks.

During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014, we revised net sales. Historically, certain immaterial discounts had been recorded as an expense to selling, distribution and administrative costs. These discounts are now recorded as contra revenue. See Note 3, Financial Statement Revisions, for more detailed disclosure. All prior period information has been revised to reflect this change.

During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013, we identified and recorded an out-of-period adjustment of $4.4 million ($2.7 million, net of tax) for an environmental liability recorded in an acquisition to reduce selling, distribution and administrative expenses and reduce accrued liabilities. This entry should have been recorded in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012 when the company was contractually relieved of the liability. As described in Note 7, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, during fiscal 2013 we also recorded two out-of-period adjustments to goodwill and other balance sheet accounts totaling $2.0 million ($1.1 million in second quarter 2013 and $0.9 million in fourth quarter 2013) to correct the opening balance sheets of prior acquisitions. We evaluated the impact of these adjustments on our previously issued financial statements for each of the periods affected and concluded that the impact was not material.

			First Quarter		Second Quarter		Third Quarter		Fourth Quarter
	(Amounts in thousands, except per share data)
Sales		2014	$	1,153,917	$	872,791	$	844,932	$	877,333
		2013	$	1,124,922	$	893,576	$	874,129	$	839,989
Materials, supplies, labor and other production costs (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately)		2014	$	595,877	$	458,019	$	442,978	$	453,759
		2013	$	585,298	$	471,614	$	467,798	$	447,511
Net income.		2014	$	61,066	$	42,064	$	44,599	$	28,010
		2013	$	112,026	$	46,460	$	33,888	$	38,520	*
Basic net income per share		2014	$	0.29	$	0.20	$	0.21	$	0.13
		2013	$	0.54	$	0.22	$	0.16	$	0.18	*
Diluted net income per share		2014	$	0.29	$	0.20	$	0.21	$	0.13
		2013	$	0.53	$	0.22	$	0.16	$	0.18	*

* Includes an out-of-period adjustment of $4.4 million ($2.7 million, net of tax) described above.

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Derivative Instruments Located on Consolidated Balance Sheet (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Assets		$ 162
Derivative Liabilities	16,253	11,720
Commodity Contract | Other Current Liabilities
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Liabilities	12,898	10,626
Commodity Contract | Other LongTerm Liabilities
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Liabilities	3,355	1,094
Commodity Contract | Other Current Assets
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Assets		$ 162

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Stock-Based Compensation (Stock Appreciation Rights) - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Other long-term liabilities	$ 53,695	$ 51,199
Stock issued during period, value, stock options exercised	21,014	13,685	13,881
Stock Appreciation Rights
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period	1 year
Exercisable period	9 years
Other long-term liabilities	300	2,000
Stock issued during period, value, stock options exercised	$ 1,400
Share-based compensation arrangement by share-based payment award, options, exercises in period	112,215
Dividend yield	2.40%
Expected volatility	22.00%
Risk-free interest	0.25%
Stock Appreciation Rights | Minimum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Fair value of rights	$ 10.61
Expected life	6 months
Stock Appreciation Rights | Maximum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Fair value of rights	$ 10.97
Expected life	8 months 12 days

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Derivative Financial Instruments (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Jan. 03, 2015

Net Fair Value of Commodity Price Risk

As of January 3, 2015, the company’s commodity hedge portfolio contained derivatives with a fair value of $(16.3) million, which is recorded in the following accounts with fair values measured as indicated (amounts in millions):

	Level 1			Level 2			Level 3		Total
Liabilities:
Other current		(10.9	)		(2.0	)		—		(12.9	)
Other long-term		(2.0	)		(1.4	)		—		(3.4	)
Net Fair Value	$	(12.9	)	$	(3.4	)	$	—	$	(16.3	)

As of December 28, 2013, the company’s commodity hedge portfolio contained derivatives with a fair value of $(11.5) million, which is recorded in the following accounts with fair values measured as indicated (amounts in millions):

	Level 1			Level 2			Level 3		Total
Assets:
Other current	$	—		$	0.2		$	—	$	0.2
Total		—			0.2			—		0.2
Liabilities:
Other current		(10.4	)		(0.2	)		—		(10.6	)
Other long-term		(0.7	)		(0.4	)		—		(1.1	)
Total		(11.1	)		(0.6	)		—		(11.7	)
Net Fair Value	$	(11.1	)	$	(0.4	)	$	—	$	(11.5	)

Derivative Instruments Located on Consolidated Balance Sheet

The company had the following derivative instruments recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheet, all of which are utilized for the risk management purposes detailed above (amounts in thousands):

Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments	Derivative Assets								Derivative Liabilities
	January 3, 2015				December 28, 2013				January 3, 2015				December 28, 2013
	Balance Sheet Location		Fair Value		Balance Sheet Location		Fair Value		Balance Sheet Location		Fair Value		Balance Sheet Location		Fair Value
Commodity contracts		Other current assets		$—		Other current assets	$	162		Other current liabilities	$	12,898		Other current liabilities	$	10,626
Commodity contracts		Other long term assets		—		Other long term assets		—		Other long term liabilities		3,355		Other long term liabilities		1,094
Total				$—			$	162			$	16,253			$	11,720

Derivative Instruments for Deferred Gains and (Losses) on Closed Contracts and Effective Portion for Changes in Fair Value Recorded in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

The company had the following derivative instruments for deferred gains and (losses) on closed contracts and the effective portion for changes in fair value recorded in AOCI, all of which are utilized for the risk management purposes detailed above (amounts in thousands and net of tax):

Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships	Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in OCI on Derivatives (Effective Portion)(Net of tax)
	Fiscal 2014			Fiscal 2013			Fiscal 2012
Interest rate contracts	$	157		$	(205	)	$	(1,221	)
Commodity contracts		(3,358	)		(24,252	)		(325	)
Total	$	(3,201	)	$	(24,457	)	$	(1,546	)

Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships	Amount of (Gain) or Loss Reclassified from Accumulated OCI  into Income (Effective Portion)(Net of tax)						Location of (Gain) or Loss Reclassified from AOCI into Income (Effective Portion)
	Fiscal 2014		Fiscal 2013		Fiscal 2012
Interest rate contracts	$	—	$	502	$	1,732	Interest expense (income)
Commodity contracts		—		—		—	Selling, distribution and
Commodity contracts		3,209		16,639		10,622	administrative expenses Production costs(1)
Total	$	3,209	$	17,141	$	12,354

1. Included in Materials, supplies, labor and other production costs (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately).

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Related to Derivative Transactions

The balance in accumulated other comprehensive loss (income) related to commodity price risk and interest rate risk derivative transactions that are closed or will expire over the next three years are as follows (amounts in millions and net of tax) at January 3, 2015:

	Commodity Price Risk Derivatives		Interest Rate Risk Derivatives		Totals
Closed contracts	$	0.3	$	1.1	$	1.4
Expiring in 2015		8.5		—		8.5
Expiring in 2016 and beyond		1.5		—		1.5
Total	$	10.3	$	1.1	$	11.4

Financial Contracts Hedging Commodity and Interest Rate Risks

As of January 3, 2015, the company had entered into the following financial contracts to hedge commodity and interest rate risks:

Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships	Notional amount
	(Millions)
Wheat contracts	$	96.3
Soybean oil contracts		32.1
Natural gas contracts		14.6
Total	$	143.0

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Basis of Presentation - Additional Information (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015 Segment
Basis of Presentation [Line Items]
General Information	General. Flowers Foods, Inc. (the “company”) is one of the largest producers and marketers of bakery products in the United States. The company consists of two business segments: direct-store-delivery (“DSD Segment”) and warehouse delivery segment (“Warehouse Segment”). The DSD Segment focuses on the production and marketing of bakery products throughout the Northeast, South, Southern Midwest, Southwest, and California. The Warehouse Segment produces snack cakes, breads and rolls that are shipped both fresh and frozen to national retail, foodservice, vending, and co-pack customers through their warehouse channels.
Number of business segments	2

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Acquisitions (Acquired Hostess Bread Assets) - Additional Information (Detail) (Acquired Hostess Bread Asset, USD $)	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended		0 Months Ended
	Jul. 19, 2013	Oct. 05, 2013	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013	Jan. 11, 2013	Apr. 20, 2013
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business acquisition	$ 355,342,000
Gain on legal settlement	1,400,000	1,400,000
Sales related to acquisition			180,100,000	26,600,000
Agreement Two
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquisition-related costs			0	16,000,000
Aggregate purchase price					30,000,000
Breakup fee received for unsuccessful bid						$ 900,000
Bakeries
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of assets acquired in acquisition	20
Depots
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of assets acquired in acquisition	36

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Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 7,523	$ 8,530
Accounts and notes receivable, net of allowances of $2,723 and $1,598, respectively	235,911	253,967
Inventories:
Raw materials	33,579	37,071
Packaging materials	19,591	21,188
Finished goods	39,930	42,592
Inventories, net	93,100	100,851
Spare parts and supplies	54,058	47,956
Deferred taxes	26,823	31,790
Other	43,148	44,311
Total current assets	460,563	487,405
Property, Plant and Equipment:
Land	93,314	99,201
Buildings	441,444	444,357
Machinery and equipment	1,115,129	1,075,467
Furniture, fixtures and transportation equipment	124,173	107,866
Construction in progress	18,566	41,117
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross, Total	1,792,626	1,768,008
Less: accumulated depreciation	(985,168)	(901,004)
Property, plant and equipment, net	807,458	867,004
Notes Receivable	161,905	142,845
Assets Held for Sale	39,108	54,752
Other Assets	12,011	12,894
Goodwill	282,960	282,404
Other Intangible Assets, net	644,969	656,710
Total assets	2,408,974	2,504,014
Current Liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt and capital lease obligations	34,496	31,272
Accounts payable	142,643	151,935
Other accrued liabilities	138,414	144,575
Total current liabilities	315,553	327,782
Long-term debt:
Total long-term debt and capital lease obligations	728,940	892,478
Other Liabilities:
Post-retirement/post-employment obligations	93,589	44,226
Deferred taxes	94,153	112,140
Other long-term liabilities	53,695	51,199
Total other long-term liabilities	241,437	207,565
Stockholders' Equity:
Common stock - $.01 stated par value and $.001 current par value, 500,000,000 authorized shares, 228,729,585 shares and 228,729,585 shares issued, respectively	199	199
Treasury stock - 19,382,272 shares and 20,166,635 shares, respectively	(202,062)	(190,481)
Capital in excess of par value	613,859	593,355
Retained earnings	809,068	735,631
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(98,020)	(62,515)
Total stockholders' equity	1,123,044	1,076,189
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	2,408,974	2,504,014
Series A Preferred Stock
Stockholders' Equity:
Preferred Stock, value
Additional Series Of Preferred Stock
Stockholders' Equity:
Preferred Stock, value

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Stockholders' Equity (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Jan. 03, 2015

Shares Repurchased Under Stock Repurchase Plan

The table below presents the shares repurchased under the Stock Repurchase Plan during our fiscal 2014 (amounts in thousands except shares purchased):

Fiscal 2014 Quarter	Total Number of Shares Purchased		Total Cost of Shares Purchased
For the quarter ended April 19, 2014		464,610	$	9,460
For the quarter ended July 12, 2014		—	$	—
For the quarter ended October 4, 2014		550,000	$	10,332
For the quarter ended January 3, 2015		1,000,000	$	19,124
Total		2,014,610	$	38,916

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Variable Interest Entities - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, net	$ 807,458	$ 867,004
VIE
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, net	$ 22,500	$ 15,400

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Employer Contributions (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
IAM National Pension Fund
Defined Contribution and Defined Benefit Plans [Line Items]
EIN	516031295
Pension Plan No.	002
Pension Protection Act Zone Status	Green	Green
FIP/RP Status Pending/ Implemented	No
Surcharge Imposed	No
Expiration Date of Collective Bargaining Agreement	May 01, 2016
Contributions	$ 99	$ 104	$ 101
Retail Wholesale And Department Store International Union And Industry Pension Fund
Defined Contribution and Defined Benefit Plans [Line Items]
EIN	630708442
Pension Plan No.	001
Pension Protection Act Zone Status	Green	Green
FIP/RP Status Pending/ Implemented	No
Surcharge Imposed	No
Expiration Date of Collective Bargaining Agreement	Aug. 12, 2017
Contributions	132	130	115
Western Conference Of Teamsters Pension Trust
Defined Contribution and Defined Benefit Plans [Line Items]
EIN	916145047
Pension Plan No.	001
Pension Protection Act Zone Status	Green	Green
FIP/RP Status Pending/ Implemented	No
Surcharge Imposed	No
Expiration Date of Collective Bargaining Agreement	Feb. 04, 2017
Contributions	260	252	283
BC&T International Pension Fund
Defined Contribution and Defined Benefit Plans [Line Items]
EIN	526118572
Pension Plan No.	001
Pension Protection Act Zone Status	Red	Red
FIP/RP Status Pending/ Implemented	Implemented
Surcharge Imposed	Yes
Expiration Date of Collective Bargaining Agreement	Oct. 31, 2015
Contributions	$ 1,077	$ 939	$ 797

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Deferred and Restricted Stock Activity (Detail) (Deferred and restricted stock, USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Deferred and restricted stock
Number of Shares
Number of Shares, Balance at beginning of period	177	138	155
Number of Shares, Granted	117	149	99
Number of Shares, Vested	(123)	(110)	(116)
Number of Shares, Forfeited	(20)
Number of shares, Balance at end of period	151	177	138
Number of shares, Vested and deferred at end of period	169	92	102
Weighted Average Fair Value
Weighted Average Fair Value, Balance at beginning of period	$ 18.92	$ 13.04	$ 12.05
Weighted Average Fair Value, Granted	$ 20.24	$ 20.32	$ 13.85
Weighted Average Fair Value, Vested	$ 17.81	$ 13.41	$ 12.42
Weighted Average Fair Value, Forfeited	$ 18.93
Weighted Average Fair Value, Balance at end of period	$ 21.06	$ 18.92	$ 13.04

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Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data	Total	Common Stock	Capital in Excess of Par Value	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	Treasury Stock
Balances at Dec. 31, 2011	$ 758,968	$ 199	$ 544,065	$ 547,997	$ (112,047)	$ (221,246)
Balances, treasury shares at Dec. 31, 2011						(16,506,822)
Balances (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2011		152,488,008
Net income	136,121			136,121
Derivative instruments, net of tax	10,808				10,808
Pension and postretirement plans, net of tax	(13,428)				(13,428)
Shares issued for acquisition	45,887		16,628			29,259
Shares issued for acquisition (in shares)						2,178,648
Stock repurchases (in shares)						(935,742)
Stock repurchases	(18,726)					(18,726)
Exercise of stock options (in shares)						1,047,297
Exercise of stock options	13,881		(329)			14,210
Issuance of deferred stock awards			(610)			610
Issuance of deferred stock awards (in shares)						45,405
Amortization of share-based compensation awards	9,373		9,373
Income tax benefits related to share-based payments	2,225		2,225
Performance-contingent restricted stock awards forfeitures and cancellations (in shares)						(45,252)
Performance-contingent restricted stock awards forfeitures and cancellations			606			(606)
Issuance of deferred compensation (in shares)						1,647
Issuance of deferred compensation			(34)			34
Dividends paid on vested performance-contingent restricted stock and deferred share awards	(255)			(255)
Dividends paid	(86,234)			(86,234)
Balances at Dec. 29, 2012	858,620	199	571,924	597,629	(114,667)	(196,465)
Balances, treasury shares at Dec. 29, 2012						(14,214,819)
Balances (in shares) at Dec. 29, 2012		152,488,008
Net income	230,894			230,894
Derivative instruments, net of tax	(7,316)				(7,316)
Pension and postretirement plans, net of tax	59,468				59,468
Adjustment for 3 for 2 stock split (in shares)		76,241,577				(6,860,135)
Adjustment for 3 for 2 stock split (Note 14)	(52)			(52)
Stock repurchases (in shares)						(367,623)
Stock repurchases	(8,819)					(8,819)
Exercise of stock options (in shares)						1,158,590
Exercise of stock options	13,685		508			13,177
Issuance of deferred stock awards			(752)			752
Issuance of deferred stock awards (in shares)						54,120
Amortization of share-based compensation awards	14,725		14,725
Income tax benefits related to share-based payments	7,824		7,824
Performance-contingent restricted stock awards issued (Note 15)			(874)			874
Performance-contingent restricted stock awards issued (in shares)						63,232
Dividends paid on vested performance-contingent restricted stock and deferred share awards	(386)			(386)
Dividends paid	(92,454)			(92,454)
Balances at Dec. 28, 2013	1,076,189	199	593,355	735,631	(62,515)	(190,481)
Balances, treasury shares at Dec. 28, 2013	(20,166,635)					(20,166,635)
Balances (in shares) at Dec. 28, 2013		228,729,585
Net income	175,739			175,739
Derivative instruments, net of tax	8				8
Pension and postretirement plans, net of tax	(35,513)				(35,513)
Stock repurchases (in shares)	(2,014,610)					(2,014,610)
Stock repurchases	(38,916)					(38,916)
Exercise of stock options (in shares)						1,921,397
Exercise of stock options	21,014		2,206			18,808
Issuance of deferred stock awards			(2,095)			2,095
Issuance of deferred stock awards (in shares)						211,850
Amortization of share-based compensation awards	18,917		18,917
Income tax benefits related to share-based payments	7,908		7,908
Performance-contingent restricted stock awards issued (Note 15)			(6,168)			6,168
Performance-contingent restricted stock awards issued (in shares)						652,719
Issuance of deferred compensation (in shares)						13,007
Issuance of deferred compensation			(264)			264
Dividends paid on vested performance-contingent restricted stock and deferred share awards	(608)			(608)
Dividends paid	(101,694)			(101,694)
Balances at Jan. 03, 2015	$ 1,123,044	$ 199	$ 613,859	$ 809,068	$ (98,020)	$ (202,062)
Balances, treasury shares at Jan. 03, 2015	(19,382,272)					(19,382,272)
Balances (in shares) at Jan. 03, 2015		228,729,585

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Aggregate Maturities of Debt Outstanding (Including Capital Leases) (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 03, 2015
Long Term Debt Maturities Repayments Of Principal [Line Items]
2015	$ 35,060
2016	74,880
2017	122,249
2018	122,881
2019	8,067
2020 and thereafter	404,094
Total	$ 767,231

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Reconciliation of Effective Tax Amount (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Income Tax Rate Reconciliation [Line Items]
Tax at U.S. federal income tax rate	$ 93,819	$ 112,831	$ 73,070
State income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit	7,698	6,396	5,427
Section 199 qualifying production activities benefit	(6,892)	(7,022)	(5,407)
Bargain purchase		(17,524)
Other	(2,310)	(3,202)	(439)
Income tax expense	$ 92,315	$ 91,479	$ 72,651

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Reconciliation of Total Amounts of Unrecognized Tax Benefits (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Unrecognized tax benefit at beginning of fiscal year	$ 4,809	$ 7,304	$ 8,709
Gross increases - tax positions in a current period			331
Gross increases - acquisitions		500
Lapses of statutes of limitations	(2,702)	(2,995)	(1,736)
Unrecognized tax benefit at end of fiscal year	$ 2,107	$ 4,809	$ 7,304

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Financial Statement Revisions - Additional Information (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Revision [Line Items]
Impact of discounts paid on independent distributor cash sales	0.50%	0.50%
DSD Segment
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Revision [Line Items]
Impact of discounts paid on independent distributor cash sales	0.60%	0.60%

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Interest Income for Distributor Notes Receivable (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Interest Income	$ 20,947	$ 16,015	$ 13,672

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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Jan. 03, 2015

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Activity

Activity in the allowance for doubtful accounts is as follows (amounts in thousands):

	Beginning Balance		Charged to Expense		Write-Offs and Other		Ending Balance
Fiscal 2014	$	1,598	$	4,956	$	3,831	$	2,723
Fiscal 2013	$	386	$	4,110	$	2,898	$	1,598
Fiscal 2012	$	171	$	1,991	$	1,776	$	386

Percentage of Sales from Largest Customers

Our largest customer, Walmart/Sam’s Club, percent of sales for fiscal years 2014, 2013 and 2012 was as follows:

	Percent of Sales
	DSD Segment			Warehouse Segment			Total
Fiscal 2014		16.8	%		2.6	%		19.5	%
Fiscal 2013		17.1	%		3.1	%		20.2	%
Fiscal 2012		16.9	%		3.9	%		20.8	%

Valuation Allowance of Deferred Tax Assets

Summary of Valuation Allowance

Activity in the deferred tax asset valuation allowance is as follows (amounts in thousands):

	Beginning Balance		Deductions		Additions		Ending Balance
Fiscal 2014	$	2,895	$	361	$	—	$	2,534
Fiscal 2013	$	4,545	$	1,650	$	—	$	2,895
Fiscal 2012	$	4,874	$	782	$	453	$	4,545

Inventory Valuation Reserve

Summary of Valuation Allowance

Activity in the inventory reserve allowance is as follows (amounts in thousands):

	Beginning Balance		Charged to Expense		Write-Offs and Other		Ending Balance
Fiscal 2014	$	93	$	1,074	$	1,008	$	159
Fiscal 2013	$	38	$	1,210	$	1,155	$	93
Fiscal 2012	$	58	$	947	$	967	$	38

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Quarterly Financial Information (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended							4 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015	Oct. 04, 2014	Jul. 12, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013		Oct. 05, 2013	Jul. 13, 2013	Apr. 19, 2014	Apr. 20, 2013	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Schedule Of Quarterly Financial Information [Line Items]
Sales	$ 877,333	$ 844,932	$ 872,791	$ 839,989		$ 874,129	$ 893,576	$ 1,153,917	$ 1,124,922	$ 3,748,973	$ 3,732,616	$ 3,031,124
Materials, supplies, labor and other production costs (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately)	453,759	442,978	458,019	447,511		467,798	471,614	595,877	585,298	1,950,633	1,972,221	1,617,810
Net income	$ 28,010	$ 44,599	$ 42,064	$ 38,520	[1]	$ 33,888	$ 46,460	$ 61,066	$ 112,026	$ 175,739	$ 230,894	$ 136,121
Basic net income per share	$ 0.13	$ 0.21	$ 0.20	$ 0.18	[1]	$ 0.16	$ 0.22	$ 0.29	$ 0.54	$ 0.84	$ 1.11	$ 0.66
Diluted net income per share	$ 0.13	$ 0.21	$ 0.20	$ 0.18	[1]	$ 0.16	$ 0.22	$ 0.29	$ 0.53	$ 0.82	$ 1.09	$ 0.66

[1] Includes an out-of-period adjustment of $4.4 million ($2.7 million, net of tax) described above.

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Company Contributions (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Defined Contribution and Defined Benefit Plans [Line Items]
Expected company contribution	$ 691
Net Periodic Pension Cost
Defined Contribution and Defined Benefit Plans [Line Items]
Contribution of company to company pension plans	13,435	15,254	18,579
401K (DC Plan)
Defined Contribution and Defined Benefit Plans [Line Items]
Contribution of company to company pension plans	478	900	958
Required | Net Periodic Pension Cost
Defined Contribution and Defined Benefit Plans [Line Items]
Contribution of company to company pension plans	5,070	5,416	9,430
Discretionary
Defined Contribution and Defined Benefit Plans [Line Items]
Contribution of company to company pension plans	8,400
Discretionary | Net Periodic Pension Cost
Defined Contribution and Defined Benefit Plans [Line Items]
Contribution of company to company pension plans	$ 8,365	$ 9,838	$ 9,149

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Carrying Amount of Goodwill by Segment (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended		4 Months Ended
	Jul. 12, 2014	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013	Apr. 19, 2014	Dec. 29, 2012
Goodwill [Line Items]
Beginning balance		$ 282,404	$ 269,897	$ 282,404
Goodwill impairment	(2,600)	(2,624)
Change in goodwill related to acquisitions		3,180	12,507
Ending balance		282,960	282,404
DSD Segment
Goodwill [Line Items]
Beginning balance		277,927	265,420	277,927
Goodwill impairment		(2,624)
Change in goodwill related to acquisitions		3,180	12,507	2,600
Ending balance		278,483	277,927
Warehouse Segment
Goodwill [Line Items]
Beginning balance		4,477		4,477	4,477
Goodwill impairment
Change in goodwill related to acquisitions
Ending balance		$ 4,477			$ 4,477

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Variable Interest Entities

12 Months Ended

Jan. 03, 2015

Variable Interest Entities

Note 13. Variable Interest Entities

The company maintains a transportation agreement with an entity that transports a significant portion of the company’s fresh bakery products from the company’s production facilities to outlying distribution centers. The company represents a significant portion of the entity’s revenue. This entity qualifies as a VIE, but the company has determined it is not the primary beneficiary of the VIE.

The company has concluded that certain of the trucks and trailers the VIE uses for distributing our products from the manufacturing facilities to the distribution centers qualify as right to use leases. As of January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013, there was $22.5 million and $15.4 million, respectively, in net property, plant and equipment and capital lease obligations associated with the right to use leases.

The incorporated independent distributors (“IDs”) who deliver our products qualify as VIEs. The company typically finances the ID’s route acquisition and also enters into a contract with the ID to sell product at a fixed discount for distribution in the ID’s territory. The combination of the company’s loans to the IDs and the ongoing supply arrangements with the IDs provide a level of protection and funding to the equity owners of the various IDs that would not otherwise be available.

However, the company is not considered to be the primary beneficiary of the VIEs because the company does not (i) have the ability to direct the significant activities of the VIEs that would affect their ability to operate their respective distributor territories and (ii) provide any implicit or explicit guarantees or other financial support to the VIEs, other than the financing described above, for specific return or performance benchmarks. The activities controlled by the IDs that are deemed to most significantly impact the ultimate success of the ID entities relate to those decisions inherent in operating the distribution business in the territory, including acquiring trucks and trailers, managing fuel costs, employee matters and other strategic decisions. In addition, we do not provide, nor do we intend to provide, financial or other support to the IDs. The IDs are responsible for the operations of their respective territories.

The company’s maximum exposure to loss for the IDs relates to the distributor route note receivable for the portion of the territory the IDs financed at the time they acquired the route. The IDs remit payment on their route note receivable each week during the settlement process of their weekly activity. If the IDs discontinued making payment on the note receivable we are permitted under the agreement to withhold settlement funds to cover the IDs note balance. In the event the IDs abandon their territory and have a remaining balance outstanding on the route note receivable, we will take the territory back from the IDs (recording the territory as held for sale) and subsequently sell the territory to another ID. The company’s collateral from the route insures that any potential losses are mitigated. The independent distributors who deliver our products that are formed as sole proprietorships are excluded from this analysis.

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Financial Statement Revisions (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Jan. 03, 2015

Revisions to Applicable Financial Statement Line Items for All Periods and For the Quarterly Information.

The tables below present the revisions to the applicable financial statement line items for all periods presented and for the quarterly information for fiscal years 2014 and 2013 (amounts in thousands).

	Fiscal 2013
Impacted Financial Statement line item	As Previously Reported		Revisions			As Revised
Sales	$	3,751,005	$	(18,389	)	$	3,732,616
Selling, distribution and administrative expense	$	1,375,131	$	(18,389	)	$	1,356,742

	Fiscal 2012
Impacted Financial Statement line item	As Previously Reported		Revisions			As Revised
Sales	$	3,046,491	$	(15,367	)	$	3,031,124
Selling, distribution and administrative expense	$	1,107,480	$	(15,367	)	$	1,092,113

	Quarter 1 of Fiscal 2014
Impacted Financial Statement line item	As Previously Reported		Revisions			As Revised
Sales	$	1,159,760	$	(5,843	)	$	1,153,917
Selling, distribution and administrative expense	$	426,390	$	(5,843	)	$	420,547

	Quarter 2 of Fiscal 2014
Impacted Financial Statement line item	As Previously Reported		Revisions			As Revised
Sales	$	877,378	$	(4,587	)	$	872,791
Selling, distribution and administrative expense	$	319,582	$	(4,587	)	$	314,995

	Quarter 3 of Fiscal 2014
Impacted Financial Statement line item	As Previously Reported		Revisions			As Revised
Sales	$	849,360	$	(4,428	)	$	844,932
Selling, distribution and administrative expense	$	306,514	$	(4,428	)	$	302,086

	Quarter 1 of Fiscal 2013
Impacted Financial Statement line item	As Previously Reported		Revisions			As Revised
Sales	$	1,130,810	$	(5,888	)	$	1,124,922
Selling, distribution and administrative expense	$	411,439	$	(5,888	)	$	405,551

	Quarter 2 of Fiscal 2013
Impacted Financial Statement line item	As Previously Reported		Revisions			As Revised
Sales	$	898,153	$	(4,577	)	$	893,576
Selling, distribution and administrative expense	$	325,946	$	(4,577	)	$	321,369

	Quarter 3 of Fiscal 2013
Impacted Financial Statement line item	As Previously Reported		Revisions			As Revised
Sales	$	878,492	$	(4,363	)	$	874,129
Selling, distribution and administrative expense	$	327,529	$	(4,363	)	$	323,166

	Quarter 4 of Fiscal 2013
Impacted Financial Statement line item	As Previously Reported		Revisions			As Revised
Sales	$	843,550	$	(3,561	)	$	839,989
Selling, distribution and administrative expense	$	310,217	$	(3,561	)	$	306,656

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Carrying Value of Distributor Notes (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013
Fair Value Of Financial Instruments [Abstract]
Distributor notes receivable	$ 182,188	$ 161,560
Current portion of distributor notes receivable recorded in accounts and notes receivable, net	20,283	18,715
Long-term portion of distributor notes receivable	$ 161,905	$ 142,845

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Postretirement Plans - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended			1 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014 Employee	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Line Items]
Number of former employees covered	2,500
Percentage reduced in plan obligations	10.00%
Settlement loss		$ 15,387,000
Expected pension income for fiscal 2015		5,800,000
Actual return on plan assets				41,900,000
Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets		8.00%
Average annual return on the plan assets over the last 15 years		7.10%
Percentage of total plan assets		100.00%	100.00%
Expected company contribution		691,000
Postretirement Benefits, minimum years of service for eligibility		10 years
Postretirement Benefits, minimum age for eligibility		55 years
Contributions by participants				400,000
Expense under plans		5,341,000	(2,041,000)	1,570,000
Total cost and employer contributions		26,200,000	23,000,000	20,300,000
Minimum
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Line Items]
Retiree medical coverage provided		3 years
Percentage of funded under multi employer plans		0.00%
Maximum
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Line Items]
Retiree medical coverage provided		5 years
Contribution of pension fund in excess of total contribution		5.00%	5.00%	5.00%
Lepage 401(k) Plan
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Line Items]
Total cost and employer contributions			500,000	500,000
Discretionary
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Line Items]
Contribution of company to company pension plans		8,400,000
Common Stock
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit plan equity securities included in common stock					2,030,363	3,030,363
Percentage of total plan assets					10.20%	15.10%
Equity securities, amount					39,000,000	65,100,000
Number of shares sold on open market by the plan		1,000,000
Proceeds from shares sold on open market by the plan		19,100,000
Net Periodic Pension Cost
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Line Items]
Distributions from existing plan assets		48,413,000
Settlement loss		15,387,000
Actual return on plan assets		11,613,000	73,174,000
Amortization from accumulated other comprehensive income into net periodic cost (benefit)		5,000,000
Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets		8.00%	8.00%	8.00%
Contribution of company to company pension plans		13,435,000	15,254,000
Projected Benefit Obligation
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Line Items]
Accumulated benefit obligation and projected benefit obligation in excess of plan assets		462,600,000	463,700,000
Accumulated Benefit Obligations
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Line Items]
Accumulated benefit obligation and projected benefit obligation in excess of plan assets		460,900,000	462,800,000
Fair Value Of Plan Assets
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Line Items]
Accumulated benefit obligation and projected benefit obligation in excess of plan assets		378,200,000	428,600,000
Qualified Pension Plans
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Line Items]
Expected company contribution		10,000,000
Qualified Pension Plans | Required
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Line Items]
Contribution of company to company pension plans		4,600,000
Non Qualified Pension Plans
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Line Items]
Expected company contribution		400,000
Non Qualified Pension Plans | Required
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Line Items]
Contribution of company to company pension plans		400,000
Net Periodic Pension Cost
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Line Items]
Amortization from accumulated other comprehensive income into net periodic cost (benefit)		(1,100,000)
Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Line Items]
Contribution of company to company pension plans		478,000	952,000
Contributions by participants		192,000	364,000
Multiemployer Plans
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Line Items]
Expense under plans		2,100,000	1,900,000	1,700,000
Red Zone
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Line Items]
Percentage of funded under multi employer plans		Less than 65 percent
Yellow Zone
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Line Items]
Percentage of funded under multi employer plans		Between 65 and less than 80 percent
Green Zone
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Line Items]
Percentage of funded under multi employer plans		At least 80 percent
Plan No. 1
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Line Items]
Distributions from existing plan assets					48,400,000
Settlement loss					15,387,000
Plan No. 2
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Line Items]
Distributions from existing plan assets					2,000,000
Settlement loss		$ 0

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Stockholders' Equity

12 Months Ended

Jan. 03, 2015

Stockholders' Equity

Note 15. Stockholders’ Equity

Flowers Foods’ articles of incorporation provide that its authorized capital consist of 500,000,000 shares of common stock having a par value of $0.01 per share and 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock. The preferred stock of which (a) 200,000 shares have been designated by the Board of Directors as Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, having a par value per share of $100 and (b) 800,000 shares of preferred stock, having a par value per share of $0.01, have not been designated by the Board of Directors. No shares of preferred stock have been issued by Flowers Foods.

Common Stock

The holders of Flowers Foods common stock are entitled to one vote for each share held of record on all matters submitted to a vote of shareholders. Subject to preferential rights of any issued and outstanding preferred stock, including the Series A Preferred Stock, holders of common stock are entitled to receive ratably such dividends, if any, as may be declared by the Board of Directors of the company out of funds legally available. In the event of a liquidation, dissolution, or winding-up of the company, holders of common stock are entitled to share ratably in all assets of the company, if any, remaining after payment of liabilities and the liquidation preferences of any issued and outstanding preferred stock, including the Series A Preferred Stock. Holders of common stock have no preemptive rights, no cumulative voting rights, and no rights to convert their shares of common stock into any other securities of the company or any other person.

Preferred Stock

The Board of Directors has the authority to issue up to 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock in one or more series and to fix the designations, relative powers, preferences, rights, qualifications, limitations, and restrictions of all shares of each such series, including without limitation, dividend rates, conversion rights, voting rights, redemption and sinking fund provisions, liquidation preferences, and the number of shares constituting each such series, without any further vote or action by the holders of our common stock. Although the Board of Directors does not presently intend to do so, it could issue shares of preferred stock, with rights that could adversely affect the voting power and other rights of holders of our common stock without obtaining the approval of our shareholders. In addition, the issuance of preferred shares could delay or prevent a change in control of the company without further action by our shareholders.

Stock Repurchase Plan

Our Board of Directors has approved a plan that authorizes share repurchases of up to 67.5 million shares of the company’s common stock. At the Board of Directors meeting in November 2014, the Board increased the company’s share repurchase authorization by 7.1 million shares to a total of 74.6 million shares. At the close of the company’s fourth quarter on January 3, 2015, 14.0 million shares remained available for repurchase under the existing authorization. Under the plan, the company may repurchase its common stock in open market or privately negotiated transactions at such times and at such prices as determined to be in the company’s best interest.

The table below presents the shares repurchased under the Stock Repurchase Plan during our fiscal 2014 (amounts in thousands except shares purchased):

Fiscal 2014 Quarter	Total Number of Shares Purchased		Total Cost of Shares Purchased
For the quarter ended April 19, 2014		464,610	$	9,460
For the quarter ended July 12, 2014		—	$	—
For the quarter ended October 4, 2014		550,000	$	10,332
For the quarter ended January 3, 2015		1,000,000	$	19,124
Total		2,014,610	$	38,916

As of January 3, 2015, 60,555,714 shares at a cost of $497.3 million have been purchased under this plan.

Dividends

During fiscal years 2014, 2013, and 2012, the company paid dividends of $101.7 million, or $0.485 per share, $92.5 million, or $0.444 per share, and $86.2 million, or $0.420 per share, respectively.

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Amortizable Intangible Assets (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Cost	$ 251,095	$ 251,095
Accumulated Amortization	61,126	49,385
Net Value	189,969	201,710
Trademarks
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Cost	71,727	71,727
Accumulated Amortization	14,152	11,697
Net Value	57,575	60,030
Customer Relationships
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Cost	169,921	169,921
Accumulated Amortization	41,099	32,688
Net Value	128,822	137,233
Noncompete Agreements
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Cost	4,274	4,274
Accumulated Amortization	3,351	2,751
Net Value	923	1,523
Distribution Rights
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Cost	4,123	4,123
Accumulated Amortization	1,474	1,199
Net Value	2,649	2,924
Supply Agreement
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Cost	1,050	1,050
Accumulated Amortization	$ 1,050	$ 1,050

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Stock-Based Compensation (Performance-Contingent Return on Invested Capital Shares) - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested restricted stock granted by the EPIP	$ 4.3
Expected weighted-average period to recognize compensation cost (years)	1 year
Performance Contingent Return On Invested Capital Shares | 2012 awards
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Percentage of actual ROI attainment	125.00%
Return On Invested Capital
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Percentage of payout	0.00%
Return On Invested Capital | Range One
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Percentage of payout, ROIC above WACC	1.75%
Return On Invested Capital | Range Two
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Percentage of payout, ROIC above WACC	3.75%
Return On Invested Capital | Range Three
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Percentage of payout, ROIC above WACC	4.75%
Weighted Average Cost of Capital
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Percentage of payout	1.75%
Weighted Average Cost of Capital | Range One
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Percentage of payout, ROIC above WACC	50.00%
Weighted Average Cost of Capital | Range Two
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Percentage of payout, ROIC above WACC	100.00%
Weighted Average Cost of Capital | Range Three
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Percentage of payout, ROIC above WACC	125.00%
Minimum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Return on investment target over the two fiscal years immediately preceding the vesting date	1.75%
Percentage of shares that can be earned	0.00%
Maximum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Return on investment target over the two fiscal years immediately preceding the vesting date	4.75%
Percentage of shares that can be earned	125.00%
Performance Contingent Return On Invested Capital Shares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested restricted stock granted by the EPIP	$ 4.0
Expected weighted-average period to recognize compensation cost (years)	1 year
Performance Contingent Return On Invested Capital Shares | Performance contingent Awards 2013 and 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period	2 years
Performance Contingent Return On Invested Capital Shares | Performance contingent Awards 2012
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period	18 months

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Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity (Parenthetical) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Stock split ratio		1.5
Dividends paid, per common share	$ 0.485	$ 0.444	$ 0.420

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Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013
Accounts and notes receivable, allowances	$ 2,723	$ 1,598
Preferred stock, shares authorized	1,000,000
Common stock, par value	$ 0.010	$ 0.001
Common stock, authorized shares	500,000,000	500,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	228,729,585	228,729,585
Treasury stock, shares	19,382,272	20,166,635
Series A Preferred Stock
Preferred stock, par value	$ 100	$ 100
Preferred stock, shares authorized	200,000	200,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Additional Series Of Preferred Stock
Preferred stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized	800,000	800,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0

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Acquisitions

12 Months Ended

Jan. 03, 2015

Acquisitions

Note 8. Acquisitions

Modesto acquisition

On July 27, 2013, the company completed the acquisition of certain assets related to a bun line in Modesto, California that serves the California market for a total cash payment of $10.3 million. This acquisition is included in our DSD Segment and the total goodwill recorded for this acquisition was $4.2 million.

Acquired Hostess Bread Assets

On July 19, 2013, the company completed its acquisition of Hostess’ Wonder, Nature’s Pride, Merita, Home Pride, and Butternut bread brands, 20 closed bakeries, and 36 depots (the “Acquired Hostess Bread Assets”) for a total cash payment of $355.3 million.

The company had filed a complaint in July 2008 alleging that Hostess infringed upon Flowers Foods’ Nature’s Own trademark by using or intending to use the Nature’s Pride trademark. This lawsuit was settled at the closing of the Acquired Hostess Bread Assets acquisition and we recorded a $1.4 million gain during the third quarter of our fiscal 2013 to reflect our estimate of the settlement fair value, determined as the saved future legal expenses as a result of the settlement, at closing. The gain was recorded in selling, distribution and administrative expense in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.

We believe the acquisition of the Acquired Hostess Bread Assets strengthens the company’s position as the second-largest baker in the U.S. by adding brands and bakeries that are expected to enhance our ability to steadily expand the geographic reach of our fresh breads, buns, rolls and snack cakes into new markets. The Acquired Hostess Bread Assets are included in our DSD Segment. Late in the third quarter of fiscal 2013, we began to re-introduce the newly acquired brands into markets we currently serve through our DSD Segment and new markets as we expand into new regions of the country. The re-introduction of the brands continued throughout fiscal 2014 and will continue in fiscal 2015.

During fiscal 2013, the company incurred $16.0 million of acquisition-related costs for the Acquired Hostess Bread Assets. There were no acquisition-related costs during fiscal 2014. A second proposed Hostess asset purchase agreement provided for the purchase of the Beefsteak brand for $30.0 million. This second agreement was topped by another bidder and the agreement terminated. In connection with this termination we received a break-up fee of $0.9 million during the first quarter of fiscal 2013. The acquisition-related costs for the Acquired Hostess Assets and the break-up fee related to the second proposed Hostess acquisition are recorded in the selling, distribution and administrative expense line item in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.

The following table summarizes the consideration paid for the Acquired Hostess Bread Assets and liabilities assumed based on the fair value at the acquisition date (amounts in thousands):

Fair value of consideration transferred:
Cash consideration transferred	$	355,342
Recognized amounts of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed:
Property, plant, and equipment	$	153,990
Identifiable intangible asset — trademarks		189,000
Financial assets		5,153
Net recognized amounts of identifiable assets acquired	$	348,143
Gain on legal settlement		(1,400	)
Net recognized amounts of identifiable assets acquired and gain on settlement	$	346,743
Goodwill	$	8,599

The goodwill is expected to be deductible for tax purposes and is included in our DSD Segment. Sales were $180.1 million during fiscal 2014 and $26.6 million during fiscal 2013, when the brands were reintroduced, for the brands acquired as part of the Acquired Hostess Bread Assets. The identified intangible assets in the table above were assigned indefinite lives and are discussed in Note 7, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.

The table below presents the changes to goodwill from December 28, 2013 to January 3, 2015 for the Acquired Hostess Bread Assets (amounts in thousands):

Goodwill reported on December 28, 2013 for the Acquired Hostess Bread Assets	$	5,419
Changes in goodwill for spare parts and final fair value adjustments		(3,503	)
Changes in goodwill for property, plant and equipment final fair value adjustments		6,683
Net changes to goodwill	$	3,180
Final Acquired Hostess Bread Assets goodwill	$	8,599

Sara Lee California and Earthgrains acquisition of trademark licenses

On February 23, 2013, the company completed its acquisition from BBU, Inc., a subsidiary of Grupo Bimbo (“BBU”), of (1) perpetual, exclusive, and royalty-free licenses to the Sara Lee and Earthgrains brands for sliced breads, buns, and rolls in the state of California and (2) a closed bakery in Stockton, California for a total cash payment of $50.0 million. In addition, we received a perpetual, exclusive, and royalty-free license to the Earthgrains brand for a broad range of fresh bakery products in the Oklahoma City, Oklahoma market area. The acquisition of the Oklahoma license was completed during fiscal 2012 for immaterial consideration. The results of operations of these acquisitions are included in our DSD Segment.

The following table summarizes the consideration paid to acquire these licenses and the amounts of identified assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on the fair value at the acquisition date (amounts in thousands):

Fair value of consideration transferred:
Cash consideration transferred	$	49,950
Contingently refundable consideration (the “holdback”)		(7,600	)
Total consideration, net	$	42,350
Recognized amounts of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed:
Property, plant, and equipment	$	6,476
Identifiable intangible asset — distribution rights		25,790
Identifiable intangible asset — trademarks		79,500
Identifiable intangible asset — customer relationships		12,000
Deferred income taxes, net		(31,345	)
Net recognized amounts of identifiable assets acquired	$	92,421
Bargain purchase gain	$	50,071

The primary reason for this acquisition was to expand the company’s footprint into the California markets. The trademarks are non-amortizable assets and the customer relationships are being amortized over 21 years. We believe the acquisition resulted in a bargain purchase because the U.S. Department of Justice (the “DOJ”) required BBU to divest these assets, which resulted in a more favorable price to us than may have resulted from an arms-length negotiation. The bargain purchase gain is recognized in the line item “Gain on Acquisition”.

During the third quarter of fiscal 2013 we recorded a measurement period adjustment related to the distribution rights. The fair value of the distribution rights was reduced by $2.0 million as additional information became available. This reduction decreased the amount of the bargain purchase gain by $1.2 million, which is net of deferred taxes of $0.8 million. The measurement period adjustment was recorded as a revision to our first quarter 2013 Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet and the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.

The asset purchase agreement included a holdback provision (the “holdback”) in the amount of $10.0 million of the cash consideration paid at closing that remained in escrow until disbursed based on the possible occurrence of one of two triggering events. The purpose of the holdback was to encourage the company to increase production capacity serving the California market. The first triggering event related to the co-pack arrangement and the second triggering event related to the possible opening of the acquired Stockton Bakery. We entered into a co-pack arrangement with BBU at the acquisition date under which BBU was required to supply the company with Sara Lee branded product in California and Earthgrains branded product for a period of up to 18 months ending August 17, 2014. If we terminated the co-pack agreement (“co-pack decision”) or reopened the Stockton Bakery (“bakery decision”) potential payments from the holdback would be made to us. The amount of such payments was determined based on the company making the co-pack decision and/or the bakery decision by certain specified dates. The total amount available under the holdback was capped at $10.0 million. The table below reflects the potential payments to us under each scenario (amounts in thousands):

	February 23, 2013 – November 20, 2013		November 21, 2013 – February 18, 2014		February 19, 2014 – May 19, 2014		May 20, 2014 – August 17, 2014
Co-pack decision	$	10,000	$	7,500	$	5,000	$	—
Bakery decision	$	10,000	$	10,000	$	7,500	$	5,000

If we did not make the co-pack decision by May 19, 2014 or did not make the bakery decision by August 17, 2014, any remaining amount of the holdback would be distributed to BBU. The holdback fair value of $7.6 million represented our assessment, at the time of acquisition for inclusion into the purchase price allocation, of the probability that we would terminate the co-pack arrangement and/or open the Stockton bakery. This probability was assessed at each reporting period and changes in the fair value of the holdback were recorded through earnings in the period of change. There were no changes as a result of the probability assessment in the second or third quarter of fiscal 2013. We initially notified BBU of our intent to terminate the co-pack agreement during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013 and, upon completion of these notifications, we received $7.5 million during the first quarter of fiscal 2014. This holdback amount was recorded as a current receivable at December 28, 2013 on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. As a result of our initial notification, during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013, we recorded a $0.1 million reduction to the fair value of the holdback (recorded in selling, distribution and administrative expense). The final delivery date under the supply agreement was February 14, 2014.

Sales from the Sara Lee California and Earthgrains acquisitions during fiscal 2013 were $79.7 million. We incurred $1.5 million in acquisition-related costs during fiscal 2013. These expenses were included in the selling, distribution and administrative line item in the company’s Consolidated Statement of Income for the fifty-two weeks ended December 28, 2013. Since the acquisition date, we developed distribution territories to sell to independent distributors who serve California. The territory development took place in several phases in fiscal 2013. Amounts received upon sale of these new distributor territories are shown in our Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows as an investing activity.

Lepage acquisition

On July 21, 2012, we completed the acquisition of Lepage Bakeries, Inc. (“Lepage”) in two separate but concurrent transactions. Pursuant to the Acquisition Agreement dated May 31, 2012 (the “Acquisition Agreement”), by and among Flowers, Lobsterco I, LLC, a Maine single-member limited liability company and direct wholly owned subsidiary of Flowers (“Lobsterco I”), Lepage, RAL, Inc., a Maine corporation (“RAL”), Bakeast Company, a Maine general partnership (“Bakeast Partnership”), Bakeast Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Bakeast Holdings,” and collectively with Lepage, RAL and Bakeast Partnership, the “Acquired Entities”), and the equityholders of the Acquired Entities named in the Acquisition Agreement (collectively, the “Equityholders”), Lobsterco I purchased from the Equityholders all of the issued and outstanding shares of the Acquired Entities in exchange for approximately $318.6 million in cash and $17.7 million in deferred obligations, which is the fair value of gross payments of $20.0 million.

Pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger dated May 31, 2012 (the “Merger Agreement”), by and among Flowers, Lobsterco II, LLC, a Maine single-member limited liability company and direct wholly owned subsidiary of Flowers (“Lobsterco II”), Aarow Leasing, Inc., a Maine corporation (“Aarow”), The Everest Company, Incorporated, a Maine corporation (“Everest,” and together with Aarow, the “Acquired Companies”), and certain equityholders of Lepage, the Acquired Companies merged with and into Lobsterco II (the “Merger”) and all of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock of the Acquired Companies were exchanged for 3,267,972 shares of Flowers common stock.

The Lepage acquisition has been accounted for as a business combination. The results of Lepage’s operations are included in the company’s Consolidated Financial Statements beginning on July 21, 2012 and are included in the company’s DSD Segment.

The aggregate purchase price was $382.2 million as described in the table below. We incurred $7.1 million in acquisition-related costs during fiscal 2012 for Lepage. These expenses are included in the selling, distribution and administrative line item in the company’s Consolidated Statement of Income for the fifty-two weeks ending on December 29, 2012.

The following table summarizes the consideration transferred to acquire Lepage and the amounts of identified assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on the fair value at the acquisition date (amounts in thousands):

Fair value of consideration transferred:
Cash	$	318,605
Deferred payment obligations		17,663
Flowers Foods, Inc. common stock		45,887
Total fair value of consideration transferred	$	382,155
Recognized amounts of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed:
Financial assets	$	11,658
Inventories		4,537
Property, plant, and equipment		59,970
Assets held for sale — Distributor routes		16,098
Identifiable intangible assets		256,400
Deferred income taxes, net		(1,137	)
Financial liabilities		(17,076	)
Net recognized amounts of identifiable assets acquired	$	330,450
Goodwill	$	51,705

Approximately $18.4 million of the cash consideration was for a tax adjustment paid to the Equityholders at the closing of the acquisition in connection with certain incremental tax liabilities incurred by those Equityholders due to the joint election made by the parties under Section 338(h)(10) of the Internal Revenue Code. Total goodwill increased $0.9 million since the end of fiscal 2012, consisting of an increase of $0.3 million for the final working capital adjustment payment, a decrease of $1.0 million for a tax adjustment (recorded in financial liabilities in the table above), an increase of $0.1 million for assets held for sale, and an increase of $1.5 million for accrued liabilities (recorded in financial liabilities in the table above). The payment for the working capital adjustment was $0.2 million and was made during our second quarter of fiscal 2013. Lepage contributed revenues of $80.7 million and income from operations of $12.4 million for fiscal 2012.

The deferred payment obligations represent the fair value of the fixed payments of $1,250,000 beginning on the first business day of each of the sixteen calendar quarters following the fourth anniversary of the closing of the acquisition (total of $20.0 million in gross payments). The first payment will be made by Flowers on October 1, 2016 and the final payment will be made on July 1, 2020. The difference between the fair value ($17.7 million) and the gross payments ($20.0 million) of $2.3 million was recorded as a reduction to the liability and is being amortized to interest expense over eight years.

We issued 3,267,972 shares of Flowers common stock with a fair value of $45.9 million to certain equityholders of Lepage. The number of shares issued was calculated by dividing $50.0 million by the average closing price of Flowers common stock for the twenty consecutive trading day period ending five trading days prior to the closing. The shares issued to the equityholders were separated into five categories with each category having a different holding period requirement. As a result, each holding period had a fair value assignment based on an implied fair value which was determined using the Black-Scholes call option formula for an option expiring on each restriction lapse date. The estimated exercise price is equal to the stock price on the last trading day before the closing on July 21, 2012 of $13.65. The table below outlines the determination of fair value and provides the assumptions used in the calculation:

Restriction lapse fiscal year	2012			2013			2014			2015			2016			Total
Value of Flowers shares issued (thousands)	$	25,000		$	10,000		$	5,000		$	5,000		$	5,000		$	50,000
Implied fair value of restricted shares (thousands)	$	23,626		$	9,154		$	4,447		$	4,363		$	4,297		$	45,887
Exercise price (per share)	$	13.65		$	13.65		$	13.65		$	13.65		$	13.65
Expected term (yrs)		0.37			1.00			2.00			3.00			4.00
Volatility (%)		25.0	%		25.0	%		25.0	%		25.0	%		25.0	%
Risk-free rate (%)		0.1	%		0.2	%		0.2	%		0.3	%		0.4	%
Dividend yield (%)		3.0	%		3.0	%		3.0	%		3.0	%		3.0	%

The following table presents the intangible assets subject to amortization (amounts in thousands, except amortization periods):

	Amount		Weighted average amortization years
Customer relationships	$	69,000		25.0
Non-compete agreements		2,400		4.0
	$	71,400		24.3

Lepage operates three bakeries, two in Lewiston, Maine, and one in Brattleboro, Vermont. Lepage serves customers in the New England and New York markets with fresh bakery products sold under the Country Kitchen and Barowsky’s brands. This acquisition provides a DSD platform to more effectively market the Nature’s Own and Tastykake brands in the Northeast.

The primary reasons for the acquisition were to expand the company’s footprint into the northeastern United States and to distribute Nature’s Own and Tastykake products throughout the Lepage territories. In addition to the amortizable intangible assets, there is an additional $185.0 million in indefinite-lived trademark intangible assets. Goodwill of $51.7 million is allocated to the DSD Segment. Approximately $11.9 million of goodwill is deductible for income tax purposes over fifteen years.

The fair value of trade receivables is $7.4 million. The gross amount of the receivable is $7.5 million of which $0.1 million is determined to be uncollectible. We did not acquire any other class of receivables as a result of the acquisition.

Acquisition pro formas

The following unaudited pro forma consolidated results of operations have been prepared as if the acquisition of Lepage and of the Acquired Hostess Bread Assets occurred at the beginning of fiscal 2012. Unaudited pro forma consolidated results of operations for the Sara Lee California and Earthgrains asset acquisitions are not included because the company determined that they are immaterial. Hostess filed for bankruptcy and ceased operations in November 2012 (the “Hostess Shutdown”). As a result, there were no sales related to the Acquired Hostess Assets for fiscal 2013 because of the Hostess Shutdown and there is no data to include in the pro forma presentation below. The acquisitions’ results from operations were included in our Consolidated Statements of Income during fiscal 2014 and, as a result, no pro forma data is presented (amounts in thousands, except per share data):

	Fiscal 2013		Fiscal 2012
	52 weeks		52 weeks
Sales:
As reported	$	3,732,616	$	3,031,124
Pro forma	$	3,732,616	$	3,887,498
Net income:
As reported	$	230,894	$	136,121
Pro forma	$	227,076	$	128,464
Basic net income per common share:
As reported	$	1.11	$	0.66
Pro forma	$	1.09	$	0.62
Diluted net income per common share:
As reported	$	1.09	$	0.66
Pro forma	$	1.07	$	0.61

These amounts have been calculated after applying the company’s accounting policies and adjusting the results to reflect additional depreciation and amortization that would have been charged assuming the fair value adjustments to property, plant, and equipment, and amortizable intangible assets had been applied. In addition, pro forma adjustments have been made for the interest incurred for financing the acquisitions with either the credit facility or the senior notes. Lepage’s revenue recognition policy was consistent with ours and adjustments are not required. Taxes have also been adjusted for the effect of the items discussed. These pro forma results of operations have been prepared for comparative purposes only, and they do not purport to be indicative of the results of operations that actually would have resulted had the acquisition occurred on the date indicated or that may result in the future.

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Stock Option Activity (Detail) (Stock Option, USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Stock Option
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Options, Outstanding at beginning of period	8,112,000	9,541,000	11,135,000
Options, Exercised	(1,921,000)	(1,415,000)	(1,570,000)
Options, Forfeited		(14,000)	(24,000)
Options, Outstanding at end of period	6,191,000	8,112,000	9,541,000
Options, Exercisable at end of period	6,191,000	4,978,000	3,973,000
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Outstanding at beginning of year	$ 10.89	$ 10.71	$ 10.45
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Exercised	$ 10.94	$ 9.67	$ 8.84
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Forfeitures		$ 10.99	$ 10.88
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Outstanding at end of year	$ 10.88	$ 10.89	$ 10.71

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Principal Payment Amounts Due until the Balance is Paid in Full (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 03, 2015	Apr. 05, 2013
Long Term Debt Maturities Repayments Of Principal [Line Items]
2015	$ 35,060
2016	74,880
2017	122,249
2018	122,881
New Term Loan
Long Term Debt Maturities Repayments Of Principal [Line Items]
2015		30,000
2016		67,500
2017		112,500
2018		$ 60,000

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Long Term Debt and Capital Leases (Parenthetical) (Detail) (4.375% Senior Notes)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015	Mar. 28, 2012
4.375% Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes bearing interest rate	4.375%	4.375%
Senior notes due year	Apr. 01, 2022

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Summary of Company's Balance Sheet Related Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plan (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013
Post-Retirement Plans [Abstract]
Current benefit liability	$ 1,089	$ 1,301
Noncurrent benefit liability	93,589	44,226
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax	$ 86,612	$ 51,099

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Benefits Expected to be Paid from Plans Assets (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015		Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost
Schedule of Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Expected Benefit Payments [Line Items]
Benefits paid	$ 670		$ 1,316
Federal subsidy on benefits paid			(52)
Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost | Employer Gross Contribution
Schedule of Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Expected Benefit Payments [Line Items]
Benefits paid	478		952	1,010
2015	691
2016	795
2017	931
2018	978
2019	944
2020 - 2024	4,203
Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost | MMA Subsidy (Income)
Schedule of Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Expected Benefit Payments [Line Items]
Federal subsidy on benefits paid			(52)	(52)
2015	0
2016	0
2017	0
2018	0
2019	0
2020 - 2024	0
Net Periodic Pension Cost
Schedule of Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Expected Benefit Payments [Line Items]
Benefits paid	27,046		25,494	24,884
2015	26,055
2016	26,310
2017	26,465
2018	26,667
2019	26,729
2020 - 2024	136,232
Net Periodic Pension Cost | Includes Plan No 1 and No 2 One Time Voluntary Lump Sum Offer
Schedule of Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Expected Benefit Payments [Line Items]
Benefits paid	$ 75,459	[1]

[1] Includes $48.4 million and $2.0 million from Plan No. 1 and Plan No. 2, respectively, associated with the one-time voluntary lump sum offer discussed above.

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Unaudited Quarterly Financial Information - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2013	Jul. 13, 2013	Dec. 28, 2013
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Schedule Of Quarterly Financial Information [Line Items]
Out-of-period adjustments	$ 4.4
Out-of-period adjustments, net of tax	2.7
Goodwill and Other Assets
Schedule Of Quarterly Financial Information [Line Items]
Out-of-period adjustments	$ 0.9	$ 1.1	$ 2.0

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Gain or Loss Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income for Commodity Contracts (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Net of tax	$ (3,209)	$ (17,141)	$ (12,354)
Commodity Contract
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Gross (gain) loss reclassified from AOCI into income	5,218	27,055	17,272
Tax (benefit) expense	(2,009)	(10,416)	(6,650)
Net of tax	$ 3,209	$ 16,639	$ 10,622

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Document and Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015	Feb. 19, 2015	Jul. 12, 2014
Document Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Jan. 03, 2015
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2014
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Trading Symbol	FLO
Entity Registrant Name	FLOWERS FOODS INC
Entity Central Index Key	0001128928
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--01-03
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		209,404,412
Entity Public Float			$ 4,141,558,899

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Funded Status and Amounts Recognized in Consolidated Balance Sheets (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2012	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Participant contributions	$ 400
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year				378,194	428,605
Actual return on plan assets	41,900
Participant contributions	400
Fair value of plan assets at end of year				378,194	428,605
Fair value of plan assets				378,194	428,605
Current liability		(1,089)	(1,301)
Noncurrent liability		(93,589)	(44,226)
Net Periodic Pension Cost
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Benefit obligation at beginning of year		463,726	514,636
Service cost	610	640	708
Interest cost	21,670	21,427	20,089
Actuarial loss (gain)		52,305	(46,213)
Benefits paid	(24,884)	(27,046)	(25,494)
Settlements		(48,413)
Benefit obligation at end of year	514,636	462,639	463,726
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year		428,605	365,671
Actual return on plan assets		11,613	73,174
Employer contribution		13,435	15,254
Benefits paid	(24,884)	(27,046)	(25,494)
Settlements		(48,413)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	365,671	378,194	428,605
Fair value of plan assets	365,671	378,194	428,605
Benefit obligations	514,636	462,639	463,726
Unfunded status and amount recognized at end of year		(84,445)	(35,121)
Current liability		(409)	(418)
Noncurrent liability		(84,036)	(34,703)
Amount recognized at end of year		(84,445)	(35,121)
Net actuarial (gain) loss before taxes		144,842	87,645
Accumulated benefit obligation at end of year		460,931	462,754
Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Benefit obligation at beginning of year		10,406	11,481
Service cost	458	377	341
Interest cost	605	445	380
Participant contributions		192	364
Actuarial loss (gain)		(521)	214
Benefits paid		(670)	(1,316)
Less federal subsidy on benefits paid			52
Plan amendments			(1,110)
Benefit obligation at end of year	11,481	10,229	10,406
Employer contribution		478	952
Participant contributions		192	364
Benefits paid		(670)	(1,316)
Benefit obligations	11,481	10,229	10,406
Unfunded status and amount recognized at end of year		(10,229)	(10,406)
Current liability		(680)	(883)
Noncurrent liability		(9,549)	(9,523)
Amount recognized at end of year		(10,229)	(10,406)
Net actuarial (gain) loss before taxes		(3,056)	(3,135)
Prior service (credit) cost before taxes		(953)	(1,422)
Accumulated benefit obligation at end of year		$ (4,009)	$ (4,557)

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Derivative Financial Instruments

12 Months Ended

Jan. 03, 2015

Derivative Financial Instruments

Note 9. Derivative Financial Instruments

The company measures the fair value of its derivative portfolio using the fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in the principal market for that asset or liability. These measurements are classified into a hierarchy by the inputs used to perform the fair value calculation as follows:

Level 1:    Fair value based on unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets

Level 2:    Modeled fair value with model inputs that are all observable market values

Level 3:    Modeled fair value with at least one model input that is not an observable market value

Commodity Price Risk

The company enters into commodity derivatives, designated as cash-flow hedges of existing or future exposure to changes in commodity prices. The company’s primary raw materials are flour, sweeteners, and shortening, along with pulp, paper, and petroleum-based packaging products. Natural gas, which is used as oven fuel, is also an important commodity used for production.

As of January 3, 2015, the company’s commodity hedge portfolio contained derivatives with a fair value of $(16.3) million, which is recorded in the following accounts with fair values measured as indicated (amounts in millions):

	Level 1			Level 2			Level 3		Total
Liabilities:
Other current		(10.9	)		(2.0	)		—		(12.9	)
Other long-term		(2.0	)		(1.4	)		—		(3.4	)
Net Fair Value	$	(12.9	)	$	(3.4	)	$	—	$	(16.3	)

As of December 28, 2013, the company’s commodity hedge portfolio contained derivatives with a fair value of $(11.5) million, which is recorded in the following accounts with fair values measured as indicated (amounts in millions):

	Level 1			Level 2			Level 3		Total
Assets:
Other current	$	—		$	0.2		$	—	$	0.2
Total		—			0.2			—		0.2
Liabilities:
Other current		(10.4	)		(0.2	)		—		(10.6	)
Other long-term		(0.7	)		(0.4	)		—		(1.1	)
Total		(11.1	)		(0.6	)		—		(11.7	)
Net Fair Value	$	(11.1	)	$	(0.4	)	$	—	$	(11.5	)

The positions held in the portfolio are used to hedge economic exposure to changes in various raw materials and production input prices and effectively fixes the price, or limits increases in prices, for a period of time extending into fiscal 2015. These instruments are designated as cash-flow hedges. See Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, for the accounting treatment of these hedged transactions.

Interest Rate Risk

The company entered into a treasury rate lock on March 28, 2012 to fix the interest rate for the ten-year 4.375% Senior Notes issued on April 3, 2012. The derivative position was closed when the debt was priced on March 29, 2012 with a cash settlement that offset changes in the benchmark treasury rate between the execution of the treasury rate lock and the debt pricing date. This treasury rate lock was designated as a cash flow hedge and the cash settlement was $3.1 million and is being amortized to interest expense over the term of the notes.

During 2014, 2013 and 2012, interest expense of $0.3 million, $0.8 million, and $2.8 million, respectively, was recognized due to periodic settlements of the interest rate swaps.

Derivative Assets and Liabilities

The company had the following derivative instruments recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheet, all of which are utilized for the risk management purposes detailed above (amounts in thousands):

Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments	Derivative Assets								Derivative Liabilities
	January 3, 2015				December 28, 2013				January 3, 2015				December 28, 2013
	Balance Sheet Location		Fair Value		Balance Sheet Location		Fair Value		Balance Sheet Location		Fair Value		Balance Sheet Location		Fair Value
Commodity contracts		Other current assets		$—		Other current assets	$	162		Other current liabilities	$	12,898		Other current liabilities	$	10,626
Commodity contracts		Other long term assets		—		Other long term assets		—		Other long term liabilities		3,355		Other long term liabilities		1,094
Total				$—			$	162			$	16,253			$	11,720

Derivative Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (“AOCI”) transactions

The company had the following derivative instruments for deferred gains and (losses) on closed contracts and the effective portion for changes in fair value recorded in AOCI, all of which are utilized for the risk management purposes detailed above (amounts in thousands and net of tax):

Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships	Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in OCI on Derivatives (Effective Portion)(Net of tax)
	Fiscal 2014			Fiscal 2013			Fiscal 2012
Interest rate contracts	$	157		$	(205	)	$	(1,221	)
Commodity contracts		(3,358	)		(24,252	)		(325	)
Total	$	(3,201	)	$	(24,457	)	$	(1,546	)

Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships	Amount of (Gain) or Loss Reclassified from Accumulated OCI  into Income (Effective Portion)(Net of tax)						Location of (Gain) or Loss Reclassified from AOCI into Income (Effective Portion)
	Fiscal 2014		Fiscal 2013		Fiscal 2012
Interest rate contracts	$	—	$	502	$	1,732	Interest expense (income)
Commodity contracts		—		—		—	Selling, distribution and
Commodity contracts		3,209		16,639		10,622	administrative expenses Production costs(1)
Total	$	3,209	$	17,141	$	12,354

1. Included in Materials, supplies, labor and other production costs (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately).

The balance in accumulated other comprehensive loss (income) related to commodity price risk and interest rate risk derivative transactions that are closed or will expire over the next three years are as follows (amounts in millions and net of tax) at January 3, 2015:

	Commodity Price Risk Derivatives		Interest Rate Risk Derivatives		Totals
Closed contracts	$	0.3	$	1.1	$	1.4
Expiring in 2015		8.5		—		8.5
Expiring in 2016 and beyond		1.5		—		1.5
Total	$	10.3	$	1.1	$	11.4

See Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, for the accounting treatment of other comprehensive income for these hedged transactions.

Derivative transactions notional amounts

As of January 3, 2015, the company had entered into the following financial contracts to hedge commodity and interest rate risks:

Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships	Notional amount
	(Millions)
Wheat contracts	$	96.3
Soybean oil contracts		32.1
Natural gas contracts		14.6
Total	$	143.0

The company’s derivative instruments contained no credit-risk-related contingent features at January 3, 2015. As of January 3, 2015, the company had $16.1 million recorded in other current assets, and on December 28, 2013, the company had $16.9 million recorded in other current assets representing collateral from or with counterparties for hedged positions.

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Pro Forma Consolidated Results of Operations (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended							4 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015	Oct. 04, 2014	Jul. 12, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013		Oct. 05, 2013	Jul. 13, 2013	Apr. 19, 2014	Apr. 20, 2013	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Acquisition [Abstract]
Sales, As reported	$ 877,333	$ 844,932	$ 872,791	$ 839,989		$ 874,129	$ 893,576	$ 1,153,917	$ 1,124,922	$ 3,748,973	$ 3,732,616	$ 3,031,124
Sales, Pro forma											3,732,616	3,887,498
Net income, As reported	28,010	44,599	42,064	38,520	[1]	33,888	46,460	61,066	112,026	175,739	230,894	136,121
Net income, Pro forma											$ 227,076	$ 128,464
Basic net income per common share, As reported	$ 0.13	$ 0.21	$ 0.20	$ 0.18	[1]	$ 0.16	$ 0.22	$ 0.29	$ 0.54	$ 0.84	$ 1.11	$ 0.66
Basic net income per common share, Pro forma											$ 1.09	$ 0.62
Diluted net income per common share, As reported	$ 0.13	$ 0.21	$ 0.20	$ 0.18	[1]	$ 0.16	$ 0.22	$ 0.29	$ 0.53	$ 0.82	$ 1.09	$ 0.66
Diluted net income per common share, Pro forma											$ 1.07	$ 0.61

[1] Includes an out-of-period adjustment of $4.4 million ($2.7 million, net of tax) described above.

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Long Term Debt and Capital Leases (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unsecured credit facility	$ 53,000	$ 44,200
4.375% senior notes due April 1, 2022	399,304	399,207
Accounts receivable securitization	0	150,000
Capital lease obligations	22,526	15,649
Other notes payable	18,606	18,444
Total debt	763,436	923,750
Current maturities of long-term debt and capital lease obligations	34,496	31,272
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations	728,940	892,478
Unsecured Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest Rate	3.70%
Final Maturity	2019
New Term Loan
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest Rate	1.79%
Final Maturity	2018
Unsecured term loan	$ 270,000	$ 296,250
4.375% Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest Rate	4.38%
Final Maturity	2022
Accounts Receivable Securitization Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest Rate	0.91%
Final Maturity	2016
Capital Lease Obligations
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest Rate	3.44%
Final Maturity	2020
Other Notes Payables
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest Rate	2.13%
Final Maturity	2020

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Consolidated Statements of Income (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended							4 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015	Oct. 04, 2014	Jul. 12, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013		Oct. 05, 2013	Jul. 13, 2013	Apr. 19, 2014	Apr. 20, 2013	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Sales	$ 877,333	$ 844,932	$ 872,791	$ 839,989		$ 874,129	$ 893,576	$ 1,153,917	$ 1,124,922	$ 3,748,973	$ 3,732,616	$ 3,031,124
Materials, supplies, labor and other production costs (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)	453,759	442,978	458,019	447,511		467,798	471,614	595,877	585,298	1,950,633	1,972,221	1,617,810
Selling, distribution and administrative expenses		302,086	314,995	306,656		323,166	321,369	420,547	405,551	1,368,289	1,356,742	1,092,113
Depreciation and amortization										128,961	118,491	102,690
Pension plan settlement loss										15,387
Impairment of assets										10,308
Gain on acquisition											(50,071)
Income from operations										275,395	335,233	218,511
Interest expense										28,288	28,875	23,411
Interest income										(20,947)	(16,015)	(13,672)
Income before income taxes										268,054	322,373	208,772
Income tax expense										92,315	91,479	72,651
Net income	$ 28,010	$ 44,599	$ 42,064	$ 38,520	[1]	$ 33,888	$ 46,460	$ 61,066	$ 112,026	$ 175,739	$ 230,894	$ 136,121
Basic:
Net income per common share	$ 0.13	$ 0.21	$ 0.20	$ 0.18	[1]	$ 0.16	$ 0.22	$ 0.29	$ 0.54	$ 0.84	$ 1.11	$ 0.66
Weighted average shares outstanding										209,683	207,935	205,005
Diluted:
Net income per common share	$ 0.13	$ 0.21	$ 0.20	$ 0.18	[1]	$ 0.16	$ 0.22	$ 0.29	$ 0.53	$ 0.82	$ 1.09	$ 0.66
Weighted average shares outstanding										213,092	211,927	207,674

[1] Includes an out-of-period adjustment of $4.4 million ($2.7 million, net of tax) described above.

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Financial Statement Revisions

12 Months Ended

Jan. 03, 2015

Financial Statement Revisions

Note 3. Financial Statement Revisions

During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014, we revised net sales. Historically, certain immaterial discounts had been recorded as an expense to selling, distribution and administrative costs. These discounts are now recorded as contra revenue. These revisions have been made for all periods presented in this Form 10-K. The impact of these cash sales was 0.5% and 0.5% to our previously reported consolidated sales in our fiscal 2013 and fiscal 2012 financial statements, respectively. In addition, since these types of sales are only applicable to our DSD Segment, the impact was 0.6% and 0.6% to our previously reported DSD Segment sales in our fiscal 2013 and fiscal 2012 financial statements, respectively. We have concluded that these revisions are immaterial to our fiscal 2013 and 2012 financial statements and each of the quarterly periods in fiscal years 2014, 2013 and 2012.

Our financial statements have been revised to correctly report the discounts by decreasing sales and decreasing selling, distribution and administrative expenses by the amount of the discounts in the respective periods presented. There are no impacts to our Consolidated Balance Sheets, Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity, or Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for any prior periods. Additionally, the correction did not impact our previously reported income from operations, net income or earnings per share.

The tables below present the revisions to the applicable financial statement line items for all periods presented and for the quarterly information for fiscal years 2014 and 2013 (amounts in thousands).

	Fiscal 2013
Impacted Financial Statement line item	As Previously Reported		Revisions			As Revised
Sales	$	3,751,005	$	(18,389	)	$	3,732,616
Selling, distribution and administrative expense	$	1,375,131	$	(18,389	)	$	1,356,742

	Fiscal 2012
Impacted Financial Statement line item	As Previously Reported		Revisions			As Revised
Sales	$	3,046,491	$	(15,367	)	$	3,031,124
Selling, distribution and administrative expense	$	1,107,480	$	(15,367	)	$	1,092,113

	Quarter 1 of Fiscal 2014
Impacted Financial Statement line item	As Previously Reported		Revisions			As Revised
Sales	$	1,159,760	$	(5,843	)	$	1,153,917
Selling, distribution and administrative expense	$	426,390	$	(5,843	)	$	420,547

	Quarter 2 of Fiscal 2014
Impacted Financial Statement line item	As Previously Reported		Revisions			As Revised
Sales	$	877,378	$	(4,587	)	$	872,791
Selling, distribution and administrative expense	$	319,582	$	(4,587	)	$	314,995

	Quarter 3 of Fiscal 2014
Impacted Financial Statement line item	As Previously Reported		Revisions			As Revised
Sales	$	849,360	$	(4,428	)	$	844,932
Selling, distribution and administrative expense	$	306,514	$	(4,428	)	$	302,086

	Quarter 1 of Fiscal 2013
Impacted Financial Statement line item	As Previously Reported		Revisions			As Revised
Sales	$	1,130,810	$	(5,888	)	$	1,124,922
Selling, distribution and administrative expense	$	411,439	$	(5,888	)	$	405,551

	Quarter 2 of Fiscal 2013
Impacted Financial Statement line item	As Previously Reported		Revisions			As Revised
Sales	$	898,153	$	(4,577	)	$	893,576
Selling, distribution and administrative expense	$	325,946	$	(4,577	)	$	321,369

	Quarter 3 of Fiscal 2013
Impacted Financial Statement line item	As Previously Reported		Revisions			As Revised
Sales	$	878,492	$	(4,363	)	$	874,129
Selling, distribution and administrative expense	$	327,529	$	(4,363	)	$	323,166

	Quarter 4 of Fiscal 2013
Impacted Financial Statement line item	As Previously Reported		Revisions			As Revised
Sales	$	843,550	$	(3,561	)	$	839,989
Selling, distribution and administrative expense	$	310,217	$	(3,561	)	$	306,656

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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

12 Months Ended

Jan. 03, 2015

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Note 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

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.

Variable Interest Entities.    The incorporated independent distributors (“IDs”) who deliver our products qualify as variable interest entities (“VIEs”). The company typically finances the ID and also enters into a contract with the ID to sell product at a fixed discount for distribution in the ID’s territory. The combination of the company’s loans to the IDs and the ongoing supply arrangements with the IDs provides a level of protection to the equity owners of the various IDs that would not otherwise be available. However, the company is not considered to be the primary beneficiary of the VIEs because the company does not (i) have the ability to direct the significant activities of the VIEs that would affect their ability to operate their respective distributor territories or (ii) provide any implicit or explicit guarantees or other financial support to the VIEs, other than the financing described above, for specific return or performance benchmarks. The company’s maximum exposure related to the distributor route notes receivable of these VIEs is less than 10% of the total distributor route notes receivable for the consolidated company.

The company also maintains a transportation agreement with an entity that transports a significant portion of the company’s fresh bakery products from the company’s production facilities to outlying distribution centers. The company represents a significant portion of the entity’s revenue. This entity qualifies as a VIE, but the company has determined it is not the primary beneficiary of the VIE. See Note 13, Variable Interest Entities, for additional disclosure of this VIE entity.

Fiscal Year End.    The company operates on a 52-53 week fiscal year ending the Saturday nearest December 31. Fiscal 2014 consisted of 53 weeks. Fiscal 2013 and fiscal 2012 consisted of 52 weeks. Fiscal 2015 will consist of 52 weeks.

Revenue Recognition.    The company recognizes revenue from the sale of product at the time of delivery when title and risk of loss pass to the customer. The company records both direct and estimated reductions to gross revenue for customer programs and incentive offerings at the time the incentive is offered or at the time of revenue recognition for the underlying transaction that results in progress by the customer towards earning the incentive. These allowances include price promotion discounts, coupons, customer rebates, cooperative advertising, and product returns. Price promotion discount expense is recorded as a reduction to gross sales when the discounted product is sold to the customer. See Note 3, Financial Statement Revisions, for documentation of the revisions associated with the revenues reported in prior periods.

The consumer packaged goods industry has used scan-based trading technology over several years to share information between the supplier and retailer. An extension of this technology allows the retailer to take ownership of our goods when the consumer purchases the goods rather than at the time they are delivered to the retailer. Consequently, revenue on these sales is not recognized until the product is purchased by the consumer. This technology is referred to as pay-by-scan (“PBS”). In fiscal years 2014, 2013, and 2012, the company recorded $1,206.6 million, $1,116.4 million, and $863.4 million, respectively, in sales through PBS.

Revenue on PBS sales is recognized when the product is purchased by the end consumer because that is when title and risk of loss is transferred. Non-PBS sales are recognized when the product is delivered to the customer since that is when title and risk of loss is transferred.

The company’s production facilities deliver our products to independent distributors, who deliver our products to outlets of retail accounts that are within the distributors’ geographic territory. PBS is utilized primarily in certain national and regional retail accounts (“PBS Outlet”). Generally, no revenue is recognized by the company upon delivery of our products by the company to the distributor or upon delivery of our products by the distributor to a PBS Outlet. It is recognized when our products are purchased by the end consumer. Product inventory in the PBS Outlet is reflected as inventory on the company’s balance sheet. The balance of PBS inventory at January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013 was $6.1 million and $6.4 million, respectively.

A distributor performs a physical inventory of our products at each PBS Outlet weekly and reports the results to the company. The inventory data submitted by the distributor for each PBS Outlet is compared with the product delivery data. Product delivered to a PBS Outlet that is not recorded in the inventory data has been purchased by the consumer/customer of the PBS Outlet and is recorded as sales revenue by the company.

The company repurchases territories from and sells territories to independent distributors from time to time. At the time the company purchases a territory from an independent distributor, the fair value purchase price of the territory is recorded as “Assets Held for Sale”. Upon the sale of that territory to a new independent distributor, generally a note receivable of up to ten years is recorded for the sales price of the territory (for those situations when the company provides direct financing to the distributor) with a corresponding credit to assets held for sale to relieve the carrying amount of the territory. Any difference between the amount of the note receivable (i.e., the sales price) and the territory’s carrying value is recorded as a gain or a loss in selling, distribution and administrative expenses because the company considers its distributor activity a cost of distribution. Since the distributor has the right to require the company to repurchase the territory at the original purchase price within the first six-month period following the date of sale, no gain is recorded on the sale of the territory until after the six-month period is completed (except that gains of $5,000 or less are recognized immediately upon the sale). Upon expiration of the six-month period, the amount deferred during this period is recorded and the remaining gain on the sale is recorded over the remaining term of the note. In instances where a territory is sold for less than its carrying value, a loss is recorded at the date of sale and any impairment of a territory held for sale is recorded at such time when the impairment occurs. The deferred gains were $25.7 million and $22.4 million at January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013, respectively, and are recorded in other short and long-term liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. The company recorded net gains of $3.8 million during fiscal 2014, $5.5 million during fiscal 2013, and $2.6 million during fiscal 2012 related to the sale of territories as a component of selling, distribution and administrative expenses.

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 as cash and cash equivalents.

Accounts and Notes Receivable.    Accounts receivable consists of trade receivables, current portions of distributor notes receivable, and miscellaneous receivables. The company maintains allowances for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of its customers to make required payments for trade receivables, distributor notes receivable, and miscellaneous receivables. Bad debts are charged to this reserve after all attempts to collect the balance are exhausted. If the financial condition of the company’s customers were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, additional allowances may be required. In determining past due or delinquent status of a customer, the aged trial balance is reviewed on a weekly basis by sales management and generally any accounts older than seven weeks are considered delinquent. Activity in the allowance for doubtful accounts is as follows (amounts in thousands):

	Beginning Balance		Charged to Expense		Write-Offs and Other		Ending Balance
Fiscal 2014	$	1,598	$	4,956	$	3,831	$	2,723
Fiscal 2013	$	386	$	4,110	$	2,898	$	1,598
Fiscal 2012	$	171	$	1,991	$	1,776	$	386

The increase from fiscal 2012 to fiscal 2013 for the amount charged to the allowance for accounts receivable was from a significant increase in the number of new customers added during the year. These new customers contributed to the volume increases recognized in our overall sales increases. The amounts charged to expense for bad debts 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 actually used to reduce the gross accounts and notes receivable at the time the balance due from the customer is written-off.

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 years 2014, 2013 and 2012 accounted for 43.9%, 44.7% and 45.3% of sales, respectively. Our largest customer, Walmart/Sam’s Club, percent of sales for fiscal years 2014, 2013 and 2012 was as follows:

	Percent of Sales
	DSD Segment			Warehouse Segment			Total
Fiscal 2014		16.8	%		2.6	%		19.5	%
Fiscal 2013		17.1	%		3.1	%		20.2	%
Fiscal 2012		16.9	%		3.9	%		20.8	%

Inventories.    Inventories at January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013 are valued at lower of cost or market. Costs for raw materials and packaging are recorded at moving average cost. Finished goods inventories are at average costs.

The company will write down inventory to market for estimated unmarketable inventory equal to the difference between the cost of inventory and the estimated market 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 Balance		Charged to Expense		Write-Offs and Other		Ending Balance
Fiscal 2014	$	93	$	1,074	$	1,008	$	159
Fiscal 2013	$	38	$	1,210	$	1,155	$	93
Fiscal 2012	$	58	$	947	$	967	$	38

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 actually used to reduce gross inventories.

Shipping Costs.    Shipping costs are included in the selling, distribution and administrative line item of the Consolidated Statements of Income. For fiscal years 2014, 2013, and 2012, shipping costs were $847.6 million, $797.4 million, and $675.6 million, respectively, including delivery fees paid to independent distributors.

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.

Property, Plant and Equipment and Depreciation.    Property, plant and equipment is stated at cost. Depreciation expense is computed using the straight-line method based on the estimated useful lives of the depreciable assets. Certain equipment held under capital leases of $28.9 million and $22.5 million at January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013, respectively, is classified as property, plant and equipment and the related obligations are recorded as liabilities. Depreciation of assets held under capital leases is included in depreciation and amortization expense. Total accumulated depreciation for assets held under capital leases was $6.3 million and $7.0 million at January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013, respectively.

Buildings are depreciated over ten to forty years, machinery and equipment over three to twenty-five years, and furniture, fixtures, and transportation equipment over three to fifteen years. Property under capital leases and leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the lease term or the estimated useful life of the property. Depreciation expense for fiscal years 2014, 2013, and 2012 was $117.2 million, $106.7 million and $93.4 million, respectively. The company had no capitalized interest during fiscal 2014, 2013, and 2012. 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 income from operations and is included in adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash for operating activities in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

Segments.    The company’s segments are separated primarily by the different delivery methods each segment uses for their respective product deliveries. DSD Segment products are delivered fresh to customers through a network of independent distributors who are incentivized to grow sales and to build equity in their distributorships. The Warehouse Segment ships fresh and frozen products to customers’ warehouses nationwide. Our bakeries fall into either the DSD Segment or Warehouse Segment depending on the primary method of delivery used to sell that bakery’s products. The bakeries within each segment produce products that are sold externally to their customers and internally to bakeries within the segment and to the other segment. Sales between bakeries are transferred at standard cost.

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. In the event that 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 evaluation is required, the estimated future gross, undiscounted cash flows associated with the asset would be compared to the asset’s carrying amount to determine if a write-down to market value is required.

Future adverse changes in market conditions or poor operating results of underlying long-lived held and used assets could result in losses or an inability to recover the carrying value of the long-lived held and used assets that may not be reflected in the assets’ current carrying values, thereby possibly requiring an impairment charge in the future. There were no impairment charges for long-lived held and used assets during fiscal years 2014, 2013, or 2012.

Impairment of Other Intangible Assets.    The company accounts for other intangible assets recognized in a purchase business combination 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. Amortization of finite-lived intangible assets occurs over their estimated useful lives. The amortization periods, at origination, range from three years to forty years for these assets. These finite-lived intangible assets generally include trademarks, customer relationships, non-compete agreements, distributor relationships, and supply agreements.

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 as finite-lived assets that will require amortization. We consider historical performance and future estimated results in our evaluation of impairment. In the event that 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. Fair value is estimated using the future gross, discounted cash flows associated with the asset using the following four material assumptions: (a) discount rate; (b) long-term sales growth rates; (c) forecasted operating margins; and (d) market multiples. We use the multi-period excess earnings and relief from royalty methods to value these indefinite-lived intangible assets. 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.

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. There were no impairment charges during fiscal years 2014, 2013, or 2012. See Note 7, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, for additional disclosure.

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 an event occurs that indicates the fair value of a reporting unit may be below its carrying value) using a two-step method. This analysis is performed for both of our segments. Goodwill is recorded at the segment level primarily because of reciprocal baking arrangements for plants within each segment. 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 years 2014, 2013, or 2012. During the second quarter of fiscal 2014, we recorded an impairment of $2.6 million related to the disposition of certain assets as described in Note 6, Assets Held For Sale. This goodwill impairment represented the share of goodwill for the disposed assets. See Note 7, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, for additional disclosure.

Derivative Financial Instruments.    The company enters into commodity derivatives, designated as cash flow hedges of existing or future exposure to changes in commodity prices. The company’s primary raw materials are flour, sweeteners, and shortening, along with pulp, paper, and petroleum-based packaging products. The company uses natural gas as fuel for firing ovens. The company also periodically enters into interest rate derivatives to hedge exposure to changes in interest rates. The company measures the fair value of its derivative portfolio using the fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in the principal market for that asset or liability. When quoted market prices for identical assets or liabilities are not available, the company bases fair value upon internally developed models that use current market observable inputs, such as exchange-quoted futures prices and yield curves.

The effective portion of changes in fair value for these derivatives is recorded each period in other comprehensive income (loss), and any ineffective portion of the change in fair value is recorded to current period earnings in selling, distribution and administrative expenses. All of our commodity derivatives at January 3, 2015 qualified for hedge accounting. During fiscal years 2014, 2013, and 2012 there was no material income or expense recorded due to ineffectiveness in current earnings due to changes in the fair value of these instruments.

The company routinely transfers amounts from other comprehensive income (“OCI”) to earnings as transactions for which cash flow hedges were held occur and impact earnings. Significant situations which do not routinely occur that could cause transfers from OCI to earnings are as follows: (i) an event that causes a hedge to be suddenly ineffective and significant enough that hedge accounting must be discontinued or (ii) 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 overhedged and must discontinue hedge accounting. During fiscal 2014, 2013, and 2012 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 9, Derivative Financial Instruments, for additional disclosure.

Treasury Stock.    The company records acquisitions of its common stock for treasury at cost. Differences between 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 15, Stockholders’ Equity, for additional disclosure.

Advertising and Marketing Costs.    Advertising and marketing costs are expensed the first time the advertising takes place. Advertising and marketing costs were $22.9 million, $28.1 million, and $19.1 million for fiscal years 2014, 2013, and 2012, 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 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. See Note 16, Stock-Based Compensation, for additional disclosure.

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. The net balance of capitalized software development costs included in plant, property and equipment was $13.0 million and $14.8 million at January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013, respectively. Amortization expense of capitalized software development costs, which is included in depreciation and amortization expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income, was $2.4 million, $3.2 million, and $1.6 million in fiscal years 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively.

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 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 were 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 asset 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 20, Income Taxes, for additional disclosure.

Activity in the deferred tax asset valuation allowance is as follows (amounts in thousands):

	Beginning Balance		Deductions		Additions		Ending Balance
Fiscal 2014	$	2,895	$	361	$	—	$	2,534
Fiscal 2013	$	4,545	$	1,650	$	—	$	2,895
Fiscal 2012	$	4,874	$	782	$	453	$	4,545

The deductions column in the table above 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.

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 on 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 and historical trends and data. Though the company does not expect them to do so, actual settlements and claims could differ materially from those estimated. Material differences in actual settlements and claims could have an adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

Net Income Per Common Share.    Basic net income per share is computed by dividing net income by 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. See Note 18, Earnings Per Share, for additional disclosure.

Pension/OPEB Obligations.    The company records net periodic benefit costs and obligations related to its three defined benefit pension and two other post employment benefit (“OPEB”) plans based on actuarial valuations. These valuations reflect key assumptions determined by management, including the discount rate and expected long-term rate of return on plan assets. The expected long-term rate of return assumption considers the asset mix of the plans’ portfolios, past performance of these assets, the anticipated future economic environment, and long-term performance of individual asset classes, and other factors. Material changes in benefit costs and obligations may occur in the future due to experience different than assumed and changes in these assumptions. Future benefit obligations and annual benefit costs could be impacted by changes in the discount rate, changes in the expected long-term rate of return, changes in the level of contributions to the plans’, and other factors. Effective January 1, 2006, the company curtailed its largest defined benefit pension plan that covered the majority of its workforce. Benefits under this plan were frozen, and no future benefits will accrue under this plan. The company still maintains a smaller unfrozen pension plan for certain eligible unionized employees.

The company determines the fair value of substantially all its plans’ assets utilizing market quotes rather than developing “smoothed” values, “market related” values, or other modeling techniques. Plan asset gains or losses in a given year are included with other actuarial gains and losses due to remeasurement of the plans’ projected benefit obligations (“PBO”). If the total unrecognized gain or loss exceeds 10% of the larger of (i) the PBO or (ii) the market value of plan assets, the excess of the total unrecognized gain, or loss is amortized over the expected average future lifetime of participants in the frozen pension plans. The company uses a calendar year end for the measurement date since the plans are based on a calendar year and because it approximates the company’s fiscal year end. See Note 19, Postretirement Plans, for additional disclosure.

Pension Plan assets.    Effective January 1, 2014, the Finance Committee (“committee”) of the Board of Directors delegated its fiduciary and other responsibilities with respect to the plans to the newly established Investment Committee. The Investment Committee, which consists of certain members of management, establishes investment guidelines and strategies and regularly monitors the performance of the plans’ assets. The Investment Committee 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 Investment Committee 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 Investment Committee rebalances the plans’ assets to the targeted allocation when considered appropriate.

Use of Estimates.    The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America 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.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments.    On April 3, 2012, the company issued $400.0 million of senior notes. The notes are recorded in our financial statements at carrying value, net of issuance costs. The 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 14, Fair Value of Financial Instruments.

Other Comprehensive Income.    The company reports comprehensive income in two separate but consecutive financial statements. In December 2011, the FASB issued guidance to present reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income. See Note 17, Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), for these additional required disclosures.

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Information Regarding Operations in Reportable Segments (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Gain on acquisition	$ 50,071

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Fair Value of Financial Instruments

12 Months Ended

Jan. 03, 2015

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Note 14. Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, and short-term debt approximates fair value because of the short-term maturity of the instruments. Notes receivable are entered into in connection with the purchase of distributors’ territories by independent distributors. These notes receivable are recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheet at carrying value, which represents the closest approximation of fair value. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. As a result, the appropriate interest rate that should be used to estimate the fair value of the distributor notes is the prevailing market rate at which similar loans would be made to distributors with similar credit ratings and for the same maturities. However, the company financed approximately 3,700 and 3,400 independent distributors as of January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013, respectively, all with varied financial histories and credit risks. Considering the diversity of credit risks among the independent distributors, the company has no method to accurately determine a market interest rate to apply to the notes. The territories are generally financed for up to ten years and the distributor notes are collateralized by the independent distributors’ territories. The company maintains a wholly-owned subsidiary to assist in financing route purchase activities if requested by new independent sales distributors, using the route and certain associated assets as collateral. These notes receivable earn interest at a fixed rate.

The fair value of the company’s variable rate debt at January 3, 2015 approximates the recorded value. The fair value of the notes issued on April 3, 2012, as discussed in Note 12, Debt, Lease and Other Commitments, is approximately $426.3 million while the carrying value is $399.3 million on January 3, 2015. 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.

For fair value disclosure information about our derivative assets and liabilities see Note 9, Derivative Financial Instruments. For fair value disclosure information about our pension plan net assets see Note 19, Postretirement Plans.

At January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013, respectively, the carrying value of the distributor notes was as follows (amounts in thousands):

	January 3, 2015		December 28, 2013
Distributor notes receivable	$	182,188	$	161,560
Current portion of distributor notes receivable recorded in accounts and notes receivable, net		20,283		18,715
Long-term portion of distributor notes receivable	$	161,905	$	142,845

Interest income for the distributor notes receivable was as follows (amounts in thousands):

	Interest Income
Fiscal 2014	$	20,947
Fiscal 2013	$	16,015
Fiscal 2012	$	13,672

At January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013, the company has evaluated the collectability of the distributor notes and determined that a reserve is not necessary. Payments on these distributor notes are collected by the company weekly in conjunction with the distributor settlement process.