1.	Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Coca‑Cola Consolidated, Inc. (the “Company”) produces, markets and distributes nonalcoholic beverages, primarily products of The Coca‑Cola Company, and is the largest Coca‑Cola bottler in the United States. Approximately 85% of the Company’s total bottle/can sales volume to retail customers consists of products of The Coca‑Cola Company, which include some of the most recognized and popular beverage brands in the world. The Company also distributes products for several other beverage companies, including BA Sports Nutrition, LLC (“BodyArmor”), Keurig Dr Pepper Inc. (“Dr Pepper”) and Monster Energy Company (“Monster Energy”).

The Company manages its business on the basis of three operating segments. Nonalcoholic Beverages represents the vast majority of the Company’s consolidated revenues and income from operations. The additional two operating segments do not meet the quantitative thresholds for separate reporting, either individually or in the aggregate, and therefore have been combined into “All Other.”

Piedmont Coca-Cola Bottling Partnership (“Piedmont”) is the Company’s only subsidiary that has a significant third-party noncontrolling interest. Piedmont distributes and markets nonalcoholic beverages in portions of North Carolina and South Carolina. The Company provides a portion of these nonalcoholic beverage products to Piedmont at cost and receives a fee for managing the operations of Piedmont pursuant to a management agreement. See Note 2 for additional information.

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its majority-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

The Company’s fiscal year generally ends on the Sunday closest to December 31 of each year. The fiscal years presented are the 52‑week periods ended December 29, 2019 (“2019”), December 30, 2018 (“2018”) and December 31, 2017 (“2017”).

Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, cash in banks and cash equivalents, which are highly liquid debt instruments with maturities of less than 90 days. The Company maintains cash deposits with major banks, which, from time to time, may exceed federally insured limits. The Company periodically assesses the financial condition of the institutions and believes the risk of any loss is minimal.

The Company sells its products to mass merchandisers, supermarkets, convenience stores and other customers and extends credit, generally without requiring collateral, based on an ongoing evaluation of the customer’s business prospects and financial condition. The Company’s trade accounts receivable are typically collected within 30 days from the date of sale.

The Company sells its products and extends credit, generally without requiring collateral, based on an ongoing evaluation of the customer’s business prospects and financial condition. The Company evaluates the collectibility of its trade accounts receivable based on a number of factors, including the Company’s historic collections pattern and changes to a specific customer’s ability to meet its

financial obligations. The Company has established an allowance for doubtful accounts to adjust the recorded receivable to the estimated amount the Company believes will ultimately be collected.

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost is determined on the first-in, first-out method for finished products and manufacturing materials and on the average cost method for plastic shells, plastic pallets and other inventories.

Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost, less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Leasehold improvements on operating leases are depreciated over the shorter of the estimated useful lives or the term of the lease, including renewal options the Company determines are reasonably assured. Additions and major replacements or betterments are added to the assets at cost. Maintenance and repair costs and minor replacements are charged to expense when incurred. When assets are replaced or otherwise disposed, the cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and the gains or losses, if any, are reflected in the statements of operations. Gains or losses on the disposal of manufacturing equipment and manufacturing plants are included in cost of sales. Gains or losses on the disposal of all other property, plant and equipment are included in selling, delivery and administrative (“SD&A”) expenses.

The Company evaluates the recoverability of the carrying amount of its property, plant and equipment when events or circumstances indicate the carrying amount of an asset or asset group may not be recoverable. These evaluations are performed at a level where independent cash flows may be attributed to either an asset or an asset group. If the Company determines the carrying amount of an asset or asset group is not recoverable based upon the expected undiscounted future cash flows of the asset or asset group, an impairment loss is recorded equal to the excess of the carrying amounts over the estimated fair value of the long-lived assets.

See Note 10 for information on the Company’s operating lease and financing lease policies.

The Company capitalizes costs incurred in the development or acquisition of internal use software. The Company expenses costs incurred in the preliminary project planning stage. Costs, such as maintenance and training, are also expensed as incurred. Capitalized costs are amortized over their estimated useful lives using the straight-line method. Amortization expense, which is included in depreciation expense, for internal-use software was $7.7 million in 2019, $10.0 million in 2018 and $11.9 million in 2017.

All business combinations are accounted for using the acquisition method. Goodwill is tested for impairment annually, or more frequently if facts and circumstances indicate such assets may be impaired. The Company performs its annual impairment test, which includes a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of the goodwill is below its carrying value, as of the first day of the fourth quarter each year, and more often if there are significant changes in business conditions that could result in impairment.

All of the Company’s goodwill resides within one reporting unit within the Nonalcoholic Beverages reportable segment, and, therefore, the Company has determined it has one reporting unit for the purpose of assessing goodwill for potential impairment. The Company uses its overall market capitalization as part of its estimate of fair value of the reporting unit and in assessing the reasonableness of the Company’s internal estimates of fair value.

When a quantitative analysis is considered necessary for the annual impairment analysis of goodwill, the Company develops an estimated fair value for the reporting unit considering three different approaches:

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market value, using the Company’s stock price plus outstanding debt;

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discounted cash flow analysis; and

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multiple of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization based upon relevant industry data.

The estimated fair value of the reporting unit is then compared to its carrying amount, including goodwill. If the estimated fair value exceeds the carrying amount, goodwill is not considered impaired. If the carrying amount, including goodwill, exceeds its estimated fair value, any excess of the carrying value of goodwill of the reporting unit over its fair value is recorded as an impairment.

To the extent the actual and projected cash flows decline in the future or if market conditions or market capitalization significantly deteriorate, the Company may be required to perform an interim impairment analysis that could result in an impairment of goodwill.

Distribution Agreements, Customer Lists and Other Identifiable Intangible Assets

The Company’s definite-lived intangible assets primarily consist of distribution rights and customer relationships, which have estimated useful lives of 10 to 40 years and five to 12 years, respectively. These assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives.

The acquisition related contingent consideration liability consists of the estimated amounts due to The Coca‑Cola Company under the Company’s comprehensive beverage agreement with The Coca‑Cola Company and Coca‑Cola Refreshments, USA, Inc. (“CCR”), a wholly owned subsidiary of The Coca‑Cola Company, (the “CBA”) over the remaining useful life of the related distribution rights. Under the CBA, the Company makes quarterly sub-bottling payments to CCR on a continuing basis in exchange for the grant of exclusive rights to distribute, promote, market and sell certain beverages and beverage products in the distribution territories acquired in the System Transformation (as defined in Note 3), but excluding territories the Company acquired in an exchange transaction. This acquisition related contingent consideration is valued using a probability weighted discounted cash flow model based on internal forecasts and the weighted average cost of capital (“WACC”) derived from market data, which are considered Level 3 inputs.

Each reporting period, the Company adjusts its acquisition related contingent consideration liability related to the distribution territories acquired in the System Transformation, excluding territories the Company acquired in an exchange transaction, to fair value by discounting future expected sub-bottling payments required under the CBA using the Company’s estimated WACC. These future expected sub-bottling payments extend through the life of the related distribution assets acquired in each distribution territory, which is generally 40 years. As a result, the fair value of the acquisition related contingent consideration liability is impacted by the Company’s WACC, management’s estimate of the amounts that will be paid in the future under the CBA and current sub-bottling payments (all Level 3 inputs). Changes in any of these Level 3 inputs, particularly the underlying risk-free interest rate used to estimate the Company’s WACC, could result in material changes to the fair value of the acquisition related contingent consideration and could materially impact the amount of noncash expense (or income) recorded each reporting period.

There are two Company-sponsored pension plans. The primary Company-sponsored pension plan (the “Primary Plan”) was frozen as of June 30, 2006 and no benefits accrued to participants after this date. The second Company-sponsored pension plan (the “Bargaining Plan”) is for certain employees under collective bargaining agreements. Benefits under the Bargaining Plan are determined in accordance with negotiated formulas for the respective participants. Contributions to the plans are based on actuarial determined amounts and are limited to the amounts currently deductible for income tax purposes. The Company also sponsors a postretirement healthcare plan for employees meeting specified criteria.

The expense and liability amounts recorded for the benefit plans reflect estimates related to interest rates, investment returns, employee turnover and age at retirement, mortality rates and healthcare costs. The discount rate assumptions used to determine the pension and postretirement benefit obligations are based on yield rates available on double-A bonds as of each plan’s measurement date. The service cost components of the net periodic benefit cost of the plans are charged to current operations, and the non-service cost components of net periodic benefit cost of the plans are classified as other expense, net. In addition, certain other union employees are covered by plans provided by their respective union organizations and the Company expenses amounts as paid in accordance with union agreements.

Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to operating losses and tax credit carryforwards, as well as differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.

A valuation allowance will be provided against deferred tax assets if the Company determines it is more likely than not such assets will not ultimately be realized.

The Company does not recognize a tax benefit unless it concludes that it is more likely than not that the benefit will be sustained on audit by the taxing authority based solely on the technical merits of the associated tax position. If the recognition threshold is met, the Company recognizes a tax benefit measured at the largest amount of the tax benefit that, in the Company’s judgment, is greater than 50 percent likely to be realized. The Company records interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense.

The Company participates in various marketing and sales programs with The Coca‑Cola Company, other beverage companies and customers to increase the sale of its products. In addition, coupon programs are deployed on a territory-specific basis. The cost of these various marketing programs and sales incentives with The Coca‑Cola Company and other beverage companies is included as a deduction to net sales. Programs negotiated with customers include arrangements under which allowances can be earned for attaining agreed-upon sales levels and/or for participating in specific marketing programs.

The Company receives marketing funding support payments in cash from The Coca‑Cola Company and other beverage companies. Payments to the Company for marketing programs to promote bottle/can sales volume and fountain syrup sales volume are recognized as a reduction of cost of sales, primarily on a per unit basis, as the product is sold. Payments for periodic programs are recognized in the period during which they are earned.

Cash consideration received by a customer from a vendor is presumed to be a reduction of the price of the vendor’s products or services. As such, the cash received is accounted for as a reduction of cost of sales unless it is a specific reimbursement of costs or payments for services. Payments the Company receives from The Coca‑Cola Company and other beverage companies for marketing funding support are classified as reductions of cost of sales.

The Company is subject to the risk of increased costs arising from adverse changes in certain commodity prices. In the normal course of business, the Company manages these risks through a variety of strategies, including the use of derivative instruments. The Company does not use derivative instruments for trading or speculative purposes. All derivative instruments are recorded at fair value as either assets or liabilities in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. These derivative instruments are not designated as hedging instruments under GAAP and are used as “economic hedges” to manage certain commodity price risk. Derivative instruments held are marked to market on a monthly basis and recognized in earnings consistent with the expense classification of the underlying hedged item. Settlements of derivative agreements are included in cash flows from operating activities on the Company’s consolidated statements of cash flows.

The Company uses several different financial institutions for commodity derivative instruments to minimize the concentration of credit risk. The Company generally pays a fee for these instruments, which is amortized over the corresponding period of the instrument. The Company accounts for its commodity hedges on a mark-to-market basis with any expense or income reflected as an adjustment of related costs which are included in either cost of sales or SD&A expenses.

The Company uses various insurance structures to manage its workers’ compensation, auto liability, medical and other insurable risks. These structures consist of retentions, deductibles, limits and a diverse group of insurers that serve to strategically finance, transfer and mitigate the financial impact of losses to the Company. Losses are accrued using assumptions and procedures followed in the insurance industry, adjusted for company-specific history and expectations.

Inputs representing a substantial portion of the Company’s cost of sales include: (i) purchases of finished products, (ii) raw material costs, including aluminum cans, plastic bottles and sweetener, (iii) concentrate costs and (iv) manufacturing costs, including labor, overhead and warehouse costs. In addition, cost of sales includes shipping, handling and fuel costs related to the movement of finished goods from manufacturing plants to distribution centers, amortization expense of distribution rights, distribution fees of certain products and marketing credits from brand companies.

SD&A expenses include the following: sales management labor costs, distribution costs resulting from transporting finished products from distribution centers to customer locations, distribution center overhead including depreciation expense, distribution center warehousing costs, delivery vehicles and cold drink equipment, point-of-sale expenses, advertising expenses, cold drink equipment repair costs, amortization of intangibles and administrative support labor and operating costs.

The Company has three primary delivery systems: (i) bulk delivery for large supermarkets, mass merchandisers and club stores, (ii) advanced sale delivery for convenience stores, drug stores, small supermarkets and on-premise accounts and (iii) full-service delivery for its full-service vending customers.

Shipping and handling costs related to the movement of finished goods from manufacturing locations to distribution centers are included in cost of sales. Shipping and handling costs related to the movement of finished goods from distribution centers to customer locations, including distribution center warehousing costs, are included in SD&A expenses and totaled $623.4 million in 2019, $610.7 million in 2018 and $550.9 million in 2017.

In 2008, the stockholders of the Company approved a performance unit award agreement (the “Performance Unit Award Agreement”) for J. Frank Harrison, III, the Company’s Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer, consisting of 400,000 performance units (“Units”) subject to vesting in annual increments over a 10-year period starting in fiscal year 2009. The Performance Unit Award Agreement expired at the end of 2018, with the final award issued in the first quarter of 2019 in connection with Mr. Harrison’s services during 2018.

In 2018, the Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Compensation Committee”) and the Company’s stockholders approved a long-term performance equity plan (the “Long-Term Performance Equity Plan”) to succeed the Performance Unit Award Agreement. Awards granted to Mr. Harrison under the Long-Term Performance Equity Plan will be earned based on the Company’s attainment during a performance period of performance measures specified by the Compensation Committee. Mr. Harrison may elect to have awards earned under the Long‑Term Performance Equity Plan settled in cash and/or shares of Class B Common Stock. See Note 23 for additional information on Mr. Harrison’s stock compensation programs.

The Company applies the two-class method for calculating and presenting net income per share. The two-class method is an earnings allocation formula that determines earnings per share for each class of common stock according to dividends declared or accumulated and participation rights in undistributed earnings. Under this method:

(a)

Income from continuing operations (“net income”) is reduced by the amount of dividends declared in the current period for each class of stock and by the contractual amount of dividends that must be paid for the current period.

(b)

The remaining earnings (“undistributed earnings”) are allocated to Common Stock and Class B Common Stock to the extent each security may share in earnings as if all the earnings for the period had been distributed. The total earnings allocated to each security is determined by adding together the amount allocated for dividends and the amount allocated for a participation feature.

(c)

The total earnings allocated to each security is then divided by the number of outstanding shares of the security to which the earnings are allocated to determine the earnings per share for the security.

(d)

Basic and diluted net income per share data are presented for each class of common stock.

In applying the two-class method, the Company determined undistributed earnings should be allocated equally on a per share basis between the Common Stock and Class B Common Stock due to the aggregate participation rights of the Class B Common Stock (i.e., the voting and conversion rights) and the Company’s history of paying dividends equally on a per share basis on the Common Stock and Class B Common Stock.

Under the Company’s certificate of incorporation, the Board of Directors may declare dividends on Common Stock without declaring equal or any dividends on the Class B Common Stock. Notwithstanding this provision, Class B Common Stock has voting and conversion rights that allow the Class B Common Stock to participate equally on a per share basis with the Common Stock.

The Class B Common Stock is entitled to 20 votes per share and the Common Stock is entitled to one vote per share with respect to each matter to be voted upon by the stockholders of the Company. Except as otherwise required by law, the holders of the Class B Common Stock and Common Stock vote together as a single class on all matters submitted to the Company’s stockholders, including the election of the Board of Directors. As a result, the holders of the Class B Common Stock control approximately 86% of the total voting power of the stockholders of the Company and control the election of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors has declared, and the Company has paid, dividends on the Class B Common Stock and Common Stock and each class of common stock has participated equally in all dividends declared by the Board of Directors and paid by the Company since 1994.

The Class B Common Stock conversion rights allow the Class B Common Stock to participate in dividends equally with the Common Stock. The Class B Common Stock is convertible into Common Stock on a one-for-one per share basis at any time at the option of the holder. Accordingly, the holders of the Class B Common Stock can participate equally in any dividends declared on the Common Stock by exercising their conversion rights.

Basic net income per share excludes potential common shares that were dilutive and is computed by dividing net income available for common stockholders by the weighted average number of Common and Class B Common shares outstanding. Diluted net income per share for Common Stock and Class B Common Stock gives effect to all securities representing potential common shares that were dilutive and outstanding during the period. The Company does not have anti-dilutive shares.

In February 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2018‑02, “Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income,” which provides the option to reclassify stranded tax effects resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”) from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings. This standard is required to be applied either in the period of adoption or retrospectively to each period in which the changes in the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate pursuant to the Tax Act are recognized. The new guidance was effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company adopted ASU 2018‑02 in 2019 and recognized a cumulative effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings in 2019. The cumulative effect adjustment increased retained earnings by $19.7 million.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, “Leases” (the “lease standard”). The lease standard requires lessees to recognize a right of use asset and a lease liability for virtually all leases (other than leases meeting the definition of a short-term lease). The new guidance was effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018 and interim periods beginning the following fiscal year. The Company adopted the lease standard in 2019 using the optional transition method. See Note 10 for additional information on the Company’s adoption of the lease standard.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016‑13, “Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments,” which requires measurement and recognition of expected credit losses at the point a loss is probable to occur, rather than expected to occur, which will generally result in earlier recognition of allowances for credit losses. The new guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company plans to adopt ASU 2016‑13 in the first quarter of 2020 and does not expect the impact of adoption to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019‑12, “Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes,” which will simplify the accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions to the general principles in income tax accounting and improve consistent application of and simplify GAAP for other areas of income tax accounting by clarifying and amending existing guidance. The new guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is currently evaluating the impact ASU 2019‑12 will have on its consolidated financial statements.