EX-99.1 2 lifeway_ex9901.htm PRESS RELEASE - EARNINGS RESULTS

Exhibit 99.1

 

Lifeway Foods Delivers Record Q3 2025 Net Sales and

Strong Net Income Growth Continuing Kefir Category Dominance

 

Achieves $57.1 million in net sales, a 29% volume-led net sales increase on a comparable basis, driven by the Company’s flagship Lifeway Kefir

 

Record-breaking quarter marks six years of uninterrupted quarterly net sales growth

 

Significant gross margin expansion of 300 basis points and net income growth of 19% reflects the Company’s disciplined operational execution

 

Morton Grove, IL — November 12, 2025 — Lifeway Foods, Inc. (Nasdaq: LWAY) (“Lifeway” or “the Company”), the leading U.S. supplier of kefir and fermented probiotic foods, today announced record financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2025.

 

“We delivered another exceptional quarter that further solidifies Lifeway’s dominant position in the kefir category and emphasizes the growing consumer demand for our flagship Lifeway Kefir and high-protein Lifeway Farmer Cheese,” said Julie Smolyansky, President and Chief Executive Officer of Lifeway Foods. “With record net sales of $57.1 million, well ahead of the previous high set in Q2, we have once again raised the bar for our business while demonstrating the remarkable consistency of our growth trajectory. We will continue to capitalize on the powerful health and wellness consumer trends, including the surge in GLP-1 medication use and gut health awareness. We are investing heavily in our marketing efforts and our manufacturing capabilities to support our accelerating velocities and future growth.

 

Smolyansky continued, “In addition to our topline strength, we delivered 300 basis points of gross margin expansion year-over-year in Q3. In September, we completed the first stage of our strategic Waukesha plant expansion, which has increased capacity and helped power the operational efficiency gains we are building across our business. This expansion will enable us to continue driving profitable growth for the foreseeable future as we position ourselves to meet the surging demand in our space.”

 

On-Trend Innovation

 

Building on its flagship kefir and Farmer Cheese, Lifeway continues to enter adjacent product categories to meet evolving consumer tastes. The Company recently announced Muscle Mates™, a ready-to-drink functional beverage packed with 20 grams of protein, 5 grams of creatine, and Lifeway’s 12 live and active probiotic cultures to target the growing consumer demand for performance-drive, wellness-conscious products.

 

Lifeway’s Probiotic Smoothies with Collagen also continue to resonate strongly with the consumer in the rapidly growing Collagen market.

 

Expanding Kefir Visibility

 

Lifeway has recently partnered with multiple health-focused brands to feature Kefir as a key ingredient in high-visibility products.

 

·The Company partnered with Erewhon to launch the limited-edition Love Your Gut Pumpkin Spice Smoothie for the month of October, featuring Lifeway’s Organic Plain Kefir.
·The Company partnered with Joe & The Juice to create the Trust Your Gut smoothie, a functional drink made with Lifeway’s Kefir and designed to support gut health and daily wellness.

 

 

 

 

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Third Quarter 2025 Highlights

 

·Net Sales: $57.1 million, highest in Company history, up 24.0% year-over-year and approximately 29% on a comparable basis, adjusted for a customer relationship the Company strategically exited in the third quarter of 2024, and a distributor shifting from Lifeway delivered to customer pick-up in late 2024, resulting in lower net sales and lower freight expense.
·Gross Profit Margin: 28.7%, up from 25.7% last year
·Selling Expense: 8.8% of net sales, slightly up from last year, reflecting continued investment in marketing and distribution.
·Net Income: $3.5 million, or $0.23 per basic and diluted common share, compared to $3.0 million, or $0.20 per basic and $0.19 per diluted share in the prior year

 

Outlook

 

The Company reiterated its long-term target of $45–$50 million in Adjusted EBITDA1 for FY 2027 and is well on pace to deliver the strongest annual sales in Company history in FY 2025.

 

“Our momentum is accelerating,” Smolyansky concluded. “We are stacking record quarters while delivering expanding margins and on-trend innovation. We have the right team in place, are executing at the highest level, and I am confident in our ability to sustain these outstanding results.”

 

1.Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as Operating Income, as reported, plus Depreciation and Amortization, plus Stock-Based Compensation.

 

 

Conference Call and Webcast

A webcast with Lifeway’s President and Chief Executive Officer discussing these results with additional comments and details is available through the “Investor Relations” section of the Company’s website at https://lifewaykefir.com/webinars-reports/.

 

About Lifeway Foods, Inc.
Lifeway Foods, Inc., which has been recognized as one of Forbes’ Best Small Companies, is America’s leading supplier of the probiotic, fermented beverage known as kefir. In addition to its line of drinkable kefir, the Company also produces a variety of cheeses and a ProBugs line for kids. Lifeway’s tart and tangy fermented dairy products are now sold across the United States, Mexico, Ireland, South Africa, United Arab Emirates, and France. Learn how Lifeway is good for more than just you at lifewayfoods.com.

 

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding, among other things, unaudited estimated net sales. These statements use words, and variations of words, such as “anticipate,” “plan,” “project,” “estimate,” “potential,” “forecast,” “will,” “continue,” “future,” “increase,” “believe,” “outlook,” “expect,” and “predict.” You are cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release, are based on current expectations of future events and thus are inherently subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which involve factors or circumstances beyond Lifeway’s control. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or known or unknown risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results could vary materially from Lifeway’s expectations and projections. These risks, uncertainties, and other factors include: price competition; the decisions of customers or consumers; the actions of competitors; changes in the pricing of commodities; the effects of government regulation; possible delays in the introduction of new products; and customer acceptance of products and services. A further list and description of these risks, uncertainties, and other factors can be found in Lifeway’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 and the Lifeway’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarters ended March 31, 2025 and June 30, 2025. Copies of these filings are available online at https://www.sec.govhttp://lifewaykefir.com/investor-relations/, or on request from Lifeway. Lifeway expressly disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements (including, without limitation, to reflect changed assumptions, the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events or new information), except as required by law.

 

 

 

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Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This press release refers to Adjusted EBITDA, which is a financial measure that has not been prepared in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”), and may exclude items that are significant to understanding and assessing financial results. This non-GAAP measure is provided to enhance investors’ overall understanding of the Company’s financial performance. Non-GAAP financial measures should be considered as supplements to GAAP measures reported, should not be considered replacements for, or superior to, GAAP measures reported and may not be comparable to similarly named measures used by other companies. The Company’s calculation of non-GAAP financial measures may differ from methods used by other companies.

 

We are unable to reconcile our target fiscal year 2027 Adjusted EBITDA to projected net income, the most directly comparable projected GAAP financial measure, because certain information necessary to calculate such measures on a GAAP basis is unavailable or dependent on the timing of future events outside of our control. Due to this uncertainty, the Company cannot reconcile target fiscal year 2027 Adjusted EBITDA to the nearest GAAP financial measure without unreasonable effort.

 

Derek Miller 
Vice President of Communications, Lifeway Foods
Email: derekm@lifeway.net 

 

Perceptual Advisors
Dan Tarman
Email: dtarman@perceptualadvisors.com

 

General inquiries:
Lifeway Foods, Inc.
Phone: 847-967-1010
Email: info@lifeway.net

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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LIFEWAY FOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Balance Sheets

September 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024

(In thousands)

         
   September 30, 2025   December 31, 
   (Unaudited)   2024 
Current assets          
Cash and cash equivalents  $22,990   $16,728 
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for credit losses and discounts & allowances of $1,800 and $1,590 at September 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively   17,421    15,424 
Inventories, net   11,057    8,678 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets   2,204    2,144 
Refundable income taxes   134    631 
Total current assets   53,806    43,605 
           
Property, plant and equipment, net   36,423    26,862 
Operating lease right-of-use asset   358    118 
Goodwill   11,704    11,704 
Intangible assets, net   5,953    6,358 
Other assets   1,282    1,900 
Total assets  $109,526   $90,547 
           
Current liabilities          
Accounts payable  $17,501   $10,401 
Accrued expenses   5,910    5,103 
Total current liabilities   23,411    15,504 
Operating lease liabilities   289    70 
Deferred income taxes, net   3,062    3,062 
Total liabilities   26,762    18,636 
           
Stockholders’ equity          
Preferred stock, no par value; 2,500 shares authorized; none issued        
Common stock, no par value; 40,000 shares authorized; 17,274 shares issued; 15,229 and 15,100 outstanding at September 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively   6,509    6,509 
Treasury stock, at cost   (13,233)   (14,052)
Paid-in capital   3,348    4,632 
Retained earnings   86,140    74,822 
Total stockholders’ equity   82,764    71,911 
           
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity  $109,526   $90,547 

 

 

 

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LIFEWAY FOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Operations

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025 and 2024

(Unaudited)

(In thousands, except per share data)

                 
  

Three Months Ended

September 30,

  

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

 
   2025   2024   2025   2024 
Net sales  $57,143   $46,095   $157,135   $139,886 
                     
Cost of goods sold   39,821    33,508    111,744    101,127 
Depreciation expense   914    720    2,548    2,082 
Total cost of goods sold   40,735    34,288    114,292    103,209 
                     
Gross profit   16,408    11,867    42,843    36,677 
                     
Selling expense   5,047    3,979    14,463    11,256 
General and administrative expense   6,186    3,564    15,566    11,877 
Amortization expense   135    135    405    405 
Total operating expenses   11,368    7,678    30,434    23,538 
                     
Income from operations   5,040    4,189    12,409    13,139 
                     
Other income (expense):                    
Interest expense   (21)   (4)   (56)   (102)
Gain on sale of property and equipment       3        3 
Fair value loss on investments           (20)    
Gain on sale of investments           3,407     
Other income (expense), net   73    138    229    153 
Total other income (expense)   52    137    3,560    54 
                     
Income before provision for income taxes   5,092    4,326    15,969    13,193 
                     
Provision for income taxes   1,563    1,350    4,651    4,008 
                     
Net income  $3,529   $2,976   $11,318   $9,185 
                     
Net earnings per common share:                    
Basic  $0.23   $0.20   $0.75   $0.62 
Diluted  $0.23   $0.19   $0.74   $0.60 
                     
Weighted average common shares outstanding:                    
Basic   15,229    14,801    15,190    14,740 
Diluted   15,422    15,265    15,381    15,194 

 

 

 

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LIFEWAY FOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)

(In thousands)

         
   Nine months ended September 30, 
   2025   2024 
Cash flows from operating activities:          
Net income  $11,318   $9,185 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to operating cash flow:          
Depreciation and amortization   2,953    2,487 
Stock-based compensation   1,466    1,898 
Non-cash interest expense   14    17 
Gain on sale of equipment   (115)   (3)
Gain on sale of investments   (3,407)    
Fair value loss on investment   20     
(Increase) decrease in operating assets:          
Accounts receivable   (1,997)   379 
Inventories   (2,378)   663 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets   123    125 
Refundable income taxes   497    (379)
Increase (decrease) in operating liabilities:          
Accounts payable   3,330    949 
Accrued expenses   (1,143)   694 
Accrued income taxes       (474)
Net cash provided by operating activities   10,681    15,541 
           
Cash flows from investing activities:          
Purchases of property and equipment   (9,675)   (5,445)
Proceeds from sale of equipment   115    14 
Proceeds from sale of investments   5,206     
Net cash used in investing activities   (4,354)   (5,431)
           
Cash flows from financing activities:          
Repayment of note payable       (2,750)
Payment of deferred financing costs   (65)    
Net cash used in financing activities   (65)   (2,750)
           
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents   6,262    7,360 
           
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period   16,728    13,198 
           
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period  $22,990   $20,558 
           
Supplemental cash flow information:          
Cash paid for income taxes, net of (refunds)  $4,154   $4,861 
Cash paid for interest  $42   $95 
           
Non-cash investing activities          
Accrued purchase of property and equipment  $3,875   $331 
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations  $293   $ 

 

 

 

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