Better Choice Company, Inc. Announces Second Quarter 2023 Results

Rhea-AI Summary

Better Choice Company, Inc. announces Q2 2023 results with 33% growth in EPS YoY and gross margin growth of 543 basis points YoY. Net revenue increased 14% from Q1 2023 to $10.6 million. Operating loss improved 39% YoY to $(2.6) million. The company appointed Kent Cunningham as CEO and entered into a strategic partnership with Alphia, Inc. The supply chain constraints impacted net sales growth, but the largest pet specialty customer realized 55% revenue growth YoY. The company expects the supply chain constraints to be resolved by the end of Q3 2023. The transition to Alphia will improve order fulfillment and gross margins. The company experienced delays in foreign market registrations due to the transition. Despite the challenges, the company is focused on improving operations and financial controls to drive profitability and future growth.

Positive

• 33% growth in EPS YoY
• Gross margin growth of 543 basis points YoY
• Strategic partnership with Alphia, Inc.
• 55% revenue growth YoY for largest pet specialty customer

Negative

• Supply chain constraints impacting net sales growth
• Delays in foreign market registrations due to transition to Alphia

Enhanced Operational and Financial Discipline
33% Growth in EPS Year-Over-Year
Gross Margin Growth of 543 Basis Points Year-Over-Year
Operating Margin Growth of 127 Basis Points Year-Over-Year

TAMPA, Fla., Aug. 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Better Choice Company, Inc. (NYSE American: BTTR) (the “Company” or “Better Choice”), a pet health and wellness company, Friday announced its results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2023 (“Q2 2023”).

SECOND QUARTER 2023 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

• Net revenue increased 14% from first quarter 2023 to $10.6 million
• Gross margin increased 543 basis points year-over-year (“YOY”) to 34%
• Operating loss improved 39% YOY to $(2.6) million
• Operating margin improved 127 basis points YOY to (-25%)
• Net loss improved 32% YOY to $(3.0) million
• Earnings (loss) per share (“EPS”) improved 33% YOY to ($0.10)
• Adjusted EBITDA improved 14% YOY to $(1.8) million¹
  

FIRST HALF 2023 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

• Gross margin increased 640 basis points YOY to 35%
• Operating loss improved 29% YOY to $(5.9) million
• Net loss improved 23% YOY to $(6.5) million
• EPS improved 28% YOY to ($0.21)
• Adjusted EBITDA improved 13% YOY to $(3.6) million¹
  
  

SECOND QUARTER 2023 OPERATIONAL UPDATE

• Appointed pet industry executive, Kent Cunningham, as Chief Executive Officer
• Entered into a strategic partnership with Alphia, Inc., (“Alphia”) an industry leader in premium pet food manufacturing
• Paid down and eliminated a $13.5 million Revolving Line of Credit
  
  

Better Choice generated $10.6 million in net sales over Q2 2023, with approximately 70% driven by its Halo Holistic^® product line across its E-Commerce and International channels. Point-of-sale (“POS”) growth and strength of digital presence drove a 14% net sales growth from the first quarter of 2023 (“Q1 2023"). In the E-Commerce channel year-to-date, the Halo Holistic^® plant-based vegan and dry cat products showed a respective 21% and 28% POS growth² YOY, and are growing dollar share. The Direct-to-Consumer digital segment experienced 28% net sales growth in the second quarter since Q1 2023, driven by a focused customer acquisition and revised promotional strategy. Additionally, the renovated Halo products have resulted in consumer satisfaction growth with an average product rating of 4.6 stars.

Net sales softness YOY is attributable to dry kibble supply chain constraints that have impacted the business in the short-term. The Company experienced consistent fulfillment delays from its co-manufacturing partner, which resulted in material out-of-stocks across the Halo Elevate^® dog product line and delayed the launch of Halo Elevate^® cat products. Despite the topline softness associated with the delays, the largest pet specialty customer realized 55% revenue growth YOY in the second quarter. The Company expects the supply chain constraints to be fully resolved by the end of the third quarter. The Company has started the transition of its dry kibble manufacturing to Alphia, a strategic partnership that will diminish future continuity of supply risk and help improve gross margins. While the move to Alphia will have a positive impact on order fulfillment, the transition has expectedly created delays in foreign market registrations, in turn delaying the Company’s ability to launch in new markets in the short-term. Despite the transition impact, the Company realized a 42% net sales growth from Q1 2023 in its largest International customer, comprising 81% of the segment year-to-date.

“The second quarter was highlighted by our gross margin improvement and step change in operational discipline,” commented newly appointed CEO of Better Choice, Kent Cunningham. “The gross margin improvement of 640 basis points YOY was fueled by strategic pricing initiatives, and a 3% YOY improvement of average equivalized unit conversion and input costs in the first half of 2023. Over the past 90 days, I have seen first-hand the passion of our people and the strength of our Halo brand. The quality of our products is recognized by our consumers and customers, and the visible benefits of feeding our products are real. That said, we recognize the major areas of focus that our Company must immediately address to improve our operations and financial controls, cost structure, and corporate culture to realize synergies across channels and geographies and lay the foundation for sustained profitable growth. Keeping operational improvements at the forefront will continue to fuel our path to profitability and future growth trajectory. Despite the significant and sustained out-of-stocks negatively impacting topline, our focus on operational and financial fundamentals will continue to improve EBITDA and operating margins for the remainder of 2023 and build momentum heading into 2024.”

“In summary, while we experienced significant product supply headwinds in the quarter, we are positioning ourselves to build momentum in the remainder of 2023 as we transition production to Alphia, improve our capabilities firm-wide, and hold our teams accountable for results. We believe our sustained improvement efforts across all levels of the organization will drive growth and accelerate our path to profitability – with the goal of increasing shareholder value over the long term. I look forward to recognizing that goal and unlocking Halo’s full potential.”

¹ Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure. Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA and to net income (loss), the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, is set forth in the reconciliation table accompanying this release.
² Point-of-sale growth is a non-GAAP measure.

Better Choice Company Inc. Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
	Three Months Ended June 30,								Six Months Ended June 30,
		2023				2022				2023				2022
Net sales	$	10,536			$	16,515			$	19,773			$	33,529
Cost of goods sold		6,948				11,788				12,944				24,095
Gross profit		3,588				4,727				6,829				9,434
Operating expenses:
Selling, general and administrative		6,173				8,988				12,669				17,656
Total operating expenses		6,173				8,988				12,669				17,656
Loss from operations		(2,585	)			(4,261	)			(5,840	)			(8,222	)
Other expenses:
Interest expense, net		(379	)			(106	)			(608	)			(182	)
Total other expense, net		(379	)			(106	)			(608	)			(182	)
Net loss before income taxes		(2,964	)			(4,367	)			(6,448	)			(8,404	)
Income tax expense		—				—				—				3
Net loss available to common stockholders	$	(2,964	)		$	(4,367	)		$	(6,448	)		$	(8,407	)
Weighted average number of shares outstanding, basic		30,551,653				29,364,712				30,516,666				29,327,316
Weighted average number of shares outstanding, diluted		30,551,653				29,364,712				30,516,666				29,327,316
Net loss per share available to common stockholders, basic	$	(0.10	)		$	(0.15	)		$	(0.21	)		$	(0.29	)
Net loss per share available to common stockholders, diluted	$	(0.10	)		$	(0.15	)		$	(0.21	)		$	(0.29	)

Better Choice Company Inc. Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
	June 30, 2023				December 31, 2022
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	3,607			$	3,173
Restricted cash		—				6,300
Accounts receivable, net		5,781				6,744
Inventories, net		8,557				10,257
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		1,820				1,051
Total Current Assets		19,765				27,525
Fixed assets, net		292				375
Right-of-use assets, operating leases		147				173
Intangible assets, net		9,296				10,059
Other assets		904				544
Total Assets	$	30,404			$	38,676
Liabilities & Stockholders’ Equity
Current Liabilities
Accounts payable	$	4,193			$	2,932
Accrued and other liabilities		2,818				2,596
Line of credit		2,260
Warrants liabilities		2,208
Operating lease liability		54				52
Total Current Liabilities		11,533				5,580
Non-current Liabilities
Line of credit, net		—				11,444
Term loan, net		2,550
Operating lease liability		96				124
Total Non-current Liabilities		2,646				11,568
Total Liabilities		14,179				17,148
Stockholders’ Equity
Common Stock, $0.001 par value, 200,000,000 shares authorized, 30,577,148 & 29,430,267 shares issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively		30				29
Additional paid-in capital		321,215				320,071
Accumulated deficit		(305,020	)			(298,572	)
Total Stockholders’ Equity		16,225				21,528
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity	$	30,404			$	38,676

Better Choice Company Inc.
Non-GAAP Measures

Adjusted EBITDA

We define Adjusted EBITDA as EBITDA further adjusted to eliminate the impact of certain items that we do not consider indicative of our core operations. Adjusted EBITDA is determined by adding the following items to net (loss) income: interest expense, tax expense, depreciation and amortization, share-based compensation, loss on disposal of assets, strategic branding initiatives and product launch expenses, co-manufacturing partner transition, and other non-recurring expenses.

We present Adjusted EBITDA as it is a key measure used by our management and board of directors to evaluate our operating performance, generate future operating plans and make strategic decisions regarding the allocation of capital. We believe that the disclosure of Adjusted EBITDA is useful to investors as this non-GAAP measure forms the basis of how our management team reviews and considers our operating results. By disclosing this non-GAAP measure, we believe that we create for investors a greater understanding of and an enhanced level of transparency into the means by which our management team operates our company. We also believe this measure can assist investors in comparing our performance to that of other companies on a consistent basis without regard to certain items that do not directly affect our ongoing operating performance or cash flows.

Adjusted EBITDA does not represent cash flows from operations as defined by GAAP. Adjusted EBITDA has limitations as a financial measure and you should not consider it in isolation, or as a substitute for, or superior to, financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP. Because of these limitations, you should consider Adjusted EBITDA alongside other financial performance measures, including various cash flow metrics, net (loss) income, gross margin, and our other GAAP results.

The following table presents a reconciliation of net loss, the closest GAAP financial measure, to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA for each of the periods indicated (in thousands):

Reconciliation of Net Loss to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA (Dollars in thousands)
	Three Months Ended June 30,								Six Months Ended June 30,
		2023				2022				2023					2022
Net loss available to common stockholders	$	(2,964	)		$	(4,367	)		$	(6,448		)		$	(8,407	)
Interest expense, net		379				106				608					182
Income tax expense		—				—				—					3
Depreciation and amortization		421				430				845					839
EBITDA		(2,164	)			(3,831	)			(4,995		)			(7,383	)
Non-cash share-based compensation (a)		284				801				1,145					1,892
Loss on disposal of assets		—				1				11					3
Strategic branding initiatives and product launches (b)		18				845				33					1151
Co-manufacturing partner transition (c)		6								6
Other single occurrence expenses (d)		31				50				189					185
Adjusted EBITDA	$	(1,825	)		$	(2,134	)		$	(3,611		)		$	(4,152	)
(a) Non-cash expenses related to equity compensation awards. Share-based compensation is an important part of the Company's compensation strategy and without our equity compensation plans, it is probable that salaries and other compensation related costs would be higher.
(b) Single occurrence expenses related to marketing agency and design, strategic re-branding initiatives, Elevate® launch, product innovation and reformulations.
(c) Single occurrence expenses related to the transition of our dry kibble co-manufacturing supplier.
(d) Single occurrence expenses related to employee severance, executive recruitment, and other non-recurring professional fees.

About Better Choice Company Inc.

Better Choice Company Inc. is a pet health and wellness company focused on providing pet products and services that help dogs and cats live healthier, happier and longer lives. We offer a broad portfolio of pet health and wellness products for dogs and cats sold under our Halo brand across multiple forms, including kibble, canned food, freeze-dried raw food and treats, vegan dog food and treats, oral care products, toppers and other chews and supplements. We have a demonstrated, multi-decade track record of success and are well positioned to benefit from the mainstream trends of growing pet humanization and consumer focus on health and wellness. Halo’s core products are made with high-quality, thoughtfully sourced ingredients for natural, science-based nutrition. Each innovative recipe is formulated with leading veterinary and nutrition experts to deliver optimal health. For more information, please visit https://www.betterchoicecompany.com.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words “believe,” “may,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “should,” “plan,” “could,” “target,” “potential,” “is likely,” “will,” “expect” and similar expressions, as they relate to us, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. The Company has based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. Some or all of the results anticipated by these forward-looking statements may not be achieved. Further information on the Company’s risk factors is contained in our filings with the SEC. Any forward-looking statement made by us herein speaks only as of the date on which it is made. Factors or events that could cause our actual results to differ may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of them. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by law.

Company Contact:
Better Choice Company Inc.
Kent Cunningham, CEO

Investor Contact:
KCSA Strategic Communications
Valter Pinto, Managing Director
T: 212-896-1254
Valter@KCSA.com