Laird Superfood Reports Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2023 Financial Results

Laird Superfood, Inc. (NYSE American: LSF) ("Laird Superfood," the "Company", "we", and "our"), today reported financial results for its fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2023.

Jason Vieth, Chief Executive Officer, commented, "I am delighted to share that our Q4 results are by far the best ever reported by Laird Superfood as a public company. During this quarter, we increased our Gross Margin to greater than 40%, achieved both positive Net Income and positive Cash Flow, and grew the company versus both year-ago and prior period. These results were driven by a broad-based improvement in our business, including strong execution across our commercial teams as well as by our internal supply chain resources and affiliated manufacturing and distribution partners. We also won significant and strategic increases in retail distribution during the fourth quarter, and saw a substantial increase in the efficiency of our marketing activity across all channels. Heading into 2024, we are positioned to build upon this success. The past years have obviously been challenging to small food companies, and I am proud of the efforts of our team to fundamentally reinvent Laird Superfood and position us as a strong survivor that can win market share and achieve sustained profitability in the foreseeable future."

Anya Hamill, Chief Financial Officer, commented, "I am pleased to report outstanding fourth quarter financial results. Net Sales grew across both wholesale and e-commerce, fueled by a return to growth in our direct to consumer (DTC) channel, which grew 10% versus prior year. In the fourth quarter, Gross Margin rose to 40.4%, representing a 9-point improvement sequentially versus Q3 2023, and a 45-point improvement versus Q4 2022 as reported or a 21-point improvement on an adjusted basis. Driven by sales growth and strong cost management, we delivered Q4 Net Income of $0.1 million and positive Q4 Cash Flow of $0.3 million. Our balance sheet remains strong, and with no debt and a $7.7 million cash balance as of December 31, 2023, we now project that we will have enough cash to fund our operations into 2026 and beyond and our Annual Report on Form 10-K will not contain the going concern language that was included in our prior quarterly reports."

Fourth Quarter 2023 Highlights

• Net Sales of $9.2 million compared to $9.2 million in the prior quarter, and $9.0 million in the prior year period.

• Wholesale contributed 34% of total Net Sales and increased by 3% year-over-year, driven by sales growth in Club and distribution expansion in grocery, as well as product velocity improvement behind updated packaging which launched in the second quarter of 2023. This was, in part, offset by strategic investments in trade spend to drive channel growth.

• E-commerce contributed 66% of total Net Sales and increased by 2% year-over-year. Direct-to-consumer (DTC) returned to growth, increasing 10% year-over-year driven by strong performance in our subscription and repeat orders, as well as higher average order value following the launch of our Daily Greens and Performance Mushroom products earlier in the year. This growth was achieved despite significant planned reductions in media spend in the channel. This growth was offset by a 12% decrease in Amazon sales year-over-year, a substantially lower decline than in sequential quarters, driven by significant planned reductions in media spend in the channel.

• Gross Margin was 40.4%, compared to 31.0% in the third quarter of 2023 and (4.6)% in the prior year period. This margin expansion was driven by the transition to a variable cost third-party co-manufacturing business model, partially offset by incremental trade spend intended to drive growth in the retail channel, specifically around innovation expansion, awareness, and trial.

• Net Income was $0.1 million, or $0.01 earnings per diluted share compared to Net Loss of $2.7 million, or $0.28 loss per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2023 and Net Loss of $15.5 million, or $1.69 loss per diluted share, in the prior year period. The improvement is driven by Gross Margin expansion, and lower marketing and general and administrative (G&A) spend.

• Adjusted Net Income, which is a non-GAAP financial measure, was $20 thousand, or $0.00 earnings per diluted share in the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to Adjusted Net Loss of $2.8 million, or $0.30 loss per diluted share in the third quarter of 2023 and $4.3 million, or $0.47 loss per diluted share in the prior year period. This sequential and prior year improvement was driven by significantly expanded Gross Margins and lower marketing and G&A spend. For more details on non-GAAP financial measures, refer to the information in the non-GAAP financial measures section of this press release.

Fiscal Year 2023 Highlights

• Net Sales of $34.2 million compared to $35.8 million in the prior year period.

• Wholesale contributed 43% of total Net Sales and increased by 9% compared to the prior year. The increase was driven by sales growth in Club, distribution expansion in grocery, and product velocity improvements behind updated packaging which launched in the second quarter of 2023. This was, in part, offset by strategic investments in trade spend to drive channel growth.

• E-commerce contributed 57% of total net sales and decreased 13% compared to the prior year. DTC sales decreased by 11% due to planned media spend reductions, which was partially offset by an increase in our subscription sales which grew 13% compared to the prior year. Amazon sales decreased 17% compared to the prior year, driven by a combination of significant planned media spend reductions and the negative impacts of inventory out-of-stocks related to the previously discussed quality issue experienced in first quarter of 2023 which was fully resolved by the end of the third quarter of 2023.

• Gross Margin was 30.1% compared to 14.5% in the prior year. This margin expansion was driven by the transition to a variable cost third-party co-manufacturing business model, partially offset by incremental trade spend intended to drive growth in the retail channel, specifically around innovation expansion, awareness, and trial.

• Net Loss was $10.2 million, or $1.09 per diluted share compared to Net Loss of $40.3 million, or $4.41 per diluted share in the prior year. The improvement is driven by Gross Margin expansion, costs incurred related to exit and disposal activities and impairment of goodwill and long-lived intangible assets in 2022, and lower marketing and G&A spend.

• Adjusted Net Loss, which is a non-GAAP financial measure, was $9.8 million, or $1.06 per diluted share in 2023, compared to $22.8 million, or $2.49 per diluted share in the prior year. This improvement was driven by significantly expanded Gross Margin and lower marketing and G&A spend. For more details on non-GAAP financial measures, refer to the information in the non-GAAP financial measures section of this press release.

Balance Sheet and Cash Flow Highlights

The Company had $7.7 million of cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash as of December 31, 2023, and no outstanding debt.

Cash provided by operating activities was $0.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to cash used of $3.5 million and $3.2 million in the third quarter of 2023 and the fourth quarter of 2022, respectively. The improvement in cash flows was driven by margin expansion and significant reductions in general and administrative costs. Cash burn in the third quarter of 2023 relative to the fourth quarter was due to planned inventory build to meet stepped up demand in the retail and club channels and the timing of accounts receivable collections.

Cash used in operating activities was $10.8 million in 2023, compared to $14.3 million in 2022. The reduction in cash burn was driven by the realization of the operating efficiencies gained from the transition to the variable cost co-manufacturing model and the related reductions in overhead and administrative costs offset in part by our Sisters, Oregon exit and disposal costs incurred in the first quarter of 2023.

2024 Outlook

Based on management's best assessment of the environment today, the Company is providing the following outlook for the full year 2024:

• Net Sales are expected to be in the range of approximately $38 to $40 million, representing growth of 10% to 15% compared to 2023.
• Gross Margin is expected to expand to approximately 37% to 40%, excluding any one-time charges, representing a 7 to 10-point improvement versus 2023.

Conference Call and Webcast Details

The Company will host a conference call and webcast at 5:00 p.m. ET today to discuss results. Participants may access the live webcast on the Laird Superfood Investor Relations website at https://investors.lairdsuperfood.com under "Events".

About Laird Superfood

Laird Superfood, Inc. creates award-winning, plant-based superfood products that are both delicious and functional. The Company's products are designed to enhance your daily ritual and keep consumers fueled naturally throughout the day. The Company was co-founded in 2015 by the world's most prolific big-wave surfer, Laird Hamilton. Laird Superfood's offerings are environmentally conscientious, responsibly tested and made with real ingredients. Shop all products online at lairdsuperfood.com and join the Laird Superfood community on social media for the latest news and daily doses of inspiration.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release and the conference call referencing this press release contain "forward-looking" statements, as that term is defined under the federal securities laws, including but not limited to statements regarding Laird Superfood's anticipated cash runway and future financial performance and growth. These forward-looking statements are based on Laird Superfood's current assumptions, expectations and beliefs and are subject to substantial risks, uncertainties, assumptions and changes in circumstances that may cause Laird Superfood's actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statement. We expressly disclaim any obligation to update or alter any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

The risks and uncertainties referred to above include, but are not limited to: (1) the effects of global outbreaks of pandemics or contagious diseases or fear of such outbreaks, including on our supply chain, the demand for our products, and on overall economic conditions and consumer confidence and spending levels; (2) volatility regarding our revenue, expenses, including shipping expenses, and other operating results; (3) our ability to acquire new direct and wholesale customers and successfully retain existing customers; (4) our ability to attract and retain our suppliers, distributors and co-manufacturers, and effectively manage their costs and performance; (5) effects of real or perceived quality or health issues with our products or other issues that adversely affect our brand and reputation; (6) our ability to innovate on a timely and cost-effective basis, predict changes in consumer preferences and develop successful new products, or updates to existing products, and develop innovative Marketing strategies; (7) adverse developments regarding prices and availability of raw materials and other inputs, a substantial amount of which come from a limited number of suppliers outside the United States, including in areas which may be adversely affected by climate change; (8) effects of changes in the tastes and preferences of our consumers and consumer preferences for natural and organic food products; (9) the financial condition of, and our relationships with, our suppliers, co-manufacturers, distributors, retailers and food service customers, as well as the health of the food service industry generally; (10) the ability of ourselves, our suppliers and co-manufacturers to comply with food safety, environmental or other laws or regulations; (11) our plans for future investments in our business, our anticipated capital expenditures and our estimates regarding our capital requirements, including our ability to continue as a going concern; (12) the costs and success of our Marketing efforts, and our ability to promote our brand; (13) our reliance on our executive team and other key personnel and our ability to identify, recruit and retain skilled and general working personnel; (14) our ability to effectively manage our growth; (15) our ability to compete effectively with existing competitors and new market entrants; (16) the impact of adverse economic conditions; (17) the growth rates of the markets in which we compete, and (18) the other risks described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 and other filings we make with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In this press release, we report adjusted net loss, and adjusted net loss per diluted share, which are financial measures not required by, or presented in accordance with, accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP"). Management uses these adjusted metrics to evaluate financial performance because they allow for period-over-period comparisons of the Company's ongoing operations before the impact of certain items described below. Management believes this information may also be useful to investors to compare the Company's results period-over-period. We define adjusted net loss and adjusted net loss per diluted share to exclude certain one-time costs defined in detail in the tables to follow. We define adjusted gross margin to exclude the net sales and cost of goods sold components of one-time costs defined in the tables to follow. Please be aware that adjusted gross margin, adjusted net loss, and adjusted net loss per diluted share have limitations and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for gross margin, net loss, or net loss per diluted share. In addition, we may calculate and/or present adjusted gross margin, adjusted net loss, and adjusted net loss per diluted share differently than measures with the same or similar names that other companies report, and as a result, the non-GAAP measures we report may not be comparable to those reported by others.

These non-GAAP measures are reconciled to the most directly comparable GAAP measures in the table that follows: