THOMASVILLE, Ga., May 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Flowers Foods, Inc. (NYSE: FLO) today reported financial results for the company's 16-week first quarter ended April 25, 2026.

First Quarter Summary:

Compared to the prior year first quarter where applicable

  • Net sales(1) increased 1.1% to $1.572 billion as the Simple Mills acquisition and pricing/mix more than offset volume declines.
  • Net income decreased 20.6% to $42.1 million, representing 2.7% of sales, a 70-basis point decrease, primarily due to a challenging consumer environment and higher interest expense, partly offset by the prior year plant closure costs and moderating ingredient costs. Adjusted net income(2) decreased 17.4% to $60.9 million.
  • Adjusted EBITDA(2) decreased 1.8% to $159.0 million, representing 10.1% of net sales, a 30-basis point decrease.
  • Diluted EPS decreased $0.05 to $0.20. Adjusted diluted EPS(2) decreased $0.06 to $0.29.

Deal terms and rationale

Why it matters

For industry operators, this is another data point in the structural change reshaping the earnings sector. Watch for follow-on moves from competitors and reactions from key channel partners in the coming quarters.

THOMASVILLE, Ga., May 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Flowers Foods, Inc. (NYSE: FLO) today reported financial results for the company's 16-week first quarter ended April 25, 2026.

First Quarter Summary:

Compared to the prior year first quarter where applicable

  • Net sales(1) increased 1.1% to $1.572 billion as the Simple Mills acquisition and pricing/mix more than offset volume declines.
  • Net income decreased 20.6% to $42.1 million, representing 2.7% of sales, a 70-basis point decrease, primarily due to a challenging consumer environment and higher interest expense, partly offset by the prior year plant closure costs and moderating ingredient costs. Adjusted net income(2) decreased 17.4% to $60.9 million.
  • Adjusted EBITDA(2) decreased 1.8% to $159.0 million, representing 10.1% of net sales, a 30-basis point decrease.
  • Diluted EPS decreased $0.05 to $0.20. Adjusted diluted EPS(2) decreased $0.06 to $0.29.

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Written by Michael Politz, Author of Guide to Restaurant Success: The Proven Process for Starting Any Restaurant Business From Scratch to Success (ISBN: 978-1-119-66896-1), Founder of Food & Beverage Magazine, the leading online magazine and resource in the industry. Designer of the Bluetooth logo and recognized in Entrepreneur Magazine's "Top 40 Under 40" for founding American Wholesale Floral, Politz is also the Co-founder of the Proof Awards and the CPG Awards and a partner in numerous consumer brands across the food and beverage sector.