Utz Brands, Inc. Declares Quarterly Cash Dividend Mar 26, 2026 4:15 PM Eastern Daylight Time Utz Brands, Inc. Declares Quarterly Cash Dividend Share Investor Contact Trevor Martin tmartin@utzsnacks.com HANOVER, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Utz Brands, Inc. (NYSE: UTZ) ("Utz†or the "Company†), a leading U.S. manufacturer of branded salty snacks, and a small-cap growth and value Staples equity, today announced that its Board of Directors has declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of approximately $0.063 per sh ...

Utz Brands Inc. (NYSE:UTZ) is one of the 10 best small-cap consumer staples stocks to buy under $30. As of the March 20 closing, consensus sentiment for Utz Brands Inc. (NYSE:UTZ) remained strongly bullish. The stock received coverage from 8 analysts, 6 of whom assigned Buy ratings and 2 of whom gave Hold ratings. With no Sell rating, it has a projected median 1-year price target of $13.13, resulting in an upside potential of more than 74% at the prevailing level. Copyright: margouillat / 123RF Stock Ph ...

Core Insights - Utz Brands, Inc. will showcase innovative products from Boulder Canyon and Utz at the 2026 Natural Products Expo West, highlighting their commitment to better-for-you snacking [1][2] Product Highlights - Boulder Canyon, recognized as America's fastest growing salty snack brand, will present its full product lineup, including classic kettle style chips and new Boulder Batch Agave Sriracha flavored kettle style potato chips made with avocado oil [2][4] - The new Boulder Batch Agave Sriracha flavored chips combine agave's sweetness with sriracha's heat, catering to consumer interest in snacks cooked in non-seed oils and international flavors [3][4] - Utz will introduce a new line of Utz Protein Pretzels and Cheese Curls, responding to the growing consumer demand for protein-rich snacks, with 60% of consumers looking to increase protein in their diets [5][6] Nutritional Information - Utz Protein Pretzels are available in three flavors: Classic Sea Salt (10 grams of protein per serving), Honey Mustard, and Cheddar (both 8 grams of protein per serving) [7] - Utz Protein Cheese Curls come in Cheddar and Hot and Spicy Cheddar varieties, each providing 10 grams of protein per serving [8] Company Background - Utz Brands, Inc. manufactures a diverse portfolio of savory snacks, including popular brands like Utz, On The Border Chips & Dips, Zapp's, and Boulder Canyon [10] - Boulder Canyon, founded in 1994, focuses on better-for-you snacks using premium ingredients and is the No. 1 salty brand in the natural channel [12]

Core Insights - Utz Brands, Inc. (NYSE:UTZ) is recognized as a promising investment opportunity, particularly highlighted during the 2026 CAGNY Conference where the company outlined its long-term strategy [1][6] Group 1: Long-Term Strategy - The company is focusing on four main pillars: profitable growth in the salty snack category, margin expansion, accelerated free cash flow, and leveraging leading capabilities [2] - Utz Brands aims to achieve organic net sales growth of 2% to 3% faster than the overall category, with a long-term net sales potential of $1.9 billion and an additional $500 million opportunity from Boulder Canyon and expansion geographies [3] Group 2: Financial Projections - The company projects adjusted EBITDA growth of 6% to 8% annually, with profit margins expected to exceed 17% [3] Group 3: Product Portfolio - Utz Brands markets, manufactures, and distributes a variety of branded snacks, including pretzels, potato chips, veggie chips, cheese, and pork skins, under brands such as Utz, Golden Flake, Zapp's, Good Health, Hawaiian, and Boulder Canyon [4]

Group 1 - Utz Brands has acquired additional distribution routes in California, enhancing its market presence in the region [1] - The company already sells various snack products, including Boulder Canyon potato chips and On the Border chips and salsa, in California [1] - The expansion indicates Utz Brands' strategy to increase its distribution capabilities and reach more consumers in the growing snack market [1]

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Core Insights - Utz Brands is presenting at CAGNY for the first time, highlighting its robust savory snacking portfolio which includes brands like Boulder Canyon, On The Border, and Zapp's [1][2] - The company has achieved consistent top-line growth in a challenging snacking environment while enhancing productivity across its supply chain [2] - Looking ahead, Utz aims to build on its commercial momentum and drive a significant free cash flow inflection [2] Company Overview - Utz Brands offers a diverse range of savory snacks, contributing to its strong market presence [2] - The leadership team includes CEO Howard Friedman and CFO BK Kelley, who are actively engaging with stakeholders [3]

Summary of Utz Brands Conference Call Company Overview - **Company**: Utz Brands (NYSE:UTZ) - **Industry**: Savory Snacking - **Market Position**: Largest pure-play salty snacking company in the U.S. [7] Key Messages and Strategies 1. **Growth Drivers**: - Multiple top-line growth drivers expected to scale brands nationally with multi-year runways [8] - Focus on integrating and modernizing operations for growth [8] - Anticipated free cash flow inflection as capital-intensive phase concludes [9] 2. **Brand Portfolio**: - Power Four Brands (Utz, On The Border, Boulder Canyon, Zapp's) account for 70% of revenue [11] - Branded salty snacks represent 89% of revenue, with potato chips being the largest category at 46% [11] 3. **Market Performance**: - Achieved 2.4% compounded annual growth over the last three years [14] - Retail dollar share at 3% and volume share at 4.2% in expansion geographies, indicating room for growth [14] 4. **Marketing and Consumer Engagement**: - Marketing support increased at a 40% compounded annual growth rate over the past three years [18] - Household penetration for Utz increased to 50%, with millennials' penetration rising to 48% [19] 5. **Long-term Strategy**: - Aim to outgrow the category by 200-300 basis points profitably [19] - Focus on margin expansion through productivity and mix improvement [19] Financial Performance 1. **Revenue and Profitability**: - Adjusted gross margin improved from 28% in 2022 to 32% in 2025 [16] - Adjusted EBITDA growth at an 8% compounded annual growth rate from 2022 to 2025 [17] 2. **Cash Flow Generation**: - Expected adjusted free cash flow to increase to $60 million-$80 million in 2026 [56] - Targeting a reduction in leverage ratio from 3.4 times at the end of 2025 to 2.5 times long-term [57] Expansion Plans 1. **Geographic Expansion**: - California expansion expected to add approximately $125 million in incremental sales [34] - Expansion geographies represent 45% of retail sales, with significant growth potential [29] 2. **Distribution Strategy**: - Hybrid distribution model with a 50/50 split between direct store delivery and direct to warehouse [13] - DSD network serves 125,000 retail outlets weekly, with plans for optimization [50] Innovation and Product Development 1. **Product Innovations**: - New product lines including protein snacks and on-trend flavors [42] - Boulder Canyon brand projected to reach $500 million in sales long-term [25] 2. **Marketing Initiatives**: - Launch of national marketing campaigns to enhance brand awareness and consumer engagement [27] Conclusion - Utz Brands is positioned for sustained growth through strategic brand management, geographic expansion, and innovation, with a focus on improving profitability and cash flow generation [59]

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Distribution and Logistics - The Direct-Store-Delivery (DSD) system includes approximately 2,500 routes reaching over 84,700 retail stores by 2025, with a transition from company-owned routes to Independent Operators (IOs) to create a more variable cost structure [65]. - Third-party distributors operated around 400 DSD-style routes, reaching over 12,000 retail stores during fiscal year 2025, enhancing distribution effectiveness [66]. - Direct-to-consumer shipments have significantly grown since 2019, primarily through the company website and select third-party retailer sites, extending reach to virtually every household in America [67]. Financial Performance and Risks - A 1% increase in commodity prices would reduce gross profit by approximately $4.5 million, highlighting the company's exposure to raw material price volatility [284]. - Interest expense would have been $14.5 million higher without interest rate swap agreements, which fixed a portion of the interest rate at a predictable level, resulting in a weighted average interest rate of 5.6% for fiscal year 2025 [285]. - The company experienced no material credit losses during the fiscal years 2025 and 2024 [286]. - Net bad debt expense was $0.1 million for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2025, compared to $0.7 million for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2024 [286]. - The reserve for potential future bad debt remained constant at $3.3 million as of both December 28, 2025, and December 29, 2024 [286]. Workforce and Diversity - As of December 28, 2025, the company employed approximately 3,100 full-time associates and 200 part-time associates, reflecting a reduction in workforce through business transformation initiatives [75]. - Women comprised 34% of senior leadership roles, up from 27% in 2023, and people of color comprised 13%, up from 10%, indicating progress in diversity initiatives [72]. Operational Efficiency and Sustainability - The company has reduced its plant footprint by three plants in fiscal year 2023 and an additional five plants in the first quarter of fiscal year 2024 as part of network optimization initiatives [76]. - The company is committed to food safety and quality, with comprehensive programs including Safe Quality Food (SQF) certifications and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) [68]. - The 2024 ESG report outlines strategic priorities for sustainability, emphasizing the company's commitment to ethical and responsible operations [78].