Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company's second quarter revenues were $736 million, and adjusted EBITDA was $86 million, down 24% year-over-year [5][22] - The decline in EBITDA was primarily attributed to a client loss in Branded Services from the previous year, which accounted for the entirety of the EBITDA decline [6][22] - The company expects cash generation in the second half of the year to be above normalized levels, with a projected net free cash flow conversion rate of at least 25% of adjusted EBITDA next year and beyond [20][30] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Branded Services, revenues were $257 million, and adjusted EBITDA was $34 million, down 21% year-over-year [22] - Experiential Services generated $249 million in revenues and $26 million in adjusted EBITDA, up 614% year-over-year [22] - Retailer Services saw revenues of $231 million, with adjusted EBITDA growing 8% to $26 million, driven by improved staffing levels and increased project activity [23] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company serves over 4,000 clients and retail stores operating in over 90% of ZIP codes in the U.S., providing a unique perspective on consumer behavior [6] - Retailers reported losing nearly 40% of potential sales when products are not carried or are out of stock, highlighting the importance of the company's merchandising services [7] - 85% of retailers are prioritizing private brands to address channel shifts and shopper preferences, indicating a favorable market for the company's private brand advisory services [8] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on completing the implementation of its data architecture and system foundation by 2026, which will enhance service delivery and client value [14] - The development of the new Pulse system, an AI-enabled decision engine, aims to improve commercial decision-making speed and efficiency [15] - The company is investing in a centralized labor management model expected to yield benefits in labor utilization, teammate experience, and overall efficiency [16][18] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the ability to recruit and retain personnel to meet client demand, with staffing levels largely returning to desired levels for the second half of the year [5][19] - The company anticipates sequential improvement in branded services as it laps client exits and losses from the first half of the year [12] - Management reaffirmed 2025 guidance, projecting revenue and adjusted EBITDA to be flat to down low single digits compared to the prior year, supported by favorable demand signals [19][28] Other Important Information - The company ended the quarter with $103 million in cash, reflecting a heavier use of working capital in the first half of the year [24] - The net leverage ratio was approximately 4.6x adjusted EBITDA, with expectations for this level to taper over the balance of the year [26] - Adjusted unlevered free cash flow was $57 million, with a conversion rate of 66%, driven by lower than expected capital expenditures [27] Q&A Session Summary Question: About branded services and investment reductions impacting brokerage and omni commerce marketing services - Management indicated that reductions depend on client-specific situations rather than a broad pattern across all clients [35] Question: On the new workforce system and transformation costs - Management noted significant reductions in restructuring costs and expects continued decline in transformation costs, with improvements in labor utilization and teammate experience [40][41] Question: On branded EBITDA heading into the second half - Management highlighted expected improvements from new business wins, seasonality, and better cost management as key drivers for growth [51][52] Question: On cash flow and CapEx - Management explained that improved cash flow is primarily driven by better DSO and lower restructuring costs, with some CapEx shifting into 2026 [46][56] Question: On wage inflation and labor availability - Management reported consistent wage inflation around 3% for the year, with pricing nearly offsetting labor inflation [58]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company's first quarter revenues were $696 million, down 5% year-over-year, and adjusted EBITDA was $58 million, down 18% year-over-year [5][18] - The decline in adjusted EBITDA was primarily due to intentional client exits and transformation-related investments [6][18] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Branded Services, revenues were $257 million and adjusted EBITDA was $28 million, down 9% year-over-year [20] - In Experiential Services, revenues were $221 million and adjusted EBITDA was $12 million, down 12% year-over-year [21] - In Retailer Services, revenues were $218 million and adjusted EBITDA was $18 million, down 3% and 7% year-over-year, respectively [21] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Consumer confidence declined, leading to lower than expected consumer purchases and a reevaluation of spending levels by clients [6][18] - Retailers experienced destocking trends, impacting overall order volumes [56] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on modernizing its tech infrastructure and enhancing analytics capabilities to drive efficiency [13][14] - A task force has been mobilized to improve labor utilization and address staffing challenges [15][17] - The company is committed to being a cost-leading solutions partner to CPGs and retailers despite a softer growth environment [17] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged a challenging labor market impacting event staffing and project execution [9][10] - Despite near-term challenges, management remains optimistic about long-term earnings potential and cash generation [18][28] Other Important Information - The company is lowering its revenue and adjusted EBITDA outlook to flat to down low single digits for the year [18] - The ERP implementation is expected to yield greater cash flow benefits as systems are better utilized [26] Q&A Session Summary Question: Any notable changes in the macro environment? - Management noted improvements in hiring rates and smoothing out of labor challenges in Q2 [33][35] Question: Have labor costs increased? - Management indicated that labor cost inflation is in line with the macro market, not a significant factor in staffing issues [41][42] Question: What type of debt was repurchased? - The company repurchased bonds during the quarter [46] Question: What is the impact of destocking on orders? - Destocking improved as the quarter progressed, but data for April was not yet available [72] Question: Breakdown of consumer products versus food companies? - Approximately 70% of the portfolio is in food, with strong presence in personal care and household goods [76]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company's first quarter revenues were $696 million, down 5% year-over-year, and adjusted EBITDA was $58 million, down 18% year-over-year [4][5][15] - The decline in adjusted EBITDA was primarily due to intentional client exits and transformation-related investments [5][15] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Branded Services, revenues were $257 million and adjusted EBITDA was $28 million, down 9% year-over-year [18] - Experiential Services generated $221 million in revenues and $12 million in adjusted EBITDA, down 12% year-over-year [19] - Retailer Services had revenues of $218 million and adjusted EBITDA of $18 million, down 3% and 7% year-over-year, respectively [19] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Consumer confidence declined, leading to lower consumer purchases and reevaluation of spending by clients [5][6] - Retailers experienced destocking trends, impacting overall order volumes [50][53] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on modernizing its tech infrastructure and enhancing analytics capabilities to drive efficiency [11][12] - A task force has been mobilized to improve labor utilization and address staffing challenges [13][14] - The company is committed to being a cost-leading solutions partner to CPGs and retailers despite a softer growth environment [14] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged a challenging labor market affecting event staffing and project execution [7][10] - Despite near-term challenges, the company remains optimistic about future performance and has a robust new business pipeline [6][7] - The revenue and adjusted EBITDA outlook has been lowered to flat to down low single digits due to macroeconomic factors [15][16] Other Important Information - The company ended the quarter with $121 million in cash and a net leverage ratio of approximately 4.4x adjusted EBITDA [20][26] - The ERP implementation is expected to yield greater cash flow benefits as systems are better utilized [25][26] Q&A Session Summary Question: Any notable changes in the macro environment? - Management noted improvements in hiring rates and smoother staffing challenges in Q2 compared to Q1 [32][33] Question: Have labor costs increased due to staffing issues? - Management indicated that labor cost inflation is in line with the macro market, and staffing issues were more related to talent acquisition strategies [39][40] Question: What is the impact of staffing shortages on EBITDA? - The majority of the decline in EBITDA was attributed to staffing shortages [68] Question: Is destocking continuing into Q2? - Destocking improved as Q1 progressed, but data for April was not yet available to confirm if it had completely stopped [70] Question: Breakdown of consumer products versus food companies? - Approximately 70% of the portfolio is in food, with strong presence in personal care and household goods [73]

Q1'25 Earnings May 12, 2025 Disclaimer Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements in this presentation may be considered forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including statements regarding the expected future performance of Advantage's business and projected financial results. Forward-looking statements generally relate to future events or Advantage's future financial or operating performance. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words ...