Edward Smolyansky – a Lifeway Foods shareholder and brother of the US company's CEO – has accused the kefir maker of “blatant deception” after the business pushed back at his bid to get a board seat. Last month, Edward Smolyansky, who has been critical of Lifeway's performance under his sister Julie, filed a proxy statement with the SEC, seeking board representation. The move, the filing read, was designed to end “long-running governance failures, value destruction and entrenched leadership practices” at ...

Core Insights - Lifeway Foods has been recognized in the **Inc. Best in Business** list under the **Best Challenger Brands** category, highlighting its significant impact and achievements in the industry [1][1][1] Company Achievements - The recognition celebrates companies that have made profound contributions through exceptional execution, including customer expansion, key product launches, and increased market share [1][1] - Lifeway Foods has been acknowledged for its commitment to innovation and impact, with a mission to support everyday wellness by making probiotic foods accessible [1][1][1] Industry Recognition - The **Inc. Best in Business Awards** honor companies across various industries, including technology, health care, finance, and retail, that have achieved outstanding influence on their communities and industries [1][1] - The awards are open to all types of companies, including public, private, nonprofit, and international entities, emphasizing the broad scope of recognition [1][1]

Highly concerning nominee backgrounds underscore questionable judgement by Edward Smolyansky and George Sent, Managing Director of Cascadia Capital Edward and Ludmila Smolyansky’s personal liquidity needs may be behind their demands for a quick sale of Lifeway at any price MORTON GROVE, Ill., Dec. 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lifeway Foods, Inc. (NASDAQ: LWAY) (“Lifeway” or the “Company”), a leading U.S. supplier of kefir and fermented probiotic products, today issued the following statement in response to ...

Core Viewpoint - Lifeway Foods is facing a proxy fight initiated by shareholder Edward Smolyansky, who is seeking to reshape the company's board to address governance failures and enhance shareholder value [1][2]. Group 1: Board Restructuring Efforts - Edward Smolyansky has filed a proxy statement with the SEC to nominate himself and George Sent as director candidates ahead of the annual general meeting in December [1]. - The filing aims for a comprehensive board change to end governance failures and entrenched leadership practices that have negatively impacted shareholders [2]. - Smolyansky is advocating for the establishment of a special committee composed solely of independent directors to evaluate Lifeway's executive leadership and strategic plans [3]. Group 2: Governance Concerns - The company has been criticized for failing to disclose the addition of two new independent directors and not setting a date for the 2025 annual meeting [3]. - Smolyansky emphasized the need for an independent, transparent, and accountable board, citing governance failures and mishandling of a takeover proposal from Danone as detrimental to shareholder value [4]. - The extension of Lifeway's shareholder rights plan has been described by Smolyansky as a tactic to entrench management and block potential investors from gaining a significant stake [5][6].

Core Viewpoint - Serbian dairy company Imlek is being sold by private-equity investor MidEuropa to investment firm AJFH, with the transaction pending regulatory approvals [1] Company Overview - Imlek is described as the leading dairy business in Serbia and the Balkans, operating four production facilities in Belgrade and processing 400 million liters of milk annually from over 3,500 farmers [2][3] - The company offers a variety of dairy products, including butter, yogurt, flavored milk drinks, cheese, and kefir, and owns several brands such as Moja Kravica and Mlekara Subotica [3] Transaction Details - The acquisition is led by Andrej Jovanović, the entrepreneur behind AJFH, and Imlek's CEO Bojan Radun, with plans to drive the company's growth [2][3] - The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of the upcoming year [3] Leadership Background - Andrej Jovanović co-founded Marbo Products, now a subsidiary of PepsiCo, and has experience in the food and drinks sector [4] - Bojan Radun has been CEO of Imlek since 2018 and has a significant interest in juice producer Nectar [5] Financial Context - MidEuropa previously acquired Imlek as part of its purchase of Danube Foods Group, which reported revenues of €400 million (approximately $461 million) in 2014 [5]

Core Insights - Lifeway Foods is expanding its Farmer Cheese distribution to 2,000 Walmart stores, aiming to enhance accessibility to nutritious cultured dairy products amid rising demand for such items, which are experiencing double-digit growth rates [1][6] - The popularity of Farmer Cheese is attributed to its creamy texture and clean nutrition profile, supporting gut health and metabolic regulation, aligning with current functional nutrition trends [2] - Walmart serves approximately 270 million customers weekly and reported fiscal year 2025 revenue of $681 billion, providing Lifeway with a strong platform to increase product visibility and availability [3][6] Company Overview - Lifeway Foods, Inc. is a leading U.S. supplier of kefir and fermented probiotic products, focusing on making nutritious cultured dairy products more accessible [1][6] - The expansion into Walmart stores represents a significant strategic move for Lifeway to reach a broader consumer base [2][6] Retail Environment - Walmart's extensive customer reach and fiscal strength create a robust platform for Lifeway's product visibility and availability [3][6] - Walmart's market capitalization is approximately $839.7 billion, with a trading volume of 41.3 million shares, maintaining its position as a leading global retailer [5]

Core Insights - Lifeway Foods, Inc. has expanded the availability of its Farmer Cheese to 2,000 Walmart stores across the U.S., enhancing access to nutritious cultured dairy products rich in bioavailable protein [1][4]. Company Overview - Lifeway Foods is recognized as a leading supplier of kefir and fermented probiotic products, with a focus on supporting the microbiome [1][5]. - The company has received accolades such as being named one of America's Growth Leaders by TIME and Dairy Foods' Processor of the Year 2025 [5]. Product Details - Lifeway Farmer Cheese is a protein-rich product made with live and active cultures, containing 15 grams of protein per serving, and is free from added salt or sugar [3][4]. - The cheese is positioned as a versatile option for various culinary uses, aligning with current wellness and flavor trends [2][3]. Market Trends - There is a growing consumer demand for cottage cheese and cultured dairy products, with segments like kefir and cottage cheese experiencing double-digit year-over-year growth [2]. - Social media has played a significant role in popularizing cottage cheese recipes, contributing to its resurgence as a functional staple [2][3]. Strategic Expansion - The partnership with Walmart is aimed at reaching more families nationwide, reinforcing Lifeway's mission to provide nutritious foods that support health and wellbeing [3][4].

Core Insights - Lifeway Foods (LWAY) is identified as having significant long-term potential in the consumer packaged goods sector, particularly known for its kefir and farmers cheese products [1] Company Performance - The company has experienced substantial revenue growth since it was first highlighted, indicating a positive trajectory in its financial performance [1] Investment Perspective - The investment approach discussed emphasizes a blend of value and growth strategies, with a recent focus on microcap companies, suggesting a targeted investment strategy within the market [1]

Core Insights - Lifeway Foods (LWAY) is identified as having significant long-term potential in the consumer packaged goods sector, particularly known for its kefir and farmers cheese products [1] Company Performance - The company has experienced substantial revenue growth since it was first highlighted, indicating a positive trend in its financial performance [1] Investment Perspective - The investment approach discussed emphasizes a blend of value and growth strategies, with a recent focus on microcap companies, suggesting a targeted investment strategy within the market [1]

Core Insights - Lifeway Foods (NASDAQ: LWAY) stock increased by 7.8% after the company reported mixed earnings for Q3, with earnings per share at $0.23, missing the forecast of $0.28, but sales exceeded expectations at $57.1 million, surpassing the anticipated $55 million [1][3] Financial Performance - Lifeway achieved a record revenue of $57.1 million, representing a 29% year-over-year increase, marking the sixth consecutive quarter of sales growth [3] - The gross margin improved by 3 percentage points to 28.7%, and earnings per share grew by 21% [3] Market Position and Strategy - The CEO of Lifeway emphasized the company's strong position in the kefir market and plans to leverage health and wellness trends, including the rise in GLP-1 medication use and gut health awareness [4] Cash Flow Concerns - Despite sales growth, Lifeway is facing challenges in generating free cash flow (FCF), with year-to-date cash profit at approximately $1 million, a decline of over 90% from the previous year, and less than 9% of the reported $11.3 million in GAAP profit [5][7] Investment Considerations - The mixed earnings report raises questions about the stock's attractiveness, as while sales are increasing, the significant drop in cash profits suggests caution for potential investors [6][7]