Flowers Foods, Inc. (NYSE:FLO) Q4 2022 Earnings Call Transcript

Ryals McMullian: Yes. I mean a big one for us is scrap or waste reduction. And so having greater data insights into how the bakeries are running allows us to be smarter about how we run the lines and reduce that waste. Waste is a big cost for us. So, it’s not immaterial at all. The other thing it helps us do is it helps us with preventive maintenance, understanding when breakdowns may occur so that we can plan for downtime instead of having unplanned downtime, which is costly. And then there is a whole notion of micro stops on the line. You have your normal downtime for cleaning or whatever or if you have a mechanical problem, but it’s the tiny stops, the 10-second, 15-second, 20-second, 30-second, 1-minute stops that build up day-by-day, week-by-week, month-by-month throughout the year that become a big expense as well.

So, all of this data that we are able to gather is going to help us alongside of leadership capabilities and process improvements, things like that help us gain those efficiencies in the bakeries that we have needed for some time now.

Connor Rattigan: Alright. Thanks. That was great. Appreciate it. I will pass it on.

Ryals McMullian: Thanks Connor.

Operator: One moment. And our next question will come from Mitchell Pinheiro of Sturdivant. Your line is open, Mitchell.

Mitchell Pinheiro: Hey. Good morning. So, of your sales guidance, is any Papa Pita included in that?

Ryals McMullian: Yes.

Mitchell Pinheiro: Okay. Have you €“ so what should we assume? Is that small, but what percentage of the sales guidance comes from Papa Pita?

Ryals McMullian: Yes. We can’t break that out specifically, Mitch. I mean it’s not tremendous. Remember, they were a co-manufacturer for us. So, the overall top line sales impact is not that huge.

Mitchell Pinheiro: Okay. But it is included in there, right? So, whatever incremental you expect to get out of that would be included?

Ryals McMullian: It’s in the sales guidance, yes.

Mitchell Pinheiro: Okay. And then of the sales guidance, what’s the breakdown of volume and mix €“ pricing and mix in the year?

Steve Kinsey: It’s primarily price/mix, Mitch, yes.

Mitchell Pinheiro: Okay. And maybe now €“ what would be the SKU rat this year? Is it the same 3%-ish of sales? Is that included in there?

Ryals McMullian: We should see the effect of SKU rat decline as we get throughout the year. Now again, that will €“ we will continue to do SKU rat, but the volume losses that you have been seeing over the last year or so, that should start to moderate as we move through the year.

Mitchell Pinheiro: Okay. When I look in terms of €“ you are going to try to take some pricing in foodservice and private label, but I am looking at Slide 8 of your fourth quarter presentation. You have some of your store brands in the priority and some of your store brands tactical. What percentage of your store brands are in each of those categories? And where are you going to be taking the price?

Ryals McMullian: We are taking price across the portfolio, Mitch. And the pricing has already been taken.

Mitchell Pinheiro: Okay. And is that €“ and what percentage is your store brand, the breakout between priority and tactical? Is it 50-50? Is it mostly priority? Can you describe that?

Ryals McMullian: I will have to get back to you, and I don’t have that in front of me.

Mitchell Pinheiro: Okay. And then another question, just sort of on interest expense, you expect it to go up this year, but most of your debts fix. And when I look at your cash flow, just based on the preliminary guidance, you are going to have free cash flow, so I wouldn’t anticipate debt to rise. Am I wrong?