Flowers Foods, Inc., today reported results for its 16-week first quarter ended April 21, 2012.  In summary, Flowers Foods:

• Increased sales 12.0% to $898.2 million, reflecting favorable net price/mix of 2.4%, contributions from the Tasty acquisition of 7.9%, and volume increases of 1.7%;
• Delivered diluted EPS of $0.28, down 6.7% from the $0.30 reported in the first quarter last year, due primarily to 12% higher input costs, excluding the acquisition of Tasty; adjusting prior year's EPS for one-time charges related to the Tasty acquisition and a facility closure, diluted EPS was down 15.2% from $0.33;
• Generated $60.1 million in cash flow from operations;
• Issued $400.0 million aggregate principal amount of 4.375% senior notes to fund future acquisitions, working capital, and general corporate purposes; and
• Announced a $31-million expansion of its Oxford, Pa., bakery for bread production.

George E. Deese, Flowers Foods' chairman and chief executive officer, said, "While input costs presented headwinds in the first quarter, we were relatively pleased with our results. We achieved a 12% sales increase driven by the Tasty acquisition, expansion markets for Nature's Own and Tastykake, new products, and added foodservice business. Sales increases for our Nature's Own soft variety breads were partially offset by decreased sales of branded white breads. Our experienced team is focused on opportunities brought on by changes in consumer trends impacting the fresh baked foods business at retail and foodservice. As our earnings and margins experienced pressure in the quarter, we tightened administrative and operational expenses and continued to improve productivity levels. We expect to maintain these improved productivity levels and cost structure as the year unfolds.

"Looking ahead, our growth strategies continue to serve us well. We are achieving increases in our core business and our expansion markets. We also expect to take advantage of opportunities as the baking industry further consolidates. We are positioned to add new bakeries as needed, enter new geographic territories, and make acquisitions as we work to build shareholder value over the long term."

First Quarter 2012 Results

For the 16-week first quarter of 2012, sales increased 12.0% to $898.2 million from $801.8 million in last year's first quarter. This increase was attributable to favorable net price/mix of 2.4%, contributions from the Tasty acquisition (completed May 2011) of 7.9% and volume increases of 1.7%. Dollar sales increased across all channels, while volume increases in the non-retail channel, more than offset volume declines in the branded retail channel. Volume increases in the non-retail channel were primarily the result of increases in the foodservice and contract manufacturing categories, while the decreased volume in the branded retail channel was primarily due to decreases in the white bread and buns and rolls categories, partially offset by increases in the soft variety category.

Net income for the quarter was $37.9 million compared to $41.2 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2011. For the quarter, diluted earnings per share were $0.28, compared to $0.30 in last year's first quarter. Tasty was slightly accretive to net income for the quarter. During the first quarter last year, we incurred one-time costs of $4.2 million, net of tax, or $0.03 per diluted share relating to the closure of a bakery and the Tasty acquisition.

Gross margin as a percentage of sales for the quarter was 46.7%, down 190 basis points from 48.6% in the first quarter of 2011. This decrease was due primarily to increased ingredient and packaging costs as a percent of sales. The increase in ingredient costs was primarily attributable to double-digit increases in flour, as well as smaller increases in shortening/oil and sugar. The increase in ingredients and packaging costs were partially offset by price increases and lower workforce-related costs as a percent of sales. Improved manufacturing efficiencies also had a positive effect on gross margin. One-time costs associated with the bakery closure negatively impacted gross margin $2.8 million, or 30 basis points as a percent of sales, in the first quarter last year.

Selling, distribution, and administrative costs as a percent of sales for the quarter were 36.8%, down 60 basis points from 37.4% of sales in the first quarter of fiscal 2011. Higher sales prices and lower workforce-related costs as a percent of sales were the main drivers of the decrease. One-time costs associated with the bakery closure and the Tasty acquisition negatively impacted selling, distribution, and administrative costs $3.1 million, or 40 basis points as a percent of sales, in the first quarter last year.

Depreciation and amortization expenses for the quarter remained relatively stable as a percent of sales compared to last year's first quarter. We incurred net interest expense this quarter compared to net interest income in last year's first quarter. This change was due to increased borrowings related to the Tasty acquisition and the issuance during the first quarter this year of $400.0 million of senior notes. The effective tax rate for the quarter was 35.9% as compared to 35.0% in last year's first quarter. This increase was primarily due to certain temporary differences that reduced the Section 199 deduction, and the expiration of certain tax benefits. The full-year tax rate is expected to be approximately 36.0%.

Operating margin as a percent of sales for the quarter was 6.6% compared to 7.7% in last year's first quarter. One-time costs associated with the bakery closure and the Tasty acquisition negatively affected operating margin $6.5 million, or 80 basis points as a percent of sales in the first quarter last year. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) as a percent of sales for the first quarter was 9.9%, compared to 11.2% for the first quarter of 2011. One-time costs associated with the bakery closure and the Tasty acquisition negatively affected EBITDA $5.9 million, or 70 basis points as a percent of sales, in the first quarter last year.

Segment Results

DSD (82% of sales): During the quarter, the company's direct store delivery (DSD) sales increased 14.0%, reflecting positive net price/mix of 3.4%, contribution from the Tasty acquisition of 9.8% and volume increases of 0.8%. Net price/mix and dollar sales increased across all channels. The volume increases were primarily due to increases in the store brand and foodservice channels, partially offset by decreased volume in the branded retail channel. Decreases in branded retail volume were primarily driven by declines in the white bread and buns and rolls categories, partially offset by volume increases in the soft variety category.

Operating income, defined as earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT), for the DSD segment was $63.8 million, or 8.7% of sales for the first quarter compared to $64.2 million, or 9.9% of sales in last year's first quarter. This decrease was due to higher ingredient (mainly flour) and packaging costs, partially offset by higher sales and lower workforce-related costs. During the quarter, Tasty had a positive effect on operating income. One-time costs associated with a bakery closure negatively affected operating income $5.7 million, or 90 basis points as a percent of sales, in the first quarter last year.

Warehouse (18% of sales): Sales through warehouse delivery increased 3.8%, reflecting volume increases of 4.0%, partially offset by negative net pricing/mix of 0.2%. The volume increase was primarily due to increases in the non-retail channel, partially offset by decreased volume in the store brand retail channel. The negative net pricing/mix was the result of negative pricing/mix in the non-retail channel, partially offset by positive net pricing/mix in the store brand retail channel.

Operating income for the warehouse segment was $9.6 million, or 6.0% of sales for the first quarter compared to $11.3 million, or 7.3% of sales in last year's first quarter. This decrease was due to higher ingredient costs (mainly flour, shortening/oil, and sugar) and higher distribution costs. These cost increases were partially offset by lower packaging and workforce-related costs.

Cash Flow
During the first quarter, cash flow from operating activities was $60.1 million. The company invested $14.3 million in capital improvements and paid dividends of $20.6 million to shareholders. The company also acquired 70,742 shares of its common stock under its share repurchase plan for $1.4 million, an average of $19.14 per share. Since the inception of the plan, the company has acquired 37.9 million shares for $432.2 million, an average of $11.41 per share.  On April 3, 2012, the company issued $400.0 million aggregate principal amount of 4.375% senior notes due 2022. The company used a portion of the net proceeds to repay long-term debt outstanding under its revolving credit facility and the balance will be used for future acquisitions, general corporate purposes and working capital.

Bakery Expansion
During the first quarter, the company announced plans to expand its Oxford, Pa., bakery and add a new bread production line. The bread line is anticipated to be completed in 2013, and will help the company provide fresh bread to its growing market in Pennsylvania. The company also expects to add a bun production line at the Oxford facility at some point in the future.

2012 Guidance
Based on an increase in interest expense as a result of the recent bond issuance, earnings per share is now expected to increase 3.5% to 8.0% over the 2011 adjusted earnings per share of $0.96. This adjustment to 2012 earnings per share does not include future acquisitions. Capital expenditures for 2012 are expected to be $75.0 million to $85.0 million, including the recently announced bakery expansion.

Dividend
The board of directors will consider the dividend at its regularly scheduled meeting. Any action taken will be announced following that meeting.