Zevia Announces Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2022 Results

Q4 Gross Margin of 44.3%, up 1 point sequentially and year-over-year

Provides 2023 Net Sales Guidance of $180 to $190 Million

Zevia PBC (“Zevia” or the “Company”) (NYSE: ZVIA), the company disrupting the liquid refreshment beverage industry with great tasting, zero sugar beverages made with simple, plant-based ingredients, today reported results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended December 31, 2022.

Fourth Quarter 2022 Highlights

• Net sales increased 3.5% year-over-year to $35.4 million
• Unit volume decreased 8.7% year-over-year to 2.7 million equivalized cases
• Gross profit margin of 44.3%, the strongest gross margin percent in 2022
• Net loss was $6.2 million, including $3.1 million of non-cash equity-based compensation expense
• Adjusted EBITDA loss was $2.9 million⁽¹⁾
• Loss per share was $0.10 per diluted share to Zevia’s Class A common stockholders

Full Year 2022 Highlights

• Net sales increased 18.1% year-over-year to $163.2 million
• Unit volume increased 10.7% year-over-year to 13.6 million equivalized cases
• Gross profit margin of 42.9%
• Net loss was $47.6 million, including $26.9 million of non-cash equity-based compensation expense
• Adjusted EBITDA loss was $19.6 million⁽¹⁾
• Loss per share was $0.81 per diluted share to Zevia’s Class A common stockholders

“We are pleased to have delivered solid fourth quarter 2022 results, including net sales above the top end of our guidance with significant improvements in margins and profitability,” said Amy Taylor, President and Chief Executive Officer. “Our team’s diligent execution against our operational and strategic priorities, along with strong cash management, improvement on the Adjusted EBITDA line and step-changes in cost containment in the back half of the year, positions us well to deliver continued strong growth and a faster path towards profitability.”

“In syndicated data, we saw continued double-digit growth at retail in the quarter,” Taylor added. “Over the last 12 months, Zevia added another 1.4 million households to the brand, with households again increasing their brand spend in that same period. More consumers are buying more Zevia than ever, and we look forward to Zevia's brand refresh rolling out into the market in peak beverage season this summer.”

Fourth Quarter 2022 Results

Net sales increased 3.5% to $35.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2022 compared to $34.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2021. Growth in net sales was driven by higher price realizations partially offset by volume and mix factors.

Gross profit improved to $15.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2022, a 5.8% increase compared to $14.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2021, reflecting net sales growth partially offset by higher cost of goods sold. Gross profit margin of 44.3% was up 1 point on a sequential basis and compared to the fourth quarter of 2021. The year-over-year improvement in gross profit margin was primarily due to pricing increases, partially offset by higher manufacturing costs as a result of inflationary pressures.

Selling and marketing expenses were $10.0 million, or 28.3%, of net sales in the fourth quarter of 2022 compared to $11.9 million, or 34.8%, of net sales in the fourth quarter of 2021. The decrease was due to a $0.9 million reduction in freight and warehousing costs and a $1.0 million decline in non-working marketing costs.

General and administrative expenses were $8.5 million, or 24.1%, of net sales in the fourth quarter of 2022 compared to $8.2 million, or 23.9%, of net sales in the fourth quarter of 2021. The increase was due to increased headcount and personnel costs to support growth, partially offset by a $1.3 million decrease in public company costs due to expense optimization initiatives.

Equity-based compensation, a non-cash expense, was $3.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2022, compared to $31.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2021. The decrease was primarily due to restricted stock units ("RSUs") and restricted phantom stock awards that vested over six months following the Company's initial public offering ("IPO") in the prior year period.

Net loss for the fourth quarter of 2022 was $6.2 million, compared to net loss of $37.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2021.

Loss per share for the fourth quarter of 2022 was $0.10 per diluted share to Zevia’s Class A common stockholders, compared to loss per share of $0.59 in the fourth quarter of 2021.

Adjusted EBITDA loss was $2.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2022, compared to an Adjusted EBITDA loss of $5.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2021. Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure. See the supplementary schedules in this press release for a discussion of how we define and calculate this measure and a reconciliation thereof to the most directly comparable GAAP measure.

Full Year 2022 Results

Net sales increased 18.1% to $163.2 million in the full year of 2022 compared to $138.2 million in the full year of 2021. Growth in net sales was primarily driven by volume, reflecting higher velocities as well as expanded distribution, along with higher price realizations.

Gross profit improved to $70.0 million for the full year of 2022, a 9.5% increase compared to $63.9 million in the full year of 2021, reflecting net sales growth partially offset by higher cost of goods sold. Gross profit margin of 42.9% was down from 46.3% in the prior year period, reflecting higher manufacturing costs as a result of inflationary pressures, partially offset by pricing increases.

Selling and marketing expenses were $52.9 million, or 32.4%, of net sales in the full year of 2022 compared to $45.1 million, or 32.7%, of net sales in the full year of 2021. The increase was due to higher freight and warehousing costs and higher repacking fees partially offset by a reduction of non-working marketing costs.

General and administrative expenses were $36.8 million, or 22.5%, of net sales in the full year of 2022 compared to $27.5 million, or 19.9%, of net sales in the full year of 2021. The increase was primarily due to higher headcount and personnel costs to support growth along with incremental public company costs.

Equity-based compensation, a non-cash expense, was $26.9 million in the full year of 2022, compared to $77.7 million in the full year of 2021. The decrease was primarily due to RSU and restricted phantom stock awards that vested over six months following the IPO in the prior year.

Net loss for the full year of 2022 was $47.6 million, compared to net loss of $87.7 million for the full year of 2021.

Loss per share for the full year of 2022 was $0.81 per diluted share to Zevia’s Class A common stockholders, compared to loss per share of $1.33 for the full year of 2021.

Adjusted EBITDA loss was $19.6 million in the full year of 2022, compared to an Adjusted EBITDA loss of $8.7 million in the full year of 2021. Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure. See the supplementary schedules in this press release for a discussion of how we define and calculate this measure and a reconciliation thereof to the most directly comparable GAAP measure.

Balance Sheet and Cash Flows

As of December 31, 2022, the Company had $47.4 million in cash and cash equivalents and no outstanding debt, as well as an unused credit line of $20 million. During the full year of 2022, cash used in operating activities was $20.8 million compared to $17.8 million in the full year of 2021. The Company spent $2.6 million on capital expenditures during the full year of 2022 to support its growth initiatives compared to capital expenditures of $3.1 million during the full year of 2021.

2023 Guidance

The Company expects net sales for the full year of 2023 to be in the range of $180 million to $190 million, an increase of 10% to 16% compared to 2022. For the first quarter of 2023, net sales are expected to be in the range of $40 million to $43 million, an increase of 5% to 13% compared to the first quarter of 2022.

Webcast

The Company will host a conference call today at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss this earnings release. Investors and other interested parties may listen to the webcast of the conference call by logging on via the Investor Relations section of Zevia’s website at https://investors.zevia.com/ or directly here. A replay of the webcast will be available for approximately thirty (30) days following the call.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, any statement that may predict, forecast, indicate or imply future results, performance or achievements, and may contain words such as "guidance," “believe,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “consider,” “contemplate,” “continue,” “would,” “could,’” “may,” “potential,” “estimate,” “intend,” “project,” “plan,” “seek,” “pursue,” "will," or words or phrases with similar meaning. Forward-looking statements should not be read as a guarantee of future performance or results and will not necessarily be accurate indications of the times at, or by, which such performance or results will be achieved. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release relate to, among other things, statements regarding anticipated growth, strategic direction, branding, operating environment, distribution, velocity, pricing and costs. Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, forecasts and assumptions that involve risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, the ability to develop and maintain our brand, our ability to successfully execute on our rebranding strategy and cost reduction initiatives, change in consumer preferences, pricing factors, the impact of inflation on our sales growth and cost structure such as increased commodity, packaging, transportation and freight, warehouse, labor and other input costs and other economic, competitive and governmental factors outside of our control, such as pandemics or epidemics, including the impact of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, and adverse global macroeconomic conditions, including rising interest rates and a recessionary environment, and geopolitical events or conflicts, that may cause our business, strategy or actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. We do not intend and undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable law. Investors are referred to our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for additional information regarding the risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statement.

About Zevia

Zevia PBC, a Delaware public benefit corporation designated as a “Certified B Corporation,” is focused on addressing the global health challenges resulting from excess sugar consumption by offering a broad portfolio of zero sugar, zero calorie, naturally sweetened beverages. All Zevia^® beverages are made with a handful of simple, plant-based ingredients, contain no artificial sweeteners, and are Non-GMO Project verified, gluten-free, Kosher, vegan and zero sodium. Zevia is distributed in more than 32,000 retail locations in the U.S. and Canada through a diverse network of major retailers in the food, drug, warehouse club, mass, natural and ecommerce channels.

(ZEVIA-F)

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Information

We use Adjusted EBITDA, a financial measure that is not calculated in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). The Company’s management believes that Adjusted EBITDA, when taken together with our financial results presented in accordance with GAAP, provides meaningful supplemental information regarding our operating performance and facilitates internal comparisons of our historical operating performance on a more consistent basis by excluding certain items that may not be indicative of our business, results of operations or outlook. In particular, we believe that the use of Adjusted EBITDA is helpful to our investors as it is a measure used by management in assessing the health of our business, determining incentive compensation and evaluating our operating performance, as well as for internal planning and forecasting purposes.

We calculate Adjusted EBITDA as net income (loss) adjusted to exclude: (1) other income (expense), net, which includes interest (income) expense, foreign currency (gains) losses, and (gains) losses on disposal of fixed assets, (2) provision (benefit) for income taxes, (3) depreciation and amortization, and (4) equity-based compensation. Adjusted EBITDA may in the future also be adjusted for amounts impacting net income related to the Tax Receivable Agreement liability and other infrequent and unusual transactions.

Adjusted EBITDA is presented for supplemental informational purposes only, has limitations as an analytical tool and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for financial information presented in accordance with GAAP. Some of the limitations of Adjusted EBITDA include that (1) it does not properly reflect capital commitments to be paid in the future, (2) although depreciation and amortization are non-cash charges, the underlying assets may need to be replaced and Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect these capital expenditures, (3) it does not consider the impact of equity-based compensation expense, including the potential dilutive impact thereof, and (4) it does not reflect other non-operating expenses, including interest (income) expense, foreign currency (gains) losses and (gains) losses on disposal of fixed assets. In addition, our use of Adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies because they may not calculate Adjusted EBITDA in the same manner, limiting its usefulness as comparative measures. Because of these limitations, when evaluating our performance, you should consider Adjusted EBITDA alongside other financial measures, including our net loss or income and other results stated in accordance with GAAP.

The following table presents a reconciliation of net loss, the most directly comparable financial measure stated in accordance with GAAP, to Adjusted EBITDA for the periods presented:

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