Lifeway Foods Delivers Record Q3 2025 Net Sales and Strong Net Income Growth Continuing Kefir Category Dominance

12.11.25 15:00 Uhr

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Achieves $57.1 million in net sales, a 29% volume-led net sales increase on a comparable basis, driven by the Company's flagship Lifeway Kefir

Record-breaking quarter marks six years of uninterrupted quarterly net sales growth

Significant gross margin expansion of 300 basis points and net income growth of 19% reflects the Company's disciplined operational execution

MORTON GROVE, Ill., Nov. 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Lifeway Foods, Inc. (Nasdaq: LWAY) ("Lifeway" or "the Company"), the leading U.S. supplier of kefir and fermented probiotic foods, today announced record financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2025.

Lifeway Foods (PRNewsfoto/Lifeway Foods, Inc.)

"We delivered another exceptional quarter that further solidifies Lifeway's dominant position in the kefir category and emphasizes the growing consumer demand for our flagship Lifeway Kefir and high-protein Lifeway Farmer Cheese," said Julie Smolyansky, President and Chief Executive Officer of Lifeway Foods. "With record net sales of $57.1 million, well ahead of the previous high set in Q2, we have once again raised the bar for our business while demonstrating the remarkable consistency of our growth trajectory. We will continue to capitalize on the powerful health and wellness consumer trends, including the surge in GLP-1 medication use and gut health awareness. We are investing heavily in our marketing efforts and our manufacturing capabilities to support our accelerating velocities and future growth."

Smolyansky continued, "In addition to our topline strength, we delivered 300 basis points of gross margin expansion year-over-year in Q3. In September, we completed the first stage of our strategic Waukesha plant expansion, which has increased capacity and helped power the operational efficiency gains we are building across our business. This expansion will enable us to continue driving profitable growth for the foreseeable future as we position ourselves to meet the surging demand in our space."

On-Trend Innovation

Building on its flagship kefir and Farmer Cheese, Lifeway continues to enter adjacent product categories to meet evolving consumer tastes. The Company recently announced Muscle Mates™, a ready-to-drink functional beverage packed with 20 grams of protein, 5 grams of creatine, and Lifeway's 12 live and active probiotic cultures to target the growing consumer demand for performance-drive, wellness-conscious products.

Lifeway's Probiotic Smoothies with Collagen also continue to resonate strongly with the consumer in the rapidly growing Collagen market.

Expanding Kefir Visibility

Lifeway has recently partnered with multiple health-focused brands to feature Kefir as a key ingredient in high-visibility products.

Third Quarter 2025 Highlights

  • Net Sales: $57.1 million, highest in Company history, up 24.0% year-over-year and approximately 29% on a comparable basis, adjusted for a customer relationship the Company strategically exited in the third quarter of 2024, and a distributor shifting from Lifeway delivered to customer pick-up in late 2024, resulting in lower net sales and lower freight expense.
  • Gross Profit Margin: 28.7%, up from 25.7% last year
  • Selling Expense: 8.8% of net sales, slightly up from last year, reflecting continued investment in marketing and distribution.
  • Net Income: $3.5 million, or $0.23 per basic and diluted common share, compared to $3.0 million, or $0.20 per basic and $0.19 per diluted share in the prior year

Outlook

The Company reiterated its long-term target of $45–$50 million in Adjusted EBITDA1 for FY 2027 and is well on pace to deliver the strongest annual sales in Company history in FY 2025.

"Our momentum is accelerating," Smolyansky concluded. "We are stacking record quarters while delivering expanding margins and on-trend innovation. We have the right team in place, are executing at the highest level, and I am confident in our ability to sustain these outstanding results."

  • Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as Operating Income, as reported, plus Depreciation and Amortization, plus Stock-Based Compensation.
  • Conference Call and Webcast
    A webcast with Lifeway's President and Chief Executive Officer discussing these results with additional comments and details is available through the "Investor Relations" section of the Company's website at https://lifewaykefir.com/webinars-reports/.

    About Lifeway Foods, Inc.
    Lifeway Foods, Inc., which has been recognized as one of Forbes' Best Small Companies, is America's leading supplier of the probiotic, fermented beverage known as kefir. In addition to its line of drinkable kefir, the Company also produces a variety of cheeses and a ProBugs line for kids. Lifeway's tart and tangy fermented dairy products are now sold across the United States, Mexico, Ireland, South Africa, United Arab Emirates, and France. Learn how Lifeway is good for more than just you at lifewayfoods.com.

    Forward-Looking Statements
    This press release contains "forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding, among other things, unaudited estimated net sales. These statements use words, and variations of words, such as "anticipate," "plan," "project," "estimate," "potential," "forecast," "will," "continue," "future," "increase," "believe," "outlook," "expect," and "predict." You are cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release, are based on current expectations of future events and thus are inherently subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which involve factors or circumstances beyond Lifeway's control. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or known or unknown risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results could vary materially from Lifeway's expectations and projections. These risks, uncertainties, and other factors include: price competition; the decisions of customers or consumers; the actions of competitors; changes in the pricing of commodities; the effects of government regulation; possible delays in the introduction of new products; and customer acceptance of products and services. A further list and description of these risks, uncertainties, and other factors can be found in Lifeway's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 and the Lifeway's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarters ended March 31, 2025 and June 30, 2025. Copies of these filings are available online at https://www.sec.gov, http://lifewaykefir.com/investor-relations/, or on request from Lifeway. Lifeway expressly disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements (including, without limitation, to reflect changed assumptions, the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events or new information), except as required by law.

    Non-GAAP Financial Measures
    This press release refers to Adjusted EBITDA, which is a financial measure that has not been prepared in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP"), and may exclude items that are significant to understanding and assessing financial results. This non-GAAP measure is provided to enhance investors' overall understanding of the Company's financial performance. Non-GAAP financial measures should be considered as supplements to GAAP measures reported, should not be considered replacements for, or superior to, GAAP measures reported and may not be comparable to similarly named measures used by other companies. The Company's calculation of non-GAAP financial measures may differ from methods used by other companies.

    We are unable to reconcile our target fiscal year 2027 Adjusted EBITDA to projected net income, the most directly comparable projected GAAP financial measure, because certain information necessary to calculate such measures on a GAAP basis is unavailable or dependent on the timing of future events outside of our control. Due to this uncertainty, the Company cannot reconcile target fiscal year 2027 Adjusted EBITDA to the nearest GAAP financial measure without unreasonable effort.

    Derek Miller
    Vice President of Communications, Lifeway Foods
    Email: derekm@lifeway.net 

    Perceptual Advisors
    Dan Tarman
    Email: dtarman@perceptualadvisors.com

    General inquiries:
    Lifeway Foods, Inc.
    Phone: 847-967-1010
    Email: info@lifeway.net

     

    LIFEWAY FOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

    Consolidated Balance Sheets

    September 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024

    (In thousands)




    September 30,
    2025


    December 31,



    (Unaudited)


    2024

    Current assets









    Cash and cash equivalents


    $

    22,990



    $

    16,728


    Accounts receivable, net of allowance for credit losses and discounts & allowances of
         $1,800 and $1,590 at September 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively



    17,421




    15,424


    Inventories, net



    11,057




    8,678


    Prepaid expenses and other current assets



    2,204




    2,144


    Refundable income taxes



    134




    631


    Total current assets



    53,806




    43,605











    Property, plant and equipment, net



    36,423




    26,862


    Operating lease right-of-use asset



    358




    118


    Goodwill



    11,704




    11,704


    Intangible assets, net



    5,953




    6,358


    Other assets



    1,282




    1,900


    Total assets


    $

    109,526



    $

    90,547











    Current liabilities









    Accounts payable


    $

    17,501



    $

    10,401


    Accrued expenses



    5,910




    5,103


    Total current liabilities



    23,411




    15,504


    Operating lease liabilities



    289




    70


    Deferred income taxes, net



    3,062




    3,062


    Total liabilities



    26,762




    18,636











    Stockholders' equity









    Preferred stock, no par value; 2,500 shares authorized; none issued







    Common stock, no par value; 40,000 shares authorized; 17,274 shares issued; 15,229
         and 15,100 outstanding at September 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024,
         respectively



    6,509




    6,509


    Treasury stock, at cost



    (13,233)




    (14,052)


    Paid-in capital



    3,348




    4,632


    Retained earnings



    86,140




    74,822


    Total stockholders' equity



    82,764




    71,911











    Total liabilities and stockholders' equity


    $

    109,526



    $

    90,547


     

    LIFEWAY FOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

    Consolidated Statements of Operations

    For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025 and 2024

    (Unaudited)

    (In thousands, except per share data)




    Three Months Ended

    September 30,


    Nine Months Ended

    September 30,



    2025


    2024


    2025


    2024










    Net sales


    $

    57,143



    $

    46,095



    $

    157,135



    $

    139,886



















    Cost of goods sold



    39,821




    33,508




    111,744




    101,127


    Depreciation expense



    914




    720




    2,548




    2,082


    Total cost of goods sold



    40,735




    34,288




    114,292




    103,209



















    Gross profit



    16,408




    11,867




    42,843




    36,677



















    Selling expense



    5,047




    3,979




    14,463




    11,256


    General and administrative expense



    6,186




    3,564




    15,566




    11,877


    Amortization expense



    135




    135




    405




    405


    Total operating expenses



    11,368




    7,678




    30,434




    23,538



















    Income from operations



    5,040




    4,189




    12,409




    13,139



















    Other income (expense):

















    Interest expense



    (21)




    (4)




    (56)




    (102)


    Gain on sale of property and equipment






    3







    3


    Fair value loss on investments









    (20)





    Gain on sale of investments









    3,407





    Other income (expense), net



    73




    138




    229




    153


    Total other income (expense)



    52




    137




    3,560




    54



















    Income before provision for income taxes



    5,092




    4,326




    15,969




    13,193



















    Provision for income taxes



    1,563




    1,350




    4,651




    4,008



















    Net income


    $

    3,529



    $

    2,976



    $

    11,318



    $

    9,185



















    Net earnings per common share:

















    Basic


    $

    0.23



    $

    0.20



    $

    0.75



    $

    0.62


    Diluted


    $

    0.23



    $

    0.19



    $

    0.74



    $

    0.60



















    Weighted average common shares
    outstanding:

















    Basic



    15,229




    14,801




    15,190




    14,740


    Diluted



    15,422




    15,265




    15,381




    15,194


     

    LIFEWAY FOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

    Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

    (Unaudited)

    (In thousands)




    Nine months ended September 30,



    2025


    2024

    Cash flows from operating activities:









    Net income


    $

    11,318



    $

    9,185


    Adjustments to reconcile net income to operating cash flow:









    Depreciation and amortization



    2,953




    2,487


    Stock-based compensation



    1,466




    1,898


    Non-cash interest expense



    14




    17


    Gain on sale of equipment



    (115)




    (3)


    Gain on sale of investments



    (3,407)





    Fair value loss on investment



    20





    (Increase) decrease in operating assets:









    Accounts receivable



    (1,997)




    379


    Inventories



    (2,378)




    663


    Prepaid expenses and other current assets



    123




    125


    Refundable income taxes



    497




    (379)


    Increase (decrease) in operating liabilities:









    Accounts payable



    3,330




    949


    Accrued expenses



    (1,143)




    694


    Accrued income taxes






    (474)


    Net cash provided by operating activities



    10,681




    15,541











    Cash flows from investing activities:









    Purchases of property and equipment



    (9,675)




    (5,445)


    Proceeds from sale of equipment



    115




    14


    Proceeds from sale of investments



    5,206





    Net cash used in investing activities



    (4,354)




    (5,431)











    Cash flows from financing activities:









    Repayment of note payable






    (2,750)


    Payment of deferred financing costs



    (65)





    Net cash used in financing activities



    (65)




    (2,750)











    Net increase in cash and cash equivalents



    6,262




    7,360











    Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period



    16,728




    13,198











    Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period


    $

    22,990



    $

    20,558











    Supplemental cash flow information:









    Cash paid for income taxes, net of (refunds)


    $

    4,154



    $

    4,861


    Cash paid for interest


    $

    42



    $

    95











    Non-cash investing activities









    Accrued purchase of property and equipment


    $

    3,875



    $

    331


    Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations


    $

    293



    $


     

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