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Freshpet, Inc.: Q2 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q2 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 5 August 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 3 raised, 2 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Outgrew pet category despite headwinds: Company grew significantly faster than the category despite economic headwinds and new competitors. Management noted continued momentum with customers and consumers driving market share gains. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA up 17.5%: Adjusted EBITDA reached $52.2 million in Q2, up from $44.4 million prior year, representing 17.1% of net sales. H1 Adjusted EBITDA $90.1 million versus $79.9 million, up 12.8%. Source
  • Net sales growth guidance raised: Full year 2026 net sales growth raised to 10-12% from prior 8-11% guidance. Increase reflects strong H1 performance demonstrating momentum and confidence in H2 execution. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA guidance raised: Full year 2026 Adjusted EBITDA raised to $210-220 million from prior $205-215 million range. Increase driven by margin expansion from Q2 results and higher revenue contribution. Source

“Our second quarter performance demonstrates the strength and resilience of our business model. It also reinforces our belief that fresh is the future of pet food and that Freshpet is uniquely positioned to win in that segment.”

Billy Cyr, Chief Executive Officer

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Net sales growth Sourcefull year 202610% to 12%Raised from 8% to 11%
Adjusted EBITDA Sourcefull year 2026$210 million to $220 millionRaised from $205 million to $215 million
Free Cash Flow and capital expenditures Sourcefull year 2026Positive with ~$150 million capexKept
Adjusted Gross Margin Sourcefull year 2027at least 49%Raised from at least 48%
Adjusted EBITDA margin Sourcefull year 202720% to 22%Kept

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance raised: Full year 2026 net sales growth guidance raised to 10-12% from prior 8-11% guidance. Source
  • Guidance raised: Full year 2026 Adjusted EBITDA guidance raised to $210-220 million from prior $205-215 million guidance. Source
  • Guidance raised: Full year 2027 Adjusted Gross Margin target raised to at least 49% from prior at least 48% target. Source

Sales growth and volume

  • Outgrew pet category despite headwinds: Company grew significantly faster than the category despite economic headwinds and new competitors. Management noted continued momentum with customers and consumers driving market share gains. Source
  • H1 2026 sales up 14.3%: First six months 2026 net sales of $603.2 million, up 14.3% from $527.9 million prior year. Volume gains of 15.1% were partially offset by unfavorable price/mix of 0.8%. Source

Gross margin and manufacturing

  • Adjusted Gross Margin reached 48.6%: Adjusted Gross Margin of 48.6% in Q2, up from 46.9% prior year. H1 Adjusted Gross Margin 47.7%, up from 46.3%, reflecting operational leverage from growth and lower input costs. Source
  • New technology startup quality costs: Margin gains partially offset by higher quality costs from startup of new technology lines. These near-term investments expected to drive manufacturing efficiencies and margin expansion over time. Source

“Despite economic headwinds and new competitors, we grew significantly faster than the category, improved margins, and produced strong cash flow.”

Billy Cyr, Chief Executive Officer

Operating expenses and profitability

  • SG&A increased to 35.0% of sales: Selling, general and administrative expenses increased to $107.0 million or 35.0% of sales from 34.1% in the prior year period. Increased logistics costs and variable compensation accrual drove the increases. Source
  • Net income increased to $19.5M: Net income increased to $19.5 million from $16.4 million in the prior year, up 18.8%. Growth driven by higher sales and a $4.5 million gain on equity investment, partially offset by increased SG&A. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA up 17.5%: Adjusted EBITDA reached $52.2 million in Q2, up from $44.4 million prior year, representing 17.1% of net sales. H1 Adjusted EBITDA $90.1 million versus $79.9 million, up 12.8%. Source

Cash flow and capital allocation

  • Cash increased to $350.8M: Cash and cash equivalents increased $72.8 million to $350.8 million at June 30, 2026 from $278.0 million at year-end 2025, primarily from $100.0 million proceeds from sale of equity investment. Source
  • Repurchased $54.4M of shares: Company repurchased $54.4 million of shares in H1 2026 under previously announced share repurchase program. Full year capital expenditures expected approximately $150 million, supporting long-term capacity expansion. Source

“We believe our manufacturing scale and expertise enables us to deliver the highest quality products at the lowest costs, while our expanding omnichannel presence enables us to grow market share and deepen engagement with our most valuable pet parents.”

Billy Cyr, Chief Executive Officer

2026 full year guidance raised

  • Net sales growth guidance raised: Full year 2026 net sales growth raised to 10-12% from prior 8-11% guidance. Increase reflects strong H1 performance demonstrating momentum and confidence in H2 execution. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA guidance raised: Full year 2026 Adjusted EBITDA raised to $210-220 million from prior $205-215 million range. Increase driven by margin expansion from Q2 results and higher revenue contribution. Source
  • Free Cash Flow and capex unchanged: Positive Free Cash Flow guidance and approximately $150 million capital expenditure expectation remain unchanged. Company balancing growth investments with strong cash generation amid macroeconomic uncertainty. Source

Long-term targets and strategy

  • 2027 sales to outgrow category: 2027 guidance targets net sales growth well in excess of category growth rate, unchanged. Company positioned to gain market share in the growing fresh pet food segment through scale and distribution. Source
  • Manufacturing and omnichannel advantages: Manufacturing scale and expertise enable delivery of highest quality products at lowest cost. Expanding omnichannel presence across grocery, mass, digital, pet specialty and club channels to grow market share. Source

Coming up, as management said on 5 August 2026

  • Pursuing 2026 FY targets: Company targeting full year 2026 net sales growth of 10-12% and Adjusted EBITDA of $210-220 million, with execution in H2 critical to achieving newly raised guidance. Source
  • Technology implementation ongoing: New manufacturing technology lines and chillers continue rolling out. Near-term quality costs expected to moderate as implementations mature and drive efficiencies. Source
  • 2027 margin expansion execution: Working toward 2027 Adjusted Gross Margin target of at least 49% and EBITDA margin of 20-22%, leveraging manufacturing scale and operational improvements. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • On track: Company reaffirmed capex guidance of ~$150 million for 2026, supporting long-term capacity expansion plan. Source
  • On track: Long-term target maintained for 2027 net sales to grow well in excess of category, unchanged from prior guidance. Source
  • On track: 2027 Adjusted EBITDA margin target of 20-22% reaffirmed, unchanged from prior guidance. Source

Other quarters

Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point is checked against the filing before it is shown: management’s own words word for word, figures against the line or table row they come from. A point that fails the check is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.