greeksoup/ stock research

Warby Parker Inc.: Q4 FY2025 earnings call

What management said about Q4 FY2025, from the documents filed with the SEC on 26 February 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 4 new. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Full-year revenue rose 13.0%: Net revenue for 2025 was $871.9 million, up from $771.3 million in 2024. Source
  • Full-year net income turned positive: The company reported its first full year of net income, $1.6 million, against a net loss of $20.4 million in 2024. Source
  • Tariffs and doctor headcount weighed: Management named tariff costs on glasses, increased doctor headcount, contact lens sales growth and shipping costs as drivers of the fourth-quarter decline. Source
  • Full-year Adjusted EBITDA rose: Adjusted EBITDA reached $95.2 million, and the Adjusted EBITDA margin was 10.9%, up from 9.5% in 2024. Source
  • Third consecutive year of positive cash flow: Operating cash flow was $110.8 million and free cash flow $43.7 million for 2025, the third consecutive year of positive operating cash flow and free cash flow. Source
  • $100 million buyback authorized: In February 2026 the Board authorized repurchases of up to $100.0 million of Class A common stock. Source
  • 2026 revenue guided to $959 - 976 million: The company guided 2026 net revenue to $959 million to $976 million, about 10% to 12% growth over 2025. Source
  • 2026 Adjusted EBITDA guided to $117 - 119 million: Adjusted EBITDA guided to $117 million to $119 million, a 12.2% margin across the revenue range, with 130 basis points of year-over-year expansion. Source

“In 2025, we delivered double-digit revenue growth each quarter and achieved our first full year of positive net income while expanding Adjusted EBITDA,”

Dave Gilboa, Co-Founder and Co-CEO

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Net revenue Sourcefull year 2026$959 to $976 millionNew
Adjusted EBITDA Sourcefull year 2026$117 to $119 millionNew
Adjusted EBITDA Margin Sourcefull year 202612.2%New
New store openings Sourcefull year 202650New

What changed from last quarter

  • New guidance: First 2026 guidance given for net revenue, Adjusted EBITDA and new store openings; the prior release gave 2025 guidance. Source
  • New: Board authorized a share repurchase program of up to $100.0 million in February 2026. Source
  • Ended: The Home-Try On program is being sunset at the end of 2025. Source

Revenue and net income

  • Full-year revenue rose 13.0%: Net revenue for 2025 was $871.9 million, up from $771.3 million in 2024. Source
  • Fourth-quarter revenue rose 11.2%: Fourth-quarter net revenue was $212.0 million, up from $190.6 million in the prior-year quarter. Source
  • Full-year net income turned positive: The company reported its first full year of net income, $1.6 million, against a net loss of $20.4 million in 2024. Source
  • Fourth-quarter net loss narrowed: The fourth-quarter net loss was $6.0 million, against $6.9 million a year earlier. Source

Customers, stores and products

  • Active Customers grew 7.0%: Average Revenue per Customer reached $324, up 5.7% year over year, alongside Active Customer growth of 7.0%. Source
  • Opened 47 net new stores: The company opened 47 net new stores in 2025, with 323 stores at year end. Source
  • Lens enhancements gained penetration: Selective glasses price increases in the second quarter and higher penetration of progressives and other lens enhancements partly offset cost pressure in 2025. Source

“As we look ahead, we are focused on laying the groundwork for accelerating growth.”

Neil Blumenthal, Co-Founder and Co-CEO

Gross margin and SG&A

  • Fourth-quarter gross margin fell: Gross margin was 52.4% in the fourth quarter, compared with 54.1% a year earlier. Source
  • Tariffs and doctor headcount weighed: Management named tariff costs on glasses, increased doctor headcount, contact lens sales growth and shipping costs as drivers of the fourth-quarter decline. Source
  • Full-year gross margin declined: Full-year gross margin was 54.0% versus 55.3% in 2024, with drivers similar to those cited for the fourth quarter. Source
  • Fourth-quarter SG&A ratio improved: SG&A rose $5.4 million to $117.9 million, but as a share of revenue it was 55.6%, down from 59.0%. Source
  • Lower SG&A ratio from leverage: Management attributed the lower full-year SG&A ratio to leverage from corporate expenses, customer experience efficiencies and lower stock-based compensation. Source

Adjusted EBITDA and one-time costs

  • Full-year Adjusted EBITDA rose: Adjusted EBITDA reached $95.2 million, and the Adjusted EBITDA margin was 10.9%, up from 9.5% in 2024. Source
  • Fourth-quarter Adjusted EBITDA margin flat: Fourth-quarter Adjusted EBITDA was $15.2 million, up $1.4 million, with the margin at 7.2% against 7.3% a year earlier. Source
  • Restructuring and system costs excluded: Adjusted EBITDA excludes restructuring costs and legal charges; system implementation costs were $1.9 million for 2025. Source

“I am incredibly energized by Warby Parker’s compelling brand promise.”

Adrian Mitchell, Chief Financial Officer

Cash, capital and buyback

  • Third consecutive year of positive cash flow: Operating cash flow was $110.8 million and free cash flow $43.7 million for 2025, the third consecutive year of positive operating cash flow and free cash flow. Source
  • Year-end cash balance: Cash and cash equivalents were $286.4 million at December 31, 2025, against $254.2 million a year earlier. Source
  • Purchases of property rose: Purchases of property and equipment were $67,048 thousand in 2025, against $64,032 thousand in 2024. Source
  • $100 million buyback authorized: In February 2026 the Board authorized repurchases of up to $100.0 million of Class A common stock. Source
  • Repurchases at company discretion: Repurchases may be made in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions, timed at the company's discretion according to market conditions and corporate needs. Source

2026 guidance

  • 2026 revenue guided to $959 - 976 million: The company guided 2026 net revenue to $959 million to $976 million, about 10% to 12% growth over 2025. Source
  • 2026 Adjusted EBITDA guided to $117 - 119 million: Adjusted EBITDA guided to $117 million to $119 million, a 12.2% margin across the revenue range, with 130 basis points of year-over-year expansion. Source
  • 50 new stores planned for 2026: Management is providing for 50 new store openings in 2026. Source

Strategy and brand direction

  • Next phase centered on AI: Co-CEO Neil Blumenthal described the next phase as defined by groundbreaking innovation and AI that will change how customers experience eyewear and vision care. Source
  • Share gains via convenient shopping: Co-CEO Dave Gilboa said the company captured additional market share while giving customers more convenient ways to shop. Source
  • Brand promise positioned for growth: CFO Adrian Mitchell said the brand's combination of style, quality and value positions the business for growth. Source

Coming up, as management said on 26 February 2026

  • Share repurchase may be modified: The Board may modify, suspend or end the repurchase program at any time, and the program has no fixed expiration date. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Active Customer growth Source7.0%
Average Revenue per Customer Source$324
Retail stores at year end Source323
Net new stores opened in 2025 Source47

Risks management discussed

  • External: Tariff costs on glasses were named as a driver of the full-year gross margin decline. Source
  • Operational: One-time inventory write-downs of $2,456 thousand were recorded, primarily tied to ending the Home-Try On program. 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.