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Zevia PBC: Q4 FY2025 earnings call

What management said about Q4 FY2025, from the documents filed with the SEC on 25 February 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 5 new. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Fourth-quarter sales declined 4.0%: Net sales were $37.9 million, down from $39.5 million a year earlier. Source
  • Fourth-quarter Adjusted EBITDA near breakeven: Adjusted EBITDA was about $50 thousand, compared with a $3.9 million loss a year earlier. Source
  • Costco national program started January: Distribution gains from a national Costco program that began in January 2026 are reflected in 2026 net sales guidance. Source
  • Fourth-quarter gross margin fell 1.5 points: Gross margin was 47.7% in the fourth quarter, down 1.5 percentage points from 49.2%. Source
  • About $5.0 million of 2026 tariff costs: The company expects about $5.0 million of incremental aluminum costs tied to tariffs in 2026 compared with the prior year. Source
  • Cash of $25.4 million, no debt: Year-end cash was $25.4 million with no outstanding debt and an unused $20 million credit line. Source
  • Andrew Ruben named board chair: Lead Independent Director Andrew Ruben was named chair of the board, replacing Padraic Spence, who stays on the board. Source

“We gained traction across our strategic growth pillars of amplified marketing, product innovation and distribution expansion leading to improved financial performance,”

Amy Taylor, President and Chief Executive Officer

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Net sales Sourcefull year 2026$169 million to $173 millionNew
Adjusted EBITDA Sourcefull year 2026a loss of $1.0 million to positive $0.5 millionNew
Net sales Sourcefirst quarter 2026$40.0 million to $42.0 millionNew
Adjusted EBITDA Sourcefirst quarter 2026a loss of $1.6 million and $1.9 millionNew
Incremental aluminum tariff costs Source2026 versus prior yearapproximately $5.0 millionNew

What changed from last quarter

  • New guidance: Full-year 2026 net sales and Adjusted EBITDA guidance appears in this release for the first time. Source
  • New guidance: First-quarter 2026 net sales and Adjusted EBITDA guidance was given in this release. Source
  • New: Andrew Ruben, Lead Independent Director, was named Chair of the board, replacing Padraic Spence. Source
  • New: The company says its national Costco program began in January 2026, adding distribution. Source
  • New: Adjusted EBITDA definition now also excludes certain litigation expenses, which the third-quarter definition did not list. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Fourth-quarter sales declined 4.0%: Net sales were $37.9 million, down from $39.5 million a year earlier. Source
  • Full-year sales rose 4.0%: Full-year net sales reached $161.3 million, up from $155.0 million a year earlier. Source
  • Fourth-quarter Adjusted EBITDA near breakeven: Adjusted EBITDA was about $50 thousand, compared with a $3.9 million loss a year earlier. Source
  • Fourth-quarter net loss narrowed: Net loss was $1.3 million, including $1.1 million of equity-based compensation, a $5.5 million improvement year over year. Source
  • Full-year Adjusted EBITDA loss narrowed: Full-year Adjusted EBITDA loss was $4.7 million, down from $15.2 million in 2024. Source

Products and customers

  • Costco national program started January: Distribution gains from a national Costco program that began in January 2026 are reflected in 2026 net sales guidance. Source
  • Club channel margin described as dilutive: Management said the club channel investment carries a dilutive margin profile and will support future trial and awareness. Source
  • Full-year volume gain led by Walmart: Full-year volumes rose 5.2%, largely from expanded Walmart distribution and higher retailer promotion. Source

“There is still important work to do but with these drivers and favorable tailwinds in our category, we look forward to accelerating growth and capitalizing on the opportunities ahead.”

Amy Taylor, President and Chief Executive Officer

Costs and margins

  • Fourth-quarter gross margin fell 1.5 points: Gross margin was 47.7% in the fourth quarter, down 1.5 percentage points from 49.2%. Source
  • Full-year gross margin improved on costs: Full-year gross margin rose 1.6 points to 48.0%, mainly on lower product costs, inventory management and channel mix. Source
  • About $5.0 million of 2026 tariff costs: The company expects about $5.0 million of incremental aluminum costs tied to tariffs in 2026 compared with the prior year. Source
  • Fourth-quarter G&A rose on bonus accrual: General and administrative expense was $7.3 million, 19.3% of net sales, reflecting higher accrued variable compensation. Source

Demand and volumes

  • Fourth-quarter volumes fell 5.7%: Volumes declined 5.7% in the fourth quarter, mainly from lapping expanded Walmart distribution and reduced retailer promotion. Source
  • Price realization rose in 2025: Reduced club distribution, previously disclosed, and higher price realization were cited as partial offsets to 2025 sales growth. Source
  • Channel mix and tariffs weighed on margin: Fourth-quarter margin fell on channel mix and higher tariffs, partly offset by lower promotional spend. Source

“Through a series of strategic initiatives, we returned to growth and substantially improved our financial profile.”

Girish Satya, Chief Financial Officer

Cash and share count

  • Cash of $25.4 million, no debt: Year-end cash was $25.4 million with no outstanding debt and an unused $20 million credit line. Source
  • Operating cash outflow widened: Net cash used in operating activities was $4.7 million in 2025, versus $1.0 million in 2024; capital spending was $0.3 million. Source
  • Weighted share count increased: Fourth-quarter basic weighted average shares were 67.4 million, up from 60.6 million a year earlier. Source

Strategy and spending

  • Marketing spend rose for full year: Full-year marketing expense reached $19.5 million, 12.1% of net sales, up from 11.0%, to build brand awareness. Source
  • Productivity Initiative cut selling costs: Full-year selling expenses fell $7.2 million, mainly from warehousing, repackaging and freight savings under the Productivity Initiative. Source
  • Fourth-quarter marketing spend fell: Fourth-quarter marketing expense fell $2.9 million, mainly from higher prior-year holiday campaign advertising. Source

People and board

  • Andrew Ruben named board chair: Lead Independent Director Andrew Ruben was named chair of the board, replacing Padraic Spence, who stays on the board. Source
  • Ruben's background cited: The release cites Ruben's five-year board tenure and his prior experience, including founding Trove Recommerce. Source
  • 2025 restructuring mainly severance: Restructuring costs were $2.2 million in 2025, primarily employee severance; none were recorded in the fourth quarter. Source

Non-GAAP reporting

  • Litigation expenses excluded from Adjusted EBITDA: Litigation expenses of $285 thousand were excluded from Adjusted EBITDA for the fourth quarter and full year 2025. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA presented as supplemental: The company says Adjusted EBITDA is supplemental, is not a substitute for GAAP results, and has analytical limitations. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Retail locations distributed Sourcemore than 39,000 in the U.S. and Canada
Volume change, fourth quarter 2025 Sourcedown 5.7%
Volume change, full year 2025 Sourceup 5.2%

Risks management discussed

  • External: Tariffs are expected to add about $5.0 million of aluminum costs in 2026 compared with the prior year. Source
  • Financial: Management said the reconciling items for non-GAAP guidance could significantly affect future GAAP results. 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.