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Zevia PBC: Q1 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q1 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 6 May 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 1 raised, 1 lowered, 3 new. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Net sales rose 21.2 percent: Net sales were $46.1 million, up from $38.0 million, on volume growth of 20.4 percent. Management cited expanded distribution and higher volumes across channels. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA turned positive: Adjusted EBITDA was $0.9 million, against a loss of $3.3 million a year earlier, an improvement of $4.2 million. Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure. Source
  • Club channel led volume growth: Expanded Club channel distribution was the main driver of volume growth, with Mass and E-commerce volumes also higher. Source
  • Gross margin fell on aluminum: Gross profit margin was 48.4%, down 1.7 percentage points from 50.1%. Management attributed the decline primarily to higher aluminum costs. Source
  • Cash rose with no debt: Cash and cash equivalents were $26.6 million at March 31, 2026, up from $25.4 million at year end. The company had no outstanding debt and an unused $20 million credit line. Source
  • Reinvestment behind growth pillars: Management credited the Productivity Initiative with funding reinvestment in marketing and in its strategic growth pillars. Source
  • Adjusted net loss was $0.1 million: Adjusted net loss was $0.1 million, against $4.2 million a year earlier, excluding certain litigation and restructuring costs. Source

“We’re off to a strong start to the year, delivering record sales growth and positive adjusted EBITDA, both of which exceeded our expectations.”

Amy Taylor, President and CEO of Zevia

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Net sales Sourcefull year 2026$170 million to $175 millionRaised from $169 million to $173 million
Adjusted EBITDA Sourcefull year 2026loss of $2.0 million to $4.0 millionLowered from loss of $1.0 million to positive $0.5 million
Net sales Sourcesecond quarter 2026$43.0 million to $45.0 millionNew
Adjusted EBITDA Sourcesecond quarter 2026loss of $0.5 million to $1.0 millionNew
Fuel and aluminum costs Source2026additional $6 million impactNew

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance raised: Full-year 2026 net sales guidance moved to $170 million to $175 million from $169 million to $173 million. Source
  • Guidance lowered: Full-year 2026 adjusted EBITDA guidance moved from a range of a $1.0 million loss to $0.5 million of income to a $2.0 million to $4.0 million loss. Source
  • New guidance: Second-quarter 2026 guidance for net sales and adjusted EBITDA was given. The prior release gave first-quarter 2026 guidance only. Source
  • New: Management announced new initiatives, a package design refresh and a brand ambassador partnership with Cardi B. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Net sales rose 21.2 percent: Net sales were $46.1 million, up from $38.0 million, on volume growth of 20.4 percent. Management cited expanded distribution and higher volumes across channels. Source
  • Net loss narrowed year over year: Net loss was $2.4 million, or $0.03 per share to Class A stockholders, against $6.4 million a year earlier. Non-cash equity-based compensation was $0.9 million. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA turned positive: Adjusted EBITDA was $0.9 million, against a loss of $3.3 million a year earlier, an improvement of $4.2 million. Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure. Source

Channels and distribution

  • Club channel led volume growth: Expanded Club channel distribution was the main driver of volume growth, with Mass and E-commerce volumes also higher. Source
  • Costco program began in January: The prior release tied first-quarter net sales guidance to distribution gains from a national Costco program that began in January 2026.

“The traction we are gaining is becoming increasingly evident in our net sales results, and we are excited to see growth continue through the remainder of 2026 and beyond.”

Girish Satya, Chief Financial Officer of Zevia

Costs, margins and pricing

  • Gross margin fell on aluminum: Gross profit margin was 48.4%, down 1.7 percentage points from 50.1%. Management attributed the decline primarily to higher aluminum costs. Source
  • Selling expense ratio improved: Selling expense was $9.4 million, or 20.4% of net sales, against 24.1% a year earlier, reflecting warehousing and repackaging savings. Source
  • G&A rose as share of sales: General and administrative expense was $9.1 million, or 19.7% of net sales, against $7.0 million, or 18.4%, a year earlier. Source

Marketing and selling spend

  • Marketing spend fell on timing: Marketing expense was $5.2 million, or 11.2% of net sales, down $1.0 million, which management attributed to the timing of campaigns. Source
  • Selling and marketing ratio fell: Combined selling and marketing expense was $14.5 million, or 31.5% of net sales, against $15.3 million, or 40.3%, a year earlier. Source

“The momentum we’re seeing today reinforces our confidence that our brand is resonating with consumers and our strategies are positioning us well for future sustainable profitable growth.”

Amy Taylor, President and CEO of Zevia

Cash and balance sheet

  • Cash rose with no debt: Cash and cash equivalents were $26.6 million at March 31, 2026, up from $25.4 million at year end. The company had no outstanding debt and an unused $20 million credit line. Source

Strategy and brand investment

  • Reinvestment behind growth pillars: Management credited the Productivity Initiative with funding reinvestment in marketing and in its strategic growth pillars. Source
  • Innovation and new distribution: Management cited a sharpened innovation pipeline and new distribution as drivers of the quarter. Source

Adjusted measures

  • Adjusted net loss was $0.1 million: Adjusted net loss was $0.1 million, against $4.2 million a year earlier, excluding certain litigation and restructuring costs. Source
  • No restructuring charge this quarter: No restructuring expense was recorded in the first quarter of 2026, against $2.1 million a year earlier, mainly employee severance. Source

Coming up, as management said on 6 May 2026

  • Brand and packaging rollouts to come: Management said new initiatives will roll out, from a package design refresh to a partnership with Cardi B. No dates were given. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Volume growth Source20.4%
Retail locations Sourcemore than 39,000 retail locations in the U.S. and Canada

Risks management discussed

  • External: Management described fuel and aluminum costs as macro-related pressures that weigh on adjusted EBITDA this year. Source
  • Regulatory: A $2.3 million litigation settlement was recorded in general and administrative expense this quarter and is excluded from adjusted measures. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Ahead: Management said first-quarter sales growth and positive adjusted EBITDA both exceeded its expectations. Source
  • Not stated: The CFO credited strong execution of the Productivity Initiative with enabling investment in the growth pillars. 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.