CASY Caseys General Stores Inc - 10-K

ITEM 1A.

RISK FACTORS

You should carefully consider the risks described in this report before making a decision to invest in our securities. If any of such risks actually occur, our business, financial condition, and/or results of operations could be materially adversely affected. In that case, the trading price of our securities could decline and you might lose all or part of your investment.

Risks Related to Our Business Operations

Our business and our reputation could be adversely affected by a cyber or data security incident or the failure to protect sensitive guest, Team Member or supplier data, or the failure to comply with applicable regulations relating to data security and privacy.

In the normal course of our business, we obtain, are provided and have access to large amounts of personal data, including but not limited to credit and debit card information, personally identifiable information and other data from and about our guests, Team Members, and suppliers. A compromise or a breach in our systems, or another data security or privacy incident that results in the loss, unauthorized release, disclosure or acquisition of such data or information, or other sensitive data or information, or other internal or external cyber or data security threats, including but not limited to viruses, denial-of-service attacks, phishing attacks, social engineering attacks, ransomware attacks and other intentional or unintentional disruptions, could occur and have a material adverse effect on our operations and ability to operate, reputation, operating results and financial condition. In addition, similar events at vendors, third-party service providers or other market participants, whether or not we are directly impacted, could negatively affect our business and supply chain or lead to a general loss of guest confidence, which could result in reduced guest traffic and sales.

A data security or privacy incident of any kind could expose us to risk in terms of the loss, unauthorized release, disclosure or acquisition of sensitive guest, Team Member or supplier data, and could result in litigation or other regulatory action being brought against us and damages, monetary and other claims made by or on behalf of the payment card brands, guests, Team Members, shareholders, financial institutions and governmental agencies, or monetary demands or other extortion attempts from cybercriminals. Such events could give rise to substantial monetary damages and/or losses which are not covered, or in some instances fully covered, by our insurance policies and which could adversely affect our reputation, results of operations, financial condition and liquidity. Moreover, a data security or privacy incident could require that we expend significant additional resources on mitigation efforts and to further upgrade the security and other measures that we employ to guard against, and respond to, such incidents.

Food-safety issues and foodborne illnesses, whether actual or reported, or the failure to comply with applicable regulations relating to the transportation, storage, preparation or service of food, could adversely affect our business and reputation.

Instances or reports of food-safety issues, such as foodborne illnesses, food tampering, food contamination or mislabeling, either during growing, manufacturing, packaging, transportation, storage, preparation or service, have in the past significantly damaged the reputations and impacted the sales of companies in the food processing, grocery, convenience, quick service and “fast casual” restaurant sectors, and could affect us as well. Any instances of, or reports linking us to, foodborne illnesses or food tampering, contamination, mislabeling or other food-safety issues could damage the value of our brand and severely hurt sales of our prepared or other food products and possibly lead to product liability and personal injury claims, litigation (including class actions), government agency investigations and damages. In addition, guest preferences and store traffic could be adversely impacted by food-safety issues, health concerns or negative publicity about the consumption of our products or products we sell at our stores, which could damage our reputation and cause a decline in demand for those products and adversely impact our sales. In addition, we rely on our suppliers to provide quality ingredients and products and to comply with applicable food and food safety laws and industry standards. A failure of one of our suppliers to comply with such laws, to meet our quality standards, or to meet food industry standards, could also disrupt our supply chain, damage our reputation and adversely impact our sales.

We may be adversely impacted by increases in the cost of food ingredients and other related costs.

Our business is exposed to fluctuations in prices of commodities. Any increase in the cost or sustained high levels of the cost of cheese, proteins or other commodities could adversely affect the profitability of stores, particularly if we are unable to increase the retail price of our products to offset such costs. We regularly experience inflation in the price of commodities, including food ingredients, which increases our cost of goods sold. Cheese, representing our largest food cost, and other commodities can be subject to significant cost fluctuations due to weather, availability, global demand and other factors that are beyond our control. Additionally, increases in labor, mileage, insurance, fuel, and other costs related to the supply and

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transportation of food ingredients could adversely affect the profitability of our stores. Many of these factors are beyond our control, and we may not be able to adequately mitigate these costs or pass along these costs to our customers, given the significant competitive pricing in our industry.

A significant disruption to our distribution network, to the capacity of the distribution centers, or timely receipt of inventory could adversely impact our sales or increase our transaction costs, which could have a material adverse effect on our business.

We rely on our distribution and transportation network, which includes our drivers and distribution center Team Members, and the networks of our vendors and direct store delivery partners, to provide products to our distribution centers and stores in a timely and cost-effective manner. Any disruption, unanticipated or unusual expense or operational failure related to this process, including our inability, or that of our delivery partners, to hire and/or retain enough qualified drivers and distribution center Team Members to meet demand, could affect our store operations negatively.

We also depend on regular deliveries of products from third-parties to and from our facilities and stores that meet our specifications. In addition, we may have a single supplier or limited number of suppliers for certain products. While we believe there are adequate reserve quantities and alternative suppliers available, shortages or interruptions in the receipt or supply of products caused by unanticipated or changing demand, such as occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic, problems in production or distribution, financial or other difficulties of suppliers, cyber-related events, social unrest, inclement weather or other economic conditions, including the availability of qualified drivers and distribution center Team Members, could adversely affect the availability, quality and cost of products, and our operating results.

We could be adversely affected if we experience difficulties in, or are unable to recruit, hire or retain, members of our leadership team and other distribution, field and store Team Members.

We are dependent on the continued knowledge and efforts of our leadership team and other key Team Members. If, for any reason, our leadership team does not continue to be active in management, or we lose such persons, or other key Team Members, or we fail to identify and/or recruit for current or future leadership positions, our business, financial condition or results of operations could be adversely affected.

We also rely on our ability to recruit, hire and retain qualified drivers, distribution center Team Members, field management and store Team Members. Recent difficulties and shortages in the general labor market for such individuals, in particular hourly Team Members and drivers, and the failure to continue to attract and retain these individuals, especially at reasonable compensation levels in the current rising wage environment, could have a material adverse effect on the operation of individual stores, distribution network, our business and results of operations.

Any failure to anticipate and respond to changes in consumer preferences, or to introduce and promote innovative technology for guest interaction, could adversely affect our financial results.

Our continued success depends on our ability to remain relevant with respect to consumer needs and wants, attitudes toward our industry, and our guests’ preferences for ways of doing business with us, particularly with respect to digital engagement, contactless delivery, third-party delivery, curbside pick-up and other non-traditional ordering and delivery platforms. We must continually work to develop, produce and market new products, maintain and enhance the recognition of our brands, offer a favorable mix of products, and refine our approach as to how and where we market, sell and deliver our products. This risk is compounded by the use of digital media by consumers and the speed by which information and opinions are shared. Further, changes in consumer preferences, trends or perceptions of certain items we sell, or the ingredients therein, could cause consumers to avoid such items in favor of those that are or are perceived as healthier, lower-calorie, or lower in carbohydrates or otherwise based on their ingredients or nutritional content. If we are unable to anticipate and respond to sudden challenges or changes that we may face in the marketplace, trends in the market for our products and changing consumer demands and sentiment, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We rely on our information technology systems, and a number of third-party software providers, to manage numerous aspects of our business, and a disruption of these systems could adversely affect our business.

We are dependent on our information technology (IT) systems, and a large number of third-party software providers and platforms, to manage and operate numerous aspects of our business, develop our financial statements, provide analytical information to management and serve as a platform for our business continuity plan. Our IT systems, and the software and other technology platforms provided by our vendors and other third-parties, are an essential component of our business operations and growth strategies, and a serious disruption to any of these could significantly limit our ability to manage and operate our business efficiently. These systems are vulnerable to, among other things, damage and interruption, computer system and network failures, loss of telecommunications services, physical and electronic loss of, or loss of access to, data and information, security breaches or other security or cyber-related incidents, computer viruses or attacks and obsolescence. Any disruption could cause our business and competitive position to suffer and cause our operating results to be reduced.

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Increased credit card expenses could lead to higher operating expenses and other costs for the Company.

A significant percentage of our sales are made with credit cards. Because the interchange and other fees we pay when credit cards are used to make purchases, which the Company has little control over, are based on transaction amounts, higher fuel prices at the pump, higher gallon movement and other increases in price and sales of other items we sell in our stores directly result in higher credit card expenses. These additional fees directly increase operating expenses. Higher operating expenses that result from higher credit card fees may decrease our overall profit and have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Total credit card fees incurred in fiscal 2025 exceeded $250 million.

In addition, credit card providers now mandate that any fraudulent activity and related losses at fuel dispensers that do not accept certain chip technology (referred to as EMV) be borne by the retailers accepting those cards. While the Company has invested, and will continue to invest, a significant amount of resources in upgrading its fuel dispensers to accept EMV, and has implemented other fraud mitigation strategies, not all of its fuel dispensers have, or in the near future may, be upgraded to such technology. As such, it is possible that credit card providers could attempt to pass the costs of certain fraudulent activity at the non-upgraded dispensers to the Company, which if significant, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our operations present hazards and risks which may not be fully covered by insurance, if insured.

The scope and nature of our operations present a variety of operational hazards and risks that must be managed through continual oversight and control. As protection against hazards and risks, we maintain insurance against many, but not all, potential losses or liabilities arising from such risks. Uninsured or underinsured losses and liabilities from operating risks could reduce the funds available to us for capital and investment spending and could have a material adverse impact on the results of operations.

The dangers inherent in the storage and transport of fuel could cause disruptions and could expose to us potentially significant losses, costs or liabilities.

We store fuel in storage tanks at our retail locations and in the fuel terminal acquired in the recent Fikes transaction. Additionally, a significant portion of fuel is transported in our own trucks, instead of by third-party carriers. Our operations are subject to significant hazards and risks inherent in transporting and storing motor fuel. These hazards and risks include, but are not limited to, fires, explosions, traffic accidents, spills, discharges and other releases, any of which could result in distribution difficulties and disruptions, environmental pollution, government imposed fines or clean-up obligations, personal injury or wrongful death claims and other damage to our properties and the properties of others. As a result, any such event could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Consumer or other litigation could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

Our retail operations are characterized by a high volume of guest traffic and by transactions involving a wide array of product selections, including prepared food. Retail operations, and in particular our distribution and food-related operations, carry a higher exposure to consumer litigation risk when compared to the operations of companies operating in many other industries. Consequently, we are, and may become a party to, certain personal injury, food safety, product liability, accessibility, data security and privacy and other legal actions in the ordinary course of our business. While these actions are generally routine in nature, incidental to the operation of our business and immaterial in scope, if our assessment of any action or actions should prove inaccurate, our financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected.

Additionally, we are occasionally exposed to individual, industry-wide or class/collective-action claims arising from the products we carry, industry-specific business practices or other operational matters, including accessibility, consumer protection, wage-and-hour and other employment related individual and class/collective-action claims. Our defense costs and any resulting damage awards or settlement amounts may be significant and not be covered, or in some instances fully covered, by our insurance policies. Thus, an unfavorable outcome or settlement of one or more of these lawsuits could have a material adverse effect on our reputation, financial position, liquidity and results of operations.

Pandemics or disease outbreaks, responsive actions taken by governments and others to mitigate their spread, and guest behavior in response to these events, have, and may in the future, adversely affect our business operations, supply chain and financial results.

Pandemics or disease outbreaks have had, and may continue to have, adverse impacts on the Company’s business. These include, but are not limited to, decreased store traffic and changed guest behavior, decreased demand for our fuel, prepared food and other convenience offerings, decreased or slowed unit/store growth, issues with our supply chain including difficulties delivering products to our stores and obtaining certain items sold at our stores, issues with respect to our Team Members’ health, working hours and/or ability to perform their duties, and increased costs to the Company in response to these conditions and to protect the health and safety of our Team Members and guests.

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In addition, the general economic and other impacts related to responsive actions taken by governments and others to mitigate the spread of pandemics or disease outbreaks, including but not limited to stay-at-home, shelter-in-place and other travel restrictions, social distancing requirements, mask mandates, limitations on certain businesses’ hours and operations, limits on public gatherings and other events, and restrictions on what, and in certain cases how, certain products can be sold and offered to our guests, have, and may continue to, result in declines in store traffic and overall demand, increased operating costs, and decreased or slower unit/store growth. Further, although the Company’s business was deemed an “essential service” by many public authorities throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, allowing our operations to continue (in some cases in a modified manner), there are no guarantees the designation will continue, or be applied during a future pandemic or disease outbreak, which would require us to reduce our operations and potentially close stores for an undetermined period of time.

Covenants in our Senior Notes and credit facility agreements require us to comply with certain covenants and meet financial maintenance tests. Failure to comply with these requirements could have a material impact to us.

We are required to comply with certain financial and non-financial covenants under our existing Senior Notes and credit facility agreements. A breach of any covenant, even if unintentional, could result in a default or other negative consequences under such agreements, which could, if not timely cured, permit lenders to secure outstanding amounts, declare all amounts outstanding to be immediately due and payable, and/or to terminate such instruments, which in turn could have a material adverse effect on our business, liquidity, financial condition and results of operation.

Risks Related to Governmental Actions, Regulations, and Oversight

Compliance with and changes in tax laws could adversely affect our performance.

We are subject to extensive tax liabilities imposed by multiple jurisdictions, including but not limited to state and federal income taxes, indirect taxes (excise, sales/use, and gross receipts taxes), payroll taxes, property taxes, and tobacco taxes. Tax laws and regulations are dynamic and subject to change as new laws are passed, new administrations are elected and new interpretations of existing laws are issued, applied and/or enforced. In addition, as the federal government and certain states face economic and other pressures, they may seek revenue in the form of additional income, sales and other taxes and related fees. These activities could result in increased expenditures for tax liabilities in the future or a decrease in the disposable income of our guests. Many of these liabilities are subject to periodic audits by the respective taxing authorities. Subsequent changes to our tax liabilities as a result of these audits may subject us to interest and penalties.

We are subject to extensive governmental regulations.

Our business is subject to extensive governmental laws and regulations that include, but are not limited to, those relating to environmental protection and remediation; the preparation, transportation, storage, sale and labeling of food and other products; minimum wage, overtime and other employment and labor laws and regulations; the Americans with Disabilities Act; legal restrictions on the sale of alcohol, tobacco and nicotine products, money orders, lottery/lotto and other age-restricted products; compliance with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards and similar requirements; compliance with the Federal Motor Carriers Safety Administration regulations; and, securities laws and Nasdaq listing standards. These, and other laws and regulations, are dynamic and subject to change as new laws are passed, new interpretations of existing laws are issued and applied and as political administrations and majorities change over time. The effects created by these, including the costs of compliance with these laws and regulations, is substantial, and a violation of or change in such laws and/or regulations could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

State laws regulate the sale of alcohol, tobacco and nicotine products, lottery/lotto products and other age-restricted products. A violation or change of these laws could adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations because state and local regulatory agencies have the power to approve, revoke, suspend, or deny applications for and renewals of permits and licenses relating to the sale of certain of these products or to seek other remedies.

Any appreciable increase in wages, overtime pay, or the statutory minimum salary requirements, minimum wage rate, mandatory scheduling or scheduling notification laws, or the adoption of additional mandated healthcare or paid-time-off benefits would result in an increase in our labor costs. For example, recent state-mandated minimum wage increases, along with general labor market shortages and wage pressures, have increased our operating expenses significantly. Such cost increases, or the penalties for failing to comply, could adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations. State or federal lawmakers or regulators may also enact new laws or regulations applicable to us that may have a material adverse and potentially disparate impact on our business.

Governmental action and campaigns to discourage tobacco and nicotine use and other tobacco products may have a material adverse effect on our revenues and gross profit.

Congress has given the Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) broad authority to regulate tobacco and nicotine products, including e-cigarettes and vapor products, and the FDA has enacted numerous regulations restricting the sale of such products. These governmental actions, as well as national, state and local campaigns and regulations to discourage tobacco and

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nicotine use and limit the sale of such products, including but not limited to tax increases related to such products and certain actions taken to increase the minimum age in order to purchase such products, have resulted or may in the future result in, reduced industry volume and consumption levels, and could materially affect the retail price of cigarettes or other nicotine products, unit volume and revenues, gross profit, and overall guest traffic, which in turn could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Wholesale cost and tax increases relating to tobacco and nicotine products could affect our operating results.

Sales of tobacco and nicotine products have averaged approximately 9% of our total revenue over the past three fiscal years, and our tobacco and nicotine revenue less cost of goods sold (excluding depreciation and amortization) accounted for approximately 9% of the total revenue less cost of goods sold (excluding depreciation and amortization) for the same period. Any significant increases in wholesale cigarette and related product costs or tax increases on tobacco or nicotine products may have a materially adverse effect on unit demand for cigarettes (or related products). Currently, major cigarette and tobacco and nicotine manufacturers offer significant rebates to retailers, although there can be no assurance that such rebate programs will continue. We include these rebates as a component of cost of goods sold, which affects our gross margin from sales of cigarettes and related products. In the event these rebates are no longer offered or decreased, our wholesale cigarette and related product costs will increase accordingly. In general, we attempt to pass price increases on to our guests. Due to competitive pressures in our markets, however, we may not always be able to do so. These factors could adversely affect our retail price of cigarettes and related products, cigarette or related product unit volume and revenues, merchandise revenue less cost of goods sold (excluding depreciation and amortization), and overall guest traffic, and in turn have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Risks Related to Our Industry

General economic and political conditions that are largely out of the Company’s control may adversely affect the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.

General economic and political conditions, including social and political causes and movements, higher interest rates, higher fuel and other energy costs, inflation, tariffs, increases or fluctuations in commodity prices such as cheese, proteins and coffee, higher levels of unemployment, higher consumer debt levels and lower consumer discretionary spending, higher tax rates and other changes in tax laws or other economic factors may affect the operations of our stores, input costs, construction and transportation costs, consumer spending, buying habits and labor markets generally, and could adversely affect the discretionary income and spending levels of our guests, the costs of the products we sell in our stores, the consumer demand for such products and the labor costs of transporting, storing and selling those products, and the costs of building, acquiring and remodeling stores. These events and their impacts can be unpredictable, and we may not always be able to recapture these higher input costs through pricing strategies or otherwise. In addition, unfavorable economic conditions, especially those affecting the agricultural industry, higher fuel prices, and unemployment levels can affect consumer confidence, spending patterns, and miles driven, and can cause guests to purchase less, visit our stores less often or “trade down” to lower priced products in certain categories when these conditions exist. These factors can lead to store traffic and sales declines, and in turn have an adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Developments related to fuel efficiency, fuel conservation practices, climate change, and changing consumer preferences may decrease the demand for motor fuel.

Technological advances and consumer behavior in reducing fuel use, governmental mandates to improve fuel efficiency and consumer desire or regulations to lower carbon emissions could lessen the demand for our largest revenue product, petroleum-based motor fuel, which may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operation. In addition, a shift toward electric, hybrid, hydrogen, natural gas or other alternative fuel-powered vehicles, could fundamentally change the shopping and driving habits of our guests or lead to new forms of fueling destinations or new competitive pressures. Any of these outcomes could potentially result in fewer guest visits to our stores, decreases in sales revenue across all categories or lower profit margins, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Unfavorable weather conditions can adversely affect our business.

The vast majority of our stores, our distribution centers, and our corporate offices, are located in the Midwest region of the United States, which is susceptible to tornadoes, thunderstorms, extended periods of rain or unseasonably cold temperatures, flooding, ice storms, and heavy snow. In addition, certain of the stores acquired in the Fikes transaction are located in the South, in particular Florida, which is susceptible to hurricanes. Inclement weather conditions could damage our facilities, impact our supply chain and the supply chain of our vendors, or could have a significant impact on consumer behavior, travel, and convenience store traffic patterns as well as our ability to operate our stores, distribution centers or corporate offices. In addition, we typically generate higher revenues and gross margins during warmer weather months, which fall within our first

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and second fiscal quarters. When weather conditions are not favorable during a particular period, our operating results and cash flow from operations could be adversely affected.

The volatility of wholesale petroleum costs could adversely affect our operating results.

Our net income is significantly affected by changes in the margins we receive on our retail fuel sales. Over the past three fiscal years, on average our retail fuel revenues accounted for approximately 64% of total revenue and our retail fuel revenue less cost of goods sold (excluding depreciation and amortization) accounted for approximately 34% of the total revenue less cost of goods sold (excluding depreciation and amortization). Crude oil and domestic wholesale petroleum markets are currently, and in the recent past have been, marked by significant volatility. General political conditions, threatened or actual acts of war or terrorism, instability or other changes in oil producing regions, including the Middle East, South America and Europe, and trade, economic or other disagreements between oil producing nations, can, and recently have, significantly affected crude oil supplies and wholesale petroleum costs. In addition, the supply of fuel and wholesale purchase costs could be adversely affected in the event of a shortage, which could result from, among other things, severe weather events in oil producing regions, the lack of capacity at United States oil refineries or, in our case, the level of fuel contracts that we have that guarantee an uninterrupted, unlimited supply of fuel. Increases in the retail price of petroleum products have resulted and could in the future adversely affect consumer demand for fuel and other discretionary purchases. This volatility makes it difficult to predict the impact that future wholesale cost fluctuations will have on our operating results and financial condition in future periods. Any significant change in one or more of these factors could materially affect the number of fuel gallons sold, fuel revenue less cost of goods sold excluding depreciation and amortization and overall guest traffic, which in turn could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

The convenience store industry is highly competitive.

The convenience store and retail fuel industries in which we operate are highly competitive and characterized by ease of entry and constant change in the number and type of retailers offering the products and services found in our stores. We compete with many other convenience store chains, gasoline stations, supermarkets, drugstores, discount stores, "dollar" stores, club stores, fast food outlets, restaurants, coffee shops and other small box beverage outlets, mass merchants, and a variety of other national and local retail companies, including retail gasoline companies that have more extensive retail outlets, greater brand name recognition and more established fuel supply arrangements. Several non-traditional retailers such as supermarkets, club stores, and mass merchants have affected the convenience store industry by entering the retail fuel business and have obtained a share of the fuels market. Certain of these non-traditional retailers may use more extensive promotional pricing or discounts, both at the fuel pump and in the store, to encourage in-store merchandise sales and gasoline sales. In some of our markets, our competitors have been in existence longer and have greater financial, marketing, and other resources than we do. As a result, our competitors may have a greater ability to bear the economic risks inherent in our industry and may be able to respond better to changes in the economy and new opportunities within the industry, including those related to electric vehicle charging stations. This intense competition could adversely affect our revenues and profitability and have a material adverse impact on our business and results of operations.

Risks Related to Our Growth Strategies

We may not be able to identify, acquire, and integrate new properties and stores, which could adversely affect our ability to grow our business.

An important part of our growth strategy has been to purchase properties on which to build our stores, and in other instances, acquire other convenience stores that complement our existing stores or broaden our geographic presence. We expect to continue pursuing acquisition opportunities, which involve risks that could cause our actual growth or operating results to differ materially from our expectations or the expectations of our shareholders and securities analysts. These risks include, but are not limited to, the inability to identify and acquire suitable sites at advantageous prices; competition in targeted market areas; difficulties in obtaining favorable financing for larger acquisitions or construction projects; difficulties during the acquisition process in discovering some of the liabilities of the businesses that we acquire; difficulties associated with our existing financial controls, information systems, management resources and human resources needed to support our future growth; difficulties with hiring, training and retaining skilled personnel; difficulties in adapting distribution and other operational and management systems to an expanded network of stores; difficulties in adopting, adapting to or changing the business practices, models or processes of stores or chains we acquire; difficulties in obtaining governmental and other third-party consents, permits and licenses needed to operate additional stores; difficulties in obtaining the cost savings and financial improvements we anticipate from future acquired stores; the potential diversion of our management’s attention from focusing on our core business due to an increased focus on acquisitions; and, challenges associated with the consummation and integration of any future acquisition.

Risks Relating to Our Common Stock

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The market price for our common stock has been and may in the future be volatile, which could cause the value of your investment to decline.

Securities markets worldwide experience significant price and volume fluctuations. This market volatility could significantly affect the market price of our common stock without regard to our operating performance. In addition, the price of our common stock could be subject to wide fluctuations in response to these, and other factors: a deviation in our results from the expectations of public market analysts and investors; statements by research analysts about our common stock, company, or industry; changes in market valuations of companies in our industry and market evaluations of our industry generally; additions or departures of key personnel; actions taken by our competitors; sales or repurchases of common stock by the Company or other affiliates; and, other general economic, political, or market conditions, many of which are beyond our control.

The market price of our common stock will also be affected by our quarterly operating results and same store sales results, which may be expected to fluctuate. Some of the factors that may affect our quarterly results and same store sales include general, regional, and national economic conditions; competition; unexpected costs; changes in retail pricing, consumer trends, and the number of stores we open and/or close during any given period; and the costs of compliance with corporate governance and other legal requirements. Other factors are discussed throughout Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. You may not be able to resell your shares of our common stock at or above the price you pay.

Any issuance of shares of our common stock in the future could have a dilutive effect on your investment.

We could issue additional shares for investment, acquisition, or other business purposes. Even if there is not an immediate need for capital, we may choose to issue securities to sell in public or private equity markets, if and when conditions are favorable. Raising funds by issuing securities would dilute the ownership interests of our existing shareholders. Additionally, certain types of equity securities we may issue in the future could have rights, preferences, or privileges senior to the rights of existing holders of our common stock.

Iowa law and provisions in our charter documents may have the effect of preventing or hindering a change in control and adversely affecting the market price of our common stock.

Our articles of incorporation give the Company’s board of directors the authority to issue up to one million shares of preferred stock and to determine the rights and preferences of the preferred stock without obtaining shareholder approval. The existence of this preferred stock could make it more difficult or discourage an attempt to obtain control of the Company by means of a tender offer, merger, proxy contest, or otherwise. Furthermore, this preferred stock could be issued with other rights, including economic rights, senior to our common stock, thereby having a potentially adverse effect on the market price of our common stock.

In addition, provisions of Iowa corporate law could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire us or remove our directors by means of a proxy contest, even if doing so would be beneficial to our shareholders. For example, the Iowa Business Corporation Act (the “Act”) prohibits publicly held Iowa corporations to which it applies from engaging in a business combination with an interested shareholder for a period of three years after the date of the transaction in which the person became an interested shareholder unless the business combination is approved in a prescribed manner. Further, the Act permits a board of directors, in the context of a takeover proposal, to consider not only the effect of a proposed transaction on shareholders, but also on a corporation’s Team Members, suppliers, guests, creditors, and on the communities in which the corporation operates. These provisions could discourage others from bidding for our shares and could, as a result, reduce the likelihood of an increase in our stock price that would otherwise occur if a bidder sought to buy our stock.

We may, in the future, adopt other measures (such as a shareholder rights plan or “poison pill”) that could have the effect of delaying, deferring, or preventing an unsolicited takeover, even if such a change in control were at a premium price or favored by a majority of unaffiliated shareholders. These measures may be adopted without any further vote or action by our shareholders.

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ITEM 7.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

(Dollars and gallons in thousands, except per share amounts)

Please read the following discussion of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations in conjunction with the selected historical consolidated financial data and consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes presented elsewhere in this Form 10-K.

Overview

As of April 30, 2025, Casey’s General Stores, Inc. and its direct and indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries operate convenience stores primarily under the names "Casey's" and "Casey’s General Store" (collectively, with the stores below referenced as "GoodStop", "CEFCO", "Bucky's", or "Lone Star Food Store", referred to as "Casey's" or the "Company") throughout 20 states, approximately half of which are located in Iowa, Missouri and Illinois. On November 1, 2024, the Company closed on the acquisition of Fikes Wholesale and Group Petroleum Services (collectively "Fikes"), owner of CEFCO Convenience Stores, which added 198 total stores, including 148 additional stores in Texas, as well as 50 stores in Alabama, Florida, and Mississippi, which are the first stores Casey's has operated in these states. The acquisition also included the Company's first fuel terminal, located in Waco, Texas.

Approximately 71% of all stores were opened in areas with populations of fewer than 20,000 persons. The Company competes on the basis of price, as well as on the basis of traditional features of convenience store operations such as location, extended hours, product offerings, and quality of service. As of April 30, 2025, there were a total of 2,904 stores in operation.

All convenience stores carry a broad selection of food items (which at most stores includes, but is not limited to, freshly prepared foods such as regular and breakfast pizza, donuts, hot breakfast items, and hot and cold sandwiches), beverages, tobacco and nicotine products, health and beauty aids, automotive products, and other non-food items. As of April 30, 2025, 260 store locations offered car washes. In addition, all but six store locations offer fuel for sale on a self-service basis.

As part of the Fikes transaction, the Company expanded its wholesale network where Casey’s manages fuel wholesale supply agreements to certain dealer sites and other wholesale locations. The dealer and wholesale locations are not operated by Casey's and are not included in our overall store count in the table below. Approximately 2% of total revenue for the year-ended April 30, 2025 relates to this fuel wholesale network.

The Company’s business is seasonal, and generally experiences higher sales and profitability during the first and second fiscal quarters (May-October), when the weather is warmer across our footprint and guests tend to purchase greater quantities of fuel and certain convenience items such as beer, sports drinks, water, soft drinks and ice.

The following table represents the roll forward of store growth throughout fiscal 2025:

Store Count

Stores at April 30, 2024

New store construction

Acquisitions

Acquisitions not opened

Prior acquisitions opened

Closed

Stores at April 30, 2025

For further general descriptive information on the Company’s business and operations, see Item 1 , above, which is incorporated herein by reference.

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Long-Term Strategic Plan

The Company announced a three-year strategic plan in June 2023 focused on three enterprise objectives: grow store count, accelerate the food business, and enhance operational efficiency, which are enabled by a strong foundation and Team Member experience. The Company's plan was based on building on our proud heritage and distinct advantages, to become more contemporary through new capabilities, technology, data, and processes. We believe this will best position the Company to address rapidly evolving shifts in consumer habits and other macro retail trends.

The Company made significant progress towards its strategic plan goals during the 2025 fiscal year. Some of the key highlights include:

• Built or acquired 270 additional stores, the largest annual growth in Company history. This included 198 retail stores through the acquisition of Fikes, the largest acquisition in Company history,

• Diluted earnings per share of $14.64, representing an increase 9.0% from the prior year,

• Casey's Rewards members grew to over 9 million at year-end, and

• Same-store labor hours were down year over year, marking twelve consecutive quarters of reduction.

Fuel Profitability

The Company, and the retail fuel industry, has experienced historically high average revenue less cost of goods sold per gallon (excluding depreciation and amortization). Although this has remained relatively consistent, on a longer-term basis, this metric can fluctuate significantly, and sometimes unpredictably, in the short-term. While the Company believes that its average revenue less cost of goods sold per gallon (excluding depreciation and amortization) will remain elevated from historical levels for the foreseeable future, it is possible that increased oil and fuel prices, higher interest rates, macroeconomic conditions and/or continuing conflicts or disruptions involving oil producing countries may materially impact the performance of this metric.

Electric Vehicles and Renewable Fuels

Casey's continues its process of implementing an electric vehicle ("EV") strategy and our management team remains committed to understanding if and how the increased demand for, and usage of, EVs impacts consumer behavior across our store footprint and beyond. As consumer demand for alternative fuel options continues to grow, Casey’s has continued to add EV charging stations across our 20-state footprint. As of April 30, 2025, the Company has 230 charging stations at 47 stores, across 13 states. Our EV growth strategy is currently designed to selectively increase our charging stations at locations within our region where we see higher levels of consumer EV buying trends and demand for EV charging. To date, consumer EV demand within our Midwest footprint has been comparatively lower than the levels along the coasts. As EV demand from our guests increases, we are prepared to strategically integrate charging station options at select stores.

The Company also remains committed to offering renewable fuel options at our stores and continues to expand its alternative fuel options in response to evolving guest needs and as part of its environmental stewardship efforts. Currently, almost all of our stores offer fuel with at least 10% of blended ethanol and 41% of our stores offer biodiesel. Every newly built store has the capability to sell renewable fuels, and we aim to continue growing sales of renewable fuels throughout our footprint.

Fiscal 2025 Compared with Fiscal 2024

Total revenue for fiscal 2025 increased by $1,077,986 (7.3%) since the prior fiscal year, primarily driven by $952,018 of additional revenue from the Fikes acquisition, which included 198 additional convenience stores and a wholesale fuel network. Prepared food and dispensed beverage revenue increased by $150,162 (10.3%), due to an increase in same-store sales of 3.5% and an increase of approximately 6.8% due to store growth. The increase in same-store sales was driven by improved sales of hot sandwiches, bakery, and dispensed beverages. Grocery and general merchandise revenue increased by $416,493 (11.2%), due to an increase in same-store sales of 2.3% and an increase of approximately 8.9% due to store growth. The increase in same-store sales was driven by strong sales of non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages. Retail fuel revenue increased by $373,962 (4.0%). The increase in the number of gallons sold of 368,183 (13.0%), was partially offset by a decrease in the average retail price per gallon of 7.8%. The increase in gallons sold was primarily attributable to store growth, as same-store gallons sold increased 0.1%. Other revenue increased $137,369 (50.5%) compared to the prior year, driven primarily by an increase in total revenue related to the wholesale fuel network, as a result of the Fikes acquisition.

Total revenue less cost of goods sold (excluding depreciation and amortization) was 23.5% of revenue for fiscal 2025 compared with 22.5% for the prior year. Prepared food and dispensed beverage revenue less related cost of goods sold (excluding depreciation and amortization) decreased to 58.2% of revenue from 58.7% during fiscal 2025 compared to the prior year, driven primarily by the acquisition of Fikes, as the current food offerings at these acquired stores have a lower percentage than a Casey's store. Grocery and general merchandise revenue less related cost of goods sold (excluding depreciation and amortization) increased to 35.0% of revenue from 34.1% during fiscal 2025 compared to the prior year. The current year percentage was positively impacted by product mix.

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Fuel revenue less related cost of goods sold (excluding of depreciation and amortization) was 12.7% of revenue for fiscal 2025 compared with 11.9% for the prior year. Fuel cents per gallon decreased to 38.7 cents in fiscal 2025 from 39.5 cents in fiscal 2024. The Company sold 23.8 million RINs (renewable identification numbers) for $16,664 during fiscal 2025, compared to the sale of 25.9 million RINs fiscal 2024, which generated $33,023 (see Note 1 , below, for a further description of RINs and how they are generated).

Operating expenses increased $263,843 (11.5%) to $2,552,356 in fiscal 2025. Approximately 10% of the increase is due to operating 246 more stores than the comparable period in the prior year, including transaction costs related to the Fikes acquisition. Insurance expense contributed approximately 1% of the increase. Total same-store employee expense contributed to approximately 1% of the increase, as the increases in wage rates were mostly offset by a reduction in same-store labor hours.

Depreciation and amortization expense increased $53,850 (15.4%) to $403,647 in fiscal 2025, primarily due to operating 246 more stores than a year ago.

Interest, net increased $30,510 (57.1%) to $83,951 in fiscal 2025, primarily due to issuing incremental debt of $1,100,000 to partially fund the acquisition of Fikes. For additional discussion, refer to Note 3 .

The effective tax rate decreased to 23.3% in fiscal 2025 from 23.5% in fiscal 2024. The decrease in the effective tax rate was primarily due to a one-time benefit to update the state deferred tax rate following the Fikes acquisition (0.7%) and an increase in excess tax benefits recognized on share-based awards (0.3%). The effect of these favorable items was partially offset by a one-time benefit in the prior year from adjusting the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities for state law changes enacted during the year (0.8%).

Net income increased by $44,548 (8.9%) to $546,520 in fiscal 2025 from $501,972 in fiscal 2024. The increase was primarily attributable to higher profitability both inside the store and in fuel. This increase was partially offset by higher operating expenses, depreciation and amortization, interest, net and income tax expense. See discussion in the paragraphs above for the primary drivers for each of these increases.

Please refer to the Form 10-K related to the fiscal year ended April 30, 2024, filed on June 24, 2024, for comparison of Fiscal 2024 to Fiscal 2023.

COMPANY TOTAL REVENUE AND REVENUE LESS COST OF GOODS SOLD (EXCLUDING DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION) BY CATEGORY

Years ended April 30,

Total revenue by category

Prepared food and dispensed beverage

Grocery and general merchandise

Fuel

Other (1)

Revenue less cost of goods sold (excluding depreciation and amortization) by category

Prepared food and dispensed beverage

Grocery and general merchandise

Fuel

Other (1)

(1) The 'Other' category primarily consists of activity related to wholesale fuel and car wash revenue, which are both presented gross of applicable costs, as well as lottery, which is presented net of applicable costs.

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INDIVIDUAL STORE COMPARISONS (1)

Years ended April 30,

Average retail sales

Average retail inside sales (2)

Average revenue less cost of goods sold (excluding depreciation and amortization) on inside sales (2)

Average retail sales of fuel

Average revenue less cost of goods sold (excluding depreciation and amortization) on fuel

Average operating income (3)

Average number of gallons sold

(1) Individual store comparisons include only those stores that had been in operation for at least one full year and remained open on April 30 of the fiscal year indicated.

(2) Inside sales is comprised of sales related to the grocery and general merchandise and prepared food and dispensed beverage categories.

(3) Average operating income represents retail sales less cost of goods sold, operating expenses and depreciation and amortization attributable to a particular store; it excludes interest, federal and state income taxes, and Company operating expenses not attributable to a particular store.

SAME STORE SALES BY CATEGORY (1)

Years ended April 30,

Prepared food and dispensed beverage same-store sales

Grocery and general merchandise same-store sales

Same-store fuel gallons sold

(1) Same-store sales is a common metric used in the convenience store industry. We define same-store sales as the total sales increase (or decrease) for stores open during the full time of the periods being presented. The store must be open for each entire fiscal year being compared. Remodeled stores that remained open or were closed for just a very brief period of time (less than a week) during the period being compared remain in the same store sales comparison. If a store is replaced, either at the same location (razed and rebuilt) or relocated to a new location, it is removed from the comparison until the new store has been open for each entire period being compared. Newly constructed and acquired stores do not enter the calculation until they are open for each entire period being compared.

Use of Non-GAAP Measures

We define EBITDA as net income before net interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization. EBITDA is not considered to be a GAAP measure and should not be considered as a substitute for net income, cash flows from operating activities or other income or cash flow statement data. This measure has limitations as an analytical tool, and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. We strongly encourage investors to review our financial statements and publicly filed reports in their entirety and not to rely on any single financial measure.

We believe EBITDA is useful to investors in evaluating our operating performance because securities analysts and other interested parties use this calculation as a measure of financial performance and debt service capabilities, and it is regularly used by management for internal purposes including our capital budgeting process, evaluating acquisition targets, assessing store performance, and awarding incentive compensation.

Because non-GAAP financial measures are not standardized, EBITDA, as defined by us, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies. It therefore may not be possible to compare our use of this non-GAAP financial measure with those used by other companies.

The following table contains a reconciliation of net income to EBITDA for the years ended April 30, 2025, 2024, and 2023, respectively:

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Years ended April 30,

Net income

Interest, net

Depreciation and amortization

Federal and state income taxes

EBITDA

For the year ended April 30, 2025, EBITDA increased 13.3%. The increase was primarily attributable to higher profitability both inside the store and in fuel, which was partially offset by higher operating expenses. See discussion in the preceding sections for the primary drivers for each of these individual changes.

Please refer to the Form 10-K related to the fiscal year ended April 30, 2024, filed on June 24, 2024, for comparison of Fiscal 2024 to Fiscal 2023.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Critical accounting policies are those accounting policies that management believes are important to the portrayal of our financial condition and results of operations and require management’s most difficult, subjective judgments, often because of the need to estimate the effects of inherently uncertain factors.

Business Combinations

The Company uses the acquisition method of accounting for transactions meeting the definition of a business combination. The acquisitions are recorded in the financial statements by allocating the purchase price to the assets acquired, including intangible assets, and liabilities assumed, based on their estimated fair values at the acquisition date as determined by third party appraisals or internal estimates. The significant assets acquired include buildings, equipment, land, and right-of-use lease assets.

The Company primarily values buildings and equipment using the cost method and land using comparable land sales. The purchase price is determined based upon the fair value of consideration transferred to the seller. Fair values are typically determined using Level 3 inputs (see Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements). Given these estimates often are based upon unobservable inputs, the estimates require significant judgment when determining the overall value and actual results could differ from the estimates originally established.

When acquiring leases in a business combination, we retain the lease classification utilized by the seller if it was determined using acceptable methods under ASC 842 . As part of the allocation of the purchase price in a business combination, lease terms are compared to market terms utilizing an income approach to determine if leases are favorable or unfavorable. Any favorable or unfavorable leasehold interests identified increase (favorable) or reduce (unfavorable) the right-of-use lease asset and are recognized over the life of the related right-of-use asset.

The excess of the cost of the acquisition over the net amounts assigned to the fair value of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed is recorded as goodwill, if the acquisition is considered to be a business combination. During a one-year period from the acquisition date, amounts are allowed to be provisional for areas that are expected to be adjusted to their final amounts during the measurement period. These provisional adjustments are for when the buyer obtains additional information about the facts and circumstances that existed as of the acquisition date. Subsequent adjustments recorded to provisional balances within the measurement period are recorded in the period in which the adjustment is identified. Acquisition-related transaction costs are recognized in operating expenses as incurred.

Inventory

Inventories, which consist of merchandise and fuel, are stated at the lower of cost or market. For fuel inventories, cost is determined through the use of the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method. For merchandise inventories, cost is determined through the use of the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method. Inventory valued using the LIFO method of inventory requires judgement when making the determination of appropriate indices to be used for determining price level changes.

Long-lived Assets

The Company monitors closed and underperforming stores for an indication that the carrying amount of assets may not be recoverable. If the sum of the expected future undiscounted cash flows is less than the carrying amount of the assets, an impairment loss is recognized to the extent carrying value of the assets exceeds their estimated fair value. Fair value is based on management’s estimate of the price that would be received to sell an asset in an orderly transaction between market participants. The estimate is derived from offers, actual sale or disposition of assets subsequent to year-end, and other

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indications of fair value, which are considered Level 3 inputs (see Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements). In determining whether an asset is impaired, assets are grouped at the lowest level for which there are identifiable cash flows that are largely independent of the cash flows of other groups of assets, which for the Company is generally on a store-by-store basis. The Company incurred impairment charges of $4,080 in fiscal 2025, $4,057 in fiscal 2024, and $3,500 in fiscal 2023. Impairment charges are a component of operating expenses.

Self-insurance

The Company is primarily self-insured for Team Member healthcare, workers’ compensation, general liability, and automobile claims. The self-insurance claim liability for workers’ compensation, general liability, and automobile claims is determined actuarially at each year-end based on claims filed and an estimate of claims incurred but not yet reported. Actuarial projections of the losses are employed due to the potential of variability in the liability estimates. Some factors affecting the uncertainty of claims include the development time frame, settlement patterns, litigation and adjudication direction, and medical treatment and cost trends. The liability is not discounted. The balances of our self-insurance reserves were $74,471 and $57,369 for the years ended April 30, 2025 and 2024, respectively.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Refer to Note 1 of the consolidated financial statements for a description of new accounting pronouncements applicable to the Company.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Due to the nature of our business, cash provided by operations is our primary source of liquidity. The Company finances our inventory purchases primarily from normal trade credit aided by relatively rapid inventory turnover. This turnover allows us to conduct operations without large amounts of cash and working capital. As of April 30, 2025, the Company’s ratio of current assets to current liabilities was 0.92 to 1. The ratio at April 30, 2024 and 2023 was 0.87 to 1 and 0.99 to 1, respectively.

We believe our current $850,000 committed unsecured revolving credit facility, our $50,000 unsecured bank line of credit, current cash and cash equivalents, and the future cash flow from operations will be sufficient to satisfy the working capital needs of our business.

Net cash provided by operating activities was $1,090,854 for the year ended April 30, 2025, compared to $892,953 for the year ended April 30, 2024, an increase of $197,901. Our primary source of operating cash flows is from sales to guests at our stores. The primary uses of operating cash flows are payments to our team members and suppliers, as well as payments for taxes and interest. Cash flow from operations was favorably impacted by improved revenue less cost of goods sold (excluding depreciation and amortization) of $404,492, offset by an increase in operating expenses of approximately $263,843 and an increase in cash paid for interest of approximately $23,149. Refer to “Fiscal 2025 Compared with Fiscal 2024” starting on page 20 for further details on the primary drivers for the changes in revenue, cost of goods sold, operating expenses, and interest. Cash flows from operations can also be impacted by variability in the timing of payments and receipts for certain assets and liabilities, such as wage related accruals, accounts payable, and receivables from credit card companies or our vendors. The increase in operating cash flows, compared to the prior year, was favorably impacted by an increase in operating cash flows of $44,029 due to the timing of inventory purchases, as well as an increase in $29,949 related to receivables, primarily due to the timing of vendor rebate payments in comparison to the prior year.

Cash used in investing activities increased $901,312. During fiscal 2025, the Company expended $1,745,473 for purchases of property and equipment and payments for acquisitions compared to $852,036 for fiscal 2024 related to these activities. The increase in cash used in investing activities was attributable to an increase in acquisition related activity, with the Fikes acquisition closing during the fiscal year. For additional information, please refer to Note 2 . Purchases of property and equipment and payments for acquisitions of businesses typically represent the single largest use of excess Company funds. Management believes that by acquiring, building, and reinvesting in stores, the Company will be better able to drive long-term shareholder value.

Cash provided by financing increased $995,978, from the comparable period of the prior year, primarily due to the proceeds from long-term debt of $1,100,000, which was used to partially fund the Fikes acquisition. For additional information, please refer to Note 2 and Note 3 . Additionally, cash provided by financing was positively impacted by a decrease in share repurchase related activity of $104,164. These increases were offset by a $185,836 increase in payments of long-term debt and finance lease obligations, due to an increase in debt principal payments, notably the full pre-payment of the Senior Notes Series E of $150,000 in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2025.

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As of April 30, 2025, we had long-term debt and finance lease obligations consisting of:

Finance lease liabilities (Note 7 )

3.67% Senior Notes (Series A) due in 7 installments beginning June 17, 2022, and ending June 15, 2028

3.75% Senior Notes (Series B) due in 7 installments beginning December 17, 2022 and ending December 18, 2028

3.65% Senior Notes (Series C) due in 7 installments beginning May 2, 2025 and ending May 2, 2031

3.72% Senior Notes (Series D) due in 7 installments beginning October 28, 2025 and ending October 28, 2031

3.77% Senior Notes (Series F) due August 22, 2028

2.85% Senior Notes (Series G) due August 7, 2030

2.96% Senior Notes (Series H) due August 6, 2032

5.23% Senior notes (Series I) due November 2, 2031

5.43% Senior notes (Series J) due November 2, 2034

Variable rate term loan facility, requiring quarterly installments ending April 21, 2028

Variable rate incremental term loan facility, requiring quarterly installments ending October 30, 2029

Debt issuance costs

Less current maturities

Interest on the 3.67% Senior Notes Series A and 3.75% Senior Notes Series B is payable on the 17th day of each June and December. Principal on the Senior Notes Series A and Series B is payable in various installments beginning June 17, 2022 (Series A) and December 17, 2022 (Series B) through December 2028. We may prepay the 3.67% and 3.75% Senior Notes in whole or in part at any time in an amount of not less than $2,000 at a redemption price calculated in accordance with the Note Agreement dated June 17, 2013, as amended, between the Company and the purchasers of the Senior Notes Series A and Series B.

Interest on the 3.65% Senior Notes Series C is payable on the 2nd day of each May and November, while the interest on the 3.72% Senior Notes Series D is payable on the 28th day of each April and October. Principal on the Senior Notes Series C and Series D is payable in various installments beginning May 2, 2025 (Series C) and October 28, 2025 (Series D) through October 2031. We may prepay the 3.65% and 3.72% Senior Notes in whole or in part at any time in an amount of not less than $2,000 at a redemption price calculated in accordance with the Note Agreement dated May 2, 2016, as amended, between the Company and the purchasers of the Senior Notes Series C and Series D.

Interest on the 3.77% Senior Notes Series F is payable on the 22nd day of each February and August. Principal on the Senior Notes Series F is payable in full on August 22, 2028 (Series F). We may prepay the 3.77% Senior Notes in whole or in part at any time in an amount of not less than $2,000 at a redemption price calculated in accordance with the Note Agreement dated June 13, 2017, as amended, between the Company and the purchasers of the Senior Notes Series F.

Interest on the 2.85% Senior Notes Series G and 2.96% Senior Notes Series H is payable on the 7th day of each February and August. Principal on the Senior Notes Series G and Series H is payable in full on August 7, 2030 (Series G) and August 6, 2032 (Series H), respectively. We may prepay the 2.85% and 2.96% Senior Notes in whole or in part at any time in an amount of not less than $2,000 at a redemption price calculated in accordance with the Note Purchase Agreement dated June 30, 2020, between the Company and the purchasers of the Senior Notes Series G and Series H.

During the year, the Company entered into a note purchase agreement with respect to the issuance of $250,000 aggregate principal amount of senior notes, consisting of: (i) $150,000 aggregate principal amount of 5.23% Senior Notes Series I, due November 2, 2031; and (ii) $100,000 aggregate principal amount of 5.43% Senior Notes Series J due November 2, 2034. The Senior Notes Series I and Series J were issued on October 30, 2024. Interest on the 5.23% Senior Notes Series I and 5.43% Senior Notes Series J is payable on the 2nd day of each May and November. Principal on the Senior Notes Series I and Series J is payable in full on November 2, 2031 (Series I) and November 2, 2034 (Series J), respectively. We may prepay these notes in whole or in part at any time in an amount of not less than $2,000 at a redemption price calculated in accordance with the note

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purchase agreement. The Company used the proceeds of these notes to partially fund the Fikes acquisition (see further discussion of the Fikes acquisition in Note 2 ).

The Company is party to a credit agreement, dated as of April 21, 2023, which provides for term loan borrowings and a committed, unsecured $850,000 revolving credit facility. On October 30, 2024, the Company entered into an amendment to the credit agreement (the “Amendment” and, together with the original credit agreement, the “Credit Agreement”), pursuant to which the Company incurred an incremental term loan in an aggregate principal amount of $850,000 (the “Incremental Term Loan”). See Note 3 for additional information related to the Credit Agreement. The proceeds of the Incremental Term Loan were used to partially fund the Fikes acquisition (see further discussion of the Fikes acquisition in Note 2 ).

Amounts borrowed under the Credit Agreement bear interest at variable rates based upon, at the Company’s option, either: (a) either Term SOFR or Daily Simple SOFR, in each case plus 0.10% (with a floor of 0.00%) for the interest period in effect, plus an applicable margin ranging from 1.10% to 1.70% or (b) an alternate base rate, which generally equals the highest of (i) the prime commercial lending rate announced by the Administrative Agent as its “prime rate”, (ii) the federal funds rate plus 1/2 of 1.00%, and (iii) Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR plus 1.00%, each plus an applicable margin ranging from 0.10% to 0.70% and each with a floor of 1.00%. The applicable margins and facility fee, in each case, are dependent upon the Company’s quarterly Consolidated Leverage Ratio, as defined in the Credit Agreement. We have the right at any time to prepay all or a portion of the outstanding balance without premium or penalty, other than customary “breakage” costs with respect to Term SOFR-based borrowings, with prior notice given.

To date, we have funded capital expenditures primarily through funds generated from operations, the proceeds of the sale of common stock, issuance of debt or other bank financing, and existing cash. Future capital required to finance operations, improvements, and the anticipated growth in the number of stores is expected to come from cash generated by operations, our $850,000 revolving credit facility, our additional $50,000 bank line of credit, and additional long-term debt or other securities as circumstances may dictate. We do not expect such capital needs to adversely affect liquidity.

The table below presents our significant contractual obligations, including interest, at April 30, 2025:

Contractual obligations

Payments due by period

Total

Less than

1 year

1-3 years

3-5 years

More than

5 years

Long-term debt (1)

Finance lease obligations

Operating lease obligations

Deferred compensation

Total

(1) The long-term debt portion of the table above excludes interest payments related to the Company's term loan facility and the incremental term loan facility, due to the variable nature of the required interest payments.

Included in other long-term liabilities on our consolidated balance sheet at April 30, 2025, was a $11,488 obligation for deferred compensation. As the specific payment dates for a portion of the deferred compensation outstanding are unknown due to the unknown retirement dates of many of the participants, the related timing of the payment of the balances have not been reflected in the above “Payments due by period” table. However, known payments of $4,936 are scheduled over the next 5 years, which includes $757 recognized in current liabilities as of April 30, 2025.

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Forward-Looking Statements

This Form 10-K, including but not limited to the Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words “may,” “will,” "should," “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate,” “project,” “continue,” and similar expressions are used to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements represent the Company’s current expectations or beliefs concerning future events and trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, liquidity and related sources and needs, supply chain, results of operations and performance at our stores, business strategy, strategic plans, growth opportunities, integration of acquisitions, acquisition synergies, short-term and long-term business operations and objectives including our long-term strategic plan, wholesale fuel, inventory and ingredient costs and the potential effects of the conflicts in oil producing regions on our business.  The Company cautions that these statements are further qualified by important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, the following risk factors described more completely above in Item 1A entitled “Risk Factors”:

Business Operations; Our business and our reputation could be adversely affected by a cyber or data security incident or the failure to protect sensitive guest, Team Member or supplier data, or the failure to comply with applicable regulations relating to data security and privacy; food-safety issues and foodborne illnesses, whether actual or reported, or the failure to comply with applicable regulations relating to the transportation, storage, preparation or service of food, could adversely affect our business and reputation; we may be adversely impacted by increases in the cost of food ingredients and other related costs; a significant disruption to our distribution network, to the capacity of the distribution centers, or timely receipt of inventory could adversely impact our sales or increase our transaction costs, which could have a material adverse effect on our business; we could be adversely affected if we experience difficulties in, or are unable to recruit, hire or retain, members of our leadership team and other distribution, field and store Team Members; any failure to anticipate and respond to changes in consumer preferences, or to introduce and promote innovative technology for guest interaction, could adversely affect our financial results; we rely on our information technology systems, and a number of third-party software providers, to manage numerous aspects of our business, and a disruption of these systems could adversely affect our business; increased credit card expenses could lead to higher operating expenses and other costs for the Company; our operations present hazards and risks which may not be fully covered by insurance, if insured; the dangers inherent in the storage and transport of fuel could cause disruptions and could expose to us potentially significant losses, costs or liabilities; consumer or other litigation could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations; pandemics or disease outbreaks, responsive actions taken by governments and others to mitigate their spread, and guest behavior in response to these events, have, and may in the future, adversely affect our business operations, supply chain and financial results; and, covenants in our Senior Notes and credit facility agreements require us to comply with certain covenants and meet financial maintenance tests and the failure to comply with these requirements could have a material impact to us.

Governmental Actions, Regulations, and Oversight : Compliance with and changes in tax laws could adversely affect our performance; we are subject to extensive governmental regulations; governmental action and campaigns to discourage tobacco and nicotine use and other tobacco products may have a material adverse effect on our revenues and gross profit; and, wholesale cost and tax increases relating to tobacco and nicotine products could affect our operating results.

Industry : General economic and political conditions that are largely out of the Company’s control may adversely affect the Company’s financial condition and results of operations; developments related to fuel efficiency, fuel conservation practices, climate change, and changing consumer preferences may decrease the demand for motor fuel; unfavorable weather conditions can adversely affect our business; the volatility of wholesale petroleum costs could adversely affect our operating results; and, the convenience store industry is highly competitive.

Growth Strategies : We may not be able to identify, acquire, and integrate new properties and stores, which could adversely affect our ability to grow our business.

Common Stock : The market price for our common stock has been and may in the future be volatile, which could cause the value of your investment to decline; any issuance of shares of our common stock in the future could have a dilutive effect on your investment; and, Iowa law and provisions in our charter documents may have the effect of preventing or hindering a change in control and adversely affecting the market price of our common stock.

Although we have attempted to list the important factors that presently affect the Company’s business and operating results, we further caution you that other factors we have not identified may in the future prove to be important in affecting our business and results of operations. We ask you not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements because they speak only of our views as of the statement dates. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

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