ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
Our business is subject to various risks and uncertainties. Any of the risks and uncertainties described below could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations and should be considered in evaluating us. Although the risks are organized by heading, and each risk is described separately, many of the risks are interrelated. While we believe we have identified and discussed below the material risks affecting our business, there may
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be additional risks and uncertainties that we do not presently know or that we do not currently believe to be material that may adversely affect our business, financial condition, or results of operations in the future.
Business and Operating Risks
We may not be able to offset cost increases on inputs necessary for the production and distribution of our products, such as labor, raw materials, energy, fuel, and packaging materials.
A significant portion of our cost of goods comes from commodities such as raw potatoes, edible oil, grains, starches, and energy. These commodities are subject to price volatility and fluctuations in availability caused by many factors, including: changes in global supply and demand, governmental incentives and controls (including import/export restrictions, such as new or increased tariffs, sanctions, quotas or trade barriers including the tariffs announced by the U.S. in April 2025 on U.S. imports, and any retaliatory tariffs imposed by foreign governments on U.S. exports, as well as selective tariff exemptions), weather conditions (including any potential effects of climate change), fire, natural disasters (such as a hurricane, tornado, earthquake, wildfire or flooding), disease or pests, agricultural uncertainty, water stress, health epidemics or pandemics or other contagious outbreaks, as was the case with the COVID-19 pandemic, limited or sole sources of supply, inflation, political uncertainties, acts of terrorism, governmental instability, war or other conflicts (such as the war in Ukraine, conflicts in the Middle East and tensions between China and Taiwan), or currency exchange rates.
During fiscal 2025, we continued to experience elevated commodity and supply chain costs, including the costs of labor, raw materials (such as potatoes, edible oil, grain and starch), energy, fuel, packaging materials, and other inputs necessary for the production and distribution of our products, as well as transportation and logistics costs. Commodity price increases, or a sustained interruption or other constraints in the supply or availability of key commodities, including necessary services such as transportation and warehousing, could adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations. Our attempts to offset these cost pressures, such as through increases in the selling prices of some of our products, may not be successful or may not be sustainable. Higher product prices may result in reductions in sales volume, especially given the current highly competitive frozen potato product market and soft restaurant traffic and the volatility of the macroeconomic environment. To the extent that price increases are not sufficient to offset these increased costs adequately or in a timely manner, and/or if they result in significant decreases in sales volume, our business, financial condition, or results of operations may be adversely affected. Though we provide most of our customers with local/regional supply, products we manufacture at our one production facility in Canada and import to the U.S., as well as the 5% of our inputs, primarily edible oils and natural gas, that are sourced in Canada, are currently exempt from these tariffs as they are compliant with the United States-Mexico-Canada trading agreement. the current exemptions, the implementation of new tariffs on imports from Canada, Mexico, China or other countries for an extended period and without specific exemptions for our products may affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. Further, any tariffs on U.S. products by other countries, or other trade protection measures by foreign countries in favor of their local producers of competing products, such as governmental subsidies, tax benefits, and other measures giving local producers a competitive over Lamb Weston, may affect our business and results of operations in those countries.
We also may not be successful in mitigating the effects of these cost increases through productivity initiatives or through our commodity hedging activity. Our future success and earnings growth depend in part on our ability to maintain the appropriate cost structure and operate efficiently in the highly competitive value-added frozen potato product category. We continue to implement profit-enhancing initiatives to improve the efficiency of our supply chain and general and administrative functions. These initiatives are focused on cost-saving opportunities in procurement, manufacturing, logistics, and customer service, as well as general and administrative functions. However, gaining additional efficiencies may become more difficult over time. In addition, there is currently no active derivatives market for potatoes in the U.S. Although we have experience in hedging against commodity price increases, these practices and experience reduce, but do not eliminate, the risk of profit impacts from commodity price increases. As a result, the risk management procedures that we use may not always work as we intend. To the extent we are to offset present and future cost increases, our business, financial condition, and results of operations could be materially and affected.
Disruption to our supply chain could adversely affect our business .
Our ability to manufacture or sell our products may be impaired by damage or disruption to our manufacturing, warehousing or distribution capabilities, or to the capabilities of our suppliers, logistics service providers, or independent distributors. This damage or disruption could result from execution issues, as well as factors that are difficult to predict or beyond our control such as increased temperatures due to climate change, water stress, extreme weather events, natural
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disasters, product or raw material scarcity, fire, terrorism, pandemics, armed hostilities (including the ongoing war in Ukraine and conflicts in the Middle East), strikes, labor shortages, cybersecurity breaches, governmental restrictions or mandates, disruptions in logistics, supplier capacity constraints, or other events. Failure to take adequate steps to mitigate the likelihood or potential impact of such events, or to effectively manage such events if they occur, may adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations. Further, the inability of any supplier, including, but not limited to, those that supply our packaging, ingredients, equipment and other necessary operating materials, co-manufacturer, independent contractor, logistics service provider, or independent distributor to deliver or perform for us in a timely or cost-effective manner could cause our operating costs to increase and our profit margins to decrease. We have experienced, and may continue to experience, disruptions in our supply chain, including as a result of temporary systems , labor , increased transportation and warehousing costs, longer shipping times, pandemics or other public health , the ongoing war in Ukraine and the in the Middle East. The occurrence of a significant supply chain or the to access or deliver products that meet requisite quality and safety standards in a timely and manner, could lead to increased warehouse and other storage costs or otherwise affect our and our competitive position or our business.
Labor shortages or stoppages, an inability to attract and retain key personnel, increased turnover or increases in labor costs could adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Labor is a primary component of operating our business. A number of factors may adversely affect the available labor force, or increase labor costs, for us or our third-party business partners, including hybrid or remote work arrangements, higher unemployment subsidies, other government regulations, and general macroeconomic factors. The labor market has been increasingly tight and competitive, and we may face sudden and unforeseen challenges in the availability of labor, such as we experienced in fiscal 2022 and 2023 at some of our production facilities, which reduced our production run-rates and increased our manufacturing costs, or as we and our suppliers experienced in 2022 with the shortage of drivers and reduced trucking capacity, which increased transportation costs. As we experienced with the COVID-19 pandemic, sustained labor shortages or increased turnover rates within our workforce, could lead to production or shipping delays, increased costs, such as increased overtime to meet demand and increased wage rates to attract and retain employees, and could negatively affect our ability to operate our production and distribution facilities and overall business. Further, our depends on our ability to attract, retain, and develop leaders and personnel with professional and technical expertise, such as agricultural and food manufacturing experience or emerging technologies experience, as well as finance, marketing, and other senior management professionals. The of the services of these persons could our institutional knowledge and could have a material effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations. The market for these employees is competitive, and we could experience from time to time in hiring and retaining the personnel necessary to support our business. In addition, changes in immigration laws and policies or restrictions could make it more for us to recruit or relocate skilled employees. Our ability to recruit and retain a highly skilled workforce could also be materially impacted if we to respond to rapidly changing employee expectations regarding fair compensation, an inclusive workplace, flexible working, or other matters. If we are to hire and retain employees capable of performing at a high-level, develop adequate training and succession plans for positions, or if mitigation measures we may take to respond to a decrease in labor availability, such as overtime and third-party outsourcing, have effects, our business could be affected.
In addition, health care and workers’ compensation costs have been increasing. Inflationary pressures and any shortages in the labor market could continue to increase labor costs, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, or results of operations. Our labor costs include the cost of providing employee benefits in the U.S. and foreign jurisdictions, including pension, health and welfare and severance benefits. We are in the process of terminating our pension plan for certain of our U.S. employees. The termination and settlement process preserves retirement benefits due to participants but changes the ultimate payor of such benefits. During fiscal 2026, we expect to complete the purchase of group annuity contracts that will transfer any remaining pension benefit obligation to an insurance company. The final pension settlement charges and the actual amount we will be required to contribute to the plan is dependent on various factors, including the value of plan assets, distributions paid to plan participants, and the cost to purchase annuity contracts to settle the pension obligation. Additionally, the annual costs of benefits vary with increased costs of health care and the outcome of collectively bargained wage and benefit agreements. A significant increase in our obligations could have a impact on our results of operations and cash flows from operations. In addition, our financial condition and ability to meet the needs of our customers could be materially and affected if strikes or work or occur as a result of negotiations with union-represented employees within or outside the U.S, or if we are to renew collectively bargained agreements on terms as they expire. As discussed above, most of the union workers at our facilities are represented under contracts that expire at various times over the next several years. Of the hourly employees who are represented by these contracts, 65% are party to a collective
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bargaining agreement currently in negotiations or scheduled to expire over the course of the next twelve months. As the agreements expire and are renegotiated, there is no guarantee that they will be renewed in a timely manner or on satisfactory terms.
Our business, financial condition, and results of operations could be adversely affected by the political and economic conditions of the countries in which we conduct business and other factors related to our international operations, including foreign currency risks and trade barriers.
We conduct a substantial and growing amount of business with customers located outside the U.S. During each of fiscal 2025, 2024, and 2023, net sales outside the U.S., primarily in Australia, Canada, China, Europe, Japan, Korea, Mexico, and Taiwan, accounted for approximately 35%, 34%, and 23% of our net sales, respectively. Factors relating to our domestic and international sales and operations, many of which are outside of our control, have had, and could continue to have, a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition, and results of operations, including:
• foreign exchange rates, foreign currency exchange and transfer restrictions, which may unpredictably and adversely impact our combined operating results, asset and liability balances, and cash flow in our Consolidated Financial Statements, even if their value has not changed in their original currency;
• our consolidated financial statements are presented in U.S. dollars, and we must translate the assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses into U.S. dollars for external reporting purposes;
• changes in trade, monetary and fiscal policies of the U.S. and foreign governments, including modification or termination of existing trade agreements or treaties, creation of new trade agreements or treaties, trade regulations, and increased or new tariffs, sanctions, quotas, import or export licensing requirements, and other trade barriers imposed by governments;
• changes in capital controls, including currency exchange controls, government currency policies or other limits on our ability to import raw materials or finished products into various countries or repatriate cash from outside the United States;
• negative economic developments in economies around the world and the instability of governments, including the actual or threat of wars, terrorist attacks, epidemics or civil unrest, including the war in Ukraine and conflicts in the Middle East;
• currency devaluations or fluctuations in currency values, including in developed and emerging markets, such as the highly inflationary environment in Argentina;
• earthquakes, tsunamis, droughts, floods or other major disasters that may limit the supply of raw materials that are purchased abroad for use in our international operations or domestically;
• volatile commodity prices and increased costs of raw and packaging materials, labor, energy and transportation, disruptions in shipping or reduced availability of freight transportation and warehousing, such as the reduced availability of shipping containers that we encountered in fiscal 2022;
• pandemics and other public health crises, which may lead, and in the case of the COVID-19 pandemic, led, to measures that decrease revenues, disrupt our supply chain or otherwise increase our storage, production or distribution costs and adversely affect our workforce, local suppliers, customers and consumers of our products;
• differing employment practices and labor standards in the international markets in which we operate;
• differing levels of protection of intellectual property across the international markets in which we operate;
• difficulties and costs associated with complying with U.S. laws and regulations applicable to entities with overseas operations, including the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act;
• the threat that our operations or property could be subject to nationalization and expropriation;
• varying regulatory, tax, judicial and administrative practices in the international markets in which we operate;
• difficulties associated with operating under a wide variety of complex foreign laws, treaties and regulations; and
• potentially burdensome taxation.
The nature and degree of the various risks we face can differ significantly among our regions and businesses. All these factors could result in increased costs or decreased revenues and could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
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Changes in our relationships with significant customers could adversely affect us.
We maintain a diverse customer base across our reporting segments. Customers include global, national and regional quick service and fast casual restaurants as well as small, independently operated restaurants, multinational, broadline foodservice distributors, regional foodservice distributors, and major food retailers. Some of these customers independently represent a meaningful portion of our sales. In addition, we depend on foodservice distributors to help us create end-customer demand, provide technical support and other value-added services to customers, fill customer orders, and stock our products. A material change in our relationship with one or more of these distributors or their failure to perform as expected could reduce our revenue. The foodservice distributors also sell products that compete with our products, and we sometimes need to reduce prices or provide rebates and other incentives to focus them on the sale of our products.
There can be no assurance that our customers will continue to purchase our products in the same quantities or on the same terms as in the past. The loss of a significant customer or a material reduction in sales to a significant customer could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations. In addition, the financial condition of our significant customers, including restaurants, distributors and retailers, are affected by events that are largely beyond our control, such as the impacts of past and possible future pandemics or other contagious outbreaks, and political or military conflicts, such as the war in Ukraine or conflicts in the Middle East. Deterioration in the financial condition of significant customers could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Changes in our relationships with our growers could adversely affect us.
We expend considerable resources to develop and maintain relationships with many potato growers. In some instances, we have entered into long-term agreements with growers; however, a portion of our potato needs are sourced on an annual contracted basis. To the extent we are unable to maintain positive relationships with our long-term growers, contracted growers deliver less supply than we expect, or we are unable to secure sufficient potatoes from uncontracted growers in a given year, we may not have sufficient potato supply to satisfy our business opportunities. To obtain sufficient potato supply, we may be required to purchase potatoes at prices substantially higher than expected, or forgo sales to some market segments, which would reduce our profitability. If we forgo sales to such market segments, we may lose customers and may not be able to regain or replace them later.
Disruption of our access to export mechanisms could have an adverse impact on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
To serve our customers globally, we rely primarily on our international operations, but also in part on exports from the U.S. During fiscal 2025, 2024, and 2023, export sales from the U.S. accounted for approximately 6%, 6% and 11%, respectively, of our total net sales. Circumstances beyond our control, such as retaliatory non-U.S. tariffs countermeasures, a labor dispute at a port, or workforce disruptions (such as disruptions that occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic), could prevent us from exporting our products in sufficient quantities to meet customer opportunities. For example, during the latter half of fiscal 2022, limited shipping container availability along the U.S. West Coast and disruptions to ocean freight networks across the Pacific Ocean resulted in lower export volumes in our International segment. We have access to production outside of the U.S. through our facilities in Argentina, Australia, Austria, Canada, China, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom, but we may be unsuccessful in mitigating any future disruption to export mechanisms. If this occurs, we may be to supply all our existing customers’ needs and new customer , which could affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Our operations are dependent on a wide array of third parties.
The success of our end-to-end supply chain relies on the continued performance of a wide array of third parties. Suppliers, co-packers, third-party outsourcers, warehousing partners, and transportation providers are among our critical partners. Although we take steps to qualify and audit third parties with whom we do business, we cannot guarantee that all third parties will perform dependably or at all. It is possible that events beyond our control, such as operational failures, labor issues, heightened inflation, recession, financial and credit market disruptions, or other economic conditions, cybersecurity events, global geopolitical conflict, such as the war in Ukraine and conflicts in the Middle East, pandemics or other health issues, such as was the case with the COVID-19 pandemic, or other issues could impact our third parties. If our third parties fail to deliver on their commitments, introduce unplanned risk to our operations (e.g., through cyber activity), or are unable to fulfill their obligations, we could experience manufacturing , shipment , increased costs, or revenue, which could also impact our relationships with customers and our brand image.
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In addition to our own production facilities, we source a portion of our products under co-packing agreements. The success of our business depends, in part, on maintaining a strong sourcing and manufacturing platform. We believe that there are a limited number of competent, high-quality co-packers in the industry, and if we were required to obtain additional or alternative co-packing agreements or arrangements in the future, we can provide no assurance that we would be able to do so on satisfactory terms or in a timely manner. Our inability to enter into satisfactory co-packing agreements could limit our ability to implement our business plan or meet customer demand.
Damage to our reputation as a trusted partner to customers and good corporate citizen could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Our customers rely on us and our co-manufacturers to manufacture safe, high quality food products. Product contamination or tampering, the failure to maintain high standards for product quality, safety, and integrity, or allegations of product quality issues, mislabeling or contamination, even if untrue, may damage the reputation of our customers, and ultimately our reputation as a trusted industry partner. Damage to either could reduce demand for our products or cause production and delivery disruptions.
Our reputation could also be adversely impacted by any of the following, or by adverse publicity (whether or not valid) relating thereto: the failure to maintain high ethical, social, and environmental standards for our operations and activities, including the health, safety, and security of our employees and our supply chain; our research and development efforts; our environmental impact, including use of agricultural materials, packaging, energy and water use, and waste management, and the failure to set certain goals, or to achieve any stated goals, with respect to such matters; our failure to comply with local laws and regulations; our failure to maintain an effective system of internal controls; or our failure to provide accurate and timely financial information. If we do not successfully manage ESG-related expectations across stakeholders, it could erode stakeholder trust, impact our reputation and adversely affect our business. Moreover, the growing use of social and digital media by consumers and other stakeholders has increased the speed and extent that information or and opinions can be shared. posts or comments about us, our brands, or our products on social or digital media could our reputation and our brands. to our reputation or of customer confidence in our products for any of these or other reasons could result in decreased demand for our products and could have a material effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations, as well as require additional resources to rebuild our reputation.
We may not realize the anticipated cost savings and/or operating efficiencies associated with strategic initiatives, including our FY25 Restructuring Plan and recently announced Cost Savings Program.
Our future success and earnings growth depend in part on our ability to achieve the appropriate cost structure and operate efficiently in the highly competitive industry. We continuously review our operations in an effort to pursue initiatives to reduce costs, increase effectiveness, and optimize cash flow. These initiatives may focus on opportunities to improve the procurement, manufacturing, and logistics within our supply chain as well as general and administrative processes. We may not realize all the anticipated cost savings or other benefits from such initiatives. Other events and circumstances, such as financial or strategic difficulties, delays, or unexpected costs, may also adversely impact our ability to realize all the anticipated cost savings or other benefits, or cause us not to realize such cost savings or other benefits on the expected timetable. If we are unable to realize the anticipated benefits, our ability to fund other initiatives may be adversely affected. Finally, the complexity of the implementation may require a substantial amount of management and operational resources to the anticipated benefits of the initiatives. These and related demands on our resources may the organization’s attention from other business issues, have effects on existing business relationships with suppliers and customers, and impact employee morale. Any or in implementing these initiatives in accordance with our plans could affect our business, operating , and financial results.
In October 2024, we began implementing a restructuring plan (the “FY25 Restructuring Plan”), which is designed to drive operational and cost efficiencies and improve cash flows, which actions were substantially completed by the end of fiscal 2025. See Note 4, Restructuring, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in “Part II, Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this Form 10-K for additional information on the plan. In addition, in July 2025, we announced a new cost savings program (the “Cost Savings Program”). If these initiatives do not achieve the expected financial impact in the aggregate or on the expected timeline, or if the benefits, even if achieved, are not adequate to meet our long-term growth and profitability expectations, our financial results and ability to meet our long-term growth expectations could be adversely impacted.
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If we are unable to execute on large capital projects or complete or realize the projected benefits of acquisitions, divestitures and other strategic transactions, our business, financial condition, and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.
To support growth, we have invested in our production capabilities either through capital expansion or acquisitions, and are currently investing in a new processing facility in Argentina. If we are unable to complete this or other large capital projects, or encounter unexpected delays, higher costs or other challenges, including those related to supply chain disruptions and availability of necessary labor, materials, and equipment, our business, financial condition, and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.
In addition, our ability to meet our objectives with respect to acquisitions and other strategic transactions may depend in part on our ability to identify suitable counterparties, negotiate favorable financial and other contractual terms, obtain all necessary regulatory approvals on the terms expected and complete those transactions. Potential risks also include:
• the inability to integrate acquired businesses into our existing operations in a timely and cost-efficient manner;
• diversion of management's attention from other business concerns;
• potential loss of key employees, suppliers and/or customers of acquired businesses;
• assumption of unknown risks and liabilities;
• the inability to achieve anticipated benefits, including revenues or other operating results;
• operating costs of acquired businesses may be greater than expected;
• difficulties integrating personnel and financial and other systems;
• inaccurate estimates of fair value made in the accounting for acquisitions and amortization of acquired intangible assets, which would reduce future reported earnings;
• indemnities and potential disputes with the sellers; and
• the inability to promptly implement an effective control environment.
If we are unable to complete or realize the projected benefits of recent or future acquisitions, divestitures or other strategic transactions, our business, financial condition, and results of operations may be adversely impacted.
Industry Risks
Our business is affected by potato crop performance.
Our primary input is potatoes and every year, we must procure potatoes that meet the quality standards for processing into value-added products. Environmental and climate conditions, such as soil quality, moisture, and temperature, affect the yield and quality of the potato crop on a year-to-year basis. Severe weather conditions, including protracted periods of extreme heat or cold, during the planting and growing season in our potato crop regions have in the past significantly affected, and can significantly affect, potato crop performance and our operations. For example, because of the poor quality of the crop in the Pacific Northwest that was harvested in fall 2021 following the extreme heat in the summer of 2021, we encountered lower raw potato utilization rates in our production facilities, which increased our production costs. On the other hand, too much water, such as in times of prolonged heavy rainfalls or flooding, can promote harmful crop conditions like mildew growth and increase risks of diseases, as well as delay planting or affect our ability to harvest the potatoes. For example, wet conditions in Europe delayed planting in 2024. Potatoes are also susceptible to pests and diseases that can cause crop , decreased yields, and affect the physical appearance of the potatoes. If a weather or pest-related event occurs in a particular crop year, and our agronomic programs are to mitigate the impacts thereof, we may have potatoes to meet our existing customers’ needs and new customer , or we may experience manufacturing and higher costs, and our competitiveness and could decrease. Alternatively, overly growing conditions can lead to high per acre yields and over-supply. An increased supply of potatoes could lead to of finished goods and associated increased storage costs or of unused potatoes at a . For example, in fiscal 2025, we had an of potatoes, largely attributable to soft restaurant traffic trends in North America and other key international markets, which resulted in the write-off of excess raw potatoes that affected our financial results.
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In addition, ideal growing conditions for the potatoes necessary for our value-added products (e.g., french fries) are concentrated in a few geographic regions globally. As a result, we source potatoes from specific regions of the U.S. and specific countries abroad, including Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, China, France, Germany, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom, where we believe the optimal potato growing conditions exist. Unfavorable crop conditions in any one region have led at times, and could lead, to significant demand on the other regions for production. Our inability to mitigate any such conditions by leveraging our production capabilities in other regions could negatively impact our ability to meet existing customers’ needs and new customer opportunities and could decrease our profitability. See also “- Legal and Regulatory Risks - Climate change, or legal, regulatory, or market measures to address climate change, may negatively affect our business and operations,” in this Item 1A. Risk Factors below.
The sophistication and buying power of some of our customers could have a negative impact on profits.
Some of our customers are large and sophisticated, with buying power and negotiating strength. These customers may be more capable of resisting price increases and more likely to demand lower pricing, increased promotional programs, or specialty tailored products. In addition, some of these customers (e.g., larger distributors and supermarkets) have the scale to develop supply chains that permit them to operate with reduced inventories or to develop and market their own brands. Shelf space at food retailers is not guaranteed, and large retail customers may choose to stock their own retailer and other economy brands that compete with some of our products. This could be exacerbated with a shift in consumer spending as a result of an economic downturn and consumers moving to private label or lower priced products. If the initiatives we undertake to counteract these pressures, including efficiency programs and investments in innovation and quality, are unsuccessful and we are unable to counteract the negotiating strength of these customers, our profitability could .
Increased competition may result in reduced sales or profits.
Our business, value-added frozen potato products, is highly competitive. Competitors include large North American and European frozen potato product companies that compete globally, local and regional companies, and retailers and foodservice distributors with their own branded and private label products. Some of our competitors are larger and have substantial financial, sales and marketing, and other resources. We compete based on, among other things, customer service and support, value, product innovation, product quality, brand recognition and loyalty, price, and the ability to identify and satisfy customer preferences. A strong competitive response from one or more of our competitors to our marketplace efforts could result in us reducing pricing, increasing spend on promotional activity, or losing market share. Competitive pressures may restrict our ability to increase prices, including in response to commodity and other input cost increases or additional improvements in product quality. Our profits could decrease if a reduction in prices or increased costs are not counterbalanced with increased sales volume. For example, in fiscal 2025, we faced significant competition as global restaurant traffic continued to soften. As a result, we increased our investments in price and trade to compete in the increasingly competitive environment in both the North America and International segments, which decreased our profits.
An imbalance of industry supply and demand may result in reduced sales or profits.
Customer and consumer demand for our products may be impacted by weak economic conditions, recession, equity market volatility, or other negative economic factors in the U.S. or other countries. For example, the U.S. has experienced significantly heightened inflationary pressures since 2022. Historically, market demand for value-added frozen potato products has generally been balanced with industry capacity. However, in fiscal 2024 and continuing in fiscal 2025, we experienced declines in sales volume as a result of a slowdown in restaurant traffic in North America and other key international markets as our customers and consumers respond to the cumulative effect of inflation on the cost of food consumed away from home. In addition, if the restaurant traffic trends continue to soften, we may experience sales declines and may have to decrease prices, all of which could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition, and results of operations. In fiscal 2025, we invested in price and trade support to compete in the increasingly competitive environment in both North America and other international markets, though there is no guarantee that such support will be sufficient. As additional industry capacity comes online, restaurant traffic , or market demand otherwise decreases, including as a result of inflation, we may face competitive pressures that would restrict our ability to increase or maintain prices, or we may market share. For example, during fiscal 2025, we have faced increased pricing pressure as additional industry capacity becomes operational, which capacity is also impacted by softening demand. Our profits would decrease as a result of a reduction in prices or sales volume.
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We must identify changing consumer preferences and consumption trends and develop and offer food products to our customers that help meet those preferences and trends.
Consumer preferences evolve over time and our success depends on our ability to identify the priorities, tastes and dietary habits of consumers and offer products that appeal to those preferences. We need to continue to respond to these changing consumer preferences and support our customers in their efforts to evolve to meet those preferences. For example, as consumers continue to focus on freshly prepared foods and away from processed foods, some restaurants may choose to limit the frying capabilities of their kitchens. As a result, we must evolve our product offering to provide alternatives that work in such a preparation environment. In addition, our products may contain carbohydrates, sodium, genetically modified ingredients, added sugars, saturated fats, and preservatives, the diet and health effects of which remain the subject of public scrutiny. For example, the increased use and/or prevalence of certain weight loss drugs, which may suppress a person’s appetite and/or impact a person’s preferences, may impact the demand or consumption patterns for certain of our products. In addition, consumers have increasingly been focused on well-being including reducing sodium and trans fats and added sugar consumption, as well as the source and authenticity of ingredients in the foods they consume. Efforts to reformulate our products, introduce new products and create product extensions require significant research and development and marketing investments. If our products to meet consumer preferences or customer requirements, or we to introduce new and products on a timely basis, then the return on those investments will be less than anticipated, which could materially and affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
In addition, we compete against branded products as well as private label products. Our products must provide higher value and/or quality to our customers and consumers than alternatives, particularly during periods of economic uncertainty. Consumers may not buy our products if relative differences in value and/or quality between our products and private label products change in favor of competitors’ products or if consumers perceive this type of change. If consumers prefer private label products, which are typically sold at lower prices, then we could lose market share or sales volumes or shift our product mix to lower margin offerings. During an economic downturn, some of the effects of which are present in our current environment, factors such as increased unemployment, decreases in disposable income, inflation, and declines in consumer confidence could cause a decrease in demand for our overall product offerings, particularly higher priced products, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations. Distributors, restaurants, and retailers may also become more conservative in response to these conditions and seek to reduce their inventories. A change in consumer preferences could also cause us to increase capital, marketing, and other expenditures, which could materially and affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Financial and Economic Risks
Our substantial debt may limit cash flow available to invest in the ongoing needs of our business and could prevent us from fulfilling our debt obligations.
We have incurred substantial indebtedness. As of May 25, 2025, we had approximately $4.1 billion of debt, including current portion, and short-term borrowings, recorded on our Consolidated Balance Sheet. Our level of debt could have important consequences. For example, it could:
• make it more difficult for us to make payments on our debt;
• require us to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations to the payment of debt service, reducing the availability of our cash flow to fund working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions, and other general corporate purposes;
• increase our vulnerability to adverse economic or industry conditions;
• limit our ability to obtain additional financing in the future to enable us to react to changes in our business; or
• place us at a competitive disadvantage compared to businesses in our industry that have less debt.
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The agreements governing our debt contain various covenants that impose restrictions on us that may affect our ability to operate our business.
The credit agreements governing our term loans and revolving credit facilities and the indentures governing our senior notes contain covenants that, among other things, limit our ability to:
• borrow money or guarantee debt;
• create liens;
• pay dividends on or redeem or repurchase stock;
• make specified types of investments and acquisitions;
• enter into agreements that limit the ability of our subsidiaries to pay dividends or other payments to us;
• enter into transactions with affiliates; and
• sell assets or merge with other companies.
These restrictions on our ability to operate our business could harm our business by, among other things, limiting our ability to take advantage of financing, merger and acquisition, or other corporate opportunities. Various risks, uncertainties, and events beyond our control could affect our ability to comply with these covenants. Failure to comply with any of the covenants in our existing or future financing agreements could result in a default under those agreements and under other agreements containing cross-default provisions. A default would permit lenders to accelerate the maturity of the debt under these agreements and to foreclose upon any collateral securing the debt. Under these circumstances, we might not have sufficient funds or other resources to satisfy all our obligations. Also, the limitations imposed by these financing agreements on our ability to incur additional debt and to take other actions might significantly impair our ability to obtain other financing.
In addition, the restrictive covenants in our credit agreements require us to maintain specified financial ratios and satisfy other financial condition tests. We cannot provide assurance that we will continue to be in compliance with these ratios and tests. Our ability to continue to meet those financial ratios and tests will depend on our ongoing financial and operating performance, which, in turn, will be subject to economic conditions and to financial, market, and competitive factors, many of which are beyond our control. A breach of any of these covenants could result in a default under one or more of our debt instruments, including as a result of cross default provisions and, in the case of our revolving credit facility, permit the lenders thereunder to cease making loans to us. Upon the occurrence of an event of default under our credit facilities, the lenders could elect to declare all amounts outstanding thereunder to be immediately due and payable and terminate all commitments to extend further credit. Such action by the lenders could cause cross-defaults under our senior notes indentures.
Any failure to meet required payments on our debt, or failure to comply with any covenants in the instruments governing our debt, could result in a downgrade to our credit ratings. A downgrade in our credit ratings could limit our access to capital and increase our borrowing costs.
We face risks related to financial and credit market disruptions and other economic conditions.
Disruptions in financial and/or credit markets may impact our ability to manage normal commercial relationships with our customers, suppliers, and creditors and might cause us to not be able to continue to have access to preferred sources of liquidity when needed or on terms we find acceptable, and our borrowing costs could increase. An economic or credit crisis could occur and impair credit availability and our ability to raise capital when needed. In addition, disruptions in financial and/or credit markets could result in some of our customers experiencing a significant decline in profits and/or reduced liquidity. A significant adverse change in the financial and/or credit position of a customer could require us to assume greater credit risk relating to that customer and could limit our ability to collect receivables. A significant adverse change in the financial and/or credit position of a supplier or co-packer could result in an interruption of supply. This could have a material effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and liquidity. A in the financial markets may also have a effect on our derivative counterparties and could our banking or other business partners, on whom we rely for access to capital and as counterparties to our derivative contracts. In addition, changes in tax or interest rates in the U.S. or other countries, whether due to , economic , or other reasons, may impact us.
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Impairment in the carrying value of goodwill, other intangible assets, or long-lived assets could result in the incurrence of impairment charges and negatively impact our financial results and net worth.
As of May 25, 2025, we had goodwill of $1,090.2 million and other intangibles, net of $114.0 million. Additionally, we had $3,687.9 million of property, plant, and equipment, net, $113.2 million of operating right-of-use assets, and $354.6 million of other assets as of May 25, 2025. The net carrying value of goodwill represents the fair value of acquired businesses in excess of identifiable assets and liabilities as of the acquisition date (or subsequent impairment date, if applicable). The net carrying value of other intangibles represents the fair value of brands, trademarks, licensing agreements, customer relationships, and other acquired intangibles as of the acquisition date (or subsequent impairment date, if applicable), net of accumulated amortization.
We perform an annual impairment assessment for goodwill, other intangible assets, and long-lived assets. In addition, we perform a similar assessment upon the occurrence of events or changes in circumstances which may indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be fully recoverable, measured by comparing their net book value to the undiscounted projected future cash flows generated by their use. Impairments to goodwill, other intangible assets, and long-lived assets may be caused by factors outside our control, such as increasing competitive pricing pressures, lower than expected revenue and profit growth rates, changes in industry earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) multiples, changes in discount rates based on changes in cost of capital (interest rates, etc.), or the bankruptcy of a significant customer, and could result in the incurrence of impairment charges and negatively impact our financial results and net worth.
Cybersecurity and Technology Risks
Problems with the transition, design, or implementation of our new ERP system have and could further interfere with our business and operations and adversely affect our financial condition.
At the beginning of our third quarter of fiscal 2024, we transitioned certain central systems and functions in North America to a new enterprise resource planning (“ERP”) system. In fiscal 2025, we paused the next phase of our ERP implementation for our production facilities in North America. The ERP system implementation process required, and when we restart the next phase of the ERP implementation will require, the investment of significant personnel and financial resources and could be more costly than we anticipated. We have experienced, and may experience in the future, difficulties as we transition to new upgraded systems and business processes. For example, after the ERP transition in our fiscal third quarter 2024, we experienced temporary reduced visibility into finished goods inventories at our distribution centers, which affected our ability to fill customer orders. Although we partnered closely with our customers to minimize the impact of the disruptions and resolved the reduced visibility, within the quarter, our sales volume and margins nevertheless declined. In addition, some customers affected by these disruptions secured supply from alternative sources. Other difficulties may include loss of data; in completing financial reporting and filing reports with the SEC in a timely manner; or in otherwise running our business. We may also experience decreases in productivity as our personnel implement and become familiar with new systems and processes. Any , , or in the transition, design, and implementation of a new ERP system, particularly any , , or that impact our operations, could have a material effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
We are significantly dependent on information technology, and we may be unable to protect our information systems against service interruption, misappropriation of data, or breaches of security.
We rely on information technology networks and systems, including the Internet, to process, transmit, and store electronic and financial information, to manage and support a variety of business processes and activities, and to comply with regulatory, legal, and tax requirements. We also depend upon our information technology infrastructure for digital marketing activities and for electronic communications among our locations, personnel, customers, third-party manufacturers and suppliers. The importance of such networks and systems has increased due to our adoption of flexible work-from-home policies for some of our functional support areas, which in turn has heightened our vulnerability to cyberattacks or other disruptions. Despite careful security and controls design, implementation and updating, monitoring and routine testing, independent third-party verification, and annual training of employees on information security and data protection, our information technology systems, some of which are dependent on services provided by third parties, may be vulnerable to, among other things, damage, invasions, disruptions, or shutdowns due to any number of causes such as events, natural , infectious disease outbreaks and other public health , fires, power , systems , telecommunications , security , computer viruses, ransomware and malware, hackers, employee or , potential in the incorporation of artificial intelligence, employee or personnel and other causes. While we have experienced to our data and systems, to date, we are not aware that we
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have experienced a breach that had a material impact on our operations or business. However, third parties, including our partners and vendors, could also be a source of security risk to us, or cause disruptions to our normal operations, in the event of a breach of their own products, components, networks, security systems, and infrastructure. For example, in April 2023, Americold Realty Trust, Inc., a third-party finished goods storage provider, suffered a cyber incident that impacted its operations and resulted in considerable delays in the delivery of our products to our customers and interrupted other key business processes. While the incident impacted our business and we were unable to ship to certain customers for a short period of time, it did not have a material adverse impact on our business.
Cyber threats are constantly evolving, are becoming more frequent and more sophisticated and are being made by groups of individuals with a wide range of expertise and motives, which increases the difficulty of detecting and successfully defending against them. Continued geopolitical turmoil and geopolitical tensions, such as between the U.S. and China, have heightened the risk of cyberattacks. Sophisticated cybersecurity threats, including potential cyberattacks from China, Russia or other state actors targeted against the U.S., pose a potential risk to the security and viability of our information technology systems, as well as the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the data stored on those systems, including cloud-based platforms. In addition, new technology, such as artificial intelligence, that could result in greater operational efficiency may further our computer systems to the risk of . Our initiatives to continue to modernize our operations, increase data digitization and our production facilities may increase potential exposure to cybersecurity risks and increase the complexity of our cybersecurity program. We anticipate that the risk of cybersecurity attacks will increase as artificial intelligence is increasingly used to identify and conduct increasingly sophisticated attacks. If we do not allocate and effectively manage the resources necessary to build and sustain the proper technology infrastructure and associated automated and manual control processes, we could be subject to billing and collection , business , or resulting from security . If any of our significant information technology systems , , or and our business continuity plans do not effectively the issues in a timely manner, our product sales, financial condition, and results of operations may be materially and affected, and we could experience in reporting our financial results. Any of our information technology systems or those of our suppliers and customers could have operational, reputational, legal, and financial impacts that may have a material effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
In addition, if we are unable to prevent security breaches, unauthorized disclosure of non-public information or lost or misappropriated confidential information, we may suffer financial and reputational damage, litigation or remediation costs, fines, or penalties because of the unauthorized disclosure of such information belonging to us or to our partners, customers, or suppliers. Misuse, leakage, or falsification of information could result in violations of data privacy laws and regulations (including federal, state and international), potentially significant fines and penalties, damage to our reputation and credibility, of strategic , and of ability to commercialize products developed through research and development efforts and, therefore, could have a impact on net sales. We could also be required to spend significant financial and other resources to remedy the caused by a security or to repair or replace networks and information systems. While we maintain a cyber insurance policy that provides coverage for security , we cannot be certain that our coverage will be adequate for liabilities actually incurred, that insurance will continue to be available to us on financially reasonable terms, or at all, or that any insurer will not coverage as to any future claim. There is no assurance that the measures we have taken to protect our information systems will prevent or limit the impact of a future cyber .
Legal and Regulatory Risks
We may be subject to product liability claims and product recalls or withdrawals, which could negatively impact our relationships with customers and harm our business.
We sell food products for human consumption, which involves risks such as product contamination or spoilage, product tampering, other adulteration of food products, mislabeling, and misbranding. We may voluntarily recall or withdraw products from the market in certain circumstances, which would cause us to incur associated costs; those costs could be meaningful. For example, in June 2024, we had a voluntary product withdrawal, which negatively impacted our financial results. We may also be subject to litigation, requests for indemnification from our customers, or liability if the consumption or inadequate preparation of any of our products causes injury, illness, or death. A significant product liability judgment or a widespread product recall or withdrawal may negatively impact our sales and profitability for a period of time depending on the costs of the recall or withdrawal, the destruction of product inventory, product availability, competitive reaction, customer reaction, and consumer attitudes. Even if a product liability or labeling claim is or is not fully pursued, the publicity surrounding any assertion that our products caused illness or could affect our reputation with existing and potential customers and our corporate and brand image. Our
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business could also be adversely affected if consumers lose confidence in the food safety system generally, even if such loss of confidence is unrelated to products in our portfolio.
In addition, we could be the target of claims of false or deceptive advertising under U.S. federal and state laws as well as foreign laws, including consumer protection statutes of some states. The marketing of food products has come under increased regulatory scrutiny in recent years, and the food industry has been subject to an increasing number of proceedings and claims relating to alleged false or deceptive labeling and marketing under federal, state and foreign laws or regulations. Changes in legal or regulatory requirements (such as new food safety requirements, revised or new nutrition facts or allergen labeling, including front of pack labeling, serving size regulations and bans on certain food ingredients or packaging materials), or evolving interpretations of existing legal or regulatory requirements, may result in increased compliance costs, capital expenditures and other financial obligations that could adversely affect our business or financial results. If we are found to be out of compliance with applicable laws and regulations in these areas, we could be subject to civil remedies, including , , of necessary licenses or permits, or or withdrawals, as well as potential sanctions, any of which could have a material effect on our business.
Additionally, as a manufacturer and marketer of food products, we are subject to extensive regulation by the FDA and other national, state and local government agencies. The Food, Drug & Cosmetic Act, the Food Safety Modernization Act, other laws and their respective regulations govern, among other things, the manufacturing, composition and ingredients, packaging, and safety of food products. Some aspects of these laws use a strict liability standard for imposing sanctions on corporate behavior, meaning that no intent is required to be established. If we fail to comply with applicable laws and regulations, we may be subject to civil remedies, including fines, injunctions, recalls, withdrawals, or seizures, as well as criminal sanctions, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Regulations imposed by the FDA or EFSA around acrylamide formation in potato products could adversely affect us.
The regulation of food products, both within the U.S. and internationally, continues to be a focus for governmental scrutiny. The presence and/or formation of acrylamide in potato products cooked at high temperatures has become a global regulatory issue as both the FDA and the European Food Safety Authority (‘‘EFSA’’) have issued guidance to the food processing industry to work to reduce conditions that favor the formation of this naturally occurring compound. Acrylamide formation is the result of heat processing reactions that give ‘‘browned foods’’ their desirable flavor. Acrylamide formation occurs in many food types in the human diet, including but not limited to breads, toast, cookies, coffee, crackers, potatoes, and olives. The regulatory approach to acrylamide has generally been to encourage the industry to achieve as low as reasonably achievable content levels through process control (e.g., temperature) and material testing (e.g., low sugar and low asparagine). However, limits for acrylamide exposure have been established in the State of California, and point of sale consumer warnings are required if products exceed those limits. In addition, the EFSA has promulgated regulations establishing specific mitigation measures, sampling, and analysis procedures and benchmark levels for acrylamide in certain food products. If the global regulatory approach to acrylamide becomes more stringent and additional legal limits are established, our manufacturing costs could increase. In addition, if consumer perception regarding the safety of our products is impacted due to regulation, sales of our products could decrease.
If we fail to comply with the many laws and regulations applicable to our business, we may face lawsuits or incur significant fines and penalties.
Our facilities and products are subject to many laws and regulations administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the FDA, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and other federal, state, local, and foreign governmental agencies relating to the processing, packaging, storage, distribution, advertising, labeling, quality, and safety of food products, and the health and safety of our employees. Our failure to comply with applicable laws and regulations could subject us to additional costs, product detentions, substantial delays or a temporary shutdown in manufacturing, lawsuits, administrative penalties, and civil remedies, including fines, injunctions, and recalls or withdrawals of our products.
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Our operations are also subject to extensive and increasingly stringent regulations administered by foreign government agencies, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and comparable state agencies, which pertain to the protection of human health and the environment, including, but not limited to, the discharge of materials into the environment, such as the land application of our processed water, and the handling and disposition of wastes. Failure to comply with these regulations can have serious consequences, including civil and administrative penalties and negative publicity, while compliance could require seasonal shutdowns in manufacturing and increase costs. Changes in applicable laws or regulations or evolving interpretations thereof may result in increased compliance costs, capital expenditures, and other financial obligations for us, which could affect our profitability or impede the production or distribution of our products, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Climate change, or legal, regulatory, or market measures to address climate change, may negatively affect our business and operations.
In the event that climate change has a negative effect on agricultural productivity, we may be subject to decreased availability or less favorable pricing for certain commodities that are necessary for our products, such as potatoes and edible oils. Adverse weather conditions and natural disasters may disrupt the productivity of our facilities or the operation of our supply chain and can reduce crop size and crop quality, which in turn could reduce our supplies of raw potatoes, lower recoveries of usable raw potatoes, increase the prices of our raw potatoes, increase our cost of transporting and storing raw potatoes, or disrupt our production schedules or efficiencies. In addition, water is an important part of potato processing. In times of water stress, we may be subject to decreased availability or less favorable pricing for water, which could impact our manufacturing and distribution operations. For example, during the summer of 2024, our Quincy, Washington production facility temporarily curtailed operations due to of water and electricity availability, as extreme temperatures and dry weather taxed both power grids and water sources. Further, a decrease in the availability of water in certain regions caused by or other factors could increase competition for land and resources in areas that have more growing conditions, and thereby increase costs for such land and resources.
The increasing concern over climate change also may result in more regional, federal, and/or global legal and regulatory requirements to reduce or mitigate the effects of greenhouse gases, as well as more stringent regulation of water rights. In the event that such regulation is enacted and is more aggressive than the sustainability measures that we are currently undertaking to monitor our emissions, improve our energy efficiency, and reduce, reclaim, and reuse water, we may be subject to curtailment or reduced access to resources or experience significant increases in our costs of operation and delivery. In addition, increasing regulation of utility providers, fuel emissions, or fuel suppliers could substantially increase the distribution and supply chain costs of our products. Further, we may experience significant increases in our compliance costs, capital expenditures, and other financial obligations to adapt our business and operations to meet new regulations and standards. For example, in fiscal 2026, we expect our capital expenditures to include approximately $100 million for environmental projects, largely focused on wastewater treatment at our production facilities. Further, we expect to spend about $500 million in the aggregate over the next six years to comply with government environmental regulations and permit limitations.
Even if we make changes to align ourselves with such legal or regulatory requirements, we may still be subject to significant penalties or potential litigation if such laws and regulations are interpreted and applied in a manner inconsistent with our practices. Also, consumers and customers may place an increased priority on purchasing products that are sustainably grown and made, requiring us to incur increased costs for additional transparency, due diligence, and reporting. In addition, we might fail to effectively address increased attention from the media, stockholders, activists, and other stakeholders on climate change and related environmental sustainability matters. From time to time, we establish and publicly announce goals and commitments, including those related to reducing our impact on the environment. Our ability to achieve any stated goal, target or objective is subject to numerous factors and conditions, many of which are outside of our control, including evolving regulatory, tracking and reporting requirements, the pace of scientific and technological developments, and the availability of suppliers that can meet our standards. We may be required to expend significant resources to meet these goals and commitments, which could significantly increase our operational costs. Our selection of voluntary disclosure frameworks and standards, and the interpretation or application of those frameworks and standards, may change from time to time or differ from those of others. Methodologies for reporting this data may be updated and previously reported data may be adjusted to reflect in availability and quality of third-party data, changing assumptions, changes in the nature and scope of our operations (including from acquisitions and ), and other changes in circumstances, which could result in significant revisions to our current goals, reported in such goals, or ability to such goals in the future. There can be no assurance of the extent to which any of our goals or commitments will be , or that any future investments we make in furtherance of these goals will meet customer or investor expectations. Any or (perceived or actual) to our goals with respect to reducing our impact on the environment or perception of a or to act responsibly with respect to the environment or to
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effectively respond to regulatory requirements concerning climate change can lead to adverse publicity, which could damage our reputation, as well as expose us to enforcement actions and litigation. See also “Industry Risks – Our business is affected by potato crop performance,” in this Item 1A. Risk Factors above.
Our intellectual property rights are valuable, and any inability to protect and/or enforce them could reduce the value of our products and brands.
We consider our intellectual property rights to be a significant and valuable aspect of our business. We attempt to protect our intellectual property rights through a combination of trademark, patent, copyright and trade secret protection, contractual agreements and policing of third-party misuses of our intellectual property. Our failure to timely obtain or adequately protect and/or enforce our intellectual property or any change in law that lessens or removes the current legal protections of our intellectual property may diminish our competitiveness and adversely affect our business and financial results. We also license certain intellectual property, most notably Grown in Idaho and Alexia , from third parties. To the extent that we are not able to contract with these third parties on favorable terms or maintain our relationships with these third parties, our rights to use certain intellectual property could be impacted.
Competing intellectual property claims that impact our brands or products may arise unexpectedly. Any litigation or disputes regarding intellectual property may be costly and time-consuming and may divert the attention of our management and key personnel from our business operations. We also may be subject to significant damages or injunctions against development, launch, and sale of certain products. Any of these occurrences may harm our business and financial results.
