Utz Brands Inc. (NYSE:UTZ) reported fourth-quarter results that met earnings expectations but missed on revenue, as the snack maker delivered modest sales growth in a mixed operating environment.
Adjusted earnings per share totaled $0.26, in line with analyst forecasts. Revenue reached $342.2 million, falling short of the $346.17 million consensus estimate.
Net sales for the quarter rose 0.4% year over year, with organic net sales also up 0.4%. Branded salty snacks — accounting for 89% of total organic net sales — increased 2.5%, supported by the company’s Power Four Brands: Utz, On The Border, Zapp’s, and Boulder Canyon, which together recorded 5.3% retail sales growth. Adjusted EBITDA climbed 17.5% to $62.4 million.
Shares edged 0.54% higher following the earnings release.
“2025 was a year of solid progress in a dynamic operating environment. Branded Salty Organic Net Sales increased nearly 5%, driven by the Power Four Brands and Expansion Geographies,” said Howard Friedman, Chief Executive Officer of Utz. “We also expanded Adjusted Gross Margin by more than 250bps for the full year, with an especially strong performance of 560bps in the fourth quarter.”
For fiscal 2026, Utz expects organic net sales growth of 2% to 3% and adjusted EBITDA growth of 5% to 8%, including the impact of a 53rd week in the fourth quarter. However, adjusted EPS is projected to decline between 3% and 6%, reflecting higher depreciation and amortization, increased interest expense, and a higher effective tax rate.
The company also unveiled its first share repurchase program, authorizing up to $50 million in buybacks of its Class A common stock. At the same time, Utz continues to focus on deleveraging, with net leverage improving to 3.4x by the end of 2025.