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Grocery Outlet Holding Corp. Announces First Quarter Fiscal 2026 Financial Results

(Moderate)
(Negative)
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Grocery Outlet (NASDAQ: GO) reported first quarter fiscal 2026 net sales of $1.17 billion, up 3.6%, with comparable store sales down 1.0%. Gross margin fell 80 bps to 29.6%.

The company posted a net loss of $180.3 million driven by a $158.0 million non-cash goodwill impairment and $18.2 million in restructuring charges, while reaffirming full-year 2026 guidance and advancing an Optimization Plan that closes 36 underperforming stores.

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Positive

  • Net sales increased 3.6% to $1.17 billion
  • Operating cash flow of $52.6 million in Q1 fiscal 2026
  • Capital expenditures net of allowances down to $53.9 million
  • Reaffirmed fiscal 2026 net sales guidance of $4.60–$4.72 billion
  • Reaffirmed fiscal 2026 adjusted EBITDA guidance of $220–$235 million
  • Optimization Plan targeting 36 underperforming store closures to refine footprint

Negative

  • Comparable store sales decreased 1.0% in Q1 fiscal 2026
  • Gross margin declined 80 basis points to 29.6%
  • Net loss widened to $180.3 million, or $(1.83) per diluted share
  • Recorded $158.0 million non-cash goodwill impairment charge
  • Adjusted EBITDA fell to $43.1 million (3.7% of net sales)
  • Plan-related restructuring charges estimated at $20–$27 million through fiscal 2027

News Market Reaction – GO

-0.90%
20 alerts
-0.90% Session close to close
+15.8% Peak in 17 hr 10 min
$765.66M Market Cap
0.1x Rel. Volume

In the May 14 session, GO declined 0.90%, reflecting a mild negative market reaction. Argus tracked a peak move of +15.8% during that session. Our momentum scanner triggered 20 alerts that day, indicating elevated trading interest and price volatility.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.

Market Context

This announcement details Q1 FY2026 results showing $1.17 billion in net sales growth but weaker com...
Analysis

This announcement details Q1 FY2026 results showing $1.17 billion in net sales growth but weaker comparable sales and profitability, driven by goodwill impairment and restructuring charges. It also reiterates fiscal 2026 guidance for net sales of $4.60–$4.72 billion, adjusted EBITDA of $220–$235 million, and diluted adjusted EPS of $0.45–$0.55. Investors may monitor execution of the Optimization Plan, trends in gross margin around the 29.7–30.0% target range, and store footprint changes as key indicators of sustainable earnings improvement.

Key Figures

Q1 2026 net sales: $1.17 billion Comparable store sales: -1.0% Gross margin: 29.6% +5 more
8 metrics
Q1 2026 net sales $1.17 billion First quarter fiscal 2026, up 3.6% vs Q1 2025
Comparable store sales -1.0% Q1 2026 vs Q1 2025
Gross margin 29.6% Q1 2026 vs 30.4% last year (down 80 bps)
Operating loss $178.0 million Q1 2026, includes $158.0M goodwill impairment and $18.2M restructuring
Net loss per share ($1.83) Q1 2026 diluted, vs ($0.24) last year
Adjusted EPS $0.05 Q1 2026 diluted adjusted EPS vs $0.13 last year
Adjusted EBITDA $43.1 million (3.7% of sales) Q1 2026 vs $51.9M (4.6%) in Q1 2025
Store count 549 stores End of Q1 2026, in 16 states after 28 closures and 7 openings

Previous Earnings Reports

5 past events · Latest: Mar 04 (Negative)
Same Type Pattern 5 events
Date Event Sentiment 24h Move Catalyst
Mar 04 FY2025 earnings Negative -27.9% Substantial impairments and Optimization Plan alongside softer FY2026 outlook.
Nov 04 Q3 2025 earnings Negative -8.1% Moderate growth but higher restructuring costs and lowered full-year guidance.
Aug 05 Q2 2025 earnings Positive +42.7% Sales growth, solid margins and upgraded adjusted EPS outlook lifted sentiment.
May 06 Q1 2025 earnings Negative -6.1% Higher net loss and restructuring charges despite stronger adjusted metrics.
Feb 25 FY2024 earnings Negative -30.2% Net income declines and new restructuring plan overshadowed sales growth.

24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.

Pattern Detected

Earnings releases have frequently coincided with negative price reactions, especially when restructuring, impairments, or guidance changes were highlighted.

Recent Company History

Over the past year, Grocery Outlet’s earnings reports have featured recurring themes of restructuring, impairments and shifting guidance. Events on Feb 25, 2025, May 6, 2025, and Nov 4, 2025 all combined modest sales growth with margin and earnings pressure, often linked to restructuring costs. The Mar 4, 2026 fiscal 2025 results added a significant Optimization Plan and major impairments, driving a sharp selloff. Today’s Q1 FY2026 results follow this pattern of balancing growth and optimization efforts.

Key Terms

goodwill impairment, restructuring charges, non-gaap financial measures, ebitda, +4 more
8 terms
goodwill impairment financial
"Operating loss was $178.0 million, which included a $158.0 million non-cash goodwill impairment charge..."
Goodwill impairment occurs when a company’s valued reputation or brand strength, known as goodwill, is found to be worth less than previously recorded on its financial statements. This usually happens when the company's performance declines or market conditions change, signaling that the expected benefits from acquisitions or brand value are no longer as strong. It matters to investors because it can indicate that a company's assets are less valuable than initially thought, potentially affecting its overall financial health.
restructuring charges financial
"Operating loss was $178.0 million... and $18.2 million in restructuring charges..."
Restructuring charges are costs that a company pays when it changes how it operates, like closing factories or laying off employees. These expenses are often one-time and happen to help the company become more efficient in the long run. They matter because they can affect the company's profits and how investors see its future prospects.
non-gaap financial measures financial
"Adjusted net income... are non-GAAP financial measures, which exclude the impact of certain special items."
Non-GAAP financial measures are numbers companies use to show their financial performance that exclude certain expenses or income. They help investors see how the company might perform without one-time costs or other unusual items, giving a different perspective from official reports. However, since they can be adjusted, they don’t always tell the full story and should be looked at alongside standard financial figures.
ebitda financial
"Management defines EBITDA as net income (loss) before net interest expense, income taxes and depreciation..."
EBITDA stands for earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization. It measures a company's profitability by focusing on the money it makes from its core operations, ignoring expenses like taxes and accounting adjustments. Investors use EBITDA to compare how well different companies are performing financially, as it provides a clearer picture of operational success without the influence of financial structure or accounting choices.
View in glossary
adjusted ebitda financial
"Adjusted EBITDA(1) was $43.1 million, representing 3.7% of net sales."
Adjusted EBITDA is a way companies measure how much money they make from their core operations, like running a business, by removing certain costs or income that aren’t part of regular business activities. It helps investors see how well a company is doing without distractions from unusual expenses or gains, making it easier to compare companies or track performance over time.
adjusted earnings per share financial
"diluted adjusted earnings per share(1), compared to $13.0 million, or $0.13 diluted adjusted earnings per share(1)..."
Adjusted Earnings Per Share shows how much profit a company makes for each share of stock, but it removes unusual or one-time items like big expenses or gains. This helps investors see the company's true ongoing performance, making it easier to compare how well different companies are doing over time.
cash-on-cash return financial
"Management defines cash-on-cash returns as Four Wall EBITDA divided by total net cash investment."
A cash-on-cash return measures the annual cash income an investor receives from an asset compared to the actual cash they put into it, expressed as a percentage. Think of it as the interest rate on the cash you laid out: it shows how quickly your invested money is generating cash flow, making it useful for comparing income-producing investments and gauging short-term cash performance before taxes and accounting adjustments.
net leverage financial
"A definition of net leverage and a related reconciliation to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure..."
Net leverage measures how many years it would take for a company to pay off its outstanding debt using its annual operating cash flow, after subtracting cash on hand from total debt. Think of it like a household’s mortgage balance minus savings divided by yearly income; a lower number means the company is in a safer position to handle debt, while a higher number signals greater financial risk and potential pressure on profits or growth.

AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

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EMERYVILLE, Calif., May 13, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Grocery Outlet Holding Corp. (NASDAQ: GO) ("Grocery Outlet," the "Company," "we" or "our") today announced financial results for the first quarter of fiscal 2026 ended April 4, 2026.

Highlights for First Quarter Fiscal 2026 as compared to First Quarter Fiscal 2025:

  • Net sales increased by 3.6% to $1.17 billion.
  • Comparable store sales declined by 1.0%.
  • Gross margin was 29.6% compared to 30.4% last year, a decline of 80 basis points, including a 50 basis point impact from inventory markdowns and write-offs associated with restructuring activities.
  • Operating loss was $178.0 million, which included $158.0 million in non-cash goodwill impairment and $18.2 million in restructuring charges.
  • Net loss was $180.3 million, or $(1.83) per diluted share, compared to net loss of $23.3 million, or $(0.24) per diluted share last year. Adjusted net income(1) was $4.6 million, or $0.05 diluted adjusted earnings per share(1), compared to $13.0 million, or $0.13 diluted adjusted earnings per share(1) last year.
  • Adjusted EBITDA(1) was $43.1 million, representing 3.7% of net sales.

“We delivered first quarter results consistent with our guidance, as our work to strengthen the business drove sequential improvements in comp-store sales throughout the quarter,” said Jason Potter, President and CEO of Grocery Outlet. “We made meaningful progress in increasing our opportunistic mix to offer more of the extreme value products that resonate with our customers. At the same time, we continued to advance our key strategic priorities to position Grocery Outlet to generate sustainable, profitable growth.”

__________________________________
(1) Adjusted net income, diluted adjusted earnings per share, adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA margin are non-GAAP financial measures, which exclude the impact of certain special items. Please note that our non-GAAP financial measures should be considered as a supplement to, and not as a substitute for, or superior to, financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP. See the "Non-GAAP Financial Information" section of this release as well as the respective reconciliations of our non-GAAP financial measures below for additional information about these items.

First Quarter Fiscal 2026 Financial Summary

Net sales increased 3.6% to $1.17 billion due to new store sales, partially offset by a 1.0% decrease in comparable store sales. The decrease in comparable store sales was driven by a 3.1% decrease in average transaction size, partially offset by a 2.1% increase in the number of transactions. We closed 28 stores, including 27 stores as a result of Optimization Plan as further discussed below, and opened 7 new stores, ending the quarter with 549 stores in 16 states.

Gross profit increased $2.8 million to $345.2 million. Gross margin was 29.6%, a decline of 80 basis points due primarily to a 50 basis point impact from inventory markdowns and write-offs associated with the store closures under the Optimization Plan, and the impact of product promotions to drive sales, partially offset by improvements in inventory management.

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased 4.8% to $347.0 million. As a percentage of net sales, SG&A expenses increased 40 basis points to 29.8%, driven primarily by higher professional fees, commissions and other costs to support our continued growth, partially offset by lower incentive compensation.

Operating loss was $178.0 million, which included a $158.0 million non-cash goodwill impairment charge as a result of a decline in market capitalization and $18.2 million in restructuring charges, which consisted of $2.7 million in cash charges and $15.5 million in non-cash charges related to the Optimization Plan. The non-cash goodwill impairment charge does not impact future operations.

Net loss was $180.3 million, or $(1.83) per diluted share compared to net loss of $23.3 million, or $(0.24) per diluted share last year. Adjusted net income(1) was $4.6 million, or $0.05 diluted adjusted earnings per share(1) compared to $13.0 million, or $0.13 diluted adjusted earnings per share(1). Adjusted EBITDA(1) was $43.1 million, or 3.7% of net sales, compared to $51.9 million, or 4.6% of net sales, in the prior year.

Cash Flow & Capital Spending:

  • Net cash provided by operating activities during the first quarter of fiscal 2026 was $52.6 million compared with $58.9 million for the first quarter last year. The decrease in operating cash flow was driven primarily by changes in working capital including inventory and accrued liabilities, partially offset by a lower net loss in the current quarter, after adjusting for non-cash charges.
  • Capital expenditures for the first quarter of fiscal 2026, before tenant improvement allowances, were $56.8 million, a decrease of $8.5 million over the first quarter of fiscal 2025 due to fewer new store openings. Capital expenditures, net of tenant improvement allowances, for the first quarter this year, were $53.9 million compared with $57.3 million for the same period last year, due to fewer new store openings partially offset by the timing of tenant improvement billings.

Optimization Plan:

To strengthen long-term profitability and cash flow generation, improve operational execution, optimize our existing store footprint and align with our disciplined new store growth strategy, in the first quarter of fiscal 2026 we conducted a strategic, financial and operational analysis of our store fleet. Following that review, during the quarter, our Board of Directors adopted a business optimization plan (the "Optimization Plan") that provides for the closure of 36 financially underperforming stores ("Closure Stores"), including the termination, sublease or assignment of the applicable store leases, the termination, sublease or assignment of a lease for a distribution center facility that we are no longer utilizing (together with the store leases, the "Lease Exits"), and the termination of operator agreements with independent operators ("IOs") for the Closure Stores as well as certain other store locations (the "Operator Agreement Terminations").

Following the Board adoption of the Optimization Plan, during the first quarter of fiscal 2026, we closed 27 stores and initiated the closure process at the remaining 9 stores associated with the Lease Exits. In the second quarter of fiscal 2026, we completed the closure of the remaining 9 stores. During the first quarter of fiscal 2026, we also completed or initiated the Operator Agreement Terminations for the Closure Stores as well as certain other store locations. In addition, we increased the provision for IO notes and IO receivables reserves and wrote off uncollectible IO notes and IO receivables associated with these store locations.

In connection with the Optimization Plan, we estimate we will incur between $20 million and $27 million in net total restructuring charges in fiscal 2026 and fiscal 2027, and we expect these actions to be substantially completed by the first quarter of fiscal 2027.

Outlook:

The Company reaffirms the following key guidance figures for fiscal 2026:

 Current
New store openings, net(1)30-33
Net sales$4.60 - $4.72 billion
Comparable store sales increase / decrease-2.0% to 0.0%
Gross margin29.7%-30.0%
Adjusted EBITDA$220 million to $235 million
Diluted adjusted earnings per share$0.45 to $0.55
Capital expenditures (net of tenant improvement allowances)$170 million

__________________________________
(1) Excludes store closures related to the Optimization Plan.

Conference Call Information:

A conference call to discuss the first quarter fiscal 2026 financial results is scheduled for today, May 13, 2026 at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time. Investors and analysts interested in participating in the call are invited to dial (877) 407-9208 approximately 15 minutes prior to the start of the call. A live audio webcast of the conference call will be available online at https://investors.groceryoutlet.com.

A taped replay of the conference call will be available within three hours of the conclusion of the call and can be accessed both online and by dialing (844) 512-2921 and entering access code 13759283. The telephone dial-in replay will be available for approximately two weeks after the call. The webcast replay will be available for approximately one year after the call.

Non-GAAP Financial Information:

In addition to reporting financial results in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("GAAP"), management and the Board of Directors use EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA margin, adjusted net income, adjusted earnings per share, and cash-on-cash return as supplemental key metrics to assess our financial performance, and net leverage as a supplemental metric to assess our liquidity. These non-GAAP financial measures are also frequently used by analysts, investors and other interested parties to evaluate the Company and other companies in our industry. Management believes it is useful to investors and analysts to evaluate these non-GAAP financial measures on the same basis as management uses to evaluate our operating results and liquidity. Management uses these non-GAAP financial performance measures to supplement GAAP financial measures of performance to evaluate the effectiveness of our business strategies, to make budgeting decisions and to compare our performance against that of other peer companies using similar measures. In addition, we use adjusted EBITDA and adjusted earnings per share to supplement GAAP financial measures of performance to evaluate performance in connection with compensation decisions. Management believes that excluding items from operating income (loss), net income (loss) and earnings (net loss) per diluted share that may not be indicative of, or are unrelated to, our core operating results, and that may vary in frequency or magnitude, enhances the comparability of our results and provides additional information for analyzing trends in our business. Management uses net leverage to evaluate our overall liquidity and financial flexibility to pursue operational strategies and to evaluate our capital structure, and our ability to service our long-term debt obligations.

Management defines EBITDA as net income (loss) before net interest expense, income taxes and depreciation and amortization expenses. Adjusted EBITDA represents EBITDA adjusted to exclude share-based compensation expense, asset impairment and gain or loss on disposition, acquisition and integration costs, restructuring and related charges and certain other expenses that may not be indicative of, or are unrelated to, our core operating results, and that may vary in frequency or magnitude. Adjusted EBITDA margin is calculated as adjusted EBITDA divided by net sales, expressed as a percentage. Adjusted net income represents net income (loss) adjusted for the previously mentioned adjusted EBITDA adjustments, further adjusted for the amortization of property and equipment purchase accounting asset step-ups and deferred financing costs, tax adjustment to normalize the effective tax rate, and tax effect of total adjustments. Basic adjusted earnings per share is calculated using adjusted net income, as defined above, and basic weighted-average shares outstanding. Diluted adjusted earnings per share is calculated using adjusted net income, as defined above, and diluted weighted-average shares outstanding. Management defines cash-on-cash returns as Four Wall EBITDA divided by total net cash investment. Four Wall EBITDA includes store level costs such as product and distribution costs, commissions, occupancy, marketing and other related costs. A definition of net leverage and a related reconciliation to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure can be found on the Investor Relations section of our website under "Financial Information—Quarterly Results."

These non-GAAP financial measures may not be comparable to similar measures reported by other companies and have limitations as analytical tools, and you should not consider them in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. We address the limitations of the non-GAAP financial measures through the use of various GAAP measures. In the future we will incur expenses or charges such as those added back to calculate adjusted EBITDA or adjusted net income. The presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures should not be construed as an inference that future results will be unaffected by the adjustments used to derive such non-GAAP measures.

We have not reconciled the non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA and diluted adjusted earnings per share forward-looking guidance included in this release to the most directly comparable GAAP measures because this cannot be done without unreasonable effort due to the variability and low visibility with respect to taxes and non-recurring items, which are potential adjustments to future earnings. We expect the variability of these items to have a potentially unpredictable, and a potentially significant, impact on our future GAAP financial results. We have also not reconciled the cash-on-cash return forward-looking outlook because such metric includes store-level cash flows and initial capital investment at the individual store level, which are not captured or presented on a GAAP basis. Reconciling this metric to a GAAP measure would require unreasonable efforts and assumptions.

Forward-Looking Statements:

This news release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements contained in this release other than statements of historical fact, including statements regarding our future operating results and financial position, our business strategy and plans, the Optimization Plan and its associated activities, costs and benefits, the restructuring plan adopted in fiscal 2025 (the "Restructuring Plan") and its associated benefits, our ability to drive long-term value and business and market trends may constitute forward-looking statements. Words such as "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "outlook," "plan," "project," "seek," "will," and similar expressions, are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by any forward-looking statements, including the following: failure of suppliers to consistently supply the Company with opportunistic products at attractive pricing; inability to successfully identify trends and maintain a consistent level of opportunistic products or general inventory; failure to maintain or increase comparable store sales; delay or disruption in funding of benefits provided under government-funded assistance programs, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program; any significant disruption to our distribution network, the operations, technology and capacity of our distribution centers and our timely receipt of inventory; risks associated with newly opened stores; risks associated with our growth strategy, including opening, relocating or remodeling stores on schedule and on budget, as well as the revised near-term new store growth strategy as reflected in the Restructuring Plan and Optimization Plan; risks associated with our store refresh initiatives, including that such efforts do not lead to improvements in operating results or are more costly to implement than we anticipate; financial and operating impacts associated with our Optimization Plan; risks related to our plan to operate certain newly opened stores as Company-operated stores; inflation, tariffs and other changes affecting the market prices of the products we sell; failure to maintain our reputation and the value of our brand, including protecting our intellectual property; inability to maintain sufficient levels of cash flow from our operations to fund our growth strategy; risks associated with leasing substantial amounts of space; inability to attract, train and retain highly qualified employees or the loss of executive officers or other key personnel; costs and successful implementation of marketing, advertising and promotions; natural or man-made disasters, climate change, power outages, major health epidemics, pandemic outbreaks, terrorist acts, global political events or other serious catastrophic events and the concentration of our business operations; unexpected costs and negative effects if we incur losses not covered by our insurance program; difficulties associated with labor relations and shortages; failure to participate effectively in the growing online retail marketplace; failure to properly integrate or achieve the expected benefits of any acquired businesses; risks associated with economic conditions; risks associated with uncertainty and changes in U.S. trade policies, including tariffs; competition in the retail food industry; movement of consumer trends toward private labels and away from name-brand products; risks associated with deploying our own private label brands; inability to attract and retain qualified independent operators of the Company ("IOs"); failure of the IOs to successfully manage their business; failure of the IOs to repay notes outstanding to the Company; inability of the IOs to avoid excess inventory shrink; any loss or changeover of an IO; legal proceedings initiated against the IOs; legal challenges to the IO/independent contractor business model; failure to maintain positive relationships with the IOs; risks associated with actions the IOs could take that could harm our business; material disruption to information technology systems, including risks associated from our technology initiatives or third-party security breaches or other disruptions; failure to maintain the security of information we hold, including relating to personal information or payment card data; risks associated with products we and our IOs sell; risks associated with laws and regulations generally applicable to retailers; legal or regulatory proceedings; our substantial indebtedness could affect our ability to operate our business, react to changes in the economy or industry or pay debts and meet obligations; restrictive covenants in our debt agreements may restrict our ability to pursue our business strategies, and failure to comply with any of these restrictions could result in acceleration of our debt; risks associated with tax matters; changes in accounting standards and subjective assumptions, estimates and judgments by management related to complex accounting matters; and the other factors discussed under "Risk Factors" in our most recent annual report on Form 10-K and in other subsequent reports we file with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). Our periodic filings are accessible on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.

Moreover, we operate in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment, and new risks emerge from time to time. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, and our expectations based on third-party information and projections are from sources that management believes to be reputable, we cannot guarantee that future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this release or as of the date specified herein and we have based these forward-looking statements on current expectations and projections about future events and trends. Except as required by law, we do not undertake any duty to update any of these forward-looking statements after the date of this release or to conform these statements to actual results or revised expectations.

About Grocery Outlet:

Based in Emeryville, California, Grocery Outlet is a growth-oriented extreme value retailer of quality, name-brand consumables and fresh products sold primarily through a network of independently operated stores. Grocery Outlet and its subsidiaries have more than 540 stores in California, Washington, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Nevada, Idaho, North Carolina, Maryland, Ohio, Georgia, Virginia, New Jersey, Alabama, Delaware and Kentucky.

INVESTOR RELATIONS CONTACTS:

Ian Ferry
(510) 244-3703
iferry@cfgo.com

Ron Clark
(646) 776-0886
ron@ellipsista.com

 
GROCERY OUTLET HOLDING CORP.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
(in thousands, except per share data)
(unaudited)
 
 13 Weeks Ended
 April 4,
2026
 March 29,
2025
Net sales$1,166,352  $1,125,567 
Cost of sales 821,153   783,122 
Gross profit 345,199   342,445 
Selling, general and administrative expenses 347,022   331,078 
Restructuring charges 18,191   33,875 
Goodwill impairment 158,000    
Operating loss (178,014)  (22,508)
Interest expense, net 6,369   6,520 
Loss before income taxes (184,383)  (29,028)
Income tax benefit (4,061)  (5,711)
Net loss and comprehensive loss$(180,322) $(23,317)
Basic net loss per share$(1.83) $(0.24)
Diluted net loss per share$(1.83) $(0.24)
Weighted-average shares outstanding:   
Basic 98,426   97,521 
Diluted 98,426   97,521 
        


GROCERY OUTLET HOLDING CORP.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands)
(unaudited)

     
 April 4,
2026
 January 3,
2026
Assets    
Current assets:    
Cash and cash equivalents$58,998  $69,602 
Independent operator receivables and current portion of independent operator notes, net of allowance 14,081   16,983 
Other accounts receivable, net of allowance 3,452   3,685 
Merchandise inventories 387,109   381,961 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 25,613   25,409 
Total current assets 489,253   497,640 
Independent operator notes and receivables, net of allowance 34,942   43,748 
Property and equipment, net 755,562   742,961 
Operating lease right-of-use assets 1,122,250   1,089,838 
Intangible assets, net 75,806   78,375 
Goodwill, net 475,835   633,835 
Other assets 4,361   4,702 
Total assets$2,958,009  $3,091,099 
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity    
Current liabilities:    
Trade accounts payable$200,179  $177,457 
Accrued and other current liabilities 44,824   54,277 
Accrued compensation 20,428   17,841 
Current portion of long-term debt 15,000   15,000 
Current lease liabilities 89,881   87,324 
Income and other taxes payable 11,545   12,097 
Total current liabilities 381,857   363,996 
Long-term debt, net 474,254   477,905 
Deferred income tax liabilities, net 29,012   33,183 
Long-term lease liabilities 1,262,635   1,229,473 
Other long-term liabilities 3,155   2,879 
Total liabilities 2,150,913   2,107,436 
Stockholders' equity:    
Common stock 99   98 
Series A preferred stock     
Additional paid-in capital 830,802   827,048 
Retained earnings (deficit) (23,805)  156,517 
Total stockholders' equity 807,096   983,663 
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity$2,958,009  $3,091,099 
        

GROCERY OUTLET HOLDING CORP.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
(unaudited)

 13 Weeks Ended
 April 4,
2026
 March 29,
2025
Cash flows from operating activities:   
Net loss$(180,322) $(23,317)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:   
Depreciation of property and equipment 24,920   24,977 
Amortization of intangible and other assets 6,236   4,920 
Amortization of debt issuance costs and debt discounts 228   228 
Non-cash rent 463   2,163 
Impairment of long-lived assets 645   1,728 
Goodwill impairment 158,000    
Share-based compensation 3,755   5,458 
Provision for independent operator and other accounts receivable reserves 17,961   3,283 
Deferred income taxes (4,171)  (5,828)
Other 644   143 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:   
Independent operator and other accounts receivable (3,751)  (2,627)
Merchandise inventories (5,148)  7,982 
Prepaid expenses and other assets (160)  448 
Income and other taxes payable (552)  (12)
Trade accounts payable 22,475   16,916 
Accrued and other liabilities 5,868   14,748 
Accrued compensation 2,587   2,620 
Operating lease liabilities 2,880   5,108 
Net cash provided by operating activities 52,558   58,938 
Cash flows from investing activities:   
Advances to independent operators (3,046)  (4,329)
Repayments of advances from independent operators 778   931 
Purchases of property and equipment (52,751)  (60,452)
Investments in intangible assets and licenses (4,049)  (4,834)
Net cash used in investing activities (59,068)  (68,684)
Cash flows from financing activities:   
Proceeds from exercise of stock options    53 
Proceeds from revolving credit facility    20,000 
Principal payments on revolving credit facility    (20,000)
Principal payments on senior term loan due 2028 (3,750)  (1,875)
Principal payments on finance leases (344)  (350)
Net cash used in financing activities (4,094)  (2,172)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents (10,604)  (11,918)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 69,602   62,828 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period$58,998  $50,910 
        


GROCERY OUTLET HOLDING CORP.
RECONCILIATION OF GAAP NET LOSS TO ADJUSTED EBITDA
(in thousands)
(unaudited)
 
 13 Weeks Ended
 April 4,
2026
 March 29,
2025
Net loss$(180,322) $(23,317)
Interest expense, net 6,369   6,520 
Income tax benefit (4,061)  (5,711)
Depreciation and amortization expenses 31,156   29,897 
EBITDA (146,858)  7,389 
Share-based compensation expense 3,755   5,458 
Asset impairment and gain or loss on disposition(1) 1,303   135 
Acquisition and integration costs(2)    339 
Restructuring and related charges(4) 19,914   33,875 
Goodwill impairment 158,000    
Other(5) 7,002   4,689 
Adjusted EBITDA$43,116  $51,885 
        


GROCERY OUTLET HOLDING CORP.
RECONCILIATION OF GAAP NET LOSS TO ADJUSTED NET INCOME
(in thousands, except per share data)
(unaudited)
  
 13 Weeks Ended
 April 4,
2026
 March 29,
2025
Net loss$(180,322) $(23,317)
Share-based compensation expense 3,755   5,458 
Asset impairment and gain or loss on disposition(1) 1,303   135 
Acquisition and integration costs(2)    339 
Amortization of purchase accounting assets and deferred financing costs(3) 1,268   1,268 
Restructuring and related charges(4) 19,914   33,875 
Goodwill impairment 158,000    
Other(5) 7,002   4,689 
Tax adjustment to normalize effective tax rate(6) 2,519   3,163 
Tax effect of total adjustments(7) (8,830)  (12,603)
Adjusted net income$4,609  $13,007 
    
GAAP net loss per share:   
Basic$(1.83) $(0.24)
Diluted$(1.83) $(0.24)
Adjusted earnings per share:   
Basic$0.05  $0.13 
Diluted$0.05  $0.13 
Weighted-average shares outstanding:   
Basic 98,426   97,521 
Diluted(8) 98,426   97,521 
Non-GAAP weighted-average shares outstanding:   
Basic 98,426   97,521 
Diluted(9) 99,144   98,227 

__________________________
(1) Represents non-restructuring asset impairment charges and gains or losses on dispositions of assets.

(2) Represents costs related to the acquisition and integration of United Grocery Outlet, including due diligence, legal, consulting and retention bonus expenses.

(3) Represents the incremental amortization of an asset step-up resulting from purchase price accounting related to our acquisition in 2014 by an investment fund affiliated with Hellman & Friedman LLC, as well as the amortization of debt issuance costs.

(4) In the first quarter of fiscal 2026, represents charges associated with the Optimization Plan, including bad debt expense, write-offs of merchandise inventory, costs related to Operator Agreement Terminations, costs associated with lease exits, and legal, professional, and other related expenses. In the first quarter of fiscal 2025, represents charges associated with the Restructuring Plan, including lease termination costs, non-cash impairment and disposal of long-lived assets, employee severance and benefit costs, and legal, professional and other related expenses. All such costs are reflected in Restructuring charges on the condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss, except for write-offs of merchandise inventory, which are included in Cost of sales.

(5) Represents other non-recurring, non-cash or non-operational items, including strategic project costs, certain personnel-related hiring and termination costs, system implementation costs, legal settlements and other legal expenses, costs related to employer payroll taxes associated with equity awards and miscellaneous costs.

(6) Represents adjustments to normalize the effective tax rate for the impact of unusual or infrequent tax items that we do not consider in our evaluation of ongoing performance, including excess tax benefits or shortfalls related to exercise and/or vesting of share-based awards that are recorded in earnings as discrete items in the reporting period in which they occur.

(7) Represents the tax effect of the total adjustments. We calculate the tax effect of the total adjustments on a discrete basis excluding any non-recurring and unusual tax items.

(8) There is no difference in the weighted-average shares outstanding used to calculate the basic and diluted GAAP net loss per share due to the Company's net loss.

(9) To calculate diluted adjusted earnings per share, we adjusted the weighted-average shares outstanding for the dilutive effect of all potential shares of common stock.


FAQ

How did Grocery Outlet (NASDAQ: GO) perform in Q1 fiscal 2026?

Grocery Outlet reported Q1 fiscal 2026 net sales of $1.17 billion, up 3.6% year over year. According to the company, comparable store sales declined 1.0%, adjusted EBITDA was $43.1 million, and adjusted net income was $4.6 million, or $0.05 diluted adjusted EPS.

Why did Grocery Outlet report a $180.3 million net loss in Q1 2026?

Grocery Outlet’s $180.3 million Q1 fiscal 2026 net loss was mainly driven by non-cash items. According to the company, results included a $158.0 million goodwill impairment and $18.2 million in restructuring charges related to its Optimization Plan and associated store and lease actions.

What is Grocery Outlet’s Optimization Plan announced with Q1 2026 results?

Grocery Outlet’s Optimization Plan is designed to refine its store fleet and enhance long-term profitability. According to the company, it covers closing 36 financially underperforming stores, exiting related leases, ending some independent operator agreements, and incurring estimated net restructuring charges of $20–$27 million through fiscal 2027.

How many stores did Grocery Outlet close under the Optimization Plan in 2026?

During Q1 fiscal 2026, Grocery Outlet closed 27 stores and began closing 9 more under its Optimization Plan. According to the company, all 36 closures tied to lease exits were completed by Q2 fiscal 2026, reducing the store base while aiming to improve fleet performance.

What 2026 guidance did Grocery Outlet reaffirm after its Q1 fiscal 2026 earnings?

Grocery Outlet reaffirmed fiscal 2026 guidance including net sales of $4.60–$4.72 billion and comparable sales between -2.0% and 0.0%. According to the company, it also maintained adjusted EBITDA guidance of $220–$235 million, diluted adjusted EPS of $0.45–$0.55, and net capital expenditures of $170 million.

How did Grocery Outlet’s margins and expenses trend in Q1 fiscal 2026?

Grocery Outlet’s Q1 fiscal 2026 gross margin was 29.6%, down 80 basis points year over year. According to the company, SG&A expenses rose 4.8% to $347.0 million and increased 40 basis points as a percentage of net sales, reflecting higher professional fees and growth-related costs.

What were Grocery Outlet’s cash flow and capital spending levels in Q1 fiscal 2026?

Grocery Outlet generated $52.6 million in operating cash flow during Q1 fiscal 2026, slightly below the prior year. According to the company, capital expenditures before tenant allowances were $56.8 million, with net capital spending of $53.9 million, reflecting fewer new store openings versus Q1 fiscal 2025.