Lifeway Foods Inc. reports developments tied to its kefir-centered fermented dairy business. The company manufactures and markets drinkable kefir, Organic Lifeway Kefir, farmer cheese, other cheeses, ProBugs products for children, frozen kefir and private-label dairy items through retail, broker and distributor channels.
Recurring news themes include financial results and sales outlooks, growth in kefir and farmer cheese demand, product collaborations with foodservice and wellness partners, and brand campaigns that position kefir as a protein-forward probiotic beverage. Company updates also cover distribution, product innovation and consumer-marketing activity across its fermented probiotic portfolio.
Lifeway Foods (Nasdaq: LWAY) reported record third-quarter net sales of $67.8 million, extending its year-over-year growth streak to 28 quarters. Sales rose 18.6%, primarily on higher branded drinkable kefir volumes. Gross margin fell to 18.0% from 28.7% as input costs increased. Net income declined to $260,000, or $0.02 per diluted share, from $3.529 million, or $0.23.
Nine-month sales rose 25.8% to $197.7 million, while net income fell to $5.061 million from $11.318 million. At September 30, cash was $6.975 million, with a $11.950 million credit line balance and $12.032 million note payable. Lifeway expects cost pressure through the fourth quarter, with price increases rolling through early 2027. It expects gross margin expansion and improved profitability in 2027, supported by pricing and capacity investments. Its Waukesha expansion is scheduled for completion in early 2027.
Lifeway Foods (Nasdaq: LWAY) will debut its kefir commercial featuring Colston Loveland and D'Andre Swift on Chicagoland television on November 8. The campaign initially launched exclusively on social media. A new social-exclusive Muscle Mates campaign featuring the same players will follow the television debut.
Lifeway Foods (LWAY) will report its third-quarter 2026 financial results on November 12, 2026, after market close. The quarter ended September 30, 2026. Management will host a live conference call and Q&A at 4:30 p.m. ET that day, available through the company's Investor Relations website. The webcast will be archived for replay.
Lifeway Foods (Nasdaq: LWAY) ranked No. 45 on Fortune's 2026 list of the 100 Fastest-Growing Companies in the United States. The annual ranking evaluates revenue growth, profit growth and stock returns over a three-year period through June 2026.
The recognition places Lifeway among publicly traded companies selected for performance across those measures. The list-wide market capitalization and shareholder-return figures describe the ranked companies collectively, rather than Lifeway's individual results.
Lifeway Foods (LWAY) is bringing frozen kefir back to soft-serve machines through restaurants and frozen yogurt shops across several U.S. cities. Its kefir is now served at Drugstore, Mikono and Culture Club, with a presence in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles and other cities. The offering uses real kefir rather than powdered frozen yogurt mix, and Lifeway is working with shops interested in adding it to their menus.
Lifeway Foods (Nasdaq: LWAY) reported record second-quarter 2026 net sales of $66.9 million, up 24.1% year-over-year and 6.2% above its prior quarterly record, marking its 27th consecutive quarter of year-over-year net sales growth. First-half 2026 net sales rose 29.9% to $129.9 million.
Second-quarter gross margin declined to 19.5% from 28.6% a year earlier, primarily due to higher milk, resin and transportation costs, and increased marketing spend, resulting in net income of $0.1 million versus $4.3 million last year. Year-to-date net income was $4.8 million, down from $7.8 million in 2025, while operating cash flow reached $4.0 million. The company continues to expand retail and foodservice distribution and is investing heavily in capacity, including the Waukesha expansion targeted for completion in early 2027.
Lifeway Foods (Nasdaq: LWAY) announced it will report financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2026 on August 13, 2026 before market hours. A pre-recorded conference call and webcast featuring President and CEO Julie Smolyansky will be accessible via the company’s Investor Relations webpage on the same date.
Lifeway Foods (Nasdaq: LWAY) announced that President and CEO Julie Smolyansky was named to Progressive Grocer's 2026 Top Women in Grocery list for the second year in a row, recognizing long-term female leadership in food retail.
According to Lifeway, Smolyansky has helped transform kefir from a niche item into a mainstream functional food and has advanced probiotic awareness and accessibility. The company reported record full-year 2025 net sales of $212.5 million, its sixth straight year of volume-led growth. Over the past year, Lifeway expanded its functional probiotic dairy portfolio, launched Muscle Mates and Probiotic Kefir Butter, and grew distribution of its Farmer Cheese into 2,000 Walmart stores, while adding partnerships with retailers and foodservice brands such as Erewhon and Joe & The Juice.
Lifeway Foods (Nasdaq:LWAY) announced that its high-protein Farmer Cheese was selected as a winner in Good Housekeeping's 2026 Snack Awards. This is the product's second Snack Awards win, coinciding with a milestone expansion into 2,000 Walmart locations and broader nationwide grocery availability.
Lifeway Foods (Nasdaq:LWAY) is celebrating its 40th anniversary and National Kefir Day with a nationwide campaign and an immersive Lifeway Kefir Shop pop-up in SoHo, New York City.
Events in New York, Chicago, Miami and Los Angeles feature kefir smoothies, farmer cheese sampling, exclusive merchandise, prizes and wellness-focused activations.