Company Description
Karat Packaging Inc. (Nasdaq: KRT) is a specialty distributor and manufacturer of disposable foodservice products and related items. According to the company’s public disclosures, its products are primarily used by national and regional restaurants and in foodservice settings throughout the United States. Karat Packaging participates in the manufacturing sector and is associated with all other plastics product manufacturing, while also offering items made from paper, biopolymer-based and other compostable materials.
The company operates through its wholly owned subsidiary, Lollicup USA Inc., which serves as its main business operating entity. Karat Packaging describes itself as providing a wide range of disposable foodservice products, including food and take-out containers, bags, tableware, cups, lids, cutlery, straws, specialty beverage ingredients, equipment, gloves and other related products. These items are designed for use across foodservice operations, including restaurant dining, take-out, and other food and beverage service environments.
Karat Packaging’s product portfolio includes multiple brands referenced in its filings and descriptions. The Polygon data notes brands such as Tea Zone, Karat, Karat Earth, and Total Clean. In its more recent company descriptions, Karat highlights its eco-friendly Karat Earth® line, which focuses on products made from renewable resources and is positioned as a sustainably focused offering within its broader disposable packaging and serviceware range. Through these brands, the company addresses both conventional disposable needs and demand for environmentally focused alternatives.
Beyond standard catalog items, Karat Packaging states that it offers customized solutions for its customers. These services include new product development and design, printing, and logistics services. By combining manufacturing and distribution capabilities with customization and logistics support, the company aims to support foodservice customers that require branded, specialized, or tailored disposable products and related items.
In public communications, Karat Packaging has described itself as a growth-oriented company in the foodservice packaging industry. Its news releases emphasize record quarterly net sales and net income in certain periods, as well as efforts to diversify sourcing and enhance the resilience of its global supply chain in response to tariff and trade uncertainty. The company has reported initiatives to adjust its sourcing mix across different regions and to expand domestic manufacturing operations in order to respond to customer needs and support business expansion.
Karat Packaging also highlights its logistics and distribution footprint. The company has referenced multiple operating locations across the United States, including manufacturing and distribution centers. In one announcement, it noted that its facility in Rockwall, Texas represents the largest of its operating locations, with a significant manufacturing and distribution center. The company has also discussed the role of its warehouse facilities in Chino, California as important hubs for inventory management and distribution.
Corporate actions disclosed in recent filings and press releases include the declaration of regular quarterly cash dividends on its common stock and the authorization of a share repurchase program. According to an 8-K filing, the board of directors approved a share repurchase program authorizing the company to repurchase up to a specified dollar amount of its common stock, with repurchases potentially executed through open market transactions, privately negotiated transactions, or trading plans, subject to applicable securities laws. The company has also reported that it is an emerging growth company under applicable securities regulations.
Karat Packaging’s SEC filings and earnings press releases provide additional context on its operations, including net sales trends, gross margin performance, and the impact of import duties, tariffs, and freight costs on its cost of goods sold. The company has described actions such as diversifying its sourcing footprint, increasing sourcing from the United States, and adjusting imports from various countries to manage tariff exposure and support anticipated business expansion. These disclosures illustrate how the company’s manufacturing and distribution activities intersect with global supply chain dynamics.
For investors and observers analyzing KRT stock, Karat Packaging’s combination of manufacturing, distribution, branded product lines, environmentally focused offerings, and customization and logistics services provides a picture of a company focused on disposable foodservice products and related items for restaurant and foodservice customers in the United States.
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Short Interest History
Short interest in Karat Packaging (KRT) currently stands at 219.0 thousand shares, down 12.0% from the previous reporting period, representing 3.0% of the float. Over the past 12 months, short interest has increased by 189.5%. This relatively low short interest suggests limited bearish sentiment.
Days to Cover History
Days to cover for Karat Packaging (KRT) currently stands at 2.9 days, up 16.2% from the previous period. This days-to-cover ratio represents a balanced liquidity scenario for short positions. The days to cover has increased 81.6% over the past year, indicating either rising short interest or declining trading volume. The ratio has shown significant volatility over the period, ranging from 1.0 to 2.9 days.