STOCK TITAN

Creative Realities (NASDAQ: CREX) grows Q1 2026 sales but swings to net loss

Filing Impact
(High)
Filing Sentiment
(Neutral)
Form Type
8-K

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Creative Realities, Inc. reported strong top-line growth but a sharp swing to loss in the fiscal first quarter ended March 31, 2026. Sales rose to $16.3 million from $9.7 million, with about $7.9 million coming from the Cineplex Digital Media acquisition, and Annualized Recurring Revenue reached $20.1 million.

Profitability weakened as consolidated gross margin fell to 34.2% from 45.7%, reflecting heavier lower-margin hardware and integration costs, while operating loss widened to $6.2 million. The company posted a net loss of $7.5 million, or $(0.74) per share, versus net income of $3.4 million a year earlier, and Adjusted EBITDA declined to $(0.5) million. Cash was $1.8 million and debt totaled about $47.5 million as of March 31, 2026.

Positive

  • Revenue growth and ARR expansion: Sales increased to $16.3 million from $9.7 million year-over-year, helped by the CDM acquisition and higher services revenue, while Annualized Recurring Revenue reached approximately $20.1 million, highlighting a growing base of subscription and support contracts.

Negative

  • Margin compression and swing to loss: Gross margin fell to 34.2% from 45.7%, and results moved from $3.4 million net income to a $7.5 million net loss, with Adjusted EBITDA turning negative and total debt rising to about $47.5 million.

Insights

Revenue jumped on CDM acquisition, but margins compressed and losses deepened.

Creative Realities delivered first-quarter sales of $16.3 million, up from $9.7 million, driven largely by the Cineplex Digital Media acquisition and growth in services revenue. ARR of $20.1 million underscores a sizable recurring base.

However, consolidated gross margin dropped to 34.2% from 45.7%, with hardware margin falling sharply due to QSR mix and one-time CDM transition costs, and service margin lower after certain contracts expired. Operating loss expanded to $6.2 million and net results swung from a $3.4 million profit to a $7.5 million loss.

Leverage increased, with total debt around $47.5 million and cash only $1.8 million at March 31, 2026, while G&A and sales expenses roughly doubled with CDM included. Subsequent filings may show whether integration benefits, cost controls, and higher-margin growth offset these pressures.

Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition Financial
Disclosure of earnings results, typically an earnings press release or preliminary financials.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits Exhibits
Financial statements, pro forma financial information, and exhibit attachments filed with this report.
Total sales $16.3 million For the three months ended March 31, 2026 vs $9.7 million in 2025
Annualized Recurring Revenue (ARR) $20.1 million ARR at end of Q1 2026
Consolidated gross margin 34.2% Q1 2026 vs 45.7% in Q1 2025
Operating loss $6.2 million Operating loss Q1 2026 vs $0.7 million loss in Q1 2025
Net (loss) income ($7.5 million) vs $3.4 million Net loss Q1 2026 vs net income Q1 2025
Adjusted EBITDA ($0.5 million) Q1 2026 Adjusted EBITDA vs $0.5 million in Q1 2025
Cash on hand $1.8 million Cash as of March 31, 2026 vs $1.6 million at December 31, 2025
Total debt $47.5 million Outstanding debt as of March 31, 2026 vs $44.0 million at start of year
Adjusted EBITDA financial
"Adjusted EBITDA (defined later in this release) was $(0.5) million in the first quarter of 2026"
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.
Annualized Recurring Revenue financial
"The Company ended the 2026 first quarter with ARR of approximately $20.1 million."
Annualized recurring revenue is the predictable income a business expects to earn over a year from ongoing customer subscriptions or contracts. It’s similar to estimating how much money you would make in a year if your current monthly income stayed the same. Investors use this figure to assess the stability and growth potential of a company's revenue stream.
non-GAAP financial measure financial
"Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure. A reconciliation is provided in the tables of this press release."
A non-GAAP financial measure is a way companies present their financial results that excludes certain expenses or income to show how they believe their core business is performing. It matters because it can give a clearer picture of how the company is really doing, but it can also be used to make results look better than they actually are.
Series A Redeemable Convertible Preferred stock financial
"Series A Redeemable Convertible Preferred stock, $1,000 stated value, 50,000 shares authorized; 30 shares issued"
contingent consideration financial
"The fiscal 2025 first quarter included a $4.8 million gain on the settlement of a contingent liability."
Contingent consideration is an additional payment agreed when one company buys another that will be paid later only if specific future targets are met, such as revenue, profit, or regulatory milestones. It matters to investors because it shifts risk between buyer and seller and affects the acquiring company's future cash flow and reported value — like promising a bonus after results are proven.
Revenue $16.3 million
Net (loss) income ($7.5 million) vs $3.4 million
Diluted EPS $(0.74) vs $0.32
Adjusted EBITDA ($0.5 million) vs $0.5 million
ARR $20.1 million
false 0001356093 0001356093 2026-05-15 2026-05-15
 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
 
FORM 8-K
 
CURRENT REPORT
 
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
Date of Report (date of earliest event reported): May 15, 2026
 
CREATIVE REALITIES, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
Minnesota
 
001-33169
 
41-1967918
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation)
 
(Commission File Number)
 
(IRS Employer
Identification No.)
 
13100 Magisterial Drive, Suite 102, Louisville, KY
 
40223
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)
 
(502) 791-8800
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
 
 
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
 
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
 
Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
 
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
 
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
 
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
 
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
 
Title of each class
 
Trading Symbol(s)
 
Name of each exchange on which
registered
Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share
 
CREX
 
The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).
 
Emerging growth company
 
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
 
 

 
 
Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition.
 
On May 15, 2026, Creative Realities, Inc. (the “Company”) issued a press release announcing its financial condition and results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2026. A copy of the press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1. The information in this Item 2.02, including the information contained in the press release furnished as Exhibit 99.1, shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference into any of the Company’s filings under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.
 
 
Item 9.01. Financial Statement and Exhibits.
 
(d)         Exhibits
 
Exhibit No.
 
Description
99.1
 
Press release dated May 15, 2026
     
104
 
Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)
 
 
SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
 
Date: May 15, 2026
 
 
Creative Realities, Inc
     
 
By:
/s/ Tamra Koshewa
   
Tamra Koshewa
   
Chief Financial Officer
 
 

 
 
EXHIBIT INDEX
 
Exhibit No.
 
Description
99.1
 
Press release dated May 15, 2026
 
 

Exhibit 99.1

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Creative Realities Reports Fiscal 2026 First Quarter Results

Company on Path for Growth Acceleration and Record Year of Performance

 

LOUISVILLE, KY May 15, 2026 – Creative Realities, Inc. (“Creative Realities,” “CRI,” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: CREX), a leading provider of digital signage, media and AdTech solutions, today announced its financial results for the fiscal first quarter ended March 31, 2026.

 

Highlights:

 

 

First quarter revenue of $16.3 million versus $9.7 million in the prior-year period.

 

 

Gross profit of $5.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2026 versus $4.5 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2025.

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA* of $(0.5) million for the first quarter of 2026 versus $0.5 million in the prior-year period.

 

 

Annualized recurring revenue (“ARR”)** of approximately $20.1 million at both the end of the first quarter and as of December 31, 2025.

 

“The first quarter played out largely as expected, with top line growth year-over-year but, as previously discussed, revenue was negatively impacted by several winter storms and other seasonal factors across much of our operating footprint,” said Rick Mills, Chief Executive Officer. “We expect the remainder of fiscal 2026 to show stronger sales based on our current book of business, a strong pipeline of new opportunities and growth from the acquisition of CDM. With the integration of this transaction substantially complete, we are investing in our people and business development initiatives with the goals of accelerating the Company’s revenue trajectory and improving profit margins through both synergy realization and cost leverage. We’re excited by the growth we see on the horizon, and the second quarter is already off to a great start in terms of new installations and customer engagement. Overall, we continue to be positioned for our best year ever and look forward to achieving a higher level of success in the quarters to come.”

 

*Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure. A reconciliation is provided in the tables of this press release.

**Annualized Recurring Revenue is a non-GAAP operating metric

 

2026 First Quarter Financial Results

 

Sales were $16.3 million for the fiscal 2026 first quarter as compared to $9.7 million in the same period in fiscal 2025, with approximately $7.9 million in the current year quarter from the acquisition of Cineplex Digital Media (“CDM”). Hardware revenue rose to $4.6 million, versus $3.4 million in the prior-year period, while service revenue increased to $11.8 million from $6.3 million in fiscal 2025, largely reflecting the impact of the CDM transaction as well as deployment timing. Total sales declined sequentially from the fiscal 2025 fourth quarter due to normal seasonal factors along with installation delays tied to extreme weather conditions impacting parts of North America.

 

Consolidated gross profit was $5.6 million for the fiscal 2026 first quarter versus $4.5 million in the prior-year period, and consolidated gross margin was 34.2% versus 45.7% in the fiscal 2025 first quarter, reflecting a higher percentage of lower-margin hardware revenue compared to the prior-year period. Gross margin on hardware revenue was 14.0% in fiscal 2026 as compared to 32.1% in the prior-year period, while gross margin on services amounted to 42.0%, versus 53.0% in the fiscal 2025 first quarter. Hardware gross margin decreased year-over-year primarily due to an unusually high mix of QSR deployments during the period and significant one-time costs ($0.5 million) associated with transitioning away from an outsourced installer of a large CDM customer. Service gross margin declined year-over-year largely due to the expiration of certain customer contracts in 2025. The Company ended the 2026 first quarter with ARR of approximately $20.1 million. 

 

Sales and marketing expenses in the first quarter rose to $2.9 million, versus $1.2 million in the prior-year period, while general and administrative (G&A) expenses increased to $8.9 million versus $3.9 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2025, primarily a result of the inclusion of CDM.

 

The Company posted an operating loss of approximately $6.2 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2026 compared to an operating loss of $0.7 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2025. CRI reported a net loss of $7.5 million and a net loss attributable to common stockholders of $7.9 million, or $(0.74) per diluted share, in the quarter ended March 31, 2026 versus net income of $3.4 million, or $0.32 per diluted share, in the prior-year period. The fiscal 2025 first quarter included a $4.8 million gain on the settlement of a contingent liability.

 

Adjusted EBITDA (defined later in this release) was $(0.5) million in the first quarter of 2026 as compared to $0.5 million in the prior-year period.

 

Balance Sheet

As of March 31, 2026, the Company had cash on hand of approximately $1.8 million, versus $1.6 million at December 31, 2025. The Company had outstanding debt of approximately $47.5 million versus $44.0 million at the start of the fiscal year.

 

Conference Call Details

The Company will host a conference call to review the results of the first quarter of 2026, and provide additional commentary about recent performance, on May 15 at 9:00 am Eastern Time, which will include prepared remarks and materials from management, followed by a live Q&A. The call will be hosted by Rick Mills, Chief Executive Officer, Tamra Koshewa, Chief Financial Officer, and George Sautter, Chief Strategy Officer.

 

Prior to the call, participants should register at https://bit.ly/CREXearnings1Q2026. Once registered, participants can use the weblink provided in the registration email to participate in the live webcast. An archived edition of the earnings conference call will also be posted on the Company’s website later today and will remain available for one year.

 

 

 

Use of Non-GAAP Measures

The Company prepares its consolidated financial statements in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). In addition to disclosing financial results prepared in accordance with GAAP, the Company discloses information regarding “EBITDA” and “Adjusted EBITDA.” The Company defines “EBITDA” as earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization of intangibles. The Company defines “Adjusted EBITDA” as EBITDA excluding stock-based compensation, fair value adjustments and both cash and non-cash non-recurring gains and charges. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are not measures of performance defined in accordance with GAAP. However, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are used internally in planning and evaluating the Company’s operating performance. Accordingly, management believes that disclosure of these metrics offers investors, bankers and other stakeholders an additional view of the Company’s operations that, when coupled with the GAAP results, provides a more complete understanding of the Company’s financial results. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered as an alternative to net income/(loss) or to net cash used in operating activities as measures of operating results or liquidity. Our calculation of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies, and the measures exclude financial information that some may consider important in evaluating the Company’s performance. A reconciliation of GAAP net income/(loss) to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA is included in the accompanying financial schedules. For further information, please refer to the Company’s filings available online at www.sec.gov, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2025 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Annualized recurring revenue, or “ARR,” represents the annualized revenue run rate of our subscription (1) software-as-a-service (“SaaS”) contracts, (2) maintenance and support of perpetual license contracts, and (3) content management service contracts at the end of the final calendar month included in a reporting period, assuming these contracts are renewed on their existing terms for customers that are under subscription contracts with us. This gives us an indication of the revenue that can be earned in the following 12-month period from our existing client base, assuming no cancellations or price changes occur during that period. We believe that ARR is a key operating metric to measure our business because it is driven by our ability to acquire new subscription customers and to maintain and expand our relationship with existing subscription customers. ARR should be viewed independently of revenue and deferred revenue as ARR is a performance metric and is not intended to be combined with any of these items.

 

For further information, please refer to the Company’s filings available online at www.sec.gov, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2025 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

About Creative Realities, Inc.

Creative Realities designs, develops and deploys digital signage-based experiences for enterprise-level networks utilizing its Clarity™, ReflectView™, and iShowroom™ Content Management System (CMS) platforms. The Company is actively providing recurring SaaS and support services across diverse vertical markets, including, but not limited to, retail, automotive, digital out-of-home (DOOH) advertising networks, convenience stores, foodservice/QSR, gaming, theater, and stadium venues. In addition, the Company assists clients in utilizing place-based digital media to achieve business objectives such as increased revenue, enhanced customer experiences, and improved productivity. This includes the design, deployment, and day-to-day management of retail media networks to monetize on-premise foot traffic utilizing its AdLogic™ and CPM+™ programmatic advertising platforms.

 

Cautionary Note on Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and includes, among other things, discussions of our business strategies, product releases, future operations and capital resources. Words such as "estimates," "projects," "expects," "anticipates," "forecasts," "plans," "intends," "believes," "seeks," "may," "will," "should," "future," "propose" and variations of these words or similar expressions (or the negative versions of such words or expressions) are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, conditions or results. They are based on the opinions, estimates and beliefs of management as of the date such statements are made, and they are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors, many of which are outside of our control, that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Some of these risks are discussed in the “Risk Factors” section contained in Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025 and the Company’s subsequent filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Important factors, among others, that may affect actual results or outcomes include: our ability to integrate the recently acquired business of Cineplex Digital Media Inc. (“CDM”) into our own, maintain or improve the financial performance of CDM’s business and realize anticipated synergies, our strategy for customer retention, growth, product development, market position, financial results and reserves, our ability to execute on our business plan, our ability to retain key personnel, our ability to remain listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market, our ability to realize the revenues included in our future guidance and backlog reports, our ability to satisfy our upcoming debt obligations and other liabilities, the ability of the Company to continue as a going concern, potential litigation, supply chain shortages, and general economic and market conditions impacting demand for our products and services. Readers should not place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements. We assume no obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

 

Contacts

Media:

Idea Grove

creativerealities@ideagrove.com

 

Investor Relations:

Chris Witty

cwitty@darrowir.com

646-438-9385

ir@cri.com

https://investors.cri.com/

 

 

 

 

 

CREATIVE REALITIES, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

   

March 31,

   

December 31,

 
   

2026

   

2025

 
   

(unaudited)

         
ASSETS                

Current Assets:

               

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 1,829     $ 1,559  

Accounts receivable, net

    14,501       19,219  

Inventories, net

    6,562       7,420  

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

    3,199       5,347  

Total current assets

    26,091       33,545  
                 

Property and equipment, net

    2,582       2,937  

Goodwill

    52,153       53,266  

Other intangible assets, net

    34,451       35,906  

Finance lease right-of-use assets

    20,425       22,658  

Operating lease right-of-use assets

    1,980       2,117  

Other non-current assets

    565       611  

Total Assets

  $ 138,247     $ 151,040  
                 

LIABILITIES, TEMPORARY EQUITY, AND SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY

               

Current Liabilities:

               

Accounts payable

  $ 10,876     $ 16,673  

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

    3,253       3,837  

Deferred revenues

    8,698       8,115  

Customer deposits

    1,968       1,823  

Current maturities of operating leases

    606       596  

Current maturities of finance leases

    5,758       3,799  

Short-term debt

    4,460       4,430  

Total Current Liabilities

    35,619       39,273  
                 

Revolving credit facility

    9,505       4,940  

Term debt, net of deferred financing costs

    33,501       34,583  

Non-current operating lease liabilities

    1,509       1,673  

Non-current finance lease liabilities

    14,785       17,844  

Deferred tax liabilities

    2,190       3,541  

Total Liabilities

    97,109       101,854  
                 

Series A Redeemable Convertible Preferred stock, $1,000 stated value, 50,000 shares authorized; 30 shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025 Liquidation preference of $30,623 and $30,232 as of March 31, 2026 and December 31 2025, respectively

    28,079       27,688  

Shareholders' Equity:

               

Common stock, $0.01 par value, 66,666 shares authorized; 10,567 and 10,519 shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, respectively

    105       105  

Additional paid-in capital

    85,033       85,300  

Accumulated deficit

    (72,591 )     (65,130 )

Accumulated other comprehensive income

    512       1,223  

Total Shareholders Equity

    13,059       21,498  

Total Liabilities, Temporary Equity, and Shareholders' Equity

  $ 138,247     $ 151,040  

 

 

 

 

CREATIVE REALITIES, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

   

For the Three Months Ended

 
   

March 31,

 
   

2026

   

2025

 

Sales:

               

Hardware

  $ 4,557     $ 3,394  

Services and other

    11,791       6,340  

Total sales

    16,348       9,734  

Cost of sales:

               

Hardware

    3,919       2,304  

Services and other

    6,833       2,977  

Total cost of sales

    10,752       5,281  

Gross profit

    5,596       4,453  
                 

Operating expenses:

               

Sales and marketing expenses

    2,897       1,247  

General and administrative expenses

    8,905       3,928  

Total operating expenses

    11,802       5,175  

Operating loss

    (6,206 )     (722 )
                 

Other expenses (income):

               

Interest expense, including amortization of debt discount

    1,465       321  

Gain on settlement of contingent consideration

    -       (4,775 )

Other expense, net

    320       265  

Total other (income) expenses, net

    1,785       (4,189 )
                 

Loss before income taxes

    (7,991 )     3,467  

Income tax benefit (expense)

    530       (99 )

Net (loss) income

    (7,461 )     3,368  

Series A Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock dividends

    (391 )     -  

Net (loss) income applicable to common stockholders

  $ (7,852 )   $ 3,368  
                 

Basic and diluted net (loss) income per common share

  $ (0.74 )   $ 0.32  
                 

Weighted average shares outstanding - basic and diluted

    10,552       10,447  

 

 

 

 

CREATIVE REALITIES, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands)  

 

   

For the Three Months Ended March 31,

 
   

2026

   

2025

 
                 

Operating Activities:

               

Net (loss) income

  $ (7,461 )   $ 3,368  

Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash used in operating activities

               

Depreciation and amortization

    3,893       1,187  

Non-cash lease expense

    129       105  

Amortization of deferred financing costs

    83       26  

Stock-based compensation

    324       2  

Provision for credit losses

    107       -  

Provision for inventory reserves

    -       18  

Gain on settlement of contingent consideration

    -       (4,775 )

Deferred income taxes

    (654 )     39  

Changes to operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:

               

Accounts receivable

    4,527       (2,378 )

Inventories

    826       189  

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

    2,108       (100 )

Accounts payable

    (5,692 )     (1,744 )

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

    (573 )     (431 )

Deferred revenue

    653       2,342  

Customer deposits

    145       (130 )

Other assets

    7       (47 )

Lease liabilities

    (145 )     (109 )

Other non-current liabilities

    -       (11 )

Net cash used in operating activities

    (1,723 )     (2,449 )
                 

Investing Activities:

               

Purchases of property and equipment

    (183 )     (8 )

Capitalization of costs for software development

    (369 )     (613 )

Net cash used in investing activities

    (552 )     (621 )
                 

Financing Activities:

               

Repayment of term debt and promissory note

    (1,097 )     -  

Proceeds from borrowings under revolving credit facility

    11,037       12,111  

Repayment of borrowings under revolving credit facility

    (6,472 )     (5,917 )

Payment of contingent consideration

    -       (3,000 )

Repurchase of common stock warrants

    (200 )     -  

Repayment of finance lease obligations

    (753 )     (12 )

Net cash provided by financing activities

    2,515       3,182  
                 

Effect of exchange rate on cash and cash equivalents

    30       -  

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

    270       112  

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

    1,559       1,037  

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

  $ 1,829     $ 1,149  

 

 

 

 

RECONCILIATION OF GAAP NET LOSS TO ADJUSTED EBITDA

(in thousands, unaudited)

 

Creative Realities, Inc. prepares its consolidated financial statements in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). In addition to disclosing financial results prepared in accordance with GAAP, the Company discloses information regarding “EBITDA” and “Adjusted EBITDA.” CRI defines “EBITDA” as earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization of intangibles. CRI defines “Adjusted EBITDA” as EBITDA excluding stock-based compensation, fair value adjustments and both cash and non-cash non-recurring gains and charges.

 

EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP financial measures and should not be considered as a substitute for net income (loss), operating income (loss) or any other performance measure derived in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) or as an alternative to net cash provided by operating activities as a measure of CRI’s profitability or liquidity. CRI’s management believes EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are useful financial metrics because they allow external users of CRI’s financial statements, such as industry analysts, investors, lenders and rating agencies, to more effectively evaluate CRI’s operating performance, compare the results of its operations from period to period and against CRI’s peers and because it highlights trends in CRI’s business that may not otherwise be apparent when relying solely on GAAP measures. CRI also presents EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA because it believes EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are important supplemental measures of its performance that are frequently used by others in evaluating companies in its industry. Because EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA exclude some, but not all, items that affect net income (loss) and may vary among companies, the EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA CRI presents may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies.

 

The following table presents a reconciliation of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA from net (loss) income, CRI’s most directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP.

 

   

Quarters Ended

 
   

March 31,

   

December 31,

   

September 30,

   

June 30,

   

March 31,

 

Quarters ended

 

2026

   

2025

   

2025

   

2025

   

2025

 
                                         

GAAP net (loss) income

  $ (7,461 )   $ (1,965 )   $ (7,862 )   $ (1,817 )   $ 3,368  

Interest expense:

                                       

Amortization of deferred financing costs

    83       60       26       25       26  

Interest expense, net

    1,382       1,055       504       488       295  

Depreciation/amortization:

                                       

Amortization of intangible assets

    1,441       1,350       1,171       1,165       1,136  

Depreciation of property and equipment

    2,452       1,512       54       52       51  

Income tax expense (benefit)

    (530 )     1,175       (82 )     (26 )     99  

EBITDA

  $ (2,633 )   $ 3,187     $ (6,189 )   $ (113 )   $ 4,975  

Adjustments

                                       

Gain on settlement of contingent consideration

    -       -       -       -       (4,775 )

Stock-based compensation

    324       724       308       1,249       2  

Deal & transaction expenses

    43       1,188       766       -       -  

CDM related integration and transition costs

    1,452       -       -       -       -  

Loss on impairment of software asset

    -       -       5,712       -       -  

Loss on modification of revolver

    -       24       -       -       -  

Other expense (income)

    320       108       144       (1 )     265  

Adjusted EBITDA

  $ (494 )   $ 5,231     $ 741     $ 1,135     $ 467  

 

 

FAQ

How did Creative Realities, Inc. (CREX) perform in Q1 2026?

Creative Realities grew Q1 2026 sales to $16.3 million from $9.7 million, but profitability deteriorated. The company reported a $7.5 million net loss versus prior-year net income of $3.4 million, and gross margin declined to 34.2%.

What drove revenue growth for CREX in the first quarter of 2026?

Revenue growth to $16.3 million was largely driven by the acquisition of Cineplex Digital Media, which contributed about $7.9 million. Both hardware and services increased, with services revenue rising to $11.8 million from $6.3 million, reflecting expanded deployments and CDM’s operations.

Why did Creative Realities’ margins decline in Q1 2026?

Consolidated gross margin fell to 34.2% from 45.7% due to a higher mix of lower-margin hardware and one-time CDM installer transition costs of about $0.5 million. Service margins also decreased after certain customer contracts expired during 2025.

What was Creative Realities’ net loss and EPS for Q1 2026?

Creative Realities reported a Q1 2026 net loss of $7.5 million and a net loss attributable to common stockholders of $7.9 million, or $(0.74) per diluted share. In the prior-year quarter, the company generated $3.4 million in net income.

How much debt and cash did CREX have at March 31, 2026?

As of March 31, 2026, Creative Realities held $1.8 million in cash and cash equivalents, up slightly from $1.6 million at year-end 2025. Total outstanding debt increased to approximately $47.5 million, compared with $44.0 million at the start of the fiscal year.

What was Creative Realities’ Adjusted EBITDA in Q1 2026?

Adjusted EBITDA for Q1 2026 was $(0.5) million, compared with $0.5 million a year earlier. This non-GAAP metric excludes items such as stock-based compensation, fair value adjustments, and non-recurring gains or charges, providing another view of operating performance.

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