CarParts.com (NASDAQ: PRTS) trims Q1 2026 loss with first positive Adjusted EBITDA since 2024
Rhea-AI Filing Summary
CarParts.com, Inc. reported first quarter 2026 results showing lower sales but sharply improved profitability. Net sales were $132.0 million, down about 10% from $147.4 million a year earlier, mainly due to reduced marketing spend to prioritize profit.
Gross profit was $42.9 million with gross margin improving to 32.5%, helped by product mix and lower freight costs. Operating expenses fell to $46.0 million from $62.5 million, driven by headcount reductions, lower marketing and a gain on the sale of the Philippines subsidiary. Net loss narrowed to $1.9 million from $15.3 million.
Adjusted EBITDA turned positive at $0.6 million, compared with a loss of $6.2 million in the prior-year quarter, marking the first positive adjusted EBITDA since Q1 2024. The company ended the quarter with $37.9 million in cash, $25.3 million of convertible notes payable and no revolver debt, and highlighted initiatives in private-label growth, AI systems, last-mile delivery and a new CarParts.com Mastercard.
Positive
- Profitability improved sharply: net loss narrowed from $15.3 million to $1.9 million and Adjusted EBITDA turned positive at $0.6 million, the first positive Adjusted EBITDA since Q1 2024.
- Cost structure and balance sheet strengthened: operating expenses fell from $62.5 million to $46.0 million, cash rose to $37.9 million, and the company reported no revolver debt.
Negative
- Revenue declined: net sales fell to $132.0 million from $147.4 million year over year, reflecting reduced marketing spend and slower top-line performance.
Insights
CarParts.com traded lower Q1 revenue for a much smaller loss and its first positive adjusted EBITDA since 2024.
CarParts.com deliberately cut marketing and other costs, which reduced Q1 2026 net sales to $131.96M from $147.38M, but improved gross margin to 32.5%. Operating expenses dropped from $62.49M to $46.00M, reflecting headcount reductions, lower marketing, and a gain on selling the Philippines subsidiary.
These actions shrank net loss to $1.94M from $15.28M and moved Adjusted EBITDA to a positive $0.59M from a $(6.23)M loss. Management also emphasized growth initiatives like the A-Premium brand, JC Whitney expansion, AI tools, and last-mile delivery, while ending the quarter with $37.86M in cash and no revolver debt.
The trade-off is slower top-line growth in the near term as the company rationalizes marketing. Future filings for periods after April 4, 2026 will show whether revenue can stabilize or grow while maintaining this improved profitability profile.
8-K Event Classification
Key Figures
Key Terms
Adjusted EBITDA financial
non-GAAP financial measures financial
convertible notes payable financial
free cash flow financial
safe harbor statement regulatory
Strategic alternatives exploration costs financial
Earnings Snapshot
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
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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:
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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 7, 2026, CarParts.com, Inc. (the “Company”) issued a press release announcing its financial results for the first quarter ended April 4, 2026. A copy of the press release is furnished herewith as Exhibit 99.1.
The information contained in Item 2.02 and in Item 9.01 and in Exhibit 99.1 attached to this report is being furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission and 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 liability of that Section, or incorporated by reference in any filing under the Exchange Act or the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, regardless of any general incorporation language contained in such filing.
Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits.
Exhibit No. | | Description |
99.1 | Press Release, dated May 7, 2026, of CarParts.com, Inc. | |
104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File – the cover page interactive data file does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are 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.
Dated: May 7, 2026 | CARPARTS.COM, INC. | |
By: | /s/ Mark DiSiena | |
Name: | Mark DiSiena | |
Title: | Interim Chief Financial Officer | |
CarParts.com Reports First Quarter 2026 Results
LONG BEACH, Calif. – May 7th, 2026 – CarParts.com, Inc. (NASDAQ: PRTS), a leading eCommerce provider of automotive parts and accessories, and a premier destination for vehicle repair and maintenance needs, is reporting results for the first quarter ended April 4, 2026.
First Quarter 2026 Summary vs. Year-Ago Quarter
| ● | Closed $8.0 million strategic investment. |
| ● | Net sales decreased 10% to $132.0 million. |
| ● | Gross profit of $42.9 million vs. $47.3 million, with gross margin of 32.5%. |
| ● | Net loss was ($1.9) million, or ($0.03) per share, compared to a net loss of ($15.3) million, or ($0.27) per share. |
| ● | Adjusted EBITDA of $0.6 million vs. $(6.2) million. |
| ● | Cash of $37.9 million and inventory of $91.0 million as of April 4, 2026. |
| ● | Our mobile app has cumulative net downloads of 1.4 million. |
Management Commentary
David Meniane, Chief Executive Officer, commented: "In the first quarter of 2026, we reached a milestone we have been building toward for five consecutive quarters: our first positive adjusted EBITDA since Q1 2024. Adjusted EBITDA was positive $585,000, a swing of nearly $7 million from the same quarter last year, driven by deliberate action across every line item in the P&L: advertising efficiency, customer acquisition quality, lifecycle monetization, warehouse operations, offshore savings, and a fixed cost base that is now mostly embedded in our run rate. The work is not done. But the evidence is in the results, and the momentum is real.
The initiatives are executing. A-Premium is approaching $45 million in annualized run rate revenue, up from $35 million at year-end. The initial 7,000 JC Whitney SKUs are live on Amazon and generating sales, with revenue growing week over week. We launched the CarParts.com Mastercard. We opened a branch office in Taipei to deepen three decades of supplier relationships that represent approximately 70% of our purchases. Spark and Zaap, our AI systems for customer experience and internal operations, are live. And we are running next day delivery out of 2 of our 4 warehouses today, with a target of 300,000 packages through our last mile network over the next 12 to 24 months.
We have always been two companies in one: a digital layer and a physical asset base. In a world where AI is commoditizing digital execution, the physical infrastructure (our distribution network, our last mile capability, and our global supply chain) becomes the moat. That is where we are investing. We ended the quarter with $38 million in cash and no revolver debt. The path to sustained free cash flow runs through levers we control, and we are executing against them today."
First Quarter 2026 Financial Results
Net sales in the first quarter of 2026 were $132.0 million, down 10% from $147.4 million in the year-ago quarter. The decrease was primarily driven by the Company’s efforts to increase profitability by rationalizing marketing spend.
Gross profit was $42.9 million in the first quarter compared to $47.3 million in the year-ago quarter, with gross margin increasing 40 basis points to 32.5%. The increase was primarily driven by product mix and favorable freight costs.
Total operating expenses in the first quarter were $46.0 million compared to $62.5 million in the year-ago quarter. The decrease was primarily driven by favorable payroll costs due to headcount reductions, favorable marketing spend and a gain on sale of our Philippines subsidiary.
Net loss in the first quarter was ($1.9) million compared to a net loss of ($15.3) million in the year-ago quarter, primarily driven by lower operating expenses and the increase in gross margin.
Adjusted EBITDA in the first quarter was $0.6 million compared to ($6.2) million in the year-ago quarter.
On April 4, 2026, the Company had a cash balance of $37.9 million, $25.3 million of convertible notes payable balance and no revolver loan balance, compared to a $25.8 million cash balance, $25.2 million of convertible notes payable balance and no revolver loan balance at prior fiscal year-end January 3, 2026.
Conference Call
CarParts.com CEO David Meniane and Interim CFO Mark DiSiena will host a conference call today to discuss the results.
Date: Thursday, May 7, 2026
Time: 5:00 p.m. Eastern time (2:00 p.m. Pacific time)
Webcast: www.carparts.com/investor/news-events
To listen to the live call, please click the link above to access the webcast. A replay of the audio webcast will be archived on the Company’s website at www.carparts.com/investor.
About CarParts.com, Inc.
CarParts.com, Inc. is a technology-led ecommerce company offering over 1.5 million quality automotive parts and accessories. Operating for over 30 years, CarParts.com has established itself as a premier destination for drivers seeking repair, maintenance, and upgrade solutions. Taking a customer-first approach, we deliver a seamless, mobile-friendly shopping experience across our website and app. With a commitment to delivering exceptional value backed by our nationwide, company-operated distribution network, fast shipping and experienced customer service team, CarParts.com aims to eliminate the uncertainty and stress often associated with vehicle maintenance and repair. The company operates CarParts.com and a portfolio of private-label and marketplace brands, including CarParts Wholesale, JC Whitney, Garage-Pro, Evan Fischer, and more. For more information, visit CarParts.com.
CarParts.com is headquartered in Long Beach, California.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Regulation G, and other provisions of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, define and prescribe the conditions for use of certain non-GAAP financial information. We provide “Adjusted EBITDA” in this earnings release and on today’s scheduled conference call, which are non-GAAP financial measures. Adjusted EBITDA consist of net loss before (a) interest expense (income), net; (b) income tax provision; (c) depreciation and amortization expense; (d) amortization of intangible assets; (e) share-based compensation expense; (f) gain on sale of subsidiary; and (g) strategic alternatives exploration costs. A reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net loss is provided below.
The Company believes that these non-GAAP financial measures provide important supplemental information to management and investors. These non-GAAP financial measures reflect an additional way of viewing aspects of the Company’s operations that, when viewed with the GAAP results and the accompanying reconciliations to corresponding GAAP financial measures, provides a more complete understanding of factors and trends affecting the Company’s business and results of operations.
Management uses Adjusted EBITDA as measures of the Company’s operating performance because it assists in comparing the Company’s operating performance on a consistent basis by removing the impact of stock compensation expense as well as other items that we do not believe are representative of our ongoing operating performance. Internally, these non-GAAP measures are also used by management for planning purposes, including the preparation of internal budgets; for allocating resources to enhance financial performance; and for evaluating the effectiveness of operational strategies. The Company also believes that analysts and investors use these non-GAAP measures as supplemental measures to evaluate the ongoing operations of companies in our industry.
These non-GAAP financial measures are used in addition to and in conjunction with results presented in accordance with GAAP and should not be relied upon to the exclusion of GAAP financial measures. Management strongly encourages investors to review the Company’s consolidated financial statements in their entirety and to not rely on any single financial measure. Because non-GAAP financial measures are not standardized, it may not be possible to compare these financial measures with other companies’ non-GAAP financial measures having the same or similar names. In addition, the Company expects to continue to incur expenses similar to the non-GAAP adjustments described above, and exclusion of these items from the Company’s non-GAAP measures should not be construed as an inference that these costs are all unusual, infrequent or non-recurring.
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains statements which are based on management’s current expectations, estimates and projections about the Company’s business and its industry, as well as certain assumptions made by the Company. These statements are forward looking statements for the purposes of the safe harbor provided by Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Words such as “anticipates,” “could,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “potential,” “believes,” “predicts,” “projects,” “seeks,” “estimates,” “may,” “will,” “would,” “will likely continue” and variations of these words or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding our future operating results and financial condition, our potential growth, our ability to innovate, our ability to gain market share, and our ability to expand and improve our product offerings. We undertake no obligation to revise or update publicly any forward-looking statements for any reason. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Therefore, our actual results could differ materially and adversely from those expressed in any forward-looking statements as a result of various factors.
Important factors that may cause such a difference include, but are not limited to, competitive pressures, our dependence on search engines to attract customers, demand for the Company’s products, the online market and channel mix for aftermarket auto parts, the economy in general, increases in commodity and component pricing that would increase the Company’s product costs, the operating restrictions in its credit agreement, the weather and any other factors discussed in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including the Risk Factors contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, which are available at www.carparts.com/investor and the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. You are urged to consider these factors carefully in evaluating the forward-looking statements in this release and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Unless otherwise required by law, the Company expressly disclaims any obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Investor Relations:
IR@carparts.com
Summarized information for the periods presented is as follows (in millions):
| | Thirteen Weeks Ended | | Thirteen Weeks Ended | | ||
| | April 4, 2026 | | March 29, 2025 | | ||
Net sales | | $ | 131.96 | | $ | 147.38 | |
Gross profit | | $ | 42.94 | | $ | 47.35 | |
| |
| 32.5 | % |
| 32.1 | % |
Operating expense | | $ | 46.00 | | $ | 62.49 | |
| |
| 34.9 | % |
| 42.4 | % |
Net loss | | $ | (1.94) | | $ | (15.28) | |
| |
| (1.5) | % |
| (10.4) | % |
Adjusted EBITDA | | $ | 0.59 | | $ | (6.23) | |
| |
| 0.4 | % |
| (4.2) | % |
The table below reconciles net loss to Adjusted EBITDA for the periods presented (in thousands):
| | Thirteen Weeks Ended | | Thirteen Weeks Ended | ||
| | April 4, 2026 | | March 29, 2025 | ||
Net loss | | $ | (1,940) | | $ | (15,283) |
Depreciation and amortization | | | 4,265 | | | 5,482 |
Amortization of intangible assets | | | 8 | | | 13 |
Interest expense (income), net | | | 279 | | | (3) |
Income tax (benefit) provision | | | (1,391) | | | 140 |
EBITDA | | $ | 1,221 | | $ | (9,651) |
Stock compensation expense | | $ | 1,656 | | $ | 2,872 |
Gain on sale of subsidiary(1) | | | (2,292) | | | — |
Strategic alternatives exploration costs(2) | | | — | | | 550 |
Adjusted EBITDA | | $ | 585 | | $ | (6,229) |
| (1) | On January 27, 2026, the Philippines subsidiary was deconsolidated from our consolidated financial statements and a gain on sale of subsidiary was recorded in operating expense in the consolidated statements of operations. |
| (2) | We incurred certain costs, primarily legal and advisor costs, attributable to our exploration of strategic alternatives in 2025. |
CARPARTS.COM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE OPERATIONS
(Unaudited, In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)
| | Thirteen Weeks Ended | ||||
| | April 4, | | March 29, | ||
| | 2026 | | 2025 | ||
Net sales | | $ | 131,961 | | $ | 147,378 |
Cost of sales (1) | |
| 89,019 | |
| 100,031 |
Gross profit | |
| 42,942 | |
| 47,347 |
Operating expense | |
| 45,995 | |
| 62,493 |
Loss from operations | |
| (3,053) | |
| (15,146) |
Other income (expense): | |
| | | | |
Other income, net | |
| 157 | |
| 260 |
Interest expense | |
| (435) | |
| (257) |
Total other (expense) income, net | |
| (278) | |
| 3 |
Loss before income taxes | |
| (3,331) | |
| (15,143) |
Income tax (benefit) provision | |
| (1,391) | |
| 140 |
Net loss | |
| (1,940) | |
| (15,283) |
Net loss per share: | | | | | | |
Basic and diluted net loss per share | | $ | (0.03) | | $ | (0.27) |
Weighted-average common shares outstanding: | |
| | |
| |
Shares used in computation of basic and diluted net loss per share | |
| 68,554 | |
| 57,343 |
| (1) | Excludes depreciation and amortization expense which is included in operating expense. |
CARPARTS.COM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited, In Thousands, Except Par Value Data)
| | April 4, | | January 3, | ||
| | 2026 | | 2026 | ||
ASSETS |
| | |
| | |
Current assets: |
| | |
| | |
Cash and cash equivalents | | $ | 37,856 | | $ | 25,821 |
Accounts receivable, net | |
| 8,333 | |
| 7,061 |
Inventory, net | |
| 91,042 | |
| 95,180 |
Other current assets | |
| 7,327 | |
| 6,996 |
Total current assets | |
| 144,558 | |
| 135,058 |
Property and equipment, net | |
| 18,523 | |
| 20,191 |
Right-of-use - assets - operating leases, net | | | 17,672 | | | 18,586 |
Right-of-use - assets - finance leases, net | | | 6,536 | | | 7,233 |
Other non-current assets | |
| 4,273 | |
| 3,788 |
Total assets | | $ | 191,562 | | $ | 184,856 |
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY | |
| | |
| |
Current liabilities: | |
| | | | |
Accounts payable | | $ | 46,378 | | $ | 44,884 |
Accrued expenses | |
| 28,227 | |
| 24,642 |
Right-of-use - obligation - operating, current | | | 4,716 | | | 4,858 |
Right-of-use - obligation - finance, current | | | 2,594 | | | 2,767 |
Other current liabilities | |
| 4,516 | |
| 4,090 |
Total current liabilities | |
| 86,431 | |
| 81,241 |
Convertible notes payable | | | 25,288 | | | 25,161 |
Right-of-use - obligation - operating, non-current | | | 14,699 | | | 15,771 |
Right-of-use - obligation - finance, non-current | | | 5,530 | | | 6,082 |
Other non-current liabilities | |
| 7 | |
| 3,125 |
Total liabilities | |
| 131,955 | |
| 131,380 |
Commitments and contingencies (Note 6) | |
| | | | |
Stockholders’ equity: | |
| | | | |
Common stock, $0.001 par value; 100,000 shares authorized; 80,478 and 70,048 shares issued and outstanding as of April 4, 2026 and January 3, 2026 (of which 3,786 are treasury stock) | |
| 75 | |
| 65 |
Treasury stock | |
| (11,912) | |
| (11,912) |
Additional paid-in capital | |
| 353,402 | |
| 344,118 |
Accumulated other comprehensive income | |
| 0 | |
| 1,223 |
Accumulated deficit | |
| (281,958) | |
| (280,018) |
Total stockholders’ equity | |
| 59,607 | |
| 53,476 |
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity | | $ | 191,562 | | $ | 184,856 |
CARPARTS.COM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited, In Thousands)
| | Thirteen Weeks Ended | | ||||
| | April 4, | | March 29, | | ||
| | 2026 | | 2025 | | ||
Operating activities | | | | | | | |
Net loss | | $ | (1,940) | | $ | (15,283) | |
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities: | | | | | | | |
Depreciation and amortization expense | |
| 4,265 | |
| 5,482 | |
Amortization of intangible assets | |
| 8 | |
| 13 | |
Noncash interest expense | | | 127 | | | — | |
Share-based compensation expense | |
| 1,656 | |
| 2,872 | |
Stock awards issued for non-employee director service | |
| 12 | |
| 11 | |
Gain on sale of subsidiary | |
| (2,292) | |
| — | |
Amortization of deferred financing costs | |
| 122 | |
| 16 | |
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | | | | | | | |
Accounts receivable | |
| (1,271) | |
| (4,112) | |
Inventory | |
| 4,138 | |
| (3,853) | |
Other current assets | |
| (582) | |
| (269) | |
Other non-current assets | |
| (904) | |
| 35 | |
Accounts payable and accrued expenses | |
| 5,102 | |
| 19,975 | |
Other current liabilities | |
| 425 | |
| 488 | |
Right-of-use obligation - operating leases - current | | | 364 | | | 189 | |
Right-of-use obligation - operating leases - long-term | | | (541) | | | (186) | |
Other non-current liabilities | |
| (1,428) | |
| 124 | |
Net cash provided by operating activities | |
| 7,261 | |
| 5,505 | |
Investing activities | | | | | | | |
Additions to property and equipment | |
| (2,099) | |
| (2,116) | |
Proceeds from sale of subsidiary | |
| 300 | |
| — | |
Net cash used in investing activities | |
| (1,799) | |
| (2,116) | |
Financing activities | | | | | | | |
Borrowings from revolving loan payable | |
| 73 | |
| 68 | |
Payments made on revolving loan payable | |
| (73) | |
| (68) | |
Payments on finance leases | |
| (720) | |
| (954) | |
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock for ESPP | | | — | | | 96 | |
Proceeds from issuance of common stock | | | 8,000 | | | — | |
Payment of issuance costs - common stock | | | (36) | | | — | |
Statutory tax withholding payment for share-based compensation | |
| (77) | |
| (396) | |
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | |
| 7,167 | |
| (1,254) | |
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash | |
| (594) | |
| — | |
Net change in cash and cash equivalents | |
| 12,035 | |
| 2,135 | |
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period | |
| 25,821 | |
| 36,397 | |
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period | | $ | 37,856 | | $ | 38,532 | |
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities: | | | | | | | |
Right-of-use operating asset acquired | | $ | 2,407 | | $ | — | |
Accrued asset purchases | | $ | 435 | | $ | 526 | |
Share-based compensation expense capitalized in property and equipment | | $ | 93 | | $ | 294 | |
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information: | | | | | | | |
Cash received during the period for income taxes | | $ | 8 | | $ | — | |
Cash paid during the period for interest | | $ | — | | $ | 256 | |
Cash received during the period for interest | | $ | 156 | | $ | 259 | |