Karat Packaging Reports 2023 Second Quarter Financial Results


-- Sustained Strong Margin Expansion --

CHINO, Calif., Aug. 09, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Karat Packaging Inc. (Nasdaq: KRT) (“Karat” or the “Company”), a specialty distributor and manufacturer of environmentally friendly, disposable foodservice products and related items, today announced financial results for its quarter ended June 30, 2023.

Second Quarter 2023 Highlights

  • Quarterly net sales of $108.7 million, down 5.3 percent from the prior-year quarter.
  • Gross profit of $41.9 million, up 23.3 percent from the prior-year quarter.
  • Gross margin of 38.5 percent versus 29.6 percent in the prior-year quarter.
  • Net income of $10.7 million, up 48.3 percent from the prior-year quarter.
  • Net income margin of 9.8 percent versus 6.3 percent in the prior-year quarter.
  • Adjusted EBITDA of $21.1 million, up $9.3 million, or 78.6 percent from the prior-year quarter.
  • Adjusted EBITDA margin of 19.4 percent versus 10.3 percent in the prior-year quarter.

2023 Guidance

  • Net sales for the 2023 third quarter expected to decrease 3 to 4 percentage, compared with prior-year period, primarily due to implementation delays by new chain accounts and in opening new warehouses, and lower revenue from logistics services and shipping fees.
  • Net sales for the 2023 fourth quarter expected to increase 10 to 15 percent over the prior year period.
  • Net sales for the 2023 full year expected to decrease by low single digits.
  • Gross margin goal for the 2023 full year: 36 to 37 percent versus 31.2 percent for 2022.
  • Eco-friendly product sales objective for the 2023 full year: 35 percent of total sales, compared with 27 in 2022.

“Karat achieved excellent second quarter results, despite net sales being impacted by price reductions and lower revenue from logistics services and shipping charges, as we had anticipated,” said Alan Yu, Chief Executive Officer. “Sales of our core products grew during the quarter, with volume increasing five percent over the prior year period, and we again experienced solid demand for our eco-friendly products.

“Gross margin remained at record level, as we continued to implement our strategic initiatives, which include reducing our manufacturing footprint in certain locations, increasing import items and improving inventory management and fill-rates.

“We continued to generate strong operating cash flow, and as announced earlier today, our Board of Directors declared a special cash dividend of $0.40 per share, along with approving a quarterly cash dividend policy and declaring a quarterly cash dividend of $0.10 per share. These distributions demonstrate the board’s confidence in Karat’s future and commitment to returning value to our shareholders,” Mr. Yu added.

Second Quarter 2023 Financial Results

Net sales for the 2023 second quarter decreased 5.3 percent to $108.7 million, from $114.9 million in the prior-year quarter, primarily due to price reductions, as the Company proactively passed on savings from ocean freight and raw material costs to customers, as well as lower logistics services and shipping revenue, partially offset by an increase in volume and change in product mix.

Gross profit for the 2023 second quarter increased 23.3 percent from $34.0 million in the prior-year quarter to $41.9 million, which included a $1.7 million write-off of raw materials associated with our disposal of certain machinery and equipment in executing the plan to scale back production in certain locations.

Gross margin increased to 38.5 percent in the 2023 second quarter, including a 160-basis-point impact from the write-off of raw materials associated with the disposal of certain machinery as discussed above, from 29.6 percent for the same quarter last year. The margin expansion primarily reflected a significant decrease in ocean freight costs. Ocean freight cost as a percentage of net sales was 6.2 percent during the 2023 second quarter, down from 18.0 percent for the same quarter last year. Despite the unfavorable impact from the inventory write-offs, along with price reductions, gross margin benefited from initiatives to increase imported products; scale back manufacturing in high-cost states such as California; shift toward high-margin eco-friendly products, and enhance operating efficiencies.

Operating expenses in the 2023 second quarter were $28.5 million, or 26.2 percent of net sales, compared with $26.2 million, or 22.8 percent of net sales, in the prior-year quarter. The increase was primarily due to an impairment expense and loss on disposal of machinery of $2.5 million, as well as workforce expansion, higher marketing expense to support online sales growth, and higher rental expense from the additional leased warehouses. The increase in operating expenses was partially offset by a decrease in shipping and transportation costs and bad debt expense.

Operating income in the 2023 second quarter increased 71 percent to $13.3 million, or 12.3 percent of net sales, compared with $7.8 million, or 6.8 percent of net sales, in the prior-year quarter.

Other income totaled $0.7 million in the 2023 second quarter, compared with $1.1 million in the prior-year quarter, which primarily included a gain on foreign currency transactions of $0.9 million.

The effective tax rate for the 2023 second quarter was 23.7 percent, compared with 19.5 percent for the prior-year quarter, with the increase primarily due to the change in the non-taxable non-controlling interest income.

Net income for the 2023 second quarter increased 48.3 percent to $10.7 million, from $7.2 million for the same quarter last year. Net income margin rose to 9.8 percent in the 2023 second quarter, from 6.3 percent a year ago.

Net income attributable to Karat in the 2023 second quarter advanced to $10.5 million, or $0.53 per diluted share, from $6.3 million, or $0.32 per diluted share, in the prior-year quarter.

Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP measure defined below, increased to $21.1 million in the 2023 second quarter, compared with $11.8 million in the prior-year quarter. Adjusted EBITDA margin, a non-GAAP measure defined below, rose to 19.4 percent of net sales, compared with 10.3 percent in the prior-year quarter.

Adjusted diluted earnings per common share, a non-GAAP measure defined below, rose to $0.69 per share, from $0.34 per share in the prior-year quarter.

Six-Month 2023 Financial Results

Net sales for the first six months of 2023 decreased 7.2 percent to $204.5 million, from $220.3 million in the same period last year.

Gross profit for the first six months of 2023 increased 17.2 percent to $80.0 million, from $68.3 million in the same period last year. Gross margin for the first six months of 2023 increased to 39.1 percent, including a 80-basis-point impact from the write-off of raw materials associated with the disposal of certain machinery as discussed above, from 31.0 percent in the same period last year. The margin expansion was primarily due to a significant decrease in ocean freight costs. Ocean freight cost as a percentage of net sales was 6.1 percent during the first six months of 2023, down from 16.3 percent for the same period in 2022.

Operating expenses were $53.9 million for the first half of 2023, compared with $51.0 million in the same period last year.

Operating income increased 50.8 percent to $26.1 million for the first half of 2023, or 12.7 percent of net sales, compared with $17.3 million, or 7.8 percent of net sales, in the same period last year.

Total other expense, net was $0.1 million in the first half of 2023, compared with total other income, net of $2.3 million in the same period last year, which consisted primarily of gains associated with interest rate swap and foreign currency transactions.

Net income increased 31.2 percent to $19.9 million for the first half of 2023, from $15.1 million in the same period last year. Net income margin increased to 9.7 percent in the first half of 2023, compared with 6.9 percent in the same period last year. Net income attributable to Karat was $19.5 million, or $0.98 per diluted share, for the first half of 2023, compared with $13.0 million, or $0.65 per diluted share, in the same period last year.

Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP measure defined below, increased to $36.4 million in the first six months of 2023, compared with $24.8 million in the same period last year. Adjusted EBITDA margin, a non-GAAP measure defined below, increased to 17.8 percent in the 2023 year-to-date period, compared with 11.3 percent in the same period last year.

Adjusted diluted earnings per common share, a non-GAAP measure defined below, rose to $1.15 per share, from $0.70 per share in the prior year-to-date period.

Investor Conference Call

The Company will host an investor conference call today, August 9, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time (5:00 p.m. Eastern Time) to discuss its 2023 second quarter results.

Phone:877-418-4045 (domestic); 412-317-6745 (international)
Conference ID:Karat Packaging Inc.
Webcast:Accessible at http://irkarat.com/; archive available for approximately one year
  

About Karat Packaging Inc.
Karat Packaging Inc. is a specialty distributor and manufacturer of a wide range of disposable foodservice products and related items, primarily used by national and regional restaurants and in foodservice settings throughout the United States. Its products include food and take-out containers, bags, tableware, cups, lids, cutlery, straws, specialty beverage ingredients, equipment, gloves and other products. The company’s eco-friendly Karat Earth® line offers quality, sustainably focused products that are made from renewable resources. Karat Packaging also offers customized solutions, including new product development and design, printing, and logistics services. To learn more about Karat Packaging, please visit the company’s website at www.karatpackaging.com.

Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
Statements made in this release that are not statements of historical or current facts are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We caution readers that forward-looking statements are predictions based on our current expectations about future events. These forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, achieving our financial guidance, are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Our actual results, performance, or achievements could differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including the risks discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” discussed under the caption “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in Part I of our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K or any updates discussed under the caption “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in Part II of our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise that occur after that date, except as required by law.

Investor Relations and Media Contacts:

PondelWilkinson Inc.  
Judy Lin/Roger Pondel
310-279-5980
ir@karatpackaging.com

KARAT PACKAGING INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED)
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
    
 Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30,
 2023 2022 2023 2022
Net sales$108,740  $114,881  $204,541  $220,294 
Cost of goods sold 66,879   80,917   124,536   152,041 
Gross profit 41,861   33,964   80,005   68,253 
Operating expenses       
Selling expense 8,871   9,468   17,572   18,805 
                
General and administrative expense (including $647 and $671 associated with variable interest entity for the three months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively; $1,318 and $1,234 associated with variable interest entity for the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively) 17,192   16,715   33,821   32,172 
                
Impairment expense and loss (gain) on disposal of machinery 2,459   (21)  2,541   (17)
Total operating expenses 28,522   26,162   53,934   50,960 
Operating income 13,339   7,802   26,071   17,293 
        
Other income (expense)       
        
Rental income (including $239 and $238 associated with variable interest entity for the three months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively; and $486 and $476 associated with variable interest entity for the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively) 275   238   522   476 
                
Other income (expense), net 118   (181)  (90)  (263)
                
Gain (loss) on foreign currency transactions 322   850   (105)  983 
                
Interest income (including $182 and $847 interest income associated with variable interest entity for the three months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively; and $198 and $2,187 interest expense associated with variable interest entity for the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively) 519   847   586   2,160 
                
Interest expense (including $565 and $488 interest expense associated with variable interest entity for the three months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively; and $971 and $936 interest expense associated with variable interest entity for the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively) (573)  (610)  (980)  (1,083)
Total other income (expense), net 661   1,144   (67)  2,273 
Income before provision for income taxes 14,000   8,946   26,004   19,566 
Provision for income taxes 3,323   1,746   6,141   4,423 
Net income 10,677   7,200   19,863   15,143 
                
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest 175   856   356   2,132 
Net income attributable to Karat Packaging Inc.$10,502  $6,344  $19,507  $13,011 
Basic and diluted earnings per share:       
Basic$0.53  $0.32  $0.98  $0.66 
Diluted$0.53  $0.32  $0.98  $0.65 
Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic 19,886,585   19,809,417   19,887,023   19,808,505 
Weighted average common shares outstanding, diluted 19,953,510   19,926,956   19,947,155   19,914,044 


KARAT PACKAGING INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
    
 June 30, 2023 December 31, 2022
Assets   
Current assets   
Cash and cash equivalents (including $7,256 and $2,022 associated with variable interest entity at June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively)$18,257  $16,041 
Short-term investments (including $8,000 and $0 associated with variable interest entity at June 30, 2023, and December 31, 2022, respectively) 28,000    
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $260 and $1,260 at June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively (including $3 and $6 associated with variable interest entity at June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively) 32,816   29,912 
Inventories 76,295   71,206 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets (including $178 and $191 associated with variable interest entity at June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively) 5,631   6,641 
Total current assets 160,999   123,800 
Property and equipment, net (including $44,792 and $45,399 associated with variable interest entity at June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively) 95,705   95,568 
Deposits 5,997   12,413 
Goodwill 3,510   3,510 
Intangible assets, net 340   353 
Operating right-of-use assets 18,404   15,713 
Other assets (including $15 and $38 associated with variable interest entity at June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively) 1,970   818 
Total assets$286,925  $252,175 
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity   
Current liabilities   
Accounts payable (including $2 associated with variable interest entity at both June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022)$23,384  $18,559 
Accrued expenses (including $289 and $625 associated with variable interest entity at June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively) 7,946   9,005 
Related party payable 7,127   4,940 
Income taxes payable 5,105    
Customer deposits (including $116 and $165 associated with variable interest entity at June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively) 979   1,281 
Long-term debt, current portion (including $971 and $957 associated with variable interest entity at June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively) 971   957 
Operating lease liabilities, current portion 5,078   4,511 
Other payables 132    
Total current liabilities 50,722   39,253 
Deferred tax liability 5,156   5,156 
Long-term debt, net of current portion and debt discount of $190 and $216 at June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively (including $49,094 and $41,558 associated with variable interest entity at June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively, and debt discount of $190 and $216 associated with variable interest entity at June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively) 49,094   41,558 
Operating lease liabilities, net of current portion 13,823   11,623 
Other liabilities (including $1,302 associated with variable interest entity at both June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022) 2,824   2,652 
Total liabilities 121,619   100,242 
    
Karat Packaging Inc. stockholders’ equity   
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value, 10,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued and outstanding, at both June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022     
Common stock, $0.001 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 19,911,039 and 19,888,039 shares issued and outstanding, respectively, as of June 30, 2023 and 19,908,005 and 19,885,005 shares issued and outstanding, respectively, as of December 31, 2022 20   20 
Additional paid in capital 86,267   85,792 
Treasury stock, $0.001 par value, 23,000 shares at both June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 (248)  (248)
Retained earnings 68,660   56,118 
Total Karat Packaging Inc. stockholders’ equity 154,699   141,682 
Noncontrolling interest 10,607   10,251 
Total stockholders’ equity 165,306   151,933 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity$286,925  $252,175 


KARAT PACKAGING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)
(in thousands)
  
 Six Months Ended June 30,
 2023 2022
Cash flows from operating activities   
Net income$19,863  $15,143 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:   
Depreciation and amortization (including $607 and $606 associated with variable interest entity for the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively) 5,350   5,148 
Adjustments to allowance for doubtful accounts (843)  1,151 
Adjustments to inventory reserve (408)  513 
Write-off of inventory 2,944    
Impairment of deposits 523    
Loss (gain) on disposal of machinery and equipment 2,018   (17)
Change in fair value of interest rate swap (including $0 and $2,159 associated with variable interest entity for the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively)    (2,159)
Amortization of loan fees (including $31 and $18 associated with variable interest entity for the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively) 40   18 
Stock-based compensation 493   1,176 
Amortization of operating right-of-use assets 2,281   1,790 
(Increase) decrease in operating assets   
Accounts receivable (including $3 and $18 associated with variable interest entity for the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively) (2,061)  (6,848)
Inventories (7,625)  (27,516)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets (including $9 and $115 associated with variable interest entity for the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively) 478   (1,697)
Other assets (including $21 and $28 associated with variable interest entity for the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively) (36)  (76)
Increase (decrease) in operating liabilities   
Accounts payable (including $1 and $493 associated with variable interest entity for the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively) 4,006   4,855 
Accrued expenses (including $336 and $706 associated with variable interest entity for the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively) (1,059)  552 
Related party payable 2,187   1,201 
Income taxes payable 5,105   (85)
Customer deposits (including $49 and $7 associated with variable interest entity for the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively) (302)  404 
Operating lease liability (2,205)  (1,790)
Other liabilities (including $0 and $493 associated with variable interest entity for the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively) 172   9 
Other payables 132   482 
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities$31,053  $(7,746)
    
Cash flows from investing activities   
Purchases of property and equipment (1,816)  (1,615)
Proceeds from disposal of property and equipment 28   35 
Payments for costs incurred from sale of machinery and equipment (209)   
Deposits paid for joint venture investment (2,900)  (4,000)
Deposits refunded from joint venture investment 6,900    
Deposit refund from cancelled property and equipment purchase 503    
Deposits paid for property and equipment (3,823)  (7,596)
Proceeds from settlement of interest rate swap (including $0 and $825 associated with variable interest entity for the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively)    825 
Purchase of short-term investments (including $8,000 and $0 associated with variable interest entity for the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively) (28,000)   
Net cash used in investing activities$(29,317) $(12,351)
    
Cash flows from financing activities   
Proceeds from line of credit    20,100 
Payments on line of credit    (8,500)
Proceeds from long-term debt (including $8,000 and $27,477 associated with variable interest entity for the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively) 8,000   27,477 
Payments for lender fees (61)   
Payments on long-term debt (including $476 and $21,139 associated with variable interest entity for the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively) (476)  (21,139)
Tax withholding on vesting of restricted stock units (18)   
Proceeds from exercise of common stock options    51 
Dividends paid to shareholders (6,965)   
Payments of noncontrolling interest tax withholding (including $0 and $874 associated with variable interest entity for the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively)    (874)
Net cash provided by financing activities$480  $17,115 
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 2,216   (2,982)
Cash and cash equivalents   
Beginning of period$16,041  $6,483 
End of period$18,257  $3,501 
Supplemental disclosures of non-cash investing and financing activities:   
Transfers from deposit to property and equipment$5,273  $5,107 
Non-cash purchases of property and equipment$819  $ 
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:   
Cash paid for income tax$200  $5,830 
Cash paid for interest$1,026  $1,074 


KARAT PACKAGING INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES (UNAUDITED)
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
    
Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin:Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30,
 2023
2022
 2023
2022
 Amounts% of net saleAmounts% of net sale Amounts% of net saleAmounts% of net sale
Net income:$10,677 9.8%$7,200 6.3% $19,863 9.7%$15,143 6.9%
Add (deduct):         
Interest income (519)(0.5) (847)(0.7)  (586)(0.3) (2,160)(1.0)
Interest expense 573 0.5  610 0.5   980 0.5  1,083 0.5 
Provision for income taxes 3,323 3.1  1,746 1.5   6,141 3.0  4,423 2.0 
Depreciation and amortization 2,717 2.5  2,564 2.2   5,350 2.7  5,148 2.4 
Stock-based compensation expense 216 0.2  565 0.5   493 0.2  1,176 0.5 
Write-off of inventory (1) 1,710 1.6      1,710 0.8    
Impairment expense and loss on disposal of machinery (1) 2,445 2.2      2,445 1.2    
Adjusted EBITDA$21,142 19.4%$11,838 10.3% $36,396 17.8%$24,813 11.3%


Reconciliation of Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Common ShareThree Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30,
 2023
 2022
 2023
 2022
Diluted earnings per common share:$0.53  $0.32  $0.98  $0.65 
Add (deduct):       
Stock-based compensation expense 0.01   0.03   0.02   0.06 
Write-off of inventory (1) 0.09      0.09    
Impairment expense and loss on disposal of machinery (1) 0.12      0.12    
Income tax impact of adjustments (0.06)  (0.01)  (0.06)  (0.01)
Adjusted diluted earnings per common shares$0.69  $0.34  $1.15  $0.70 


Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA by Entity:Three Months Ended June 30, 2023 Six Months Ended June 30, 2023
 Karat
Packaging
Global WellsEliminationsConsolidated Karat
Packaging
Global WellsEliminationsConsolidated
Net income (loss):$10,493 $203 $(19)$10,677  $19,533 $412 $(82)$19,863 
Add:         
Interest income (336) (183)   (519)  (387) (216) 17  (586)
Interest expense 8  565    573   26  971  (17) 980 
Provision for income taxes 3,323      3,323   6,141      6,141 
Depreciation and amortization 2,413  304    2,717   4,743  607    5,350 
Stock-based compensation expense 216      216   493      493 
Write-off of inventory (1) 1,710      1,710   1,710      1,710 
Impairment expense and loss on disposal of machinery (1) 2,445      2,445   2,445      2,445 
Adjusted EBITDA$20,272 $889 $(19)$21,142  $34,704 $1,774 $(82)$36,396 

(1) The write-off of inventory and impairment expense and loss on disposal of machinery represent costs incurred in connection with the scaling back of production in certain locations. As part of the execution of this strategy, certain machinery and equipment was disposed of or impaired, and raw materials associated with those machinery and equipment were written-off.

Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA by Entity:Three Months Ended June 30, 2022 Six Months Ended June 30, 2022
 Karat
Packaging
Global WellsEliminationsConsolidated Karat
Packaging
Global WellsEliminationsConsolidated
Net income (loss):$6,255$990 $(45)$7,200  $13,036$2,465 $(358)$15,143 
Add (deduct)         
Interest income  (874) 27  (847)   (2,187) 27  (2,160)
Interest expense 149 488  (27) 610   174 936  (27) 1,083 
Provision for income taxes 1,746     1,746   4,423     4,423 
Depreciation and amortization 2,261 303    2,564   4,541 607    5,148 
Stock-based compensation expense 565     565   1,176     1,176 
Adjusted EBITDA$10,976$907 $(45)$11,838  $23,350$1,821 $(358)$24,813 

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Karat utilizes certain financial measures and key performance indicators that are not defined by, or calculated in accordance with, GAAP to assess our financial and operating performance. A non-GAAP financial measure is defined as a numerical measure of a company’s financial performance that (i) excludes amounts, or is subject to adjustments that have the effect of excluding amounts, that are included in the comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP in the statement of operations; or (ii) includes amounts, or is subject to adjustments that have the effect of including amounts, that are excluded from the comparable GAAP measure so calculated and presented. The following non-GAAP measures are presented in this press release:

  • Adjusted EBITDA is calculated as net income before interest income and interest expense, provision for income taxes, depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation expense, write-off of certain inventory items outside the normal course of business, and impairment expense and loss on disposal of machinery outside the normal course of business.
  • Adjusted EBITDA margin is calculated by dividing Adjusted EBITDA by net sales.
  • Adjusted diluted earnings per common share is calculated as diluted earnings per common share, plus the per share impact of stock-based compensation, write-off of certain inventory items outside the normal course of business, impairment expense and loss on disposal of machinery outside the normal course of business, and adjusted for the related tax effects of these adjustments.

We believe the above-mentioned non-GAAP measures, which are used by management to assess the core performance of Karat, provide useful information and additional clarity of our operating results to our investors in their own evaluation of the core performance of Karat and facilitate a comparison of such performance from period to period. These are not measurements of financial performance or liquidity under GAAP and should not be considered in isolation or construed as substitutes for net income or other cash flow data prepared in accordance with GAAP for purposes of analyzing our profitability or liquidity. These measures should be considered in addition to, and not as a substitute for, revenue, net income, earnings per share, cash flows or other measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. In addition, these non-GAAP financial measures may not provide information that is directly comparable to that provided by other companies, as other companies may calculate such financial results differently.

KARAT PACKAGING INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NET SALES BY CATEGORY (UNAUDITED)
(In Thousands)
    
 Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30,
 2023
 2022 2023 2022
 (in thousands)
National and regional chains$23,827 $25,081 $45,195 $49,987
Distributors 62,590  66,399  117,237  125,523
Online 15,493  15,491  29,148  29,040
Retail 6,830  7,910  12,961  15,744
 $108,740 $114,881 $204,541 $220,294