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Commitments and Contingencies | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2016
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] |
Commitments and Contingencies |
Note 21. | Commitments and Contingencies
Self-insurance reserves and other commitments and contingencies The company has recorded current liabilities of $28.0 million and $23.9 million related to self-insurance reserves at December 31, 2016 and January 2, 2016, respectively. The reserves include an estimate of expected settlements on pending claims, defense costs and a provision for claims incurred but not reported. These estimates are based on the company’s assessment of potential liability using an analysis of available information with respect to pending claims, historical experience and current cost trends. The amount of the company’s ultimate liability in respect of these matters may differ materially from these estimates. In the event the company ceases to utilize the independent distribution form of doing business or exits a geographic market, the company is contractually required to purchase the distribution rights from the independent distributor. The company expects to continue operating under this model and the possibility of a loss is remote. The company’s facilities are subject to various federal, state and local laws and regulations regarding the discharge of material into the environment and the protection of the environment in other ways. The company is not a party to any material proceedings arising under these regulations. The company believes that compliance with existing environmental laws and regulations will not materially affect the consolidated financial condition, results of operations, cash flows or the competitive position of the company. The company believes it is currently in substantial compliance with all material environmental regulations affecting the company and its properties. On August 9, 2016, the U.S. Department of Labor (the “DOL”) notified the company that it was scheduled for a compliance review under the Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”). The company is cooperating with the DOL. Litigation The company and its subsidiaries from time to time are parties to, or targets of, lawsuits, claims, investigations and proceedings, including personal injury, commercial, contract, environmental, antitrust, product liability, health and safety and employment matters, which are being handled and defended in the ordinary course of business. While the company is unable to predict the outcome of these matters, it believes, based upon currently available facts, that it is remote that the ultimate resolution of any such pending matters will have a material adverse effect on its overall financial condition, results of operations or cash flows in the future. However, adverse developments could negatively impact earnings in a particular future fiscal period. At this time, the company is defending 26 complaints filed by distributors alleging that such distributors were misclassified as independent contractors. Nineteen of these lawsuits seek class and/or collective action treatment. The remaining seven cases allege individual claims and do not seek class or collective action treatment. The respective courts have ruled on plaintiffs’ motions for class certification in 12 of the pending cases, each of which is discussed below and in each case where a class has been conditionally certified under the FLSA, the company has the ability to petition the court to decertify that class at a later date:
Case |  | Status
Rehberg et al. v. Flowers Foods, Inc. and Flowers Baking Co. of Jamestown, LLC | On September 12, 2012, Scott Rehberg and certain other plaintiffs filed a complaint against the company and one of its subsidiaries in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina. On March 22, 2013, the court conditionally certified under the FLSA a collective action consisting of all individuals who entered into a distributor agreement with Flowers Baking Co. of Jamestown, LLC (“Jamestown”) after September 12, 2009. On March 24, 2015, the court certified a North Carolina state law wage claim as a class action consisting of all individuals located within the State of North Carolina who entered into a distributor agreement with Jamestown after September 12, 2009. On December 9, 2016, the company announced that it reached an agreement to settle this matter for a payment of $9.0 million, comprised of $5.2 million in settlement funds and $3.8 million in attorneys’ fees. The settlement also contains certain non-economic terms that are intended to strengthen and enhance the independent contractor model, which remains in place. The parties are working to obtain court approval of this settlement. This settlement charge has been recorded as a selling, distribution and administrative expense in our Consolidated Statements of Income during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016.
Martinez et al. v. Flowers Foods, Inc., Flowers Bakeries Brands, Inc., Flowers Baking Co. of California, LLC, and Flowers Baking Co. of Henderson, LLC | On July 7, 2015, Giovanni Martinez and certain other plaintiffs filed various California state law wage claims against the company and certain of its subsidiaries in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. On February 1, 2016, the court denied a motion to certify these claims as a class action. This lawsuit was settled on confidential terms, and dismissed on July 7, 2016. The denial of the class certification is currently on appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.
Stewart et al. v. Flowers Foods, Inc. and Flowers Baking Co. of Batesville, LLC | On July 2, 2015, Jacky Stewart and certain other plaintiffs filed a complaint against the company and one of its subsidiaries in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Tennessee. On August 12, 2016, the court conditionally certified under the FLSA a collective action consisting of all individuals who entered into a distributor agreement with Flowers Baking Co. of Batesville, LLC, after July 2, 2012. The court limited the conditionally certified class to distributors operating out of designated warehouse locations in the State of Tennessee only.
Coyle v. Flowers Foods, Inc. and Holsum Bakery, Inc. | On July 20, 2015, Terry Coyle filed a complaint against the company and one of its subsidiaries in the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona. On August 30, 2016, the court conditionally certified under the FLSA a collective action consisting of all individuals who entered into a distributor agreement with Holsum Bakery, Inc. after August 30, 2013. The court limited the conditionally certified class to distributors operating within the State of Arizona. Plaintiff also alleges in his complaint Arizona state law wage claims.
McCurley v. Flowers Foods, Inc. and Derst Baking Co., LLC | On January 20, 2016, Paul McCurley filed a complaint against the company and one of its subsidiaries in the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina. On October 24, 2016, the Court conditionally certified under the FLSA a collective action consisting of all individuals who entered into a distributor agreement with Derst Baking Co., LLC after January 20, 2013. The company has the ability to petition the court to decertify this class at a later date. Plaintiff also alleges in his complaint a South Carolina state law wage claim.
Neff et al. v. Flowers Foods, Inc., Lepage Bakeries Park Street, LLC, and CK Sales Co., LLC | On December 2, 2015, Nick Neff and certain other plaintiffs filed a complaint against the company and certain of its subsidiaries in the U.S. District Court for the District of Vermont. On November 7, 2016, the court conditionally certified under the FLSA a collective action consisting of all individuals who entered into a distributor agreement with Lepage Bakeries Park Street, LLC or CK Sales Co., LLC after December 2, 2012. The court excluded from the class distributors operating in the State of Maine. Plaintiffs also allege in their complaint Vermont state law wage and consumer fraud claims.
Noll v. Flowers Foods, Inc., Lepage Bakeries Park Street, LLC, and CK Sales Co., LLC | On December 3, 2015, Timothy Noll filed a complaint against the company and certain of its subsidiaries in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maine. On January 20, 2017, the court conditionally certified under the FLSA a collective action consisting of all individuals who entered into a distributor agreement with Lepage Bakeries Park Street, LLC or CK Sales Co., LLC after December 3, 2012. The court limited the class to distributors operating within the State of Maine. Plaintiff also alleges in his complaint Maine state law wage claims.
Zapata et al. v. Flowers Foods, Inc. and Flowers Baking Co. of Houston, LLC | On March 14, 2016, Raul Zapata and certain other plaintiffs filed a complaint against the company and one of its subsidiaries in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas. On December 20, 2016, the court conditionally certified under the FLSA a collective action consisting of all individuals who entered into a distributor agreement with Flowers Baking Co. of Houston, LLC after December 13, 2013. The court limited the class to distributors in the State of Texas who hired helpers.
Rodriguez et al. v. Flowers Foods, Inc. and Flowers Baking Co. of Houston, LLC | On January 28, 2016, David Rodriguez and certain other plaintiffs filed a complaint against the company and one of its subsidiaries in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas. On December 13, 2016, the court conditionally certified under the FLSA a collective action consisting of all individuals who entered into a distributor agreement with Flowers Baking Co. of Houston, LLC after December 13, 2013. The court limited the class to distributors in the State of Texas who did not hire helpers.
Richard et al. v. Flowers Foods, Inc., Flowers Baking Co. of Lafayette, LLC, Flowers Baking Co. of Baton Rouge, LLC, Flowers Baking Co. of Tyler, LLC and Flowers Baking Co. of New Orleans, LLC | On October 21, 2015, Antoine Richard and certain other plaintiffs filed a complaint against the company and certain of its subsidiaries in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana. On November 28, 2016, the court conditionally certified under the FLSA a collective action consisting of all individuals who entered into a distributor agreement with Flowers Baking Co. of Lafayette, LLC, Flowers Baking Co. of Baton Rouge, LLC, and Flowers Baking Co. of Tyler, LLC. The court limited the class to distributors operating within the State of Louisiana. Plaintiffs also allege in their complaint a Louisiana state law wage claim. On February 15, 2017, the court allowed Plaintiffs to reassert claims against Flowers Baking Co. of New Orleans, LLC, which previously had been dismissed from the case.
Carr et al. v. Flowers Foods, Inc. and Flowers Baking Co. of Oxford, LLC |  | On December 1, 2015, Matthew Carr and certain other plaintiffs filed a complaint against the company and one of its subsidiaries in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. On January 26, 2017, the Court conditionally certified under the FLSA a collective action consisting of all individuals who entered into a distributor agreement with Flowers Baking Co. of Oxford, LLC after December 1, 2012. Plaintiffs also allege in their complaint New York, Pennsylvania, and Maryland state law wage claims.
Boulange v. Flowers Foods, Inc. and Flowers Baking Co. of Oxford, LLC |  | On March 24, 2016, Luke Boulange filed a complaint against the company and one of its subsidiaries in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey. Thereafter, this case was transferred to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and consolidated with the Carr litigation. On January 26, 2017, the Court conditionally certified under the FLSA a collective action consisting of all individuals who entered into a distributor agreement with Flowers Baking Co. of Oxford, LLC after December 1, 2012. Plaintiff also alleges in his complaint New Jersey state law wage claims.
The company and/or its respective subsidiaries are vigorously defending all of these lawsuits. Given the stage of the complaints and the claims and issues presented, except for lawsuits disclosed herein that have reached a settlement or agreement in principle, a loss is reasonably possible but the company cannot reasonably estimate at this time the possible loss or range of loss that may arise from the unresolved lawsuits. On November 8, 2016, Flowers Foods' subsidiary, Lepage Bakeries, reached an agreement to settle a lawsuit seeking class action treatment (Bokanoski et al. v. Lepage Bakeries Park Street, LLC and CK Sales Co., LLC), originally filed by Bart Bokanoski and certain other plaintiffs in the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut on January 6, 2015, for $1.25 million, including attorneys' fees. The settlement also includes certain non-economic terms which are intended to strengthen and enhance the independent contractor model. This agreement, which includes 49 territories, is subject to court approval. This settlement was recorded in selling, distribution and administrative expenses in our Consolidated Statements of Income during the third quarter of our fiscal 2016. On August 12, 2016, a class action complaint was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York by Chris B. Hendley (the “Hendley complaint”) against the company and certain senior members of management (collectively, the “defendants”). On August 17, 2016, another class action complaint was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York by Scott Dovell, II (the “Dovell complaint” and together with the Hendley complaint, the “complaints”) against the defendants. Plaintiffs in the complaints are securities holders that acquired company securities between February 7, 2013 and August 10, 2016. The complaints generally allege that the defendants made materially false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that (1) the company’s labor practices were not in compliance with applicable federal laws and regulations; (2) such non-compliance exposed the company to legal liability and/or negative regulatory action; and (3) as a result, the defendants’ statements about the company’s business, operations, and prospects were false and misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis. The counts of the complaints are asserted against the defendants pursuant to Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act and Rule 10b-5 under the Exchange Act. The complaints seek (1) class certification under the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, (2) compensatory damages in favor of the plaintiffs and all other class members against the defendants, jointly and severally, for all damages sustained as a result of wrongdoing, in an amount to be proven at trial, including interest, and (3) awarding plaintiffs and the class their reasonable costs and expenses incurred in the actions, including counsel and expert fees. On October 21, 2016, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York consolidated the complaints into one action captioned “In re Flowers Foods, Inc. Securities Litigation” (the “consolidated action”), appointed Walter Matthews as lead plaintiff (“lead plaintiff”), and appointed Glancy Prongay & Murray LLP and Johnson & Weaver, LLP as co-lead counsel for the putative class. On November 21, 2016, the court granted defendants’ and lead plaintiff’s joint motion to transfer the consolidated action to the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Georgia. Lead plaintiff filed his Consolidated Class Action Complaint (“Complaint”) on January 12, 2017, raising the same counts and general allegations and seeking the same relief as the Dovell and Hendley complaints. Pursuant to the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Georgia’s scheduling order, defendants must answer, move, or otherwise respond to the Complaint by March 13, 2017, lead plaintiff must file an opposition brief by May 12, 2017, and defendants must file any reply memoranda by June 12, 2017. The company and/or its respective subsidiaries are vigorously defending these lawsuits. Given the stage of the complaints and the claims and issues presented, the company cannot reasonably estimate at this time the possible loss or range of loss, if any, that may arise from the unresolved lawsuits. See Note 12, Debt, Lease and Other Commitments, for additional information on the company’s commitments.

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