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Stock-Based Compensation | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 28, 2024
Share-Based Payment Arrangement [Abstract] |
Stock-Based Compensation | Note 20. Stock-Based Compensation On March 5, 2014, our Board of Directors approved and adopted the 2014 Omnibus Equity and Incentive Compensation Plan (“Omnibus Plan”). The Omnibus Plan was approved by our shareholders on May 21, 2014 and authorized 8,000,000 shares to be used for awards under the Omnibus Plan. The Omnibus Plan authorizes the compensation committee of the Board of Directors to provide equity-based compensation in the form of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance shares, performance units, dividend equivalents and other awards to provide our officers, key employees, and non-employee directors’ incentives and rewards for performance. The Omnibus Plan replaced the Flowers Foods’ 2001 Equity and Performance Incentive Plan, as amended and restated as of April 1, 2009 (“EPIP”), the Stock Appreciation Rights Plan, and the Annual Executive Bonus Plan. All outstanding equity awards that were made under the EPIP will continue to be governed by the EPIP; however, all equity awards granted after May 21, 2014 are governed by the Omnibus Plan. No additional awards will be issued under the EPIP. On May 25, 2023, the company amended and restated the Omnibus Plan to register an additional 9,340,000 shares. The following is a summary of restricted stock and deferred stock outstanding under the plans described above. Information relating to the company’s stock appreciation rights, which were issued under a separate stock appreciation right plan, is also described below. Performance-Contingent Restricted Stock Awards Performance-Contingent Total Shareholder Return Shares (“TSR Shares”) Since 2012, certain key employees have been granted performance-contingent restricted stock under the EPIP and the Omnibus Plan in the form of TSR Shares. Awards granted since the beginning of Fiscal 2019 vest approximately three years from the date of grant (after the filing of the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K). These shares become non-forfeitable if, and to the extent that, on that date the vesting conditions are satisfied. The total shareholder return (“TSR”) is the percent change in the company’s stock price over the measurement period plus the dividends paid to shareholders. The performance payout is calculated at the end of each of the last four quarters (averaged) in the measurement period. Once the TSR is determined for the company (“Company TSR”), it is compared to the TSR of our food company peers (“Peer Group TSR”). The Company TSR compared to the Peer Group TSR will determine the payout as set forth below (the “TSR Modifier”):
Percentile |  | Payout as % of Target |
90 th |  |  | 200 | %
70 th |  |  | 150 | %
50 th |  |  | 100 | %
30 th |  |  | 50 | %
Below 30 th |  |  | 0 | %
For performance between the levels described above, the degree of vesting is interpolated on a linear basis. The table below presents the payout percentage for vested TSR awards:
Award |  | Fiscal year vested |  | Payout (%)
2021 award |  | Fiscal 2024 |  | 128%
2020 award |  | Fiscal 2023 |  | 148%
2019 award |  | Fiscal 2022 |  | 137%
The TSR Shares vest immediately if the grantee dies or becomes disabled. For awards granted subsequent to Fiscal 2023, if the grantee retires after attaining at least age 55, provided that the sum of the grantee's age plus years of service is an amount equal to or greater than 65, on the normal vesting date the grantee will receive a pro-rated number of shares based upon the retirement date and measured at the actual performance for the entire performance period. For awards granted prior to Fiscal 2024, if the grantee retires at age 65 (or age 55 with at least 10 years of service with the company) or later, on the normal vesting date the grantee will receive a pro-rated number of shares based upon the retirement date and measured at the actual performance for the entire performance period. In addition, if the company undergoes a change in control, the TSR Shares will immediately vest at the target level, provided that if 12 months of the performance period have been completed, vesting will be determined based on Company TSR as of the date of the change in control without application of four-quarter averaging. During the vesting period, the grantee has none of the rights of a shareholder. Dividends declared during the vesting period will accrue and will be paid at vesting on the TSR Shares that ultimately vest. The fair value estimate was determined using a Monte Carlo simulation model, which utilizes multiple input variables to estimate the probability of the company achieving the market condition discussed above. Inputs into the model included the following for the company and comparator companies: (i) TSR from the beginning of the performance cycle through the measurement date; (ii) volatility; (iii) risk-free interest rates; and (iv) the correlation of the comparator companies’ TSR. The inputs are based on historical capital market data. The 2022 TSR award is expected to payout at approximately 13%. The following performance-contingent TSR Shares have been granted under the Omnibus Plan and have service period remaining (amounts in thousands, except price data):
Grant Date |  | Shares Granted |  |  | Vesting Date |  | Fair Value per Share |
1/2/2022 |  |  | 331 |  |  | 3/1/2025 |  | $ | 31.97 |
4/24/2022 |  |  | 16 |  |  | 3/1/2025 |  | $ | 27.38 |
7/17/2022 |  |  | 3 |  |  | 3/1/2025 |  | $ | 27.06 |
10/9/2022 |  |  | 3 |  |  | 3/1/2025 |  | $ | 24.55 |
1/1/2023 |  |  | 338 |  |  | 3/1/2026 |  | $ | 33.52 |
4/23/2023 |  |  | 9 |  |  | 3/1/2026 |  | $ | 26.11 |
9/1/2023 |  |  | 25 |  |  | 3/1/2026 |  | $ | 23.04 |
10/8/2023 |  |  | 40 |  |  | 3/1/2026 |  | $ | 21.43 |
12/31/2023 |  |  | 272 |  |  | 2/28/2027 |  | $ | 26.07 |
As of December 28, 2024, there was $9.4 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested TSR Shares granted under the Omnibus Plan. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.63 years. Performance-Contingent Return on Invested Capital Shares (“ROIC Shares”) Certain key employees have been granted performance-contingent restricted stock under the Omnibus Plan in the form of ROIC Shares. The awards generally vest approximately three years from the date of grant (after the filing of the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K), and the shares become nonforfeitable if, and to the extent that, on that date, the vesting conditions are satisfied. Return on Invested Capital (“ROIC”) is calculated by dividing our profit, as defined, by the invested capital. Generally, the performance condition requires the company’s average ROIC to exceed its average weighted cost of capital (“WACC”) by between 1.50 to 4.50 percentage points for the Fiscal 2024 award and 1.75 to 4.75 percentage points for the Fiscal 2023 and Fiscal 2022 awards (the “ROI Target”) over the three fiscal year performance period. If the lowest ROI Target is not met, the awards are forfeited. The ROIC Shares can be earned based on the ranges of target as defined below:
Difference of ROIC minus WACC |  | 2024 Award
Less than 150 basis points |  | 0%
150 basis points |  | 50%
300 basis points |  | 100%
450+ basis points |  | 150%
Difference of ROIC minus WACC |  | 2023 and 2022 Award
Less than 175 basis points |  | 0%
175 basis points |  | 50%
375 basis points |  | 100%
475+ basis points |  | 125%
For performance between the levels described above, the degree of vesting is interpolated on a linear basis. The table below presents the payout percentage for vested ROIC awards:
Award |  | Fiscal year vested |  | Payout (%)
2021 award |  | Fiscal 2024 |  | 125%
2020 award |  | Fiscal 2023 |  | 125%
2019 award |  | Fiscal 2022 |  | 125%
The ROIC Shares vest immediately if the grantee dies or becomes disabled. For awards granted subsequent to Fiscal 2023, if the grantee retires after attaining at least age 55, provided that the sum of the grantee's age plus years of service is an amount equal to or greater than 65, on the normal vesting date the grantee will receive a pro-rated number of shares based upon the retirement date and measured at the actual performance for the entire performance period. For awards granted prior to Fiscal 2024, if the grantee retires at age 65 (or age 55 with at least 10 years of service with the company) or later, on the normal vesting date the grantee will receive a pro-rated number of ROIC Shares based upon the retirement date and actual performance for the entire performance period. In addition, if the company undergoes a change in control, the ROIC Shares will immediately vest at the target level. During the vesting period, the grantee has none of the rights of a shareholder. Dividends declared during the vesting period will accrue and will be paid at vesting on the ROIC Shares that ultimately vest. The fair value of this type of award is equal to the stock price on the grant date. Since these awards have a performance condition feature, the expense associated with these awards may change depending on the expected ROI Target attained at each reporting period. The 2022 award is being expensed at our current estimated payout percentage of 125% of ROI Target, and the 2023 and 2024 awards are being expensed at 100%. The following performance-contingent ROIC Shares have been granted under the Omnibus Plan and have service period remaining (amounts in thousands, except price data):
Grant Date |  | Shares Granted |  |  | Vesting Date |  | Fair Value per Share |
1/2/2022 |  |  | 331 |  |  | 3/1/2025 |  | $ | 27.47 |
4/24/2022 |  |  | 16 |  |  | 3/1/2025 |  | $ | 27.38 |
7/17/2022 |  |  | 3 |  |  | 3/1/2025 |  | $ | 27.06 |
10/9/2022 |  |  | 3 |  |  | 3/1/2025 |  | $ | 24.55 |
1/1/2023 |  |  | 338 |  |  | 3/1/2026 |  | $ | 28.74 |
4/23/2023 |  |  | 9 |  |  | 3/1/2026 |  | $ | 26.11 |
9/1/2023 |  |  | 25 |  |  | 3/1/2026 |  | $ | 23.04 |
10/8/2023 |  |  | 40 |  |  | 3/1/2026 |  | $ | 21.43 |
12/31/2023 |  |  | 272 |  |  | 2/28/2027 |  | $ | 22.51 |
As of December 28, 2024, there was $8.3 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested ROIC Shares granted under the Omnibus Plan. This cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.63 years. Performance-Contingent Restricted Stock Summary The table below presents the TSR Modifier share adjustment, ROIC Modifier share adjustment, accumulated dividends on vested shares, and the tax windfall/shortfall at vesting of the performance-contingent restricted stock awards (amounts in thousands except for share data):
Award granted |  | Fiscal year vested |  | TSR Modifier increase shares |  |  | ROIC Modifier increase shares |  |  | Dividends at vesting (thousands) |  |  | Tax benefit |  |  | Fair value at vesting |
2021 |  | 2024 |  |  | 92,775 |  |  |  | 83,835 |  |  | $ | 2,173 |  |  | $ | 286 |  |  | $ | 19,419 |
2020 |  | 2023 |  |  | 151,513 |  |  |  | 78,893 |  |  | $ | 2,154 |  |  | $ | 1,424 |  |  | $ | 24,652 |
2019 |  | 2022 |  |  | 109,729 |  |  |  | 74,154 |  |  | $ | 1,843 |  |  | $ | 2,196 |  |  | $ | 22,143 |
A summary of the status of all of the company’s nonvested shares for performance-contingent restricted stock (including the TSR Shares and the ROIC Shares) for Fiscal 2024, 2023, and 2022 is set forth below (amounts in thousands, except price data):
|  | Fiscal 2024 |  |  | Fiscal 2023 |  |  | Fiscal 2022 |
|  | Number of Shares |  |  | Weighted Average Fair Value |  |  | Number of Shares |  |  | Weighted Average Fair Value |  |  | Number of Shares |  |  | Weighted Average Fair Value |
Balance at beginning of year |  |  | 2,017 |  |  | $ | 27.70 |  |  |  | 2,009 |  |  | $ | 25.83 |  |  |  | 1,972 |  |  | $ | 22.89 |
Initial grant |  |  | 544 |  |  | $ | 24.29 |  |  |  | 824 |  |  | $ | 29.37 |  |  |  | 706 |  |  | $ | 29.41 |
Vested |  |  | (846 | ) |  | $ | 24.40 |  |  |  | (868 | ) |  | $ | 23.51 |  |  |  | (778 | ) |  | $ | 20.25 |
Grant increase for achieving the ROIC modifier |  |  | 84 |  |  | $ | 22.51 |  |  |  | 79 |  |  | $ | 29.37 |  |  |  | 74 |  |  | $ | 29.41 |
Grant increase for achieving the TSR modifier |  |  | 93 |  |  | $ | 26.07 |  |  |  | 152 |  |  | $ | 29.37 |  |  |  | 110 |  |  | $ | 29.41 |
Forfeitures |  |  | (57 | ) |  | $ | 27.94 |  |  |  | (179 | ) |  | $ | 27.80 |  |  |  | (75 | ) |  | $ | 25.48 |
Balance at end of year |  |  | 1,835 |  |  | $ | 27.85 |  |  |  | 2,017 |  |  | $ | 27.70 |  |  |  | 2,009 |  |  | $ | 25.83 |
As of December 28, 2024, there was $17.7 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested restricted stock granted under the Omnibus Plan. This cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.63 years. Time-Based Restricted Stock Units Certain key employees have been granted time-based restricted stock units (“TBRSU Shares”). These awards vest on the fifth of January each year in equal installments over a three-year period beginning in Fiscal 2020. Dividends earned on shares are held by the company during the vesting period and paid in cash when the awards vest and shares are distributed. On May 23, 2019, the company’s CEO was granted TBRSU Shares of approximately $1.0 million pursuant to the Omnibus Plan. This award vested 100% during the second quarter of Fiscal 2023. Dividends accrued on the award and were paid to the CEO on the vesting date. There were 43,330 shares issued for this award at a fair value of $23.08 per share. The following TBRSU Shares have been granted under the Omnibus Plan and have service periods remaining (amounts in thousands, except price data):
Grant Date |  | Shares Granted |  |  | Vesting Date |  | Fair Value per Share |
1/2/2022 |  |  | 205 |  |  | Equally over 3 years |  | $ | 27.47 |
1/1/2023 |  |  | 220 |  |  | Equally over 3 years |  | $ | 28.74 |
2/27/2023 |  |  | 11 |  |  | 1/5/2024 |  | $ | 28.33 |
9/1/2023 |  |  | 54 |  |  | Equally over 3 years |  | $ | 23.04 |
9/17/2023 |  |  | 10 |  |  | Equally over 3 years |  | $ | 22.90 |
12/31/2023 |  |  | 818 |  |  | Equally over 3 years |  | $ | 22.51 |
2/16/2024 |  |  | 7 |  |  | Equally over 3 years |  | $ | 22.42 |
7/14/2024 |  |  | 23 |  |  | Equally over 3 years |  | $ | 21.92 |
The TBRSU Shares activity for Fiscal 2024, 2023 and 2022 is set forth below (amounts in thousands, except price data):
|  | Fiscal 2024 |  |  | Fiscal 2023 |  |  | Fiscal 2022 |
|  | Number of Shares |  |  | Weighted Average Fair Value |  |  | Number of Shares |  |  | Weighted Average Fair Value |  |  | Number of Shares |  |  | Weighted Average Fair Value |
Nonvested shares at beginning of year |  |  | 473 |  |  | $ | 26.67 |  |  |  | 462 |  |  | $ | 24.62 |  |  |  | 492 |  |  | $ | 21.87 |
Granted |  |  | 848 |  |  | $ | 22.51 |  |  |  | 295 |  |  | $ | 27.47 |  |  |  | 205 |  |  | $ | 27.47 |
Vested |  |  | (255 | ) |  | $ | 25.75 |  |  |  | (251 | ) |  | $ | 23.78 |  |  |  | (215 | ) |  | $ | 21.03 |
Forfeitures |  |  | (79 | ) |  | $ | 24.07 |  |  |  | (33 | ) |  | $ | 26.87 |  |  |  | (20 | ) |  | $ | 24.39 |
Nonvested shares at end of year |  |  | 987 |  |  | $ | 23.56 |  |  |  | 473 |  |  | $ | 26.67 |  |  |  | 462 |  |  | $ | 24.62 |
Deferred Stock Non-employee directors may convert their annual board retainers into deferred stock equal in value to 100% of the cash payments directors would otherwise receive and the vesting period is a one-year period to match the period of time that cash would have been received if no conversion existed. Accumulated dividends are paid upon delivery of the shares. During Fiscal 2024, non-employee directors elected to receive, and were granted, an aggregate grant of 6,663 common shares for board retainer deferrals pursuant to the Omnibus Plan which common shares will vest during the first quarter of Fiscal 2025. During the first quarter of Fiscal 2023, non-employee directors elected to receive, and were granted, an aggregate grant of 3,479 common shares for board retainer deferrals pursuant to the Omnibus Plan which common shares vested during the first quarter of Fiscal 2024. Non-employee directors received 14,764 shares of previously deferred board retainer deferrals during Fiscal 2024. Non-employee directors also receive annual grants of deferred stock. This deferred stock vests one year from the grant date. The deferred stock will be distributed to the grantee at a time designated by the grantee at the date of grant. Compensation expense is recorded on this deferred stock over the one-year vesting period. During the second quarter of Fiscal 2024, non-employee directors were granted 72,270 shares for their annual grant pursuant to the Omnibus Plan. During the second quarter of Fiscal 2023, non-employee directors were granted 59,400 shares, of which 17,820 were deferred, for their annual grant pursuant to the Omnibus Plan that vested during the second quarter of Fiscal 2024. Additionally, during the third quarter of Fiscal 2023, an aggregate of 4,660 shares were granted to two newly elected non-employee directors, representing a prorated portion of the annual grant pursuant to the Omnibus Plan which vested during the second quarter of Fiscal 2024. Non-employee directors received 5,700 shares of previously deferred annual grant awards during Fiscal 2024. Compensation expense is recorded on deferred stock over the vesting period. The deferred and restricted stock activity for Fiscal 2024, 2023, and 2022 is set forth below (amounts in thousands, except price data):
|  | Fiscal 2024 |  |  | Fiscal 2023 |  |  | Fiscal 2022 |
|  | Number of Shares |  |  | Weighted Average Fair Value |  |  | Number of Shares |  |  | Weighted Average Fair Value |  |  | Number of Shares |  |  | Weighted Average Fair Value |
Nonvested shares at beginning of year |  |  | 68 |  |  | $ | 26.26 |  |  |  | 62 |  |  | $ | 27.37 |  |  |  | 67 |  |  | $ | 24.00 |
Granted |  |  | 77 |  |  | $ | 23.38 |  |  |  | 68 |  |  | $ | 26.26 |  |  |  | 62 |  |  | $ | 27.37 |
Vested |  |  | (66 | ) |  | $ | 25.70 |  |  |  | (62 | ) |  | $ | 27.37 |  |  |  | (67 | ) |  | $ | 24.00 |
Nonvested shares at end of year |  |  | 79 |  |  | $ | 23.52 |  |  |  | 68 |  |  | $ | 26.26 |  |  |  | 62 |  |  | $ | 27.37 |
Vested and deferred shares at end of year (1) |  |  | 218 |  |  |  |  |  |  | 214 |  |  |  |  |  |  | 212 |  |  |  |
(1) The vested and deferred shares at the end of the year include 58,772 shares, 71,237 shares, and 82,779 shares granted and deferred under the EPIP for Fiscal 2024, Fiscal 2023, and Fiscal 2022, respectively. The vested and deferred shares at the end of the year include 159,335 shares, 142,582 shares, and 128,978 shares granted and deferred under the Omnibus Plan for Fiscal 2024, Fiscal 2023, and Fiscal 2022, respectively. As of December 28, 2024, there was $0.7 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to deferred and restricted stock awards. This cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 0.40 years. The intrinsic value of deferred stock awards that vested during Fiscal 2024 was $1.9 million. There was an immaterial tax windfall on the exercise of deferred share awards during Fiscal 2024. Share-Based Payments Compensation Expense Summary The following table summarizes the company’s stock-based compensation expense, which was primarily recognized in selling, distribution, and administrative expense, for Fiscal 2024, 2023, and 2022 (amounts in thousands):
|  | Fiscal 2024 |  |  | Fiscal 2023 |  |  | Fiscal 2022 |
Performance-contingent restricted stock awards |  | $ | 18,076 |  |  | $ | 19,654 |  |  | $ | 18,943 |
TBRSU shares |  |  | 9,871 |  |  |  | 6,381 |  |  |  | 5,184 |
Deferred stock awards |  |  | 1,796 |  |  |  | 910 |  |  |  | 1,695 |
Total stock-based compensation expense |  | $ | 29,743 |  |  | $ | 26,945 |  |  | $ | 25,822 |

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