The Kraft Heinz Company Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2015 Results

The Kraft Heinz Company (NASDAQ: KHC) (“Kraft Heinz” or the “Company”) today reported fourth quarter and full year 2015 financial results that reflected strong gains in profitability from improved operations and the ongoing integration of Kraft and Heinz.

“The important integration work and financial results we delivered in 2015 set a solid base on which we can drive sustainable growth across our global business,” said Kraft Heinz CEO Bernardo Hees. “We are working to implement proven management methodologies, remove inefficient spending and streamline our organization, while investing in our brands and innovation to drive long-term profitable growth. We believe that all of this positions Kraft Heinz for a strong performance in 2016 and beyond.”

Q4 2015 Financial Summary

Pro forma net sales were $7.1 billion, down 5.0 percent versus the year-ago period, primarily driven by a negative 6.1 percentage point impact from currency and a negative 0.5 percentage point impact from divestitures that was partially offset by a 4.7 percentage point benefit from a 53rd week of shipments. Pro Forma Organic Net Sales decreased 3.1 percent versus the year-ago period. Net pricing increased 0.7 percentage points reflecting gains from pricing in all segments that were partially offset by a negative impact of approximately 1.5 percentage points related to lower overall key commodity costs in the United States and Canada.(3) Volume/mix decreased 3.8 percentage points as strong growth in ketchup and sauces globally was more than offset by lower shipments in ready-to-drink beverages, frozen meals and coffee in the United States and Canada.

Adjusted Pro Forma EBITDA increased 10.9 percent versus the year-ago period to $1.9 billion, despite a negative 9.4 percentage point impact from currency that was partially offset by a benefit of approximately 4.5 percentage points from a 53rd week of shipments. Excluding these factors, gains from cost savings initiatives(4) and favorable pricing net of commodity costs were partially offset by unfavorable volume/mix.

Adjusted Pro Forma EPS increased 10.7 percent versus the year-ago period to $0.62 from $0.56, including an approximate $0.03 benefit from a 53rd week of shipments. This increase primarily reflected the growth in Adjusted Pro Forma EBITDA, partially offset by a higher tax rate compared to the prior year.

Q4 2015 Business Segment Highlights

United States

United States pro forma net sales were $5.1 billion, up 0.2 percent versus the year-ago period, including a 4.6 percentage point benefit from a 53rd week of shipments. Pro Forma Organic Net Sales decreased 4.4 percent. Net pricing increased 0.2 percentage points as higher net pricing across most categories was mostly offset by a negative impact of approximately 2.0 percentage points related to lower overall key commodity costs. Volume/mix decreased 4.6 percentage points due to lower shipments in ready-to-drink beverages and frozen meals. These factors were partially offset by favorable volume/mix from innovation in Lunchables as well as strong growth in condiments and sauces.

United States Segment Adjusted EBITDA increased 18.3 percent versus the year-ago period to $1.3 billion, including a benefit of approximately 4.5 percentage points from a 53rd week of shipments. Excluding this impact, gains from cost savings initiatives and favorable pricing net of commodity costs, primarily in dairy, were partially offset by unfavorable volume/mix.

Canada

Canada pro forma net sales were $632 million, down 16.1 percent versus the year-ago period, primarily due to a negative 15.4 percentage point impact from currency that was partially offset by a 4.1 percentage point benefit from a 53rd week of shipments. Pro Forma Organic Net Sales decreased 4.8 percent versus the year-ago period. Net pricing increased 2.3 percentage points. Significant pricing across most categories related to higher input costs in local currency were partially offset by approximately 2.0 percentage points related to lower overall key commodity costs, primarily in dairy. Volume/mix decreased 7.1 percentage points due to shipment timing and lower volumes in foodservice, Tassimo coffee and refreshment beverages.

Canada Segment Adjusted EBITDA decreased 7.2 percent versus the year-ago period to $167 million, primarily driven by a negative 16.6 percentage point impact from currency that was partially offset by a benefit of approximately 3.5 percentage points from a 53rd week of shipments. Excluding these factors, Adjusted EBITDA growth was driven by favorable pricing net of higher local input costs and gains from cost savings initiatives that were partially offset by unfavorable volume/mix.

Europe

Europe pro forma net sales were $640 million, down 14.4 percent versus the year-ago period, primarily due to a negative 7.8 percentage point impact from currency and a negative 4.2 percentage point impact from divestitures that were partially offset by a 3.5 percentage point benefit from a 53rd week of shipments. Pro Forma Organic Net Sales decreased 5.9 percent versus the year-ago period. Net pricing increased 0.4 percentage points driven by higher pricing in condiments and sauces in most markets. Volume/mix decreased 6.3 percentage points due to lower volumes in soup in the U.K., partially offset by growth in ketchup and other condiments.

Europe Segment Adjusted EBITDA increased 3.3 percent versus the year-ago period to $248 million, despite a negative 13.4 percentage point impact from currency that was partially offset by a benefit of approximately 4.0 percentage points from a 53rd week of shipments. Excluding these factors, gains from cost savings initiatives and improved product mix were partially offset by lower volumes.

Rest of World(5)

Rest of World pro forma net sales were $770 million, down 16.6 percent versus the year-ago period, due to a negative 32.7 percentage point impact from currency, including a negative 14.9 percentage point impact from the devaluation of the Venezuelan bolivar in June 2015, that was partially offset by a 6.5 percentage point benefit from a 53rd week of shipments. Pro Forma Organic Net Sales increased 9.6 percent versus the year-ago period. Net pricing increased 3.2 percentage points, driven by significant pricing related to higher input costs in local currencies in RIMEA(5) and higher net pricing in sauces in Asia. Volume/mix increased 6.4 percentage points due to strong growth in sauces in Asia and ketchup across all geographies.

Rest of World Segment Adjusted EBITDA decreased 12.2 percent versus the year-ago period to $172 million primarily due to a negative 55.5 percentage point impact from currency, including a negative 34.0 percentage point impact from the devaluation of the Venezuelan bolivar in June 2015, that was partially offset by a benefit of approximately 6.0 percentage points from a 53rd week of shipments. Excluding these factors, Adjusted EBITDA growth was driven by favorable volume/mix and gains from cost savings initiatives.

End Notes

(1) Pro Forma Organic Net Sales, Adjusted Pro Forma EBITDA and Adjusted Pro Forma EPS are non-GAAP financial measures. Please see discussion of non-GAAP financial measures and the reconciliations at the end of this press release for more information.

(2) The Company revised Q4 2014 Adjusted Pro Forma EPS to $0.56 from the previously published $0.50 to reflect a correction in tax rates applied to certain non-GAAP adjustments.

(3) The Company's key commodities in the United States and Canada are dairy, meat, coffee and nuts.

(4) Cost savings initiatives include the Company's integration, restructuring and ongoing productivity efforts.

(5) Rest of World is comprised of three operating segments: Asia Pacific; Latin America; and, Russia, India, the Middle East and Africa (“RIMEA”).

Webcast and Conference Call Information

A webcast of The Kraft Heinz Company's fourth quarter and full year 2015 earnings conference call will be available at ir.kraftheinzcompany.com. The call begins today at 5 p.m. Eastern time.

ABOUT THE KRAFT HEINZ COMPANY

The Kraft Heinz Company (NASDAQ: KHC) is the fifth-largest food and beverage company in the world. A globally trusted producer of delicious foods, The Kraft Heinz Company provides high quality, great taste and nutrition for all eating occasions whether at home, in restaurants or on the go. The Company’s iconic brands include Kraft, Heinz, ABC, Capri Sun, Classico, Jell-O, Kool-Aid, Lunchables, Maxwell House, Ore-Ida, Oscar Mayer, Philadelphia, Planters, Plasmon, Quero, Weight Watchers Smart Ones and Velveeta. The Kraft Heinz Company is dedicated to the sustainable health of our people, our planet and our Company. For more information, visit www.kraftheinzcompany.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains a number of forward-looking statements. Words such as “deliver,” “drive,” “grow,” “invest,” “accelerate,” “believe,” “will,” and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding our plans, investments, execution, growth and integration. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and beyond the Company's control.

Important factors that may affect the Company's business and operations and that may cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, increased competition; the Company's ability to maintain, extend and expand its reputation and brand image; the Company's ability to differentiate its products from other brands; the consolidation of retail customers; the Company's ability to predict, identify and interpret changes in consumer preferences and demand; the Company's ability to drive revenue growth in its key product categories, increase its market share, or add products; an impairment of the carrying value of goodwill or other indefinite-lived intangible assets; volatility in commodity, energy and other input costs; changes in the Company's management team or other key personnel; the Company's inability to realize the anticipated benefits from the Company's cost savings initiatives; changes in relationships with significant customers and suppliers; execution of the Company's international expansion strategy; changes in laws and regulations; legal claims or other regulatory enforcement actions; product recalls or product liability claims; unanticipated business disruptions; failure to successfully integrate the Company; the Company's ability to complete or realize the benefits from potential and completed acquisitions, alliances, divestitures or joint ventures; economic and political conditions in the nations in which the Company operates; the volatility of capital markets; increased pension, labor and people-related expenses; volatility in the market value of all or a portion of the derivatives that the Company uses; exchange rate fluctuations; disruptions in information technology networks and systems; the Company's inability to protect intellectual property rights; impacts of natural events in the locations in which the Company or its customers, suppliers or regulators operate; the Company's indebtedness and ability to pay such indebtedness; the Company's dividend payments on its Series A Preferred Stock; tax law changes or interpretations; pricing actions; and other factors. For additional information on these and other factors that could affect the Company's forward-looking statements, see the Company's risk factors, as they may be amended from time to time, set forth in its filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). The Company disclaims and does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement in this press release, except as required by applicable law or regulation.

Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information (the “financial information”) presented in this release illustrates the estimated effects of the merger (the “2015 Merger”) consummated on July 2, 2015 of Kraft Foods Group, Inc. (“Kraft”) with and into a wholly-owned subsidiary of H.J. Heinz Holding Corporation (“Heinz”), the related equity investments and common stock conversion, the application of the acquisition method of accounting, and conformance of accounting policies. The financial information is presented as if the 2015 Merger had been consummated on December 30, 2013, the first business day of the Company’s 2014 fiscal year, and combines the historical results of Kraft and Heinz. For additional information on the 2015 Merger, please refer to the Company’s filings with the SEC.

The financial information was prepared using the acquisition method of accounting, which requires, among other things, that assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination be recognized at their fair values as of the completion of the acquisition. The Company utilized estimated fair values at the closing date of the 2015 Merger for the preliminary allocation of consideration to the net tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Our purchase price allocation is substantially complete with the exception of identifiable intangible assets, certain income tax accounts and goodwill. During the measurement period, the Company will continue to obtain information to assist in determining the fair value of net assets acquired, which may differ materially from these preliminary estimates.

The historical consolidated financial statements have been adjusted in the accompanying financial information to give effect to unaudited pro forma events that are (1) directly attributable to the 2015 Merger, (2) factually supportable and (3) expected to have a continuing impact on the results of operations of the combined company.

The financial information has been prepared based upon currently available information and assumptions deemed appropriate by management. This financial information is not necessarily indicative of what the Company’s results of operations actually would have been had the 2015 Merger been completed as of December 30, 2013. In addition, the financial information is not indicative of future results or current financial conditions and does not reflect any additional anticipated synergies, operating efficiencies, cost savings or any integration costs that may result from the 2015 Merger.

This financial information should be read in conjunction with historical financial statements and accompanying notes filed with the SEC. Certain reclassifications have been made to the historical Kraft and Heinz results to align accounting policies and eliminate intercompany sales in all periods presented.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

To supplement the financial information, the Company has presented Pro Forma Organic Net Sales, Adjusted Pro Forma EBITDA and Adjusted Pro Forma EPS, which are considered non-GAAP financial measures. The non-GAAP financial measures provided should be viewed in addition to, and not as an alternative for, the financial measures prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) that are provided.

The non-GAAP financial measures presented in this release may differ from non-GAAP financial measures presented by other companies, and other companies may not define these non-GAAP financial measures in the same way. Pro Forma Organic Net Sales, Adjusted Pro Forma EBITDA and Adjusted Pro Forma EPS are not substitutes for their comparable GAAP financial measures, such as net sales, operating income, diluted earnings per share (“EPS”), or other measures prescribed by GAAP, and there are limitations to using non-GAAP financial measures.

The Company defines Pro Forma Organic Net Sales as pro forma net sales excluding the impact of currency, acquisitions, divestitures and the 53rd week of shipments when it occurs. The Company calculates the impact of currency on net sales by holding exchange rates constant at the previous year's exchange rate, with the exception of Venezuela following the Company's June 28, 2015 devaluation of the Venezuelan bolivar and remeasurement of assets and liabilities of its Venezuelan subsidiary, for which it calculates the previous year's results using the current year's exchange rate. Management believes that presenting Pro Forma Organic Net Sales is useful to investors because it (i) provides investors with meaningful supplemental information regarding financial performance by excluding certain items; (ii) permits investors to view performance using the same tools that management uses to budget, make operating and strategic decisions, and evaluate historical performance; and (iii) otherwise provides supplemental information that may be useful to investors in evaluating the Company's results.

The Company defines Adjusted Pro Forma EBITDA as pro forma operating income/(loss) excluding the impacts of depreciation and amortization (including amortization of postretirement benefit plan prior service credits), integration and restructuring expenses, merger costs, unrealized gains/(losses) on commodity hedges, equity award compensation expense, impairment losses, gains/(losses) on the sale of a business and nonmonetary currency devaluation. The Company also presents Adjusted Pro Forma EBITDA on a constant currency basis. The Company calculates the impact of currency on Adjusted Pro Forma EBITDA by holding exchange rates constant at the previous year's exchange rate, with the exception of Venezuela following the Company's June 28, 2015 devaluation of the Venezuelan bolivar and remeasurement of assets and liabilities of its Venezuelan subsidiary, for which it calculates the previous year's results using the current year's exchange rate. Adjusted Pro Forma EBITDA is a tool intended to assist management in comparing the Company's performance on a consistent basis for purposes of business decision-making by removing the impact of certain items that management believes do not directly reflect core operations.

The Company defines Adjusted Pro Forma EPS as pro forma diluted EPS excluding the impacts of integration and restructuring expenses, merger costs, unrealized gains/(losses) on commodity hedges, impairment losses, gains/(losses) on the sale of a business, nonmonetary currency devaluation and the timing of preferred dividends. Management uses Adjusted Pro Forma EPS to assess operating performance on a consistent basis.

See the attached schedules for supplemental financial data, which includes the financial information, the non-GAAP financial measures and corresponding reconciliations for the relevant periods.

Note: The consolidated statements of income for the years ended January 3, 2016 and December 28, 2014 reflect the results for Heinz for both periods and the results of Kraft Heinz for the period after the 2015 Merger occurred on July 2, 2015.

(1) Cash distributions for Series A Preferred Stock totaled $360 million and $900 million for the quarter and year ended January 3, 2016, respectively. This reflected one additional dividend payment versus the prior year made during the fourth quarter due to the fact that, in connection with the December 8, 2015 Common Stock dividend declaration, the Company was required to accelerate payment of the Series A Preferred Stock dividend from March 7, 2016 to December 8, 2015.

Note: The pro forma condensed combined statements of income for the quarters and years ended January 3, 2016 and December 28, 2014 reflect the results of operations of Kraft and Heinz as if they had been combined in all periods presented. Refer to Schedules 10, 11 and 12 for additional information.

(1) Integration & restructuring expenses in cost of products sold were as follows: $178 million in the fourth quarter of 2015 ($119 million after-tax), $118 million in the fourth quarter of 2014 ($87 million after-tax), $479 million in the full year 2015 ($322 million after-tax), and $535 million in the full year 2014 ($409 million after-tax).

(2) Integration & restructuring expenses in selling, general and administrative expenses were as follows: $258 million in the fourth quarter of 2015 ($172 million after-tax), $123 million in the fourth quarter of 2014 ($91 million after-tax), $638 million in the full year 2015 ($428 million after-tax), and $208 million in the full year 2014 ($160 million after-tax).

(3) Cash distributions for Series A Preferred Stock totaled $360 million and $900 million for the quarter and year ended January 3, 2016, respectively. This reflected one additional dividend payment versus the prior year made during the fourth quarter due to the fact that, in connection with the December 8, 2015 Common Stock dividend declaration, the Company was required to accelerate payment of the Series A Preferred Stock dividend from March 7, 2016 to December 8, 2015.

Note: The reconciliation of pro forma net sales to Pro Forma Organic Net Sales reflects the results of Kraft and Heinz as if they had been combined in all periods presented.

(1) The Company increased Europe Pro Forma Organic Net Sales by $7 million from the amount previously published for the quarter ended December 28, 2014 to reflect a correction to the Impact of Divestitures.

Note: The reconciliation of pro forma net sales to Pro Forma Organic Net Sales reflects the results of Kraft and Heinz as if they had been combined in all periods presented.

(1) The Company increased Europe Pro Forma Organic Net Sales by $16 million from the amount previously published for the year ended December 28, 2014 to reflect a correction to the Impact of Divestitures.

Note: The reconciliation of pro forma operating income to Adjusted Pro Forma EBITDA reflects the results of Kraft and Heinz as if they had been combined in all periods presented.

Note: The reconciliation of Adjusted Pro Forma EBITDA to Constant Currency Adjusted Pro Forma EBITDA reflects the results of Kraft and Heinz as if they had been combined in all periods presented.

Note: The reconciliation of Adjusted Pro Forma EBITDA to Constant Currency Adjusted Pro Forma EBITDA reflects the results of Kraft and Heinz as if they had been combined in all periods presented.

Note: The reconciliation of pro forma diluted EPS to Adjusted Pro Forma EPS reflects the results of Kraft and Heinz as if they had been combined in all periods presented.

(1) Cash distributions for Series A Preferred Stock totaled $360 million and $900 million for the quarter and year ended January 3, 2016, respectively. This reflected one additional dividend payment versus the prior year made during the fourth quarter due to the fact that, in connection with the December 8, 2015 Common Stock dividend declaration, the Company was required to accelerate payment of the Series A Preferred Stock dividend from March 7, 2016 to December 8, 2015. For purposes of calculating Adjusted Pro Forma EPS, the Company excluded the additional preferred dividend payment paid in December 2015.

(2) The Company revised Adjusted Pro Forma EPS for the quarter and year ended December 28, 2014 to $0.56 and $1.98 from the previously published $0.50 and $1.94, respectively, to reflect a correction in tax rates applied to certain non-GAAP adjustments.

Note: The condensed consolidated balance sheet at January 3, 2016 reflects the financial position of Kraft Heinz. The condensed consolidated balance sheet at December 28, 2014 reflects only the financial position of Heinz, because the 2015 Merger occurred on July 2, 2015.

(1) Represents the change to align Kraft to Kraft Heinz's accounting policy for postemployment benefit plans.

(2) Reflects 2015 Merger-related adjustments including the change to align Kraft to Kraft Heinz's accounting policy for postemployment benefit plans; incremental amortization resulting from the fair value adjustment of Kraft's definite-lived intangible assets; and, incremental compensation expense due to the fair value remeasurement of certain of Kraft's equity awards.

(3) Represents the incremental change in interest expense resulting from the fair value adjustment of Kraft's long-term debt in connection with the 2015 Merger, including the elimination of the historical amortization of deferred financing fees and amortization of original issuance discount.

(4) Represents the income tax effect of pro forma adjustments utilizing a 38.5% weighted average statutory tax rate.

(1) Represents the change to align Kraft to Kraft Heinz's accounting policy for postemployment benefit plans.

(2) Reflects 2015 Merger-related adjustments including the change to align Kraft to Kraft Heinz's accounting policy for postemployment benefit plans; incremental amortization resulting from the fair value adjustment of Kraft's definite-lived intangible assets; and, incremental compensation expense due to the fair value remeasurement of certain of Kraft's equity awards.

(3) Represents the incremental change in interest expense resulting from the fair value adjustment of Kraft's long-term debt in connection with the 2015 Merger, including the elimination of the historical amortization of deferred financing fees and amortization of original issuance discount.

(4) Represents the income tax effect of pro forma adjustments utilizing a 38.5% weighted average statutory tax rate.

(1) Historical Kraft activity reflects activity for the period from December 29, 2014 to July 2, 2015, prior to the 2015 Merger.

(2) Represents the change to align Kraft to Kraft Heinz's accounting policy for postemployment benefit plans and the elimination of nonrecurring non-cash costs related to the fair value adjustment of Kraft's inventory in purchase accounting.

(3) Reflects 2015 Merger-related adjustments including the change to align Kraft to Kraft Heinz's accounting policy for postemployment benefit plans; incremental amortization resulting from the fair value adjustment of Kraft's definite-lived intangible assets; incremental compensation expense due to the fair value remeasurement of certain of Kraft's equity awards; and, nonrecurring deal costs incurred in connection with the 2015 Merger.

(4) Represents the incremental change in interest expense resulting from the fair value adjustment of Kraft's long-term debt in connection with the 2015 Merger, including the elimination of the historical amortization of deferred financing fees and amortization of original issuance discount.

(5) Represents the income tax effect of pro forma adjustments utilizing a 38.5% weighted average statutory tax rate.

(6) Cash distributions for Series A Preferred Stock totaled $900 million for the year ended January 3, 2016. This reflected one additional dividend payment versus the prior year made during the fourth quarter due to the fact that, in connection with the December 8, 2015 Common Stock dividend declaration, the Company was required to accelerate payment of the Series A Preferred Stock dividend from March 7, 2016 to December 8, 2015.

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