Thomas K. Pigott
Thanks, Dave. Overall, the company delivered improved performance against a strong comparative period. In addition, investments were made to support future growth. Second quarter consolidated net sales increased by 1.7% to $518 million. Breaking down the revenue performance, net pricing was accretive by approximately 140 basis points. Core volume and product mix drove a 130 basis point decline. In addition, the company reported $8.2 million in sales, or 160 basis points of growth, that resulted from a temporary supply agreement with WynnWin Foods, the seller of the Atlanta-based manufacturing facility that we acquired last year. We entered into this agreement to facilitate the closing of the transaction. It's important to note that these temporary and non-core sales are expected to conclude during the quarter ended March 31, 2026. Consolidated gross profit increased by $4.5 million or 3.4% versus the prior year quarter to $137.3 million, and reported gross margin expanded by 40 basis points. The gross profit growth was driven by our productivity program, where we benefited from cost savings across a number of areas including procurement, manufacturing, value engineering, and distribution. In addition, our pricing actions offset the higher commodity costs we experienced during the quarter. Note that excluding the $8.2 million in sales from the temporary supply agreement, which did not contribute meaningfully to gross profit, adjusted gross margin expanded by 80 basis points. Selling, general, and administrative expenses grew by $3.3 million or 5.8%. The increase was primarily driven by higher marketing spend as we invested to support the continued growth of our retail brands and the expanded launch of Texas Roadhouse Rolls. Note that last year, SG&A expenses included acquisition-related costs of $1.6 million. During the quarter, the company recorded $1.7 million in restructuring and impairment charges. The charges are attributed to a non-cash impairment charge on manufacturing equipment in our foodservice segment as well as the planned closure of our sauce and dressing facility in Lopitas, California, that we previously announced. Consolidated reported operating income decreased by $500,000. The gross profit growth was offset by the higher investments we made in SG&A and the restructuring impairment costs. Excluding the restructuring impairment charges and the acquisition-related costs recorded in the prior year, adjusted operating income declined by $400,000. Our tax rate for the quarter was 22.6%, versus 22.5% in the prior year quarter. We estimate our tax rate for the remainder of the fiscal year '26 to be 23%. Second quarter diluted earnings per share increased $0.37 or 20.8% to $2.15. Note that in the prior year, we took a pension settlement charge of 39¢. In addition to the acquisition-related costs, which totaled $0.05. In the current year quarter, the restructuring impairment charges totaled $0.05 per share. With regard to capital expenditures, our payments for property additions totaled $17.7 million for the quarter. For fiscal 2026, we are forecasting total capital expenditures between $75 million and $85 million. We will continue to invest in both cost savings projects and other manufacturing improvements as well as the Atlanta facility we acquired last year. In addition to investing in our business, we also return funds to shareholders. Our quarterly cash dividend of $1 per share paid on December 31, represented a 5% increase from the prior year's amount. It marked sixty-three consecutive years of regular cash dividend increases. In addition to the $27.6 million paid in dividends, the company repurchased $20.1 million in common stock in the second quarter. Our financial position remains strong with a debt-free balance sheet and over $201 million in cash. And as Dave will discuss, we plan to take advantage of that strong position to invest for further growth with the acquisition of Bachan's. As we complete the first half of the year, we're pleased to report growth in net sales of 3.6% and adjusted net sales of 1.7%. Reported and adjusted gross margin reflected increases of thirty and eighty basis points, respectively. Reported operating income was up 2.2% while adjusted operating income increased 3.1%. In addition, operating cash flow grew by $30.6 million or 24%. To wrap up my commentary, our results demonstrate strong execution across a number of areas that drove solid top and bottom-line performance in a difficult operating environment. In addition, we returned funds to shareholders through our increased dividend and share repurchase. And also continued to make investments to support further growth and cost savings. I'll now turn it back over to Dave for his closing remarks. Thank you.