Caseys General Stores Inc 10-K for FY2025
Caseys General Stores Inc (CASY)
10-K
2025-06-23
For: 2025-04-30
View Original
Added on
April 10, 2026
About this 10-K
Caseys General Stores Inc filed this 10-K on June 23, 2025, covering the fiscal year ended April 30, 2025 (FY2025).
Headline figures
Fiscal year ended April 30, 2025, as reported in this filing, compared with the same period a year earlier where the filing states it.
- Revenue
- $15.94B
- up 7.3% from $14.86B a year earlier
- Net income
- $546.52M
- up 8.9% from net income of $501.97M a year earlier
- Diluted EPS
- $14.64
- up 9.0% from $13.43 a year earlier
United States
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 | |||||
For the Fiscal Year Ended April 30 , 2025
OR
Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 | |||||
Commission File Number 001-34700
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) | |||||||
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
(515 ) 965-6100
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Securities Registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act
| Title of each class | Trading Symbol(s) | Name of each exchange on which registered | ||||||
Securities Registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act
NONE
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act. Yes ☐ No ☒
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer", "accelerated filer", "smaller reporting company," and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act
| ☒ | Accelerated filer | ☐ | |||||||||||||||
| Non-accelerated filer | ☐ | Smaller reporting company | |||||||||||||||
| Emerging growth company | |||||||||||||||||
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. ☒
If securities are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act, indicate by check mark whether the financial statements of the registrant included in the filing reflect the correction of an error to previously issued financial statements ☐
Indicate by check mark whether any of those error corrections are restatements that required a recovery analysis of incentive-based compensation received by any of the registrant’s executive officers during the relevant recovery period pursuant to § 240.10D-1(b). ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒
The aggregate market value of the registrant’s common stock held by non-affiliates as of October 31, 2024, was approximately $14.6 billion based on the closing sales price ($394.02 per share) as quoted on the NASDAQ Global Select Market.
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s class of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
| Class | Outstanding at June 18, 2025 | |||||||
| Common Stock, no par value per share | ||||||||
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Certain information called for by Items 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 of Part III is hereby incorporated by reference from the definitive Proxy Statement to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with the Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission not later than 120 days after April 30, 2025.
FORM 10-K
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| PART I | ITEM 1. | ||||||||||
| ITEM 1A. | |||||||||||
| ITEM 1B. | |||||||||||
| ITEM 1C. | |||||||||||
| ITEM 2. | |||||||||||
| ITEM 3. | |||||||||||
| ITEM 4. | |||||||||||
| PART II | ITEM 5. | ||||||||||
| ITEM 6. | |||||||||||
| ITEM 7. | |||||||||||
| ITEM 7A. | |||||||||||
| ITEM 8. | |||||||||||
| ITEM 9. | |||||||||||
| ITEM 9A. | |||||||||||
| ITEM 9B. | |||||||||||
| ITEM 9C. | |||||||||||
| PART III | ITEM 10. | ||||||||||
| ITEM 11. | |||||||||||
| ITEM 12. | |||||||||||
| ITEM 13. | |||||||||||
| ITEM 14. | |||||||||||
| PART IV | ITEM 15. | ||||||||||
| ITEM 16. | |||||||||||
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PART I
| ITEM 1. | BUSINESS | ||||
The Company
As of April 30, 2025, Casey’s General Stores, Inc. and its direct and indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries operate convenience stores primarily under the names "Casey's" and "Casey’s General Store" (collectively, with the stores below referenced as "GoodStop", "CEFCO", "Bucky's", or "Lone Star Food Store", referred to as "Casey's" or the "Company") throughout 20 states, approximately half of which are located in Iowa, Missouri and Illinois. On November 1, 2024, the Company closed on the acquisition of Fikes Wholesale and Group Petroleum Services (collectively "Fikes"), owner of CEFCO Convenience Stores, which added 198 total stores, including 148 additional stores in Texas, as well as 50 stores in Alabama, Florida, and Mississippi, which are the first stores Casey's has operated in these states. The acquisition also included the Company's first fuel terminal, located in Waco, Texas.
Approximately 71% of all stores were opened in areas with populations of fewer than 20,000 persons. The Company competes on the basis of price, as well as on the basis of traditional features of convenience store operations such as location, extended hours, product offerings, and quality of service. As of April 30, 2025, there were a total of 2,904 stores in operation.
All convenience stores carry a broad selection of food items (which at most stores includes, but is not limited to, freshly prepared foods such as regular and breakfast pizza, donuts, hot breakfast items, and hot and cold sandwiches), beverages, tobacco and nicotine products, groceries, health and beauty aids, automotive products, and other non-food items. As of April 30, 2025, 260 store locations offered car washes. In addition, all but six store locations offer fuel for sale on a self-service basis.
The Company had 63 stores operating under the "GoodStop (by Casey’s)" brand, 12 stores operating under the "Lone Star Food Store" brand, and was also temporarily operating certain locations under the name "Bucky's" as of April 30, 2025. Additionally, the majority of the stores acquired from Fikes are currently operating under the "CEFCO" brand. Similar to most of our store footprint, the "GoodStop", "Lone Star Food Store", "Bucky's" and "CEFCO" locations offer fuel for sale on a self-serve basis, and a broad selection of snacks, beverages, tobacco products, and other essentials. However, some of these locations do not have a kitchen and have limited prepared food offerings.
As part of the Fikes transaction, the Company expanded its wholesale network where Casey’s manages fuel wholesale supply agreements to certain dealer sites and other wholesale locations. The dealer and wholesale locations are not operated by Casey's and are not included in our overall store count discussed previously. Approximately 2% of total revenue for the year-ended April 30, 2025 relates to this fuel wholesale network.
The Company operates three distribution centers, through which certain grocery and general merchandise and prepared food and dispensed beverage items are supplied to most of our stores. One distribution center is adjacent to our corporate headquarters, which we refer to as the Store Support Center, in Ankeny, Iowa. The other two distribution centers are located in Terre Haute, Indiana and Joplin, Missouri. The Company also self-distributes the majority of fuel to our stores. The Company had a fleet of approximately 500 tractors used for distribution as of April 30, 2025.
The Company’s internet address is www.caseys.com. We make available through our website all of our SEC filings, including current reports on Form 8-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, our annual report on Form 10-K, and amendments to those reports, free of charge as soon as reasonably practicable after they have been electronically filed with the SEC. Additionally, you can go to our website to read our Financial Code of Ethics for the CEO and Senior Financial Officers, Corporate Governance Guidelines, Code of Conduct and Ethics, Supplier Code of Conduct, and Committee Charters. In the event of a waiver from, or updates to, the Code of Conduct and Ethics, any required disclosure will be posted to our website.
Casey’s, with its principal business office, and Store Support Center, located at One SE Convenience Blvd., Ankeny, Iowa 50021-8045 (telephone 515-965-6100), was incorporated in Iowa in 1967. Our fiscal year runs from May 1 through April 30 of each year.
General
Casey's corporate purpose is to make life better for communities and guests every day. Many of the smaller communities in which we operate are often not served by national-chain convenience stores. We have succeeded in operating stores in smaller towns by offering, at competitive prices, a broader selection of products than does a typical convenience store. We have also succeeded in meeting the needs of residents in larger communities with these same offerings. We currently own most of our real estate, including substantially all of our stores, all three distribution centers (see discussion of ownership structure of the distribution center in Joplin, Missouri in Note 7), a fuel terminal, a construction and support services facility located in Ankeny, Iowa, and the Store Support Center facility.
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The Company derives its revenue primarily from the retail sale of fuel and the products offered in our stores. Our sales historically have been strongest during the first and second fiscal quarters (May through October) relative to the third and fourth fiscal quarters (November through April). In warmer weather, guests tend to purchase greater quantities of fuel and certain convenience items such as beer, sports drinks, water, soft drinks, and ice.
Corporate Subsidiaries
Casey's Marketing Company ("CMC") and Casey's Services Company ("CSC") were organized as Iowa corporations in March 1995. Casey’s Retail Company ("CRC") was organized as an Iowa corporation in April 2004. CGS Stores, LLC was organized as an Iowa limited liability company in April 2019. CMC, CSC, and CRC are wholly-owned subsidiaries of Casey’s, while CGS Stores, LLC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of CMC.
CRC owns and/or operates certain stores in Illinois, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota, holds the rights to the Company's trademarks, service marks, trade names, and other intellectual property, and performs most corporate and strategic functions of the enterprise. CMC owns and/or operates stores in Arkansas, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Missouri, Ohio, Oklahoma, Wisconsin, and Texas, and is responsible for wholesale operations, including all three distribution centers and management of the wholesale fuel network. CGS Stores, LLC owns and/or operates stores in Tennessee. CSC provides a variety of construction, maintenance and transportation services for all stores.
During the fiscal year, as part of the Fikes acquisition, CMC acquired 100% of the equity interests in CEFCO Stores, LLC and Fikes Wholesale, LLC, and CSC acquired 100% of the equity interests in Group Petroleum Services, LLC ("GPS"), each of which, upon closing, was a Texas limited liability company. These acquired entities currently own and/or operate 198 retail convenience stores under the CEFCO brand name in Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, and Texas, provide fuel and fuel transportation to these stores, manage the acquired fuel wholesale network, and operate the fuel terminal.
Store Operations
Products Offered
The Company delivers value to its guests through a differentiated product assortment where the right products are optimally placed, priced and promoted to drive traffic, revenue and profit. It is our practice to continually make additions and changes to the Company’s product line, especially products with higher margins such as prepared food and our new private label offerings, described below. To facilitate the prepared food offerings, we have installed full kitchens in almost all of our stores, other than those branded as "Bucky's", "GoodStop" and "Lone Star Food Store." Additionally, the majority of the CEFCO stores have kitchens and proprietary hot food programs that differ from the Casey's food offering.
The Company's flagship product is its pizza, which we began preparing and selling in 1984. Pizza is available in almost all of our Casey's stores, and select CEFCO stores, as of April 30, 2025. Additional stores selling pizza will come on line as newly acquired stores are remodeled and kitchens are added. We have also expanded our prepared food offerings, which currently includes made to order cheesy breadsticks, sandwiches and wraps, chicken wings, chicken tenders, breakfast croissants and biscuits, breakfast pizza, breakfast burritos, hash browns, burgers, and bakery items, which currently includes donuts, cookies and brownies, as well as other seasonal items.
The growth in our prepared food and dispensed beverage program reflects the Company’s strategy to promote high-margin products that are compatible with convenience store operations. In the last three fiscal years, retail sales of prepared food and dispensed beverage and grocery and general merchandise items have generated about 34% of our total revenue, but they have resulted in approximately 63% of our revenue less cost of goods sold (excluding depreciation and amortization). Revenue less cost of goods sold (excluding depreciation and amortization) as a percentage of revenue on prepared food and dispensed beverage items averaged approximately 58% for the three fiscal years ended April 30, 2025.
Each Casey’s store typically carries over 3,000 packaged food, beverage and non-food items. The selection is a blend of differentiated private label products, as well as favored national and regional brands. Our assortment includes product across the following categories:
•non-alcoholic beverages (soft drinks, energy, water, sports drinks, juices, coffee, tea and dairy)
•alcoholic beverages (beer, wine and spirits)
•packaged foods (snacks, candy, packaged bakery and other food items)
•tobacco and nicotine products
•frozen foods (ice, ice cream, meals and appetizers)
•non-foods (health and beauty aids, automotive, electronic accessories, and housewares)
•services (ATM, lotto/lottery and prepaid cards)
All but six stores offer retail motor fuel products for sale on a self-service basis. Gasoline and diesel fuel are sold under the Casey’s name (or other brands discussed previously) at the majority of our locations.
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The Company offers the Casey's Rewards program to bring value to guests and improve the digital guest experience. As part of this program, guests can earn points from online, in-store, or at the pump purchases. Points earned can be redeemed for donations to a local school of the guest's choice, fuel discounts, or Casey's Cash, which can be used on many products sold in our stores. The Rewards program is delivered through Casey’s mobile application. In addition to earning points, guests may receive other program benefits such as special offers and bonus points. At the end of the fiscal year, the Company has over 9 million members enrolled in the program.
Store Design
Casey’s constructs stores that are primarily freestanding and, with a few exceptions to accommodate local conditions, conform to standard construction specifications. We have a range of store designs differing in size and offerings. Store lots have sufficient frontage and depth to permit adequate drive-in parking facilities on one or more sides of each store. Each new store typically includes 4 to 6 islands of fuel dispensers and storage tanks with capacity for 44,000 to 70,000 gallons of fuel. The merchandising display follows a standard layout designed to encourage a flow of guest traffic through all sections of every store. Nearly all locations feature a bright sign which displays the Casey’s, CEFCO, GoodStop, Bucky's, or Lone Star Food Store name and trade/service marks.
Almost all stores remain open at least sixteen hours per day, seven days a week. Hours of operation may be adjusted on a store-by-store basis to accommodate guest traffic patterns.
Store Locations
The Company historically has located many of its stores in smaller towns not served by national-chain convenience stores. We believe that a Casey’s store provides a service generally not otherwise available in smaller towns and that a convenience store in an area with limited population can be profitable if it stresses sales volume and competitive prices. Our store-site selection criteria emphasizes the population of the immediate area and daily highway traffic volume.
Retail Fuel Operations
Retail fuel sales are an important part of our revenue and earnings. The following table summarizes (dollars and gallons in thousands) retail fuel sales for the last three fiscal years ended April 30:
| Year ended April 30, | |||||||||||||||||
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||||||
| Number of gallons sold | 3,196,852 | 2,828,669 | 2,672,366 | ||||||||||||||
| Total retail fuel revenue | $ | 9,776,033 | $ | 9,402,071 | $ | 10,027,310 | |||||||||||
| Percentage of total revenue | 61.3 | % | 63.3 | % | 66.4 | % | |||||||||||
| Total retail fuel revenue less cost of goods sold (excluding depreciation and amortization) | $ | 1,236,694 | $ | 1,116,671 | $ | 1,074,913 | |||||||||||
| Percentage of revenue less cost of goods sold (excluding depreciation and amortization) | 12.7 | % | 11.9 | % | 10.7 | % | |||||||||||
| Average retail price per gallon | $ | 3.06 | $ | 3.32 | $ | 3.75 | |||||||||||
| Average revenue less cost of goods sold per gallon (excluding depreciation and amortization) | 38.68 | ¢ | 39.48 | ¢ | 40.22 | ¢ | |||||||||||
| Average number of gallons sold per store* | 1,123 | 1,102 | 1,092 | ||||||||||||||
| * | Includes only those stores in operation at least one full year on April 30 of the fiscal year indicated. | ||||
Average retail prices of fuel during the year decreased 7.8% from prior year, while the total number of gallons sold during this period increased by 13.0%. Gallons sold were positively impacted by a growing store count as we operated 246 more stores than the prior year. Average revenue less cost of goods sold (excluding depreciation and amortization) per gallon decreased by 2.0%.
Percentage of revenue less cost of goods sold (excluding depreciation and amortization) represents the fuel revenue less cost of goods sold (excluding depreciation and amortization) divided by the gross fuel sales dollars. As retail fuel prices fluctuate in a period of consistent gross margin per gallon, the percentage will also fluctuate in an inverse relationship to fuel price. For additional information concerning the Company’s fuel operations, see Item 7, below.
Distribution and Wholesale Arrangements
CMC supplies most of our stores with various groceries, food, health and beauty aids, and general merchandise from our three distribution centers. The stores place orders for merchandise electronically to the Store Support Center, and the orders are filled with shipments in Company-operated delivery trucks from one of the distribution centers, based on route optimization for
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the fleet network. Most of our existing and proposed stores are within the three distribution centers' optimum efficiency range—a radius of approximately 500 miles around each distribution center.
In fiscal 2025, a majority of the food and non-food items supplied to stores through the distribution centers were purchased directly from manufacturers. While we consider long-term contracts for potential favorability against short-term contracts, long-term supply contracts are not typically entered into with the suppliers of products sold by our stores. We believe the practice enables us to respond to changing market conditions with minimal impact on margins.
In addition to the products discussed above, CMC supplies the majority of fuel to our stores. Additionally, CMC, along with certain of the newly acquired Fikes entities, supply fuel on a wholesale basis to dealer sites and other wholesale locations. We have entered into various purchase agreements related to our fuel supply, which include varying volume commitments. Prices included in the purchase agreements are indexed to market prices.
Human Capital
Our employees, who we refer to as Team Members, are critical to our business operations and the success of the Company. As of April 30, 2025, we had 23,338 full-time, and 25,934 part-time, Team Members. Approximately 94% are store Team Members, 1% are field management and related Team Members, 1% work in and support our three distribution centers, 1% are fuel or grocery drivers and 3% work out of the Store Support Center, or perform Store Support Center functions.
We are not a party to any collective bargaining agreements with our Team Members and believe the working relationship with our Team Members is good.
Core Values
Casey’s CARES about our communities and guests. We believe our people and culture are our foundation for success. Our core values are part of our evolution to build a culture of commitment – Casey’s CARES:
C – Commitment: We work hard to be the best and have a good time doing it.
A – Authenticity: We’re true to our roots by having high integrity and being low ego.
R – Respect: We treat people the way they want to be treated.
E – Evolving: We’re driven to build a better future for ourselves and for our business.
S – Service: We put service first and take pride in caring for our guests, our communities, and each other.
We believe these core values serve as a solid foundation for how we treat our Team Members, how they treat one another and how we operate our business as a whole.
Team Member Value Proposition ("TMVP")
We believe that the future success of the Company depends in large part on our ability to attract, train, retain, and motivate qualified Team Members. We have a defined TMVP that is grounded in four pillars that support what Team Members value in their employment at Casey's.
•Career Growth – providing development, coaching and ultimately pathways for career growth.
•Engaging Work – simplifying work, providing skill training, transparent communications and goal alignment.
•Living Casey’s CARES Culture – clarity and alignment to mission and vision of the company, making work fun, supportive & caring leaders, and a welcoming culture.
•Well-being – fair and competitive pay, meaningful benefits & recognition, support for work-life balance.
As such, we are committed to providing market-competitive pay and benefits for all positions and offer performance-based compensation opportunities to certain of our full-time Team Members. In addition, the Company offers a 401(k) plan to eligible Team Members, with a 6% match made in Company stock, and all full-time Team Members are eligible for competitive health and welfare benefits, including medical, dental, vision, disability, life insurance and other benefits. Additionally, we offer the Casey's Team Member Support Fund, which is designed to help Team Members facing financial hardships due to catastrophic circumstances.
Workforce Composition
As of the end of the 2025 fiscal year, the Company's Board of Directors consisted of eleven members, five (or 45%) of which are diverse as to gender, and four (or 36%) of which are diverse to race and/or ethnicity. The extended leadership team, which includes all of our Vice-President level executives and above, consists of thirty-three members, 39% of which are diverse as to gender, race and/or ethnicity. Across our entire Team Member base, 57% of our Team Members are female and 17% are diverse as to race and/or ethnicity. We have a robust Anti Harassment and Discrimination Policy of which all Team Members are trained and expected to follow, and we have several mechanisms, including an Ethics and Compliance Hotline, under which Team Members and guests can report a wide range of incidents confidentially or anonymously and without fear of retaliation.
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Education and Training
The Company, including its established Learning and Development Department, which serves all levels of the organization, invests significant time and resources in educating and training Team Members by providing them with educational, development and leadership opportunities. These opportunities are provided through a mix of formal onboarding training, safety training, in-person classes, virtual modules and “on-the-job” learning. For example, through its virtual modules, the Company offers over 500 hours of educational opportunities through over 730 classes. In addition, the Company has a formal leadership development program with core curriculum consisting of Development programs for Kitchen Managers, Store Managers, District Managers, a Leadership Excellence Certification, a Finance for Non-Financial Managers program, and an Individualized Development Program for all Officers based on their 360 assessments.
Competition
Our business is highly competitive. Food, including prepared foods, and non-food items similar or identical to those sold by the Company, are generally available from various competitors in the communities served by Casey’s and by certain online retailers. We believe our stores located in smaller towns compete principally with other local grocery and convenience stores, similar retail outlets, including "dollar" stores, and, to a lesser extent, prepared food outlets, restaurants, and expanded fuel stations offering a more limited selection of grocery and food items for sale. Stores located in more heavily populated communities may compete with local and national grocery and drug store chains, quick service restaurants, expanded fuel stations, supermarkets, discount food stores, and traditional convenience stores.
In addition to our inside store products, the fuel business is also highly competitive. The Company competes on the basis of brand, price, and convenience of our fuel products. Similar to inside, stores compete with larger store chains with expanded fuel offerings and increased buying power in more heavily populated communities.
Trademarks and Service Marks
The Company regularly evaluates its portfolio of intellectual property and takes steps to review potential new trademarks and service marks and to renew existing marks. The names "Casey’s", "Casey’s General Store", and "GoodStop (by Casey's)", the marks consisting of the Casey’s design logos (with the words "Casey’s" and "Casey’s General Store"), the weathervane, and certain of our private label product names, are registered trademarks and service marks under federal law. We believe these marks are important in promoting and advertising the Company’s business. In addition, the Company has a number of other registered and unregistered trademarks and service marks that are significant to the Company from an operational and branding perspective (e.g. "Casey’s Pizza", "The Official Pizza and Beer Headquarters", "Casey's Here for Good", "Casey’s Rewards", "Casey’s Cash", etc.). As part of the acquisition of Fikes, the Company acquired the "CEFCO" trademark and other relevant registered and unregistered trademarks and service marks.
Government Regulation (dollars in thousands)
Underground Storage Tanks
The United States Environmental Protection Agency and several states, including Iowa, have established requirements for owners and operators of underground fuel storage tanks (USTs) with regard to (i) maintenance of leak detection, corrosion protection, and overfill/spill protection systems; (ii) upgrade of existing tanks; (iii) actions required in the event of a detected leak; (iv) prevention of leakage through tank closings; and (v) required fuel inventory record keeping. Since 1984, our new stores have been equipped with noncorroding fiberglass USTs, including double-wall construction, overfill protection, and electronic tank monitoring. We believe that all capital expenditures for electronic monitoring, cathodic protection, and overfill/spill protection to comply with the existing UST regulations have been completed. Additional regulations or amendments to the existing UST regulations could result in future expenditures.
The majority of states in which we do business have trust fund programs with provisions for sharing or reimbursing corrective action or remediation costs incurred by UST owners, including the Company. For the years ended April 30, 2025, 2024, and 2023, we spent approximately $1,253, $966, and $653, respectively, for assessments and remediation. The majority of these expenditures were submitted for reimbursement from state-sponsored trust fund programs. The payments are typically subject to statutory provisions requiring repayment of the reimbursed funds for noncompliance with upgrade provisions or other applicable laws. None of the reimbursements received are currently expected to be repaid by the Company to the trust fund programs. At April 30, 2025 and 2024 we had an accrued liability of $385 and $299, respectively, for estimated expenses related to anticipated corrective actions or remediation efforts, including relevant legal and consulting costs. We believe we have no material joint and several environmental liability with other parties.
Age-Restricted Products
Almost all of our stores sell a variety of age-restricted products, which may include beer, liquor, tobacco and other nicotine products. The sale of these products is subject to significant regulations and require the Company to procure special sales licenses from local and/or state agencies, which govern their sale. While the costs to procure such licenses is not material,
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the failure to comply with the conditions of the licenses, or other age-restricted products laws, could result in the suspension or revocation of such licenses, or fines related thereto. In addition to these products, the Company is also subject to rules governing lottery and lotto sales as determined by state lottery commissions in each state in which we make such sales.
| ITEM 1A. | RISK FACTORS | ||||
You should carefully consider the risks described in this report before making a decision to invest in our securities. If any of such risks actually occur, our business, financial condition, and/or results of operations could be materially adversely affected. In that case, the trading price of our securities could decline and you might lose all or part of your investment.
Risks Related to Our Business Operations
Our business and our reputation could be adversely affected by a cyber or data security incident or the failure to protect sensitive guest, Team Member or supplier data, or the failure to comply with applicable regulations relating to data security and privacy.
In the normal course of our business, we obtain, are provided and have access to large amounts of personal data, including but not limited to credit and debit card information, personally identifiable information and other data from and about our guests, Team Members, and suppliers. A compromise or a breach in our systems, or another data security or privacy incident that results in the loss, unauthorized release, disclosure or acquisition of such data or information, or other sensitive data or information, or other internal or external cyber or data security threats, including but not limited to viruses, denial-of-service attacks, phishing attacks, social engineering attacks, ransomware attacks and other intentional or unintentional disruptions, could occur and have a material adverse effect on our operations and ability to operate, reputation, operating results and financial condition. In addition, similar events at vendors, third-party service providers or other market participants, whether or not we are directly impacted, could negatively affect our business and supply chain or lead to a general loss of guest confidence, which could result in reduced guest traffic and sales.
A data security or privacy incident of any kind could expose us to risk in terms of the loss, unauthorized release, disclosure or acquisition of sensitive guest, Team Member or supplier data, and could result in litigation or other regulatory action being brought against us and damages, monetary and other claims made by or on behalf of the payment card brands, guests, Team Members, shareholders, financial institutions and governmental agencies, or monetary demands or other extortion attempts from cybercriminals. Such events could give rise to substantial monetary damages and/or losses which are not covered, or in some instances fully covered, by our insurance policies and which could adversely affect our reputation, results of operations, financial condition and liquidity. Moreover, a data security or privacy incident could require that we expend significant additional resources on mitigation efforts and to further upgrade the security and other measures that we employ to guard against, and respond to, such incidents.
Food-safety issues and foodborne illnesses, whether actual or reported, or the failure to comply with applicable regulations relating to the transportation, storage, preparation or service of food, could adversely affect our business and reputation.
Instances or reports of food-safety issues, such as foodborne illnesses, food tampering, food contamination or mislabeling, either during growing, manufacturing, packaging, transportation, storage, preparation or service, have in the past significantly damaged the reputations and impacted the sales of companies in the food processing, grocery, convenience, quick service and “fast casual” restaurant sectors, and could affect us as well. Any instances of, or reports linking us to, foodborne illnesses or food tampering, contamination, mislabeling or other food-safety issues could damage the value of our brand and severely hurt sales of our prepared or other food products and possibly lead to product liability and personal injury claims, litigation (including class actions), government agency investigations and damages. In addition, guest preferences and store traffic could be adversely impacted by food-safety issues, health concerns or negative publicity about the consumption of our products or products we sell at our stores, which could damage our reputation and cause a decline in demand for those products and adversely impact our sales. In addition, we rely on our suppliers to provide quality ingredients and products and to comply with applicable food and food safety laws and industry standards. A failure of one of our suppliers to comply with such laws, to meet our quality standards, or to meet food industry standards, could also disrupt our supply chain, damage our reputation and adversely impact our sales.
We may be adversely impacted by increases in the cost of food ingredients and other related costs.
Our business is exposed to fluctuations in prices of commodities. Any increase in the cost or sustained high levels of the cost of cheese, proteins or other commodities could adversely affect the profitability of stores, particularly if we are unable to increase the retail price of our products to offset such costs. We regularly experience inflation in the price of commodities, including food ingredients, which increases our cost of goods sold. Cheese, representing our largest food cost, and other commodities can be subject to significant cost fluctuations due to weather, availability, global demand and other factors that are beyond our control. Additionally, increases in labor, mileage, insurance, fuel, and other costs related to the supply and
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transportation of food ingredients could adversely affect the profitability of our stores. Many of these factors are beyond our control, and we may not be able to adequately mitigate these costs or pass along these costs to our customers, given the significant competitive pricing in our industry.
A significant disruption to our distribution network, to the capacity of the distribution centers, or timely receipt of inventory could adversely impact our sales or increase our transaction costs, which could have a material adverse effect on our business.
We rely on our distribution and transportation network, which includes our drivers and distribution center Team Members, and the networks of our vendors and direct store delivery partners, to provide products to our distribution centers and stores in a timely and cost-effective manner. Any disruption, unanticipated or unusual expense or operational failure related to this process, including our inability, or that of our delivery partners, to hire and/or retain enough qualified drivers and distribution center Team Members to meet demand, could affect our store operations negatively.
We also depend on regular deliveries of products from third-parties to and from our facilities and stores that meet our specifications. In addition, we may have a single supplier or limited number of suppliers for certain products. While we believe there are adequate reserve quantities and alternative suppliers available, shortages or interruptions in the receipt or supply of products caused by unanticipated or changing demand, such as occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic, problems in production or distribution, financial or other difficulties of suppliers, cyber-related events, social unrest, inclement weather or other economic conditions, including the availability of qualified drivers and distribution center Team Members, could adversely affect the availability, quality and cost of products, and our operating results.
We could be adversely affected if we experience difficulties in, or are unable to recruit, hire or retain, members of our leadership team and other distribution, field and store Team Members.
We are dependent on the continued knowledge and efforts of our leadership team and other key Team Members. If, for any reason, our leadership team does not continue to be active in management, or we lose such persons, or other key Team Members, or we fail to identify and/or recruit for current or future leadership positions, our business, financial condition or results of operations could be adversely affected.
We also rely on our ability to recruit, hire and retain qualified drivers, distribution center Team Members, field management and store Team Members. Recent difficulties and shortages in the general labor market for such individuals, in particular hourly Team Members and drivers, and the failure to continue to attract and retain these individuals, especially at reasonable compensation levels in the current rising wage environment, could have a material adverse effect on the operation of individual stores, distribution network, our business and results of operations.
Any failure to anticipate and respond to changes in consumer preferences, or to introduce and promote innovative technology for guest interaction, could adversely affect our financial results.
Our continued success depends on our ability to remain relevant with respect to consumer needs and wants, attitudes toward our industry, and our guests’ preferences for ways of doing business with us, particularly with respect to digital engagement, contactless delivery, third-party delivery, curbside pick-up and other non-traditional ordering and delivery platforms. We must continually work to develop, produce and market new products, maintain and enhance the recognition of our brands, offer a favorable mix of products, and refine our approach as to how and where we market, sell and deliver our products. This risk is compounded by the use of digital media by consumers and the speed by which information and opinions are shared. Further, changes in consumer preferences, trends or perceptions of certain items we sell, or the ingredients therein, could cause consumers to avoid such items in favor of those that are or are perceived as healthier, lower-calorie, or lower in carbohydrates or otherwise based on their ingredients or nutritional content. If we are unable to anticipate and respond to sudden challenges or changes that we may face in the marketplace, trends in the market for our products and changing consumer demands and sentiment, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We rely on our information technology systems, and a number of third-party software providers, to manage numerous aspects of our business, and a disruption of these systems could adversely affect our business.
We are dependent on our information technology (IT) systems, and a large number of third-party software providers and platforms, to manage and operate numerous aspects of our business, develop our financial statements, provide analytical information to management and serve as a platform for our business continuity plan. Our IT systems, and the software and other technology platforms provided by our vendors and other third-parties, are an essential component of our business operations and growth strategies, and a serious disruption to any of these could significantly limit our ability to manage and operate our business efficiently. These systems are vulnerable to, among other things, damage and interruption, computer system and network failures, loss of telecommunications services, physical and electronic loss of, or loss of access to, data and information, security breaches or other security or cyber-related incidents, computer viruses or attacks and obsolescence. Any disruption could cause our business and competitive position to suffer and cause our operating results to be reduced.
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Increased credit card expenses could lead to higher operating expenses and other costs for the Company.
A significant percentage of our sales are made with credit cards. Because the interchange and other fees we pay when credit cards are used to make purchases, which the Company has little control over, are based on transaction amounts, higher fuel prices at the pump, higher gallon movement and other increases in price and sales of other items we sell in our stores directly result in higher credit card expenses. These additional fees directly increase operating expenses. Higher operating expenses that result from higher credit card fees may decrease our overall profit and have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Total credit card fees incurred in fiscal 2025 exceeded $250 million.
In addition, credit card providers now mandate that any fraudulent activity and related losses at fuel dispensers that do not accept certain chip technology (referred to as EMV) be borne by the retailers accepting those cards. While the Company has invested, and will continue to invest, a significant amount of resources in upgrading its fuel dispensers to accept EMV, and has implemented other fraud mitigation strategies, not all of its fuel dispensers have, or in the near future may, be upgraded to such technology. As such, it is possible that credit card providers could attempt to pass the costs of certain fraudulent activity at the non-upgraded dispensers to the Company, which if significant, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our operations present hazards and risks which may not be fully covered by insurance, if insured.
The scope and nature of our operations present a variety of operational hazards and risks that must be managed through continual oversight and control. As protection against hazards and risks, we maintain insurance against many, but not all, potential losses or liabilities arising from such risks. Uninsured or underinsured losses and liabilities from operating risks could reduce the funds available to us for capital and investment spending and could have a material adverse impact on the results of operations.
The dangers inherent in the storage and transport of fuel could cause disruptions and could expose to us potentially significant losses, costs or liabilities.
We store fuel in storage tanks at our retail locations and in the fuel terminal acquired in the recent Fikes transaction. Additionally, a significant portion of fuel is transported in our own trucks, instead of by third-party carriers. Our operations are subject to significant hazards and risks inherent in transporting and storing motor fuel. These hazards and risks include, but are not limited to, fires, explosions, traffic accidents, spills, discharges and other releases, any of which could result in distribution difficulties and disruptions, environmental pollution, government imposed fines or clean-up obligations, personal injury or wrongful death claims and other damage to our properties and the properties of others. As a result, any such event could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Consumer or other litigation could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
Our retail operations are characterized by a high volume of guest traffic and by transactions involving a wide array of product selections, including prepared food. Retail operations, and in particular our distribution and food-related operations, carry a higher exposure to consumer litigation risk when compared to the operations of companies operating in many other industries. Consequently, we are, and may become a party to, certain personal injury, food safety, product liability, accessibility, data security and privacy and other legal actions in the ordinary course of our business. While these actions are generally routine in nature, incidental to the operation of our business and immaterial in scope, if our assessment of any action or actions should prove inaccurate, our financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected.
Additionally, we are occasionally exposed to individual, industry-wide or class/collective-action claims arising from the products we carry, industry-specific business practices or other operational matters, including accessibility, consumer protection, wage-and-hour and other employment related individual and class/collective-action claims. Our defense costs and any resulting damage awards or settlement amounts may be significant and not be covered, or in some instances fully covered, by our insurance policies. Thus, an unfavorable outcome or settlement of one or more of these lawsuits could have a material adverse effect on our reputation, financial position, liquidity and results of operations.
Pandemics or disease outbreaks, responsive actions taken by governments and others to mitigate their spread, and guest behavior in response to these events, have, and may in the future, adversely affect our business operations, supply chain and financial results.
Pandemics or disease outbreaks have had, and may continue to have, adverse impacts on the Company’s business. These include, but are not limited to, decreased store traffic and changed guest behavior, decreased demand for our fuel, prepared food and other convenience offerings, decreased or slowed unit/store growth, issues with our supply chain including difficulties delivering products to our stores and obtaining certain items sold at our stores, issues with respect to our Team Members’ health, working hours and/or ability to perform their duties, and increased costs to the Company in response to these conditions and to protect the health and safety of our Team Members and guests.
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In addition, the general economic and other impacts related to responsive actions taken by governments and others to mitigate the spread of pandemics or disease outbreaks, including but not limited to stay-at-home, shelter-in-place and other travel restrictions, social distancing requirements, mask mandates, limitations on certain businesses’ hours and operations, limits on public gatherings and other events, and restrictions on what, and in certain cases how, certain products can be sold and offered to our guests, have, and may continue to, result in declines in store traffic and overall demand, increased operating costs, and decreased or slower unit/store growth. Further, although the Company’s business was deemed an “essential service” by many public authorities throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, allowing our operations to continue (in some cases in a modified manner), there are no guarantees the designation will continue, or be applied during a future pandemic or disease outbreak, which would require us to reduce our operations and potentially close stores for an undetermined period of time.
Covenants in our Senior Notes and credit facility agreements require us to comply with certain covenants and meet financial maintenance tests. Failure to comply with these requirements could have a material impact to us.
We are required to comply with certain financial and non-financial covenants under our existing Senior Notes and credit facility agreements. A breach of any covenant, even if unintentional, could result in a default or other negative consequences under such agreements, which could, if not timely cured, permit lenders to secure outstanding amounts, declare all amounts outstanding to be immediately due and payable, and/or to terminate such instruments, which in turn could have a material adverse effect on our business, liquidity, financial condition and results of operation.
Risks Related to Governmental Actions, Regulations, and Oversight
Compliance with and changes in tax laws could adversely affect our performance.
We are subject to extensive tax liabilities imposed by multiple jurisdictions, including but not limited to state and federal income taxes, indirect taxes (excise, sales/use, and gross receipts taxes), payroll taxes, property taxes, and tobacco taxes. Tax laws and regulations are dynamic and subject to change as new laws are passed, new administrations are elected and new interpretations of existing laws are issued, applied and/or enforced. In addition, as the federal government and certain states face economic and other pressures, they may seek revenue in the form of additional income, sales and other taxes and related fees. These activities could result in increased expenditures for tax liabilities in the future or a decrease in the disposable income of our guests. Many of these liabilities are subject to periodic audits by the respective taxing authorities. Subsequent changes to our tax liabilities as a result of these audits may subject us to interest and penalties.
We are subject to extensive governmental regulations.
Our business is subject to extensive governmental laws and regulations that include, but are not limited to, those relating to environmental protection and remediation; the preparation, transportation, storage, sale and labeling of food and other products; minimum wage, overtime and other employment and labor laws and regulations; the Americans with Disabilities Act; legal restrictions on the sale of alcohol, tobacco and nicotine products, money orders, lottery/lotto and other age-restricted products; compliance with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards and similar requirements; compliance with the Federal Motor Carriers Safety Administration regulations; and, securities laws and Nasdaq listing standards. These, and other laws and regulations, are dynamic and subject to change as new laws are passed, new interpretations of existing laws are issued and applied and as political administrations and majorities change over time. The effects created by these, including the costs of compliance with these laws and regulations, is substantial, and a violation of or change in such laws and/or regulations could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
State laws regulate the sale of alcohol, tobacco and nicotine products, lottery/lotto products and other age-restricted products. A violation or change of these laws could adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations because state and local regulatory agencies have the power to approve, revoke, suspend, or deny applications for and renewals of permits and licenses relating to the sale of certain of these products or to seek other remedies.
Any appreciable increase in wages, overtime pay, or the statutory minimum salary requirements, minimum wage rate, mandatory scheduling or scheduling notification laws, or the adoption of additional mandated healthcare or paid-time-off benefits would result in an increase in our labor costs. For example, recent state-mandated minimum wage increases, along with general labor market shortages and wage pressures, have increased our operating expenses significantly. Such cost increases, or the penalties for failing to comply, could adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations. State or federal lawmakers or regulators may also enact new laws or regulations applicable to us that may have a material adverse and potentially disparate impact on our business.
Governmental action and campaigns to discourage tobacco and nicotine use and other tobacco products may have a material adverse effect on our revenues and gross profit.
Congress has given the Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) broad authority to regulate tobacco and nicotine products, including e-cigarettes and vapor products, and the FDA has enacted numerous regulations restricting the sale of such products. These governmental actions, as well as national, state and local campaigns and regulations to discourage tobacco and
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nicotine use and limit the sale of such products, including but not limited to tax increases related to such products and certain actions taken to increase the minimum age in order to purchase such products, have resulted or may in the future result in, reduced industry volume and consumption levels, and could materially affect the retail price of cigarettes or other nicotine products, unit volume and revenues, gross profit, and overall guest traffic, which in turn could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Wholesale cost and tax increases relating to tobacco and nicotine products could affect our operating results.
Sales of tobacco and nicotine products have averaged approximately 9% of our total revenue over the past three fiscal years, and our tobacco and nicotine revenue less cost of goods sold (excluding depreciation and amortization) accounted for approximately 9% of the total revenue less cost of goods sold (excluding depreciation and amortization) for the same period. Any significant increases in wholesale cigarette and related product costs or tax increases on tobacco or nicotine products may have a materially adverse effect on unit demand for cigarettes (or related products). Currently, major cigarette and tobacco and nicotine manufacturers offer significant rebates to retailers, although there can be no assurance that such rebate programs will continue. We include these rebates as a component of cost of goods sold, which affects our gross margin from sales of cigarettes and related products. In the event these rebates are no longer offered or decreased, our wholesale cigarette and related product costs will increase accordingly. In general, we attempt to pass price increases on to our guests. Due to competitive pressures in our markets, however, we may not always be able to do so. These factors could adversely affect our retail price of cigarettes and related products, cigarette or related product unit volume and revenues, merchandise revenue less cost of goods sold (excluding depreciation and amortization), and overall guest traffic, and in turn have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Risks Related to Our Industry
General economic and political conditions that are largely out of the Company’s control may adversely affect the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.
General economic and political conditions, including social and political causes and movements, higher interest rates, higher fuel and other energy costs, inflation, tariffs, increases or fluctuations in commodity prices such as cheese, proteins and coffee, higher levels of unemployment, higher consumer debt levels and lower consumer discretionary spending, higher tax rates and other changes in tax laws or other economic factors may affect the operations of our stores, input costs, construction and transportation costs, consumer spending, buying habits and labor markets generally, and could adversely affect the discretionary income and spending levels of our guests, the costs of the products we sell in our stores, the consumer demand for such products and the labor costs of transporting, storing and selling those products, and the costs of building, acquiring and remodeling stores. These events and their impacts can be unpredictable, and we may not always be able to recapture these higher input costs through pricing strategies or otherwise. In addition, unfavorable economic conditions, especially those affecting the agricultural industry, higher fuel prices, and unemployment levels can affect consumer confidence, spending patterns, and miles driven, and can cause guests to purchase less, visit our stores less often or “trade down” to lower priced products in certain categories when these conditions exist. These factors can lead to store traffic and sales declines, and in turn have an adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Developments related to fuel efficiency, fuel conservation practices, climate change, and changing consumer preferences may decrease the demand for motor fuel.
Technological advances and consumer behavior in reducing fuel use, governmental mandates to improve fuel efficiency and consumer desire or regulations to lower carbon emissions could lessen the demand for our largest revenue product, petroleum-based motor fuel, which may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operation. In addition, a shift toward electric, hybrid, hydrogen, natural gas or other alternative fuel-powered vehicles, could fundamentally change the shopping and driving habits of our guests or lead to new forms of fueling destinations or new competitive pressures. Any of these outcomes could potentially result in fewer guest visits to our stores, decreases in sales revenue across all categories or lower profit margins, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Unfavorable weather conditions can adversely affect our business.
The vast majority of our stores, our distribution centers, and our corporate offices, are located in the Midwest region of the United States, which is susceptible to tornadoes, thunderstorms, extended periods of rain or unseasonably cold temperatures, flooding, ice storms, and heavy snow. In addition, certain of the stores acquired in the Fikes transaction are located in the South, in particular Florida, which is susceptible to hurricanes. Inclement weather conditions could damage our facilities, impact our supply chain and the supply chain of our vendors, or could have a significant impact on consumer behavior, travel, and convenience store traffic patterns as well as our ability to operate our stores, distribution centers or corporate offices. In addition, we typically generate higher revenues and gross margins during warmer weather months, which fall within our first
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and second fiscal quarters. When weather conditions are not favorable during a particular period, our operating results and cash flow from operations could be adversely affected.
The volatility of wholesale petroleum costs could adversely affect our operating results.
Our net income is significantly affected by changes in the margins we receive on our retail fuel sales. Over the past three fiscal years, on average our retail fuel revenues accounted for approximately 64% of total revenue and our retail fuel revenue less cost of goods sold (excluding depreciation and amortization) accounted for approximately 34% of the total revenue less cost of goods sold (excluding depreciation and amortization). Crude oil and domestic wholesale petroleum markets are currently, and in the recent past have been, marked by significant volatility. General political conditions, threatened or actual acts of war or terrorism, instability or other changes in oil producing regions, including the Middle East, South America and Europe, and trade, economic or other disagreements between oil producing nations, can, and recently have, significantly affected crude oil supplies and wholesale petroleum costs. In addition, the supply of fuel and wholesale purchase costs could be adversely affected in the event of a shortage, which could result from, among other things, severe weather events in oil producing regions, the lack of capacity at United States oil refineries or, in our case, the level of fuel contracts that we have that guarantee an uninterrupted, unlimited supply of fuel. Increases in the retail price of petroleum products have resulted and could in the future adversely affect consumer demand for fuel and other discretionary purchases. This volatility makes it difficult to predict the impact that future wholesale cost fluctuations will have on our operating results and financial condition in future periods. Any significant change in one or more of these factors could materially affect the number of fuel gallons sold, fuel revenue less cost of goods sold excluding depreciation and amortization and overall guest traffic, which in turn could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
The convenience store industry is highly competitive.
The convenience store and retail fuel industries in which we operate are highly competitive and characterized by ease of entry and constant change in the number and type of retailers offering the products and services found in our stores. We compete with many other convenience store chains, gasoline stations, supermarkets, drugstores, discount stores, "dollar" stores, club stores, fast food outlets, restaurants, coffee shops and other small box beverage outlets, mass merchants, and a variety of other national and local retail companies, including retail gasoline companies that have more extensive retail outlets, greater brand name recognition and more established fuel supply arrangements. Several non-traditional retailers such as supermarkets, club stores, and mass merchants have affected the convenience store industry by entering the retail fuel business and have obtained a share of the fuels market. Certain of these non-traditional retailers may use more extensive promotional pricing or discounts, both at the fuel pump and in the store, to encourage in-store merchandise sales and gasoline sales. In some of our markets, our competitors have been in existence longer and have greater financial, marketing, and other resources than we do. As a result, our competitors may have a greater ability to bear the economic risks inherent in our industry and may be able to respond better to changes in the economy and new opportunities within the industry, including those related to electric vehicle charging stations. This intense competition could adversely affect our revenues and profitability and have a material adverse impact on our business and results of operations.
Risks Related to Our Growth Strategies
We may not be able to identify, acquire, and integrate new properties and stores, which could adversely affect our ability to grow our business.
An important part of our growth strategy has been to purchase properties on which to build our stores, and in other instances, acquire other convenience stores that complement our existing stores or broaden our geographic presence. We expect to continue pursuing acquisition opportunities, which involve risks that could cause our actual growth or operating results to differ materially from our expectations or the expectations of our shareholders and securities analysts. These risks include, but are not limited to, the inability to identify and acquire suitable sites at advantageous prices; competition in targeted market areas; difficulties in obtaining favorable financing for larger acquisitions or construction projects; difficulties during the acquisition process in discovering some of the liabilities of the businesses that we acquire; difficulties associated with our existing financial controls, information systems, management resources and human resources needed to support our future growth; difficulties with hiring, training and retaining skilled personnel; difficulties in adapting distribution and other operational and management systems to an expanded network of stores; difficulties in adopting, adapting to or changing the business practices, models or processes of stores or chains we acquire; difficulties in obtaining governmental and other third-party consents, permits and licenses needed to operate additional stores; difficulties in obtaining the cost savings and financial improvements we anticipate from future acquired stores; the potential diversion of our management’s attention from focusing on our core business due to an increased focus on acquisitions; and, challenges associated with the consummation and integration of any future acquisition.
Risks Relating to Our Common Stock
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The market price for our common stock has been and may in the future be volatile, which could cause the value of your investment to decline.
Securities markets worldwide experience significant price and volume fluctuations. This market volatility could significantly affect the market price of our common stock without regard to our operating performance. In addition, the price of our common stock could be subject to wide fluctuations in response to these, and other factors: a deviation in our results from the expectations of public market analysts and investors; statements by research analysts about our common stock, company, or industry; changes in market valuations of companies in our industry and market evaluations of our industry generally; additions or departures of key personnel; actions taken by our competitors; sales or repurchases of common stock by the Company or other affiliates; and, other general economic, political, or market conditions, many of which are beyond our control.
The market price of our common stock will also be affected by our quarterly operating results and same store sales results, which may be expected to fluctuate. Some of the factors that may affect our quarterly results and same store sales include general, regional, and national economic conditions; competition; unexpected costs; changes in retail pricing, consumer trends, and the number of stores we open and/or close during any given period; and the costs of compliance with corporate governance and other legal requirements. Other factors are discussed throughout Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. You may not be able to resell your shares of our common stock at or above the price you pay.
Any issuance of shares of our common stock in the future could have a dilutive effect on your investment.
We could issue additional shares for investment, acquisition, or other business purposes. Even if there is not an immediate need for capital, we may choose to issue securities to sell in public or private equity markets, if and when conditions are favorable. Raising funds by issuing securities would dilute the ownership interests of our existing shareholders. Additionally, certain types of equity securities we may issue in the future could have rights, preferences, or privileges senior to the rights of existing holders of our common stock.
Iowa law and provisions in our charter documents may have the effect of preventing or hindering a change in control and adversely affecting the market price of our common stock.
Our articles of incorporation give the Company’s board of directors the authority to issue up to one million shares of preferred stock and to determine the rights and preferences of the preferred stock without obtaining shareholder approval. The existence of this preferred stock could make it more difficult or discourage an attempt to obtain control of the Company by means of a tender offer, merger, proxy contest, or otherwise. Furthermore, this preferred stock could be issued with other rights, including economic rights, senior to our common stock, thereby having a potentially adverse effect on the market price of our common stock.
In addition, provisions of Iowa corporate law could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire us or remove our directors by means of a proxy contest, even if doing so would be beneficial to our shareholders. For example, the Iowa Business Corporation Act (the “Act”) prohibits publicly held Iowa corporations to which it applies from engaging in a business combination with an interested shareholder for a period of three years after the date of the transaction in which the person became an interested shareholder unless the business combination is approved in a prescribed manner. Further, the Act permits a board of directors, in the context of a takeover proposal, to consider not only the effect of a proposed transaction on shareholders, but also on a corporation’s Team Members, suppliers, guests, creditors, and on the communities in which the corporation operates. These provisions could discourage others from bidding for our shares and could, as a result, reduce the likelihood of an increase in our stock price that would otherwise occur if a bidder sought to buy our stock.
We may, in the future, adopt other measures (such as a shareholder rights plan or “poison pill”) that could have the effect of delaying, deferring, or preventing an unsolicited takeover, even if such a change in control were at a premium price or favored by a majority of unaffiliated shareholders. These measures may be adopted without any further vote or action by our shareholders.
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| ITEM 1B. | UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS | ||||
Not applicable.
| ITEM 1C. | CYBERSECURITY | ||||
Information security and data privacy have been, and continue to be, vitally important to the Company. Our Board, in coordination with the Audit Committee, provides oversight of the Company’s major information technology risk exposures, including those related to cybersecurity, data privacy and data security, and oversees the steps management has taken to monitor and mitigate such risk exposures. Cybersecurity and related matters are recurring topics at Audit Committee meetings and the Company’s Chief Information Officer ("CIO") and Chief Information Security Officer ("CISO") regularly provide the Audit Committee, and periodically the entire Board , with updates on the Company’s cybersecurity risk profile and strategy. These updates include both qualitative and quantitative information on the effectiveness of the Company’s cybersecurity controls.
Our CIO is responsible for the strategic leadership and direction of the Company’s information technology organization. As a part thereof, the Company has implemented an information security program, directly overseen by our CISO, that consists of controls and processes designed to prevent, detect, and manage reasonably foreseeable cybersecurity risks and threats, and which is based on recognized best practices including the National Institute of Standards and Technology ("NIST") Cyber Security Framework ("CSF") and Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard ("PCI DSS"). Our CISO, who has over 39-years of industry experience, and his team, have relevant education and experience assessing and managing cybersecurity programs and cybersecurity risks across a mix of enterprises, including the retail industry. Together with a third-party, the CISO and his team also operate a 24/7 Security Operations Center to monitor the cybersecurity environment and coordinate escalation and remediation of alerts, and we incorporate many other resources to maintain readiness to withstand and respond to a cyber or other data security incident including but not limited to incident response tabletop exercises, system recovery exercises, simulated phishing email exercises and security awareness training.
The Company has a Cybersecurity Incident Response Plan ("the Plan"), which provides protocols and procedures for evaluating and responding to material cybersecurity and other data security incidents, including incident handling, disclosure and reporting, notification to senior management, the Board and relevant committees, and meeting external reporting obligations. As part of the Plan, the Company has also established an Incident Response Governance Team, co-chaired by our CISO and VP, Deputy General Counsel, which is a cross-functional group comprised of relevant stakeholders throughout the organization responsible for organizing the assessment, investigation and response to any material cybersecurity or data security event.
As of the date of this report, no cybersecurity or data security incidents have had, either individually or in the aggregate, a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations. Notwithstanding the comprehensive approach we take to information security, there can be no assurance that our security efforts and measures, and those of our third-party service providers, will prevent or mitigate all incidents that could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations. For additional information regarding the risks to us associated with cybersecurity incidents, see Item 1A entitled "Risk Factors."
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| ITEM 2. | PROPERTIES | ||||
We own the Store Support Center (built in 1990), all three distribution centers and a fuel terminal. Located on an approximately 57-acre site in Ankeny, Iowa, the Store Support Center includes office space and our first distribution center. The Store Support Center provides approximately 490,000 square feet of available space, including approximately 290,000 square feet related to the distribution center. We also own a building near the Store Support Center where our construction and support services departments operate. In February 2016, we opened our second distribution center, located in Terre Haute, Indiana. This second distribution center has approximately 340,000 square feet of total space. In April 2021, we opened a third distribution center located in Joplin, Missouri (see Note 7 for discussion of ownership structure). The third distribution center provides approximately 300,000 square feet of total space. All three distribution centers have a fleet services maintenance center.
On April 30, 2025, we leased a combination of land and/or building at 245 store locations. Most of the leases provide for the payment of a fixed rent plus property taxes, insurance, and maintenance costs. Generally, the leases are for terms of ten to twenty years with options to renew for additional periods or options to purchase the leased premises at the end of the lease period. The Company owns the land and building at all of our other store locations. Additionally, the Company regularly has land held for development, land under construction for new stores, and land held for sale as a result of store closures.
| ITEM 3. | LEGAL PROCEEDINGS | ||||
The information required to be set forth under this heading is incorporated by reference from Note 10, Contingencies, to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8.
| ITEM 4. | MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES | ||||
Not applicable.
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PART II
| ITEM 5. | MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS, AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES | ||||
Common Stock
Casey’s common stock trades on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol CASY. The 37,119,083 shares of common stock outstanding at April 30, 2025 had a market value of approximately $17.2 billion. On that date, there were 1,355 shareholders of record.
Common Stock Market Prices
| Calendar 2023 | High | Low | Calendar 2024 | High | Low | Calendar 2025 | High | Low | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Q1 | $ | 236.45 | $ | 202.13 | Q1 | $ | 324.40 | $ | 268.07 | Q1 | $ | 445.17 | $ | 372.09 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Q2 | 245.72 | 212.50 | Q2 | 389.44 | 306.45 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Q3 | 284.18 | 238.44 | Q3 | 401.07 | 350.52 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Q4 | 286.62 | 260.13 | Q4 | 439.68 | 363.00 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dividends
We began paying cash dividends during fiscal 1991. The dividends declared in fiscal 2025 totaled $2.00 per share. The dividends declared in fiscal 2024 totaled $1.72 per share. At its June 2025 meeting, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.57 per share payable August 15, 2025, to shareholders of record on August 1, 2025.
The cash dividends declared during the calendar years 2023 through 2025 were as follows:
| Calendar 2023 | Cash dividend declared | Calendar 2024 | Cash dividend declared | Calendar 2025 | Cash dividend declared | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Q1 | $ | 0.38 | Q1 | $ | 0.43 | Q1 | $ | 0.50 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Q2 | 0.43 | Q2 | 0.50 | Q2 | 0.57 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Q3 | 0.43 | Q3 | 0.50 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Q4 | 0.43 | Q4 | 0.50 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | 1.67 | $ | 1.93 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
The following table sets forth information with respect to the Company's repurchases of common stock during the quarter ended April 30, 2025:
| Period | Total Number of Shares Purchased | Average Price Paid Per Share | Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs | Maximum Dollar Value of Shares That May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs (1) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Fourth Quarter: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| February 1-28, 2025 | — | $ | — | — | $ | 295,109,710 | |||||||||||||||||
| March 1-31, 2025 | — | — | — | 295,109,710 | |||||||||||||||||||
| April 1-30, 2025 | — | — | — | 295,109,710 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total | — | $ | — | — | $ | 295,109,710 | |||||||||||||||||
(1) On, and effective as of, March 3, 2022, the Board authorized a share repurchase program, whereby the Company was authorized to repurchase its outstanding common stock from time-to-time, for an aggregate amount of up to $400 million, exclusive of fees, commissions or other costs (the "Repurchase Program"). The Repurchase Program has no
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set expiration date. The timing and number of repurchase transactions under the Repurchase Program depends on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, market conditions, corporate considerations, business opportunities, debt agreements, and regulatory requirements. The Repurchase Program can be suspended or discontinued at any time. As of April 30, 2025, $295.1 million remained available for future purchases under this share repurchase program.
| ITEM 6. | [Reserved] | ||||
Not applicable.
| ITEM 7. | MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Dollars and gallons in thousands, except per share amounts) | ||||
Please read the following discussion of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations in conjunction with the selected historical consolidated financial data and consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes presented elsewhere in this Form 10-K.
Overview
As of April 30, 2025, Casey’s General Stores, Inc. and its direct and indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries operate convenience stores primarily under the names "Casey's" and "Casey’s General Store" (collectively, with the stores below referenced as "GoodStop", "CEFCO", "Bucky's", or "Lone Star Food Store", referred to as "Casey's" or the "Company") throughout 20 states, approximately half of which are located in Iowa, Missouri and Illinois. On November 1, 2024, the Company closed on the acquisition of Fikes Wholesale and Group Petroleum Services (collectively "Fikes"), owner of CEFCO Convenience Stores, which added 198 total stores, including 148 additional stores in Texas, as well as 50 stores in Alabama, Florida, and Mississippi, which are the first stores Casey's has operated in these states. The acquisition also included the Company's first fuel terminal, located in Waco, Texas.
Approximately 71% of all stores were opened in areas with populations of fewer than 20,000 persons. The Company competes on the basis of price, as well as on the basis of traditional features of convenience store operations such as location, extended hours, product offerings, and quality of service. As of April 30, 2025, there were a total of 2,904 stores in operation.
All convenience stores carry a broad selection of food items (which at most stores includes, but is not limited to, freshly prepared foods such as regular and breakfast pizza, donuts, hot breakfast items, and hot and cold sandwiches), beverages, tobacco and nicotine products, health and beauty aids, automotive products, and other non-food items. As of April 30, 2025, 260 store locations offered car washes. In addition, all but six store locations offer fuel for sale on a self-service basis.
As part of the Fikes transaction, the Company expanded its wholesale network where Casey’s manages fuel wholesale supply agreements to certain dealer sites and other wholesale locations. The dealer and wholesale locations are not operated by Casey's and are not included in our overall store count in the table below. Approximately 2% of total revenue for the year-ended April 30, 2025 relates to this fuel wholesale network.
The Company’s business is seasonal, and generally experiences higher sales and profitability during the first and second fiscal quarters (May-October), when the weather is warmer across our footprint and guests tend to purchase greater quantities of fuel and certain convenience items such as beer, sports drinks, water, soft drinks and ice.
The following table represents the roll forward of store growth throughout fiscal 2025:
| Store Count | |||||
| Stores at April 30, 2024 | 2,658 | ||||
| New store construction | 35 | ||||
| Acquisitions | 235 | ||||
| Acquisitions not opened | (1) | ||||
| Prior acquisitions opened | 1 | ||||
| Closed | (24) | ||||
| Stores at April 30, 2025 | 2,904 | ||||
For further general descriptive information on the Company’s business and operations, see Item 1, above, which is incorporated herein by reference.
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Long-Term Strategic Plan
The Company announced a three-year strategic plan in June 2023 focused on three enterprise objectives: grow store count, accelerate the food business, and enhance operational efficiency, which are enabled by a strong foundation and Team Member experience. The Company's plan was based on building on our proud heritage and distinct advantages, to become more contemporary through new capabilities, technology, data, and processes. We believe this will best position the Company to address rapidly evolving shifts in consumer habits and other macro retail trends.
The Company made significant progress towards its strategic plan goals during the 2025 fiscal year. Some of the key highlights include:
•Built or acquired 270 additional stores, the largest annual growth in Company history. This included 198 retail stores through the acquisition of Fikes, the largest acquisition in Company history,
•Diluted earnings per share of $14.64, representing an increase 9.0% from the prior year,
•Casey's Rewards members grew to over 9 million at year-end, and
•Same-store labor hours were down year over year, marking twelve consecutive quarters of reduction.
Fuel Profitability
The Company, and the retail fuel industry, has experienced historically high average revenue less cost of goods sold per gallon (excluding depreciation and amortization). Although this has remained relatively consistent, on a longer-term basis, this metric can fluctuate significantly, and sometimes unpredictably, in the short-term. While the Company believes that its average revenue less cost of goods sold per gallon (excluding depreciation and amortization) will remain elevated from historical levels for the foreseeable future, it is possible that increased oil and fuel prices, higher interest rates, macroeconomic conditions and/or continuing conflicts or disruptions involving oil producing countries may materially impact the performance of this metric.
Electric Vehicles and Renewable Fuels
Casey's continues its process of implementing an electric vehicle ("EV") strategy and our management team remains committed to understanding if and how the increased demand for, and usage of, EVs impacts consumer behavior across our store footprint and beyond. As consumer demand for alternative fuel options continues to grow, Casey’s has continued to add EV charging stations across our 20-state footprint. As of April 30, 2025, the Company has 230 charging stations at 47 stores, across 13 states. Our EV growth strategy is currently designed to selectively increase our charging stations at locations within our region where we see higher levels of consumer EV buying trends and demand for EV charging. To date, consumer EV demand within our Midwest footprint has been comparatively lower than the levels along the coasts. As EV demand from our guests increases, we are prepared to strategically integrate charging station options at select stores.
The Company also remains committed to offering renewable fuel options at our stores and continues to expand its alternative fuel options in response to evolving guest needs and as part of its environmental stewardship efforts. Currently, almost all of our stores offer fuel with at least 10% of blended ethanol and 41% of our stores offer biodiesel. Every newly built store has the capability to sell renewable fuels, and we aim to continue growing sales of renewable fuels throughout our footprint.
Fiscal 2025 Compared with Fiscal 2024
Total revenue for fiscal 2025 increased by $1,077,986 (7.3%) since the prior fiscal year, primarily driven by $952,018 of additional revenue from the Fikes acquisition, which included 198 additional convenience stores and a wholesale fuel network. Prepared food and dispensed beverage revenue increased by $150,162 (10.3%), due to an increase in same-store sales of 3.5% and an increase of approximately 6.8% due to store growth. The increase in same-store sales was driven by improved sales of hot sandwiches, bakery, and dispensed beverages. Grocery and general merchandise revenue increased by $416,493 (11.2%), due to an increase in same-store sales of 2.3% and an increase of approximately 8.9% due to store growth. The increase in same-store sales was driven by strong sales of non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages. Retail fuel revenue increased by $373,962 (4.0%). The increase in the number of gallons sold of 368,183 (13.0%), was partially offset by a decrease in the average retail price per gallon of 7.8%. The increase in gallons sold was primarily attributable to store growth, as same-store gallons sold increased 0.1%. Other revenue increased $137,369 (50.5%) compared to the prior year, driven primarily by an increase in total revenue related to the wholesale fuel network, as a result of the Fikes acquisition.
Total revenue less cost of goods sold (excluding depreciation and amortization) was 23.5% of revenue for fiscal 2025 compared with 22.5% for the prior year. Prepared food and dispensed beverage revenue less related cost of goods sold (excluding depreciation and amortization) decreased to 58.2% of revenue from 58.7% during fiscal 2025 compared to the prior year, driven primarily by the acquisition of Fikes, as the current food offerings at these acquired stores have a lower percentage than a Casey's store. Grocery and general merchandise revenue less related cost of goods sold (excluding depreciation and amortization) increased to 35.0% of revenue from 34.1% during fiscal 2025 compared to the prior year. The current year percentage was positively impacted by product mix.
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Fuel revenue less related cost of goods sold (excluding of depreciation and amortization) was 12.7% of revenue for fiscal 2025 compared with 11.9% for the prior year. Fuel cents per gallon decreased to 38.7 cents in fiscal 2025 from 39.5 cents in fiscal 2024. The Company sold 23.8 million RINs (renewable identification numbers) for $16,664 during fiscal 2025, compared to the sale of 25.9 million RINs fiscal 2024, which generated $33,023 (see Note 1, below, for a further description of RINs and how they are generated).
Operating expenses increased $263,843 (11.5%) to $2,552,356 in fiscal 2025. Approximately 10% of the increase is due to operating 246 more stores than the comparable period in the prior year, including transaction costs related to the Fikes acquisition. Insurance expense contributed approximately 1% of the increase. Total same-store employee expense contributed to approximately 1% of the increase, as the increases in wage rates were mostly offset by a reduction in same-store labor hours.
Depreciation and amortization expense increased $53,850 (15.4%) to $403,647 in fiscal 2025, primarily due to operating 246 more stores than a year ago.
Interest, net increased $30,510 (57.1%) to $83,951 in fiscal 2025, primarily due to issuing incremental debt of $1,100,000 to partially fund the acquisition of Fikes. For additional discussion, refer to Note 3.
The effective tax rate decreased to 23.3% in fiscal 2025 from 23.5% in fiscal 2024. The decrease in the effective tax rate was primarily due to a one-time benefit to update the state deferred tax rate following the Fikes acquisition (0.7%) and an increase in excess tax benefits recognized on share-based awards (0.3%). The effect of these favorable items was partially offset by a one-time benefit in the prior year from adjusting the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities for state law changes enacted during the year (0.8%).
Net income increased by $44,548 (8.9%) to $546,520 in fiscal 2025 from $501,972 in fiscal 2024. The increase was primarily attributable to higher profitability both inside the store and in fuel. This increase was partially offset by higher operating expenses, depreciation and amortization, interest, net and income tax expense. See discussion in the paragraphs above for the primary drivers for each of these increases.
Please refer to the Form 10-K related to the fiscal year ended April 30, 2024, filed on June 24, 2024, for comparison of Fiscal 2024 to Fiscal 2023.
COMPANY TOTAL REVENUE AND REVENUE LESS COST OF GOODS SOLD (EXCLUDING DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION) BY CATEGORY
| Years ended April 30, | |||||||||||||||||
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||||||
| Total revenue by category | |||||||||||||||||
| Prepared food and dispensed beverage | $ | 1,611,762 | $ | 1,461,600 | $ | 1,322,560 | |||||||||||
| Grocery and general merchandise | 4,143,887 | 3,727,394 | 3,445,777 | ||||||||||||||
| Fuel | 9,776,033 | 9,402,071 | 10,027,310 | ||||||||||||||
| Other (1) | 409,217 | 271,848 | 298,828 | ||||||||||||||
| $ | 15,940,899 | $ | 14,862,913 | $ | 15,094,475 | ||||||||||||
| Revenue less cost of goods sold (excluding depreciation and amortization) by category | |||||||||||||||||
| Prepared food and dispensed beverage | $ | 937,440 | $ | 858,295 | $ | 748,405 | |||||||||||
| Grocery and general merchandise | 1,452,008 | 1,270,527 | 1,156,451 | ||||||||||||||
| Fuel | 1,236,694 | 1,116,671 | 1,074,913 | ||||||||||||||
| Other (1) | 126,261 | 102,418 | 92,637 | ||||||||||||||
| $ | 3,752,403 | $ | 3,347,911 | $ | 3,072,406 | ||||||||||||
(1)The 'Other' category primarily consists of activity related to wholesale fuel and car wash revenue, which are both presented gross of applicable costs, as well as lottery, which is presented net of applicable costs.
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INDIVIDUAL STORE COMPARISONS (1)
| Years ended April 30, | |||||||||||||||||
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||||||
| Average retail sales | $ | 5,556 | $ | 5,710 | $ | 6,064 | |||||||||||
| Average retail inside sales (2) | 2,095 | 2,037 | 1,956 | ||||||||||||||
| Average revenue less cost of goods sold (excluding depreciation and amortization) on inside sales (2) | 842 | 801 | 752 | ||||||||||||||
| Average retail sales of fuel | 3,461 | 3,673 | 4,110 | ||||||||||||||
| Average revenue less cost of goods sold (excluding depreciation and amortization) on fuel | 446 | 445 | 450 | ||||||||||||||
| Average operating income (3) | 496 | 473 | 445 | ||||||||||||||
| Average number of gallons sold | 1,123 | 1,102 | 1,092 | ||||||||||||||
(1)Individual store comparisons include only those stores that had been in operation for at least one full year and remained open on April 30 of the fiscal year indicated.
(2)Inside sales is comprised of sales related to the grocery and general merchandise and prepared food and dispensed beverage categories.
(3)Average operating income represents retail sales less cost of goods sold, operating expenses and depreciation and amortization attributable to a particular store; it excludes interest, federal and state income taxes, and Company operating expenses not attributable to a particular store.
SAME STORE SALES BY CATEGORY (1)
| Years ended April 30, | |||||||||||||||||
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||||||
| Prepared food and dispensed beverage same-store sales | 3.5 | % | 6.8 | % | 7.1 | % | |||||||||||
| Grocery and general merchandise same-store sales | 2.3 | % | 3.5 | % | 6.3 | % | |||||||||||
| Same-store fuel gallons sold | 0.1 | % | 0.1 | % | (0.8) | % | |||||||||||
(1)Same-store sales is a common metric used in the convenience store industry. We define same-store sales as the total sales increase (or decrease) for stores open during the full time of the periods being presented. The store must be open for each entire fiscal year being compared. Remodeled stores that remained open or were closed for just a very brief period of time (less than a week) during the period being compared remain in the same store sales comparison. If a store is replaced, either at the same location (razed and rebuilt) or relocated to a new location, it is removed from the comparison until the new store has been open for each entire period being compared. Newly constructed and acquired stores do not enter the calculation until they are open for each entire period being compared.
Use of Non-GAAP Measures
We define EBITDA as net income before net interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization. EBITDA is not considered to be a GAAP measure and should not be considered as a substitute for net income, cash flows from operating activities or other income or cash flow statement data. This measure has limitations as an analytical tool, and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. We strongly encourage investors to review our financial statements and publicly filed reports in their entirety and not to rely on any single financial measure.
We believe EBITDA is useful to investors in evaluating our operating performance because securities analysts and other interested parties use this calculation as a measure of financial performance and debt service capabilities, and it is regularly used by management for internal purposes including our capital budgeting process, evaluating acquisition targets, assessing store performance, and awarding incentive compensation.
Because non-GAAP financial measures are not standardized, EBITDA, as defined by us, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies. It therefore may not be possible to compare our use of this non-GAAP financial measure with those used by other companies.
The following table contains a reconciliation of net income to EBITDA for the years ended April 30, 2025, 2024, and 2023, respectively:
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| Years ended April 30, | |||||||||||||||||
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||||||
| Net income | $ | 546,520 | $ | 501,972 | $ | 446,691 | |||||||||||
| Interest, net | 83,951 | 53,441 | 51,815 | ||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 403,647 | 349,797 | 313,131 | ||||||||||||||
| Federal and state income taxes | 165,929 | 154,188 | 140,827 | ||||||||||||||
| EBITDA | $ | 1,200,047 | $ | 1,059,398 | $ | 952,464 | |||||||||||
For the year ended April 30, 2025, EBITDA increased 13.3%. The increase was primarily attributable to higher profitability both inside the store and in fuel, which was partially offset by higher operating expenses. See discussion in the preceding sections for the primary drivers for each of these individual changes.
Please refer to the Form 10-K related to the fiscal year ended April 30, 2024, filed on June 24, 2024, for comparison of Fiscal 2024 to Fiscal 2023.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Critical accounting policies are those accounting policies that management believes are important to the portrayal of our financial condition and results of operations and require management’s most difficult, subjective judgments, often because of the need to estimate the effects of inherently uncertain factors.
Business Combinations
The Company uses the acquisition method of accounting for transactions meeting the definition of a business combination. The acquisitions are recorded in the financial statements by allocating the purchase price to the assets acquired, including intangible assets, and liabilities assumed, based on their estimated fair values at the acquisition date as determined by third party appraisals or internal estimates. The significant assets acquired include buildings, equipment, land, and right-of-use lease assets.
The Company primarily values buildings and equipment using the cost method and land using comparable land sales. The purchase price is determined based upon the fair value of consideration transferred to the seller. Fair values are typically determined using Level 3 inputs (see Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements). Given these estimates often are based upon unobservable inputs, the estimates require significant judgment when determining the overall value and actual results could differ from the estimates originally established.
When acquiring leases in a business combination, we retain the lease classification utilized by the seller if it was determined using acceptable methods under ASC 842. As part of the allocation of the purchase price in a business combination, lease terms are compared to market terms utilizing an income approach to determine if leases are favorable or unfavorable. Any favorable or unfavorable leasehold interests identified increase (favorable) or reduce (unfavorable) the right-of-use lease asset and are recognized over the life of the related right-of-use asset.
The excess of the cost of the acquisition over the net amounts assigned to the fair value of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed is recorded as goodwill, if the acquisition is considered to be a business combination. During a one-year period from the acquisition date, amounts are allowed to be provisional for areas that are expected to be adjusted to their final amounts during the measurement period. These provisional adjustments are for when the buyer obtains additional information about the facts and circumstances that existed as of the acquisition date. Subsequent adjustments recorded to provisional balances within the measurement period are recorded in the period in which the adjustment is identified. Acquisition-related transaction costs are recognized in operating expenses as incurred.
Inventory
Inventories, which consist of merchandise and fuel, are stated at the lower of cost or market. For fuel inventories, cost is determined through the use of the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method. For merchandise inventories, cost is determined through the use of the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method. Inventory valued using the LIFO method of inventory requires judgement when making the determination of appropriate indices to be used for determining price level changes.
Long-lived Assets
The Company monitors closed and underperforming stores for an indication that the carrying amount of assets may not be recoverable. If the sum of the expected future undiscounted cash flows is less than the carrying amount of the assets, an impairment loss is recognized to the extent carrying value of the assets exceeds their estimated fair value. Fair value is based on management’s estimate of the price that would be received to sell an asset in an orderly transaction between market participants. The estimate is derived from offers, actual sale or disposition of assets subsequent to year-end, and other
23
indications of fair value, which are considered Level 3 inputs (see Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements). In determining whether an asset is impaired, assets are grouped at the lowest level for which there are identifiable cash flows that are largely independent of the cash flows of other groups of assets, which for the Company is generally on a store-by-store basis. The Company incurred impairment charges of $4,080 in fiscal 2025, $4,057 in fiscal 2024, and $3,500 in fiscal 2023. Impairment charges are a component of operating expenses.
Self-insurance
The Company is primarily self-insured for Team Member healthcare, workers’ compensation, general liability, and automobile claims. The self-insurance claim liability for workers’ compensation, general liability, and automobile claims is determined actuarially at each year-end based on claims filed and an estimate of claims incurred but not yet reported. Actuarial projections of the losses are employed due to the potential of variability in the liability estimates. Some factors affecting the uncertainty of claims include the development time frame, settlement patterns, litigation and adjudication direction, and medical treatment and cost trends. The liability is not discounted. The balances of our self-insurance reserves were $74,471 and $57,369 for the years ended April 30, 2025 and 2024, respectively.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Refer to Note 1 of the consolidated financial statements for a description of new accounting pronouncements applicable to the Company.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Due to the nature of our business, cash provided by operations is our primary source of liquidity. The Company finances our inventory purchases primarily from normal trade credit aided by relatively rapid inventory turnover. This turnover allows us to conduct operations without large amounts of cash and working capital. As of April 30, 2025, the Company’s ratio of current assets to current liabilities was 0.92 to 1. The ratio at April 30, 2024 and 2023 was 0.87 to 1 and 0.99 to 1, respectively.
We believe our current $850,000 committed unsecured revolving credit facility, our $50,000 unsecured bank line of credit, current cash and cash equivalents, and the future cash flow from operations will be sufficient to satisfy the working capital needs of our business.
Net cash provided by operating activities was $1,090,854 for the year ended April 30, 2025, compared to $892,953 for the year ended April 30, 2024, an increase of $197,901. Our primary source of operating cash flows is from sales to guests at our stores. The primary uses of operating cash flows are payments to our team members and suppliers, as well as payments for taxes and interest. Cash flow from operations was favorably impacted by improved revenue less cost of goods sold (excluding depreciation and amortization) of $404,492, offset by an increase in operating expenses of approximately $263,843 and an increase in cash paid for interest of approximately $23,149. Refer to “Fiscal 2025 Compared with Fiscal 2024” starting on page 20 for further details on the primary drivers for the changes in revenue, cost of goods sold, operating expenses, and interest. Cash flows from operations can also be impacted by variability in the timing of payments and receipts for certain assets and liabilities, such as wage related accruals, accounts payable, and receivables from credit card companies or our vendors. The increase in operating cash flows, compared to the prior year, was favorably impacted by an increase in operating cash flows of $44,029 due to the timing of inventory purchases, as well as an increase in $29,949 related to receivables, primarily due to the timing of vendor rebate payments in comparison to the prior year.
Cash used in investing activities increased $901,312. During fiscal 2025, the Company expended $1,745,473 for purchases of property and equipment and payments for acquisitions compared to $852,036 for fiscal 2024 related to these activities. The increase in cash used in investing activities was attributable to an increase in acquisition related activity, with the Fikes acquisition closing during the fiscal year. For additional information, please refer to Note 2. Purchases of property and equipment and payments for acquisitions of businesses typically represent the single largest use of excess Company funds. Management believes that by acquiring, building, and reinvesting in stores, the Company will be better able to drive long-term shareholder value.
Cash provided by financing increased $995,978, from the comparable period of the prior year, primarily due to the proceeds from long-term debt of $1,100,000, which was used to partially fund the Fikes acquisition. For additional information, please refer to Note 2 and Note 3. Additionally, cash provided by financing was positively impacted by a decrease in share repurchase related activity of $104,164. These increases were offset by a $185,836 increase in payments of long-term debt and finance lease obligations, due to an increase in debt principal payments, notably the full pre-payment of the Senior Notes Series E of $150,000 in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2025.
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As of April 30, 2025, we had long-term debt and finance lease obligations consisting of:
| $ | 108,920 | ||||
| 3.67% Senior Notes (Series A) due in 7 installments beginning June 17, 2022, and ending June 15, 2028 | 87,000 | ||||
| 3.75% Senior Notes (Series B) due in 7 installments beginning December 17, 2022 and ending December 18, 2028 | 29,000 | ||||
| 3.65% Senior Notes (Series C) due in 7 installments beginning May 2, 2025 and ending May 2, 2031 | 50,000 | ||||
| 3.72% Senior Notes (Series D) due in 7 installments beginning October 28, 2025 and ending October 28, 2031 | 50,000 | ||||
| 3.77% Senior Notes (Series F) due August 22, 2028 | 250,000 | ||||
| 2.85% Senior Notes (Series G) due August 7, 2030 | 325,000 | ||||
| 2.96% Senior Notes (Series H) due August 6, 2032 | 325,000 | ||||
| 5.23% Senior notes (Series I) due November 2, 2031 | 150,000 | ||||
| 5.43% Senior notes (Series J) due November 2, 2034 | 100,000 | ||||
| Variable rate term loan facility, requiring quarterly installments ending April 21, 2028 | 200,000 | ||||
| Variable rate incremental term loan facility, requiring quarterly installments ending October 30, 2029 | 839,375 | ||||
| Debt issuance costs | (5,750) | ||||
| $ | 2,508,545 | ||||
| Less current maturities | 94,925 | ||||
| $ | 2,413,620 | ||||
Interest on the 3.67% Senior Notes Series A and 3.75% Senior Notes Series B is payable on the 17th day of each June and December. Principal on the Senior Notes Series A and Series B is payable in various installments beginning June 17, 2022 (Series A) and December 17, 2022 (Series B) through December 2028. We may prepay the 3.67% and 3.75% Senior Notes in whole or in part at any time in an amount of not less than $2,000 at a redemption price calculated in accordance with the Note Agreement dated June 17, 2013, as amended, between the Company and the purchasers of the Senior Notes Series A and Series B.
Interest on the 3.65% Senior Notes Series C is payable on the 2nd day of each May and November, while the interest on the 3.72% Senior Notes Series D is payable on the 28th day of each April and October. Principal on the Senior Notes Series C and Series D is payable in various installments beginning May 2, 2025 (Series C) and October 28, 2025 (Series D) through October 2031. We may prepay the 3.65% and 3.72% Senior Notes in whole or in part at any time in an amount of not less than $2,000 at a redemption price calculated in accordance with the Note Agreement dated May 2, 2016, as amended, between the Company and the purchasers of the Senior Notes Series C and Series D.
Interest on the 3.77% Senior Notes Series F is payable on the 22nd day of each February and August. Principal on the Senior Notes Series F is payable in full on August 22, 2028 (Series F). We may prepay the 3.77% Senior Notes in whole or in part at any time in an amount of not less than $2,000 at a redemption price calculated in accordance with the Note Agreement dated June 13, 2017, as amended, between the Company and the purchasers of the Senior Notes Series F.
Interest on the 2.85% Senior Notes Series G and 2.96% Senior Notes Series H is payable on the 7th day of each February and August. Principal on the Senior Notes Series G and Series H is payable in full on August 7, 2030 (Series G) and August 6, 2032 (Series H), respectively. We may prepay the 2.85% and 2.96% Senior Notes in whole or in part at any time in an amount of not less than $2,000 at a redemption price calculated in accordance with the Note Purchase Agreement dated June 30, 2020, between the Company and the purchasers of the Senior Notes Series G and Series H.
During the year, the Company entered into a note purchase agreement with respect to the issuance of $250,000 aggregate principal amount of senior notes, consisting of: (i) $150,000 aggregate principal amount of 5.23% Senior Notes Series I, due November 2, 2031; and (ii) $100,000 aggregate principal amount of 5.43% Senior Notes Series J due November 2, 2034. The Senior Notes Series I and Series J were issued on October 30, 2024. Interest on the 5.23% Senior Notes Series I and 5.43% Senior Notes Series J is payable on the 2nd day of each May and November. Principal on the Senior Notes Series I and Series J is payable in full on November 2, 2031 (Series I) and November 2, 2034 (Series J), respectively. We may prepay these notes in whole or in part at any time in an amount of not less than $2,000 at a redemption price calculated in accordance with the note
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purchase agreement. The Company used the proceeds of these notes to partially fund the Fikes acquisition (see further discussion of the Fikes acquisition in Note 2).
The Company is party to a credit agreement, dated as of April 21, 2023, which provides for term loan borrowings and a committed, unsecured $850,000 revolving credit facility. On October 30, 2024, the Company entered into an amendment to the credit agreement (the “Amendment” and, together with the original credit agreement, the “Credit Agreement”), pursuant to which the Company incurred an incremental term loan in an aggregate principal amount of $850,000 (the “Incremental Term Loan”). See Note 3 for additional information related to the Credit Agreement. The proceeds of the Incremental Term Loan were used to partially fund the Fikes acquisition (see further discussion of the Fikes acquisition in Note 2).
Amounts borrowed under the Credit Agreement bear interest at variable rates based upon, at the Company’s option, either: (a) either Term SOFR or Daily Simple SOFR, in each case plus 0.10% (with a floor of 0.00%) for the interest period in effect, plus an applicable margin ranging from 1.10% to 1.70% or (b) an alternate base rate, which generally equals the highest of (i) the prime commercial lending rate announced by the Administrative Agent as its “prime rate”, (ii) the federal funds rate plus 1/2 of 1.00%, and (iii) Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR plus 1.00%, each plus an applicable margin ranging from 0.10% to 0.70% and each with a floor of 1.00%. The applicable margins and facility fee, in each case, are dependent upon the Company’s quarterly Consolidated Leverage Ratio, as defined in the Credit Agreement. We have the right at any time to prepay all or a portion of the outstanding balance without premium or penalty, other than customary “breakage” costs with respect to Term SOFR-based borrowings, with prior notice given.
To date, we have funded capital expenditures primarily through funds generated from operations, the proceeds of the sale of common stock, issuance of debt or other bank financing, and existing cash. Future capital required to finance operations, improvements, and the anticipated growth in the number of stores is expected to come from cash generated by operations, our $850,000 revolving credit facility, our additional $50,000 bank line of credit, and additional long-term debt or other securities as circumstances may dictate. We do not expect such capital needs to adversely affect liquidity.
The table below presents our significant contractual obligations, including interest, at April 30, 2025:
| Contractual obligations | Payments due by period | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | Less than 1 year | 1-3 years | 3-5 years | More than 5 years | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Long-term debt (1) | $ | 2,692,083 | $ | 133,497 | $ | 473,756 | $ | 1,086,461 | $ | 998,369 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Finance lease obligations | 159,251 | 14,838 | 29,885 | 14,623 | 99,905 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating lease obligations | 779,448 | 36,918 | 78,061 | 76,206 | 588,263 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Deferred compensation | 12,245 | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 3,643,027 | $ | 185,253 | $ | 581,702 | $ | 1,177,290 | $ | 1,686,537 | |||||||||||||||||||
(1)The long-term debt portion of the table above excludes interest payments related to the Company's term loan facility and the incremental term loan facility, due to the variable nature of the required interest payments.
Included in other long-term liabilities on our consolidated balance sheet at April 30, 2025, was a $11,488 obligation for deferred compensation. As the specific payment dates for a portion of the deferred compensation outstanding are unknown due to the unknown retirement dates of many of the participants, the related timing of the payment of the balances have not been reflected in the above “Payments due by period” table. However, known payments of $4,936 are scheduled over the next 5 years, which includes $757 recognized in current liabilities as of April 30, 2025.
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Forward-Looking Statements
This Form 10-K, including but not limited to the Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words “may,” “will,” "should," “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate,” “project,” “continue,” and similar expressions are used to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements represent the Company’s current expectations or beliefs concerning future events and trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, liquidity and related sources and needs, supply chain, results of operations and performance at our stores, business strategy, strategic plans, growth opportunities, integration of acquisitions, acquisition synergies, short-term and long-term business operations and objectives including our long-term strategic plan, wholesale fuel, inventory and ingredient costs and the potential effects of the conflicts in oil producing regions on our business. The Company cautions that these statements are further qualified by important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, the following risk factors described more completely above in Item 1A entitled “Risk Factors”:
Business Operations; Our business and our reputation could be adversely affected by a cyber or data security incident or the failure to protect sensitive guest, Team Member or supplier data, or the failure to comply with applicable regulations relating to data security and privacy; food-safety issues and foodborne illnesses, whether actual or reported, or the failure to comply with applicable regulations relating to the transportation, storage, preparation or service of food, could adversely affect our business and reputation; we may be adversely impacted by increases in the cost of food ingredients and other related costs; a significant disruption to our distribution network, to the capacity of the distribution centers, or timely receipt of inventory could adversely impact our sales or increase our transaction costs, which could have a material adverse effect on our business; we could be adversely affected if we experience difficulties in, or are unable to recruit, hire or retain, members of our leadership team and other distribution, field and store Team Members; any failure to anticipate and respond to changes in consumer preferences, or to introduce and promote innovative technology for guest interaction, could adversely affect our financial results; we rely on our information technology systems, and a number of third-party software providers, to manage numerous aspects of our business, and a disruption of these systems could adversely affect our business; increased credit card expenses could lead to higher operating expenses and other costs for the Company; our operations present hazards and risks which may not be fully covered by insurance, if insured; the dangers inherent in the storage and transport of fuel could cause disruptions and could expose to us potentially significant losses, costs or liabilities; consumer or other litigation could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations; pandemics or disease outbreaks, responsive actions taken by governments and others to mitigate their spread, and guest behavior in response to these events, have, and may in the future, adversely affect our business operations, supply chain and financial results; and, covenants in our Senior Notes and credit facility agreements require us to comply with certain covenants and meet financial maintenance tests and the failure to comply with these requirements could have a material impact to us.
Governmental Actions, Regulations, and Oversight: Compliance with and changes in tax laws could adversely affect our performance; we are subject to extensive governmental regulations; governmental action and campaigns to discourage tobacco and nicotine use and other tobacco products may have a material adverse effect on our revenues and gross profit; and, wholesale cost and tax increases relating to tobacco and nicotine products could affect our operating results.
Industry: General economic and political conditions that are largely out of the Company’s control may adversely affect the Company’s financial condition and results of operations; developments related to fuel efficiency, fuel conservation practices, climate change, and changing consumer preferences may decrease the demand for motor fuel; unfavorable weather conditions can adversely affect our business; the volatility of wholesale petroleum costs could adversely affect our operating results; and, the convenience store industry is highly competitive.
Growth Strategies: We may not be able to identify, acquire, and integrate new properties and stores, which could adversely affect our ability to grow our business.
Common Stock: The market price for our common stock has been and may in the future be volatile, which could cause the value of your investment to decline; any issuance of shares of our common stock in the future could have a dilutive effect on your investment; and, Iowa law and provisions in our charter documents may have the effect of preventing or hindering a change in control and adversely affecting the market price of our common stock.
Although we have attempted to list the important factors that presently affect the Company’s business and operating results, we further caution you that other factors we have not identified may in the future prove to be important in affecting our business and results of operations. We ask you not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements because they speak only of our views as of the statement dates. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.
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| ITEM 7A. | QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK | ||||
The Company’s exposure to market risk for changes in interest rates relates primarily to our investment portfolio and floating rate long-term debt obligations. We place our investments with high-quality credit issuers and, by policy, limit the amount of credit exposure to any one issuer. Our first priority is to reduce the risk of principal loss. Consequently, we seek to preserve our invested funds by attempting to limit default risk, market risk, and reinvestment risk. We attempt to mitigate default risk by investing in only high-quality credit securities that we believe to be low risk and by positioning our portfolio to respond appropriately to a significant reduction in a credit rating of any investment issuer or guarantor. The portfolio includes only marketable securities with active secondary or resale markets to ensure portfolio liquidity. Based upon the outstanding balance of the Company's term loan facilities as of April 30, 2025, an immediate 100-basis-point move in interest rates would have an approximate annualized impact of $10.2 million on interest expense.
The Company also has exposure to market risks related to the volatility of fuel prices associated with non-store inventoried fuel (fuel pipeline and fuel terminal). The Company utilizes futures contracts to economically hedge the physical products while the bulk fuel is in storage at various terminals and pipelines, until such time the underlying gallons can be delivered to the store. The Company does not speculate in trading financial instruments. All hedges must be matched against recorded physical transactions, inventoried fuel in a pipeline or at a terminal. Derivative contracts and related activity were immaterial to the financial statements as of April 30, 2025 and for the period then ended.
We do, from time to time, participate in a forward buy of certain commodities. These are not accounted for as derivatives under the normal purchase and sale exclusions under the applicable accounting guidance.
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| ITEM 8. | FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA | ||||
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To The Shareholders and Board of Directors
Casey’s General Stores, Inc.:
Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Casey's General Stores, Inc. and subsidiaries (the Company) as of April 30, 2025 and 2024, the related consolidated statements of income, shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended April 30, 2025, and the related notes (collectively, the consolidated financial statements). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of April 30, 2025 and 2024, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended April 30, 2025, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of April 30, 2025, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission, and our report dated June 23, 2025 expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
Basis for Opinion
These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Critical Audit Matters
The critical audit matters communicated below are matters arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matters below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matters or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate.
Sufficiency of audit evidence over merchandise inventory quantities at store locations
As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company held $344,304 thousand of merchandise inventory as of April 30, 2025, the majority of which was held at 2,904 store locations. The Company’s processes to track and determine store merchandise inventory quantities involves the interaction of information technology (IT) systems.
We identified the evaluation of the sufficiency of audit evidence obtained related to the quantities of merchandise inventory at store locations as a critical audit matter. Evaluating the sufficiency of audit evidence over quantities of merchandise inventory at store locations required challenging auditor judgment to determine the nature and extent of procedures to be performed over the quantity of merchandise inventory, including determining the number of store locations visited, and also the need to involve IT professionals with specialized skills and knowledge due to the interaction of IT systems that track and record merchandise inventory quantities by store location.
The following are the primary procedures we performed to address this critical audit matter. We applied auditor judgment to determine the nature and extent of procedures to be performed over quantities of merchandise inventory at store locations by evaluating:
•homogeneity of the locations
29
•historical locations visited and results of prior physical counts
•the Company’s merchandise inventory count results, including results of monitoring and compliance with the count program by store location.
We evaluated the design and tested the operating effectiveness of certain internal controls related to the quantity of merchandise inventory held at store locations, including certain controls related to the Company’s merchandise inventory count process. We involved IT professionals with specialized skills and knowledge who assisted in testing certain IT application controls, as well as certain controls related to access to programs and data, program changes, interfaces, and computer operations that support the various IT systems involved in tracking and recording merchandise inventory quantities by store location. We tested the existence and completeness of merchandise inventory by counting inventory quantities on a sample basis through store location visits during the year to evaluate the Company’s inventory records. In addition, we evaluated the overall sufficiency of audit evidence obtained over the quantities of merchandise inventory at store locations.
Evaluation of the fair value of real property acquired in a business combination
As discussed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, on November 1, 2024 (the acquisition date) the Company closed on the acquisition of Fikes Wholesale, owner of CEFCO Convenience Stores, and Group Petroleum Services (Fikes) through an equity purchase agreement. The acquisition met the criteria to be considered a business combination. The aggregate purchase price for the acquisition totaled $1,165,752 thousand, which included acquired property and equipment, including land, buildings and improvements with an acquisition-date fair value of $529,719 thousand, and operating lease right-of-use assets with an acquisition-date fair value of $313,867 thousand (collectively, real property acquired).
We identified the evaluation of the fair value of the real property acquired in the Fikes business combination as a critical audit matter. Specifically, subjective auditor judgment and specialized skills and knowledge were required to evaluate the assumptions that were used to determine the fair value of the real property acquired, which included comparable land sales, depreciated replacement costs for buildings and improvements, and market rent for operating lease right-of-use-assets, as these assumptions involved a high level of management judgment due to the existence of alternative assumptions.
The following are the primary procedures we performed to address this critical audit matter. We evaluated the design and tested the operating effectiveness of certain internal controls related to the Company’s business combination process, including certain controls over the determination of the fair values for the real property acquired in the Fikes business combination. We involved valuation professionals with specialized skills and knowledge, who assisted in:
•evaluating the Company’s comparable land sales assumptions by developing independent ranges of fair value estimates for a sample of acquired land using publicly available comparable land sales and comparing them to the Company’s fair value estimates
•evaluating the Company’s depreciated replacement cost assumptions for buildings and improvements by developing independent ranges of fair value estimates for a sample of acquired buildings and improvement assets using publicly available cost data and comparing them to the Company’s fair value estimates
•evaluating the Company’s market rent assumptions for operating lease right-of-use-assets by developing independent ranges of fair value estimates for a selection of operating lease right-of-use assets using publicly available market data and comparing them to the Company’s fair value estimates.
/s/ KPMG LLP
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 1987.
Minneapolis, Minnesota
June 23, 2025
30
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To The Shareholders and Board of Directors
Casey’s General Stores, Inc.:
Opinion on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
We have audited Casey's General Stores, Inc. and subsidiaries' (the Company) internal control over financial reporting as of April 30, 2025, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of April 30, 2025, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated balance sheets of the Company as of April 30, 2025 and 2024, the related consolidated statements of income, shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended April 30, 2025, and the related notes (collectively, the consolidated financial statements), and our report dated June 23, 2025 expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.
The Company acquired Fikes Wholesale during fiscal year 2025, and management excluded from its assessment of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of April 30, 2025, Fikes Wholesale’s internal control over financial reporting associated with 2% of total assets and 6% of total revenues included in the consolidated financial statements of the Company as of and for the year ended April 30, 2025. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting of the Company also excluded an evaluation of the internal control over financial reporting of Fikes Wholesale.
Basis for Opinion
The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management's Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
/s/ KPMG LLP
Minneapolis, Minnesota
June 23, 2025
31
CASEY’S GENERAL STORES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (In thousands, except share data)
| April 30, | |||||||||||
| 2025 | 2024 | ||||||||||
| Assets | |||||||||||
| Current assets | |||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Receivables | |||||||||||
| Inventories | |||||||||||
| Prepaid and other current assets | |||||||||||
| Income taxes receivable | |||||||||||
| Total current assets | |||||||||||
| Property and equipment, at cost | |||||||||||
| Land | |||||||||||
| Buildings, land improvements and leasehold improvements | |||||||||||
| Machinery and equipment | |||||||||||
| Finance lease right-of-use assets | |||||||||||
| Construction in process | |||||||||||
| Less accumulated depreciation and amortization | |||||||||||
| Net property and equipment | |||||||||||
| Other assets, net | |||||||||||
| Operating lease right-of-use assets, net | |||||||||||
| Goodwill | |||||||||||
| Total assets | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity | |||||||||||
| Current liabilities | |||||||||||
| Current maturities of long-term debt and finance lease obligations | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Accounts payable | |||||||||||
| Accrued expenses | |||||||||||
| Wages and related taxes | |||||||||||
| Property taxes | |||||||||||
| Insurance accruals | |||||||||||
| Operating lease liabilities | |||||||||||
| Other | |||||||||||
| Total current liabilities | |||||||||||
| Long-term debt and finance lease obligations, net of current maturities | |||||||||||
| Deferred income taxes | |||||||||||
| Operating lease liabilities, net of current portion | |||||||||||
| Insurance accruals, net of current portion | |||||||||||
| Other long-term liabilities | |||||||||||
| Total liabilities | |||||||||||
| Commitments and contingencies | |||||||||||
| Shareholders’ equity | |||||||||||
Preferred stock, | |||||||||||
Common stock, | |||||||||||
| Retained earnings | |||||||||||
| Total shareholders’ equity | |||||||||||
| Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity | $ | $ | |||||||||
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
| Years ended April 30, | |||||||||||||||||
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||||||
| Total revenue | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Cost of goods sold (excluding depreciation and amortization, shown separately below) | |||||||||||||||||
| Operating expenses | |||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | |||||||||||||||||
| Interest, net | |||||||||||||||||
| Income before income taxes | |||||||||||||||||
| Federal and state income taxes | |||||||||||||||||
| Net income | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Net income per common share | |||||||||||||||||
| Basic | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Diluted | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(In thousands, except per share and share amounts)
| Shares Outstanding | Common stock | Retained earnings | Shareholders' Equity | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at April 30, 2022 | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||
Dividends declared ($ | — | — | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
| Share-based compensation (net of tax withholding on employee share-based awards) | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at April 30, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||
Dividends declared ($ | — | — | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
| Repurchase of common stock | ( | ( | — | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
| Share-based compensation (net of tax withholding on employee share-based awards) | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at April 30, 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||
Dividends declared ($ | — | — | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
| Share-based compensation (net of tax withholding on employee share-based awards) | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at April 30, 2025 | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
| Years ended April 30, | |||||||||||||||||
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||||||
| Cash flows from operating activities | |||||||||||||||||
| Net income | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: | |||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | |||||||||||||||||
| Amortization of debt related costs | |||||||||||||||||
| Change in excess replacement cost over LIFO inventory valuation | |||||||||||||||||
| Share-based compensation | |||||||||||||||||
| Loss on disposal of assets and impairment charges | |||||||||||||||||
| Deferred income taxes | |||||||||||||||||
| Changes in assets and liabilities: | |||||||||||||||||
| Receivables | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Inventories | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Prepaid expenses | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||
| Accounts payable | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Accrued expenses | |||||||||||||||||
| Income taxes | |||||||||||||||||
| Other, net | ( | ||||||||||||||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | |||||||||||||||||
| Cash flows from investing activities | |||||||||||||||||
| Purchase of property and equipment | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Payments for acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Proceeds from sales of property and equipment | |||||||||||||||||
| Net cash used in investing activities | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Cash flows from financing activities | |||||||||||||||||
| Proceeds from long-term debt | |||||||||||||||||
| Payments of long-term debt and finance lease obligations | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Payments of debt related costs | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||
| Payments of cash dividends | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Repurchase of common stock and payment of related excise taxes | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||
| Tax withholdings on employee share-based awards | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||
| Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | ( | ||||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year | |||||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents at end of year | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOWS INFORMATION | |||||||||||||||||
| Cash paid for interest, net of amount capitalized | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Cash paid for income taxes, net | |||||||||||||||||
| Noncash investing and financing activities | |||||||||||||||||
| Purchased property and equipment in accounts payable | |||||||||||||||||
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
35
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
1. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Operations: Casey’s General Stores, Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively referred to as the "Company") operate 2,904 convenience stores in 20 states, primarily in the Midwest. Many of the stores are located in smaller communities, often with populations of less than 20,000 .
Principles of consolidation: The consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of Casey’s General Stores, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All material intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Certain amounts in prior year have been reclassified to conform to current year presentation.
Use of estimates: The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("U.S. GAAP") requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Cash equivalents: We consider all highly liquid investments with a maturity at purchase of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Included in cash equivalents are money market funds, treasury bills, as well as credit card, debit card and electronic benefits transfer transactions that process within three days.
| Years ended April 30, | |||||||||||||||||
| 2025 | 2024 | ||||||||||||||||
| Vendor rebates | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||
| Credit cards | |||||||||||||||||
| Other | |||||||||||||||||
| Total receivables | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||
Inventories and cost of goods sold: Inventories, which consist of merchandise and fuel, are stated at the lower of cost or market. For fuel inventories, cost is determined through the use of the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method. For merchandise inventories, cost is determined through the use of the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method.
The excess of replacement cost over the stated LIFO value was $162,991 and $151,461 at April 30, 2025 and 2024, respectively. There were no material LIFO liquidations during the periods presented. Below is a summary of the inventory values at April 30, 2025 and 2024:
| Years ended April 30, | |||||||||||
| 2025 | 2024 | ||||||||||
| Fuel | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Merchandise | |||||||||||
| Total inventories | $ | $ | |||||||||
The Company often receives vendor allowances on the basis of quantitative contract terms that vary by product and vendor or directly on the basis of purchases made. Vendor allowances include rebates and other funds received from vendors to promote their products. These amounts are recognized in the period earned based on the applicable rebate agreement. Reimbursements of an operating expense (e.g., advertising) are recorded as reductions of the related expense.
Renewable identification numbers (“RINs”) are assigned to gallons of renewable fuels produced and are used to track compliance with the renewable fuel standard. At times, we purchase fuel components (ethanol, gasoline, biodiesel or diesel) and blend those components into a finished product in a fuel truck. This process enables the Company to take title to the RIN assigned to each gallon of ethanol or biodiesel produced. RINs are recorded as a reduction in cost of goods sold at the contracted sales price, in the period when the Company transfers the RIN. The Company does not record inventories on the balance sheet related to RINs, as they are acquired at no specified cost to the Company.
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Capitalized software implementation costs: The Company capitalizes expenditures related to the implementation of software-as-a-service as incurred. These costs are expensed on a straight-line basis within operating expenses, typically over the contractual life of the related software. The useful lives utilized for capitalized software implementation costs range from 2 -13 years. As of April 30, 2025 and 2024, the Company had recognized $35,588 and $37,619 of capitalized software implementation costs, net of amortization, respectively. The outstanding balance is recognized in other assets, net of amortization on the consolidated balance sheets. The Company has recognized amortization of $10,950 in fiscal 2025, $14,108 in fiscal 2024 and $12,302 in fiscal 2023 within operating expenses on the consolidated statements of income.
Depreciation and amortization: Depreciation of property and equipment are computed using the straight-line method over the following estimated useful lives:
| Buildings | |||||
| Land improvements | |||||
| Machinery and equipment | |||||
| Finance lease right-of-use assets | Lesser of term of lease or life of asset | ||||
| Leasehold improvements | Lesser of term of lease or life of asset | ||||
The Company monitors stores and will accelerate depreciation if the expected life of the asset is reduced due to the expected remaining operation of the store or the Company’s plans. Construction in process is reported at cost and not subject to depreciation until the related asset is placed in service.
Store closings and asset impairment: The Company writes down property and equipment of stores it is closing to estimated net realizable value at the time management commits to a plan to close such stores and begins actively marketing the stores. The Company bases the estimated net realizable value of property and equipment on its experience in utilizing and/or disposing of similar assets, as well as estimates provided by its own and/or third-party real estate experts.
Income taxes: The Company uses the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in the consolidated statements of income in the period that includes the enactment date. The Company calculates its current and deferred tax provision based on estimates and assumptions that could differ from actual results reflected in income tax returns filed in subsequent years. Adjustments based on filed returns are recorded when identified.
Revenue recognition: The Company recognizes retail sales of prepared food and dispensed beverage, grocery and general merchandise, fuel and other revenue at the time of the sale to the guest. Sales taxes collected from guests and remitted to the government are recorded on a net basis in the consolidated statements of income.
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A portion of revenue from sales that include points under our Casey’s Rewards program is deferred. The deferred portion of the sale represents the value of the estimated future redemption of the points. The amounts related to points are deferred until their redemption or expiration. Revenue related to the points issued is expected to be recognized less than one year from the original sale to the guest. As of April 30, 2025 and 2024, the Company recognized a contract liability of $64,077 and $52,934 , respectively, primarily related to the Casey's Rewards program, which is included in other accrued expenses on the consolidated balance sheets.
Net income per common share: Basic earnings per share have been computed by dividing net income by the weighted average shares outstanding during each of the years. Unvested shares under equity awards are treated as common shares within the basic earnings per share calculation when a recipient has met certain requirements in the award agreement. For example, if retirement provisions are satisfied which allow a recipient to avoid forfeiture of the award upon a normal retirement from the Company, it is included in the basic earnings per share calculation. The calculation of diluted earnings per share treats unvested restricted stock units with time-based restrictions as potential common shares. The diluted earnings per share calculation does not take into effect any shares that have not met performance or market conditions as of the reporting period.
Asset retirement obligations: The Company recognizes the estimated future cost to remove underground storage tanks over the estimated useful life of the storage tank. The Company records a discounted liability for the fair value of an asset retirement obligation with a corresponding increase to the carrying value of a long-lived asset at the time an underground storage tank is installed. The Company depreciates the amount added to property and equipment on a straight-line basis and recognizes accretion expense in connection with the discounted liability over the remaining life of the tank. The estimates of the anticipated future costs for removal of an underground storage tank are based on our prior experience with removal. Because these estimates are subjective and are currently based on historical costs with adjustments for estimated future changes in the associated costs, we expect the dollar amount of these obligations to change as more information is obtained.
The discounted liability was $52,105 and $39,954 at April 30, 2025 and 2024, respectively, and is recorded in other long-term liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets.
Environmental remediation liabilities: The Company accrues for environmental remediation liabilities when it is probable a liability has been incurred and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. At April 30, 2025 and 2024 we had an accrued liability of $385 and $299 , respectively, which is recorded in other accrued expenses on the consolidated balance sheets.
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Recent accounting pronouncements:
In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280) - Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures. The standard is intended to improve reportable segment disclosure requirements, primarily through enhanced disclosures about significant expenses. The amendments will require public entities to disclose significant segment expenses that are regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker and included within each reported measure of segment profit and loss. The new standard was effective beginning in the current filing. These new disclosure requirements are applied retrospectively to all prior periods included in the financial statements. Refer to Note 11 for the new required disclosures.
In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740) - Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures. The standard includes amendments that further enhance income tax disclosures, primarily through standardization and disaggregation of rate reconciliation categories and income taxes paid by jurisdiction. The new standard is effective for the Company's annual periods beginning May 1, 2025, with early adoption permitted. The Company does not expect the adoption of ASU 2023-09 to have a material impact to our disclosures.
In November 2024, the FASB issued ASU 2024-03, Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses (Subtopic 220-40). The standard requires new financial statement disclosures regarding specified information about certain costs and expenses. The new standard is effective for the Company's annual periods beginning May 1, 2027, and interim periods beginning May 1, 2028, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating ASU 2024-03 to determine its impact on our disclosures.
2. ACQUISITIONS
Current Period Acquisition
On November 1, 2024, the Company closed on the acquisition of Fikes Wholesale, owner of CEFCO Convenience Stores, and Group Petroleum Services (collectively “Fikes”) through an equity purchase agreement. As part of the acquisition, the Company acquired 100 % of the equity of Fikes. The transaction included 198 retail locations as well as a fuel terminal, and a wholesale network, where the Company manages fuel wholesale supply agreements to certain locations. A combination of the land and/or building at 101 retail locations are subject to lease agreements. The acquisition brought 148 additional stores to Texas, as well as 50 stores in Alabama, Florida, and Mississippi. This acquisition met the criteria to be considered a business combination.
The acquisition was recorded in the financial statements by allocating the purchase price to the assets acquired, including intangible assets, and liabilities assumed, based on their estimated fair values at the acquisition date. Fair values were determined using primarily Level 3 inputs, which are unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data. The excess of the cost of the acquisition over the net amounts assigned to the fair value of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed is recorded as goodwill. Goodwill of $577,652 was recognized as the result of the acquisition and is primarily attributable to the location of the stores in relation to our footprint and expected synergies. Almost all of the goodwill associated with this transaction will be deductible for income tax purposes over 15 years.
The aggregate purchase price for the acquisition totaled $1,165,752 , which is gross of cash and cash equivalents acquired. The purchase price was paid in cash using available cash on hand and proceeds from the Incremental Term Loan, and the issuance of the Notes. For definition of the Incremental Term Loan and the Notes, see Note 3.
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The table below summarizes the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date. We utilized a third-party valuation specialist to assist in valuing the customer relationships, trade name, leases, and property and equipment acquired.
| Assets acquired: | |||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | ||||
| Receivables | |||||
| Inventories | |||||
| Prepaid and other current assets | |||||
| Deferred income taxes | |||||
| Property and equipment | |||||
| Operating lease right-of-use assets | |||||
| Other assets | |||||
| Customer relationships and trade name | |||||
| Goodwill | |||||
| Total assets | |||||
| Liabilities assumed: | |||||
| Accounts payable | |||||
| Accrued expenses and other long-term liabilities | |||||
| Operating lease liabilities | |||||
| Total liabilities | |||||
| Net assets acquired and total purchase price | $ | ||||
Customer relationships and trade name will be amortized over their respective useful lives of 15 years and 4 years, and are included within other assets, net of amortization in the consolidated balance sheets as of April 30, 2025. These assets were valued using the multi-period excess earnings method, and relief from royalty method, respectively.
Acquisition-related transaction costs are recognized as period costs as incurred. The Company incurred total acquisition-related transaction costs of $26,205 for the year ended April 30, 2025, related to the Fikes acquisition, which are primarily recorded within operating expenses on the consolidated statements of income.
The Company recognized approximately $952,018 of revenue related to the Fikes entities in the consolidated statements of income for year ended April 30, 2025. The impact to net income related to the Fikes entities was not material for the year ended April 30, 2025.
During the year ended April 30, 2025, the Company acquired a further 37 stores through a variety of transactions, pursuant to the terms and conditions of the individual asset purchase agreements. The majority of these acquisitions meet the criteria to be considered business combinations, and have been recorded in the financial statements in line with the methods discussed above. The impact of these acquisitions is not considered to be material.
Pro Forma Information
The following unaudited pro forma information presents a summary of our consolidated results of operations as if the acquisition of Fikes occurred at the beginning of the first fiscal year of the periods presented below (amounts in thousands, except per share data):
| For the year ended April 30, | |||||||||||
| 2025 | 2024 | ||||||||||
| Total revenue | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Net income | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Net income per common share | |||||||||||
| Basic | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Diluted | $ | $ | |||||||||
Prior Period Acquisitions
During the year ended April 30, 2024, the Company acquired 112 stores through a variety of transactions, pursuant to the terms and conditions of the individual asset purchase agreements. The majority of these acquisitions meet the criteria to be c
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onsidered business combinations. The purchase price for each transaction was paid in cash upon closing using available cash on hand.
Goodwill of $37,321 was recognized as the result of the prior period acquisitions and is primarily attributable to the location of the stores in relation to our footprint and expected synergies. Almost all of the goodwill associated with these transactions will be deductible for income tax purposes over 15 years.
The Company incurred total acquisition-related transaction costs of $8,920 for the year ended April 30, 2024 which are recorded within operating expenses on the consolidated statements of income.
Allocation of the purchase price for the transactions in aggregate for the year ended April 30, 2024, was as follows:
| Assets acquired: | |||||
| Inventories | $ | ||||
| Property and equipment | |||||
| Finance lease right-of-use assets | |||||
| Operating lease right-of-use assets | |||||
| Other assets | |||||
| Goodwill | |||||
| Total assets | $ | ||||
| Liabilities assumed: | |||||
| Accrued expenses and other long-term liabilities | $ | ||||
| Finance lease liabilities | |||||
| Operating lease liabilities | |||||
| Total liabilities | |||||
| Net assets acquired and total consideration paid | $ | ||||
3. FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND LONG-TERM DEBT
U.S. GAAP requires that each financial asset and liability carried at fair value be classified into one of the following of the fair value hierarchy levels, which is based upon the quality of the inputs used in the valuation. Level 1 inputs are quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities. Level 2 inputs are observable market-based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data (excluding those included within Level 1). Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data. The Company has not changed its valuation techniques in measuring the fair value of any financial assets and liabilities during the period. A summary of the fair value of the Company’s financial instruments follows.
Cash and cash equivalents, receivables, and accounts payable: The carrying amount approximates fair value due to the short maturity of these instruments or the recent purchase of the instruments at current rates of interest.
Long-term debt: The fair value of the Company’s long-term debt (including current maturities) is estimated based on the current rates offered to the Company for debt of the same or similar issuances which are considered Level 2 inputs. The fair value of the Company’s long-term debt was approximately $2,285,000 and $1,375,000 at April 30, 2025 and 2024, respectively. The fair value calculated excludes finance lease obligations of $108,920 and $101,818 outstanding at April 30, 2025 and 2024, respectively, which are grouped with on the consolidated balance sheets.
Series I and J Senior Notes
On October 4, 2024, the Company entered into a note purchase agreement with respect to the issuance of $250,000 aggregate principal amount of senior notes, consisting of: (i) $150,000 aggregate principal amount of 5.23 % Senior Notes, Series I, due November 2, 2031; and (ii) $100,000 aggregate principal amount of 5.43 % Senior Notes, Series J, due November 2, 2034 (collectively, the “Notes”). The Senior Notes Series I and Series J were issued on October 30, 2024. Interest on the 5.23 % Senior Notes Series I and 5.43 % Senior Notes Series J is payable on the 2nd day of each May and November. Principal on the Senior Notes Series I and Series J is payable in full on November 2, 2031 (Series I) and November 2, 2034 (Series J), respectively. We may prepay these notes in whole or in part at any time in an amount of not less than $2,000 at a redemption price calculated in accordance with the note purchase agreement. The Company used the proceeds of these notes to partially fund the Fikes acquisition (see further discussion of the Fikes acquisition in Note 2).
Amended Credit Agreement
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The Company is party to a credit agreement, dated as of April 21, 2023 (the “Original Credit Agreement”) for (a) a $250,000 unsecured term loan (the “Original Term Loan”) and (b) an $850,000 unsecured revolving credit facility (the “Revolving Facility” and together with the Original Term Loan, the “Original Credit Facilities”). The Original Term Loan was used to refinance the Company's previous term loan under a prior credit agreement, and to pay fees and expenses in connection therewith. The Revolving Facility is available for working capital and other general corporate purposes of the Company and its subsidiaries.
The outstanding principal balance on the Original Term Loan is required to be repaid in equal quarterly installments in an amount equal to 1.25 % of the original principal amount, on the last day of each March, June, September, and December, with the balance of the Original Credit Facilities due on April 21, 2028. The Original Credit Agreement contains an expansion option permitting the Company to request an increase of either of the Original Credit Facilities from time to time not to exceed the greater of (a) $900,000 and (b) 100 % of Consolidated EBITDA (as defined in the Original Credit Agreement) of the Company for the four most recently completed fiscal quarters, from the lenders or other financial institutions acceptable to the Company and the administrative agent, upon the satisfaction of certain conditions, including the consent of the lenders whose commitments would increase. The Company had $200,000 and $237,500 outstanding on the Original Term Loan at April 30, 2025 and 2024, respectively. Additionally, the Company had $0
On October 30, 2024, the Company entered into an amendment to the Original Credit Agreement (the “Amendment” and, together with the Original Credit Agreement, the “Credit Agreement”), pursuant to which the Company incurred an incremental term loan in an aggregate principal amount of $850,000 (the “Incremental Term Loan”). The outstanding principal balance of the Incremental Term Loan is required to be repaid in equal quarterly installments of $10,625 on the last business day of each March, June, September, and December, which commenced on March 31, 2025, with the remaining balance due on October 30, 2029. The proceeds of the Incremental Term Loan were used to partially fund the Fikes acquisition (see further discussion of the Fikes acquisition in Note 2). The Company had $839,375 and $0 outstanding on the Incremental Term Loan at April 30, 2025 and 2024, respectively.
Amounts borrowed under the Credit Agreement, including the Term Loan, Incremental Term Loan and the Revolving Facility, bear interest at variable rates based upon, at the Company’s option, either: (a) either Term SOFR or Daily Simple SOFR, in each case plus 0.1 % (with a floor of 0.00 %) for the interest period in effect, plus an applicable margin ranging from 1.10 % to 1.70 % or (b) an alternate base rate, which generally equals the highest of (i) the prime commercial lending rate announced by the Administrative Agent as its “prime rate”, (ii) the federal funds rate plus 1/2 of 1.00%, and (iii) Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR plus 1.00 %, each plus an applicable margin ranging from 0.1 % to 0.70 % and each with a floor of 1.00 %. The applicable margins and facility fee, in each case, are dependent upon the Company’s quarterly Consolidated Leverage Ratio, as defined in the Credit Agreement.
Bank Line
The Company has an additional unsecured bank line of credit (the "Bank Line") with availability of up to $50,000 . As of April 30, 2025, the availability under the Bank Line is encumbered by letters of credits totaling $308 . The Bank Line bears interest at a variable rate subject to change from time to time based on changes in an independent index referred to in the Bank Line as the Federal Funds Offered Rate. There was $0
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The carrying amount of the Company’s long-term debt and finance lease obligations by issuance is as follows:
| As of April 30, | |||||||||||
| 2025 | 2024 | ||||||||||
| $ | $ | ||||||||||
| Variable rate term loan facility, requiring quarterly installments ending April 21, 2028 | |||||||||||
| Variable rate incremental term loan facility, requiring quarterly installments ending October 30, 2029 | |||||||||||
| Debt issuance costs | ( | ( | |||||||||
| $ | $ | ||||||||||
| Less current maturities | |||||||||||
| $ | $ | ||||||||||
Interest, net on the consolidated statements of income is net of interest income of $13,102 , $11,736 , and $7,823 for the years ended April 30, 2025, 2024, and 2023, respectively. Interest, net is also net of interest capitalized of $2,305 , $3,363 , and $3,631 during the years ended April 30, 2025, 2024, and 2023, respectively.
The agreements relating to the above long-term debt contain certain operating and financial covenants. At April 30, 2025, the Company was in compliance with all such operating and financial covenants.
Listed below are the aggregate maturities of long-term debt, excluding finance lease obligations (refer to Note 7 for future minimum payments under finance leases), for the 5 years commencing May 1, 2025 and thereafter:
| Years ended April 30, | ||||||||
| 2026 | $ | |||||||
| 2027 | ||||||||
| 2028 | ||||||||
| 2029 | ||||||||
| 2030 | ||||||||
| Thereafter | ||||||||
| $ | ||||||||
4. PREFERRED AND COMMON STOCK
Preferred stock: The Company has 1,000,000 authorized shares of preferred stock, of which 250,000 shares have been designated as Series A Serial Preferred Stock. No shares of preferred stock have been issued.
Common stock: The Company currently has 120,000,000 authorized shares of common stock.
Stock incentive plans: The 2018 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2018 Plan”) was approved by the Company's shareholders on September 5, 2018. Awards under the 2018 Plan may take the form of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units and other equity-based and equity-related awards. Each share issued pursuant to a stock option and each share with respect to which a stock-settled stock appreciation right is exercised (regardless of the number of shares actually
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delivered) is counted as one share against the maximum limit under the 2018 Plan, and each share issued pursuant to an award of restricted stock or restricted stock units is counted as two shares against the maximum limit. Restricted stock is transferred immediately upon grant (and may be subject to a holding period), whereas restricted stock units have a vesting period that must expire, and in some cases performance or market conditions that must be satisfied before the stock is transferred. At April 30, 2025, there were 949,238 shares available for grant under the 2018 Plan.
We account for share-based compensation by estimating the grant date fair value of time-based and performance-based restricted stock unit awards using the closing price of our common stock on the applicable grant date, or the date on which performance goals for performance-based units are established, if after the grant date. The time-based awards most commonly vest ratably over a three-year period commencing on the first anniversary of the grant date. The performance-based awards represent a “target” amount; the final amount earned is based on the satisfaction of certain performance measures over a three-year performance period and will range from 0 % to 200 % of “target." The performance-based awards are also subject to the TSR Modifier (see Note 1 for additional information). The fair value of these awards is determined using a Monte Carlo simulation as of the date of the grant. For market-based awards, the share-based compensation expense will not be adjusted should the target awards vary from actual awards.
We recognize these amounts as an operating expense in our consolidated statements of income ratably over the requisite service period using the straight-line method, as adjusted for certain retirement provisions, and updated estimates of shares to be issued under performance-based awards. All awards have been granted at no cost to the grantee.
The following table presents a summary of our restricted stock unit activity during the three-year period ended April 30, 2025. At April 30, 2025, there were no stock options, stock appreciation rights or other equity-based awards outstanding.
| Weighted-Average | |||||||||||
| Grant Date Fair | |||||||||||
| Shares | Value per Share | ||||||||||
Unvested at April 30, 2022 | |||||||||||
| Granted | $ | ||||||||||
| Vested | ( | ||||||||||
| Forfeited | ( | ||||||||||
| Performance Award Adjustments | |||||||||||
Unvested at April 30, 2023 | |||||||||||
| Granted | |||||||||||
| Vested | ( | ||||||||||
| Forfeited | ( | ||||||||||
| Performance Award Adjustments | |||||||||||
Unvested at April 30, 2024 | |||||||||||
| Granted | |||||||||||
| Vested | ( | ||||||||||
| Forfeited | ( | ||||||||||
| Performance Award Adjustments | |||||||||||
Unvested at April 30, 2025 | $ | ||||||||||
Total share-based compensation costs recorded for employees and non-employee board members for the restricted stock unit awards for the years ended April 30, 2025, 2024 and 2023 were $47,732 , $41,379 , and $47,024 , respectively. As of April 30, 2025, there was $41,299 of total unrecognized compensation costs related to the 2018 Plan for costs related to restricted stock units which are expected to be recognized ratably through fiscal 2028, with a weighted average remaining term of 0.8 year. The fair value of restricted stock unit awards vested for the years ended April 30, 2025, 2024 and 2023 were $65,947 , $49,631 , and, $46,943 , respectively, as of the applicable vest date.
On, and effective as of, March 3, 2022, the Board authorized a share repurchase program, whereby the Company was authorized to repurchase its outstanding common stock from time-to-time, for an aggregate amount of up to $400 million, exclusive of fees, commissions or other costs (the "Repurchase Program"). The Repurchase Program has no set expiration date. The timing and number of repurchase transactions depends on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, market conditions, corporate considerations, business opportunities, debt agreements, and regulatory requirements. The Repurchase Program can be suspended or discontinued at any time. As of April 30, 2025, $295.1 million remained available for future purchases under this share repurchase program. The Company did not complete any share repurchases during the current fiscal year.
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5. NET INCOME PER COMMON SHARE
Computations for basic and diluted earnings per common share are presented below:
| Years ended April 30, | |||||||||||||||||
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||||||
| Basic | |||||||||||||||||
| Net income | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Weighted average shares outstanding-basic | |||||||||||||||||
| Basic earnings per common share | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Diluted | |||||||||||||||||
| Net income | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Weighted-average shares outstanding-basic | |||||||||||||||||
| Plus effect of restricted stock units | |||||||||||||||||
| Weighted-average shares outstanding-diluted | |||||||||||||||||
| Diluted earnings per common share | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
6. INCOME TAXES
Income tax expense attributable to earnings consisted of the following components:
| Years ended April 30, | |||||||||||||||||
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||||||
| Current tax expense: | |||||||||||||||||
| Federal | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| State | |||||||||||||||||
| Deferred tax expense | |||||||||||||||||
| Total income tax expense | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
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The tax effects of temporary differences that gave rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities were as follows:
| As of April 30, | |||||||||||
| 2025 | 2024 | ||||||||||
| Deferred tax assets: | |||||||||||
| Accrued liabilities and reserves | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Deferred revenue | |||||||||||
| Accrued bonus compensation | |||||||||||
| Workers compensation | |||||||||||
| Operating and finance lease obligations | |||||||||||
| Asset retirement obligations | |||||||||||
| Deferred compensation | |||||||||||
| Equity compensation | |||||||||||
| State net operating losses and tax credits | |||||||||||
| Other | |||||||||||
| Total gross deferred tax assets | |||||||||||
| Less valuation allowance | |||||||||||
| Total net deferred tax assets | |||||||||||
| Deferred tax liabilities: | |||||||||||
| Property and equipment depreciation | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Goodwill | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Other | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Total gross deferred tax liabilities | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Net deferred tax liability | $ | ( | $ | ( | |||||||
At April 30, 2025, the Company had net operating loss carryforwards for state income tax purposes of $236,448 , which are available to offset future state taxable income. The state net operating loss carryforwards begin to expire in 2031. In addition, the Company had state tax credit carryforwards of $2,133 , which begin to expire in 2027.
The valuation allowance for state net operating loss and state tax credit deferred tax assets as of April 30, 2025 and 2024 was $550 . In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected taxable income, and tax planning strategies in making this assessment.
Total reported tax expense applicable to the Company’s continuing operations varies from the tax that would have resulted from applying the statutory U.S. federal income tax rates to income before income taxes.
| Years ended April 30, | |||||||||||||||||
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||||||
| Income taxes at the statutory rates | % | % | % | ||||||||||||||
| Federal tax credits | ( | % | ( | % | ( | % | |||||||||||
| State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit | % | % | % | ||||||||||||||
| Impact of phased-in state law changes, net of federal benefit | ( | % | ( | % | ( | % | |||||||||||
| ASU 2016-09 benefit (share-based compensation) | ( | % | ( | % | ( | % | |||||||||||
| Nondeductible executive compensation | % | % | % | ||||||||||||||
| Other | ( | % | % | ( | % | ||||||||||||
| % | % | % | |||||||||||||||
The Company recognizes the effect of income tax positions only if those positions are more likely than not of being sustained. Recognized income tax positions are measured at the largest amount that is greater than 50% likely of being realized. Changes in recognition or measurement are reflected in the period in which the change in judgment occurs. The Company had a total of $10,773 and $10,747 in gross unrecognized tax benefits at April 30, 2025 and 2024, respectively, which is recorded in other long-term liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets. Of this amount, $8,510 represents the amount of unrecognized tax bene
46
fits that, if recognized, would impact our effective tax rate. Unrecognized tax benefits increased $26 during the twelve months ended April 30, 2025, due primarily to the increase associated with income tax filing positions for the current year exceeding the decrease related to the expiration of certain statute of limitations. A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:
| 2025 | 2024 | ||||||||||
| Beginning balance | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Additions based on tax positions related to current year | |||||||||||
| Reductions due to lapse of applicable statute of limitations | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Ending balance | $ | $ | |||||||||
The total net amount of accrued interest and penalties for such unrecognized tax benefits was $266 and $350 at April 30, 2025 and 2024, respectively, and is included in other long-term liabilities. Net interest and penalties included in income tax expense for the twelve month periods ended April 30, 2025 and 2024 was a decrease in tax expense of $84 and a decrease in tax expense of $36 , respectively.
A number of years may elapse before an uncertain tax position is audited and ultimately settled. It is difficult to predict the ultimate outcome or the timing of resolution for uncertain tax positions. It is reasonably possible that the amount of unrecognized tax benefits could significantly increase or decrease within the next twelve months. These changes could result from the expiration of the statute of limitations, examinations or other unforeseen circumstances. The State of Illinois is currently examining tax years 2020 and 2021. The Company has no other ongoing federal or state income tax examinations.
At this time, the Company’s best estimate of the reasonably possible change in the amount of the gross unrecognized tax benefits is a decrease of $2,500 during the next twelve months mainly due to the expiration of certain statute of limitations. The federal statute of limitations remains open for the tax years 2021 and forward. Tax years 2019 and forward are subject to audit by state tax authorities depending on open statute of limitations waivers and the tax code of each state.
7. LEASES
The Company is a lessee in situations where we lease property and equipment, most commonly land, building or store equipment, from a lessor. The Company is a lessor in situations where the Company owns land or building and leases a portion or all of the property or equipment to a tenant. As a lessee, the Company recognizes a right-of-use asset representing its right to use the underlying asset for the lease term and a lease liability for the obligation to make lease payments. Both the right-of-use asset and lease liability are initially measured at the present value of the lease payments, with subsequent measurement dependent on the classification of the lease as either a finance or an operating lease. For leases with a term of twelve months or less, we have elected to not recognize lease assets and lease liabilities and will recognize lease expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The Company records operating lease liabilities within its own line item, broken out between current and long-term, and records finance lease liabilities within current maturities of long-term debt and finance lease obligations and long-term debt and finance lease obligations on the consolidated balance sheets. All lessor related activity is considered immaterial to the consolidated financial statements.
New leases are recognized at the present value of the lease payments using the implicit rate in the lease agreement when it is readily determinable. In the case the implicit rate is not readily determinable, the Company uses our incremental borrowing rate of debt based on the term of the lease. The Company commonly has options to renew or extend the current lease arrangement on many of our leases. In these situations, if it is reasonably certain the lease would be extended, we have included those extensions within the remaining lease payments at the time of measurement.
Lease right-of-use assets outstanding as of April 30, 2025 and 2024 consisted of the following:
| Years ended April 30, | |||||||||||||||||
| Classification | 2025 | 2024 | |||||||||||||||
| Finance lease right-of-use assets | Net property and equipment | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Operating lease right-of-use assets | Operating lease right-of-use assets, net | ||||||||||||||||
The summary of lease-related costs included on the consolidated statements of income is included below:
47
| Years ended April 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Operating lease cost | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Finance lease cost: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Amortization of right-of-use assets | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense on lease liabilities | ||||||||||||||||||||
The summary of cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of liabilities included on the consolidated statements of cash flows and supplementary cash flow information are included below:
| Years ended April 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Operating cash flows required by operating leases | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Operating cash flows required by finance leases | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Financing cash flows required by finance leases | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new finance lease liabilities | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities | ||||||||||||||||||||
Weighted average remaining lease terms and weighted average discount rates on outstanding leases were as follows:
| April 30, | |||||||||||
| 2025 | 2024 | ||||||||||
| Weighted-average remaining lease-term - finance lease | |||||||||||
| Weighted-average remaining lease-term - operating lease | |||||||||||
| Weighted-average discount rate - finance lease | % | % | |||||||||
| Weighted-average discount rate - operating lease | % | % | |||||||||
Future minimum payments under the finance leases and operating leases consisted of the following at April 30, 2025:
| Years ended April 30, | Finance leases | Operating leases | |||||||||
| 2026 | $ | $ | |||||||||
| 2027 | |||||||||||
| 2028 | |||||||||||
| 2029 | |||||||||||
| 2030 | |||||||||||
| Thereafter | |||||||||||
| Total minimum lease payments | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Less amount representing interest | |||||||||||
| Present value of net minimum lease payments | $ | $ | |||||||||
Effective during the third quarter of fiscal year 2020, Casey’s Marketing Company, and the City of Joplin, Missouri (“Joplin”) entered into an agreement in which Joplin agreed to issue up to $51,400 of taxable industrial development revenue bonds for the purpose of acquiring, constructing, improving, purchasing, equipping and installing a warehouse and distribution facility, which has been completed and is currently being used by the Company. As the title of the development was transferred to Joplin and the Company is subsequently leasing the related asset from Joplin, we have accounted for the transaction under the sale-and-leaseback guidance. We have a purchase option included in the lease agreement for below the fair value of the asset, which prevents the transfer of the assets to Joplin from being recognized as a sale. Accordingly, we have not recognized any gain or loss related to the transfer. Furthermore, we have not derecognized the transferred assets and continue to recognize them in property and equipment on the consolidated balance sheets. The Company has the right and intends to set-off any obligations to make payments under the lease, with proceeds due from the industrial revenue bonds. As of April 30, 2025, we have recognized the full amount of bonds available as property and equipment on the consolidated balance sheets related to this agreement.
48
8. BENEFIT PLAN
The Company provides Team Members with a defined contribution 401(k) Plan. The 401(k) Plan is available to all Team Members who meet minimum age and service requirements. The Company contributions consist of matching amounts in Company stock and are allocated based on Team Member contributions. Contributions to the 401(k) Plan were $17,294 , $14,262 , and $11,765 for the years ended April 30, 2025, 2024, and 2023, respectively.
On April 30, 2025 and 2024, 660,680 and 715,328 shares of common stock, respectively, were held by the trustee of the 401(k) Plan in trust for distribution to eligible participants upon death, disability, retirement, or termination of employment. Shares held by the 401(k) Plan are treated as outstanding in the computation of net income per common share.
9. COMMITMENTS
The Company has entered into employment agreements with its Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and Chief Operating Officer, each of which require minimum annual compensation. The Company also has entered into change of control agreements with its Chief Executive Officer and 33 other officers, providing for certain payments in the event of termination in connection with a change of control of the Company, as defined therein.
10. CONTINGENCIES
Environmental compliance: The United States Environmental Protection Agency and several states have adopted laws and regulations relating to underground storage tanks used for petroleum products. The majority of the states in which the Company does business have trust fund programs with provisions for sharing or reimbursing corrective action or remediation costs.
Management currently believes that substantially all capital expenditures for electronic monitoring, cathodic protection, and overfill/spill protection to comply with existing regulations have been completed. The Company has an accrued liability at April 30, 2025 and 2024 of approximately $385 and $299 , respectively, for estimated expenses related to anticipated corrective actions or remediation efforts, including relevant legal and consulting costs. Management believes the Company has no material joint and several environmental liability with other parties. Additional regulations or amendments to the existing regulations could result in future revisions to such estimated expenditures.
Legal matters: From time to time we may be involved in legal or administrative proceedings or investigations arising from the conduct of our business operations, including, but not limited to, contractual disputes; employment, personnel, or accessibility matters; personal injury and property damage claims; and claims by federal, state, and local regulatory authorities relating to the sale of products pursuant to licenses and permits issued by those authorities. Claims for damages in those actions may be substantial. While the outcome of such litigation, proceedings, investigations, or claims is never certain, it is our opinion, after taking into consideration legal counsel’s assessment and the availability of insurance proceeds and other collateral sources to cover potential losses, that the ultimate disposition of such matters currently pending or threatened, individually or cumulatively, will not have a material impact on our consolidated financial position and results of operations.
The Company is named as a defendant in a lawsuit filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana, initially titled McColley v. Casey’s General Stores, Inc. (now titled White v. Casey's General Stores, Inc.), in which the plaintiff alleges that the Company misclassified its Store Managers as exempt employees under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The complaint seeks unpaid wages, liquidated damages and attorneys’ fees for the plaintiff and all similarly situated Store Managers who worked at the Company from February 16, 2015, to the present. On March 31, 2021, the Court granted conditional certification, and to-date, approximately 1,400 current and/or former Store Managers remain opted-in to participate in the lawsuit. The Company is also named in a related lawsuit filed in the Southern District of Illinois, titled Kessler v. Casey’s Marketing Company, et al., with substantially the same allegations and seeking the same relief, but instead for the plaintiff and all similarly situated Store Managers located in the state of Illinois from December 19, 2019, to the present. On October 13, 2023, the Court approved conditional certification, and to-date, approximately 550 current and/or former Store Managers remain opted-in to participate in the Kessler lawsuit. Discovery in both cases is currently underway. The Company believes that adequate provisions have been made for probable losses related to these matters, and that those, and the reasonably possible losses in excess of amounts accrued, where such range of loss can be estimated, are not material to the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows. The Company believes that its Store Managers are properly classified as exempt employees under the FLSA and it intends to continue to vigorously defend these matters.
At April 30, 2025, the Company was primarily self-insured for workers’ compensation claims in all but three states of its operating territory. In North Dakota and Ohio, the Company is required to participate in an exclusive, state-managed fund for all workers compensation claims. In Texas, the Company maintains a Work Injury Benefit Plan in lieu of workers’ compensation insurance for all Texas-based Team Members other than Group Petroleum Services drivers. The Company was also partially self-insured for general liability and auto liability under an agreement that provides for annual stop-loss limits
49
equal to or exceeding $2,000 for auto liability and $1,000 for both general liability and workers' compensation. Additionally, the Company is self-insured for its portion of Team Member medical expenses. At April 30, 2025 and 2024, the Company had $74,471 and $57,369 , respectively, accrued for estimated claims relating to self-insurance, the majority of which has been actuarially determined.
11. SEGMENT REPORTING
As of April 30, 2025, we operated 2,904 stores in 20 states. Our convenience stores offer a broad selection of merchandise, fuel and other products and services designed to appeal to the convenience needs of our guests. We manage the business on the basis of one operating segment and therefore, have only one reportable segment. Our stores sell similar products and services, use similar processes to sell those products and services, and sell their products and services to similar classes of guests. We make specific disclosures concerning the three broad categories of fuel, grocery and general merchandise, and prepared food and dispensed beverage because it allows us to more effectively discuss trends and operational initiatives within our business and industry. Although we can separate revenues and cost of goods sold within these categories (and further sub-categories), the operating expenses associated with operating a store that sells these products are not separable by these three categories.
Casey’s chief operating decision maker (“CODM”) is the President and Chief Executive Officer. The CODM assesses performance for the segment and decides how to allocate resources and capital based on profitability metrics, such as net income, that is reported on the consolidated statements of income. The CODM considers actual-to-forecast variances on a monthly, quarterly and annual basis for this profit measure when making decisions about resource allocation and assessing company performance. Total asset information by segment is not regularly provided to our CODM or utilized for purposes of assessing performance or allocating resources and, as a result, such information has not been presented below.
The following table provides information on revenue, significant expenses, and net income related to the single reportable segment:
| Years ended April 30, | |||||||||||||||||
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||||||
| Revenue | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Cost of goods sold (excluding depreciation and amortization) | |||||||||||||||||
| Prepared food & dispensed beverage | |||||||||||||||||
| Grocery & general merchandise | |||||||||||||||||
| Fuel | |||||||||||||||||
| Other (1) | |||||||||||||||||
| Total cost of goods sold (excluding depreciation and amortization) | |||||||||||||||||
| Operating expenses | |||||||||||||||||
| Same-store employee expense | |||||||||||||||||
| Same-store other expense | |||||||||||||||||
| Same-store credit card fees expense | |||||||||||||||||
| Non same-store operating expense | |||||||||||||||||
| Other (2) | |||||||||||||||||
| Total operating expenses | |||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation & amortization | |||||||||||||||||
| Interest, net | |||||||||||||||||
| Income before income taxes | |||||||||||||||||
| Federal and state income taxes | |||||||||||||||||
| Net income | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
(1)Other included in total cost of goods sold (excluding depreciation and amortization) primarily includes activity related to wholesale fuel.
50
(2)Other included in operating expenses includes expenses for information technology, operations, merchandising, finance, human resources, legal, acquisitions, field operations and service excellence.
51
| ITEM 9. | CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE | ||||
None.
| ITEM 9A. | CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES | ||||
(a) Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures.
As of the end of the period covered by this report, an evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 240.13a-15(e)). Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that the Company’s current disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of April 30, 2025.
For purposes of Rule 13a-15(e), the term disclosure controls and procedures means controls and other procedures of an issuer that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the issuer in the reports that it files or submits under the Act (l5 U.S.C. 78a et seq.) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Commission's rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by an issuer in the reports that it files or submits under the Act is accumulated and communicated to the issuer's management, including its principal executive and principal financial officer, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
(b) Management's Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting.
Management of the Company is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. The Company's internal control system was designed to provide reasonable assurance to the Company's management and Board of Directors regarding the preparation and fair presentation of published financial statements. All internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation.
The Company's management assessed the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of April 30, 2025. In making this assessment, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013).
We acquired Fikes Wholesale, owner of CEFCO Convenience Stores, and Group Petroleum Services (collectively “Fikes”) on November 1, 2024. We excluded Fikes' internal controls over financial reporting from the scope of management’s annual assessment of the effectiveness of the Company's controls and procedures. This exclusion is in accordance with the general guidance issued by the Staff of the SEC that an assessment of a recent business combination may be omitted from management's report on internal control over financial reporting in the first year of consolidation. Total assets and revenue excluded from management's assessment represented approximately 2% and 6%, respectively, of total assets and revenue as of and for the year-ended April 30, 2025.
On the basis of the prescribed criteria, management concluded that the Company's internal control over financial reporting was effective as of April 30, 2025.
KPMG LLP, as the Company's independent registered public accounting firm, has issued a report on its assessment of the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. This report appears on page 31.
(c) Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting.
Except as noted in the section above, there have been no other changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the year ended April 30, 2025 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
| ITEM 9B. | OTHER INFORMATION | ||||
| ITEM 9C. | DISCLOSURE REGARDING FOREIGN JURISDICTIONS THAT PREVENT INSPECTIONS | ||||
Not applicable.
52
PART III
| ITEM 10. | DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS, AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE | ||||
Those portions of the Company’s definitive Proxy Statement appearing under the captions “Election of Directors,” “Governance of the Company,” "Information about our Executive Officers", “Executive Compensation”, and "The Board of Directors and Its Committees", as filed with the Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A within 120 days after April 30, 2025, and used in connection with the Company’s 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders are hereby incorporated by reference.
The Company has adopted a Financial Code of Ethics applicable to its Chief Executive Officer and other senior financial officers. In addition, the Company has adopted a general code of business conduct (known as the Code of Conduct and Ethics) for its directors, officers, and all Team Members. The Financial Code of Ethics, the Code of Conduct and Ethics, and other Company governance materials are available under the Investor Relations-Governance link of the Company website located at www.caseys.com. In the event of any amendments to, or waivers of, the Financial Code of Ethics or the Code of Conduct and Ethics, any required disclosure will be posted to our website. To date, there have been no waivers of the Financial Code of Ethics or the Code of Conduct and Ethics. Shareholders may obtain copies of any of these corporate governance documents free of charge by downloading from the Web site or by writing to the Corporate Secretary at the address on the cover of this Form 10-K.
The Company has adopted insider trading policies and procedures applicable to its directors, officers, and employees that are reasonably designed to promote compliance with insider trading laws, rules and regulations, and any applicable Nasdaq listing standard. The Company's Insider Trading Policy and Procedures is filed as Exhibit 19.1 to this Form 10-K. In addition, it is our policy to comply with applicable securities and state laws, including insider trading laws, when engaging in transactions in the Company's securities.
| ITEM 11. | EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION | ||||
That portion of the Company’s definitive Proxy Statement appearing under the caption "Compensation Discussion and Analysis", "The Board of Directors and Its Committees”, “Compensation Committee Report", “Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation in Compensation Decisions”, “Executive Compensation,” “CEO Pay Ratio”, "Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change of Control", "Director Compensation", and "Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions", as filed with the Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A within 120 days after April 30, 2025, and used in connection with the Company’s 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders is hereby incorporated by reference.
| ITEM 12. | SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS | ||||
Those portions of the Company’s definitive Proxy Statement appearing under the captions “Beneficial Ownership of Shares of Common Stock by Directors and Executive Officers”, "Principal Shareholders" and "Equity Compensation Plan Information", as filed with the Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A within 120 days after April 30, 2025, and used in connection with the Company’s 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders are hereby incorporated by reference.
| ITEM 13. | CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE | ||||
That portion of the Company’s definitive Proxy Statement appearing under the captions “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions”, “Governance of the Company” and "The Board of Directors and its Committees", as filed with the Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A within 120 days after April 30, 2025, and used in connection with the Company’s 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders is hereby incorporated by reference.
| ITEM 14. | PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES | ||||
That portion of the Company’s definitive Proxy Statement appearing under the caption “Ratification of Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” as filed with the Commission within 120 days after April 30, 2025, and used in connection with the Company’s 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders is hereby incorporated by reference.
53
PART IV
| ITEM 15. | EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES | ||||
(a)Documents filed as a part of this report on Form 10-K:
a.The following financial statements are included herewith:
Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (KPMG LLP , Minneapolis, MN , PCAOB ID 185 )
Consolidated Balance Sheets, April 30, 2025 and 2024
Consolidated Statements of Income, Three Years Ended April 30, 2025
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity, Three Years Ended April 30, 2025
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, Three Years Ended April 30, 2025
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(2)No schedules are included because the required information is inapplicable or is presented in the consolidated financial statements or related notes thereto.
(3)The following exhibits are filed as a part of this report:
Exhibit Number | Description of Exhibits | ||||
| 2.1 | |||||
| 3.1 | |||||
| 3.2 | |||||
| 4.1 | |||||
| 4.2 | |||||
| 4.3 | |||||
| 4.4 | |||||
| 4.5 | |||||
| 4.6 | |||||
| 4.7 | |||||
| 4.8 | |||||
| 4.9 | |||||
| 4.10 | |||||
| 4.11 | |||||
| 4.12 | |||||
54
| 4.13 | |||||
| 4.14 | |||||
| 10.1 | |||||
| 10.2 | |||||
| 10.3 | |||||
| 10.4* | |||||
| 10.5* | |||||
| 10.6* | |||||
| 10.7* | |||||
| 10.8* | |||||
| 10.9* | |||||
| 10.10* | |||||
| 10.11* | |||||
| 10.12* | |||||
| 10.13* | |||||
| 10.14* | |||||
| 10.15* | |||||
| 10.16* | |||||
| 10.17* | |||||
| 10.18* | |||||
| 10.19* | |||||
55
| 10.20* | |||||
| 10.21* | |||||
| 10.22* | |||||
| 19.1 | |||||
| 21.1 | |||||
| 23.1 | |||||
| 31.1 | |||||
| 31.2 | |||||
| 32.1 | |||||
| 32.2 | |||||
| 97.1 | |||||
| 101.INS | XBRL Instance Document | ||||
| 101.SCH | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document | ||||
| 101.CAL | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document | ||||
| 101.LAB | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document | ||||
| 101.PRE | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document | ||||
| 101.DEF | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document | ||||
| * | Indicates management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement. | ||||
| ITEM 16. | FORM 10-K SUMMARY | ||||
Not applicable
56
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
CASEY’S GENERAL STORES, INC. (Registrant) | ||||||||
| Date: June 23, 2025 | By | /s/ Darren M. Rebelez | ||||||
| Darren M. Rebelez | ||||||||
| President and Chief Executive Officer | ||||||||
| (Principal Executive Officer and Director) | ||||||||
| Date: June 23, 2025 | By | /s/ Stephen P. Bramlage Jr. | ||||||
| Stephen P. Bramlage Jr. | ||||||||
| Chief Financial Officer | ||||||||
| (Authorized Officer and Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) | ||||||||
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
| Date: June 23, 2025 | By | /s/ Darren M. Rebelez | ||||||
| Darren M. Rebelez | ||||||||
| President, Chief Executive Officer and | ||||||||
| Board Chair | ||||||||
| Date: June 23, 2025 | By | /s/ Stephen P. Bramlage Jr. | ||||||
| Stephen P. Bramlage Jr. | ||||||||
| Chief Financial Officer | ||||||||
| Date: June 23, 2025 | By | /s/ Judy A. Schmeling | ||||||
| Judy A. Schmeling | ||||||||
| Lead Independent Director | ||||||||
| Date: June 23, 2025 | By | /s/ Cara K. Heiden | ||||||
| Cara K. Heiden | ||||||||
| Director | ||||||||
| Date: June 23, 2025 | By | /s/ Donald E. Frieson | ||||||
| Donald E. Frieson | ||||||||
| Director | ||||||||
57
| Date: June 23, 2025 | By | /s/ David K. Lenhardt | ||||||
| David K. Lenhardt | ||||||||
| Director | ||||||||
| Date: June 23, 2025 | By | /s/ Allison M. Wing | ||||||
| Allison M. Wing | ||||||||
| Director | ||||||||
| Date: June 23, 2025 | By | /s/ Larree M. Renda | ||||||
| Larree M. Renda | ||||||||
| Director | ||||||||
| Date: June 23, 2025 | By | /s/ Gregory A. Trojan | ||||||
| Gregory A. Trojan | ||||||||
| Director | ||||||||
| Date: June 23, 2025 | By | /s/ Michael Spanos | ||||||
| Michael Spanos | ||||||||
| Director | ||||||||
| Date: June 23, 2025 | By | /s/ Sri Donthi | ||||||
| Sri Donthi | ||||||||
| Director | ||||||||
| Date: June 23, 2025 | By | /s/ Maria Castañón Moats | ||||||
| Maria Castañón Moats | ||||||||
| Director | ||||||||
58
CASEY’S GENERAL STORES, INC.
INSIDER TRADING POLICY AND PROCEDURES
I.PURPOSE
In order to comply with federal and state securities laws governing (a) trading in securities of Casey’s General Stores, Inc. (the “Company”) while in the possession of “material nonpublic information” concerning the Company or its subsidiaries, and (b) tipping or disclosing material nonpublic information to outsiders, and in order to prevent even the appearance of improper insider trading or tipping and to promote compliance with such securities laws, the Company has adopted this policy for all of its directors, officers and employees, as well as their spouses or other family members residing in their households, and other specially designated persons who have access to the Company’s material nonpublic information.
II.SCOPE
A.This policy covers all directors, officers and employees of the Company and any other persons, including but not limited to temporary employees, independent consultants and contractors, whom the Compliance Officer may designate as Insiders because they have access to material nonpublic information concerning the Company or its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company Persons” and each a “Company Person”). Portions of this policy impose additional obligations on certain Company Persons that have, or are likely to have, regular or special access to material non-public information in the normal course of their duties (“Insiders”).
B.This policy applies to any and all transactions in the Company’s securities, including its Common Stock and options to purchase Common Stock, and any other type of securities that the Company may issue, such as preferred stock, debt securities, convertible debentures, warrants and exchange-traded options or other derivative securities.
C.This policy will be delivered to all current Company Persons, and to all new Company Persons at the start of their employment or other applicable relationship with the Company or its subsidiaries. Upon receiving a copy of the policy or any revised versions, each Insider must sign an acknowledgment that he or she has received a copy and agrees to comply with the policy’s terms.
D.The restrictions in this policy also apply to transacting in the securities of another company while in possession of material non-public information relating to such other company, when that information is obtained in the course of employment with, or other services performed on behalf of, the Company or any subsidiary of the Company.
III.DEFINITION OF INSIDERS
A.For purposes of this policy, “Insiders” shall be deemed to include (i) the directors and officers of the Company who are subject to the reporting provisions and trading restrictions of
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Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and the underlying rules and regulations promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and (ii) those persons who, because of their position with the Company and their access to material nonpublic information, are designated by the Compliance Officer as an Insider and therefore must obtain the prior approval of all trades in Company securities from the Compliance Officer and/or Compliance Committee in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section VI.C below. Insiders also shall include the spouses, minor children, other adults residing in the same households as those persons included in clauses (i) and (ii) of the preceding sentence, and any entities that such Insiders directly or indirectly influence or control. All Insiders are responsible for ensuring that such persons or entities do not engage in the activities restricted or prohibited under this policy.
B.The Compliance Officer shall maintain a record of all current Insiders and amend the same from time to time as necessary to reflect the addition, resignation or departure of Insiders.
IV.INSIDER TRADING COMPLIANCE OFFICER AND COMPLIANCE COMMITTEE
The Company has designated its Corporate Secretary (or its designee from the Company’s Legal Department) as its Insider Trading Compliance Officer (the “Compliance Officer”). The Insider Trading Compliance Committee (the “Compliance Committee”) will consist of the Compliance Officer and the Chief Financial Officer (or its applicable designee). The Compliance Officer and/or Compliance Committee will review and either approve or prohibit all proposed trades by Insiders in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section VI.C below.
In addition to the trading approval duties described in Section VI.C below, the duties of the Compliance Officer will include the following:
A.Periodically reviewing this policy with the Nominating / Corporate Governance Committee of the Board of Directors.
B.Administering this policy and monitoring and enforcing compliance with all policy provisions and procedures.
C.Responding to all inquiries relating to this policy and its procedures.
D.Designating and announcing special trading blackout periods during which no Insiders may trade in Company securities.
E.Providing copies of this policy and other appropriate materials to all current and new directors, officers and key employees, and such other persons whom the Compliance Officer determines have access to material nonpublic information concerning the Company or its subsidiaries.
F.Periodically circulating this policy (and/or a summary thereof) and coordinating training about this policy to Company Persons.
G.Maintaining a current version of this policy on the Company’s intranet website.
H.Administering, monitoring and enforcing compliance with all federal and state insider trading laws and regulations, including without limitation Sections 10(b), 16, 20A and 21A of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”); and assisting in the preparation and filing of all
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required SEC reports relating to insider trading in Company securities, including without limitation Forms 3, 4, 5 and 144 and Schedules 13D and 13G.
I.Revising the policy as necessary to reflect changes in federal or state insider trading laws and regulations.
J.Maintaining as Company records originals or copies of all documents required by the provisions of this policy or the procedures set forth herein, and copies of all required SEC reports relating to insider trading, including without limitation Forms 3,4, 5 and 144 and Schedules 13D and 13G, as well as accurate records of quarterly entry, termination and modification of Rule 10b5-1 plans and non-Rule 10b5-1 plans to ensure accurate reporting by the Company.
K.Maintaining the list of the current Insiders, and updating it periodically as necessary to reflect additions to or deletions from the same.
L.Serving as the designated recipient at the Company of copies of reports filed with the SEC by Section 16 Persons under Section 16 of the Exchange Act.
M.Sending quarterly and other reminders to Insiders regarding the start and completion of the blackout periods.
N.Sending reminders to Section 16 Persons regarding any trading plans, including both Rule 10b5-1 plans and non-Rule 10b5-1 plans, in order to complete company disclosure of such plans.
O.Sending reminders to all Section 16 Persons about their obligations to report under Section 16.
P.Performance of periodic cross-checks of available materials, which may include Forms 3, 4 and 5, Form 144, officers’ and directors’ questionnaires, and reports received from the Company’s stock administrator and transfer agent, to determine trading activity by Insiders.
Q.Promptly circulating this policy and coordinating training to all persons who become Insiders.
The Compliance Officer may designate one or more individuals who may perform the Compliance Officer’s duties or the duties of the other member of the Compliance Committee in the event that the Compliance Officer or the other Committee member is unable or unavailable to perform such duties.
V.DEFINITION OF “MATERIAL NONPUBLIC INFORMATION”
A.“MATERIAL” INFORMATION
Information about the Company or its subsidiaries is “material” if it would be expected to affect the investment or voting decisions of the reasonable shareholder or investor, or if the disclosure of the information would be expected to significantly alter the total mix of the information in the marketplace about the Company or its subsidiaries. In simple terms, material information is any type of information which could reasonably be expected to affect the price of Company securities such that it would be considered important to an investor in making a decision to buy, hold or sell securities. While it is not possible to identify all information that would be deemed “material,”
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and information that is “material” may be so at one point and cease to be so at another, and vice versa, the following types of information ordinarily would be considered material:
Financial performance, especially quarterly and year-end earnings, and significant changes in financial performance or liquidity.
Company projections and strategic plans.
Creation of a material direct or contingent financial obligation.
Impending bankruptcy or financial liquidity problems.
Potential mergers and acquisitions or the sale of Company assets or subsidiaries.
New major contracts, orders, suppliers, customers, or finance sources, or the loss thereof.
Major discoveries or significant changes or developments in products or product lines, research or technologies.
Significant changes or developments in supplies or inventory, including significant product defects, recalls or product returns.
Material impairments, write-offs or restructurings.
Significant pricing changes.
Stock splits, public or private securities offerings, or changes in Company dividend policies or amounts.
Significant changes in senior management.
Significant labor disputes or negotiations.
Cybersecurity incidents, data security breaches, and other disruptions to the Company’s information technology infrastructure.
Actual or threatened major litigation, or the resolution of such litigation.
The Compliance Officer, in consultation as appropriate with the CEO, the CFO or other members of senior management of the Company, has the authority to determine whether any information constitutes material non-public information.
B.“NONPUBLIC” INFORMATION
Material information is “nonpublic” if it has not been widely disseminated to the public through major newswire services, national news services and financial news services. For the purposes of this policy, information will be considered public, and therefore no longer “nonpublic,” twenty-four (24) hours after widespread public release of the information by the Company or any of its subsidiaries. Information will be considered to be widely disseminated (1) if the information is released prior to 8:30 a.m. U.S. Central Time on a “trading day,” by 8:30 a.m. U.S. Central Time on the first trading day after the information is released and (2) if the information is released on or after 8:30 a.m. U.S. Central Time on a trading day or on a day that is not a trading day, by 8:30 a.m. U.S.
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Central Time on the second trading day after the information is released. If, for example, the Company were to make an announcement on Monday at 7:00 a.m. before market open, the information in the announcement would be considered public (and trades could be made) starting at 8:30 a.m. U.S. Central Time Tuesday (assuming all relevant days are “trading days”; a “trading day” is a day on which the NASDAQ Global Select Market is open for business).
VI.STATEMENT OF COMPANY POLICY AND PROCEDURES
A.PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES
1.No Company Person may trade in Company securities while possessing material nonpublic information concerning the Company or its subsidiaries.
2.No Insider may trade in Company securities outside of the applicable “trading windows” described in Section VI.B below, or during any special trading blackout periods designated by the Compliance Officer.
3.No Insider may trade in Company securities unless the trade(s) have been approved by the Compliance Officer and/or Compliance Committee in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section VI.C below. Insiders who wish to sell Company securities are encouraged to sell their securities pursuant to a predetermined written plan meeting the requirements of SEC Rule 10b5-1 which is approved by the Compliance Committee under Section VI.F of this policy. To the extent possible, Insiders should retain all records and documents that support their reasons for making each trade.
4.The Compliance Officer may not trade in Company securities unless the trade(s) have been approved by the other member of the Compliance Committee and the Chief Executive Officer in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section VI.C below.
5.No Company Person may “tip” or disclose material nonpublic information concerning the Company or its subsidiaries to any person or other third party (including family members, analysts, individual investors, and members of the investment community and news media), unless required as part of his or her regular duties for the Company or its subsidiaries and such disclosure is authorized by the Compliance Officer. In any instance in which such information is disclosed to outside third parties the Company will take such steps as are necessary to preserve the confidentiality of the information, including requiring the outside third parties to agree in writing to comply with the terms of this policy and/or to sign a confidentiality agreement. All inquiries from outside third parties regarding material nonpublic information about the Company or its subsidiaries must be forwarded to the Compliance Officer.
6.No Company Person may give trading advice of any kind about the Company or its subsidiaries to anyone while possessing material nonpublic information about the Company or its subsidiaries, except that Company Persons should advise others not to trade if doing so might violate the law or this policy. The Company strongly discourages all Company Persons from giving trading advice concerning the Company or its subsidiaries to outside third parties even when the Company Persons do not possess material nonpublic information about the Company or its subsidiaries.
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7.No Company Person may (a) trade in the securities of any other public company while possessing material nonpublic information concerning that company, (b) “tip” or disclose material nonpublic information concerning any other public company to anyone, or (c) give trading advice of any kind to anyone concerning any other public company while possessing material nonpublic information about that company.
8.Company Persons may not engage in any hedging or monetization transactions with respect to the Company’s securities, including, but not limited to, through the use of financial instruments such as exchange funds, prepaid variable forwards, equity swaps, puts, calls, collars, forwards and other derivative instruments, or through the establishment of a short position in the Company’s securities. Further, Company Persons and/or Insiders, as indicated below, may not engage in the following short-term or speculative transactions in the Company’s securities that could create heightened legal risk and/or the appearance of improper or inappropriate conduct by the employees, officers and directors of the Company or its subsidiaries:
Short-Term Trading. Short-term trading of the Company’s securities may be distracting to the person or may unduly focus the person on the Company’s short-term stock market performance, instead of the Company’s long-term business objectives. For these reasons, any Insider who purchases the Company’s securities in the open market may not sell any Company securities of the same class during the six months following the purchase (or vice versa).
Short Sales. Short sales of the Company’s securities (i.e., the sale of a security that the seller does not own) may evidence an expectation on the part of the seller that the securities will decline in value, and therefore have the potential to signal to the market that the seller lacks confidence in the Company’s or any of its subsidiaries’ prospects. In addition, short sales may reduce a seller’s incentive to seek to improve the Company’s or any of its subsidiaries’ performance. For these reasons, short sales of the Company’s securities by Company Persons are prohibited. Short sales arising in certain types of hedging transactions are governed by this policy’s prohibition on hedging, as descried above.
Publicly-Traded Options. Given the relatively short term of publicly-traded options, transactions in options may cause an Insider to focus on short-term performance at the expense of the Company’s or any of its subsidiaries’ long-term objectives. Accordingly, this policy prohibits transactions by Company Persons in put options, call options or other derivative securities related to the Company’s securities, on an exchange or in any other organized market. Transactions in options arising in certain types of hedging transactions are governed by this policy’s prohibition on hedging transactions, as described above.
Hedging Transactions. Certain forms of hedging or monetization transactions, including zero-cost collars, equity swaps, exchange funds and forward sale contracts, allow a stockholder to lock in much of the value of his or her stockholdings, often in exchange for all or part of the potential for upside appreciation in the stock. These transactions allow the stockholder to continue to own the covered
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securities, but without the full risks and rewards of ownership. Because participating in these transactions may cause a Company Person to no longer have the same objectives as the Company’s other stockholders, no Company Person may engage in such transactions.
Margin Accounts and Pledged Securities. Securities held in a margin account as collateral for a margin loan may be sold by the broker without the customer’s consent if the customer fails to meet a margin call. Similarly, securities pledged as collateral for a loan may be sold in foreclosure if the borrower defaults on the loan. Because a margin sale or foreclosure sale may occur at a time when the pledger is aware of material nonpublic information or otherwise is not permitted to trade in the Company’s securities, Company Persons are prohibited from holding the Company’s securities in a margin account or otherwise pledging the Company’s securities as collateral for a loan. Pledges of Company securities arising from certain types of hedging transactions are governed by this policy’s prohibition on hedging transactions, as described above.
B.TRADING WINDOWS AND BLACKOUT PERIODS
1.Trading Window for Insiders. After obtaining trading approval from the Compliance Officer and/or Compliance Committee in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section VI.C below, Insiders may trade in Company securities only during the four-week period beginning twenty- four (24) hours after the Company’s widespread public release of its quarterly or year-end earnings announcement and applicable earnings call. From time to time the Compliance Officer may impose special blackout periods, during which all or certain Insiders and other affected persons will be prohibited from engaging in transactions in the Company’s securities. In the event of a special blackout period, the Compliance Officer will notify Insiders and other affected persons. The Compliance Officer may shorten, suspend, terminate or extend any blackout period at such time and for such duration as the Compliance Officer deems appropriate given the relevant circumstances. Any persons affected by such a modification will be appropriately notified and may not disclose the existence of such special blackout period to any other person.
2.No Trading During Trading Windows While in the Possession of Material Nonpublic Information. No Insiders possessing material nonpublic information concerning the Company or subsidiaries may trade in Company securities even during applicable trading windows. Persons possessing such information may trade during a trading window only twenty-four (24) hours after the widespread public release of the information by the Company or its subsidiaries.
3.No Trading During Blackout Periods. No Insiders may trade in Company securities outside of the applicable trading windows or during any special blackout periods that the Compliance Officer may designate. No Insiders may disclose to any non-Insider that a special blackout period has been designated.
C.PROCEDURES FOR APPROVING TRADES BY INSIDERS
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1.Insider Trades. Unless pre-approval for an Insider to trade during an applicable trading window has been provided by the Compliance Officer in writing to an Insider, no Insider may trade in Company securities until:
a.The person trading has notified the Compliance Officer of the amount and nature of the proposed trade(s),
b.The person trading has confirmed to the Compliance Officer (or the Compliance Officer otherwise confirms to his or her satisfaction) that (i) the person trading is not in possession of material nonpublic information concerning the Company and (ii) if applicable, the proposed trade(s) do not violate the trading restrictions of Section 16 of the Exchange Act or Rule 144 of the Securities Act, and
c.The Compliance Officer receives any other approvals as deemed necessary or as required by Company policy from time-to-time and the Compliance Officer has confirmed the approval in writing.
2.No Obligation to Approve Trades. The existence of the foregoing approval procedures does not in any way obligate the Compliance Officer or Compliance Committee to approve any trades requested by Insiders. The Compliance Officer or Compliance Committee may reject any trading requests at their sole reasonable discretion.
D.EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
1.Employee Stock Purchase Plans. The trading prohibitions and restrictions set forth in this policy do not apply to periodic contributions by the Company or its subsidiaries or employees to employee benefit plans (e.g., pension or 401(k) plans) which are used to purchase Company securities pursuant to the employee’s advance instructions. However, no Company Persons may alter their instructions regarding the purchase or sale of Company securities in such plans while in the possession of material nonpublic information. Trading prohibitions and restrictions set forth in this policy also apply to: (1) an election to borrow money against a 401(k) plan account if the loan will result in a liquidation of some or all of the Company Persons’ Company stock fund balance, (2) an election to prepay a plan loan if the prepayment will result in allocation of loan proceeds to the Company stock fund, and (3) an election to increase or decrease the percentage of a Company Persons’ periodic contributions that will be allocated to the Company stock fund.
2.Stock Option Exercises. This policy does not apply to the exercise of an employee stock option acquired pursuant to the Company’s plans, or to the exercise of a tax withholding right pursuant to which a person has elected to have the Company withhold shares subject to an option to satisfy tax withholding requirements. This policy does apply, however, to any sale of stock as part of a broker-assisted cashless exercise of an option, or any other market sale for the purpose of generating the cash needed to pay the exercise price of an option.
3.Restricted Stock and RSU Awards. This policy does not apply to the vesting of restricted stock or restricted stock units, or the exercise of a tax withholding right pursuant to which a Company Person elects to have the
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Company withhold shares of stock to satisfy tax withholding requirements upon the vesting of any restricted stock or restricted stock units. The policy does apply, however, to any market sale of restricted stock after vesting.
4.Dividend Reinvestment Plan. This policy does not apply to purchases of Company securities under the Company’s dividend reinvestment plan resulting from a Company Person’s reinvestment of dividends paid on Company securities. This policy does apply, however, to voluntary purchases of Company securities resulting from additional contributions a Company Person chooses to make to the dividend reinvestment plan, and to a Company Person’s election to participate in the plan or increase or decrease his or her level of participation in the plan. This policy also applies to a Company Person’s sale of any Company securities purchased pursuant to the plan.
5.Other Similar Transactions. Any other purchase of Company securities from the Company or sales of Company securities to the Company are not subject to this policy.
E.GIFTS AND CHARITABLE DONATIONS
Gifts and charitable donations of Company securities by Company Persons are subject to the trading prohibitions and other restrictions set forth in this policy; provided, however, that the Compliance Committee may, on a case-by-case basis, authorize an Insider’s bona fide gifts and charitable donations of Company securities outside of the applicable trading windows due to extenuating circumstances.
F.RULE 10b5-1 PLANS
An Insider subject to this policy may enter into a Rule 10b5-1 Plan (a “Rule 10b5-1 Plan”) for the purpose of buying or selling shares of Company securities without regard to certain insider trading restrictions. To comply with this policy, a Rule 10b5-1 Plan must meet the requirements of Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act, must contain terms that are acceptable to the Compliance Committee, in its sole discretion, and must be approved by the Compliance Committee. In general, a Rule 10b5-1 Plan must be entered into when a blackout period is not in effect and at a time when the person entering into the Rule 10b5-1 Plan is not aware of material non-public information. The Rule 10b5-1 plan must be adopted in good faith and not as part of a plan or scheme to evade the anti-fraud rules under the federal securities laws, and the individual must at all times act in good faith with respect to the Rule 10b5-1 plan. Once the Rule 10b5-1 Plan is adopted, the person must not exercise any influence over the amount of securities to be traded, the price at which they are to be traded or the date of the trade. The Rule 10b5-1 Plan must either specify the amount, pricing and timing of transactions in advance, or delegate discretion on these matters to an independent third party. Any Rule 10b5-1 Plan must be submitted in writing to the Compliance Officer for approval at least five (5) days prior to the entry into the Rule 10b5-1 Plan. No further pre-approval of transactions conducted pursuant to an approved Rule 10b5-1 Plan will be required, and the provisions of Sections VI.B and C shall not apply to such trading transactions. Provided, however, any Insider with a Rule 10b5-1 Plan will provide to the Compliance Officer, in a timely manner and as otherwise required, any and all information necessary for the Company to make applicable public filings related to such Rule 10b5-1 Plan or related trades.
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Any person adopting the Rule 10b5-1 plan who serves as a Section 16 officer or director of the Company must certify in writing, in the terms of the Rule 10b5-1 plan agreement, that, at the time of the adoption of a 10b5-1 plan (whether a new plan or due to a Termination Modification, as defined below): (1) they are not aware of material nonpublic information about the Company or the Company’s securities; and (2) they are adopting the plan in good faith and not as part of a plan or scheme to evade the prohibitions of Rule 10b-5. Any modification to the amount, price or timing of the purchase or sale of securities under the Rule 10b5-1 plan, as well as any change to an algorithm or computer program affecting such factors shall be deemed to be a termination of the current Rule 10b5-1 plan and the adoption of a new Rule 10b5-1 plan for purposes of restarting the Cooling-Off Period (as defined below) (any such modification, a “Termination Modification”). The first trade made pursuant to a new Rule 10b5-1 plan following adoption or Termination Modification of a Rule 10b5-1 plan of a Section 16 officer or director of the Company may take place no sooner than the later of (i) 90 calendar days from adoption or modification and (ii) the second business day after the Company announces its financial results in a Form 10-Q or Form 10-K for the quarter in which the Rule 10b5-1 plan is adopted or amended by a Termination Modification (but in any event, not to exceed 120 days following the Rule 10b5-1 plan’s adoption or any Termination Modification of such Rule 10b5-1 plan) (the “Cooling-Off Period”).
The first trade made pursuant to a new Rule 10b5-1 plan following adoption or Termination Modification of a Rule 10b5-1 plan of individuals other than Section 16 officers and directors, may take place no sooner than 30 calendar days from adoption or modification. Except as permitted by the Compliance Officer, the individual may not have more than one Rule 10b5-1 plan in effect at any given time, and no transactions may be effected outside the Rule 10b5-1 plan. If a Rule 10b5-1 plan is meant to effect a single transaction, an individual may not have had another single-trade plan (10b5-1 or otherwise) during the prior 12-month period. The Rule 10b5-1 plan must permit its termination by the Company at any time when the Company believes that trading pursuant to its terms may not lawfully occur. The Rule 10b5-1 plan should, in the absence of special circumstances, be for a period of not less than one year.
The Rule 10b5-1 plan should provide for relatively simple pricing parameters (e.g., limit orders), rather than complex formulae for determining when trading under the Rule 10b5-1 plan may occur and at what price. There may generally not be a termination or Termination Modification of a Rule 10b5-1 plan once it is executed to avoid calling into question the original “bona fides” of the Rule 10b5-1 plan; any termination or Termination Modification must be made only during a non-blackout period when the person is not in possession of material non-public information and transactions under any new or amended Rule 10b5-1 plan may not commence until the Cooling-Off Period, beginning at the termination or the execution of the Termination Modification, has elapsed. Rule 10b5-1 plans and non-Rule 10b5-1 plans do not obviate the need to file Form 144 or Forms 3, 4 or 5 and the fact that a reported transaction was made or is to be made pursuant to a Rule 10b5-1 plan or a non-Rule 10b5-1 plan should be noted on the applicable Form. Information regarding adoption, modification, termination and material terms of any trading plan (including any modification or change to the plan), including both Rule 10b5-1 plans and non-Rule 10b5-1 plans, may be required to be disclosed in the Company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Annual Report on Form 10-K.
A copy of the executed version of any pre-cleared trading plan, including both Rule 10b5-1 plans and non-Rule 10b5-1 plans, or any pre-cleared amendment to or modification or termination of a trading plan must be provided to the Compliance Officer for retention in accordance with the
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Company’s record retention policy reasonably promptly upon execution but no later than the last day of the fiscal quarter in which it was executed.
G.PRIORITY OF STATUTORY OR REGULATORY TRADING RESTRICTIONS
The trading prohibitions and restrictions set forth in this policy will be superseded by any greater prohibitions or restrictions prescribed by federal or state securities laws and regulations, such as the short-swing trading restrictions of Section 16 of the Exchange Act or restrictions on the sale of securities subject to Rule 144 under the Securities Act. Any Company Person who is uncertain whether other prohibitions or restrictions apply should ask the Compliance Officer.
H.MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
1.Confidentiality of All Non-Public Information
Company Persons must maintain the confidentiality of the Company’s or its subsidiaries’ non-public information. In the event a Company Person receives any inquiry or request for information (particularly financial results and/or projections, and including to affirm or deny information about the Company), from any person or entity outside the Company or its subsidiaries, such as a stock analyst, and it is not part of such Company Person’s regular corporate duties to respond to such inquiry or request, the inquiry should be referred to the Senior Vice President, Investor Relations & Business Development, who will determine whether such inquiry should also be forwarded to the Compliance Officer.
2.Individual Responsibility
All Company Persons have the individual responsibility to comply with this policy. A Company Person may, from time to time, have to forgo a proposed transaction in Company securities even if he or she planned to make the transaction before learning of the material non-public information. While the Compliance Officer can and should be consulted regarding the application of this policy, including the appropriateness of engaging in a particular transaction at a particular time, the responsibility for adhering to this policy and avoiding unlawful transactions, and ensuring that related persons (as described above) do the same, rests with each Company Person. Any action on the part of the Company, the Compliance Officer or any other employee or director pursuant to this policy (or otherwise), including pre-clearance of any transactions or trading plans, does not in any way constitute legal advice or insulate an individual from liability under applicable securities laws.
3.Post-Termination Transactions
This policy applies even after termination of employment or service with the Company or its subsidiaries. If a Company Person is in possession of material non-public information when his or her employment or service terminates, that person may not trade in Company securities (or another company’s
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securities, as described in this policy) until such information has become public or is no longer material. Section 16 Persons may have continuing reporting requirements under Section 16 and may be subject to other trading restrictions following termination of employment or service and should consult with the Compliance Officer.
VII.POTENTIAL CIVIL, CRIMINAL AND DISCIPLINARY SANCTIONS
A.CIVIL AND CRIMINAL PENALTIES
The consequences of prohibited insider trading or tipping under federal and state laws can be severe. Persons violating insider trading or tipping rules may be required to disgorge the profit made or the loss avoided by the trading, pay the loss suffered by the person who purchased securities from or sold securities to the insider tippee, pay civil penalties up to three times the profit made or loss avoided, pay a criminal penalty of up to $1 million, and serve a jail term of up to ten years. The SEC has imposed large penalties even when the disclosing person did not profit from the trading; there is no minimum amount of profit required for prosecution. The Company and/or the supervisors of the person violating the rules may also be required to pay significant civil or criminal penalties.
B.COMPANY DISCIPLINE
Violation of this policy or federal or state insider trading or tipping laws by any director, officer or employee, or their family members, may subject the director to dismissal proceedings and the officer or employee to disciplinary action, up to and including termination for cause.
C.REPORTING OF VIOLATIONS
Any Company Person who violates this policy or any federal or state laws governing insider trading or tipping, or knows of any such violation by any other Company Persons, must report the violation immediately to the Compliance Officer. Upon learning of any such violation, the Compliance Officer, in consultation with the other Compliance Committee member, will determine whether the Company should release any material nonpublic information, or whether the Company should report the violation to the SEC or other appropriate governmental authority.
VIII.INQUIRIES
Please direct all inquiries regarding this policy to the Compliance Officer.
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CERTIFICATION FOR INSIDERS
I hereby certify that I have received a copy of the Casey’s General Stores, Inc. Procedures and Guidelines Governing Trading of Securities by Insiders (the “Policy”), and have been informed that I am an “Insider” within the meaning of the Policy. I understand the trading restrictions set forth in the Policy and agree to comply with those trading restrictions and the other terms of the Policy while I remain an Insider.
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SUBSIDIARIES OF CASEY’S GENERAL STORES, INC.
1. Casey’s Marketing Company, an Iowa corporation
2. Casey’s Services Company, an Iowa corporation
3. Casey’s Retail Company, an Iowa corporation
4. CGS Stores, LLC, an Iowa limited liability company
5. Heartland Property Company, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
6. Casey’s Holdings, LLC, an Iowa limited liability company
7. CEFCO Management, LLC, an Iowa limited liability company
8. Fikes Wholesale, LLC, a Texas limited liability company
9. CEFCO Stores, LLC, a Texas limited liability company
10. JF Heritage Food Company, LLC, a Texas limited liability company
11. Food Fast, LLC, a Texas limited liability company
12. Deweese Enterprises, LLC, a Mississippi limited liability company
13. Fikes Investors, LLC, a Texas limited liability company
14. Group Petroleum Services, LLC, a Texas limited liability company
Casey’s Marketing Company, Casey’s Services Company and Casey’s Retail Company are wholly owned by Casey’s General Stores, Inc. The remainder of the subsidiaries are indirect wholly owned subsidiaries of Casey’s General Stores, Inc., as described below.
CGS Stores, LLC, Heartland Property Company, LLC, and Fikes Wholesale, LLC are wholly owned by Casey's Marketing Company.
CEFCO Stores, LLC, JF Heritage Food Company, LLC, Food Fast, LLC, Deweese Enterprises, LLC, and Fikes Investors, LLC are wholly owned by Fikes Wholesale, LLC.
Casey’s Holdings, LLC and CEFCO Management, LLC are wholly owned by Casey’s Retail Company.
Group Petroleum Services, LLC is wholly owned by Casey’s Services Company.
At April 30, 2025, almost all stores operated by the subsidiaries do business under the names “Casey’s” and/or “Casey’s General Store,” while a limited number do business under the names “GoodStop (by Casey’s)”, “Bucky’s,” "Minit Mart," "Lone Star Food Store," or “CEFCO,” except for two stores selling primarily tobacco products, one liquor store, and one grocery store.
Exhibit 23.1
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
We consent to the incorporation by reference in the registration statements (No. 33-19179, 33-42907, 333-174560, 333-174561) on Form S-8 and (No. 333-35393) on Form S-3D of our reports dated June 23, 2025, with respect to the consolidated financial statements of Casey's General Stores, Inc. and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting.
/s/ KPMG LLP
Minneapolis, Minnesota
June 23, 2025
Exhibit 31.1
CERTIFICATION OF DARREN M. REBELEZ
UNDER SECTION 302 OF THE
SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
I, Darren M. Rebelez, certify that:
| 1 | I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Casey’s General Stores, Inc.; | ||||
| 2 | Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report; | ||||
| 3 | Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report; | ||||
| 4 | The registrant’s other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have: | ||||
(a)designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
(b)designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting practices;
(c)evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
(d)disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
| 5 | The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions): | ||||
(a)all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
(b)any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
| Dated June 23, 2025 | /s/ Darren M. Rebelez | ||||
| Darren M. Rebelez, President and | |||||
| Chief Executive Officer | |||||
Exhibit 31.2
CERTIFICATION OF STEPHEN P. BRAMLAGE JR.
UNDER SECTION 302 OF THE
SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
I, Stephen P. Bramlage Jr., certify that:
| 1 | I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Casey’s General Stores, Inc.; | ||||
| 2 | Based on my knowledge, this annual report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report; | ||||
| 3 | Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report; | ||||
| 4 | The registrant’s other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have: | ||||
(a)designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
(b)designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting practices;
(c)evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
(d)disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
| 5 | The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions): | ||||
(a)all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
(b)any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
| Dated June 23, 2025 | /s/ Stephen P. Bramlage Jr. | ||||
| Stephen P. Bramlage Jr. | |||||
| Chief Financial Officer | |||||
Exhibit 32.1
CERTIFICATE PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
In connection with the Annual Report of Casey’s General Stores, Inc. (the Company) on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2025 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the Report), I, Darren M. Rebelez, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that
(1)The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
(2)The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and result of operations of the Company.
| /s/ Darren M. Rebelez | |||||
| Darren M. Rebelez, President and | |||||
| Chief Executive Officer | |||||
Dated June 23, 2025
Exhibit 32.2
CERTIFICATE PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
In connection with the Annual Report of Casey’s General Stores, Inc. (the Company) on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2025 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the Report), I, Stephen P. Bramlage Jr., Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that
(1)The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
(2)The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and result of operations of the Company.
| /s/ Stephen P. Bramlage Jr. | |||||
| Stephen P. Bramlage Jr. | |||||
| Chief Financial Officer | |||||
Dated June 23, 2025