EDGAR 10-K Filing

Company CIK: 1680873
Filing Year: 2024
Filename: 1680873_10-K_2024_0001680873-24-000010.json

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ITEM 1. BUSINESS
ITEM 1. BUSINESS.
Overview
HF Foods Group Inc., operating through our subsidiaries, is a leading foodservice distributor to Asian restaurants, primarily Chinese restaurants located throughout the United States. HF Foods was formed through a merger between two complementary market leaders, HF Foods and B&R Global Holdings, Inc. ("B&R Global"), on November 4, 2019.
With 18 distribution centers and cross-docks and a fleet of over 400 refrigerated vehicles, our distribution network now spans 46 states covering approximately 95% of the contiguous United States. Capitalizing on our deep understanding of the Chinese culture, with over 1,000 employees and subcontractors, and supported by two outsourced call centers in China, we have become a trusted partner serving approximately 15,000 Asian restaurants providing sales and service support to customers who mainly converse in Mandarin or Chinese dialects.
We are committed to providing excellent customer service by delivering a distinctive product portfolio built from an indelible partnership with both foreign and domestic suppliers. These relationships ensure that we deliver an outstanding array of products at competitive prices. Our relationships with suppliers and knowledge of the market are the cornerstones of our negotiating power with suppliers and enable us to better manage potential supply chain disruptions and stockouts, gain price concessions and increase delivery schedules.
Corporate History
HF Foods was originally incorporated in the State of Delaware on May 19, 2016 as a special purpose acquisition company under the name Atlantic Acquisition Corp. (“Atlantic”), in order to acquire, through a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, recapitalization, reorganization or similar business combination with, one or more businesses or entities.
On August 22, 2018, Atlantic consummated a reverse acquisition transaction resulting in the shareholders of HF Group Holding Corporation (“HF Holding”) becoming the majority shareholders of Atlantic, and changed its name to HF Foods Group Inc. On November 4, 2019, we consummated a merger transaction, resulting in B&R Global becoming a wholly-owned subsidiary of HF Foods.
On January 17, 2020, we acquired 100% equity membership interest in nine subsidiaries under B&R Group Realty Holding, LLC ("BRGR"), which owned warehouse facilities that were being leased to B&R Global for its operations in California, Arizona, Utah, Colorado, Washington, and Montana.
On December 30, 2021, HF Foods acquired substantially all of the assets of leading seafood suppliers Great Wall Seafood Supply, Inc., a Texas corporation, Great Wall Restaurant Supplier, Inc., an Ohio corporation, and First Mart Inc., an Illinois corporation (collectively the "Great Wall Group").
On April 29, 2022, HF Foods acquired substantially all of the assets of Sealand Food, Inc., one of the largest frozen seafood suppliers servicing the Asian/Chinese restaurant market along the eastern seaboard, from Massachusetts to Florida, as well as Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee.
Our Business and Products
Our business features eighteen strategically positioned distribution centers and cross-docks with over one million square feet of warehouse space and a fleet of over 400 vehicles to provide a wide variety of products with a strong focus on Asian specialty food ingredients essential for Asian cooking. Supported by an extensive supplier network, we aim to provide a one-stop service with on-time delivery and high fulfillment rates, at competitive pricing.
We offer over 2,000 different products to our customers, which include virtually all items needed to operate their restaurant business. Product offerings range from meat and poultry, perishable fresh produce, frozen seafood, general commodities and takeout food packaging materials to meet our customers’ demands. The majority of our procurement currently consists of goods purchased domestically, such as meat, poultry, produce and certain key commodities. We also purchase a significant amount of goods through the import channel, such as frozen seafood, Asian Specialty, packaging and other commodities.
The following table sets forth our broad range of products and sales percentage by category for the year ended December 31, 2023:
Category Description Percentage
Seafood Lobster, shrimp, crab, scallops and fish, such as tuna and Alaskan salmon 31%
Asian Specialty Products with an Asian flair or flavor, including specialty noodles, rice, dry goods, such as dried mushrooms or dried beans, specialty sauces/seasonings, spring rolls, and canned products, such as preserved vegetables, bamboo shoots and water chestnuts
27%
Meat and Poultry Beef, pork, chicken and duck 19%
Fresh Produce Fresh, seasonal fruits and vegetables, such as celery, Chinese cabbage and winter melon which are widely used in Chinese cuisines 11%
Packaging and Other Take-out accessories for customers, from bamboo chopsticks to takeout containers, plastic cups and sushi combo boxes 6%
Commodity General commodities including oil, flour, salt and sugar 6%
We have an extensive supplier network and established long-term relationships with our major suppliers. Our long-term relationships and vast distribution network enable our increased negotiating power given the large quantities, thereby improving our inventory turnover and accounts payable, and reducing our operating costs. Instead of going to fragmented direct store distributors to source their products, customers are consolidating their vendors into our full service, one-stop-shop for most of their purchasing needs.
This initiative is made possible from order placement to delivery due to our warehouse operations, optimized fleet management, material handling equipment and techniques, and efficient administrative and operating staff. This is further complemented by our two outsourced sales call centers located in China which take customers' inbound calls during non-office hours in the U.S. for order taking, customer relationship management and after-sales service, offering customers a warm and friendly human interaction channel who speak and understand their language and needs.
We have an extensive reach to our customers through localized, high frequency deliveries which allows them to reduce their inventory through higher inventory turnover and just-in-time inventory, and to reduce waste, especially in fresh products. Our temperature-controlled trucks deliver both short and medium distance routes daily to ensure on-time delivery and to achieve high fill rates to our customers.
Our Strategy
We are differentiated from mainstream food distribution companies, such as Sysco Corporation, US Foods Holding Corp. and Performance Food Group Company, through our strong understanding of Asian culture and cooking essentials, distinctive product portfolio, and resourceful supply chains. We believe our wide range of Asian-centric product offerings is unmatched, as many of the items we offer are unique and specific to the Chinese and Asian restaurant industry.
We believe that our scale and deep knowledge of our customers’ needs provide a competitive advantage over our direct competitors and have contributed greatly to our success, including the following:
•Wide array of Asian specialty products: These are not commonly provided by large distributors serving the mainstream market.
•Deep understanding of Asian culture: As our customers are primarily Chinese and Asian restaurants, most of our employees can speak Mandarin as well as the native dialects of our customers. We believe this is a key business strength and competitive advantage, as many of the restaurants’ owners/chefs are migrants who feel less comfortable conversing in English.
•Lower sales and administrative expenses: We outsource our telephone-based sales and customer service to two call centers located in China with Mandarin and Chinese dialect speaking agents to better serve our customers.
•Purchasing power: We capitalize on economies of scale and have strong relationships with both our domestic and foreign suppliers.
•Warehouse location: We have strategically located distribution centers and cross-docks, supported by our fleet of delivery vehicles with most routes limited to three to five hours driving time, ensuring on-time delivery and order fill-rate.
•Technology: With our customized inventory management system, we are able to manage our customer relationships and inventory efficiently and reduce operating expenses.
•Customer-specific marketing: Our employees’ bilingual capabilities provide a competitive advantage against other major providers in the industry.
We aim to further expand into new key markets, as well as to strategically consolidate our market leadership position in existing markets, primarily through acquisitions. We will also explore potential vertical expansion in our acquisition strategy, both upstream and downstream of the foodservice value chain, including providing value-added items such as semi-prepared food products to help our customers upgrade their service, as well as exploring adjacent markets. We continue to invest in technological advancements to develop state-of-the-art management information and operating systems, to further improve our operational efficiency, accuracy and customer satisfaction, and to cement our foothold as a leading foodservice distributor to Asian restaurants in the U.S.
Features of Chinese and Asian Restaurants
Set forth below are the principal characteristics of the Asian/Chinese restaurants we serve.
Primarily Serving Non-Chinese Americans. There are tens of thousands of Chinese and Asian restaurants spread throughout the U.S., primarily serving non-Chinese American customers. Although the dishes they serve cater to the preferences of American mainstream customers and are more simply and quickly prepared as compared to traditional full-service Chinese restaurant cuisine, they still require specialized and distinctive Chinese ingredients used in traditional Chinese cooking styles.
Operated by Chinese Individual Families. Most Chinese restaurants serviced by HF Foods are generally family-owned with very few workers, who are usually immigrants from China or first generation Chinese Americans. These restaurant owners, especially the founders, are generally less sophisticated, with limited education and resources and appreciate value-added services from suppliers to help them improve their operational efficiency. The owners and workers in these Chinese restaurants usually speak Mandarin or other regional dialects of the Chinese language. We believe that understanding their culture and language is paramount to facilitating efficient communications and building trust with customers.
Close-Knit Chinese American Community. First or second generation Chinese Americans living in the U.S. inherit their traditional cultural values, and ethnic languages, and our experience has been that people in these communities prefer to do business with Chinese Americans that speak their language and share their values.
Unique Cooking Style and Ingredients for Chinese Cuisines. Chinese cuisine requires unique cooking techniques such as steaming and stir-frying in a Chinese wok, and requires specialty ingredients and vegetables such as bitter melons, Chinese yams, vine spinach, Chinese cabbage and winter melon. It also requires Chinese and Asian seasonings and spices, including peanut oil, Chinese cooking wine, vinegar, dark soy source, black bean sauce, pepper oil and chili oil. Most of the unique ingredients for Chinese cuisine are staple supplies of HF Foods that are not widely available from mainstream U.S. suppliers.
Current Industry Landscape and Opportunities
Growing Demand in Asian Cuisines. The demand for Chinese and Asian cuisines continues to grow in the U.S. In addition, according to the Pew Research Center, the Asian population in the U.S. is the fastest growing population group in the country. We believe that these powerful trends will continue and result in expanded opportunities for Asian/Chinese restaurants. As a leading foodservice distributor to Asian/Chinese restaurants in the U.S., these trends represent a significant growth opportunity for HF Foods.
Cultural Barriers to Entry. Understanding Chinese cooking culture is important to running a Chinese restaurant, and, therefore, most Chinese restaurants are operated by Chinese Americans. We believe that it is very difficult for mainstream food distributors to serve these restaurants due to various cultural and language barriers.
Highly Fragmented Market. The Asian foodservice market is currently highly fragmented with many small and unsophisticated direct store distributors, such as small-scale wholesaler redistributors, specialty import brokers, farmers markets, and local produce retailers, operating without significant financial support or a sophisticated logistics infrastructure. We are a leading Asian food distributor in the U.S. with a well-developed logistics infrastructure, strong financial means, and experienced management team that provides the marketplace with an avenue for consolidated purchasing, high fill rate, and efficient delivery frequency at a competitive price. The fragmented nature of the Asian foodservice market creates acquisition opportunities for us to continue to expand our geographic footprint and customer base.
Competitive Advantages over New Entrants. Each distribution center requires a large amount of invested capital to support the full temperature-controlled logistics and warehouse operations to help customers grow their sales and profit. Consolidated purchasing allows us to pass on cost savings to our customers and provide competitive pricing. We believe our continued investment in technology will lead to long-term expense reduction and further administrative efficiency. These competitive advantages result in economies of scale which smaller and fragmented suppliers cannot match.
Demand for Value-Added Services. Our customers are Asian/Chinese restaurants, primarily takeout restaurants. These customers are price and quality sensitive with a high demand for great service and mutual trust. Our employees speak their language, understand their culture and build a bond with our customers. Our 24-hour after sale service call center, located domestically and in China, allows us to serve as a supportive and dependable business partner. Through vendor partnerships, we help our large customers source distinct products from their choice of vendors, either domestically or internationally. These are the value added services that we are able to provide to our customers in our one-stop shopping offering.
Continued Consumer Spending on Food Away From Home. Prior to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (“USDA”), the food away from home market grew to surpass spending on the food at home market. The foodservice industry declined sharply when COVID-19 restrictions adversely impacted restaurants’ operations and foot traffic. As COVID-19 restrictions eased in 2021 and into 2022, both full service and fast food/take out restaurants have rebounded, and we believe the long-term trend of increasing food away from home market consumption has resumed and continues to be a key driver of demand for Asian/Chinese restaurants.
Customer Service
We employ a two-pronged approach for a complete and cohesive support to both existing and prospective customers; namely, the two outsourced call centers located in Fuzhou, China and the domestic sales team in the U.S. Utilizing these outsourced call centers in China, customers embrace and appreciate our personal customer service conducted in their native Mandarin and other regional dialects such as Fuzhounese and Cantonese.
Full sales support from the beginning of a sales order to post-sales service is offered through these call centers. These services are complemented by our domestic sales teams who make regular on-site visits to customers’ restaurants. With cultural understanding coupled with a distinct and diverse cultural bonding, the entire sales team has been successful in forging better customer rapport and retention and is better able to understand customers’ needs and operations as compared to the mainstream foodservice distributors attempting to serve this channel. Utilizing our customized information system to share valuable and pertinent information with our customers is important to help them grow their business. This information includes, but is not limited to, purchasing history, order tracking, item availability, items on promotion, and best-selling or trending items.
We formulate strategies and implement action plans to ensure cohesive sales and marketing efforts to our existing and prospective customers. The domestic sales team works closely with the sales staff in China to ensure our strategies are implemented effectively and our action plans are carried out swiftly. Distribution centers are empowered to cater to local and regional customers’ needs by customizing their specific product portfolio. With respect to customer care and satisfaction, we offer a refund policy without penalty, which many of our small competitors in the market segment and the direct store distributors are unable to provide. Our 100% satisfaction guarantee permits our customers to reject part of the order or the entire order within twenty-four hours of receipt without any penalty. We believe that this refund policy further cements the trust and loyalty of our customers toward our brand and company.
Suppliers
We consolidate procurement on bulk and frequently sold items. Our distribution centers send their inventory procurement requests to buyers who are responsible for consolidation and fulfillment in the most cost-effective way. The consolidated procurement process allows HF Foods to establish a meaningful vendor relationship under one brand.
We maintain a large supplier network through a vendor pool with a carefully selected group of suppliers to ensure product quality, availability and competitive pricing. To minimize costs, the procurement team directly manages our major vendors for large and frequent purchases and engages brokers for our smaller suppliers of specialty goods. Utilizing brokers allows us to maintain lower costs due to the brokers’ volume.
The key procurement team members closely monitor the supply market for seasonal products, such as vegetables, and makes procurement adjustments according to market conditions. In addition, they use a dual-sourcing method for their suppliers and can negotiate lower prices for comparable products.
Each distribution center reviews the inventory level in the information system daily and submits purchase requests as needed to the procurement team at headquarters and regional offices. The procurement teams at headquarters and our regional offices can alter or adjust purchasing decisions based on an analysis of the inventory data in the system. Upon receipt of ordered products, the delivery schedule is determined based on the needs of each location. The lead-time for products is dependent on the product category and need. For perishable goods, products are usually delivered by suppliers within seventy-two hours of placing the order. Products that are ordered through import brokers have lead times of up to seven days.
None of our suppliers accounted for more than 10% of our aggregate purchases during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.
Trademarks
Except for the trademarks for HF black and white/color logos, Rong, Rong GREEN LEAF, Great Wall logos, <333>, SEA333, and SEA888, we do not own or have the right to use any patent, trademark, trade name, license, franchise or concession, the loss of which would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.
Human Capital
One of our primary areas of focus is to continue to strengthen our team by retaining, attracting, and hiring qualified top talent. This includes implementing the right organizational structure with a focus on growing capabilities through training and development of our talent.
We believe one of the key factors of our success is the commitment and loyalty of our workforce. All of our general managers and distribution level management team have been with the business since our inception. Their deep understanding of the business and the strong relationships they maintain with front line employees enable us to be a union free workforce.
As of December 31, 2023, we have 1,049 total employees, which includes 925 permanent employees and 124 temporary employees.
Compensation and Benefits
We are committed to positively impacting the lives of our employees by offering competitive pay and affordable benefits. In 2023, we rolled out new benefit plan offerings along with education on those benefits in several language options to the employees. The overall impact was an increase in medical plan enrollment by 50%, dental plan enrollment by 135%, and vision plan enrollment by 103%, from the previous year.
Recruiting, Training and Development
Our ability to continue to retain, attract, and recruit top talent at all levels is key to our future success. In 2023, we implemented learning modules which allow for the assignment of specific learning to employees based on role, compliance, and leadership development. We continue to transform our operations through new system and process improvements, training and development.
Diversity and Inclusion
HF Foods was founded by Asian Americans. Building a successful business based on diversity and inclusion has been part of our DNA since our inception. Throughout our history, we have continued to maintain diversity and inclusion as one of our top priorities. 99% of our total workforce is made up of Hispanic, Black or African American, and Asian employees.
In recent years, we have strengthened our commitment to diversity and inclusion. Three out of five members of our Board of Directors are Asian and two out of five are women. At the corporate level, nearly 50% of our director and above positions are held by women.
Government Regulation
Legal compliance is important to our operations. We are required to comply, and it is our policy to comply, with all applicable laws in the numerous jurisdictions in which we do business.
As a marketer and distributor of food products in the U.S., we are subject to the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act and regulations promulgated thereunder by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (the "FDA"). The FDA regulates food safety and quality through various statutory and regulatory mandates, including manufacturing and holding requirements for foods through good manufacturing practice regulations, hazard analysis and critical control point requirements for certain foods, and the food and color additive approval process. The agency also specifies the standards of identity for certain foods, prescribes the format and content of information required to appear on food product labels, regulates food contact packaging and materials, and maintains a Reportable Food Registry for the industry to report when there is a reasonable probability that an article of food will cause serious adverse health consequences. For certain product lines, we are also subject to the Federal Meat Inspection Act, the Poultry Products Inspection Act, the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act, the Packers and Stockyard Act and regulations promulgated by the USDA to interpret and implement these statutory provisions. The USDA imposes standards for product safety, quality and sanitation through the federal meat and poultry inspection program. The USDA reviews and approves the labeling of these products and also establishes standards for the grading and commercial acceptance of produce shipments from our suppliers. We are also subject to the Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002, which imposes certain registration and record keeping requirements on facilities that manufacture, process, pack or hold food for human or animal consumption.
The recently published and pending rules under the Food Safety Modernization Act ("FSMA") will significantly expand food safety requirements, including those of HF Foods. Among other things, FDA regulations implementing the FSMA require us to establish and maintain comprehensive, prevention-based controls across the food supply chain that are both verified and validated. The FSMA also imposes new requirements for food products imported into the U.S. and provides the FDA with mandatory recall authority.
HF Foods and our products are also subject to state and local regulation through such measures as the licensing of our facilities; enforcement by state and local health agencies of state and local standards for our products; and regulation of our trade practices in connection with the sale of our products. Our facilities are subject to regulations issued pursuant to the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Act by the U.S. Department of Labor. These regulations require us to comply with certain manufacturing, health and safety standards to protect employees from accidents and to establish hazard communication programs to transmit information on the hazards of certain chemicals which may be present in products that we distribute.
Our distribution facilities must be registered with the FDA biennially and are subject to periodic government agency inspections by the FDA and USDA. Our facilities are generally inspected at least annually by federal and/or state authorities.
Our business and employment practices are also subject to regulation by numerous federal, state and local regulatory agencies, including, but not limited to, the U.S. Department of Labor, which sets employment practice standards for workers, and the U.S. Department of Transportation, as well as its agencies, the Surface Transportation Board, the Federal Highway Administration, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which collectively regulate our trucking business through the regulation of operations, safety, insurance and hazardous materials. We must comply with the safety and fitness regulations promulgated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, including those relating to drug and alcohol testing and hours of service. Such matters as weight and dimension of equipment also fall under federal and state regulations. We also are subject to federal and state immigration laws, regulations and programs that regulate our ability to hire or retain foreign employees. In addition, we are subject to the U.S. False Claims Act, and similar state statutes, which prohibit the submission of claims for payment to the government that are false and the knowing retention of overpayments.
Our operations are also subject to a broad range of U.S. federal, state, and local environmental laws and regulations, as well as zoning and building regulations. Environmental laws and regulations cover a variety of procedures, including appropriately managing wastewater and stormwater; complying with clean air laws, including those governing vehicle emissions; proper handling and disposal of solid and hazardous wastes; protecting against and appropriately investigating and remediating spills and releases; and monitoring and maintaining underground and above ground storage tanks for diesel fuel and other petroleum products. For the year ended December 31, 2023, the costs of managing our compliance with environmental laws and regulations was nominal.
The U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (“FCPA”) prohibits bribery of public officials to obtain or retain business in foreign jurisdictions. The FCPA also requires us to keep accurate books and records and to maintain internal accounting controls to detect and prevent bribery and to ensure that transactions are properly authorized. We have implemented appropriate policy and will continue to maintain a robust anti-corruption compliance program applicable to our operations.
For the purchase of items produced, harvested or manufactured outside of the U.S., we are subject to applicable customs laws regarding the import and export of various products. Certain activities, including working with customs brokers and freight forwarders, are subject to applicable regulation by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, which is a part of the Department of Homeland Security.
Information about our Executive Officers
Name Age Position
Xiao Mou Zhang 51 Chief Executive Officer
Xi Lin 35 President and Chief Operating Officer
Carlos Rodriguez 50 Chief Financial Officer
Christine Chang 41 General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer
Xiao Mou Zhang (aka Peter Zhang) has served as Co-Chief Executive Officer and director since November 4, 2019 following the merger between HF Foods and B&R Global Holdings Inc. ("B&R Global"), and was promoted to sole Chief Executive Officer on February 23, 2021. From 2014 until the merger, he served as Chairman of the Board and a Director of B&R Global that was co-founded by Mr. Zhang and his partners, to consolidate the shareholdings of various operating entities across the Pacific and Mountain States regions. Mr. Zhang has well over 20 years of experience in the food distribution industry with extensive experience in sales, marketing, financing, acquisitions, inventory, logistics and distribution. Under Mr. Zhang’s leadership, B&R Global established a large supplier network and maintained long-term relationships with many major suppliers stemming from business relationships that were built up over the years. A large purchase volume and a centralized procurement process also allowed B&R Global favorable negotiating power with vendors that source high quality products at lower prices than many competitors.
Xi Lin (aka Felix Lin) was appointed to serve as President effective February 12, 2024 and has served as Chief Operating Officer since May 1, 2022. Mr. Lin also previously served as an independent director of HF Foods from November 2019 to April 2022. Mr. Lin worked in a number of positions at Blue Bird Corporation from 2010 until his resignation on April 1, 2022. Prior to his resignation, he was Vice President, with responsibility for compliance, human resources, government relations, corporate training, strategic relationships, and supply chain M&A. He also held various other leadership positions within Blue Bird Corporation in the Manufacturing Operations and Supply Chain Departments from 2015 to 2016, the Finance and Accounting Department in 2011 and from 2013 to 2015, and the International Business Development and M&A Departments in 2012. Mr. Lin received his B.A. in Accounting and Finance from the Eugene Stetson School of Business and Economics at Mercer University in Georgia, a Master’s degree in Accountancy from the J. Whitney Bunting College of Business at Georgia College and State University in Georgia, and a Master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Carlos Rodriguez has served as Chief Financial Officer since August 1, 2022. Mr. Rodriguez brings more than 25 years of finance and accounting experience across various industries, including technology, entertainment, restaurants, and life science. Most recently, Mr. Rodriguez served as Chief Accounting Officer and Vice President Corporate Finance for Generate Life Sciences, Inc., a $300 million high growth company. In that role, he led Accounting, Finance, Financial Reporting, Treasury/Cash Management, Strategic and Financial Planning, M&A Due Diligence, and other financial responsibilities. Prior to Generate Life Sciences, Mr. Rodriguez served as Vice President of Accounting and Corporate Finance for California Pizza Kitchen, Inc. Mr. Rodriguez holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and a Master’s of Business Administration degree from the University of Southern California and is also a Certified Public Accountant in the State of California.
Christine Chang has served as General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer since September 8, 2021. Ms. Chang previously served as Vice President - Legal Affairs, Labor Relations and Litigation for Boyd Gaming Corp. From 2014 through August 2020, she served in various capacities as Corporate Counsel, Litigation, Senior Corporate Counsel, Litigation, and Vice President and Chief Counsel, Litigation, for Caesars Entertainment, Inc. Ms. Chang also served as an associate at the law firm of Dentons LLP, from 2008 to 2013. Ms. Chang holds a Bachelor of Arts in Rhetoric from the University of California and a Juris Doctorate from Columbia University.
Website and Availability of Information
Our corporate website is located at hffoodsgroup.com. We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Our filings with the SEC are available to the public on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Those filings are also available to the public on, or accessible through, our corporate website for free via the “Investor Relations” section at investors.hffoodsgroup.com. The information contained on or accessible through our corporate website or any other website that we may maintain is not incorporated by reference into and is not part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

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ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS.
The following are significant factors known to us that could materially adversely affect our business, reputation, operating results, industry, financial position and/or future financial performance. The risks set forth in this Section 1A are presented as of December 31, 2023 and the period then ended.
Risk Factors Relating to Our Business and Industry
Our industry is characterized by low margins, and periods of significant or prolonged inflation or deflation affect our product and operational costs, which may negatively impact our profitability.
The foodservice distribution industry is characterized by relatively high inventory turnover with relatively low profit margins. Volatile food costs have a direct impact on our industry. During 2023, we experienced significantly elevated commodity and supply chain costs including the cost of labor, sourced goods, energy, fuel and other inputs necessary for the distribution of our products, and elevated levels of inflation may continue or worsen. For example, the combination of deflation on chicken pricing and elevated direct labor costs with respect to our chicken processing business contributed to loss of revenue and gross profit margin in that product category.
Periods of significant product cost inflation or deflation may adversely affect our results of operations if we are unable to pass on all or a portion of such product cost increases to our customers in a timely manner. In addition, periods of rapidly increasing inflation may adversely affect our business due to the impact of such inflation on discretionary spending by consumers and our limited ability to increase prices in the current, highly competitive environment.
Global health developments and economic uncertainty resulting from pandemics such as the COVID-19 pandemic, and governmental action related thereto, have adversely affected, and may continue to adversely affect, our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Through early 2021, we saw the impact of COVID-19 in our operations, including significant decreases in sales. While COVID-19 did not significantly impact our operations in 2022 and 2023, the impact of pandemics may have an adverse impact on numerous aspects of our business, financial condition and results of operations including, our growth, product costs, supply chain disruptions, labor shortages, logistics constraints, customer demand for our products and industry demand generally, consumer spending, our liquidity, the price of our securities and trading markets with respect thereto, and the global economy and financial markets generally. We cannot predict the duration of future pandemics or future governmental regulations or legislation that may be passed as a result of ongoing or future outbreaks. The impact of pandemics and the enactment of additional governmental regulations and restrictions may further adversely impact the global economy, the restaurant industry, and our business specifically, despite prior or future actions taken by us.
A shortage of qualified labor could negatively affect our business and materially reduce earnings.
The future success of our operations, including the achievement of our strategic objectives, depends on our ability, and the ability of third parties on which we rely to supply and to deliver our products, to identify, recruit, develop and retain qualified and talented individuals. As a result, any shortage of qualified labor could significantly and adversely affect our business. Employee recruitment, development and retention efforts that we or such third parties undertake may not be successful, which could result in a shortage of qualified individuals in future periods. Any such shortage could decrease our ability to effectively serve our customers and achieve our strategic objectives. Such a shortage would also likely lead to higher wages for employees (or higher costs to purchase the services of such third parties) and a corresponding reduction in our results of operations.
Unfavorable macroeconomic conditions in the U.S. may adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our operating results are substantially affected by the operating and economic conditions in the regions in which we operate. Economic conditions can affect us in the following ways:
•A reduction in discretionary spending by consumers could adversely impact sales of Chinese/Asian restaurants, and their purchases from us. Future economic conditions affecting disposable consumer income, such as employment levels, business conditions, changes in housing market conditions, the availability of consumer credit, inflation, interest rates, tax rates and fuel and energy costs, could reduce overall consumer spending.
•Food cost and fuel cost inflation experienced by consumers can lead to reductions in the frequency of and the amount spent by consumers for food away from home purchases, which could negatively impact our business by reducing demand for our products.
•Heightened uncertainty in the financial markets negatively affects consumer confidence and discretionary spending, which can cause disruptions with our customers and suppliers.
•Liquidity issues and the inability of our customers to consistently access credit markets to obtain cash to support their operations can cause temporary interruptions in our ability to conduct day-to-day transactions involving the collection of funds from such customers.
•Liquidity issues and the inability of suppliers to consistently access credit markets to obtain cash to support their operations can cause temporary interruptions in our ability to obtain the foodservice products and supplies needed by us in the quantities and at the prices requested.
In addition, our existing operations are solely in the U.S. The geographic concentration of our operations creates an exposure to economic conditions in the U.S. and any financial downturn in the U.S. could materially adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
Competition may increase in the future, which may adversely impact our margins and ability to retain customers, and make it difficult to maintain our market share, growth rate and profitability.
The foodservice distribution industry, as a whole, in the U.S. is fragmented and highly competitive, with local, regional, multi-regional distributors, and specialty competitors. In addition, we believe that the market participants serving Chinese restaurants are also highly fragmented. Currently, we face competition from smaller and/or dispersed competitors focusing on the niche market serving Chinese/Asian restaurants, especially Chinese takeout restaurants. However, with the growing demand for Chinese cuisines, others are operating, or may begin operating in this niche market in the future. Those potential competitors include: (i) national and regional foodservice distributors, (ii) local wholesalers and brokers, (iii) food retailers, and (iv) farmers’ markets. The national and regional distributors are experienced in operating multiple distribution locations and expanding management, and they have greater marketing and financial resources than we do. Even though they currently offer only a limited selection of Chinese and Asian specialty foods, they may be able to devote greater resources to sourcing, promoting and selling their products if they choose to do so. Conversely, the local wholesalers and brokers are small in size with a deep understanding of local preferences, but their lack of scale results in high risk and limited growth potential.
If more competitors enter this market segment aiming to serve Chinese/Asian restaurants in the future, our operating results may be negatively impacted through a loss of sales, reduction in margins from competitive price changes, and/or greater operating costs, such as marketing costs, due to the increase of competition.
We may not be able to fully compensate for increases in fuel costs when fuel prices experience high volatility, and our operating results would be adversely affected.
Volatile fuel prices have a direct impact on the industry served by us. We require significant quantities of fuel for delivery vehicles and are exposed to the risk associated with fluctuations in the market price for fuel. The price and supply of fuel can fluctuate significantly based on international, political and economic circumstances, as well as other factors outside our control, such as actions by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, or OPEC, and other oil and gas producers, regional production patterns, weather conditions and environmental concerns. The cost of fuel affects the price paid by us for products, as well as the costs we incur to deliver products to the customers. There is no guarantee that we will be able to pass along a portion of increased fuel costs to our customers in the future. The conflict in Ukraine led to a significant increase in fuel prices. If fuel costs remain elevated or increase further in the future, we may experience difficulties in passing all or a portion of these costs along to our customers, which may have a negative impact on our results of operations.
Disruption of relationships with vendors could negatively affect our business. Suppliers may increase product prices, which could increase our product costs.
We purchase our food items and related products primarily from third-party suppliers. Although our purchasing volume can provide benefits when dealing with suppliers, suppliers may not provide the products and supplies needed by us in the quantities and at the prices requested. The cancellation of our supply arrangement with any of our suppliers or the disruption, delay and/or inability to supply the requested products by our suppliers could adversely affect our sales. If our suppliers fail to comply with food safety or other laws and regulations, or face allegations of non-compliance, their operations may be disrupted. We cannot assure you that we would be able to find replacement suppliers on commercially reasonable terms.
In addition, we purchase seasonal Chinese vegetables and fruits from farms and other vendors. Increased frequency or duration of extreme weather conditions could impair production capabilities, disrupt our supply chain or impact demand for our products. Input costs could increase at any point in time for a large portion of the products that we sell for a prolonged period. Our inability to obtain adequate supplies of food items and related products as a result of any of the foregoing factors or otherwise could mean that we are unable to fulfill our obligations to customers, and customers may turn to other distributors.
The purchase prices of our products vary from time to time, which is subject to market conditions and negotiation with our suppliers. The prices of some of our products, especially seasonal products, such as vegetables and fruits, have significant fluctuation. We may not always be able to mitigate the impact of these price fluctuations, and our performance results could be adversely affected by such fluctuations.
As a foodservice distributor, it is necessary for us to maintain an inventory of products that may have declines in product pricing levels between the time we purchase the product from suppliers and the time we sell the product to customers, which could reduce the margin on that inventory, adversely affecting our results of operations.
We are dependent upon the timely delivery of products from our vendors. Prolonged diminution of global supply chains may impact the availability and price stability of future food supplies, which may in turn adversely impact our business.
The global supply chain, ranging from consumer goods, electronics, and industrial raw materials to food supplies, was negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, shipping bottlenecks, and rapidly rising freight costs. We procure the majority of our food supply domestically, which includes certain imported products we purchase from domestic brokers. Food production is widely dispersed throughout the U.S. and we depend on producers of food and restaurant supply products to timely deliver these components of our inventory in quantities sufficient to meet customer demand. Any disruptions or delays in our supply chains as a result of labor shortages, commodity shortages, or inefficiencies in distribution or logistical services could cause delays in the shipment or delivery of our products to our customers. Any prolonged diminution of global supply chains may impact the availability and price stability of future food supplies, which may in turn adversely impact our business.
Our business has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and may in the future be affected by steps taken by the Chinese government to address the COVID-19 pandemic or other pandemics.
We purchase a portion of our inventory directly or indirectly from Chinese suppliers. In addition, our two outsourced call centers are located in China. Beginning with the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, quarantines, travel restrictions, and the closure of stores and business facilities have been imposed in China as part of the government’s “zero-COVID” policy to limit the impact of the pandemic, and these measures were not relaxed until the beginning of 2023.
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Chinese government’s responses to the pandemic, certain of our suppliers’ and service providers' operations in China were temporarily disrupted. If the government in China reinstitutes policies that have been relaxed, or institutes new restrictive policies, we may not be able to procure certain inventory items from our suppliers, we may experience further supply chain bottlenecks and price increases, or we could have temporary disruptions in the function of our call centers, any of which could adversely impact our business.
Our relationships with customers may be materially diminished or terminated. The loss of customers could adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
We have maintained long-standing relationships with a number of our customers. However, those customers could unilaterally terminate their relationship with us or materially reduce the amount of business they conduct with us at any time. Our customers may shift their purchase orders from us to other competitors due to market competition, change of customer requirements and preferences, or because of the customer’s financial condition. There is no guarantee that we will be able to maintain relationships with any of our customers on acceptable terms, or at all. The loss of a number of customers could adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
We rely on technology in our business and any cybersecurity incident, other technology disruption or delay in implementing new technology could negatively affect our business and our relationships with customers.
We use technology in our business operations, and our ability to serve customers most effectively depends on the reliability of our technology systems. We use software and other technology systems, among other things, to generate and select orders, to make purchases, to manage warehouses and to monitor and manage our business on a day-to-day basis. Further, our business involves the storage and transmission of numerous classes of sensitive and/or confidential information and intellectual property, including customers’ and suppliers’ personal information, private information about employees, and financial and strategic information about us and our business partners.
These technology systems are vulnerable to disruption from circumstances beyond our control, including fire, natural disasters, power outages, systems failures, security breaches, espionage, cyber-attacks, viruses, theft and inadvertent releases of information. Any such disruption to these software and other technology systems, or the technology systems of third parties on which we rely, the failure of these systems to otherwise perform as anticipated, or the theft, destruction, loss, misappropriation, or release of sensitive and/or confidential information or intellectual property, could result in business disruption, negative publicity, brand damage, violation of privacy laws, loss of customers, potential liability and competitive disadvantage, any or all of which could potentially adversely affect our customer service, decrease the volume of our business and/or result in increased costs and lower profits.
A significant cybersecurity incident involving our cybersecurity infrastructure may result from actions by our employees, suppliers, third-party administrators, or unknown third parties or through cyber-attacks. The risk of such an incident can exist whether software services are in our technology systems or are in cloud-based software services. Intrusions and other incidents have occurred, and may occur again, in our systems and in the systems of our suppliers and third-party administrators. Any such incident could result in operational impairments, significant harm to our reputation and financial losses.
A significant cybersecurity incident could affect our data framework or cause a failure to protect the personal information of our customers, suppliers or employees, or sensitive and confidential information regarding our business and could give rise to legal liability and regulatory action under data protection and privacy laws. Any such cybersecurity incident involving our or our suppliers’ cybersecurity infrastructure could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Further, as we pursue our strategy to grow through acquisitions and to pursue new initiatives that improve our operations and cost structure, we are also expanding and improving our information technology, resulting in a larger technological presence and corresponding exposure to cybersecurity risk. If we fail to assess and identify cybersecurity risks associated with acquisitions and new initiatives, we may become increasingly vulnerable to such risks. Information technology systems continue to evolve and, in order to remain competitive, we need to implement new technologies in a timely and efficient manner. Investments will continue to be made in attracting, retaining, and training our human capital to remain current on the ever-changing industry best practices related to information security. If our competitors implement new technologies more quickly or successfully than we do, such competitors may be able to provide lower cost or enhanced services of superior quality compared to those we provide, which could have an adverse effect on our results of operations.
Changes in consumer eating habits could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
We provide foodservice distribution to Chinese/Asian restaurants, primarily Chinese takeout restaurants, which focus on serving Chinese food to non-Chinese Americans. Changes in consumer eating habits (such as a decline in consuming food away from home, a decline in portion sizes, or a shift in preferences toward western foods) could reduce demand for our products. Consumer eating habits could be affected by a number of factors, including attitudes regarding diet and health or new information regarding the health effects of consuming certain foods. If consumer eating habits change significantly, we may be required to modify or discontinue sales of certain items in our product portfolio, and we may experience higher costs and/or supply shortages associated with our efforts to accommodate those changes as our suppliers adapt to new eating preferences.
Additionally, changes in consumer eating habits may result in the enactment or amendment of laws and regulations that impact the ingredients and nutritional content of our food products, or laws and regulations requiring us to disclose the nutritional content of our food products. Compliance with these laws and regulations, as well as others regarding the ingredients and nutritional content of food products, may be costly and time-consuming. We cannot make any assurances regarding our ability to effectively respond to changes in consumer culture preference, health perceptions or resulting new laws or regulations or to adapt our product offerings to trends in eating habits.
We engage in transactions with related parties and such transactions present possible conflicts of interest that could have an adverse effect on us.
We purchase goods and services from related parties of our current and former management team, as well as our largest shareholder, and sell products to related parties of our current and former management team, as well as our largest shareholder. These related-party transactions create the possibility of conflicts of interest with regard to our management, including that:
•we may enter into contracts between us, on the one hand, and related parties, on the other, that are not as a result of arm’s-length transactions;
•our executive officers and directors that hold positions of responsibility with related parties may be aware of certain business opportunities that are appropriate for presentation to us as well as to such other related parties and may present such business opportunities to such other parties;
•our executive officers and directors that hold positions of responsibility with related parties may have significant duties with, and spend significant time serving, other entities and may have conflicts of interest in allocating time; and
•such conflicts could cause an individual in our management to seek to advance his or her economic interests or the economic interests of certain related parties above ours. Further, the appearance of conflicts of interest created by related-party transactions could impair the confidence of our investors. Our Special Transactions Review Committee regularly reviews these transactions. Notwithstanding this, it is possible that a conflict of interest could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
For more information on our related party transactions, see Note 13 - Related Party Transactions in our consolidated financial statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
We may in the future be required to consolidate the assets, liabilities, and results of operations of certain existing and future related party entities, which could have an adverse impact on our results of operations, financial position, and gross margin.
The Financial Accounting Standards Board has issued accounting guidance regarding variable interest entities (“VIEs”) that affects our accounting treatment of our existing and future related party entities. To ascertain whether we are required to consolidate an entity, we are required to determine whether it is a VIE and if we are the primary beneficiary in accordance with the accounting guidance. Factors we consider in determining whether we are the VIE’s primary beneficiary include evaluating the decision-making authority and management of the day-to-day operations of the related party entity and the obligation to absorb losses or right to receive benefits from the related party in relation to others. Changes in the financial accounting guidance, or changes in circumstances at each of these related party entities, could lead us to determine that we have to consolidate the assets, liabilities, and results of operations of such related party entities. We have determined to consolidate certain related parties as VIEs, see Note 3 - Variable Interest Entities in our consolidated financial statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information. The consolidation of other related parties as VIEs could significantly increase our indebtedness and may have a material adverse impact on our results of operations, financial position, and gross margin. In addition, we may enter into future affiliations with related parties or make other equity investments, which could have an adverse impact on us because of the financial accounting guidance regarding VIEs.
We may be unable to protect or maintain our intellectual property, which could result in customer confusion, a negative perception of our brand and adversely affect our business.
We believe that our intellectual property has substantial value and has contributed significantly to the success of our business. In particular, our “HF” logo trademarks and our trade names including “Han Feng,” "Rong Cheng" and "Great Wall," are valuable assets that reinforce our customers’ favorable perception of our products. Our trademark rights and related registrations may be challenged in the future and could be canceled or narrowed. Failure to protect our trademark rights could cause customer confusion or negatively affect customers’ perception of our brand and products, and eventually adversely affect our sales and profitability. Moreover, intellectual property disputes and proceedings and infringement claims may result in a significant distraction for management and significant expense, which may not be recoverable regardless of whether we are successful. Such proceedings may be protracted with no certainty of success, and an adverse outcome could subject us to liability, force us to cease use of certain trademarks or other intellectual property or force us to enter into licenses with others. Any one of these occurrences may have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
If we are unable to renew or replace our current leases on favorable terms, or any of our current leases are terminated prior to expiration of their stated terms, and we cannot find suitable alternate locations, our operations and profitability could be negatively impacted.
We currently have leases for some of our warehouses. Our ability to re-negotiate favorable terms on an expiring lease or to negotiate favorable terms for a suitable alternate location, and our ability to negotiate favorable lease terms for additional locations, could depend on conditions in the real estate market, competition for desirable properties, our relationships with current and prospective landlords, and/or other factors that are not within our control. Any or all of these factors and conditions could negatively impact our growth and profitability.
Failure to retain our senior management and other key personnel may adversely affect our operations.
Our success is substantially dependent on the continued service of our senior management and other key personnel. These executives have been primarily responsible for determining the strategic direction of our business and for executing our growth strategy and are integral to our brand and culture, and our reputation with suppliers and consumers. The loss of the services of any of these executives and other key personnel could have a material adverse effect on our business and prospects, as we may not be able to find suitable individuals to replace them on a timely basis, if at all. In addition, any such departure could be viewed in a negative light by investors and analysts, which may cause our stock price to decline. The loss of key employees could negatively affect our business.
If we are unable to attract, train and retain employees, we may not be able to grow or successfully operate our business.
The foodservice distribution industry is labor intensive. Our success depends in part upon our ability to attract, train and retain a sufficient number of employees who understand and appreciate our culture and are able to represent our brand effectively and establish credibility with our business partners and customers. Our ability to meet our labor needs, while controlling wage and labor-related costs, is subject to numerous external factors, including the availability of a sufficient number of qualified persons in the work force of the regions in which we are located, unemployment levels within those regions, prevailing wage rates, changing demographics, health and other insurance costs and changes in employment legislation.
In the event of increasing wage rates, if we fail to increase our wages competitively, the quality of our workforce could decline, causing our customer service to suffer, while increasing our wages could cause our profits to decrease. If we are unable to hire and retain employees capable of meeting our business needs and expectations, our business and brand image may be impaired. Any failure to meet our staffing needs or any material increase in turnover rates of our employees may adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Changes in and enforcement of immigration laws could increase our costs and adversely affect our ability to attract and retain qualified employees.
Federal and state governments from time to time implement immigration laws, regulations or programs that regulate our ability to attract or retain qualified foreign employees. Some of these changes may increase our obligations for compliance and oversight, which could subject us to additional costs and make our hiring process more cumbersome or reduce the availability of potential employees. Although we have implemented, and are in the process of enhancing, procedures to ensure our compliance with the employment eligibility verification requirements, there can be no assurance that these procedures are adequate and some of our employees may, without our knowledge, be unauthorized workers. The employment of unauthorized workers may subject us to fines or civil or criminal penalties, and if any of our workers are found to be unauthorized, we could experience adverse publicity that negatively impacts our brand and makes it more difficult to hire and keep qualified employees. We may be required to terminate the employment of certain of our employees who are determined to be unauthorized workers. The termination of a significant number of employees may disrupt our operations, cause temporary increases in our labor costs as we train new employees and result in adverse publicity. Our financial performance could be materially harmed as a result of any of these factors.
Potential labor disputes with employees and increases in labor costs could adversely affect our business.
A considerable amount of our operating costs are attributable to labor costs and, therefore, our financial performance is greatly influenced by increases in wage and benefit costs. As a result, we are exposed to risks associated with a competitive labor market. Rising health care costs and the nature and structure of work rules will always be important issues. Any work stoppages or labor disturbances as a result of employee dissatisfaction with their current employment terms could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. We also expect that in the event of a work stoppage or labor disturbance, we could incur additional costs and face increased competition.
If we fail to comply with requirements imposed by applicable law and other governmental regulations, we could become subject to lawsuits, investigations and other liabilities and restrictions on our operations that could significantly and adversely affect our business.
We are subject to regulation by various federal, state, and local governments, applicable to food safety and sanitation, ethical business practices, securities, transportation, minimum wage, overtime, other wage payment requirements, employment discrimination, immigration, and human health and safety. While we attempt to comply with all applicable laws and regulations, we cannot represent that we are in full compliance with all applicable laws and regulations or interpretations of these laws and regulations at all times or that we will be able to comply with any future laws, regulations or interpretations of these laws and regulations. If we fail to comply with applicable laws and regulations, we may be subject to investigations, criminal sanctions or civil remedies, including fines, injunctions, and prohibitions on exporting. The cost of compliance or the consequences of non-compliance, including debarments, could have an adverse effect on our results of operations. In addition, governmental units may make changes in the regulatory frameworks within which we operate that may require us to incur substantial increases in costs in order to comply with such laws and regulations.
If the products distributed by us are alleged to have caused injury or illness, or to have failed to comply with governmental regulations, we may need to recall our products and may experience product liability claims.
We, like any other foodservice distributor, may be subject to product recalls, including voluntary recalls or withdrawals, if the products we distribute are alleged to have caused injury or illness, to have been mislabeled, misbranded, or adulterated or to otherwise have violated applicable governmental regulations. We may also choose to voluntarily recall or withdraw products that we determine do not satisfy our quality standards, whether for taste, appearance, or otherwise, in order to protect our brand and reputation. Any future product recall or withdrawal that results in substantial and unexpected expenditures, destruction of product inventory, damage to our reputation, and/or lost sales due to the unavailability of the product for a period of time, could materially adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.
We also face the risk of exposure to product liability claims in the event that the use of products sold by us are alleged to have caused injury or illness. We cannot be sure that consumption of our products will not cause a health-related illness in the future or that we will not be subject to claims or lawsuits relating to such matters. Further, even if a product liability claim is unsuccessful or is not fully pursued, the negative publicity surrounding any assertion that our products caused illness or injury could adversely affect our reputation with existing and potential customers and our corporate and brand image.
Our product liability insurance plans may not continue to be available at a reasonable cost or, if available, may not be adequate to cover all of our liabilities. We generally seek contractual indemnification and insurance coverage from parties supplying products to us, but this indemnification or insurance coverage is limited, as a practical matter, to the creditworthiness of the indemnifying party and the insured limits of any insurance provided by such suppliers. If we do not have adequate insurance or contractual indemnification available, product liability relating to defective products could materially adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.
We may incur significant costs to comply with environmental laws and regulations, and we may be subject to substantial fines, penalties and/or third-party claims for non-compliance.
Our operations are subject to various federal, state, and local laws, rules and regulations relating to the protection of the environment, including those governing:
•the discharge of pollutants into the air, soil, and water;
•the management and disposal of solid and hazardous materials and wastes;
•employee exposure to hazards in the workplace; and
•the investigation and remediation of contamination resulting from releases of petroleum products and other regulated materials.
In the course of business, we operate, maintain, and fuel vehicles; store fuel in on-site above ground containers; operate refrigeration systems; and use and dispose of hazardous substances and food waste. We could incur substantial costs, including fines or penalties and third-party claims for property damage or personal injury, as a result of any violations of environmental or workplace safety laws and regulations or releases of regulated materials into the environment. In addition, we could incur investigation, remediation and/or other costs related to environmental conditions at our currently or formerly owned or operated properties.
Litigation may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
From time to time, we may be party to various claims and legal proceedings. For example, as reported previously, the Company is subject to a non-public investigation by the SEC and has responded to various information requests from the SEC in connection with that investigation. The Company is fully cooperating with the SEC’s requests and cannot predict the outcome of this investigation. See Part I, Item 3. Legal Proceedings to this Form 10-K for more information. We evaluate these claims and proceedings to assess the likelihood of unfavorable outcomes and to estimate, if probable and estimable, the amount of potential losses. Based on these assessments and estimates, we may establish reserves, as appropriate. These assessments and estimates are based on the information available to management at the time and involve a significant amount of management judgment. Actual outcomes or losses may differ materially from our assessments and estimates.
Even when not merited, the defense of these lawsuits or legal proceedings, including potential securities litigation and/or other legal actions, is expensive and may divert management’s attention, and we may incur significant expenses in defending these lawsuits or legal proceedings. The results of litigation and other legal proceedings are inherently uncertain, and adverse judgments or settlements in some of these legal disputes may result in adverse monetary damages, penalties or injunctive relief against us, which could negatively impact our financial position, cash flows or results of operations.
Increased commodity prices and availability may impact profitability.
Many of our products include ingredients such as wheat, corn, oils, sugar, and other commodities. Commodity prices worldwide have been increasing. While commodity price inputs do not typically represent the substantial majority of our product costs, any increase in commodity prices may cause our vendors to seek price increases from us. We may not be able to mitigate vendor efforts to increase our costs, either in whole or in part. In the event we are unable to mitigate potential vendor price increases, we may in turn consider raising our prices, and our customers may be deterred by any such price increases. Our profitability may be impacted through increased costs to us which may affect our gross margins, or through reduced revenue as a result of a decline in the number and average size of customer transactions.
The U.S. government is currently imposing increased tariffs on certain products imported into the U.S., including products imported from China, which may have an adverse impact on our future operating results.
We sell our products based on the cost of such products plus a percent markup. The U.S. government has imposed and continues to propose increased tariffs on certain products imported into the U.S., including products imported from China. Some of our imported products and imported products purchased from domestic brokers are subject to these increased tariffs and accordingly, our purchase costs have increased and may increase further. We may determine to increase our sales prices in order to pass these increased costs to our customers. In the event we determine to take such action, our customers may reduce their orders from us, which could negatively affect our profitability and operating results.
Severe weather, natural disasters and adverse climate changes, as well as the legal, regulatory or market measures being implemented to address climate change, may materially adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
Severe weather conditions and other natural disasters in areas where our distribution network covers or from which we obtain the products we sell may materially adversely affect our operations and our product offerings and, therefore, our results of operations. Such conditions may result in physical damage to, or temporary or permanent closure of, one or more of our distribution centers, an insufficient work force in our market regions and/or temporary disruption in the supply of products, including delays in the delivery of goods to our warehouses and/or a reduction in the availability of products in our offerings. In addition, adverse climate conditions and adverse weather patterns, such as drought or flood, that impact growing conditions and the quantity and quality of crops may materially adversely affect the availability or cost of certain products within our supply chain. Any of these factors may disrupt our businesses and materially adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
There is an increased focus around the world by regulatory and legislative bodies at all levels towards policies relating to climate change and the impact of global warming, including the regulation of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, energy usage and sustainability efforts. Increased compliance costs and expenses due to the impacts of climate change on our business, as well as additional legal or regulatory requirements regarding climate change or designed to reduce or mitigate the effects of carbon dioxide and other GHG emissions on the environment, may cause disruptions in, or an increase in the costs associated with, the running of our business, particularly with regard to our distribution and supply chain operations. Moreover, compliance with any such legal or regulatory requirements may require that we implement changes to our business operations and strategy, which would require us to devote substantial time and attention to these matters and cause us to incur additional costs. The effects of climate change, and legal or regulatory initiatives to address climate change, could have a long-term adverse impact on our business and results of operations.
Our business may be affected by the impacts of unfavorable geopolitical events or other market disruptions on consumer confidence and spending patterns.
Our net sales, profit, cash flows and future growth may be affected by negative local, regional, national or international political or economic trends or developments that reduce consumers’ ability or willingness to spend, including the effects of national and international security concerns such as war, terrorism or the threat thereof. Conflicts such as the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and the financial and economic sanctions and other measures imposed by the European Union, the U.S., and other countries and organizations in response thereto create market disruption and volatility and instability in the geopolitical environment. The extent to which this or similar conflicts escalate and the resulting impact on the global market remains uncertain. We monitor such conflicts, but do not, and cannot, know if any such ongoing geopolitical conflicts will result in broader economic and security concerns or in material implications for our business. These events could have a material adverse effect on our customers, our business partners and our third-party suppliers.
Our current indebtedness may adversely affect our liquidity position and ability of future financing.
As of December 31, 2023, we utilized $58.6 million of the $100 million asset-secured revolving credit facility and $114.4 million of long-term mortgage and equipment loans, which could adversely affect our cash flow, our ability to raise additional capital or obtain financing in the future, or react to changes in business and repay other debts. These bank loans contain covenants that restrict our ability to incur additional debt and operate our business. We may not be able to generate a sufficient amount of cash needed to pay interest and principal on our debt facilities or refinance all or a portion of our indebtedness, due to a number of factors, including significant change of economic conditions, market competition, weather conditions, natural disaster, and failure to execute our business plan.
An increase in interest rates could adversely affect our cash flow and financial condition.
Central bank policy interest rates continued to increase in 2023. Rising interest rates could have a dampening effect on overall economic activity and/or the financial condition of our customers, either or both of which could negatively affect customer demand for our products and industry demand generally. Rising interest rates may cause credit market dislocations which can impact funding costs.
Additionally, our borrowings bear interest at variable rates and expose us to interest rate risk. Although we monitor and manage this exposure, changes in interest rates cannot always be predicted, hedged, or offset with price increases to eliminate earnings volatility.
Impairment charges for goodwill, amortizable intangible assets or other long-lived assets could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operation.
We review our amortizable intangible assets and other long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable. We test goodwill for impairment at least annually, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate an asset may be impaired. Relevant factors, events and circumstances that affect the fair value of goodwill may include external factors such as macroeconomic, industry, and market conditions, as well as cost factors, overall financial performance, other relevant entity-specific events, specific events affecting the reporting unit, or sustained decrease in share price. We may be required to record a significant charge in our consolidated financial statements during the period in which any impairment of our goodwill, amortizable intangible assets, or other long-lived assets is determined, which would negatively affect our results of operations.
Impairment analysis requires significant judgment by management and the fair value of goodwill, amortizable intangible assets or other long-lived assets are sensitive to changes in key assumptions used in the projected cash flows, which include forecasted revenues and perpetual growth rates, among others, as well as current market conditions in both the United States and globally. To the extent that business conditions may deteriorate, or if changes in key assumptions and estimates differ significantly from management’s expectations, it may be necessary to record impairment charges, which could be material. The Company completed its most recent annual impairment assessment for goodwill as of the last day of the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2023 with no impairments noted.
Risk Factors Relating to our Acquisition Strategy
Our continued growth depends on future acquisitions of other distributors or wholesalers and enlarging our customer base. The failure to achieve these goals could negatively impact our results of operations and financial condition.
Historically, a portion of our growth has come through acquisitions, and our growth strategy depends, in large part, on acquiring other distributors or wholesalers to access untapped market regions and enlarge our customer base. Successful implementation of this strategy is dependent on sufficient capital support from financing, finding suitable targets to acquire, identifying suitable locations and negotiating acceptable acquisition prices and terms. There can be no assurance that we will continue to grow through acquisitions. We may not be able to obtain sufficient capital support for our expansion plan, or successfully implement the plan to acquire other competitors timely or within budget or operate those businesses successfully.
If we are unable to integrate acquired businesses successfully or realize anticipated economic, operational and other benefits and synergies in a timely manner, our earnings may be materially adversely affected. A significant expansion of our business and operations, in terms of geography or magnitude, could strain our administrative and operational resources. Significant acquisitions may also require the issuance of material additional amounts of debt or equity, which could materially alter our debt-to-equity ratio, increase our interest expense and decrease net income, and make it difficult for us to obtain favorable financing for other acquisitions or capital investments.
Our operating results will be adversely affected if we fail to implement our growth strategy or if we invest resources in a growth strategy that ultimately proves unsuccessful.
There is a scarcity of and competition for acquisition opportunities.
There are a limited number of operating companies available for acquisition that we deem to be desirable targets. In addition, there is a very high level of competition among companies seeking to acquire these operating companies. Many established and well-financed entities are active in acquiring interests in companies that we may find to be desirable acquisition candidates. Many of these entities have significantly greater financial resources, technical expertise and managerial capabilities than we do. Consequently, we will be at a competitive disadvantage in negotiating and executing possible acquisitions of such businesses. Even if we are able to successfully compete with these larger entities, this competition may affect the terms of the transactions we are able to negotiate and, as a result, we may pay more or receive less favorable terms than we expected for potential acquisitions. We may not be able to identify operating companies that complement our strategy, and even if we identify a company that does so, we may be unable to complete an acquisition of such a company for many reasons, including:
•failure to agree on necessary terms, such as the purchase price;
•incompatibility between our operational strategies and management philosophies with those of the potential acquiree;
•competition from other acquirers of operating companies;
•lack of sufficient capital to acquire a profitable company; and
•unwillingness of a potential acquiree to work with our management.
Risks related to acquisition financing.
We have a limited amount of financial resources and our ability to make additional acquisitions without securing additional financing from outside sources is limited. In order to continue to pursue our acquisition strategy, we may be required to obtain additional financing. We may obtain such financing through a combination of traditional debt financing and/or the placement of debt and equity securities. We may finance some portion of our future acquisitions by either issuing equity or by using shares of our common stock for all or a portion of the purchase price for such businesses. In the event that our common stock does not attain or maintain a sufficient market value, or potential acquisition candidates are otherwise unwilling to accept our common stock as part of the purchase price for the sale of their businesses, we may be required to use more of our cash resources, if available, in order to maintain our acquisition program. If we do not have sufficient cash resources, we will not be able to complete acquisitions and our growth could be limited unless we are able to obtain additional capital through debt or equity financings. The terms of our credit facility require that we obtain the consent of our lenders prior to securing additional debt financing. There could be circumstances in which our ability to obtain additional debt financing could be constrained if we are unable to secure such consent.
To the extent we make any material acquisitions, our earnings may be adversely affected by non-cash charges relating to the amortization of intangible assets.
Under applicable accounting standards, purchasers are required to allocate the total consideration paid in a business combination to the identified acquired assets and liabilities based on their fair values at the time of acquisition. The excess of the consideration paid to acquire a business over the fair value of the identifiable tangible assets acquired must be allocated among identifiable intangible assets including goodwill. The amount allocated to goodwill is not subject to amortization. However, it is tested at least annually for impairment. The amount allocated to identifiable intangible assets, such as customer relationships and the like, is amortized over the life of these intangible assets. We expect that this will subject us to periodic charges against our earnings to the extent of the amortization incurred for that period. Because our business strategy focuses, in part, on growth through acquisitions, our future earnings may be subject to greater non-cash amortization charges than a company whose earnings are derived solely from organic growth. As a result, we may experience an increase in non-cash charges related to the amortization of intangible assets acquired in our acquisitions. Our financial statements will show that our intangible assets are diminishing in value, even if the acquired businesses are increasing (or not diminishing) in value.
We are not obligated to follow any particular criteria or standards for identifying acquisition candidates.
We are not obligated to follow any particular operating, financial, geographic or other criteria in evaluating candidates for potential acquisitions or business combinations. We will determine the purchase price and other terms and conditions of acquisitions. Our shareholders will not have the opportunity to evaluate the relevant economic, financial and other information that our management team will use and consider in deciding whether or not to enter into a particular transaction.
We may be required to incur a significant amount of indebtedness in order to successfully implement our acquisition strategy.
Subject to the restrictions contained under our current credit facilities, we may be required to incur a significant amount of indebtedness in order to complete future acquisitions. If we are not able to generate sufficient cash flow from the operations of acquired businesses to make scheduled payments of principal and interest on the indebtedness, then we will be required to use our capital for such payments. This will restrict our ability to make additional acquisitions. We may also be forced to sell an acquired business in order to satisfy indebtedness. We cannot be certain that we will be able to operate profitably once we incur this indebtedness or that we will be able to generate a sufficient amount of proceeds from the ultimate disposition of such acquired businesses to repay the indebtedness incurred to make these acquisitions.
We may experience difficulties in integrating the operations, personnel and assets of acquired businesses that may disrupt our business, dilute stockholder value and adversely affect our operating results.
A core component of our business plan is to acquire businesses and assets in the food distribution industry. There can be no assurance that we will be able to identify, acquire or profitably manage businesses or successfully integrate our acquired businesses without substantial costs, delays or other operational or financial problems. Such acquisitions also involve numerous operational risks, including:
•difficulties in integrating operations, technologies, services and personnel;
•the diversion of financial and management resources from existing operations;
•the risk of entering new markets;
•the potential loss of existing or acquired strategic operating partners following an acquisition;
•the potential loss of key employees following an acquisition and the associated risk of competitive efforts from such departed personnel;
•possible legal disputes with the acquired company following an acquisition; and
•the inability to generate sufficient revenue to offset acquisition or investment costs.
As a result, if we fail to properly evaluate and execute any acquisitions or investments, our business and prospects may be seriously harmed.
Risk Factors Relating to our Common Stock
A trading market for our common stock may not be sustained and our common stock prices could decline.
Although our common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market ("NASDAQ") under the symbol “HFFG”, an active trading market for the shares of our common stock may not be sustained. Accordingly, no assurance can be given as to the following:
•the likelihood that an active trading market for shares of our common stock will be sustained;
•the liquidity of any such market;
•the ability of our shareholders to sell their shares of common stock; or
•the price that our shareholders may obtain for their common stock.
In addition, our common stock has historically experienced price and volume volatility. The market price and volume of our common stock may continue to experience fluctuations not only due to volatile stock market conditions but also due to government regulatory action, tax law updates, interest rates, the condition of the U.S. economy and a change in sentiment in the market regarding our industry, operations or business prospects. In addition to other factors, the price and volume volatility of our common stock may be affected by:
•factors influencing consumer food choices;
•the operating and securities price performance of companies that investors consider comparable to us;
•announcements of strategic developments, acquisitions and other material events by us or our competitors;
•changes in global financial markets and global economies and general market conditions, such as tariffs, interest rates, commodity and equity prices and the value of financial assets;
•additions or departures of key personnel;
•operating results that vary from the expectations of securities analysts and investors;
•sales of our equity securities common stock by shareholders, including the owners of businesses we have acquired, management, or our founder and his affiliated trusts and family members;
•actions by shareholders;
•actions by the SEC or NASDAQ relating to investigations; and
•passage of legislation or other regulatory developments that adversely affect us or our industry.
If an active market is not maintained, or if our common stock continues to experience price and volume volatility, the market price of our common stock may decline.
Furthermore, our ability to raise funds through the issuance of equity securities or otherwise by using our common stock as consideration is impacted by the price of our common stock. A low stock price may adversely impact our ability to reduce our financial leverage, as measured by the ratio of total debt to total capital. Continued high levels of leverage or significant increases may adversely affect our credit ratings and make it more difficult for us to access additional capital. These factors may limit our ability to implement our operating and growth plans.
Our current management does not have extensive corporate governance experience, and we may need to recruit expertise on corporate governance to comply with the regulations and effectively communicate with the capital markets, which may increase our operating expenses.
We have built up and will continue to expand our corporate management team from all areas of expertise. Lack of in-house talent could also have an adverse impact on both the effectiveness of our operations and the full compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. In addition, recruiting talent for our management team may increase operational costs substantially and may require longer hiring periods than ordinary employees.
We have identified material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting, which could affect our ability to ensure timely and reliable financial reports, affect the ability of our auditors to attest to the effectiveness of our internal controls, and weaken investor confidence in our financial reporting.
The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 requires, among other things, that we design, implement and maintain adequate internal controls and procedures over financial reporting. Our management has concluded that (1) our internal controls over financial reporting were not effective as of December 31, 2023, (2) there existed material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023, and (3) our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective as of December 31, 2023. Please refer to the discussion of these conclusions below, under Item 9A. “Controls and Procedures” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
We have taken and will continue to take appropriate actions to remediate such material weakness and inadequate disclosure controls and procedures; however, such continuous measures are still works-in-progress and may not be sufficient to address the material weaknesses identified or ensure that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective. We may also discover other material weaknesses in the future. Any failure to maintain or implement required new or improved controls, or any difficulties we encounter in the implementation of such controls, could cause us to fail to meet our periodic reporting obligations or result in material misstatements in our financial statements and affect the ability of our auditors to attest to the effectiveness of our internal controls over financing reporting. In addition, substantial costs and resources may be required to rectify any internal control deficiencies. If we cannot produce reliable financial reports, investors could lose confidence in our reported financial information, the market price of our common stock could decline significantly, and our business and financial condition could be adversely affected.
Future sales of our common stock may cause our stock price to decline.
As of March 22, 2024, there were 52,155,968 shares of our common stock outstanding. Of this number, approximately 52.2 million shares of common stock were freely tradable without restriction, unless the shares were held by our affiliates. The remaining shares of common stock were “restricted securities” as that term is defined under Rule 144 of the Securities Act. None of our directors, executive officers or employees are subject to lock-up agreements or market stand-off provisions that limit their ability to sell shares of our common stock. The sale of a large number of shares of our common stock, or the belief that such sales may occur, could cause a drop in the market price of our common stock.
Zhou Min Ni has significant influence over the Company and may have interests that conflict with those of our other shareholders.
The Company’s former Chairman and Co-CEO Zhou Min Ni, directly and indirectly through the trustee of the trusts established for the benefit of his family, beneficially owns approximately 22% of our common stock. As a result, Mr. Ni has sufficient voting power to significantly influence matters requiring shareholder approval, including the election of directors and approval of significant corporate transactions. Further, the possibility that Mr. Ni may sell all or a large portion of his common stock in a short period of time could adversely affect the trading price of our common stock. The interests of Mr. Ni may not align with the interests of other holders of our common stock. Mr. Ni’s significant beneficial ownership may also adversely affect the trading price of our common stock due to investors’ perception that conflicts of interest may exist or arise.
We do not currently intend to pay dividends on our common stock and, consequently, investors’ ability to achieve a return on investment will depend on appreciation in the price of our common stock.
We have not declared nor paid dividends on our common stock and we do not intend to do so in the near term. We currently intend to invest our future earnings, if any, to fund our growth. Therefore, investors are not likely to receive any dividends on common stock in the near term, and capital appreciation, if any, of our common stock will be an investor’s sole source of gain for the foreseeable future.
Anti-takeover provisions contained in our amended and restated bylaws, as well as provisions of Delaware law, could impair a takeover attempt.
Anti-takeover provisions contained in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws, as well as provisions of Delaware law, could impair a takeover attempt.
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, amended and restated bylaws and Delaware law contain provisions which could have the effect of rendering more difficult, delaying, or preventing an acquisition deemed undesirable by our board of directors. Among other things, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws include provisions:
• authorizing “blank check” preferred stock, which could be issued by our board of directors without stockholder approval and may contain voting, liquidation, dividend and other rights superior to our common stock;
• limiting the liability of, and providing indemnification to, our directors and officers;
• limiting the ability of our stockholders to call and bring business before special meetings;
• requiring advance notice of stockholder proposals for business to be conducted at meetings of our stockholders and for nominations of candidates for election to our board of directors; and
• controlling the procedures for the conduct and scheduling of stockholder meetings.
These provisions, alone or together, could delay or prevent hostile takeovers and changes in control or changes in our management, and amendment of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation to change or modify certain of these provisions requires approval of a super-majority of our stockholders, which we may not be able to obtain.
As a Delaware corporation, we are also subject to provisions of Delaware law, including Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation law, which prevents certain stockholders holding more than 15% of our outstanding common stock from engaging in certain business combinations without approval of the holders of at least two-thirds of our outstanding common stock not held by such 15% or greater stockholder.
In addition, in April 2023, we implemented a stockholder rights plan (the Rights Agreement), also called a “poison pill,” that may have the effect of discouraging or preventing a change of control by, among other things, making it uneconomical for a third party to acquire us without the consent of our board of directors.
Any provision of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, amended and restated bylaws or Delaware law that has the effect of delaying, preventing or deterring a change in control could limit the opportunity for our stockholders to receive a premium for their shares of our common stock, and could also affect the price that some investors are willing to pay for our common stock.

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ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS.
None.

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ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES.
As of the date of this report, we owned and/or operated eighteen distribution centers and cross-docks with a total of approximately 1.3 million square feet of warehouse space including approximately 400 thousand square feet of refrigerated storage utilizing a mix of leased (31%) and owned (69%) facilities for distribution, warehousing inventory, service and administrative functions. The table below lists the aggregate square footage, by state for these operating facilities as of December 31, 2023.
Location Number of Facilities Total Square Feet
Arizona 1 51,000
California 5 295,500
Colorado 1 53,000
Florida 1 136,200
Georgia 1 123,000
Illinois 1 135,000
North Carolina 2 236,000
Texas 2 65,000
Utah 2 81,000
Washington 1 65,000
Virginia 1 43,000
Totals 18 1,283,700
We lease our corporate headquarters located in Las Vegas, Nevada, consisting of approximately 5,000 square feet with a term of 6.5 years that began on March 17, 2021. We also lease office space for a corporate location in Los Angeles, California. We believe that, in the aggregate, our real estate is suitable and adequate to serve the needs of our business.

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ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.
From time to time, we are a party to various lawsuits, claims and other legal proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of business. When we become aware of a claim or potential claim, we assess the likelihood of any loss or exposure. In accordance with authoritative guidance, we record loss contingencies in our financial statements only for matters in which losses are probable and can be reasonably estimated. Where a range of loss can be reasonably estimated with no best estimate in the range, we record the minimum estimated liability. If the loss is not probable or the amount of the loss cannot be reasonably estimated, we disclose the nature of the specific claim if the likelihood of a potential loss is reasonably possible and the amount involved is material. We continuously assess the potential liability related to our pending litigation and revise its estimates when additional information becomes available. Adverse outcomes in some or all of these matters may result in significant monetary damages or injunctive relief against us that could adversely affect our ability to conduct our business. There also exists the possibility of a material adverse effect on our financial statements for the period in which the effect of an unfavorable outcome becomes probable and reasonably estimable.
As previously disclosed, in March 2020, an analyst report suggested certain improprieties in the Company’s operations, and in response to those allegations, the Company’s Board of Directors appointed a Special Committee of Independent Directors (the “Special Investigation Committee”) to conduct an internal independent investigation with the assistance of counsel. These allegations became the subject of two putative stockholder class actions filed on or after March 29, 2020 in the United States District Court for the Central District of California generally alleging the Company and certain of its current and former directors and officers violated the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder by making allegedly false and misleading statements (the “Class Actions”). These Class Actions have since been dismissed and are now closed.
In addition, the SEC initiated a formal, non-public investigation of the Company, and the SEC informally requested, and later issued a subpoena for, documents and other information. The subpoena relates to but is not necessarily limited to the matters identified in the Class Actions. The Special Investigation Committee and the Company have been cooperating with the SEC.
Certain factual findings based on evidence adduced by the Special Investigation Committee during its internal investigation were incorporated into the Company’s restatement filed on January 31, 2023. After the conclusion of its internal investigation, the Special Investigation Committee made recommendations to management regarding improvements to Company operations and structure, including but not limited to its dealings with related parties. The Company has implemented numerous improvements and continues to improve its compliance program. The Company has also instituted structural changes including the appointment of an independent Chairman of the Board to replace the former Co-Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board. In addition, as of January 31, 2023, three other independent directors serve on the Company’s Board of Directors. Our senior executive team now includes a General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer, a Chief Operations Officer who was hired in May 2022, and a new Chief Financial Officer who joined the Company in August 2022. We also hired a Vice President and Head of Internal Audit in April 2022 who reports directly to the Chief Financial Officer and to the Audit Committee Chair. In November 2022, we hired a Vice President of Compliance and Associate General Counsel, who reports directly to the General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer.
The Company also created a Special Litigation Committee which determined to pursue claims against certain former officers and directors. As a result, pursuant to the previously disclosed settlement agreement (as amended on November 1, 2023, the “Settlement Agreement”) between the Company and certain parties to the verified stockholder derivative complaint filed by James Bishop in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware, on October 16, 2023, the Company received $1.5 million on behalf of Zhou Min Ni, a former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, and Chan Sin Wong, a former President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company (together, the “Ni Defendants”). Subsequently, on December 1, 2023, the Company received 1,997,423 shares (valued at $7.75 million) of the Company’s common stock, based on the closing price of $3.88 on October 13, 2023, plus a cash payment of approximately $0.1 million of accrued interest through the date of payment, in satisfaction of the Ni Defendant’s payment obligations totaling $9.25 million under the Settlement Agreement. Pursuant to the terms of the Settlement Agreement, Mr. Ni, Ms. Wong and Jonathan Ni, the former Chief Financial Officer of the Company, agreed to give up any rights to indemnification or the advancement of fees in connection with the SEC investigation and any actions the SEC might take against them relating to the SEC investigation.
On October 13, 2023, the Company received a “Wells Notice” from the staff of the SEC (the “Wells Notice”) relating to the previously disclosed formal, non-public SEC investigation of allegations that the Company and certain of its current and former directors and officers violated the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder by making allegedly false and misleading statements. A Wells Notice is neither a formal charge of wrongdoing nor a final determination that the recipient has violated any law and invites recipients to submit a response if they wish. The Company made a submission in response to the Wells Notice explaining why an enforcement action would not be appropriate. Following that submission, the staff of the SEC determined that it would no longer be recommending that the SEC file an enforcement action against the Company at this time pending a potential agreed-upon resolution between the Company and the SEC. The Company is in negotiations with the SEC over a potential resolution, which could include fines and penalties, but the terms of that settlement are not set and the Company has made no formal offer of settlement to the SEC as of this filing.

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ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES.
Not applicable.
PART II.

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ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES.
Shares of our common stock are listed for trading on NASDAQ under the symbol “HFFG,” and have been publicly traded since September 7, 2017. Prior to that date, there was no public market for our stock.
Holders of Record
As of March 22, 2024, there were 52,155,968 shares of our common stock outstanding held by 41 shareholders of record. The number of record holders was determined from the records of our transfer agent and does not include beneficial owners of common stock whose shares are held in the names of various security brokers, dealers, and registered clearing agencies.
Dividends
We have not paid any cash dividends on our common stock to date. The payment of cash dividends in the future will be dependent upon our revenues and earnings, if any, capital requirements and our general financial condition. The payment of any dividends will be within the discretion of our Board of Directors at such time. It is the present intention of our Board of Directors to retain all earnings, if any, for use in our business operations and, accordingly, our Board of Directors does not anticipate declaring any dividends in the foreseeable future. In addition, our Board of Directors is not currently contemplating and does not anticipate declaring any stock dividends in the foreseeable future. Further, if we incur any indebtedness, our ability to declare dividends may be limited by restrictive covenants we may agree to in connection therewith.
Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities
None.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
On December 1, 2023, pursuant to the settlement agreement (as amended, the “Settlement Agreement”) between the Company and certain parties to the verified stockholder derivative complaint (the “Delaware Action”) filed by James Bishop in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware, the Company received 1,997,423 shares of the Company’s common stock (the “Settlement Shares”), from Zhou Min Ni, a former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, and Chan Sin Wong, a former President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company (together with Mr. Ni, the “Ni Defendants”), in addition to cash. All of the Settlement Shares received as consideration from the Ni Defendants have been placed by the Company in treasury. See Note 16 - Commitments and Contingencies to the consolidated financial statements and Part I - Item 3. - Legal Proceedings in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for more information.
Stock Performance Graph
The following graph compares the cumulative total return on our common stock with the cumulative total returns on the Standard & Poor’s 500 Composite Stock Price Index (“S&P 500”), and the Standard and Poor’s Food and Staples Retailing Index from December 31, 2018 to December 31, 2023.
The graph assumes an investment of $100 in our common stock and each of the indices on December 31, 2018 and the reinvestment of dividends, as applicable. The cumulative total return on our common stock as presented is not necessarily indicative of future performance.
12/31/2018 12/31/2019 12/31/2020 12/31/2021 12/30/2022 12/29/2023
HF Foods Group Inc. $100 $147 $57 $64 $31 $40
S&P 500 $100 $131 $156 $200 $164 $207
S&P Food and Staples Retailing Index $100 $127 $148 $185 $166 $192

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ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
ITEM 6. [RESERVED]

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ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.
The following discussion and analysis provides information about our business, the results of operations, financial condition, liquidity and capital resources of HF Foods Group Inc. This information is intended to facilitate the understanding and assessment of significant changes and trends related to our results of operations and financial condition. This discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes presented elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Discussions of 2021 items and year-to-year comparisons between 2022 and 2021 that are not included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K can be found in “Part II - Item 7. - Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, as filed with the SEC on March 31, 2023.
Overview
We market and distribute Asian specialty food products, seafood, fresh produce, frozen and dry food, and non-food products primarily to Asian restaurants and other foodservice customers throughout the United States. HF Foods was formed through a merger between two complementary market leaders, HF Foods Group Inc. and B&R Global.
On December 30, 2021, HF Foods acquired a leading seafood supplier, the Great Wall Group, resulting in the addition of three distribution centers, located in Illinois and Texas (the “Great Wall Acquisition”).
On April 29, 2022, HF Foods acquired substantially all of the assets of Sealand Food, Inc. (the “Sealand Acquisition”), one of the largest frozen seafood suppliers servicing the Asian/Chinese restaurant market along the eastern seaboard, from Massachusetts to Florida, as well as Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee. See Note 7 - Acquisitions to the consolidated financial statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information regarding recent acquisitions.
We have grown our distribution network to eighteen distribution centers and cross-docks servicing forty-six states and covering approximately 95% of the contiguous United States with a fleet of over 400 refrigerated vehicles. Capitalizing on our deep understanding of the Chinese culture, with over 1,000 employees and subcontractors and supported by two call centers in China, we have become a trusted partner serving approximately 15,000 Asian restaurants, providing sales and service support to customers who mainly converse in Mandarin or other Chinese dialects. We are dedicated to serving the vast array of Asian and Chinese restaurants in need of high-quality and specialized food ingredients at competitive prices.
How to Assess HF Foods’ Performance
In assessing our performance, we consider a variety of performance and financial measures, including principal growth in net revenue, gross profit, distribution, selling and administrative expenses, as well as certain non-GAAP financial measures, including EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA. The key measures that we use to evaluate the performance of our business are set forth below:
Net Revenue
Net revenue is equal to gross sales minus sales returns, sales incentives that we offer to our customers, such as rebates and discounts that are offsets to gross sales; and certain other adjustments. Our net revenue is driven by changes in number of customers and average customer order amount, product inflation that is reflected in the pricing of our products and mix of products sold.
Gross Profit
Gross profit is equal to net revenue minus cost of revenue. Cost of revenue primarily includes inventory costs (net of supplier consideration), inbound freight, customs clearance fees and other miscellaneous expenses. Cost of revenue generally changes as we incur higher or lower costs from suppliers and as the customer and product mix changes.
Distribution, Selling and Administrative Expenses
Distribution, selling and administrative expenses consist primarily of salaries, stock-based compensation and benefits for employees and contract laborers, trucking and fuel expenses, utilities, maintenance and repair expenses, insurance expenses, depreciation and amortization expenses, selling and marketing expenses, professional fees and other operating expenses.
EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA
Discussion of our results includes certain non-GAAP financial measures, including EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA, that we believe provides an additional tool for investors to use in evaluating ongoing operating results and trends and in comparing our financial performance with other companies in the same industry, many of which present similar non-GAAP financial measures to investors. We present EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA in order to provide supplemental information that we consider relevant for the readers of our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report, and such information is not meant to replace or supersede GAAP measures.
Management uses EBITDA to measure operating performance, defined as net income before interest expense, interest income, income taxes, and depreciation and amortization. In addition, management uses Adjusted EBITDA, defined as net income before interest expense, interest income, income taxes, and depreciation and amortization, further adjusted to exclude certain unusual, non-cash, or non-recurring expenses. Management believes that Adjusted EBITDA is less susceptible to variances in actual performance resulting from non-recurring expenses, and other non-cash charges and is more reflective of other factors that affect our operating performance.
The definition of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA may not be the same as similarly titled measures used by other companies in the industry. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are not defined under GAAP and are subject to important limitations as analytical tools and should not be considered in isolation or as substitutes for analysis of HF Foods’ results as reported under GAAP. For example, Adjusted EBITDA:
•excludes certain tax payments that may represent a reduction in cash available;
•does not reflect any cash capital expenditure requirements for the assets being depreciated and amortized that may have to be replaced in the future;
•does not reflect changes in, or cash requirements for, our working capital needs; and
•does not reflect the significant interest expense, or the cash requirements, necessary to service our debt.
For additional information on EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA, see the section entitled “EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA” below.
Financial Review
Highlights for 2023 included:
•Net revenue: Net revenue was $1,148.5 million in 2023, compared to $1,170.5 million in 2022, a decrease of $22.0 million, or 1.9%. This decrease was primarily attributable to deflationary pricing in imported frozen seafood, Asian Specialty, poultry, and, to a lesser extent, the exit of our chicken processing businesses.
•Gross profit: Gross profit was $204.0 million in 2023 compared to $205.5 million in 2022, a decrease of $1.5 million, or 0.7%. The decrease was primarily attributable to lower revenue. Gross profit margin of 17.8% for 2023 increased from 17.6% in the prior year.
•Distribution, selling and administrative expenses: Distribution, selling and administrative expenses increased by $0.1 million, or 0.1%, mainly due to settlement amounts received partially offset by an increase in payroll and related labor costs as well as insurance costs. During 2023, we received legal settlements amounts totaling $9.25 million and $1.7 million, of which we paid $0.9 million, for a net settlement totaling $10.0 million. These net settlement amounts were recorded as a reduction of distribution, selling and administrative expenses. Distribution, selling and administrative expenses as a percentage of net revenue increased to 17.0% in 2023 from 16.7% in 2022, primarily due to the costs disclosed above combined with the decrease in revenue year over year.
•Net (loss) income attributable to HF Foods Group Inc.: Net loss attributable to HF Foods Group Inc. was $2.2 million in 2023 compared to net income of $0.5 million in 2022. The decrease of $2.6 million was primarily driven by a decrease in our income from operations of $1.6 million, an increase in interest expense of $4.0 million, a change in fair value of interest rate swap contracts of $2.4 million, and a change in other income of $0.7 million, partially offset by a favorable change in lease guarantee expense of $6.1 million.
•Exit of chicken processing businesses: During the second half of 2023, we exited both of our low margin chicken processing businesses on the east and west coast as part of our commitment to refocusing on our core business.
Results of Operations
Comparison of Year Ended December 31, 2023 to Year Ended December 31, 2022
The following table sets forth a summary of our consolidated results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022. The historical results presented below are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for any future period.
Year Ended December 31, Change
($ in thousands) 2023 2022 Amount
Net revenue $ 1,148,493 $ 1,170,467 $ (21,974)
Cost of revenue 944,462 964,955 (20,493)
Gross profit 204,031 205,512 (1,481)
Distribution, selling and administrative expenses 195,062 194,953 109
Income from operations 8,969 10,559 (1,590)
Interest expense 11,478 7,457 4,021
Other income (1,091) (1,829) 738
Change in fair value of interest rate swap contracts 1,580 (817) 2,397
Lease guarantee (income) expense (377) 5,744 (6,121)
(Loss) income before income taxes (2,621) 4 (2,625)
Income tax expense (benefit) 41 (231) 272
Net (loss) income and comprehensive (loss) income (2,662) 235 (2,897)
Less: net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests (488) (225) (263)
Net (loss) income and comprehensive (loss) income attributable to HF Foods Group Inc. $ (2,174) $ 460 $ (2,634)
The following table sets forth the components of our consolidated results of operations expressed as a percentage of net revenue for the periods indicated:
Year Ended December 31,
2023 2022
Net revenue 100.0 % 100.0 %
Cost of revenue 82.2 % 82.4 %
Gross profit 17.8 % 17.6 %
Distribution, selling and administrative expenses 17.0 % 16.7 %
Income from operations 0.8 % 0.9 %
Interest expense 1.0 % 0.6 %
Other income (0.1) % (0.2) %
Change in fair value of interest rate swap contracts 0.1 % (0.1) %
Lease guarantee expense - % 0.5 %
(Loss) income before income taxes (0.2) % - %
Income tax expense (benefit) - % - %
Net (loss) income and comprehensive (loss) income (0.2) % - %
Less: net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests - % - %
Net (loss) income and comprehensive (loss) income attributable to HF Foods Group Inc. (0.2) % - %
Net Revenue
Net revenue for the year ended December 31, 2023 decreased by $22.0 million, or 1.9%, compared to the same period in 2022. This decrease was primarily attributable to deflationary pricing product categories such as frozen seafood, poultry, Asian Specialty and packaging. The revenue decrease due to pricing was partially offset by higher volume and the Seafood revenue generated due to the Sealand Acquisition which has a full year of revenue in 2023 compared to a partial year in 2022.
Gross Profit
Gross profit was $204.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to $205.5 million in the same period in 2022, a decrease of $1.5 million, or 0.7%. The gross profit decrease was primarily attributable to decreases in revenue from Meat and Poultry, and to a lesser extent, Packaging and Other, partially offset by the increased revenue from Asian Specialty, the additional Seafood revenue generated due to the Sealand Acquisition and the successful execution of our Seafood centralized purchasing program. During the year ended December 31, 2023, poultry pricing came down from the elevated levels we benefited from during the same period in 2022. Gross profit margin for 2023 of 17.8% increased from 17.6% in the prior year.
Distribution, Selling and Administrative Expenses
Distribution, selling and administrative expenses of $195.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 remained consistent with prior year expenses of $195.0 million. For 2023, there was a decrease in professional fees as a result of the net settlement amounts received totaling $10.0 million, partially offset by increases of $7.3 million in payroll and related labor costs, inclusive of the additional costs due to the Sealand Acquisition, and $2.0 million in insurance related costs. Professional fees decreased $12.9 million, or $2.9 million net of the settlement amounts received, to $13.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, from $26.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. In addition, we recognized an asset impairment of $1.2 million related to the exit of our chicken processing facility. Distribution, selling and administrative expenses as a percentage of net revenue increased to 17.0% for the year ended December 31, 2023 from 16.7% in the same period in 2022, primarily due to the costs disclosed above combined with the decrease in revenue year over year.
Interest Expense
Interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2023 increased by $4.0 million or 53.9%, compared to the year ended December 31, 2022, primarily due to a sharply higher interest-rate environment. Average floating interest rates on our floating-rate debt for the year ended December 31, 2023 increased by approximately 3.4% on the line of credit and 3.4% on the JPMorgan Chase mortgage-secured term loan, compared to the same period in 2022. Our average daily line of credit balance decreased by $10.2 million, or 18.5%, to $44.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 from $55.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, and our average daily JPMorgan Chase mortgage-secured term loan balance increased by $6.5 million, or 6.4%, to $108.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 from $102.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2022.
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)
Income tax expense (benefit) was an income tax expense of approximately $41,000 for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to income tax benefit of $0.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, primarily due to the impact of non-deductible items, change in valuation allowance, and state taxes, partially offset by the expiration of the statute of limitations in relation to unrecognized tax benefits, tax credits, and other tax adjustments during the year ended December 31, 2023.
Net (Loss) Income Attributable to HF Foods Group Inc.
Net loss attributable to HF Foods Group Inc. was $2.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to net income of $0.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. The decrease of $2.6 million was primarily driven by a decrease in our income from operations of $1.6 million, an increase in interest expense of $4.0 million, a change in fair value of interest rate swap contracts of $2.4 million, and a change in other income of $0.7 million, partially offset by a favorable change in lease guarantee expense of $6.1 million.
EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA
The following table reconciles EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to the most directly comparable GAAP measure:
Year Ended December 31, Change
($ in thousands) 2023 2022 Amount
Net (loss) income $ (2,662) $ 235 $ (2,897)
Interest expense 11,478 7,457 4,021
Income tax expense (benefit) 41 (231) 272
Depreciation and amortization 25,918 24,936 982
EBITDA 34,775 32,397 2,378
Lease guarantee (income) expense (377) 5,744 (6,121)
Change in fair value of interest rate swap contracts 1,580 (817) 2,397
Stock-based compensation expense 3,352 1,257 2,095
Business transformation costs (1)
929 - 929
Acquisition-related costs - 1,130 (1,130)
Other non-routine expense (2)
3,124 - 3,124
Asset impairment charges 1,200 422 778
Adjusted EBITDA $ 44,583 $ 40,133 $ 4,450
_________________
(1) Represents non-recurring costs associated with the launch of strategic projects including supply chain management improvements and technology infrastructure initiatives.
(2) Includes contested proxy and related legal and consulting costs and facility closure costs.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
As of December 31, 2023, we had cash of approximately $15.2 million, checks issued not presented for payment of $4.5 million and access to approximately $37.6 million in additional funds through our $100.0 million line of credit, subject to a borrowing base calculation. We have funded working capital and other capital requirements primarily by cash flow from operations and bank loans. Cash is required to pay purchase costs for inventory, salaries, fuel and trucking expenses, selling expenses, rental expenses, income taxes, other operating expenses and to service debts.
We believe that our cash flow generated from operations is sufficient to meet our normal working capital needs for at least the next twelve months. However, our ability to repay our current obligations will depend on the future realization of our current assets. Management has considered the historical experience, the economy, the trends in the foodservice distribution industry to determine the expected collectability of accounts receivable and the realization of inventories as of December 31, 2023.
We are party to an amortizing interest rate swap contract with JPMorgan Chase for an initial notional amount of $120.0 million, expiring in March 2028, as a means to partially hedge our existing floating rate loans exposure. Pursuant to the agreement, we will pay the swap counterparty a fixed rate of 4.11% in exchange for floating payments based on CME Term SOFR.
Effective as of April 20, 2023, we and certain parties to the Delaware Action reached an agreement to settle the Delaware Action on the terms and conditions set forth in a binding term sheet (the “Binding Term Sheet”), which was incorporated into a long-form settlement agreement on May 5, 2023 and filed with the Court of Chancery on May 8, 2023. The Binding Term Sheet provided for, among other things, the dismissal of the Delaware Action with prejudice, thereby resolving all existing and potential liability against all named defendants in the Delaware Action, in exchange for Zhou Min Ni, a former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, and Chan Sin Wong, a former President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company, making a payment to the Company in the sum of $9.25 million (the “Settlement Amount”). The full terms of the settlement of the Delaware Action were incorporated into the long-form settlement agreement, which was subject to approval of the Court of Chancery (as amended on November 1, 2023, the “Settlement Agreement”). On September 8, 2023, the Court of Chancery approved the proposed settlement and an application by Bishop’s counsel for an award of attorneys’ fees and expenses.
On October 16, 2023, after approval of the settlement had become final, the Ni Defendants paid the Company $1.5 million of the Settlement Amount. On December 1, 2023, the Company received 1,997,423 shares of the Company’s common stock as consideration for the remaining $7.75 million balance due under the Settlement Agreement. All of the shares of Company common stock received as consideration for the Settlement have been placed by the Company in treasury. Please refer to Part I. Item 3. Legal Proceedings in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and Note 16 - Commitments and Contingencies to the consolidated financial statements herein for additional information.
Management believes we have sufficient funds to meet our working capital requirements and debt obligations in the next twelve months. However, there are a number of factors that could potentially arise which might result in shortfalls in anticipated cash flow, such as the demand for our products, economic conditions, competitive pricing in the foodservice distribution industry, and our bank and suppliers being able to provide continued support. If the future cash flow from operations and other capital resources is insufficient to fund our liquidity needs, we may have to resort to reducing or delaying our expected acquisition plans, liquidating assets, obtaining additional debt or equity capital, or refinancing all or a portion of our debt.
As of December 31, 2023, we have no off balance sheet arrangements that currently have or are reasonably likely to have a material effect on our consolidated financial position, changes in financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources.
The following table summarizes cash flow data for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022:
Years Ended December 31,
(In thousands) 2023 2022 Change
Net cash provided by operating activities $ 15,804 $ 31,284 $ (15,480)
Net cash used in investing activities (1,514) (50,786) 49,272
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities (23,347) 28,999 (52,346)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents $ (9,057) $ 9,497 $ (18,554)
Operating Activities
Net cash provided by operating activities consists primarily of net income adjusted for non-cash items, including depreciation and amortization, changes in deferred income taxes and others, and includes the effect of working capital changes. Net cash provided by operating activities decreased by $15.5 million, or 49%, primarily due to the timing of working capital outlays. During the year ended December 31, 2023, we implemented new enterprise accounting and finance applications, which modified our accounts receivable, accounts payable and treasury processes. As a result of this transformation, we significantly paid down our accounts payable, which negatively impacted our net cash provided by operating activities.
Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities decreased by $49.3 million, or 97%, primarily due to payments related to acquisitions in the year ended December 31, 2022.
Financing Activities
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities decreased by $52.3 million to $23.3 million used in financing activities primarily due to the reduction in proceeds from long-term debt for the year ended December 31, 2023. In addition, checks issued not presented for payment decreased significantly for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the year ended December 31, 2022 due to the reduction in checks issued as a result of our new enterprise accounting and finance applications.
Critical Accounting Estimates
The discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. These principles require management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, cash flow and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. The estimates include, but are not limited to, inventory reserves, impairment of long-lived assets, impairment of goodwill, and the purchase price allocation and fair value of assets and liabilities acquired with respect to business combinations. We base our estimates on historical experience and various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ from these estimates. To the extent that there are material differences between these estimates and the actual results, future financial statements will be affected.
We believe that among our significant accounting policies, which are described in Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies to the consolidated financial statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, the following accounting policies involve a greater degree of judgment and complexity. Accordingly, we believe these are the most critical to fully understand and evaluate our financial condition and results of operations.
Business Combinations
We account for our business combinations using the purchase method of accounting in accordance with ASC Topic 805 (“ASC 805”), Business Combinations. The purchase method of accounting requires that the consideration transferred be allocated to the assets, including separately identifiable assets and liabilities we acquired, based on their estimated fair values. The consideration transferred in an acquisition is measured as the aggregate of the fair values at the date of exchange of the assets given, liabilities incurred, and equity instruments issued as well as the contingent considerations and all contractual contingencies as of the acquisition date. Identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities acquired or assumed are measured separately at their fair value as of the acquisition date, irrespective of the extent of any noncontrolling interests. The excess of (i) the total of cost of acquisition, fair value of the noncontrolling interests and acquisition date fair value of any previously held equity interest in the acquiree over, (ii) the fair value of the identifiable net assets of the acquiree, is recorded as goodwill. If the cost of acquisition is less than the fair value of the net assets of the subsidiary acquired, the difference is recognized directly in earnings.
We estimate the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination. While we use our best estimates and assumptions to accurately value assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date, its estimates are inherently uncertain and subject to refinement. Significant estimates in valuing certain intangible assets include, but are not limited to future expected revenues and cash flows, useful lives, discount rates, and selection of comparable companies. Although we believe the assumptions and estimates we have made in the past have been reasonable and appropriate, they are based in part on historical experience and information obtained from management of the acquired companies and are inherently uncertain. During the measurement period, which may be up to one year from the acquisition date, we may record adjustments to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed with the corresponding offset to goodwill. On the conclusion of the measurement period or final determination of the values of assets acquired or liabilities assumed, whichever comes first, any subsequent adjustments are recorded to our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss).
Goodwill
Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of net assets acquired in a business combination. We test goodwill for impairment at least annually, as of December 31, or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that goodwill might be impaired. We have concluded we are one reporting unit for purposes of testing goodwill for impairment.
We review the carrying value of goodwill whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that such carrying values may not be recoverable and annually for goodwill as required by ASC Topic 350, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other. Factors that may be considered a change in circumstances, indicating that the carrying value of our goodwill may not be recoverable, include a sustained decline in stock price and market capitalization, reduced future cash flow estimates and slower growth rates in our industry. This guidance provides the option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value. If, based on a review of qualitative factors, it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value, we perform a quantitative analysis. If the quantitative analysis indicates the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, we measure any goodwill impairment losses as the amount by which the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, not to exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit.
As a result of our 2023 financial performance in comparison to previous forecasts, combined with our level of stock price, we performed a quantitative impairment assessment. A quantitative goodwill impairment analysis requires valuation of the respective reporting unit, which requires complex analysis and judgment. We use a combination of discounted cash flow (“DCF”) model and market approaches, such as public company comparable analysis and comparable acquisitions analysis to determine fair value. The income approach and market approaches were weighted equally to estimate fair value. The income approach requires detailed forecasts of cash flows, including significant assumptions such as revenue growth rates, gross profit margin, and an estimate of weighted-average cost of capital which we believe approximate the assumptions from a market participant’s perspective. The market approaches are primarily impacted by an enterprise value multiple of EBITDA. These estimates incorporate many uncertain factors which could be impacted by changes in market conditions, interest rates, growth rate, tax rates, costs, customer behavior, regulatory environment and other macroeconomic changes. We categorize the fair value determination as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy due to its use of internal projections and unobservable measurement inputs.
The results of testing as of December 31, 2023, concluded that the estimated fair value exceeded carrying value, and no impairment existed as of that date. In addition, we corroborated the reasonableness of the total fair value of the reporting unit by assessing the implied control premium based on our market capitalization. Our market capitalization is calculated using the number of common shares issued and common stock publicly traded price. We also consider the amount of headroom for the reporting unit when determining whether an impairment existed. Headroom is the difference between the fair value of a reporting unit and its carrying value. The fair value of the reporting unit exceeded the reporting unit carrying value by approximately $10%, or $45.0 million. No goodwill impairment was recorded for the year ended December 31, 2023. See Note 8 - Goodwill and Acquired Intangible Assets to the consolidated financial statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information.
Assumptions used in impairment testing are made at a point in time and require significant judgment; therefore, they are subject to change based on the facts and circumstances present at each impairment test date. Additionally, these assumptions are generally interdependent and do not change in isolation.
We performed sensitivity analyses on the key inputs and assumptions used in determining the estimated fair value of our reporting unit by utilizing changes in assumptions that would reasonably likely occur. Assuming all other assumptions and inputs used in the fair value analysis are held constant, a 100 basis point increase in the discount rate assumption, a 1x decrease in the respective EBITDA multiple assumptions, a 25 basis point decrease in the gross profit margin assumption, and a 50 basis point decrease in the long-term revenue growth rate assumption would result in a decrease in the fair value of our reporting unit of approximately $14.8 million, $36.9 million, $8.4 million, and $22.6 million, respectively. These estimated changes in fair value are not necessarily representative of the actual impairment that would be recorded in the event of a fair value decline.
If, in future periods, the financial performance of the reporting unit does not meet forecasted expectations, or a prolonged decline occurs in the market price of our common stock, it may cause a change in the results of the impairment assessment and, as such, could result in an impairment of goodwill.
Impairment of Long-lived Assets
We assess our long-lived assets such as property and equipment and intangible assets subject to amortization for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of an asset or asset group may not be recoverable. Factors which may indicate potential impairment include a significant underperformance related to the historical or projected future operating results or a significant negative industry or economic trend. Recoverability of these assets is measured by comparison of their carrying amounts to future undiscounted cash flows which the assets or asset groups are expected to generate. If property and equipment and intangible assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized equals the amount by which the carrying value of the assets exceeds their fair value.
We impaired machinery used in the operations within HF Foods Industrial, Inc. and recognized impairment expense of $1.2 million in distribution, selling and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations during the year ended December 31, 2023. We impaired our acquired developed technology attributable to Syncglobal, Inc. and recognized impairment expense of $0.4 million in distribution, selling and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations during the year ended December 31, 2022.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
For a discussion of recent accounting pronouncements, see Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies to the consolidated financial statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

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ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
ITEM 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.
Interest Rate Risk
Our debt exposes us to risk of fluctuations in interest rates. Floating rate debt, where the interest rate fluctuates periodically, exposes us to short-term changes in market interest rates. Fixed rate debt, where the interest rate is fixed over the life of the instrument, exposes us to changes in market interest rates reflected in the fair value of the debt and to the risk that we may need to refinance maturing debt with new debt at higher rates. We manage our debt portfolio to achieve an overall desired proportion of fixed and floating rate debts and may employ interest rate swaps as a tool from time to time to achieve that position. To manage our interest rate risk exposure, we entered into four interest rate swap contracts to hedge the floating rate term loans. See Note 9 - Derivative Financial Instruments to the consolidated financial statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information.
As of December 31, 2023, our aggregate floating rate debt’s outstanding principal balance without hedging was $60.8 million, or 35.2% of total debt, consisting primarily of our revolving line of credit (see Note 10 - Debt to the consolidated financial statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K). Our floating rate debt interest is based on the floating 1-month SOFR plus a predetermined credit adjustment rate plus the bank spread. The remaining 64.8% of our debt is on a fixed rate or a floating rate with hedging. In a hypothetical scenario, a 1% change in the applicable rate would cause the interest expense on our floating rate debt to change by approximately $0.6 million per year.
Fuel Price Risk
We are also exposed to risks relating to fluctuations in the price and availability of diesel fuel. We require significant quantities of diesel fuel for our vehicle fleet, and the inbound delivery of the products we sell is also dependent upon shipment by diesel-fueled vehicles. Additionally, elevated fuel costs can negatively impact consumer confidence and discretionary spending and thus reduce the frequency and amount spent by consumers for food-away-from-home purchases. We currently are able to obtain adequate supplies of diesel fuel, and average prices in 2023 decreased in comparison to average prices in 2022, decreasing 15.5% on average. However, it is impossible to predict the future availability or price of diesel fuel. The price and supply of diesel fuel fluctuates based on external factors not within our control, including geopolitical developments, supply and demand for oil and gas, regional production patterns, weather conditions and environmental concerns. Increases in the cost of diesel fuel could increase our cost of goods sold and operating costs to deliver products to our customers.
We do not actively hedge the price fluctuation of diesel fuel in general. Instead, we seek to minimize fuel cost risk through delivery route optimization and fleet utilization improvement.

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ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
HF Foods Group Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Financial Statements
Index to Consolidated Financial Statements
Page
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm - Year Ended December 31, 2023 (BDO USA, P.C.; Troy, Michigan; PCAOB ID #243)
Consolidated Financial Statements
Consolidated Balance Sheets
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Shareholders and Board of Directors
HF Foods Group Inc.
Las Vegas, Nevada
Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of HF Foods Group Inc. (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss), changes in shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2023, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company at December 31, 2023 and 2022, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2023, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
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 December 31, 2023, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”) and our report dated March 26, 2024, expressed an adverse opinion thereon.
Basis for Opinion
These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s 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) relates 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.
Consolidated Financial Statements - Impact of Control Environment and Information Technology General Controls
As disclosed in management’s report on internal control over financial reporting, the Company identified material weaknesses as of December 31, 2023. These material weaknesses included ineffective information technology general controls (ITGCs), and ineffective controls over certain non-routine transactions, significant management estimates, and financial reporting. The completeness and accuracy of the consolidated financial statements, including the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows, is dependent on, in part, the Company’s ability to (i) design and maintain an effective control environment, including maintaining a sufficient number of qualified resources to support and provide proper oversight and accountability over the performance of controls, (ii) design and maintain effective ITGCs for certain information systems relevant to the preparation of the financial statements, and (iii) design and maintain effective controls over financial reporting.
We identified a critical audit matter over the completeness and accuracy of the consolidated financial statements. The ineffective control environment, including the ineffective ITGCs resulted in several material weaknesses. Designing the appropriate procedures and evaluating audit evidence to ensure the completeness and accuracy of the consolidated financial statements, including higher risk areas, with an ineffective control environment, required especially challenging and subjective auditor judgment due to the increased extent of audit effort including the need to modify the nature and extent of audit evidence obtained.
The primary procedures we performed to address this critical audit matter included:
•Performing incremental procedures over material financial statement accounts such as revenue and receivables by i) increasing the sample sizes to perform certain audit procedures and ii) lowering the testing thresholds and for journal entries by expanding the types of entries to be tested.
•Evaluating the impact of improper segregation of duties and designing incremental procedures over disbursements.
•Manually testing the completeness and accuracy of information provided by the Company and increasing the extent of our testing for items to be selected and agreed to source documents.
Goodwill Impairment - Valuation of Reporting Unit
As disclosed in Notes 2 and 8 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company’s consolidated goodwill balance was $85.1 million as of December 31, 2023. There is only one reporting unit at December 31, 2023. Goodwill is tested for impairment at the reporting unit level at least annually, or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that goodwill might be impaired. In the valuation of goodwill, management must make assumptions regarding estimated future cash flows to be derived from the Company’s business. A change in underlying assumptions could cause a change in the results of the impairment test and, as such, could cause fair value to be less than the carrying amount and result in an impairment of goodwill in the future. In connection with the annual impairment test completed as of December 31, 2023 using the quantitative goodwill impairment assessment, the Company determined the fair value of the reporting unit, using an average of the income approach, specifically, the discounted cash flow method, and market approaches, specifically, the comparable public company analysis and comparable acquisition analysis methods. The income approach uses a discounted cash flow model that reflects management significant assumptions that mainly related to revenue growth rates, gross profit margins and a discount rate. The comparable public company and comparable acquisition analysis methods apply a market multiple assumption to the Company’s EBITDA to calculate fair value. The fair value of the Company’s reporting unit exceeded the carrying value, and therefore the Company concluded no impairment was required to be recorded during the year ended December 31, 2023.
We identified certain assumptions used in the valuation of goodwill for the reporting unit as a critical audit matter. Management’s determination of the fair value of the reporting unit required the use of significant judgment due to the subjectivity and uncertainty of the revenue growth rates, gross profit margins and discount rate assumptions used in the income approach, and the EBITDA multiple assumption used in the comparable public company analysis and comparable acquisition analysis approaches. Auditing these elements involved especially challenging and subjective auditor judgment due to the nature and extent of audit effort required to address these matters, including the extent of specialized skill or knowledge needed.
The primary procedures we performed to address this critical audit matter included:
•Evaluating the reasonableness of the forecasted revenue and gross profit margins by: 1) evaluating the consistency of the revenue growth rates and gross profit margins with historical results, ii) evaluating the consistency of the revenue growth rates and gross profit margins with the Company’s objectives and strategies, and iii) comparing the forecasted revenue growth rates and gross profit margins with external market data and evidence obtained in other areas of the audit.
•Utilizing personnel with specialized knowledge and skill with valuation to assist in assessing the reasonableness of the discount rate incorporated in the income approach and the EBITDA multiples incorporated in the comparable company analysis and comparable acquisition analysis approaches.
/s/ BDO USA, P.C.
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2021.
Troy, Michigan
March 26, 2024
HF Foods Group Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands, except share data)
December 31, 2023 December 31, 2022
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash $ 15,232 $ 24,289
Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $2,119 and $1,442
47,524 44,186
Accounts receivable - related parties 308 213
Inventories 105,618 120,291
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 10,145 8,937
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS 178,827 197,916
Property and equipment, net 133,136 140,330
Operating lease right-of-use assets 12,714 14,164
Long-term investments 2,388 2,679
Customer relationships, net 147,181 157,748
Trademarks, trade names and other intangibles, net 30,625 36,343
Goodwill 85,118 85,118
Other long-term assets 6,531 3,231
TOTAL ASSETS $ 596,520 $ 637,529
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Checks issued not presented for payment $ 4,494 $ 21,946
Line of credit 58,564 53,056
Accounts payable 51,617 55,515
Accounts payable - related parties 397 1,529
Current portion of long-term debt, net 5,450 6,266
Current portion of obligations under finance leases 1,749 2,254
Current portion of obligations under operating leases 3,706 3,676
Accrued expenses and other liabilities 17,287 19,648
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES 143,264 163,890
Long-term debt, net of current portion 108,711 115,443
Obligations under finance leases, non-current 11,229 11,441
Obligations under operating leases, non-current 9,414 10,591
Deferred tax liabilities 29,028 34,443
Other long-term liabilities 6,891 5,472
TOTAL LIABILITIES 308,537 341,280
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 16)
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
Series A Participating Preferred Stock, par value $0.001; 100,000 shares authorized, no shares issued and outstanding
- -
Preferred Stock, $0.001 par value; 1,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding
- -
Common Stock, $0.0001 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized; 54,153,391 and 53,813,777 shares issued and 52,155,968 and 53,813,777 shares outstanding as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively
5 5
Treasury stock, at cost; 1,997,423 shares as of December 31, 2023, and zero shares as of December 31, 2022
(7,750) -
Additional paid-in capital 603,094 598,322
Accumulated deficit (308,688) (306,514)
TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY ATTRIBUTABLE TO HF FOODS GROUP INC. 286,661 291,813
Noncontrolling interests 1,322 4,436
TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY 287,983 296,249
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY $ 596,520 $ 637,529
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
HF Foods Group Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss)
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
Year Ended December 31,
2023 2022 2021
Net revenue - third parties $ 1,142,648 $ 1,163,525 $ 787,829
Net revenue - related parties 5,845 6,942 9,055
TOTAL NET REVENUE 1,148,493 1,170,467 796,884
Cost of revenue - third parties 938,815 958,775 636,253
Cost of revenue - related parties 5,647 6,180 9,119
TOTAL COST OF REVENUE 944,462 964,955 645,372
GROSS PROFIT 204,031 205,512 151,512
Distribution, selling and administrative expenses 195,062 194,953 122,030
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS 8,969 10,559 29,482
Interest expense 11,478 7,457 4,091
Other income (1,091) (1,829) (508)
Change in fair value of interest rate swap contracts 1,580 (817) (1,425)
Lease guarantee (income) expense (377) 5,744 -
(LOSS) INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES (2,621) 4 27,324
Income tax expense (benefit) 41 (231) 4,503
NET (LOSS) INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME (2,662) 235 22,821
Less: net (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interests (488) (225) 676
NET (LOSS) INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO HF FOODS GROUP INC. $ (2,174) $ 460 $ 22,145
(LOSS) EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE - BASIC $ (0.04) $ 0.01 $ 0.43
(LOSS) EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE - DILUTED $ (0.04) $ 0.01 $ 0.43
WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES - BASIC 53,878,237 53,757,162 51,918,323
WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES - DILUTED 53,878,237 53,863,448 52,091,822
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
HF Foods Group Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(In thousands)
Year Ended December 31,
2023 2022 2021
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net (loss) income $ (2,662) $ 235 $ 22,821
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization expense 25,918 24,936 19,126
Treasury stock received via legal settlement (7,750) - -
Asset impairment charges 1,200 422 -
Gain from disposal of property and equipment (362) (1,327) (1,636)
Provision for credit losses 701 82 (433)
Deferred tax benefit (5,415) (5,012) (6,870)
Change in fair value of interest rate swap contracts 1,580 817 (1,425)
Stock-based compensation 3,352 1,257 635
Non-cash lease expense 4,033 4,442 861
Lease guarantee expense (377) 5,744 -
Other non-cash expense (income) 493 (266) (85)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities (excluding effects of acquisitions):
Accounts receivable (4,039) (8,577) (10,999)
Accounts receivable - related parties (95) 36 1,020
Inventories 14,673 (3,755) (19,426)
Advances to suppliers - related parties - - 197
Prepaid expenses and other current assets (1,069) (4,008) (944)
Other long-term assets (3,418) (1,199) (1,337)
Accounts payable (3,898) 15,207 12,978
Accounts payable - related parties (1,132) (412) (365)
Operating lease liabilities (3,730) (4,408) (724)
Accrued expenses and other liabilities (2,199) 7,070 4,115
Net cash provided by operating activities 15,804 31,284 17,509
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of property and equipment (3,514) (6,287) (2,205)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment 2,000 7,794 3,246
Payment made for acquisition of Sealand - (34,848) -
Payment made for acquisition of Great Wall Group - (17,445) (37,841)
Payment made for acquisition of noncontrolling interests - - (5,000)
Settlement of interest rate swap contracts - - 718
Net cash used in investing activities (1,514) (50,786) (41,082)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Payments for tax withholding related to vested stock awards (394) - -
Checks issued not presented for payment (17,452) 4,112 2,994
Proceeds from line of credit 1,237,101 1,200,996 857,304
Repayment of line of credit (1,231,647) (1,203,112) (820,422)
Proceeds from long-term debt - 45,956 -
Repayment of long-term debt (7,591) (11,336) (6,599)
Payment of debt financing costs - (544) -
Repayment of obligations under finance leases (2,480) (2,626) (2,135)
Repayment of promissory note payable - related party - (4,500) (2,500)
Proceeds from noncontrolling interests shareholders - 240 480
Cash distribution to shareholders (884) (187) (338)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities (23,347) 28,999 28,784
Net (decrease) increase in cash (9,057) 9,497 5,211
Cash at beginning of the period 24,289 14,792 9,581
Cash at end of the period $ 15,232 $ 24,289 $ 14,792
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
HF Foods Group Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(In thousands)
Year Ended December 31,
2023 2022 2021
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow data:
Cash paid for interest $ 10,407 $ 6,230 $ 3,177
Cash paid for income taxes 4,040 8,655 9,527
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities:
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for operating lease liabilities $ 2,583 $ 6,815 $ 10,983
Property acquired in exchange for finance leases 1,763 1,272 8,947
Treasury stock received via legal settlement 7,750 - -
Acquisition of noncontrolling interests 1,652 - -
Note receivable related to property and equipment sales 300 - 257
Intangible asset acquired in exchange for noncontrolling interests - 566 -
Common stock issued for consideration of acquisition of Great Wall Group - - 14,541
Deferred consideration from Great Wall Acquisition - - 17,330
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
HF Foods Group Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity
(In thousands, except share data)
Common Stock Treasury Stock Additional
Paid-in
Capital Retained Earnings
(Accumulated Deficit) Total Shareholders’
Equity Attributable to
HF Foods Group Inc. Noncontrolling
Interests Total
Shareholders’
Equity
Shares Amount Shares Amount
Balance at December 31, 2020 51,913,411 $ 5 - $ - $ 587,579 $ (328,429) $ 259,155 $ 4,367 $ 263,522
Net income - - - - 22,145 22,145 676 22,821
Acquisition of noncontrolling interest - - - - (3,856) - (3,856) (1,144) (5,000)
Acquisition of Great Wall Group by issuance of common stock 1,792,981 - - - 12,869 - 12,869 - 12,869
Capital contribution by shareholders - - - - - - - 480 480
Distribution to shareholders - - - - - - - (338) (338)
Stock-based compensation - - - - 635 - 635 - 635
Balance at December 31, 2021 53,706,392 $ 5 - $ - $ 597,227 $ (306,284) $ 290,948 $ 4,041 $ 294,989
Cumulative effect of adoption of CECL (ASU 2016-13) - - - - - (690) (690) - (690)
Balance at January 1, 2022 53,706,392 $ 5 - - $ 597,227 $ (306,974) $ 290,258 $ 4,041 $ 294,299
Net income (loss) - - - - - 460 460 (225) 235
Capital contribution by shareholders - - - - - - - 806 806
Issuance of common stock pursuant to equity compensation plan 139,239 - - - - - - - -
Shares withheld for tax withholdings on vested awards (31,854) - - - (162) - (162) - (162)
Distribution to shareholders - - - - - - - (186) (186)
Stock-based compensation - - - - 1,257 - 1,257 - 1,257
Balance at December 31, 2022 53,813,777 $ 5 - $ - $ 598,322 $ (306,514) $ 291,813 $ 4,436 $ 296,249
Net income (loss) - - - - - (2,174) (2,174) (488) (2,662)
Issuance of common stock pursuant to equity compensation plan 391,983 - - - - - - - -
Shares withheld for tax withholdings on vested awards (52,369) - - - (232) - (232) - (232)
Treasury stock received via legal settlement - - 1,997,423 (7,750) - - (7,750) - (7,750)
Distribution to shareholders - - - - - - - (884) (884)
Dissolution of noncontrolling interests - - - - 1,652 - 1,652 (1,742) (90)
Stock-based compensation - - - - 3,352 - 3,352 - 3,352
Balance at December 31, 2023 54,153,391 $ 5 1,997,423 $ (7,750) $ 603,094 $ (308,688) $ 286,661 $ 1,322 $ 287,983
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
HF Foods Group Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 1 - Organization and Description of Business
Organization and General
HF Foods Group Inc. and subsidiaries (collectively “HF Foods”, or the “Company”) is an Asian foodservice distributor that markets and distributes fresh produce, seafood, frozen and dry food, and non-food products to primarily Asian restaurants and other foodservice customers throughout the United States. The Company's business consists of one operating segment, which is also its one reportable segment: HF Foods, which operates solely in the United States. The Company's customer base consists primarily of Chinese and Asian restaurants, and it provides sales and service support to customers who mainly converse in Mandarin or Chinese dialects.
On December 30, 2021, the Company completed the acquisition of Great Wall Seafood Supply, Inc., Great Wall Restaurant Supplier, Inc., and First Mart Inc. (collectively the “Great Wall Group”), and substantially all of the operating assets of the Great Wall Group’s seafood and restaurant products sales, marketing, and distribution businesses (the “Great Wall Acquisition”). The acquisition was completed as part of the Company’s strategy to develop a national footprint through expansion into the Midwest, Southwest and Southern regions of the United States.
On April 29, 2022, the Company completed the acquisition of substantially all of the operating assets of Sealand Food, Inc. ("Sealand") including equipment, machinery and vehicles. The acquisition was completed to expand the Company's territory along the East Coast, from Massachusetts to Florida, as well as Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee.
See Note 7 - Acquisitions for additional information on the Great Wall Group and Sealand acquisitions.
Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”). All adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included.
The accompanying consolidated financial statements for 2023 include the accounts of HF Foods, and for 2022 and 2021, the accounts of HF Foods and certain variable interest entities for which the Company was the primary beneficiary. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. For consolidated entities where we own or are exposed to less than 100% of the economics, the Company records net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest in its consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) equal to the percentage of the economic or ownership interest retained in such entity by the respective noncontrolling party.
Variable Interest Entities
GAAP provides guidance on the identification of a variable interest entity (“VIE”) and financial reporting for an entity over which control is achieved through means other than voting interests. The Company evaluates each of its interests in an entity to determine whether or not the investee is a VIE and, if so, whether the Company is the primary beneficiary of such VIE. In determining whether the Company is the primary beneficiary, the Company considers if the Company (1) has power to direct the activities that most significantly affect the economic performance of the VIE, and (2) has the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive the economic benefits of the VIE that could be potentially significant to the VIE. If deemed the primary beneficiary, the Company consolidates the VIE.
As of and for the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company has one VIE, AnHeart, Inc. (“AnHeart”), for which the Company is not the primary beneficiary and therefore does not consolidate. The Company did not incur expenses from VIEs and did not have any sales to or income from any VIEs during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022. See Note 16 - Commitments and Contingencies for additional information on AnHeart.
For the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, the Company had both VIEs for which it was not the primary beneficiary and therefore did not consolidate, and VIEs for which it was the primary beneficiary and did consolidate. The VIEs are summarized as follows:
•Consolidated VIEs (collectively "Consolidated VIEs"):
•FUSO Trucking LLC (“FUSO”) - Dissolved in 2022
•8 staffing agencies (collectively, the “Staffing Agencies”) - Suppliers of staffing services through 2021:
◦Anfu, Inc.
◦Anshun, Inc.
◦Inchoi, Inc.
◦Malways, Inc.
◦Rousafe
◦S&P
◦SNP
◦Suntone
•Unconsolidated VIEs (collectively "Unconsolidated VIEs"):
•Revolution Industry, LLC (“Revolution Industry”) - Supplier of goods (until March 2021)
•UGO USA, Inc. (“UGO”) - Supplier of online goods, customer, and lessee (until April 2021)
•AnHeart, Inc. (“AnHeart”)
Consolidated VIEs
FUSO
FUSO was established solely to provide exclusive trucking services to the Company and was dissolved in 2022. The entity lacked sufficient equity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support from the Company, and the Company had the power to direct the VIEs’ activities. In addition, the Company received economic benefits from the entity and concluded that the Company was the primary beneficiary. The carrying amounts of the assets, liabilities, the results of operations and cash flows of the VIE included in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets, statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) and statements of cash flows were immaterial.
Staffing Agencies
The Staffing Agencies were set up by an employee of the Company, or their relatives, and provided temporary labor services exclusively to the Company at the direction of the Company. There were no other substantive business activities of the Staffing Agencies. There were immaterial assets held, or liabilities owed by the Staffing Agencies and immaterial equity. The Company determined it was the primary beneficiary for the Staffing Agencies through 2021 as it controlled how and when the labor force would be utilized. The Company consolidated the Staffing Agencies, recognizing compensation expense within distribution, selling, and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss), and the related accrued expenses in the consolidated balance sheets. The Company did not have any guarantees, commitments or other forms of financing to the Staffing Agencies. As of December 31, 2021, the Company no longer had involvement with any of the Staffing Agencies and therefore was no longer considered a VIE and was no longer consolidated.
Unconsolidated VIEs
Revolution Industry and UGO
Revolution Industry was established to produce egg roll mix for the Company. UGO was originally designed to be an online marketplace for various Asian goods. Revolution Industry and UGO were thinly capitalized and were not able to finance their activities without additional subordinated support. The former Co-CEO's (Mr. Ni) son, as sole equity holder of Revolution Industry, had unilateral control over the ongoing activities of Revolution Industry and significantly benefited from their operations. Therefore, the Company was not the primary beneficiary for Revolution Industry. The former Co-CEO (Mr. Ni) and his niece, as equity holders, had unilateral control over the ongoing activities of UGO and significantly benefited from its operations. Therefore, the Company was not the primary beneficiary for UGO.
Revolution Industry and UGO are also related parties and were generally the Company’s suppliers or customers and the Company did not have other involvement with these entities. Therefore, the Company’s exposure to loss due to its involvement with these entities was limited to amounts due from these entities, which was included in Accounts receivable - related parties. The Company did not have any guarantees, commitments, or other forms of financing with these entities. All transactions with Revolution Industry and UGO ceased in 2021. Related party transactions with Revolution Industry and UGO are disclosed in Note 13 - Related Party Transactions.
AnHeart
AnHeart was previously a subsidiary of the Company designed to sell traditional Chinese medicine, sold to a third-party in February 2019. As discussed in Note 6 - Leases, after the sale, the Company continued to provide a guarantee for all rent and related costs associated with two leases of AnHeart in Manhattan, New York. The Company has determined that AnHeart is a VIE as a result of the guarantee. However, the Company concluded it is not the primary beneficiary of AnHeart because it does not have the power to direct the activities of AnHeart that most significantly impact AnHeart's economic performance. Please refer to Note 6 - Leases for additional information regarding the Company's maximum exposure to loss related to AnHeart.
The Company did not have any sales to or rental income from any of the other VIEs during the three years ended December 31, 2023.
Noncontrolling Interests
GAAP requires that noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries and affiliates be reported in the equity section of the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. In addition, the amounts attributable to the net income (loss) of those noncontrolling interests are reported separately in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss).
As of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, noncontrolling interest equity consisted of the following:
($ in thousands) Ownership of
noncontrolling interest at December 31, 2023
December 31, 2023 December 31, 2022
HF Foods Industrial, LLC ("HFFI") (a)
45.00% $ (759) $ 204
Min Food, Inc. 39.75% 1,715 1,704
Monterey Food Service, LLC 35.00% 366 452
Ocean West Food Services, LLC (b)
-% - 1,986
Syncglobal Inc. (c)
-% - 90
Total $ 1,322 $ 4,436
_________________
(a)During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company exited HFFI operations. Accordingly, the machinery used in HFFI operations was impaired and subsequently sold. See Note 4 - Balance Sheet Components for additional information.
(b)Effective June 30, 2023, Ocean West Food Services, LLC (“Ocean West”) became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. In accordance with ASC Topic 810 (“ASC 810”), Consolidation, changes in a parent’s ownership interest while the parent retains its controlling financial interest in its subsidiary shall be accounted for as equity transactions. No gain or loss was recognized. As a result of this transaction, noncontrolling interests of $1.7 million was reclassified to additional paid-in capital on the consolidated balance sheets.
(c)During the year ended December 31, 2023 the Company ceased operations of Syncglobal Inc. and dissolved the entity.
Uses of Estimates
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with 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 consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during each reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Significant accounting estimates reflected in the Company’s consolidated financial statements include, but are not limited to, inventory reserves, impairment of long-lived assets, impairment of goodwill, and the purchase price allocation and fair value of assets and liabilities acquired with respect to business combinations.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company considers all highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or shorter as cash equivalents. As of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Company had no cash equivalents. Accounts at banks with an aggregate excess of the amount of outstanding checks over the cash balances are included in checks issued not presented for payment in current liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets.
Accounts Receivable, net
Accounts receivable represent amounts due from customers in the ordinary course of business and are recorded at the invoiced amount and do not bear interest. Receivables are presented net of the allowance for expected credit losses in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The Company evaluates the collectability of its accounts receivable and determines the appropriate allowance for expected credit losses based on a combination of factors. The Company maintains an allowance for expected credit losses based on historic collection trends, write-offs and the aging of receivables. The Company uses specific criteria to determine uncollectible receivables to be written off, including, bankruptcy filings, the referral of customer accounts to outside parties for collection, and the length that accounts remain past due. As of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, allowances for expected credit losses were $2.1 million and $1.4 million, respectively.
Inventories
The Company’s inventories, consisting mainly of food and other foodservice-related products, are considered finished goods. Inventory costs, including the purchase price of the product and freight charges to deliver it to the Company’s warehouses, are net of certain cash consideration received from vendors, primarily in the form of rebates. The Company adjusts its inventory balance for slow-moving, excess and obsolete inventories to the net recoverable value of such goods based upon inventory category, inventory age, specifically identified items, and overall economic conditions. Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value using the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method.
Property and Equipment, net
Property and equipment are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation is calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Following are the estimated useful lives of the Company’s property and equipment:
Estimated Useful Lives
Automobiles 3 to 7 years
Buildings and improvements 7 to 39 years
Furniture and fixtures 4 to 10 years
Machinery and equipment 3 to 10 years
Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the useful life of those leasehold improvements and the remaining lease term.
Repair and maintenance costs are charged to expense as incurred, whereas the cost of renewals and betterment that extends the useful lives of property and equipment are capitalized as additions to the related assets. Retirements, sales and disposals of assets are recorded by removing the cost and accumulated depreciation from the asset and accumulated depreciation accounts with any resulting gain or loss reflected in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) in distribution, selling and administrative expenses.
Software Costs
In accordance with ASC 350-40, Internal-Use Software, the Company capitalizes certain computer software licenses and software implementation costs related to developing or obtaining computer software for internal use. Subsequent additions, modifications or upgrades to internal-use software are capitalized only to the extent that they allow the software to perform a task that it previously did not perform. Internal use software is amortized on a straight-line basis over a three to five year period. Capitalized costs include direct acquisitions as well as software and software development acquired under capitalized leases and internal labor where appropriate. Capitalized software purchases and related development costs, net of accumulated amortization, were $5.1 million as of December 31, 2023 and zero as of December 31, 2022, and are included in other long-term assets on the consolidated balance sheets.
Business Combinations
The Company accounts for its business combinations using the purchase method of accounting in accordance with ASC Topic 805, Business Combinations. The purchase method of accounting requires that the consideration transferred be allocated to the assets, including separately identifiable assets and liabilities the Company acquired, based on their estimated fair values. The consideration transferred in an acquisition is measured as the aggregate of the fair values at the date of exchange of the assets given, liabilities incurred, and equity instruments issued as well as the contingent considerations and all contractual contingencies as of the acquisition date. Identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities acquired or assumed are measured separately at their fair value as of the acquisition date, irrespective of the extent of any noncontrolling interests. The excess of (i) the total of cost of acquisition, fair value of the noncontrolling interests and acquisition date fair value of any previously held equity interest in the acquiree over, (ii) the fair value of the identifiable net assets of the acquiree, is recorded as goodwill. If the cost of acquisition is less than the fair value of the net assets of the subsidiary acquired, the difference is recognized directly in earnings.
The Company estimates the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination. While the Company uses its best estimates and assumptions to accurately value assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date, its estimates are inherently uncertain and subject to refinement. Significant estimates in valuing certain intangible assets include, but are not limited to future expected revenues and cash flows, useful lives, discount rates, and selection of comparable companies. Although the Company believes the assumptions and estimates it has made in the past have been reasonable and appropriate, they are based in part on historical experience and information obtained from management of the acquired companies and are inherently uncertain. During the measurement period, which may be up to one year from the acquisition date, the Company may record adjustments to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed with the corresponding offset to goodwill. On the conclusion of the measurement period or final determination of the values of assets acquired or liabilities assumed, whichever comes first, any subsequent adjustments are recorded to the Company’s consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss).
Transaction costs associated with business combinations are expensed as incurred, and are included in distribution, selling and administrative expenses in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss). The results of operations of the businesses that the Company acquired are included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements from the date of acquisition.
Goodwill
Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of net assets acquired in a business combination. The Company tests goodwill for impairment at least annually, as of December 31, or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that goodwill might be impaired.
The Company's policy is to test goodwill for impairment annually on the last day of the fourth quarter, or more frequently if certain triggering events or circumstances indicate it could be impaired. Potential impairment indicators include (but are not limited to) macroeconomic conditions, industry and market considerations, cost factors, overall financial performance, other relevant entity-specific events, specific events affecting the reporting unit, or sustained decrease in share price. This guidance provides the option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value. If, based on a review of qualitative factors, it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value, or at management’s discretion, the Company performs a quantitative analysis. If the quantitative analysis indicates the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the Company measures any goodwill impairment losses as the amount by which the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, not to exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. As of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Company has one reporting unit for purposes of testing goodwill for impairment. See Note 8 - Goodwill and Acquired Intangible Assets for additional information.
Determining the fair value of a reporting unit requires the application of judgment and involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions including, projections of future cash flows, which include forecasted revenue, discount rate, and other factors which can be affected by changes in business climate, economic conditions, the competitive environment and other factors. The Company also considers the use of market approaches, such as the comparable public company analysis and comparable acquisitions analysis, to estimate the fair value of the reporting unit. The Company bases these fair value estimates on assumptions management believes to be reasonable but which are unpredictable and inherently uncertain. A change in underlying assumptions would cause a change in the results of the tests and, as such, could cause fair value to be less than the carrying amount and result in an impairment of goodwill in the future. Additionally, if actual results are not consistent with the estimates and assumptions or if there are significant changes to the Company’s planned strategy, it may cause the fair value of the reporting unit to be less than its carrying amount and result in an impairment of goodwill in the future. The Company corroborates the reasonableness of the total fair value of the reporting unit by assessing the implied control premium based on the Company’s market capitalization. The Company’s market capitalization is calculated using the relevant shares outstanding and stock price of the Company’s publicly traded shares. In the event of a goodwill impairment, the Company would be required to record an impairment, which would impact earnings and reduce the carrying amounts of goodwill on the consolidated balance sheet.
Intangible Assets, net
Intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives. The Company determines the appropriate useful life of its intangible assets by measuring the expected cash flows of acquired assets. The estimated useful lives of intangible assets are as follows:
Estimated Useful Lives
Non-competition agreement 3 years
Tradenames 10 years
Customer relationships 10 to 20 years
Long-term Investments
The Company’s investments in unconsolidated entities consist of an equity investment and an investment without readily determinable fair value.
The Company follows ASC Topic 321 (“ASC 321”), Investments - Equity Securities, using the measurement alternative to measure investments in investees that do not have readily determinable fair value and over which the Company does not have significant influence at cost, less any impairment, plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for identical or similar investments of the same issuer, if any. The Company makes a qualitative assessment of whether the investment is impaired at each reporting date. If a qualitative assessment indicates that the investment is impaired, the Company has to estimate the investment’s fair value in accordance with the principles of ASC Topic 820 (“ASC 820”), Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures. If the fair value is less than the investment’s carrying value, the entity has to recognize an impairment loss in earnings equal to the difference between the carrying value and fair value.
Investments in entities in which the Company can exercise significant influence but does not own a majority equity interest or control are accounted for using the equity method of accounting in accordance with ASC Topic 323 (“ASC 323”), Investments-Equity Method and Joint Ventures. Under the equity method, the Company initially records its investment at cost, which is included in the equity method investment on the consolidated balance sheets. The Company subsequently adjusts the carrying amount of the investment to recognize the Company’s proportionate share of each equity investee’s net income or loss into earnings after the date of investment. The Company evaluates the equity method investments for impairment under ASC 323. An impairment loss on the equity method investments is recognized in earnings when the decline in value is determined to be other-than-temporary.
The Company did not record any impairment loss on its long-term investments during the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021.
Impairment of Long-lived Assets
The Company assesses its long-lived assets such as property and equipment and intangible assets subject to amortization for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of an asset or asset group may not be recoverable. Factors which may indicate potential impairment include a significant underperformance related to the historical or projected future operating results or a significant negative industry or economic trend. Recoverability of an asset or asset group is measured by comparison of its carrying amount to future undiscounted cash flows the asset or asset group is expected to generate. If property and equipment, and intangible assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized equals the amount by which the carrying value of the asset or asset group exceeds its fair value.
The Company impaired machinery related to HFFI and recognized impairment expense of $1.2 million in distribution, selling and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations during the year ended December 31, 2023. The Company fully impaired its acquired developed technology associated with the Syncglobal joint venture and recognized impairment expense of $0.4 million in distribution, selling and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations during the year ended December 31, 2022. Fair value was determined using Level 3 inputs at the time of impairment. The Company did not record any impairment loss on its long-lived assets during the year ended December 31, 2021.
Insurance and Claim Costs
The Company maintains workers compensation and general liability insurance with licensed insurance carriers. Beginning in April 2020, the Company is self-insured for auto claims less than $100,000 per claim. Insurance and claims expense represent premiums the Company paid and the accruals made for claims within the Company’s self-insured retention amounts. A liability is recognized for the estimated cost of all self-insured claims including an estimate of incurred but not reported claims based on historical experience and for claims expected to exceed the Company's policy limits.
The Company establishes reserves for anticipated losses and expenses related to auto liability claims. The reserves consist of specific reserves for all known claims and an estimate for claims incurred but not reported, and losses arising from known claims ultimately settling in excess of insurance coverage using loss development factors based upon industry data and past experience. In determining the liability, the Company specifically reviews all known claims and records a liability based upon the Company’s best estimate of the amount to be paid. In making the estimate, the Company considers the amount and validity of the claim, as well as the Company’s past experience with similar claims. In establishing the reserve for claims incurred but not reported, the Company considers its past claims history, including the length of time it takes for claims to be reported to the Company. These reserves are periodically reviewed and adjusted to reflect the Company’s experience and updated information relating to specific claims. As of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Company has recorded a self-insurance liability of $1.7 million and $1.3 million, respectively, which is included in accrued expenses and other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets.
Revenue Recognition
The Company recognizes revenue from the sale of products when control of each product passes to the customer and the customer accepts the goods, which occurs at delivery. The majority of customer orders are fulfilled within a day and customer payment terms are typically thirty days or less from invoice date. Our 100% satisfaction guarantee permits our customers to reject part of the order or the entire order within twenty-four hours of receipt without any penalty. Sales taxes invoiced to customers and remitted to government authorities are excluded from net sales.
The Company follows ASC Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The Company recognizes revenue that represents the transfer of goods and services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled in such exchange. This requires the Company to identify contractual performance obligations and determine whether revenue should be recognized at a point in time or over time, based on when control of goods and services transfer to a customer. The Company’s contracts contain performance obligations which are satisfied when customers have physical possession of each product. The Company’s revenue streams are recognized at a specific point in time.
Cost of Revenue
Cost of revenue primarily includes inventory costs (net of vendor consideration, primarily in the form of rebates), inbound freight, customs clearance fees and other miscellaneous expenses.
Distribution, Selling and Administrative Expenses
Distribution, selling and administrative expenses consist primarily of salaries and benefits for employees and contract laborers, trucking and fuel expenses for deliveries, utilities, maintenance and repair expenses, insurance expenses, depreciation and amortization expenses, selling and marketing expenses, professional fees and other operating expenses.
Shipping and Handling Costs
Shipping and handling costs, which include costs related to the selection of products and their delivery to customers, are included in distribution, selling and administrative expenses. Shipping and handling costs were $76.0 million, $83.7 million and $58.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively, and includes estimates for labor associated with shipping and handling activities.
Income Taxes
The Company accounts for income taxes under the asset and liability method, which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements. Under this method, the Company determines deferred tax assets and liabilities based on the differences between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities by using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.
The Company recognizes deferred tax assets to the extent that it believes that these assets are more likely than not to be realized. In making such a determination, the Company considers all available positive and negative evidence, including future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, projected future taxable income, tax-planning strategies, and results of recent operations. A valuation allowance is provided when it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the net deferred tax assets will not be realized.
Based on our assessment, it is more likely than not that most of the net deferred tax assets will be realized through future taxable income. Management has established a valuation allowance against certain deferred taxes attributable to the Company's subsidiary, HFFI. Management believes the realization of these deferred tax assets will be limited as the Company exited HFFI operations during the year ended December 31, 2023. As such, the Company has recorded a valuation allowance of $0.7 million on the deferred tax assets of HFFI. The Company will continue to assess the need for a valuation allowance in the future by evaluating both positive and negative evidence that may exist.
The Company records uncertain tax positions in accordance with ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes (“ASC 740”), on the basis of a two-step process in which (1) the Company determines whether it is more likely than not that the tax positions will be sustained on the basis of the technical merits of the position and (2) for those tax positions that meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold, the Company recognizes the largest amount of tax benefit that is more than 50 percent likely to be realized upon ultimate settlement with the related tax authority. See Note 12 - Income Taxes for additional information.
The Company adopted ASU 2019-12 (“ASU 2019-12”), Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes, on January 1, 2021. ASU 2019-12 is intended to simplify various aspects related to managerial accounting for income taxes. The adoption had no material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.
In 2021, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (“OECD”) published the Tax Challenges Arising from the Global Anti-Base Erosion Model Rules (“Pillar Two”), also referred to as the GloBE Rules or Pillar Two. The rules are designed to ensure large multinational enterprises (“MNEs”) pay a minimum level of tax (15%) on income of each jurisdiction and are expected to be effective for the first time in January 2024. The legislation applies to MNEs with annual consolidated group revenues of at least €750 million if at least one jurisdiction in which the MNE operates has enacted tax laws in accordance with the Pillar Two framework. The Company continues to monitor the effects of Pillar Two but does not believe it will have a material impact on the financial statements provided that the Company currently has no foreign operations that would be expected to result in the application of Pillar Two.
Leases
The Company accounts for leases following ASC Topic 842, Leases ("ASC 842"). The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at inception and also considers classification of leases as operating or finance. Operating leases are included in operating lease ROU assets, current portion of obligations under operating leases, and obligations under operating leases, non-current on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. Finance leases are included in property and equipment, net, current portion of obligations under finance leases, and obligations under finance leases, non-current on the consolidated balance sheets.
Operating lease ROU assets and operating lease liabilities are recognized based on the present value of the future minimum lease payments over the lease term at commencement date. As most of the Company’s leases do not provide an implicit rate, the Company uses its incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at commencement date in determining the present value of future payments. The operating lease ROU asset also includes any lease payments made and initial direct costs incurred and excludes lease incentives. The Company’s lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that the Company will exercise that option. Lease expense for minimum lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Variable rent payments related to both operating and finance leases are expensed as incurred. The Company's variable lease payments primarily consist of real estate, maintenance and usage charges.
The Company has elected to exclude short-term leases from the recognition requirements of ASC 842. A lease is short-term if, at the commencement date, it has a term of less than or equal to one year. Lease expense related to short-term leases is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The Company has also elected to combine lease and non-lease components when measuring lease liabilities for vehicle and equipment leases.
Derivative Financial Instruments
In accordance with the guidance in ASC Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging ("ASC 815"), derivative financial instruments are recognized as assets or liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets at fair value. The Company has not designated its interest rate swap ("IRS") contracts as hedges for accounting treatment. Pursuant to GAAP, income or loss from fair value changes for derivatives that are not designated as hedges by management are reflected as income or loss on the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss). Net amounts received or paid under the interest rate swap contracts are recognized as an increase or decrease to interest expense when such amounts are incurred. The Company is exposed to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the counterparty.
Concentrations and Credit Risk
Credit risk
Accounts receivable are typically unsecured and derived from revenue earned from customers, and thereby exposed to credit risk. The risk is mitigated by the Company’s assessment of its customers’ creditworthiness and its ongoing monitoring of outstanding balances.
The Company maintains cash balances with banks which at times exceed federally insured limits. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts.
Segment Reporting
ASC Topic 280, Segment Reporting, establishes standards for reporting information about operating segments on a basis consistent with the Company’s internal organizational structure as well as information about geographical areas, business segments and major customers in financial statements for details on the Company’s business segments. The Company uses the “management approach” in determining reportable operating segments. The management approach considers the internal organization and reporting used by the Company’s operating decision makers for making operational decisions and assessing performance as the source for determining the Company’s reportable segments. In 2021, former co-CEO Zhou Min Ni resigned, and Xiao Mou Zhang assumed the role of sole CEO and sole Chief Operating Decision Maker ("CODM"). The CODM, reviews operating results and makes resource allocations on a consolidated basis and thus the Company has concluded it has one operating and reportable segment.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2016-13, Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. ASU 2016-13 requires companies to measure credit losses utilizing a methodology that reflects expected credit losses and requires a consideration of a broader range of reasonable and supportable information to inform credit loss estimates. ASU 2016-13 was further amended in November 2019 in “Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses.” The Company adopted this ASU within the annual reporting period ending as of December 31, 2022. The adoption of this guidance resulted in an adjustment to retained earnings of $0.7 million as of January 1, 2022 as evidenced in the Company’s consolidated statements of changes in shareholders’ equity.
In November 2023, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures, which requires enhanced disclosures about segment expenses on an annual and interim basis. This standard is effective for the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ending December 31, 2024 and for interim periods beginning in 2025. The impact of the adoption of this ASU is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s financial position, or operations, however, the Company is currently evaluating the impact of this standard on its disclosures to the consolidated financial statements.
In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Income Taxes (ASC 740): Improvement to Income Tax Disclosures, which requires (1) disclosure of specific categories in the rate reconciliation and (2) additional information for reconciling items that meet a quantitative threshold. Additionally, the amendment requires disclosure of certain disaggregated information about income taxes paid, income from continuing operations before income tax expense (benefit) and income tax expense (benefit). The standard is effective for the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ending December 31, 2025. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this standard on its consolidated financial statements.
Note 3 - Revenue
The following table presents the Company's net revenue disaggregated by principal product categories:
Year Ended December 31,
($ in thousands) 2023 2022 2021
Seafood $ 361,219 31 % $ 354,220 30 % $ 123,808 16 %
Asian Specialty 305,466 27 % 299,215 26 % 236,489 29 %
Meat and Poultry 215,789 19 % 238,276 20 % 214,504 27 %
Fresh Produce 123,202 11 % 126,560 11 % 103,168 13 %
Packaging and Other 71,245 6 % 84,489 7 % 69,187 9 %
Commodity 71,572 6 % 67,707 6 % 49,728 6 %
Total $ 1,148,493 100 % $ 1,170,467 100 % $ 796,884 100 %
Note 4 - Balance Sheet Components
Accounts receivable, net consisted of the following:
(In thousands) December 31, 2023 December 31, 2022
Accounts receivable $ 49,643 $ 45,628
Less: allowance for expected credit losses (2,119) (1,442)
Accounts receivable, net $ 47,524 $ 44,186
Movement of allowance for expected credit losses was as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
(In thousands) 2023 2022 2021
Beginning balance $ 1,442 $ 840 $ 909
Adjustment for adoption of the CECL standard - 690 -
Increase (decrease) in provision for expected credit losses/doubtful accounts 701 82 (433)
Bad debt (write-offs) recoveries (24) (170) 364
Ending balance $ 2,119 $ 1,442 $ 840
Prepaid expenses and other current assets consisted of the following:
(In thousands) December 31, 2023 December 31, 2022
Prepaid expenses $ 4,591 $ 1,504
Advances to suppliers 3,340 4,494
Other current assets 2,214 2,939
Prepaid expenses and other current assets $ 10,145 $ 8,937
Property and equipment, net consisted of the following:
(In thousands) December 31, 2023 December 31, 2022
Automobiles $ 37,883 $ 34,891
Buildings 63,145 63,045
Building improvements 22,120 20,637
Furniture and fixtures 474 444
Land 49,929 49,929
Machinery and equipment 12,090 17,210
Subtotal 185,641 186,156
Less: accumulated depreciation (52,505) (45,826)
Property and equipment, net $ 133,136 $ 140,330
Depreciation expense was $9.6 million, $9.2 million and $8.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company impaired machinery and recognized impairment expense of $1.2 million in distribution, selling and administrative expense in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss). See Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies for additional information regarding the Company’s operations at HFFI.
Long-term investments consisted of the following:
(In thousands) Ownership as of December 31,
2023 December 31, 2023 December 31, 2022
Asahi Food, Inc. ("Asahi") 49% $ 588 $ 879
Pt. Tamron Akuatik Produk Industri ("Tamron") 12% 1,800 1,800
Total long-term investments $ 2,388 $ 2,679
The investment in Tamron is accounted for using the measurement alternative under Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 321 Investments-Equity Securities, which is measured at cost, less any impairment, plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for identical or similar investments, if any. The investment in Asahi is accounted for under the equity method due to the fact that the Company has significant influence but does not exercise control over this investee. The Company determined there was no impairment for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 for these investments.
Accrued expenses and other liabilities consisted of the following:
(In thousands) December 31, 2023 December 31, 2022
Accrued compensation $ 7,941 $ 6,798
Accrued professional fees 1,353 3,866
Accrued interest and fees 1,276 1,082
Self-insurance liability 1,723 1,286
Accrued other 4,994 6,616
Total accrued expenses and other liabilities $ 17,287 $ 19,648
Note 5 - Fair Value Measurements
The following table presents the Company's hierarchy for its assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of the dates indicated:
December 31, 2023 December 31, 2022
Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets Significant Other Observable Inputs Significant Unobservable Inputs Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets Significant Other Observable Inputs Significant Unobservable Inputs
(In thousands)
Assets:
Interest rate swaps $ - $ 412 $ - $ 412 $ - $ 530 $ - $ 530
Liabilities:
Interest rate swaps $ - $ (1,601) $ - $ (1,601) $ - $ - $ - $ -
The Company follows the provisions of ASC Topic 820 Fair Value Measurement which clarifies the definition of fair value, prescribes methods for measuring fair value, and establishes a fair value hierarchy to classify the inputs used in measuring fair value as follows:
•Level 1 - Inputs are unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities available at the measurement date.
•Level 2 - Inputs are unadjusted quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable, and inputs derived from or corroborated by observable market data.
•Level 3 - Inputs are unobservable inputs which reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions about what assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on the best available information.
Any transfers of assets or liabilities between Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy will be recognized at the end of the reporting period in which the transfer occurs. There were no transfers between fair value levels in any of the periods presented herein.
The carrying amounts reported in the consolidated balance sheets for cash, accounts receivable, other current assets, accounts payable, checks issued not presented for payment and accrued expenses and other liabilities approximate their fair value based on the short-term maturity of these instruments.
Please refer to Note 9 - Derivative Financial Instruments for additional information regarding the Company’s interest rate swaps.
Carrying Value and Estimated Fair Value of Outstanding Debt - The following table presents the carrying value and estimated fair value of the Company’s outstanding debt as described in Note 10 - Debt of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, including the current portion, as of the dates indicated:
Fair Value Measurements
(In thousands) Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Carrying Value
December 31, 2023
Fixed rate debt:
Bank of America $ - $ - $ 151 $ 169
Other finance institutions - - 43 45
Variable rate debt:
JPMorgan Chase $ - $ 106,079 $ - $ 106,079
Bank of America - 2,193 - 2,193
East West Bank - 5,675 - 5,675
December 31, 2022
Fixed rate debt:
Bank of America $ - $ - $ 1,630 $ 1,948
Other finance institutions - - 186 197
Variable rate debt:
JPMorgan Chase $ - $ 111,413 $ - $ 111,413
Bank of America - 2,330 - 2,330
East West Bank - 5,822 - 5,822
The carrying value of the variable rate debt approximates its fair value because of the variability of interest rates associated with these instruments. For the Company's fixed rate debt, the fair values were estimated using discounted cash flow analyses, based on the current incremental borrowing rates for similar types of borrowing arrangements.
Please refer to Note 10 - Debt for additional information regarding the Company's debt.
Nonrecurring Fair Values
The Company measures fair value of certain assets on a nonrecurring basis when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the assets may not be recoverable. Adjustments to fair value resulted from the write-down of asset values due to impairment.
During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company partially impaired machinery related to the operations of HFFI and recognized impairment expense of $1.2 million in distribution, selling and administrative expense in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss). The machinery was sold during the year ended December 31, 2023. The impairment was based on sales prices of similar equipment listed by third-party sellers and considered a Level 3 fair value measurement.
During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company fully impaired its acquired developed technology associated with the Syncglobal, Inc. joint venture and recognized impairment expense of $0.4 million in distribution, selling and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) during the year ended December 31, 2022.
Note 6 - Leases
The Company leases office space, warehouses and vacant land under non-cancelable operating leases, with terms typically ranging from one to thirty years, as well as operating and finance leases for vehicles and delivery trucks, forklifts and computer equipment with various expiration dates through 2051. The Company determines whether an arrangement is or includes an embedded lease at contract inception.
Operating and finance lease assets and lease liabilities are recognized at commencement date and initially measured based on the present value of lease payments over the defined lease term. Operating lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The Company also recognizes finance lease assets and finance lease liabilities at inception, with lease expense recognized as interest expense and amortization of the lease payment. Variable lease costs were insignificant in the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021.
As of December 31, 2023, the balances for operating lease right-of-use ("ROU") assets and liabilities were $12.7 million and $13.1 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2022, the balances for operating lease ROU assets and liabilities were $14.2 million and $14.3 million, respectively.
Operating Leases
The components of operating lease expense were as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
($ in thousands) 2023 2022 2021
Operating lease cost $ 4,342 $ 4,045 $ 967
Short-term lease cost $ 1,507 $ 1,037 $ 1,699
Weighted average remaining lease term (months) 42 47 56
Weighted average discount rate 4.5% 3.8% 3.9%
Year Ended December 31,
(In thousands) 2023 2022 2021
Operating cash flows from operating leases $ 4,234 $ 4,005 $ 822
Finance Leases
The components of lease expense were as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
(In thousands) 2023 2022 2021
Finance leases cost:
Amortization of ROU assets $ 2,639 $ 2,808 $ 2,416
Interest on lease liabilities 755 787 820
Total finance leases cost $ 3,394 $ 3,595 $ 3,236
Supplemental cash flow information related to finance leases was as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
(In thousands) 2023 2022 2021
Operating cash flows from finance leases $ 657 $ 670 $ 701
Supplemental balance sheet information related to finance leases was as follows:
($ in thousands) December 31, 2023 December 31, 2022
Property and equipment, at cost $ 22,203 $ 20,339
Accumulated depreciation (10,288) (7,615)
Property and equipment, net $ 11,915 $ 12,724
Weighted average remaining lease term (months) 219 215
Weighted average discount rate 5.7 % 5.7 %
Maturities of lease liabilities are as follows:
Operating Leases
(In thousands) Related Party(1)
Third Party Total Finance
Leases
Year Ended December 31,
2024 $ 321 $ 4,253 $ 4,574 $ 2,396
2025 331 4,216 4,547 1,747
2026 - 4,164 4,164 1,365
2027 - 1,696 1,696 1,100
2028 - 933 933 929
Thereafter - - - 16,407
Total lease payments 652 15,262 15,914 23,944
Less: Imputed interest (23) (2,771) (2,794) (10,966)
Total $ 629 $ 12,491 $ 13,120 $ 12,978
_______________
(1) See Note 13 - Related Party Transactions
As of December 31, 2023, the Company had additional leases that had not yet commenced which totaled $7.0 million in future minimum lease payments and were excluded from the table above. These leases comprise vehicle leases expected to commence during the year ended December 31, 2024 with lease terms of 4 to 7 years. Subsequent to December 31, 2023, the Company entered into additional vehicle leases which total $15.5 million in future minimum lease payments, with lease terms of 4 to 6 years and were excluded from the table above.
Note 7 - Acquisitions
Acquisition of Sealand
On April 29, 2022, the Company completed the acquisition of substantially all of the operating assets of Sealand, including equipment, machinery and vehicles. The acquisition was completed to expand the Company's territory along the East Coast, from Massachusetts to Florida, as well as Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee.
The price for the purchased assets was $20.0 million paid in cash at closing. In addition to the closing cash payment, the Company separately acquired all of the sellers' saleable product inventory, for approximately $14.4 million and additional fixed assets for approximately $0.5 million.
The Company accounted for this transaction under ASC 805 Business Combinations, by applying the acquisition method of accounting and established a new basis of accounting on the date of acquisition. The assets acquired by the Company were measured at their estimated fair values as of the date of acquisition. Goodwill is calculated as the excess of the purchase price over the net assets recognized and represent synergies and benefits expected as a result from combining operations with an emerging national presence. The transaction costs for the acquisition for the year ended December 31, 2022 totaled approximately $0.7 million and were reflected in distribution, selling and administrative expenses in the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income.
The information included herein was prepared based on the allocation of the purchase price using estimates of the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed which were determined using a combination of quoted market prices, discounted cash flows, and other estimates made by management.
Purchase Price Allocation
The total consideration paid to acquire the assets and liabilities of Sealand, as set forth below:
(In thousands) Amount
Inventory $ 13,846
Property plant, and equipment 1,424
Right-of-use assets 127
Intangible assets 14,717
Total assets acquired 30,114
Obligations under operating leases 127
Total liabilities assumed 127
Net assets 29,987
Goodwill 4,861
Total consideration $ 34,848
The Company recorded acquired intangible assets of $14.7 million, which were measured at fair value using Level 3 inputs. These intangible assets include tradenames and trademarks of $4.4 million, customer relationships of $8.9 million and non-competition agreements of $1.4 million. The fair value of customer relationships was determined by applying the income approach utilizing the excess earnings methodology and Level 3 inputs including a discount rate. The fair value of tradenames and trademarks was determined by applying the income approach utilizing the relief from royalty methodology and Level 3 inputs including a royalty rate of 1% and a discount rate. The fair value of non-competition agreements was determined by applying the income approach and Level 3 inputs including a discount rate. Discount rates used in determining fair values for customer relationships, tradenames and trademarks, and non-competition agreements ranged from 17.5% to 18.0%. The useful lives of the tradenames and trademarks are ten years, customer relationships are ten years and non-competition agreements are three years, with a weighted average amortization period of approximately nine years. The associated goodwill is deductible for tax purposes.
Acquisition of Great Wall Group
On December 30, 2021, the Company executed an Asset Purchase Agreement with Great Wall Group to purchase substantially all of the operating assets of the Great Wall Group’s seafood and restaurant products sales, marketing, and distribution businesses. The acquisition was completed as part of the Company’s strategy to develop a national footprint through expansion into the Midwest, Southwest and Southern regions of the United States.
The final aggregate price for the purchased assets was $43.7 million with $30.8 million paid in cash at closing and the issuance of 1,792,981 shares of common stock of the Company (based on a 60-day VWAP of $7.36), with a fair value of $12.9 million based on the share price of $8.11 per share at closing and an 11.5% discount due to a lock-up restriction. In addition to the closing cash payment, the Company separately acquired all of the sellers’ saleable product inventory, for approximately $24.3 million of which approximately $6.8 million was paid during the year ended December 31, 2021 and $17.4 million was recorded in accounts payable on the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2021. The Company also acquired additional vehicles for approximately $0.2 million. As such, the total acquisition price for all operating assets and inventory was approximately $68.2 million.
The Company accounted for this transaction under ASC 805, Business Combinations, by applying the acquisition method of accounting and established a new basis of accounting on the date of acquisition. The assets acquired by the Company were measured at their estimated fair values as of the date of acquisition. Goodwill is calculated as the excess of the purchase price over the net assets recognized and represent synergies and benefits expected as a result from combining operations with an emerging national presence. For the year ended December 31, 2021, transaction costs for the acquisition totaled $0.9 million and were reflected in distribution, selling and administrative expenses in the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income (loss).
The information included herein has been prepared based on the allocation of the purchase price using estimates of the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed which were determined using a combination of quoted market prices, discounted cash flow, and other estimates made by management.
Purchase Price Allocation
The following table presents the allocation of the total consideration paid to acquire the assets and liabilities of the Great Wall Group:
(In thousands) Amount
Inventory $ 24,728
Property plant, and equipment 1,537
Intangible assets 30,145
Total assets acquired 56,410
Goodwill 11,745
Total consideration $ 68,155
The Company recorded acquired intangible assets of $30.1 million, which included tradenames and trademarks of $10.5 million, customer relationships of $17.2 million and non-competition agreements of $2.4 million. The fair value of customer relationships was determined by applying the income approach utilizing the excess earnings methodology using Level 3 inputs including a discount rate. The fair value of tradenames and trademarks was determined by applying the income approach utilizing the relief from royalty methodology and Level 3 inputs including a royalty rate of 1% and a discount rate. The fair value of non-competition agreements was determined by applying the income approach using Level 3 inputs including a discount rate. Discount rates used in determining fair values for customer relationships, tradenames and trademarks, and non-competition agreements ranged from 11.5% to 14.0%. The useful lives of the tradenames and trademarks are ten years, customer relationships are ten years and non-compete agreements are three years, with a weighted average amortization period of approximately nine years. The associated goodwill is deductible for tax purposes. See Note 8 - Goodwill and Acquired Intangible Assets for additional information on acquired intangibles in the Great Wall Acquisition.
Since the Great Wall Acquisition occurred on December 30, 2021, the amounts of revenue and earnings of the Great Wall Group included in the Company’s consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income (loss) from the acquisition date to December 31, 2021 were immaterial.
Unaudited Supplemental Pro Forma Financial Information
The following table presents the Company’s unaudited pro forma results for the years ended December 31, 2022, as if the Great Wall Acquisition and the Sealand Acquisition had been consummated on January 1, 2021. The unaudited pro forma financial information presented includes the effects of adjustments related to the amortization of acquired intangible assets and excludes other non-recurring transaction costs directly associated with the acquisition such as legal and other professional service fees. Statutory rates were used to calculate income taxes.
(In thousands, except share and per share data) Year Ended December 31,
2022 2021
Pro forma net revenue $ 1,202,296 $ 1,072,653
Pro forma net income attributable to HF Foods $ 35 $ 33,724
Pro forma earnings per common share-basic
$ - $ 0.65
Pro forma earnings per common share-diluted
$ - $ 0.65
Pro forma weighted average shares-basic
53,757,199 53,706,392
Pro forma weighted average shares-diluted
53,757,199 53,809,020
Note 8 - Goodwill and Acquired Intangible Assets
Goodwill
The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill are presented below:
(In thousands) Amount
Balance at December 31, 2021 $ 80,257
Acquisition of Sealand Food, Inc. 4,861
Balance at December 31, 2022 85,118
No Goodwill activity -
Balance at December 31, 2023 $ 85,118
Accumulated impairment for goodwill is $338.2 million as of December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021. The accumulated impairment resulted from an impairment during the year ended December 31, 2020.
There is only one reporting unit at December 31, 2023 and 2022. As a result of the Company’s results of operations compared to previous forecasts, combined with the level of the Company’s stock price, the Company performed a quantitative goodwill impairment assessment as of December 31, 2023 and 2022. The fair value was determined using an average of the income approach, comparable public company analysis, and comparable acquisitions analysis. The fair value of the reporting unit exceeded the carrying value, and therefore the Company concluded no impairment was required to be recorded during the year ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022. For the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company performed a qualitative goodwill impairment assessment and concluded no impairment was required to be recorded during the year ended December 31, 2021.
The 2023 impairment test resulted in an estimated fair value that exceeded carrying value by approximately 10% at December 31, 2023. The most critical assumptions in determining fair value using the income approach were projections of future cash flows such as forecasted revenue growth rates, gross profit margins, and the discount rate. The market approaches were primarily impacted by an enterprise value multiple of EBITDA. A significant change in these assumptions or a sustained decline in the Company’s stock price could result in an interim impairment test and/or potential goodwill impairment in the future.
Acquired Intangible Assets
In connection with the Sealand acquisition, the Company acquired $14.7 million of intangible assets, primarily representing trademarks and trade names of $4.4 million, customer relationships of $8.9 million and non-compete agreements of $1.4 million. The useful lives of trademarks and trade names are ten years, customer relationships are ten years and non-compete agreements are three years, with a weighted average amortization period of approximately nine years. The associated goodwill is deductible for tax purposes.
In connection with the Great Wall Group acquisition, HF Foods acquired $30.1 million of intangible assets, primarily representing a non-competition agreement, trademarks and trade names and customer relationships, which have an estimated amortization period of approximately 3 years, 10 years, and 10 years, respectively.
In connection with the acquisition of B&R Global in 2019, HF Foods acquired $188.5 million of intangible assets, primarily representing trademarks and trade names and customer relationships which have an estimated amortization period of 10 and 20 years, respectively.
December 31, 2023 December 31, 2022
(In thousands) Gross
Carrying
Amount Accumulated
Amortization Net
Carrying
Amount Gross
Carrying
Amount Accumulated
Amortization Net
Carrying
Amount
Non-competition agreement $ 3,892 $ (2,429) $ 1,463 $ 3,892 $ (1,132) $ 2,760
Trademarks and trade names 44,207 (15,045) 29,162 44,256 (10,673) 33,583
Customer relationships 185,266 (38,085) 147,181 185,266 (27,518) 157,748
Total $ 233,365 $ (55,559) $ 177,806 $ 233,414 $ (39,323) $ 194,091
The Company evaluated possible triggering events that would indicate long-lived asset impairment assessment. The Company impaired its acquired developed technology and recognized impairment expense of $0.4 million in distribution, selling and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations during the year ended December 31, 2022. There were no triggering events identified for the remaining acquired intangible assets at December 31, 2022. No impairment was recorded against acquired intangible assets for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2021.
HF Foods’ amortization expense for acquired intangible assets was $16.3 million, $15.7 million and $10.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
The estimated future amortization expense for intangible assets is presented below:
(In thousands) Amount
Year ending December 31,
2024 $ 16,285
2025 15,152
2026 14,987
2027 14,987
2028 14,987
Thereafter 101,408
Total $ 177,806
Note 9 - Derivative Financial Instruments
Derivative Instruments
The Company utilizes interest rate swaps ("IRS") for the sole purpose of mitigating interest rate fluctuation risk associated with floating rate debt instruments (as defined in Note 10 - Debt). The Company does not use any other derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes.
On August 20, 2019, HF Foods entered into two IRS contracts with East West Bank (the "EWB IRS") for initial notional amounts of $1.1 million and $2.6 million, respectively. On April 20, 2023, the Company amended the corresponding mortgage term loans, which pegged the two mortgage term loans to 1-month Term SOFR (Secured Overnight Financing Rate) + 2.29% per annum for the remaining duration of the term loans. The amended EWB IRS contracts fixed the two term loans at 4.23% per annum until maturity in September 2029.
On December 19, 2019, HF Foods entered into an IRS contract with Bank of America (the "BOA IRS") for an initial notional amount of $2.7 million in conjunction with a newly contracted mortgage term loan of corresponding amount. On December 19, 2021, the Company entered into the Second Amendment to Loan Agreement, which pegged the mortgage term loan to Term SOFR + 2.5%. The BOA IRS was modified accordingly to fix the SOFR based loan to approximately 4.50%. The term loan and corresponding BOA IRS contract mature in December 2029.
On March 15, 2023, the Company entered into an amortizing IRS contract with JPMorgan Chase for an initial notional amount of $120.0 million, effective from March 1, 2023 and expiring in March 2028, as a means to partially hedge its existing floating rate loans exposure. Pursuant to the agreement, the Company will pay the swap counterparty a fixed rate of 4.11% in exchange for floating payments based on Term SOFR.
The Company evaluated the aforementioned IRS contracts currently in place and did not designate those as cash flow hedges. Hence, the fair value change on these IRS contracts are accounted for and recognized as a change in fair value of IRS contracts in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss).
As of December 31, 2023, the Company determined that the fair values of the IRS contracts were $0.4 million in an asset position and $1.6 million in a liability position. As of December 31, 2022, the fair values of the IRS contracts were $0.5 million in an asset position. The Company includes these in other long-term assets and other long-term liabilities, respectively, on the consolidated balance sheets. In determining fair value, the Company utilizes valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs to the extent possible, as well as consider counterparty credit risk in its assessment of fair value. The inputs used to determine the fair value of the IRS are classified as Level 2 on the fair value hierarchy.
Note 10 - Debt
Long-term debt at December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 is summarized as follows:
($ in thousands)
Bank Name Maturity Interest Rate at December 31, 2023
December 31, 2023 December 31, 2022
Bank of America (a)
October 2026 - December 2029 4.34% - 7.95%
$ 2,362 $ 4,315
East West Bank (b)
August 2027 - September 2029 7.64% - 9.00%
5,675 5,822
JPMorgan Chase (c)
January 2030 7.32% - 7.44%
106,337 111,714
Other finance institutions (d)
January 2024 - July 2024 5.99% - 6.17%
45 160
Total debt, principal amount 114,419 122,011
Less: debt issuance costs (258) (302)
Total debt, carrying value 114,161 121,709
Less: current portion (5,450) (6,266)
Long-term debt $ 108,711 $ 115,443
_______________
(a)Loan balance consists of real estate term loan and equipment term loan, collateralized by one real property and specific equipment. The real estate term loan is pegged to TERM SOFR + 2.5%.
(b)Real estate term loans with East West Bank are collateralized by three real properties. Balloon payments of $1.8 million and $2.9 million are due at maturity in 2027 and 2029, respectively.
(c)Real estate term loan with a principal balance of $106.3 million as of December 31, 2023 and $111.4 million as of December 31, 2022 is secured by assets held by the Company and has a maturity date of January 2030. Equipment term loan with a principal balance of $0.02 million as of December 31, 2023 and $0.3 million as of December 31, 2022 is secured by specific vehicles and equipment as defined in loan agreements. Equipment term loan matured in December 2023 and retired after December 31, 2023 with the final payment of remaining outstanding principal.
(d)Secured by vehicles.
The terms of the various loan agreements related to long-term bank borrowings require the Company to comply with certain financial covenants, including, but not limited to, a fixed charge coverage ratio and effective tangible net worth. As of December 31, 2023, the Company was in compliance with its covenants.
On March 31, 2022, the Company amended the JPM Credit Agreement, defined below, extending the Real Estate Term Loan for five years. The amendment provides for an increase in the Real Estate Term Loan from $69.0 million to $115.0 million with a 1-month SOFR plus a credit adjustment of 0.1% plus 1.875% per annum.
The future maturities of long-term debt as of December 31, 2023 are as follows:
(In thousands) Amount
Year ending December 31,
2024 $ 5,450
2025 5,378
2026 5,385
2027 7,194
2028 5,229
Thereafter 85,525
Total $ 114,161
Credit Facility
On November 4, 2019, the Company entered into a credit agreement with JPMorgan Chase (the “JPM Credit Agreement”). The JPM Credit Agreement provided for a $100.0 million asset-secured revolving credit facility maturing on November 4, 2022, with an option to renew at the bank’s discretion. On January 17, 2020, the Company and certain of the wholly-owned subsidiaries and affiliates of the Company as borrowers, and certain material subsidiaries of the Company as guarantors, entered into the Second Amended Credit Agreement (“Second Amended Credit Agreement”). On December 30, 2021, the Company entered into the Consent, Waiver, Joinder and Amendment No. 3 to the Second Amended Credit Agreement with JPMorgan Chase, as Administrative Agent, and certain lender parties thereto, including Comerica Bank. The Second Amended Credit Agreement, as amended, provided for (i) a $100.0 million asset-secured revolving credit facility maturing on November 4, 2022 (the “Revolving Facility”), (ii) mortgage-secured term loan of $75.6 million, (the “Term Loan”), and (iii) amendment in the referenced interest rate from 1-month LIBOR to 1-month Secured Overnight Financing Rate ("SOFR") plus a credit adjustment of 0.1% (difference between LIBOR and SOFR plus 1.375% per annum).
The existing revolving credit facility balance under the Second Amended Credit Agreement, was rolled over to the Revolving Facility on December 30, 2021. On the same day, the Company utilized an additional $33.3 million drawdown from the Revolving Facility to fund the Great Wall Acquisition. The Second Amended Credit Agreement, as amended, contains certain financial covenants, including, but not limited to, a fixed charge coverage ratio.
On March 31, 2022, the Company amended the JPM Credit Agreement extending the Revolver Facility for five years, with a maturity date of November 4, 2027. The amendment provides for a $100.0 million asset-secured revolving credit facility with a one-month SOFR plus a credit adjustment of 0.1% plus 1.375% per annum. As of December 31, 2023, the Company was in compliance with its covenants. The outstanding principal balance on the line of credit as of December 31, 2023 was $58.6 million and outstanding letters of credit amounted to $3.8 million leaving access to approximately $37.6 million in additional funds through our $100.0 million line of credit, subject to a borrowing base calculation.
Subsequent to December 31, 2023, on February 6, 2024, the Company amended the JPM Credit Agreement to (i) remove a cap on permitted indebtedness in respect of capital lease obligations, subject to certain enumerated conditions; (ii) create a reserve on the borrowing base, which will be reduced on a dollar-for-dollar basis once the Company has made expenditures in excess of such amount relating to the development and construction of certain real property, and which amounts shall be excluded from certain financial covenants under the JPM Credit Agreement and; (iii) remove certain sublease income from various financial covenants.
Note 11 - Earnings (Loss) Per Share
The Company computes earnings per share (“EPS”) in accordance with ASC Topic 260 (“ASC 260”), Earnings per Share. ASC 260 requires companies with complex capital structures to present basic and diluted EPS. Basic EPS is measured as net income divided by the weighted average common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS is similar to basic EPS, but presents the dilutive effect on a per share basis of potential common shares (e.g., convertible securities, options, warrants and restricted stock) as if they had been converted at the beginning of the periods presented, or issuance date, if later. Potential common shares that have an anti-dilutive effect (i.e., those that increase income per share or decrease loss per share) are excluded from the calculation of diluted EPS. There were 862,182, 348,610 and 130,668 potential common shares related to performance-based restricted stock units and restricted stock units that were excluded from the calculation of diluted EPS for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively, because their effect would have been anti-dilutive.
The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted EPS:
Year Ended December 31,
($ in thousands, except share and per share data) 2023 2022 2021
Numerator:
Net (loss) income attributable to HF Foods Group Inc. $ (2,174) $ 460 $ 22,145
Denominator:
Weighted-average common shares outstanding 53,878,237 53,757,162 51,918,323
Effect of dilutive securities - 106,286 173,499
Weighted-average dilutive shares outstanding 53,878,237 53,863,448 52,091,822
Earnings (Loss) per common share:
Basic $ (0.04) $ 0.01 $ 0.43
Diluted $ (0.04) $ 0.01 $ 0.43
Note 12 - Income Taxes
The provision (benefit) for income taxes of the Company for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 consists of the following:
Year Ended December 31,
(In thousands) 2023 2022 2021
Current:
Federal $ 4,237 $ 3,620 $ 9,044
State 1,219 1,161 2,329
Current income taxes 5,456 4,781 11,373
Deferred income benefit:
Federal (4,550) (4,321) (2,823)
State (865) (691) (4,047)
Deferred income benefit: (5,415) (5,012) (6,870)
Total income tax expense (benefit) $ 41 $ (231) $ 4,503
The Company's effective income tax rates for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 were (1.6)%, (5,148.7)% and 16.6%, respectively. The determination of the Company’s overall effective income tax rate requires the use of estimates. The effective income tax rate reflects the income earned and taxed in U.S. federal and various state jurisdictions based on enacted tax law, permanent differences between book and tax items, change in valuation allowance, tax credits and the Company’s change in relative income in each jurisdiction. Changes in tax laws and rates may affect recorded deferred tax assets and liabilities and the Company’s effective income tax rate in the future. The Company has no operations outside the U.S., as such, no foreign income tax was recorded.
Reconciliations of the statutory income tax rate to the effective income tax rate are as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
2023 2022 2021
Federal statutory tax rate (21%) 21.0 % 21.0 % 21.0 %
State statutory tax rate (13.9) % 3,963.2 % 5.8 %
U.S permanent differences (8.7) % 207.1 % 1.9 %
Noncontrolling interests 5.5 % 3,164.6 % - %
Officers’ compensation (12.5) % - % - %
Rate change - % (2,566.3) % (13.7) %
Return to provision 21.6 % - % - %
Change in valuation allowance (35.9) % - % - %
Tax credits 6.7 % - % - %
Uncertain tax positions 14.9 % (10,573.0) % 0.6 %
Stock compensation (6.6) % - % - %
Payable adjustments 6.0 % - % - %
Other 0.3 % 634.7 % 1.0 %
Effective tax rate (1.6) % (5,148.7) % 16.6 %
Temporary differences and carryforwards of the Company that created significant deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows:
(In thousands) December 31, 2023 December 31, 2022
Deferred tax assets:
Allowance for expected credit losses $ 523 $ 301
Inventories 1,216 1,185
Equity compensation 552 467
Compensation related accruals 984 1,031
Guarantee liability 1,326 1,528
Fair value change in interest rate swap contracts 233 -
Leases 5,325 6,553
Accrued expenses 902 304
Interest expense limitation 415 -
Equity investments 80 -
Net operating loss carryovers 706 38
Other 49 -
Total deferred tax assets 12,311 11,407
Deferred tax liabilities:
Property and equipment (4,588) (5,845)
Intangible assets (32,959) (35,740)
Right of use assets (3,069) (3,466)
Equity investments - (649)
Fair value change in interest rate swap contracts - (150)
Total deferred tax liabilities (40,616) (45,850)
Less: Valuation allowance (723) -
Net deferred tax liabilities $ (29,028) $ (34,443)
As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company had $3.0 million and no federal net operating loss ("NOL") carryovers, respectively, with an indefinite carryforward period. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company had state NOL carryovers of $2.2 million and $0.8 million, which will begin to expire in 2038. As of December 31, 2023, the Company has established a full valuation allowance against the NOL carryovers related to the Company’s subsidiary, HFFI which was recorded through income tax expense.
In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will 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. During the year ended December 31, 2023, management concluded that with the exception of certain deferred taxes attributable to the Company’s subsidiary, HFFI, it was more likely than not that the Company would be able to realize the benefit of the deferred tax assets in the future. We based this conclusion on historical and projected operating performance, as well as our expectation that our operations will generate sufficient taxable income in future periods to realize the tax benefits associated with the deferred tax assets. Management has established a valuation allowance against certain deferred taxes attributable to the Company's subsidiary, HFFI. Management believes the realization of these deferred tax assets will be limited as the Company exited HFFI operations during the year ended December 31, 2023. As such, the Company has recorded a valuation allowance of $0.7 million on the deferred tax assets of HFFI.
The Company will continue to assess the need for a valuation allowance in the future by evaluating both positive and negative evidence that may exist.
Unrecognized Tax Benefits
Year Ended December 31,
(In thousands) 2023 2022 2021
Total unrecognized tax benefits on January 1, $ 350 $ 752 $ 752
Decrease related to positions taken on items from prior years (244) (402) -
Increase related to positions taken in the current year - - -
Total unrecognized tax benefits on December 31, $ 106 $ 350 $ 752
It is reasonably possible that $0.1 million of the total uncertain tax benefits will reverse within the next 12 months and would affect the effective tax rate if recognized. Due to the statute of limitations expiring, the unrecognized tax liability for the tax year ended December 31, 2019 was reversed, which was recorded in income tax (benefit) expense on the consolidated financial statements, in the amount of $0.2 million during the year ended December 31, 2023. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company had accrued penalties of $17,000 and $50,000, respectively and accrued interest of $10,000 and $34,000, respectively. During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company reversed accrued penalties and accrued interest of $28,000 and $39,000, respectively. The Company recognized the reversal of interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits and penalties as income tax benefit.
The Company is subject to taxation in the United States and various states. As of December 31, 2023, tax years for 2020 through 2022 are subject to examination by the tax authorities.
Note 13 - Related Party Transactions
The Company makes regular purchases from and sales to various related parties. Related party affiliations were attributed to transactions conducted between the Company and those business entities partially or wholly owned by the Company, the Company's officers and/or shareholders who owned no less than 10% shareholdings of the Company.
Mr. Xiao Mou Zhang (“Mr. Zhang”), the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, and certain of his immediate family (collectively greater than 10% shareholders) have ownership interests in various related parties involved in (i) the distribution of food and related products to restaurants and other retailers and (ii) the supply of fresh food, frozen food, and packaging supplies to distributors. Mr. Zhang does not have any involvement in negotiations with any of the above-mentioned related parties.
The Company believes that Mr. Zhou Min Ni (“Mr. Ni”), the Company’s former Co-Chief Executive Officer, together with various trusts for the benefit of Mr. Ni's four children, are collectively beneficial owners of more than 10% of the outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock, and he and certain of his immediate family members have ownership interests in related parties involved in (i) the distribution of food and related products to restaurants and other retailers and (ii) the supply of fresh food, frozen food, and packaging supplies to distributors.
For the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, North Carolina Good Taste Noodle, Inc. (“NC Noodle”) was disclosed as a related party due to Mr. Jian Ming Ni's, a former Chief Financial Officer of the Company, continued ownership interest in NC Noodle. As of January 1, 2023, NC Noodle is no longer considered a related party since it has been three years since Mr. Jian Ming Ni resigned from the Company.
The related party transactions as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 and for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 are identified as follows:
Related Party Sales, Purchases, and Lease Agreements
Purchases
Below is a summary of purchases of goods and services from related parties recorded for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively:
Year Ended December 31,
(In thousands) Nature 2023 2022 2021
(a) Conexus Food Solutions (formerly as Best Food Services, LLC) Trade $ 8,581 $ 10,514 8,341
(b) Eagle Food Services, LLC Trade - - 4
(c) Eastern Fresh NJ, LLC Trade - 1,093 5,509
(c) Enson Seafood GA, Inc. (formerly “GA-GW Seafood, Inc.”) Trade 37 - 128
(d) First Choice Seafood, Inc. Trade - 134 322
(d) Fujian RongFeng Plastic Co., Ltd Trade - 372 3,108
(c) Hanfeng Information Technology (Jinhua), Inc. Service - - 122
(c) N&F Logistics, Inc. Trade - - 3
(e) North Carolina Good Taste Noodle, Inc. Trade N/A 7,227 5,520
(c) Ocean Pacific Seafood Group, Inc. Trade 381 589 452
(f) Revolution Industry, LLC Trade - - 190
(c) UGO USA, Inc. Trade - - 212
Others Trade 205 332 133
Total $ 9,204 $ 20,261 $ 24,044
_______________
(a)An equity interest is held by three Irrevocable Trusts for the benefit of Mr. Zhang's children.
(b)Tina Ni, one of Mr. Zhou Min Ni’s family members, owns an equity interest in this entity indirectly through its parent company.
(c)Mr. Zhou Min Ni owns an equity interest in this entity.
(d)Mr. Zhou Min Ni owns an equity interest in this entity indirectly through its parent company.
(e)No longer considered a related party as of January 1, 2023 since it has been three years since Mr. Jian Ming Ni resigned from the Company. As a result, 2023 amounts have not been disclosed.
(f)Raymond Ni, one of Mr. Zhou Min Ni’s family members, owned an equity interest in this entity. On February 25, 2021, the Company executed an asset purchase agreement to acquire the machinery and equipment of Revolution Industry, LLC ("RIL"). The Company acquired substantially all of the operating assets used or held for use in such business operation for the amount of $250,000 plus the original wholesale purchase value of all verified, useable cabbage and egg roll mix inventory of RIL. Advances due from RIL at the time of transaction were an offset to the purchase price paid to RIL. Going forward, the Company has taken the egg roll production business in house and ceased its vendor relationship with RIL.
Sales
Below is a summary of sales to related parties recorded for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively:
Year Ended December 31,
(In thousands) 2023 2022 2021
(a) ABC Food Trading, LLC $ 2,078 $ 3,949 $ 2,642
(b) Asahi Food, Inc. 791 639 704
(a) Conexus Food Solutions (formerly as Best Food Services, LLC) 928 1,285 792
(c) Eagle Food Service, LLC 1,942 879 2,864
(d) Eastern Fresh NJ, LLC - - 155
(d) Enson Group, Inc. (formerly as Enson Group, LLC) - - 101
(d) Enson Seafood GA, Inc. (formerly as GA-GW Seafood, Inc.) - - 573
(e) First Choice Seafood, Inc. 31 35 99
(e) Fortune One Foods, Inc. 42 115 418
(d) Heng Feng Food Services, Inc. - - 163
(d) N&F Logistics, Inc. 6 40 531
(f) Union Food LLC 27 - -
Other - - 13
Total $ 5,845 $ 6,942 $ 9,055
_______________
(a)An equity interest is held by three Irrevocable Trusts for the benefit of Mr. Zhang's children.
(b)The Company, through its subsidiary MF, owns an equity interest in this entity.
(c)Tina Ni, one of Mr. Zhou Min Ni’s family members, owns an equity interest in this entity indirectly through its parent company.
(d)Mr. Zhou Min Ni owns an equity interest in this entity.
(e)Mr. Zhou Min Ni owns an equity interest in this entity indirectly through its parent company.
(f)Tina Ni, one of Mr. Zhou Min Ni’s family members, owns an equity interest in this entity.
Lease Agreements
The Company leases various facilities to related parties.
The Company leased a facility to NC Noodle under an operating lease agreement originally expiring in 2024. The lease agreement was terminated in connection with the sale of the facility on November 3, 2021. The building and related land were sold to NC Noodle for $0.8 million and a gain of $0.5 million. Rental income for the year ended December 31, 2021 was $42,000, which is included in other income in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss).
The Company leased a facility to UGO USA Inc. under an operating lease agreement which was mutually terminated by both parties effective April 1, 2021. Rental income for the year ended December 31, 2021 was $7,000, which is included in other income in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss).
The Company leased a facility to iUnited Services, LLC ("iUnited"), which had been determined to be a related party due to the equity ownership interest in iUnited of Mr. Jian Ming Ni, the Company's former Chief Financial Officer. The lease agreement was terminated in connection with the sale of the facility on November 3, 2021. The building and related land was sold to iUnited for $1.5 million and a gain of $0.8 million. Rental income for the year ended December 31, 2021 was $50,000, which is included in other income in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss).
The Company leased a warehouse to Enson Seafood GA Inc. (formerly GA-GW Seafood, Inc.) under an operating lease agreement originally expiring on September 21, 2027. On May 18, 2022, the Company sold the warehouse to Enson Seafood GA Inc. for approximately $7.2 million, recognized a gain of $1.5 million and used a portion of the proceeds to pay the outstanding balance of the Company's $4.5 million loan with First Horizon Bank. Rental income for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 was $0.2 million and $0.5 million, respectively, which is included in other income in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss).
The Company leased a production area to Revolution Industry, LLC under a $3,000 month-to-month lease agreement. The lease agreement was terminated as a result of the asset purchase agreement executed on February 25, 2021. Rental income recorded for the year ended December 31, 2021 was $6,000, which is included in other income in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss).
In 2020, the Company renewed a warehouse lease from Yoan Chang Trading Inc. under an operating lease agreement which expired on December 31, 2020. In February 2021, the Company executed a new five-year operating lease agreement with Yoan Chang Trading Inc., effective January 1, 2021 and expiring on December 31, 2025. Rent expense was $0.3 million, $0.3 million and $0.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively, which is included in distribution, selling and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss).
Beginning 2014, the Company leased a warehouse to Asahi Food, Inc. under a commercial lease agreement which was rescinded March 1, 2020. A new commercial lease agreement for a period of one year was entered into, expiring February 28, 2021, with a total of four renewal periods with each term being one year. Rental income was $0.1 million, $0.1 million and $0.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively, which is included in other income in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss).
Related Party Balances
Accounts Receivable - Related Parties, Net
Below is a summary of accounts receivable with related parties recorded as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively:
(In thousands) December 31, 2023 December 31, 2022
(a) ABC Food Trading, LLC $ 94 $ -
(b) Asahi Food, Inc. 69 81
(a) Conexus Food Solutions (formerly as Best Food Services, LLC) 84 -
(c) Eagle Food Service, LLC - 69
(d) Enson Seafood GA, Inc. (formerly as GA-GW Seafood, Inc.) 59 59
(e) Fortune One Foods, Inc. - 4
(f) Union Food LLC 2 -
Total $ 308 $ 213
_______________
(a)An equity interest is held by three Irrevocable Trusts for the benefit of Mr. Zhang's children.
(b)The Company, through its subsidiary MF, owns an equity interest in this entity.
(c)Tina Ni, one of Mr. Zhou Min Ni’s family members, owns an equity interest in this entity indirectly through its parent company.
(d)Mr. Zhou Min Ni owns an equity interest in this entity.
(e)Mr. Zhou Min Ni owns an equity interest in this entity indirectly through its parent company.
(f)Tina Ni, one of Mr. Zhou Min Ni’s family members, owns an equity interest in this entity.
The Company has reserved for 100% of the accounts receivable for Union Food LLC as of December 31, 2023. The Company has reserved for 100% of the accounts receivable for Enson Seafood GA, Inc. as of December 31, 2023. This outstanding balance was reserved for 80% as of December 31, 2022. All other accounts receivable from these related parties are current and considered fully collectible. No additional allowance is deemed necessary as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022.
Accounts Payable - Related Parties
All the accounts payable to related parties are payable upon demand without interest. Below is a summary of accounts payable with related parties recorded as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively:
(In thousands) December 31, 2023 December 31, 2022
(a) Conexus Food Solutions (formerly as Best Food Services, LLC) $ 379 $ 729
(b) North Carolina Good Taste Noodle, Inc. N/A 731
Others 18 69
Total $ 397 $ 1,529
_______________
(a)An equity interest is held by three Irrevocable Trusts for the benefit of Mr. Zhang's children.
(b)No longer considered a related party as of January 1, 2023 since it has been three years since Mr. Jian Ming Ni resigned from the Company. As a result, 2023 amounts have not been disclosed.
Promissory Note Payable - Related Party
The Company issued a $7.0 million unsecured subordinated promissory note to B&R Group Realty Holding, LLC (“BRGR”) in January 2020. BRGR was established to hold real estate that is leased primarily to the Company and is owned partially by Mr. Zhang. During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company paid the remaining $4.5 million principal balance of this related party promissory note payable. Interest payments paid were $0.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2022.
Note 14 - Stock-Based Compensation
The Company has a stock-based employee compensation plan, known as the HF Foods Group Inc. 2018 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (the “2018 Incentive Plan”). The 2018 Incentive Plan allows for up to 3,000,000 shares of common stock reserved for issuance of awards to employees, non-employee directors, and consultants. The 2018 Incentive Plan provides for the grant of incentive stock options, non-statutory stock options, restricted stock awards, restricted stock unit awards, stock appreciation rights, other stock awards, and performance awards that may be settled in stock, or other property. The Company began issuing awards under the 2018 Incentive Plan in February 2021.
As of December 31, 2023, the Company had 810,944 time-based vesting restricted stock units (“RSUs”) unvested, 665,932 performance-based restricted stock units (“PSUs”) unvested, 531,222 shares of common stock vested and 991,902 shares remaining available for future awards under the 2018 Incentive Plan.
RSUs granted to employees vest over time based on continued service (vesting over a period between one to three years in equal installments). PSUs granted to employees vest based on (i) the attainment of certain financial metrics, as defined by the Company's compensation committee (“Financial PSUs”) and (ii) for the 2021 grants, total shareholder return of the Company’s common stock (“TSR PSUs”). Both types of PSUs vest over three years in equal installments based on the performance metrics established for each year and also require continued service for vesting.
A summary of RSU and PSU activity for the year ended December 31, 2023 is as follows:
Shares Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Unvested RSUs at December 31, 2022 598,325 $ 5.39
Granted 520,248 3.86
Forfeited (54,589) 4.94
Vested (253,040) 5.45
Unvested RSUs at December 31, 2023 810,944 4.43
Shares Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Unvested PSUs at December 31, 2022 382,662 $ 4.95
Granted 441,288 3.86
Forfeited (38,926) 4.19
Vested (119,092) 5.19
Unvested PSUs at December 31, 2023 665,932 4.23
The weighted-average grant date fair value per share of RSUs granted during the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021 was $3.86, $5.04 and $5.22, respectively. The weighted-average grant date fair value per share of PSUs granted during the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 was $3.86, $4.76 and $4.94, respectively. The total fair value of equity based awards that vested during the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 was $1.5 million, $0.8 million and zero, respectively.
The Company accounts for stock-based compensation in accordance with ASC Topic 718 Compensation - Stock Compensation (“ASC 718”). ASC 718 addresses all forms of share-based payment awards including shares issued under employee stock purchase plans and stock incentive shares. The fair value of the RSUs and Financial PSUs are measured using the closing price of the Company’s common stock on NASDAQ Global Capital Market on the date preceding grant date. The fair value of the TSR PSUs are determined using a Monte Carlo simulation model. No TSR PSUs were granted during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022. The assumptions used to estimate the fair value of the TSR PSUs granted during the year ended December 31, 2021 and valued under the Monte Carlo simulation model were as follows:
2021 PSU Grants
Risk-free interest rate 0.20% - 0.34%
Expected dividend yield 0.00%
Expected term (years) 2.56 - 3.15
Expected volatility (1)
62.08% - 65.74%
_______________
(1)Expected volatility is based on a 50/50 blending of (i) the average historical volatility of a select group of industry peers with a look-back period equal to the expected term, and (ii) the historical volatility of the Company with a look-back period of 0.75 years - 1.17 years, the time from the valuation date to the date six months after the completion of the merger with B&R Global, using daily stock prices. The expected volatility of peer companies was 54.96% - 63.45%. The expected volatility of the Company's common stock was 66.10% - 69.19%.
The fair value of RSUs are amortized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for each award. For the PSUs, the Company recognizes stock-based compensation expense on a straight-line basis for each vesting tranche over the longer of the derived, explicit, or implicit service period for the vesting tranche. As of interim and annual reporting periods, the Financial PSUs stock-based compensation expense is adjusted based on expected achievement of performance targets, while TSR PSUs stock-based compensation expense is not adjusted. The Company recognizes forfeitures as they occur.
Stock-based compensation expense is included in distribution, selling and administrative expenses in the Company's consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss). The components of stock-based compensation expense for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 and 2021 were as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
(In thousands) 2023 2022 2021
Stock-based compensation (RSUs) expense $ 2,118 $ 897 $ 405
Stock-based compensation (PSUs) expense 1,234 360 230
Total stock-based compensation expense $ 3,352 $ 1,257 $ 635
Tax benefit of stock-based compensation expense $ 931 $ 366 $ 132
As of December 31, 2023, there was $4.2 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to all non-vested outstanding RSUs and PSUs outstanding under the 2018 Incentive Plan, with a weighted average remaining service period of 1.82 years. Of the total unrecognized compensation cost, $2.3 million is related to RSUs with time-based vesting provisions and $1.9 million is related to PSUs with performance and market-based vesting provisions.
Note 15 - Employee Benefit Plan
The Company sponsors a defined contribution plan, the HF Foods Group, Inc. Employees 401(k) Savings Plan (the “401(k) Plan”). Under the 401(k) Plan, after one month of service, eligible employees may elect to defer up to 100% of their compensation before taxes, up to the dollar limit imposed by the Internal Revenue Service for tax purposes. The Company matches 100% of an eligible employee’s contributions, dollar for dollar, up to 3% of eligible pay, plus 50% of each additional dollar greater than 3% and no more than 5% of eligible pay. 401(k) Plan participants are immediately 100% vested in the Company’s non-discretionary contributions to the plan. For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, the Company recognized expense of $831,000, $432,000 and $240,000, respectively, in distribution, selling and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss).
Note 16 - Commitments and Contingencies
From time to time, the Company is a party to various lawsuits, claims and other legal proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of business. When the Company becomes aware of a claim or potential claim, it assesses the likelihood of any loss or exposure. In accordance with authoritative guidance, the Company records loss contingencies in its financial statements only for matters in which losses are probable and can be reasonably estimated. Where a range of loss can be reasonably estimated with no best estimate in the range, the Company records the minimum estimated liability. If the loss is not probable or the amount of the loss cannot be reasonably estimated, the Company discloses the nature of the specific claim if the likelihood of a potential loss is reasonably possible and the amount involved is material. The Company continuously assesses the potential liability related to its pending litigation and revise its estimates when additional information becomes available. Adverse outcomes in some or all of these matters may result in significant monetary damages or injunctive relief against the Company that could adversely affect its ability to conduct business. There also exists the possibility of a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial statements for the period in which the effect of an unfavorable outcome becomes probable and reasonably estimable. Legal costs associated with loss contingencies are expensed as incurred.
As previously disclosed, in March 2020, an analyst report suggested certain improprieties in the Company’s operations, and in response to those allegations, the Company’s Board of Directors appointed a Special Committee of Independent Directors (the “Special Investigation Committee”) to conduct an internal independent investigation with the assistance of counsel. These allegations became the subject of two putative stockholder class actions filed on or after March 29, 2020 in the United States District Court for the Central District of California generally alleging the Company and certain of its current and former directors and officers violated the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder by making allegedly false and misleading statements (the “Class Actions”). These Class Actions have since been dismissed and are now closed.
In addition, the SEC initiated a formal, non-public investigation of the Company, and the SEC informally requested, and later issued a subpoena for, documents and other information. The subpoena relates to but is not necessarily limited to the matters identified in the Class Actions. The Special Investigation Committee and the Company have been cooperating with the SEC.
Certain factual findings were made based on evidence adduced by the Special Investigation Committee during its internal investigation. After the conclusion of its internal investigation, the Special Investigation Committee also made recommendations to management regarding improvements to Company operations and structure, including but not limited to its dealings with related parties. The Company has implemented numerous improvements and continues to improve its compliance program. The Company has also instituted structural changes including the appointment of an independent Chairman of the Board to replace the former Co-Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board. In addition, as of January 31, 2023, three other independent directors serve on the Company’s Board of Directors. The Company’s senior executive team now includes a General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer, a Chief Operations Officer who was hired in May 2022, and a new Chief Financial Officer who joined the Company in August 2022. We also hired a Vice President and Head of Internal Audit in April 2022 who reports directly to the Chief Financial Officer and to the Audit Committee Chair. In November 2022, we hired a Vice President of Compliance and Associate General Counsel, who reports directly to the General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer.
The Company also created a Special Litigation Committee which determined to pursue claims against certain former officers and directors. As a result, pursuant to the previously disclosed settlement agreement (as amended on November 1, 2023, the “Settlement Agreement”) between the Company and certain parties to the verified stockholder derivative complaint filed by James Bishop in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware, on October 16, 2023, the Company received $1.5 million on behalf of Zhou Min Ni, a former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, and Chan Sin Wong, a former President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company (together, the “Ni Defendants”). Subsequently, on December 1, 2023, the Company received 1,997,423 shares (valued at $7.75 million) of the Company’s common stock, based on the closing price of $3.88 on October 13, 2023, plus a cash payment of approximately $0.1 million of accrued interest through the date of payment, in satisfaction of the Ni Defendant’s payment obligations totaling $9.25 million under the Settlement Agreement. The receipt of the settlement proceeds were recorded in distribution, selling, and administrative expense in the consolidated statement of operations (as a recovery of previously recorded expenses related to the litigation) and cash and treasury stock in the consolidated balance sheet. Pursuant to the terms of the Settlement Agreement, Mr. Ni, Ms. Wong and Jonathan Ni, the former Chief Financial Officer of the Company, agreed to give up any rights to indemnification or the advancement of fees in connection with the SEC investigation and any actions the SEC might take against them relating to the SEC investigation.
On October 13, 2023, the Company received a “Wells Notice” from the staff of the SEC (the “Wells Notice”) relating to the previously disclosed formal, non-public SEC investigation of allegations that the Company and certain of its current and former directors and officers violated the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder by making allegedly false and misleading statements. A Wells Notice is neither a formal charge of wrongdoing nor a final determination that the recipient has violated any law and invites recipients to submit a response if they wish. The Company made a submission in response to the Wells Notice explaining why an enforcement action would not be appropriate. Following that submission, the staff of the SEC determined that it would no longer be recommending that the SEC file an enforcement action against the Company at this time pending a potential agreed-upon resolution between the Company and the SEC. The Company is in negotiations with the SEC over a potential resolution, which could include fines and penalties, but the terms of that settlement are not set. The Company has made no formal offer of settlement to the SEC as of this filing, and therefore, a reasonable estimate of the contingency cannot be made.
AnHeart Lease Guarantee
The Company provided a guarantee for two separate leases for two properties located in Manhattan, New York, at 273 Fifth Avenue and 275 Fifth Avenue, for 30 years and 15 years, respectively. The Company has determined that AnHeart is a VIE as a result of the guarantee. However, the Company concluded it is not the primary beneficiary of AnHeart and therefore does not consolidate, because it does not have the power to direct the activities of AnHeart that most significantly impact AnHeart's economic performance.
On February 10, 2021, the Company entered into an Assignment and Assumption of Lease Agreement (“Assignment”), dated effective as of January 21, 2021, with AnHeart and Premier 273 Fifth, LLC, pursuant to which it assumed the lease of the premises at 273 Fifth Avenue (the “273 Lease Agreement”). At the same time, the closing documents were delivered to effectuate the amendment of the 273 Lease Agreement pursuant to an Amendment to Lease (the “Lease Amendment”). The Assignment and the Lease Amendment were negotiated in light of the Company’s guarantee obligations as guarantor under the Lease Agreement. The Company agreed to observe all the covenants and conditions of the Lease Agreement, as amended, including the payment of all rents due. Under the terms of the Lease Agreement and the Assignment, the Company has undertaken to construct, at its own expense, a building on the premises at a minimum cost of $2.5 million. The Lease Amendment permits subletting of the premises, and the Company intends to sublease the newly constructed premises to defray the rental expense undertaken pursuant to its guaranty obligations.
On January 17, 2022, the Company received notice that AnHeart had defaulted on its obligations as tenant under the lease for 275 Fifth Avenue. On February 7, 2022, the Company undertook its guaranty obligations by assuming responsibility for payment of monthly rent and other tenant obligations, including past due rent as well as property tax obligations beginning with the January 2022 rent due. On February 25, 2022, the Company instituted a legal action to pursue legal remedies against AnHeart and Minsheng. In March 2022, the Company agreed to stay that litigation against AnHeart in exchange for AnHeart’s payment of certain back rent from January to April 2022 and its continued partial payment of monthly rent. AnHeart subsequently defaulted on these obligations. On October 25, 2023, the Company commenced a new legal action by filing a complaint in New York County Supreme Court to pursue legal remedies against AnHeart and Minsheng. As of the filing of the new summons and complaint, AnHeart and Minsheng are indebted to the Company in the amount of $474,000.
In accordance with ASC Topic 460, Guarantees, the Company has determined that its maximum exposure resulting from the 275 Fifth Avenue lease guarantee includes future minimum lease payments plus potential additional payments to satisfy maintenance, property tax and insurance requirements under the leases with a remaining term of approximately 10 years. The Company elected a policy to apply the discounted cash flow method to loss contingencies with more than 18 months of payments. AnHeart is obligated to pay all costs associated with the properties, including taxes, insurance, utilities, maintenance and repairs. During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company recorded a lease guarantee liability of $5.9 million. The Company determined the discounted value of the lease guarantee liability using a discount rate of 4.55%. As of December 31, 2023, the Company had a lease guarantee liability of $5.5 million. The current portion of the lease guarantee liability of $0.3 million is recorded in accrued expenses and other liabilities, while the long-term portion is recorded in other long-term liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet. The Company's monthly rental payments range from approximately $42,000 per month to $63,000 per month, with the final payment due in 2034.
The changes in the lease guarantee liability are presented below:
(In thousands) Amount
Balance at December 31, 2021 $ -
Lease guarantee liability recorded 5,942
Lease guarantee liability activity (182)
Balance at December 31, 2022 5,760
Lease guarantee liability activity (288)
Balance at December 31, 2023 $ 5,472
The estimated future minimum lease payments as of December 31, 2023 are presented below:
(In thousands) Amount
Year Ending December 31,
2024 $ 582
2025 604
2026 621
2027 638
2028 656
Thereafter 3,822
Total 6,923
Less: imputed interest (1,451)
Total minimum lease payments $ 5,472
Note 17 - Subsequent Events
Other than as disclosed elsewhere in this report, no subsequent events have occurred that would require recognition in the consolidated financial statements or disclosure in the accompanying notes.

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ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE.
None.

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ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial and accounting officer, conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting, and disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act, as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial and accounting officer concluded that, due to the material weaknesses described below, our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective at the reasonable assurance level as of December 31, 2023.
Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act. Our internal controls over financial reporting is a process designed under the supervision of our principal executive officer and principal financial and accounting officer 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.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not detect or prevent misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of the effectiveness to future periods are subject to risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
As of December 31, 2023, management assessed the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting based on the criteria for effective internal control over financial reporting established in “Internal Control - Integrated Framework”, issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations ("COSO") of the Treadway Commission in 2013.
A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of our annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.
Based on this assessment, our management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was not effective as of December 31, 2023, due to the material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting described below.
As previously reported, we identified the following material weaknesses, which continue to exist as of December 31, 2023.
We did not maintain appropriately designed entity-level controls impacting the (1) control environment, (2) risk assessment procedures, (3) control activities, (4) information and communication, and (5) monitoring activities to prevent or detect material misstatements to the financial statements and assess whether the components of internal control were present and functioning properly. These deficiencies were primarily attributed to an insufficient number of qualified resources to support and provide proper oversight and accountability over the performance of controls.
These entity-level material weaknesses resulted in the following specific material weaknesses:
•Information Technology (IT) General Controls - We did not design and maintain effective information technology general controls over logical access, program change management, and segregation of duties for key IT systems. As a result, certain business process controls that are dependent upon information from these systems were also not effective. Additionally, we did not design and maintain effective controls over the implementation of new IT systems.
•Financial Reporting - We did not properly design or maintain effective controls over the financial reporting process to enable timely reporting of complete and accurate financial information. We did not design and implement certain review controls with a sufficient precision to prevent or detect a material misstatement, did not consistently perform
sufficient review of journal entries, or consistently retain adequate supporting documentation for financial statement balances and the related footnote disclosures. Additionally, we did not design and maintain effective controls over certain non-routine transactions or significant management estimates, including the review of underlying data and assumptions for completeness and accuracy.
Remediation Activities
In response to these material weaknesses, with oversight from the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors, we have continued to implement measures to improve our internal control structure. Specifically, we have:
•Hired additional finance and accounting personnel and also provided training in key financial reporting and internal control areas;
•Designed and implemented new entity-level controls (“ELCs”) with greater alignment to the COSO 2013 Internal Controls Framework;
•Established requirements over documentation and retention of appropriate evidence to support the operation of ELCs, business process controls, IT general controls;
•Enhanced the structure, governance, and communication over related party transactions;
•Designed and implemented enhanced review procedures over technical accounting memos for non-routine transactions and complex accounting matters;
•Implemented new enterprise finance and human capital system and evaluated technology alternatives to initiate a change from our legacy inventory and distribution system to better ensure data accuracy, completeness, and continued progress towards an improved operational and control environment;
•Designed and implemented uniform controls across all distribution centers and improved processes around our inventory cycle counts and year-end inventory count procedures;
•Designed and implemented controls over stock compensation, corporate tax, and year-end financial reporting procedures with enhanced precision and control attributes; and,
•Designed and implemented an enhanced control testing program throughout the period to evaluate our system of internal control to determine whether components of the internal control were present and functioning properly in a more timely manner.
We are committed to ensuring that our internal controls over financial reporting are designed and operating effectively. We believe the efforts taken to date and certain measures that are in progress will improve the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting and mitigate risks of material misstatement. We are still in the process of implementing these steps and cannot assure investors that these measures will significantly improve or remediate the material weaknesses described above. Additionally, while we believe these efforts will improve our internal control environment, our remediation is still in progress and subject to ongoing testing of the design and operating effectiveness over a sufficient period of time in order to effectively remediate these material weaknesses.
The effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023 has been audited by BDO USA, P.C., an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their attestation report, which is included in Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K.
Changes in Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting and Disclosure Controls
Other than the actions taken to continue our material weaknesses remediation efforts, described above, there were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the quarter ended December 31, 2023 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Shareholders and Board of Directors
HF Foods Group Inc.
Las Vegas, Nevada
Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited HF Foods Group Inc.’s (the “Company’s”) internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (the “COSO criteria”). In our opinion, the Company did not maintain, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023, based on the COSO criteria.
We do not express an opinion or any other form of assurance on management’s statements referring to any corrective actions taken by the Company after the date of management’s assessment.
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 December 31, 2023 and 2022, the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss), shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2023, and the related notes (collectively referred to as “the financial statements”) and our report dated March 26, 2024 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
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 “Item 9A, Management’s Annual 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 U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit of internal control over financial reporting 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 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.
A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the company’s annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. The following material weaknesses have been identified and included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting:
The Company did not maintain appropriately designed entity-level controls impacting the (1) control environment, (2) risk assessment procedures, (3) control activities, (4) information and communication, and (5) monitoring activities to prevent or detect material misstatements to the financial statements and assess whether the components of internal control were present and functioning properly. These deficiencies were primarily attributed to an insufficient number of qualified resources to support and provide proper oversight and accountability over the performance of controls.
These entity-level material weaknesses resulted in the following specific material weaknesses:
•Information Technology (IT) General Controls - The Company did not design and maintain effective information technology general controls over logical access, program change management and segregation of duties for key IT systems. As a result, certain business process controls that are dependent upon information from these systems were also not effective. Additionally, the Company did not design and maintain effective controls over the implementation of new IT systems.
•Financial Reporting - The Company did not properly design or maintain effective controls over the financial reporting process to enable timely reporting of complete and accurate financial information. The Company did not design and implement certain review controls with a sufficient precision to prevent or detect a material misstatement, did not consistently perform sufficient review of journal entries, or consistently retain adequate supporting documentation for financial statement balances and the related footnote disclosures. Additionally, the Company did not design and maintain effective controls over certain non-routine transactions or significant management estimates, including the review of underlying data and assumptions for completeness and accuracy.
These material weaknesses were considered in determining the nature, timing, and extent of audit tests applied in our audit of the 2023 financial statements, and this report does not affect our report dated March 26, 2024.
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/ BDO USA, P.C.
Troy, Michigan
March 26, 2024

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ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION.
None.

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ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE.
Information required by this Item will be included in our Proxy Statement for the 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the SEC, within 120 days of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, and is incorporated herein by reference.

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ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.
Information required by this Item will be included in our Proxy Statement for the 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the SEC, within 120 days of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, and is incorporated herein by reference.

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ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS.
Information required by this Item will be included in our Proxy Statement for the 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the SEC, within 120 days of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, and is incorporated herein by reference.

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ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE.
Information required by this Item will be included in our Proxy Statement for the 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the SEC, within 120 days of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, and is incorporated herein by reference.

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ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES.
Information required by this Item will be included in our Proxy Statement for the 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the SEC, within 120 days of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, and is incorporated herein by reference.
PART IV.

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ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.
We have filed the following documents as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K:
1.Consolidated Financial Statements
See Index to Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
2.Financial Statement Schedules
All financial statement schedules have been omitted, since the required information is not applicable or is not present in amounts sufficient to require submission of the schedule, or because the information required is included in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
3.Exhibits
The following exhibits are incorporated herein by reference or are filed or furnished with this report as indicated below:
Incorporated by Reference
Exhibit Number Description Form Exhibit/
Appendix Filing Date
2.1 Merger Agreement dated March 27, 2018, by and among Atlantic Acquisition Corp., HF Group Merger Sub Inc., HF Group Holding Corporation, the stockholders of HF Group Holding Corporation and Zhou Min Ni, as the stockholders’ representative
DEF14A A 7/18/2018
3.1 Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation
8-K 3.1.2 11/5/2019
Incorporated by Reference
Exhibit Number Description Form Exhibit/
Appendix Filing Date
3.2 Amended and Restated Bylaws
8-K 3.02 11/4/2022
3.3 Certificate of Designation of Rights, Preferences and Privileges of Series A Participating Preferred Stock
8-K 3.1 4/12/2023
3.4 First Amendment to Amended and Restated Bylaws, dated April 25, 2023
8-K 3.1 4/26/2023
4.1 Specimen Common Stock Certificate
S-1/A 4.2 7/28/2017
4.2 Form of Rights Agreement, dated August 8, 2017, by and between American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC and the Registrant
8-K 4.1 8/11/2017
4.3 Form of Unit Purchase Option between the Registrant and Chardan Capital Markets, LLC
S-1/A 4.5 7/28/2017
4.4 Preferred Stock Rights Agreement, dated as of April 11, 2023, by and between HF Foods Group Inc. and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, as rights agent
8-K 4.1 4/12/2023
4.5* Description of Registrant's Securities
10.1† HF Food Group Inc. 2018 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan
DEF14A B 7/18/2018
10.2 Form of Registration Rights Agreement between the Company, HF Group Holdings Corporation and Zhou Min Ni, as representative of the stockholders of HF Foods
8-K 10.9 8/27/2018
10.3† Employment Agreement as amended dated as of August 22, 2018 between HF Foods Group Inc. and Zhou Min Ni
8-K 10.10 9/13/2018
10.4† Employment Agreement as amended dated as of August 22, 2018 between HF Foods Group Inc. and Chan Sin Wong
8-K 10.11 9/13/2018
10.5† Employment Agreement as amended dated as of August 22, 2018 between HF Foods Group Inc. and Jian Ming Ni
8-K 10.12 9/13/2018
10.6 Credit Agreement dated as of January 5, 2012 between Han Feng, Inc. and East West Bank
10-K 10.12 4/1/2019
10.7 Amendment to Credit Agreement dated as of May 21, 2013 by and between Han Feng, Inc. and East West Bank
10-K 10.13 4/1/2019
10.8 Second Amendment to Credit Agreement dated as of December 10, 2013 by and between Han Feng, Inc. and East West Bank
10-K 10.14 4/1/2019
10.9 Third Amendment to Credit Agreement dated as of July 1, 2016 between Han Feng, Inc. and East West Bank
10-K 10.15 4/1/2019
10.10 Fourth Amendment to Credit Agreement dated July 18, 2017 between Han Feng, Inc. and East West Bank
10-K 10.16 4/1/2019
10.11 Credit Agreement dated as of February 26, 2018 between New Southern Food Distributors, Inc. and Bank of America, N.A.
10-K 10.17 4/1/2019
10.12 Warehouse Lease Agreement dated as January 7, 2019 between Yoan Chang Trading and Kirnland Food Service
10-K 10.18 4/1/2019
10.13 Membership Interest Purchase Agreement among B&R Global Holdings, Inc., B&R Group Realty Holding, LLC, and subsidiaries of B&R Group Realty Holding, LLC, dated January 17, 2020
10-Q 2.1 5/18/2020
10.14 Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement among HF Foods Group Inc. B&R Global Holdings, Inc., subsidiaries of the Company, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (“JPMorgan”), as Administrative Agent, and certain lender parties thereto, dated January 17, 2020
10-Q 10.1 5/18/2020
10.15† Letter Agreement between HF Foods Group Inc. and Russell T. Libby
10-Q 10.2 5/18/2020
10.16 Mutual Rescission Agreement between HF Foods and Rescinding Shareholders dated April 1, 2020
10-Q 10.3 5/18/2020
10.17 Assignment and Assumption of Lease Agreement, dated as of January 21, 2021 between Anheart, Inc. and 273 Fifth Avenue, LLC
10-K 10.25 3/16/2021
10.18 Lease dated July 2, 2018, between Anheart Inc. and Premier 273 Fifth, LLC
10-K 10.26 3/16/2021
10.19 Amendment of Lease, dated as of January 21, 2021, between Anheart, Inc. and Premier 273 Fifth, LLC
10-K 10.27 3/16/2021
Incorporated by Reference
Exhibit Number Description Form Exhibit/
Appendix Filing Date
10.20† Separation Agreement between HF Foods Group Inc. and Zhou Min Ni, dated February 23, 2021
10-K 10.28 3/16/2021
10.21 Lease Agreement between Yoan Chang Trading, Inc. and Kirnland Food Distribution, Inc., dated as of January 1, 2021
10-K 10.29 3/16/2021
10.22 Stock Purchase Agreement, dated May 28, 2021, by and among Ki Tai Yeung, HF Group Holding Corp., and Kirnland Food Distribution, Inc.
8-K 10.1 6/1/2021
10.23† HF Foods Group Inc. Amended and Restated Severance Plan
8-K 10.1 1/5/2023
10.24† Employment Agreement between Christine Chang and HF Foods Group Inc., dated as of July 29, 2021
8-K 10.2 8/4/2021
10.25 Continuing Guaranty, dated August 2, 2021, executed by HF Foods Group Inc. in favor of JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
8-K 10.1 9/9/2021
10.26† Letter Agreement by and between HF Foods Group Inc. and Valerie P. Chase, dated December 10, 2021
8-K 5.1 12/15/2021
10.27 Consent, Waiver, Joinder and Amendment No. 3 to Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement by and among HF Foods Group Inc., B&R Global Holdings, Inc. and certain of the wholly-owned subsidiaries and affiliates of the Company, including Great Wall Seafood IL, L.L.C., and Great Wall Seafood TX, L.L.C., as borrowers, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as Administrative Agent, and certain lender parties thereto, including Comerica Bank, dated December 30, 2021
8-K 10.1 1/4/2022
10.28 Asset Purchase Agreement by and among Great Wall Seafood Supply, Inc., Great Wall Restaurant Supplier, Inc., First Mart Inc., Great Wall Seafood IL, L.L.C., Great Wall Seafood TX, L.L.C., Bo Chuan Wong and Qiu Xian Li, dated December 30, 2021
8-K 10.2 1/4/2022
10.29† Form of Restricted Stock Agreement
S-8 4.7 6/15/2021
10.30 Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement by and among HF Foods Group Inc., B&R Global Holdings, Inc. and certain of the wholly-owned subsidiaries and affiliates of the Company, as borrowers, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as Administrative Agent, and certain lender parties thereto, including Comerica Bank, dated March 31, 2022
8-K 10.1 4/1/2022
10.31† Offer of Employment for Felix Lin dated April 15, 2022
8-K 10.1 4/20/2022
10.32 Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of April 19, 2022, by and among Sealand Food, Inc., Connie Wang, Jenny Wang and Great Wall Seafood VA, L.L.C. and, solely for purposes of Section 2.1(d) thereof, HF Foods Group, Inc.
8-K 10.1 4/25/2022
10.33† Separation and Release Agreement, dated May 18, 2022, by and among HF Foods Group Inc. and Kong Hian Lee
8-K 10.1 5/24/2022
10.34† Offer Letter, dated July 8, 2022, by and among HF Foods Group, Inc. and Carlos A. Rodriguez
8-K 10.1 7/14/2022
10.35† Letter Agreement, dated January 17, 2022, by and among HF Foods Group Inc. and Prudence Kuai
8-K 10.1 1/19/2023
10.36 Consent Under Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated October 26, 2022
8-K 10.1 10/31/2022
10.37† Separation Agreement and Release of Claims, dated March 26, 2021, by and among HF Foods Group Inc. and Caixuan Xu
10-K 10.45 1/31/2023
21.1* Subsidiaries of Registrant
23.1* Consent of BDO USA, P.C.
31.1* Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14 and Rule 15d-14(a), promulgated under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
31.2* Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14 and Rule 15d-14(a), promulgated under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
32.1** Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
Incorporated by Reference
Exhibit Number Description Form Exhibit/
Appendix Filing Date
32.2** Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
97.1* Policy for the Recovery of Erroneously Awarded Compensation
101* Inline XBRL Document Set for the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes in Part II, Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" of this Annual Report on Form 10-K
104* Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)
_______________
* Filed herewith.
** Furnished herewith.
† Indicates a management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.